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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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Powering the future: How the DOE is fueling nuclear fuel cycle research and development
As global interest in nuclear energy surges, the United States must remain at the forefront of research and development to ensure national energy security, advance nuclear technologies, and promote international cooperation on safety and nonproliferation. A crucial step in achieving this is analyzing how funding and resources are allocated to better understand how to direct future research and development. The Department of Energy has spearheaded this effort by funding hundreds of research projects across the country through the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). This initiative has empowered dozens of universities to collaborate toward a nuclear-friendly future.
Marie-Sophie Chenaud, Gilles Rodriguez (CEA), Jean-François Dirat, Alexandre Villedieu (Framatome)
Proceedings | 2018 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2018) | Charlotte, NC, April 8-11, 2018 | Pages 562-570
Design studies of the ASTRID nuclear island are conducted in accordance with GEN IV reactors criteria, in particularly for safety and operability improvement.
The latest configuration of ASTRID nuclear island (including primary and secondary circuits) has been produced by Framatome at the end of 2017 corresponding to the middle of the Basic Design phase.
This paper describes the main ASTRID safety and operational requirements and the up-to-date design options, focusing on innovative options. Items addressed in the paper include: vessels (main and safety vessels), core support structures, primary pumps and pumps-diagrid connecting pipes, Above Core Structure, Intermediate Heat eXchangers, internal vessel, upper closures (slab and rotating plugs), Decay Heat Removal systems and core catcher. The global architecture of the primary and secondary circuits, in connection with the Gas Power Conversion System, is also presented.
This paper reports on the progress of the studies concerning:
- thermal hydraulics and thermal mechanics,
- evaluations of the seismic resistance,
- in-service inspection,
- qualification needs.
Lastly, it indicates the open options for materials, components and general architecture, which will continue to be studied in the second half of the Basic Design phase.
