Dated September 2004

Plant life management (PLiM) is a methodology focussed on the safety-first management of nuclear power plants over their entire lifetime. It incorporates and builds upon the usual periodic safety reviews and licence renewals as part of an overall framework designed to assist plant operators and regulators in assessing the operating conditions of a nuclear power plant, and establishing the technical and economic requirements for safe, long-term operation.Understanding and mitigating ageing in nuclear power plants critically reviews the fundamental ageing-degradation mechanisms of materials used in nuclear power plant structures, systems and components (SSC), along with their relevant analysis and mitigation paths, as well as reactor-type specific PLiM practices. Obsolescence and other less obvious ageing-related aspects in nuclear power plant operation are also examined in depth.Part one introduces the reader to the role of nuclear power in the global energy mix, and the importance and relevance of plant life management for the safety regulation and economics of nuclear power plants. Key ageing degradation mechanisms and their effects in nuclear power plant systems, structures and components are reviewed in part two, along with routes taken to characterise and analyse the ageing of materials and to mitigate or eliminate ageing degradation effects. Part three reviews analysis, monitoring and modelling techniques applicable to the study of nuclear power plant materials, as well as the application of advanced systems, structures and components in nuclear power plants. Finally, Part IV reviews the particular ageing degradation issues, plant designs, and application of plant life management (PLiM) practices in a range of commercial nuclear reactor types.With its distinguished international team of contributors, Understanding and mitigating ageing in nuclear power plants is a standard reference for all nuclear plant designers, operators, and nuclear safety and materials professionals and researchers. - Introduces the reader to the role of nuclear power in the global energy mix - Reviews the fundamental ageing-degradation mechanisms of materials used in nuclear power plant structures, systems and components (SSC) - Examines topics including elimination of ageing effects, plant design, and the application of plant life management (PLiM) practices in a range of commercial nuclear reactor types

Improved fuel reliability means reduced fuel failures in reactor operation. Fuel failures, with their consequent adverse impact on the environment and requirements for additional waste management, result in costs for remediation, 'failed core' operation and maintenance. Therefore, poor performance of fuel can lead to uncompetitive operational conditions for a nuclear power plant. A revision of the earlier edition, this publication has been significantly extended to support nuclear fuel designers, manufacturers, reactor operators, and fuel engineers and managers on fuel design and design changes, fuel manufacturing, qualification, in-reactor operation, and on-site services to achieve excellence in fuel reliability and performance and safe operation of nuclear fuel under all applicable plant states.

Developing sufficient energy resources to replace coal, oil and gas is a globally critical necessity. Alternatives to fossil fuels such as wind, solar, or geothermal energies are desirable, but the usable quantities are limited and each has inherent deterrents. The only virtually unlimited energy source is nuclear energy, where safety of infrastructure systems is the paramount concern. Infrastructure Systems for Nuclear Energy addresses the analysis and design of infrastructures associated with nuclear energy. It provides an overview of the current and future nuclear power industry and the infrastructure systems from the perspectives of regulators, operators, practicing engineers and research academics. This book also provides details on investigations of containment structures, nuclear waste storage facilities and the applications of commercial/academic computer software. Specific environments that challenge the behavior of nuclear power plants infrastructure systems such as earthquake, blast, high temperature, irradiation effects, soil-structure interaction effect, etc., are also discussed. Key features: Includes contributions from global experts representing academia and industry Provides an overview of the nuclear power industry and nuclear infrastructure systems Presents the state-of-the-art as well as the future direction for nuclear civil infrastructure systems Infrastructure Systems for Nuclear Energy is a comprehensive, up-to-date reference for researchers and practitioners working in this field and for graduate studies in civil and mechanical engineering.

