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Atomic Insights

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

Letter from the Editor: First Nuclear Power Stations

January 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

In the December 1995 issue we focused on the design decisions made by the U. S. Navy submarine reactor designers. As most people involved in the nuclear industry know, the technical direction taken by Rickover and his people had a major influence in the development of the commercial nuclear power industry. Interestingly enough, the first […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Jan 1996, Gas Cooled Reactors

CO2: First Choice for Power Reactors

January 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

During the period from 1946 until 1954, the single most important constraint governing the development of peaceful uses of atomic power was the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. This American law – passed after a failed attempt to establish an international control regime for nuclear materials – made it illegal to trade in nuclear knowledge […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Jan 1996, Gas Cooled Reactors, Graphite Moderated Reactors, Technical History Stories

In the news: December 1995

December 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

Watts Bar Receives Low Power Licence (November 11, 1995) TVA’s Watts Bar nuclear power plant has been under construction for more than 23 years. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has just approved a permit that will allow the Tennessee Valley Authority to begin loading it with fuel for low-power testing. The fuel has been stored in […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Dec 1995

Protection for Fuel Elements: Ensuring Saftey

December 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

Once Rickover’s team selected water as their primary reactor coolant, other material criteria became readily apparent. Though pure water at room temperature is a relatively benign environment, water at high temperatures is quite corrosive. Because radioactive fission products can be dangerous to human health, prudent reactor designers must devise methods to ensure that the fission […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Dec 1995, Water Cooled Reactors

Controlling Power: Temperature and Rods

December 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

Pressurized water reactors turned out to be extremely stable power producers. Because of the fact that water is used to moderate the energy level of neutrons, making them more effective in causing fission, the concentration of water in the core is an important part of determining the reactivity of the core. Temperature control An increase […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Dec 1995, Water Cooled Reactors

Technical Hurdles: One Step at a Time

December 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

Though water was chosen partially because it was a familiar fluid for power engineers, the choice almost doomed the nuclear submarine program. Laboratory testing of the pumps, bearings, valves, and piping demonstrated to Rickover’s team that the simple, familiar fluid was not so simple at high temperatures and pressures, particularly when exposed to neutron radiation. […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Dec 1995, Water Cooled Reactors

Letter from the Editor: A History of Success

December 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

The United States Navy submarine reactor program has a record of achievement and respect dating back to the early 1950s. In a field full of failed projects begun with high expectations, the Naval Reactors program is worthy of admiration and study. In this issue of AEI, we will focus on several early technical decisions that […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Dec 1995

Pressurized Water: Best Choice for the 1950s Subs

December 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

When Rickover first began studying nuclear technology, he found a program in severe disarray. The Army’s Manhattan Project had accomplished its mission of completing a workable bomb before the end of the war. Many of the key scientists and engineers had left the program, eager to leave the security restrictions and poor working conditions behind. […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Dec 1995, Water Cooled Reactors

In the news: November 1995

November 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

Russian Delegation Visits Cuba (October 10, 1995) Russian scientists and businessmen visited Cuba to discuss the future of the VVER-440 pressurized water reactor at Juragua. According to an official at Cuba’s National Center for Nuclear Security, construction was halted when the reactor was 90 percent complete. Cuba’s government is investigating the possibility of completing the […]

Filed Under: Atomic Insights Nov 1995

Prefab Reactors For Off-Grid Users

November 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

The Army Nuclear Power Program was established as part of the Atomic Energy Commission in 1954. It was charged with the responsibility of developing reactors suitable for providing electrical power to remote bases and outposts. Some of the people associated with the Army Nuclear Power Program saw essentially unlimited potential for small, transportable reactors. Most […]

Filed Under: Army Nuclear Program, Atomic Insights Nov 1995, Small Nuclear Power Plants

Army Nuclear Power Plants

November 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

Designation Description of Reactors SM-1 This stationary military reactor was the Army’s prototype and training facility. It began operation in April 1957 at Fort Belvoir, VA, several months before the Shippingport reactor. SM-1 has the distinction of having been the first nuclear power plant to be hooked to an electrical grid. 2,000 kw. SM-1A Built […]

Filed Under: Army Nuclear Program, Atomic Insights Nov 1995, Small Nuclear Power Plants

Letter from the Editor: Portable Nuclear Reactors

November 1, 1995 By Rod Adams

The United States Army ran an innovative nuclear power program for more than 20 years. The men involved operated a series of small, nuclear heated generating plants in some of the world’s least hospitable environments. The story of what those diligent heros did has been all but lost. Though the Army was the lead service […]

Filed Under: Army Nuclear Program, Atomic Insights Nov 1995, Small Nuclear Power Plants

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