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RRFM 2009 Transactions - European Nuclear Society

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UPGRADED REACTOR SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCED SAFETY AT<br />

TRIGA-INR<br />

Marin Preda, Marin Ciocanescu, Emil Mugurel Ana<br />

Institute for <strong>Nuclear</strong> Research, Str. Campului no. 1, Pitesti, Romania<br />

Abstract<br />

After almost three decades of operation of stationary TRIGA 14MW with systems<br />

provided and installed at reactor first start-up, it appeared obvious that an extended<br />

modernization program is required, both for enhancing the nuclear safety and to<br />

expand the facility lifetime.<br />

A first step has been achieved through complete HEU to LEU core conversion,<br />

meaning also core refuelling possibility for the future.<br />

Systems that have been subjected to the upgrading program are: control rods,<br />

radiation monitoring, data acquisition and processing, ventilation, irradiation<br />

devices, and above all, the outstanding modernization of the I&C system, including<br />

a brand new reactor control desk.<br />

Taking into account own and research reactors community operation experience,<br />

IAEA guides and recommendations, the basic requirement for the Instrumentation<br />

and Control System is the separation between safety and operation components,<br />

in order to decrease human error consequences and avoid common cause failures.<br />

Modernization did not cover any sensor replacement, but preserve the present<br />

scram logic and conditions (as given and approved in the Safety Report and<br />

Licensed Limits and Conditions)<br />

The entire modernization program is performed according to QA system.<br />

Out of intrinsic nuclear safety enhancement, enhanced population and environment<br />

protection is a concern and an expected result of the program.<br />

Upgrading the overall performances of the reactor and extending its operational<br />

lifetime, the Reactor Department of Institute will be able to perform competitive<br />

irradiation tests for nuclear fuel and materials, and to continue to develop nuclear<br />

investigation techniques or isotope production.<br />

1. Introduction<br />

TRIGA reactor from Institute for <strong>Nuclear</strong> Research Pitesti, Romania was commissioned in<br />

1980 (first criticality has reached on November 17th 1979).<br />

In fact, as it could be seen in the Figure 1, the TRIGA reactor consists in two reactors:<br />

A Steady State Reactor, 14MW, initially loaded with HEU fuel (93% enrichment).<br />

An Annular Core Pulsing Reactor of 20.000MW.<br />

Figure1 TRIGA reactor pool arrangement<br />

DRY<br />

CAVITY<br />

ACPR REACTOR<br />

UNDERWATER<br />

NEUTRONOGRAPHY<br />

FUEL<br />

SSR 14MW<br />

REACTOR<br />

ROD<br />

CONTROL<br />

(8)<br />

EXPERIMENTAL<br />

LOCATIONS FOR<br />

LOOPS AND<br />

CAPSULES<br />

BERILIUM<br />

REFLECTOR<br />

PLUG<br />

LOADING<br />

TUBE<br />

THERMAL COLUMN<br />

STANDARD FOR<br />

NEUTRON FLUX<br />

CALIBRATION<br />

SILICON DOPING<br />

CAVITIES<br />

EXPERIMENTAL<br />

LOCATIONS IN<br />

REFLECTOR<br />

RADIAL<br />

CHANNEL<br />

REACTOR TANK<br />

TANGENTIAL<br />

CHANNEL<br />

REACTOR ENVELOPE<br />

DRY NEUTRONOGRAPHY<br />

PGNAA<br />

FACILITY<br />

TANGENTIAL<br />

CHANNEL<br />

346 of 455<br />

RADIAL<br />

CHANNEL<br />

NEUTRON<br />

DIFFRACTOMETER

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