The Nuclear Engineering Doctorate and NTEC CPD and Masters Programmes: Education, Training and Research for the Decommissioning Skillsbase

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Nuclear Engineering ◽  
Aging Workforce ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Nuclear Decommissioning ◽  
Training And Research ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Since its establishment in 2005 the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has a remit to maintain the skillsbase for safe, secure and cost effective decommissioning of the existing UK civil nuclear power plants and associated facilities. With an aging workforce and a competitive tender process for each project a number of new companies are realising the potential of the UK decommissioning market. The Nuclear Engineering Doctorate and NTEC Masters Programmes have been designed to provide the nuclear workforce of the future. The doctorate is a partnership between industry, a university partner and the research engineer with the benefit to industry that the research engineer is based with the industrial partner. Technical and management modules are studied at the university whilst the research project is carried out in the industrial environment. The Masters programme draws on the expertise of 11 Higher Education Institutes and offers over 20 modules that are delivered in a short-fat format either as stand alone CPD courses or, by taking further modules, a certificate, diploma or on completion of a research project an M.Sc. Modules are available that cover the technical aspects of decommissioning as well as management of the decommissioning process. The availability of modules in a Distance Learning format now enables students based around the world to benefit from this programme. This paper will describe the two programmes in detail and provide examples of current projects that are delivering the research and workforce required for a successful decommissioning programme.

scholarly journals Radiation shielding structures : Concepts, behaviour and the role of the heavy weight concrete as a shielding material - Rewiev

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
Suha Ismail Ahmed Ali ◽  
Éva Lublóy
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Radiation Shielding ◽  
Radiation Emission ◽  
Neutron Shielding ◽  
Heavy Weight ◽  
Industrial Buildings

The construction of radiation shielding buildings still developed. Application of ionizing radiations became necessary for different reasons, like electricity generation, industry, medical (therapy treatment), agriculture, and scientific research. Different countries all over the world moving toward energy saving, besides growing the demand for using radiation in several aspects. Nuclear power plants, healthcare buildings, industrial buildings, and aerospace are the main neutrons and gamma shielding buildings. Special design and building materials are required to enhance safety and reduce the risk of radiation emission. Radiation shielding, strength, fire resistance, and durability are the most important properties, cost-effective and environmentally friendly are coming next. Heavy-weight concrete (HWC) is used widely in neutron shielding materials due to its cost-effectiveness and worthy physical and mechanical properties. This paper aims to give an overview of nuclear buildings, their application, and behaviour under different radiations. Also to review the heavy-weight concrete and heavy aggregate and their important role in developing the neutrons shielding materials. Conclusions showed there are still some gaps in improving the heavy-weight concrete (HWC) properties.

The organisation & the costs of the decommissioning nuclear plants in the UK

2009 ◽  
pp. 63-82
Author(s):  
Steve Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Fuels ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Nuclear Decommissioning ◽  
Nuclear Plants ◽  
New Public ◽  
Public Body ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Jel Classifications

- UK electricity consumers have paid provisions for decommissioning since before 1980 but by 2002, there were still negligible funds available to pay for decommissioning civil nuclear facilities. By then, the two major UK nuclear companies, British Energy and British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL), were both effectively bankrupt. This paper examines: the pre-2002 provisions for decommissioning and how they were lost; the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, a new public body which took over ownership of BNFL's facilities including the duty to manage their decommissioning and how it expects to carry out and fund decommissioning of its sites; how the re-launched British Energy will contribute to decommissioning its eight plants; and government plans for collecting decommissioning provisions for any new plants.JEL classifications: L50, L38, H23, H44, L71Key words: Nuclear power, decommissioning cost, funding and polluter pays.

Strategies for Improved Nuclear Plant Reliability

1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-177
Author(s):  
J. M. Thomas ◽  
P. R. Bosinoff
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Time ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Repairable System ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Component Reliability ◽  
Failure Prevention ◽  
Nonrepairable Systems

This paper presents a methodology for identifying cost-effective failure prevention strategies for components or systems in nuclear power plants. Two strategies identified are the improvement of component reliability and the addition of redundant components. These two strategies are evaluated within the context of both repairable and nonrepairable systems. Capacity/demand and continuous time models are used to analyze the two strategies and systems. An example problem is developed for a continuous time, repairable system. It is clearly shown that large expenditures are justified to improve the reliability of some major systems in nuclear power plants and that these expenditures, exceeding the original capital cost of the system, could save tens of millions of dollars.

