ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2025
Nuclear Technology
August 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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.
Vincent P. Manno
Nuclear Technology | Volume 48 | Number 3 | May 1980 | Pages 281-288
Technical Paper | Fuel | doi.org/10.13182/NT80-A32474
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The current regulatory requirement that peak cladding temperatures (PCTs) never exceed 1204°C (2200°F) at any time during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) is frequently the most limiting factor in setting core peaking factor limits. Of the many plant specific characteristics involved in predicting a fuel rod’s thermal response to a LOCA, the containment or “back” pressure plays a significant role, especially in pressure suppression pressurized water reactor (PWR) containments. The back pressure effect is studied by comparing the predicted PCT histories at back pressure levels of 138, 155, 172, and 207 kN/m2 (20, 22.5, 25.0, and 30 psia). A typical four-loop PWR with 15 × 15 fuel assemblies is analyzed. The analysis is performed using an in-house LOCA code named HEATUP-R/AEP, which calculates fuel thermal response during core reflood. In addition to temperature, the reflood rates, exit qualities, and cladding oxidation rates are studied. Results show significant increases in PCTs at lower pressure due to enhanced steam binding in the coolant loops.
