Algerian Nuclear Power Program and Related I&C Activities B. MEFTAH Commissariat à l Energie Atomique, COMENA 2 Bd Frantz Fanon, BP 399 Alger Gare ALGER, ALGERIA Presented at the: Technical Meeting on I&C in advanced SMRs, 21-24 May 2013, IAEA, Vienna, Austria
OUTLINE COUNTRY PROFILE STATUS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY REACTOR I&C ACTIVITIES NATIONAL APPROACH ON TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NPP I&C SYSTEMS
Country Profile
Focal Points Population : ~ 35 millions; Urban population: 65% Area Coast line: 1200 Km : 2.4 million sq km; 84% are Sahara desert; GDP : 264 billions US$ (2011) Natural Resources : Gas, petroleum, phosphates, Fe, Pb, Zn, U,..., Industries & Manufacturing: steel, cement, chemical, mechanical, electrical, automotive industries; Precision machining, etc
We divide the Algerian territory in three distinctive parts: Littoral + Atlas Telien Haut Plateaux + Atlas Saharien Sahara Littoral : band extending East-Ouest along the meditaranean coast limited on the south by the Tellian Atlas mountain chain. Hauts Plateaux: High altitude band. Extends East-West. Limited on the south by Saharian montain chain. Semi Arid climate. Sahara Arid and Hot climate.
Seismic Activity: high activity in Littoral regions Les grands chantiers de l Aménagement du Territoire / MATE Octobre 2005
Water Resources Carte Hydrogéologique du Nord de l Algérie Brackish Water lakes in Haut-plateau region
Energy Consumption Evolution (in Million Tons Equivalent Petroleum MTEP)) 140 Mtep 120 100 80 60 increase rate = ~ 5 % / year 20 12 32 40 20 0 6 60 2 8 12 2008 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 Industrie globale Transport Services Ménages
Energy Consumption by Type Electricity 11% Petrochemicals 7% Other types 1% Gas products 40% Petroleum Products 41%
EVOLUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION & POTENTIAL NP CONTRIBUTION Year 2011 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040 2050 Total Production (GWh) % in Fossil (Gas) (% of total) % Renewable (Solar+ wind) 50968 63786 82502 109270 147648 240479 355995 99.8 95.5 86.0 68.5 45.8 16.6 15.3 0.2 4.5 14.0 27.5 34.2 36.9 33.4 % others (Nuclear, coal,..) 0 0 0 4.0 20.0 46.6 51.3
Water Desalination To alleviate fresh water shortage, Algeria is boosting its sea water desalination capacity. Several projects are ongoing (unit size: 200 500 m3/day) Nuclear desalination with SMRs is being considered.
Status of The Algerian Nuclear Energy Program
Historical Evolution 1975 1981: Definition of national nuclear policy A consistent program for training engineers and scientists in Nuclear Engineering (locally and abroad) is set up. extensive efforts in exploration and prospection for Uranium, Conduction of opportunity and feasibility studies for the construction of NPP s; 1982-1992: Major actions were undertaken toward the implementation of basic nuclear infrastructures (nuclear research centers, Research reactors, ) and the valorization of Uranium mines. Prospection of sites for NPP s (EDF/SONELGAZ, 1986).
Historical Evolution (Continued) 1992 2005: Slowing down period (causes: Chernobyl accident, economic recession) End of training of skills and H/R in nuclear engineering Departure of skilled scientists and man-power towards other sectors (university, industry, ) and abroad. 2006 and up: The recovery of the economy and the steady increase in energy demand for electricity production and water desalination, renewed the interest in the nuclear power option. A Nuclear Power Program Action Plan for the period 2012-2027 was laid down.
