16 Years of Reliable Operation of the SCORPIO‐VVER Core Monitoring System at Slovak and Czech NPPs, ÚJV Řež
26th Symposium of AER on VVER Reactor Physics and Reactor Safety (2016, Helsinki, Finland)
Core surveillance and monitoring continues
Abstract
16 YEARS OF RELIABLE OPERATION OF THE SCORPIO-VVER CORE MONITORING SYSTEM AT SLOVAK AND CZECH NPPsJozef MolnárÚJV Řež, a. s., Hlavní 130, Řež, 250 68 Husinec, Czech Republic jozef.molnar@ujv.czABSTRACTThe SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring and surveillance system is a software based system implemented on the robust mission critical hardware platform connected to the plant data highway. The main task of the system is the continuous core monitoring and core characteristics evaluation to help safely and effectively operate the nuclear reactor.The system was developed by local organizations as a full replacement of the original Russian VK3 system with the goal to strengthen the reactor’s core monitoring and surveillance. Since 1999 the SCORPIO-VVER system is a valuable tool for the reactor operators and reactor physicists and was licensed by both Czech and Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Bodies as a Plant Technical Specification Surveillance Tool.The development of SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring system continues along with the changes in VVER reactors operation. Within the planned upgrades the system is being adapted according the utility needs. Between the most significant upgrades belongs the modifications in connection with implementation of a new digital I&C system, adaptation of the system to up-rated unit conditions, loading new generation fuel assemblies, improvements in the area of core design (neutron physics, core thermal hydraulics and fuel thermal mechanics), in design and methodology of the limit and technical specifications checking and improvements in the predictive part of the system.Since the first installation the SCORPIO-VVER system has a remarkable operating history and experience. More than 16 years of experiences on 6 units of VVER-440 type of reactors, at two different NPPs, in two different countries helps the SCORPIO-VVER Developer’s Team to put the system to a very high level of quality and reliability.Even if the system is installed only on VVER-440 reactors, it could be adapted to the needs of other VVER type of reactors (VVER-1000) and to needs of education and training centers too. 26th Symposium of AER on VVER Reactor Physics and Reactor Safety 28 10 – 14 October 2016, Helsinki, Finland