Thursday, Nov 8, 2012, 16:00
OSGA/E6
J. Birchley and A. Rydl, PSI
Abstract:
An overview of the nuclear landscape as it has evolved is presented from
the perspective of some of the more serious abnormal events that have
occurred. In every case the occurrence was a major surprise to the
people directly involved.
Nuclear accidents are often considered as being confined to nuclear reactors, especially "someone else's reactors". The present talk demonstrates that Nature and Murphy's Law are no respecters of geography, politics, culture, function or end-use.
An attempt is made to bring out how the various accidents have forced us to confront unpleasant truths and to modify our thinking about the way nuclear installations should be designed and operated. In particular the human element is always a factor.
Descriptions of selected cases illustrate how an accident can escalate via the complex and often misunderstood dynamics of the key physical process... and how that misunderstanding spectacularly transformed a benign condition into a accident with significant consequences.
The present treatment of the subject is neither complete, formal nor systematic; instead a loose blend of empiricism, reasoning and polemic. The talk is aimed at an audience comprising mostly scientists and engineers though not specialists in nuclear technology.