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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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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New coolants, new fuels: A new generation of university reactors
Here’s an easy way to make aging U.S. power reactors look relatively youthful: Compare them (average age: 43) with the nation’s university research reactors. The 25 operating today have been licensed for an average of about 58 years.
T. S. Krolikowski, L. Leibowitz, R. E. Wilson, J. C. Cassulo, S. K. Stynes
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 38 | Number 2 | November 1969 | Pages 156-160
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE69-A19520
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Molten sodium (623 to 69°K) was injected by a pneumatic, piston spray-injector into a closed reaction chamber containing dry air or dry air-nitrogen mixtures. The rate of the pressure rise resulting from the sodium-air burning reaction was measured during the spraying interval. The pressure-rise rate was a measure of the reaction rate. The spray particle size had the most pronounced effect on the reaction rate, which increased as the particle size decreased. Increasing the spray velocity resulted in a modest increase in the reaction rate. The reaction rate decreased slowly as the oxygen content of the atmosphere was lowered until, at an oxygen concentration of 4 mol%, there was no visible burning.