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
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
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.
Robert I. Brasier, L. D. P. King, Carroll B. Mills
Nuclear Technology | Volume 6 | Number 4 | April 1969 | Pages 266-273
Technical Papers and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT69-A28333
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Recent theoretical and experimental work has established minimum critical masses for uranium and plutonium reactor fuels. Studies at Los Alamos show a minimum of 300 to 600 g in the critical mass of 235U for H2O or D2O moderator and D2O or Be reflectors. An H2O-moderated, Be-reflected core containing 0.070 g 235U/mliter has a very low critical mass, which is of interest in the design of small power reactors and has attractive features for a new high neutron flux reactor concept. This report relates nuclear parameter studies to specific design objectives and shows how special effects of geometry and materials are important to such studies.