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Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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.
A. Nerem, D.H. Kellman, S.G.E. Pronko, J.R. Valentine
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 2 | March 2001 | Pages 1116-1120
Plasma Engineering, Heating, and Current Drive | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963394
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
As part of the Electron Cyclotron Heating (ECH) Facility upgrade at DIII–D an 8.4 MW Modulator/Regulator Power System was designed and constructed using acquired hardware from the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) program as a foundation.1 Design changes in the feedback control of the modulator/regulator (M/R) was motivated by the need for improved output voltage regulation and improved capability to modulate the output voltage consistent with reference command signals containing modulation patterns (typically square wave). The regulation characteristics of the old ECH M/R power system had previously constrained gyrotron operation due to marginal voltage control loop stability and slow response to voltage step changes. The technical approach was to develop models of the circuit functions of the M/R controller from the circuit diagrams, and then examine the control characteristics using circuit analysis software. MATLAB® Simulink® and Intusoft IsSPICE4® (SPICE) codes were used to examine the control issues. These analysis software tools were used to simulate the controller functions and yielded identical results. The SPICE circuit model was selected as a baseline for future maintenance by the engineering staff. The analysis of the controller model blocks provided the needed information to modify the controller circuits. Changes made to the controller included addition of a voltage feedback loop around the grid driver amplifier for the power tetrode control grid in the M/R, and changes to the feedback loop compensation of the main error amplifier. The implemented revised controller performance matches the model performance predictions remarkably well. This paper describes the circuit models, implementation of the revisions to the controller, and recent operational results.