Development and EQ Test of KNICS RPS Prototype

Abstract

The reactor protection system (RPS) is designed to minimize a propagation of the abnormal or accident conditions of nuclear power plants. We have developed a KINCS-RPS prototype by using POSAFE PLC. The main design feature of the KNICS RPS is to satisfy the APR 1400 design requirements and to improve the availability and maintainability. The application software and hardware of the RPS are being developed according to the safety critical software life cycle and the safety H/W criteria. Especially, the software requirement specification of the RPS application software is written in a formal language for a correct software verification and validation. Also, the KNICS RPS has undergone an equipment qualification (EQ) test. The RPS prototype satisfied the nuclear EQ criteria except for some minor points. It is expected that the digital reactor protection system being developed through the 2nd phase of the KNICS project will be able to be applied to the existing NPPs for a replacement or to a new nuclear power plant.