FAQ

1. What is ImPRO?

ImPRO is a computer based procedure(CBP). Computer supports operator to execute procedures rapidly and correctly. Compared to paper based procedure, ImPRO shows not only procedure rules but also relavant plant information. Moreover ImPRO can evaluate procedure statements whether they are satisfied or not in the context of plant state.


2. Is there any other CBPs in market?

Yes, COMPRO and SSCI developed by Westinghouse, N4 Procedure System in EDF, and COPMA by HRP are worldwidely known.
These systems have their own languages to describe procedures. In addition a lot of experimental CBPs have been developed without well defined instruction sets.


3. What are required for CBP?

US NRC(Nuclear Regulatory Committee) issued the review guideline of CBP. "Preliminary Review Criteria for Evaluating Computer-Based Procedures" Technical Report E2090-T4-2-9/96, September 30, 1996. And the guideline was revised in 2000. The guideline covers design process, user interface, shortcomings of paper procedures, etc. It looks like very mature requirements for CBP derived from experience, review of the past procedures, and operation. Like other procedures, ImPRO can be graded according to the requirements.

4. Should CBP be developed in order to replace traditional paper procedures?

Maybe yes, maybe no. System designers and operators have different preference on CBP usage. One ovious fact is that users are suggesting for desogners to computerise paper procedures if possible.

5. What are advantages of ImPRO over other systems?

It is very difficult decision to allocate tasks between man and machine while designing CBP. ImPRO is designed with proper fucntion allocations. So ImPRO has higher level of automation. In addition, ImPRO has very formal and transparent structure than other systems.

6. What does procedure description language look like?

PML(Procedure Markup Language) is an instance of XML. Because procedure can be decomposed hierarchically, framework of XML is suitable for procedure language.

7. Does ImPRO support international characters?

Yes. Because ImPRO is coded in Java, its international support is more powerful than other languages. At least English and Korean procedures has been tested successfully.

8. What position does CBP have in the process control?

According to hierarchical structure of control, fast local controller is in charge of process with communicating with sensors and actuators. The controller is autonomous in most working domain.
A control and monitoring system is posistioned right above the local controller. It is equiped with powerful graphic software. So an operator can steer the plant with skill based operation if necessary. CBP lies in the highest layer for rule and knowledge based operations. Factory automation will finish after CBP is equiped.