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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.
Johannes M. Bauer, James C. Liu, Alyssa A. Prinz, Sayed H. Rokni
Nuclear Technology | Volume 175 | Number 1 | July 2011 | Pages 198-201
Technical Paper | Special Issue on the 16th Biennial Topical Meeting of the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division / Accelerators | doi.org/10.13182/NT11-A12290
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) is currently working on increasing its stored current from originally 100 to 500 mA. SSRL worked with the SLAC Radiation Protection Department on mitigating the possible radiological hazards from these upgrades. This paper describes the related analyses, new safety systems, and beam tests. The top-off injection mode (injection with beamline stoppers open) is essential for operation at high currents. The radiological consequences of various situations were analyzed, a new Beam Containment System (BCS) was implemented, and radiation surveys were performed during tests. Since March 2010, all beamlines have been operating in top-off mode. Operation with higher beam currents was also analyzed for radiological hazards, and a new Beamline BCS was installed. The storage ring is now operating with 200 mA during user runs, and tests are ongoing with higher beam currents. Soon the power of the injection current will also be raised from 1.5 W at present to 5 W maximal.
