Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This project investigates aspects of a novel inherently safe nuclear power steam supply system as safety is of paramount importance. The system envisaged has unique features namely: a) a two-phase flow flash-tube type natural circulating primary loop (also the secondary radioactive particle containment); b) a twophase flow thermosyphon heat pipe type heat exchanger secondary loop is used to transfer heat from the primary loop to the steam generators, thereby physically separating the two flow streams from one another; c) a natural convection air cooled condenser for the removal of the reactor’s residual heat; d) a unique core using TRISO type fuel (acting as the primary radioactive particle containment) with life of at least 8.9 years; e) a steel containment vessel acting as a tertiary radioactive product containment; f) a concrete containing structure with air vents to allow air to pass over the main steel containment vessel for cooling purposes in the case of an emergency, and for the removal of parasitic heat during operation. In particular the primary and secondary loops of the proposed system are investigated. This is done by design, construction and testing of a small scale experimental set-up of the primary and secondary loops as well as the development of theoretical models for the two loops. A literature survey focusing on nuclear technology, thermosyphon loops, natural circulating loop instabilities, heat pipes, and two-phase flow modelling is presented to give a brief overview of the technologies as well as tools used in the work undertaken. Observations of the inside flow behaviour of the primary loop experimental set-up were made possible by windows providing many insights into the inner workings, such as plume formation and geysering. The transient response of the secondary heat pipe loop start-up is also investigated. A thermal resistance theoretical model was developed for the secondary loop using heat transfer formulae from theory as well as experimentally semiempirical correlated formula. Different states of operation of the secondary loop were observed during testing with the theoretical model of the condensing regime correlating well, two-phase regime correlating acceptably and liquid regime correlating poorly to experimental results and thus were modelled using an experimentally determined overall heat transfer coefficient. The secondary loop model of the liquid regime is coupled with the primary loop theoretical model to predict the system’s performance. A homogeneous, one-dimensional, simple theoretical model for the primary loop was derived and computer simulated. The results did not compare well with experimental results for single phase flow and failed to capture the onset of two-phase flow. The assumptions of one dimensional model with a unidirectional flow, a hydrostatic pressure problem, a constant volumetric flow rate and the inability of the implementation of the code to handle expansion are noted as some of the flaws in the theoretical model. The following recommendations are made: a more advanced design of the pressuriser should be incorporated into the experiment; the secondary loop’s theoretical model should be characterised under a broader set of operating conditions; the computer program can be used as the basis for further research and implementation of alternative solution algorithms and models. / AFRIKKANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie projek ondersoek aspekte van ’n ongewone, essensieel veilige kernkrag stoomtoevoer-stelsel, omdat veiligheid van kardinale belang is. Die stelsel wat voorgestel is, het unieke eienskappe, naamlik: a) ’n twee-fasevloei flits-buistipe natuurlik sirkulerende primêre lus (wat ook die sekondêre inperking van radioaktiewe materiaal bevat); b) ’n twee-fasevloei termo-heweleffek sekondêre lus hitte-pyp hitte-uitruiler word gebruik om die hitte vanaf die primêre lus oor te dra na die stoomkragopwekkers en daardeur word die twee strome se vloei fisies geskei van mekaar; c) ’n natuurlike konveksie lugverkoelde kondensor word gebruik vir die verwydering van die reaktors se oortollige hitte; d) ’n unieke kern gebruik TRISO-tipe brandstof (wat as die primêre inperking van radioaktiewe materiaal optree) met ’n lewe van minstens 8.9 jaar; e) ’n inperkingshouer van staal wat optree as ’n tersiêre radioaktiewe produkhouer; f) ’n betonstruktuur met lugventilasie om toe te laat dat lug oor die hoof staalhouer vloei vir verkoeling in ’n noodgeval, en vir die verwydering van parasitiese hitte tydens werking. Hoofsaaklik word die