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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.
Kee Nam Choo, Man Soon Cho, Sung Woo Yang, Byung Hyuk Jun, Myong Seop Kim
Nuclear Technology | Volume 195 | Number 2 | August 2016 | Pages 213-221
Technical Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT15-154
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A new capsule design was prepared and tested at the High Flux Advanced Neutron Application Reactor (HANARO) for neutron irradiation of the core materials of research reactors at a low temperature (of <100°C). The capsule was first designed at HANARO to have the coolant flow through the capsule to cool down the irradiation temperature of the specimens. The safety of the newly designed capsule should be fully checked before irradiation testing. Out-pile performance and endurance testing before HANARO irradiation testing was performed using a capsule in the HANARO out-pile test facilities. The new capsule had a much higher coolant flow-induced vibration than a standard capsule, resulting in fatigue failure at the rod tip of the capsule. The lifetime of the rod tip was greatly improved by changing the material from Type 304 stainless steel to Type 316L stainless steel and by changing the welding method from tungsten inert gas welding to electron beam welding. With the optimized design, the capsule was successfully irradiated at low temperatures of <100°C for up to eight cycles (6075 MWd) at HANARO.