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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.
Sri Sudadiyo
Nuclear Technology | Volume 211 | Number 4 | April 2025 | Pages 645-660
Review Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2352663
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The mean time between failures (MTBF) estimation has been intensively investigated in recent years. MTBF can be used to decide on a maintenance strategy or inspection timeline intervals for the RSG-GAS reactor (or GAS multipurpose reactor). The RSG-GAS reactor is a pool-type reactor where light water is used as a moderator, coolant, and shielding. The purpose of this paper is to propose the nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) model to obtain the MTBF estimation value. Thus, the RSG-GAS reactor installation would have higher safety, a longer lifetime, and substantial reliability with a minor failure rate, including the subcomponents of the JE01-AP03 primary centrifugal pump.
In this research work, the methodology processes data accumulation and estimates the parameters of the NHPP model to determine the maintenance schedule or inspection timeline intervals based on the MTBF value when the confidence level reaches the targeted percentage. The results indicate that a MTBF estimation has been acquired for the RSG-GAS reactor installation. In the implemented case, an inspection timeline is defined for the JE01-AP03 primary centrifugal pump with a reliability growth value of 0.41 and a MTBF estimation circa 42 days.
