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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.
Riyadh M. Motny, Supathorn Phongikaroon
Nuclear Technology | Volume 205 | Number 5 | May 2019 | Pages 671-683
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2018.1510698
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of rapid setting cement (RSC) as an agent of immobilization for certain elements such as fission products or radioactive materials through evaluation of the setting time, apparent porosity, bulk density, pH value, conductivity, compressive strength, and compositions. Two different cylindrical sample groups were created. The first group was a mixture of the cement powder with deionized water (DIW) and different concentrations of Ce (0, 2, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%). The second group included the cement powder, artificial seawater (ASW), and same Ce concentration patterns. Samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fluorescence analysis (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy including energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that the final setting time and compressive strength of RSC with both solutions (DIW and ASW) decreased as Ce content increased while opposite trends were observed for the apparent porosity and bulk density of RSC under the same concentration effect. As salt contents increased, the pH decreased while the conductivity increased gradually. The XRD patterns revealed that two newly identified phases were reported, namely CeAl11O18 and Ce4.667 (SiO4)3O. The XRF results showed uniform distribution of Ce concentrations within RSC with both solutions (DIW and ASW). The morphology of matrix samples showed that the existence of Ce distributed on the pore wall or clustered with Si, Al, Mg, K, P, Fe, and O.
