KHNP launches reactor safety enhancement technology

21 July 2023

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced it has developed the world's first web-based automatic monitoring system to prevent accidents in nuclear reactors and related systems. The company plans to introduce the system to all its nuclear power plants.

The system is already in use at Shin Wolsong units 1 and 2 (Image: KHNP)

The Technical Specification Operator Support System (TOSS) is a web-based system that monitors the operational status of nuclear power plants in real time, KHNP said. It is characterised by detecting unsatisfactory operating conditions and notifying the operator, checking and providing guidance on how to take action. In addition, the vast operational technical guidelines have been digitised so that they can be automatically searched.

Through the use of the system, it is possible to check the operation limiting conditions and action requirements that change according to various variables in real time, the company said. According to the results, prompt safety measures are possible, which is expected to further enhance the safety of nuclear power plants, such as preventing human errors.

KHNP said TOSS has been in pilot use at units 1 and 2 of the Shin Wolsong plant for the past three months and that it plans to apply the system at all of its power plants in the future.

"By applying this technology to all power plant sites, operators will more easily develop knowledge of operational technical guidelines and background documents, and further enhance the safety of power plants," said Shin Ho-cheol, head of KHNP's Central Research Institute.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News