Safety implications of control systems

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and design Vol. 89; no. 1; pp. 107 - 111
• Main Authors: Stone, R.S., McBride, A.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.1985
• ISSN: 0029-5493; 1872-759X
• DOI: 10.1016/0029-5493(85)90147-5

As part of an overall program to determine the extent to which failures of control can impact plant safety, control failures in the Oconee-1 nuclear plant were examined. Plant systems capable of initiating plant overcooling and undercooling were identified, as well as those with potential for overfilling events in the steam generators. Failure mode and effects analyses (FMEA) were conducted on these candidate plant systems, with computer analysis applied where appropriate. This latter process utilized a detailed hybrid computer model of Oconee-1, developed as part of this program. Where failures with safety consequences were found, probabilities of the pertinent scenarios were developed. Tentative recommendations for corrective actions have been sought.