Title: Modernisation of the CDTN IPR-R1 TRIGA reactor instrumentation and control

Authors: Amir Zacarias Mesquita, Antonio Carlos Lopes Costa, Rose Mary Gomes do Prado Souza

Addresses: Centre of Nuclear Technology Development (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG, Pampulha, Caixa Postal 941 30123-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. ' Centre of Nuclear Technology Development (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG, Pampulha, Caixa Postal 941 30123-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. ' Centre of Nuclear Technology Development (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG, Pampulha, Caixa Postal 941 30123-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract: In the IPR-R1 TRIGA control room, analogue system based on relay-based logic was used, and mechanical strip chart recorders are used to measure, monitor and record the operational parameters. The same variables of the original control system are measured, although the reactor power was upgraded to 250 kW. For this new power the fuel heat transfer becomes important and new parameters should be used as safety operational limits. A state-of-the-art control system using microprocessor technology is proposed to replace the present analogical systems. The new system eliminates most manual data logging, provides automatic or manual reactor operation modes, provides complete real-time operator display, replays historical operating data on monitor or printer, eliminates spare parts replacement problems and meets all applicable international standards. This paper describes the research project in process in CDTN (Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear) that has as objective the modernisation of the IPR-R1 instrumentation and control.

Keywords: digital control; research reactors; reactor instrumentation; TRIGA reactor; reactor control; nuclear energy; nuclear power; fuel heat transfer; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2011.041649

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2011 Vol.6 No.2, pp.153 - 165

Published online: 14 Feb 2015 *

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