Reprocessing facilities are complex chemical and mechanical facilities comprising many workstations that must interact with each other. Simulation modeling is a useful tool for predicting how well workstations perform together to achieve a facility's defined reprocessing goal. However, the inclusion of specific failure and repair information is very difficult with currently available simulation models. The inability to include reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) considerations in a simulation model makes the results less accurate and potentially misleading. This project involves expanding an existing simulation program so that a design engineer can efficiently incorporate RAM information into a simulation model and obtain RAM information useful in making design decisions. To determine the feasibility of developing such software, the following technical approach is being followed in Phase I of this project: (1) collect data on the design, operation, and maintenance of a selected reprocessing facility; (2) develop an example application; (3) analyze component -,2ailure and repair data; (4) select existing simulation analysis software for a personal computer; (5) build simulation models; (6) calculate production and reliability characteristics and identify important components; and (7) document the findings and conclusions on the feasibility of incorporating RAM analysis techniques into simulation modeling. Phase II will focus on developing RAM-based simulation software for reprocessing facility designers. Phase III will focus on promoting wide use of the software by offering a short training course (perhaps 2 days) to teach design engineers how (1) to develop input information, (2) to obtain the RAM-based results using the developed simulation software, and (3) to use these results for decision-making.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:The results of this work should benefit reprocessing facility design activities as well as almost any other design activity where RAM analysis capabilities are important. Specifically, the planned expanded simulation software reduces the cost and schedule of reprocessing facility design activities and helps ensure that facilities meet their reprocessing goals. The training course for design engineers ensures that the software quickly becomes a useful tool for many designers who need accurate and timely RAM-based information on how their designs will perform. The potential for long range commercial development for this software is high.
