A simulation methodology for study of standby safety systems at nuclear power plants, with application to availability assessment of emergency diesel generators

The availability, or probability of readiness upon demand, of a complex redundant standby safety system depends upon designs and operational procedures, such as redundancy and inspection policies. Simulation methodology may be used for quantitative evaluation of alternative system. A specific example is the Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) system associated with a nuclear reactor, but other examples exist and the methodology extends to them. Complex inspection-maintenance rules (NRC guides 1.108 and 1.93) suggest simulation methodology; alternative rules may be analyzed mathematically, and an example is outlined. The analysis procedure allows consideraton of sharing of multiple EDGs by multiple nuclear units. Numerical studies suggest the value of sharing configurations