Risk monitor implementation for the LVR-15 research reactor

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the implementation of a Phoenix Risk Monitor (RM) for the Light Water Reactor-15 (LVR-15), a nuclear research reactor installed in the Czech Republic. The aim of the work was to introduce dynamic capabilities in the previously developed Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) model. The paper includes a description of the main characteristics of the PSA of LVR-15 and a particular focus is assigned to the developed risk monitor interface, obtained starting from scratch, and to the methodology adopted in its implementation. The interface is conceived to visualize in a meaningful way the safety level of the reactor, suggesting possible interventions to the operator to improve it whenever needed. The risk monitor has been tested with reference to specific conditions of interest, considering, in particular, the effect of external events on the safety status of the reactor, also including the specific weather conditions occurring on a seasonal basis on the reactor site.