International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Some considerations regarding ice load in risk-based dam safety analysis are presented for small concrete dams. The most significant physical mechanisms leading to ice thrust on dams (such as thermal expansion and water level fluctuations) are outlined. Published literature on dam ice loads to examine ice load magnitude-return period relationships, sliding and overstressing failure mechanisms and structural performance criteria to resist ice loads, are also reviewed. Related loading combinations for structural safety evaluations were determined regarding the issue of simultaneity of ice loads with other events such as earthquakes. Parametric analyses were conducted on a small gravity dam section, 3m high, and a taller dam, 17.9 m high, to demonstrate the ultimate ice load carrying capability as a function of dam geometry and shear and tensile strengths of construction joints. Since the failure mechanism of a dam subjected ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In order to build the safety culture for nuclear power industry, it is important to evaluate the safety culture scientifically. Considering the traits of safety culture in the nuclear power industry, 24 safety culture assessment indexes are established from 4 aspects such as Safety consciousness, Safety attitude, Safety action and Safety actuality by using the SMART criteria. Safety culture star-class assessment criterion is presented and safety culture star-class assessment system is developed by using Visual Basic 6.0 and BP neural network. The system has a better generalization ability, and it can show exactly which phase the safety culture is in. Experimental results show that ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The risk analysis was carried out in consideration of conditions prevailing at the Kalkar site analogous to the investigations in phase A of DRS (German Reactor Study). Earthquake design loads include the probabilities of upper deviations of the site intensities to be expected. The calculations of dynamic loads for select buildings are made using models and computational methods. Component analyses were performed analogous to DRS for the supports of large components, supports of the roof construction of the reactor building taking into account support reserves due to plastic work capacity, wall disks in steam generator buildings and switchboard plant buildings. (DG).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report examines the use of probabilistic methods in dealing with the problem of potential earthquake-induced liquefaction of foundation soils at an example dam site located in the central United States, near the New Madrid earthquake zone. The example dam is assumed to be a 1-mile long rolled-filled embankment founded on a 100-ft deep deposit of interbedded alluvial gravels, sands, silts, and clays. The study is seen as an opportunity to examine probabilistic concepts and procedures in the framework of an example engineering project. In this context, the main practical value of a probabilistic approach is that it permits more informed decision making about further data acquisition, additional engineering analysis, and if necessary, remedial action. The specific aim of the study is to show how probabilistic procedures complement and help to reinterpret the results of deterministic (earthquake-induced) liquefaction ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The management of risks of explosives are described. Administrative and procedural controls are considered. The safety management plan involves hazard identification, risk analysis, assessment and control. The current position of explosives safety is considered. 4 tabs.

Science.gov (United States)

Aug 23, 2011 ... Earthquakes, Hurricanes and Stubborn Instruments ... And if earthquakes and stubborn instruments aren't enough, there's this giant hurricane ...

Science.gov (United States)

The Seismic Risk Explorer, an extension for ArcGIS Desktop developed by cedim AG, is a tool for computing the seismic risk, i.e. damage on residential buildings and thereby caused monetary losses for earthquake scenarios. It is based on the research results of the CEDIM (Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology) research center, located at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) in Potsdam. With this software tool seismic scenarios can be simulated for a given magnitude, depths and location. The seismic intensity, the resulting mean damage ratio for residential buildings and the seismic risk, expressed as the monetary loss caused by an earthquake can be computed downscaled to communities, postcode areas or even single buildings. Interested end-users are especially insurance companies, but also public authorities which may use the tool for risk management issues.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

National Nuclear Safety Department is authorized by Infra (Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority) for issuing rules and regulation and conducting the licensing and supervisory process for nuclear facilities. The main responsibilities of the NNSD are conducted via five main division are, nuclear codes and standards, Nuclear Safety assessment, Authorization, Inspection and Enforcement and Technical Support. In this paper, the functions and responsibilities of TSD in enhancing nuclear safety are described. Examples of main tasks to support the Nuclear Safety assessment division regarding to technical calculations and research of safety issues in licensing documents are provided. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Information is presented concerning new trends in licensing; seismic considerations and system structural behavior; TMI-2 risk assessment and thermal hydraulics; statistical assessment of potential accidents and verification of computational methods; issues with respect to improved safety; human factors in nuclear power plant operation; diagnostics and activities in support of recovery; LOCA transient analysis; unresolved safety issues and other safety considerations; and fission product transport.

J-STORE (Japan)

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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The possibility of developing reactor designs with inherent safety characteristics sufficient to provide walk away safety is receiving additional emphasis in the LMR program. A key element in this effort is the recognition that LMR's possess safety characteristics above and beyond those employed in past safety review processes. Some of these additional safety characteristics are due to reactivity feedback effects caused by small structural movements during hypothetical severe design transients. The effects of these characteristics upon the behavior of the FFTF under such transients has been assessed and is discussed in this paper. The paper also presents a preliminary test matrix which might allow experimental verification of the structural reactivity feedback effects. Such experimental verification should be very useful to innovative designers seeking to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper introduces the summary of design guideline (draft) for the limit state design method for foundation structures, and examples of calculations on pile foundations. The limit states were set using the load to transformation curves, and the limit state No. 3 in particular assumed a large earthquake, a state that a foundation is fatally damaged because of rarely acting loads that lead to generation of displacement and loss of stability and functions. Ground survey coefficient, ground resistance coefficient, and ground property coefficient were defined especially as the safety coefficients. With respect to the displacement in the limit state No. 3, a restriction value was set for the plasticity of the foundation. Loads were given considerations of combination of permanent load, variation load, and accidental load, each having been set with a load coefficient. It was decided regarding earthquakes to discuss strength and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

BC Hydro has been assessing and upgrading its facilities and implementing response alternatives to potential damage resulting from a major earthquake. This paper reviews the utility`s seismic evaluation of its overhead transmission system, focusing on the Lower Mainland area where most of the tall critical river-crossing towers are located. The paper gives an overview of the geologic environment of the Lower Mainland and outlines the criteria used for assessing existing structures for their ability to withstand design seismic loads. It then describes the investigation and analysis methods used in the assessment, including geotechnical field tests, ground response analysis, determination of soil liquefaction potential, and dynamic analysis of structures and piles. Options for seismic upgrades are discussed and illustrated by the case of the Pitt River crossing, where tower foundations were reinforced ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The article applies the Probability Safety Assessment approach to analyze the risk impact of extension of allowed outage time of emergency diesel generator in Daya Bay NPP and adopts the risk-acceptance criteria used by NRC to evaluate changes to the licensing basis. The assessment results show that the risk impact is acceptable to increase the emergency diesel generator allowed outage time from 3 days to 14 days. (authors)

Science.gov (United States)

In this paper a new procedure, addressed as Interpolation Damage Detecting Method (IDDM), is investigated as a possible mean for early detection and location of light damage in a structure struck by an earthquake. Damage is defined in terms of the accuracy of a spline function in interpolating the operational mode shapes (ODS) of the structure. At a certain location a decrease (statistically meaningful) of accuracy, with respect to a reference configuration, points out a localized variation of the operational shapes thus revealing the existence of damage. In this paper, the proposed method is applied to a numerical model of a multistory frame, simulating a damaged condition through a reduction of the story stiffness. Several damage scenarios have been considered and the results indicate the effectiveness of the method to assess and localize damage for the case of concentrated damage and for low to medium levels of noise in the recorded signals. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper explores the current trends in development of technology-neutral safety requirements to be used in the regulation of future nuclear power reactors and the role of the quantitative safety goals in the design of reactor safety systems. Establishing the requirements concerning the reliability of safety functions rather than on particular systems employed to achieve the functions, as well as the use of the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) on protection against potential exposure could form the basis of a technology-neutral framework for safety requirements on new reactor designs. Also it could contribute to international harmonisation of nuclear safety assessment practices as part of the licensing processes for future nuclear power plants. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Internationally, on-line maintenance (OLM) of nuclear power plants under the operation is prevailed to enhance nuclear safety and economics. In recent years, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. (KHNP) is eager to apply OLM. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) has established the related technology development program as an item of 'Overall Planning on Nuclear Safety(2010-2014)' through acceptance to the request of KHNP in 2009. OLM is defined as maintenance that is performed with the main generator connected to the grid. In other words, it means a preventive maintenance to be implemented during the allowable outage time (AOT) with ignoring inoperability of safety-related equipment listed in the technical specifications. The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) is developing the assessment technology of safety concerns for OLM under the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Since its creation the nuclear industry has been struggling with the question of how safe is safe enough. Safety is a common goal to all involved in the design, operation and regulation of a nuclear installation. As a concept safety is not easy to define. However, there is a general understanding of what attributes a nuclear power plant should have in order to operate safely. The challenge lies in measuring the attributes. The new competitive open electricity market, in many countries throughout the world, is increasing the economic pressure on operators to lower operating costs without jeopardizing safety. Challenges are occurring at a rate that is unprecedented in the nuclear industry: competitiveness; downsizing; ageing; policy changes; reorganization; restructuring; mergers; globalization; and takeovers demand increasing attention to the management of safety. There are various means to measure ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

From the beginning, one of the most useful applications of Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) is its use in evaluating the risk importance of changes to plant design, operations, or other plant conditions. Risk importance measures the impact of a change on the risk. Risk is defined as a combination of the likelihood of failure and consequence of the failure. The consequence can be safety system unavailability, core melt frequency, early release, or various other consequence measures. The goal in this PSA application is to evaluate the risk importance of an ISI process, as applied to plant piping systems. Two approaches can be taken in this evaluation: Current PSA Approach or the Blended Approach. Both are discussed here.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document reports the results of the FY 2005 PNNL VPP Program Evaluation, which is a self-assessment of the operational and programmatic performance of the Laboratory related to worker safety and health. The report was compiled by a team of worker representatives and safety professionals who evaluated the Laboratory's worker safety and health programs on the basis of DOE-VPP criteria. The principle elements of DOE's VPP program are: Management Leadership, Employee Involvement, Worksite Analysis, Hazard Prevention and Control, and Safety and Health Training.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present research has been made to develop and review critically the functional requirements of the specific safety systems of CANDU such as SOS-1, SOS-2, ECCS and containment. Based on R documents for this, a systematic study was made to develop the domestic regulation statements. Also, the conventional laws are carefully reviewed to see the compatibility to CANDU. Also, the safety assessment method for CANDU was studied by reviewing C documents and recommendation of IAEA. Through the present works, the vague policy in the CANDU safety regulation is cleaning up in a systematic form and a new frame to measure the objective risk of nuclear power plants was developed.

Norwegian Open Research Archives (NORA)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract This article discusses the evolution of the public debate in Italy about unemployment over a period of almost ten years (1995-2002) that was particularly crucial for the Italian labour and political systems. From the early 1980s and throughout the 1990s, the country experienced major industrial change, which dramatically restructured its labour landscape. Moreover, this industrial earthquake occurred within internal (a deep political party system re-assessment and the fluctuating importance of unions) and external (European Union-driven state budgetary limits) political constraints that have heavily influenced the debate itself. The analysis of the public policy debates allows the authors of this article to portray the agendas, concepts and strategies introduced and discussed by e...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paper discusses the safety problems connected with the conversion to dense storage of RBMK-1000 spent fuel in reactor cooling pools and independent storage facilities. Recourse to dense storage has been made for a number of reasons, among which are the absence of spent fuel shipments from the nuclear power plant site, prolongation of storage time and a partial change in storage conditions. Increasing the storage density per unit volume of the storage facility and turning to new technical procedures (as against the basic design) call for further investigation of safety problems. The safety assessment of the dense storage mode includes: (1) Selecting a list of initiating events for design basis and unforeseeable accidents; (2) Assessing dense storage safety under normal as well as design basis accident conditions; (3) Safety analysis and ...

