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Swiss nuclear power and the case for long-term operation
Designed for 40 years but built to last far longer, Switzerland’s nuclear power plants have all entered long-term operation. Yet age alone says little about safety or performance. Through continuous upgrades, strict regulatory oversight, and extensive aging management, the country’s reactors are being prepared for decades of continued operation, in line with international practice.
M. W. Abdulrahman
Nuclear Technology | Volume 211 | Number 3 | March 2025 | Pages 476-499
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2337234
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This research presents the development of a one-dimensional analytical model to investigate the impact of pressure variations in the primary loop on natural circulation (NC). The model takes into account a sinusoidal input heat distribution and derives equations for the parameters of NC. The model covers a broad spectrum of NC patterns, spanning from fully single-phase to fully two-phase flow. The research demonstrates a smooth and continuous transition between various kinds of NC. Moreover, the research demonstrates that NC is capable of efficiently dissipating the decay heat generated inside the core of a pressurized water reactor, encompassing a range from 100% to 60% of the total inventory present within the primary loop. The findings of this study are compared to prior research outcomes and demonstrate a reasonable level of consistency. Additionally, comparisons are made with uniform input power distribution to demonstrate that there are no significant differences in the NC parameters when using sinusoidal heat input.