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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.
Woan Hwang, Cheol Nam, Thak Sang Byun, Young Cheol Kim
Nuclear Technology | Volume 123 | Number 2 | August 1998 | Pages 130-141
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT98-A2887
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Computational models for analyzing in-reactor behavior of metallic fuel pins in liquid-metal reactors under steady-state conditions are developed and implemented in the Metal fuel performance Analysis (computer) Code for Simulating the In-reactor behavior under Steady-state conditions (MACSIS). Sodium logging and constituent redistribution effects are considered in calculating the temperature profile. The model for the radial redistribution of the fuel constituent is based on the thermotransport theory. The fission gas release model takes multibubble size distribution into account to characterize the lenticular bubble shape and the saturation condition on the grain boundary. Finally, the clad strains are calculated from the amount of fission gas released and interface pressure. Sample calculations are performed to verify each model. The results show that in general, the predictions of MACSIS agree well with the available irradiation data.