Power uprate and life extension are ongoing concerns for nuclear power stations due to strengthened safety and regulatory requirements. While great successes have been achieved, huge costs have been reported and numerous technically challenging questions have been raised. With regard to piping, most issues concern whether relevant code requirements are reasonably met. This monograph addresses a few issues essential for achieving a consistent Design-By-Analysis in accordance with the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code: nonlinear alternative rules, fatigue, thermal ratcheting, dynamic loads, strain-based criteria, nonlinear finite element procedures, supports under combined stresses, and others. Throughout the text, the authors endeavour to seek more reliable and consistent alternatives using advanced non-linear finite element analysis. Unlike other texts on piping, this monograph is focused on commercial software and current practices for power uprate and life extension of aging nuclear power facilities.

Uranium is a naturally occurring, ubiquitous heavy metal. In various chemical forms, natural uranium is found in all soils, rocks, seas and oceans. It is also present in drinking water and food. Uranium was discovered in 1781 by Klaprot, a pharmacist in Berlin, in the Joachisthal silver mines. This book starts with a short history of uranium. It continues with the legacy of uranium mining and the authors go on to discuss the environmental and health effects of depleted uranium, which has the unique potential to threaten all natural resources, including human society because of its radiotoxic effects. Uranium migration properties are explored through the geological structures and the groundwater systems based on the determination of its total concentration essential for environmental studies. Other chapters examine the recovery of uranium from phosphate rock; the influence of uranium on the environment and the studies of content of uranium in soil, building materials, drinking water and even in the urine of specific population such as in the Czech Republic, a uranium rich territory; the types of uranium deposits; uranium bioremediation as an eco-friendly, promising approach, which will play an irreplaceable role in global nuclear energy development; discussions on uranium as one of the most widespread contaminants in groundwater in mining areas, as well as in surface waters in Brazil; and an examination of fuel materials that have been developed for use in nuclear power reactors including uranium. Bulk uranium-based systems are very complex and it is difficult to draw unambiguous conclusion on their properties and reaction mechanisms from experiments. Therefore in this book, laboratory experiments using simple model systems - thin films, for single effect studies which have a ground-breaking nature are explored in detail in this book.

The March 2011 accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant led to a worldwide review of nuclear power programs. NRC licenses and oversees civilian nuclear reactors. The State Department coordinates policy matters with international organisations and treaties, including those dealing with nuclear safety. This book examines the actions nuclear regulatory bodies from selected countries have taken to strengthen nuclear safety; the extent to which these countries have established automated systems to collect and transmit accident data; and steps international organisations have taken to support nuclear regulatory bodies and promote nuclear safety worldwide since the accident.

Recent events have renewed long-standing congressional interest in safe management of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and other high level nuclear waste. These issues have been examined and debated for decades, sometimes renewed by world events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The incident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactor complex in Japan, combined with the termination of the Yucca Mountain geologic repository project, have contributed to the increased interest. This book focuses on the current situation with spent nuclear fuel storage in the United States. It addresses the SNF storage situation, primarily at current and former reactor facilities and former reactor sites for the potentially foreseeable future. Although no nation has yet established a permanent disposal repository for SNF and other forms of high-level radioactive waste, there is broad consensus that a geological repository is the preferred method for these wastes.

In this book, the authors gather topical research in the study of nuclear materials. Topics discussed include experimental studies in nuclear fuel alloys for research reactors; the removal of arsenic from ground and surface waters using lanthanides; microstructural characterisation of zirconium based alloys and current trends in the mathematical modelling and simulation of fission product transport from fuel to primary coolant of PWRs.

A electric glow discharge is a type of plasma formed by passing a current at 100 V to several kV through a gas at low pressure, usually argon or another noble gas. It is found in products such as fluorescent lights and plasma-screen televisions, and is used in plasma physics and analytical chemistry. A tokamak is a machine producing a toroidal magnetic field for confining a plasma which is characterised by azimuthal (rotational) symmetry and the use of a plasma-borne electric current to generate the helical component of the magnetic field necessary for stable equilibrium. It is one of several types of magnetic confinement devices, and is one of the most-researched candidates for producing controlled thermonuclear fusion power. This book discusses and presents current data on both glow discharges and tokamaks.

