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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
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.
B. Smith, P. Wilson, M. Sawan, T. Bohm
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 56 | Number 1 | July 2009 | Pages 57-62
ITER | Eighteenth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Part 1) | doi.org/10.13182/FST09-A8876
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Radiation shielding, thermal protection, and energy removal for ITER are provided by an array of firstwall/shield modules (FWS). Nuclear analysis of the shield modules is important for understanding their performance and lifetime in the system. Using Direct Accelerated Geometry (DAG)-MCNPX, a coupling of traditional MCNPX with the Common Geometry Module (CGM) and the Mesh Oriented dAtaBase (MOAB) developed at UW, high-fidelity 3-D neutronics analysis is now possible. Particles are transported in the CAD geometry reducing analysis time, eliminating input error, and preserving geometric detail. The surface source read-write capability that exists in MCNPX has been used in DAG-MCNPX to combine realistic source conditions with an efficient analysis model. A surface source was written using a 3-D model of ITER with a detailed plasma source. The surface source was then used in a detailed 3-D CAD model of Module 13.3-D high fidelity mesh tallies were used to calculate nuclear heating used in thermal-hydraulics analysis. Surface source results were compared against results using a hybrid 1-D/3-D approach in which a uniform neutron source is extended infinitely in the vertical direction. Results show that the hybrid source overestimated the total number and under estimated the average energy of particles incident on the FW. The hybrid approach was found to overestimate the nuclear heating at the front of the first wall by as much as 63%.