Analysis of the operational reliability of a power-generating unit with a BN-600 reactor during the period 1980–1993

Abstract

The high quality of the design and the additional improvements to separate units of the main equipment and systems at the initial stage of operation (first main circulation pump, steam generators, safety and control system) ensured reliable operation of the power-generating unit. The reliability indicators are as follows (%): the installed-power utilization factor, the technical utilization factor, and the availability factor were 68.7, 75.7, and 97.2, respectively. The maximum power utilization factor of 77% was achieved in 1988. The safety limits set by the reactor design were not exceeded during the disruption of normal operation of the power-generating unit as a result of equipment failures and personnel errors. The largest number of disruptions (∼75%) occurred during 1980–1986, the average number of disruptions per year was ∼7, and four cases per year occurred in 1987 to 1990. During the most recent period (1988–1993) disruptions of normal operation of the unit (21 cases) were connected mainly with failures of the turbogenerators (five cases) and equipment failures in the third loop (three cases).