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.
L. G. Faust, L. W. Brackenbush, R. C. Smith, L. L. Nichols, D. W. Brite
Nuclear Technology | Volume 15 | Number 2 | August 1972 | Pages 249-256
Technical Paper | Plutonium Utilization in Commercial Power Reactors / Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT72-A31149
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Gamma and neutron radiation dose rates from various experimental fuel assemblies and from full-size commercial BWR and PWR power reactor fuel assemblies containing UO2-PuO2 fuel with high exposure plutonium were measured. Maximum gamma and neutron dose rates encountered at 61-cm distance from the surfaces of the fuel assemblies were 6.5 mR/h and 25 mrem/h, respectively. It is concluded that commercial reactor operators can handle fuel assemblies containing high exposure plutonium without excessive personnel exposure and with a minimum of special handling procedures. However, radiation shielding for some fuel fabrication steps will be necessary with plutonium of the type expected to become available during the late 1970s.