primêre en sekondêre lusse van die voorgestelde stelsel ondersoek. Dit word gedoen deur die ontwerp, konstruksie en die toets van ’n eksperimentele opstelling van die primêre en sekondêre lusse op klein skaal, sowel as die ontwikkeling van teoretiese modelle vir die twee lusse. ’n Literatuurstudie wat fokus op kerntegnologie, termo-heweleffeklusse, natuurlik sirkulerende lus instabiliteit, hitte-pype, en twee-fase vloeimodellering word aangebied om ’n kort oorsig te gee van die tegnologie, sowel as gereedskap gebruik in die werk wat onderneem is. Om die interne vloeigedrag van die primêre lus se eksperimentele opstelling waar te neem, word daar gebruik gemaak van vensters wat dien as ’n manier om die innerlike werking van die proses soos pluimvorming en die kook van die water in die warmwaterkolom te toon. Die oorgangsreaksie van die sekondêre hittepyplus aanvangs is ook ondersoek. ’n Teoretiese termiese weerstandmodel is ontwikkel vir die sekondêre lus met behulp van hitte-oordragformules waarvoor hitte-oordragteorie gebruik is, wat met eksperimentele semi-empiriese formules gekorreleer is. Verskillende toestande van die sekondêre lus se werking is waargeneem gedurende die toetse. Die teoretiese model het goed met die kondensasiestaat gekorreleer, terwyl by die twee-fasewerkswyse aanvaarbare korrellasies aangetref is en die uiteindelike vloeitoestand swakker gekorrelleer het met eksperimentele resultate en dus gemodelleer is met behulp van die NTU-effektiwiteitsmetode. Die sekondêre lusmodel van die vloeistoftoestand is gekoppel met die primêre lus teoretiese model om die werking van die stelsels te voorspel. ’n Homogene een-dimensionele eenvoudige teoretiese model van die primêre lus is afgelei en ’n rekenaar simulasie is uitgevoer. Die resultate vergelyk nie goed met die eksperimentele resultate vir enkelfasevloei en kon nie die aanvang van twee-fasevloei beskryf nie. Die aannemings van ’n een-dimensionele model met eenrigting vloei, ’n hidrostatiese druk probleem, ’n konstant volumetries vloeitempo en die onvermoë van die implementering van die kode om uitbreiding te hanteer is bekend as ’n paar van die foute in die teoretiese model. Die volgende aanbevelings word gemaak: ’n meer gevorderde ontwerp van drukreëlaar moet in die eksperiment ingesluit word; die sekondêre lus se teoretiese model moet gekenmerk word onder ’n wyer stel bedryfsomstandighede, en die rekenaar program kan gebruik word as die basis vir verdere navorsing en die implementering van alternatiewe algoritmes en modelle.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy

在人類社會中，政治代表著一種價值的權威性分配；而公共政策在於顯示政府選擇作 為或不作為，及如何作為的一連串過程；因此，任何有關涉及公共價值分配的決定做 成時，其後必然隱含決策採行的音論根據。所以在決策制定的考慮上，為能期免於來 自執行階段的阻力，與完成目標充分性的（ADEQUANCE） 要求下，其評估（EVALUATE ）的標準（CRITERIAN） 應該是多方面的；因此，林布隆教授（C.E.LINDBLOM）曾言 ：「政策制定的主要特徵在於其複雜性與紊亂性。」由此可見，政策之良善，繫於其 考慮的深度與廣度。但是過去的政策研究基於邏輯實證論的觀點，強調事實面與行為 面的分析，並利用行為科學的數理研究方法以及成本效益分析等技術，以建立政策運 作的效率與效能原則，作為評估公共政策的主要準。然而這樣的立場與觀點，及至１ ９６０年代卅期，遭遇到前所未有的批評與挑戰。於是學者建議在政策評估的標準上 ，應當另闢蹊徑，從價值的層面予以深入的分析與廓清，才不致在狹隘的經濟利益與 目標效能上打轉。因此，在政策論證評估的標準上，不應只單單強調目的的標準（TE LEOLOGICAL-CRITERIA） ，更應該在基本的原則中重視非目的的標準（NONTELEOLOGI CAL-CRITERIA）。也就是政策評估的標準採用，除了要去衡量政策的好壞之外，其在 倫理道德標準上的對與錯更應列為優先考慮。以核能發電為例，在台灣目前政府所面 臨的不單是一個純綷事實資料的政策辯證，它背後所真正隱含著的應該是一種人類對 於科技文明與對後代子孫責任的倫理價值取捨。因此，本文的動機先從檢視４０多年 來有關核能發電的論證依據，並就其政策採行的原因做一整理，而後再就政策的適當 性（APPREPRIATENESS） 論證我們應不應當繼續發展核能發電。

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / Nuclear power is the next enabling technology in manned exploration of the solar system. Scientists and engineers continue to design multi-megawatt power systems, yet no power system in the 100 kilowatt, electric, range has been built and flown. Technology demonstrations and studies leave a myriad of systems from which decision makers can choose to build the first manned space nuclear power system. While many subsystem engineers plan in parallel, an accurate specific mass value becomes an important design specification, which is still uncertain. This thesis goes through the design features of the manned Mars mission, its power system requirements, their design attributes as well as their design faults. Specific mass is calculated statistically as well as empirically for 1-15MWe systems. Conclusions are presented on each subsystem as well as recommendations for decision makers on where development needs to begin today in order for the mission to launch in the future. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

