Construction Of Nuclear Plants Research Articles

A State of The Art Review on Soil-Structure Interaction and Seismic Protection System of Nuclear Power Plant

Soil-structure interaction (SSI) is conventionally considered to be advantageous to the seismic response of a structure. Designers proposed that the least consideration of SSI in structural design results in conservative design. Indian Standard codes allow seismic coefficient ignorance or total reduction of SSI. However, advancements made in developing methods by adding SSI in design to avoid the SSI problem becomes a rarity. This paper summarizes several guidelines and techniques related to SSI analysis of structures. Seismic protection systems (SPS) are successfully installed in conventional designs, but most of the nuclear power plants (NPPs) are not equipped with SPS. Besides, considerable research was carried out to comprise SPS in nuclear power plant design. Currently, horizontal isolation is provided in for structures in active seismic zones. This may be insufficient and vertical isolation has also been required. The results of this review indicated that the future construction of nuclear plants in seismic zones should be equipped with advanced SPS to fulfill the standardised design.

Exploring the role of citizen participation in the policy acceptance process: the case of Korean nuclear facilities

ABSTRACT The application of the procedural justice theory is absent from our understanding of environmental policies, particularly in the process of nuclear policy decisions. We explore the relationship between citizen participation and policy acceptance of nuclear facilities by considering community conflict and governmental trustworthiness in the case of South Korea. This study used data collected from citizens who live in the areas where nuclear plants are situated. The results showed that citizen participation may be a predictor of enhanced governmental trustworthiness. Moreover, community members with higher levels of governmental trustworthiness are more likely to allow the construction of additional nuclear plants.

Utilization of Self-Consolidating Concrete Technology for Large Placements in New Nuclear Construction: A Study on Self-Consolidating Concrete Stability and Constructability

Abstract This paper discusses the use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), in a large-scale placement during new nuclear plant construction. SCC has provided cost and labor savings and construction process improvements. Use of SCC has been effective in schedule acceleration by reducing placement durations and early curing termination with rapid strength gain. Self-consolidating properties were particularly of value at placements of poor access as internal vibrators were not effective and large surface area made form vibrators ineffective beyond the perimeter. This paper provides a discussion of technical challenges encountered in development of a properly functioning SCC mixture, and testing performed to overcome these challenges. The paper discusses the engineering considerations and laboratory and field trials preparing for a 3950 m3 placement for the base of a nuclear plant. The placement was anticipated to take 35 h at 110 m3/h batch plant output. Overview of mix design specifications and mix development is provided. The mixture satisfied the laboratory test parameters including SCC tests; stability and column segregation. However, the mixture had to undergo rounds of constructability testing beyond laboratory development prior to the large placement. Among the constructability properties was the distance SCC will move with the stone before stopping. A long trough was filled as a mockup for and subsequently cored. The number of pumps and pump nozzle placement spacing was determined as a result. Slump flow retention as the polycarboxylate loses effectiveness and foaming of the mixture when pumped were also investigated. Foaming was attributed to viscosity, air entrainer, and pump pressures or rate of pumping. Laboratory trials with various admixtures and pumping studies in the field were conducted to achieve a mixture that retains slump flow and can be pumped at the desired rates without instability or excessive foaming. The placement was completed successfully in 35 h over multiple shifts.

Individual preferences towards nuclear energy: the transient residency effect

ABSTRACT Nuclear energy is an energy source that is usually unfavourable among the public due to its inherent risks. However, it presents a number of benefits, including the possibility to reduce emissions and the contribution to tackle climate change. Among the countries adopting nuclear energy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is unusual in that a large share of its residents consists of expatriates who live only part of their lives in the country with no (or highly unlikely) access to citizenship. This distinctive population structure offers the opportunity to investigate the effect of transient residency on acceptance and preferences towards nuclear energy. We conducted this investigation by designing a stated preferences-based survey, targeting an online nationwide sample. The survey collected information on socio-economic characteristics and attitudes, including views on perceived risks and benefits of nuclear energy, views towards different energy sources and life satisfaction. Results indicate that transient individuals, especially those who are more satisfied with their lives in the UAE, are significantly less likely to oppose the construction of new nuclear plants. These individuals are characterized by a more positive perception of benefits over risks arising from nuclear energy. Policy implications are discussed.

