Modeling of the High Pressure Core Spray Systems with fuzzy cognitive maps for operational transient analysis in nuclear power reactors

In this paper the application of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) to model a risk scenario for Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) in a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) is presented, specifically for failure modes and effects analysis of High Pressure Core Spray System (HPCS) during loss of reactor coolant inventory transients. A simplified model of the HPCS is analyzed with the fault tree analysis technique in order to compare this results with those obtained with the FCM and show consistency with the results, although this process is not a validation of the FCM techniques. The decision making in an NPP is a complex process, because of the numerous elements involved in its operation, and the permanent attention demanded by its maintenance. This is the first step in the development of an expert system that will help in the decision making process, through the design of the knowledge representation and the design of reasoning with FCM to automate the decision making process. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.