Computer-Based Emergency Operating Procedures for Regulated Facilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regulated facilities, such as nuclear power plants, face challenges in reliably executing emergency operating procedures (EOPs) due to the unreliability of electronic systems during power failures and the inefficiencies of traditional paper-based procedures, which can lead to human errors and prolonged emergency response times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a computer-based EOP system that integrates real-time facility data and monitoring systems, providing a user-friendly interface that mimics traditional paper formats, allowing for automatic step execution, human verification, and real-time communication across multiple devices, ensuring continuity during power outages and reducing human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paper-based EOPs are used, then reliability during power failures is improved, but response time and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments EOP execution into automated computer-based steps and manual verification steps. Computer logic automatically executes routine steps while operators verify critical steps, allowing rapid response through automation while maintaining human oversight for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a computer-based intermediary between the operator and the EOP procedures. This intermediary automatically monitors facility conditions, determines required actions, and guides operators through EOP steps, reducing response time while maintaining reliability through structured verification processes.
2Productivity
If computer-based EOPs are used, then operational efficiency and automation are improved, but reliability during power failures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-programming computer logic with EOP procedures and pre-positioning operators at verification points. This allows rapid automated response during emergencies while maintaining reliability through pre-planned human verification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where computer logic continuously monitors facility conditions and operator actions, providing real-time verification that EOP steps are correctly executed. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability while enabling efficient automated operation during normal conditions.
3Reliability
If manual verification steps are added to computer-based EOPs, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by making verification requirements specific to critical steps rather than uniformly applying verification to all steps. Computer logic automatically executes non-critical steps while requiring manual verification only for critical actions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability where it matters most.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and responding to an event in a facility using electronic emergency operating procedures (EOPs). A supervisory computer system can perform operations including: receiving facility operational data, detecting, based on the data, an event in the facility, retrieving logic for executing an EOP set of steps, the EOP being identified for mitigating the event, executing the logic to determine conditions, steps, and manual actions to perform to mitigate the event, and generating and transmitting instructions to user devices to present a dashboard with the conditions, steps, and manual actions, the dashboard presenting an electronic version of the EOP set of steps. While executing the logic, the operations can include iteratively: determining whether the conditions, steps, and manual actions are completed, and generating updated instructions for the user devices to present the dashboard with indications indicating that the conditions, steps, and manual actions are completed.