Transcript Statics and Strength of Materials

NE 127 – Codes, Standards, and
Regulations
Power Industry Regulations
INSTRUCTOR: Chattanooga State CC
Topics of Discussion
• Steps in the Production of Electricity
• Overview of Basic Power Plant Operation
• Regulation of the Nuclear Power Industry
– NRC History, Responsibilities, and Structure
Basic Energy Processes
• Natural electrical energy cannot be harnessed
– It must be converted from another energy source
• Four steps in the production of electrical energy
Basic Energy Processes Continued
Step 1
• (Fossil) Conversion of chemical energy into thermal
energy (heat) through the burning of a fossil fuel
(coal, oil, or gas)
• (Nuclear) Conversion of nuclear energy into thermal
energy by fission
Step 2
• Absorption of thermal energy by water (conversion
of water into steam)
Basic Energy Processes Continued
Step 3
• (Fossil and nuclear) Conversion of thermal energy from
steam into mechanical energy as steam jet spins turbine
blades
• (Hydro) Conversion of potential energy of water into
mechanical energy as water spins turbine blades
Step 4
• Conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy as
rotation of turbine shaft rotates the shaft of the electrical
generator, thereby producing electricity
Generic Coal Plant Schematic
Alternate Schematic
Detailed Schematic
Coal Plant Facts
• In the 1920s coal plants had to burn 3 lbs of coal to produce 1
kW-hr of electricity
• In the 1970s (time-frame for construction of many existing
fossil plants), 1 lb of coal could produce 1 kW-hr of electricity
due to improvements in plant efficiency
• It takes ~11 lbs of air to burn 1 lb of coal
– Slightly more air than required to ensure complete combustion
• It takes ~1200 tons of water (300,000 gallons) to cool the
exhaust steam from the burning of 1 ton of coal
Nuclear Plant Schematic
Alternate Nuclear Plant Schematic
Condenser: Common to Fossil and
Nuclear Plants
Inspection of Turbine Blades
Regulation of Nuclear Power
Industry
• Due to potential (however slight) for a catastrophic
nuclear incident, the U.S. nuclear industry is highly
regulated
• Title 10 of the CFR governs Energy regulations
– Chapter 1 contains parts 1-199
– NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) is the regulating
entity for those codes
History of the NRC
• 1942 – Enrico Fermi, professor at University of
Chicago created first sustained nuclear chain reaction
under the Chicago Stadium
• Atomic Energy Act of 1946
– Provided for the exclusive military use and control of
nuclear energy
• Atomic Energy Act of 1954
– Allowed for the commercial use of nuclear energy
– Created the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
History of the NRC Continued
• AEC Objectives
1) Promote the development of nuclear power
2) Regulate nuclear power
• 1974 – Energy Reorganization Act
– Abolished the AEC which was seen as controversial
– Created two organizations to perform original AEC
objectives
1) Energy Resources Development Administration (ERDA)
2) NRC
History of the NRC Continued
• ERDA
– Renamed Department of Energy (DOE) in 1975
– Governs the development of commercial applications of
nuclear energy
• NRC
– Governs regulation of nuclear power
Three Mile Island, PA
• Occurred on March 28, 1979
• Approximately half of reactor core melted
• Generated fear of widespread radioactive
contamination
• No general evacuation was needed
• Led to greater NRC emphasis on:
– Operator training
– “human factors” in plant performance
– Emergency planning
NRC Responsibilities
More on NRC Responsibilities
• Key licensing activities
– Licensing the construction and operation of nuclear
reactors and other nuclear facilities, and overseeing their
decommissioning
– Licensing all facets of nuclear material
– Licensing low-level and high-level waste disposal sites
– Licensing operators of nuclear power and nonpower test
and research reactors
More on NRC Responsibilities
• Other key responsibilities
– Inspection of licensed facilities and activities
– Research on light-water reactor safety and identification of
potential safety issues
– Development, implementation, and enforcement of NRC
regulations
– Investigation of nuclear incidents and allegations
– Conducting of public hearings
NRC Organization
• Headed by 5 Commissioners
– Appointed by the President
– Confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms
• One Commissioner designated as Chairman
– Principal executive officer
– Official NRC spokesperson (currently Gregory B. Jaczko)
• Role of Commission
– Formulate policies
– Develop regulations governing nuclear material safety and
security
– Issue orders to licensees
– Adjudicate legal matters
NRC Organization Continued
*Note: NRC re-organized since the preparation of the red book
• Inspector General (Hubert T. Bell) reports to Chairman
• Executive Director for Operations (EDO)
– Supervises and coordinates policy development of EDO staff
and implements Commission policy directives
• EDO Organization
– Oversees 3 principle offices
1) Office for Reactor and Preparedness Programs
2) Office for Materials, Waste, Research, State, Tribal and
Compliance Program
3) Office for Corporate Management
NRC Structure Continued
• Office for Reactor and Preparedness Programs
Oversees:
– Regional Offices (Regions I – IV)
– Office of New Reactors
– Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response
– Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
• Responsible for ensuring public health and safety through
licensing and inspection activities
• Includes licensing of operators; emergency preparedness;
facility security (including fitness for duty); inspection of
component suppliers; licensing and renewal of operating
licenses
NRC Structure Continued
• Office for Materials, Waste, Research, State, Tribal and
Compliance Program
Oversees:
– Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
• Conducts own research and coordinates research with others
(universities, those in the nuclear industry)
• Studies risk
– Office of Enforcement
– Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
• Develops and implements NRC policy for regulation of activities involving
use and handling of radioactive materials, including the fuel itself, its
transportation, and waste
– Office of Investigations
– Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental
Management Programs
NRC Structure Continued
• Office for Corporate Management
Oversees:
– Office of Information Services
– Office of Administration
– Computer Security Office
NRC Structure Continued
• Direct Reports to the NRC Commission
– Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
– Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
• Composed of administrative judges including lawyers,
physicists, engineers, and environmental scientists
• Conduct hearings for the Commission
– Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication
• Court of appeals
Next Time…
• NRC Enforcement
• CFRs for the Nuclear Power Industry