Lecture 5: Nuclear Safety Flashcards
Why is nuclear safety so important?
Public unease and political influence.
Why have safety demands increased?
Following reactor accidents
What is the process for NPP assurance?
Design of new facility submitted to national safety authority for review and approval.
Documentation submitted (Reactor Safety Analysis Report SAR) in increasingly detailed stages.
Who controls the safety authorities?
National government organisation
What is the sequence of approval?
Decision made in principle.
Site prepared.
Construction license obtained.
Construction.
Operating license authorised.
Name five documents to be submitted within the SAR:
Pre-construction
Systems testing
Fuel load
Commissioning and operational service
Decommissioning
What is the role of the safety auhority?
Devise rules for the safe design, construction and operation of NPP.
Assess safety documentation to ensure standards are being met.
Authorise construction, operation and modification of NPPs.
Monitor compliance with rules.
How is the sequence of approval followed?
In series, one stage at a time.
How are national safety authorities kept compliant?
Follow rules and guidelines set by international bodies.
What is a major hurdle to the development of nuclear energy worldwide?
Lack of international standardisation for nuclear safety regulation.
How does the lack of industrial standardisation affect developers?
Companies designing reactors must comply to various requirements from one country to the next.
What are the two sections of a reactor safety report (SAR)?
Deterministic & Probabilistic assessments
What is involved with a deterministic assessment?
Accident sequences and their respective designed protection systems (DBCs).
Engineering analysis to prove success of each DBC.
What is a probabilistic assessment?
Numerical risk assessment of a core melt or large radioactivity release to meet acceptable numerical targets.
Name the five levels of defence:
Prevention
Detection
Mitigation
Severe Accident Control
Off-site Emergency Response