Щодо перспектив будівництва нових атомних електричних станцій

Щодо перспектив будівництва нових атомних електричних станцій

A Case Study on the Use of Aluminum Forms in Nuclear Power Plant Construction

Given the global trend toward the expansion of the use of nuclear power, Koreas nuclear power industry has begun to work actively to make inroads into foreign countries. As formwork accounts for about 25 percent of the entire duration of a construction project, including nuclear power plant construction, and requires considerable efforts, to achieve a reduction in construction duration, it is necessary to reduce the duration of formwork. In this study, an actual site where Alumimum Form (AL-Form) was used as a system form in a nuclear plant construction site was investigated and analyzed. Through the analysis, AL-Form was found to be sufficiently economically feasible to be utilized in nuclear power plant construction. However, there are slight differences between general system form and AL-Form, and to activate the utilization of AL-Form skilled workers should be cultivated for the formwork and specific technologies for the AL-Form work should be additionally studied in the future.

The legalities of leaving nuclear

The current political consensus favors continued reliance on civilian nuclear power in France, but a reduction in that reliance was discussed during the 2012 presidential election, and debate on that score continues. If the political consensus ever shifts toward a nuclear phase-out, the French government has several options through which it can reduce or abandon civilian nuclear power generation. The parliament can pass a law to discontinue nuclear power. The people can do the same, through referendum. Or the executive branch of government can simply not authorize the construction of new nuclear plants. If the parliament, the executive branch, or citizens acted to eliminate nuclear power, EDF, the operator of France’s 58 nuclear power plants, could seek compensation for lost revenue. The legal considerations involved in such an effort vary, depending on whether the nuclear shutdown were enacted into law or instituted through executive-branch regulation. Currently, it is unclear what chances of success a compensation claim might have. Over time, though, France will retire at least part of its aging fleet of nuclear reactors. The executive branch and parliament should pay careful attention to the structure of laws and regulations related to nuclear shutdowns, to reduce the likelihood that successful legal action will ensue.

ESTIMATED LAG TIME IN GLOBAL CARBON EMISSIONS AND CO2 CONCENTRATIONS PRODUCED BY COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR POWER THROUGH 2009 WITH PROJECTIONS THROUGH 2030

This study examines the past and future impact of nuclear reactors on anthropogenic carbon emissions to the atmosphere. If nuclear power had never been commercially developed, what additional global carbon emissions would have occurred? More than 44 y of global nuclear power have caused a lag time of at least 1.2 y in carbon emissions and CO2 concentrations through the end of 2009. This lag time incorporates the contribution of life cycle carbon emissions due to the construction and operation of nuclear plants. Cumulative global carbon emissions would have been about 13 Gt greater through 2009, and the mean annual CO2 concentration at Mauna Loa would have been ~2.7 ppm greater than without nuclear power. This study finds that an additional 14–17 Gt of atmospheric carbon emissions could be averted by the global use of nuclear power through 2030, for a cumulative total of 27–30 Gt averted during the period 1965–2030. This result is based on International Atomic Energy Agency projections of future growth in nuclear power from 2009–2030, modified by the recent loss or permanent shutdown of 14 reactors in Japan and Germany

Prospects for Nuclear Power

Nuclear power has long been controversial because of concerns about nuclear accidents, storage of spent fuel, and how the spread of nuclear power might raise risks of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. These concerns are real and important. However, emphasizing these concerns implicitly suggests that unless these issues are taken into account, nuclear power would otherwise be cost effective compared to other forms of electricity generation. This implication is unwarranted. Throughout the history of nuclear power, a key challenge has been the high cost of construction for nuclear plants. Construction costs are high enough that it becomes difficult to make an economic argument for nuclear even before incorporating these external factors. This is particularly true in countries like the United States where recent technological advances have dramatically increased the availability of natural gas. The chairman of one of the largest U.S. nuclear companies recently said that his company would not break ground on a new nuclear plant until the price of natural gas was more than double today's level and carbon emissions cost $25 per ton. This comment summarizes the current economics of nuclear power pretty well. Yes, there is a certain confluence of factors that could make nuclear power a viable economic option. Otherwise, a nuclear power renaissance seems unlikely.