Environmental Research Database

DescriptionThis project continues DEFRA's commitment to the International Programme on Chemical Safety, a joint WHO/ILO/UNEP programme. DEFRA's contribution involves preparing Environmental Health Criteira Documents (EHCs), Concise International Chemical Assessments Documents (CICADS) and input to the OECD test Guidelines Programme and gneral risk assessment guidance. Peer reviews of documents prepared through other research in the IPCS network have also been carried out,as well as attending and hosting ta [continued...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nuclear power plant has several safety features and each safety feature is based on the operation of pumps and valves. Therefore, it is an essential basis for the safety of nuclear power plant to keep operational readiness of pumps and valves by In-Service Test (IST). According to Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) Bulletin 2008-14, the safety functioned pumps and valves of all nuclear power plants of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. Ltd.(KHNP) have been tested to verify their performance of safety function. Each safety grade pump has own design requirement and should be tested to identify whether it could meet the requirement. Design requirements and test references of all safety grade pumps of Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 (Wolsung Unit 2) were examined in this study. And the results of the performance test of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In January 1994, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in southern California ruptured a pipeline releasing approximately 4,200 barrels of blended San Joaquin Valley crude oil. A smaller volume entered the Santa Clara River and flowed 25 km downstream to an emergency containment dam. Ruptured water mains and chlorinated discharges from a damaged sewage treatment plant also affected water quality in the river. Quantitative injury assessment studies were initiated within days of the spill and included water/sediment chemistry, benthic macroinvertebrate community analyses and aquatic toxicity tests. Water quality values for TPH, BTEX, and chlorine ranged from nondetectable to 78 mg/l (TPH), nondetectable to 5.4 microg/l (total BTEX constituents) and nondetectable to 600 microg/l (residual chlorine) within 72 hours of the spill. Ammonia concentrations ranged from nondetectable to 12.1 mg/l within 10 days of the spill. Hydrocarbon concentrations in sediments ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Supplemental criticality safety analysis of a pool type storage for TRIGA spent fuel at 'Jozef Stefan' Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is presented. Previous results (Ravnik, M, Glumac, B., 1996) have shown that subcriticality is not guaranteed for some postulated accidents. To mitigate this deficiency, a study was made about replacing a certain number of fuel elements in the rack with absorber rods (Glumac, B., Ravnik, M., Logar, M., 1997) to lower the supercriticality probability, when the pitch is decreased to contact (as a consequence of a severe earthquake) in a square arrangement. The criticality analysis for the hexagonal contact pitch is presented in this paper, following the same scenario as outlined above. The Monte Carlo computer code MCNP4B with ENDF-B/VI library and detailed three dimensional geometry was used. First, the analysis about the influence of the number of triangular fuel piles on the bottom that could appear, if the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Assessments of drinking water safety rely on the assumption that ingestion represents the principal route of exposure. A review of the experimental literature revealed that skin penetration rates for...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) started the Coordinated Research Program entitled ```The Safety Assessment of Near-Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities.`` The program is aimed at improving the confidence in the modeling results for safety assessments of waste disposal facilities. The program has been given the acronym NSARS (Near-Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal Safety Assessment Reliability Study) for ease of reference. The purpose of this report is to present the ORNL modeling results for the first test case (i.e., Test Case 1) of the IAEA NSARS program. Test Case 1 is based on near-surface disposal of radionuclides that are subsequently leached to a saturated-sand aquifer. Exposure to radionuclides results from use of a well screened in the aquifer and from intrusion into the repository. Two repository concepts were defined in Test ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundSaw palmetto is commonly used by men for lower urinary tract symptoms. Despite its widespread use, very little is known about the potential toxicity of...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The potential public safety impacts from accidents in conceptual fusion power plants were investigated. Fusion was found to have some potential for accidents, as does any energy generating system. Functions of fusion power plants were identified that possess sufficient potential for an accidental release of toxic materials to the environment. An assessment was made of the impact of the potential accidents and recommendations are included for R and D that will allow incorporation of safety concerns in fusion power plant design. This work was based on a review of information available in conceptual design documents of fusion reactor systems.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As a maintenance optimization project to improve the safety of Wolsung NPP (Nuclear Power Plant), reliability of diesel generators are estimated based on the operating experience, and improvement options are suggested. A reliability measure is suggested for the estimation of reliability for standby safety systems to reflect availability. It is assessed that the reliability of diesel generators can be mush improved if the suggested improvement options are implemented. (Author) 6 refs., 1 tab.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Vibrio cholerae 638 (El Tor, Ogawa), a new CTXΦ-negative hemagglutinin/protease-defective strain that is a cholera vaccine candidate, was examined for safety and immunogenicity...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This is a progress report from the Health and Safety Research Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Information is presented in the following sections: Assessment Technology, Biological and Radiation Physics, Chemical Physics, Biomedical and Environmental Information Analysis, Risk Analysis, Center for Risk Management, Associate Laboratories for Excellence in Radiation Technology (ALERT), and Contributions to National and Lead Laboratory Programs and Assignments--Environmental Restoration.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The intention is to define what is required as evidence of continuous resistance to malfunction to ensure operational safety according to Rule KTA 3706 'Proof of electrical component safety under leakage conditions'. As a supporting part of this task, a recognized scientific and engineering basis on which to define the requirements has to be set up. The report is a compilation of studies and development work which could contribute useful improvements to the assessment methodology applied to thermal aging (Arrhenius model, ndeg-rule, Eyring model, Inverse-power model, according to KTA Rule 3505) of electronic controls or electrical components. (orig./DG).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In Japan, high rigidity reinforced concrete foundations called the high-tuned type foundation have been generally used for the turbine generator foundations. In Europe, on the other hand, flexible steel foundations and spring-mounted reinforced concrete foundations are employed. These are called the low-tuned type foundation and have following excellent characteristics. (1) Excellent vibration isolation ability (2) By reducing the structural member size and weight, more effective utilization of space under the deck is possible. However, the low-tuned type foundation has a lower seismic resistance and it is said to be unsuitable type foundation in frequent seismic countries such as Japan and USA etc. from the view point of safety against earthquake. We have developed the new type low-tuned foundation having its excellent characteristics and seismic resistance ability called the spring-mounted turbine generator foundation supported by turbine ...

Science.gov (United States)

We obtained the time-lapse cumulative slip before and after the 29 November 1999, Xiuyan, Liaoning, China, Ms = 5.4 earthquake by using "repeating events" defined by waveform cross-correlation. We used the seismic waveform data from the Liaoning Regional Seismograph Network from June 1999 to December 2006. Two "multiplets" located near the seismogenic fault of the 1999 Xiuyan earthquake and the 4 February 1975, Haicheng Ms = 7.3 earthquake, respectively, were investigated. For the "multiplet" that occurred before and after the 1999 Xiuyan earthquake, apparent pre-shock accelerating-like slip behavior, clear immediate-post-seismic change, and relaxation-like post-seismic change can be observed. As a comparison, for the "multiplet" near the 1975 Haicheng earthquake which occurred a quarter century ago, the cumulative slip appears linear with a much smaller slip rate.

Science.gov (United States)

This frequently-asked-questions feature provides answers about earthquakes, faults, plate tectonics, and earth structure. Maps and diagrams are provided with some answers, and links to additional information and to related topics are included.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The document represents a specific type of discussion of existing methodologies for the creation and application of probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) in light of the EUR document summarizing requirements placed by Western European NPP operators on the future design of nuclear power plants. A partial goal of this discussion consists in mapping, from the PSA point of view, those selected design, operational and/or safety factors of future NPPs that may be entirely new or, at least, newly addressed. Therefore, the terms of reference for this stage were formulated as follows: Assess current level of knowledge and procedures in the analysis of factors and phenomena with a dominant influence upon operational safety of new generation reactors, especially in the following areas: (1) Phenomenology of failure types and mechanisms and reliability of conventional passive ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report documents the results of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Tiger Team Assessment conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, New York, between March 26 and April 27, 1990. The BNL is a multiprogram laboratory operated by the Associated Universities, Inc., (AUI) for DOE. The purpose of the assessment was to provide the status of environment, safety, and health (ES H) programs at the laboratory. The scope of the assessment included a review of management systems and operating procedures and records; observations of facility operations; and interviews at the facilities. Subteams in four areas performed the review: ES H, Occupational Safety and Health, and Management and Organization. The assessment was comprehensive, covering all areas of ES H activities and waste management operations. Compliance with applicable ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The PIUS reactor utilizes simplified, inherent, passive, or other innovative means to accomplish safety functions. Accordingly, the PIUS reactor is subject to the requirements of 10CFR52.47(b)(2)(i)(A). This regulation requires that the applicant adequately demonstrate the performance of each safety feature, interdependent effects among the safety features, and a sufficient data base on the safety features of the design to assess the analytical tools used for safety analysis. Los Alamos has assessed the quality and completeness of the existing and planned data bases used by Asea Brown Boveri to validate its safety analysis codes and other relevant data bases. Only a limited data base of separate effect and integral tests exist at present. This data base is not adequate to fulfill the requirements of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

INSAG has emphasized that safety culture has two general components: the organizational framework and the attitude of the staff. To develop a structured approach to the assessment of safety culture, we propose that the highly formalized nature of nuclear power plant organizations be exploited. The prime coordinating mechanism of NPP organizations is the standardization of work processes, where a work process is defined as a standardized sequence of tasks designed to achieve a specific goal (an example is the maintenance work process). The predictable nature of work processes is exploited by the Work Process Analysis Model (WPAM) to conduct a systematic analysis that identifies the desirable characteristics of work processes and develops performance measures for their strengths and weaknesses. These can provide a set of tangible characteristics of a good safety culture. It is argued in this paper that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report presents a probabilistic safety assessment of radioactive doses as consequences from accident scenarios to complement the deterministic assessment presented in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Safety Analysis Report (SAR). The International Council of Radiation Protection (ICRP) recommends both assessments be conducted to ensure that ''an adequate level of safety has been achieved and that no major contributors to risk are overlooked'' (ICRP 1993). To that end, the probabilistic assessment for the WIPP accident scenarios addresses the wide range of assumptions, e.g. the range of values representing the radioactive source of an accident, that could possibly have been overlooked by the SAR. Routine releases of radionuclides from the WIPP repository to the environment during the waste ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To assist in attaining the HSE's objective of providing perspective and focus for Safety Case Assessment, a generic model of the structural design process for the foundations of pile supported fixed steel structures has been developed. Interfaces between the foundation design team and other stakeholders have been identified and assessments made of both the magnitude and the potential significance of the uncertainties associated with key elements of the design process. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Personal monitoring and dose assessment of all radiation workers is an essential regulatory requirement as per radiation safety procedures of AERB and operating stations. The occupational workers of TAPS 1 and 2 and TAPS 3 and 4 are monitored for internal contamination due to high energy gamma emitters by whole body counting

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objectives Vietnamese patients? views on healthcare are changing as surgical interventions become more commonplace, but their views on perioperative care have remained largely unstudied during this period of rapid change. This study assesses Vietnamese patients? impression of anesthesia safety and postoperative pain in relation to clinical outcomes with the aim of improving patient-centered perioperative care. Methods The study cohort consisted of 180 hospitalized patients who were followed for 24?h following abdominal surgery. The assessments of these patients on the use of anesthesia and postoperative pain were measured by means of a 5-point Likert scale survey. Perioperative events were recorded on standardized forms by medical staff. The relationship between relevant factors affecting ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Husky Oil Operations Ltd (Husky) is considering the development of the South White Rose Expansion (SWRX) area, located approximately 4 km south of the current Southern Glory Hole (SGH) in approximately 120 m of water. Within the new glory hole, one new drill centre will be constructed with wells tied back and into the SGH manifolds. The SWRX drill centre will comprise three horizontal production wells and two horizontal water injection wells with expansion capacity for eight wells. Husky is intending to submit a Development Plan Amendment to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) as part of the development. This document presented the results of a study that assessed the potential impact of the new development on existing White Rose safety studies. The study reviewed existing safety studies that were developed for the White Rose project to determine the potential impact of the new SWRX ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper, the authors describe the characteristics of design seismic input motions and recently observed seismic records of base isolated buildings in Japan. First, we describe some seismic design spectra for building structures which were adopted. Then we show response spectra and energy spectra of observed records obtained during two recent major earthquakes (The 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu Earthquake and the 2003 Tokachi-oki Earthquake), which demonstrate the effectiveness of base isolation against large amplitude earthquake ground motion. We also introduce the responses of base isolated buildings during some earthquakes including the Tokachi-oki Earthquake. These data were gathered through questionnaires sent to many engineers who had conducted response observations of base isolated buildings. Last, an example of a base isolated building on soft ground is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This report presents the results of a systems failure analysis study of the CANDU 3 reactor design; the study was performed for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. As part of the study a review of the CANDU 3 design documentation was performed, a plant assessment methodology was developed, representative plant initiating events were identified for detailed analysis, and a plant assessment was performed. The results of the plant assessment included classification of the CANDU 3 event sequences that were analyzed, determination of CANDU 3 systems that are ''significant to safety,'' and identification of key operator actions for the analyzed events.