The aim of the thesis was to define the meaning of radiochemical processes which take place in coolant of the primary circuit of the Nuclear Power Plant; and to describe the way of measurement of chemical parameters. The second aim was to define the significance of dissolved hydrogen to compensate for corrosion-threatening corrosion-safe operation of plant and to describe the method of generating hydrogen by ammonia. The third aim was to investigate the time courses of ammonia and hydrogen concentrations within the two production units. The last aim was to investigate unilateral dependence between ammonia and hydrogen concentrations. The first two aims were met by using system analysis of coolant chemical parameters, methods of measuring them, and ongoing radiochemical processes in the coolant. Ammonia and hydrogen were selected for deeper investigation, because of the results of the analysis. H1, H2 and H3 hypotheses have been formulated to meet the other two aims. The H1 hypothesis was used to verify the empirical distribution of ammonia and hydrogen concentration measurements by non-parametric normality testing. Hypothesis H2 investigated the time dependence of ammonia and hydrogen concentrations by regression analysis. In case of verification of H3 hypothesis the method of regression and correlation dependency was used. The verifying of hypothesis has shown that the empirical distribution of the measurement of hydrogen and ammonia concentrations is more closely related to the theoretical normal distribution. Furthermore, it was verified that the linear regression function of the time dependence of ammonia and hydrogen concentration measurements is close to the parallel to the timeline during the fuel campaign. Linear regression and correlation analysis confirmed that the correlation between hydrogen and ammonia concentrations is similar on both blocks and close to strong positive correlation. Verification of required regressive and correlative bending between ammonia and generated hydrogen can be understood as a practical contribution.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering, Johannesburg, August 2017 / The objective of this research work is to investigate the use of a high reliability micro grid to supply emergency electrical power to a nuclear facility following loss of offsite power (LOOP) accident. Most of the nuclear facilities around the world utilize diesel generators and battery banks as emergency power to back up the grid power supply. This power supply configuration represents the concept of the micro-grid system. The research work proposes reliability improvement of the emergency power supply by introducing diverse energy sources and energy storage systems. The energy sources and storage systems that were investigated include renewable energy sources, decay heat recovery system and large scale energy storage systems. The investigation results presented include information on the suitable energy sources and energy storage system, establishment of the reliable architectural layout and evaluation of the micro-grid system in terms of capacity adequacy and reliability. / XL2018

Um desafio recorrente em processos produtivos é o desenvolvimento de sistemas de monitoração e diagnóstico. Esses sistemas ajudam na detecção de mudanças inesperadas e interrupções, prevenindo perdas e mitigando riscos. Redes Neurais Artificiais (RNA) têm sido largamente utilizadas na criação de sistemas de monitoração. Normalmente as RNA utilizadas para resolver este tipo de problema são criadas levando-se em conta apenas parâmetros como o número de entradas, saídas e quantidade de neurônios nas camadas escondidas. Assim, as redes resultantes geralmente possuem uma configuração onde há uma total conexão entre os neurônios de uma camada e os da camada seguinte, sem que haja melhorias em sua topologia. Este trabalho utiliza o algoritmo de Otimização por Colônia de Formigas (OCF) para criar redes neurais otimizadas. O algoritmo de busca OCF utiliza a técnica de retropropagação de erros para otimizar a topologia da rede neural sugerindo as melhores conexões entre os neurônios. A RNA resultante foi aplicada para monitorar variáveis do reator de pesquisas IEA-R1 do IPEN. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o algoritmo desenvolvido é capaz de melhorar o desempenho do modelo que estima o valor de variáveis do reator. Em testes com diferentes números de neurônios na camada escondida, utilizando como comparativos o erro quadrático médio, o erro absoluto médio e o coeficiente de correlação, o desempenho da RNA otimizada foi igual ou superior ao da tradicional. / A recurring challenge in production processes is the development of monitoring and diagnosis systems. Those systems help on detecting unexpected changes and interruptions, preventing losses and mitigating risks. