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Division Spotlight
Thermal Hydraulics
The division provides a forum for focused technical dialogue on thermal hydraulic technology in the nuclear industry. Specifically, this will include heat transfer and fluid mechanics involved in the utilization of nuclear energy. It is intended to attract the highest quality of theoretical and experimental work to ANS, including research on basic phenomena and application to nuclear system design.
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Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
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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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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.
John Toman
Nuclear Technology | Volume 7 | Number 3 | September 1969 | Pages 243-252
Nuclear Explosive | doi.org/10.13182/NT69-A28605
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Project Buggy, the first nuclear row-excavation experiment, was an important experiment in that it confirmed the basic concepts of channel excavation derived from HE experiments at very low yields, and proved the value of theoretical cratering calculations in predicting the effects of a nuclear detonation in an untested environment. Five nuclear explosives, each with a yield of 1.1 kt, were detonated simultaneously on March 12, 1968 in a dry, complex basalt formation on Chukar Mesa, Nevada Test Site. The explosives were buried at a depth of 41.1 m (135 ft) and spaced 45.7 m (150 ft) apart. The channel excavated has an average width of 77.4 m (254 ft), a depth of 19.8 m (65 ft), and a length of 261 m (855 ft), all measured with respect to the original ground surface. These apparent dimensions are significantly smaller than those which would be predicted on the basis of Danny Boy dimensions in the Buckboard Basalt (width, 10% less; depth, 19% less). It is believed that the small crater dimensions are due largely to the geologic conditions existing at the Buggy site. Differences in the cratering characteristics of the two basalt formations were determined by cratering calculations (TENSOR Code) prior to the detonation and the depth of burst was selected on the basis of these calculations. From the spacing of 150 ft between explosives, it was concluded that relatively large spacings can produce channels in hard rock free of noticeable scalloping or severe irregularities, even when adverse geologic conditions are present. The base surge, or cloud, which is characteristic of both nuclear and high-explosives cratering detonations, was quite circular and attained a diameter of 1157 m (3800 ft) at ∼40 sec. Integration of the fallout pattern out to infinity indicates an equivalent of 35 tons of fission products were deposited.