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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.
Paul W. Humrickhouse, Paul P. H. Wilson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 155 | Number 2 | August 2006 | Pages 166-175
Technical Paper | Fission Reactors | doi.org/10.13182/NT06-A3754
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A model of the University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor has been developed using MCNP5. Benchmarking of the model has centered on available reactor operations data from the original loading of the current TRIGA Fuel Life Improvement Program core, including control element differential worth curves and axial flux maps. By simulating the experimental measurement procedure for control element worth, integral worth values obtained for three control blades are within 6% of measured values. The comparison of simulated and measured axial thermal flux profiles suggests the need to improve the definition of the core temperatures and detailed isotopics. Future plans include modeling full-power (1 MW), high-temperature operation and burnup calculations to obtain current fuel definitions.