Experts agree, though it is already important, nuclear power will soon be critical to the maintenance of contemporary society. With the heightened importance of nuclear energy comes a heightened threat of terrorism. The possibility of nuclear energy infrastructure terrorism-that is, the use of weapons to cause damage to the nuclear energy industrial sector, which would have widespread, devastating effects-is very real. In Nuclear Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security, authors Frank R. Spellman and Melissa L. Stoudt present all the information needed for nuclear infrastructure employers and employees to handle security threats they must be prepared to meet. The book focuses on three interrelated nuclear energy infrastructure segments: nuclear reactors, radioactive materials, and nuclear waste. It presents common-sense methodologies in a straightforward manner, so the text is accessible even to those with little experience with nuclear energy who are nonetheless concerned about the protection of our nuclear infrastructure. Important safety and security principles are outlined, along with security measures that can be implemented to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities.

The importance of the radioactive minerals occurring at the Pocos de Caldas plateau for the establishment of the Brazilian Nuclear Energy Program has been recognised world-wide. The interest in uranium in the present days as a consequence of its use as a nuclear fuel coupled to its price in the international market has lead to intense debate, mainly due to questions related to global warming. Thus, all initiatives/studies directed to a better knowledge/management of this element in the environment are welcome and needed. This book describes many results obtained on the analysis of natural radionuclides in different compartments, considering their distribution in (un)disturbed environments, as well as consequences of the anthropogenic actions and possible lessons that can be learned from the past uranium exploration activities held at the Pocos de Caldas caldera.

This book is concerned about the adequacy of electricity supply and the impact of greenhouse-gas emissions on the environment have prompted policymakers to reevaluate the role that nuclear power might play in the future in meeting the nation's demand for electricity. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) offers incentives for expanding utilities' capacity to generate electricity using innovative fossil-fuel technologies and a new generation of nuclear reactors that are designed to decrease costs and enhance safety. In addition, policymakers are considering various proposals that would impose charges on entities that emit carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. Such policies could further encourage the use of nuclear power, which emits no such gases, by increasing the cost of generating electricity with competing fossil-fuel technologies.

The Department of Energy (DOE)proposes under the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) to build facilities to begin recycling the nation's commercial spent nuclear fuel. GNEP's objectives include reducing radioactive waste disposed of in a geologic repository and mitigating the nuclear proliferation risks of existing recycling technologies. DOE originally planned a small engineering-scale demonstration of advanced recycling technologies being developed by DOE national laboratories. While DOE has not

Entre le nucl aire et la France, on peut parler d'une v ritable histoire d'amour. Ayant fait le pari de d velopper cette source d' nergie, les d cideurs fran aisse sont lanc es dans une pop e fantastique, une des aventures scientifiques et industrielles les plus excitantes. L'objet de cet ouvrage est de pr senter les enjeux de ce pari, de mieux cerner les difficult s qui ont accompagn son d roulement, afin d'appr hender la complexit d'une telle construction. Apr s un panorama des acquis successifs de la physique atomique et nucl aire depuis un peu plus d'un si cle, l'ouvrage d crit la gen se de l' nergie nucl aire, puis ses d veloppements industriels, pour finir sur un aper u de perspectives encore largement ouvertes. La conclusion dresse un bilan des atouts et des risques de cette nergie. On y trouvera les t moignages d'un autre acteur de ces recherches, Pierre Benoist, et de l'un de ceux qui les poursuivra, Sylvain David. La pr face d'H l ne Langevin, fille de Fr d ric et Ir ne Joliot-Curie, rappelle utilement que l' nergie nucl aire a t et restera le lieu d'une synergie vivante entre la recherche et l'industrie. Con u pour les tudiants en G nie atomique, cette histoire de l' pop e nucl aire int ressera aussi toutes les personnes impliqu es dans le d veloppement de l' nergie nucl aire ou simplement curieuses de mieux conna tre l'histoire nerg tique fran aise. L' pop e de l' nergie nucl aire n'est pas l' uvre d'un historien mais d'un acteur de cette fantastique aventure scientifique et industrielle; elle sera consid r e comme une introduction la lecture des nombreux ouvrages consacr s ce sujet.

