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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
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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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A series of firsts delivers new Plant Vogtle units
Southern Nuclear was first when no one wanted to be.
The nuclear subsidiary of the century-old utility Southern Company, based in Atlanta, Ga., joined a pack of nuclear companies in the early 2000s—during what was then dubbed a “nuclear renaissance”—bullish on plans for new large nuclear facilities and adding thousands of new carbon-free megawatts to the grid.
In 2008, Southern Nuclear applied for a combined construction and operating license (COL), positioning the company to receive the first such license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2012. Also in 2008, Southern became the first U.S. company to sign an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for a Generation III+ reactor. Southern chose Westinghouse’s AP1000 pressurized water reactor, which was certified by the NRC in December 2011.
Fast forward a dozen years—which saw dozens of setbacks and hundreds of successes—and Southern Nuclear and its stakeholders celebrated the completion of Vogtle Units 3 and 4: the first new commercial nuclear power construction project completed in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
Raymond Fox
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 6 | Number 1 | July 1959 | Pages 33-36
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE59-A25623
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A hand calculational procedure used to estimate the gamma and neutron heating in and about a homogeneous reactor core is described. It affords a good insight into the physical processes involved, can handle complex geometries, and is relatively simple to do. One of the interesting results of the gamma heating part of this calculation is the heating of high-Z materials. In an example which is used for a medium-Z element, such as molybdenum, the gamma heating is four times more per unit mass than it is for a substance such as graphite. For higher-Z materials the heating is proportionately greater. One of the interesting results of the neutron heating part of the calculation is the heating of low atomic weight materials. The heating in water from the moderation of fast neutrons, for example, is found to be three times greater than that of the gamma heating.
