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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.
Frank H. Huang, Dolores E. Mitchell, John M. Conner
Nuclear Technology | Volume 107 | Number 3 | September 1994 | Pages 254-271
Technical Paper | Radioactive Waste Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT94-A35006
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
More than 5 300 000 ℓ (1400 000 gal) of phosphate/sulfate waste (PSW) grout were produced and placed in vault 101 at the Hanford Site. This waste was generated during decontamination operations and maintenance of the fuel storage basin at the N Reactor. The low-level radioactive liquid wastes were mixed with a blend of portland cement, fly ash, and clays. Through cementing and pozzolanic reactions with water, the grout was solidified to immobilize contaminants and retain low permeability to groundwater. Testing conducted before the campaign is described. The usefulness of each quality verification technique is discussed, focusing mainly on data from the core samples. These data provide the best information on PSW grout since core samples from all regions and depths in the vault were tested. The nondestructive testing data are also useful as they provide property data from broad regions of the vault. The mean compressive strength of the PSW grout cores is 4.17 MPa (605 lbƒ/in.2), much higher than the criterion value of 0.35 MPa (50 lbƒ/in.2). Results also show that the leachability indices for 137Cs, 60Co, sodium, and SO4 for PSW grout cores exceed the leachability criterion [American Nuclear Society (ANS) 16.1 leach indices ≥ 7] by at least one index point. This means that the ability of the grout to resist leaching of waste species is at least ten times greater than the limiting criterion. The facility is nearly ready to begin solidifying higher activity mixed waste; however, the program is being reevaluated to determine whether this increased scope of work is appropriate.