• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Archives

Atomic Insights

Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

January 1961: SL-1 Explosion Aftermath

July 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

At 9:01 pm on January 3, 1961, the first indication of trouble at SL-1 was received at Atomic Energy Commission Fire Stations. The alarm, which was triggered by one of several measured parameters at the plant, was immediately broadcast over all National Reactor Testing Station radio networks. By 9:10 pm, fire trucks and security personnel […]

Filed Under: Accidents, Army Nuclear Program, Atomic Insights July 1996, Technical History Stories

In the News June 1996

June 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

Power Cutoffs Ordered in Northeast (May 22, 1996) – Unusually hot weather forced several electric utilities in the Northeast United States to cut power to customers who had agreed to power interruptions in return for lower rates and to reduce voltage by 5 to 8 percent in order to protect reserve margins. Affected utilities included […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights June 1996

PHWR Historical Problem Areas: Sources of Incidents

June 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

The pressure tubes of a CANDU® are in a hostile environment that includes a high neutron flux, hot, high temperature water, and a certain amount of hydrogen and oxygen released by the decomposition of water by radiation.Though the CANDU® has proven itself to be a reliable, cost effective and safe power generation system, there are […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights June 1996, Heavy Water Moderated Reactors

Isotope Production: Dual Use Power Plants

June 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

Nuclear reactors are not just a source of heat for power production. They are also an abundant source of neutrons, which allows the plants to be in a process of transmutation which makes the old dream of alchemy a reality. Since neutrons are neutrally charged, they have the ability to insert themselves in a wide […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights June 1996, Heavy Water Moderated Reactors

Pressurized Heavy Water: Using Available Resources

June 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

In many ways a CANDU® nuclear plant is conceptually related to a standard pressurized water reactor plant system. It has two separate heat transfer loops whose fluids never directly interact. The two loops physically meet in large heat exchangers called steam generators, which are very similar in design to those used in PWRs. One fluid, […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights June 1996, Heavy Water Moderated Reactors

Letter from the Editor: Reactors With a Can-Do Attitude

June 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

One of the highest compliments that you can pay to a submariner is to describe him as someone with a “can-do” attitude. This implies that he will cheerfully find a way to overcome any obstacle. Perhaps that is one reason that I have always admired the name, CANDU®, that was chosen for the Canadian heavy […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights June 1996, Heavy Water Moderated Reactors

Some Reactors CANDU®: What Others Cannot

June 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

An understanding of some of the features of the CANDU® reactor design makes it obvious that many of the negative perceptions about nuclear power are, in fact, based on characteristics of a single type of reactor. Simple Fuel Manufacture One common misconception about nuclear energy is that fuel manufacture is a complex endeavor that requires […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights June 1996, Heavy Water Moderated Reactors

Keep it Simple: Complex Systems Cost More

May 3, 1996 By Rod Adams

A first generation Adams Engine might achieve a thermal efficiency of approximately 30-35 percent, instead of the 55-60 percent that is currently being advertised for advanced gas turbine power plants. Many people seem offended by the very idea of producing a system that is less efficient than existing systems, but the important characteristics of a […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights May 1996, Nuclear Cost Data, Small Nuclear Power Plants

In the news: May 1996

May 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

Netherlands Begins NEREUS Study (March 1996) – At the instigation of ROMAWA, a small company led a former Royal Netherlands Navy engineering specialist, the Netherlands government and several large industrial companies have begun a study of a nine megawatt nuclear gas turbine designed for heat and/or power production, district heating and ship propulsion. Capt. Gulian […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights May 1996

Atomic Gas Turbines: Applying Related Inventions

May 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

Many of the greatest innovations – if carefully investigated – can be seen to be the result of of an inventor recognizing other inventions had made it possible to achieve a long awaited dream. For example, the story of the Wright Brothers’ first flight is incomplete without the story of the internal combustion engine. The […]

Filed Under: Army Nuclear Program, Atomic Insights May 1996, Gas Cooled Reactors

Letter from the Editor: Small Is Beautiful

May 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

At the request of several readers, we have decided to dedicate this issue to discussing the Adams Engine concept. Rather than talking about technical details, however, we have decided to talk about general principles and philosophies. Adams Atomic Engines, Inc. has determined that it is possible to build uranium heated machines that can fulfill many […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights May 1996, Nuclear Cost Data, Small Nuclear Power Plants

Chernobyl Accident: Advice and Sources

April 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

Here is our best advice in case of a reactor accident that releases large amounts of radioactive material. If there is evidence of increased radioactivity in the air, stay indoors and breath filtered air. Forced evacuations make taking this action far more difficult. It is worth the effort to take sensible precautions against inhaling or […]

Filed Under: Accidents, Atomic Insights April 1996, Health Effects

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 291
  • Go to page 292
  • Go to page 293
  • Go to page 294
  • Go to page 295
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 299
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Join Rod’s pronuclear network

Join Rod's pronuclear network by completing this form. Let us know what your specific interests are.

Recent Comments

  • Soylent on How Hot is Cold Fusion?
  • soylent on How Hot is Cold Fusion?
  • Roger Clifton on How Hot is Cold Fusion?
  • Edward W Leaver on How Hot is Cold Fusion?
  • James R. Baerg on How Hot is Cold Fusion?

Follow Atomic Insights

The Atomic Show

Atomic Insights

Recent Posts

How Hot is Cold Fusion?

Why are smaller reactors attracting so much interest?

Atomic Show #298 – Marcus Seidl – Researching small modular reactors near Hamburg, Germany

Atomic Show #297 – Krusty – The Kilopower reactor that worked

Nuclear energy growth prospects and secure uranium supplies

  • Home
  • About Atomic Insights
  • Atomic Show
  • Contact
  • Links

Search Atomic Insights

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Atomic Insights

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy