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Division Spotlight
Isotopes & Radiation
Members are devoted to applying nuclear science and engineering technologies involving isotopes, radiation applications, and associated equipment in scientific research, development, and industrial processes. Their interests lie primarily in education, industrial uses, biology, medicine, and health physics. Division committees include Analytical Applications of Isotopes and Radiation, Biology and Medicine, Radiation Applications, Radiation Sources and Detection, and Thermal Power Sources.
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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Jul 2024
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
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.”
Steve Yang, Allen Hsu (Doosan HF Controls Corp.)
Proceedings | Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technolgies (NPIC&HMIT 2019) | Orlando, FL, February 9-14, 2019 | Pages 635-644
The purpose of this paper is to present a qualification methodology for software tools for nuclear safety I&C applications. When tools are used for development or verification & validation (V&V) of safety instrumentation & controls (I&C) software, their correctness has to be assured so that the tools can perform their intended function and would not mask any errors in software being developed or V&Ved. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly evaluate tools before they are used. The evaluation using proven methodologies shall result in confidence in using the tools because they are then qualified. IEEE Std 7-4.3.2-2003 provides guidance for qualifying software tools, which requires that software tools used to support software development processes and V&V processes shall be controlled under configuration management. One or both of the following methods shall be used to confirm the software tools are suitable for use: First (1), a test tool validation program shall be developed to provide confidence that the necessary features of the software tool function as required. And second (2), the software tool shall be used in a manner such that defects not detected by the software tool will be detected by V&V activities. Finally, tool operating experience may be used to provide additional confidence in the suitability of a tool, particularly when evaluating the potential for undetected defects.