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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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Deep Space: The new frontier of radiation controls
In commercial nuclear power, there has always been a deliberate tension between the regulator and the utility owner. The regulator fundamentally exists to protect the worker, and the utility, to make a profit. It is a win-win balance.
From the U.S. nuclear industry has emerged a brilliantly successful occupational nuclear safety record—largely the result of an ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) process that has driven exposure rates down to what only a decade ago would have been considered unthinkable. In the U.S. nuclear industry, the system has accomplished an excellent, nearly seamless process that succeeds to the benefit of both employee and utility owner.
H. O. Menlove, R. A. Forster, J. L. Parker, Darryl B. Smith
Nuclear Technology | Volume 20 | Number 2 | November 1973 | Pages 124-133
Technical Paper | Analysis | doi.org/10.13182/NT73-A31348
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A hybrid assay system utilizing both active and passive techniques has been built for the measurement of the plutonium fissile content in fast-breeder-reactor-type fuel pins. A moderated 252Cf source (∼600 µg) is used for the neutron interrogation of the fuel rods, and the fissile content is then determined by counting the high-energy delayed gamma rays resulting from the induced fission reactions. Neutron transport calculations using both Sn and Monte Carlo techniques were used to design the 252Cf neutron tailoring assembly to give an intense fast-neutron irradiation, as well as a high fissile/fertile fission ratio. In addition to the total fissile active assay, pellet-to-pellet uniformity is determined simultaneously by counting the lower energy passive gamma rays from the fuel using the same NaI detectors. The complete assay system, which includes automated fuel-rod handling and data reduction, is being used for in-plant measurements of Fast Flux Test Facility fuel pins.
