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Division Spotlight
Isotopes & Radiation
Members are devoted to applying nuclear science and engineering technologies involving isotopes, radiation applications, and associated equipment in scientific research, development, and industrial processes. Their interests lie primarily in education, industrial uses, biology, medicine, and health physics. Division committees include Analytical Applications of Isotopes and Radiation, Biology and Medicine, Radiation Applications, Radiation Sources and Detection, and Thermal Power Sources.
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
Vogtle-3 shuts down for valve issue
One of the new Vogtle units in Georgia was shut down unexpectedly on Monday last week for a valve issue that has since been investigated and repaired. According to multiple local news outlets, Georgia Power reported on July 17 that Unit 3 was back in service.
Southern Company spokesperson Jacob Hawkins confirmed that Vogtle-3 went off line at 9:25 p.m. local time on July 8 “due to lowering water levels in the steam generators caused by a valve issue on one of the three main feedwater pumps.”
William S. Charlton, William D. Stanbro
Nuclear Technology | Volume 136 | Number 1 | October 2001 | Pages 24-36
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT01-A3226
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A methodology for determining alternate nuclear material (237Np, 241Am, and 243Am) concentrations in spent nuclear fuel based on the use of various monitors was developed and validated for use with several pressurized water reactor fuels. The monitors studied included the fuel burnup, the total plutonium concentration, the 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratio, the 148Nd/238U isotopic ratio, and the 137Cs activity. Calculations were performed using the HELIOS-1.4 lattice physics code for spent fuel from the Mihama Unit 3, Genkai Unit 2, and Calvert Cliffs Unit 1 reactors. These calculations were compared to measured values for the fuel. It was determined that the 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratio and the 137Cs activity were the most useful and accurate for use in predicting alternate nuclear material concentrations at reprocessing facilities for safeguards purposes. Based on these comparisons, it was determined that measurements of these monitors would allow for determination of 237Np, 241Am, and 243Am concentrations to within ±4, ±6, and ±15%, respectively. It is suggested that these uncertainties may be decreased through improvements in measurement techniques and additional benchmarking. These monitors may be used to provide an accurate prediction of the concentrations of the alternate nuclear materials while decreasing the need for direct measurement of these isotopes. This will translate into a monetary savings for reprocessing facility safeguards.