05 Nuclear fuels (economics, policy, SupPlieS, fOreCaStS)

oxides prior to adding the liquid waste, and by coating the outside of the block with a low-melting glass or a ceramic after the waste is loaded into the block.

Wg1172 Practtoal correction of dead time effect in variance-to-moan ratio measurement Hazama, T. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 2003, 30, (5), 615-631. A practical technique to correct the dead time effect in the variance-to- mean ratio measurement is proposed. A correction formula used in the technique is derived based on a simple mechanism of count loss due to a non-extending dead time. The technique was verified with a Monte Carlo simulation and an experiment in Deuterium Critical Assembly. It was confirmed that the formula can make a reasonable correction to the case that the count loss is as large as 50%. This correction technique is extremely simple and can make the correction only with data obtained in the original measurement.

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ress of R&O on total system performance a potential high level radioachve waste

repository In Korea Hwang, Y. S. et al. Progress in Nuclear Energy,, 2003, 42, (2) 1999220. Since 1997 KAERI has developed the total system performance assessment (TPSA) tools to assess the long-term post closure radioactive safety of a proposed disposal concept. To meet guidelines by the authority KAERI started to construct the scenarios using screened FEPs. Relevant assessment tools are identified and developed by the long-term software development program. Input data is collected by associated experiments, literature surveys, and expert elicitation and recorded into the PAID program. TSPA is performed mainly deterministically for the well scenario. Detailed models are under development to support the main TSPA code. The web-based QA system is developed to assure the quality of the TSPA.

02/01174 The flat flux problem in one-speed neutron transport theory Williams, M. M. R. Annals qf’Nuclear Energy, 2003, 30, (5), 513-547. The classic flat flux problem in nuclear reactor physics, first solved by Goertzel using diffusion theory, is extended to one-speed transport theory. A numerical sotution is obtained for a general two region problem in which the inner region has a flat flux and the outer one a spatially variable flux. For the exact solution, plane geometry is employed with the optical path representation. This solution allows the accuracy of a more flexible but approximate method to be assessed. A feature of the problem which has not been noted before is that in the region of flat flux the current is not zero. The reason for this is explained and is used to assess the accuracy of the approximation method. Diffusion theory is shown to be a poor hut not unreasonable approximation. However, to make it viable it is necessary to introduce generalized function solutions to the diffusion equation. The theory is illustrated in detail by numerical calculations. It is shown that a flat flux in one speed theory corresponds to a maximum fuel loading. This is in contrast to the multigroup case for which it is a minimum loading.

03/01175 The use of flux ratios to homogenize squared absorber cells Segev, M. and Raitses. G. .-lnncr/.s o/‘Nuc&r Energy, 2003, 30, (7) 8733 882. Cell-level neutronics often involve absorber cells. Cell details are homogenized and the cylindrical cell is presented in box form to a higher level of calculation. Neglect of either the non-reflective nature of the cell boundary or its rectangulation will produce errors. Such errors may be avoided by including in the input to the higher-level calculation, namely the homogenized cross sections, flux ratios. One forms a ratio of the flux produced in the calculation of a detailed, cylindrical, ceil to the flux produced in the calculation of the box-like, homogenized, counterpart ceil. In the higher-level calculation these ratios are to multiply absorption and fission rates.

Economics, policy, supplies, forecasts

OWO1176 Effects of education on nuclear risk perception and attltude: Theory Yim, M.-S. and Vaganov, P. A. Progress in Nucleur Energy, 2003, 42. (2), 221-235. Education has been considered a key means of changing people’s risk perception of or attitude toward, nuclear technology. Major efforts have been and will continue to be expended to educate the public in this regard. However, the early experimental studies indicated that empirical support was lacking for the arguments that opposition toward nuclear energy stems from ignorance and greater information will change attitudes. At the same time, some studies indicated the positive

effect of education in changing people’s attitude. This study reviewed the theories of attitude formation and change, risk perception, and their relationship with the public’s nuclear education, and attempts to explain the seemingly conflicting findings. Suggestions for future educational efforts were also made.

