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.
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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August 2024
Nuclear Technology
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Latest News
Virginia utility considers SMRs
Dominion Energy Virginia has issued a request for proposals from leading nuclear companies to study the feasibility of putting a small modular reactor at its North Anna nuclear power plant.
While the utility says it is not a commitment to build an SMR at the site, the RFP is “an important first step in evaluating the technology and the North Anna site to support Dominion Energy customers’ future energy needs consistent with the company’s most recent Integrated Resource Plan.”
Robert T. Lancet, Robert Z. Litwin, Ravnesh C. Amar, Robert D. Rogers, Alan V. von Arx
Nuclear Technology | Volume 91 | Number 2 | August 1990 | Pages 203-214
Technical Paper | Safety of Next Generation Power Reactor / Nuclear Saftey | doi.org/10.13182/NT90-A34428
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The conceptual design of the Sodium Advanced Fast Reactor (SAFR) was completed under the U.S. Department of Energy advanced reactor program to meet the future need for a licensable breeder reactor that has inherently safe characteristics and is economically competitive with other energy technologies. Safety is provided by a hierarchy of highly reliable engineered systems used for the initial lines of defense. The ultimate safety protection mode relies on the inherent response of the SAFR plant to ensure a safe response to all credible events in addition to postulated accidents without scram. The innovative SAFR incorporates two diverse and passive means for decay heat removal in addition to the two normal decay heat removal paths through the steam generators. Those former means include the inherent reactor air cooling system (RACS) and the direct reactor auxiliary cooling system. Recent design improvements to the RACS have resulted in significant increases in margin so that hot-pool and fuel cladding temperatures are maintained well below prescribed safety limits, even with uncertainties included. A comprehensive safety approach and licensing plan is described that focuses on providing a high level of safety and a predictable licensing process.