Signal de-noising methods for fault diagnosis and troubleshooting at CANDU® stations

•Fault modelling using a Fault Semantic Network (FSN).•Intelligent filtering techniques for signal de-noise in NPP.•Signal feature extraction is applied as integrated with FSN.•Increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Over the past several years a number of domestic CANDU® stations have experienced issues with neutron detection systems that challenged safety and operation. Intelligent troubleshooting methodology is required to aid in making risk-informed decisions related to design and operational activities, which can aid current stations and be used for the future generation of CANDU® designs. Fault modelling approach using Fault Semantic Network (FSN) with risk estimation is proposed for this purpose. One major challenge in troubleshooting is the determination of accurate data. It is typical to have missing, incomplete or corrupted data points in large process data sets from dynamically changing systems. Therefore, it is expected that quality of obtained data will have a direct impact on the system's ability to recognize developing trends in the process upset situations. In order to enable fault detection process, intelligent filtering techniques are required to de-noise process data and extract valuable signal features in the presence of background noise. In this study, the impact of applying an optimized and intelligent filtering of process signals prior to data analysis is discussed. This is particularly important for neutronic signals in order to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) which suffers the most during start-ups and low power operation. This work is complimentary to the previously published studies on FSN-based fault modelling in CANDU stations. The main objective of this work is to explore the potential research methods using a specific case study and, based on the results and outcomes from this work, to note the possible future improvements and innovation areas.