Construction Of Nuclear Power Plants Research Articles

Matching Analysis of Technical Parameters and Safety Standards for Nuclear Replacement of Coal-Fired Units

In the context of the growing share of renewable energy and the impending decommission of a large number of coal-fired units, nuclear energy is the only green energy that can replace coal power for a stable, clean, efficient, and large-scale power supply. This article compares the differences between coal power and nuclear power in terms of thermal system, thermal cycle, turbine parameters, and safety. It discusses the possibility of replacing the boiler of a coal power plant with nuclear power, that is, replacing the boiler of a coal power plant with a nuclear reactor for generation/heating/cogeneration. For coal-fired units with similar capacity that do not use a reheat cycle (at or below high pressure) and nuclear power units (such as a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor), as well as coal-fired units with a reheat cycle (ultra-high pressure and above) and nuclear power units (such as pressurized water reactors), there are great differences in steam parameters. In terms of steam turbines, the size of nuclear power units is relatively larger, requiring additional dehumidification measures. In addition, the safety factors and management methods considered in the site selection, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants are more stringent and complex, and comprehensive analysis and evaluation are needed in aspects such as waste treatment and accident emergency response. Except for the relevant provisions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers code for pressure vessels, nuclear power units are not compatible with coal-fired units in terms of safety standards. Therefore, considering comprehensively, it is believed that the scheme of nuclear power replacing coal-fired units for power generation/heating/cogeneration program is not feasible at present.

Force Measurement Standards Up to 1 MN and Above

The use of force measurements standards ensures testing of load and force sensors designed for measuring and studying large loads in rocket science, nuclear power plant construction, and testing of structural materials. The article provides an overview of the State Primary Standard of force GET 32–2011 of the Russian Federation in the range up to 1 MN, and also analyzes international experience in the field of reproduction of the unit of force with a value above 1 MN. The range of reproduction and composition of loads of the deadweight machine EU-100 from the composition of the State Primary Standard of force GET 32–2011 of the Russian Federation, deadweight machine of the Physical-Technical Federal Institute (PTB, Germany), deadweight machine of the National Institute of Standards and Technologies, deadweight machine of the Fujian Institute for Metrology (FPIM, China) and the deadweight machine of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, Republic of Korea) were assessed. The article is of scientific and practical interest to specialists in the field of reproduction of the unit of force of large values. The generalized experience can become the basis for research in the field of improving the standards of force. The review is also addressed to teachers and students of specialized disciplines of higher education.

Assessment of the activity concentration of radon and its health hazard in surface water around the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) site, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Radon is a colourless, unscented, radioactive inert gas. As a gaseous element, Rn-222 can be effectively breathed in, leading to a health hazard. The main objective of this study is to measure the amount of Rn-222 concentration in surface water and its associated health hazards around the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) construction site area in Bangladesh. Twenty water samples were collected each year (2022 and 2023) from different specific locations of the Padma River and investigated for radon concentration through a Durridge RAD7 detector with RAD H2O accessories. The range of radon activity in surface water measured from 0.070 ± 0.035 to 0.385 ± 0.211 BqL−1 with a mean activity of 0.194 ± 0.114 BqL−1 in the year 2022 and in the year 2023, the range of radon activity in surface water measured from 0.035 ± 0.070 to 0.455 ± 0.239 BqL−1 with an average activity of 0.228 ± 0.140 BqL−1. All the radon concentration results were below the recommended limits of WHO (100 BqL−1) and USEPA (11.1 BqL−1). The ranges of annual effective dose (AED) were from 0.1911 to 1.051 µSvy−1 and from 0.095 to 1.242 µSvy−1 in the years 2022 and 2023, respectively, which were lower than the AED recommended by WHO (0.1 mSvy−1). The mean values of excess lifetime cancer risk are 0.0021 × 10−3 and 0.0025 × 10−3 in the years 2022 and 2023, respectively, which were lower than the average standard value recommended by UNSCEAR (0.29 × 10−3). The result of this investigation can be applied as baseline data for radon concentration measurement in the under-construction nuclear power plant site area vicinity of Bangladesh.

