Safety

Nuclear safety means ensuring the correct operating conditions of a nuclear power plant, preventing accidents and reducing their consequences, protecting personnel and the environment from ionizing radiation.

We review the fulfillment of the design criteria of nuclear power plants independently in terms of process systems, automation and plant level in connection with plant modifications, periodic safety assessments and new nuclear power plant projects. In this way, we ensure that a high level of nuclear safety is met impartially.

People at Platom are experts in depth-oriented safety. Defense-in-depth approach forms the basis for the implementation of nuclear safety goals, on the basis of which several independent security functions of different levels are formed. If one level fails, the next level is activated and manages the facility to a controlled and ultimately safe state.

The defense related to structures and safety functions according to the defense-in-depth principle is based on five consecutive levels, of which the first two levels are intended to prevent accidents and the other levels are intended to protect the plant and its users and the environment from the harmful effects of an accident, i.e. to limit the consequences of accidents.

Platom’s Radiation Safety services include a wide array of expert work related to radiation safety and protection, different studies, advisory work, staff training and other assistance as requested by our customers. Our radiation safety experts can support our customers e.g. with the following:

• Assessment of requirement compliance
• Radiation protection planning
• Staff training on the subjects of radiation safety and protection
• Assessment of the impact of radiation, shielding calculation and design in equipment or system deliveries
• Radiation safety and protection assessments for radwaste management

Our experts combine a strong theoretical background with hands-on know-how, which allows us to look at the big picture and understand what it means on the ground level. We can offer our services with a wide scope to the mining industry, and other radiation users.

Radiation is a good servant but a bad master. With sufficient expertise and engineering know-how, radiation conditions can be made safe even in demanding environments. The use of radiation is strictly controlled by regulatory oversight, but the end goal is to ensure the safety of both employees and the population in all situations. Our strong theoretical background, hands-on experience and understanding of regulations allow us to understand radiation safety from all relevant viewpoints. From the projects we have successfully completed over the years, we have achieved a level of know-how that ensures that each of our customers can be assigned experts that can fulfill our customers needs. The safety of our customers always comes first.

Platom’s Process Modelling and Analysis team both produces process models, simulations and analysis data, and is able to assess, interpret and summarize existing analysis data provided by a third party (e.g. for safety analyses). We can conduct the entire analysis work from start to finish or handle smaller parts of the larger process. With the help of our high-quality network of partners, we are able to find suitable expertise even for the most uncommon analysis challenges.

Our analysis experts can support our customers e.g. with the following:

• Deterministic safety analyses for nuclear facilities
• Process analysis related to system modernization or modification
• Virtual model constructions on plant or system level
• I&C system modelling
• Optimization studies
• Analysis of the effects of altered requirements e.g. for safety systems
• Engineering studies to support equipment or system deliveries
• Probabilistic risk and safety analyses (PRA / PSA)
• Neutronics analyses and activation calculations

Platom has extensive experience in thermal hydraulic process analysis and simulation. We use the versatile APROS-software, which we can use to also carry out I&C and control integration to our process models, and which is able to conduct dynamic modelling. We utilize our know-how of different nuclear reactor types and our expert’s problem solving mindset to produce the best possible results.

Process modelling is part of high quality, safety first-design work, ensuring safety and functionality, proving requirement compliance, and optimizing costs. With the help of process modelling, it is possible to assess process functionality and efficiency and study optimization options. Additionally, process modelling can be used to study different options for plant modifications and modernizations, to identify the best option from a safety and cost-efficiency viewpoint. First of all, process modelling is a form of quality assurance, with a focus on safety, cost-efficiency, and requirement compliance.

”Well designed is half made”, and once it’s been modelled, it’s very well designed. By producing a model, simulating, and analysing the results, it’s possible to ensure that the chosen design is going to work smoothly and does not contain any hidden problems. When a plant modification or modernization can be implemented without design-related issues on the first attempt, there are clear savings both in time and money.

An integral part of the service is also the assessment of analyses carried out by other parties. For example, we can produce a clear, understandable and requirement compliant analysis summary for a new nuclear power plant’s preliminary safety analysis report’s transient and accident analysis section (PSAR chapter 15), which is based on extensive amounts of detailed analysis data.

The safety reports describe e.g. the general planning and safety principles of a nuclear power plant, a detailed description of the nuclear plant and the behavior of the nuclear plant in the event of disturbances and accidents. Descriptions of safety-classified systems that perform safety functions have a special role.

A Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) is produced when applying for a nuclear facility construction permit. The Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) is produced when applying for an operating permit and is maintained throughout the plant’s life cycle and supplemented especially in connection with plant modifications and periodical safety reviews (Periodic Safety Review, PSR).