ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
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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
2024 ANS Winter Conference and Expo
November 17–21, 2024
Orlando, FL|Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
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
Nuclear News announces the 40 Under 40
As the American Nuclear Society’s 2024 Winter Meeting and Expo kicks off in Orlando, Fla., the nuclear industry’s eyes are turned toward the future—advanced technologies, updated regulations, a new administration, and importantly, the future of the workforce.
Constantine P. Tzanos, Dean R. Pedersen
Nuclear Technology | Volume 95 | Number 3 | September 1991 | Pages 253-265
Technical Paper | Fission Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT91-A34575
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Two large-scale decay heat removal experiments are analyzed to support the validation of the thermal-hydraulic code COMMIX and the design of advanced liquid metal reactors (ALMRs). The experiments were performed in the reactor vessel auxiliary cooling system (RVACS) test facility, which provides a scaled simulation of the passive decay heat removal paths of a pool ALMR with the core simulated by electrically heated rods. The first experiment simulates a transient where decay heat is removed by the direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) only. In the second experiment, heat is removed by both the DRACS and RVACS. These experiments are characterized by (a) three-dimensional in-pool sodium flows of very low velocity, driven by sodium density differences, (b) a significant pool thermal stratification, and (c) a complex heat sink. In the DRACS test, the thermal stratification occurs in the hot pool while the cold pool is nearly isothermal. When both systems are in operation the thermal stratification of the hot pool is drastically reduced while the upper third of the cold pool is significantly stratified. The COMMIX predictions for the sodium pool temperatures and the air outlet temperature of the RVACS are in good agreement with measurements.