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Division Spotlight
Radiation Protection & Shielding
The Radiation Protection and Shielding Division is developing and promoting radiation protection and shielding aspects of nuclear science and technology — including interaction of nuclear radiation with materials and biological systems, instruments and techniques for the measurement of nuclear radiation fields, and radiation shield design and evaluation.
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.
Konor Frick, J. Michael Doster (NCSU), Shannon Bragg-Sitton (INL)
Proceedings | Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technolgies (NPIC&HMIT 2019) | Orlando, FL, February 9-14, 2019 | Pages 91-101
A consequence of operating steam cycles under time varying loads, is the variability of the feedwater temperature entering the bottom of the steam generators. This variability is a direct result of changes in turbine impulse pressure and subsequently turbine tap pressures in response to the load changes, with a reduction in feed temperature during periods of low turbine demand. These fluctuations over time will increase thermal cycling and threaten the integrity of the tube bundle as well as other components in the feed system. Sensible heat, TES systems have been shown to be an effective load management strategy allowing nuclear reactor systems to operate at effectively 100% full power while storing excess thermal energy for recovery later. A byproduct of the TES system is the availability of large amounts of low grade waste heat that can be used for ancillary applications, including auxiliary feed heating during periods of low turbine demand. The addition of an auxiliary feed heater at the end of the traditional feed train can minimize feed temperature variations during periods of low turbine demand, reducing the effects of thermal cycling and increasing overall thermodynamic efficiency. This paper discusses the design, operation and control strategies for an auxiliary feed water system as an integral component of a coupled Thermal Energy Storage system and Integral Pressurized Water Reactor. The impact on system performance, particularly as it affects reactor dynamic response and reductions in thermal cycling will be addressed. In addition to the improved thermal efficiency, a benefit of this approach is the relocation of thermal stressors from the reactor coolant system to more easily managed Balance of Plant systems