Abstract
The paper describes a research project titled “The Validity of Safety Goals” recently initiated by NKS (Nordic Nuclear Safety Research) and NPSAG (Nordic PSA Group) with participants from Finland and Sweden.
Quantitative results from a probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for a nuclear power plant are typically presented as core damage frequency (CDF) and frequency of radioactive release. In order to judge on the acceptability of results, criteria for the interpretation of results and for the assessment of their acceptability need to be defined.
The risk levels specified by the safety goals differ between organizations and between different countries. There may also be differences in the definition of safety goals. In most countries, safety goals started to be defined in the 1980s, i.e. at a time when PSA models were rather limited in scope. During the 1990s, the PSA models expanded considerably, both regarding operating states and classes of initiating events. In parallel, PSA:s have been expanded to level 2, making it possible to calculate release frequencies. In view of this development, and of current needs, the objective of the project includes looking back and mapping the evolvement of safety goals for PSA.
Defining quantitative goals for reactor safety may have a large impact on both the analysis burden and on requirements for safety improvements at nuclear power plants. It is therefore of great importance that these goals are effective and soundly based, that they can be effectively and unambiguously applied, and that they can be accepted and understood by all parties concerned (analysts, decision makers, the public, etc.). In connection with this, a number of specific issues related to the definition and use of safety goals will also be discussed.
Quantitative results from a probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for a nuclear power plant are typically presented as core damage frequency (CDF) and frequency of radioactive release. In order to judge on the acceptability of results, criteria for the interpretation of results and for the assessment of their acceptability need to be defined.
The risk levels specified by the safety goals differ between organizations and between different countries. There may also be differences in the definition of safety goals. In most countries, safety goals started to be defined in the 1980s, i.e. at a time when PSA models were rather limited in scope. During the 1990s, the PSA models expanded considerably, both regarding operating states and classes of initiating events. In parallel, PSA:s have been expanded to level 2, making it possible to calculate release frequencies. In view of this development, and of current needs, the objective of the project includes looking back and mapping the evolvement of safety goals for PSA.
Defining quantitative goals for reactor safety may have a large impact on both the analysis burden and on requirements for safety improvements at nuclear power plants. It is therefore of great importance that these goals are effective and soundly based, that they can be effectively and unambiguously applied, and that they can be accepted and understood by all parties concerned (analysts, decision makers, the public, etc.). In connection with this, a number of specific issues related to the definition and use of safety goals will also be discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management (PSAM 8) |
| Editors | Michael G. Stamatelatos, Harold S. Blackman |
| Publisher | American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-7918-0244-1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |
| MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
| Event | 8th International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management, PSAM 8 - New Orleans, United States Duration: 14 May 2006 → 18 May 2006 |
Conference
| Conference | 8th International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management, PSAM 8 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | New Orleans |
| Period | 14/05/06 → 18/05/06 |