[en] A Partitioning-Transmutation (PT) fuel cycle is being compared to a Reference cycle employing conventional fuel-material recovery methods. The PT cycle uses enhanced recovery methods so that most of the long-lived actinides are recycled to nuclear power plants and transmuted thereby reducing the waste toxicity. This report compares the two fuel cycles on the basis of the short-term radiological and nonradiological risks. The accidental radiological risk to the public is analyzed by estimating the probabilities of sets of accidents; the consequences are calculated using the risk, which is RAC code. Routine radiological risks to the public are estimated from the calculated release amounts, also using the CRAC code. Radiological occupational risks are determined from prior experience, projected standards, and estimates of accident risk. Nonradiological risks are calculated from the number of personnel involved, historical experience, and epidemiological studies. Result of this analysis is that the short-term risk of PT is 2.9 times greater than that of the Reference cycle, primarily due to the larger amount of industry. The nonradiological risk which is about 150 times greater than the radiological risk. If the radiological risk is consdered alone, the ratio of PT to Reference risk is 3, composed as follows: radiological operations affecting the public 5, radiological operations affecting the workers 1.7, and radiological accidents affecting the public 1.4, all in the order of decreasing risk. The absolute risk as estimated for the fuel cycle portions considered in this report is 0.91 fatality/GWe-year for the PT cycle and 0.34 fatality/GWe-year for the reference cycle; this compares with 1.5 for nuclear and 150 for coal. All of the risks assumed here are associated with the production of one billion watts of electricity (GWe) per year

[en] The SIMVIDOSE dosimetric videosystem produced in Harwell (Great Britain) for routine control over dose rates received by personnel at NPP and other enterprises of nuclear industry is described. The system is created for personnel protection improvement at the expense of continuous measurement of the dose rate. The system permits to follow the work of personnel by TV cameras and simultaneously to obtain information in a display on irradiation dose rates. The videosystem comprises personnel Geiger-Mueller counters equipped with radio-transmitters, colour electron-beam tubes, a microcomputer, a video tape recorded, a monitor. The equipment is tested both under routine conditions and during maintenance

[en] The Chemical Technology Division of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory has prepared a set of documents that evaluate a Partitioning-Transmutation (PT) fuel cycle relative to a Reference cycle employing conventional fuel-material recovery methods. The PT cycle uses enhanced recovery methods so that most of the long-lived actinides are recycled to nuclear power plants and transmuted to shorter-lived materials, thereby reducing the waste toxicity. This report compares the two fuel cycles on the basis of the short-term radiological and nonradiological risks they present to the public and to workers. The accidental radiological risk to the public is analyzed by estimating the probabilities of sets of accidents; the consequences are calculated using the CRAC code appropriately modified for the material composition. Routine radiological risks to the public are estimated from the calculated release amounts; the effects are calculated using the CRAC code. Radiological occupational risks are determined from prior experience, projected standards, and estimates of accident risk. Nonradiological risks are calculated from the number of personnel involved, historical experience, and epidemiological studies. The result of this analysis is that the short-term risk of PT is 2.9 times greater than that of the Reference cycle, primarily due to the larger amount of industry. This conclusion is strongly dominated by the nonradiological risk, which is about 150 times greater than the radiological risk. The absolute risk as estimated for the fuel cycle portions considered in this report is 0.91 fatalities/GWe-year for the PT cycle and 0.34 fatalities/GWe-year for the Reference cycle. This should be compared with Inhaber's estimate of 1.5 for nuclear and 150 for coal. All of the risks assumed here are associated with the production of one billion watts of electricity (GWe) per year

[en] With the implementation of nuclear power as a major energy source, the United States is increasingly faced with the challenges of safely managing its inventory of spent nuclear materials. In 2002, with 438 nuclear power facilities generating electrical energy in 31 nations around the world, the management of radioactive material including spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, is an international concern. Most of the world's nuclear nations maintain radioactive waste management programs and have generally accepted deep geologic repositories as the long-term solution for disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Similarly, the United States is evaluating the feasibility of deep geologic disposal at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This project is directed by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM), which has responsibility for managing the disposition of spent nuclear fuel produced by commercial nuclear power facilities along with U.S. government-owned spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Much of the world class science conducted through the OCRWM program was enhanced through collaboration with other nations and international organizations focused on resolving issues associated with the disposition of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste

No abstract available

[en] In order to improve steam turbine efficiency and reliability, the phenomena associated with the formation and growth of water droplets must be understood. This report describes a theoretical investigation into flow behaviour in the nucleating stage, where the predictions of a one-dimensional theory are compared with measured turbine data. Results indicate that droplet sizes predicted by homogeneous condensation theory cannot be reconciled with measurements unless fluctuating shock waves arise. Heterogeneous effects and flow turbulence are also discussed along with their implications for the condensation process. (author)

