Assessment of major causes: nuclear power plant disasters since 1950

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayanti Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Jessica Halligan ◽  
Makarand Hastak
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Nuclear Operators ◽  
Common Causes

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the major causes of the nuclear power plant (NPP) disasters since 1950, elucidates the commonalities between them and recommends strategies to minimize the risk of NPP disasters. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzes facts from five case studies: Chernobyl disaster, USSR 1986; Fukushima Daiichi disaster, Japan 2011; Three Mile Island incident, USA 1979; Chalk River Accident, Canada 1952; and SL-1 Accident, USA 1961. A qualitative approach is adopted to compare and contrast the major reasons that led to the accidents, and consequent social and technological impacts of the disasters on environment, society, economy and nuclear industry are analyzed. Findings Although each of the nuclear accidents is unique in terms of its occurrence and impacts, this research study found some common causes behind the accidents. Faulty system design, equipment failure, inadequate safety and warning systems, violation of safety regulations, lack of training of the nuclear operators and ignorance from the operators and regulators side were found to be the major common causes behind the accidents. Originality/value This paper recommends some of the nuclear disaster risk reduction strategies in terms of “lessons learned from the past accidents”. The findings of the research paper would serve as an information tool for the nuclear professionals for informed decision-making and planning for proper preventive measures well in advance so that the mistakes which led to the occurrence of accidents in the past are not repeated in the future.

What’s New in Section XI, Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Park
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Nondestructive Examination ◽  
American Society ◽  
Plant Components

The nuclear industry is a pretty dynamic industry, in that it is always on the move, changing every time we turn around. For that very reason, there is a need to keep up with the industry by providing changes to American Society of Mechanical Engineering Section XI, “Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components.” There have been many changes over the last three years. This paper addresses a few of those, but gives a feel for the number of changes from the 2000 Addenda to the 2003 Addenda, there have been a total of approximately 56 changes. Of those changes, 11 were in the repair/replacement requirements, 19 in the inspection requirements, 4 in the evaluation requirements, 18 in the nondestructive examination requirements, and 4 in the administrative requirements. The paper classifies the changes as “Technically Significant,” “Significant,” “Non-Significant,” or “Editorial.” The paper addresses only a few of those changes that were “Technically Significant.” The paper also includes some of the activities that the ASME Section XI Subcommittee is currently working on.

The Analysis and Realization of Interpreter Language in Nuclear Industry

2014 ◽  
Vol 989-994 ◽  
pp. 2097-2100
Author(s):  
Zheng Zhang ◽  
Hai Bo He ◽  
Hao Liang Lu
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Logical Language ◽  
Grammatical Analysis ◽  
Actual Operating ◽  
Comparison Results

In order to satisfy the calculation requirements of nuclear power plant operating in different conditions, the integration and combination of reactor core computation modules have been proposed. By writing logical language instructions, and then read by interpreter, the engineering designers can make grammatical analysis, lexical analysis, semantic analysis and information extraction. In Linux system environment, the interpreter can fulfill computational tasks based on the actual operating parameters of nuclear power plant. The comparison results indicate that the calculated results obtained by the interpreter language are correct. Therefore, it also demonstrates that the interpreter language is valid.

Community relations dealing with a not in my back yard (NIMBY) context

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonjun Chung ◽  
Jinbong Choi ◽  
Chang Wan Woo ◽  
Soobum Lee ◽  
Christina E. Saindon
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Community Relations ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Activities

Purpose This paper investigates whether building a nuclear power plant in a community would inherently bring local conflict phenomena such as “not in my back yard (NIMBY)”, focusing especially on the interactive effect between different types of local publics and their exposure to either a supportive or opposing message about a hypothetical local governmental plan to build a nuclear power plant on community participation intentions. Design/methodology/approach Applying the two theoretical frameworks (situational theory of publics and social exchange theory) to NIMBY, this study used a quantitative approach by using 471 participants in a 4 (publics: active, aware, aroused or inactive) × 2 (advocacy message type: supportive or opposing message) experimental design. Findings The results showed that regardless of message types, active publics were more likely to participate in community activities than any other public, but this group strongly opposed the harmful facility, while inactive publics continued to be inactive. However, aware and aroused publics were significantly influenced by messages. Originality/value The rationale and findings of this research are original, as they have not been published previously, and are not being simultaneously submitted elsewhere. This research should contribute to the broad body of knowledge and practices in community-based conflict issues in terms of risk management. It is believed that the discussion and implications of the findings should raise interesting areas for further research.

Role of nurses in a nuclear disaster: experience in the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Noto ◽  
C. Kitamiya ◽  
C. Itaki ◽  
M. Urushizaka ◽  
R. Kidachi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Disaster Experience

Research of Screening and Grading Method of Ageing Sensitive Objectives in Nuclear Power Plant

2014 ◽  
Vol 543-547 ◽  
pp. 858-861
Author(s):  
Xiao Tian Liu ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Shao Rui Niu ◽  
Yan Zhao Zhang ◽  
Zhen Hao Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Nonlinear Coupling ◽  
Highly Nonlinear ◽  
Ageing Management ◽  
First Time

This first step of ageing management in nuclear power plant is to determine the objectives and their priorities. The characteristics of the objectives are complex and highly nonlinear coupling. A fuzzy logic based screening and grading method have been developed in this research for the first time which combined the genetic ageing lessons learned and field expert experience to resolve the problem. The method have been approved of highly applicability and applied to ageing management in multiple nuclear power plants.

EDF Decommissioning Programme: A Global Commitment to a Sustainable Development

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Jacques Grenouillet
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Eu Enlargement ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Early Closure

Nowadays, decommissioning of nuclear power plants has become a key issue for nuclear industry in Europe. The phasing out of nuclear energy in Germany, Belgium and Sweden, as well as the early closure of nuclear units in applicant countries in the frame of EU enlargement, has largely contributed to consider decommissioning as the next challenge to face. The situation is slightly different in France where nuclear energy is still considered as a safe, cost-effective and environment friendly energy source. Electricite´ de France (EDF) is working on the development of a new generation of reactor to replace the existing one and erection of a new nuclear power plant could start in the next few years. Nevertheless, to achieve this objective, it will be necessary to get the support of political decision-makers and the acceptance of public opinion. Due to the growing concern of these stakeholders for environmental issues, their support can only be obtained if it is possible to demonstrate that nuclear energy industry will not leave behind unsolved issues that will be a burden to the next generations. In this context decommissioning of the first generation of EDF NPPs constitutes a prerequisite for the erection of a new type of nuclear power plant. This paper will present the programme defined by EDF for the decommissioning of its nine already shutdown reactors (Fig. 1). The reasons of the recent evolution of EDF decommissioning strategy will be explained and the key issues that will contribute to the successful implementation of this programme will be addressed. Finally, what has been achieved on sites so far and major planned activities will be described.

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