ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jan 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
“Summer time” again? Santee Cooper thinks so
South Carolina public utility Santee Cooper and its partner South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) called a halt to the Summer-2 and -3 AP1000 construction project in July 2017, citing costly delays and the bankruptcy of Westinghouse. The well-chronicled legal fallout included indictments and settlements, and ultimately left Santee Cooper with the ownership of nonnuclear assets at the construction site in Jenkinsville, S.C.
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