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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.
Daniel E. Marchi, Viviana J. Lorenzo
Nuclear Technology | Volume 144 | Number 2 | November 2003 | Pages 252-258
Technical Paper | Materials for Nuclear Systems | doi.org/10.13182/NT03-A3442
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Direct denitration using microwaves (MWD) is an interesting alternative conversion method to obtain uranium dioxide powders from nitric solutions of uranium, since it has many attractive features. However, as other methods, traditional MWD includes a milling step of the powders, which is a disadvantage from the operative and economical point of view. In this paper, the denitration process was studied by depressing the pressure inside the vessel where the solution is denitrated. Intermediate and final products were characterized. It was demonstrated that when working pressure ranges between 520 and 970 hPa during denitration, high density UO2 pellets can be obtained without resorting to a milling step.