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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.
H. S. Shin, J. S. Joo, K. J. Park, T. H. Lee, J. H. Jung, C. Y. Lee, H. D. Kim
Nuclear Technology | Volume 168 | Number 1 | October 2009 | Pages 50-54
Detectors | Special Issue on the 11th International Conference on Radiation Shielding and the 15th Topical Meeting of the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division (Part 1) / Radiation Measurements and Instrumentation | doi.org/10.13182/NT09-A9100
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A new well-type neutron counter that is composed of a double-layered annular tube 3He detector, a polyethylene moderator, and a lead gamma shield has been conceptually designed through an MCNPX simulation. A computer program that generates MCNPX input simulating neutron counter performance has been developed with 28 parameters to describe the geometrical structure of the neutron counter and source position. The neutron counter has been optimized to have 72.0-cm diameter × 68.3-cm height with a double-layered annular tube 3He detector of 50-cm length and 2.5-cm thickness through repeated MCNPX simulation with the computer program. The neutron counting efficiency appeared to be >42.4%, and the spatial variance in the sample cavity of the counter was estimated to be <3% for its available space.
