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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.
Peter J. Jensen, V. K. Chexal, Jason Chao, William H. Layman
Nuclear Technology | Volume 83 | Number 3 | December 1988 | Pages 252-273
Technical Paper | Fifth International Retran Meeting / Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow | doi.org/10.13182/NT88-A34140
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Nuclear Safety Analysis Center (NSAC) at the Electric Power Research Institute has a Generic Safety Analysis Program to help resolve high-priority safety issues. Several high-priority safety issues considered at NSAC were resolved at least in part through the use of the RETRAN computer code. These issues are pressurized thermal shock, anticipated transients without scram in both pressurized and boiling water reactors, steam generator tube rupture, and scram frequency reduction.
