Adopting modern computer system technology to nuclear power plant operations

摘要

Instrumentation, control and monitoring systems in operating nuclear power plants generally utilize analog technology. As these systems age and become obsolete, utility companies are beginning to incorporate digital technology due to its proven record of high reliability in other industries, as well as wide spread availability. One of the major choices replace the existing analog control systems. Digital computer-based control systems provide improved functional control capabilites and the poltential for communications with other plant control and monitoring systems. In addition, new challenges are associated with digital technology that must be faced by the utility. These include items such as evaluating the effects of electromagnetic and radio frequency interfacence on the system reliability, the need for software veification and validation, the review of abnormal conditions and events analysis (ACEs), as well as overall licensing spects and the need to increases sue of commercial-grade equipment to decrease cost, particularly for safety systems. This paper will review these aspects of adopting digital control technology and improvments in plant monitoring and network communications to nuclear power plants.