Science.gov (United States)

(B204)Probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) insights are now used by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) to confirm the level of safety for plant operations and to justify changes in nuclear power plant operating requirements, both on an exception basis and as changeds to a plant's licensing basis. This report examines qualitative and quantitative risk assessments during shutdown plant states, providing feedback to utilities in the use of qualitative models for outage risk management, and also providing input to the development of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Low Power and Shutdown PRA Standard.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The presence of natural fractures in reservoir rock can significantly enhance gas production, especially in tight gas formations. Any general knowledge of the existence, location, orientation, spatial density, and connectivity of natural fractures, as well as general reservoir structure, that can be obtained prior to active seismic acquisition and drilling can be exploited to identify key areas for subsequent higher resolution active seismic imaging. Current practices for estimating fracture properties before the acquisition of surface seismic data are usually based on the assumed geology and tectonics of the region, and empirical or fracture mechanics-based relationships between stratigraphic curvature and fracturing. The objective of this research is to investigate the potential of multicomponent surface sensor arrays, and passive seismic sources in the form of local earthquakes to identify and characterize potential fractured gas reservoirs located near ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A couple of domestic institutions have been investigating the application of vitrification technology to treat low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes in Korea. In the case that such investigations prove to be successful, it is expected that commercial vitrification plants will be constructed. The safety insuring on vitrification plants could not be compatible with criterion on radioactive waste management because the facilities are at high temperature and contain a variety of accommodations for the exhaust gases and residual products. Therefore, it is necessary to suggest a new strategy or modifications of criterion of radioactive waste management on considerations related with the vitrification technology. In order to ensure the safety of vitrification plants, a technical guideline or standard for design and operation of vitrification plants must be established too. A study on the safety ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper is a result of a research with the primary purpose of extending Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) modeling frameworks to include the effects of organizational factors as the deeper, more fundamental causes of accidents and incidents. There have been significant improvements in the sophistication of quantitative methods of safety and risk assessment, but the progress on techniques most suitable for organizational safety risk frameworks has been limited. The focus of this paper is on the choice of 'representational schemes' and 'techniques.' A methodology for selecting appropriate candidate techniques and their integration in the form of a 'hybrid' approach is proposed. Then an example is given through an integration of System Dynamics (SD), Bayesian Belief Network (BBN), Event Sequence Diagram (ESD), and Fault Tree (FT) in order to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The study was performed for evaluating the risk effect of digital systems on the total plant. Based on risk monitor, a fault tree model for the Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plants (KSNPP), we integrate the fault-tree models for Digital Plant Protection System (DPPS) and Digital Engineered SaFety Actuation System (DESFAS) which are the most important safety-critical I and C systems in the KSNPP. In this study, however, three important factors (the probabilities of manual actuation failure, the software failure probability, and the watchdog timer fault coverage) are treated as the variables of the sensitivity study because quantification methodologies for these factors are not developed yet. Not only the unavailability of digital safety-critical system itself, but also the risk effect of digital systems on the total plant should be assessed to prove the safety of digital systems. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This is the sixth report by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) that has been prepared in response to the Congressional requirement for an annual report on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Reactor Safety Research Program. Part I is a compilation of our general comments and recommendations regarding the NRC Safety Research Program, and includes budget recommendations and an identification of matters of special importance that deserve increased emphasis. It is intended to serve as an Executive Summary. Part II is divided into ten chapters, each of which represents a Decision Unit of the NRC research program. In each chapter, specific comments are included on the research involved in the Decision Unit, an assessment of priorities, and recommendations regarding new directions and levels of funding.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A three-dimensional (3D) thermal-hydraulic model and a numerical procedure for the simulation and analysis of a steady-state, as well as transient operation of nuclear power plant components are presented. A two-fluid approach is applied to modelling of two-phase flow. Thermal-hydraulics of a horizontal steam generator in the WWER 1000 nuclear power plant has been simulated at the full load, steady-state operation. A comparison of the numerical results with data measured at the NPP Novovoronjezh shows good agreement. 3D numerical results can be used in plant design or retrofitting, in nuclear power plant operation and safety analysis and as improvement of existing one-dimensional thermal-hydraulics models of the horizontal steam generator which are assessed by system codes used for the nuclear power plant safety analyses. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background, Aim, and Scope The identification and assessment of environmental tradeoffs is a strongpoint of life cycle assessment (LCA). A tradeoff made in many product systems is the exchange of potential for occupational accidents with the additional use of energy and materials. Net benefits of safety measures with respect to human health are best illustrated if the consequences avoided and health impacts induced by additional emissions are assessed using commensurable metrics. Our aim is to develop a human health impact indicator for offshore crane lifts. Crane lifts are a major cause of accidents on offshore oil and gas (O & G) rigs, and health impacts from crane lift accidents should be included in comparative LCA of O & G technologies if the alternatives differ in the use of crane li...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Level 1 probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for Wolsong(WS) 2/3/4 nuclear power plant(NPPs) in design stage is performed using the methodologies being equivalent to PWR PSA. Accident sequence evaluation program (ASEF) human reliability analysis (HRA) procedure and technique for human error rate prediction (THERP) are used in HRA of WS 2/3/4 NPPs PSA. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the procedure and methodology of HRA in WS 2/3/4 NPPs PSA. Also, this paper describes the interim results of importance analysis for human actions modeled in WS 2/3/4 PSA and the findings and recommendations of administrative control of secondary control area from the view of human factors.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the safety assessment of a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal system, it is required to estimate radiological impacts on future human beings arising from potential radionuclide releases from a deep repository into the surface environment. In order to estimated the impacts, a biosphere model is developed by reasonably assuming radionuclide migration processes in the surface environment and relevant human lifestyles. It is important to modify the present biosphere models or to develop alternative biosphere models applying the biosphere models according to quality and quantify of the information acquired through the siting process for constructing the repository. In this study, alternative biosphere models were developed taking geosphere-biosphere interface of marine environment into account. Moreover, the flux to dose conversion factors calculated by these alternative biosphere models was compared with those by the present basic ...

Science.gov (United States)

According to the California Earthquake Authority, only about 12% of current California residences are covered by any form of earthquake insurance, down from about 30% in 1996 following the 1994, M6.7 Northridge earthquake. Part of the reason for this decreasing rate of insurance uptake is the high deductible, either 10% or 15% of the value of the structure, and the relatively high cost of the premiums, as much as thousands of dollars per year. The earthquake insurance industry is composed of the CEA, a public-private partnership; modeling companies that produce damage and loss models similar to the FEMA HAZUS model; and financial companies such as the insurance, reinsurance, and investment banking companies in New York, London, the Cayman Islands, Zurich, Dubai, Singapore, and elsewhere. In setting earthquake insurance rates, financial companies rely on models like HAZUS, that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study, the two methods, US NRC and JAERI method, for the determination of scenario earthquakes for seismic design of nuclear power plants based on the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis were reviewed. The scenario earthquakes were developed for the Wolsung NPP site using the PSHA results based on the US NRC Regulatory Guide 1.165 procedures. It seems that the JAERI method is more appropriate to incorporate the effects of individual seismic sources and active faults, and to estimate the multiple ground motion parameters. The magnitude and distance bins of the scenario earthquakes for Wolsung NPP site were M6.4, 9km and M6.2, 13km.

Science.gov (United States)

Mar 2, 2010 ... The NASA/JPL Education Office works with educators -- both classroom teachers and informal educators -- to provide tools, resources and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The meeting featured seven sessions with 18 papers abstracted/indexed therein as follows: keynote address: tailings dams safety - implications for the dam safety community; 1 - design and performance: performance monitoring of dams: are we doing what we should be doing?; tailings dams from the perspective of conventional dam engineering; and design overview of Syncrude's Mildred Lake east toe berm; 2 - design and modelling: use of a 2D model for a dam break study on the ALCAN hydroelectric complex in Quebec; and spillway design implications resulting from changes in rainfall extremes; 3 - risk and dam safety I: closing the gaps in the dam safety guidelines; the reality of life safety consequence classification; and surveillance practices for the next millenium; 4 - risk and dam safety II: quantitative risk-assessment using the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To improve operational safety of the fuel channel for Wolsung units the recommended primary heat transport system (PHTS) operating guidelines were developed, which provides a safe operation window in terms of pressure and temperature to maintain fuel channel integrity, which is similar to pressure-temperature curves used for primary pressure boundary integrity in PWRs and deterministic Leak-Before Break (LBB) analyses were conducted using recent understanding of delayed hydride cracking (DHC) mechanism. In addition, a comparative assessment of LBB analysis was made using the procedures of Fitness For Service Guidelines(FFSG) for pressure tubes rev. 0 and rev. 1.

Science.gov (United States)

This thesis study covers both global performance and local phenomena analyses focusing on natural circulation reactor design safety. Four important topics are included: the global SBWR design safety assessment, important local phenomena investigation, steady and transient natural circulation process study, and two-phase instability analysis. The conceptual design of the SBWR-200 is introduced in this thesis and the global performance of a natural circulation reactor is then assessed using PUMA integral test data and RELAP5 simulations. A safety assessment methodology is developed to evaluate the PUMA integral test data extrapolation and code scalability. The RELAP5 code simulation capability in low-pressure low-flow conditions is also validated. The study shows that the code is capable of predicting the global accident scenario in natural circulation reactors ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objective of this study was to identify and assess the present and future dimensions of environmental effects and impacts of various energy generation alternatives, and to place safety and environmental risks associated with the nuclear industry in Canada in perspective with the risks from other sources. It was found that nuclear power generation involves a comparable risk to that of conventional methods of thermoelectric power generation.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe malaria vaccine candidate antigen RTS,S includes parts of the pre-erythrocytic stage circumsporozoite protein fused to the Hepatitis B surface antigen. Two Adjuvant...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

ARIES-AT is a 1000 MWe conceptual fusion power plant design with a very low projected cost of electricity. The design contains many innovative features to improve both the physics and engineering performance of the system. From the safety and environmental perspective, there is greater depth to the overall analysis than in past ARIES studies. For ARIES-AT, the overall spectrum of off-normal events to be examined has been broadened. They include conventional loss of coolant and loss of flow events, an ex-vessel loss of coolant, and in-vessel off-normal events that mobilize in-vessel inventories (e.g., tritium and tokamak dust) and bypass primary confinement such as a loss of vacuum and an in-vessel loss of coolant with bypass. This broader examination of accidents improves the robustness of the design from the safety perspective and gives additional confidence that the facility can meet the no-evacuation requirement under average weather ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A radon detector with LR-115 nuclear track film was constructed for radon concentration measurements in soil. Temporal radon variations, as well as the barometric pressure, precipitation and temperature were measured for two years. Negative correlation between radon concentration in soil and barometric pressure was found. For some of the recorded earthquakes that occurred during the observation period, soil radon anomalies may be noticed one month before the quakes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The long-range correlation properties in the hourly time variability of geochemical signals measured in a 70 m depth well at Triponzo (Umbria region), are investigated by the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). DFA is a data processing method that allows for the detection of scaling behaviors in observational time series even in the presence of non-stationarities. The procedure adopted has allowed for the unambiguous identification of possible correlations among the recorded signals and local earthquakes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This self-evaluation report offers a summary of results from FY2000 actions to achieve Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's strategy and provides an analysis of the state of their self-assessment process. The result of their integrated planning and assessment process identifies Laboratory strengths and opportunities for improvement. Critical elements of that process are included in this report; namely, a high-level summary of external oversight activities, progress against Operations Improvement Initiatives, and a summary of Laboratory strengths and areas for improvement developed by management from across the laboratory. Some key areas targeted for improvement in FY2001 are: systems approach to resource management; information protection; integrated safety management flow-down to the benchtop; cost management; integrated assessment; Price Anderson Amendments Act (PAAA) Program; and travel ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake with a focus in the Akashi straits has given huge earthquake damages in and around Awaji Island and Kobe City in 1995. It is clear that the basement structure, which is steeply deepened at Kobe City from Rokko Mountains towards the coast, and the focus under this related closely to the local generation of strong ground motion. Generation process of the strong ground motion was discussed using 2D and 3D numerical simulation methods. The 3D pseudospectral method was used for the calculation. Space of 51.2km{times}25.6km{times}25.6km was selected for the calculation. This space was discretized with the lattice interval of 200m. Consequently, it was found that the basement structure with a steeply deepened basement, soft and weak geological structure thickly deposited on the basement, and earthquake faults running under the boundary of base rock and sediments related greatly to the generation of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Due to current social and economical framework, in last years many nuclear power plant owners started a program for the Long Term Operation (LTO)/PLIM (Plant Life Management) of their older nuclear facilities. PLIM/PLEX has already been implemented in many countries (USA, Russia, etc.). This process has many nuclear safety implications, other than strategic and political ones. The need for tailoring the available safety assessment tools to such applications has become urgent in recent years and triggered many research actions. In particular, a PLIM framework requires both a detailed review of the features of the main safety programs (Maintenance, ISI, Surveillance) and a complete integration of these programs into the general management system of the plant. New external factors, such as: large use of subcontractors, need for efficient management of spare parts, request for heavy plant refurbishment ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background Limited data is available for investigating the long-term safety and effects of intracoronary progenitor cell therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Objective To assess the clinical course, NT-proBNP and MRI data as objective markers of cardiac function of the TOPCARE-AMI patients at 5-year follow-up. Design The TOPCARE-AMI trial was the first randomized study investigating the effects of intracoronary infusion of circulating (CPC) or bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMC) in 59 patients with successfully reperfused AMI. Results Five-year follow-up data were completed in 55 patients, 3 patients were lost to follow-up. None of the patients showed any signs of intramyocardial calcification or tumors at 5?years. One patient died during the initial hospitali...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Introduction: Restrictions in prescribing broad spectrum antimicrobials have been part of a strategy to reduce Clostridium difficile cases in the UK in recent years. However, there has been little work on assessing the safety of alternative antimicrobial agents. Methods: We performed an uncontrolled prospective observational survey over a 1-year period to determine the effectiveness and safety of a new antimicrobial stewardship programme in a district hospital in the UK. Results: In total, 227 Gram-negative bacteraemias (203 episodes) occurred in the study period. Guidelines were adequate in 194 of 203 (95%) episodes and 163 episodes (80.2%) received adequate therapy. Patients in the inadequate therapy group had >2-fold increased likelihood of death [odds ratio (OR) = 2.63, 95% confidence ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This discussion paper has two goals: first, to raise public awareness of food irradiation, an emerging technology in which Canada has the potential to build a new industry, mainly oriented to promising overseas markets; and second, to help build consensus among government and private sector decision makers about what has to be done to realize the domestic and export potential. The following pages discuss the potential of food irradiation; indicate how food is irradiated; outline the uses of food irradiation; examine questions of the safety of the equipment and both the safety and nutritional value of irradiated food; look at international commercial developments; assess the current and emerging domestic scene; and finally, draw some conclusions and offer suggestions for action.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common dementia of the elderly. A significant cholinergic deficit has been demonstrated that may be responsive to treatment by cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). Methods: A 24-week, open-label study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a ChEI, galantamine, in 50 patients with DLB. Results: This study showed beneficial effects with galantamine in 2 of the 3 primary efficacy parameters. The scores on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-12) improved by 8.24 points from baseline (p = 0.01) especially in visual hallucinations and nighttime behaviors (p = 0.004). The scores on the Clinician's Global Impression of Change improved by 0.5 points from baseline (p = 0.01). The third primary efficacy parameter, the Cognitive Drug R...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear and other radioactive materials may get smuggled into the country aimed at malicious acts. Radioactive material detected accidentally or during inspection at the entry points/national borders may indicate illicit trafficking for the purpose of nuclear/radiological terrorism. As country requires prevention and preparedness for response to these malicious acts, nuclear forensic techniques are to be developed incorporating radiological safety aspects. Nuclear forensics helps in determining the origin, intended use, legal owner and the smuggled route etc. by using fingerprinting as well as comparison with reference data. The suggested sequence of methods for analysis of radioactive material/samples will be radiological assessment, physical characterization, traditional forensic analysis, isotope analysis along with elemental/chemical analysis

