N18: Control and Instrumentation (C&I) and Functional Safety

This unit aims to:

Provide a comprehensive introduction to Control and Instrumentation (C&I) applied at nuclear facilities, both for reactor control and other nuclear facility applications, in the context of functional safety.

Brief Description of the Unit

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to Control and Instrumentation (C&I) applied at nuclear facilities, both for reactor control and other nuclear facility applications, in the context of functional safety. It is designed to describe the design, verification and validation (V&V), safety justification and assessment of C&I (including Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based control, smart instruments, robotics and autonomous systems). It will introduce the benefits and challenges associated with the use of software, hardware description language (HDL) programmed integrated circuits and artificial intelligence (AI). Following a mandatory pre-course reading component, a one-week taught component will include a presentation from a visiting design practitioner from industry and an experienced (ex)inspector from the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to help deliver the course. These individuals will bring a practical, real-life, perspective. A day will be spent locally in Siemens’ training room to gain hands on experience with a PLC. Throughout the course a practical, real-life application of C&I will be used to develop practical understanding. The taught component is followed by a post-course assessment that is designed to consolidate knowledge gained during the course and to enable students to join industry with a solid understanding of how C&I is applied in practice in the context of a functional safety process.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the nature of risk and system safety in a historical, societal and legal context (including the role of the UK nuclear regulator).

Evaluate accidents and their root causes, including the role of humans and apply this to a hazard identification and analysis.

Explain the role of C&I in systems engineering / systems architecture and the interaction with other disciplines.

Assess the benefits and challenges of the choice of hardware, HDL-programmed hardware and software (inc. AI) and design and development of a basic process or facility safety system architecture including these components.

Describe a C&I safety system lifecycle model suitable for the system design in ILO 4.

Evaluate a set of C&I system requirements, e.g. identify functional and non-functional requirements, identify applicable standards.

Design and implement a basic C&I system which incorporates safety features, selecting and justifying appropriate V&V techniques for the components and system.

Explain the use of requirements and CAE notation for safety case structure and construct a basic coherent and logically- argued safety case for a C&I enabled nuclear process or reactor system acceptable to the industry.

Describe and discuss the impact of new developments in C&I including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, autonomous systems, machine / human interaction.

In relation to course unit N18, we partner with an external organisation which undertakes export control due diligence checks for students of particular nationalities. While it is an unlikely outcome where ATAS clearance has been obtained, these due diligence checks may result in a student being denied access to their facilities. These checks and any decision on access are outside the University’s control. Students who may be affected by these checks will be advised on application.