HomepageAbout UsActivitiesSupport and Maintenance

A.V. Beloglasov
Head of Design and Engineering
Department

JSC “SCTD” specialists have a wealth of experience of system maintenance at all stages of the lifecycle ranging from the hardware installation to the hardware upgrade and repair.

JSC “SCTD” is a manufacturer and supplier of on-line diagnostic systems, develops, produces, tests, supplies and carries out installation supervision and adjustment at NPP as well as maintenance of vibration monitoring system (VMS), loose parts monitoring system (LPMS), leak monitoring systems, integrated diagnostic system (SKD), pipeline displacement monitoring system, motor-operated valves diagnostic system (SDEA).

In 2005 the work was started to provide maintenance services of the diagnostic systems supplied by JSC “STCD” to domestic and foreign NPPs:

• «Bushehr» NPP (Iran), unit №1 (VMS, LPMS, MCP technical diagnostics system);
• «Tianwan» NPP, units 1,2 (VMS, LPMS);
• «Kudankulam» NPP, units 1, 2 (VMS, LPMS);
• Kalinin NPP, units 1,2,3,4 (VMS, LPMS);
• Rostov NPP, units 2,3,4 (VMS, LPMS, on-line diagnostic system operator workstation);
• Novovoronezh NPP, units 3,4,5,6 (leak monitoring system, MCP technical diagnostics system, VMS, LPMS, integrated diagnostic system);
• Kola NPP, units 3,4 (VNDS);
• Balakovo NPP, units 1-4 (leak monitoring system);
• Kalinin NPP, unit 3 (SDEA);
• Novovoronezh NPP, unit 6 (integrated motor-operated valves diagnostic system).

The services are provided in order to enhance the efficiency of diagnostic system operation at NPP with WWER-1000, WWER-440 reactors and to ensure the early detection of deviations from the normal operation.

Throughout the operation of the diagnostic systems:

• the industry technical requirements to VMS, LPMS, leak monitoring system, pipeline displacement monitoring system, motor-operated valves diagnostic system have been developed;
• VNDS industry diagnostic technique has been developed;
• instructions are developed on the personnel response to detected deviations form design basis conditions (VMS, LPMS, leak monitoring system);
• work aimed at the certification of instrument channels of VMS, LPMS, leak monitoring system, pipeline displacement monitoring system, motor-operated valves diagnostic systems are in progress;
• reports and certificates are prepared with the conclusions based on the results of diagnostic parameter processing and analysis for NPPs with WWER-1000, WWER-440. If any deviations from the normal operation, hidden equipment faults and malfunctions are detected, recommendations and proposals for the remedial actions are prepared.

The following tasks are performed within the framework of support and maintenance of NPP diagnostic systems operation:

• recommendations and proposals are prepared about the enhancement of reactor system diagnostic credibility and operational documents refinement;
• deviations from normal operation and hidden equipment faults are detected at an early stage during the diagnostics of WWER-1000, WWER-440 reactor systems;
• diagnostic system equipment faults and failures are detected, recommendations and proposals are prepared for the remedial actions;
• system and application software support of VMS, LPMS, pipeline displacement monitoring system, motor-operated valves diagnostic system is provided.
• hardware maintenance and support of VMS, LPMS, pipeline displacement monitoring system are provided;
• the diagnostic systems are periodically analyzed and faults are removed.

The analysis of the diagnostic system operation and the identification of causes for the software and hardware malfunction enable establishing a database that contains the data of equipment failures with an opportunity to isolate the most frequent failures. This can be the basis for document refinement and replacement of the failed components with more reliable ones.

Sequence, scope of work, work (services) technique depend on the hardware and software malfunction mode.

In accordance with the effective regulatory documents the maintenance of NPP units’ diagnostic systems is carried out throughout the entire service life of NPP unit.

The services are provided in accordance with the safety rules and regulations, operating documents and process sheets that are effective at NPP.

Author’s supervision services are provided by way of on-call and electronic consulting and sending specialists to NPPs on business trips.

The documents to be supplied upon the completion of work (provision of services) are:

• acceptance certificate of the work to be accepted;
• software package on electronic data storage devices (in case of software updates);
• hard copy of operating documentation package (in case of operating documentation updates);
• report on the diagnostic system operation outcome.

The completed work results in:

• proper performance of diagnostic system equipment;
• updated design, operating and software documentation.

R&D support of the operation of the systems is the essence of JSC “STCD” business activities because this is when the hardware implemented and software developed start to provide practical effect.

These activities include processing and analysis of initial diagnostic data followed by the periodic output of conclusions on the technical condition of the equipment monitored.

This type of activity is regulated by the Operator’s package of regulatory documents on the support of diagnostic system operation at NPPs owned by JSC Rosenergoatom Concern.

The major stages of the activity are illustrated by the company’s participation in the condition monitoring of the reactor internals of NPP units operated at the stage of service life extension.

Participation in the work aimed at the maintenance of metrological performance includes:

• Certification of instrument channels for vibration, displacement, leaks;
• Development of calibration and checkout methods and procedures of instrument channels;
• Participation in the calibration performed on site;
• Use of dedicated JSC “STCD” equipment to support the metrological performance of displacement and vibration instrument channels.

JSC “STCD” provides training of NPP personnel to operate and service the diagnostic systems in its office using the demo-versions of the systems.

The training is provided:

• when a new diagnostic system is supplied to NPP;
• when new specialists are involved in the maintenance and operation of the system;
• when the system software and hardware package is upgraded;
• periodically, in order to make the personnel aware of the latest achievements in the field of diagnostics;
• as advanced training of NPP diagnostic departments personnel.

The repair and retrofit of the implemented diagnostics tools are conditioned by the gradual wear and failures of the software and hardware packages installed earlier. This is a continuous process consisting of various measures: scheduled maintenance, failure recovery, preventive routine maintenance.

The basic task of the repair and maintainability system is keeping the equipment operable in order to ensure the reliable and cost effective operation.

The following types of work are envisaged for diagnostic systems:

• capital repair КР);
• current repair (ТР);
• maintenance (ТО).

Capital repair implies a work package for the recovery and complete or almost complete restoration of software and hardware package overhaul period with the replacement or restoration of its components including basic ones.

Current repair implies work for the provision or recovery of software and hardware package and consist in replacement and (or) restoration of individual parts.

Maintenance implies a work package aimed to keep the software and hardware package operable. Software and hardware package maintenance includes:

• operability check using built-in monitoring tools;
• tuning and balancing of displacement sensor channels of individual SPTA tools that require repairing, followed by the remedy of the hardware minor defects detected during monitoring including dusting and repair of damage of the contact joints etc.;
• replacement followed by the software-hardware package operability check.

The repair and retrofit mode coincides with the preventive maintenance. All the required routine and repair work is carried out during the preventive maintenance

The operability of the systems is checked:

• based on the completion of the operation modes set by the user;
• based on the operability (malfunction) indicators, maintenance factors;
• based on the readings of built-in self-test and monitoring equipment.

JSC “STCD” boasts highly qualified personnel, essential servicing equipment and SPTA set ensuring the successful completion of the specified work.

The servicing equipment for maintenance and repair includes:

• control instrumentation (checkout equipment) for hardware off-line check and repair;
• benches to check individual devices and replace typical components of hardware nodes;
• simulators;
• repair tools and accessories;
• auxiliary tools and accessories.

Besides, our team carries out work aimed at the reliability enhancement of the equipment to be installed at NPP by way equipment improvement and refinement for fault removal.