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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.
H. Seufert, D. Stegemann
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 28 | Number 2 | May 1967 | Pages 277-285
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE67-A17478
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A method for the measurement of absolute 238U capture rates is described. The principle is based upon the fact that 243Am and 239U decay via 239Np into 239Pu. The α disintegration rate of 243Am is determined absolutely by low geometry α-particle counting. From this, the absolute 239Np disintegration rate follows directly, which is measured by the 106-keV γ-x-ray coincidence technique. Therefore, the explicit knowledge of detector efficiency and decay-scheme data is not necessary, and also radiochemical separation is avoided. The absolute 238U capture rate can then be obtained from the known 239Np activity. The γ-x-ray self-attenuation within thick uranium foils is treated quantitatively and an optimum foil thickness is derived. Special attention has been given to the reduction and correction of background due to fission-product γ activity. A detailed error analysis shows an overall accuracy of about 1% for the absolute 239Np disintegration rate including γ attenuation effects within the foils. To ascertain the reliability of low-geometry α calibration, comparison was made with the α-γ coincidence method. Agreement was found within the error limits of 1%.