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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.
Robert M. Kemper, Christine M. Vertes
Nuclear Technology | Volume 91 | Number 1 | July 1990 | Pages 118-128
Technical Paper | Safety of Next Generation Power Reactor / Nuclear Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT90-A34448
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Emergency core cooling system performance analyses that demonstrate compliance with the 10CFR50.46 final acceptance criteria have been performed for the unique Westinghouse AP600 advanced pressurized water reactor. The AP600 plant features a low power density core, canned-motor reactor coolant pumps, passive safeguards systems, and an automatic depressurization system. It exhibits exceptional loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) performance. A spectrum of small-break LOCA cases successfully depressurize while exhibiting no core uncovery; the maximum cladding temperature in each case is the initial steady-state value. The calculated peak cladding temperature for a design-basis large-break LOCA is only 1061 K at the design total peaking factor of 2.40.