CMSOps is an automated core follow and reactivity management tool, built with state-of-the-art reactor analysis methods, efficient database technology, and an advanced graphical user interface. CMSOps allows engineering resources to be better allocated while providing improved reactivity management, operational support, and training simulator support.
Automated Core Tracking
CMSOps continuously and automatically updates the core neutronics model using current plant conditions.
Built-In Engineering Functions
Several built-in calculation functions allow engineers to analyze and support core operations.
Better Reactivity Management
Improve fuel utilization and respond to unexpected operational events quickly and reliably.
Automated Core Tracking
CMSOps includes customized data import functionality to automatically query data from the plant process computer and update the core neutronics model. As core conditions change, CMSOps runs the same standard CASMO and SIMULATE methods used throughout the world for core analysis to produce a fine-grained cycle history.
The robust methods and self-updating core model result in much higher accuracy than point or one-dimensional models traditionally used for reactivity management and operational support. At any point in the operating cycle, engineers can analyze past operations or make predictive calculations using the real core history, so that the core can be maneuvered with confidence.
Since the CMSOps model always reflects the actual plant operational history, CMSOps can help address emerging issues – such as those identified by SOER 07-01 and INPO’s Zero-Ten PCI initiative.
Built-In Engineering Functions
CMSOps has an easy-to-use graphical interface allowing core support engineers to easily perform accurate, licensing-grade neutronic calculations for improved reactivity management and other important operational support functions.
Periodic and on-event trigger logic initiates 3D calculations to continuously update and present important local and global thermal margin parameters.
CMSOps also contains built-in automatic reporting functions for core follow reports, isotopic data reports, current plant status protocols, etc.
The high degree of automation in the built-in support calculation functions prevent potential user input errors when performing several common reactivity management calculations, including the following:
Automated PWR Functions
- Axial Shape Guidance
- Projects power and control rod bank position to maintain ASI or AFD and meet boron requirements.
- Estimated Critical Condition
- Establishes criticality following scram, searching on boron at fixed control rod bank position or searching on control rod bank position at fixed boron.
- Reanalysis of Past Operational Events
- Allows the user to recalculate past operating event and analyze data down to the pin level.
- User-Specified Predictions
- Allows the user to create projections of future operations for planning and guidance.
Automated BWR Functions
- Shutdown Margin
- Determines high worth rod and assesses shutdown margin.
- Critical Control Rod Pattern
- Searches within a defined sequence to find the critical control rod pattern.
- High Notch Worth
- Moves through control rod sequences to find high notch worth patterns.
- Cold Criticals
- Evaluates in-sequence or local criticals using Studsvik’s exclusive temperature dependence and period correction capabilities.
- Reanalysis of Past Operational Events
- Allows the user to recalculate past operating event and analyze data down to the pin level.
- User-Specified Predictions
- Allows the user to create projections of future operations for planning and guidance.
Training Simulator Support
The data automatically collected by CMSOps can be exported to an S3R training simulator core model, providing a cycle-specific core model that reflects the actual operating history of the plant.
This automated data collection and cycle-specific core model ensure conformance to training simulator performance objectives, standards, and regulations – including those expressed in 10CFR55.46, SOER 96-02, and the ANSI 3.5 Standard.
Better Reactivity Management
CMSOps continuously compares calculated-to-measured values for core thermal quantities and in-core detector readings, using automatic signal-to-power conversion. These checks provide instant validation of the core model fidelity and provide confidence in the predictive capabilities of the CMSOps system.
Administrative controls in CMSOps ensure secure data collection and archival. Only administratively authorized users may access data and automated calculation tools.
Packaged with an intuitive graphical user interface, CMSOps automates operational support, allowing someone without prior CASMO/SIMULATE training to perform licensing-grade, neutronic calculations for operational support.
By automating core tracking of the cycle-specific core physics model, the engineering resources otherwise required for maintenance of the analysis models and data collection are now free to focus on more important fuel management activities.