TRANSMITTER MEETS SAFETY DEMANDS
June 1st 2005

British Energy now uses ABB programmable pressure transmitters for a safety-related application at its Torness nuclear power station.

The ABB 268 series transmitters had to meet strict internal assessment criteria to qualify for use on the power station’s fuelling machine in a SIL1 (Safety Integrity Level 1) application.

The transmitters are part of a system to monitor and control the pressure of Carbon Dioxide coolant in the fuelling machine that moves nuclear fuel around the reactor and central block facilities.

If the pressure of the CO2 is too low, it affects the coolant’s ability to transport heat away from Fulfiling demanding role the fuel. If the pressure is too high, the CO2 will be too warm to provide effective cooling.

With nominal operating pressure to 400bar and a differential pressure measuring range of 0.5mbar to 100bar, the 268 transmitter has proved an efficient solution. British Energy has not experienced calibration or maintenance problems since installing the new transmitters.

More articles from ABB Ltd: