Nuclear proponents have tried bolster public support by offering newer, safer , reactor designs. These designs include those that incorporate passive safety and Small Modular Reactors . while these reactors designs "are intended to inspire trust, they may have an unintended effect : creating distrust of older reactors that lack the touted safety features"[1].
The next nuclear plants to be built will likely be generation 3 or 3+ design. and a few such are already in operation in Japan. Generation 4 reactors would have even greater improvements in safety. These new designs are expected to be passively safe or nearly so, and perhaps even inherently safe (as in the PBMR designs ).
Some improvements made (not all in all designs ) are having three sets emergency diesel generators and associated emergency core cooling systems rather than just one pair, having quench tanks (large coolant-filled tanks) above the core that open into it automatically ,having a double containment (one containment building ) inside another, etc.
However, safety risks may be the greatest when nuclear systems are the newest, and operators have less experience with them. Nuclear engineer David Lochbaum explained that almost all serious nuclear accidents occurred with what was at the time the most recent technology. He argues that "the problem with new reactors and accidents is twofold : scenarios arise that are impossible to plan for in simulations; and humans make mistake"[2] .As one directors of a U.S research laboratory put it "fabrication , construction , operation and maintenance of new reactors will face a steep learning curve : advanced technologies will have a heightened risk of accidents and mistakes. The technology may be proven but people are not "[2].
References
1. M.V Ramana (july 2011 vol.67 no.4). Bulletin of the atomic scientists.
2. Benjamin K .Sovacool. A critical evaluation of Nuclear power and renewable electricity in Asia.
Was hoping to to know more about Nuclear Tech and i got it through this blog..thanxx dude..Can u like share wit me what are the main applications of this technology??
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for visiting our blog, no problem..for your info,this is for our nuclear course project...the main applications is to generate clean energy as nuclear can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and they will not release any carbon dioxide into the air,as compared to current fossil fuel plant which use coal as example emit a lot of carbon dioxide and pollute the air. hope done with that explanation.
ReplyDeletep/s: we will update our blog on daily basis,so do come and visit for the latest entry and updates. Thanks again!