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
Accelerator Applications
The division was organized to promote the advancement of knowledge of the use of particle accelerator technologies for nuclear and other applications. It focuses on production of neutrons and other particles, utilization of these particles for scientific or industrial purposes, such as the production or destruction of radionuclides significant to energy, medicine, defense or other endeavors, as well as imaging and diagnostics.
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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
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.”
Dale B. Lancaster, Robert L. Marsh, Daniel B. Bullen, Holger Pfeifer, C. Steve Erwin, Alan E. Levin+
Nuclear Technology | Volume 97 | Number 1 | January 1992 | Pages 16-26
Technical Paper | Fission Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT92-A34622
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Uranium metal alloys were previously suggested for use in advanced pressurized water reactors; a method is proposed to select an appropriate fuel rod diameter for a uranium alloy—fueled reactor. The method attempts to isolate effects caused only by the change in pin diameter; therefore, the thermal margin is maintained by holding a constant departure from nucleate boiling ratio for designs. Neutronic optimization is also maintained by holding the hydrogento-uranium ratio constant. Operational aspects are conserved by assuming the same cycle length. Burnup uncertainty is removed by using the same discharge burnup. These assumptions allow a rapid determination of an appropriate fuel pin diameter. The procedure considers all cost changes expected, including pump power and capital cost, vessel and containment size changes, and fuel cycle cost changes. The analysis shows that under these constraints, a 10% Zirconium alloy fuel should have a pin diameter similar to but smaller than that of oxide fuel with a similar pitch. The costs appear to be about the same as for oxide-fueled cores. Large advantages, however, may be possible in safety or burnup.