Impact of Public Policy and Societal Risk Perception on U.S. Civilian Nuclear Power Plant Construction

AbstractDue to the increasing demand for energy in the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently reviewing permit applications for 26 new nuclear power reactors. However, the previous generation of U.S. civilian nuclear plant construction experienced significant cost and schedule overruns. Previous research identified “regulatory ratcheting” (continuous, retroactive change in nuclear plant regulations) as one of the primary causes of this poor performance. Regulatory ratcheting was enabled by the nuclear industry’s two-step permitting and licensing process for civilian power plant construction, which allowed society’s perception of the risks associated with nuclear plant operation to impact nuclear plant construction. How will public policy and societal risk perception affect the next generation of U.S. civilian nuclear plant construction? This question is investigated using a dynamic simulation model of the public policy and social feedback processes that impact U.S. nuclear plant con...

Tritium in the Environment of Gulf of Finnland

Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen, used in research, fusion reactors and neutron generators. The form of most concern, tritium oxide (HTO), is generally indistinguishable from normal water and can move rapidly through the environment in the same manner as water. The expanding construction of nuclear industrial plants and nuclear power stations on the shores of the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finnland) is creating a real possibility for the introduction of radioactive wastes into the vegetation and the waters of Baltic Sea basin (Sea water, Ladoga Lake, St.Petersburg rivers). A low-level liquid scintillation system Quantulus 1220 (Wallac, Turku, Finland) and system for sample preparation Sample Oxidizer 307 (PerkinElmer) were used for measurements of vegetation and water samples from this region. Significant difference was observed on the distribution of tritium concentrations in different types of water, snow cover and vegetation of Finnish Bay basin.

Radiocarbon in Vegetation of coastal Zone of Finnish Bay (Russia)

Radiocarbon is a radioactive isotope of carbon, which is forming in the nature constantly by interaction of cosmic fast neutrons and nitrogen nuclei at the low atmospheric layers. Another source of radiocarbon in the environment is pollution in processes of Nuclear Power Plant exploitation. The expanding construction of nuclear industrial plants and nuclear power stations on the shores of the Baltic Sea is creating a real possibility for the introduction of radioactive wastes into environment of Finnish Bay basin. The activity of radiocarbon in the plant of coastal zone was determined by a system of Sample Oxidizer 307 and low-level liquid scintillation system Quantulus 1220 (Wallace, Turku, Finland) The Radiocarbon analysis is a sensitive tool for the registration of pollution. The variations of radiocarbon concentration in the one-years grasses can be used as an indicator of carbon dioxide pollution of the urban environment. The variation of radiocarbon in tree-rings reflects the local and global radioactive contaminations.

A Critical Evaluation of Nuclear Power and Renewable Electricity in Asia

This article judges modern nuclear power and renewable electricity technologies according to six criteria: cost; fuel availability; land degradation; water use; climate change; and safety/security. It concludes that when these criteria are taken into consideration, renewable electricity technologies present policy makers with a superior alternative for minimising the risk of fuel interruptions and shortages, helping improve the fragile transmission network and reducing environmental harm. These more environmentally-friendly generators cost less to construct, produce power in smaller increments and need not rely on continuous government subsidies. They generate little to no waste, have fewer greenhouse gas emissions per unit of electricity produced and do not substantially contribute to the risk of accidents. In contrast, the costs for nuclear plant construction, fuel, reprocessing, storage, decommissioning and further research are expected to rise. Modern nuclear reactors are prone to accidents, failures, shortages of high quality uranium ore may be imminent and the thermoelectric fuel cycle of nuclear plants consumes and degrades vast quantities of water. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the nuclear lifecycle are notable and reactors and waste storage sites can degrade land and the natural environment. Thus, the article concludes that any effective response to electricity demand in an Asia facing climate change should promote the rapid expansion of renewable technologies and a more limited use of nuclear power.

Nuclear Power Expansion: Thinking about Uncertainty

Nuclear power is one of many options available to achieve reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The real-option value model can help explain the uncertainties facing prospective nuclear plant developers in developing mitigation strategies for the development, construction, and operation of new nuclear plants.

