A colloquial term describing the first nuclear reactors. They are called piles because the earliest reactors were "piles" of graphite and uranium blocks.
Privately owned knowledge or data, such as that protected by a registered patent, copyright, or trademark.
A form of radiation, which includes alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, neutrons,
high-speed electrons, and high-speed protons. Compared to nonionizing radiation, such as found in ultraviolet light or microwaves, ionizing radiation is considerably more ener...
An adjective referring to the process in which very high temperatures are used to bring about the fusion of light nuclei, such as those of the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium, with the accompanying liberation of energy.
The movement of electricity from one system to another over transmission facilities of intervening systems. Wheeling service contracts can be established between two or more systems.
A layer of material immediately surrounding a reactor core that scatters back (or reflects) into the core many neutrons that would otherwise escape. The returned neutrons can then cause more fissions and improve the neutron economy of the reactor. Common reflector materials a...
A document that provides guidance to the staff for reviewing an application to obtain an NRC license to construct or operate a nuclear facility or to possess or use nuclear materials.
Effects of radiation limited to the exposed individual, as distinguished from genetic effects, that may also affect subsequent unexposed generations.
Structures, systems, and components that are designed and built to withstand the maximum potential earthquake stresses for the particular region where a nuclear plant is sited.
A license, issued by the NRC, that authorizes the licensee to possess specific nuclear material but does not authorize its use or the operation of a nuclear facility. For additional detail, see Licensing.
A heavy, radioactive, manmade metallic element with atomic number 94. Its most important isotope is fissile plutonium-239, which is produced by neutron irradiation of uranium-238. It exists in only trace amounts in nature.
1 DAVID R. PIGOTT SAMUEL B. CASEY 2 JOHN A. MENDEZ CHICKERING & GREGORY 3 Three Embarcadero Center Twenty-Third Floor O Of the Secreta 4 San Francisco, California 94111 5 Telephone: (415) 393-9000 CHARLES R. KOCHER 6 JAMES A. BEOLETTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY 7 P. 0....
US Army Corps of Engineers ST. LOUIS ENGlNEER DISTRICT RADIOLOGICAL HISTORICAL ASSESSMENT MAIN POST Fort McClellan Anniston, Alabama FINAL REPORT December 2001 Prepared by US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ST. LOUJS DJSTRlCT HISTORICAL ASSESSMENT - MAIN POST FORT McCLELLAN ANNISTON, ...
An automated event tracking system used internally by the NRC's Headquarters Operations Center to track incoming notifications of significant nuclear events with an actual or potential effect on the health and safety of the public and the environment. Significant events are r...
The reactor and the reactor coolant pumps (and steam generators for a pressurized water reactor) and associated piping in a nuclear power plant used to generate the steam needed to drive the turbine generator unit.
An annual NRC conference that brings together NRC staff, regulated utilities, materials users, and other interested stakeholders to discuss nuclear safety topics and significant and timely regulatory activities through informal dialogue to ensure an open regulatory process.
[7590-01P]NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONHLWRS-ISG-04PRECLOSURE SAFETY ANALYSIS - HUMAN RELIABILITY ANALYSIS; AVAILABILITY OFFINAL INTERIM STAFF GUIDANCE DOCUMENTAGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.ACTION: Notice of availability.SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissi...
As new fuel shipping canisters arrive in the reactor building, the reactor building crane lifts them to the refueling floor, where the fuel is removed from the canister and inspected for defects. The fuel can then be stored either the new fuel storage area (which is dry...
A common nuclear power reactor design in which very pure water is heated to a very high temperature by fission, kept under high pressure (to prevent it from boiling), and converted to steam by a steam generator (rather than by boiling, as in a boiling-water reactor). The resu...
A negatively charged ion.
Another name for auxiliary feedwater.
April 24, 1998 SECY-98-089FOR: The CommissionersFROM: L. Joseph Callan, Chairman /s/Executive CouncilSUBJECT: PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE (DSI-14)PURPOSE:This paper provides a plan to the Commission to improve public communications and seeksCommission approval of the E...
A nuclear reactor that is used for research, training, or development purposes (which may include producing radioisotopes for medical and industrial uses) but has no role in producing electrical power. These reactors, which are also known as research and test reactors, contri...