Combining open architecture computing and de facto standard equipment

AECL Technology, working through its maritime nuclear facility in Fredericton, New Brunswick, has developed a unique approach for power plant digital upgrade projects. The ideas come from 25 yr of experience applying digital systems to almost all of the critical controls in CANDU generating stations. This paper describes the AECL products and methodology by focusing on two recently completed digital upgrade projects. This paper describes some of the most difficult digital upgrade problems and uses the results of the work on the projects to provide examples. These two projects represent major plant upgrades. The scope includes extensive replacement of analog/relay control systems, installation of a new plantwide data acquisition and signal-processing system, and the replacement of a conventional control room with an all-CRT-based facility