Engineering topics

Bennett, River Poinsett

Publications and source records attributed to Bennett, River Poinsett.

4 records

DOE OSTI2023

Why the United States? Why NRIC? US Advanced Nuclear Ambitions: History and Future

The United States is the birthplace of modern atomic technology. It was responsible for the development of the first nuclear bomb during World War II as well as subsequent decades of world-leading research into the peaceful applications of the atom for energy generation, medicine, industry, agriculture and home appliances. Today, 30 countries use nuclear power to produce energy with the United States being the largest producer in terms of total gigawatt hours (GWh).

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Climate Change and the Environmental Imperative

To mitigate the consequences of climate change, global economies need to rapidly decarbonize by upgrading their energy infrastructure to carbon-free technologies. Nuclear energy has a proven track record on the electric grid and large potential to contribute to sectors beyond just power.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Protecting People and Planet

To produce energy, civilian nuclear power plants require fuel. The majority of existing plants rely on solid ceramic fuels that contain concentrations of about 3 to 5% of the element uranium-235. This specific isotope is well suited to sustaining the type of chain reaction required for a nuclear reactor to harness the heat produced by nuclear fission. Title I of the United States Atomic Energy Act of 1954 defines “special nuclear material” as plutonium, uranium-233, or uranium enriched in the isotopes uranium-233 or uranium-235. This label identifies materials that at high concentrations can be used to produce nuclear weapons. The United States and broader international community are fully committed to ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy by committing to practices known as safeguards.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Challenges and Opportunities for the Development of Commercial Maritime Surface Vessel Nuclear Propulsion (CMNP)

Maritime transport and trade are currently responsible for producing nearly 1 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, representing 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. While maritime shipping is acknowledged as the most efficient carrier of goods in terms of its costs and carbon intensity, the sector relies overwhelmingly on the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO). This fuel source currently is unmatched in terms of its global availability, safety, security of supply, price, and energy density. Combined, these characteristics are responsible for the outsized contribution of the sector to the global economy: roughly 90% of all transported goods spend time at sea. Commercial maritime nuclear propulsion provides opportunities to transition maritime trade to clean energy but also comes with challenges. Both are covered in this report based on 60+ interviews with professionals from the maritime and nuclear energy sectors.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