EDN: NCUUZP
Authors & Affiliations
Povarov P.V., Rukin I.S.
Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant, a branch of Rosenergoatom Concern, Novovoronezh, Russia
Isanov K.A. — Research Engineer. Contacts: 1, pl. Bondarenko, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russia, 249033. Tel: +7 (981) 711-92-65; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Zakirov N.A. — Research Engineer.
Eliseev V.A. — Leading Researcher.
Gulevich A.V. — Head of Reactor Physics Department, Dr. Sci. (Phys.-Math.).
Abstract
Based on the analysis of data from the NPP EXP industry database on the operation of six VVER-1200 power units (NPP-2006 project) at Novovoronezh, Leningrad and Belorussian nuclear power plants for the period 2016—2024, a systematization of the most frequent violations of normal operation was carried out. These include the activation of emergency protection (21 cases), disconnection of the turbine generator from the mains (20 cases), activation of safety systems (19 cases) and partial load relief (15 cases). The study revealed a number of design and operational deficiencies that reduce the dynamic stability of power units. Specific incidents were analyzed, such as false alarms due to the suboptimal design of the impulse control lines, shutdowns of turbo generators due to degradation of the seals of the stator cooling system, as well as violations related to failures of pumping equipment (MCP, KEN, PEN, CN). Based on the analysis, a set of specific technical proposals for the modernization of technological protection and interlocking algorithms (TZiB) has been formulated, aimed at improving the reliability and safety of energy blocks. Key proposals include adjusting the settings and logic of the control and protection systems, optimizing the methods and depth of unloading the power unit in various emergency modes (including shutdowns of circulation, feed and condensate pumps), changing the logic of safety systems to prevent excessive shutdowns, and introducing automatic shutdowns of the turbine in critical modes. The proposed measures, which have been validated using certified design codes and simulation models, are aimed at eliminating identified design inconsistencies and significantly increasing the dynamic stability of generation III+ power units with VVER-1200 reactors.
Keywords
incident database, dynamic stability of the power unit, technological protections and interlocks, accelerated preventive protection, power limitation regulator, automatic power regulator, feed pumps, condensate pumps, circulation pumps, main circulation pumps
Article Text (PDF, in Russian)
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UDC 621.039.76
Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2026, no. 1, 1:11