Increasing the Efficiency and Level of Environmental Safety of Pro-Environmental City Heat Supply Technologies by Low Power Nuclear Plants

In connection with the current prospect of decarbonization of coal energy through the use of small nuclear power plants (SNPPs) at existing TPPs as heat sources for heat supply to municipal heating networks, there is a technological need to improve heat supply schemes to increase their environmental friendliness and efficiency. The paper proves the feasibility of using the heat-feeding mode of ASHPs for urban heat supply by heating the network water with steam taken from the turbine. The ratio of electric and thermal power of a “nuclear” combined heat and power plant is given. The advantage of using a heat pump, which provides twice as much electrical power with the same heat output, is established. Taking into account that heat in these modes is supplied with different potential, the energy efficiency was used to compare these options. To increase the heat supply capacity, a scheme with the use of a high-pressure heater in the backpressure mode and with the heating of network water with hot steam was proposed. Heat supply from ASHPs is efficient and environmentally friendly even in the case of significant remoteness of heat consumers.

Conceptual Strategy for Mitigating the Risk of Hydrogen as an Internal Hazard in Case of Severe Accidents at Nuclear Power Plant Considering Existing Risks and Uncertainties Associated with the Use of Traditional Strategies

Hydrogen challenge mitigation stands as one of the main objectives in the management of severe accidents at Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Key strategies for hydrogen control include atmospheric inertization and hydrogen removal with Passive Autocatalytic Recombiners (PARs) being a commonly accepted approach. However, an examination of PAR operation specificity reveals potential inefficiencies and reliability issues in certain severe accident scenarios. Moreover, during the in-vessel stage of severe accident development, in some severe accident scenarios PARs can unexpectedly become a source of hydrogen detonation. The effectiveness of hydrogen removal systems depends on various factors, including the chosen strategies, severe accident scenarios, reactor building design, and other influencing factors. Consequently, a comprehensive hydrogen mitigation strategy must effectively incorporate a combination of strategies rather than be based on one strategy, taking into consideration the probabilistic risks and uncertainties associated with the implementation of PARs or other traditional methods. In response to these considerations, within the framework of this research it has been suggested a conceptual strategy to mitigate the hydrogen challenge during the in-vessel stage of severe accident development.

PSA study of the effect of extreme snowfall on a floating nuclear power plant:case study in the Bohai Sea

This study presents a probabilistic safety analysis(PSA)method for the external event of extreme snowfall on a floating nuclear power plant(FNPP)deployed in the Bohai Sea.We utilized the Weibull and Gumbel extreme value distributions to fit the collected meteorological data and obtained a hazard curve for the event of an extreme snowfall where the FNPP is located,providing a basis for the frequency of extreme snowfall-initiating events.Our analysis indicates that extreme snowfall primarily affects the ventilation openings of the equipment,leading to the failure of devices such as the diesel generators.Additionally,extreme snowfall can result in a loss of off-site power(LOOP).Therefore,the developed extreme snowfall PSA model is mainly based on the LOOP event tree,considering responses such as snowfall removal by personnel.Our calculations indicate a core damage frequency(CDF)of 1.13×10^(-10) owing to extreme snowfall,which is relatively low.The results of the cut-set analysis indicate that valve failures in the core makeup tank(CMT),passive residual heat removal system(PRS),and in-containment refueling water storage tank(IRWST)significantly contribute to the CDF.

Development and Research of Non⁃Stirring Conveying Device for Waste Resin in Nuclear Power Plant

Blockage in the storage and transportation of waste resin is a difficult problem in the radioactive waste treatment process of nuclear power plants.In this study,in order to solve the problems of unstable resin transport concentration and easy blockage of conveying equipment and pipelines in nuclear power plants in China,a set of non⁃stirring conveying devices is developed,and theoretical calculations,simulation analysis and experimental verification are carried out.By transporting resin using the no stirring conveying device developed in this paper,it is not only to eliminate the risk of blockage and ensure the safety of transportation,but also to adjust the concentration of conveying resin to change the transport efficiency according to the operating conditions.The effective bearing rate of waste resin storage tank can be improved,so that the comprehensive performance of waste resin storage and transportation in nuclear power plants can be greatly improved.