In addition to the nuclear power industry, the nuclear field has extensive projects and activities in the areas of research reactors, medical isotope production, decommissioning, and remediation of contaminated sites. Managing nuclear projects focuses on the management aspects of nuclear projects in a wide range of areas with emphasis on process, requirements, and lessons learned.Part one provides a general overview of the nuclear industry including basic principles for managing nuclear projects, nuclear safety culture, management of worker risk, training, and management of complex projects. Part two focuses on managing reactor projects with discussion on a variety of topics including management of research reactor projects, medical radioisotope production, power reactor modifications, power uprates, outage management, and management of nuclear-related R&D. Chapters in part three highlight the areas of radioactive waste and spent fuel management, reactor decommissioning, and remediation of radioactively contaminated sites. Finally, part four explores regulation, guidance and emergency management in the nuclear industry. Chapters discuss quality assurance and auditing programs, licensing procedures for nuclear installations, emergency preparedness, management of nuclear crises, and international nuclear cooperation.With its distinguished editor and contributors, Managing Nuclear Projects is a valuable resource for project managers, plant managers, engineers, regulators, training professionals, consultants, and academics. - Examines the basic principles of managing nuclear projects focussing on processes and requirements - Discusses the management of reactor projects - Explores regulation, guidance and emergency management in the nuclear industry

Effects of Deregulation on Safety provides a comprehensive overview of the safety experiences of these three case study industries and their implications for the U.S. nuclear power industry. The treatment of the subject is not highly technical, and hence is accessible to a wide range of readers with interests in the subject matter. The book draws on literature from roughly 250 references, ranging from brief news articles to book-length studies of deregulation in a particular industry, as well as original in-depth interviews with representatives of all three case study industries. This wealth of empirical background information allows the book to go beyond mere speculation about the possible adverse safety consequences of deregulation, to identify situations in which particular adverse safety consequences actually occurred. The experience of the case study industries indicates that economic deregulation need not be incompatible with a reasonable safety record, especially in those aspects of safety that are positively related to productivity. But that safety also cannot be taken for granted after deregulation. Careful management attention is needed in order to avoid the types of safety problems that were associated with deregulation in the case study industries.

Linear and Non-Linear Stability Analysis in Boiling Water Reactors: The Design of Real-Time Stability Monitors presents a thorough analysis of the most innovative BWR reactors and stability phenomena in one accessible resource. The book presents a summary of existing literature on BWRs to give early career engineers and researchers a solid background in the field, as well as the latest research on stability phenomena (propagation phenomena in BWRs), nuclear power monitors, and advanced computer systems used to for the prediction of stability. It also emphasizes the importance of BWR technology and embedded neutron monitoring systems (APRMs and LPRMs), and introduces non-linear stability parameters that can be used for the onset detection of instabilities in BWRs. Additionally, the book details the scope, advantages, and disadvantages of multiple advanced linear and non linear signal processing methods, and includes analytical case studies of existing plants. This combination makes Linear and Non-Linear Stability Analysis in Boiling Water Reactors a valuable resource for nuclear engineering students focusing on linear and non-linear analysis, as well as for those working and researching in a nuclear power capacity looking to implement stability methods and estimate decay ratios using non-linear techniques. - Explores the nuclear stability of Boiling Water Reactors based on linear and non-linear models - Evaluates linear signal processing methods such as autoregressive models, Fourier-based methods, and wavelets to calculate decay ratios - Proposes novel non-linear signal analysis techniques linked to non-linear stability indicators - Includes case studies of various existing nuclear power plants as well as mathematical models and simulations

This book focuses on core design and methods for design and analysis. It is based on advances made in nuclear power utilization and computational methods over the past 40 years, covering core design of boiling water reactors and pressurized water reactors, as well as fast reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. The objectives of this book are to help graduate and advanced undergraduate students to understand core design and analysis, and to serve as a background reference for engineers actively working in light water reactors. Methodologies for core design and analysis, together with physical descriptions, are emphasized. The book also covers coupled thermal hydraulic core calculations, plant dynamics, and safety analysis, allowing readers to understand core design in relation to plant control and safety.