Main control room system for nuclear power plant for responding to transient state in smr
The main control room system for nuclear power plants addresses the challenge of managing multiple SMRs by classifying accidents and distributing control tasks among consoles, enabling efficient operation with minimal operators during transient and accident conditions.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/KR2025/002986
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-07
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-11
AI Technical Summary
Conventional nuclear power plants face challenges in managing transient conditions in small modular reactors (SMRs) due to the complexity of operating multiple reactors with limited operator resources, especially when the operator console fails or digital equipment experiences common cause failures.
A main control room system for nuclear power plants with multiple SMRs, featuring a control unit that classifies accidents based on frequency and severity, and assigns control responsibilities to operator consoles and a supervisor console to manage SMR operations effectively, allowing operation with a minimal number of operators.
Enables effective response to transient and accident states in SMRs with a reduced number of operators by classifying accidents and distributing control tasks accordingly, ensuring safe operation of the nuclear power plant.
Smart Images

Figure KR2025002986_11122025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
A nuclear power plant's main control room system for responding to transient conditions in SMRs.
[0001] The present invention relates to a main control room system of a nuclear power plant for responding to transient conditions of an SMR.
[0002] The main control room of a conventional nuclear power plant has a large display panel (LDP) that allows the operator to immediately determine the overall status of the power plant and respond to accidents through the operator console.
[0003] However, in case control becomes difficult due to a failure of the operator console or a common cause failure of digital equipment, a separate safety console is installed to ensure that the power plant remains in a safe state.
[0004] Conventional nuclear power plants were operated with a single reactor, but with the development and introduction of passive designs and small modular reactors, it is necessary to design and arrange a main control room within the nuclear power plant to control the operation of a power plant composed of multiple modular reactors and to perform such operations with a minimum number of operators.
[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a main control room system of a nuclear power plant for responding to transient conditions of an SMR.
[0006] The present invention relates to a main control room system of a nuclear power plant including a plurality of small modular reactors (SMRs) for responding to a transient state, wherein the plurality of small modular reactors (SMRs) include a first SMR, and includes a first operator console including a first operator screen; a second operator console including a second operator screen; a supervisor console including a supervisor screen; and a control unit that causes the first operator console to control the operation of only the first SMR when it is determined that the first SMR is in a transient state.
[0007] The control unit classifies accidents occurring in each SMR, determines a response mode according to the accident classification, selects a console that controls the operation of each SMR according to the response mode, and classifies accidents occurring in each SMR based on the frequency of the accident and the severity of the accident outcome, and the accident classification may include a first classification having a high frequency of accidents and a low severity of the accident outcome; a second classification having a low frequency of accidents and a low severity of the accident outcome; and a third classification having a high severity of the accident outcome regardless of the frequency of accidents.
[0008] When an accident included in the accident classification occurs in the first SMR, the control unit, if it is determined that the accident is the first classification, determines the first response mode, and in the first response mode, causes the first operator console to control the operation of the first SMR, causes the first operator console not to control the operation of the remaining small modular reactors (SMRs), causes the second operator console to control the operation of the remaining reactors, and causes the supervisor console to monitor the operation control status of the first operator console and the second operator console.
[0009] The control unit, if it is determined that the accident is of the second category, determines the second response mode, and in the second response mode, the supervisor console may control the operation of the first SMR, and the first operator console and / or the second operator console may control the operation of the remaining small modular reactors (SMRs) whose operation is not controlled by the supervisor console.
[0010] The control unit, if it is determined that the accident is of the third category, determines the third response mode, and in the third response mode, at least one of the first driver console and the second driver console and the supervisor console can cooperate to control the first SMR.
[0011] Each of the above SMRs is provided with 2N units (N is an integer), and during normal operation, the first driver console is responsible for driving N units, and the second driver console can be responsible for driving the remaining N units.
[0012] The above N may be 2.
[0013] The first operator screen and the second operator screen may each include a plurality of sub-screens that display operating status and alarm-related information of the plurality of small modular reactors (SMRs), the supervisor screen may include a plurality of sub-screens that share at least some of the information displayed on the first operator screen and the second operator screen, and the first operator console, the second operator console, and the supervisor console may each include a plurality of reactor operation switches that control individual operations of the plurality of small modular reactors (SMRs); and a supervisor screen that displays classification items related to accidents occurring in each of the SMRs.
