Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Engineering Sciences ISSN 2066 – 8570 Volume 5, Number 2/2013 95 ROMANIAN EXPERIENCE ON CANDU 600 FUELLING MACHINE TESTING Şerban Constantin VALECA 1 , Cezar Marcel DOCA 2 , Constantin IORGA 3 Rezumat. Maşina de Încărcat/Descărcat combustibil nuclear CANDU 600 este un mecanism complex care trebuie să funcţioneze în condiţii de securitate şi înaltă fiabilitate în reactorul CANDU. Procesele de testare şi punere în funcţiune a acestui echipament nuclear răspund înaltelor standarde ale cerinţelor unei Centrale Nuclearo-Electrice folosind facilităţi tehnologice speciale, instrumente de măsură moderne precum şi resurse IT adecvate pentru achiziţia şi procesarea datelor. Lucrarea prezintă experienţa Institutului de Cercetări Nucleare Piteşti, România, în testarea Maşinii de Încărcat / Descărcat CANDU 600, inclusiv facilităţile implicate, şi în dezvoltarea a patru simulatoare: două dedicate antrenării operatorilor Maşinii de Încărcat/Descărcat CANDU 600 şi alte două pentru simularea unor semnale de proces şi acţionări specifice. Abstract. The CANDU 600 Fuelling Machine is a complex mechanism which must run in safety conditions and with high reliability in the CANDU Reactor. The testing and commissioning process of this nuclear equipment meets the high standards of NPP’s requirements using special technological facilities, modern measurement instruments as well as appropriate IT resources for data acquisition and processing. The paper presents the experience of the Institute for Nuclear Research Piteşti, Romania, in testing CANDU 600 Fuelling Machines, including the implied facilities, and in development of four simulators: two dedicated to training the CANDU 600 Fuelling Machine Operators, and another two to simulate some process signals and actions. Keywords: CANDU Fuelling Machine; Testing; Simulator 1. Introduction The testing and commissioning process of nuclear equipment meets the high standards of NPP‟s requirements using special technological facilities, modern measurement instruments as well as appropriate IT resources for data acquisition and processing, and reporting following client requirements. The Institute for Nuclear Research (SCN) Piteşti, Romania, has the capabilities for studing, designing and conducting the equipment testing activities for nuclear power industry [1]. These activities are carried out under Integrated Quality Management System, official accredited by Lloyd‟s Regist er for ISO 9001-2000. The testing facilities and high qualified staff are licensed by the Romanian National Regulatory Authority for Nuclear Activity [2]. 1 Prof. Dr. Eng. at the University from Piteşti, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Nuclear Research, Piteşti, serban.valeca.@nuclear.ro. 2 Ph.D., Senior Researcher at the Institute for Nuclear Research Piteşti, cezar.doca@nuclear.ro. 3 Dipl. Eng., Senior Researcher at the Institute for Nuclear Research Piteşti, constantin.iorga@nuclear.ro.