Introduction of an Additional Safety Barrier for Nuclear Power Reactors

Abstract

In the present paper a proposal is formulated to improve the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. The idea is based upon the introduction of a new safety barrier against the release of radioactivity generated by the fission chain process. The proposal aims at fixing bases for possible strengthening of current Nuclear Reactor Safety by combining the logical frameworks associated with the concepts As-Low-As-Reasonably-Achievable (ALARA), Best-Estimate-Plus-Uncertainty (BEPU), Extended-Safety-Margin (E-SM), Independent-Assessment (IA) and Emergency-Rescue-Team (ERT). The expected impact of the new barrier upon selected nuclear accidents is outlined. The cost for the implementation of the additional barrier is expected to be affordable from a financial viewpoint and to contribute to restoring the public confidence towards nuclear technology.