Customer Reviews

Commercial Nuclear Power: Assuring Safety for the Future

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Commercial Nuclear Power" is a must-read book for anyone with an interest in nuclear energy specifically, or with electricity production and consumption generally. The book is fairly technical, and would be most easily understood by people with some basic knowledge of chemistry, physics, or engineering; having said that, the authors are very good at explaining difficult ideas from general concept to specific application, which makes the book comprehensible to an average reader. One thing that makes the book easier to digest is the lack of higher math, which is frequently where this subject can bog down for non-professionals.

I like the book especially because I appreciate the focus the authors have on system safety, including human factors issues (and the use of simulation in training). The book is great at presenting all sides of the nuclear debate, and provides the necessary background to really grasp the vital elements of nuclear safety systems. The section on Accident Sequence Precursors (ASP) is particularly strong, and demonstrates the efforts undertaken to prevent accidents by the study of minor incidents and precursors. Specific methods are discussed in terms of different types of Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), as well, which effectively shows how the pieces of the puzzle fit together (although I disagree with one of the procedural steps in Figure 2-3 "Accident Sequence Precursor Analysis" on page 117). This plus the discussion of the "Defense In Depth" (Chapter Four) concept are the most useful components of the book from a safety perspective.

There is a very good discussion of all radioactive elements, including their decay properties, and good background information on the basic physics involved in actual practice. The discussion of core thermal hydraulic design, reactivity control, Doppler effect considerations, and the remainder of Chapter Three ("Control and Safety Systems") is particularly well written and interesting, though Chapter Four ("Accident Prevention") is probably the single most valuable chapter in the book for safety professionals.

The book concludes with several interesting documents, including a forecast to 2015 of expected electricity consumption by country, and deals with the problems each nation faces in energy production decisions, with good coverage of the problems in China and Africa.

This book is invaluable for nuclear safety professionals, students of nuclear energy, or concerned citizens. It is the single most readable and comprehensive background book on nuclear power that I have yet seen, and I recommend it very highly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although I picked it up for its scientific information, Ramsey and Modarres have also included some of the intrigue that we all know exists within the industry. I found the geo-political and cross-industrial information insightful. I'd love to see more on this... like, "who wants to kill off the nuclear power industry? And why?"

This book, though somewhat technical, is a primer in the problems and great potential of nuclear power. It dissolves the fog of "junk science" perpetuated by some environmentalist groups and the Press in particular. A must read if you want to have an informed, accurate opinion as a 21st century power consumer.

If you want to learn more about the Commerical Nuclear Power - Is it safe? Where are we now? Where are we going? This is the book to read. It's all here! Yes, it's technical, but obviously written to be understood by the layperson as well. Thanks!

As an Electrical Engineer, I found this book to be a learning tool in the areas of non-fossil fuel power.Should be required reading for undergraduate science majors.

S.J. Clarke MSEE