Simulation of human risk scenarios for nuclear power plant operation based on finite state machine

Abstract

This paper addresses risk scenarios caused by Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) during the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) operation. A simulation method is proposed in this research based on a Finite State Machine (FSM) for analyzing human-related risk scenarios in NPP operations. The risk evolution mechanism between the physical system and operator is modeled by FSM to clarify how risk accumulation leads to accidents. It has the advantage of managing and simplifying the modeling process of complex relationships in NPP with the integration of human reliability analysis. The study focuses on the dynamic interaction between the physical system in the primary loop and the operators during the startup of NPP and evaluates human-related safety risk through simulation of the behavior of the operators handling the control rods. This research aims to present an FSM-based methodology for analyzing HMI-induced risks in NPP operations, which can be utilized to illustrate the risk evolution, especially human-related risk.