ReDICS: 5 years' operation experiences and its technology

Abstract

PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP) is the one and only 1MW research reactor in Malaysia that has been operating since 1982. RTP is used for radioisotope production, various R&D activities and operator training. After more than 3 decades of operations with an analog system, the control console is upgraded into a digital system. Reactor Digital Instrumentation and Control System (ReDICS) is designed, fabricated, manufactured, installed, tested and eventually commissioned in 2014. ReDICS mainly consists of Reactor Protection System (RPS), Operator Work Station (OWS), Data Acquisition and Control System (DACS) and Control Rod Drive Mechanism (CRDM). This paper shares the experiences and performance status throughout the 5 years of ReDICS operation after its commissioning. Besides, technical and operational data of ReDICS are presented and then compared with the old analog I&C system. This paper also describes the instrumentation and measurement technologies in ReDICS as well as the work performed to ensure ReDICS is always functioning at its best and safely.