Nuclear Energy Management Research Articles

Application of methods for the chemical and radiometric monitoring of liquid radioactive waste processing

ABSTRACT The processing and control of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) in nuclear power plants (NPP) are critical aspects of nuclear energy management. This study details the principles of the methods and the measuring instruments used for control, and highlights the features and advantages of chemical and radiometric control in radioactive waste processing. The purpose is to systematize and analyze the results and methods used for chemical and radiometric monitoring, treatment technologies, and adherence to regulatory standards. The paper presents findings from an operating NPP with water–water energy reactor power units, showcasing the novelty of systematizing monitoring methods at each stage of LRW processing and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Moreover, the chemical and radiometric indicators in the LRW were analysed, which provides insight into the dynamics of waste processing and classification. In addition, the application of Pearson correlation analysis allowed us to identify the relationships between chemical and radiometric indicators in the LRW, which provides valuable information for waste management practices. The selection of appropriate chemical and radiometric methods is crucial given the complexity of LRW characteristics, making this study relevant for enhancing LRW monitoring and management practices.

Low-Power Wireless Sensor Module for Machine Learning-Based Continuous Monitoring of Nuclear Power Plants.

This paper introduces the novel design and implementation of a low-power wireless monitoring system designed for nuclear power plants, aiming to enhance safety and operational efficiency. By utilizing advanced signal-processing techniques and energy-efficient technologies, the system supports real-time, continuous monitoring without the need for frequent battery replacements. This addresses the high costs and risks associated with traditional wired monitoring methods. The system focuses on acoustic and ultrasonic analysis, capturing sound using microphones and processing these signals through heterodyne frequency conversion for effective signal management, accommodating low-power consumption through down-conversion. Integrated with edge computing, the system processes data locally at the sensor level, optimizing response times to anomalies and reducing network load. Practical implementation shows significant reductions in maintenance overheads and environmental impact, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of nuclear power plant operations. The study also sets the groundwork for future integration of sophisticated machine learning algorithms to advance predictive maintenance capabilities in nuclear energy management.

High-entropy ceramics: Propelling applications through disorder

Disorder enhances desired properties, as well as creating new avenues for synthesizing materials. For instance, hardness and yield stress are improved by solid-solution strengthening, a result of distortions and atomic-size mismatches. Thermochemical stability is increased by the preference of chemically disordered mixtures for high-symmetry superlattices. Vibrational thermal conductivity is decreased by force-constant disorder without sacrificing mechanical strength and stiffness. Thus, high-entropy ceramics propel a wide range of applications: from wear-resistant coatings and thermal and environmental barriers to catalysts, batteries, thermoelectrics, and nuclear energy management. Here, we discuss recent progress of the field, with a particular emphasis on disorder-enhanced properties and applications.

Guarantee of Harmful Gamma Radiation Absence as Part of the Consumer Information Rights: A Behavioural Experiment under a Public Health Perspective

Gamma radioactivity produced by human technology is the most dangerous industrial product to life. Two recent global catastrophic events in which nuclear plants were involved, separated only by 25 years, have confirmed that, independently of the usage of nuclear weapons, achieving the 100% of security in the nuclear energy management was and still is a complete unrealistic idea. Although the guarantee of offering information of food and drink products quality concerning the date of expiry or the ingredients content is nowadays stipulated in laws around many countries, this is not the case of the radiation safety. An important investment to offer information concerning gamma radiation safety conditions in food and drink products offered by markets, which also could help to localize quickly, possible radioactive slight incidents, is here discussed. The implementation of a previous consumer-behaviour experiment in markets is also suggested.

Japan-IAEA Nuclear Energy Management School

Japan-IAEA Nuclear Energy Management School

原子力中核人材育成のためのネットワーク型短期プログラムの高度化

The Nuclear Energy Management School (NEMS) developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was introduced in Japan in 2012 and has been annually held since then. The Japanese organizers conducted surveys to assess the educational effects of the annual NEMS in Japan so that three-week school program will be improved. The results of the surveys show that the balance and the quality of the lectures have steadily improved through close communication between lecturers and program coordinators in the preparatory stage. Case studies were effective educational tools for the school participants to understand how nuclear energy management policies taught during the school are practiced in the nuclear sector in reality. The orientation and homework prior to the school and the combination of lectures and assignment during the program can largely contribute to improve the participants’ sense of accomplishment.