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.

Practical Approaches to Addressing the Evolving Perception of Terrorist Threats to Nuclear Power Plants

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Butcher ◽  
J. W. Roe
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Balanced Approach ◽  
The World ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
The U.S

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and subsequent events has effected perceptions of the terrorist threat to the U.S. in general, and nuclear power plants in particular. These concerns have given rise to calls by government and private orga nizations for reevaluations of both the nature of the threat and protection against it. This paper suggests a general framework for a balanced approach to these reevaluations and highlights some practical and cost effective approaches for improving nuclear power plant safeguards protection.

Chapter 2 Seismic hazard

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. W. Musson
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Hazard ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Earthquake Hazard ◽  
Moment Magnitude ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Fault Surface ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Uk

AbstractIt is often thought that earthquakes do not occur in the UK; however, the seismicity of the UK is usually classified as low-to-moderate. On average, a magnitude 3.2 Mw moment magnitude or larger earthquake occurs once per year, and 4.2 Mw or larger every 10 years. The latter is capable of causing non-structural damage to property. The damage caused by British earthquakes is generally not life-threatening, and no-one has been killed in a British earthquake (at the time of writing, May 2013) since 1940. Damage is caused by shaking, not by ground rupture, so the discovery of a fault surface trace at a construction site is not something to be worried about as far as seismic hazard is concerned. For most ordinary construction in the UK, earthquake hazard can be safely discounted; this is not the case with high-consequence facilities such as dams, bridges and nuclear power plants.

Nuclear Power in the UK Electricity Market: From a Limited Future to Eternal Life and Back Again?

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-261
Author(s):  
Steve Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Eternal Life ◽  
Nuclear Plants ◽  
Supply Industry ◽  
The Uk

In 1990, the privatisation of the British electricity supply industry revealed how uneconomic Britain's nuclear power plants were. The nuclear sector was withdrawn from privatisation and it seemed likely that by 2000, most of Britain's nuclear power plants would be closed. However, operating costs were dramatically reduced and in 1996, most of the nuclear plants were privatised in British Energy. Nuclear output made an important contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the future looked secure for the existing plants. However, the early success of British Energy was based on an inflated wholesale electricity price and by 2000, British Energy was struggling to cover its costs. The British government is now conducting a review of energy policy. The economic case for new nuclear power plants is poor but the need to meet greenhouse gas emission targets and the influence British Energy and BNFL may ensure the long-term future of the existing plants.

Developing the researching professional

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
Vanja Orlans
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Assurance Agency ◽  
Doctoral Level ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Training And Research ◽  
Doctoral Work ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Counselling Psychology

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an overview and analysis of a professional doctorate that was designed specifically for the training of psychologists in the fields of counselling psychology and psychotherapy, namely, the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy by Professional Studies (DCPsych). Design/methodology/approach – This programme has needed to combine the demands of different professional bodies for the development of a range of clinical competencies with the doctoral level demands of the university and of the UK Quality Assurance Agency in terms of adherence to a required set of doctoral level descriptors. Findings – The paper presents a critical review of a number of key areas that have needed to be addressed in both the design and delivery of this programme. It addresses in some detail the interface between clinical training and research activities, demonstrating how these can intertwine and mutually complement each other. Specific issues that are addressed in the paper include the articulation of relevant doctoral level descriptors, the teasing out of key areas that define doctoral level work and the complexities of putting some of these into practice within the DCPsych programme. Originality/value – In particular, the paper reflects on the issue of critical capability at doctoral level, the challenge of making a significant contribution to the practice field and the implications for candidates of journeying towards a position of authority as they develop their doctoral work. The paper concludes with the suggestion that what has been developed is an extremely interesting and innovative programme that is not for the faint hearted.

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