Innovative Robot Technologies for Nuclear Power Plants Inspection and Maintenance

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungho Kim ◽  
Kyung Min Jung ◽  
Sung Uk Lee ◽  
Hocheol Shin ◽  
Chang Hoi Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Human Errors ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Safety And Reliability ◽  
Inspection And Maintenance ◽  
Remote Inspection

Nuclear energy has become the main energy source in Korea, but the safety issues are being debated since the Fukusima accident. In order to guarantee the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants, the uncertainty of human errors are being minimized by utilizing innovative technologies for inspection and maintenance. KAERI has developed robotic systems to upgrade and ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, to detect unusual conditions of facilities through remote inspection and to prevent human workers from high dose radiation with efficient plant maintenance.

Recent Patents on Valve Mechanism Device

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-241
Author(s):  
Ye Dai ◽  
Hui-Bing Zhang ◽  
Yun-Shan Qi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Valve Mechanism ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Valve Structure ◽  
Valve Leakage ◽  
Safety And Reliability

Background: Valves are an important part of nuclear power plants and are the control equipment used in nuclear power plants. It can change the cross-section of the passage and the flow direction of the medium and has the functions of diversion, cutoff, overflow, and the like. Due to the earthquake, the valve leaks, which will cause a major nuclear accident, endangering people's lives and safety. Objective: The purpose of this study is to synthesize the existing valve devices, summarize and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various devices from many literatures and patents, and solve some problems of existing valves. Methods: This article summarizes various patents of nuclear-grade valve devices and recent research progress. From the valve structure device, transmission device, a detection device, and finally to the valve test, the advantages and disadvantages of the valve are comprehensively analyzed. Results: By summarizing the characteristics of a large number of valve devices, and analyzing some problems existing in the valves, the outlook for the research and design of nuclear power valves was made, and the planning of the national nuclear power strategic goals and energy security were planned. Conclusion: Valve damage can cause serious safety accidents. The most common is valve leakage. Therefore, the safety and reliability of valves must be taken seriously. By improving the transmission of the valve, the problems of complicated valve structure and high cost are solved.

Human errors in Japanese nuclear power plants

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
KenrIchi Takano ◽  
Tomohiro Suzuki ◽  
Mitsuhiro Kojima
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Human Errors

INTERCOMPARISON ON INTERNAL DOSE ASSESSMENT FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN KOREA

2019 ◽  
Vol 186 (4) ◽  
pp. 524-529
Author(s):  
Si Young Kim
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Dose Assessment ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Internal Dose ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
International Intercomparison ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract The intercomparison test is a quality assurance activity performed for internal dose assessment. In Korea, the intercomparison test on internal dose assessment was carried out for nuclear facilities in May 2018. The test involved four nuclear facilities in Korea, and seven exposure scenarios were applied. These scenarios cover the intake of 131I, a uranium mixture, 60Co and tritium under various conditions. This paper only reviews the participant results of three scenarios pertinent to the operation of nuclear power plants and adopts the statistical evaluation method, used in international intercomparison tests, to determine the significance values of the results. Although no outliers were established in the test, improvements in the internal dose assessment procedure were derived. These included the selection of intake time, selection of lung absorption type according to the chemical form and consideration of the contribution of previous intake.

Explore the Self-Governance on Nuclear Safety Emergency - A Case Study of the 3rd Nuclear Power Plant

2012 ◽  
Vol 260-261 ◽  
pp. 103-106
Author(s):  
Yi Chun Lin ◽  
Yung Nane Yang
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Safety ◽  
Security Issue ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Plant Safety

The ripples of the tsunami crisis in Japan triggered introspections of nuclear plant safety issues in the worldwide. Many countries have claimed the suspension of nuclear power plants. However, some countries such as Taiwan, under nearly 99% energy is exported, the disasters force government and citizen to face the importance of nuclear safety, especially the neighborhoods nearby the nuclear power plants. We have to face the nuclear safety since there is no other alternative energy presently. The 3rd nuclear power plant located in the south of Taiwan, which has the same geographic features with Fukushima, Japan. Presently, there is no precedent in Taiwan of precaution and rescue team and civil supervised mechanic on nuclear security issue. This paper will review according to transparent information, public participation and cross-organization cooperation to propose the execution and work division principles, including information monitor, educational propagation, hide and evacuation, emergence aid and care, rear and refuge service. The ultimate target is to establish self-governance inside nearby neighborhood to confront nuclear disaster at the critical moment.

