Joint Optimization of Business Continuity by Designing Safety Barriers for Accident Prevention, Mitigation and Emergency Responses

In this paper, an optimization model is developed for optimal design of the safety barriers in a nuclear power plant. By applying the developed model, safety barriers of different natures, i.e., the prevention, mitigation, emergency and recovery measures, can be optimized jointly for business continuity. A hierarchical numerical optimization method based on golden search and genetic algorithm is developed to obtain the optimal solutions. A numerical case study regarding the allocation of resources among the safety barriers prevention, mitigation and emergency in a nuclear power plant is worked out to maximize business continuity against the threat of steam generator tube ruptures.