[0014] The above nuclear power plant further includes a large information display for understanding the status of the entire system, and the large information display may include a main display for displaying information on the operation of the main system of the power plant and the current status of peripheral devices; and a plurality of sub-displays for displaying information related to the operation status and alarms of the nuclear reactor, which are installed in the form of wings on both sides of the main display.
[0015] According to the present invention, a main control room system of a nuclear power plant for responding to a transient state of an SMR is provided.
[0016] Figure 1 illustrates a main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing the control of the main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 3 shows an accident classification in which accidents occurring in a nuclear power plant are classified according to the frequency of accidents and the severity of the accident outcome, in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit in a main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation of the control unit according to the accident classification in the event of an accident in the main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings below.
[0022] The attached drawings are merely examples intended to more specifically illustrate the technical concepts of the present invention, and therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings. Furthermore, the attached drawings may exaggerate the size and spacing of components to illustrate the relationships between components.
[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In the present invention, the nuclear power plant includes a small modular reactor (hereinafter referred to as “SMR”), and the SMR may be provided in a number of 2N (N is an integer). In the following description, N is exemplified as 2, but is not limited thereto.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main control room system (10) includes a large information display (100), a first operator console (200), a second operator console (300), a supervisor console (400), and a control unit (500, see FIG. 2). That is, four SMRs are operated by a total of three people: one supervisor and two operators.
[0026] The large information display (100) is intended to identify the status of the entire system within a nuclear power plant, and includes a main display (110) and a sub display (120).
[0027] The main display (110) displays information on the operation of the main systems of the power plant and the current status of peripheral devices.
[0028] The sub-display (120) displays information related to the operation status and alarms of the reactor, which is installed in the form of wings on both sides of the main display (110). A plurality of sub-displays may be installed, but are not limited thereto.
[0029] The first driver console (200) includes a first driver screen (210).
[0030] The first driver screen (210) may be comprised of multiple sub-screens displaying operating status and alarm-related information for each SMR, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, information for each SMR may be displayed in a split manner on a single sub-screen.
[0031] The second driver console (300) includes a second driver screen (310).
[0032] The second driver screen (310) consists of multiple sub-screens displaying the driving status and alarm-related information of each SMR, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, information for each SMR may be displayed in a split manner on a single sub-screen.
[0033] The supervisor console (400) includes a supervisor screen (410).
[0034] The supervisor screen (410) is composed of multiple sub-screens that share information displayed on the first driver screen (210) and the second driver screen (310), but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, information shared from the first driver screen (210) and the second driver screen (310) may be displayed in a split manner on a single sub-screen.
[0035] The first operator console (200), the second operator console (300), and the supervisor console (400) include a plurality of reactor operation switches (S1, S2, S3...) that control the individual operation of each SMR, and a supervisory screen (T1, T2, T3...) that displays classification items regarding accidents occurring in each SMR.
[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reactor operation switches (S1, S2, S3...) and the supervisory screens (T1, T2, T3...) are shown as being installed in the first operator console (200), the second operator console (300), and the supervisory console (400), respectively, but are not limited thereto.
[0037] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing the control of the main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] Referring to Fig. 2, the control unit (500) receives operation information / device information / status information, etc. of each SMR and determines whether there is an overload / accident. In the case of an overload, the SMR in question is managed intensively, and in the case of an accident, the response mode is determined based on the frequency of the accident and the severity of the accident outcome, and the console (first operator console, second operator console, and third operator console) that controls the operation of each SMR is selected according to the response mode.
[0039] In the main control room system (10) of a nuclear power plant according to one embodiment of the present invention, during normal operation, the first operator console (200) may be in charge of driving two SMRs, and the second operator console (300) may be in charge of driving the remaining two SMRs, but is not limited thereto.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the operation of a control unit in a main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows an accident classification that classifies accidents occurring in a nuclear power plant according to the frequency of accidents and the severity of the accident results in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit in a main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation of a control unit according to an accident classification when an accident occurs in a main control room system of a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, in the present invention, accident classification is performed based on the frequency of accidents and the severity of accident conclusions for accidents occurring in each SMR, and the accident classification includes a first classification (A1), a second classification (A2), and a third classification (A3).
