The Nuclear Industry faces more difficulties with qualifying digital equipment for safety related applications than traditional analog equipment. Some of these challenges are the increased sensitivity of digital components to environmental factors and having them perform to the reliability needed in the Nuclear Industry. Also, ensuring Cyber Security is of great importance in this age. To ensure Cyber Security, you must find a software/firmware supplier that is willing to opening their code for review.
These difficulties have led to many in the nuclear industry to use Analog controllers. While Analog has benefits, and in some applications, still might by the correct choice, there are many additional benefits to digital controllers. Some of the benefits are:
• Digital controllers can be monitored and/or operated at a different location than the equipment.
• Recording of information can happen continuously, which allows for better root cause analysis and preventative maintenance when events occur;
• Greater control of components such as the compressor loading or electronic TXV to increase efficiency.
Ellis & Watts, a Nuclear OEM of Refrigeration Equipment, along with their partner MCS, an OEM of refrigeration digital controllers, is able to provide Safety Related Digital Refrigeration Equipment, along with subcomponents, qualified to Nuclear Safety Related standards. This presentation will show the qualification ranges of the equipment, additional benefits, real world applications of these systems and additional details of the system.
Key Learning Objectives
- Benefits of Digital Controller
- Operational Experience of the Digital Controller
