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Division Spotlight
Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
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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Jun 2024
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2024
Nuclear Technology
July 2024
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
NRC engineers share their expertise at the University of Puerto Rico
Robert Roche-Rivera and Marcos Rolón-Acevedo are licensed professional engineers who work at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They are also alumni of the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez (UPRM) and have been sharing their knowledge and experience with students at their alma mater since last year, serving as adjunct professors in the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. During the 2023–2024 school year, they each taught two courses: Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering, and Nuclear Power Plant Engineering.
David Hillesheimer, Alexander Marsteller, Florian Priester, Marco Röllig, Michael Sturm, Stefan Welte, Johanna Wydra, Lutz Bornschein, Tobias Falke, Tobias Weber, Nancy Tuchscherer, Thanh-Long Le, Simon Niemes
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 80 | Number 3 | May 2024 | Pages 465-471
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2023.2209691
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment measures the tritium β-spectrum close to the maximum decay energy to achieve the value of the electron-antineutrino mass with a sensitivity of 0.2 eV/c2 (90% confidence level). Since only a small fraction of the decay electrons carries nearly all the energy, a high luminous tritium source, with its supporting infrastructure facilities, is necessary.
Since the start of the tritium operation of KATRIN back in May 2018, more than 600 days of 24/7 measuring campaigns with a total tritium throughput of ≈18.1 kg and a tritium concentration >95% have been conducted. Despite several technical issues occurring during the run time, the necessary reliable supply of tritium was provided. This contribution will give an overview of the current operational conditions of the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe tritium facilities involved, as well as the relevant technical, analytical, and administrative procedures implemented. Furthermore, an analysis will be given for system and component malfunctions in the tritium loop as well as the associated actions for problem-solving and repair. In addition, an end-of-life investigation for the component failure will be presented.