Status and prospects of the core surveillance system SCORPIO-VVER in Czech Republic and Slovakia
21st Symposium of AER on VVER Reactor Physics and Reactor Safety (2011, Dresden, Germany)
Core design, monitoring and fuel management
Abstract
The SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring system has proved since the first installation at
Dukovany NPP in 1999 to be a valuable tool for the reactor operators and reactor physicists. It
is now installed on four units of Dukovany NPP (Czech Republic) and two units of Bohunice
NPP (Slovak Republic) replacing the original Russian VK3 system. By both Czech and
Slovak nuclear regulatory bodies it was licensed as a Technical Specification Surveillance
tool.
Since it?s first installation, the development of SCORPIO-VVER system continues along with
the changes in VVER reactors operation. The system is being adapted according the utility
needs and several notable improvements in physical modules of the system were introduced.
The latest most significant changes were done in connection with implementation of a new
digital I&C system, loading of the optimized Gadolinium bearing Gd2 fuel assemblies,
improvements in the area of core design (neutron physics, core thermal hydraulics and fuel
thermal mechanics), adaptation of the system to up-rated unit conditions, in design and
methodology of the limit and technical specifications checking (implementation of the on-line
shutdown margin calculation to the system) and improvements in the predictive part of the
system (Strategy Generator).
After the currently finished upgrades (Upgrade 2 at EBO Slovakia in 2009, Upgrade 5 at EDU
Czech Republic in 2010) the SCORPIO-VVER is still in focus of Central European nuclear
power plants with the roadmap of modification and implementation up to 2015.
In April 2011 the Upgrade 3 at EBO Slovakia has been contracted to support the changed
reactor technical specification and for support of the new type of fuel planned to load in 2012.
During the summer of 2011 the discussions started with EDU NPP in Czech Republic
regarding to the future development of the SCORPIO-VVER system up to 2015.
Parallel with the support of current installations at NPPs the project of new installations is
ongoing. During the years 2012-2013 the SCORPIO-VVER system will become a part of the
full scale simulator in the Centre for training and education of the reactor operators and
reactor physicist for EBO NPP in Slovak Republic.
With the upgrade on the way and new installation under the preparation, the SCORPIOVVER project is very active and prepared to meet new challenges in future.