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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
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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Latest News
BWXT will scout potential TRISO fuel production sites in Wyoming
BWX Technologies Inc. announced today that its Advanced Technologies subsidiary has signed a cooperation agreement with the state of Wyoming to evaluate locations and requirements for siting a potential new TRISO nuclear fuel fabrication facility in the state.
J. F. Kunze, G. D. Pincock, R. E. Hyland
Nuclear Technology | Volume 6 | Number 2 | February 1969 | Pages 104-115
Technical Paper and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT69-A28241
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The cavity reactor concept consists of a core, generally of dilute fuel, surrounded by a moderating reflector. This concept has long been considered as a means of attaining very high temperatures in a gaseous core, since the fuel need not be in contact with structural material. A number of critical experiments have been performed on configurations of different core size and shape, with different structural material thicknesses between the cavity and reflector, with different coolant densities surrounding the core, and with various other alterations. The principal purpose was to evaluate the effects of engineering design variables for a cavity propulsion reactor concept. Experiments reveal that a power reactor with the required structure and a cavity size 182.9 cm (6 ft) in diameter by 121.9 cm (4 ft) long can be expected to have a critical core loading of between 20 and 30 kg of 235U.