Method for Prototyping and Testing the Information Minimalism Concept of Nuclear Power Plants

he information structure and visualization design in nuclear power plant is based on careful analysis and understanding of the work domain of the operator. Piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) based layouts tend to require more display space. Overuse of mimic layouts can result in visual clutter. P&ID based layouts of controls are usually less easily operated configurations than those provided by other array conventions. Thus, a display method is emerging to minimize P&ID based display. The information minimalism concept is a monitoring and controller display method for each operation mode based on log analyses of operator actions. This method provides the monitoring information and control means necessary for the operator, according to operation mode, to perform a specific operation. This method can reduce the time spent searching for information and the transition between display pages. The aim of this paper was to verify the feasibility of implementing new concepts by establishing an information minimalism prototype. The validity of the function, performance, and operational test methods were verified by testing one such information minimalism prototype. In this paper, we describe prototyping and testing methods for the information minimalism concept for NPPs. In the future, this concept is to be added to the concept of operator support with the existing display configuration and navigation, and thereby extend its application range while actually utilizing it.