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Mathematics & Computation
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
November 17–21, 2024
Orlando, FL|Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
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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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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.
D. G. Jacobs
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 12 | Number 2 | February 1962 | Pages 285-292
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE62-A26069
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Although direct disposal to the ground has provided an effective means for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level waste streams, there is concern regarding the lack of control of the radionuclides once the wastes have been discharged to the ground. The use of a mineral-filled column is regarded as an inexpensive, yet efficient, alternative method for waste decontamination. For this purpose the cesium-exchange properties of various grades of commercially available vermiculite were investigated and compared to other natural ion-exchange materials. Elucidation of the reaction mechanism has led to improvement of the cesium-sorptive properties, either by potassium treatment or heat treatment of the vermiculite or by addition of potassium to the waste stream. Studies of the kinetics and the thermodynamics of the exchange reaction permit extrapolation of the data for consideration of the extended use of vermiculite columns for decontaminating other waste streams. Data obtained from bench-scale and field-scale (10-ft long, 2-in. i.d.) column studies compare closely with those obtained by slurry studies. The breakthrough curves obtained were sufficiently steep to indicate that the partial cesium-sorptive capacity of a vermiculite column would be completely utilized if two columns were operated in series. A column 10 ft long and 10 ft in diameter filled with Na-treated vermiculite is estimated to be capable of decontaminating more than 5 × 105 gal of ORNL intermediate-level waste. Larger volumes of waste streams having lower concentrations of stable salts could be decontamined with respect to cesium and strontium.