FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Is ERI an R&D organization? Has ERI served as prime contractor for any major projects? Has ERI performed any work in areas outside of nuclear safety? Does ERI offer any training courses? Is ADAM a general program that could be applied to all light water reactor types? How many ADAM versions are available? Has ADAM models been experimentally verified? Is an ADAM demo available? Does ERI provide training for ADAM use and applications? How fast is ADAM? Is ADAM a commercial or a public domain system? Which computer codes are available at ERI? Is ERI supporting regulatory bodies, utilities or other agencies? Does ERI have any special status (e.g., 8A)? Is ERI an R&D organization? Even though ERI has participated in many applied research studies; nevertheless, one of the main areas of activities at ERI include technical support, and issue-specific studies for regulatory organizations (e.g., United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission) and international bodies. Back to Questions Has ERI served as prime contractor for any major projects? ERI has served as a prime contractor on numerous projects ranging in size from few staff-days to many staff-years of effort. ERI has lead many major contracts involving many subcontractors (including several major universities) and individual consultants. These include research grants, cost plus fixed fee, and fixed price contracts. Back to Questions Has ERI performed any work in areas outside of nuclear safety? Yes, ERI has provided services in many disciplines, including applications of risk management to space systems, process safety and risk assessment, non-reactor consequence assessment, engineering design studies, web-based training, IT support, to name a few. Back to Questions Does ERI offer any training courses? Yes. Examples include (i) fundamentals of probabilistic risk assessment (Level-1, Level-2, Level-3), (ii) deterministic design basis accident analysis, (iii) severe accident analysis methods and tools, (iii) modern and advanced methods for simulation (iv) analysis of accidents at low-power and shutdown. Back to Questions Is ADAM a general program that could be applied to all light water reactor types? ADAM is custom-designed for individual plants and applications. However, system modification to similar plants is relatively straightforward. Back to Questions How many ADAM versions are available? Westinghouse PWRs with large dry containment, GE BWRs with MARK-I and III containments, Siemens-KWU PWRs, VVER-440/213, VVER-1000, Chinese-designed PWR. Back to Questions Has ADAM models been experimentally verified? Yes, please refer to the ERI publications. Back to Questions Is an ADAM demo available? Yes, formal or informal training has been provided to all current ADAM users, and can be provided, on an as needed basis. Back to Questions Does ERI provide training for ADAM use and applications? Yes, formal or informal training has been provided to all current ADAM users, and can be provided, on an as needed basis. Back to Questions How fast is ADAM? Typically about 500 times faster than real time on a PC. On more advanced PCs, ADAM can run 1000 to 2000 times faster than real time. Back to Questions Is ADAM a commercial or a public domain system? ADAM is a commercial code system that is licensed for use at a given installation. Back to Questions Which computer codes are available at ERI? Essentially all of the USNRC codes, including RELAP5, TRAC, CONTAIN, MELCOR, TEXAS (steam explosions code), and IFCI. Back to Questions Is ERI supporting regulatory bodies, utilities or other agencies? ERI is only supporting government organizations abroad) and (US and international organizations. Back to Questions Does ERI have any special status (e.g., 8A)? No. ERI is classified as a "small business" under the U.S. Government Classification rules. ERI has only received contracts on competitive basis. Back to Questions