ML22252A157

Uta Presentation for August 10, 2022 Meeting

ML22252A157
Person / Time
Site:	University of Texas at Austin
Issue date:	08/10/2022
From:	University of Texas at Austin
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Wertz G
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ML22252A158	List: ML22252A157 ML22252A175
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Download: ML22252A157 (19)

Text

UT TRIGA Control System Upgrade Phase 0 Meeting

Overview

• Motivation

• Plans and Strategy

• Status

Motivation: NETL History

• TRIGA Mark II reactor construction at NETL 19891992

• Initial criticality 1992

• Control system, digital I&C integrated with analog safety system

• Digital with 2 compiled software sets, 2 operating systems

• Operator interface, General Atomics software, windows platform

• Hardware interface, QNX

• Current system is the original system with few peripheral upgrades

• Tektronix recorder display, relaced with a PC based emulator

• RMS II & area monitors replaced with Ludlum, display networked monitors

• GA effluent monitor replaced with Canberra, display networked monitor

Motivation: Limiting Characteristics

• The compiled drivers cannot be modified

• Drivers support original equipment and cannot be updated

• Additional computers & displays required to support peripherals

• Virtually all equipment is obsolete

• Cannot be replaced

• Cannot be updated

• Repair parts via cannibalization

• Multiple annual requests for DOE NEUP support unsuccessful

Contingency Planning

• Continue requests for DOE NEUP support

• Search for Tech Support to rewrite software to allow changing drivers

• QNX not interested

• Austin is a TechHub with many system integrators

• Local software companies declined request for proposal

• Strategy developed for alternate funding profile

Strategy for Alternate Funding Profile

• Identify potential sources

• Phased Upgrade for incremental implementation

• Use the GA system for development and customization of controls

• Replace obsolete equipment with current COTS equipment

• Address currently identified need for improvements NOTE: The initial phasein for the solution was inprogress, supported by other funds, at notification of 20222023 NEUP award

Phased upgrade

• Essentially updated version of the 1992 system

• Discrete stages for implementation as funds available

• Simple and transparent changes

• Configurable software to support indefinite life extension

• Some optimization based on operating experience

• Request for proposal submitted to Plantation Productions, Inc.

Equipment Replacement (1/3)

• Current generation computers replace 286 PCs

• Ethernet based data acquisition hardware replaces Digital and Analog I/O running on IA/IBMPC AT bus

• New NETL LINUX & General Atomics software

• Replacing Windows 3.0 and QNX 4.25

• Currently at USGS, INL, AFFRI and BAEC (Bangladesh)

• DOW installation pending

• Power level channels

• Current NM1000, replaced by NLW1000 and NMP1000

• Addition of a Compensated Ion Chamber

• Obsolete NP1000 & NPP1000 replaced by current generation

Equipment Replacement (2/3)

• COTS signal processing modules for Action Paks:

• Fuel temperature modules with current generation standalone instruments

• Water temperature modules with Ethernet based RTD module

• Magnet power ground module

• Isolation/converter modules for analog bar graph display

• Ethernet singleboard computer rod control managing:

• Electromagnets

• Limit switches

• Rod position indication

• Performance of rod drop timing calculations Replaces functionality of the Labmaster board

Equipment Replacement (3/3)

• NPP1000 for Labmaster board pulse monitoring function

• HD displays for Tektronics graphic and text display emulator

Design Optimization (1/3)

• Improve control GA & QNX collects data at 0.1 second intervals

• Reactor power can change significantly in less than 0.1 second

• NM data at 0.2 sec., QNX scan 0.1 sec. creates significant delay in display and control

• Time dependent power level changes are used to calibrate control rods

• Discontinuous jumps in power indication required lowering operating power

• Options under consideration:

• Adjust controller time constants in new system, or

• Develop single board computer using rod drop timer with 0.025 second samples, or

• Develop an embedded system using analog signals

• Isolated analog power level signals, display and/or processing

• If power level display fluctuates, analog display may provide better information

• Option for offline data processing supporting control rod calibration

Design Optimization (2/3)

• Increase sample rate for playback (min. QNX/GA 1 sec., LINUX 0.1)

• Selectable startup channel (AFFRI)

• Configurable for NLW or NMP

• Channel sensitivity may require Technical Specification change

• Prevents single failure for startup channel

• SCRAM logic

• SCRAM Initiation with two channel trip signals (INL/NRAD)

• This will require a Technical Specification change

• Up to four channels will have SCRAM capability

• Permits online calibration, testing and maintenance

• Prevents spurious SCRAMs

Design Optimization (2/3)

• Miscellaneous process instruments upgrade

• Pool level, adding measurement to the float switches for hi/lo and scram

• Conductivity, adding continuous monitoring capability

• Fuel temperature

• adding monitors for all available sensors

• Remove from Technical Specifications

Phase 1: Overall System Requirements/Design

• System Requirements modeled on IEEE 8301998 software requirements

• Software Requirements for GA software on CCS/UIT units

• Block diagrams

• External components list (to be supplied by UT)

• Preliminary list of hardware components

• Validation by UT NETL staff

Phase 2 : Design Test Platform

• Custom TINA (Testing, Instruction, No Atomics module)

• Simulation platform for software testing

• Playback system for operating system

Phase 3: Digital Data Acquisition Design/

Construction

• Fabricate 2 UIT computer systems (one for TINA, one for console)

• Fabricate 2 CCS systems

• Build TINA system

• Integrate (watchdog and networking)

• Design DAC backplane & build DAC

• Fabricate single board computers

Phase 4: Software Porting

• Customize GA digital console software system for NETL Software is an upgrade of the existing system

Phase 5: Installation

• Assemble hardware for parallel operation

• Assemble auxiliary rack

• Connect/Disconnect cables for:

• Rod drive controllers

• Analog circuits

• Digital circuits

• Perform wiring

• Integrate and test

• Acceptance testing

• Part I: Reactor secured, simulating signals

• Part II: Reactor operating

Status

• GA Software license acquired

• Site Survey complete

• Notice of NEUP Award for control system upgrade

• Purchase pending, next (Texas) fiscal year (Sep 1)

• General Atomics equipment

• Plantation Productions, Inc