[en] Where carbonate bedrock aquifers are overlain by complex glacial sediments, these sediments control the locations and geochemical signature of recharge to the bedrock groundwater system. In these settings, geochemical and isotopic tracer tools that have traditionally proven effective for characterizing hydrochemical evolution in carbonate bedrock aquifers may be rendered ineffective due to geochemical fingerprinting that can develop as groundwater migrates through the sediments of the recharge pathway. Traditional tracer tools are assessed in an 8,000 km2 study area in the Early Silurian carbonate aquifers of southern Ontario, Canada. These carbonate aquifers contain significant quantities of high-quality groundwater resources and provide the sole drinking water source to many large cities and private residences. The glacial history of the study area is complex, with the advance and retreat of three ice lobes having deposited sediments that vary widely in permeability, lithology and geochemistry. Results show that spatial trends of higher tritium corroborate with aerobic redox chemistry in the carbonate groundwater systems underlying areas of thin or permeable sediment cover. Groundwater chemical evolution beyond recharge areas is assessed with general chemistry, redox characteristics and an investigation of water-rock interaction. A comparison of strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) in bedrock and groundwater shows that long residence times may be required for the isotopic signature of the carbonate bedrock to imprint on the groundwater, though this does not occur consistently. Sulphur isotopic composition (34S and 18O stable isotopic signatures of sulphate) in groundwater was most informative, showing isotopic evidence of pyrite oxidation in recharge areas, and a Silurian sulphur isotopic signature of the host bedrock in areas of thick and low permeability sediments, downgradient of identified recharge areas. The set of tracer tools deemed most useful in this investigation provides the empirical evidence needed to support a conceptual model of recharge and groundwater evolution and is recommended for use in similar settings elsewhere.

[en] Highlights: • PIV turbulent boundary layer measurements were taken to study laminarization. • Effect of convex curvature and acceleration on laminarization was assessed. • Curvature and acceleration cause the flow to transition toward laminar flow. • When conditions are combined, the laminarization is quicker and to a larger extent. - Abstract: Particle image velocimetry boundary layer measurements are presented for flows over convex surfaces, and subject to flow acceleration. These mechanisms are present in gas reactor core designs, which is of concern because it is known that they can cause boundary layer laminarization which can have a negative effect on surface heat transfer. A wind tunnel was constructed where flow acceleration and curvature effects were applied separately, and simultaneously to investigate the separate and combinative influence of these mechanisms. Applied acceleration for the different test cases varied from K = 1.6 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻⁵. Curvature values of δ/R = 0.015 to δ/R = 0.05 were tested. The applied acceleration spans across the threshold value when laminarization is expected to occur for flat plate geometries. Measurements were taken using particle image velocimetry. Mean flow parameters including mean velocity profiles, boundary layer thickness, and shape factor are presented as a function of streamwise position during the boundary layer response as it is subjected to the laminarization causing mechanisms. Velocity profiles are normalized by both outer and inner variables. It is observed that as the flow is subjected to these mechanisms, the boundary layer mean flow parameters diverge from their turbulent values and approach laminar characteristics. The linear viscous sublayer increases in thickness, the overall boundary layer thickness is reduced, and the shape factor increases. The response in the boundary layer mean flow parameters is more pronounced and occurs more quickly when subject to both mechanisms simultaneously

[en] Following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, the United Kingdom Government set up a national response plan for dealing with overseas nuclear accidents. The key element of the plan was the establishment of a national radiation monitoring network and nuclear emergency response system known as RIMENT. (Author)

[en] The 12th Europhysical Conference on Defects in Insulating Materials (EURODIM14) was held at the University of Kent, UK, from 13-18 July 2014. It was attended by about 120 delegates from around the world, and featured 56 oral presentations and 77 posters. EURODIM14 followed other conferences in the series, held in Pecs (2010), Milan (2006) and Wroclaw (2002), as well as the related ICDIM conferences held in Santa Fe (2012), Aracaju (2008) and Riga (2004). These conferences all have the aim of bringing together scientists to discuss the chemistry and physics of defects in solids, and their role in determining material properties. We would like to thank the International Advisory Committee for suggesting invited speakers, and the Local and Programme Committee for their hard work in planning and running the conference. Finally we would like to thank the authors and referees for their contributions to the proceedings. M L Alfredsson (Conference Chair) A V Chadwick R A Jackson E E McCabe (preface)