Nuclear Chemical Plant Design

The second principle of prime importance to the design engineer is that radioactivity. In simplified form  

As will be discussed under health physics, the energy represented by the products on the right-hand side can be injurious to both man and material. 

The exposure to radiation is the product of the absorbed dose rate, which is a rate of energy absorption, and the exposure Ume. Most of the injuries listed above are of the threshold type. The dosage received must exceed a minimum before any physiological effect is observed. Above this level, small dose rates for a long period of exposure time are less injurious than an equivalent total dosage comprised of a very-high-level dose rate for a much smaller period of time. From an engineering viewpoint, the dose rate must be expressed in quantitative units as discussed next. 

The physical damage to tissue is a function of the type of radiation, i.e., 100 ergs of X-ray absorption differs physiologically from 100 ergs of alpha 

Values of RBE for various types of radiation are listed in Table 10-1. The final unit of interest, the r m or roentgen equivalent man, is a true measure of the biological injury produced from various types of radiation. The dosage can be expressed in terms of units of total energy absorption multiplied by the relative biological effectiveness  

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The cases and examples discussed above are typical of ones encountered in nuclear chemical plant design. More detailed analysis of shielding can be obtained by use of shielding manuals. - However, for most design work, the above-described procedures are adequate. 

Chapter 10 has been added to cover the unique features of nuclear chemical plant design, a subject which will be incres ingly useful in the years ahead. 

The data on probabilities given in this example are for illustration only, and do not represent actual data for these components. Some quantitive data on the reliability of instruments and control systems is given by Lees (1976). Examples of the application of quantitive hazard analysis techniques in chemical plant design are given by Wells (1996) and Prugh (1980). Much of the work on the development of hazard analysis techniques, and the reliability of equipment, has been done in connection with the development of the nuclear energy programmes in the USA (USAEC, 1975) and the UK. 

The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Distributed Control Model Based Reasoning Approach to Chemical Plant Design Use of Expert Systems in Nuclear Power Plants Application of AI to Management and Analysis Problems... 

Kirwan, B. (1989), A Human Factors and Human ReUabUity Programme for the Design of a Large UK Nuclear Chemical Plant, in Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 33rd Annual Meeting—1989 (Denver), pp. 1009-1013. 

The values of plant process variables for steady-state hydrogen production rates between 75 and 100% of full power are given by the load schedule reported here. The objective in designing this schedule was to achieve near constant hot side temperatures in both the nuclear and chemical plants. Briefly, mass flow rates are maintained proportional to power throughout, inventory control is used in the PCU, and electrolytic cell area and current are maintained proportional to hydrogen production rate. 

This chapter examines die history of accidents from early incidents to recent catastrophes. In conjunction widi diis review, die material will study the evolution of safety precautions, particularly as diey apply to chemical plants. A crucial part of any design project is the inclusion of safety controls. Wliedier die plans involve a chemical plant, a nuclear reactor, or a dmiway, steps must be taken to minimize the likelihood, or eonsequences, of accidents. It is also important to realize how accident plaiming lias improved in order to monitor today s adi anced teclmologies. This cliapter reviews a variety of actual accidents in order to provide an understanding of diese phenomena, which will supplement the subsequent chapters tliat deal widi diese subjects in significant detail. 

In many ways, the design of a nuclear power plant and that of a fossil fuel burning power plant are very similar. In both cases heat from a reaction is used to generate steam. The steam is then used to drive turbines that produce electricity. In a typical fossil fuel power plant, the chemical combustion of coal, oil, or gas generates the heat, whereas in a nuclear power plant, a nuclear fission reaction generates the heat. Because of the hazardous radioactive fuels and fission products present at nuclear power plants, a dense concrete structure is usually built to enclose... 

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