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Liquid centrifugation-based isotope separation of 7 Li, 37 Cl and D

Liquid centrifugation is an emerging method to separate isotopes. By spinning a liquid containing target isotopes (e.g., pure chemical or solution), the heavier isotope will be enriched at the outer part of a centrifuge, and the lighter ones will be enriched at the inner part of a centrifuge. The separation capability is positively correlated with rotation speed, outer radius and mass difference between isotopes to separate. This award targets to understand whether liquid centrifugation is effective in separating isotopes important for nuclear fission technologies. The results include the following three sections: 1) Effects of solute concentration on isotope separation; 2) Preliminary progress of building a low-speed countercurrent centrifuge, and 3) Analysis on possible candidates for 7 Li and 37 Cl. The award trained one research scientist, one Ph.D. student, one master student, and one undergraduate on liquid centrifugation and isotope measurements.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES

U-Pu and Ba-Cs isotopic measurements on Trinitite by laser ablation sampling on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS

In this study we present the results of combined U-Pu and Ba-Cs isotope measurements obtained by laser ablation (LA) sampling of two glassy debris fragments (‘Trinitite’) from the world's first atomic bomb detonation conducted in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. Our primary goal in conducting these measurements was to understand whether examination of the U-Pu and Ba-Cs systematics by direct sampling (e.g. without any chemical separation or purification prior to isotope ratio measurement) could yield meaningful information that would differentiate the Trinitite fragments from glassy material lacking a nuclear fission signature. These measurements were conducted on a ThermoFisher Scientific Neoma multi collector – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS), which is a relatively new MC-ICP-MS platform, so we also examine the behavior of these isotope systems in standards sampled in solution and via LA. Unsurprisingly, the measurements made on purified solutions of the U, Pu, and Ba isotopic standards produce high precision isotope ratios. Furthermore, this extends to the U-Pu measurements made by LA sampling, with the expected degradation in precision and accuracy related to matrix effects and signal intensity fluctuation. However, the Ba-Cs data acquired by LA is of low precision across all of the matrices examined and bears evidence of complex mass fractionation that will require further investigation to resolve. In total, our results indicate that the observed U-Pu isotope data are of sufficient quality to accurately constrain the U and Pu isotopic composition of glass containing sub-ppm levels of these elements which in turn could be used to differentiate glass containing anthropogenic fission products from natural glass whereas the Ba-Cs LA data cannot be used for this purpose until further methodological refinement is performed.

Ba-Cs

Machine learning guided prediction of solute segregation at coherent and semi-coherent metal/oxide interfaces

Investigation of semi-coherent metal/oxide interfaces with misfit dislocations using density functional theory (DFT) is computationally intensive to the point of being prohibitive, as it involves several hundreds to many thousands of atoms. In this study, we examined the solute segregation behavior at the Fe/Y 2 O 3 interface—a model interface for cladding applications in nuclear fission reactors—using a combination of DFT calculations and machine learning (ML) approaches. Both coherent and semi-coherent interfaces were considered. ML models were trained on DFT-calculated segregation energies to identify the key chemical, geometric and strain energy related features that govern solute segregation behavior at coherent Fe/Y 2 O 3 interfaces. Furthermore, it was found that ML models when trained on DFT calculated segregation energy of elements at a coherent interface, comprising of about a hundred-atom supercell, can predict the segregation energy of elements at a semi-coherent Fe/Y 2 O 3 interface (with multiple hundreds of atoms) at a fraction of computational cost (1/35th), with an accuracy comparable to DFT calculations.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Detection of uranium-photofission neutrons with a 4 He scintillation detector