[0043] Although not illustrated, the main control room system (10) of a nuclear power plant may further include a database storing the frequency of accidents and the severity of accident outcomes for various types of accidents, and the control unit (500) may refer to the data in the database when classifying accidents. Alternatively, the control unit (500) may classify accidents through self-learning about accident types.
[0044] The first category (A1) means that the accident frequency is high and the accident outcome severity is low, the second category (A2) means that the accident frequency and accident outcome severity are low, and the third category (A3) means that the accident outcome severity is high regardless of the accident frequency.
[0045] Accidents falling under Category 1 (A1) include, but are not limited to, loss of coolant in small pipes (1.7 inches).
[0046] Accidents falling under Category 2 (A1) include, but are not limited to, accidents that transition from a loss of coolant in a small pipe to a loss of coolant in a large pipe.
[0047] Accidents falling under Category 3 (A3) include, but are not limited to, accidents such as loss of coolant in large pipelines, which, if they occur, would result in very serious situations.
[0048] In the example of the present invention, there are four small modular reactors (SMRs), including a first SMR, a second SMR, a third SMR, and a fourth SMR. The following is an example of a case where an accident or transient condition occurs in the first SMR.
[0049] A transient state is a state in which the operation of each SMR changes from a normal state to an abnormal state that goes beyond the normal operating range, and refers to the state before an accident occurs.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit (500) first determines whether there is an abnormality in the SMR (an SMR that is operating abnormally, the first SMR) based on the operation information / device information / status information of each SMR. (B10)
[0051] Afterwards, it is determined whether the state of the first SMR is a transient state or an accident state. (B20)
[0052] If the first SMR is judged to be in a transient state, the first SMR in the transient state is controlled through the first operator console (200), and at this time, the first operator console is not allowed to control the operation of the remaining SMRs. Here, the remaining SMRs, excluding the first SMR, are controlled through the second operator console (200). (B30)
[0053] If the 1st SMR is determined to be in an accident state, determine which accident category the accident that occurred in the 1st SMR falls under. (B40)
[0054] Here, the accident classification judgment by the control unit (500) is based on the accident frequency and accident ending severity for accidents occurring in each SMR, and an accident with a high frequency and low accident ending severity is classified into the first classification (A1), an accident with a low frequency and low accident ending severity is classified into the second classification (A2), and an accident with a high accident ending severity regardless of the frequency is classified into the third classification (A3).
[0055] Referring to Figure 5, if the accident classification occurring in the first SMR is determined to be the first classification (A1), the first response mode is determined, and the operation of each SMR is controlled according to the first response mode. (B51)
[0056] In the first response mode, the first driver console (200) controls the operation of the first SMR in which an accident occurred, and at this time, the first driver console (200) does not control the operation of the remaining SMRs.
[0057] Accidents in Category 1 (A1) are those that have a high (high) accident frequency, require a lot of response experience, and have a low accident severity, so they are handled by one driver.
[0058] While the first operator console (200) controls the operation of the SMR where the accident occurred, the second operator console (300) controls the operation of the remaining reactors.
[0059] The supervisor console (400) monitors the driving control status of the first driver console (200) and the second driver console (300).
[0060] If the accident classification occurring in the first SMR is determined to be Class 2 (A2), the second response mode is determined, and the operation of each SMR is controlled according to the second response mode. (B52)
[0061] In the second response mode, the supervisor console (400) controls the operation of the first SMR where the accident occurred.
[0062] While the supervisor console (400) controls the operation of the SMR in which the accident occurred, the first operator console (200) and / or the second operator console (300) control the operation of the remaining small modular reactors (SMRs) whose operation is not controlled by the supervisor console (400).
[0063] Class 2 (A2) accidents are less severe, but their frequency is also low, leading to a lack of experience responding to them. Therefore, they are handled exclusively by experienced supervisors.
[0064] If the accident classification occurring in the first SMR is determined to be Category 3 (A3), the third response mode is determined, and the operation of each SMR is controlled according to the third response mode. (B53)
[0065] In the third response mode, one of the first driver console (200) and the second driver console (300) and the supervisor console (400) cooperate to control the first SMR where the accident occurred.
