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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Gilbert Melese
Nuclear Technology | Volume 2 | Number 3 | June 1966 | Pages 205-212
Technical Paper and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT66-A27588
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The thermodynamic performance of coolant gases is compared for given pressures and temperatures and for the same maximum surface temperature of the fuel element. Two relationships allow comparison of power output and channel dimensions for different gases and various operating conditions such as fixed ratio of pumping power-to-thermal power. Except for steam, the relative merit of gases is found to depend more on temperature than on pressure. From a thermal viewpoint, the conditions under which coolants are compared may alter the order of preference of gases such as helium or carbon dioxide.