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Operator Certification
 




 
Reactor Operator Certification:

The Reactor Operator Certification process provides a two-part "final examination" of your plant knowledge and operating ability.  If you pass these examinations, you'll be eligible for a BWR Reactor Operator Certificate documenting your success.

Click here if you are returning from the program to obtain your certificate.

The process begins by entering your name on the Student Registration Screen. The Certification Screen then appears where you can select either of the two examinations.

Click on the folder icons to view detailed descriptions.
 
bullet Written Exam - Consists of multiple choice questions examining your knowledge of BWR technology.
  • The questions are answered by clicking on the "radio" button adjacent to the choice being made.  There is only one correct or best answer for each question.
  • Answers can be reviewed, and changed if necessary at any time prior to completing the examination. The exam is completed by clicking on the LOCK-IN ANSWERS pushbutton.
  • When all questions have been completed, the LOCK-IN ANSWERS pushbutton is depressed. The program will then display the results of each question and corresponding answer in the examination. An explanation of each answer is provided.
  • A score of 80 percent is required to pass the examination. If the exam was not passed successfully, it can be taken again at any time.
     
bullet Simulator Exam - A hands-on examination testing your ability to operate the reactor plant.  The examination consists of five objectives which the user must successfully meet through operating the simulator. 
  • Each examination objective begins with an initial score of 100 points. During the simulation, as the user maneuvers the plant to establish the conditions required by the objective, the program will subtract points if errors are made. When the plant has been brought to the required conditions for the objective, the user exits the simulation.  The program then compares the plant conditions existing at the time of exit to the objective requirements. If the requirements have been met, the score for that objective is added to an accumulating total score, and the next objective is started.
  • The minimum total score needed to pass the simulator examination is 400 points, or 80 percent. Note that the maximum possible score is 525 points (100 points for each objective plus a possible 5 bonus points for each objective).
  • Each of the five exam objectives will require operation of the simulator starting at a power level corresponding to the same Initialization Conditions (IC's) accessed in starting up the plant. The objectives are sequenced in an order corresponding to a normal plant startup.  Bonus points are awarded if the objective is completed within a given time.

    OBJECTIVE 1 (Source Range Operation) - A. Bring the reactor critical and establish a positive reactor period; B. Allow power to increase to IRM range 3 or above, then terminate the objective by exiting the simulation.

    OBJECTIVE 2 (Intermediate Range Operation) - A. Raise power and commence a normal reactor heatup. do not exceed an average heatup rate of 500 degrees per hour; B. When reactor temperature has increased to 225 degrees or above, terminate the objective by exiting the simulation.

    OBJECTIVE 3 (Turbine Generator Operation) -
    A. Raise power until the bypass valve is between 30 and 40 percent open; B. Roll the turbine generator to 900 rpm at the slow rate, then soak for greater than 2 minutes. Increase to rated speed at the fast rate; C. Synchronize and load the generator. When load has been increased to 150 MWe or above, terminate the objective by exiting the simulation.

    OBJECTIVE 4 (Manual Load Following) - A. Withdraw control rods to the 50 percent rod pattern, then raise core flow to 100 percent; B. When reactor power is between 48 percent and 52 percent, and core flow is at 100 percent, terminate the objective by exiting the simulation.

    OBJECTIVE 5 (100% Power Operation) - A. Raise core flow to 50 percent then withdraw control rods to the 100 percent rod pattern; B. Raise core flow to 100 percent; C. When both reactor power and core flow are at 100 percent, terminate the objective by exiting the simulation.
     
bullet  Completion of the Exams - Upon successful completion of both the written and simulator examinations, the Overall Score and Certification Status displays are updated and a CERTIFICATE pushbutton appears.
 
bullet  Certification Completion Certificate - By clicking on the CERTIFICATE pushbutton, a serial number appears for use in obtaining a BWR Reactor Operator or Senior Reactor Operator certificate suitable for framing.
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Certification Menu


Written Exam


Simulator Exam


Operator Certificate

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Last modified: 12/14/07