Simulation-Based Optimization of Communication Protocols for Reducing Delays during Nuclear Power Plant Outages

Zhe Sun, Cheng Zhang, Pingbo Tang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) needs routine shutdowns, known as "outages," for maintenance operations. A typical outage normally takes about 30 days and involve more than 2,000 contract personnel who might not necessarily be familiar with the working procedures and environments. During outages, omission errors (i.e., skip certain steps in a task) could be common and cause delays. Most omission errors are due to forgetting. Poor communication seriously aggravates the impacts of forgetting. While most corrective actions emphasized on conducting post-event meetings to highlight required procedures, forgetting is still unavoidable. To mitigate risks caused by forgetting, the nuclear industry needs properly designed communication protocols - rules that guide participants in distributing information to the right people with the right timings. Unfortunately, limited studies examined "good" communication protocols that could protect outage productivity from forgetting. This paper presents a simulation-based optimization method that focuses on the workflow of pump maintenance activities (visual inspection, pump maintenance, and functional surveillance testing) around cooling towers. The authors also introduce the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curves as a reference to model the probability of forgetting in the simulation. The proposed optimization will automatically identify proper communication intervals by evaluating the impacts of communication times when forgetting events occur. This optimization aims at minimizing delays of the entire workflow when omission errors occur. Results indicate that the communication protocols identified can significantly reduce risks of delays in outages.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConstruction Research Congress 2018
Subtitle of host publicationInfrastructure and Facility Management - Selected Papers from the Construction Research Congress 2018
EditorsChao Wang, Charles Berryman, Christofer Harper, Yongcheol Lee, Rebecca Harris
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages455-464
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780784481295
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
EventConstruction Research Congress 2018: Infrastructure and Facility Management, CRC 2018 - New Orleans, United States
Duration: Apr 2 2018Apr 4 2018

Publication series

NameConstruction Research Congress 2018: Infrastructure and Facility Management - Selected Papers from the Construction Research Congress 2018
Volume2018-April

Other

OtherConstruction Research Congress 2018: Infrastructure and Facility Management, CRC 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period4/2/184/4/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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