The SCORPIO-VVER Core monitoring and Surveillance System with Enhanced Capabilities
23rd Symposium of AER on VVER Reactor Physics and Reactor Safety (2013, Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia)
Core surveillance and monitoring
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), on two units of Bohunice
NPP (Slovak Republic) replacing the original Russian VK3 system and on the full scale plant
training simulator at the Centre for training and education of the reactor operators and reactor
physicist in Trnava (Slovak Republic). By both Czech and Slovak nuclear regulatory bodies
the system 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 the SCORPIO-VVER is still in focus of Central
European nuclear power plants with the roadmap of modification and implementation up to
2016.
In October 2012 the Upgrade 3 for the support of the new type of fuel with 4.87% enrichment
of 235U loaded into the reactors at EBO Slovakia has been finished successfully. Thanks to
the upgraded system all units could reach their 100% of nominal power.
During June 2013 the 6th Upgrade was started at EDU NPP in Czech Republic focused to the
SCORPIO-VVER enhancement and new function development up to 2016.
The Dukovany?s planned Upgrade 6 presents the most advanced upgrade in the system?s
history. The SCORPIO-VVER system will be completely renewed, re-hosted to the new
hardware, implemented the latest advanced calculation codes with enhanced accuracy and
adapted to the local, national and international IEC standards and requirements too.
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.