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Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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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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National awards presented at ANS Winter Conference
One of the few constants at American Nuclear Society national meetings is the recognition of exceptional individuals in the nuclear community. ANS President Lisa Marshall has named this season’s award recipients, who received recognition at this week's Winter Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla.
ANS also announced the winners of awards presented by the Society’s professional divisions. These awards have been mailed to the recipients, and the divisions have recognized or will recognize honorees at various division functions and meetings this fall. The 19 professional divisions of ANS are constituent units and represent a vast array of nuclear science and technology disciplines.
Charles Forsberg
Nuclear Technology | Volume 180 | Number 2 | November 2012 | Pages 191-204
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT12-A14633
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Fuel cycles have not historically been integrated with repository design. Four alternative combinations of fuel cycles and repository systems are assessed in the present work: (a) traditional repositories, (b) repositories with spent nuclear fuel retrievability for recycle or as insurance against unforeseen repository failure, (c) colocation and integration of reprocessing and repositories, and (d) colocated specialized disposal facilities such as boreholes for different wastes. System design choices have major impacts on fuel cycle economics, accident risk, repository performance, nonproliferation, and repository siting. Consequently, there are large incentives to understand the different ways to couple fuel cycles and repositories.The evidence suggests that a repository as only a disposal site (the current system) is the least desirable option given current requirements for the United States. There are large incentives to develop repository sites that colocate and integrate all back-end fuel cycle facilities with the repository - independent of the fuel cycles that are ultimately chosen or how these fuel cycles evolve over time. Colocation and integration change the interface requirements between facilities by eliminating many storage and transport requirements such as the need for waste forms with high waste loadings. That, in turn, can result in reductions in cost, reductions in risk, and improved repository performance. For closed fuel cycles, colocation and integration may eliminate repository safeguards. This also suggests a repository business model similar to that of many airport authorities. Airport authorities manage the runways with colocated public and private airline terminals, aircraft maintenance bases, and related operations - all enabled and benefiting from the high-value runway asset. The common high-value back-end fuel cycle asset is the repository. For the local community and state government, such a strategy couples back-end fuel cycle benefits (high-technology jobs, tax revenue, etc.) with the repository site.