Research and development of the Chinese decision support system for nuclear emergency management

In 1995, the Chinese competent authority decided to develop a Chinese decision support system for nuclear emergency management. For this purpose, the European Real-time and On-line Decision Support System (RODOS) was introduced as a general platform in 1997. Several Chinese research institutes in Beijing are now involved in this project. A 3-step strategy has been adopted for the development of the Chinese decision support system. The first priority assigned to the first step has been given to the understanding of the RODOS operating modes and the assurance of the successful running of the system. The activities envisaged thereafter focus on the practical application of the system to the existing nuclear power plant sites in China. Finally, the system will be further adapted and developed so that it can meet the specific needs of decision-markers in support of nuclear emergency in China. Taken into consideration the specific capabilities of institutes involved in this project and the modular construction of the RODOS system, the whole R and D activities are grouped into two categories. The first category of activities concerns the comprehensive management of the system and the integration into the system of the external programs, including the assessment models and related databases from the second category of activities. The tasks assigned to this category also include the definition of I/O interfaces between various analytical subsystems and the operating subsystem as well as technical training. The second category of activities covers all the tasks relating to assessment model development and related databases. In terms of the model development, we have decided to use the well-developed models already integrated in the RODOS system where appropriate. Since the introduction of RODOS in 1997, we have gained first experience in the modification, compiling and integration of external programs into RODOS. This is an important technical breakthrough towards the establishment of the Chinese decision support system for nuclear emergencies. In addition, we have also made progress in the adaptation of this system to the Chinese situation. This paper will present the organization, current status and perspectives of this project. In addition, the hard/software environment for this system will also briefly described. (author)