John Large

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John H. Large[1] is an independent nuclear engineer and analyst primarily known for his work in assessing and reporting upon nuclear safety and nuclear related accidents and incidents.[2] From the mid-1960s until 1986 Large was an academic in Brunel University's School of Engineering, where he undertook research for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.[3]

Large led the nuclear risk assessment team for the raising of Kursk, which assessed the nuclear hazards and defined the limits and conditions under which the lift and recovery of the submarine in 2001 took place.[4] Also, he advised the Government of Gibraltar on nuclear safety aspects of the repairs being undertaken to the nuclear propulsion reactor on board HMS Tireless (S88) throughout 2000.[5]

Large has been critical of the nuclear power industry, and is often commissioned by Greenpeace to provide technical analysis on nuclear issues.[6] In 2003 a paper Large submitted for publication to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers about the danger of a terrorist attack on UK nuclear installations was suppressed on the advice of the UK government.[7]

Large is frequently interviewed or quoted in the media.[8]

[edit] References

• The Recovery of the Russian Federation Nuclear Powered Submarine Kursk, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, World Maritime Technology Conference, Sans Francisco, October 2003
• Risks and Hazards in Recovering the Nuclear Powered Submarine Kursk, Royal Institution of Naval Architects, 23-24 June 2005
• Forensic Assessments of the Nuclear Propulsion Plants of the Submarines HMS Tireless and RF Norhtern Fleet Kursk, Institution of Mechanical Engineers,Forensic Investigation of Power Plant Failures, Seminar, London, March 2005