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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Standards Program
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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Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
J. T. Holmes, C. R. F. Smith, M. M. Osterhout, W. H. Olson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 32 | Number 3 | March 1977 | Pages 304-314
Technical Paper | Material | doi.org/10.13182/NT77-A31754
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Purity control of the primary and secondary scdium systems at the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) is by essentially continuous cold trapping of small side streams of the total sodium inventories. The EBR-II cold traps are effective for the control of the major chemical impurities, i.e., oxygen and hydrogen (and also tritium). The trapping effectiveness is higher for hydrogen (NaH) than for oxygen (Na2O). The trap on the primary sodium system is more effective than the secondary cold trap because of higher sodium velocities and, probably, longer residence times in the crystallization zone of the primary trap. Radioisotopes such as 131I and 137Cs are not effectively trapped. New control methods may be required for these and other radioisotopes to allow the continued use of direct maintenance procedures for various plant systems.