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At least 343 records · Page 19

The High Capacity Type B Waste Transport Cask to Serve Dismantling Project - 18344

The United States have already announced around 20 reactor shutdown and many more in the next 10 year. Financial constraints on plant operators and the low cost of fossil energy contribute to accelerate the shutdown of additional reactors. The industry has been gaining experience with reactor dismantling and is continuously trying to improve the cost efficiency of the upcoming projects. To do so, larger and more capacitive transport casks are needed to transport increasing volume of Low Level Waste (LLW) at a more attractive cost. Waste disposal is also a major cost element in a dismantling project. Consequently, the capacity to segment, package and transport the waste in the most optimized configuration will result in significant cost savings. While for LLW, the constraints for package requirements are limited, activated waste resulting mainly from reactor vessel and vessel internals segmentation require additional shielding to meet disposal and transportation regulations. The key element to succeed is the availability on the market of a licensed type B transport package with a larger payload that allows at the same time an optimization of the waste segmentation. AREVA TN has designed and licensed versatile high capacity type B casks for the transport of spent fuel canisters as part of the NUHOMS{sup R} system that can also be used to transport radioactive waste. While it will take a few more years to transport spent fuel to a consolidated interim storage facility and even more to a repository, the type B casks can be used to transport activated LLW from dismantled reactors to disposal sites. A first of a kind project will be performed with AREVA's partner NorthStar at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. AREVA's team will perform the reactor segmentation and package the material into an AREVA's large capacity type B cask. This unmatched cask capacity is expected to significantly decrease the LLW disposal costs, as well as the onsite operations costs, while optimizing the schedule. The package will be transported by rail to waste disposal facilities. This paper will present the main characteristics of the package, provide an update of the overall schedule, and explain the innovations that contribute to simpler and more cost effective transport and operation. Finally, it will emphasize the benefits of using larger type B casks for immediate and future transportation needs. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Utilizing Commercial Submersible Mixer Pumps for Sludge Removal in Savannah River Site's Tank 26 - 20289

The Savannah River Site (SRS) Liquid Waste System (LWS) safely manages, stores, treats, and dispositions liquid radioactive waste. The LWS consists of 51 underground waste storage tanks (eight of which are operationally closed and filled with grout), waste evaporators, treatment facilities, and solidification facilities, known as the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) and Saltstone Production Facility (SPF). One of the waste storage tanks, Tank 26, was placed into service in 1980 as an F Tank Farm (FTF) Evaporator Feed Tank. From 1980 to 2013, Tank 26 received F Canyon receipts and dilute supernate that was then transferred to the 242-16F FTF Evaporator for volume reduction. In 2013, the steam tube bundle failed in the FTF Evaporator, and the decision was made not to repair/resume evaporator operation. During operation of Tank 26, solids built up to a level of 2.03 m in the tank with a volume of 1062.9 kL. Due to the evaporator failure and subsequent shutdown, the solids in Tank 26 were selected to feed Sludge Batch 10, which is collected and prepped prior to being sent to DWPF for final disposition. To accomplish solids removal, Commercial Submersible Mixer Pumps (CSMPs) were selected to slurry the solids in preparation to be sent to Tank 51. Four CSMPs were installed in Tank 26 with each one installed in a separate quadrant of Tank 26. This work would mark the first deployment of CSMPs in an SRS waste tank. The CSMPs were developed in response to operational issues from previous mixing pumps and budgetary constraints. The CSMPs use the concept of modifying commercially available equipment for nuclear waste applications. The CSMPs consist of a 230-horsepower submersible mixing pump (manufactured by GPM, Inc.) joined to a mast fabricated at SRS. For this application, Savannah River Remediation (SRR) design services was challenged to provide a mast design that required no steel superstructure support system on top of Tank 26. Also, SRR design services provided a simplified Tank 26 riser interface that did not require extensive machine parts to adjust height of the suction screen of the CSMP within the tank. Other design improvements include no requirements for tank top radiation monitors and no requirements for flushing of the CSMPs during startup/shutdown operations. The CSMPs were operated at an initial height of 2.29 m above the Tank 26 bottom for 10 days. After sludge sounding, the CSMPs were lowered to a height of 1.52 m with no issues due to proper work planning and the simplified riser interface. With the CSMPs lowered to a level of 1.52 meters above the tank bottom, the CSMPs were operated for 12 days and another sounding was performed. The sounding level came back matching the disturbance depth results of the first pump run. Chemistry samples were analyzed while the tank was left to settle. The analysis revealed enough weight percent solids to provide good feed to Sludge Batch 10. Also, the results revealed the supernate within the mixture would provide good salt solution feed to Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Salt Batch 3. So, the plan was modified to let the disturbed solids settle and decant the salt solution for addition to SWPF Salt Batch 3. Then water will be added back to Tank 26, and the CSMPs run in order to wash the solids to decrease settling time prior to being sent to Tank 51 for Sludge Batch 10. Utilizing CSMPs for waste removal in an SRS Tank has provided a cost-effective means for further waste removal efforts. In addition, the CSMPs are easier to operate by utilizing a robust and simplified design. The CSMPs performed quite well with no process shutdown or delays during operation. As a result, CSMPs are integral to the future of removing radioactive waste from storage tanks at SRS. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluation of an Accident Tolerant Fuel Leak in the Advanced Test Reactor

Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF), which are nuclear fuel sources designed to withstand operational irregularities and incidents, have been a topic of interest in the nuclear industry for several decades. Interest in ATF technology surged following the 2011 accident at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan. At the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), one of Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) four operating nuclear reactors, the ATF program is a collaborative effort between the national laboratory and various stakeholders within the nuclear industry. This program focuses on the research and development of novel fuel compositions, cladding, and component materials with enhanced accident-resistant properties. During one of ATR’s 60-day operating cycles in 2024, the reactor experienced five unplanned shutdowns. Following the fifth shutdown, radiation monitors detected an increase in radiation levels coming from the loop piping. Subsequent water samples confirmed the cause was a leak of fission products from the ATF experiment, designated as ATF-2C. The source of the leak was identified as the instrumented section of the test train. The primary discussions in this paper are 1) the design of the ATF test train, 2) the operating parameters leading up to and following the detection of the leak, and 3) the quantification and characterization of the released fission products.

Accident Tolerant Fuels↗

Evaluation of an Accident Tolerant Fuel Leak in the Advanced Test Reactor

Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF), which are nuclear fuel sources designed to withstand operational irregularities and incidents, have been a topic of interest in the nuclear industry for several decades. Interest in ATF technology surged following the 2011 accident at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan. At the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), one of Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) four operating nuclear reactors, the ATF program is a collaborative effort between the national laboratory and various stakeholders within the nuclear industry. This program focuses on the research and development of novel fuel compositions, cladding, and component materials with enhanced accident-resistant properties. During one of ATR’s 60-day operating cycles in 2024, the reactor experienced five unplanned shutdowns. Following the fifth shutdown, radiation monitors detected an increase in radiation levels coming from the loop piping. Subsequent water samples confirmed the cause was a leak of fission products from the ATF experiment, designated as ATF-2C. The source of the leak was identified as the instrumented section of the test train. The primary discussions in this presentation are 1) the design of the ATF test train, 2) the operating parameters leading up to and following the detection of the leak, and 3) the quantification and characterization of the released fission products.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Immersive Scientific Visualization of Molten-Salt Reactor Waste Characteristics Using Virtual Reality

