Electric actuator modification on a turbine driven feed pump at Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant - 296

Feedwater systems are a leading contributor to unit SCRAMs as indicated by the 2015 INPO data, where 9 of the 51 SCRAMs recorded were a result of feedwater issues. Digital feedwater control systems and enhanced feed pump control modifications can greatly improve performance and control of the plant feedwater systems and help drive down the potential for reactivity management events and unit SCRAMs. Westinghouse has a strong background in the implementation of digital feedwater control systems, and in planning for a recently completed feedwater control system upgrade at Calvert Cliffs, the Westinghouse team worked with Calvert Cliffs to design a solution to a number of common operational issues. Primarily, improving feedwater control over the entire operating range, eliminating single points of vulnerability (SPV) in the feedwater/feed pump systems and eliminating operational issues with the feed pump steam admission valve hydraulic control oil system. A robust first-of-a-kind design and implementation program was undertaken to split the existing hydraulic valve gear actuator with separate electric actuators. Westinghouse worked with Calvert Cliffs and Emerson Process Management (EPM) to install and commission General Electric (GE) feed pump turbines with separate electric actuators for the high-pressure (HP) and low-pressure (LP) steam admission valves. This successful mechanical and control modification was a first for both the nuclear and non-nuclear power generation industries. Westinghouse is working with a number of other utilities to implement similar modifications for PWR and BWR feed pump applications. (authors)