Enhanced graph-based fault diagnostic system for nuclear power plants

Scheduled maintenance and condition-based online monitoring are among the focal points of recent research to enhance nuclear plant safety.One of the most effective ways to monitor plant conditions is by implementing a full-scope,plant-wide fault diagnostic system.However,most of the proposed diagnostic techniques are perceived as unreliable by operators because they lack an explanation module,their implementation is complex,and their decision/inference path is unclear.Graphical formalism has been considered for fault diagnosis because of its clear decision and inference modules,and its ability to display the complex causal relationships between plant variables and reveal the propagation path used for fault localization in complex systems.However,in a graphbased approach,decision-making is slow because of rule explosion.In this paper,we present an enhanced signed directed graph that utilizes qualitative trend evaluation and a granular computing algorithm to improve the decision speed and increase the resolution of the graphical method.We integrate the attribute reduction capability of granular computing with the causal/fault propagation reasoning capability of the signed directed graph and comprehensive rules in a decision table to diagnose faults in a nuclear power plant.Qualitative trend analysis is used to solve the problems of fault diagnostic threshold selection and signed directed graph node state determination.The similarity reasoning and detection ability of the granular computing algorithm ensure a compact decision table and improve the decision result.The performance of the proposed enhanced system was evaluated on selected faults of the Chinese Fuqing 2 nuclear reactor.The proposed method offers improved diagnostic speed and efficient data processing.In addition,the result shows a considerable reduction in false positives,indicating that the method provides a reliable diagnostic system to support further intervention by operators.

Decomposition of oil cleaning agents from nuclear power plants by supercritical water oxidation

Oil cleaning agents generated from nuclear power plants(NPPs)are radioactive organic liquid wastes.To date,because there are no satisfactory industrial treatment measures,these wastes can only be stored for a long time.In this work,the optimization for the supercritical water oxidation(SCWO)of the spent organic solvent was investigated.The main process parameters of DURSET(oil cleaning agent)SCWO,such as temperature,reaction time,and excess oxygen coefficient,were optimized using response surface methodology,and a quadratic polynomial model was obtained.The determination coefficient(R^(2))of the model is 0.9812,indicating that the model is reliable.The optimized process conditions were at 515 C,66 s,and an excess oxygen coefficient of 211%.Under these conditions,the chemical oxygen demand removal of organic matter could reach 99.5%.The temperature was found to be the main factor affecting the SCWO process.Ketones and benzene-based compounds may be the main intermediates in DURSET SCWO.This work provides basic data for the industrialization of the degradation of spent organic solvents from NPP using SCWO technology.

Novel Technological Developments with Impacts on Perspectives for Mobile Nuclear Power Plants

New research developments suggest that nuclear reactors using fusion may enter the market sooner than imagined even for mobile applications, like merchant ship propulsion and remote power generation. This article aims at pointing such developments and how they could affect nuclear fusion. The method is enumerating the main nuclear reactors concepts, identifying new technological or theoretical developments useful to nuclear field, and analysing how new recombination could affect feasibility of nuclear fusion. New technologies or experimental results do not always work the way people imagine, being better or worse for intended effects or even bringing completely unforeseen effects. Results point the following designs could be successful, in descending order of potential: aneutronic nuclear reactions using lattice confinement, aneutronic nuclear reactions using inertial along magnetic confinement, hybrid fission-lattice confinement fusion, and fission reactions.

AN INTERNATIONAL VIEW OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES FOR FAULTS DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

An extensive survey of computer based systems that apply different approaches for faults diagnostics and identifications in nuclear power plants (NPPs) was presented. In the light of reviewed material, the classification criteria were developed. The classification of computational techniques (class of computing devices, class of programming languages, and simulation programs) was discussed. The classification of theoretical aspects applied (brief aspects, and detailed aspects) in computer based diagnostic systems were established. The classification of metholology applied (symbolic reasoning methodology, event based methodology, and function based methodology) in the diagnostic systems was also depicted. In the end, the personal comments on the reviewed material, and scope of the study were described.

