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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.
Norikazu Kinoshita, Hiroshi Matsumura, Kotaro Bessho, Akihiro Toyoda, Kazuyoshi Masumoto, Yuki Matsushi, Kimikazu Sasa, Tsutomu Takahashi, Shozo Mihara, Toshiyuki Oki, Masumi Matsumura, Yuki Tosaki, Keisuke Sueki, Michiko Tamari, Yasuo Nagashima
Nuclear Technology | Volume 168 | Number 3 | December 2009 | Pages 694-699
Accelerators | 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 Measurements and Instrumentation | doi.org/10.13182/NT09-A9292
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The evaluation of radioactivity induced in the concrete shield is important for the decommissioning of accelerator facilities. Specific activities of gamma-ray emitters of nuclear spallation products and thermal neutron capture products and beta-ray emitters such as tritium and 14C, and 36Cl in the concrete shield along the 12-GeV proton beam line (EP1 beam line, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization) were determined. The depth profiles of the radioactivity of each nuclide in the 6-m-thick concrete shield of the beam lines were compared, and the secondary particles and induced nuclear reactions were discussed.