Data acquisition and signal processing system for IPR R1 TRIGA-Mark I nuclear research reactor of CDTN

The TRIGA IPR-R1 Nuclear Research Reactor, located at the Nuclear Technology Development Center (CDTN/CNEN) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, is being operated since 44 years ago. The main operational parameters were monitored by analog recorders and counters located in the reactor control console. The reactor operators registered the most important operational parameters and data in the reactor logbook. This process is quite useful, but it can involve some human errors. It is also impossible for the operators to take notes of all variables involving the process mainly during fast power transients in some operations. A PC-based data acquisition was developed for the reactor that allows online monitoring, through graphic interfaces, and shows operational parameters evolution to the operators. Some parameters that were not measured, like the power and the coolant flow rate at the primary loop, are monitored now in the computer video monitor. The developed system allows measuring out all parameters in a frequency up to 1 kHz. These data is also recorded in text files available for consults and analysis. (author)