The use of photon active interrogation to detect special nuclear material has held significant theoretical promise, as the interrogating source particles, photons, are fundamentally different from one of the main signatures of special nuclear material: neutrons produced in nuclear fission. However, neutrons produced by photonuclear reactions in the accelerator target, collimator, and environment can obscure the fission neutron signal. These (γ, n) neutrons could be discriminated from fission neutrons by their energy spectrum, but common detectors sensitive to the neutron spectrum, like organic scintillators, are typically hampered by the intense photon background characteristic of photon-based active interrogation. In contrast, high-pressure 4 ⁢He-based scintillation detectors are well-suited to photon active interrogation, as they are similarly sensitive to fast neutrons and can measure their spectrum, but show little response to gamma rays. Here, in this work, a photon active interrogation system utilizing a 4 ⁢He scintillation detector and a 9 MeV linac-bremsstrahlung x-ray source was experimentally evaluated. The detector was shown to be capable of operating in intense gamma-ray environments and detecting photofission neutrons from 238 ⁢U when interrogated by this x-ray source. The photofission neutrons show clear spectral separation from (γ, n) neutrons produced in lead, a common shielding material.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND

Modeling a Thermal-Spectrum LEU-fueled Molten Salt Reactor Co-fueled with Thorium in SCALE 6.3.1 and Serpent-2

Interest in the development of advanced nuclear fission reactors for commercial electricity production has risen in recent years, with Generation IV reactor designs offering numerous advantages in safety, efficiency, fuel cycle sustainability, and waste management. In particular, thorium-fueled molten salt reactors (MSRs) are considerably promising for enhancing fuel cycle sustainability in their ability to breed fissile 233U fuel from thorium, a presently untapped and widely abundant resource. A novel MSR fuel cycle concept, the ”Sourdough” refueling and waste management strategy, has previously been demonstrated with a traditional uranium-based fuel cycle in a thermal-spectrum MSR operating with low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel with favorable neutronic performance. However, the ability to use this unique fuel cycle approach with thorium-based molten salt fuels has not yet been studied. In this work, the Sourdough fuel cycle was implemented in a small, thermal-spectrum MSR fueled with high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) and fertile 232Th for breeding 233U fuel. Relevant neutronic data, including fuel and isothermal temperature feedback behavior, was studied using the SCALE 6.3.1 and Serpent-2 code systems, and keff data was measured during simulated depletion at 400 MWth. The Sourdough fuel cycle concept is shown to perform favorably with a thorium-fueled MSR model, thus warranting further study into its use in other MSR designs.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Transmission electron microscopy with in-situ ion irradiation: Facilities and community

Whilst there is a clear scientific and technological need for the technical capabilities of transmission electron microscopes with in-situ ion irradiation, it also requires a collaborative community of international researchers to support such facilities in successfully meeting this demand. Instruments of this type serve to provide fundamental understanding of the mechanisms which drive changes in materials important to nuclear fission and fusion energy, the semiconductor industry, quantum information systems, space travel, astronomy, geology and many more applications. As these areas continue to evolve and the instrumentation possibilities expand, the capacity of in-situ ion irradiation facilities must also develop hand-in-hand with the user community to deliver an ever-greater diversity of high-fidelity extreme-environment experimentation. Future directions for the field, such as miniaturization from MEMS/microfluidic devices and advanced controls with ML-based analysis, continuously emerge to advance both the hardware and software which support the coupling of TEMs with ion beams. This review sets out to provide up-to-date insights into the community and advancement of current, and development of future, facilities which have the potential to further unlock access to the nanoscale exploration of coupled extreme environments crucial to many of the important science and engineering challenges we face today.

In-situ irradiation

Demonstration of an All-Refractory Corrosion-Resistant Molten Salt Pumping and Storage Infrastructure Up to 950 degrees C

