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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.
Christopher B. Azmeh, Kyle L. Walton, Tushar K. Ghosh, Sudarshan K. Loyalka, Dabir S. Viswanath, Robert V. Tompson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 195 | Number 1 | July 2016 | Pages 87-97
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NT15-54
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
For very-high-temperature reactors (VHTRs), the ability of structural components, specifically the reactor pressure vessel, to dissipate heat by radiation is an important design criterion. Thus, in selecting components for VHTR applications, it is necessary to measure the emissivity of all structural materials being considered. With the standard ASTM C835-06 test method, the total hemispherical emissivity of A387 Grade 91 steel, a leading candidate alloy for VHTR structural applications, was measured under four distinct surface conditions: (1) mild abrasion following electrical discharge machining, (2) increased surface roughness via sandblasting, (3) coating with NBG-18 graphite powder, and (4) oxidization in air. A detailed account of experimental methods and procedures, as well as the results of the total hemispherical emissivity measurements, are presented.
