Development of software for controlling the technical condition of the self-powered neutron detectors of the VVER-1200 nuclear reactor in static and dynamic modes

RELEVANCE. The paper presents proposals for optimizing the existing methods for monitoring the technical condition of self-powered neutron detectors (SPNDs) of the in-reactor monitoring system (IRMS), used, in particular, at VVER-1200 nuclear reactors, which allow increasing the accuracy of diagnosing the operability or inoperability of such sensors. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the currently used methods for monitoring and diagnosing sensors. To present proposals for optimizing the monitoring of the technical condition of SPNDs by increasing the volume of diagnostic information. To describe the developed software that allows determining the parameters of the SPNDs measuring circuit to diagnose the technical condition of the sensor. To present the results of processing the SPNDs readings of the VVER-1200 reactor of the Leningrad NPP using the developed software. METHODS. When solving the tasks, the provisions and methods of technical diagnostics were used, as well as the theory of electrical circuits and numerical methods for solving equations implemented in the developed software using MatLab. RESULTS. The article describes the relevance of the topic, presents a methodology for optimizing the monitoring of the technical condition of the SPNDs, based on expanding the volume of diagnostic information used. The described methodology is used as a basis for creating specialized software in the MatLab environment. The developed software was used to determine the insulation resistance of the measuring circuit of the SPNDs of VVER-1200 at the Leningrad NPP. CONCLUSION. Using the proposed method for monitoring the technical condition of the SPNDs allows increasing the reliability of the SPNDs by using an expanded set of information about the technical condition of the sensor. The results of calculations using the developed software based on data from Leningrad NPP-2 showed that the range of operability of the SPNDs in terms of insulation resistance can be reduced by 3-4 orders of magnitude. Comparison of the value of the emitter generating capacity measured during the reactor campaign with the one calculated using the program showed a high degree of accuracy.

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