Daya Bay simulator upgrade

Monday, 13 January 2014

L3-MAPPS is to supply a new input/output (I/O) system for the full-scope reactor simulator at China's Daya Bay nuclear power plant, replacing a system installed in 1992.

The Daya Bay simulator (Image: L3-MAPPS)

A contract signed by the Canada-based company and the Guangdong Nuclear Power Joint Venture Co Ltd (GNPJVC) will see the replacement of the simulator's main control room panels and related remote shutdown panels. The work will involve the replacement of more than 13,000 I/O channels plus the replacement of simulator control room panel instruments including the synchroscope, rod position indicators and sound generator with new custom-designed versions. Work is to start immediately, and the new system is expected to be in service by the end of 2014.

L3-MAPPS has already upgraded the platform and plant models of the Daya Bay simulator. The new compact I/O hardware will support the plant's operator training program for the balance of the station's service life, Daya Bay Nuclear Power Operations and Management Co head of simulator maintenance Li Jinguang explained. The new system will replace that supplied by Thomson-CSF in 1992.

Simulators are a vital tool for the ongoing training of nuclear power plant operators throughout their careers.

Daya Bay was the first commercial nuclear power plant to open in China. Its two 944 MWe French-designed pressurised water reactors have been in service since 1994, and provided the basis for the development of China's indigenously designed CPR-1000 reactor.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News