ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
M. Lee Hyder
Nuclear Technology | Volume 94 | Number 1 | April 1991 | Pages 80-86
Technical Paper | Nuclear Reactor Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT91-A16223
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The removal of gaseous iodine from air by water sprays is measured, using both ordinary water and a solution buffered to a pH near 9.5 with a carbonate mixture. The results are compared to the theoretical predictions of the 12WASH computer code. In all experiments, using both large and small spray droplets, the solution at the higher pH is approximately three times as effective at absorbing iodine from the air. This agrees with the predictions of the computer model for the smaller droplets studied. The computer code predicts no pH effect for large drops, probably because it assumes a well-mixed drop, and mixing during the fall time is too slow.