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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.
Atsuhiko M. Sukegawa, Koichi Okuno, Shinji Sakurai
Nuclear Technology | Volume 168 | Number 2 | November 2009 | Pages 553-558
Shielding Materials | Special Issue on the 11th International Conference on Radiation Shielding and the 15th Topical Meeting of the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division (Part 2) / Radiation Protection | doi.org/10.13182/NT09-A9242
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Three kinds of unique high-heat-resistant neutron shielding resins have been developed. One is an excellent resin in terms of light weight. Another is a high-neutron-shielding-performance resin with a heat-proof temperature of 200°C. The third is a resin improved up to a heat-proof temperature of 300°C. The neutron shielding performance of the resins was carried out using a 252Cf neutron source. The results show that the shielding performance of the resin with a heat-proof temperature of 200°C is better than the neutron shielding resins with heat-proof temperatures up to 200°C. And, the performance of the resin with a heat-proof temperature up to 300°C is almost the same as that of polyethylene. It can be concluded that high-heat-resistant resin is attractive as the neutron shielding material in a high-temperature environment.
