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.
Michael S. McGough, William E. Austin, George J. Knetl
Nuclear Technology | Volume 87 | Number 3 | November 1989 | Pages 648-659
Technical Paper | TMI-2: Remote Technology and Engineering / Nuclear Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT89-A27717
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The lower core support assembly (LCSA) of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 reactor was not structurally damaged during the accident. In order to permit defueling of that region of the core, the LCSA was cut to permit access. A five-axis teleoperator was developed to deliver plasma cutting, rotary grinding, and abrasive water-jetting end effectors to the LCSA. In addition, the automated cutting equipment system (ACES) manipulator and plasma system were used for vertical sectioning of the baffle plates. The ACES and the end effectors were designed, fabricated, tested, and implemented in the field by PCI Energy Services. Complex geometry sectioning was completed in a mock-up facility at chemistry and pressure conditions simulating those of the vessel, prior to actual in-vessel operations. In-vessel activities began in early May of 1988 and were completed on April 11, 1989.