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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.
Mohamed A. E. Abdel-Rahman, Mohamed A. E. M. Ali, Sayed A. El-Mongy
Nuclear Technology | Volume 206 | Number 5 | May 2020 | Pages 766-778
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2019.1697173
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This research work aims to investigate the penetrability of electromagnetic gamma rays and fast neutrons and the static performance of newly developed concrete. To achieve this target, seven concrete samples of three different coarse aggregates—dolomite, hematite, iron slag (with five different densities, i.e., 3.23, 3.34, 3.42, 3.10, and 3.03 g/cm3, respectively) with dolomite used as the control specimen—have been synthesized and investigated to determine their mechanical and radiation penetration properties. The mechanical performances were evaluated in terms of tensile and compressive strength, slump measurements, and water permeability. X-ray fluorescence was carried out to determine the chemical composition of the synthesized materials. The materials’ mineralogical constituents were also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The radiation transmissioxn characteristics were also checked by using gamma-ray collimated beams of both 60Co and 238Pu/Be neutron source. A stilbene crystal organic scintillator coupled with a fast n/γ pulse shape discriminating spectrometer as well as an NaI(Tl) scintillator gamma spectrometer were used to measure the radiation penetrated through the concrete samples. The fast neutron macroscopic cross section and total gamma-ray linear attenuation were derived for the developed mixes. The results obtained show that iron slag concrete of density 3.10 ton/m3 has superior characteristics against the transmission of gamma rays and fast neutrons and distinguished resistance withstanding mechanical pressure and loads.