| Entry-time processes are finite-state continuous-time jump processes with transition rates depending only on the two states involved in transition, the calendar time, and the most recent arrival time, which is termed as entry-time.;The entry-time processes have the potential to provide a significantly greater range of applicability and flexibility than traditional reliability tools for case studies related to equipment and components in nuclear power plants.;In this dissertation, the finite difference approximation of the integrodifferential Chapman-Kolmogorov equations for the entry-time processes was developed, and then it was verified by application to some hypothetical examples that are solved by alternative means, either (semi-)analytically or via simulation.;To demonstrate the ability of entry-time model to applications in nuclear power plants for a RIAM based scenario, the entry-time approach is applied to the maintenance of main generators in nuclear power using the data from INPO-EPIX database. In this application, both reliability and financial performances acquired using the entry-time approaches corresponding to different maintenance policies are presented and discussed to help make maintenance decisions for the plant management.;The ability of the EPIX database to provide time-dependent failure rates is demonstrated and the techniques for extraction of failure rates from the database for main generators are also discussed. |
