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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
H. Y. Khater, M. E. Sawan, I. N. Sviatoslavsky, L. J. Wittenberg, W. R. Meier
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 21 | Number 3 | May 1992 | Pages 2138-2144
Blanket Shield and Neutronic | doi.org/10.13182/FST92-A30037
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A detailed safety analysis was performed for the inertial confinement fusion reactor OSIRIS. The radioactivity induced in the carbon fabric chamber concrete shield and Flibe breeder is very low allowing for their disposal at the end of the reactor life as Class A low level waste (LLW). The biological dose rate after shutdown behind the reactor biological shield shield is very low (0.11 µmrem/hr) allowing only for hands-on maintenance. A total of 91.5 Ci/day are routinely released to the environment producing an off-site dose to the maximally exposed individual (MEI) of 2.43 mrem/yr at the reactor site boundary. Only a small fraction (0.2%) of the reactor first wall would be mobilized during a loss of coolant/loss of flow accident. The decay heat generated in the concrete shield is very low such that its temperature would only increase by less than 2 degrees during such an accident OSIRIS contains 660 tonnes of liquid Flibe as a coolant and breeder. A severe accident including a breach of the reactor building and chamber is estimated to release less than 0.5 kg of the activated Flibe to the environment. The total whole body (WB) early dose at the reactor site boundary during a pessimistic accident that includes the potential release of radioactive products from the chamber, shield and Flibe coolant would amount to 13.5 mrem. In addition, a 100% release of all the tritium steady state inventory (12.7 gm) inside the reactor building during operation would result in an additional 114 mrem of off-site dose. The total of 128 mrem off-site dose produced from OSIRIS eliminates the need for using N-stamp nuclear grade components in the reactor.