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INL reports findings on unusual quantum behavior of plutonium
Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that plutonium hexaboride (PuB6) displays a type of unusual quantum property called a topological Kondo insulating state. Materials with this property are neither typical electricity conductors nor regular insulators. Rather, they have exterior surfaces that strongly conduct electricity and interiors that block electricity.
Shih-Jen Wang, Chun-Sheng Chien, Suh-Chyn Jeng
Nuclear Technology | Volume 105 | Number 3 | March 1994 | Pages 447-456
Technical Paper | Radiation Protection | doi.org/10.13182/NT94-A34943
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A plant analyzer was developed for the Kuosheng power station, based on the AD-100 peripheral processor system. To analyze a transient from partial power conditions, the initial steady-state conditions must be generated in advance. A self-initialization algorithm for generating the initial partial power conditions has been developed. The initialization of the rated power conditions is performed first. The self-initialization algorithm then simultaneously adjusts important plant variables, such as the reactor power, dome pressure, downcomer level, feedwater temperature, and core flow, to the desired partial power conditions from the rated conditions with the aid of existing plant control systems and four extra control loops. This algorithm was developed and encoded in the Kuosheng plant analyzer. The initialization for a recirculation pump trip test at 68% of rated power demonstrates the success of this algorithm. The initial conditions generated can be saved and used for transient analysis. Tedious and time-consuming trial-and-error initialization procedures are eliminated. This methodology improves the accuracy and consistency of transient calculations for partial power conditions.