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60 Years of U: Perspectives on resources, demand, and the evolving role of nuclear energy
Recent years have seen growing global interest in nuclear energy and rising confidence in the sector. For the first time since the early 2000s, there is renewed optimism about the industry’s future. This change is driven by several major factors: geopolitical developments that highlight the need for secure energy supplies, a stronger focus on resilient energy systems, national commitments to decarbonization, and rising demand for clean and reliable electricity.
Jakob Weitman
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 18 | Number 2 | February 1964 | Pages 246-259
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE64-A18325
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The effective resonance integral of thorium oxide rods has been determined as a function of their surface-to-mass ratio. The range of S/M values covered is 0.15 - 0.65 cm2/g. An experimental technique based on the comparison of activities obtained in thermal and slowing-down neutron fluxes was employed. The shape of the resonance neutron spectrum was determined from measurements with a fast chopper and from calculations, permitting deduction of a correction factor which relates the experimental values to the ideal 1/E case. The results are summarized by the following expression: The main contribution to the margin of error arises from the uncertainties in the 4% spectral correction applied, in the 1.5 b “l/v” part deducted and in the 1510 b infinite-dilution integral of gold, used as a standard. In order to compare the consistency of Dresner's first equivalence theorem and Nordheim's numerical calculations relative to our results, the resonance integral values for thorium metal rods obtained previously by Hellstrand and Weitman have been recalculated, using recent cross section and spectrum data. The new formula is It differs from the old one mainly because of the proved non-l/v behaviour of the thorium cross section below the first resonance.