MODERNIZATION OF KERNKRAFTWERK BEZNAU'S CORE MONITORING SYSTEM WITH STUDSVIK'S GARDEL SYSTEM

An analysis to select a new, modern core monitoring system replacement for twin Westinghouse Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) is presented. The reactors, Kernkraftwerk Beznau (KKB), are located in Switzerland and operated by Nordostschweizerische Krafwerke AG (NOK). KKB was one of the first PWR reactor sites in the world to use a fuel vendor on-line core monitoring system starting in the early 1990's. Core monitoring for KKB is even more challenging than for most reactors due to over 25 years of operational experience using MOX fuel. The objective of the investigation was to assess the merits of available core monitoring systems to determine if operational performance could be further improved. (KKB already demonstrated excellent operational performance, so this was no small task).