Security of Nuclear Power Plant

Building a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is not an easy task.  The engineers need to concern on the security aspect of NPP.  Specifically physical security.  The incident of 9/11 gives warning to the operation of NPP that the structure must be strong enough to protect the nuclear reactor from been exploded.  In any situations, the NPP must be ready to facing with any threats.  Few factors are been highlighted for the security aspect of NPP, which are:

1. Aircraft impact on fuel housing structures
2. Effects of fire
3. Land/water delivered explosions
4. Assessment guidelines
5. Standoff distances for structures, human injury
6. Standoff distances for spent fuel casks
7. Operational prevention measures.

Below are the comparison World Trade Center (WTC) and typical NPP structures:

FIGURE 1 Comparison of WTC and typical NPP structures [1]

In Aircraft Crash Analysis, there are three types which are penetration, scabbing, and perforation.  If there is penetration crash, means the integrity containment is maintained.  However, if there are scabbing and perforation occurred, the integrity of reactor containment cannot be maintained any more.

FIGURE 2 Aircraft Crash Analysis [1]

Reference:

1. Monograph by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nasri A. Hamid.  Reactor Safety. Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN).  Semester 3 2011/2012.