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Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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.
Chaitanyamoy Ganguly, Parameshwar Venkappa Hegde, Gyan Chand Jain
Nuclear Technology | Volume 105 | Number 3 | March 1994 | Pages 346-354
Technical Paper | Nuclear Fuel Cycle | doi.org/10.13182/NT94-A34935
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Around 200 kg of (Pu0.55 U0.45)C fuel pellets of relatively low density (86 ± 2% theoretical density) would be used as a driver fuel in the second core of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor in India. The current paper summarizes the production experience of the initial 15 kg of these fuel pellets following the “vacuum carbothermic synthesis” of tableted oxide-graphite powder mixture followed by “cold-pelletization” of carbide powder and “sintering.” The alterations made in the process equipment, radiation shielding arrangements, and fabrication parameters have been highlighted. The carbothermic synthesis and sintering were carried out in batches of 600 g and 1 kg, respectively. The percentage recovery of sintered pellets in all the batches was >90%. The resintering tests of pellets showed only marginal change in sintered density, ensuring minimum in-pile densification.
