Nuclear power plant core-protection-calculator reliability analysis

This paper describes a study performed in support of the decision-making process regarding possible replacement/upgrade of the core protection calculator system (CPCS) at the Pale Verde nuclear generating station. Here, the authors present the methodology and results of a CPCS reliability study performed to: (a) calculate the frequency of CPCS hardware failure induced spurious reactor trips; (b) provide a qualitative basis for assessing whether the current reliability may be reasonably expected to be maintained during the forty year design life of the system; and (c) provide recommendations to help maintain system reliability into the future.