Political polarization and the energy policy paradox: assessing the impact of South Korea’s nuclear power phase-out policy

ABSTRACT Polarization surrounding nuclear power has intensified in Korea following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. In 2017, President Moon Jae-in implemented an energy policy that shifted the focus from nuclear to renewable energy, a departure from previous governments’ approaches. Additionally, Moon administration supported various participatory governance initiatives to minimize social conflicts, including participatory deliberative polls concerning the construction of the Shin-Kori nuclear power plants. However, the Moon administration’s policy was followed by polarization between nuclear and renewable energy factions escalating toward the end of the term. We employed mixed-method approaches combining media and survey analyses to investigate this issue. The results demonstrate that, despite initially appearing to be policy neutral, renewable energy alternatives underwent polarization under the Moon administration. We emphasize the need to investigate effective strategies for utilizing participatory projects as tools to break, rather than reinforce, the political gridlock impeding energy transition.

Research on Internal Flooding Analysis of Small Modular Reactors Based on Particle Method

Abstract The analysis of internal water flooding in nuclear power plants is a necessary part of safety review in the approval process of nuclear power plant construction projects. According to relevant regulations, it is necessary to conduct water flooding spread analysis on pipelines, water tanks, or pools filled with liquid in nuclear power plant buildings, analyze the spread path and water flooding height. This article analyzes and calculates the flow characteristics of water in a nuclear power plant building using a fluid calculation method based on the Lagrangian method (particle method). Taking the small modular reactor JR building as a case study, it analyzes the spread and height of four water flooding sources inside the building. According to the simulation time of 1800S, the results show that the flooding caused by the No. 2 water source is the most severe, with a flooding height of 1.367m. Drainage or preventive measures need to be taken to prevent the pipeline from breaking accidents; The flooding sources 1, 2, and 4 have a relatively mild impact, resulting in a lower flooding height and will not have a significant impact on important safety equipment, with little impact on the safety of nuclear power plants. The CFD analysis method was used to conduct water flooding analysis for nuclear power plants, which has the characteristics of strong adaptability and good visualization. It can dynamically simulate the entire process of water flooding analysis and better guide the design of water flooding protection for nuclear power plants.

Implications of public acceptance assessments for site selections in the small modular reactors using system dynamics

This study investigates the feasibility of siting a nuclear power plant (NPP) within a densely populated university campus. Site selection for NPPs is a complex process involving numerous interconnected factors. To address this complexity, we employ system dynamics (SD) modeling, a methodology renowned for its ability to quantify both technological and social aspects. Our simulation results indicate that public acceptance (PA) is a critical determinant in site selection. In the fourth month of the simulation, the model's values were identical in both PA and non-PA scenarios. However, subsequent simulations revealed a significant divergence, with PA-implicated values reaching 85.398 compared to 24.240 in the non-PA scenario. This disparity underscores the primacy of PA in the decision-making process. Given the extended timeline of NPP construction, the gap between PA and non-PA outcomes is likely to widen further, particularly in the context of positive public sentiment toward the NPP. The insights gleaned from this research can be applied to other industries, such as oil refineries, where the potential for atmospheric pollution due to toxic gas leaks necessitates careful site selection.

Hazard Identification Risk Assessment Onsite Survey for External Human-Induced Events Aspect of the Nuclear Power Plant in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Every stage of the West Kalimantan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) building process prioritizes safety. The external, human-induced events (HIE) aspect is one part of the NPP site survey, as some risks in the site evaluation procedure could compromise the safety of the activity implementers. As a result, a risk assessment study relating to occupational safety and health (OSH) is necessary. This study aims to determine the quantity of risk from NPP site survey activities in terms of the HIE aspect. The risk assessment method involves a literature review and collecting data from field verification using a quantitative method that refers to the risk assessment based on BATAN Standard 006.1:2019 to support the implementation of the OSH management system. Following that, the analysis begins with a hazard risk identification risk analysis to determine the risk probability scale and consequence scale acquisition that may result from the hazards. The research findings from the conducted assessment of risk related to the nonroutine HIE site survey show ergonomic, mechanical, and biological hazards that were developed during the preparation, field review, and reporting processes. The risk rating is category A, with a risk scale of 2, indicating acceptable risk and effective control measures. These data and information support site evaluation license requirements for Indonesia as it plans for the construction of NPPs.

