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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.
Rafael de la Fuente, J. Manuel Dey, Pablo G. Sedano, Pedro Mata
Nuclear Technology | Volume 128 | Number 2 | November 1999 | Pages 169-185
Technical Paper | RETRAN | doi.org/10.13182/NT99-A3023
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The reload transient analysis methodology developed for the Cofrentes boiling water reactor-6, 2894-MW(thermal)-rated nuclear power plant is based on the RETRAN-03/MOD1 code. Cross-section files have been calculated with the CASMO-3/SIMULATE-3/SLICK codes. The system and hot-channel thermal-hydraulic responses have been predicted with the RETRAN-03 code, and the thermal margin for each fuel type has been determined by the TCPUIT code.Transient analyses are performed under several initial conditions to improve the plant operational flexibility. The two most thermal limiting plant transients were simulated: (a) generator load rejection with concurrent failure of the condenser bypass system and (b) failure of the feedwater flow control system to maximum demand. In addition, overpressure is evaluated with RETRAN-03, i.e., a closure of the main-isolation-valve transient.The Cofrentes tenth reload licensing analyses are verified against official fuel vendor calculations. The results obtained agree with them and cover the vendor thermal margins for the different fuel types considered.
