Information on a new publication Severe accidents in nuclear power plants

Abstract

Proceedings of an International Symposium on Severe Accidents in Nuclear Power Plants jointly organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD and held in Sorrento, Italy, 21–25 March 1988. There have been many important developments in the area of severe accidents in the past few years. Large quantities of new experimental and analytical data have become available, and this process still continues. The contents of the Proceedings represent a wide spectrum of topics and can be seen as providing a current understanding of the issue of beyond design basis accidents (frequently called “severe accidents”). In addition, national positions and practices on severe accidents provide valuable information on diversified and practical approaches. Impressive improvements in the understanding of accident phenomenology continue and progress in this area is clearly demonstrated. The overall emphasis is on practical steps in relation to preventive measures already adopted or under consideration for implementation at operating plants. The most important outcome is a clear awareness of accident management questions, which sometimes remain controversial and are likely to attract much attention in the next few years.