Korea develops severe accident simulator

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

A simulator for training nuclear power reactor operators in responding to severe accident situations has been officially opened at the Kori nuclear power plant in South Korea.

The new simulator is officially launched (Image: KHNP)

A ceremony was held on 27 November to mark the commissioning of the new simulator, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) said.

According to KHNP, the "beyond design basis accident" simulator had been developed to "deliver fast, accurate responsiveness to nuclear reactors, including enabling the operator to quantify the amounted of melted fuel and the internal pressure and humidity in serious accidents."

Operators undergo training on the new simulator (Image: KHNP)

The executive vice-president of KHNP's safety, quality and technology division Cho Byung Oke said that although the probability of a severe accident is "very small", developing "world-class nuclear power plant simulators for operator training is expected to dramatically increase nuclear safety."

Simulators are a vital piece of equipment for training plant operators, both at the start of their careers and for their continuing training.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News