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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.
Chung-Hsien Liang, Kuo-Hwa Su
Nuclear Technology | Volume 162 | Number 3 | June 2008 | Pages 333-341
Technical Paper | Nuclear Plant Operations and Control | doi.org/10.13182/NT08-A3960
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Silica concentration in the primary coolant of a reactor coolant system of a pressurized water nuclear plant is a considerable operational issue. It also becomes a safety issue if the crud is very significant. To keep its amount to a minimum is the basic requirement for the purpose of zinc injection in the primary system and protection against its deposition on the fuel rod and poor heat transfer on the primary system and piping. A boric acid cleanup machine has been developed, designed, and installed on the base floor at the auxiliary building of the Maanshan power station of Taiwan Power Company. It is located above the boric acid tank (BAT). This machine with reverse osmosis method was used to clean up boric acid of ~62 m3 stored in the BAT. The results show that its performance has excellent efficiency and capability. The silica concentration was reduced to ~0.605 ppm from the original value of ~3.150 ppm. The resulting waste contained ~2.52 wt% of boron depending on the original boron amounts in the BAT. After the cleanup is finished, the concentration of boron in the BAT still maintains its operable and safe operating range of 7000 to 7700 ppm. Finally, the written procedure has been completed in order that the machine will be applied as a routine cleanup system.