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NRC proposes changes to its rules on nuclear materials
In response to Executive Order 14300, “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” the NRC is proposing sweeping changes to its rules governing the use of nuclear materials that are widely used in industry, medicine, and research. The changes would amend NRC regulations for the licensing of nuclear byproduct material, some source material, and some special nuclear material.
As published in the May 18 Federal Register, the NRC is seeking public comment on this proposed rule and draft interim guidance until July 2.
Jay E. Boudreau, R. C. Erdmann
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 51 | Number 2 | June 1973 | Pages 206-222
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE73-A26595
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Secondary criticality resulting from massive core rearrangement is discussed where the material dynamics results from either mild or strong initial excursions. Diffusion theory is used to study the effect of moving boundaries on the flux, and to study the effect of internal fuel rearrangement on keff. Numerical transport methods are used to make accurate determinations of keff for complicated fuel configurations arising from disassembly calculations. It is concluded that secondary criticality may occur from fuel rearrangement, but that it is unlikely in most cases. Variations in core height/diameter ratio, zonal enrichment, and overall size can change the tendency for autocatalysis significantly.