An on-line method to monitor BWR core stability based on an autocorrelation method

A on-line monitoring method is introduced for BWR core stability. The method utilizes only autocorrelation values for two delay time intervals. Its simplicity makes it suitable for an on-line monitor. Accuracy of the core decay ratio calculated by the method improves as the core condition approaches instability. The error in the decay ratio for regional limit cycle oscillations is 0.2% when calculated from local signals in the most unstable region, and 4% when calculated from core averaged signals. (orig.)