Method and system for assessing plant parameters and performance over a global network

• US 6,754,673 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2000
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Huff, James Maclaine, Delvin, Sandra Anne, Horn, Ronald Martin, Mui, Jenny Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coby, Frantz
• Application Number:
  US09/748,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20010053940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 Days
• Field of Search: 707/100, 707/101, 707/102, 707/103.R, 707/104.1, 700/213, 700/32, 700/108, 376/260
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0224 Process history based detection method, e.g. whereby history implies the availability of large amounts of data
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

Plant parameters and performance of an industrial plant such as a boiling water nuclear reactor plant can be assessed over a global network. Plant parameter and performance data are compiled from a plurality of operating plants, and this data is stored in a categorized historical database. Users are provided access to the historical database over the global network to perform self-assessments and generate comparison graphics showing percentile ranking, trending, etc. Data generated at a particular plant can be downloaded to a server site for more detailed engineering analyses using conventional methods. Reports and commentary on the analyses can be returned to the user via the global network.

Claims

1. A method of assessing plant parameters and performance over a global network, the method comprising:

(a) compiling plant parameter and performance data from a plurality of operating plants, the plant parameter and performance data including at least water chemistry of each of the plurality of operating plants;

(b) storing the plant parameter and performance data in a categorized historical database;

(c) enabling access to the historical database over a global network; and

(d) comparing plant parameter and performance data among the plurality of operating plants based on the plant parameter and performance data stored in the historical database.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) is practiced by receiving the plant parameter and performance data from the plurality of operating plants over the global network.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) is practiced by storing the plant parameter and performance data in the categorized historical database according to plant type, and wherein the comparing step is practiced by comparing plant parameter and performance data by plant type.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising performing engineering assessments based on the plant parameter and performance data stored in the historical database.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) is practiced by enabling categorized access to the historical database according to input parameters.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of operating plants are boiling water nuclear reactor plants, and wherein the plant parameter and performance data comprises reactor water chemistry characteristics and reactor performance data, step (c) being practiced by enabling access to the historical database to determine current reactor performance trends and to predict future reactor behavior.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein step (c) is practiced by enabling categorized access to the historical database according to input parameters and by displaying data for a particular one of the plurality of operating plants.

8. A computer system for assessing plant parameters and performance over a global network, the computer system comprising:

at least one user computer running a computer program that effects compiling of plant parameter and performance data from a plurality of operating plants and storing of the plant parameter and performance data in a categorized historical database, the plant parameter and performance data including at least water chemistry from each of the plurality of operating plants; and

a system server running a server program, the at least one user computer and the system server being interconnected by a computer network, the system server enabling access to the historical database over the computer network and enabling comparing plant parameter and performance data among the plurality of operating plants based on the plant parameter and performance data stored in the historical database.

9. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for assessing plant parameters and performance over a global network, the computer program comprising:

means for compiling plant parameter and performance data from a plurality of operating plants, the plant parameter and performance data including at least water chemistry from each of the plurality of operating plants;

means for storing the plant parameter and performance data in a categorized historical database;

means for enabling access to the historical database over a global network; and

means for comparing plant parameter and performance data among the plurality of operating plants based on the plant parameter and performance data stored in the historical database.