Effects on operators´ problem solving behaviour when using a diagnostic rule-based expert system developed for the nuclear industry

The authors describe an experiment conducted at the OECD Halden Reactor Project, Halden, Norway, to assess the effect on the diagnostic behaviour of nuclear power plant operators when using a rule-based diagnostic expert system. The rule-based expert system used is called DISKET (Diagnosis System Using Knowledge Engineering Technique). The experiment used a full scope pressurized water reactor simulator. Operator performance in terms of quality of diagnosis is improved by the use of DISKET. The use of the DISKET system also influences the problem solving behaviour of operators. When diagnosing a disturbance, DISKET users are following a strategy which is direct and narrowed, while non-DISKET users are undertaking a much broader and less focused search.<>