This volume represents the second of our occasional departures from the format of an annual review series, being devoted to one coherent topic. We have the pleasure therefore in presenting a concerted sequence of articles on the use of Simulators for Nuclear Power. An essential attribute of a quantified engineer in any discipline is to be able to model and predict, i.e. to analyze, the behaviour of the subject under scrutiny. Simulation goes, one would argue, a step further. The engineer providing a simulator takes a broader view of the system studied and makes the analysis available to a wider audience. Hence simulation may have a part to play in design but also in operation, in accident studies and also in training. It leads to synthesis as well as analysis. There is no doubt that the massive scale and the economic investment implied in nuclear power programmes demands an increased infra-structure in licensing and training as well as in design and operation. The simulator is a cheap alter­ native - admittedly cheap only in relative terms - but also perhaps an essential method of providing realistic experience with negligible or at least small risk. Nuclear power therefore has led to a wide range of simulators. At the same time we would not overlook the sub­ stantial role played by simulators in say the aero-industry; indeed the ergonomic and psychological studies associated with that industry hold many lessons.

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A Methodology for the Design of Plant Analysers.- I. Introduction.- II. CEGB Operations.- III. Historical Development within the CEGB.- IV. Design and Provision of Training Simulators.- V. Requirements of Design Quality Assurance.- VI. Simulation Language PMSP.- VII. Conservation of Validated Plant Models.- VIII. Converged Modelling Philosophy.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Models and Simulation in Nuclear Power Station Design and Operation.- I. Introduction.- II. Physical Full-Scale Engineering Models.- III. Part-Scale Models.- IV. Full-Scale Static Control Room Mock-ups.- V. Full-Scale Control Room Mock-ups with Dynamic Displays.- VI. Full-Scope Training Simulators.- VII. Large Simulation Facilities for Design.- VIII. Nuclear Plant Analysers.- IX. Predictive Devices Used as Operator Aids.- X. Heysham II Power Station Fault Level Monitoring and Indication Equipment.- XI. CEGB Essential System Integrating Simulator.- XII. Equipment, Systems and Human Reliability.- XIII. Testing of Automatic Control Loops.- XIV. Computer Hardware Necessary.- XV. Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Psychological Aspects of Simulator Design and Use.- I. Introduction.- II. Simulator Uses and Human Factors.- III. Simulators as Learning Environments.- IV. Alternative Approaches to Training.- V. Remaining Tasks for the Full-Scope Simulator.- VI. Conclusions.- References.- The Development of Full-Scope AGR Training Simulators within the CEGB.- I. Introduction.- II. User Requirement.- III. Functional Specification.- IV. Choice of Plant Model Complexity.- V. Choice of Display and Tutorial Facilities.- VI. Computer and Interface Hardware.- VII. Software Development Strategy.- VIII. Long Term Support.- IX. Quality Assurance.- X. AGR Simulator System Design.- XI. Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Parallel Processing for Nuclear Safety Simulation.- I. Introduction.- II. Problem Definition and Solution Methodology.- III. Solution of Gas-Flow Equations.- IV. Application to RELAPV.- V. Conclusions.- Acknowledgement.- References.- Developments in Full-scope, Real-time Nuclear Plant Simulators.- I. Introduction.- II. Nuclear Submarine Simulators.- III. The Hunterston 'B' Simulator.- IV. The Torness AGR Simulator.- V. Simulator System Design Philosophy.- VI. Automatic Testing.- VII. Computer System Architecture.- VIII. Conclusion.- Acknowledgement.- Authors' Biography.