Immersive visualization is changing how we explore, communicate, and understand complex scientific systems. In nuclear energy, an area in which data are often multidimensional, time-dependent, and difficult to interpret, virtual reality (VR) represents a powerful and intuitive informational medium. This work introduces a VR-based platform that visualizes the post-shutdown behavior and waste management lifecycle of molten-salt reactors (MSRs), a next-generation reactor type with unique operational and safety characteristics. The platform, built in Unity, is streamed on the Meta Quest 3 headset. It transforms high-fidelity simulation data into an interactive, immersive experience. Users can explore time-dependent reactor characteristics such as nuclide decay, which is a key factor for evaluating reactor waste strategies. The datasets were generated using the MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment) framework and then processed through ParaView scripting for smooth integration into Unity. From a visualization standpoint, the platform emphasizes spatial storytelling, temporal exploration, and user-centered interaction. Users can navigate 3D reactor geometries, slice through volumetric data, and manipulate time to observe how physical phenomena evolve. Real-scale rendering and embodied interaction make the experience feel tangible. The interface is designed to be accessible, even to those without nuclear or simulation expertise. This lowers the barrier for stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public, while still supporting expert analysis and collaborative decision-making. This work shows how immersive visualization can function as both a scientific tool and a communication interface. By integrating simulation, processing, and visualization into a cohesive workflow, we offer a scalable framework for immersive scientific storytelling. The modular design supports future extensions to other reactor types and lifecycle stages, from shutdown to long-term storage, making the platform adaptable for both research and outreach.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 29, No. 1, January-March 1988]

Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: 1 Core History and Nuclide Inventory of the Chernobyl Core at the Time of Accident by Gerald Kirchner and Cornelius C. Noack; GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 6 Nonprescriptive Nuclear Safety Regulation: The Example of Loss of Offsite Power by M. W. Golay, V. P. Manno, and C. Vlahoplus, Jr., 20 Nuclear Power Safety Goals in Light of the Chernobyl Accident by C. Whipple and C. Starr; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 29 Containment Loads from Severe Accidents—U.S. Program by W. Kerr and M. K. Dey; PLANT SAFETY FEATURES: 36 Safety Characteristics of Modern High-Temperature Reactors: Focus on German Designs by W. Kröger, H. Nickel, and R. Schulten; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 49 Radiation Hormesis and Nuclear Safety by C. C. Congdon; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 58 Evaluation of Nonradiological Water Chemistry at Power Reactors by Harvey Zibulsky, James J. Kottan, Walter J. Pasciak, Mary Ann Castrogivanni, and Sujit Banerjee, 64 Reactor Shutdown Experience Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 67 Operating U.S. Power Reactors Compiled by E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 85 General Administrative Activities Compiled by E. G. Silver, 94 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides by D. S. Queener, 100 Status of Power-Reactor Projects Undergoing Licensing Review Compiled by E. G. Silver, 103 Proposed Rule Changes as of Sept. 30, 1987; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 5 Northwestern University Short Course on Radiation Safety, 28 International Approach to Nuclear Safety (After Three-Mile Island and Chernobyl), 57 RPI Short Course on Modern Developments in Boiling Heat Transfer and Two-Phase Flow, 107 20th DOE/NRC Nuclear Air Cleaning Conference, 110 Third International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Power Plant Thermal Hydraulics and Operations, 108 The Authors, 111 Indexes to Nuclear Safety, Volume 28.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 30, No. 3, July-September 1989]

Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 325 Safety of Framatome Advanced Nuclear Steam Supply Systems Designs by J. A. Charles and D. Lange, 333 Book Review of Nuclear Accidents: Intervention Levels for the Protection of the Public by H. B. Piper; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 335 Living PRA Computer Systems by S. C. Dinsmore and H.-P. Balfanz, 343 Summary of ICAP Assessments of RELAP5/MOD2 by W. E. Driskell and R. G. Hanson; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 352 Thermal Performance Monitoring System at Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant by H.-J. Chao, Y.-P. Lin, G.-H. Jou, L.-Y. Liao, and Y.-B. Chen; DESIGN FEATURES: 358 Warning Systems for Nuclear Power Plant Emergencies by J. H. Sorensen and D. S. Mileti; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 371 Activities Related to Waste Management Compiled by E G. Silver; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 382 Steam Generator Tube Performance: Experience with Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactors During 1985 by O. S. Tatone and R. L. Tapping, 400 Systems Interaction Analyses: Concepts and Techniques (Part II) by M. D. Muhlheim and G. A. Murphy, 413 Reactor Shutdown Experience Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 416 Operating U.S. Power Reactors Compiled by E G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 440 General Administrative Activities Compiled by E G. Silver, 460 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides by D. S. Queener, 466 Status of Power-Reactor Licensing Activities Compiled by E G. Silver, 470 Proposed Rule Changes as of Mar. 31, 1989; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 334 Proceedings Published, 351 CEC Seminar on Methods and Codes for Assessing the Off-Site Consequences of Nuclear Accidents, 357 Short Course on Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer: Bases and Applications in A: The Nuclear Power Industry B: The Process Industries, 357 International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management, 478 International Topical Meeting on the Safety, Status, and Future of Non-Commercial Reactors and Irradiation Facilities, 475 The Authors.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 30, No. 1, January-March 1989]

Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 1 International Conference on Thermal Reactor Safety: NUCSAFE 88 by A. P. Malinauskas and J. G. Pruett; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 18 Chernobyl Today: State of Research by A. Yu. Gagarinskii; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 23 Problems Associated with Routine In-Plant Radioactive Effluent Monitoring Systems at U.S. Light-Water Reactors by Barry G. Wahlig, David M. Walker, Mahmoud R. Ghavi, and John M. Palms; DESIGN FEATURES: 34 Twentieth DOE/NRC Nuclear Air-Cleaning Conference by R. R. Bellamy, D. W. Moeller, and M. W. First, 46 Design Options for the Core Support Structure for Liquid-Metal-Cooled Reactor Plants by J. P. Burelbach, W. J. Kann, J. G. Saiveau, and R. W. Seidensticker; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 53 The Radiological Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident by L. V. Konstantinov and A. J. González; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 70 Activities Related to Waste Management Compiled by E. G. Silver; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 80 Fuel Performance Annual Report for 1986 by W. J. Bailey, 103 Safety Considerations Related to 12-Hour Shift Schedules by S. Gould, 105 Reactor Shutdown Experience Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 108 Operating U.S. Power Reactors Compiled by E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 130 General Administrative Activities Compiled by E. G. Silver, 140 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides by D. S. Queener, 145 Status of Power-Reactor Licensing Activities Compiled by E. G. Silver, 153 Proposed Rule Changes as of Sept. 30, 1988; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 69 Northwestern University Short Course on Radiation Safety, 79 International Seminar on Fission Product Transport Processes in Reactor Accidents, 129 Harvard School of Public Health Offers Short Courses, 152 MIT Offers Summer Short Courses on Reactor Safety and Nodal Analysis, 152 Seminar on Use of PCs in Probabilistic Safety Analysis, 157 The Authors, 160 Indexes to Nuclear Safety, Volume 29.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 29, No. 3, July-September 1988]

Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 259 Fifteenth Water Reactor Safety Information Meeting by E. G. Silver; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 284 Reliability Technology to Improve and/or Maintain Emergency Diesel Generator Performance by S. Karimian and J. H. Taylor, 293 A Noise Diagnostics System for Operator Advice by G. Hessel, P. Liewers, P. Schumann, W. Schmitt, and F.-P. Weiss; PLANT SAFETY FEATURES: 307 A Passive Containment System for Advanced Light-Water Reactors by O. B. Falls, Jr., and F. W. Kleimola; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 318 Data Base Construction for a Computerized Radiological Risk Investigation System by L. M. Hively, J. E. Nyquist, J. L. Bledsoe, and A. L. Sjoreen, 326 Erratum to "Radiation Hormesis and Nuclear Safety," Vol. 29, No. 1; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 327 Operational Safety Experience and Passive Safety Testing at the Fast Flux Text Facility by Q. L. Baird, J. L. Rathbun, D. D. Stepnewski, R. L. Stover, and A. E. Waltar, 344 Backfilling of Independent Residual Heat Removal Systems in West Germany and Switzerland by G. Eckert and Y. Salomon, 353 Reactor Shutdown Experience Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 356 Selected Safety-Related Events Compiled by G. A. Murphy, 363 Operating U.S. Power Reactors Compiled by E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 384 General Administrative Activities Compiled by E. G. Silver, 390 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides by D. S. Queener, 395 Status of Power-Reactor Projects Undergoing Licensing Review Compiled by E. G. Silver, 400 Proposed Rule Changes as of Mar. 31,1988; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 283 International ENS/ANS Conference on Thermal Reactor Safety "NUCSAFE 88", 317 Northwestern University Short Course on Radiation Safety, 407 Second International Seminar on Small- and Medium-Sized Nuclear Reactors, 407 International Workshop on New Developments in Occupational Dose Control and ALARA Implementation at Nuclear Power Plants and Similar Facilities, 408 Fourth International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH-4), 404 The Authors.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a New Technology for Extraction of Insoluble Impurities from Nuclear Power Plant Steam Generators with Purge Water

An experimental technology for the removal of insoluble impurities from a horizontal steam generator with purge water during planned shutdowns of the power generating unit is improved through a more representative determination of the concentration of impurities in the purge water ahead of the water cleanup facility and a more precise effective time for the duration of the purge process. Tests with the improved technique at power generating unit No. 1 of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant show that the efficiency with which insoluble impurities are removed from the steam generator volume was more than two orders of magnitude greater than under the standard regulations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Possibilities for Optimizing the Self-Starting Process of Auxiliary Electric Motors at a Nuclear Power Plant

The existing technique of switching on the auxiliary reserve network of an NPP formulates the switch-on commands directly after a shutdown. Due to delay in activating the automatic switch, the command is completed with a certain time delay. The nature of the subsequent processes is not very predictable. It is proposed to determine, based on developed computer models of the actual equipment, the moments of formation of the reserve activation commands, thus ensuring smaller perturbations at the subsequent switch-on.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Characteristics of Nozzle Clogging and Evolution of Oxide Inclusion for Al-Killed Ti-Stabilized 18Cr Stainless Steel

Characteristics of nozzle clogging and evolution of oxide inclusion were studied by sampling the deposits of submerged entry nozzle (SEN) and the molten steel in tundish during Al-killed Ti-stabilized 18Cr stainless steelmaking process. The deposits found in the clogging of SEN were mainly composed of frozen steel and inclusions. The inclusions in the deposits and tundish were both mainly (MgO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub rich}-CaO-TiO{sub x}. The compositions of most inclusions were Liquid+Spinel or Liquid+TiSp phase. The (MgO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub rich}-CaO inclusions that were not effectively modified by calcium treatment could be a source of clogging. By combining both the experimental results and thermodynamic calculation, (MgO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub rich}-TiO{sub x} inclusions (TiSp inclusions) would be formed with the decreasing temperature in steel during continuous casting, which could be transported and accumulated on the inner wall of the SEN. Increasing the calcium content in the molten steel could decrease the formation of TiSp inclusions. During continuous casting, these inclusions accumulated on the inner wall of the SEN and gradually formed porous network of clog. Molten steel would gradually solidify in the porous space of the clog due to the increased residence time of the molten steel when flowing through it. The clogging gradually increased and caused the shutdown of continuous casting.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Principles of passive and active cooling of mirror-based hybrid systems employing liquid metals