Concentrating solar power (CSP) with thermal energy storage (TES) has an estimated cost similar to solar photovoltaics (PV) with lithium-ion batteries (LIB), but CSP + TES has the potential for significantly reduced cost by operating above 700 degrees C. However, this requires a TES medium and containment infrastructure which are chemically compatible and do not degrade above 700 degrees C. MgCl2-KCl-NaCl (MKN) salt is a promising medium, but when MKN salt has small amounts of water and oxygen dissolved in it, it excessively corrodes conventional commercial alloys. Here, we consider refractory materials including graphite, carbon-carbon composite (C/C), and molybdenum because they maintain high mechanical strength at elevated temperatures and are expected to resist corrosion by MKN salt. While selection of refractory materials is often constrained by the need to remain chemically stable in air, this work uses an enclosure filled with inert gas to allow the use of materials like graphite and molybdenum. Notably, graphite components can seal against liquids unlike many brittle refractory materials. We demonstrate a centrifugal pump and mechanical seals made of refractory materials in a laboratory-scale circulation loop, which successfully operated continuously for more than 49 h at temperatures ranging from 750 degrees C to 950 degrees C with no mechanical failures or chemical degradation of the refractory materials. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest temperature molten salt circulation loop that has been successfully developed, and this refractory infrastructure allows for operation at even much higher temperatures (<1600 degrees C) if a storage medium with a lower vapor pressure is used. The principles of this architecture are relevant to other applications with high temperature flowing metals and salts including Generation IV nuclear fission reactors for power production and molten salt electrolysis reactors for metallurgical processing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY

Myths of nuclear graphite in World War II, with original translations

We re-examine a common narrative that experimental errors by Walther Bothe in 1941 led Germany to abandon graphite as a reactor moderator during World War II. Using document-based nuclear archaeology, we first show that both American and German scientists used an incorrect carbon scattering cross section, thereby undermining the accuracy of all wartime data, including their conclusions on carbon’s absorption. Moreover, we argue that the availability of exceptionally pure petroleum coke in the United States, rather than any academic breakthrough, decisively enabled their production of nuclear-grade graphite. In contrast, Bothe’s Siemens electrographite had more boron contamination than any graphites considered in Fermi’s experiments, rendering it genuinely impractical as a moderator. By reframing the decision to eschew graphite as a deliberate decision rather than a mere experimental oversight, we believe the German decision was a rational consequence of material constraints and wartime priorities.

42 ENGINEERING

Prediction of Solute Segregation at Metal/Oxide Interfaces Using Machine Learning Approaches

The atomic structure and chemistry at metal/oxide interfaces play a crucial role in determining their properties. However, studying semi-coherent metal/oxide interfaces that include misfit dislocations through density functional theory (DFT) is often computationally expensive due to the large number of atoms involved, ranging from hundreds to thousands. In this study, we explore solute segregation behavior at the Fe/Y 2 O 3 interface—an important model interface for cladding applications in nuclear fission reactors—by combining DFT calculations with a machine learning (ML) approach. ML models are trained using DFT-calculated segregation energies (𝐸 𝑆𝑒𝑔 ) to identify the key chemical and geometric factors influencing solute segregation at metal/oxide interfaces, revealing the competition between these features in determining 𝐸 𝑆𝑒𝑔 . Moreover, the segregation behavior at a specific Fe/Y 2 O 3 interface is predicted with high accuracy using ML models trained on data from this interface. Furthermore, it is found that the ML models could also predict solute segregation at a different Fe/Y 2 O 3 interface with a new orientation relationship (OR), at a computational cost of less than 1/45 of that required for similar DFT calculations.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE

Comparison of Ion and Neutron Irradiations to 3 dpa at 500C in Ferritic-Martensitic Alloys

The growing global demand for energy will increasingly call upon advanced nuclear fission reactors to supply safe and reliable electricity. The structural and fuel cladding components of these reactors will be subject to extreme conditions of irradiation damage up to several hundred displacements per atom (dpa) at temperatures as high as 700°C. Ferritic-martensitic (F-M) steels are leading candidates for these challenging conditions due to their strength and dimensional stability under irradiation. In order to accelerate the process for evaluating F-M alloys, charged particles are increasingly being used to emulate neutron irradiations. Charged particle irradiations allow the possibility of conducting irradiation experiments within a shorter time period (i.e. at a rate up to 4 orders of magnitude faster) and with minimal radioactivation of the material, enabling lower cost and faster turnaround of post irradiation examination and analysis. However, the irradiation dose rate, damage cascade morphologies, and irradiation damage depth profiles all differ widely between protons, heavier ions, and neutrons. Currently, there is limited understanding of the significance of these physical differences and how they manifest in the irradiated microstructure and mechanical properties of F-M steels. The objective of this study is to evaluate charged particles as a surrogate for neutron irradiations in F-M alloys by assessing common irradiation conditions using Fe++ ions, protons, and neutrons. Keeping the temperature and dose consistent enables isolation of the effects of each irradiating particle and their respective dose rates and cascade morphologies.

