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Innovative Radiological MonitoringNetwork Provides Greater ProtectionThe Central Radiological ComputerSystem and Monitoring Network(CRCS) developed by FramatomeANP to supplement existing radiologicalinstrumentation and plant processcomputers is an effective source ofsupport for nuclear power plant healthphysics personnel in their daily work,facilitates incident analyses, and alsopredicts radiological impact on theenvironment. The most comprehensiveversion to date is in operation at theSlovakian VVER-440/V213 nuclearpower plant Mochovce, Units 1 and 2.Other individually customized versionsof the CRCS are currently operatingin a number of nuclear power plantsand facilities in Germany as well as inthe state-wide remote monitoringsystems in Germany and Switzerland.Powerful New ConceptProvides Enhanced andContinuous Plant andEnvironmental MonitoringMochovce awarded Framatome ANPan order to supply and install anupgraded version of the CRCS systemconforming to current national andinternational code requirements tosignificantly enhance the capabilitiesof the existing monitoring systems.Framatome ANP’s workscope includedequipment for radioactive releasemonitoring, area monitoring in theplant, and detailed environmentalradiation monitoring. The workscopealso includes a computer network fordata recording, real-time multi-screendisplay of all data (including thosesupplied by the Russian instrumentation)and software for comprehensiveradiological analyses, forecasting andstaff training.Principle of the Central Radiological Computer Systemand Monitoring Network (CRCS)The new plant monitoring equipmentallows ongoing processes and interdependentevents to be tracked. Byproviding early warning features andaction-related radiological analysis,the software enables damage-mitigatingactions to be rapidly implemented andhelps reduce operator workload. Thisalso results in a reduced personnelexposure thanks to quickertroubleshooting.The monitoring network and additionalmobile radiation monitoring vehicleswith on-line data transfer to the CRCSprovide a tightly-meshed overview ofthe current radiological situation inthe plant and its environs. Forecastingmodules predict potential doses topersons in all operating situations.With CRCS, Mochovce now has aradiation information and early-warningsystem which represents the topmoststandard for European nuclear powerplants in terms of depth of detailand functionality.Future ProspectsFramatome ANP’s CRCS was designed,right from the start, as a non-plantspecificmodular system, making it easyto backfit into any nuclear plant –whether in operation or in the processof decommissioning. Owing to itsunsurpassed flexible concept, CRCSis the plant and environmentalmonitoring system of the future forintegration into national or multinationalmonitoring networks. ■Advanced Nuclear Power N O 9 November 2003 15