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Division Spotlight
Operations & Power
Members focus on the dissemination of knowledge and information in the area of power reactors with particular application to the production of electric power and process heat. The division sponsors meetings on the coverage of applied nuclear science and engineering as related to power plants, non-power reactors, and other nuclear facilities. It encourages and assists with the dissemination of knowledge pertinent to the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities through professional staff development, information exchange, and supporting the generation of viable solutions to current issues.
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.
P. A. Landeyro, A. Buccafurni
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 108 | Number 2 | June 1991 | Pages 126-149
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE91-A23813
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Estimates are made of the positive reactivity introduced through the growth of the coolant void fraction in the Chernobyl reactor at both the average burnup value given by the Soviets and the maximum value. Using Monte Carlo models, various possible axial burnup distributions, displacer models, conditions in the control channels, and control rod positions are considered in calculating the insertion of positive reactivity by the manual and emergency control rods, that is, the “positive scram.” Two possible scenarios are examined for a second reactivity peak: (a) creation of a mixture of fuel, water, and cladding in a number of central fuel channels, resulting in the explosion of these channels, and (b) uniform vaporization throughout the entire reactor, resulting in reactor depressurization. From the data presented in this study, it can be concluded that vaporization of the cooling water in the fuel channel gave the highest reactivity contribution to the Chernobyl accident. The positive reactivity due to insertion of the manual and emergency control rods played only a minor role in the reactivity balance of the accident.