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Division members promote the advancement of mathematical and computational methods for solving problems arising in all disciplines encompassed by the Society. They place particular emphasis on numerical techniques for efficient computer applications to aid in the dissemination, integration, and proper use of computer codes, including preparation of computational benchmark and development of standards for computing practices, and to encourage the development on new computer codes and broaden their use.
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ANS Student Conference 2025
April 3–5, 2025
Albuquerque, NM|The University of New Mexico
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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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El Salvador: Looking to nuclear
In 2022, El Salvador’s leadership decided to expand its modest, mostly hydro- and geothermal-based electricity system, which is supported by expensive imported natural gas and diesel generation. They chose to use advanced nuclear reactors, preferably fueled by thorium-based fuels, to power their civilian efforts. The choice of thorium was made to inform the world that the reactor program was for civilian purposes only, and so they chose a fuel that was plentiful, easy to source and work with, and not a proliferation risk.
Michael A. Reichenberger, Jagoda M. Urban-Klaehn, Jason V. Brookman, Joshua L. Peterson-Droogh, Jorge Navarro, Richard H. Howard
Nuclear Technology | Volume 208 | Number 2 | February 2022 | Pages 303-309
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2021.1903299
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Production of high specific activity (HSA) 60Co has recently resumed at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory. The technical steps of performing in-canal assay of HSA 60Co targets at the ATR are described herein. The HSA targets are assayed on a regular basis, between cycles at the ATR, in order to assess the progress of activation. The targets are also assayed at the conclusion of the irradiation in order to provide activity estimates for the distributor and to be used for safety and shipping evaluations. These target assay activities must take place in the ATR canal to provide sufficient radiological shielding. A specialized assay fixture is used in conjunction with custom 60Co radiation standards to assess the irradiated target. The specific activity of each irradiated target was determined by first measuring the 60Co standards to determine a sensitivity factor. Then, each irradiated target was measured, and the integrated measurement was multiplied by the sensitivity factor to determine the total activity of the irradiated target. Finally, a correction factor was determined to adjust the reported activity, accounting for differences in the physical geometries of the standards and targets. These methods were used to accurately assay the gross activity of nine irradiated 60Co targets, two of which were delivered to the distributor where confirmatory hot-cell assays were performed verifying the accuracy of the in-canal assay method.
