First off, the industry does not use the term inherently safe (anymore). Inherently safe means there is no risk because nothing hazardous is present. This cannot apply to a nuclear reactor plant that contains plenty of radioactive fuel and systems at high pressure and temperature. Power reactors may be inherently safe from certain specific accident types (light water reactors cannot suffer the type of accident that occurred at Chernobyl). But overall, cannot by definition be inherently safe.
On the other hand, passive safety is an objective that any industry can employ and improve upon. New reactor designs have higher levels of passive safety. Passive safety means no operator actions are required to shut down the reactor. So the goal is to improve safety utilizing both active and passive safety systems. Generation 3+ reactors being built overseas (and now finally at the Vogtle site in Georgia) have sufficient passive safety features such that no pumps are needed and the only active components required for safe shutdown rely on battery power.
A couple of examples: from Westinghouse's website: "AP1000 relies on the natural forces of gravity, natural circulation and compressed gases to keep the core and containment from overheating." From GE-Hitachi's website on the ABWR: "The reactor internal pumps eliminate external recirculation systems, improving performance and safety. . ."
So, bottom line: I'd say that new nuclear plants have improved levels of safety, particularly the ability shutdown without the need for active pumps and external power supplies.
But don't quote me. Best regards, Eric
Eric M. Goldin, CHP
Southern California Edison
<[email protected]>
From: "Otto G. Raabe" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Date: 02/16/2012 07:51 PM
Subject: Powernet: True of False
Sent by: [email protected]
TRUE OR FALSE:
New Power Reactors are Inherently Safe !
Please explain in a way that the Press will understand.
Otto
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Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
Center for Health & the Environment
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: (530) 752-7754 FAX: (530) 758-6140
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