January 2017

Nuclear Reactors 449 - Graphite Degradation Studies Important For Aging British Reactors

        "Nuclear graphite is any grade of graphite, usually synthetic graphite, specifically manufactured for use as a moderator or reflector within a nuclear reactor. Graphite is an important material for the construction of both historical and modern nuclear reactors, due to its extreme purity and its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures." (Wikipedia)

Nuclear Reactors 448 - Continued Reporting On Le Creusot Substandard Parts Scandal

       I have been covering the widening scandal about substandard nuclear reactors parts that came from the Le Creusot foundry owned by Areva, the state-owned French nuclear reactor construction company. It was discovered in 2015 that some of the parts made by the Creusot foundry contained too much carbon which made them brittle and a lot less safe when used to construct a nuclear reactor.

Radioactive Waste 209 - Calls To Proceed With A Spent Nuclear Fuel Repository Under Yucca Mountain in Nevada

       I have blogged about the plan to build a permanent geological repository for spent nuclear fuel under Yucca Mountain in Nevada before. The U.S. began working on siting such a repository in 1982. A possible site under Yucca Mountain in Nevada was selected in 1987. For various reasons, the final decision to construct the repository at Yucca Mountain was only formally approved by the U.S.

Nuclear Weapons 246 - Trump Transition Team Drops Ball On National Nuclear Security Administration Secretary.

       "The National Nuclear Security administration (NNSA) is the U.S. agency responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear explosive testing; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S.

Nuclear Reactors 447 - Recent Problems In the Chinese Nuclear Industry

       I have grave concerns about the ambitious Chinese program to expand their use of nuclear power by building more nuclear power reactors. Their record for regulation of corporate behavior in the nuclear sector has not been stellar. A lot of the Chinese people share my concerns and major nuclear construction projects have already been blocked by public protests.

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