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Division Spotlight
Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
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.
Reino Ekholm
Nuclear Technology | Volume 10 | Number 3 | March 1971 | Pages 249-256
Technical Paper | Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT71-A30957
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An assessment of the relative merits of heliumsodiumand steam-cooled fast breeders was completed in Sweden in 1969. Breeders have the potential of reducing overall system power costs provided no more than 40 million tons of uranium can be mined below $15/lb U3O8. The breeders—particularly those cooled by Na or Heset reasonable upper limits to mining and enrichment capacity requirements. Fuel development is the outstanding problem for these breeders, and especially difficult for the steam-cooled type. Steam cooling shows the lowest capital costs, followed by helium cooling, and is relatively promising with low-cost uranium. Sodium cooling involves the most extensive research and development (R&D) program; the helium- and steam-cooled breeders are largely based on thermal-reactor technology and offer real potential as advanced next-generation plants. However, the uncertainties, even of the relative assessments, still overlap the estimated power cost differences of 0.4 mill/kWh.