A Dual Full-Scope and Reduced-Scope Microworld Simulator Approach to Evaluate the Human Factors of a Coupled Hydrogen Production Concept of Operations

Abstract

Simulators serve as a valuable human factors research tool for control room modernization as nuclear power plants continue to upgrade their analog technology with digital equivalents. Beyond upgrades, plants are beginning to explore alternative concepts of operation including using their thermal output for chemical processes. These upgrades represent more substantial plant modifications and mandate new human factors techniques to develop and evaluate the HSIs, procedures, and operations required to control the new systems. This paper describes the strategy and use of a full-scope and reduced-scope simulator in a comprehensive research approach to develop the concept of operations. Specifically, the full-scope simulator serves as a means to extract invaluable operational knowledge from operators and the reduced-scope simulator, namely the Rancor microworld, serves as a means to address targeted human factors issues and is sufficiently flexible to be more easily integrated with small scale physical test beds than the full-scope counterpart.