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

9-cis-UAB30 is a potential chemopreventative agent that has been shown to be effective on many different types of tumors. The safety and toxicity of 9-cis-UAB30 had not been previously established. These studies were conducted to evaluate the potential toxicity and pharmacokinetics in a rodent and a nonrodent species for the purpose of investigational new drug submission. Oral gavage administration of 9-cis-UAB30 at the doses 0, 3, 15, and 100 ?mg/kg/day to CD? rats for 28 days showed a dose-dependent (although not dose-proportional) increase in plasma drug levels in week 4. The liver was the target organ for toxicity of 9-cis-UAB30. Hepatomegaly along with increases in serum aspartate-aminotransferase and alkaline-phosphatase levels were seen in rats. Moderate hypoalbuminemia and hyperglo...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this work group was to identify obstacles to the development of better risk management practices and performance standards in the pipeline industry. An outline of developments in pipeline risk assesment management was presented, including an update of the Risk Based Design and Assessment annex and other CSA Z662 code developments. It was suggested that progress in risk management require that acceptable levels of risk and reliability need to be defined. Environmental and safety consequence analysis was recommended, as well as failure frequency estimation and assessment of distribution systems. Guidelines for Integrity Management Programs (IMPs) were reviewed. It was noted that CSA Z662 will become mandatory for sour gas in 2005 and may become mandatory for all onshore pipelines in 2007. Operating company procedures in relation to hazards with significant consequences were discussed. It was noted that ...

Science.gov (United States)

Structural complexities reduce the homogeneity necessary for a site characterization model to an unacceptable level for performance assessment for radioactive waste disposal sites. The proposed site lies between the northern, stable Diablo platform and the southern, mobile Mesozoic Chihuahua tectonic belt. Structural movement along this interface has been active for the past 14,000 years. In addition, the area lies along the northern margin of the Permian Marfa basin and the northeastern margin of the deeply faulted Hueco bolson segment of the late Cenozoic Rio Grande rift system. Recent seismic activity with extensive surface rupture in Quitman Canyon (30 mi southeast of the site) is also documented from the 1931 Valentine, Texas, earthquake (6.4 Richter scale). The site is underlain by either a thrust fault or the complex terminus of a Mesozoic thrust fault. This fault is a segment of the continuous thrust sheet extending from exposures in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper reviews generation methods of artificial earthquake motion and proposes an improved method of generating input motions for use in vibration tests of equipment to prove aseismic performance. The improved method employs beat wave repetition characteristic that inherently appears in the component waves of recorded earthquakes decomposed by bandpass filter and algebraic function phase for the component waves. Typical motions generated by the improved method satisfies prescribed severe conditions such as target response spectrum that are defined with a wideband frequency component and a limited maximum acceleration due to shaking table performance. The motions had never been generated by the conventional method.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Analyses of the roles of cement-based barriers in radioactive waste isolation show that models used to estimate their characteristics during the lifetime of the repository must consider the alteration of material properties with time due to degradation processes. Reinforced concrete barriers at repositories shall be designed in such manner that they fulfil besides isolative capabilities also the required functions of mechanical resistance and stability. Key elements of safety evaluation are mainly the correct selection of materials for mineral composites with cement binder (cements, aggregates, mineral additives and chemical admixtures) and their design, execution of construction works and production of precast concrete containers (continuous casting of concrete - no cold joints, limited number of construction joints, proper placing and consolidation, finishing and curing), strict control of used materials and inspection of works, as well as investigation after the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This is the eighth report by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) that has been prepared in response to the Congressional requirement for an annual report on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Reactor Safety Research Program. As previously requested by the Congress, the timing of this report has been adjusted to enable the ACRS to address the proposed budget for FY 1986 and 1987 that has been submitted to the Congress by the President. Detailed comments and recommendations are provided for the research programs and budget proposed for FY 1986. Because both the budget for FY 1987 and the research programs for that period are highly uncertain at this time, comments on these are not provided. Part I is a compilation of general comments and recommendations regarding the NRC Safety Research Program budget for FY 1986. It is intended to serve as the Executive Summary. Part II is divided into five chapters, each of which represents ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Over the past few years, NPCIL has performed comprehensive Level-1 Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) for a 220 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) and for the first 540 MWe PHWR at Tarapur Atomic Power Project (TAPP- 3 and 4). The major objective of these PSAs was to present an integrated picture of the safety of the plant to identify and understand key plant vulnerabilities. As a result of the availability of these PSAs, there is a desire to use them to operate the plants in the most efficient manner practicable. In recent years, the operation of Indian Nuclear Power Plants has been characterized by improved availability/capacity factors and reduced forced outages. Frequency of planned outages is also being reduced. In order to achieve this, the PSAs are now being used as an engineering tool for optimization of Technical Specifications with regard to Allowed Outage Time ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Safety assessments for clearance of H-beam and valves, main radioactive metal wastes in Kori nuclear power plants, were carried out to derivate a decontamination factor for satisfying the dose limits of clearance level (Maximum individual dose: 10 {mu}Sv/y, collective dose: 1 man{center_dot}Sv/y) in Korea. Maximum individual dose and collective dose were evaluated by internal dose conversion factor which based on the concept of effective dose in ICRP publication 60. The results of maximum individual dose and collective dose is 139 {mu}Sv per year and 0.166 man{center_dot}Sv per year about H-beam, and 158 {mu}Sv per year and 0.468 man{center_dot}Sv per year about valves respectively. Demand decontamination factor satisfied with, which is respectively more than 13.9 and 15.8 for satisfying clearance level.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iodixanol is a new nonionic dimer, isotonic with blood at all clinically relevant concentrations. Iodixanol (270 mg I/ml) was compared in a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, phase-III study to the monomeric nonionic iohexol (300 mg I/ml) for evaluation of safety, tolerability and radiographic efficacy during cerebral CT. One hundred adult patients scheduled to undergo contrast-enhanced cerebral CT were randomly allocated to receive either iodixanol or iohexol. All completed the trial. Safety was evaluated by recording discomfort and other adverse events, tolerance by assessing intensity and incidence of discomfort. Radiographic efficacy was assessed from the diagnostic information and the radiographic density. No serious adverse events occurred. One patient (2 %) in the iodixanol group and one patient (2 %) in the iohexol group experienced a transient reddening at the neck and lower neck-line, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The DOE is conducting a comprehensive technical analysis of a flexible-fuel transportation system in the United States -- that is, a system that could easily switch between petroleum and another fuel, depending on price and availability. The DOE Alternative Fuels Assessment is aimed directly at questions of energy security and fuel availability, but covers a wide range of issues. This report examines environmental, health, and safety concerns associated with a switch to alternative- and flexible-fuel vehicles. Three potential alternatives to oil-based fuels in the transportation sector are considered: methanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), and electricity. The objective is to describe and discuss qualitatively potential environmental, health, and safety issues that would accompany widespread use of these three fuels. This report presents the results of exhaustive literature reviews; discussions with specialists in the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This review describes how a mismatch between the knowledge produced by scientists and the evidence demanded by regulators has emerged, and how society has struggled to find definitive answers to questions of safety, for an important flame retardant chemical in current use ? Deca-BDE. This has involved two key disciplines: analytical chemistry and toxicology. Within the chemistry, a lack of standardized methodologies among scientists has resulted in a persistent yet largely undeclared failure to replicate results within the discipline. Within the toxicology, the quest for innovative, curiosity-driven research by university scientists in preference to using validated standard protocols, designed to promote consistency within the risk assessment process, has prompted questions about the credi...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Quantitative, experimentally based assessments of the biases of the methods used to develop the neutronics design of the FTR are presented together with brief descriptions of the design methods. Uncertainties in biases have been established that are sufficiently small to allow a high degree of confidence in the nuclear design. Experimental data for these assessments have been developed in full-scale zero-power mockups of the final design of the reactor, except for Doppler data from SEFOR. Temperature, power coefficient, and stability methods evaluations are necessarily deferred to acceptance testing during initial startup of the FTR. Sodium voiding and small sample worths continue to be the technical areas of greatest complexity with least experiment-theory correlation. Critical mass, Doppler effects, control rod worth, and spatial power distribution have generally good experiment-theory correlations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The estimation of radiation dose to man from either external or internal exposure to radionuclides requires a knowledge of the energies and intensities of the atomic and nuclear radiations emitted during the radioactive decay process. The availability of evaluated decay data for the large number of radionuclides of interest is thus of fundamental importance for radiation dosimetry. This handbook contains a compilation of decay data for approximately 500 radionuclides. These data constitute an evaluated data file constructed for use in the radiological assessment activities of the Technology Assessments Section of the Health and Safety Research Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The radionuclides selected for this handbook include those occurring naturally in the environment, those of potential importance in routine or accidental releases from the nuclear fuel cycle, those of current interest in nuclear medicine and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To meet BPA`s contractual obligation to supply electrical power to its customers, BPA proposes to acquire power generated by Klickitat Cogeneration Project. BPA has prepared an environmental assessment evaluating the proposed project. Based on the EA analysis, BPA`s proposed action is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for the following reasons: (1)it will not have a significant impact land use, upland vegetation, wetlands, water quality, geology, soils, public health and safety, visual quality, historical and cultural resources, recreation and socioeconomics, and (2) impacts to fisheries, wildlife resources, air quality, and noise will be temporary, minor, or sufficiently offset by mitigation. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required and BPA is issuing this FONSI (Finding of No ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has funded major environmental technology developments over the past several years. One area that received significant attention is robotics, which has resulted in the development of a wide range of unique robotic systems tailored to the many tasks unique to the DOE complex. These systems are often used in highly hazardous environments, which reduces or eliminates worker exposures. The DOE, concurrent with the technology development initiative, also established and funded a 5-yr cooperative agreement intended to interface with the technology development community-with specific attention to the occupational safety and health aspects associated with individual technologies through human factors and hazard assessments. This program is now in its third year.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Onshore pipelines have traditionally been designed with a deterministic stress based methodology. The changing operating environment has however imposed many challenges to the pipeline industry, including heightened public awareness of risk, more challenging natural hazards and increased economic competitiveness. To meet the societal expectation of pipeline safety and enhance the competitiveness of the pipeline industry, significant efforts have been spent for the development of reliability-based design and assessment (RBDA) methodology. This paper will briefly review the technology development in the RBDA area and the focus will be on the progresses in the past years in standard development within the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) organizations. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) participated in a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission research program to investigate methods to measure the effect of management and organization on nuclear plant safety. The UCLA research team focused its efforts on understanding {open_quotes}deep technical knowledge,{close_quotes} and its relation to probabilistic risk assessment. As a result, the research team combined deep technical knowledge with a commonly used rating system for understanding the effectiveness of management and organizations.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The second international conference on containment design and operation included sessions on the following topics: performance and regulatory requirements; radionuclide behaviour; severe accident design and analysis; operation, maintenance, leaking and aging of containment systems; thermal hydraulic behaviour of containment systems; hydrogen mixing and mitigation; design methods and concepts; code validation; structural analysis and response tests; passive safety systems; aerosol behaviour; containment reliability, integrity, and risk assessment; hydrogen deflagration and detonation. Due prominence was given to CANDU and other PHWR reactors. The individual papers have been abstracted separately.

