OPG Western Waste Management Facility WVRB Control Room Upgrades Lessons Learned

Abstract

The Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Western Waste Management Facility (WWMF) uses a computer based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor its facility, and control essential equipment. In 2007 the WWMF Low and Intermediate Level Waste (L&ILW) technical support section conducted a review of outstanding corrective maintenance work. Technical support divided all work on a system by system basis. One system under review was the Waste Volume Reduction Building (WVRB) control room SCADA system.

Technical support worked with control maintenance staff to assess all outstanding work orders on the SCADA system. The assessment identified several deficiencies in the SCADA system. Technical support developed a corrective action plan for the SCADA system deficiencies, and in February of 2008 developed an engineering change package to correct the observed deficiencies. OPG Nuclear Waste Engineering approved the change package and the WVRB Control Room Upgrades construction project started in January of 2009. The WVRB control room upgrades construction work was completed in February of 2009.

This paper provides the following information regarding the WWMF SCADA system and the 2009 WVRB Control Room Upgrades Project:

• A high-level explanation of SCADA system technology, and the various SCADA system components installed in the WVRB.
• A description of the state of the WVRB SCADA system during the work order assessment, identifying all deficiencies.
• A description of the new design package.
• A description of the construction project.
• A list of lessons learned during construction and commissioning, and a path forward for future upgrades.