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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.
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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.
P. L. Allen, L. H. Ford, J. V. Shennan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 35 | Number 2 | September 1977 | Pages 246-253
Fabrication | Coated Particle Fuel / Fuel | doi.org/10.13182/NT77-A31884
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The objectives of the coated particle development program at the Reactor Fuel Element Laboratories (RFL) have been to define the essentials of a production route for the manufacture of nuclear fuel kernels and coated particles and to identify the important process parameters that determine the particle properties and hence the irradiation performance. Detailed characterization assessments of the various components of the coated particles have enabled a number of advanced coated particle designs to be optimized. The versatility of the RFL powder agglomeration process for the fabrication of highly spherical carbide or oxide kernels is exemplified by its ability to produce virtually monosized kernels in the range from 200 to 1000 µm in diameter, with controlled porosities in the range from 5 to 20% and the facility with which solid fission product and oxygen getters may be incorporated. The principles of the RFL pyrocarbon (PyC) and silicon carbide (SiC) coating processes, together with the experience of coating particles on a large scale—kernel batch sizes up to 25 kg—have been delineated. The understanding of the important parameters controlling deposition processes has led to optimum specifications for coater design and process route such that high sphericity is maintained throughout coating with a minimum spread in coat properties. More recent detailed investigations of process variables have identified the factors controlling PyC microstructure and the effect that coat defects and substrate shapes have on the ability of SiC to contain the gaseous fission products released by the fuel kernel during in-reactor operation. The proportion of defective particles is reduced by establishing process specifications to minimize coating-kernel bonding and misshapen kernels.