Even the smallest components in a nuclear plant must be maintained for the plant to run as safely and efficiently as possible. Thomas Fink, head of nuclear safety at glass and ceramics technology company Schott, lends his insight. Effective operation and maintenance of a nuclear plant lead to cost savings and improved safety, and often it is the smallest components that are overlooked. Hatches, seals, electrical penetrations and hydrogen sensors all failed during the 2011 Fukushima disaster. According to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report released in July, “failures of components not designed to withstand a severe accident played a role in the rapid degradation of the plant infrastructure.” While regulation of large-scale nuclear safety features such as flood walls have seen dramatic change in the last few years, little has changed regarding these components.
Power Technology 23rd Nov 2017 read more »
