Syntactic and semantic information extraction from NPP procedures utilizing natural language processing integrated with rules

Abstract: Procedures play a key role in ensuring safe operation at nuclear power plants (NPPs). Development and maintenance of a large number of procedures reflecting the best knowledge available in all relevant areas is a complex job. This paper introduces a newly developed methodology and the implemented software, called iExtractor, for the extraction of syntactic and semantic information from NPP procedures utilizing natural language processing (NLP)-based technologies. The steps of the iExtractor integrated with sets of rules and an ontology for NPPs are described in detail with examples. Case study results of the iExtractor applied to selected procedures of a U.S. commercial NPP are also introduced. It is shown that the iExtractor can provide overall comprehension of the analyzed procedures and indicate parts of procedures that need improvement. The rich information extracted from procedures could be further utilized as a basis for their enhanced management.