National Nuclear Policies Inclusion of nuclear power in the country energy mix and the operation of a first NPP (total capacity 1000 MWe) by 2027. National electric generating capacity base load, beyond 2030, may rely progressively on nuclear. The selected nuclear technologies should: be intrinsically safe and earthquake resistant have low cooling water requirements with efficient use of waste heat (desalination) maximize national participation and lead to progressive localization
1 st NPP Implementation Schedule Site prospection phase 1 Site prospection phase 2 Site selection & evaluation Technical Spec. definition Contract Signature Start of Construction Commissioning & Operation Start Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Pre-project activity Preparation & évaluation bids and negociation of contract NPP plant construction Commissioning & plant start-up O&M
PREPARATIVE ACTIONS To support the introduction of nuclear power important actions are taken by the government: - May 2006: Merging of the Commission of Atomic Energy (COMENA) into the Ministry of Energy and Mining, - January 2010: Start of prospection for potential sites for NPP installation; phase-1of the project was completed in 2012; 9 potential regions were selected. - June 2011: creation of the Algerian training institute in nuclear energy (IAGN) - February 2012: creation of the National support center for nuclear security - 2014: planned creation of a national engineering center for nuclear installations
Seismology Geology Clomatology Oceanography population Ways of Accés
Reactor Size Key defining factors: Coastal region: Seismicity, grid size, Environmental impact Hauts-Plateaux region: water resources, Transport infrastructures Southern region: Environmental impact (waste heat), transport infrastructures Coastal region: 1000 1200 MW / unit Hauts-Plateaux region: 300 600 MW / unit Southern region: 300 MW / unit
Reactor Operation & Construction At present, Algeria doesn t have Nuclear Power Plants; the country operates however the following nuclear installations: Draria nuclear complex: NUR reactor: 1MW, Used for training and research in reactor engineering. UDEC Nuclear Fuel Development Unit: development of nuclear fuels for power and research reactors. Birine nuclear complex: Es-Salem reactor: 15 MW, Used for isotope production & Materials testing. Nuclear fuel and material testing facility: in-pile test loops, and a hot cell complex for post-irradiation examination of power and research reactor fuel elements,
ALGERIAN COMMISSION OF ATOMIC ENERGY (COMENA) Constitutes the principal governmental agency for the promotion and development of nuclear power and nuclear techniques. Develops HR, skills and infrastructures in : Nuclear fuel and materials Technology of nuclear facilities Application of nuclear sciences and techniques Has 4 nuclear research centers: CRNA, CRNB, CRND, CRNT.
CRNA (Algiers Nuclear Research Center) Located in the center of Algiers Develops R/D Programs in: Nuclear physics and techniques Nuclear applications Health Physics Environmental protection Nuclear Safety Waste Treatment and management
CRNB (Birine Nuclear Research Center) Located in BIRINE at 200 KM south of Algiers Develops R/D Programs in: Reactor physics and technology Instrumentation and control of nuclear facilities Radioisotope production Nuclear Material testing Nuclear Safety and environmental protection Nuclear Waste
CRND (Draria Nuclear Research Center) Located in DRARIA at 15 KM south-west of Algiers Develops R/D Programs in: Nuclear Fuel and materials Reactor engineering Process simulation and expert systems Radio pharmaceutics production
CRNT (Tamanrasset Nuclear Research Center) Located in TAMANRASSET (Hoggar) at 2000 KM south of Algiers Develops R/D Programs in: Prospection and exploration for Nuclear materials Treatment of Uranium ores Environmental monitoring
Nuclear Technologies Investigation Group (NTIG) Appointed in 2008 to contribute to the preparation of the introduction of Nuclear Power. Role: Investigation of available NPP technologies and evolution trends Selection of the Technology (technologies) that ensure a better sustainability in long term. NTIG recommendations: Importance of water cooled reactor technologies of type III+ and Modular SMR for the Algerian NP program
ADEQUACY OF MODULAR SMR for NP Program Modern SMR technologies with enhanced passive safety gives a better answer to Algerian national needs thanks to: New approach in reactor design with respect to safety (conventional designs have shown their limits) Simpler reactor design Lower capital and O&M costs, Easy incremental addition of power, Support of multiple energy application (desalination of brackish water along with electricity production), Better resistance to seismic events, Better accommodation with limited water resources of inland regions and the general mountainous nature of the country land. Lower waste heat impact on environment. Very small or zero exclusion zone Optimal national participation Note: Adequate operational deployment of such models is expected to be well established by year 2020. This fits quite well with the time frame set for the implementation of our nuclear power program (contract signature for 1 st NPP is expected for 2020)
REACTOR I&C ACTIVITIES
COMENA ACTIVITIES IN REACTOR I&C In the prospect of the implementation of the first NPP project, COMENA is deploying efforts for developing needed skills and capabilities through: (1) training of specialists in reactor I&C, (2) familiarization with existing reactors I&C systems and survey and familiarization with pertinent international standards and codes, (3) improvement and modernization of I&C systems in NUR and Es-Salem reactors.