[0066] Accidents classified as Category 3 (A3) are characterized by a high degree of severity, requiring collaboration between supervisors and drivers to focus on accident resolution. In this case, one of the first operator console (200) and the second operator console (300), which is not cooperating, controls the operation of the remaining SMRs.
[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to operate an individual small modular reactor (SMR) with a small number of three people, while effectively responding to transient and accident states by taking into account the frequency of accidents and the severity of accident consequences.
[0068] While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, these are merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention. Therefore, the technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. In the main control room system of a nuclear power plant including multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) to respond to transient conditions, The above plurality of small modular reactors (SMRs) include a first SMR, A first driver console including a first driver screen; A second driver console including a second driver screen; A supervisor console including a supervisor screen; and A main control room system of a nuclear power plant, including a control unit that allows the first operator console to control operation of only the first SMR when the first SMR is determined to be in a transient state.
2. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, Classify accidents occurring in each of the above SMRs, determine a response mode according to the accident classification, and select a console that controls the operation of each of the above SMRs according to the response mode. Accidents occurring in each of the above SMRs are classified based on the frequency of accidents and the severity of the resulting accidents. The above accident classification is, Category 1: High accident frequency and low accident severity; Category 2, which has low accident frequency and accident outcome severity; and The main control room system of a nuclear power plant, including a Category 3 accident with a high accident severity regardless of the frequency of accidents.
3. In paragraph 2, If an accident included in the above accident classification occurs in the above 1st SMR, The above control unit, If the above accident is judged to be of the first category, the first response mode is decided, In the above first response mode, The first operator console controls the operation of the first SMR, and the first operator console does not control the operation of the remaining small modular reactors (SMRs). The above second operator console controls the operation of the remaining reactors, A main control room system of a nuclear power plant that allows the above supervisor console to monitor the operation control status of the first operator console and the second operator console.
4. In paragraph 3, The above control unit, If the above accident is judged to be of the second category, the second response mode is decided, In the above second response mode, The above supervisor console controls the operation of the first SMR, A main control room system of a nuclear power plant that allows the first operator console and / or the second operator console to control the operation of the remaining small modular reactors (SMRs) whose operation is not controlled by the supervisor console.
5. In paragraph 3, The above control unit, If the above accident is judged to be of the third category, the third response mode is decided, In the above third response mode, A main control room system of a nuclear power plant in which at least one of the first operator console and the second operator console and the supervisor console cooperate to control the first SMR.
6. In paragraph 1, Each of the above SMRs is provided in 2N units (N is an integer), A main control room system of a nuclear power plant in which, during normal operation, the first operator console is responsible for N operations, and the second operator console is responsible for the remaining N operations.
7. In paragraph 6, The above N is the main control room system of a two-person nuclear power plant.
8. In paragraph 1, The first operator screen and the second operator screen each include a plurality of sub-screens that display the operation status and alarm-related information of the plurality of small modular reactors (SMRs), The above supervisor screen includes a plurality of sub-screens that share at least some of the information displayed on the first driver screen and the second driver screen, The above first driver console, second driver console and supervisor console are respectively, A plurality of reactor operation switches for controlling individual operation of the plurality of small modular reactors (SMRs); and A main control room system of a nuclear power plant including a supervisory screen that displays classification items related to accidents occurring in each of the above SMRs.
9. In paragraph 1, It further includes a large information display to determine the status of the entire system within the nuclear power plant. The above large information display is, A main display that displays the operation of the main systems of the power plant and the current status information of peripheral devices; and A main control room system of a nuclear power plant, comprising a plurality of sub-displays installed in the shape of wings on both sides of the main display to display operating status and alarm-related information of the reactor.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Nuclear power plant safety control and monitoring systems
JP6755370B2
Security response scenario evaluation system and method based on compartment integrity of nuclear power plants
KR101496756B1
Real-time accident prediction system using hazard assessment and method thereof
KR102238764B1
Method for classification of SSC in consideration of safety significance
KR102587751B1
Control room for nuclear power plant
US20140133618A1