Projections of US GHG reductions from nuclear power new capacity based on historic levels of investment

Historical rates of capital investment in nuclear plant construction were used as a guide to estimate the potential rate of future capacity introduction. The total linear rate of capital expenditure over the entire period of historical construction from 1964 to 1990 was determined to equal $11.5 billion/yr, and that for the period of peak construction from 1973 to 1985 was computed as $17.9 billion/yr, all in 2004$. These values were used with a variety of current capital cost estimates for nuclear construction to obtain several scenarios for possible future nuclear capacity additions. These values were used to obtain the effect of projected nuclear generating capacity on GHG emissions assuming nuclear would directly replace coal-fired generation. It was concluded that actual reductions in emissions would not be experienced until 2038, yet growth in emissions from electrical production would be slowed through that period. Due to the significant time to introduce large-scale changes in the utility sector, nuclear energy cannot have a dramatic short-term effect on emissions. Nuclear power, however, can have a major positive longer term impact, particularly under more favorable cost and investment conditions.

Проблемы конкуренции и кооперации в топливно-энергетическом комплексе Балтийского региона

This article considers the competition and cooperation problems in the energy sector of the Baltic region, first of all, those related to the export of Russian oil and oil products, the Nord Stream gas pipeline and the construction of nuclear plants in Poland, the Kaliningrad region, Lithuania, and Belarus. The author shows that, though sometimes Russia and the EU pursue opposite goals, there is significant interdependence between them, and a confrontation is disadvantageous for both parties.

Sweden backs construction of new nuclear plants

Sweden backs construction of new nuclear plants

Does Brazil need new nuclear power plants?

In October 2008, the Brazilian Government announced plans to invest US$212 billion in the construction of nuclear power plants, totaling a joint capacity of 60,000 MW. Apart from this program, officials had already announced the completion of the construction of the nuclear plant Angra III; the construction of large-scale hydroelectric plans in the Amazon and the implantation of natural gas, biomass and coal thermoelectric plants in other regions throughout the country. Each of these projects has its proponents and its opponents, who bring forth concerns and create heated debates in the specialized forums. In this article, some of these concerns are explained, especially under the perspective of the comparative analysis of costs involved. Under such merit figures, the nuclear option, when compared to hydro plants, combined with conventional thermal and biomass-fueled plants, and even wind, to expand Brazilian power-generation capacity, does not appear as a priority.

Atoms for Peace, Redux: Energy Codependency for Sustained Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula

North Korea's nuclear program is a threat to sustained stability on the Korean peninsula. Unfortunately, the traditional notion of “Atoms for Peace'' has been a failure in the engagement of the North. In this paper we propose a novel approach to mutual cooperation in energy provision on the Korean peninsula, premised on having North Korea host reactors that deliver energy to South Korea. We establish conditions where there exists a stable, time-consistent equilibrium where the North never finds it in its interest to disrupt energy supplies to the South, and where the South is willing to pay the fixed costs of nuclear plant construction in exchange for a discounted stream of energy supply from the North. We also show that third-party income streams can augment the cooperative relationship.

The future of nuclear power worldwide

Energy production from fossil fuels, mainly natural gas and coal, contributes significantly to global warming through large-scale greenhouse gas emissions, mainly of hundreds of billions of tonnes of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide. At least for the next few decades, one of the realistic options for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from energy production could be the increasing use of nuclear power. Today, nuclear power supplies 16% of world electricity consumption. Experts project that worldwide electricity consumption will increase substantially in the coming decades, especially in the developing world, accompanying economic growth and social progress. However, official forecasts call for a mere 5% increase in nuclear electricity generating capacity worldwide by 2020, while electricity use could grow by as much as 75%. These projections entail little new nuclear plant construction and reflect both economic considerations and growing antinuclear sentiment in key countries. The limited prospects for nuclear power today are attributable, ultimately, to four unresolved problems: costs, safety, waste and proliferation. The nuclear power industry has been developing and improving reactor technology since 1950, and is preparing for the next generations of reactors to fill orders in the next two decades. Several generations of reactors are commonly distinguished. Generation I reactors were developed from 1950 to the 1960s and outside the UK none is still running today. Generation II reactors are typified by the present US fleet and most that are in operation elsewhere. Generation III (and 3+) are the advanced reactors that will be discussed in this paper. The first is in operation in Japan and others are under construction or ready to be ordered. Generation IV designs are at the concept stage and will not be operational before 2020. In this paper, consideration will be given to what would be required to retain nuclear power as a significant option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the growing needs for electricity supply; then, the paper discusses how some of the innovative nuclear-fission technologies being developed today attempt to address the challenges facing nuclear energy. It suggests some areas for collaborative research and development that could reduce the time and cost required to develop new technologies.