THE SCORPIO-VVER CORE MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR VVER-440 TYPE OF REACTORS
24th Symposium of AER on VVER Reactor Physics and Reactor Safety (2014, Sochi, Russia)
Core surveillance and monitoring
Abstract
THE SCORPIO-VVER CORE MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
FOR VVER-440 TYPE OF REACTORS
Jozef Molnár,
ÚJV Řeţ, a. s., Czech Republic
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 (EDU, Czech Republic), on two units of Bohunice NPP (EBO, 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 (SR). 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, loading of the optimized Gadolinium bearing Gd2M 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 limits and technical specifications checking (implementation of on-line SDM calculation) and improvements in the predictive part of the system (Strategy Generator). After the currently finished upgrades the SCORPIO-VVER monitoring system is still in focus of Central European NPPs with the roadmap of modification and implementation up to 2016. In October 2012 the Upgrade3 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 system enhancement and new function development up to 2016. The Dukovany’s Upgrade6 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. The upgraded system will be put into the operation during the September 2014 on the 1st unit of EDU NPP.