Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
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Design and development of enhanced criticality alarm system for nuclear applications

  • Srinivas Reddy, Padi (Reprocessing Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute) ;
  • Kumar, R. Amudhu Ramesh (Reprocessing Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) ;
  • Mathews, M. Geo (Reprocessing Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) ;
  • Amarendra, G. (Materials Science Group & Metallurgy and Materials Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute)
  • Received : 2017.10.23
  • Accepted : 2018.01.30
  • Published : 2018.06.25
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Abstract

Criticality alarm systems (CASs) are mandatory in nuclear plants for prompt alarm in the event of any criticality incident. False criticality alarms are not desirable as they create a panic environment for radiation workers. The present article describes the design enhancement of the CAS at each stage and provides maximum availability, preventing false criticality alarms. The failure mode and effect analysis are carried out on each element of a CAS. Based on the analysis, additional hardware circuits are developed for early fault detection. Two different methods are developed, one method for channel loop functionality test and another method for dose alarm test using electronic transient pulse. The design enhancement made for the external systems that are integrated with a CAS includes the power supply, criticality evacuation hooter circuit, radiation data acquisition system along with selection of different soft alarm set points, and centralized electronic test facility. The CAS incorporating all improvements are assembled, installed, tested, and validated along with rigorous surveillance procedures in a nuclear plant for a period of 18,000 h.

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References

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