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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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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Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
A. Fayet, S. Béjaoui, T. Cadiou, J. Perez-Manes, E. Deveaux, A. Vernier, V. D’Ambrosi, J. Sercombe, C. Nonon-Solaro, G. Bignan, C. Koren, S. Mimouni, A. Ambard, B. Rossaert, P. Gouat, B. Boer, R. Wouter-Bosch
Nuclear Technology | Volume 210 | Number 2 | February 2024 | Pages 354-377
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2023.2271222
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
To refine knowledge about pressurized water reactor fuel melting, the Power to Melt and Maneuverability (P2M) project in the Framework for Irradiation Experiments II (FIDES-II) managed by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development aims to perform two irradiation tests to reach fuel centerline partial melting using instrumented experimental fuel rodlets irradiated in a pressurized water capsule (PWC) of the Belgian Reactor 2 (BR2) [Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie (SCK CEN), Belgium]. Prior to these experiments, two preliminary tests will be performed in the PWC for qualification purpose toward safety. The experimental rodlets will be instrumented with a fuel centerline thermocouple in the lower part of the fuel and a pressure sensor (PS) in the upper part. An objective of the P2M experiments is to determine the amount of fission gas released from the fuel thanks to the PS measurement. The plenum pressure evolution is known from the measurement, and knowledge of the gas plenum temperature is required to determine the amount of fission gas released from the fuel to the plenum. The gas plenum temperature will depend on natural convection of the PWC coolant, and no temperature measurement will be possible within this gap during the test. This paper describes the setting up of a model of the BR2 PWC equipped with the P2M rodlets based on the coupled NEPTUNE_CFD (multiphase fluid calculation code) and SYRTHES (solid thermal module) simulation tools. Simulations performed thanks to this model allow assessment of the thermal-hydraulic (TH) behavior of the pressurized water in the capsule and the thermal behavior of the rodlet, in particular, regarding the temperature of the gas located in the plenum. For consistency of the results, computations presented in this paper were performed using a single and consistent set of TH models. A mesh sensitivity analysis was carried out for all the studied cases. Simulation results related to the water capsule behavior were found to be in good agreement with the available experimental data. The gas plenum temperature results obtained from this study will be used to assess the fission gas release during the test from the plenum pressure measurements. Overall experimental validation of fission gas release during the test will be possible after the transient test in BR2 based on the postirradiation examination program foreseen on the rodlets at the LECA-STAR facility [Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) Cadarache, France].