Modularity in nuclear power plants: a review

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Kumar Upadhyay ◽  
Karuna Jain

Purpose Modularity in design and construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is widely used for reduction in project construction time and cost. This paper aims to improve understanding of existence, rationale, relevance, types and definitions of modularity in NPPs. Design/methodology/approach The paper approaches study of modularity in NPPs through review of existing literature. The objective of this paper is to answer the questions such as “what is the meaning of module in the context of NPPs?”, “what is the meaning of modularity in the context of NPPs?”, “why modularity is considered in the design and construction of NPPs?”, “what are the types of modules and modularity?” and “what are the emerging trends?” Findings Findings of the paper indicate towards widespread use of modularity to reduce construction time and cost, improve safety performance and enable smarter applications of NPPs. Large NPPs tend to use modularity to shorten the project gestation period, and thereby reduce capital cost. Small and medium size NPPs plan to use modularity for simpler and safer reactors that can be factory manufactured, transported, installed and scaled up as permitted by the economic environment. Research limitations/implications This being a review, it has the usual limitations associated with the literature review papers. Practical implications Findings of the paper may influence policy regarding option, type, size, design, engineering, procurement and construction of NPPs. Social implications Findings of the paper may influence the safety, cost, time and quality performance of future NPPs and facilitate cheaper and more reliable supply of electricity to consumers. Originality/value The systematic literature review presents issues and emerging trends in modularity of NPPs, enabling the future work to progress as modularity continues to develop and evolve. The paper also proposes a comprehensive classification and definitions of modules and modularity in NPPs that may facilitate understanding of these terms precisely and uniformly by researchers and practitioners alike.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Villaran ◽  
◽  
Meng Yue ◽  
Robert Lofaro ◽  
Athi Varuttamaseni ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharu Dewi ◽  
Sriyana Sriyana

SPESIFIKASI, KODE DAN STANDAR BAJA NASIONAL DAN POTENSINYA UNTUK MENDUKUNG PROGRAM PLTN TIPE LWR DI INDONESIA. Spesifikasi, kode dan standar baja nasional sangat penting diidentifkasi agar dapat dicocokkan atau dibandingkan  dengan spesifikasi, kode dan standar internasional untuk komponen PLTN sehingga industri baja diharapkan dapat berpartisipasi dalam pembangunan Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Nuklir (PLTN). Spesifikasi kode dan standar  baja mengacu pada ASTM, ASME, AISC dan lain - lain. Tujuan studi ini adalah mengidentifikasi  spesifikasi, kode dan standar baja yang dimiliki industri nasional dan kemudian dicocokkan dengan spesifikasi, kode dan standar baja sesuai standar internasional untuk PLTN. Metodologi penelitian adalah kajian literatur, pengiriman kuesioner, survei dan kunjungan teknis ke industri baja. Disimpulkan bahwa baja struktur pada dasarnya memenuhi persyaratan untuk konstruksi PLTN.Kata kunci: spesifikasi, kode, standar, baja, industriSPECIFICATION, CODE AND STANDARD OF NATIONAL STEEL AND THE POTENCY TO SUPPORT THE NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMME OF LWR TYPE IN INDONESIA. Specification, codes and standards are important to identify in order to be matched or compared to international specifications, codes and standards for NPP components so that the steel industry is expected to participate in the construction of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). The specifications, code and standards of steel refer to ASTM, ASME, AISC and others. The purpose of this study is to identify specifications, codes and steel standards owned by national industries and then compared it to international standards for nuclear power plants. The research methodology is literature review, questionnaire submission, surveys and technical visits to the steel industry. It was concluded that the structural steel basically meets the requirements for NPP construction.Keywords: specification, code, standard, steel, industry


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akponanabofa Henry Oti ◽  
Peter Farrell ◽  
Fonbeyin Henry Abanda ◽  
Paul McMahon ◽  
Abdul-Majeed Mahamadu ◽  
...  

