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Division Spotlight
Mathematics & Computation
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.
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.
Nick DeJulia, Trevor Jones (AMS)
Proceedings | Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technolgies (NPIC&HMIT 2019) | Orlando, FL, February 9-14, 2019 | Pages 1251-1259
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) is equipped with a magnetically coupled positioning system known as a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM). In many cases, the plant system that measures the position of the control rods in the reactor core is the digital rod position indication (DRPI) system. The DRPI system is designed to continuously sense and display the positions of each of the control and shutdown rods. Both of these systems consist of coils above the reactor head, connectors at the reactor head and at the containment penetration, instrumentation and power cabinets, and long runs of interconnecting cables in between these system components. The objective of cable testing is to evaluate the condition of the rod control and position indication coils, connections, cables and to identify any defects or anomalies that may adversely affect their normal operation. Various electrical measurements can provide insight into the health and reliability of these rod control and rod position cable circuits. Some measurements are used to identify configuration anomalies, others test the integrity of connectors and proper isolation from station ground, and some validate the health of the coil to identify resistive connections, insulation degradation, or turn-to-turn shorts. This systematic approach to rod control and rod position coil and cable testing increases system reliability, reduces the likelihood of unplanned outages from dropped rods, and reduces outage times and maintenance costs which in turn reduces costs for the electrical utility.