Science.gov (United States)

Acute agitation is a frequent reason for emergency psychiatric intervention. It is important to intervene early to avoid escalation of agitation to aggression. Reducing risk by using effective treatments will result in fewer instances of seclusion and restraint, and fewer injuries to staff and patients. This paper will first review the epidemiology of aggressive behavior and mental disorders, followed by a discussion of assessment and diagnostic considerations. The pathophysiology of safety risk is discussed within the context of the model of the "triune brain." Pharmacological treatment strategies for acute episodes of agitated behavior will be discussed in detail. This includes newer formulations of novel antipsychotics such as liquids and rapidly disintegrating tablets, as well as intramuscular preparations. PMID:15335224

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

17 papers are presented. Topics covered include: the POG system - a new concept in the use of ANFO; demolition of a motorway bridge; presplit and smooth blasting; VIBReX - a predictive code for assessing the effect of blast design on ground vibration; ground vibrations from blasting; digital seismographs; human response to blasting and the effects on planning conditions; landform construction by restoration blasting; use of small diameter explosives; efficient priming; safety management in the explosives industry; and the law on packaging of explosives. Two papers have been abstracted separately.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study examines the effects of blasting on waste dumps at open pit mining operations. Of specific concern were mining operations at the base of a five hundred foot high waste dump such as the operation at the South Pit of the Smoky-River Coal Ltd. property near Grande Cache, Alberta. An assessment of waste dump stability including factors such as quasi-static deformation behaviour, historical dump deformation behaviours and potential blasting effects was undertaken. It is concluded that safe blasting may be carried out in proximity to waste dumps, but monitoring of dump behaviour is recommended to ensure operational safety. 22 refs., 4 apps.

Science.gov (United States)

The dynamic response characteristics of the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) rotor are important factors governing the safety and fatigue life of VAWT systems. The principal problems are the determination of critical rotor speeds (resonances) and the assessment of forced vibration response amplitudes. The solution to these problems is complicated by centrifugal and Coriolis effects which can have substantial influence on rotor resonant frequencies and mode shapes. The primary tools now in use for rotor analysis are described and discussed. These tools include a lumped spring mass model (VAWTDYN) and also finite-element based approaches. The accuracy and completeness of current capabilities are also discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In March 2005, the United States Coast Guard requested that Sandia National Laboratories provide a technical review and evaluation of the appropriateness and completeness of models, assumptions, analyses, and risk management options presented in the Cabrillo Port LNG Deepwater Port Independent Risk Assessment-Revision 1 (Cabrillo Port IRA). The goal of Sandia's technical evaluation of the Cabrillo Port IRA was to assist the Coast Guard in ensuring that the hazards to the public and property from a potential LNG spill during transfer, storage, and regasification operations were appropriately evaluated and estimated. Sandia was asked to review and evaluate the Cabrillo Port IRA results relative to the risk and safety analysis framework developed in the recent Sandia report, ''Guidance on Risk Analysis and Safety Implications of a Large Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Spill over ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To estimate the success criteria of an operator's action time for a probabilistic safety/risk assessment (PSA/PRA) of a nuclear power plant, the information from a safety analysis report (SAR) and/or that by using a simplified simulation code such as the MAAP code has been used in a conventional PSA. However, the information from these is often too conservative to perform a realistic PSA for a risk-informed application. To reduce the undue conservatism, the use of a best-estimate thermal hydraulic code has become an essential issue in the latest PSA and it is now recognized as a suitable tool. In the same context, the 'ASME PRA standard' also recommends the use of a best-estimate code to improve the quality of a PSA. In Korea, a platform to use a best-estimate thermal hydraulic code called the MARS code has been developed for the PSA of the Korea standard nuclear power plant (KSNP). This study has ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Department of Energy is investigating Yucca Mountain, Nevada as a potential site for commercial radioactive waste disposal in a mined geologic repository. One critical aspect of site suitability is the tectonic stability of the repository site. The levels of risk from both actual fault displacements in the repository block and ground shaking from nearby earthquakes are being examined. In particular, it is necessary to determine the expected level of ground shaking at the repository depth for large seismic sources such as nearby large earthquakes or underground nuclear explosions (UNEs). Earthquakes are expected to cause the largest ground motions at the site, however, only underground nuclear explosion data have been obtained at the repository depth level (about 350m below the ground level) to date. In this study we investigate ground motion from Nevada Test Site underground nuclear explosions recorded at Yucca Mountain ...

Science.gov (United States)

In order to understand not only the mechanisms of earthquakes, but also the origin of diverse behavior of faults and plate boundaries, one must integrate (1) field studies on faults to understand deep intrafault processes, (2) laboratory work to reproduce those processes and determine mechanical and transport properties of fault zones, (3) theoretical and numerical studies analyzing fault motion, including earthquake generation processes, based on the constitutive properties determined by laboratory studies, and (4) seismological and geodetic studies revealing dynamic fault motion during earthquakes and diverse aseismic fault behavior. Ideally, such integrated studies should be carried out for a selected fault that produced an earthquake with good seismic/geodetic records so the prediction from (1) to (3) can be fully tested with (4), rather than selecting favorite data in the literature. Present ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Methodology based on probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) is finding increasing acceptability in demonstrating safety of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) piping. In PFM, the methods of fracture mechanics and reliability theory are combined for assessing the reliability of components, which contain cracks. In this work, reliability assessment of Tarapur Atomic Power Plant (TAPP) 3-4 Primary Heat Transport (PHT) piping is done using PFM. Monte Carlo simulation with stratified sampling is used as a variance reduction technique. PFM model assumes a pre-existing circumferential surface crack before the start of plant operation. The crack grows in size during the lifetime of the plant due to the fatigue loading. This part-through wall crack having escaped hydro-test and pre-service inspection, may result in either a through wall flaw (leak) or may lead to the rupture of the piping. R6 method is used as failure criteria. Steam ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objective of this report was to evaluate four possible alternative methods of preparing and packaging spent fuel assemblies for geologic disposal against the Reference Process of unmodified spent fuel. The four alternative processes were: (1) End fitting removal, (2) Fission gas venting and resealing, (3) Fuel bundle disassembly and close packing of fuel pins, and (4) Fuel shearing and immobilization. Systems analysis was used to develop a basis of comparison of the alternatives. Conceptual processes and facility layouts were devised for each of the alternatives, based on technology deemed feasible for the purpose. Assessments were made of 15 principal attributes from the technical, operational, safety/risk, and economic considerations related to each of the alternatives, including both the surface packaging and underground repository operations. Specific attributes of the alternative processes were evaluated by assigning a number for each ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of computer program NetMoment (Appendix I) is to utilize fundamental knowledge of earthquake sources, propagation attenuation, and site response in a simultaneous inversion of network data to determine the moment and source corner frequency of earthquakes, and site specific t*. The source parameters are especially difficult to determine for small earthquakes. A fundamental problem in determining the source corner frequencies of small earthquakes is that site response can result in spectral corner frequencies in the range that may be expected from the earthquakes themselves. Several authors have identified this as fmax (Hanks, 1982), a constant corner frequency for small events so that below threshold moment (about 1.0 x 10{sup 21} dyne-cm) the corner frequency remains constant the size of events diminishes. Hutchings and Wu (1990) found that for the southern California ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The verification of the subcriticality is of utmost importance for the safe transportation and storage of nuclear reactor fuels. Transportation containers and storage facilities are designed such that nuclear fuels remain in a subcritical state. Such designs often involve excess conservatism because of the lack of relevant experimental data to verify the accuracy of Monte Carlo codes used in nuclear criticality safety analyses. A joint experimental research program between Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Westinghouse Safety Management Solutions, Inc., and the University of Missouri was initiated to obtain measured quantities that could be directly related to the subcriticality of simple arrays of Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR) fuel elements. A series of measurement were performed to assess the reactivity of materials such as BORAL, stainless steel, aluminum, and lead that are typically used in the construction ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The procedure was developed to enable STUK (Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) to make simplified estimates on off-site consequences based on the existing results of the PSA level 2 calculations done by e.g. power utilities. Method is based on dose calculated from each nuclide group of reactor activity inventory when the same release fraction for each group is assumed. This means that a specific new result from PSA level 2 can be categorised to find out a representative PSA level 3 result for this case. In addition a user interface including the procedure was prepared. Secondly some new insights about consequences based on the releases from PSA level 2 is expected to give better understanding of risks at prevailing increased reactor power levels. In this case only some early health effects and long-term doses were estimated without full-scope PSA level 3 approach. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The staff of the Spent Fuel Project Office at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission undertook the investigation and thermal analysis of the Baltimore tunnel fire event. This event occurred in the Howard Street tunnel, in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 18, 2001. The staff was tasked with assessing the consequences of this event on the transportation of spent nuclear fuel. This paper describes the staff's coordination with the following government and laboratory organizations: the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to determine the details of the train derailment and fire; the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to quantify the thermal conditions within the tunnel; the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analysis (CNWRA), to validate the NIST evaluations, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), to assist in the thermal analysis. The results of the staff's review and analysis efforts are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Safety and environmental assessments have been made of conceptual fusion power plant designs employing silicon carbide composites (SiC/SiC) as the first wall and blanket structure material. These have used similar analysis methods to earlier studies of designs based on vanadium alloy or low-activation martensitic steel, allowing direct comparisons. The very low short-term activation of silicon carbide results in an almost insignificant level of decay heat in postulated loss of coolant accidents, and a lower {gamma}-dose rate on the timescale of relevance to handling for maintenance operations. However on the longer time-scale, of interest in possible recycling operations, decommissioning and waste management, SiC/SiC appears to perform no better than vanadium alloy or low-activation martensitic steel, due in part to the activation of impurities in a realistic composition. Furthermore, its increased neutron transparency may result in higher ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The specific objectives of the work were defined by the Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) as follows: (1) assess the stability of panel 1 during the proposed operation of waste emplacement; (2) estimate the amount of time before room closure would be expected to transfer rock loads to the waste packages. The work consisted of (1) an analysis of geotechnical data and a review of the Department of Energy`s (DOE) plans for waste emplacement in panel 1, (2) an evaluation of ground conditions based on data analysis and observations of changes in ground conditions since the first evaluation in 1993 (USBM 1993), and (3) preparation of a report and presentation of the results to EEG staff. Excluded from this study are radiological safety issues and policies. The study is based on data provided by DOE and Westinghouse Electric Corporation (operator of the site) and conversations with DOE and Westinghouse personnel. MTI cannot independently verify the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To address the potential threat that suspect/counterfeit parts could pose to DOE workers and the public, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oversight initiated a number of activities beginning in mid-1995. Oversight placed increased emphasis on the field`s quality assurance-suspect/counterfeit parts programs during safety management evaluations, in keeping with the Office of Environment, Safety and Health (EH) oversight responsibilities, which include oversight of the Department`s quality assurance (QA) programs. In addition, Oversight reviewed relevant policy documents and occurrence reports to determine the nature and magnitude of the problem within the Department. The results of that review, contained in an Office of Oversight report, Independent Oversight Analysis of Suspect/Counterfeit Parts Within the Department of Energy (November 1995), indicate a lack of consistency and comprehensiveness in the Department`s ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Safety standards for exposure to radiofrequency radiation must be based upon biologic consequences of exposure to such environments. Behavioral-based measures are considered to be the most-sensitive indices of biological effects. Current safety guidelines are based upon average power density and may not be relevant to the high-peak-power, short pulse width microwave radiation produced by newly developed high peak power microwave sources. The effects of exposure to high-peak-power radiation on reflexive responding and motor function in Fischer 344/N rats were assessed by measuring startle and general activity, and disruption of on-going performance of a rotarod task, respectively. The emitter used was the TEMPO repeat pulse axially extracted vircator. Exposure to single pulses resulted in significant startle responses. Exposure to 1 pps for 10 s produced significant alterations in baseline activity and marked disruption of ...

