ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Accelerator Applications
The division was organized to promote the advancement of knowledge of the use of particle accelerator technologies for nuclear and other applications. It focuses on production of neutrons and other particles, utilization of these particles for scientific or industrial purposes, such as the production or destruction of radionuclides significant to energy, medicine, defense or other endeavors, as well as imaging and diagnostics.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jan 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
January 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
NRC issues subsequent license renewal to Monticello plant
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed for a second time the operating license for Unit 1 of Minnesota’s Monticello nuclear power plant.
Aaron E. Craft, Jeffrey C. King
Nuclear Technology | Volume 172 | Number 3 | December 2010 | Pages 255-272
Technical Paper | Photon and Neutron Transport and Shielding | doi.org/10.13182/NT10-A10934
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A survey of neutron-attenuating materials is conducted, followed by a systematic optimization of the radiation shield configuration for the Affordable Fission Surface Power System. Water, borated water, boron carbide, boron-doped beryllium, zirconium hydride, and lithium hydride are evaluated for neutron shielding, and tungsten is considered for gamma shielding. Lithium hydride, borated water, and boron carbide are selected for further consideration, and radial, upper axial, and lower axial shield sections are developed separately from these materials and then combined to form complete shields. Two competing effects determine the optimal position of the tungsten layer: increasing secondary gamma production due to fast neutron scattering when the tungsten layer is placed closer to the core, and radially increasing mass when placed farther from the core. The optimal position of the tungsten layer is found for each shield configuration and material. The as-landed configuration of each radiation shield allows a maximum dose of 5 rem/yr to an outpost 1 km from the reactor core. The shield also protects the SmCo magnets in the alternators of the Stirling power converters, allowing a maximum dose of 2 Mrad gamma and 1014 n/cm2 fast neutron fluence to the magnets over the 8-yr design lifetime. A minimum mass is found for each shield section while meeting these dose limits. The radial shield section is cylindrical, and the upper and lower axial shield sections are conical in shape. Axial shields with a range of pitch and thickness are analyzed, and the optimal shapes of the upper and lower axial shields for each material are found. The three sections of the shield are combined to form a complete shield. The lithium hydride shield is the lightest of the final shields at 6215 kg. The borated water shield is the second lightest at 6663 kg, which is 448 kg more than the lithium hydride shield. The boron carbide shield is the most massive at 8315 kg, which is 2100 kg more than the lithium hydride shield.