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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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
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August 2024
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.
J. W. Boyle, H. A. Mahlman
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 2 | Number 4 | July 1957 | Pages 492-500
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE57-A25414
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Concentrated thorium nitrate solution has been proposed as a blanket material in power-breeder reactors. The radiation stability, especially of the nitrate group, is therefore of considerable importance. The radiation-induced decomposition of thorium nitrate solutions was studied as a function of concentration, type of radiation (fission recoils, pile radiations, gamma rays), temperature, and total energy absorbed. The principal products were H2 and O2 from decomposition of the water, and N2, O2, and oxides of nitrogen from decomposition of the nitrate. Hydrogen yield decreased with increasing thorium nitrate concentration, a behavior similar to that for uranium solutions. Nitrogen yield was independent of temperature, but increased with increasing nitrate concentration and with increasing linear energy transfer along the paths of the ionizing particles. The 100-ev yield of N2 in 2.73 molal solution was 0.06 for fission particle decomposition, 0.006 for pile radiation (mixed fast neutrons and γ rays) and 0.001 for γ radiation alone. The oxide of nitrogen produced with the largest yield was N2O and amounted to about ten per cent of the N2 yield. In-pile autoclave measurements indicated little radiation-induced back reaction of the nitrogen.