Nuclear Reactor Safety offers a comprehensive exploration of the measures ensuring the safety of modern nuclear power plants. It delves into both the inherent safety features built into reactor designs and the engineered safety systems that respond to abnormal conditions. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, and control systems to appreciate how these facilities mitigate risks and protect the environment. For instance, it highlights how negative temperature coefficients in reactor designs help limit the consequences of potential malfunctions.
The book traces the evolution of nuclear safety standards, shaped by pivotal events like Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, which led to enhanced regulations and more robust safety features. A key focus is on probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) methodologies, showcasing how they are applied to analyze accident sequences and their potential consequences. Furthermore, it covers the design and operation of various reactor types, from pressurized water reactors (PWRs) to advanced reactor concepts, and examines emergency core cooling systems (ECCS) and containment structures.
This book distinguishes itself by offering an integrated treatment of deterministic and probabilistic safety analysis techniques. It provides a valuable resource for engineering students, nuclear engineers, and regulatory personnel, offering an up-to-date overview of nuclear reactor safety principles and practices, crucial for regulatory compliance and the development of future reactor technologies.