Swenson, M.J.

MOOSE ProbML: Parallelized probabilistic machine learning and uncertainty quantification for computational energy applications

Here, this paper presents the development and demonstration of massively parallel probabilistic machine learning (ML) and uncertainty quantification (UQ) capabilities within the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE), an open-source computational platform for parallel finite element and finite volume analyses. In addressing the computational expense and uncertainties inherent in complex multiphysics simulations, this paper integrates Gaussian process (GP) variants, active learning, Bayesian inverse UQ, adaptive forward UQ, Bayesian optimization, evolutionary optimization, and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) within MOOSE. It also elaborates on the interaction among key MOOSE systems — Sampler, MultiApp, Reporter, and Surrogate — in enabling these capabilities. The modularity offered by these systems enables development of a multitude of probabilistic ML and UQ algorithms in MOOSE. Example code demonstrations include parallel active learning and parallel Bayesian inference via active learning. The impact of these developments is illustrated through five applications relevant to computational energy applications: UQ of nuclear fuel fission product release, using parallel active learning Bayesian inference; very rare events analysis in nuclear microreactors using active learning; advanced manufacturing process modeling using multi-output GPs (MOGPs) and dimensionality reduction; fluid flow using deep GPs (DGPs); and tritium transport model parameter optimization for fusion energy, using batch Bayesian optimization. These capabilities are part of the MOOSE framework.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 33, No. 1, January-March 1992]

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 Technical Note: A New Approach to Fission Reactor Safety, Yu. V. Petrov; 5 Erratum; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 6 Analysis and Modeling of Fission Product Release from Various Uranium-Aluminum Plate-Type Reactor Fuels, R. P. Taleyarkhan; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 23 Applications of a Surveillance and Diagnostics Methodology Using Neutron Noise From a Pressurized-Water Reactor, R. T. Wood, L. F. Miller, and R. B. Perez; DESIGN FEATURES: 36 Westinghouse Advanced Passive 600 Plant, B. A. McIntyre and R. K. Beck; 47 System 80+™ PWR Safety Design, C. W. Bagnal, R. A. Matzie, and R. S. Turk; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 58 The MATS Experiments—Mesoscale Atmospheric Transport Studies at the Savannah River Site, A. H. Weber, S. Berman, R. J. Kurzeja, and R. P. Addis; 75 Book Review: Environmental Radioactivity in the European Community 1984-1985-1986, C. A. Little; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 76 Activities Related to Waste and Spent Fuel Management, M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 87 Aging Assessment of BWR Control Rod Drive Systems, R. H. Greene; 100 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher; 103 Selected Safety-Related Events, Compiled by G. A. Murphy; 110 Operating U.S. Power Reactors, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 129 General Administrative Activities, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; 139 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 143 Proposed Rule Changes as of Sept. 30 1991; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 128 Harvard School of Public Health Announces Short Courses; 128 16th Biennial ANS Topical Meeting on Reactor Operating Experience: Present and Future Technologies—Applying Lessons Learned (Call for Papers); 147 The Authors; 150 Indexes to Nuclear Safety, Volume 32; 154 Errata.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 32, No. 1, January-March 1991]

