ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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.
Zheng-Ming Zhang, Min-Zhi Wang, Shu-Yan He
Nuclear Technology | Volume 135 | Number 2 | August 2001 | Pages 85-91
Technical Paper | Fission Reactors | doi.org/10.13182/NT01-A3207
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The HTR-10, which now is under construction, is the first high-temperature gas-cooled reactor developed in China. The primary loop boundary components of the HTR-10 are peculiarly arranged as the reactor pressure vessel stands side by side with the steam-generator pressure vessel, and a hot-gas duct vessel connects them. This arrangement can diminish the thermal loads on the pressure vessels but can cause some new problems under seismic conditions. The design features of the support system of the HTR-10 primary loop boundary components are introduced. The procedure of seismic analysis of the support system is emphasized. Based on equivalent-static and dynamic calculations, the safety features of the support system under seismic conditions are demonstrated.