QUICKTRAK™ is the Smooth Operator

With its recent installation of the elite CCI QuickTrak™ intelligent valve controller, the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant is leading the pack as the first nuclear facility to take advantage of this cutting-edge technology.

Located near Palo, Iowa, the 580-megawatt, one-unit boiling water reactor (BWR) power plant was experiencing moderate to severe pump-induced vibration that often shook components loose on the positioner, which in turn caused erratic operation of the critical feedwater control valves. Additionally, the plant experienced inadequate control due to its pneumatic piston operator that was sluggish upon demand signal.

Although the QuickTrak™ technology was yet untested in the nuclear power industry, Duane Arnold’s confidence in CCI, based on years of experience with reliable CCI solutions, was unwavering as the plant placed its faith in CCI’s technologically unique valve actuation system.

This leap of faith proved to be a good move for Duane Arnold, as CCI moved quickly to deliver the digital valve control system in time to meet the plant’s outage schedule. In addition, CCI provided software verification and validation in accordance with the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)code. CCI also certified the system’s electromagnetic requirements and satisfied qualifications for vibration levels. Having met these special demands, the QuickTrak™ solution is qualified for use in nuclear power plants around the world.

As for Duane Arnold, its installed QuickTrak™ actuators are running smoothly and have vastly upgraded the plant’s performance. Because QuickTrak™ performs without mechanical linkages, both the digital valve controller and the stepper motor were remotely mounted, thereby rectifying the plant’s performance issues resulting from pump-induced vibration. Additionally, QuickTrak™ is extremely precise control – with superb resolution – minimizes reactor level swings and offers improved plant startups.

With the outstanding performance of CCI’s QuickTrak™ actuation system, Duane Arnold looks forward to years of advanced, dependable control and smooth operations.

Published in SOLUTIONS Summer 2005