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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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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.
Ronald W. King, Erwin C. Filewicz
Nuclear Technology | Volume 52 | Number 1 | January 1981 | Pages 32-42
Technical Paper | Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT81-A32687
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) is an unmoderated, sodium-cooled reactor with a design power level of 62.5 MW(thermal). The design uses a submerged pool concept in which the reactor and fuel handling components are contained in a primary tank filled with sodium. The in-tank fuel handling is done remotely with no visual contact of the fuel subassemblies or the in-tank portion of the fuel handling equipment. The fuel handling operations, therefore, depend on precise, predictable positioning of all equipment and subassemblies. In July 1978, during normal fuel handling operations, it was discovered that one of the subassemblies in the in-tank storage basket for reactor subassemblies was not in the proper position to be handled with the subassembly transfer arm. Months of diagnostic evaluation of the actual position and shape of the subassembly resulted in a full-size mockup of the equipment and of the subassembly involved. The diagnostic measurements were duplicated with the mockup, a special system for retrieving the subassembly was designed and built, and a procedure was prepared. Using the mockup, the special equipment and procedure were thoroughly tested, modified, and retested. The subassembly was retrieved from the storage basket and primary tank on May 11, 1979, with no major difficulties. During the time between the discovery of the problem and the retrieval of the sub-assembly, EBR-II reactor operations continued as normal except for minor inconveniences during fuel handling operations because of the position of the damaged subassembly. The overall success of this project gave confidence that abnormal situations of this type in a sodium-cooled, pot-type reactor can be handled, without visual contact, through careful planning and preparation.