Training of Specialists in Reactor I&C Conditioning Program for new recruits: newly recruited engineers are required to follow high level intensive training in I&C of nuclear reactors; training duration = one year; Besides pertinent modules in radiation protection and reactor physics and safety, the syllabus includes advanced theoretical lectures and practical sessions in radiation detection and measurements, reactor operation and control, nuclear instrumentation, data acquisition and real time systems, control algorithms, programmable architectures, industrial IT, power electronics and process control, signals and noises; Reactor operation and maintenance staff training: actually tailored for the operation and maintenance staff of the NUR and Es-Salam reactors in order to obtain or renew their operating license; Duration = 18 months; strong emphasis on reactor I&C. Thesis preparation and supervision: COMENA senior research staff are encouraged to prepare Master and doctoral degrees in the field of I&C of nuclear reactors facility given to university students to do their thesis work in reactor I&C related fields at nuclear research centers affiliated to COMENA.
Familiarization with International Codes and Standards for Reactor I&C To build readiness in defining technical requirements for future NPP, COMENA set up a team to study standards and codes of relevance to NPP design and operation. Special emphasis is put on the I&C standards, codes, guides and recommendations from IAEA, IEC, IEEE, ASME, NUREG-U.S.NRC, CNSC-Canada, ASN-France, YVL-STUK, AERB-India, etc
Upgrade of I&C Systems of NUR and Es-Salam reactors In the framework of implementing the IAEA action plan on nuclear safety and to combat obsolescence of equipment s of the NUR and Es-Salam reactors COMENA is undertaking actions to upgrade and modernize several systems in theses installations. Such actions include in particular: the replacement of old analog I&C systems by modern digital ones (with more robust design criteria: better redundancy, independence and diversity, provision for on-line self-inspection, failure diagnosis and surveillance systems, Post accident monitoring) Implementation of an auxiliary control room for accident handling ( to shut down the reactor and keep it in safety status in case main control room safety function fails) the development of platforms for on-line monitoring of reactor operational and safety parameters. such actions are a good mean for building nuclear I&C capacity.
2/3 coincidence logic system input station system input station 2/3 coincidence logic system input station Es-Salam reactor protection system Channel A protection variable 1 protection system cabinet A Safety computer data collection calculation setting value comparison trigger 1# safety control rod electromagnetic clutch control circuit 1# safety control rod electromagnetic clutch control circuit Control room protection variable N Communication computer Redundancy function communitcation display of safety computer regulation rod accident drop control circuit regulation rod accident drop control circuit Channel B protection variable 1 protection system cabinet B Safety computer data collection calculation setting value comparison trigger 2/3 coincidence logic protection variable N Communication computer Redundancy function communitcation display of safety computer Safety interlock & safety alarm logic Safety interlock safety alarm Channel C protection variable 1 protection system cabinet C Safety computer data collection calculation setting value comparison trigger 1# safety control rod electromagnetic clutch control circuit 1# safety control rod electromagnetic clutch control circuit Auxiliary control points protection variable N Communication computer Redundancy function communitcation display of safety computer regulation rod accident drop control circuit regulation rod accident drop control circuit
Es-Salam reactor Digital Monitoring System
NUR REACTOR EXPERT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE ATHNA Salle de Contrôle Documentation & Archives Terminal Plateforme GMAO Terminal COMENA Central Supervision Terminal
NUR OPERATION AID SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
ATHNA Sys : NUR Nuclear Parameters Analyzer
National approach on technical requirements for NPP I&C systems
I&C TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Actual Status: absence of a comprehensive national standards and codes for I&C systems at nuclear installations, Approach adopted: abide by the technical requirements fixed by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the vendor country with the provision that: I&C equipment should meet all reliability and performance requirements are designed in accordance with applicable modern codes and standards, the design fulfills all pertinent IAEA recommendations. Future trend: It is very likely that, at least for the first NPP, a similar approach is adopted. Some specific requirements will certainly be added in order that the installation would fit better national concerns with regard to local conditions namely: - high safety level (on-line surveillance of vital plant components and adequate support of DBA as well as beyond DBA situations), - high robustness regarding to seismic stress, and harsh environment conditions (extreme temperature, sand dust, ) - high reliability, easy operability and maintenance, easy adaptability to local operating conditions (grid quality, easy support of multiple energy application). - Robust security and high resistance to sabotage (cyber and physical threats) - Reduced O&M staff and security and surveillance personnel, - Advanced operation and maintenance support systems
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