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Human Factors, Instrumentation & Controls
Improving task performance, system reliability, system and personnel safety, efficiency, and effectiveness are the division's main objectives. Its major areas of interest include task design, procedures, training, instrument and control layout and placement, stress control, anthropometrics, psychological input, and motivation.
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2024 ANS Winter Conference and Expo
November 17–21, 2024
Orlando, FL|Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
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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.
W. Seifritz, P. Wydler
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 72 | Number 2 | November 1979 | Pages 272-276
Technical Note | doi.org/10.13182/NSE79-A19473
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The physics parameters of a bare sphere of metallic 237Np have been investigated. The calculations indicate that a chain reaction can be sustained with fast neutrons. The predicted critical radius is 8.86 cm, and the corresponding critical mass is 59.7 kg. Kinetic parameters such as the prompt neutron lifetime, l, the prompt neutron decay constant at delayed criticality, αc, and the effective delayed neutron fraction, βeff, were also calculated. With respect to the last quantity, the phenomenon of the so-called “vanishing dollar” in systems consisting of even-neutron nuclei is discussed. Some remarks concerning the possible utilization of 237Np, which is produced in nuclear power reactors as a by-product, are appended.