03/01177 Is nuclear power viable in Russia? Diaconu, 0. and Maloney, M. T. The Nectriciry Journal, 2003. 16, (I). 80-87. A careful analysis casts doubt on the economic viability of expanded nuclear generation capacity in the Russian homeland. Given Russia’s vast reserves of natural gas and modern turbine generation technology, it seems unlikely that nuclear power will emerge as the low-cost generation alternative.

03/01176 Japan’s nuclear energy licy: from firm commitment to difficult dilemma acY drssslng growing stocks of plutonium, program delays, domestic opposltlon and international pressure Pickett, S. E Energy Policy, 2002, 30. (15) 1337.-1355. Since 1956, Japan has been on a path to reduce its dependence on foreign energy sources through the development of nuclear power. This paper examines the origins of this commitment, the changing social issues and the current dilemma Japan faces regarding the future of its nuclear energy policy and its efforts to overcome the domestic and international pressures to ensure safety and security. Galvanized by international initiatives and further motivated by the oil crises in the 197Os, Japan’s commitment to develop a closed nuclear fuel cycle, one which reprocesses fuel from thermal reactors for use in advanced fast breeder reactors, has remained resolute. However, program delays, international security concerns over the plutonium, a weapons-grade nuclear material and one of the products of reprocessing, and increasing public opposition to various components of the Atomic Energy Commissions’ Long-Term Program for Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy, have put pressure on the government to resolve these issues. The commitment to develop the technology on one hand is commendable however it has contributed to the dilemma the Japanese nuclear industry now faces: a growing stockpile of plutonium and no readily available means of reducing it. With growing public involvement, finding a straightforward technology solution is increasingly difficult. In 1995, an accident at Monju, one of the first prototype fast breeder reactors in Japan, prompted the Commission to initiate the first Roundtable Conference. The purpose of the Conference was to open the policy making process in an effort to determine a ‘national consensus’ on nuclear energy. Further accidents and on-going opposition further slowed the implementation of the Program, however, in the latest Program, released in 2000, the Commission attempts to address these issues while building in a new style of flexibility in order to allow for greater options in the future.

02/01179 Scenarios with an intensive contribution of nuclear energy to the world energy supply Nifenecker, H. Intemationul Journd of‘ Glohd Enrrgl, Is.vue.r, 2003. 19, (1). 63-77. Temperature stabilization requires that CO2 emissions be limited to less than 3 Gt Carbon equivalent, from the present level of more than 6 Ct. Despite an increase in primary energy demand by 250% in 2050, it was found that a nuclear intensive scenario assuming the develop- ment a 3000 GWe pool of PWR reactors by 2030 and an additional 6000 GWe pool of U-Pu or Th-U reactors by 2050 would lead to temperature stabilization at a level two degrees above the pre- industrial level.

06/01160 The peaceful uses of nuclear energy: technologies of the front and back-ends of the fuel cycle Percebois, J. Energy Policy, 2003, 31, (2), 101-108. The principal peaceful application of nuclear energy is that of electricity generation. The nuclear industry is a young one, which is today confronted with difficult choices, essentially because this activity generates fear. This fear is partly related to the generation of electricity in power plants hut is particularly present in relation to the transport, reprocessing, management and underground disposal of nuclear waste. This paper examines, respectively, the nuclear technologies available today (1) the future perspectives for nuclear energy on a worldwide basis (2) and the controversial question of the management of nuclear waste and the insurability of risks (3). Nuclear energy can be considered as an alternative to fossil fuels in the context of policies to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The potential technological progress is a key element of the future of nuclear energy; but the crux of the problem remains the long-term management of waste.

03/01161 The role of nuclear energy in establishing sustainable energy paths Bruggink, J. J. C. and van der Zwaan, B.C.C. International Journal of Global Energy I.xwes. 2002. 18, (2/3/4). 151~180.

Fuel and Energy Abstracts July 2003 223