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 The Safety Review and Approval Process for Space Nuclear Power Sources, G. L. Bennett; 19 Report on the American Nuclear Society International Topical Meeting: "The Safety, Status, and Future of Non-Commercial Reactors and Irradiation Facilities", E. G. Silver; 35 Book Review: Fission Product Transport Processes in Reactor Accidents, Proceedings to the International Centre tor Heat and Mass Processes T. S. Kress; 38 Fast Reactor Technology in the 1990s: A Summary of the 1990 International Fast Reactor Safety Meeting, A. E. Levin; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 56 Effects of Chemical Phenomena on LWR Severe Accident Fission Product Behavior, A. P. Malinauskas and T. S. Kress; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 65 Technical Note: Safety Parameter Display Systems—10 Years Later, R. J. Eckenrode; 68 Potential Application of Neural Networks to the Operation of Nuclear Power Plants, R. E. Uhrig; DESIGN FEATURES: 80 Twenty-First DOE/NRC Nuclear Air-Cleaning Conference, R. R. Bellamy, D. W. Moeller, and M. W. First; 91 Impact of an Apparent Radiation Embrittlement Rate on the Life Expectancy of PWR Vessel Supports, R. D. Cheverton, G. C. Robinson, W. E. Pennell, and R. K. Nanstad; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 103 Technical Note: The Impact of Offsite Factors on the Safety Performance of Small Nuclear Power Plants, Yu. D. Baranaev and A. N. Viktorov; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 109 Activities Related to Waste Management, Compiled by E. G. Silver; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 118 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher; 121 Selected Safety-Related Events, Compiled by G. A. Murphy; 123 Operating U.S. Power Reactors, Compiled by E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 140 General Administrative Activities, Compiled by E. G. Silver; 150 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 155 Status of Power-Reactor Licensing Activities, Compiled by E. G. Silver; 157 Proposed Rule Changes as of Sept. 30, 1990; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 79 MIT Offers Summer Program on Nuclear Power Reactor Safety; 108 Harvard School of Public Health Offers Several Short Courses; 139 Short Course and Workshop on Nuclear Criticality Safety at University of New Mexico; 160 SCK/CEN Announces Training Course on Emergency Planning and Response; 161 The Authors; 164 Indexes to Nuclear Safety, Volume 31

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 32, No. 4, October-December 1991]

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: 477 Report on the International Symposium on the Use of Probabilistic Safety Assessment for Operational Safety—PSA '91, S. Chakraborty and M. Khatib-Rahbar; 488 Good Relationships Are Pivotal in Nuclear Data Bases, A. S. Heger and B. V. Koen; 494 Technical Note: The Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel's Evaluation of the Ulysses Space Mission, J. A. Sholtis, Jr., D. A. Huff, L. B. Gray, N. P. Klug, and R. O. Winchester; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 502 The Severe Accident Analysis Program for the Savannah River Nuclear Production Reactors, M. L. Hyder; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 511 A Framework for Selecting Suitable Control Technologies for Nuclear Power Plant Systems, R. A. Kisner; DESIGN FEATURES: 521 Containments for Gas-Cooled Power Reactors History and Status, P.W. Williams; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 537 Indoor Radon: A Natural Risk, N. H. Harley and J.H. Harley; On the Importance of the Atmospheric Parameters in the Fission Products Distribution of a Severe Reactor Accident, M. C. Barla and A. R. Bayulken; Book Review: Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation BEIR V, C. R. Richmond; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 555 Activities Related to Waste and Spent Fuel Management, M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 567 Effects of Component Aging on the Westhinghouse Control Rod Drive System, K. Sullivan and W. Gunther; 577 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 580 Selected Safety-Related Events, Compiled by G. A. Murphy; 582 Operating U 8 Power Reactors, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 596 General Administrative Activities, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; 610 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 614 Proposed Rule Changes as of June 30, 1991; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 520 Workshop on PC PRAISE: A Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Personal Computer Code for Nuclear Power Plant Piping Reliability Assessment; 536 Fifth Workshop on Nuclear Power Plant Containment Integrity; 624 New OECD "International Information System on Occupational Exposure (ISOE)"; 625 Harvard School of Public Health Announces Short Courses; 625 Eighth Power Plant Dynamics, Control and Testing Symposium; 626 Second Training Course on Off-Site Emergency Planning and Response for Nuclear Accidents; 618 The Authors; 622 Reviewers of Nuclear Safety, Vol 32.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 33, No. 1, January-March 1992]

