Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: JNC viewpoint on fast reactor knowledge preservation

Abstract

JNC is undertaking a major program of research and development on liquid-metal cooled fast breeder reactors, which is fully supported by the government of Japan and the electrical utilities. Hence, the perspective of JNC on knowledge preservation is rather different from that of organizations where the fast reactor project has been scaled down or discontinued. Within JNC, there is a statutory obligation to preserve documentary records of the fast reactor project. Over time the method of archiving has changed from optical (microfilm, microfiche etc.) to digital storage. It is the long-term objective of JNC to convert all its records to digital format and make them available to staff over its intranet. JNC is also attempting to preserve 'human knowledge', that is, the expertise of staff who have been involved in the fast reactor project over a long period and who are now nearing retirement. Based on this information, two computerized systems are currently being constructed: one which records in a readily accessible manner the background to key design decisions for the Monju plant. And a second which uses simple relationships between design parameters to aid designers understand the knock-on effects of design choices (joint project with Mitsubishi). To its partners in international cooperation - the US/DOE and the organizations of the Euro-Japan collaboration - JNC is proposing a joint approach to knowledge preservation and retrieval. The proposed concept, dubbed the International Super-Archive Network (ISAN), would make use of the standardized software the new technologies of the internet increase the mutual accessibility of fast reactor information. JNC considers it extremely important to reflect the lessons learnt from previous experience in the fast reactor field to the operation and maintenance of Monju and the design of future reactors. (author)

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Reference:

Proceedings of a Technical Meeting held in Cadarache, France 11-15 March 2002

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--1405, pp:255-260