Risk identification of integral pressurized water reactor (IPWR) cooling system using a combination HAZOP, FMEA, and FTA methods

Abstract

Integral Pressurized Water Reactor (IPWR) is gaining attention for use in Indonesia due to lower initial capital investment, sitting flexibility, and high level of inherent safety. IPWR relies heavily on passive cooling systems that have many advantages but lacks operational experience because no one operates commercially. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a risk analysis related to passive cooling system failures that may occur during operation. Even if conventional risk analysis methods are applied singularly, the results still have shortcomings. This study aims to integrate the use of the Hazard and Operability Analysis (HAZOP), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) methods to identify risks in the IPWR primary cooling system during normal operation. HAZOP was used to identify hazards, FTA analyzed the root causes of the critical problems, and the basic event's FMEA was developed for risk ranking and mitigation measures. This combined methodology makes risk assessment more systematic and comprehensive because it manages entity-wide risk. The results offer valuable insights for stakeholders involved in decision-making regarding the development of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Indonesia.