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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.
P. Mayo, F. Rodenas, J. M. Campayo, A. Pascual, B. Marín, G. Verdú
Nuclear Technology | Volume 168 | Number 1 | October 2009 | Pages 235-237
Phantoms | 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-A9132
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The development of specific phantoms to study the image obtained by computerized and direct digital radiographic equipment is the objective of this work to characterize the physical properties of the image chain. We have developed a specific phantom, named RACON, that is applied to an acceptance and constancy test to assess the image quality of digital radiographic equipment. This phantom has been designed with different test objects recommended by international and national associations (IEC-61223-2-9, RD 1976-1999) as low-contrast objects varying in diameter and size for threshold contrast resolution, a high-resolution test for the limiting spatial resolution, a dynamic step wedge for the dynamic range of the system, and a homogeneity zone and alignment marks for the position and size of the radiation field. Furthermore, we have developed specific software to analyze automatically and objectively the phantom images. The algorithms are based on digital image processing techniques, and they have been specifically designed for each test object in the phantom. The developed phantom is sensitive enough to the operating conditions of the radiographic digital system, and the automatic image evaluation allows the objective study of the global state of the image system.