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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
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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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.
J. A. Larrimore
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 29 | Number 1 | July 1967 | Pages 87-110
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE67-A17812
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Several aspects of the physics of periodically pulsed reactors and boosters are treated on the basis of the point neutron kinetics model. Steady-state operating conditions are established from delayed-neutron precursor and energy balances. The dependence of the power pulse characteristics and, in particular, the power pulse halfwidth on the principal reactor parameters is derived for both types of systems. Relations for the kinetics of pulsed reactors and boosters are given and the relative sensitivities to reactivity changes are discussed. Design examples are given to illustrate the pulse characteristics achievable in practical systems. Physics design requirements and performance limitations for high-power pulsed reactors and pulsed boosters are mentioned