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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
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 updating GEIS rule for new nuclear technology
The Nuclear Regulatory Agency is issuing a proposed generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) for use in reviewing applications for new nuclear reactors.
In an April 17 memo, NRC secretary Carrie Safford wrote that the commission approved NRC staff’s recommendation to publish in the Federal Register a proposed rule amending 10 CFR Part 51, “Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.”
Alexey Soldatov, Todd S. Palmer
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 167 | Number 1 | January 2011 | Pages 77-90
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE09-39
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
To address the energy needs of developing countries and remote communities, Oregon State University has proposed the Multi-Application Small Light Water Reactor (MASLWR) design. This design uses 8% enriched fuel to achieve five years of operation without refueling. The specific operational conditions (lower pressure and temperature of fuel and coolant), increased enrichment of fuel, and extensive use of gadolinium burnable absorbers lead to significantly different neutron physics compared to conventional pressurized water reactors. In particular, spectrum hardening due to increased thermal neutron absorption, changes in kinetic parameters due to the isotopic content of the fresh and irradiated fuel, and fuel and control rod shadowing by burnable absorbers are consequences of the design requirements. Enhanced neutron leakage from the small MASLWR core also adds complexity. Neutron reflectors and a unique fuel-loading pattern compensate the pronounced axial and radial gradients of the neutron flux and power generation.This paper discusses the neutron physics and thermal-hydraulic issues of the core design for a small reactor with increased fuel enrichment and natural circulation of the coolant. The paper describes three evolutionary steps of the MASLWR core design process and discusses core parameters, advantages, disadvantages, and design limitations as they appeared during the core design feasibility study. The paper demonstrates the feasibility of the core design for five effective years of nonrefueled operation with 8.0% enriched UO2 fuel.