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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.
Zhonglu Wang, Rebecca M. Howell, Stephen F. Kry, Eric A. Burgett, Nolan E. Hertel, Mohammad Salehpour
Nuclear Technology | Volume 168 | Number 3 | December 2009 | Pages 603-609
Neutron Measurements | Special Issue on the 11th International Conference on Radiation Shielding and the 15th Topical Meeting of the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division (PART 3) / Radiation Protection | doi.org/10.13182/NT09-A9276
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A gold-and-indium dual-activation-foil-based Bonner sphere system (BSS) for neutron spectral measurements was investigated. A customized polyethylene holder was designed to simultaneously accommodate one indium foil and one gold foil placed orthogonally to each other. The holder, which fits into the center of a Bonner sphere, resembles a standard 6LiI(Eu) detector. The response of the dual-activation-foil-based system was calculated using the MCNPX code with different activation cross-section libraries (ACTL and ENDF/VI for gold foils and ACTL and 532DOS2 for indium foils). To verify and correct the calculated response functions, measurements were performed using 252Cf and AmBe neutron sources of known strengths. Working response functions were determined for neutrons with energies ranging from thermal to 20 MeV by applying correction factors from measurements in well-characterized beams to the Monte Carlo-calculated response functions. Measured data were successfully unfolded with the corrected response functions and found to be in good agreement with the known spectra.
