Software conception of acoustic emission system for monitoring failure formation and propagation in material of primary circuit component

The subsystem for monitoring the formation and propagation of material defects of the primary circuit using the method of acoustic emission will be a relatively independent part of the system of in-service diagnostics at the Temelin nuclear power plant. The subsystem will, like the other subsystems, be able to communicate with the central computer. The individual conceptual problems are outlined of the software of the subsystem. The concept proceeds on the one hand from the possibilities of the testing instruments and on the other from the concept of the content and form of output data for the diagnostic system. A detailed list is given of demands on software with regard to the operation of the acoustic emission subsystem in the pressure test mode and in the mode of monitoring the condition of the material of the primary circuit, which differ substantially. (Z.M.)