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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
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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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.
M. Segev, A. Misulovin, A. Galperin
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 127 | Number 2 | October 1997 | Pages 238-244
Technical Note | doi.org/10.13182/NSE97-A28600
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A fuel management scheme is proposed for a twofold purpose: incineration of light water reactor waste plutonium and electricity generation. The scheme is based on a fast spectrum core with lead as a coolant. The core is managed in a three-batch mode, 200 days per cycle. Enriched 10B, in B4C pellets, is used as burnable poison, reducing the criticality drop to just 2.8%/cycle. The latter can be handled easily with a few control rods. The core is flat, with a 400-cm diameter and 90-cm height, to ensure that core voiding results in a criticality decrease. Recycled fuel is recharged into the core after the fission products, but not actinides, have been removed. Equilibrium operation is reached within a short period of 2 yr. In a span of 27 yr, the core will incinerate the plutonium at an average rate of 730 kg/yr, while generating 1000 MW(electric).