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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.
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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.
M. S. Kazimi
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 103 | Number 1 | September 1989 | Pages 59-69
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE89-A23660
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An assessment is presented for the thermal attack on the MARK-I boiling water reactor steel containment shell by core melt materials ejected from the vessel in a severe accident. The cooling of the core melt as it spreads and transfers heat to the concrete floor of the drywell is evaluated. It is found that the melt temperature may reach the freezing point before the melt contacts the shell, particularly if the melt was mostly oxidic or was ejected at moderate rates. The heat fluxes from the melt to the liner that can be withstood are evaluated, with and without a pool of water overlying the melt. With water above the melt, if the superheat in a mostly metallic melt is moderate to allow for the formation of a crust at the interface with the shell, the shell may survive the attack by a shallow melt layer (up to 10 cm deep). The potential for survival is much better if the melt was composed mostly of oxidic materials.