Modeling the Effect of Thermal Diffusion Process from Nuclear Power Plants in Vietnam

In this study, we evaluate the ecological impact of effluent cooling water from the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant II, using a two-dimensional hydraulic model to simulate thermal diffusion from the effluent outfall. Sites selected for this study were Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant and Vinh Hai seawater in four different scenarios. This paper utilized the relationship between surface water temperature and the water temperature at a depth of -15 m to calculate the water temperature at intake and outlet at a depth of -14 m. A combination between the results of interpolated and results of model showed that effluent cooling water from Ninh Thuan plant affected the largest incidence about 2450 m in the North, 880 m in the South and 960 m in the West. It can be considered as safe distance to not to affect the coral reefs ecosystem in the North and sea turtle conservation area in the South. This study was first in this region to have an integrated approach using two-dimensional model.

Reliability-Centered Maintenance-Based Maintenance Decision in New Nuclear Power Plants

Taking the project of introducing reliability-centered maintenance( RCM) into maintenance decision in an AP1000 nuclear power plant( NPP) under construction as the research object,an improved RCM methodology was proposed, and the application software and an RCM-based maintenance strategies management system were designed. In the pilot project,the RCMbased maintenance decision methodology had been applied to determining the maintenance strategies for two systems. Both the decision process and the results were described in this paper. The achievements of this project promoted the introduction and routinization of an advanced and effective maintenance decision mode in nuclear power field,which could provide valuable reference for new NPPs in China.

Evaluation of protective quality of prestressed concrete containment buildings of nuclear power plants

The permeability and sorptivity properties of the two prestressed concrete containment buildings （PCCBs） of a nuclear power plant in South China, which had been under operation for 5 years, were measured by using the autoclam permeability system. The air permeability, sorptivity and water permeability indexes of No.1 PCCB are smaller than or equal to 0.11 ln（102 Pa）/min, 0.98×10 ^7 m3/minl/2 and 1.93×10 ^7 m3/min1/2, respectively, and the air permeability, sorptivity and water permeability indexes of No.2 PCCB are smaller than or equal to 0.17 In（102 Pa）/min, 1.6×10 ^7 m3/min1/2 and 4.43 ×10 ^7 m3/min1/2, respectively. Based on the criteria for evaluating the protective quality of concrete structures in terms of their permeability and sorptivity properties, proposed by the research organization of the autoclam permeability system, the protective quality of No. 1 PCCB is still in very good grade and that of No.2 PCCB is not in very good grade but in good grade, and the in-service inspection of the protective quality of No.2 PCCB should be strengthened in the future.

Study on evaluation system for Chinese nuclear power plants

This paper analyzes the meaning, structure, function and assessment methods of a nuclear power plant evaluation system, and the similarities and differences among various assessment methods. Based on this research an integrated and detailed suggestion is proposed on how to establish and improve internal and external evaluation systems for Chinese NPPs. It includes： to prepare and implement the nuclear power plant operational management program, to build an integrated performance indicator system, to improve the present audit system and conduct the comprehensive evaluation system, to set up and implement the integrated corrective action system, to position precisely the status of operation assessment of nuclear power plants, to conduct the assessment aetivilies on constructing NPP, to initiate the specific assessment in some important areas, to establish industrv performance indicator system, to improve the assessment methods, to share the assessment results, to select, cultivate and certify the reviewers, and to enhance interuational communication and cooperation.

Ageing related events at nuclear power plants

This paper presents main results of a comprehensive study performed by the European Clearinghouse on Operating Experience Feedback of NPP with the support of IRSN (Institut de S?reté Nucléaire et de Radioprotection) and GRS (Gesellschaft für Anlagen und Reaktorsi-cherheit mbH). Physical ageing mechanisms of structure, systems and components that eventually lead to ageing related systems and components failures at nuclear power plants were the main focus of this study. The analysis of ageing related events involved operating experience reported by NPP operators in France, Germany, USA and to the IAEA/NEA International Reporting system, on operating experience for the past 20 years (i.e. 1990-2009). A list of ageing related events was populated. Each ageing related event contained in the list was analyzed and results of analysis were summarized for each commodity group for which the ageing degradation appeared to be a dominant contributor or direct cause. The most common degradation mechanisms/ageing effects for each specific component/commodity group, their risk significance and consequences to the plant performance are described. This paper provides insights into ageing related operating experience as well as recommendations to deal with the physical ageing of nuclear power plant SSC important to safety.

