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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
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Latest News
Vogtle-3 shuts down for valve issue
One of the new Vogtle units in Georgia was shut down unexpectedly on Monday last week for a valve issue that has since been investigated and repaired. According to multiple local news outlets, Georgia Power reported on July 17 that Unit 3 was back in service.
Southern Company spokesperson Jacob Hawkins confirmed that Vogtle-3 went off line at 9:25 p.m. local time on July 8 “due to lowering water levels in the steam generators caused by a valve issue on one of the three main feedwater pumps.”
Eric Sykes (NWMO), Stefano D. Normani (Univ of Waterloo), Lorrie Fava, Darren Janeczek (MIRARCO)
Proceedings | 16th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (IHLRWM 2017) | Charlotte, NC, April 9-13, 2017 | Pages 859-866
The ability to conceptualize and represent uncertainty in the geometry, dimensionality, and parameterization of key geosphere processes is a necessary element in the development of credible geosphere models. In crystalline rock typical of the Canadian Shield, these three-dimensional geosphere models are principally composed of discrete fracture network models and numerical groundwater models, which when combined, form an integrated platform for the on-going synthesis of geosphere data.
Fracture network modelling involves using three-dimensional, geostatistical tools for creating realistic, structurally possible models of fracture zone networks within a geosphere that are based on field data. The fracture network models, by honouring and incorporating available site data, allow for a greater understanding of the geometry and interconnectivity of the fractures in a quantitative manner. MoFrac, based upon the legacy fracture network modelling software FXSIM3D, is a new fracture network modelling tool capable of generating fracture network geometry composed of both stochastic and deterministic features.
The groundwater modelling methodologies applied within this project were developed and tested within the NWMO Geoscience Technical R&D program, and provide a numerical framework to assemble and integrate geosphere data including topography, surface water features, fracture networks, and hydraulic conductivities. These geosphere data, when synthesized into a three-dimensional geosphere conceptual model, form the basis for the integrated groundwater systems models. These models provide a quantitative assessment of suitability and facilitate a full understanding of the influences of geosphere factors such as topography, surface water features, and fracture zone geometry and interconnectedness. The numerical groundwater modelling software HGS was employed for this study.
A representative sub-regional scale test case based upon Canadian Shield data was used in order to demonstrate the modelling workflow. Performance measures include groundwater heads, velocity magnitudes, Mean Life Expectancies (MLEs), and depth of recharge of a surficial tracer.