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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Securing the advanced reactor fleet
Physical protection accounts for a significant portion of a nuclear power plant’s operational costs. As the U.S. moves toward smaller and safer advanced reactors, similar protection strategies could prove cost prohibitive. For tomorrow’s small modular reactors and microreactors, security costs must remain appropriate to the size of the reactor for economical operation.
Hong Ran, Jilai Hou, Binbin Song, Yuncong Huang, Dangshen Zhang, Qinwei Yang, Le Tang, Xiaoqiang Wu, Zen Cao, Lijun Cai
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 80 | Number 1 | January 2024 | Pages 126-136
Note | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2023.2182149
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The vacuum vessel (VV) is one of the main components of the HL-2M tokamak device. It is a thin-shell, all-welded torus made of Inconel 625 material. Maintaining the welding quality and controlling welding distortion are the main manufacturing difficulties. Welding, forming, and assembly are the research focus. This technical note describes the fundamental manufacturing research and development (R&D) and the actual manufacturing procedure of the HL-2M VV. Three stages of R&D work are carried out. The weldability of Inconel 625 plate is studied. Partial and full-scale mock-ups are made. By optimizing the manufacturing process, the HL-2M VV was completed in 2019, and the measurement data meet the design requirements. HL-2M has good vacuum performance, the total leak rate reaches 6.0 × 10−8 Pa·m3/s at room temperature, and the ultimate vacuum pressure reaches 2.4 × 10−6 Pa after baking up to 100°C.