Japan-IAEA Joint Nuclear Energy Management School

Japan-IAEA Joint Nuclear Energy Management School

Japan-IAEA Joint Nuclear Energy Management School

Japan-IAEA Joint Nuclear Energy Management School

Управление рисками и обеспечение безопасности атомной энергетики на основе правового механизма

The paper is dedicated to the legal regulation of risk management and safety in the nuclear power industry. Legal regulation of risk management and safety in the nuclear power industry can significantly increase the damage compensation. It is possible to involve nuclear power industry’s enterprises in the formation of measures for the safe use of nuclear energy by an effective legal system creation. The legal system should include national and international principles regulating the nuclear energy use. This will reduce the negative impact on the environment and ensure the nuclear industry’s energy safety. The main subjects involved in the nuclear energy management and regulation are principal, manufacturer, operating organization. The principal is the developer of normative legal acts which indicate the basic institutional requirements and provide for state regulation of safety when using of nuclear energy. This regulation is achieved by such methods as licensing and certification. The manufacturers are various subjects of productive activities in the frame of the nuclear energy objects’ life cycle, and entities for these objects design, construction, and operation. Safety in the area of nuclear energy use includes mandatory and discretionary methods for regulation of relations between different actors. Methods for legal regulation of the safety level in the nuclear industry come from the condition of ecological and economic optimality, selection of appropriate principles of the law in the nuclear energy area. A tool for improvement of the effectiveness related to legal instruments in the area of nuclear energy management and use is a system of norms, rules, and standards, regulating and providing the stages of energy resources’ extraction, production and consumption in the context of atomic power facilities safe operation and subject activities strict regulation.

Info Session on Human Networking Held in Japan-IAEA Joint Nuclear Energy Management School

Info Session on Human Networking Held in Japan-IAEA Joint Nuclear Energy Management School

Nuclear energy: societal and knowledge management aspects

Multidisciplinary complexity and special characteristics of nuclear energy management lead to varied public perception of associated risks. Arguments on how nuclear power plants might contribute to sustainability or threaten it are discussed. Energy produced from nuclear power reactors may contribute to the economic development of the country they are built in by providing electricity with lower prices than that of most other types of energy production sources. However, the construction costs of nuclear power plants are very expensive and their building is usually subsidised by national governments. Moreover, radiation from nuclear power plants might be a potential threat to human health, the environment, and security. Nuclear waste and the uncertainties in best practices for the safe management of nuclear power plants are probably the most severe problems that future generations will have to face unless international cooperation for systematic sustainable solutions are found.

IAEA Nuclear Energy Management School holding in Japan

IAEA Nuclear Energy Management School holding in Japan

A Study of the EU Common Policy for Guaranteeing Nuclear Security and Nuclear Safety

This study examines the history and structure of EU"s nuclear energy policy and intra system. Up to recently, EU Commission has supported a foreign policy for nuclear energy management to form nuclear energy related systems. Also the Community has promoted an active participation in international-assistance system in relation to nuclear safety, nuclear security and Safeguard.<BR> Thus This study aims to analyze how EU has responded to overall environment changes and promoted its nuclear policies recently. It also takes a look at what relationship exits in international community and how EU"s nuclear policies and nuclear energy related systems has progressed.<BR> And this paper conducts an evaluation of the structure of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) and European Nuclear Energy Forum(ENEF). ENSREG is an independent, authoritative expert body created in 2007 following a decision of the European Commission. It is composed of senior officials from the national nuclear safety, radioactive waste safety or radiation protection regulatory authorities from all 27 Member States in the European Union and representatives of the European Commission. ENEF is a unique platform for a broad discussion, free of any taboos, on transparency issues as well as the opportunities and risks of nuclear energy. Founded in 2007, ENEF gathers all relevant stakeholders in the nuclear field: governments of the 27 EU Member States, European Institutions including the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee, nuclear industry, electricity consumers and the civil society.

Evaluation of the national nuclear energy R&amp;D projects in Korea: multi-attribute utility analysis

The Korean government has selected nuclear energy as the major source of electricity generation in Korea because of the lack of domestic energy resources. Thus, nuclear energy has become an increasingly vital part of resources for national development. The national nuclear energy R&D projects have been implemented for ensuring a safe and stable supply of nuclear energy in Korea since 1992. Evaluation of the national nuclear energy R&D projects has critical importance in the aspect of nuclear energy management. This paper employs multi-attribute utility analysis as a basis for obtaining an index to evaluate the national nuclear energy R&D projects using a specific case study of Korea. To structure and quantify basic values for the evaluation, we elicited important attributes, then refined and structured them into a hierarchy. A multi-attribute index is constructed as a multi-attribute utility function, based on value judgments provided by a group of technical researchers, policy analysts, faculties, and government officers. The implications of the results are also discussed. We found that the work and results of this study can provide valuable insights and decision opportunities for virtually all major decision-making in assessment of the national nuclear energy R&D projects in Korea.

Reactor systems aspects of the future development of thermonuclear energy in the U.S.S.R.

The Long-Term Energy Management Program of the U.S.S.R. includes establishing a technical and material basis for the extensive utilization of thermonuclear reactions. Thermonuclear energy is considered to be the most probable, practically inexhaustable energy source. In the beginning of the 21st century, when the practical utilization of the thermonuclear energy may begin, the energy management system of the U.S.S.R. will significantly differ from today's. Nuclear fission energy will have an important role both in generating electric power and in providing fuel for centralized heat supply systems. Since the thermal reactors used for this purpose are at an advanced level, it looks practical to capitalize initially on hybrid thermonuclear reactors that not only generate electric power, but produce plutonium as well. These notes conclude with a sketch of the possible role of hybrid reactors in the long-term nuclear energy management program of the Soviet Union.