Performance of Nuclear Power Reactor Components [antikvár]

FOREWORDDuring the 1960s nuclear power installations have evolved through experimentál and prototype plants to large central industrial power stations. At the end of 1969, 90 nuclear power reactors, producing about 15 000 MW, were in operation, and these will increase to about 300 generating over 135 000 MW by 1 975. This rapid progress has not been without the inevitable teething troubles often met in a new technology. The first and second generation of nuclear plants have provided valuable operational data which, when analysed and evaluated, can provide the basis for improving the per-formance, reliability and availability of both existing and future plants.The Agency organized a Symposium on the Performance of Nuclear Power Reactor Components at Prague from 9 to 13 November 1969. This was the first international gathering on the subject. The program included six sessions devoted to refuelling machines, primary circuits, instrumenta-tion and control systems, steam generators, pressure vessels and tubes, and three sessions dealing with start-up, operating and maintenance ex-perience with gas-cooled, light-water and fast breeder reactors.At the close of the Symposium a panel discussion was held to sum up the findings of the meeting and discuss the steps which could be taken to improve the reliability of nuclear plants. The discussion revealed that by far the greatest number of problems encountered were non-nuclear in origin and concerned heat exchangers, pumps, valves, saturated steam turbines, and handling and control devices. It appeared that the high standards of engineering and manufacturing that were rigorously applied to the nuclear systems were not observed on the conventional parts of the plánt. It was alsó agreed that the fact that nuclear power plánt technology had developed very rapidly with marked increases in unit sizes and speedy introduction of design improvements and innovations had further contributed to the problems. In spite of these factors, the generál performance of nuclear stations had been quite satisfactory and their record compared favourably with many advanced conventional thermal power stations, which alsó had had their share of difficulties. That the utility companies were turning towards nuclear power underlined the confidence they had in its future.The panel stressed the need for better quality control, particularly of conventional components; thorough pre-operational testing; easy access for maintenance; regular in-service surveillance; and proper training of operating staff. Careful attention to these points must make for improved plánt performance. The panel alsó emphasized the importance of the prompt exchange of operating experience, preferably through organizations like the Agency.