L-3 MAPPS installs full scope simulator (FSS) at Ling Ao phase II

L-3 MAPPS has announced that the Ling Ao Phase II nuclear power plant full scope simulator (FSS) is in service and being used to train operators. This is L-3 MAPPS’ first FSS for a new nuclear plant that is completely controlled by distributed control systems (DCSs).

In cooperation with AREVA and Siemens, L-3 MAPPS successfully delivered and installed the FSS in August 2009, following closely behind the full scope classroom simulator (CRS) for Ling Ao Phase II that was put into service in May 2009. Both simulators are situated at Daya Bay Nuclear Operations and Management’s new training facility in Da Peng, China.

“The recent installations at Ling Ao Phase II underscore our experience and determination in developing simulators for new plant builds,” said Michael Chatlani, vice-president of marketing and sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation.

“Thanks to a fruitful cooperation between the partners, the full scope simulator was delivered to the customer to allow launching the training of its operators. This was a key goal pursued by the customer that has now been achieved,” said Alain Billet, vice president, instrumentation and control for France at AREVA NP. “The challenge is now to complete the reconciliation of the last version of the DCS data while keeping the FSS on duty for training purposes. Undoubtedly, with the continuous efforts from L-3 MAPPS and the other parties involved (AREVA, Siemens and the customer), this project will result in a major success.”

“We are very pleased with the new simulators which allow us to extend our operator training capabilities during the commissioning of the plant,” said Zhang Ruiqiong, vice chief engineer at China Nuclear Power Engineering Company (CNPEC). “The advanced simulation and DCS technology will also benefit us for overall plant and DCS design considerations going forward.”

Integrated with AREVA and Siemens-supplied DCSs, replica control room panels and stimulated human-machine interface, the FSS features L-3 MAPPS’ advanced instructor station capabilities and proven Windows-based graphical simulation environment providing advanced thermal-hydraulic, reactor, balance of plant, electrical and I&C models for the turbine control and other miscellaneous systems not controlled by the AREVA / Siemens DCSs. The safety systems’ DCS is AREVA’s Teleperm XS and the operational I&C system is Siemens’ SPPA-T2000 with OM690 human-machine interface.

The CRS is equivalent in scope to the FSS except the back-up panels are replaced with L-3 MAPPS’ large screen ‘touch’ virtual panels. The CRS will continue to be used for testing the modeled plant responses to transients and verifying plant operating procedures concurrently while the plant is being commissioned. As the simulator configurations evolve on the CRS platform, the FSS will be updated accordingly to provide added functionality to expand operator training.

The Ling Ao Phase II nuclear plant, owned by Ling Dong Nuclear Power, comprises the first two CPR1000 generating units that will be put into service, scheduled to go on-line in 2010. The CPR1000 is a Chinese standard design featuring a 1,080MW three-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR), whose design is coordinated by CNPEC.

Source: Power Technology

L-3 MAPPS to Upgrade Brazil’s Angra 2 Simulator

MONTREAL, August 4, 2009 – L-3 MAPPS has signed an agreement with Eletrobrás Termonuclear S.A. – Eletronuclear of Brazil to upgrade its Angra 2 simulator at the Almirante Álvaro Alberto Nuclear Power Station. The project will commence in summer 2009 and will span approximately two years.

“L-3 MAPPS is pleased to be involved with the Angra 2 simulator,” said Michael Chatlani, vice president of marketing & sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation. “We look forward to continuing our expansion in South America.”

The first phase of the project will see the simulator’s software rehosted to PC/Windows-based computers running L-3 MAPPS’ modern Orchid® simulation environment with advanced instructor station capabilities. The legacy models currently programmed in assembly language will be converted to C language. The aging master controller will be replaced, and L-3 MAPPS will implement a new master controller to establish I/O communications with the hard panels. As a second step, the primary system models will be replaced with higher fidelity models. L-3 MAPPS will supply its advanced neutronics model generated by Orchid Core Builder to replace the reactor core model, and use Orchid Modeling Environment to provide the nuclear steam supply system, containment, and HVAC models.

Angra 2, a Siemens-designed Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) with a net output of 1,350 MW, was connected to the grid in 2000. It is located near the town of Angra dos Reis, roughly 200 km south of Rio de Janeiro. The site also houses the Angra 1 unit, a 657 MW PWR designed by Westinghouse. The completion of Angra 3, based on the same German technology as Angra 2, is also expected to proceed in the near future. The Angra 2 simulator is housed at Eletronuclear’s training center in Mambucaba (Municipality of Paraty).

