Development, Application, and Evaluation of a Value-Impact Methodology for Prioritization of Reactor-Safety R and D Projects. Final Report

摘要

The purpose of this study was to assess the applicability of value-impact analysis (VIA) to the selection of R and D projects in the field of nuclear reactor safety. A practical methodology was developed for describing alternative R and D projects, for eliminating inferior projects, for evaluating the remaining projects, and for ranking them for selection purposes. This approach was demonstrated by applying it to four sample projects dealing with improvements in residual heat removal systems. It was found that the conventional VIA approach is inadequate for the purposes of R and D project selection. A number of modifications are suggested to permit more explicit treatment of the risk and uncertainty inherent in R and D projects and to clarify the basis for choice among them. (ERA citation 07:059581)