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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
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2025 ANS Annual Conference
June 15–18, 2025
Chicago, IL|Chicago Marriott Downtown
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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Smarter waste strategies: Helping deliver on the promise of advanced nuclear
At COP28, held in Dubai in 2023, a clear consensus emerged: Nuclear energy must be a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition. With electricity demand projected to soar as we decarbonize not just power but also industry, transport, and heat, the case for new nuclear is compelling. More than 20 countries committed to tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050. In the United States alone, the Department of Energy forecasts that the country’s current nuclear capacity could more than triple, adding 200 GW of new nuclear to the existing 95 GW by mid-century.
J. L. Stakebake, H. N. Robinson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 33 | Number 1 | April 1977 | Pages 30-39
Technical Paper | Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT77-A31761
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The release of PuO2 from plutonium-contaminated burning sodium and liquid sodium under a nitrogen atmosphere has been measured. Also investigated was the release of β-Na4PuO5 from burning sodium. Plutonium concentrations in the initial sodium pool ranged from 13 to 250 ppm. Plutonium dioxide concentrations in the aerosol released from the burning sodium ranged from 5.6 to 1360 ppb. The PuO2 released along with the sodium metal, when the sodium pool was heated in nitrogen at 540°C, varied from 67 to 3632 ppb. The release of β-Na4PuO5 from burning sodium was very small and could only be detected using nuclear track techniques and extended alpha counting. Aerosol particles followed a log-normal particle size distribution. The count mean diameter was 0.48 µm for PuO2 and 0.98 µm for Na2Ox.
