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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.
Vincent A. Mousseau
Nuclear Technology | Volume 158 | Number 1 | April 2007 | Pages 26-35
Technical Paper | Best Estimate Methods | doi.org/10.13182/NT07-A3822
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Both analytical and numerical results are employed to compare the accuracy of numerical methods for the solution of the system of nonlinear partial differential equations that represent the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in thermal-hydraulic codes. The analysis points out the types of errors that need to be addressed to make the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in thermal-hydraulic codes more accurate. Simulation results depict trends that are expected from the analytical results. Conclusions based on both the analytical and numerical results show that modern numerical methods can provide significant improvements in accuracy over the approaches employed in the current thermal-hydraulic codes.