Regulatory Strategy for Operational Safety and Aging Management of NPPs in Korea (D555)
Hwa joong Kim, H. K. Kim, Taehoon Jin · NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries) · 2003
Since Kori Unit 1 started its commercial operation in 1978, design life is rapidly approaching and is scheduled for 2008.In addition, 9 other nuclear power plants have been operating more than 10 years in Korea.As the number of aging plants rise, public concern over the safety of existing operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) has increased.Comprehensive and systematic safety assessments in addition to existing safety reviews are proposed as an effective way to verify that operating NPPs maintain the high level of safety.In this regard, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Korea's nuclear regulatory body, recently established an institutional process through revision to the atomic energy act to introduce the periodic safety review (PSR).The PSR considers, among other factors, improvements in safety standards and practices, the cumulative effects of plant aging, operating experience, and the evolution of science and technology.In particular, the assessment and management of plant aging is one of the major areas.It includes identification of SSCs for aging management, assessment of aging effects and implementation of aging management program.In addition, the PSR results could be one of the procedural requirements that are utilized to approve life extension or renew an operating license of a nuclear power plant.This paper describes current regulatory requirements for operational safety and aging management, technical requirements for aging assessment and management, regulatory strategy, objectives and approach of the PSR process recently established in Korea.This paper also includes the strategy and method for the application of PSR results to the aging management of nuclear power plants and further plant life extension.