Radiation Exposure and Cancer Incidence (1990 to 2008) around Nuclear Power Plants in Ontario, Canada

Radiation doses and cancer incidence among the population living within 25 km of three nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Ontario, Canada were investigated for the period 1985 to 2008 for radiation exposure and 1990 to 2008 for cancer incidence. This study design provided at least a five-year latency period between potential radiation exposure and cancer incidence. Around the NPPs, the incidence of childhood cancers, leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in young children (aged 0 - 4) was lower than the general Ontario population, but not statistically so. Cancer incidence in children aged 0 - 14 was similar to the Ontario population. Overall, for all ages there was no consistent pattern of cancer incidence (all cancers combined and radio-sensitive cancers) across the population living within 25 km of the three NPPs. Some types of cancers were statistically higher than expected, others were statistically lower than expected, and others were similar to the general Ontario population. Although variations in all cancers combined and radiosensitive cancers were found in this study, the pattern was found to be within the natural variation of cancer in Ontario. During the period 1985 to 2000 (Pickering and Bruce NPPs) and 1985 to 2002 (Darlington NPP) radiation doses to members of the public from the operation of the NPPs, estimated on the basis of a hypothetical individual at the facility fence line, were ≤0.052 mSv/year;while for the period 2001 to 2008 (Pickering and Bruce NPPs) and 2003 to 2008 (Darlington NPP) radiation doses, more realistically estimated using the critical group concept for six age classes, were ≤0.0067 mSv/year. Hence, public doses from environmental releases of radionuclides from Ontario NPPs represent a very small fraction of natural background radiation (1.338 and 2.02 mSv/year) in the regions where the NPPs are located. Our study shows no evidence of childhood leukemia clusters around the three NPPs and that the incidence of all the cancers investigated for all age groups is within the natural variation of the disease in Ontario. The radiation exposure from NPP operation is a small contributor to the public’s total exposure to radiation and is not a plausible explanation for any excess cancers observed within 25 km of any Ontario NPP.

Image Quality Improvement for Underwater Visual Inspections of Nuclear Power Plants

Visual inspection of the key components of nuclear power plants(NPPs)is important for NPP operation and maintenance. However,the underwater environment and existing radiation will lead to image degradation,thus making it difficult to identify surface defects. In this study,a method for improving the quality of underwater images is proposed.By analyzing the degradation characteristics of underwater detection image,the image enhancement technology is used to improve the color richness of the image,and then the improved dark channel prior(DCP)algorithm is used to restore it. By modifying the estimation formula of transmittance and background light,the correction of insufficient brightness in DCP restored image is realized. The proposed method is compared with other state-of-the-art methods. The results show that the proposed method can achieve higher scores and improve the image quality by correcting the color and restoring local details,thus effectively enhancing the reliability of visual inspection of NPPs.

Some Technical Solutions for Environmental Protection System during Accidents at Nuclear Power Plants

The paper reports some technical solutions, which suggested or used for increasing of environmental protection during accidents at NPPs. For NNPs with two protective shells and pressure release system such as WWER-1000 a comprehensive, passive-mode environmental protection system of decontamination of the radioactive steam-air mixture from the containment and the intercontainment area was suggested. This system includes the “wet” stage (scrubbers, etc.), the “dry” stage (sorption module), and also an ejector, which in a passive mode is capable of solving the multi-purpose task of decontamination of the air-steam mixture. For WWER-440/230 NPPs three protection levels: 1) a jet-vortex condenser;2) the spray system;3) a sorption module were suggested and installed. For modern designs of new generation NPPs, which do not provide for pressure release systems, a new passive filtering system together with the passive heat-removal system, which can be used during severe accidents in case all power supply units become unavailable, was proposed and after modernization was installed at the KudanKulam NPP (India).

