Automated program for the acquisition of tank calibration data

A computer program has been developed to acquire calibration data for nuclear process vessels. The program automates the process so that the need for operator intervention during a calibration run is minimized. The program depends upon the calibration system it is designed to operate, but its modular structure makes it easy to adapt to other systems. An important feature of the program is the sequence of steps taken to acquire calibration data and to ensure their validity. Readings are taken in groups, and data are rejected if any reading differs by more than a specified value from the mean of its group. Cumulative-sum control charts are maintained for seven parameters, each of which measures some aspect of increment-to-increment consistency during the calibration run. If one of te consistency checks drifts out of control, the program pauses so that appropriate corrective action can be taken. The calibration run proceeds without manual intervention when all consistency checks are in control