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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
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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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Become a knowledge manager at UWC 2024
The American Nuclear Society is now accepting applications for knowledge managers to work during the 2024 Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo. This year’s UWC, “Nuclear Momentum: Advancing Our Clean Energy Future,” will be held August 4–7, 2024, at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort on Marco Island, Fla.=
Allen G. Croff, Emory D. Collins, G. D. Del Cul, R. G. Wymer, Alan M. Krichinsky, B. B. Spencer, Brad D. Patton
Nuclear Technology | Volume 194 | Number 2 | May 2016 | Pages 252-270
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NT15-59
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Thorium-based nuclear fuel cycles have received renewed attention in both research and public circles since about the year 2000. Much of the attention has been focused on nuclear fission energy production that utilizes thorium as a fertile element for producing fissionable 233U for recycle in thermal reactors, fast reactors, or externally driven systems. Lesser attention has been paid to other fuel cycle operations that are necessary for implementation of a sustainable thorium-based fuel cycle such as reprocessing and fabrication of recycle fuels containing 233U.
This paper first identifies recent literature that has resulted from the renewed interest in thorium-based fuel cycles. Next, differences in the radiation characteristics of nuclear materials associated with thorium-based and uranium-based fuels are discussed, and the generic implications of the differences to nuclear material processing are identified. Then, experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory concerning processing of thorium and 233U is described in terms of the processing projects and campaigns undertaken and the facilities in which the processing was implemented. This experience then provides the basis for a generalized discussion of processing nuclear materials associated with thorium-based fuel cycles as compared to uranium-based fuel cycles.
This comparative discussion focuses on key out-of-reactor fuel cycle operations: reprocessing of metal-clad oxide and graphite-matrix oxide used nuclear fuels (UNFs) including head-end processing (shearing and dissolution), solvent extraction, product conversion, fuel fabrication, and waste management. It is concluded that the recycle of thorium-based UNF constituents (233U and thorium) is more technically challenging than the recycle of uranium-based UNF constituents (plutonium and uranium) based on the radiation, chemical, and physical characteristics of nuclear materials in thorium-based fuel cycles as compared to uranium-based fuel cycles.