The Regulatory Framework for Safe Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants in Korea

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangmyeon Ahn ◽  
Jungjoon Lee ◽  
Chanwoo Jeong ◽  
Kyungwoo Choi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Safety Requirement ◽  
Regulatory Review ◽  
Safety Standards

We are having 23 units of nuclear power plants in operation and 5 units of nuclear power plants under construction in Korea as of September 2012. However, we don’t have any experience on shutdown permanently and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. There are only two research reactors being decommissioned since 1997. It is realized that improvement of the regulatory framework for decommissioning of nuclear facilities has been emphasized constantly from the point of view of IAEA’s safety standards. It is also known that IAEA will prepare the safety requirement on decommissioning of facilities; its title is the Safe Decommissioning of Facilities, General Safety Requirement Part 6. According to the result of IAEA’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission to Korea in 2011, it was recommended that the regulatory framework should require decommissioning plans for nuclear installations to be constructed and operated and these plans should be updated periodically. In addition, after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in March of 2011, preparedness for early decommissioning caused by an unexpected severe accident became important issues and concerns. In this respect, it is acknowledged that the regulatory framework for decommissioning of nuclear facilities in Korea need to be improved. First of all, we focus on identifying the current status and relevant issues of regulatory framework for decommissioning of nuclear power plants compared to the IAEA’s safety standards in order to achieve our goal. And then the plan is established for improvement of regulatory framework for decommissioning of nuclear power plants in Korea. It is expected that if the things will go forward as planned, the revised regulatory framework for decommissioning could enhance the safety regime on the decommissioning of nuclear power plants in Korea in light of international standards.

Nuclear Fission, Today and Tomorrow: From Renaissance to Technological Breakthrough (Generation IV)

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Van Goethem
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Fission ◽  
Natural Uranium ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Safety And Reliability ◽  
Gen Iv

To better understand the industrial and political contexts of nuclear innovation, it is necessary to consider the history of nuclear fission technologies (four generations of nuclear power plants): (1) GEN I (construction 1950–1970): early prototypes, using mainly natural uranium as fuel, graphite as moderator, and CO2 as coolant (built at the time of “Atoms for Peace,” 1953); (2) GEN II (yesterday, construction 1970–2000): safety and reliability of nuclear facilities and energy independence (in order to ensure security of supply); (3) GEN III (today, construction 2000–2040): continuous improvement of safety and reliability, and increased industrial competitiveness in a worldwide growing energy market; (4) GEN IV (tomorrow, construction from 2040): for increased sustainability (optimal utilization of natural resources and waste minimization) and proliferation resistance. The focus in this paper is on the design objectives and research issues associated to the latter generation IV. Their benefits are discussed according to a series of ambitious criteria or technology goals established at the international level (generation IV international forum (GIF)). One will have to produce not only electricity at lower costs but also heat at very high temperatures, while exploiting a maximum of fissile and fertile matters, and recycling all actinides, under safe and reliable conditions. Scientific viability studies and technological performance tests for each system are being carried out worldwide, in line with the GIF agreement (2001). Their commercial deployment is planned for 2040. In Sec. 6, it is shown to what extent GEN IV can be considered as a beneficial, responsible, and sustainable response to the societal and industrial challenges of the future low-carbon economy.

scholarly journals On Geological and Geophysical Safety of the New Safe Confinement for ChNPP-4

2016 ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
V. Shestopalov ◽  
Iu. Shybetskyi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Local Depression ◽  
Fault Structures ◽  
Potential Impact

