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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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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Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
T. N. Ake, R. G. McAndrew, D. D. Whitney
Nuclear Technology | Volume 55 | Number 3 | December 1981 | Pages 583-586
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle | doi.org/10.13182/NT81-A32802
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Babcock and Wilcox Company (B&W) normally uses part-length axial power shaping rods (APSRs) for core axial power distribution control The development and implementation by B&W and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District of a procedure for extending cycle length by removing the APSRs at the end of cycle 3 of Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station is explained. Increased core reactivity and hence greater cycle length were successfully achieved. Neither the reactor protection system nor normal operating limits were violated during the APSR withdrawal procedure. Further, pellet-cladding interaction was avoided, and primary coolant feedand bleed requirements were within the capacity of the plant evaporators. During the 22 h at less than full power, the average capacity factor was 81.1%, a reasonable tradeoff in light of the extension of cycle 3 by 10 effective full-power days (EFPDs). Successive use of this technique over following cycles yields average gains of 5 EFPDs per cycle.