Enhancing nuclear plant equipment monitoring with Acoem’s tailored MV-x and NEST solution

Location: Europe
Application: Nuclear Energy

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A major nuclear power site needed to monitor critical equipment across four dry cooling towers. Acoem delivered a customized solution combining MV-x systems and NEST software, enabling centralized monitoring of over 800 data channels, including vibration and oil condition sensors.

The Challenge

Prior to Acoem’s involvement, the site faced the challenge of monitoring a high number of critical measurement points (over 700 channels) in a demanding environment: high humidity, 20-meter tower height, and long cable runs.

Potential risks: Undetected faults in key components like motor-reducers could compromise operational safety and plant performance.
Business impact: Increased risk of unscheduled downtime, higher reactive maintenance costs, and potential production losses.

The Solution

The solution comprised 24 MV-x systems dedicated to vibration analysis, complemented by the NEST supervision software for centralized monitoring. To ensure precise oil pressure and level tracking, 4-20 mA sensors were deployed. All equipment was housed in custom-built stainless steel cabinets, carefully assembled by Acoem to withstand harsh environmental conditions. The entire setup was integrated into a full network architecture featuring MODBUS communication, enabling smooth data exchange with the client’s existing infrastructure.

Acoem offered a unique advantage by partnering with the local installation company on a short-term basis without charging for this service. This collaborative approach allowed for more competitive pricing compared to other suppliers, making the solution both cost-effective and high quality.

How the Solution Met Client Needs
The system was designed to handle long cable runs ranging from 600 to 700 meters, operating reliably under extreme environmental conditions. It integrated seamlessly with the client’s existing infrastructure, avoiding costly modifications and ensuring efficient deployment.

The Results

Real-time supervision of over 800 data channels,
Continuous monitoring of 18 motor-reducers, enabling early fault detection,
Reduced risk of unplanned shutdowns,
No cabling modifications required, thanks to reuse of existing telephone pairs—resulting in cost efficiency.

The Impact

Broader impact: Improved reliability of key plant operations through real-time asset health visibility.
Relationship building: This successful collaboration strengthened the client’s trust in Acoem, potentially opening doors for future projects at other nuclear sites.