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May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Latest News
New X-ray imaging for ITER-supporting tokamaks
As researchers continue to seek ways to better understand the plasma inside fusion machines to fully harness fusion energy, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is leading a project to provide new X-ray imaging systems to two international tokamak projects: WEST, in southern France, and JT-60SA, in Japan—both of which are designed to support the development of ITER.
David Pickett, Yiming Pan (CNWRA), John Wise, Ricardo Torres, Darrell Dunn (NRC)
Proceedings | 16th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (IHLRWM 2017) | Charlotte, NC, April 9-13, 2017 | Pages 410-413
To renew a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) specific license for an independent spent fuel storage installation or a certificate of compliance for a dry storage system, the applicant must conduct an aging management review (AMR) that evaluates the potential aging-related degradation of those structures, systems, and components (SSCs) determined to be within the scope of renewal. Any credible aging mechanisms and effects identified for important-to-safety SSCs must be addressed in either time-limited aging analyses (TLAAs), if applicable, or aging management programs (AMPs). To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the renewal process, the NRC is developing guidance for its staff in reviewing AMRs and AMPs—titled the Managing Aging Processes in Storage (MAPS) Report. The report generically evaluates potential aging mechanisms for storage system components, concluding whether or not the mechanisms could affect an important-to-safety function. Aging mechanisms are evaluated for (i) casks and internal components; (ii) neutron shielding; (iii) neutron poisons; (iv) concrete overpacks and support pads, and ceramic fiber insulation; and (v) spent fuel assemblies. The report provides aging management tables that identify the component-specific aging mechanisms and consequent effects that must be managed. Finally, the report describes example AMPs that include recommended prevention, mitigation, monitoring, and inspection activities.