Eletronuclear was established in 1997 for the purpose of operating and building nuclear power plants in Brazil. A subsidiary of Eletrobrás, Eletronuclear is a government-controlled company that accounts for the generation of approximately 3 percent of electric power consumed in Brazil; the balance of which is largely made up from hydro-electrical sources.

L-3 MAPPS, a division of the L-3 Marine & Power Systems group, has over 25 years of experience in pioneering technological advances in the marine automation field and over 35 years of experience in delivering high-fidelity power plant simulation to leading utilities worldwide. In addition, the company has more than three decades of expertise in supplying plant computer systems for Canadian heavy water reactors. L-3 MAPPS also provides targeted controls and simulation solutions to the space sector.

To learn more about L-3 MAPPS, please visit the company’s Web site at www.L-3com.com/MAPPS.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 66,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2008 sales of $14.9 billion.

To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s Web site at www.L-3com.com.

Source: L-3 MAPPS

L-3 MAPPS contributes to Gentilly-2’s life extension

L-3 MAPPS has won an order from Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) to replace the Gentilly-2 Nuclear Generating Station’s digital control computers (DCCs). DCC systems are used to monitor and control the major reactor and power plant functions at CANDU* nuclear power plants. The DCC replacement project is part of a plant refurbishment project, which will extend the life of Gentilly-2 until approximately the year 2040.

“Through our long-standing relationship with AECL, L-3 MAPPS is pleased to play its part in extending the life of the Gentilly-2 station,” said Michael Chatlani, vice president of marketing and sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation.

The new DCCs will feature the latest SSCI-890 CPUs and modern VME-based replacements for the existing Ramtek display system and contact scanner. L-3’s DCC CPUs will replace four Varian 73 computer systems and related input/output and ancillary equipment currently in use at Gentilly-2. The system will be delivered to Gentilly-2 in the summer of 2011.

Hydro-Québec has operated Gentilly-2, a 675MW CANDU heavy water reactor, since start-up in 1983. Gentilly-2 is located in Bécancour, Québec, about 90 minutes east of Montreal near the town of Trois-Rivières, and is the only nuclear power plant in the province of Québec.

AECL is one of the world’s leading nuclear technology companies, providing services to nuclear utilities on four continents. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology, including the CANDU 6, one of the world’s top-performing reactors. There are 48 heavy water reactors based on the CANDU design in operation, under construction, or under refurbishment worldwide. AECL is building on this success with the new advanced CANDU reactor (ACR-1000), an evolutionary reactor based on the proven success of the original CANDU design.

L-3 MAPPS, a division of the L-3 Marine and Power Systems group, has over 25 years of experience in pioneering technological advances in the marine automation field and over 35 years of experience in delivering high-fidelity power plant simulation to leading utilities worldwide. In addition, the company has more than three decades of expertise in supplying plant computer systems for Canadian heavy water reactors. L-3 MAPPS also provides targeted controls and simulation solutions to the space sector.

Source: Power Technology

L-3 MAPPS to build another simulator for Hongyanhe site in China

L-3 MAPPS has won a second simulator order for China’s Hongyanhe nuclear power plant from Liaoning Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Co Ltd (LHNPC), the plant owner and operator. The second simulator is for operator training for Hongyanhe plant’s third and fourth units. Preparatory work on the simulator will start immediately, and it is expected to be in service in spring 2011.

“Our high-performance simulators at Daya Bay and Ling Ao in Guangdong provide tremendous value, operating six shifts per day with an availability of 99.8%,” said Michael Chatlani, vice president of marketing and sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation. “With this project, we are pleased to have another opportunity to contribute to China’s successful nuclear power development programme.”

L-3 MAPPS, as the leader of a consortium with China Techenergy Co Ltd (CTEC), is providing the process simulation and virtual back-up panels while CTEC supplies the non-safety digital control system (DCS), emergency control room panels and the staging facility in Beijing where the simulator will be integrated and tested prior to delivery to LHNPC.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) will provide the simulator’s safety DCS. As units three and four are twins of the first two units under construction at the Hongyanhe site, the plant process simulation will be based on the models for the Hongyanhe full scope simulator for units one and two, which are already under development by L-3 MAPPS.

The Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant site, located in Donggang Town of Wafangdian, 104km north of Dalian City in Liaoning Province, will have four generating units, each featuring China’s standard CPR1000 design – a 1,080MW three-loop pressurised water reactor (PWR), whose design is being coordinated by China Nuclear Power Engineering Co Ltd (CNPEC).

