Brazilian nuclear utility Eletronuclear has chosen the Tecnatom’s Tesis+ data acquisition technology for the modernisation of the full-scope simulator at unit 2 of the Angra nuclear power plant.
Tesis+ is a data acquisition interface developed by Spain’s Tecnatom.
The Angra 2 simulator, a replica of the plant’s control room has been in operation for several years. ETN, the simulator owner company, was looking for a solution for the modernisation of the interface that guaranteed minimum unavailability of the simulator.
Tesis+ is a multi-purpose data interface especially adapted for applications involving large volumes of data, such as full-scope simulators.
Since the initial version in 2001, Tecnatom has added functionality and adapted its product to new standards, while maintaining its essence. Tesis+ is a complete product that offers both the hardware and software and the configuration and testing utilities required for the panel instruments to interact with the simulation models and vice versa. It also offers monitored power sources for the instruments and the communications interface with the simulation models.
Tesis+ is designed to handle a large volume of data at any one time: up to some 64,000 data every 50 milliseconds.
The Master – a PC with software and a database developed by Tecnatom – is responsible for managing communications between each component of the system and the simulation models. All communications are performed using a standard protocol: Ethernet.
One advantage is improved maintenance. The test tools of Tesis+ allow the simulator personnel to undertake a more efficient preventive maintenance, considerably reducing the time dedicated to the process. With the new Tesis+ interface installed on the Angra 2 simulator, ETN can address the incorporation of new instruments and the extension of the main panels of the simulator.
ETN has not had to modify or adapt its simulation models, as Tesis+ is an independent distributed interface that adapts to any simulation platform via a communications interface specific to each project. Tesis+ is a consolidated tool that Tecnatom has implemented on all its full-scope simulators, and constitutes a good alternative to overcome problems of obsolescence and maintenance.
Photo: Tecnatom is upgrading the simulator at unit 2 of the Angra nuclear power plant in Brazil
