2 Dec (NucNet): China’s first domestically designed instrumentation and control (I&C) system for nuclear power stations has been awarded an independent third-party verification and validation certificate, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) said.
The certificate was awarded by the Institute for Safety Technology (IS Tec), a subsidiary of Cologne-based TÜV Rheinland AG, a provider of technical, safety, and certification services. CGN said the process had taken three years.
IS Tec, a former subsidiary of the Gesellschaft für Reaktorsicherheit – the German Society for Reactor Safety – advises power plant operators on issues relating to operating diagnostics, the safety of I&C software and the handling of radioactive substances.
CGN said the Chinese digital I&C system was designed and developed by China Techenergy (CTEC), an I&C systems developer based in Fuzhou, southeast China. The system is known as FirmSys and was officially unveiled in October 2010.
I&C systems such as FirmSys act as the “nerve centre” for nuclear power plants to ensure safe, reliable and stable operation. In the event of an operational incident, their primary role is to complete the safe shutdown of the reactor.
CGN, formerly China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group, operates the Daya Bay, Ling Ao, Hongyanhe and Ningde nuclear power stations.
