Experience of other research reactor operators

While many methods are possible for data collection and experience on ageing from reactor facilities for analysis, one of the more useful methods is through the use of a questionnaire. An example of a data collection and analysis questionnaire used at a workshop on nuclear power plant ageing is as follows [2]  

For each system analysed, participants were requested to provide the following information  

Observed or suspected ageing environment or ageing problems  

An example of a questionnaire prepared for use with research reactors is given in Appendix III. 

Mathematical models of ageing processes and probabilistic safety assessment techniques can be used to determined how ageing affects component and system unavailability. Reference [2] provides some details on the development of probabilistic safety assessment techniques applicable to ageing of power reactors that may be useful as an example. Reference [9] does the same for the case of data collection concerning the reliability of research reactor systems and components. 

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