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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.
Padala Abdul Nishad, Anupkumar Bhaskarapillai, Sankaralingam Velmurugan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 197 | Number 1 | January 2017 | Pages 88-98
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NT16-77
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A nano titania–impregnated chitosan composite (TA-Cts) sorbent for antimony was prepared in the form of crosslinked stable beads and investigated in detail for its suitability for use in the dilute chemical decontamination (DCD) of nuclear power plants. Antimony uptake from the complexing DCD formulation and the irradiation stability of the prepared TA-Cts beads were analyzed in detail. The irradiation stability of the TA-Cts beads was studied up to a gamma dose of 50 kGy and compared with the irradiation stability of Tulsion® A33, a commercial nuclear-grade anion resin. The TA-Cts beads showed favorable radiation stability and high antimony uptake. The column performance of the TA-Cts beads for removing antimony in the presence of a large excess of iron was excellent. The sorbent preferentially removed antimony when a typical decontamination formulation containing a large excess of iron was passed through the column. The study demonstrates the high potential for the use of TA-Cts beads to remove antimony during the decontamination of nuclear reactors, particularly pressurized heavy water reactors.