Safety panels in 900 MW PWR power plants

Systems combining visual display units and computers are being installed at 900 MW PWR nuclear power plants as an adjunct to their monitoring and control equipment with a view to improving operating safety in the post-accident phase. The systems consist essentially of three interactive information stations controlled by computers, as follows: an ''operator's'' station, which helps the operators in diagnostic and control phases; a ''safety engineer'' station, from which the evolution of the overall state of the power station can be monitored; and a ''crisis team'' station, which supplies all the information required for a team of specialists whom the operator can summon in case of need. The data processing part consists of two computers: a ''scanning'' computer, which acquires all the necessary data, and a second computer which performs all the functional processing operations. The purpose of these operations, of which there are eight, is to identify the initiating event, to monitor safety actuators and to assist operators in carrying out the procedures required by particular events. These operations can also be used for carrying out the procedures required by particular States as well as emergency procedures. For 900 MW reactors, the first installation is scheduled for April 1983; tests and validation will take place during 1983. All 900 MW units should be equipped by early 1985. (author)