Science.gov (United States)

This double-blind, multicenter, randomized placebo-controlled study evaluated the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of nebivolol, a selective beta1-adrenoreceptor blocker with vasodilating effects, in patients with mild to moderate hypertension (sitting diastolic blood pressure [SiDBP] > or =95 mm Hg and < or =109 mm Hg). A total of 909 patients were randomized to receive placebo or nebivolol 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg once daily for up to 84 days. The primary end point was the change in trough SiDBP from baseline to study end. Nebivolol significantly reduced trough SiDBP (8.0-11.2 mm Hg compared with 2.9 mm Hg with placebo; P<.001) and trough sitting systolic blood pressure (a 4.4-9.5-mm Hg decrease compared with a 2.2-mm Hg increase [corrected] with placebo; P< or =.002). The overall adverse event experience was similar in the nebivolol (46.1%) and placebo (40.7%) groups (P=.273). Once-daily nebivolol is an effective antihypertensive in mild to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes a risk based approach and inspection planning as part of the Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) system for the 95.5 km long 18'' GASVOL gas pipeline in the South eastern region of Brazil transporting circa 5 000 000 m3 dry gas per day. Pipeline systems can be subject to several degradation mechanisms and inspection and monitoring are used to ensure system integrity. Modern pipeline regulations and codes are normally based on a core safety or risk philosophy. The detailed design requirements presented in design codes are practical interpretations established so as to fulfill these core objectives. A given pipeline, designed, constructed and installed according to a pipeline code is therefore the realization of a structure, which, along its whole length, meets the applicable safety objectives of that code. The main objective of Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) is to control and document the integrity of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Safety in general and harmonization of International Maritime Organization rules on mobile offshore drilling rig operation in particular are discussed. The improvement of the industry's safety record is also discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An internal flooding (IF) risk assessment refers to the quantitative probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) treatment of flooding as a result of pipe and tank breaks inside the plants, as well as from other recognized flood sources. The industry consensus standard for Internal Events Probabilistic Risk Assessment (ASME-RA-Sb-2005) includes high-level and supporting technical requirements for developing internal flooding probabilistic risk assessment (IFPRA). This industry standard is endorsed in Regulatory Guide 1.200, Revision 1 as an acceptable approach for addressing the risk contribution from IF events for risk informed applications that require U.S. Nuclear Regulatory commission (NRC) approval. In 2006, EPRI published a draft report for IFPRA that addresses the requirements of the ASME PRA consensus standard and have made efforts to refine and update the final EPRI IFPRA ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective: There are few safe and effective biological treatments for major depression in adolescents. We aimed to report the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for adolescents with this condition. Methods: The first two subjects in a double-blind, sham-controlled trial of rTMS that is evaluating the efficacy and safety of rTMS in depressed adolescents are described. Clinical response was assessed at baseline and at the end of each week. The following scales were used: Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression - Child Scale. A battery of cognitive tests was also used at several intervals to measure potential change in neuropsycholo...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The solubility of Sn(IV) oxide was determined in a dilute NaClO{sub 4} solution with pH 2 through 12 at ambient temperature. Both oversaturation and undersaturation experiments were carried out in an inert gas glovebox where the concentration of the oxygen and carbon dioxide were less than 1 ppm. The solubility of Sn(IV) oxide was 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}8} mol/l at neutral pH, and increased at pH > 7.5. Equilibrium constants of soluble reactions were calculated from the experimental data, using curve fitting method. The study suggests that the solubility of Sn(IV) oxide would be higher than that provisionally used in current safety assessments of HLW disposal sites.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose The laparoscopic surgical approach to unilateral intra-abdominal testis has replaced the open approach at several large centers. There is considerable literature on experience with unilateral intra-abdominal testes but little on the management of bilateral intra-abdominal testes. We assessed the feasibility and safety of performing single setting bilateral laparoscopic orchiopexy in boys with bilateral intra-abdominal testes. Materials and Methods A single surgeon experience was reviewed. The surgical technique was similar in all cases and on each side, including infra-umbilical access, diagnostic evaluation, peritoneal mobilization lateral to the spermatic vessels and inferior to the vas deferens, gubernacular transection, and a decision for or against a Fowler-Stephens procedure ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the field of Living Probabilistic Safety Assessment (LPSA) the reliability data updating is an important factor. In risk analysis equipment failure data is needed to estimate the frequencies of events contributing to risk posed by a facility. Five years data of emergency diesel generator (EDG) of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been studied in this paper. The data updating process has been done by using two methods, i.e., the classical method and Bayesian method. The aim of using these methods is to calculate the operational failure rate (@l) and demand failure probability (p). The results show that the operational failure rate is 1.7E-3 per hour and the demand failure probability is 2.4E-2 demand per day for Daya Bay NPP. By comparing the results obtain from classical and Bayesi...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Level 1 and 2 probabilistic safety assessments (PSAs) for both internal and external events are being performed to meet one of the conditions for a construction permit for Wolsong units 2, 3, and 4 in Korea. These units are CANDU-6 Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), and the study is the first comprehensive level 1 and 2 PSAs for CANDU type plants in the world. The detailed PSA includes and extensive fault tree, event tree analysis, human reliability analysis, and common cause failure analysis. Event trees have been developed for 35 internal initiating event groups. The preliminary results show that the total core damage frequency for Wolsong units 2, 3, and 4 each is similar to that for a typical PWR plant. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

Mine rescue teams frequently must fight fires and guard against the propagation of fires or explosions during a rescue and recovery operation. The team's ability to fight fires depends a great deal on hands-on experience with different fire fighting agents and equipment. The team's work includes an assessment of fire conditions, mine fire gases and other potential hazards associated with fire fighting activity. This training module covers the underlying principles of the fire triangle and the different methods for controlling, containing and extinguishing fires in a mine. The manual also covers fire-fighting equipment, considerations involved in a sealing operation and the cause-effect of explosions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This article describes the project for the installation of an additional emergency diesel generator in both Asco and Vandellos NPPs. The basic objectives of this project are to improve the availability of the emergency generation system, in order to provide greater ability to address potential contingencies, and also to increase the flexibility of the preventive periodic maintenance of the emergency diesel generators. This maintenance, that is currently a milestone of the critical path of the refueling outage, will be performed on-line. The new diesel generator will be sized to support all the loads considered in the safety case and also the consumption of its own auxiliary systems, and will be tested for operability assessment on the same periodical basis than the existing ones. The solution adopted will also permit that the N diesel generator may be connected to any bus bar class 1E in a station black-out scenario. (Author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An analysis system for the long-term mechanical behavior of barrier materials (MACBECE: Mechanical Analysis system considering Chemical transitions of BEntonite-based and CEment-based materials) was developed in order to improve the reliability of the evaluation of the hydraulic field which is one of the important environmental conditions in the safety assessment of the TRU waste disposal. MACBECE is the system that calculates the deformation of barrier materials using their chemical property changes as inputs, and subsequently calculates their hydraulic conductivity taking both their chemical property changes and deformation into consideration. By using MACBECE, the long-term deformation and the transition of hydraulic field for the round-type disposal cavities were evaluated, assuming some sets of chemical evolution data as input. Based on the analysis result, it is considered that the influence of the long-term deformation of the barrier ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The dynamic response characteristics of the VAWT rotor are important factors governing the safety and fatique life of VAWT systems. The principal problems are the determination of critical rotor speeds (resonances) and the assessment of forced vibration response amplitudes. The solution to these problems is complicated by centrifugal and Coriolis effects which can have substantial influence on rotor resonant frequencies and mode shapes. This paper will describe and discuss the primary tools now in use at Sandia National Laboratories for rotor analysis. These tools include a lumped spring-mass model (VAWTDYN) and also finite-element based approaches. The discussion will center on the accuracy and completeness of current capabilities and plans for future research. As this paper is meant primarily to provide an overview, much of the detail is omitted and will be presented in a follow-on report.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An assessment is made of the biological effects and physical hazards of static and time-varying fields associated with the NMR devices that are being used for clinical imaging and in vivo spectroscopy. A summary is given of the current state of knowledge concerning the mechanisms of interaction and the bioeffects of these fields. Additional topics that are discussed include: (1) physical effects on pacemakers and metallic implants such as aneurysm clips, (2) human health studies related to the effects of exposure to nonionizing electromagnetic radiation, and (3) extant guidelines for limiting exposure of patients and medical personnel to the fields produced by NMR devices. On the basis of information available at the present time, it is concluded that the fields associated with the current generation of NMR devices do not pose a significant health risk in themselves. However, rigorous guidelines must be followed to avoid the physical interaction of these fields ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Probabilistic risk assessment is a technique used to systematically analyze complex technical systems, such as nuclear waste management facilities, in order to identify and measure their public health, environmental, and economic risks. Probabilistic techniques have been utilized at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico, to evaluate the probability of a catastrophic waste hoist accident. A probability model was developed to represent the hoisting system, and fault trees were constructed to identify potential sequences of events that could result in a hoist accident. Quantification of the fault trees using statistics compiled by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) indicated that the annual probability of a catastrophic hoist accident at WIPP is less than one in 60 million. This result allowed classification of a catastrophic hoist accident as ''not credible'' at WIPP per DOE definition. Potential uses of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An overview of BC Hydro`s review of its overhead transmission system to withstand earthquakes and its program of seismic upgrading, including the upgrading of tower pile foundations in liquefiable soils, was presented. BC Hydro`s system, geologic environment, seismic design criteria, investigations and analysis, treatment and alternatives and a case history of a seismic upgrade of a tall river crossing tower at the Pitt River in the Lower Mainland of B.C. were summarized. It was concluded that the inherent strength of towers, conductors, fittings and insulators was sufficient to withstand earthquakes. The towers most susceptible to slope and soil failure due to seismic activity were tall river crossing towers. It was suggested that soils investigations, seismicity, ground response, liquefaction and stability analyses be carried out at each site. The results of these tests would help to establish system seismic design criteria at each location. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Landslides on ancient embankments, burial mounds of Imashiro-zuka and Nishimotome-zuka, induced by historical earthquakes related to the tectonic movement of active fault systems located between northern Osaka and Kobe, are discussed. The geological conditions of the foundation of the mounds, the lithology, stiffness, and the position of the mound relative to the fault systems, contributed to the collapse of the mounds. Obvious interior structures of landslides revealed the inherent deformation process, and provided significant insight into landslide mechanisms. Rapid increasing pore water pressure was necessary to facilitate sliding along the almost horizontal slip surfaces developed in the main part of the landslide bodies on the Imashiro-zuka mound. Liquefaction analysis using both the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shut-off rod drive mechanism forms a safety critical system of a nuclear reactor. It is the space constraints for the given reactor layout, which makes design of shut-off rod drive mechanism (SRDM) a custom built design. Design of SRDM adopts fail-safe, replaceability and the simplicity criterion ensuring very high reliability of its operation. Shut-off rod drive mechanism for TAPP-3 and 4 and 'Critical Facility' have been recently designed and developed at Division of Remote Handling and Robotics (DRHR), BARC. These are designed with a number of advanced features and these are significantly different than those used in Dhruva and 220 MWe PHWRs. Design of SRDM is qualified through proto typing and life cycle testing on a full-scale test set-up. This paper gives details of qualification and life cycle test data for prototype SRDM for TAPP-3 and 4 and 'Critical Facility' and reliability assessment. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

2,2,5,7,8-Pentamethyl-6-chromanol (PMCol) was administered by gavage in rats for 28 days at dose levels of 0, 100, 500, and 2000mg/kg/day. PMCol administration induced decreases in body weight gains and food consumption, hepatotoxicity (increased TBILI, ALB, ALT, TP; increased relative liver weights; increased T4 and TSH), nephrotoxicity (increased BUN and BUN/CREAT, histopathology lesions), effect on lipid metabolism (increased CHOL), anemia, increase in WBC counts (total and differential), coagulation (FBGNand PTdarr) and hyperkeratosis of the nonglandular stomach in the 2000mg/kg/day dose group (in one or both sexes). In the 500mg/kg/day dose group, toxicity was seen to a lesser extent. In the 100mg/kg/day dose group, only increased CHOL (females) was observed. To assess the toxicity of...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The integrity of the cables located in the target room is very important in the Fire PSA, because the CDF and CCDP are changed according to the results of a cable integrity that depends on the surrounding gas temperature. The conservative assumptions used in the Fire PSA typically specify that all of the equipment and cables of a room would fail when a fire happens in the room. But the realistic assessment of a fire risk by using a fire simulation tool has become necessary in the Fire PSA as described in the ANS Fire PRA Standard. This paper evaluates the cable integrity of eight pump rooms in the nuclear power plant by using the CFAST zone fire model. The upper layer gas temperature of each room is estimated, and an analysis based on the results of model simulations is used to judge the cable integrity. According to the analysis results, the integrity of the cable located in the upper layer in the pump rooms is maintained without any thermal damage, and the CCDP ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The real-time dose assessment system under development has been updated and the technology for tracer experiment has been established. The calculation of external gamma dose is the most difficult and time-consuming part of the dose calculations. The characteristics of external gamma exposure have been investigated and the method for reducing the calculation time has been devised. The internal exposure via the ingestion of the contaminated foodstuffs is one of the important pathways to the total radiological exposure. In the emergency, it is necessary to take an action such like food ban to protect the internal exposure. An algorithm for the interface between the real-time system and the food chain model has been provided. The second field tracer experiment over flat terrain has been carried out on a plain in Iksan city in Junrabook-Do. Sequential tracer sampler which can be sampled the tracer gas over arbitrary 12 time interval has been designed and manufactured. ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

