Current status of reactor safety: An operations perspective

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:6682798

Tanguy, P ^[1]

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1. Electricite de France, Paris (France)

About 420 nuclear power plants are currently in operation around the world. They have accumulated an operational experience of [approximately]5,000 reactor-yr and are currently producing 17% of the electricity consumed in the world. Considering the impact of the Chernobyl accident, it is not surprising that the prevention of accidents in these operating plants is the first safety priority. Achieving this objective does not depend only on the attention given to operation and maintenance at the plant itself; it also implies a sound design and good quality construction. But consequences of deficiencies in these fields on plant safety can be minimized if they are detected early by plant operators. Today, plant operators are bearing the main responsibility for nuclear safety. This was not the case in the early days of nuclear development, when designers and regulators were most directly concerned by the safety issues, and operators were supposed just to do what they were told.'

• OSTI ID: 6682798
• Report Number(s): CONF-921102--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Journal Volume: 66
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210000 -- Nuclear Power Plants
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
COOPERATION
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
DATA COMPILATION
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
OPERATION
POWER PLANTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR SAFETY
SAFETY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS