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Division Spotlight
Decommissioning & Environmental Sciences
The mission of the Decommissioning and Environmental Sciences (DES) Division is to promote the development and use of those skills and technologies associated with the use of nuclear energy and the optimal management and stewardship of the environment, sustainable development, decommissioning, remediation, reutilization, and long-term surveillance and maintenance of nuclear-related installations, and sites. The target audience for this effort is the membership of the Division, the Society, and the public at large.
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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Latest News
ARPA-E announces $40 million to develop transmutation technologies for UNF
The Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) announced $40 million in funding to develop cutting-edge technologies to enable the transmutation of used nuclear fuel into less-radioactive substances. According to ARPA-E, the new initiative addresses one of the agency’s core goals as outlined by Congress: to provide transformative solutions to improve the management, cleanup, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.
Nicolas Woolstenhulme, Colby Jensen, Charles Folsom, Robert Armstrong, Junsoo Yoo, Daniel Wachs
Nuclear Technology | Volume 207 | Number 5 | May 2021 | Pages 637-652
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2020.1807280
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Design evaluations and thermal-hydraulic predictions were undertaken to compare three candidate options for loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA)–testing capabilities at the Transient Reactor Test facility (TREAT). These options included a small water capsule, a large natural circulation capsule, and a forced-convection water loop. All options were found to create reasonable approximations of radial temperature gradients in fuel specimens prior to blowdown to a secondary tank. Given its minimalist form factor, the small water capsule was predicted to perform remarkably well in mimicking the thermal response of a 20-pellet fuel rodlet during a postulated LOCA event, while sensitivity studies showed versatility in adjusting conditions for specific test phenomena priorities. The large natural circulation capsule predictions showed representative capsule pressure evolution but indicated it would likely struggle to capture the desired fuel temperature response in the blowdown transition, primarily due to nonrepresentative cooling as its tall water column was discharged. These results were compared to previous water loop evaluations that had shown a capability for representing ideal test conditions, especially for longer rodlet test specimens in small bundles, while being achievable in a self-contained form factor to facilitate test logistics. Considering the broader cost and capability spectrum needed to support fuel safety research, these efforts resulted in a recommendation to pursue the small water capsule for near-term data needs specific to high-burnup fuel fragmentation, while continuing detailed development of the water loop to address ultimate data needs.