The paper considers evidences and mechanisms of potential impact of local depression (microgeodynamic) zones on NPP safety. The depression forms were revealed within the Chornobyl NPP site, including location of the new safe confinement. Nature of zones and character of their influence is determined by fault structures and conjugated deep degassing processes, which cannot be detected and studied by traditional methods of engineering and exploration works during NPP siting. The assumption was made that significant and still unexplored risks for nuclear facilities are related to probable release of deep hydrogen through the bottom of depressions along sub-bottom channels. The approaches were proposed to studying the system of “depression with its sub-bottom channel” within the sites of Chornobyl NPP and other nuclear power plants.

scholarly journals The Work Results of the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of the NAS of Ukraine in 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 96-105
Author(s):  
V. S. Havrylenko ◽  
◽  
I. V. Kutsyna ◽  
D. I. Кhvalin ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Development Effort ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Organizational Activities

The year 2020 has become a real challenge for almost all aspects of life all over the world. Under these conditions, Ukrainian science, which has been in a state of crisis for more than a year, has been forced to overcome additional difficulties. However, due to the efforts of scientists, scientific work not only did not stop, but also received a large development effort in new directions and formats. In 2020, the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants was one of the scientific institutions that under the new conditions made every effort to carry out the planned scientific researches and perform works in accordance with its activities. The main results of scientific and scientific-organizational activities of the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants in 2020 are presented in the article. Despite the difficult economic situation due to the epidemic, the staff of the Institute obtained important results in studies of nuclear and radiation safety of the Shelter object, and in works aimed at improving the reliability and safety of existing Ukrainian and foreign nuclear power plants. The results of works in the field of the Shelter object transformation into an ecologically safe system, safe operation of nuclear facilities, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management are presented in the article. The results of the work performed under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) grant and the Ukrainian-Japanese Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) project are described. The implementation of the results of these studies in practice is indicated. Scientific and expert activities in the interests and at the request of public authorities, cooperation with national and foreign scientific organizations as well as scientific and organizational activities in 2020 are described. Information on internal certification of employees, participation in international and national events, publishing and etc. is presented.

The Role of Local Governments in the Japanese Nuclear Governance: Case Analysis of “Safety Agreements” in Siting Areas

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin-etsu Sugawara ◽  
Hiroshi Kimura
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Safety ◽  
Regulation System ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
National Regulation ◽  
Safety Issues

Non-institutional measures often play an important role in the governance between technology and institutional system which have legal basis. In this study, we analyze the role of the “safety agreements” in Japan’s current regulation system of nuclear power plants (NPPs). In Japan, the national government regulates exclusively the safety of nuclear facilities based on the regulaions. But local governments also involve in the nuclear safety regulation de facto, to protect the publics’ safety and welfare. All the local governments in the siting areas concluded “safety agreements”, a gentleman-like agreement between local governments and power companies on safety issues. These Agreements contain various provisions, such as, the immediate notification procedures of accidents in NPPs, the access and inspection of NPPs after accidents, etc... However, these provisions don’t have a legal-binding of the power companies but, the local governors and local governments sometimes strongly assert the control for the restart operation of NPPs after the accidents utilizing the “safety agreements” as the pretext. This situation has sometimes been criticized by some experts who argue that the “safety agreements” have become an obstacle for stable NPPs operation and electricity supply. Since there are no studies which analyze the actual situations of local governments’ control on nuclear safety based on the “safety agreements,” we analyzed the situation by performing a qualitative survey and conducting a series of interview with personnel of the power companies and local governments. We found from our analysis that the “safety agreements” were utilized positively. For example, the inspection of NPPs by local government functions as an endorsement for the national regulation and assures public confidence. In this case the “safety agreements” promote and provide public acceptance on nuclear governance. However, the measures in these “safety agreements” could be over-extended in the political contexts because of the ambiguity and flexibility in the interpretation. In our paper, we would illustrate the merits and demerits of the role of local governments based on these “safety agreements” and suggest to improve the nuclear safety governance within the local governments’ capacity.

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