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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.
Sergey I. Belousov, Krassimira D. Ilieva, Stoyan Y. Antonov
Nuclear Technology | Volume 111 | Number 2 | August 1995 | Pages 270-274
Technical Paper | Nuclear Criticality Safety Special / Material | doi.org/10.13182/NT95-A35136
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The neutron flux values at the sites important for the pressure vessels of the VVER-1000 and VVER-440 reactors have been calculated by the three-dimensional TORT code and the synthesis method approximation. The synthesis method is widely used now for neutron fluence routine calculations in metal embrittlement surveillance. The three-dimensional neutron flux evaluation by the synthesis method is based on the two-dimensional and one-dimensional solutions of the transport equation. The comparison of the results obtained by both methods confirms the good consistency within 3% for integral neutron flux with energy >0.5 MeV, used for metal damage estimation, according to Russian reactor standards. Further investigations on the calculation validity will be based on comparisons with measurements of the threshold detector activities, monitored in the air shell behind the reactor pressure vessels of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant.