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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.
Masahito Matsubayashi, Hisao Kobayashi, Takashi Hibiki, Kaichiro Mishima
Nuclear Technology | Volume 132 | Number 2 | November 2000 | Pages 309-324
Technical Paper | Radioisotopes | doi.org/10.13182/NT00-A3146
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The JRR-3M thermal neutron radiography facility was constructed in the JRR-3M of the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute in 1991 and has been used as a research facility for various kinds of research fields. The characteristics of the facility have been briefly reported and declared to be excellent in neutron flux and in collimator ratio. Additionally, the authors have measured the beam flatness and the scattered components and have compared these measured characteristics with the design values. The neutron source, the beam tube, and the radiography rooms are described in detail and their data are applied to the analyses of the characteristics. The description of the radiography rooms includes beam size definition tubes and beam shutters, which are the most important components in the room. Also described are the restrictions on the size and shape of the sample, the background dose rates, and equipment information. The high-performance of the facility enables advanced imaging techniques such as high spatial resolution imaging and high temporal resolution imaging. The high-resolution static neutron radiography system using a cooled charge-coupled device camera has the capability to take neutron radiography images with 72 m of spatial resolution. The high frame rate neutron radiography system has the capability to image high-speed phenomena with 4500 frames/s of temporal resolution. Both neutron radiography systems are described in detail especially for key components such as fluorescent converters and cameras.