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Division Spotlight
Robotics & Remote Systems
The Mission of the Robotics and Remote Systems Division is to promote the development and application of immersive simulation, robotics, and remote systems for hazardous environments for the purpose of reducing hazardous exposure to individuals, reducing environmental hazards and reducing the cost of performing work.
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.
D. R. Haffner, R. W. Hardie
Nuclear Technology | Volume 42 | Number 2 | February 1979 | Pages 123-132
Technical Paper | Thorium Fuel Cycle in a Breeder Economy / Fuel Cycle | doi.org/10.13182/NT79-A32142
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Nuclear nonproliferation considerations have resulted in renewed interest in the thorium fuel cycle. Reactor physics parameters of a typical 1200-MW(electric) fast breeder reactor design were compared for the cases when 233U is substituted for plutonium as a fissile fuel and when 232Th is substituted for 238U as a fertile fuel When the 238U in the blanket is replaced with 232Th, the reactor physics parameters are relatively unchanged. However, replacing 238U in the core with 232Th increases the critical mass by 11 to 15% and decreases the breeding ratio by 0.13 to 0.16. In addition, replacing the plutonium in the core with 233U decreases the critical mass by 4 to 6% and decreases the breeding ratio by 0.13 to 0.16. Both of the changes in the core make the sodium void coefficient more negative.