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Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
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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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.
Melvin M. Levine, Meyer Steinberg
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 12 | Number 4 | April 1962 | Pages 498-504
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE62-A26097
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A general solution for optimum design of a radiaton chemical reaction vessel having an internal uniform triangular array of long, thin γ-ray sources is derived. The dependence of chemical production rate on amount and distribution of radioactive material and on size and shape of vessel is accounted for. Values for two general design parameters (vessel efficiency, ψ, and unit cell efficiency, µ) as a function of the vessel diameter and source spacing are given and include radiation buildup. The rate equation expressed as a power law of the radiation intensity is combined with information on the dependence of cost of reactor vessel on volume and pressure. The total cost of source material and vessels is then minimized to determine optimum size and number of vessels and the number of curies of radiation. The rate and cost equations are applied to the radiation polymerization of ethylene. By the methods outlined here it is possible to determine the parameters of an optimum irradiation assembly. The dimensions of the vessel and source array and the quantity of radioactive source material necessary for a given rate of production are determined for the minimum cost condition.