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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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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Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
Dylan R. Harp, Philip H. Stauffer, Phoolendra K. Mishra, Daniel G. Levitt, Bruce A. Robinson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 187 | Number 3 | September 2014 | Pages 294-307
Technical Paper | Thermal Hydraulics | doi.org/10.13182/NT13-110
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Salt formations have received recent attention for geologic disposal of heat-generating, high-level nuclear waste (HLW). Existing investigations are summarized and expanded upon using analytical and numerical models to investigate simulated temperatures in the salt after emplacement of HLW. Analytical modeling suggests that temperature variations near canisters will be smooth, indicating that the system can be approximated by a coarsely discretized numerical model. Two multidimensional parameter studies explore canister configuration using characteristics from (a) defense HLW and (b) spent nuclear fuel (SNF) waste. Numerical modeling was conducted for a disposal concept consisting of emplacement of waste canisters on the floor of drifts and covering each with salt backfill. Results indicate that waste forms with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) waste characteristics can be easily configured to maintain simulated temperatures far below 200°C at spacings as close as 0.3 m (∼1 ft), the minimum feasible spacing that could practically be achieved. For SNF waste packaged into canisters with heat loads of 1500 or 1000 W with canister spacing of 6 m (∼20 ft) and 3 m (∼10 ft), respectively, simulated temperatures can be maintained below 200°C; much higher maximum temperatures would result for designs with higher canister heat loads and smaller spacings. These results indicate that from a thermal loading perspective, in-drift disposal of HLW in salt deposits is feasible for DOE-managed waste as long as the maximum temperature is managed through proper selection of canister heat loads and spacings. The results will aid in the design of potential future field tests to confirm this conclusion.