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 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Mar 2026
Jan 2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
April 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Swiss nuclear power and the case for long-term operation
Designed for 40 years but built to last far longer, Switzerland’s nuclear power plants have all entered long-term operation. Yet age alone says little about safety or performance. Through continuous upgrades, strict regulatory oversight, and extensive aging management, the country’s reactors are being prepared for decades of continued operation, in line with international practice.
T. J. Pashos, H. E. Williamson, R. N. Duncan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 2 | Number 6 | December 1966 | Pages 510-514
Technical Paper and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT66-A27547
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Since the initiation of fuel irradiations in the Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor in 1957, rod-type fuel elements have been irradiated in an increasing number of boiling-water reactors. The most extensive experience has been obtained with Zirealoy-2 clad, UO2 pellet-type fuel rods. Somewhat less experience has been obtained with other fuel forms such as ThO2 -UO2 pellets and UO2 compacted powder and with other clad materials such as Zircaloy-4, Type 304 stainless steel, Incoloy-800, and Inconel-600. Based on the highly successful performance of many thousands of fuel segments operating at typical commercial power-reactor thermal ratings, UO2 rods clad with Zircaloy-2 have proven to be the most reliable and economical fuel elements for boiling-water reactor applications.
