Abstract: A procedure document is maintained by storing procedure records identifying each procedure in the document, step records describing the steps performed in each procedure and substep records for steps broken into substeps. Internal references in one step to another step are delimited so that when the step sequence of a procedure is changed the internal step references can be automatically modified to correspond to the change which is made. In addition, the steps and substeps may contain references to instrument and equipment and setpoints of, e.g., pressure, which are pertinent to the procedure. The procedure records may contain a number of columns indicator which indicates whether the steps and substeps of that procedure will use one column or two columns. Seperate files are maintained to provide cross-referencing for the instruments and equipment as well as the setpoints. A description of the setpoints is maintained in a separate file containing unique setpoint identifiers.

Abstract: Demand for refueling of a liquid metal fast nuclear reactor having a life of 30 years is eliminated or reduced to intervals of at least 10 years by operating the reactor at a low linear-power density, typically 2.5 kw/ft of fuel rod, rather than 7.5 or 15 kw/ft, which is the prior art practice. So that power of the same magnitude as for prior art reactors is produced, the volume of the core is increased. In addition, the height of the core and it diameter are dimensioned so that the ratio of the height to the diameter approximates 1 to the extent practicable considering the requirement of control and that the pressure drop in the coolant shall not be excessive. The surface area of a cylinder of given volume is a minimum if the ratio of the height to the diameter is 1. By minimizing the surface area, the leakage of neutrons is reduced.