Purpose The relatively low capital cost and contributions to mitigating global warming have favoured the continuous construction and operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) across the world. One critical phase in the operation of nuclear plants for ensuring the safety and security of radioactive products and by-products is decommissioning. With the advent of digital twinning in the building information modelling (BIM) methodology, efficiency and safety can be improved from context-focus access to regulations pertaining to demolition of structures and the cleaning-up of radioactivity inherent in nuclear stations. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to propose a BIM-driven framework to achieve a more regulation-aware and safer decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Design/methodology/approach The framework considers task requirements, and landscape and environmental factors in modelling demolition scenarios that characterise decommissioning processes. The framework integrates decommissioning rules/regulations in a BIM linked non-structured query system to model items and decommissioning tasks, which are implemented based on context-focussed retrieval of decommissioning rules and regulations. The concept’s efficacy is demonstrated using example cases of digitalised NPPs. Findings This approach contributes to enhancing improvements in nuclear plant decommissioning with potential for appropriate activity sequencing, risk reduction and ensuring safety. Originality/value A BIM-driven framework hinged on querying non-structured databases to provide context-focussed access to nuclear rules and regulations and to aiding decommissioning is new.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-98
Author(s):  
V. Šefl

Abstract In this literature review we identify and quantify the parameters influencing the low-cycle fatigue life of materials commonly used in nuclear power plants. The parameters are divided into several groups and individually described. The main groups are material properties, mode of cycling and environment parameters. The groups are further divided by the material type - some parameters influence only certain kind of material, e.g. sulfur content may decreases fatigue life of carbon steel, but is not relevant for austenitic stainless steel; austenitic stainless steel is more sensitive to concentration of dissolved oxygen in the environment compared to the carbon steel. The combination of parameters i.e. conjoint action of several detrimental parameters is discussed. It is also noted that for certain parameters to decrease fatigue life, it is necessary for other parameter to reach certain threshold value. Two different approaches have been suggested in literature to describe this complex problem - the Fen factor and development of new design fatigue curves. The threshold values and examples of commonly used relationships for calculation of fatigue lives are included. This work is valuable because it provides the reader with long-term literature review with focus on real effect of environmental parameters on fatigue life of nuclear power plant materials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1238-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gangling Hou ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
Sun Hai ◽  
Tianshu Song ◽  
Lingshu Wu ◽  
...  

Purpose Seismic isolation, as an effective risk mitigation strategy of building/bridge structures, is incorporated into AP1000 nuclear power plants (NPPs) to alleviate the seismic damage that may occur to traditional structures of NPPs during their service. This is to promote the passive safety concept in the structural design of AP1000 NPPs against earthquakes. Design/methodology/approach In conjunction with seismic isolation, tuned-mass-damping (TMD) is integrated into the seismic resistance system of AP1000 NPPs to satisfy the multi-functional purposes. The proposed base-isolation-tuned-mass-damper (BIS-TMD) is studied by comparing the seismic performance of NPPs with four different design configurations (i.e. without BIS, BIS, BIS-TMD and TMD) with the design parameters of the TMD subsystem optimized. Findings Such a new seismic protection system (BIS-TMD) is proved to be promising because the advantages of BIS and TMD can be fully used. The benefits of the new structure include effective energy dissipation (i.e. wide vibration absorption band and a stable damping effect), which results in the high performance of NPPs subject to earthquakes with various intensity levels and spectra features. Originality/value Parametric studies are performed to demonstrate the seismic robustness (e.g. consistent performance against the changing mass of the water in the gravity liquid tank and mechanical properties) which further ensures that seismic safety requirements of NPPs can be satisfied through the use of BIS-TMD.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gangling Hou ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Binsheng Wang ◽  
Tianshu Song ◽  
...  

PurposeAn inter-story isolation structure (IIS) for AP1000 nuclear power plants (NPPs) is provided to resolve the conflict of seismic safety and the optimal location of air intakes.Design/methodology/approachThe effect of passive cooling system (PCS) is better with lower altitude of air intakes than that in the original design of AP1000 NPPs. Seismic performances of IIS NPPs, including the seismic responses, damping frequency bandwidth and seismic reduction robustness, are improved by combining the position of air intakes lower and the optimal design method.FindingsTheoretical analysis and numerical simulation are illustrated that the seismic reduction failure of IIS NPPs is the lowest probability of occurrence when PCS has highest working efficiency.Originality/valueThe IIS NPPs can transfer the contradiction between PCS work efficiency and seismic safety of NPPs to the mutual promotion of them.


Author(s):  
R. W. G. Blakeiey ◽  
A. W. Charleson ◽  
H. C. Hitchcock ◽  
L. M. Megget ◽  
M. J. N. Priestley ◽  
...  

The philosophy of base isolation of structures, generally using flexible mountings and mechanical energy dissipating devices, is reviewed. Applications of the approach to buildings, bridges, nuclear power plants, equipment and structures rocking on their foundations are described. Where possible, recommended code provisions and design rules are given. The characteristics of the mechanical energy dissipating devices developed to date are discussed and material specification provisions presented.
 The requirements for construction of base isolated structures and for maintenance of the devices are given. Finally, recommendations are made on matters for future research.


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