[en] After a general introduction on the nuclear industry and uranium the following points are discussed: uranium supply and demand; the financing of exploration and exploitation in order to meet an expected demand of seven or ten times the present world output of uranium within 25 years; the idiosyncrasies of government policies among the uranium-rich nations, and whether and how they can be reconciled with supply and demand; environmental problems, including the activities of nuclear energy's opponents, which in turn could greatly influence supply and demand

[en] An Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) is to be built to extend the clean-up operations of Pacific Northwest Laboratories (PNL) at the heavily contaminated plutonium production Hanford site in the USA. Complex contamination problems have been building up at Hanford since its opening in the 1940s and these now require understanding at a molecular level in order to produce effective solutions. Among the problems to be addressed are gas-generation in underground storage tanks containing high-level radioactive waste and the underground migration towards the Columbia river of toxic wastes such as solvents and heavy metals. High-performance computer modelling of molecular reactions and novel advanced chemical techniques will be available at EMSL. Some examples of environmental remediation technology already developed by PNL are described. (UK)

[en] A corrosion problem in a Magnox reactor, first discovered in 1983, has received the distinction of a dedicated investigation by a British parliament select committee, prompted by newspaper reports. The MPs discovered that the problem had been exaggerated out of all proportion by antagonists and critics of the Central Electricity Generating Board and the nuclear industry, assisted by a London newspaper, The Times

[en] An historical summary is presented of the development of nuclear power in Britain, through Magnox and AGR reactors. Parallel developments of gas-cooled and water-cooled reactors in other countries are referred to. Technical and economic problems are discussed. Changes of policy are followed, leading to the CEGB proposal to include in its programme one PWR-based power station, to be built at Sizewell in Suffolk. Steps yet to be taken, including seeking the approval of the design by the government's chief nuclear inspector, and the holding of a public enquiry, are considered briefly. (U.K.)

[en] An independent scientific team has spent 1990 reviewing Europe's fusion research programme for the European Communities Commission. The 1990 evaluation board headed by Prof. U. Colombo, ENEA chairman, Italy's energy research commission, recommends 'maintaining fusion as a priority in the Community's energy research strategy'

No abstract available

[en] The history of the United Kingdom's nuclear submarines from Dreadnought to Trident is outlined briefly. The technology came originally from Westinghouse to Rolls Royce and Associates. First came Dreadnought then the Valiant and Resolution classes, then Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes and currently the Trident class which is still being built. Even with the latest reactor cores, which may need replacing only once in the lifetime of the vessel, refuelling still dictates the timing of major refits which can take up to 2 years. A new core, core H, which lasts the lifetime of the vessel is being developed. (UK)

[en] Britain continues to vigorously debate the wisdom of privatizing its electricity supply system by breaking the Central Electricity Generating Board into three separate parts, with specific consequences for nuclear energy. What is already clear is that the proposed changes must have a profound impact on all long-term activities, from the future of the fast reactor to national research into the environmental impact of electricity supply. The Government stated that future use of nuclear energy is necessary. The Government then published a nuclear study by its own top technical advisors, the Advisory Council on Science and Technology (ACOST). ACOST recommends that Britain should abandon further research and development on gas-cooled reactors and concentrate wholeheartedly on the PWR, following what it says is the public inquiry's unequivocal endorsement of the Sizewell-B design. The Advisory Council also comments on the fast reactor, in the context of what it calls the Government's responsibility to underpin long-term ventures in power generation. It states that the technology is approaching commercialization

[en] West Germany hopes to continue its nuclear heat program by persuading private industry to take on some of the investment costs at a time when national economies are urgently needed. The German AVR research reactor is believed to have demonstrated that a pebble bed system can operate at 850⁰C or higher and heat an inert gas such as helium without losing fuel integrity

[en] The author describes the experience of Rolls Royce in developing nuclear reactors for the Navy. Reference is made to the commissioning of HMS Sceptre in February 1978, Britain's 14th nuclear submarine. This event coincided with a decision to lift the veil somewhat on a Research and Development programme that has remained secret for nearly 20 years. Factors that have inhibited progress in this field are mentioned. One of these factors has been the high cost of marine nuclear propulsion systems, tending to limit interest to very large vessels or some special purpose craft. Another factor has been slowness to develop universally acceptable safety criteria, to allow for free and ready access of nuclear vessels to ports. A third factor has been the military origins of much of the development work. A new factor that has arisen recently is the development of the Westinghouse PWR (pressurised water reactor) for marine use in the UK. This has involved collaboration with the US Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Rolls Royce and Associates were chosen to manage this work, which is here described, including the first PWR to be designed and built in Britain and incorporated into a submarine (HMS Vulcan). Much of the design work has been concerned with development of the reactor core and increasing the endurance of the vessel between refuellings. Another aspect was less noise and vibration. Costs of this work are stated, and new test facilities are described. (U.K.)