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been extensively used in creating monitoring systems. Usually the ANN used to solve this kind of problem are created by taking into account only parameters as the number of inputs, outputs, and number of neurons in the hidden layers. This way, the result networks are generally fully connected and have no improvements in its topology. This work uses an Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm to create a tuned neural networks. The ACO search algorithm uses Back Error Propagation (BP) to optimize the network topology by suggesting the best neuron connections. The outcome ANN was applied to monitoring the IEA-R1 research reactor at IPEN. The results show that the algorithm is able to improve the performance of the model which estimates the values of the reactor variables. In tests with different numbers of neurons in the hidden layer, using as comparison the mean squared error, the mean absolute error, and the correlation coefficient, the performance of the optimized ANN proved equal or better than the equivalent traditional neural networks.

Restoration ecology continues to become ever more relevant as legislation demands we prevent biodiversity losses. Post-industrial restoration sites pose a number of additional challenges, including balancing ecological need with logistical and financial constraints. In the North of Scotland, one such site is the Dounreay Nuclear Power Plant, now undergoing decommissioning. The intention is to restore cliff-top habitat with native vegetation, blending in with its surroundings and necessitating minimal maintenance. The overall objective of this PhD research was to help develop a plan for the restoration of the site. A key challenge in this particular case was the residual low level radioactivity at depth in some areas, and a restoration layer is required to prevent contamination of bioreceptors at the surface, however, topsoil availability is limited. The cliff top site, and exposure to salt spray driven by strong winds, meant the identification of suitable vegetation communities for different areas could be crucial to its success. Vegetation and soil surveys across nine reference sites along the North coast of Scotland identified five non-peat vegetation communities suitable for Dounreay's restoration. Restoration ecology continues to become ever more relevant as legislation demands we prevent biodiversity losses. Post-industrial restoration sites pose a number of additional challenges, including balancing ecological need with logistical and financial constraints. In the North of Scotland, one such site is the Dounreay Nuclear Power Plant, now undergoing decommissioning. The intention is to restore cliff-top habitat with native vegetation, blending in with its surroundings and necessitating minimal maintenance. The overall objective of this PhD research was to help develop a plan for the restoration of the site. A key challenge in this particular case was the residual low level radioactivity at depth in some areas, and a restoration layer is required to prevent contamination of bioreceptors at the surface, however, topsoil availability is limited. The cliff top site, and exposure to salt spray driven by strong winds, meant the identification of suitable vegetation communities for different areas could be crucial to its success. Vegetation and soil surveys across nine reference sites along the North coast of Scotland identified five non-peat vegetation communities suitable for Dounreay's restoration. This prompted the development of a novel concept: that of utilising restoration sites as 'protorefuges' or 'protorefugia', i.e. restoration sites where threatened species at the leading edge of climate change can be translocated ahead of the climate changing. There, they would be joined by individuals of the wider population naturally dispersed as the climate shifts. Overall, these results enabled the development of a refined restoration plan for Dounreay, which takes into account the particular setting, constraints and timelines involved. With the decommissioning of an increasing number of nuclear sites across Britain and Europe taking place in the coming years, this research should be developed further. In particular our novel concept of protorefugia could even be put into practice, benefiting both restoration and conservation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Political Science, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND DEWEY. / Vita. / Bibliography: leaves 398-409. / by James Allen Cooney. / Ph.D.

