Specific hardware that permits data acquisition for on-line risk monitoring and evaluation, based on PSA

Risk analysis methodology for a nuclear facility, that uses the event tree and fault tree models, processing and quantification approach, is widely spread in the nuclear safety research. The developed model, for a nuclear facility, includes events associated to structures, systems and components (SSCs). The actual risk evaluation studies suppose some steps that are known by PSA specialists. Computer codes have been also developed in order to handle large models and data amounts and to process and display the information, data or results. This paper presents the specific elements that are considered to allow designing hardware in order to determine the risk level of a system or installation, based on combination of a specific PSA model with a fault events transmission and processing. This advanced hardware allows the rapid acquisition and processing of data and information. Associated to this hardware is a specific software that manages and processes the information, acting as an interface between models, data, information and hardware. A specific circuit was selected to allow the testing of hardware. This technique could be used as application for multiple industrial processes and systems. The paper presents also pictures of the installation and computer codes forms. For the specific analyzed case the obtained results are presented. The hardware permits simulation of failure events in order to permit calibration, testing of risk monitor. (authors)