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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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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.
Naeem M. Abdurrahman, Robert C. Block, Donald R. Harris, Rudolf E. Slovacek, Yong-Doek Lee, Francisco Rodriguez-Vera
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 115 | Number 4 | December 1993 | Pages 279-296
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE92-94
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The slowing-down-time method for the nondestructive assay of light water reactor (LWR) spent fuel is under development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A series of assay measurements of an LWR fuel assembly replica were carried out at the Rensselaer lead slowing-down-time spectrometer facility by using 238U and 232Th threshold fission detectors and 235U and 239Pu probe chambers. An assay model relating the assay signal and the signals of the probe chambers to the unknown masses of the fissile isotopes in the fuel assembly was developed. The probe chamber data were used to provide individual fission counting spectra of 235U and 239Pu inside the fuel assembly and to simulate spent-fuel assay signals. The fissile isotopic contents of the fuel were determined to better than 1%. Monte Carlo analyses were performed to simulate the experimental measurements, determine certain parameters of the assay system, and investigate the effect of the fuel assembly and hydrogen impurities on the performance of the system. The broadened resolution of the system caused by the presence of the fuel was still found to be sufficient for the accurate and separate assay of the uranium and plutonium fissiles in spent fuel.