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 Technical Note: A New Approach to Fission Reactor Safety, Yu. V. Petrov; 5 Erratum; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 6 Analysis and Modeling of Fission Product Release from Various Uranium-Aluminum Plate-Type Reactor Fuels, R. P. Taleyarkhan; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 23 Applications of a Surveillance and Diagnostics Methodology Using Neutron Noise From a Pressurized-Water Reactor, R. T. Wood, L. F. Miller, and R. B. Perez; DESIGN FEATURES: 36 Westinghouse Advanced Passive 600 Plant, B. A. McIntyre and R. K. Beck; 47 System 80+™ PWR Safety Design, C. W. Bagnal, R. A. Matzie, and R. S. Turk; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 58 The MATS Experiments—Mesoscale Atmospheric Transport Studies at the Savannah River Site, A. H. Weber, S. Berman, R. J. Kurzeja, and R. P. Addis; 75 Book Review: Environmental Radioactivity in the European Community 1984-1985-1986, C. A. Little; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 76 Activities Related to Waste and Spent Fuel Management, M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 87 Aging Assessment of BWR Control Rod Drive Systems, R. H. Greene; 100 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher; 103 Selected Safety-Related Events, Compiled by G. A. Murphy; 110 Operating U.S. Power Reactors, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 129 General Administrative Activities, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; 139 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 143 Proposed Rule Changes as of Sept. 30 1991; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 128 Harvard School of Public Health Announces Short Courses; 128 16th Biennial ANS Topical Meeting on Reactor Operating Experience: Present and Future Technologies—Applying Lessons Learned (Call for Papers); 147 The Authors; 150 Indexes to Nuclear Safety, Volume 32; 154 Errata.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 32, No. 4, October-December 1991]

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: 477 Report on the International Symposium on the Use of Probabilistic Safety Assessment for Operational Safety—PSA '91, S. Chakraborty and M. Khatib-Rahbar; 488 Good Relationships Are Pivotal in Nuclear Data Bases, A. S. Heger and B. V. Koen; 494 Technical Note: The Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel's Evaluation of the Ulysses Space Mission, J. A. Sholtis, Jr., D. A. Huff, L. B. Gray, N. P. Klug, and R. O. Winchester; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 502 The Severe Accident Analysis Program for the Savannah River Nuclear Production Reactors, M. L. Hyder; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 511 A Framework for Selecting Suitable Control Technologies for Nuclear Power Plant Systems, R. A. Kisner; DESIGN FEATURES: 521 Containments for Gas-Cooled Power Reactors History and Status, P.W. Williams; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 537 Indoor Radon: A Natural Risk, N. H. Harley and J.H. Harley; On the Importance of the Atmospheric Parameters in the Fission Products Distribution of a Severe Reactor Accident, M. C. Barla and A. R. Bayulken; Book Review: Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation BEIR V, C. R. Richmond; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 555 Activities Related to Waste and Spent Fuel Management, M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 567 Effects of Component Aging on the Westhinghouse Control Rod Drive System, K. Sullivan and W. Gunther; 577 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 580 Selected Safety-Related Events, Compiled by G. A. Murphy; 582 Operating U 8 Power Reactors, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 596 General Administrative Activities, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; 610 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 614 Proposed Rule Changes as of June 30, 1991; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 520 Workshop on PC PRAISE: A Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Personal Computer Code for Nuclear Power Plant Piping Reliability Assessment; 536 Fifth Workshop on Nuclear Power Plant Containment Integrity; 624 New OECD "International Information System on Occupational Exposure (ISOE)"; 625 Harvard School of Public Health Announces Short Courses; 625 Eighth Power Plant Dynamics, Control and Testing Symposium; 626 Second Training Course on Off-Site Emergency Planning and Response for Nuclear Accidents; 618 The Authors; 622 Reviewers of Nuclear Safety, Vol 32.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS