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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
WIPP improves utility shaft safety, begins infrastructure project
Harrison Western Shaft Sinkers (HWSS), the company drilling a new utility shaft at the Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico, has retained a safety culture expert following a near-miss accident in the shaft late last year. The safety expert will conduct monthly facilitated discussions with crews working on the shaft to reinforce expectations for identifying concerns regarding unsafe circumstances, according to a recent report by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB).
Seok Yoon, Jun-Seo Jeon, Seeun Chang, Deuk-Hwan Lee, Seung-Rae Lee, Geon-Young Kim
Nuclear Technology | Volume 206 | Number 3 | March 2020 | Pages 514-525
Technical Note | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2019.1632093
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A geological repository has been considered as one of the best options for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW), with the concepts of an engineered barrier system (EBS) and a natural barrier system. A compacted bentonite buffer is the most crucial component of the EBS. Because groundwater penetrates the compacted bentonite buffer, it is essential to investigate a water-retention curve (WRC) of the compacted bentonite buffer to evaluate the overall safety performance of the EBS because the WRC of the compacted bentonite buffer can affect the thermal-hydraulic–mechanical behavior of every component of the EBS. Therefore, this technical note reports on laboratory experiments conducted to analyze the WRC for a Korean Ca-type compacted bentonite considering dry density, confined or unconfined condition, and drying or wetting path. Models by Fredlund and Xing and by van Genuchten had the best fit with the experimental data. The results revealed higher water content with smaller dry density and in an unconfined condition and higher total suction during the drying path. Furthermore, the air-entry values (AEVs) and fitting parameters of the van Genuchten model were compared with other Ca-type bentonites produced in Europe. A smaller AEV showed lower expansibility since the AEV is affected in the low-suction range and expansibility.