Three-State Model for Fusion Reactor Plant Availability Analysis

An availability simulation methodology and a computer program (PROPA) have been developed for systems subject to three states: normal, degraded, and failed. The program is used to analyze the STARFIRE tokamak fusion reactor plant. The new program extends our modeling capability for complex systems; while it is found that significant improvements are needed in the areas of reliability data, understanding of system behavior, and the computing speed.