Wpływ działalności antropogenicznej w dorzeczu górnego Dunaju na reżim temperatury wody Dunaju w Bratysławie

The man activity in the basin affects the water temperature in the increasingly higher levels (construction of water reservoirs, construction of thermal and nuclear power plants or drainage of waste water to streams). In this paper, we focused our attention on the evaluation of the impact of anthropogenic activity to increase the thermal load of the Danube River for the period 1926–2020 at the Bratislava (Slovakia) station. In the first part, the long-term trends of a series of monthly and annual water temperatures in the Danube (period 1931–2020) are identified. In the second part, the dependence of the range of daily water temperature values is analysed at the temperature of the atmosphere in Vienna. The impact of an increase in the temperature of the Danube water due to human activity was tried to identify for lower, average, and higher flows (for Danube discharge at Bratislava water gauge 1500 m3s-1, 2000 m3s-1, and 3000 m3s-1) by comparing two periods: 1932–1961, and 1991–2020. As the effect of water heating in the river stream is most noticeable during low flow (dry) periods and high air temperatures, only daily water and air temperature data from the warm months between May and September were used in the calculations. At monthly flow rates of 1500 m3s-1, the water temperature was, on average, 0.5°C higher during the period of 1991–2020 than it was during the period of 1932–1960. This growth could be attributed to human activities in the Danube basin above Bratislava (warming of water in the built tanks, the wastewater flow to the Danube flow, etc.)

Features of the Design and Construction of Nuclear Power Plants

Features of the Design and Construction of Nuclear Power Plants

Competitiveness of companies in the design, engineering and construction of nuclear power plants

Increasing electricity consumption in the modern world makes the unique nuclear power market. It provides growing secured demand, specific external development factors. However, only four companies involved in the design, engineering, and construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs). The competitiveness of those companies included into M. Porter’s theory framework, but has its own characteristics. The purpose of the study is to determine the specifics of companies competitiveness engaged in the design, engineering, and construction of nuclear power plants, and assess the factors and prospects for their development. Besides, we define the theoretical base of international competitiveness with regard to the specific features of this economic sector, characterise the companies operating on the market, and build a model of the competitiveness formation of four representatives under the domestic factors of development. In conclusion, we will present the prospects for ROSATOM development in an internationally competitive environment. The models of competitiveness formation show the positive impact of investments in human capital, ESG agenda implementation, and long-term prospects of R&D projects. The research provides information for developing the theory of competitiveness and improving the company’s activities in this economic sector.

Drifting towards multidimensional collaborative innovation: the co-evolution of collaboration networks and policy in China’s nuclear power industry

Purpose Nuclear power is a stable and reliable energy source that can improve energy structure while reducing carbon emissions, which is of great significance for environmental protection and combating climate change. As a unique industry, it is facing rare development opportunities in China and has broad market prospects. However, the characteristics of technical difficulty, loose organizational structure and uneven regional distribution limit the expansion of the nuclear power industry. This paper aims to a better understanding of the accumulation process for innovation capability from the perspective of network evolution and provides policy guidance for the market development of the nuclear power industry (NPI). Design/methodology/approach Methodologically, social network analysis is used to explore the co-evolution of multidimensional collaboration networks. First, the development and policy evolution of the NPI is introduced to divide the evolution periods. Then, the authors identify and analyze the core organizations, technologies and regions that promote nuclear power patent collaboration. Furthermore, three levels of collaboration networks based on organizations, technologies and regions are constructed to analyze the coevolution of patent networks in China’s NPI. Findings The results show that nuclear power enterprises always play the foremost role in the organizational collaboration network (OCN), and the dominance of foreign enterprises is replaced by Chinese state-owned enterprises in the third period. The technology hotspot has shifted from nuclear power plant construction to the control system. The regional collaboration network was initially formed in the coastal areas and gradually moved inland, with Guangdong and Beijing becoming the two cores of the network. The scale of three collaboration networks is still expanding but the speed has slowed down. Originality/value In response to the pain points of the NPI, this research focuses on multidimensional collaborative innovation, investigates the dynamic evolution process of collaborative innovation networks in China’s NPI and links policy evolution with network evolution creatively. The ultimate result not only helps nuclear power enterprises integrate innovative resources in complex environments but also promotes industrial upgrading and market development.

Intelligent Carabiner as a Modern Means of Protection During the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants

Intelligent Carabiner as a Modern Means of Protection During the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants

Tri-Loop design and thermoeconomic analysis for the high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor coupling energy storage system

