Nuclear Waste Volume Reduction Facility (WVRF) Control and Scada System Modernization

Abstract

OPG and Alithya collaborated to implement a modern Control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for a WVRF. This system is used to incinerate low and intermediate level nuclear waste and treat the resulting flue gases, ensuring public safety and meeting the requirements of Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Canada (MOECC). The Control and SCADA system controls and monitors the incinerator and related processes, including solid waste management and Continuous Emissions Monitoring in accordance with MOECC and PG/7, as well as the Burner Management System. Employing innovative reverse engineering, design, and simulation techniques,we addressed challenges with equipment obsolescence and configuration management. To improve excellence of public safety, we went above and beyond compliance with nuclear regulatory, cyber security, and environmental requirements, codes and standards, performed software categorization, and designed and qualified the control system to meet the stringent requirements of Category 3 safety-related software.