Pneumatic Transfer System (PTS) is an auxiliary system of Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) used to transfer sample capsule in and out of the reactor irradiation sites. The PTS’ controller unit design and construction were carried out because the original transfer system was not designed to operate in cyclic NAA. To address these situations, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) has been used to design and construct a control unit to facilitate a cyclic neutron activation analysis (CNAA) application for GHARR-1. The design has been simulated successfully using a LOGO Soft Comfort software, version 8. The constructed control unit has been tested experimentally using 220 AC volts electric bulbs to represent solenoid valves. The results show that the sample-IN and sample-OUT bulbs come ON and go OFF to represent the solenoid valves opening and closing for sample transfer. The study has shown that the computer based PLC controller unit for PTS is capable of facilitating both cyclic and conventional NAA application for the GHARR-1.

GHARR-1 facility is a miniature neutron source reactor with a rated power of 30 kW. GHARR-1 was commissioned on 8 th March, 1995. The facility has been operating using the microcomputer closed loop system (MCCLS) and the control console (CC) for 19 years. Age-related degradation effects in safety-related systems of nuclear reactors are managed to prevent safety margins from eroding below the acceptable limits provided in reactors design. This paper, therefore, provides an update on managing the safety aspects of ageing of structures, systems, and components (SSC) of GHARR-1. Managing the safety aspects of research reactor ageing requires a proactive, systematic, and integrated ageing management approach for the coordination of all activities relating to control, monitoring, and mitigation of ageing degradation of SSC through the life cycle of GHARR-1. This paper outlines the ageing management programme and mitigation practices. Strategies for the ageing management include periodic safety reviews, design features for components and unit replacement, and succession planning. Information sharing with other operating organizations is one of the means considered by GHARR-1 to attain excellence. This paper again concisely reviews and integrates information developed by other ageing management studies and other available information related to understanding and managing age-related degradation effects.

The Pneumatic Transfer System (PTS) is an auxiliary system of Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) used to transfer the sample capsule in and out of the reactor irradiation sites. The PTS′ controller unit design and construction was carried out because the original transfer system was not designed to operate in Cyclic Neutron Activation Analysis (CNAA). To address these situations, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) has been used to design and construct a control unit to facilitate a CNAA application for GHARR-1. The design has been simulated successfully using LOGO! Soft Comfort software, version 8. A Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) was conducted on the PTS Control Unit (PTSCU) to evaluate and document, by item failure mode analysis, the potential impact of each functional or hardware failure of the control unit, personnel and system safety, system performance, maintainability, and maintenance requirements. Each potential failure is ranked by the severity of its effect so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken to eliminate or control the high-risk items. The result obtained upon the analysis shows that the likelihood of occurrence of failures, detection, and severity on the control unit is low per the risk priority number. The paper outlines the severity classification and description used in FMEA, the likelihood of detecting various failures of components, and failure causes and effect.

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