Implementation of new reactivity measurement system and new reactor noise analysis equipment in a VVER-440 nuclear power plant

The paper deals with two recently developed, high-precision nuclear measurement systems installed at the VVER-440 units of the Hungarian Paks NPP. Both developments were motivated by the reactor power increase to 108%, and by the planned plant service time extension. The first part describes the RMR start-up reactivity measurement system with advanced services. High-precision pico-ampere meters were installed at each reactor unit and measured ionization chamber current signals are handled by a portable computer providing data acquisition and on-line reactivity calculation service. Detailed off-line evaluation and analysis of reactor start-up measurements can be performed on the portable unit, too. The second part of the paper describes a new reactor noise diagnostics system using state-of-the-art data acquisition hardware and signal processing methods. Details of the new reactor noise measurement evaluation software are also outlined. Noise diagnostics at Paks NPP is a standard tool for core anomaly detection and for long-term noise trend monitoring. Regular application of these systems is illustrated by real plant data, e.g. results of standard reactivity measurements during a reactor startup session are given. Noise applications are also illustrated by real plant measurements, results of core anomaly detection are presented. (authors)