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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
2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
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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Latest News
NRC wants input on Hermes 2 test reactor construction permit
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking input on its draft environmental assessment and draft finding of no significant impact for Kairos Power’s application to build the Hermes 2 test reactor facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
K. A. Murray, J. J. Corugedo, N. J. Hoffman
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 8 | Number 1 | July 1985 | Pages 1901-1906
Inertial Confinement Fusion Reactor | Proceedings of the Sixth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (San Francisco, California, March 3-7, 1985) | doi.org/10.13182/FST85-A40039
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Two different primary coolants, Li and 83Pb-17Li, have been examined for use in Pulse*Star, a pool-type inertial confinement fusion reactor, and a balance-of-plant design has been generated for each coolant. The use of 83Pb-17Li eliminates concern about the large amount of stored chemical energy found in pure Li fusion reactors. A secondary loop was not included in the 83Pb-17Li coolant design because of the relative nonreactivity of lead-lithium. The design utilizing Li as a primary coolant includes a sodium secondary loop to prevent direct contact between irradiated Li and high-pressure water in the case of a steam generator leak. The secondary loop requires additional piping, pumps, heat exchanger area, and steam generator buildings. These additional costs are mitigated by the low pumping power requirement of Li compared with that of high-density 83Pb-17Li. A cost analysis revealed that the additional costs of the Li coolant design are only slightly greater ($13.5 million) than the cost savings due to the lower pumping power. Preliminary studies indicate that tritium containment will be more costly for the 83Pb-17Li coolant design than for the one involving pure Li because the insolubility of tritium in 83Pb-17Li creates large driving forces for tritium leakage into the surrounding plant. The tradeoff between the two safety concerns of chemical stability in the case of 83Pb-17Li and practicable tritium containment in the case of pure Li needs to be investigated.