Cluster Control System for Nuclear Reactor Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of nuclear reactors increases the risk of human error during maintenance and monitoring operations, particularly in repetitive tasks, and the continuous presence of highly qualified personnel is expensive, especially for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Innovation Solution
A device for controlling multiple nuclear reactors in clusters, featuring a monitoring system and a planning system that centralize data and operations, allowing for remote monitoring and maintenance planning, with a hierarchical structure and secure data exchange, enabling efficient management and reducing the need for continuous on-site personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single control room dedicated to one reactor is used, then monitoring reliability is improved, but operational cost increases due to continuous presence of highly qualified personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring of multiple reactors into a single control room by implementing a centralized monitoring system that can remotely monitor multiple reactors simultaneously. This allows one team to monitor multiple reactors without compromising reliability, as the system integrates data from multiple reactors into a unified monitoring interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized monitoring system as an intermediary between the reactors and the control room. This intermediary system collects data from multiple reactors via sensors and transmits it to the control room, enabling remote monitoring without requiring constant physical presence at each reactor site.
2Reliability
If highly qualified personnel are continuously present at each reactor, then safety and security are improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated monitoring and alert systems that enable the reactor system to self-monitor and self-alert when anomalies occur. This reduces the need for continuous human presence while maintaining safety, as the system automatically detects and reports issues to relevant personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where the monitoring system continuously provides information about reactor status to the control room and personnel. This feedback loop enables remote supervision and maintains safety through real-time information flow without requiring constant physical presence of highly qualified personnel at each reactor.
3Measurement precision
If repetitive monitoring tasks are performed manually, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but human error risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual monitoring tasks with automated sensor-based monitoring systems. Sensors automatically collect data from reactors, and the centralized system processes this information, eliminating repetitive manual tasks and reducing human error while maintaining measurement accuracy through automated data collection and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling a plurality of nuclear reactors in clusters, comprising, for each reactor, a plurality of sensors for measuring operating parameters as well as a system for controlling the nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactors being grouped into clusters having a cluster head.