Digital control systems in nuclear power plants: Failure information, modeling concepts, and applications

Technical Report · Wed Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6282793· OSTI ID:6282793

Galyean, W J

This report briefly describes some current applications of advanced computerized digital display and control systems at US commercial nuclear power plants and presents the results of a literature search that was made to gather information on the reliability of these systems. Both hardware and software reliability were addressed in this review. Only limited failure rate information was found, with the chemical process industry being the primary source of information on hardware failure rates and expert opinion the primary source for software failure rates. Safety-grade digital control systems are typically installed on a functional like-for-like basis, replacing older analog systems without substantially changing interactions with other plant systems. Future work includes performing a limited probabilistic risk assessment of a representative DCS to assess its risk significance.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USNRC; Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6282793
• Report Number(s): EGG-RAAM-10763-Rev.1; ON: DE93016372
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
RELIABILITY
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
ANALOG SYSTEMS
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
FAILURES
RETROFITTING
RISK ASSESSMENT
CONTROL SYSTEMS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
220400* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems