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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.
J. P. Panakkal, M. Afzal, R. B. Bhatt, A. Prakash, A. K. Mishra, S. Kumar, H. S. Kamath
Nuclear Technology | Volume 179 | Number 2 | August 2012 | Pages 189-195
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT12-A14091
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Indian pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) have been operated over the years using natural UO2 bundles. An attempt has been made recently to use (U-Pu) mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel bundles containing 0.4% PuO2 to increase the burnup and reduce fuel inventory. This paper outlines the design changes made in the fuel elements and presents the important steps in fabrication of MOX fuel, the novel quality and process control procedures developed, and our experience during the fabrication of MOX fuel assemblies irradiated in one of the commercial PHWRs.
