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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.
Valil S. Sathyaseelan, Appadurai L. Rufus, Sankaralingam Velmurugan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 193 | Number 2 | February 2016 | Pages 306-317
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NT15-27
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
At elevated temperatures, the corrosion of carbon steel and Type 304 stainless steel is high in media containing polycarboxylic acids such as nitrilotriacetic acid, which is a reagent used for the decontamination of nuclear reactor coolant systems. Hence, three commercial corrosion inhibitors (Philmplus 5K655, Prosel PC-2116, and Ferroquest LP7203) were evaluated for high-temperature applications. Preliminary screening of the inhibitors was done by electrochemical techniques, namely, polarization and impedance spectroscopy. Philmplus showed maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency and hence was used for high-temperature investigations. A concentration of 500 mg/L was found to be optimum. The high-temperature dissolution of corrosion product oxides such as magnetite and nickel ferrite that are relevant to nuclear reactors was also carried out in the presence of Philmplus. During the decontamination process, which involves the dissolution of corrosion product oxides, it is desirable to use an inhibitor that will alleviate the corrosion of the underlying base metal without compromising on the dissolution of the oxides present over it. Investigations were also carried out to evaluate hydrazine as a corrosion inhibitor for high-temperature applications; the results obtained were comparable to those of Philmplus.