<p><strong>Bakgrund:</strong> Runt omkring oss i samhället finns det organisationer av olika slag. De organisationer som påverkar oss mest i vårt dagliga liv är dock troligen de kommersiella. För sådana organisationer utgör ägarna en stark intressentgrupp då de tillför kapital till verksamheten och för detta kräver ersättning i form av avkastning. För många kommersiella organisationer finns det dock fler intressenter med andra krav på organisationen och dess verksamhet, till exempel måste industrier investera i reningsanläggningar för att inte släppa ut skadlig rök till omgivningen. För de flesta organisationer finns det följaktligen minst två olika måldimensioner. Å ena sidan har vi ägare och investerare som vill ha avkastning på sitt kapital. Å andra sidan finns det intressenter som kräver saker som hög kvalitet, hög säkerhet och tillförlitlighet. Dessa olika krav kan skapa en målkonflikt för verksamheten.</p><p><strong>Syfte: </strong>Syftet med denna uppsats är att studera och analysera hur målkonflikten mellan intressenters säkerhets- och lönsamhetskrav hanteras i verksamhetsstyrningen.</p><p><strong>Genomförande:</strong> Med hjälp av intervjuer har vi genomfört fallstudier vid organisationer inom äldreomsorg och kärnkraftsindustri.</p><p><strong>Resultat: </strong>Vår studie visar på en rad faktorer som bör tas i beaktning vid organisationer med målkonfliktsproblematiken. Ledningen måste vara tydlig i sin målprioritering och kommunikation, ha en tydlig hantering av sina intressenter och deras krav samt att det bör finnas tillfredställande system för felidentifiering och rapporteringsmöjligheter för de anställda.</p> / <p><strong>Background: </strong>In the society we live in, there are different kinds of organizations. The organizations that affect us the most however are probably the commercial ones. For these organizations, the owners form a strong a group of stakeholders since they invest capital and therefore require return on their investments. Nevertheless, some organizations also face demands of safety and quality from other stakeholders. With this in mind it becomes clear that organizations sometimes have to handle at least two dimensions of goals, owners that demand yield and the general public that demands a satisfying amount of safety. These different kinds of goals and demands can create a goal conflict situation within the organizations.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze how the conflict between safety and economic goals is handled in the operating control.'</p><p><strong>Completion: </strong>A case study was carried out in the geriatric care and nuclear power industry by means of qualitative interviews.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The result of this study indicates that there are certain aspects to bear in mind for organizations facing the goal conflict situation. The management has to be clear about what to prioritize and then clearly communicate this priority to the employees. The organization should also have a clearly defined stakeholder strategy concerning their demands and requirements. Finally, it is also important for an organization that employees have proper communication channels and failure identification systems, so that problems can be emphasized.</p>