IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT AT THREE MILE ISLAND ON PLANT CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION PHILOSOPHY.

Abstract

Independent commissions which were appointed to evaluate the causes of the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant exposed major weaknesses in the man/machine interface which they felt might be common to other similar plants. Strengthening this link is regarded as twofold: (1) Educating the man to enhance his understanding of plant processes; (2) Improving the machine interface. This study reviews suggested improvements in instrumentation which would aid the control of a nuclear plant. These comprise mainly: (a) The application of human factors engineering principles to control room design in order to make the 'machine' more manageable; (b) improved data feedback so that the operator can make an accurate assessment of plant status at any instant. The author discusses the possibility that the general philosophy of the man/machine interface being applied to the nuclear industry could be applied to some extent to conventional power plants and even other industries.