تضمین کیفیت نرم افزار در ارزیابی عملکرد سال 1996 برای کارخانه پایلوت جداسازی زباله

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), located in southeast New Mexico, is a deep geologic repository for the permanent disposal of transuranic waste generated by DOE defense-related activities. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), in its role as scientific advisor to the DOE, is responsible for evaluating the long-term performance of the WIPP. This risk-based Performance Assessment (PA) is accomplished in part through the use of numerous scientific modeling codes, which rely for some of their inputs on data gathered during characterization of the site. The PA is subject to formal requirements set forth in federal regulations. In particular, the components of the calculation fall under the configuration management and software quality assurance aegis of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA) requirements. This paper describes SNL's implementation of the NQA requirements regarding software quality assurance (SQA). The description of the implementation of SQA for a PA calculation addresses not only the interpretation of the NQA requirements, it also discusses roles, deliverables, and the resources necessary for effective implementation. Finally, examples are given which illustrate the effectiveness of SNL's SQA program, followed by a detailed discussion of lessons learned.

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a deep geologic repository located in southeast New Mexico, which has been licensed for the permanent disposal of transuranic waste generated by US Department of Energy (DOE) defense-related activities [1]. The scientific advisor to DOE, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), is responsible for evaluating the long-term (10,000-year) performance of the WIPP. This risk-based Performance Assessment (PA) is accomplished in part through the use of numerous scientific modeling codes, which rely for some of their inputs on data gathered during characterization of the site. These calculations depend in large part on computer codes used to simulate processes within the repository system, as well as transport and retardation of radionuclides from the repository through surrounding hydrogeologic formations, and simulation of releases due to possible future human intrusion into the repository. Probabilistic modeling and analysis codes are also used to characterize both the uncertainty of physical parameters and the unpredictability of future events. In such a regulatory environment as nuclear-waste disposal, SNL's work must be held to high standards of accountability. For SNL, this means that the PA codes must comply with rigorous software quality-assurance (SQA) requirements. The origins of the formal SQA requirements are given, and the status of SQA at the time the requirements were imposed is described. Interpretation of the requirements and their applicability to WIPP PA is discussed. This is followed by a detailed description of SNL's implementation of SQA, including a description of procedures and roles. Examples are cited which demonstrate the effectiveness of our implementation of SQA. Finally, there is a discussion of lessons learned.

The SNL SQA effort for the WIPP CCA proved to be highly successful, in that the work was accepted and approved by the EPA and, ultimately, the CCA itself was approved [13]. While much effort (and even pain) was involved, we learned much and ended up with a solid SQA program that should serve us well for the future. It is impossible to be successful in a regulatory environment without a solid SQA program that is rigorously followed.