Optimization Research on Overall Test Strategy of Operational DCS in Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

This paper studies the optimization measures based on the operational DCS test strategy widely used in the second generation Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), to meet the more complex operational DCS test demands for the third generation NPP. The operational DCS is the monitoring and control center of equipment in NPP. As the third generation NPP is becoming the mainstream technology, the test activity of operational DCS is meeting with many new challenges like higher test complexity and longer test period, which lead to the situation that the test strategy currently used in the second generation NPP cannot meet the test demands of the third generation NPP. The test strategy currently used needs optimizing as early as possible. This paper firstly analyzes the current situation of the operational DCS test strategy used in second generation NPP and the existing shortfalls. Secondly, the paper analyzes the overall test strategy used in EPR NPP which is a third generation NPP. After that, these two kinds of test strategy are compared in four aspects leading to the conclusion that the EPR overall test strategy has obvious advantages in many aspects and is more applicable for complex DCS systems in third generation NPP. Moreover, the paper also presents that there are still some problems existing in EPR test strategy and suggests corresponding solutions for these problems. At last, the paper proposes a series of optimization suggestions on overall test strategy for operational DCS systems in the new-built third generation NPPs.