Thermal energy storage is a proposed solution that enables nuclear power plants to adjust their output without altering power levels. This technology manages fluctuations in the power generation process by storing generated heat above demand levels until it is required to produce steam. Despite the initial investment needed for infrastructure construction, these costs are easily offset by the ultimate returns, especially when efficiency is improved to 85% to 90%. In the context of nuclear power plant applications, helium molten salt energy storage systems demonstrate significant potential as an innovative power generation configuration. In this study, three cycle systems—helium, molten salt, and water (steam)—were employed to investigate and optimize the performance of the system. A series of modeling and simulation processes were conducted using EBSILON software to explore the impact of various parameters (such as pressure, reheat stages, and temperature) on the thermal efficiency of the power plant under both design and off-design conditions. To further study the system's performance, a thermo-economic analysis method based on the second law of thermodynamics was adopted. A thermal-economic analysis model was established, and a fire use analysis was performed on key equipment under representative conditions. Through this approach, we identified the distribution of fire use losses within the system, with the steam generator being the primary contributor to fire use losses among the three systems. Through comprehensive analysis of the simulation results, we conclude that the system exhibits outstanding thermal-economic performance when high-pressure parameters are combined with high temperature. This insight is crucial for modeling and optimizing the construction of nuclear power plants in China, providing a more comprehensive understanding of factors influencing thermal efficiency and contributing to more informed decision-making for the design and operation of tri-generation nuclear power stations.

Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making model for nuclear power plant location selection using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy VIKOR methods focused on socio-economic factors

In response to its position as the fourth most populous country globally, Indonesia is exploring constructing nuclear power plants (NPPs) as a sustainable energy solution. A pivotal step in this initiative is selecting an appropriate NPP site. This study employs two Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) and Fuzzy VIKOR, to identify the most suitable location for an NPP, focusing on socio-economic factors. The Fuzzy-AHP method is utilized to prioritize ten sub-criteria: transmission network, operating costs, economic impact, security, transportation network, legal considerations, the impact of tourism, land ownership, historical sites, and public acceptance. Following this, the Fuzzy VIKOR method leverages these prioritized criteria to evaluate two potential sites: East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan. The analysis reveals that security, transmission, and transportation networks emerge as the top priorities. The application of the Fuzzy VIKOR algorithm identifies West Kalimantan as the optimal site for NPP construction, evidenced by its lower VIKOR index of 0.3599, indicating a higher overall preference based on the evaluated criteria. The study demonstrates that the integration of Fuzzy-AHP and Fuzzy VIKOR methods prioritizes critical socio-economic factors and quantitatively assesses potential sites, offering a systematic and objective approach to support decision-making in NPP site selection.

Quantitative Assessment of Gaseous Effluents during Routine Operation: A Comparative Study of Planned Nuclear Power Plants at Lubiatowo-Kopalino and Pątnów Sites in Poland

On September 2021, Polish government declared that six pressurized water reactors with combined capacity of 6–9 GWe will be built by 2040 to reduce Poland’s reliance on coal. Due to the adopted schedule, construction of the first nuclear power plant will begin in 2026, with the first reactor capacity of 1–1.6 GWe to be operational in 2033. The Polish authorities announced in 2022 the selection of two locations and technologies for Poland’s first commercial nuclear power plants. Westinghouse AP1000 reactor was selected by Polish government to be built as the first plant in the location of Lubiatowo-Kopalino, on the coast of the country. In the meantime, Poland’s ZE PAK, Polska Grupa Energetyczna, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power have signed the letter of intent to collaborate on the project that evaluates the feasibility of building South Korean APR1400 on Pątnów site in central Poland. The objective of this study was to acquire and examine the gaseous effluents released during the standard operation of the AP1000 and APR1400 reactor technologies, with the primary goal of focusing on estimating the potential exposure of the general public. The effluents were calculated by using the GALE code based on each nuclear reactor technical specification. The obtained results were compared with those included in the Design Control Document for each reactor. Subsequently, the HotSpot software was used to calculate the radiation risk for downwind areas by utilizing GALE code results as source terms together with specific meteorological data corresponding for each localization. The results for AP1000 at Lubiatowo-Kopalino site and for APR1400 at Pątnów site were analysed and compared in the study. As the study findings were evaluated with the Polish radiation limits for the general public, all doses remained below the legal thresholds. With no previous alike studies conducted, this research begins the analysis of radiation impacts associated with the planned nuclear power plant in Poland during normal operation.

Numerical investigations of transient thermal loading of steam turbines for SMR plants

One of the well-known technologies that fit well into the goal of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is nuclear energy. In particular, the change in approach to the design and construction of nuclear power plants led to the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), which are characterized by a broader range of possible applications than large nuclear reactors and the ability to flexibly operate as per load demand. This paper presents an analysis of the thermal loads of a steam turbine rotor operating in a power plant with SMR. Steam-water cycle and turbine train of a 300 MW unit are presented. High-pressure steam turbine rotor and its thermal loading due to varying steam conditions are investigated for a cold startup designed with consideration of the thermal characteristics of nuclear reactors. It was shown by numerical simulations that steam condensation on rotor surfaces plays a crucial role in determining its thermal behaviour. Comparison with conventional rotors has shown that the thermal loading of nuclear turbine rotors is lower and more stable than that of conventional turbines.

