Reactor Control Interface Design

CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND

T E C H N O LO GY, 1 0 0 B U R E A U D R . , 

GAITHERSBURG, MD, USA 20899

Omar Cavazos
Goals

•Design a Human Machine Interface layout for the NBSR Control System

•Use 3D CAD software (SolidWorks) to generate a design

•Collectively apply reactor operator feedback and standards
Human Machine Interface
Design Approach

Interview operators

Conduct reference review and generate design specifications

Create a Draft based on human engineering standards and operator interviews

Meet with operators

Create final HMI layout

Receive approval from NBSR Operations and Engineering personnel
Guidance

•Human Factors Engineering Review Model (NUREG-0711)

•Department of Defense Standard Practice Human Engineering Requirements for 

Military Systems, Equipment, and Facilities (MIL-STD-46855A )

•Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of NonPower Reactors: Standard Review Plan and Acceptance Criteria (NUREG-1537, 

Part 2)
Design Specifications

Redundant

a) Must consider redundancy in digital systems

b) Design should be able to avoid single failures

Simple

a) Use analog representations when needed since it reduces cognitive load of operator

b) Make sure displays are readily available and easy to read

Safe

a) Must go beyond guidelines to make sure design is safe

b) Design should promote less-stressful work environment and minimize operator fatigue
Design Specifications

Reliable

a) Must work with operators to understand their responsibilities and feedback

b) Must consider ways the design addresses HMI problems

Adequate

a) Must follow proper code, standards, and regulations needed for design

b) Must guard against common design errors
Sections

8

Storage

Pool

Thermal 

Shield

Thermal 

Column

D20 Aux 

System & 

Helium 

Blowers

Ventilation 

System

ARM

System

Primary 

System 

Mechanical

Primary 

System

Nuclear

Secondary 

System

Leak Detector 

Tritium Monitor 

Systems
The Department of Defense Design Criteria Standard for Human Engineering 

(MIL-STD-1472G)

•Establishes general human 

engineering criteria for design 

and development of military 

systems , equipment, and 

facilities

•Control interference, spacing, 

consistency, grouping, control 

mounting height, are examples 

of MIL-STD 1472G details used 

for HMI design
Reactor Operator Interaction

•Feedback provided early in the design 

ensured that errors in the HMI are 

addressed

•The HMI design will be used by the 

operators

•Crucial to Human performance 

Evaluation/Analysis as required from 

the Human Factors Engineering 

Program Review Model (NUREG-0711)
Current Control Console
Posters





Final Design (SolidWorks)

Human Performance Analysis

•Includes design specifications

•Describes the details about how the design met design specifications

•Includes standards and guidance applied

•Describes the reactor operator interaction 
Future Work

•Continue on electric layout 

behind console

•Install new storage pool 

control panel on mock-up

•Human performance testing 

on mock-up
Conclusion

•After participating in the 2017 Surf Program, reactor operator feedback and The 

Department of Defense Design Criteria Standard for Human Engineering (MILSTD-1472G) was applied to design a HMI for the NBSR Control Console.
Acknowledgements

•Reactor Operations and Engineering 

•Daǧistan Şahin-SURF Mentor

•Special thanks to the reactor operators, Samuel MacDavid, Daniel Keyser, Scott 

Arneson, Marcus Schwaderer, Daniel Mattes, Ricky Sprow, Paul Liposky, Oscar 

Wiygul, and Randolph Strader for providing input during the design phases

•Paul Brand- Chief of Reactor Engineering

•Joseph Dura- NCNR SURF Director

•Julie Borchers- NCNR SURF Director
References

•J. M. O’Hara, J. C. Higgins, S. A. Fleger, P. A. Pieringer, "Human Factors Engineering Program Review Model", NUREG-0711. Washington, D.C. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (2012).

•Kenneth D. Thomas, Ronald L. Boring, Jacques V. Hugo, "Human Factors for Main Control Room Modernization", Nuclear News. 46-50 (2017).

•National Research Council, "Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants : Safety Reliability Issues", Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, (1997). https://doi.org/10.17226/5432.

•U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of Non-Power Reactors: Standard Review Plan and Acceptance Criteria", (1996).

•International Atomic Energy Agency, Implementing Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems in the Modernization of Nuclear Power Plants. IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NP-T-1.4, IAEA, (2009).

• United States Department of Defense, "Department of Defense Design Criteria Standard (MIL-STD- 1472G)", (2012).

•United States Department of Defense, "Department of Defense Standard Practice Human Engineering Requirements For Military Systems ,Equipment, and Facilities (MIL-STD-46855A)", (2011).
Disclaimer

Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this 

study in order to specify the experimental procedure adequately. Such 

identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that 

the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the 

purpose.
Thank You