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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
V. Abella, R. Miró, B. Juste, G. Verdú
Nuclear Technology | Volume 175 | Number 1 | July 2011 | Pages 53-57
Technical Paper | Special Issue on the 16th Biennial Topical Meeting of the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division / Radiation Transport and Protection | doi.org/10.13182/NT11-A12269
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This work is focused on coupling PLanUNC (PLUNC), a set of software tools for radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP), with MCNP5 Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code, utilizing the RANDO phantom as the patient model and the Elekta Precise linac as the irradiation source for comparison. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to compare the results obtained from the default calculations of the treatment plan software with those obtained via the implementation of MCNP5 calculations. Monte Carlo techniques have been proved to be a more accurate dose calculation aid than conventional treatment planning systems, having the only limitation of computer time. The implementation of MCNP5 calculations in a commercial RTP software aims to provide more accurate dose mapping of the patient in reasonable computer times. The results obtained in this paper represent a significant contribution in the development of RTP patient dose simulations.
