Optimized neutron monitoring system for the SBWR

The Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (SBWR) is a 600-MWe nuclear power plant developed by an international design team led by GE. The SBWR incorporates features which simplify the plant design and make it easier to operate and maintain. The neutron monitoring system (NMS) of the SBWR contains the startup range neutron monitors, the power range neutron monitors, and the core power calibration instrument. In the current SBWR design configuration, many simplified features have been incorporated into the NMS design. The number of local power monitors in the NMS is reduced as the result of enhanced detector and electronic designs and improvements in core power calculation methodology. The core power calibration instruments are also improved such that the out-of-vessel mechanical components associated with the conventional calibration instrument are eliminated. With the incorporation of these features into the SBWR neutron monitoring system design, plant operation and maintenance activities can be significantly simplified.<>