Computer Control of the Halden Boiling Water Reactor Part I: Plant Supervision Function and Corresponding On-Line Software System

Abstract

At the OECD Halden Reactor Project, Halden, Norway, an international research and development programme on computer control of nuclear power reactors is being conducted. The programme aims for demonstration of plant supervision functions, direct digital control using conventional and advanced methods, and schemes for optimal control of the core power distribution. These functions are implemented on IBM-1800 and NORD-l process control computers with about 750 analogue inputs and 200 digital inputs and outputs, disk and tape stations, displays and operator console. The multitude and complexity of computer functions have required the design of an extensive user-oriented software system to obtain efficient data flow and computer utilization, and to serve as basis for proper operator-process communication functions. The computer system has been ope rational for on-line applications since 1967 and in routine operation for supervision, data logging and direct digital control, whereas advanced control methods have been tried on the reactor in separate experiments.The present paper describes the plant supervision system comprising monitoring of plant variables, alarm handling and operators communication, and includes some of the operational experience obtained.