Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating pellet-cladding interaction (PCI) in a nuclear core having a reactor protection system and a plurality of elongated fuel rods each having fuel surrounded by cladding with a gap therebetween. The method includes: selecting a number of core parameters to be analyzed; evaluating the selected parameters at a plurality of statepoints; generating a model of an operating space of the core based, at least in part, upon the statepoints; selecting a subset or loci of statepoints from the model wherein each of the statepoints of the loci of statepoints, when subjected to a predetermined transient, falls within the operational limits of the reactor protection system; and evaluating the loci of statepoints for PCI in response to the transient. In this manner, the potential for PCI can be accurately determined without requiring every statepoint for every fuel rod in the core to be individually analyzed.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating pellet-cladding interaction (PCI) in a nuclear core having a reactor protection system and a plurality of elongated fuel rods each having fuel surrounded by cladding with a gap therebetween. The method includes: selecting a number of core parameters to be analyzed; evaluating the selected parameters at a plurality of statepoints; generating a model of an operating space of the core based, at least in part, upon the statepoints; selecting a subset or loci of statepoints from the model wherein each of the statepoints of the loci of statepoints, when subjected to a predetermined transient, falls within the operational limits of the reactor protection system; and evaluating the loci of statepoints for PCI in response to the transient. In this manner, the potential for PCI can be accurately determined without requiring every statepoint for every fuel rod in the core to be individually analyzed.

Abstract: A transportable ozone neutralization system (10) for neutralizing a chemical compound is provided. The neutralization system (10) includes an enclosure (12) for substantially containing a container, such as a chemical munition (28), within which the chemical compound to be neutralized is contained. The neutralization system (10) further includes a liquid phase neutralization system (62) and a vapor phase neutralization system (100) which utilize ozone manufactured from the air, to contact the liquid and vapor phase chemical compounds through a solvent. The system neutralizes the chemical compound by the action of ozone in breaking the chemical bonds with the compound.

Abstract: An improved fuel rod for nuclear reactor fuel assemblies, said fuel rod having a region of relatively low density fuel pellets, causing the neutron-induced fission reaction to be more uniformly distributed along the rod.