Speaker
Description
The Excore measurement system is crucial for maintaining the performance and safety of the European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR). As a Generation III+ nuclear reactor, the EPR incorporates state-of-the-art safety systems designed to enhance operational safety and reliability. The Excore system further strengthens this safety architecture by enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of core conditions. This precise data collection is crucial for the early detection of anomalies, supporting proactive measures to prevent incidents and ensuring rapid, effective mitigation, if necessary, thereby reinforcing the reactor's overall safety and operational integrity.
The Excore neutron detectors in the EPR reactor are located outside the reactor pressure vessel, within the biological shield. The neutron detectors are mounted in movable container chains suspended on steel ropes and are lowered through guide tubes to their measurement positions around the reactor vessel in the vessel pit. Their placement around the core allows them to monitor the fast neutrons emitted from the reactor core. By measuring the neutron flux, these detectors provide data for monitoring reactor power, guiding adjustments to control systems, and ensuring safe and efficient operation of the reactor. Excore detectors are utilized for different operational ranges: Boron-lined proportional counters are used for low-power source range measurements, compensated boron-lined ionization chambers for intermediate range measurements and post-accident monitoring, and uncompensated boron-lined ionization chambers for full reactor power measurements.
This talk aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Excore measurement system in the EPR. The presentation will cover the essential components of the Excore system, including detectors, transmission lines, and detector assemblies. It will illustrate how each element contributes to the monitoring of neutron flux, as well as the measurement of global power and azimuthal imbalance within the reactor core. By exploring the functionality of these components, attendees will gain valuable insights into the critical role of the Excore system in ensuring safe reactor operations. Ultimately, our objective is to inform and inspire collaborative efforts for the future.
