INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL EQUIPMENT MODERNIZATION TO IMPROVE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PERFORMANCE

摘要

Many aging instrumentation and control (I&C) systems in nuclear power plants need to be modernized in a reliable and cost-effective manner to improve plant performance, to enhance safety, to reduce O&M costs, and to eliminate the problem of lack of spare parts and supplier support. Digital I&C systems play a major role in nuclear power plants to achieve real productivity improvements and to enhance the competitiveness of the plant without compromising safety. However, the modernization of I&C equipment brings with it several challenges. These include the determination of which systems to modernize, what technology to use for a particular modernization project, how to introduce new systems and new technology in the plant, how to develop new systems with new technology so that it will work together with existing systems, how to address new concerns that digital technology brings with it such as software verification and validation and video display units (VDU) based human-system interfaces, how to develop requirements needed to support licensing, and many others. Based on this need, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) undertook a project to prepare a comprehensive review of I&C modernization in nuclear power plants. The report is designed to identify methodologies, guidelines, processes, concerns, and good practices to help the I&C modernization of nuclear power plants. The scope of modernization activities described in this report, and reviewed in this paper, cover a wide range of activities. It includes modernization of equipment in operating plants and modernization of equipment and designs in partially built plants. It covers large, complex systems; small systems, and individual components within systems. It also covers the complete replacement of all I&C equipment in a plant. This IAEA report on I&C modernization was put together by experts from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, IAEA, Korea, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States. The report takes advantage of the activities and lessons learned in the different national approaches to develop general guidance and recommendations.