http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/7852 Search the Channel search http://dspace.mit.edu/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/41313 Title: The use for frequency-consequence curves in future reactor licensing <br/> <br/>Authors: Debesse, Laurene <br/> <br/>Abstract: The licensing of nuclear power plants has focused until now on Light Water Reactors and has not incorporated systematically insights and benefits from Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA). With the goal of making the licensing process more efficient, predictable and stable for advanced reactors, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) has recently drafted a risk-informed and technology-neutral framework for new plant licensing. The Commission expects that advanced nuclear power plants will show enhanced margins of safety, and that advanced reactor designs will comply with the Commission's Safety Goal Policy Statement. In order to meet these expectations, PRA tools are currently being considered; among them are frequency-consequence (F-C) curves, which plot the frequency of having C or more consequences (fatalities, injuries, dollars, dose...) against the consequences C. The present research analyzes the role and the usefulness of such curves in risk-informing the licensing process in the U.S., and shows that their use allows the implementation of both structuralist and rationalist Defense-In-Depth. The second part of this work concentrates on F-C curves as a mean to assess and limit societal risk. Such tools would improve the safety of current plants by allowing the regulator to focus its attention on the plants that pose the highest societal risks in events such as power uprates. <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Science and Engineering; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2007.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-106). Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/28166 Title: Local gas injection as a scrape-off layer diagnostic on the Alcator C-mod tokamak <br/> <br/>Authors: Jablonski, David F. (David Francis) <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 1996.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-190). Sun, 29 Oct 1995 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40589 Title: Stability analysis of CICCs by measurement of energy deposition due to pulsed current disturbances <br/> <br/>Authors: Ahmed, Mustafa Kamal <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (Nucl. E.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 1996.; Includes bibliographical references (leaves 223-230). Sun, 29 Oct 1995 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40298 Title: The potential for a nuclear renaissance : the development of nuclear power under climate change mitigation policies <br/> <br/>Authors: Osouf, Nicolas <br/> <br/>Abstract: Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are very likely to have already changed the Earth's climate, and will continue to change it for centuries if no action is taken. Nuclear power, a nearly carbon-free source of electricity, could contribute significantly to climate change mitigation by replacing conventional fossil-fueled electricity generation technologies. To examine the potential role of nuclear power, an advanced nuclear technology representing Generation III reactors is introduced into the Emissions Predictions and Policy Analysis economic model, which projects greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions as well as climate policy costs. The model is then used to study how the cost and availability of nuclear power affect the economy and the environment at the global scale. A literature review shows that estimates of nuclear power costs vary widely, because of differences in both calculation methods and cost parameters. Based on a sensitivity analysis, the most important parameters are the discount rate, the overnight cost, the capacity factor and the economic lifetime. The methodological differences affect not only the absolute power costs, but also the relative costs among electricity generation technologies.; (cont.) Acknowledging this uncertainty, a levelized cost model leads to bus-bar cost scenarios ranging from $35/MWh to $60/MWh. Cap-and-trade climate policies strengthen the development of nuclear power in the high nuclear cost scenarios. In low-cost cases, nuclear power grows significantly even without climate policies, which have little further influence on the market share of nuclear power. Lower costs of nuclear power decrease the costs of climate policies: the consumption NPV loss due to a 550ppm climate policy is reduced by 36% if nuclear costs are reduced from the highest to the lowest scenario. Nuclear power development at the largest scale projected would involve the depletion of currently known conventional and phosphate uranium deposits. Environmental benefits of the development of competitive nuclear power include a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, even if no climate policy is implemented. For example, CO2 emissions decrease by 32% in 2050 in the lowest nuclear cost scenario. Conventional pollutant emissions are also reduced: NOx and SO2 emissions decrease by 14% and 24% in 2050.; (cont.) The economic value of the political decision to keep the nuclear option open is evaluated to range between $1,300 billion and $17,600 billion, in terms of consumption NPV loss, depending on the climate policy regime. These benefits should eventually be weighed against the proliferation, waste and safety issues associated with further development of nuclear power. <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2007.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-115). Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:58:59 GMT