All articles by wdalrymple
wdalrymple
Evaluating the safety of new fuel types. Part 2: accident & storage conditions
Determining the overall safety level for a new nuclear fuel is not trivial because it involves balancing a host of attributes in several operating scenarios. Currently, there is no focussed, peer-reviewed guidance to help perform such assessments. The work described here, based on a report by the World Nuclear Association’s Fuel Technology Working Group, is intended to be a starting point for formal safety assessment. By Julian Kelly
Evaluating the safety of new fuel types. Part 1: normal conditions
Determining the overall safety level for a new nuclear fuel is not trivial because it involves balancing a host of attributes in several operating scenarios. Currently, there is no focussed, peer-reviewed guidance to help perform such assessments. The work described here, based on a report by the World Nuclear Association’s Fuel Technology Working Group, is intended to be a starting point for formal safety assessment. By Julian Kelly
IAEA OSART mission to Flamanville site completed
An international team of nuclear safety experts led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today completed an assessment of operational safety at Flamanville 1&2 in France. It appears that the review did not include unit 3, under construction.
Fangjiashan 1 goes critical
Fangjiashan 1 has reached criticality, according to operator China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC).
Watlow wins NPT
Electric heater, sensor and controller manufacturer Watlow has received the ASME NPT stamp, which enables it to produce nuclear parts and related components, welded tubular products and piping subassemblies.
Demonstration of a new recycled fuel for CANDU
In collaboration with the Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Company (TQNPC), the China North Nuclear Fuel Corporation (CNNFC), and the Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC), Candu Energy Inc has successfully accomplished a demonstration irradiation of a first-of-a-kind fuel called Natural Uranium Equivalent (NUE) which makes use of recycled and depleted uranium at Qinshan CANDU® Unit 1. It has completed detailed technical analyses to prove that NUE fuel can be implemented in existing CANDU stations without any major modifications to the plant or the licensing basis. By Valeh Aleyaseen, Catherine M. Cottrell and Sermet Kuran
European skills pass
A standardized, pan-European vocational transfer system has been proposed. Its benefits include worker mobility, mutual recognition, harmonization and improvement of education, all of which happen to be pressing issues in the European labour market’s international competitiveness. By Alicia Lacal Molina and Ulrik von Estorff
Changes continue at top of US nuclear regulator
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Allison M. Macfarlane has announced plans to leave the NRC effective January 1 to take a position at George Washington University. She will less than a year after the departure of two other commissioners.
Studsvik Waste Treatment division announces layoffs
Fuel research and waste treatment firm Studsvik has announced plans to implement a redundancy program in the Waste Treatment operation.
AREVA CEO steps down due to illness
Luc Oursel has announced he is taking a leave of absence from AREVA for medical reasons.