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Division members promote the advancement of mathematical and computational methods for solving problems arising in all disciplines encompassed by the Society. They place particular emphasis on numerical techniques for efficient computer applications to aid in the dissemination, integration, and proper use of computer codes, including preparation of computational benchmark and development of standards for computing practices, and to encourage the development on new computer codes and broaden their use.
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2024 ANS Winter Conference and Expo
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Orlando, FL|Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
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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.
Tehsin Hamid, K. O. Ott
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 113 | Number 2 | February 1993 | Pages 109-121
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE93-A24001
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A study is conducted to investigate conceptual liquid-metal reactor (LMR) core concepts, employing some unconventional design features for improved economics and safety. The unconventional design elements are used to supplement the conventional measures, which alone have apparently not led to an attractive LMR design for the 21st century. Better economics are obtained through simplicity and compactness of the core design. For simplicity, internal scattered blankets are omitted. Core compactness is achieved by maximum power flattening, resulting from axial and radial enrichment zones along with axial and radial (BeO) reflectors. To further enhance core compactness, the in-core control rods are replaced by reflector controls. For improved safety, the general objective is to reduce both coolant-void and burnup reactivities. However, even with the use of a wide spectrum of unconventional design features, such as burnable poisons, peripheral reflectors, and inner moderating regions, it is not possible to overcome the fact that both coolant-void and burnup reactivities cannot be reduced simultaneously to desirably low levels. The only resolution of this dilemma appears to be to minimize coolant-void reactivity and to “manage” the burnup reactivity losses, such that an accidental insertion of significant amounts of reactivity is mechanically not possible. A conceptual design with these characteristics is described.