Reliability estimates for selected sensors in fusion applications

This report presents the results of a study to define several types of sensors in use, the qualitative reliability (failure modes) and quantitative reliability (average failure rates) for these types of process sensors. Temperature, pressure, flow, and level sensors are discussed for water coolant and for cryogenic coolants. The failure rates that have been found are useful for risk assessment and safety analysis. Repair times and calibration intervals are also given when found in the literature. All of these values can also be useful to plant operators and maintenance personnel. Designers may be able to make use of these data when planning systems. The final chapter in this report discusses failure rates for several types of personnel safety sensors, including ionizing radiation monitors, toxic and combustible gas detectors, humidity sensors, and magnetic field sensors. These data could be useful to industrial hygienists and other safety professionals when designing or auditing for personnel safety

Industry 4.0 remanufacturing: a novel approach towards smart remanufacturing

“Smart remanufacturing has become more popular in recent years as a result of its multiple benefits and the growing need for society to encourage a circular economy that leads to sustainability. One of the most common end-of-life (EoL) choices that can lead to a circular economy is remanufacturing. As a result, at the end-of-life stage of a product, it is critical to prioritize this choice over other accessible options because it is the only recovery option that retains the same quality as a new product. This work focuses on the numerous technologies that can aid in the improvement of smart remanufacturing; in other words, the various technologies that can be utilized to simplify the process of smart remanufacturing, enhance quality, and increase customer trust. A modern approach towards smart remanufacturing has been discussed in this paper, with an aim to fill the gaps in the current remanufacturing process. 67 research papers from three databases are used for this review : Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus”--Abstract, page iii

Water and Wastewater Pipe Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring: A Review

Civil infrastructures such as bridges, buildings, and pipelines ensure society's economic and industrial prosperity. Specifically, pipe networks assure the transportation of primary commodities such as water, oil, and natural gas. The quantitative and early detection of defects in pipes is critical in order to avoid severe consequences. As a result of high-profile accidents and economic downturn, research and development in the area of pipeline inspection has focused mainly on gas and oil pipelines. Due to the low cost of water, the development of nondestructive inspection (NDI) and structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies for fresh water mains and sewers has received the least attention. Moreover, the technical challenges associated with the practical deployment of monitoring system demand synergistic interaction across several disciplines, which may limit the transition from laboratory to real structures. This paper presents an overview of the most used NDI/SHM technologies for freshwater pipes and sewers. The challenges that said infrastructures pose with respect to oil and natural gas pipeline networks will be discussed. Finally, the methodologies that can be translated into SHM approaches are highlighted

Material Evaluation: Self Damping Wire SD/ACSR Conductor Failures

Following numerous 954 ACSR SD Wire failures from 2010 to 2012, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) implemented an inspection program to determine the extent of condition for this type of widely used conductor. NPPD transmission system includes over 2000 miles of this particular conductor. Transmission line splices are installed every 15-20 spans, with failures being located in a span containing a splice. NPPD worked with Kinectrics to complete electromagnetic field inspections for three days in 2013, with retesting performed in 2015. Throughout this inspection of 54 spans of conductor, 36 were found to have deterioration and corrosion. Over 80% of the corrosion noted in the report was found on a conductor span containing a splice; only 45% of the spans tested contain a splice. All of the failures occurred in spans where a compression sleeve or compression dead-end was present. In all cases, only the steel core broke internal to trapezoidal aluminum wire layers. The results of the inspection indicated that there is a notable amount corrosion located in the few hundred feet at the center of the span. Removal of spans testing “marginal” occurred in April 2015, along with the physical evaluation of the conductor validating the results of the electromagnetic inspection tool. None of the conductors were rated as poor, which would indicate no imminent failures exist. Since none of these localized areas were in poor condition, it could be several years before more frequent findings of broken wire and related problems are observed. Advisor: Jeffrey E. Shiel