The Hongyanhe project is the first to be built in north-east China as part of the country’s plans to rejuvenate its old industrial base. Unit one commenced construction on 18 August 2007, and all four units are scheduled to enter operation between 2012 and 2014.

China Techenergy Co, a joint venture between China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co (CGNPC) and Beijing HollySys Co, specialises in engineering design and the application of DCSs for nuclear power plants, and safety DCS research and development. It has been contracted to supply several DCSs for nuclear utilities, including four units in Dalian and two in Ningde, China.

Liaoning Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Co is a joint venture among CGNPC, China Power Investment Corporation (CPIC) and Dalian Construction Investment Group. CGNPC is responsible for the project construction and the operation of the plant for the first five years after commercial operation with full-scale participation of CPIC. CNPEC is responsible for construction.

L-3 MAPPS, a division of the L-3 Marine and Power Systems group, has more than 25 years of experience in pioneering technological advances in the marine automation field and more than 35 years of experience in delivering high-fidelity power plant simulation to leading utilities worldwide. In addition, the company has more than three decades of expertise in supplying plant computer systems for Canadian heavy water reactors. L-3 MAPPS also provides targeted controls and simulation solutions to the space sector.

Source: Power Technology

AREVA recognizes L-3 MAPPS as key supplier

L-3 MAPPS announced today it has been named an AREVA certified supplier for its nuclear power plant simulators and services. Michael Chatlani, vice president of marketing and sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation, accepted the award from AREVA chief executive officer Anne Lauvergeon in a ceremony in Washington DC on 4 June.

“On behalf of our president, Peter Dawson, we are honoured and delighted that AREVA appreciates our quality products and services,” said Mr Chatlani. “This recognition means a great deal to all the people at L-3 MAPPS.”

The AREVA certified supplier seal of approval reflects 25 different criteria that AREVA requires of its key suppliers, such as:

• The quality of the products and/or services
• The capacity to offer the best market price and production schedules
• Dedication to project management, safety, security and the protection of the environment
• Development potential in R&D and innovation
• The commercial approach and capacity to tackle new markets

AREVA, a world leader in nuclear power and the only company to cover all industrial activities in this field, has manufacturing facilities in 43 countries and a sales network in more than 100. AREVA offers technological solutions for CO2-free power generation and electricity transmission and distribution.

L-3 MAPPS, a division of the L-3 Marine and Power Systems group, has more than 25 years of experience in pioneering technological advances in the marine automation field and more than 35 years of experience in delivering high-fidelity power plant simulation to leading utilities worldwide.

In addition the company has more than three decades of expertise in supplying plant computer systems for Canadian heavy water reactors. L-3 MAPPS also provides targeted controls and simulation solutions to the space sector.

Source: Power Technology

L-3 Mapps wins contract to replace computer equipment at Cernavoda

L-3 MAPPS has been awarded a contract from Romania’s Nuclearelectrica SA (SNN) for replacing the Cernavoda unit 1 digital control computer (DCC) central processing unit (CPU) equipment and to provide a desktop simulator to validate DCC software. Project work is proceeding immediately and the new DCCs are expected to be in service during summer 2010.

“By updating the computers on the unit 1 DCCs, we will bring the architecture of the computers to the same revision and superior performance as those on Cernavoda Unit 2,” said Ionel Bucur, director of CNE Cernavoda. “L-3 MAPPS has been a reliable supplier since 1984 and we are pleased to extend our cooperation with them.”

“This new project with L-3 MAPPS is the start of SNN’s improved life management program for the control computers at both units,” added Sorin Ghelbereu, technical manager of CNE Cernavoda. “This program will enhance the safety and availability of our station.”

“Cernavoda plays a significant role in supplying electricity in Romania and L-3 is proud to continue its role as key supplier for Cernavoda’s DCC and simulator projects,” said Michael Chatlani, vice president, marketing and sales, L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation.

Using SSCI-890 technology, L-3’s DCC CPUs will replace three SSCI-125 computer systems currently in use at Cernavoda. Prior to the unit 1 CPU replacement, another DCC system will be supplied to serve as a test bed for DCC hardware integration and software validation. The desktop simulator, which will run the full Cernavoda unit 1 plant simulation, will include a DCC emulator for the purpose of integrated plant software testing and verification.