Tsunami Impacts on Nuclear Power Plants along Western Coast of India Due to a Great Makran Earthquake: A Numerical Simulation Approach

The major seismicity source in the northern Arabian Sea is the Makran Subduction Zone (MSZ) that defines the tectonic boundary between the Arabian plate and the Eurasian plate, located offshore Iran and Pakistan over which an instrumentally registered earthquake (Mw 8.1) generated a tsunami on 27 November, 1945. It has caused severe cataclysm to a vulnerable population along the surrounding coastlines, including India. It has been on a long seismic quiescence since this last event. The population and industrialization have exponentially increased along the coastal areas in last half decade. The highly exposed coastal locations to the tsunamis are the areas where the nuclear power plants are located. In the present work, a numerical simulation of a great tsunamigenic earthquake (M 9) is presented that predicts the generation, propagation, run-up and travel time using TUNAMI N2 for estimating tsunami impacts along the nuclear power plants of the western coast of India. TUNAMI N2 code was designed for shallow water wave equations, which uses the finite-difference method based on staggered-leap frog scheme. Thus, it has potential to simulate a far-field tsunami with much more accuracy than other methods. It is observed that the tsunami will strike along the coast of Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (Maharashtra), Tarapur Nuclear Power Plant (Maharashtra), Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant (Karnataka) and Mithi-Virdi Nuclear Power Plant (Gujarat) after 210, 215, 225 and 230 minutes, respectively. Results show that the tsunami run-up is highest for Jaitapur coast (2.32 m). The Mithi-Virdi coast is the least effected (0.93 m) while Kaiga (2.15 m) and Tarapur coast (2.12 m) might have faced quite intense tsunami consequences. The arrival times and run-ups of the tsunami along the coast of different power plants have been calculated since these parameters are of vital importance in mitigation of the coastal hazard, evacuation planning and installation of early warning system in order to save the inhabited communities from the disaster.

Analytical Architectural Study on Nuclear Power Plants

This paper aims to study the architectural design and components of Nuclear Power Plants （NPPs）. It is also focusing on the simulation system. Its main objective is to set general guidelines for architects. They should be aware of the basics of nuclear facilities designs and components. A traditional nuclear power plant consists of a nuclear reactor, a control building, a turbines building, cooling towers, service buildings （an office building ＆ a medical research center） and a nuclear ＆ radiation waste storage building. Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran and Angra nuclear power plant in Brazil have been chosen as examples. Furthermore, this paper presents design analyses for Bushehr nuclear power plant and Angra nuclear power plant that include design theory （linear design and radial design） and positive ＆ negative aspects of these designs. At the end of this paper, results and recommendations on the architectural and urban aspects of nuclear power plants are revealed.

Research on Monitoring and Earlywarning System of Marine Organisms for the Intake of Nuclear PowerPlants

An monitoring and earlywarning system is proposed for marine organisms and the cause of water intake blockage is analyzed. Based onthe intelligent sensing technology, computer software and hardware technology and digital signal processing technology, the buoy monitoring platformsystem is developed by internet of things technology, cloud computing and the application of large data. Remote realtime monitoring of aquatic organisms and foreign bodies is realized based on underwater acoustic detection and low light imaging technology. Data processing center is established to store, analyze and process monitoring information and display it in real time, and provide emergency decision support. Through development and test of relevant key equipments, the reliability of cold source system of nuclear power plants is improved, which effectively reduces theinfluence of marine biological invasion on security and economic operation of the units.

Reasons Why the Great Pyramids of Giza Remain the Only Surviving Wonder of the Ancient World： Drawing Ideas from the Structure of the Giza Pyramids to Nuclear Power Plants

Selecting a site for a nuclear power plant requires extensive studies to ensure its safety and stability during its operation until its decommissioning. The 4,500-year old Egyptian pyramids at Giza are buildings to learn from. This paper tries to pin down the reasons for the survival of the Giza pyramids in order to reach a criterion for choosing sites for important buildings. It argues that the site selection and the geological properties of the area, being away from seismic effects,, floods and groundwater levels, the stability of the geometric form of the pyramid, the solidity of the structural engineering and precision of execution arguably are the reasons why the Great Pyramids of Giza are the only survivors of the seven wonders of the ancient world.