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PMID:19955450

Science.gov (United States)

Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Accessible menu--Sitemap Driving Safety Aggressive Driving Bicycles Child Safety...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management is the first legal instrument to directly address the safety of spent fuel and radioactive waste management on a global scale. The Joint Convention entered into force in 2001. This paper describes its process and its main achievements to date. The perspectives to establish of a Global Waste Safety Regime based on the Joint Convention are also discussed. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During the last years one focus of German PWR safety analysis was boron dilution events with the potential of reactivity transients. Coolant with a low boron concentration could be collected in localized areas of the reactor coolant system e.g. by separation of borated reactor coolant into highly concentrated and diluted fractions (inherent dilution) which can occur during reflux- condenser heat transfer after a small break loss of coolant accident with a limited availability of the emergency core cooling systems. The TUeV NORD SysTec was charged by German supervisory authorities with the assessment of the safety analyses of boron dilution events presented by the utilities. These analyses are based on the simulation of boron dilution and transport processes in conjunction with a number of dedicated experiments. The analyses shall demonstrate that boron dilution events cannot lead to recriticality of the core. Hence the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of the New Mexico Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) is to conduct an independent technical evaluation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Project to ensure the protection of the public health and safety and the environment. The WIPP Project, located in southeastern New Mexico, is being constructed as a repository for the disposal of transuranic (TRU) radioactive wastes generated by the national defense programs. The EEG was established in 1978 with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to the State of New Mexico. Public Law 100-456, the National Defense Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989, Section 1433, assigned EEG to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and continued the original contract DE-AC04-79AL10752 through DOE contract DE-AC04-89AL58309. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, Public Law 103-160, continues the authorization. EEG performs independent technical analyses of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As part of the work scope set in the French law on high level long lived waste R&D passed in 1991, CEA is conducting a research program to establish the scientific basis and assess the feasibility of long term storage as an option for the safe management of nuclear waste for periods as long as centuries. This goal is a significant departure from the current industrial practice where storage facilities are usually built to last only a few decades. From a technical viewpoint such an extension in time seems feasible provided care and maintenance is exercised. Considering such long periods of time, the risk for Society of loosing oversight and control of such a facility is real, which triggers the question of whether and how long term storage safety can be actually achieved. Therefore CEA commissioned a study (1) in which MUTADIS Consultants (2) and CEPN (3) were both involved. The case study looks into several past and actual human ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Nuclear Renaissance is stumbling at the very same time it should speed up in order to help control the climate change and meet a fast growing energy need in a large part of the world. Rising costs of projects, uncertainties about their completion, rocketing safety requirements, and financial constraints are key factors which slow down the Nuclear Renaissance. Furthermore, the legal infrastructure required from any country to enter a commercial nuclear programme (safety authorities, fuel cycle, and waste disposal) is a major hurdle s which impedes consideration for small to mid size reactors, well suited for many countries. The paper prepared and presented by Alain Bugat (Chairman of NucAdvisor and former Head of the French Atomic Energy Commission), Dominique Vignon (CEO of NucAdvisor and former President and CEO of AREVA NP) and Michel Lecomte (Co-founder NucAdvisor) reviews the present status of the Nuclear Renaissance. Based on an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Plant Life Assessment Network (PLAN) is a Brite Euram Type II Thematic Network, initiated by the European Commission to facilitate structured co-operation between all cost shared action projects already funded by the Commission which fall under this common technical theme. The projects involved address a multiplicity of problems associated with plant life assessment and are drawn from Brite-Euram, Standards, Measurement and Testing, Nuclear Fission Safety and Esprit EC programmes. The main aim of the Network is to initiate, maintain and monitor a fruitful co-operation process between completed, ongoing and future EC R and D projects, thereby promoting improved cross fertilization and enhanced industrial exploitation of R and D results. As the project is in its infancy, this presentation covers the background to the initiative in some detail. In particular two key aspects are highlighted, namely, the requirement of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear Fuel Plant (FCN) is a facility that produces fuel bundles of CANDU-6 type for the CANDU nuclear power plant. Only natural and depleted uranium in bulk and itemized form are present as nuclear materials in this facility. Uranium and wastes from the plant are handled, processed, treated and stored throughout the entire facility. The nuclear materials with natural and depleted uranium are entirely under nuclear safeguards. The amount of uranium present in the plant in different forms and activities together with zircaloy, beryllium and other hazardous substances, wastes, explosive materials at high temperatures, etc. lead to special measures undertaken by Nuclear Safety Department (DNS) to ensure nuclear safety. Different aspects of safety are continuously monitored in the plant: operational safety, industrial safety, radiological safety, labour ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report documents the results of the routine environmental audit of the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12 Plant), Anderson County, Tennessee. During this audit, the activities conducted by the audit team included reviews of internal documents and reports from previous audits and assessments; interviews with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), State of Tennessee regulatory, and contractor personnel; and inspections and observations of selected facilities and operations. The onsite portion of the audit was conducted August 22-September 2, 1994, by the DOE Office of Environmental Audit (EH-24), located within the Office of Environment, Safety and Health (EH). DOE 5482.1 B, {open_quotes}Environment, Safety, and Health Appraisal Program,{close_quotes} establishes the mission of EH-24 to provide comprehensive, independent oversight of DOE environmental programs on behalf of the Secretary of Energy. The ultimate goal of EH-24 is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Laser safety standards and eye protection (filters) are designed to limit ocular exposures to prevent retinal lesions, yet eyesafe laser exposures can disrupt vision by causing glare and flashblindness. Protective filters can have opposing effects on vision function. They reduce laser exposures but also reduce task luminance and contrast. Filters alone may interfere with vision and consequently reduce work safety and performance. It is therefore important to be able to predict the effects of both laser exposures and protective filters to assess trade-offs between protection and visual function. This paper briefly reviews the methods, concepts, and experimental database used in our laboratory to predict laser, filter, and laser-plus-filter effects on tasks involving visual detection. The modeling approach uses estimates of the spatial distribution of light in the retinal image of the laser source to predict glare, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the safety assessment of a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal system, it is required to estimate radiological impacts on future human beings arising from potential radionuclide releases from a deep repository into the surface environment. In order to estimate the impacts, a biosphere model is developed by reasonably assuming radionuclide migration processes in the surface environment and relevant human lifestyles. Releases from the repository might not occur for many thousands of years after disposal. Over such timescales, it is anticipated that the considerable climatic change, for example, induced by the next glaciation period expected to occur in around ten thousand years from now, will have a significant influence on the near surface environment and associated human lifestyles. In case of taking these evolution effects into account in modeling, it is reasonable to develop several alternative models on biosphere evolution systems ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radon concentration measurement in the ground can be used for the prospecting for uranium and earthquake prediction. Some results of radon concentration measurement in the soil are presented here. The moisture condensation at the detector surface can affect on the detection efficiency. Due to this problem we tested a few filter papers on water permeability. The ratio of track densities on solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) in the open and the closed diffusion chamber is also determined. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF) to be realized in Padoa will test the Neutral Beam Injection (NBI), one of the Heating and Current Drive Systems foreseen for ITER. The NBI is based on the acceleration of hydrogen or deuterium negative ions up to 1 MeV. This work has been aimed at assessing the tritium release from the NBTF in order to provide data for the safety analysis. In particular, the diffusion of the tritium through the neutral beam target material (the CuCrZr alloy calorimeter panels) has been assessed by using literature data of the diffusion coefficient. The tritium generated inside the calorimeter panels moves into both the vacuum and water side: the tritium diffusion flux has been evaluated during the beam-on (200 deg. C) and the beam-off (20 deg. C) phases of the NBTF experiments consisting of an interim campaign and a final test. The penetration depth of the tritium through the 2 mm thick CuCrZr alloy ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Safety indicators play a role in providing information on organizational performance, motivating people to work on safety and increasing organizational potential for safety. The aim of this report is to provide an overview on leading safety indicators in the domain of nuclear safety. The report explains the distinction between lead and lag indicators and proposes a framework of three types of safety performance indicators - feedback, monitor and drive indicators. Finally the report provides guidance for nuclear energy organizations for selecting and interpreting safety indicators. It proposes the use of safety culture as a leading safety performance indicator and offers an example list of potential indicators in all three categories. The report concludes that monitor and drive indicators are so ...

Science.gov (United States)

... LIGHT INFANTRY DIVISION ASSESSMENT LOl 0 BY ... TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED LIGHT INFANTRY DIVISION ASSESSMENT ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This report is the user's manual of seismic system reliability analysis code SECOM2 (Seismic Core Melt Frequency Evaluation Code Ver.2) developed at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute for systems reliability analysis, which is one of the tasks of seismic probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) of nuclear power plants (NPPs). The SECOM2 code has many functions such as: Calculation of component failure probabilities based on the response factor method, Extraction of minimal cut sets (MCSs), Calculation of conditional system failure probabilities for given seismic motion levels at the site of an NPP, Calculation of accident sequence frequencies and the core damage frequency (CDF) with use of the seismic hazard curve, Importance analysis using various indicators, Uncertainty analysis, Calculation of the CDF taking into account the effect of the correlations of responses and capacities of components, and Efficient sensitivity analysis by ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An assessment of the cooling requirements for fusion reactor components, such as the first wall and limiter/divertor, was carried out using pressurized water as the coolant. In order to establish the coolant operating conditions, a survey of the literature on departure from nucleate boiling, critical heat flux, asymmetrical heating and heat transfer augmentation techniques was carried out. The experimental data and the empirical correlations indicate that thermal protection for the fusion reactor components based on current design concepts can be provided with an adequate margin of safety without resorting to either high coolant velocities, excessive coolant pressures, or heat transfer augmentation techniques. If, however, the future designs require heat transfer enhancement techniques, experimental verification would be necessary since no data on heat transfer augmentation techniques exist for complex geometries, especially under ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An assessment of the cooling requirements for fusion reactor components, such as the first wall and limiter/divertor, was carried out using pressurized water as the coolant. In order to establish the coolant operating conditions, a survey of the literature on departure from nucleate boiling, critical heat flux, asymmetrical heating and heat transfer augmentation techniques was carried out. The experimental data and the empirical correlations indicate that thermal protection for the fusion reactor components based on conventional design concepts can be provided with an adequate margin of safety without resorting to either high coolant velocities, excessive coolant pressures, or heat transfer augmentation techniques. If, however, the future designs require unconventional shapes or heat transfer enhancement techniques, experimental verification would be necessary since no data on heat transfer augmentation techniques exist for complex geometries, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The main goal of this paper is to present a methodology for calculating the radioactivity in the moderator and heat transport systems of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1, with the intention to improve the knowledge on the radionuclides inventories in the operational waste streams, and to aid the licensing process of new near surface repository. In the present paper we describe our methodology for estimating H-3 and C-14 production rates in the heavy-water moderator and heat transport systems using the capacity factors from 1997 to 2007 years. The radioactivity of the difficult-to-measure nuclides is predicted by scaling method using measured concentration in reference CANDU 6 reactor Gentilly-2. The difficult-to-measure radionuclides of primary interest in this study were those with long half-lives which have a significant role for post-closure safety assessment. The equation used to scale fission products (parents and daughters) is based on the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

