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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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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New coolants, new fuels: A new generation of university reactors
Here’s an easy way to make aging U.S. power reactors look relatively youthful: Compare them (average age: 43) with the nation’s university research reactors. The 25 operating today have been licensed for an average of about 58 years.
F. H. Welch, O. P. Steele III
Nuclear Technology | Volume 47 | Number 2 | February 1980 | Pages 308-311
Technical Paper | Fuel | doi.org/10.13182/NT80-A32434
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Evaporation of sodium from components using heat and vacuum was investigated as a method of sodium removal from liquid-metal fast breeder reactor components. The method was determined to be capable of efficiently cleaning components at temperatures as low as 260 to 315°C and at pressures of ∼1 × 10−3 to 1 × 10−4 Pa. The most rapid cleaning was observed with small crevices, where the sodium is expelled by gases released from the sodium. The method was recommended as a viable process that should be investigated using full-size components.