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Plant lifetime of nuclear power plants and regulatory limits in Japan   TAKAGI Toshiyuki1, and AOKI Takayuki2 1.Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, Katahira, Aobaku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan (takagi@ifs.tohoku.ac.jp) 2.Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aramaki Aza Aoba, Aobaku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan (takayuki.aoki@qse.tohoku.ac.jp)   Abstract: The plant lifetime management of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Japan is described in this paper with the regulatory restriction over 40-year operation. The actual plant life and operating period assumed during the design and construction phases are first discussed, and then the measures and principles are examines to ensure safety at NPPs. Better regulations and its practice are discussed for the long-term operation of NPPs over 40-year operation, by taking into account of global standards and the back-fit system. Lastly several regulatory improvement in Japan are proposed so that the NPPs can be safely operated beyond 40 years through inspections, appropriate repairs, and component replacement on the basis of the results of degradation evaluation and by means of appropriate back-fitting. Keyword: plant lifetime; ageing management; back-fitting; nuclear regulation
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