There are several radioactive source terms in nuclear power plant's design and construction. The radioactivity source in systems and components is derived from the reactor coolant activity and provide the parameters used to determine secondary system equilibrium activities and annually releasing amounts to environment. The reactor coolant activity standard(ANSI-Nl8.l) had been periodically revised. In Korea, the utility should do the PSR for NPP's. The objective of PSR is to determine by means of a comprehensive assessment of an existing nuclear power plant to what extent the plant meets current internationally accepted safety standards and practices. So, Kori 3 NPP's reactor coolant activity is reviewing with the anticipated source terms. The comparative results of RCS average activity is lower one fifth (1/5) #approx# one tenth(1/10) than ANSI/ANS N18.1-1999.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The PuO/sub 2/ cask or SP 5320-2 and 3 cask is designed for surface shipment of americium or plutonium. The cask design was physically tested to demonstrate that it met the criteria specified in US ERDA Manual Chapter 0529, and Chapter I, Interstate Commerce Commission. The package has been assessed for transport of up to 357 grams of plutonium (403 grams PuO/sub 2/ powder) and up to 176 grams of americium (200 grams AmO/sub 2/ powder), having a maximum decay heat of 203 watts. Criticality evaluation alone would allow the shipment as Fissile Class II but the radiation level of the cask, measured at the time of shipment, may exceed 50 mrem/h at the surface and require shipment as Fissile Class III. Sample calculations address only the more restrictive of the two materials, which in most cases is /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The seismic analysis of nuclear island of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was just in accordance with the approaches in RCC-G standard for the model M310 in France, in which the simplified impedance matrix method was employed for the consideration of soil's function. In this paper the more sophisticated 3D half-space continuum impedance method based on the Green functions is used to analyze the function of soil. In addition, multi-group of input time histories was used in the seismic response analysis in the existing design and their average of responses for each group was taken as the design basis. The same multi-group of input time histories was used in the seismic response analysis in this study, but the average and enveloped value of responses for each case are calculated respectively to account for the uncertainty of input motions. Focused on the above two issues, the seismic responses of the reactor building are calculated and the floor response spectra (FRS), a very important ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Building 922 houses all of SNL/California`s ES and H Departments: Health Protection, Environmental Protection, Safety, and Environmental Operations. It covers approximately 10,000 square feet and houses about 80 people. The office personnel generate nonhazardous solid office wastes in their daily activities. To determine the types and amounts of waste generated, a special PPOA sorting team sorted all of the trash collected from the building for a period of one-week (including paper and aluminum cans in the recycling bins). The team sorted the trash into major categories: paper, plastic, metals, glass, wet garbage, rest room waste, and miscellaneous materials. They then sorted it into subcategories within each major category. Rest room waste was collected but not sorted. The waste in each category was weighed separately. The total amount of trash collected during the week was approximately 168.8 kg (371.4 lbs). The results of this PPOA indicate that SNL/California ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Under Federal law, the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for safe disposal of Greater-Than-Class C Low-Level Waste (GTCC LLW) generated by licenses of the Nuclear Regulatory commission (NRC) or Agreement States. Such waste must be disposed of in a facility licensed by the NRC. It is unlikely that licensed disposal of GTCC LLW will be available prior to the year 2010. Pending availability of disposal capacity, DOE is assessing the need for collective, long-term storage of GTCC LLW. Potential risks to public health and safety caused by long-term storage of GTCC LLW at the place of generation will be evaluated to determine if alternative facilities are warranted. If warranted, several options will be investigated to determine the preferred alternative for long-term storage. These options include modification of an existing DOE facility, development of a new DOE facility, or development of a facility by the private sector with or without ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Throughout most of the 1980s, both private organizations and government agencies were concerned about the availability of an adequate supply of qualified nuclear engineers. This concern was primarily the result of a number of nuclear engineering academic programs being eliminated coupled with a continuous decline in graduate and undergraduate enrollments and degrees. By the early 1990s, the number of degrees and available supply had declined to new lows, but cutbacks in funding for the nuclear weapons program and nuclear energy R&D, and in hiring by the electric utility industry, offset in large measure the declining supply. Recently, concerns about environment and waste management and about nuclear safety have again generated questions about the adequacy of supply of qualified personnel for nuclear energy activities. This report briefly examines the nuclear engineering labor market. Trends in employment, new graduates, job openings, and salaries are reviewed ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes the activities for improving the Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) quality in the human reliability analysis (HRA) of the pre-accident human errors for the Korea Standard Nuclear Power Plant (KSNP). We evaluate the HRA results of the PSA for the KSNP and identify the items to be improved using the ASME PRA Standard. Evaluation results show that the ratio of items to be improved for pre-accident human errors is relatively high when compared with the ratio of those for post-accident human errors. They also show that more than 50% of the items to be improved for pre-accident human errors are related to the identification and screening analysis for them. In this paper, we develop the modeling guidelines for pre-accident human errors and apply them to the auxiliary feedwater system of the KSNP. Application results show that more than 50% of the items to be improved for the pre-accident human errors of the auxiliary feedwater ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the RIR (Risk-informed Regulation), PSA (Probabilistic Safety Assessment) plays a major role because it provides overall risk insights for the regulatory body and utility. Therefore, the scope, the level of details and the technical adequacy of PSA, i.e. the quality of PSA is to be ensured for the successful RIR. To improve the quality of Korean PSA, we evaluate the quality of the KSNP (Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant) internal full-power PSA model based on the 'ASME PRA Standard' and the 'NEI PRA Peer Review Process Guidance.' As a working group, PSA experts of the regulatory body and industry also participated in the evaluation process. It is finally judged that the overall quality of the KSNP PSA is between the ASME Standard Capability Category I and II. We also derive some items to be improved for upgrading the quality of the PSA up to the ASME Standard Capability Category II. In this paper, we ...

Science.gov (United States)

Most waste management activities are decided upon and carried out in a public or semi-public arena, typically involving the waste management organization, one or more regulators, and often other stakeholders and members of the public. In these environments, simulation modeling can be a powerful tool in reaching a consensus on the best path forward, but only if the models that are developed are understood and accepted by all of the parties involved. These requirements for understanding and acceptance of the models constrain the appropriate software and model development procedures that are employed. This paper discusses requirements for both simulation software and for the models that are developed using the software. Requirements for the software include transparency, accessibility, flexibility, extensibility, quality assurance, ability to do discrete and/or continuous simulation, and efficiency. Requirements for the models that are developed include traceability, transparency, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Several years ago the shipment of spent fuel of the High Flux Reactor (HFR) at Petten has come to a standstill resulting in an ever growing stock of fuel elements that are labelled 'fully burnt up'. Examination of those elements showed that a reasonably number of them have a relatively high {sup 235}U mass left. A reactor physics analysis showed that the use of such elements in the peripheral core zone allows the loading of four instead of five fresh fuel elements in many cycle cores. For the assessment of safety and performance parameters of HFR cores a new calculational tool is being developed. It is based on AEA Technology's Reactor physics code suite Winfrith Improved Multigroup Scheme (WIMS). NRG produced pre- and post-processing facilities to feed input data into WIMS's 2D transport code CACTUS and to extract relevant parameters from the output. The processing facilities can be used for many different ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP) is a single, highly integrated technical program for maintaining the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. The SSP uses past nuclear test data along with future non-nuclear test data, computational modeling and simulation, and experimental facilities to advance understanding of nuclear weapons. It includes stockpile surveillance, experimental research, development and engineering programs, and an appropriately scaled production capability to support stockpile requirements. This integrated national program will require the continued use of current facilities and programs along with new experimental facilities and computational enhancements to support these programs. The Advanced Simulation and Computing program (ASC) is a cornerstone of the SSP, providing simulation capabilities and computational resources to support the annual stockpile assessment and certification, to study advanced ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The criterion the study is based on in evaluating environmental risks is the possibility of harmful changes in air, water and soils rather than the harmful environmental impacts these changes are caused by. The two significant criteria, i.e. the evaluated environmental hazards potentials or 'value parameters', and the evaluated damage-to-the-environment probabilities or 'safety parameters', reveal the respective environmental risks or 'risk factors'. These risk factors are classified by 23 environmental risk parameters for differentiation between low-risk and high-aid for pollution abatement measures provided that one fixes acceptance limits for the environmental parameters. As a rule the environmental risks of technical facilities which handle hazardous materials can be evaluated appropriately and the results can be compared. (orig./HSCH).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Historically, the bulk production of electricity has been achieved by burning fossil fuels, with unavoidable gaseous emissions, including large quantities of carbon dioxide: an average-sized modern coal-burning power station is responsible for more than 10 Mt of CO{sub 2} each year. This paper details typical emissions from present-day power stations and discusses the options for their reduction. Acknowledging that the cuts achieved in the past decade in the UK CO{sub 2} emissions have been achieved largely by fuel switching, the remaining possibilities offered by this method are discussed. Switching to less-polluting fossil fuels will achieve some measure of reduction, but the basic problem of CO{sub 2} emissions continues. Of the alternatives to fossil fuels, only nuclear power represents a zero-carbon large-scale energy source. Unfortunately, public concerns over safety and radioactive waste have still to be assuaged. Other approaches include the application of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Department of Energy currently has over 100 million liters of high-level radioactive waste in storage at the Savannah River Site (SRS). In the late 1970's, the Department of Energy recognized that there were significant safety and cost advantages associated with immobilizing the high-level waste in a stable solid form. Several alternative waste forms were evaluated in terms of product quality and reliability of fabrication. This evaluation led to a decision to build the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) at SRS to convert the easily dispersed liquid waste to borosilicate glass. In accordance with the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process, an Environmental Impact Statement was prepared for the facility, as well as an Environmental Assessment of the alternative waste forms, and issuance of a Record of Decision (in December, 1982) on the waste form. The Department of Energy, recognizing that start-up of the DWPF would ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the context of safety assessment of radioactive waste repositories, complex radionuclide transport models covering key safety-relevant processes play a major role. In recent Swiss safety assessments, such as Kristallin-I, an important drawback was the limitation in geosphere modelling capability to account for geosphere heterogeneities. In marked contrast to this limitation in modelling capabilities, great effort has been put into investigating the heterogeneity of the geosphere as it impacts on hydrology. Structural geological methods have been used to look at the geometry of the flow paths on a small scale and the diffusion and sorption properties of different rock materials have been investigated. This huge amount of information could however be only partially applied in geosphere transport modelling. To make use of these investigations the 'PICNIC project' ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ''biotechnology 2000'' project is supervised by the project sponsor ''biology, energy, ecology'' at Forschungszentrum Juelich on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology. The project activities cover the development of techniques and methods, cell biology, gene structure and gene regulation, photosynthetic production processes, biological hydrogen production, synthetic biology, protein design, neurobiological research, biosystems, plant breeding, phytomedicine and plant protection, the biology of waste disposal methods, research into methods which replace animal experiments, biological safety research, technology risk assessment, and ethical aspects. A general survey introduces the promoted projects, and standardized data sheets briefly introduce the individual activities. The appendix gives the project indices, the indices of joint projects, a list of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Daya Bay NPP has been operating safely and stably over 10 years since 1994, and its' seismic analysis of nuclear island was in accordance with the approaches in RCC-G standard for the model M310, in which the Simplified Impedance Matrix Method (SIMM) was employed for the consideration of SSI. Thanks to the rapid progress being made in upgrading the evaluation technology and the capability of data processing systems, methods and software tools for the SSI analysis have experienced significant development all over the world. Focused on the model of reactor building of the Daya Bay NPP, in his paper the more sophisticated 3D half-space continuum impedance method based on the Green functions is used to analyze the functions of the soil, and then the seismic responses of the coupled SSI system are calculated and compared with the corresponding design values. It demonstrates that the design method provides a set of conservatively safe results. The conclusions from the study is hopefully to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The condition of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in wet storage at ten Soviet-designed research reactors has been assessed in the light of international experience in order to identify any associated safety issues. These reactors use Al-clad UO2-Al or U-Al alloy dispersion fuels of ?20% enrichment that were fabricated in Russia; the reactors have been in operation since 1955-70. Although originally sent for reprocessing, much of the SNF generated over the last 25-30 years has been stored in fuel storage pools (FSPs) of variable water quality. The external condition of wet-stored SNF assemblies from the reactors surveyed varied from significant failure due to galvanic corrosion that was driven by poor water quality, through gradual pitting caused by slightly impure water, to a stable condition of no observable change in the oxidized Al alloy surface of the irradiated fuel. SNF stability in wet storage seems to depend on three factors: Al being the sole ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Radiotherapy recent development in cancer treatment needs strong procedures and quality assessment to improve safety both for patients and professionals. In Ile de France territory, a coordinated action between ASN inspectors and medical doctors specialized in public health (MISP), working as civil servants in health administration, was initiated at the end of 2007. An inspection guideline was implemented in a workshop between ASN and Regional Hospital Agency (ARH). The MISP as health administrator has to verify if care organisation responds to treatment cancer regulatory framework: as a doctor he is authorized to access to patient records to know which treatment was chosen. He has to assure if the therapeutic guidelines are respected. His comprehensive approach is essentially patient-oriented. The MISP inspection coordinated with ASN inspectors is a very pertinent pluri-disciplinary approach, undeniably necessary in such a medical technic. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Determination of the suitability of the site for WIPP is only the first major phase in the evaluation of the radiological impact of the repository on the public health and safety. The Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) will continue to independently review the design of the facility, the operational procedures, the criteria for packaging and shipment of the waste, the plans, procedures and results of the WIPP experiments, emergency preparedness, adherence to EPA and pertinent NRC regulations, and other important features of the project. EEG has concluded from existing evidence that the Los Medanos site for the WIPP project has been characterized in sufficient detail to warrant confidence in the validation of the site for the permanent emplacement of approximately 6 million cubic feet of defense transuranic waste. This conclusion is based on the assumption that the maximum surface dose rate for the unshielded remote-handled transuranic waste canisters will be 100 ...