eliminates the need for physical standards via Geant4‑based mathematical calibration accounts for spontaneous and induced fission,and (α, n) in UO2 validated on LEU RBMK/WWR pellets (362–1802 g) achieves uncertainties <2 % for 238U and ≈1 g for 235U (>300 g)
This paper discusses systemic risk and polycrisis and how these phenomena have the potential to impact on the nuclear industry. The nature of systemic risk and polycrisis are described with the aid of historical examples. The context and mechanisms for how the global industry could be impacted by these novel sources of risk now and in the future are also presented, underpinned by multiple scenarios. The opportunity for the nuclear industry to recognise the potential for its risk environment to change in future, and the scope to respond with proactive measures and changes of mindset, is highlighted.
A multiscale and multiphysics software development, including a customized coupling environment and improved codes, is necessary to meet the needs of the nuclear community in the UK. This software development incorporates neutron transport, fluid mixing, and solid dynamics methods, and is designed to deliver results at the fuel pin or materials level using relatively few processors. Validation and verification of the multiscale and multiphysics software are being conducted to ensure it becomes state-of-the-art.
The UK Government’s commitment to decarbonise the energy sector by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050 is challenging. A July 2021 report on fiscal risks by the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated a net cost of the UK reaching net zero by 2050 to be £321bn, or just over £10bn per year [1]. The Ukraine war has disrupted gas supplies and post-pandemic recovery has increased energy demand, leading to a significant increase in wholesale gas and electricity prices, thus strengthening the argument for the UK to bolster its energy security.
AXIOM Overview & Mission: AXIOM is a joint venture between Amentum, Mott Macdonald, and Assystem, providing nuclear design and engineering services to Sellafield Ltd. It aims to improve safety, risk reduction, and lifecycle value-driven design, particularly within the nuclear decommissioning sector. Safety & Governance: AXIOM has a strong safety culture, with 10 million accident-free hours, health & safety forums, and ongoing engagement. Projects are rigorously assessed for risks, and mitigation strategies are embedded into design processes. Health & Wellbeing Initiatives: AXIOM has implemented employee assistance programs, mental health support, and wellness initiatives, including surveys, a wellbeing forum, and a focus on improving working patterns post-COVID-19. Notable Projects & Innovations: Key projects include the Box Encapsulation Plant (BEP), which handles hazardous nuclear waste with robotic systems, and the Ventilation Extract System Upgrade, which uses laser scanning to improve safety and reduce risks during plant upgrades. Additionally, AXIOM has developed a new process for managing asbestos contaminated with alpha radiation.
NWS and NDA Group are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals for a fairer, greener world by 2030. Yet, the UN Global Compact’s Halfway to 2030 report shows that the UK is only performing well on 21% of these goals. So how do we better connect people with action? NWS has built a cultural maturity framework, based on the Inner Development Goals, to understand how our organisational culture fosters the intrinsic qualities, behaviours and mindset to meaningfully contribute to a more sustainable world.
Uranium in the form of uranyl nitrate in tributyl phosphate arising from the UK Advanced Fuel Cyle Programme has been stored since 2019 due to its potential fiscal value in recovery and circular use Conducted back-extraction of solvent waste containing uranium with an unknown composition that has been stored in the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory at the University of Leeds
The implications of transient events can have significant influence on the cooling capabilities of a natural circulation loop, where perturbations such as cold fluid injection can hinder natural circulation flow. Comparisons have been made between unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computations to high fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES) results for a simple natural circulation loop. Two transient types were considered; low point cold fluid injection for 2000 seconds, and zero power scenarios where the heat input was removed once a steady state was established. The results from RANS and LES were shown to be comparable in their predictions of bulk mass flow rate and temperature trends, with both transient types demonstrating a reduction in prevailing mass flow rate and heat transfer capability.
Challenges and opportunities in relation to SMR siting Co-generation applications Alternative financing models Considerations for siting next to industry Applying the UK semi-urban criteria for five of the identified UK industrial clusters
Improving teaching of ‘nuclear’ skills necessary to meet growing sector and retiring workforce Can we use games to enhance teaching of nuclear science to 11-18 year olds? Yes: “RAD ratings”, tested with and positive feedback from >1000 students in 13 UK schools Resource freely available to everyone – we want people to use it! – to improve STEM outcomes
The Plutonium and Uranium Reduction EXtraction process (PUREX), is the most widely used process to reprocess Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF). Head-end constitutes the second step of the PUREX process. This review article provides an in-depth description of the whole head-end process from a mechanical and chemical perspective.
The interior visual inspection of pipework is a critical inspection activity required to ensure the continued safe, reliable operation of plant and thus avoid costly outages. Typically, the video output from a manually deployed probe is viewed by an operator with the task of identifying and estimating the location of surface defects such as cracks, corrosion and pitting. However, it is very difficult to estimate the nature and spatial extent of defects from the often disorientating small field of view video of a relatively large structure. This paper describes the development of a new visual inspection system designed for inspecting 3 - 6 inch diameter pipes. The system uses a high resolution camera and structure from motion (SFM) algorithm to compute the trajectory of the probe through the pipe. In addition a laser profiler is used to measure the inner surface of the pipe and generate a meshed point cloud. The camera images are projected onto the mesh and the final output of the system is a photorealistic 3-D model of the internal surface of the pipework.
Here we see that computer-based tools have dramatically increased ease and efficiency of everyday tasks. Gone are the days of paging through a paper catalog, transcribing product numbers, and calculating totals. Today, a consumer can find a product online with a simple search engine, and then purchase it in a matter of a few clicks. Paper catalogs have their place, but it is hard to imagine life without on-line shopping sites. All tasks conducted in a nuclear power plant are guided by procedures, which helps ensure safe and reliable operation of the plants. One prominent goal of the nuclear industry is to minimize the risk of human errors. To achieve this goal one has to ensure tasks are correctly and consistently executed. This is partly achieved by training and by a structured approach to task execution, which is provided by procedures and work instructions. Procedures are used in the nuclear industry to direct workers' actions in a proper sequence. The governing idea is to minimize the reliance on memory and choices made in the field. However, the procedure document may not contain sufficient information to successfully complete the task. Therefore, the worker might have to carry additional documents such asmore » turnover sheets, operation experience, drawings, and other procedures to the work site. The nuclear industry is operated with paper procedures like paper catalogs of the past. A field worker may carry a large stack of documents needed to complete a task to the field. Even though the paper process has helped keep the industry safe for decades, there are limitations to using paper. Paper procedures are static (i.e., the content does not change after the document is printed), difficult to search, and rely heavily on the field worker’s situational awareness and ability to consistently meet the high expectation of human performance excellence. With computer-based procedures (CBPs) that stack of papers may be reduced to the size of a small tablet or even a smart phone. Instead of manually matching equipment identification numbers listed in the procedure with the number on the physical equipment the field worker can simply scan a barcode to ensure the correct valve is opened while simultaneously creating a record. Instead of navigating through a maze of cross-references, CBPs enable intelligent work path navigation which accounts for past decisions and observation, thereby enabling more efficient and safe task completion.« less
