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Division Spotlight
Accelerator Applications
The division was organized to promote the advancement of knowledge of the use of particle accelerator technologies for nuclear and other applications. It focuses on production of neutrons and other particles, utilization of these particles for scientific or industrial purposes, such as the production or destruction of radionuclides significant to energy, medicine, defense or other endeavors, as well as imaging and diagnostics.
Meeting Spotlight
2024 ANS Winter Conference and Expo
November 17–21, 2024
Orlando, FL|Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
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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Latest News
New laws offer nuclear industry incentives for existing power plant uprates
This year, the U.S. nuclear industry received a much-needed economic boost that could help preserve operating nuclear power plants and incentivize upgrades that extend their lifespan and power output.
Signed into law in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act offers production tax credits (PTCs) for existing nuclear power plants and either PTCs or investment tax credits (ITCs) for new carbon-free generation. These credits could make power uprates—increasing the maximum power level at which a commercial plant may operate—a much more appealing option for utilities.
Alexey Soldatov, Todd S. Palmer
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 167 | Number 1 | January 2011 | Pages 77-90
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE09-39
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
To address the energy needs of developing countries and remote communities, Oregon State University has proposed the Multi-Application Small Light Water Reactor (MASLWR) design. This design uses 8% enriched fuel to achieve five years of operation without refueling. The specific operational conditions (lower pressure and temperature of fuel and coolant), increased enrichment of fuel, and extensive use of gadolinium burnable absorbers lead to significantly different neutron physics compared to conventional pressurized water reactors. In particular, spectrum hardening due to increased thermal neutron absorption, changes in kinetic parameters due to the isotopic content of the fresh and irradiated fuel, and fuel and control rod shadowing by burnable absorbers are consequences of the design requirements. Enhanced neutron leakage from the small MASLWR core also adds complexity. Neutron reflectors and a unique fuel-loading pattern compensate the pronounced axial and radial gradients of the neutron flux and power generation.This paper discusses the neutron physics and thermal-hydraulic issues of the core design for a small reactor with increased fuel enrichment and natural circulation of the coolant. The paper describes three evolutionary steps of the MASLWR core design process and discusses core parameters, advantages, disadvantages, and design limitations as they appeared during the core design feasibility study. The paper demonstrates the feasibility of the core design for five effective years of nonrefueled operation with 8.0% enriched UO2 fuel.