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Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
Vogtle-3 shuts down for valve issue
One of the new Vogtle units in Georgia was shut down unexpectedly on Monday last week for a valve issue that has since been investigated and repaired. According to multiple local news outlets, Georgia Power reported on July 17 that Unit 3 was back in service.
Southern Company spokesperson Jacob Hawkins confirmed that Vogtle-3 went off line at 9:25 p.m. local time on July 8 “due to lowering water levels in the steam generators caused by a valve issue on one of the three main feedwater pumps.”
Michael J. Fillian, Roger D. Wyatt (ENERCON)
Proceedings | Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technolgies (NPIC&HMIT 2019) | Orlando, FL, February 9-14, 2019 | Pages 594-601
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has been developing and releasing guidance for digital Instrumentation and Control (DI&C) upgrades. The expected result is a pathway for nuclear utilities to address the obsolescence and reliability challenges of old analog systems with digital technology. All projects require the maintenance of configuration management equilibrium, including procedure changes, drawing updates, and UFSAR / Technical Specification impacts. However, for a digital upgrade, software becomes an essential part of the equation. The V-Model is commonly used as a visual representation of the tasks and sequencing needed to implement control system software. The outputs of the V-Model include plans, specifications, designs, analyses, application software, and testing documents. These provide the means to ensure the quality of the application software. There are essential attributes particular to each output that are associated with quality. That is, the quality of the application software is reliant on the existence and quality of the essential attributes at each phase of the software development lifecycle process. This is also true for projects where a ‘graded approach’ is allowed. The essential quality attributes must still flow through the process to ensure the quality of the application software. The Owner’s Acceptance Review (OAR) process is critical for ensuring consistency and quality. It provides the mechanism for the utility to determine that the essential quality attributes are incorporated into the V-Model outputs. A utility’s Owner Acceptance Review process needs to document the essential attributes expected, and the methods to ensure they flow from requirements to the final software. This paper discusses the essential attributes of the V-Model outputs and their use in ensuring the quality of the application software. This paper also describes the characteristics of a good Owner’s Acceptance Review process. A thorough Owner’s Acceptance Review Process will detect and correct deviations early in the process, saving both time and money.