You searched for modelling-of-nuclear-fuel-behaviour

A passive heat removal retrofit for BWRs
15 November, 2013
One of the fundamental safety functions of nuclear power plants is residual heat removal. Nevertheless, during certain scenarios, like the station blackout, or loss of the ultimate heat sink, available active safety systems are often not sufficient to remove the decay heat. A retrofitted turbo-compressor system driven by a self-cooling Brayton cycle could provide autarky even in these beyond design basis accidents and extend the grace period of existing BWRs significantly. By Jeanne Venker

Computer modelling of pebble beds
30 October, 2013
Researchers at NRG in the Netherlands are working on computer models and experiments to give insights into the core behaviour of the new generation of pebble-bed high-temperature reactors.

Using neutron noise to determine void fraction
06 September, 2013
A long-known dependence of neutron noise phenomena on void fraction has become the basis of a useful online monitoring technique that backs up computational models and improves operations. Calculations have shown good agreement with simulated data; calculations with real data are expected later this year. By Victor Dykin

IAEA reviews TEPCO’s Fukushima roadmap
29 May, 2013
The IAEA has reviewed the TEPCO short- and medium-term plan to decommission the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It said that although a relatively stable cooling of the fuel (and fuel debris) in the reactors and spent fuel pools has been established and is adequately removing decay heat, there are several challenges to achieve a sustainable situation.

Studying silicon carbide for nuclear fuel cladding
19 April, 2013
With its high melting point and low oxidation rate, silicon carbide remains stable even in nuclear accident scenarios. A wide-ranging R&D programme in the USA is now underway to assess the feasibility of an SiC nuclear fuel cladding. By Shannon Bragg-Sitton, Kristine Barrett, Isabella van Rooyen, David Hurley and Marat Khafizov.

Thermal treatment of ILW
06 March, 2013
Thermal treatment, including vitrification, could reduce by half the volume of some intermediate-level wastes destined for a geological repository, whilst maintaining a degree of radioactive shielding. Thermal treatment methods are introduced and recent tests of ILW simulant in the UK are discussed. By Neil C. Hyatt and Mike James

Amine-based chemistry
01 January, 2013
Analysis of carbon steel samples in three amine solutions have found two amines that maintain favourable pH and inhibit corrosion as well, or better, than cyclohexylamine. By Maria Radulescu, Doina Stefanescu and Maria Mihalache