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Safety concept of nuclear power plants in the Federal Republic of Germany

Journal Article · · Nucl. Saf.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5094447
The safety philosophy of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) pertaining to nuclear power plants is presented. Its general approach makes much use of research and experience in other countries, especially the United States, but the FRG has also evolved approaches and aspects unique to itself. The article discusses the institutional interrelationships of the entities affecting German nuclear power plant safety and presents the resulting German safety philosophy. This philosophy is based, as in the United States, on multilevel defenses but with greater reliance on a number of accident-prevention and/or -mitigation concepts, including: (1) automated responses to off-normal conditions, (2) an operating-limit system that acts before initiation of protective actions by the reactor protection system, (3) multistrand independent safety trains, and (4) long-term self-contained safety under accident conditions without operator intervention. The practical realization of this philosophy in the design and operation of the chief reactor systems is described.
OSTI ID:
5094447
Journal Information:
Nucl. Saf.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Saf.; (United States) Vol. 24:6; ISSN NUSAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English