Nuclear Plant Journal, July-August 2015 NuclearPlantJournal.com
41
to balance analog system maintenance
and enhancements with such phased
digital system upgrades. For example,
with this approach, we can isolate key
high-risk systems, focusing on critical
systems to prioritize which systems
should be replaced first. Using this asset
management approach, we help to break
down the system scope into smaller-
phased replacements that are easier to
facilitate and finance for both utilities and
suppliers. The result is drop-in solutions
that target upgrades in problematic areas
such as feedwater and turbine control
systems.
We are installing turbine control
upgrades and digital feedwater control
upgrades; we’re performing a number
of upgrades in automation areas. We’re
putting control upgrades into reactors
today at several utilities and multiple
plant sites. Using our long-term
asset management methods, we help
utilities focus their digital investments
to be the most advantageous for their
circumstances. We really want to help our
customers get the most value from each
investment in digital replacements.
4.
How has Westinghouse helped the
clients with simulation and robotics?
We are committed to providing value
for our customers through innovation and
evolutionary technology development,
including simulation and robotics. We
have many effective technologies that
really address the need for improving
productivity and reducing radiation
exposure during inspection and repair
work and we’ve adapted to changes in
customers’ needs. For example, with
Pegasys
TM
– a lightweight, suitcase-sized
robot that uses tube-walking technology
to inspect steam generator tubes for
small-scale plugging or blockage and to
conduct in-situ leak testing, among other
applications. It saves a significant amount
of time. It’s automated and quite small,
weighing only 28 pounds. Really, it’s
an evolution in our technology. We’ve
now fabricated more than 50 Pegasys
TM
robots and have used them at more than
100 outages around the world; we are
currently working on the next generation.
Also, while I wouldn’t categorize
this in robotics per se but in technology,
we’ve now advanced our steam generator
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