This paper presents principles of passive and active cooling that are suitable to mirrorbased hybrid, nuclear fission/fusion systems. It is shown that liquid metal lead-bismuth cooling of the mirror machine with 25 m height and 1.5 GW thermal power is feasible both in the active mode during the normal operation and in the passive mode after the reactor shutdown. In the active mode the achievable required pumping power can well be below 50 MW, whereas the passive mode provides enough coolant flow to keep the clad temperature below the damage limits.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Performance Validation of Refrigeration Recovery for Experimental Hall High Target Loads

The Qweak experiment at Jefferson Lab (JLab) is a 3000 W hydrogen target scheduled to run until the planned shutdown in the spring of 2012 for the 12 GeV installation. As detailed in previous proceedings, support of this target's cryogenic load was made possible by incorporating modifications to the End Station Refrigerator (ESR) to recover the refrigeration supplied by the Central Helium Liquefier (CHL). Testing and commissioning for these modifications was performed in January and February 2010 demonstrating that the performance met or exceeded projected expectations. In this paper, we present the analysis of the test results in regards to the actual loads capable of being supported and the process boundaries encountered, as well as a discussion of the commissioning results for the cryogenic support of the Qweak target.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Influence of the gas-flow Reynolds number on a plasma column in a glass tube

Atmospheric-plasma generation inside a glass tube is influenced by gas stream behavior as described by the Reynolds number (Rn). In experiments with He, Ne, and Ar, the plasma column length increases with an increase in the gas flow rate under laminar flow characterized by Rn < 2000. The length of the plasma column decreases as the flow rate increases in the transition region of 2000 < Rn < 4000. For a turbulent flow beyond Rn > 4000, the length of the plasma column is short in front of the electrode, eventually leading to a shutdown.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Automatic ultrasonic inspection system for wear determination in calandria tubes of Embalse Nuclear Power Plant

Embalse Nuclear Power Plant (CNE) (CANDU design) is reaching its end of life and due to elapsed operating time the problem of deformation by accelerated creep occurs in the pressure tubes (PT), leading to a possible contact between calandria tubes (CT), concentric to the PT, and some Liquid Injection Shutdown System (LISS) nozzles that pass underneath them. With determination of CT wear, after the predicted contact occurs, the wear rate of the TC could be determined and thus take less conservative measures over the remaining life of the component. This paper presents the development of an ultrasonic technique for measuring wear in CT, with nominal thickness of 1.34 mm. Because the only access is through the interior of PT, to perform this measurement it is necessary to pass through three different interfaces.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Status of the RF-driven H{sup −} ion source for J-PARC linac

For the upgrade of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex linac beam current, a cesiated RF-driven negative hydrogen ion source was installed during the 2014 summer shutdown period, with subsequent operations commencing on September 29, 2014. The ion source has been successfully operating with a beam current and duty factor of 33 mA and 1.25% (500 μs and 25 Hz), respectively. The result of recent beam operation has demonstrated that the ion source is capable of continuous operation for approximately 1100 h. The spark rate at the beam extractor was observed to be at a frequency of less than once a day, which is an acceptable level for user operation. Although an antenna failure occurred during operation on October 26, 2014, no subsequent serious issues have occurred since then.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Refurbishment of radiation-damaged undulators

Partial radiation damage has been observed over the previous five years of operation for a few of the PETRA III permanent magnet undulators at DESY. The degradation of the affected devices has been observed by a change in the energy tuning curves and the spectral properties of the undulator harmonics, and also by direct measurements of the peak field distribution of the magnet structure in the storage ring tunnel [1]. During the recent shutdown of the machine, two undulators were removed from the tunnel for repair. One of the devices (U29) has been retuned after flipping of all magnets of the hybrid structure. In addition to this temporary repair, one further magnet structure (U23) has been completely disassembled and refurbished by application of a rare earth diffusion process and a coating to the permanent magnets. We will report on the details of the refurbishment of these undulators which were both fully brought back to specifications and are meanwhile back in operation.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