Advancing Nuclear Safety: Curtiss-Wright and Radics Unveil I&C Demonstration Unit

Using new technologies holds enormous potential to solve the problems of nuclear equipment obsolescence and life cycle extension at existing power units. However, even with the recent progress in the adoption of digital technologies for nuclear power plants, the industry is trying the approach of I&C modernization very carefully and slowly.

Prototypes are playing an important role in efficient testing and assessing new technologies, they act as a proof of the design concept, and a model to learn the product by testing its functionality against the customer’s desirability.

Curtiss-Wright in partnership with Radics came up with the idea of installing the I&C Demonstration Unit in the premises of Curtiss-Wright in Idaho Falls. The Demo System is the complete replica of a Plant Protection System (PPS) for the US nuclear generation market. The PPS is an integrated system that combines the functions of a Reactor Protection System (RPS) / Reactor Trip System (RTS) with an Engineered Safety Features Actuation System (ESFAS).

The system is designed and developed by Radics based on the SIL 3 certified and NRC approved digital FPGA-based Platform RadICS. It consists of two subsystems: the Channels Subsystem and the Trains Subsystem, and the auxiliary technical equipment, including Alarm Cabinets, a Maintenance and Testing Cabinet, an MCR Simulator, a Video Display Unit (VDU), and a Terminal Block Cabinet).

Once installed and adjusted, the Demo Unit embraces the target audience- nuclear industry experts and professionals- to showcase the RadICS platform advanced technical features and Curtiss-Wright capability to supply safety I&C equipment to upgrade existing power units with technical maintenance and licensing support.

Since the Demo Unit installation in 2023 Curtiss-Wright Nuclear Division has been welcoming visitors to demonstrate the technical feasibility to meet the most rigid nuclear requirements and modernize plant operation with increased reliability and reduced price