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Conference Spotlight
2025 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
November 9–12, 2025
Washington, DC|Washington Hilton
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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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Latest News
Type One Energy, TVA ink LOI in development of fusion power in Tennessee
The Tennessee Valley Authority has issued a letter of intent to fusion energy start-up Type One Energy regarding the utility’s interest in the potential deployment of Type One Energy’s fusion power plant technology at TVA’s former Bull Run fossil plant site once it is commercially ready.
Gary L. Thinnes, Richard L. Moore
Nuclear Technology | Volume 87 | Number 4 | December 1989 | Pages 1036-1049
Late Paper | TMI-2: Decontamination and Waste Management / Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow | doi.org/10.13182/NT89-A27695
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Three Mile Island Unit 2 accident resulted in the melting of ∼47% of the reactor core and the relocation of ∼15% of the core onto the lower head of the reactor vessel. The severity of the accident has raised questions about the margin of safety against rupture of the reactor vessel lower head in this accident since all evidence seems to indicate no major breach of the vessel occurred. Scoping heat transfer analyses of the relocated core debris and lower head have been made based on assumed core melting scenarios and core material debris formations while in contact with the lower head. The structural finite element creep rupture analysis of the lower head using a temperature transient that was judged to be a challenge to the structural capacity of the reactor vessel is described. This evaluation of vessel response to the imposed temperature transient has provided insight into the creep mechanisms of the vessel wall, a realistic mode of failure, and a means by which margin to failure can be evaluated once examination provides estimated maximum wall temperatures. Suggestions for more extensive research in this area are also provided.