Preventing another Chernobyl: codes, practices, and the role of new technology

Preventative steps to prevent and mitigate the consequences of a nuclear accident are considered. The national and international legislation now available is mentioned elsewhere in the book. This chapter discusses the role of codes of conduct and personal agreements which could also prevent nuclear accidents. It is suggested that a radical departure from existing nuclear technology is needed. In particular some definite goals and objectives are suggested. The first is that there should be no meltdowns - all reactors must be physically incapable of core meltdown or explosion under any circumstances. This would mean no huge emergency evacuation plans, no need for expensive emergency core cooling systems. No spiralling cost overruns, no nuclear waste problem, no more huge reactors too big for national electrical systems, no military complications, no intractable decommissionings and no quality control problems are also given as goals. Some of these goals could be achieved with inherently safe reactor designs, much smaller reactors and factory assembly, rather than on-site construction. Other suggestions are also made to achieve the proposed new nuclear technology. (U.K.)