Multicriteria Decision Making in Site Selection for Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear energy is an important alternative energy source. However, construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) requires the consideration of environmental, economic, socioeconomic, health, and safety factors since using such an energy source involves some risks during the operation lifetime of a NPP. Accordingly, the selection of the most suitable site for a NPP yields a multicriteria decision making (MCDM) problem. Natural hazards, health hazards, environmental conditions, population density, and the availability of water resources are among the main factors that should be considered. To demonstrate the application of the proposed methodology, two previously identified NPP sites in Turkey, specifically, Mersin-Akkuyu and Sinop-Abalı, are compared utilizing the multicriteria utility functions. In the comparison of these two sites, seismic hazard, tsunami hazard; extreme wind hazard; distance to facilities; population density; proximity to the city center; existence of forests, natural parks, nature conservation areas, and natural monuments; biodiversity; and immovable cultural heritage have been identified as the most important critical criteria and are evaluated concerning the utility functions developed for each criterion. The optimal site is selected within the framework of the MCDM rules, and is recommended as the output of the study.

The development of the international nuclear power plant construction market in the context of nuclear power social acceptability research

Aim. To determine the vector of influence of public opinion on the prospects of development of the international market of nuclear power plant (NPP) construction in the conditions of global energy transition and to formulate the most priority directions of communication work in order to increase the Russian export of nuclear power technologies in the markets of developing countries.Objectives. To identify the current trends of social acceptability of nuclear power in the world; to consider a number of tools used to work with public opinion in the field of improving the reputation of nuclear power in countries-importers of nuclear power technologies; to substantiate the importance of communication work in order to increase Russian exports of nuclear power technologies in the markets of developing countries.Methods. Data from various sociological surveys were used to analyze the current state of social acceptability of nuclear power plants. The key methods of this study are comparative method and case study method.Results. The analysis of the international experience of society’s influence on energy policy has shown that it is impossible to implement international projects in the field of NPP construction without public support for the initiative on nuclear power development. The analysis revealed that one of the competitive advantages of ROSATOM in the international NPP construction market is the inclusion of public communication work in the export offer. Based on the analysis of the results of sociological surveys, it was found out that within the framework of communication work with the public in the importer country it is reasonable to emphasize the economic benefits of NPP operation and continuity of its functioning.Conclusions. The article shows the possibilities of increasing the Russian export of nuclear power technologies in the markets of developing countries, due to the global trend to increase the social acceptability of nuclear power and the presence of relevant competitive advantages, including within the framework of the implementation of communication strategy.

Урановые проекты в странах Центральной Азии: перспективы и сложности реализации

The article analyzes the issues of possible construction of nuclear power plants, to which the political elite of most Central Asian countries has recently shown deep interest. The worsening problem of power shortages in the region necessitates the search for alternative power-generating capacities. Emphasis is placed on the ura-nium potential of Central Asian countries, which allows them not only to use it as a resource for the creation of new energy facilities based on new technologies, but also turns these countries into an object of global geopo-litical competition. In the future, the interest of Central Asian countries in the implementation of uranium pro-jects will only increase due to socio-economic factors, such as the need to ensure energy security as a strategic basis for sustainable economic development and meeting the needs of the population in electricity. It is con-cluded that both internal (environmental threats, political instability) and external (geopolitical rivalry) factors will slow down the implementation of uranium projects.

The Economic and Social Dimension of Energy Transformation in the Face of the Energy Crisis: The Case of Poland

Energy transformation in Poland, including the need to accelerate the shift away from hard coal and lignite in the power system, has been taking place in the face of the energy crisis. Ambitious climate and economic goals force the development of renewable energy sources, but they require legislative changes for the benefit of socially vulnerable consumers. This is important from the point of view of counteracting energy poverty. Energy transformation is not only a change in the fuel used, but most of all, the path and basis of low-carbon development that changes many socio-economic systems. The aim of this study is to link the development and environmental challenges in the studied subject matter with social challenges. The analyses show that it is necessary to strengthen the use of local energy potential and resources, and to activate local communities. The construction of nuclear power plants is also crucial. The results of the presented theoretical and empirical studies can be the basis for a revision of the energy policy in Poland in the area of the social dimension of the energy sector.