The Russian-English volume contains about 50,000 terms covering various fields and subfields of nuclear engineering and technology: nuclear physics, thermonuclear research, nuclear reactors, nuclear fuel, isotopes, radiation, reliability and safety issues, environmental protection, emergency issues, radiation hazards. Terms from the military nuclear field are also included, as well as the names of nuclear power plants and nuclear societies worldwide. It also contains a section of about 250 abbreviations.

The nuclear industry and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) have been working for several years on the development of an adequate process to guide the replacement of aging analog monitoring and control instrumentation in nuclear power plants with modern digital instrumentation without introducing off-setting safety problems. This book identifies criteria for the USNRC's review and acceptance of digital applications in nuclear power plants. It focuses on eight areas: software quality assurance, common-mode software failure potential, systems aspects of digital instrumentation and control technology, human factors and human-machine interfaces, safety and reliability assessment methods, dedication of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software, the case-by-case licensing process, and the adequacy of technical infrastructure. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary Introduction Current Analog Instrumentation and Control Systems The Transition to Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems The Key Technical and Strategic Issues References Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members Appendix B: Committee Meetings Appendix C: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensing of Digital I&C Technology Appendix D: Development of the Final List of Eight Issues

This Second Edition of the well-received work on design, construction, and operation of heat exchangers. Demonstrates how to apply theories of fluid mechanics and heat transfer to practical problems posed by design, testing, and installation of heat exchangers. Tables and data have been brought up to date, and there is new material on problems of vibration and fouling, and on optimization of energy use in the chemical process and manufacturing industries. Covers all basic principles of heat exchanger design, and addresses many specialized situations encountered in engineering applications.

INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR REACTOR PHYSICS is the most comprehensive, modern and readable textbook for this course/module. It explains reactors, fuel cycles, radioisotopes, radioactive materials, design, and operation. Chain reaction and fission reactor concepts are presented, plus advanced coverage including neutron diffusion theory. The diffusion equation, Fisk's Law, and steady state/time-dependent reactor behavior. Numerical and analytical solutions are also covered. The text has full color illustrations throughout, and a wide range of student learning features.

Sodium Fast Reactors with Closed Fuel Cycle delivers a detailed discussion of an important technology that is being harnessed for commercial energy production in many parts of the world. Presenting the state of the art of sodium-cooled fast reactors with closed fuel cycles, this book: Offers in-depth coverage of reactor physics, materials, design, safety analysis, validations, engineering, construction, and commissioning aspects Features a special chapter on allied sciences to highlight advanced reactor core materials, specialized manufacturing technologies, chemical sensors, in-service inspection, and simulators Addresses design essentials with a focus on reactor assembly including core and coolant circuits, fuel handling, instrumentation and control, energy conversion, and containment systems Provides design codes and standards with sufficient background information to ensure a solid understanding of the underlying mechanics Supplies guidelines for concept selection, design, analysis, and validation Sodium Fast Reactors with Closed Fuel Cycle is a valuable reference for industry professionals involved in the construction of fast-reactor power plants, as well as graduate-level engineering students of the design and development of sodium-cooled fast-reactor systems and components.

The astonishing biography of a mineral that can sustain our world- or destroy it
Uranium occurs naturally in the earth's crust-yet holds the power to end all life on the planet. This is its fundamental paradox, and its story is a fascinating window into the valor, greed, genius, and folly of humanity. A problem for miners in the Middle Ages, an inspiration to novelists and a boon to medicine, a devastat-ing weapon at the end of World War II, and eventually a polluter, killer, excuse for war with Iraq, potential deliverer of Armageddon and a possible last defense against global warming-"Uranium" is the riveting story of the most powerful element on earth, and one which will shape our future, for better or worse.

