Design and safety assessment of an FPGA-based Post-Accident Monitoring System for Westinghouse AP1000 Nuclear Power Plants

在现代，核电站出现的一个主要问题是，包括安全系统在内的许多模拟和数字系统已经过时和过时。此外，随着原有部件的停产，维修和维护这些系统变得更加困难。一个很有前途的解决方案是设计和实现基于现场可编程门阵列(现场可编程门阵列)技术的新系统。现场可编程门阵列是可编程硬件的一种形式，不使用任何形式的操作系统。现场可编程门阵列速度极快、可靠性极高，是核电站安全系统的绝佳选择。30多年来，Sartrex Power Control一直是加拿大和全球CANDU工厂的电子系统和服务提供商，现在可以将其旧的模拟系统更新为基于现场可编程门阵列的系统。在与西屋电气进行初步讨论后，Sartrex希望为新一代AP1000反应堆设计一种新的基于现场可编程门阵列的安全关键系统，称为事故后监控系统(PAMS)。该系统将在发生事故时测量温度、水位和中子通量等重要数值。PAMS将使用现场可编程门阵列技术进行设计，并将进行彻底测试，以确保其正常运行。此外，将使用动态流程图方法(DFM)对新系统进行深入的可靠性和安全性评估，以发现和纠正系统中的任何故障。申请人在基于现场可编程门阵列的安全系统和此类系统的可靠性评估方面的专业知识对于该项目的成功至关重要。在Engage项目结束后，Sartex希望将该系统扩展到一个完整的安全平台，该平台可以执行许多其他安全功能。

In modern times, a major issue occurring in nuclear power plants is that many analog and digital systems, including safety systems, have become out-dated and obsolete. Furthermore, it has become more difficult to repair and maintain these systems as the original parts are discontinued. One promising solution is to design and implement new systems based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. FPGAs are a form of programmable hardware, and do not use any form of operating system. FPGAs are extremely fast and reliable, making them an excellent choice for nuclear plant safety systems. Sartrex Power Control has been a provider of electronic systems and services to CANDU plants in Canada and worldwide for over 30 years, and now is in a position to update its old analog systems to FPGA-based systems. After initial discussion with Westinghouse Electric, Sartrex expects to design a new, FPGA-based safety critical system known as a Post-Accident Monitoring System (PAMS), for the new Generation III AP1000 reactor. This system will measure important values such as temperature, water level and neutron flux in the event of an accident. The PAMS will be designed using FPGA technology, and will be tested thoroughly to ensure that it functions correctly. In addition, the Dynamic Flowgraph Methodology (DFM) will be used to perform an in-depth reliability and safety assessment on the new system, in order to uncover and correct any faults in the system. The expertise from the applicant on FPGA-based safety systems and reliability assessment of such systems is essential for the success of this project. After the conclusion of the Engage project, Sartex is looking to expand this system to an entire safety platform, which can perform many other safety functions.