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Division Spotlight
Robotics & Remote Systems
The Mission of the Robotics and Remote Systems Division is to promote the development and application of immersive simulation, robotics, and remote systems for hazardous environments for the purpose of reducing hazardous exposure to individuals, reducing environmental hazards and reducing the cost of performing work.
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
Lightbridge announces first U-Zr fuel rod samples extruded at INL
Lightbridge Corporation announced today that it has reached “a critical milestone” in the development of its extruded solid fuel technology. Coupon samples using an alloy of zirconium and depleted uranium—not the high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) that Lightbridge plans to use to manufacture its fuel for the commercial market—were extruded at Idaho National Laboratory’s Materials and Fuels Complex.
Vaclav Dostal, Pavel Hejzlar, Michael J. Driscoll
Nuclear Technology | Volume 154 | Number 3 | June 2006 | Pages 265-282
Technical Paper | Fission Reactors | doi.org/10.13182/NT154-265
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Supercritical carbon dioxide cycles are a promising power conversion option for future nuclear reactors operating with a reactor outlet temperature in the range of 550 to 650°C. The recompression cycle version operating with ~20-MPa turbine inlet pressure achieves similar cycle efficiencies as helium Brayton cycles operating at ~250°C higher turbine inlet temperature. The simplicity and high efficiency of the recompression cycle makes it a prime option from among the family of supercritical carbon dioxide cycles. The elimination of the need for intercooling due to the small required compressor work (because of the high density close to the critical point) makes the recompression cycle even simpler than helium Brayton cycles, which require intercooling to achieve attractive efficiencies. The high operating pressure reduces the size of the plant components significantly, making it a promising power cycle for low-cost modularized electricity-generating nuclear systems. However, the real gas behavior that improves the cycle efficiency presents a challenge for part-load operation. The traditional inventory control used for helium Brayton cycles may not be feasible. Bypass control is thus the prime option for part-load operation, making the cycle less efficient than during base-load operation. Since nuclear power plants are operated almost exclusively in base load, this drawback is not a disqualifying blemish.