Nuclearelectrica is a Romanian state-owned company, which operates the only nuclear power plant in Romania. The electricity annually generated by the Cernavoda units 1 and 2 represents approximately 18% of the overall electricity production of Romania. Units 1 and 2 have been in commercial operation since December 1996 and October 2007, respectively. Both units are 706 MWe CANDU* units.

Source: Power Technology

L-3 MAPPS wins contract to upgrade Gentilly-2 simulator

L-3 MAPPS has been awarded a contract from Hydro-Québec to significantly upgrade its Gentilly-2 simulator. The simulator upgrade is part of a plant refurbishment project which will extend the life of the Gentilly-2 Nuclear Generating Station until the year 2040.

“We are pleased to transform the Gentilly-2 simulator with up-to-date technology, here in the same province as our main production facility,” said Michael Chatlani, vice president, marketing and sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation.

To match the upgrades planned for the station, the simulator, originally delivered in the late 1980s by L-3 MAPPS, will also undergo major updates. The first phase of the upgrade consists of rehosting the current UNIX-based simulation platform onto a Windows operating system running L-3 MAPPS’ Orchid simulation environment. In the second phase, the reactor core and thermal-hydraulics models will be upgraded. L-3 MAPPS will replace the actual stimulated plant computer, known as digital control computers (DCCs), with a fully emulated equivalent that will be integrated in the full scope simulator. Deploying a dual DCC computer emulation is a first-of-a-kind effort for CANDU plant simulators.

In addition, a test bench facility, including two fully stimulated plant computers interfacing the simulator with a new card (DCC-IOSIM), will allow the Gentilly-2 technical staff to test and validate the modifications to the DCC software before implementing these changes in the plant. A user will be able to switch easily between the stimulated and emulated systems. The stimulated plant computers will incorporate SSCI-890 CPU technology, matching the CPU update to be carried out on the plant DCCs.

The order also includes optional phases which could be selected later by Hydro-Québec for emulating the plant’s new turbine control system, a new plant display system and further modeling changes. Work has already started under a pre-authorization from Hydro-Québec and the new simulator is expected to enter service progressively in various phases until fall 2011.

Hydro-Québec generates, transports and distributes approximately 35GW of electricity to Québec and the northeastern part of the US. It has operated Gentilly-2, a standard 675MW CANDU heavy water reactor, with an excellent service record since start-up in 1982. Gentilly-2 is located in Bécancour, Québec, about two hours east of Montreal near the town of Trois-Rivières, and is the only nuclear power plant in the province of Québec.

L-3 MAPPS, a division of the L-3 Marine and Power Systems group, has over 25 years of experience in pioneering technological advances in the marine automation field and over 35 years of experience in delivering high-fidelity power plant simulation to leading utilities worldwide. In addition, the company has more than three decades of expertise in supplying plant computer systems for Canadian heavy water reactors. L-3 MAPPS also provides targeted controls and simulation solutions to the space sector.

Source: Power Technology

L-3 MAPPS to upgrade simulator for AmerenUE at Callaway NPP

AmerenUE is upgrading the simulator at its Callaway nuclear power plant with a new suite of software tools. L-3 MAPPS is to make the changes, having upgraded Callaway’s core model last year.

The upgrade will see L-3’s Orchid tools installed, with work starting immediately. A statement from the simulator firm said the facility is meant to enter service in 2010. The reactor has a licence to operate until 2024. Read more

L-3 MAPPS Gains Contracts for Point Lepreau NPP CPU’s (Canada) and South African Simulator

In Canada, NB Power has ordered new digital control computer (DCC) central processing units (CPUs) for its Point Lepreau nuclear power plant in New Brunswick. In addition, L-3 MAPPS will supply a new DCC test system based on a design of a unit that it developed for the Candu Owners Group. DCC systems are used to monitor and control the major reactor and power plant functions at Candu plants.
 
Using SSCI-890 technology, L-3’s DCC CPUs will replace four Varian 73 computer systems and related input/output and ancillary equipment currently in use at Point Lepreau. In addition to the test system, L-3 MAPPS will provide spare parts, including circuit boards, power supplies and integrated circuits, to maintain the test system for five years. The products will be delivered to Point Lepreau toward the end of 2009.

“The Point Lepreau project is the first of the world’s fleet of Candu 6 reactors to undergo a refurbishment of this nature, and replacement of the DCC CPUs is necessary to operate the DCCs for the extended life of the plant,” said Herb Thompson, technical specialist supervisor of computer design at the Point Lepreau plant.
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