Growing up in suburban Detroit, David Hahn was fascinated by science, and his basement experiments--building homemade fireworks, brewing moonshine, and concocting his own self-tanning lotion--were more ambitious than those of other boys. While working on his Atomic Energy badge for the Boy Scouts, David's obsessive attention turned to nuclear energy. Throwing caution to the wind, he plunged into a new project: building a nuclear breeder reactor in his backyard garden shed.
In The Radioactive Boy Scout, veteran journalist Ken Silverstein recreates in brilliant detail the months of David's improbable nuclear quest. Posing as a physics professor, David solicited information on reactor design from the U.S. government and from industry experts. (Ironically, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was his number one source of information.) Scavenging antiques stores and junkyards for old-fashioned smoke detectors and gas lanterns--both of which contain small amounts of radioactive material--and following blueprints he found in an outdated physics textbook, David cobbled together a crude device that threw off toxic levels of radiation. His unsanctioned and wholly unsupervised project finally sparked an environmental catastrophe that put his town's forty thousand residents at risk and caused the EPA to shut down his lab and bury it at a radioactive dumpsite in Utah.
An outrageous account of ambition and, ultimately, hubris that sits comfortably on the shelf next to such offbeat science books as Driving Mr. Albert and stories of grand capers like Catch Me If You Can, The Radioactive Boy Scout is a real-life adventure with the narrative energy of a first-rate thriller.

"From the Hardcoveredition.

This volume brings together the papers presented at the 8th Symposium organised by the Technical Advisory Group on Structural Integrity of Nuclear Plant (TAGSI), held on 25th April 2001 at the TWI Conference Centre at Granta Park, Great Abington near Cambridge, UK. The subject of this one-day symposium was "Methods for the Assessment of the Structural Integrity of Components and Structures". It was attended by over eighty delegates from nuclear and non-nuclear industries, academia and Government organisations. The construction, process, power generation, manufacturing and transport industries all rely on the integrity of appropriate structures and components to ensure the safe and economic operation of their plant. The object of the Symposium was to disseminate the various methodologies used in different industries for the assessment of structural integrity, and to permit comparisons to be made of the different approaches.

First Published in 1986. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The hidden history of African uranium and what it means-for a state, an object, an industry, a workplace-to be "nuclear." Uranium from Africa has long been a major source of fuel for nuclear power and atomic weapons, including the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. In 2003, after the infamous "yellow cake from Niger," Africa suddenly became notorious as a source of uranium, a component of nuclear weapons. But did that admit Niger, or any of Africa's other uranium-producing countries, to the select society of nuclear states? Does uranium itself count as a nuclear thing? In this book, Gabrielle Hecht lucidly probes the question of what it means for something-a state, an object, an industry, a workplace-to be "nuclear." Hecht shows that questions about being nuclear-a state that she calls "nuclearity"-lie at the heart of today's global nuclear order and the relationships between "developing nations" (often former colonies) and "nuclear powers" (often former colonizers). Hecht enters African nuclear worlds, focusing on miners and the occupational hazard of radiation exposure. Could a mine be a nuclear workplace if (as in some South African mines) its radiation levels went undetected and unmeasured? With this book, Hecht is the first to put Africa in the nuclear world, and the nuclear world in Africa. By doing so, she remakes our understanding of the nuclear age.

Thermal-hydraulic instability can potentially impair thermal reliability of reactor cores or other power equipment components. Thus it is important to address stability issues in power equipment associated with thermal and nuclear installations, particularly in thermal nuclear power plants, chemical and petroleum industries, space technology, and radio, electronic, and computer cooling systems. Coolant Flow Instabilities in Power Equipment synthesizes results from instability investigations around the world, presenting an analysis and generalization of the published technical literature. The authors include individual examples on flow stability in various types of equipment, including boilers, reactors, steam generators, condensers, heat exchangers, turbines, pumps, deaerators, bubblers, and pipelines. They also present information that has not been widely available until recently, such as thermal-acoustic instability, flow instability with supercritical parameters, and single-phase coolant flow static instability. The material described in this book is derived from vast amounts of experimental data from thermal-physical test facilities and full-scale installations. It is presented in a manner accessible to readers without advanced mathematical backgrounds. Particular attention has been paid to oscillatory (low-frequency and thermal-acoustic) and static thermal-hydraulic coolant flow instability. In addition, the physical mechanism of instability has been considered in detail. This book provides knowledge of the various types of flow instability, the equipment where this instability can manifest, and the ensuing consequences, as well as makes recommendations concerning possible removal or mitigation of these consequences. The authors provide this information as a useful reference for readers to facilitate the enhanced safety of modern power equipment through qualitative evaluation of design and flow parameters and subsequent selection of the optimal means for increasing flow stability.