Nuclear Power Industry News

Business and labor groups supported the legislation. Illinois has six operating nuclear plants with 11 reactors

 - By Stephen Heiser -

The Illinois Senate has voted to drop 23-year-old ban on building nuclear power plants in Illinois. The measure was sent to the House on a bipartisan 40-1 vote, with two lawmakers voting present. 

Since 1987 state law has barred construction of any new nuclear power plants. There are six plants operating in the state. President Barack Obama has supported nuclear power projects, but similar proposals in Springfield have failed to pass before. Democratic Senator Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston was the lone opposition in yesterday's vote.  Jacobs’ bill now goes to the House for consideration

Sen. Mike Jacobs, the East Moline Democrat sponsored this year’s Senate bill (HB3388). It flew through the Senate Energy committee, which Jacobs chairs, and the full chamber.

Jacobs says Illinois should take advantage of the efforts by President Barack Obama, a former Illinois state senator, to back some nuclear power projects, citing federal support for a power plant in Georgia. Jacobs adds that Illinois should be able to compete with surrounding Midwestern states for jobs connected to plant construction and staffing.

Business and labor groups supported the legislation. Illinois has six operating nuclear plants with 11 reactors. The units are all owned by Exelon ans are located at plant sites in Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle, and Quad Cities. 

Exelon has announced plans to build at least one new reactor at its Clinton nuclear power plant in central Illinois. In March 2007, the NRC issued Exelon with an early site permit (ESP) for the Clinton plant.

High-Level Liquid Waste

 - By Duncan Williams -

One of the most controversial topics regarding nuclear power is the issue of storing radioactive liquid waste.  As a result of America’s decades-long processing of nuclear material, a fairly large amount of radioactive liquid waste has been generated and remains with us to this day.  Some of this radioactive liquid waste is a result of once secret programs stemming back to the days of the Manhattan Project.

For example, beginning in the 1940s a site in eastern Washington State, known as the Hanford Site, produced plutonium for America’s defense program for decades.  In addition, spent nuclear fuel from nuclear reactors was reprocessed at the Hanford Site in order to extract reusable uranium and plutonium.  Although all reprocessing activities were discontinued at the Hanford Site in the 1980s, approximately 53 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste are currently stored there in 177 underground tanks.

While the Hanford Site focused on plutonium production as a part of the Manhattan Project, another plant located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, focused on producing uranium.  As a result of this uranium experimentation and production, the Oak Ridge facility currently stores an unknown volume of radioactive liquid waste and sludge.
 Another facility known as the West Valley Reprocessing Plant in West Valley, New York, recycled spent nuclear fuel from 1966-1972.  During this period, at least 660,000 gallons of highly radioactive liquid waste were produced and stored in underground steel tanks.

Another facility, currently known as the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC), was established in the 1950s as yet another facility for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.  By the time reprocessing efforts halted in 1991, the facility generated roughly 9 million gallons of highly radioactive liquid waste. 
 Fortunately, there are a variety of technologies currently available, and in development, capable of safely immobilizing these radioactive liquid wastes.  One of these methods, known as vitrification, converts the liquid waste into granules, and then encases the granules in glass.  The process for converting liquid radioactive waste to granules has been in place at INTEC for decades and is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,065,400, issued on December 27, 1977.  The process uses a container, known as a calciner vessel, for heating the liquid radioactive waste.

As can be seen in the diagram from the patent, the calciner vessel has a lower reaction portion (12) that is filled with silica (24).  The silica (24) is then heated to between 752 F – 1472 F either by an electrical heating means or by igniting a flammable fuel source (44), such as oxygen and either propane or kerosene.  A fluidizing gas source (20), typically air, is introduced into the bottom of the calciner vessel which is then directed upwards toward the silica (24).  The fluidizing gas source (20) circulates the silica (24) in the lower portion (12) causing it to behave as if it were a fluid, creating what is known as a fluidized bed.

The radioactive liquid waste (45) is then atomized by a gas source (48), typically air, and sprayed into the lower reaction portion (12) containing the fluidized bed of silica.  The heat converts the radioactive liquid waste into metal oxides, which is an ashy substance also known as calcine.

The fluidizing gas causes the calcine to eventually travel into the upper portion (28) of the calciner and exit through an exit port (29).  The calcine is separated from the gas in a separator (31) and then travels to a receptacle (34) where it is collected.  Since the calcine still emits radiation, the calcine is then taken from the receptacle so that it can be vitrified.

One method of vitrifying radioactive waste is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,283,908, issued on September 4, 2001, and assigned to Radioactive Isolation Consortium, LLC, based in Falls Church, Virginia.

The patent describes an inner container (30) made from graphite and an outer container (10) made from stainless steel.  A layer of insulation (20) is placed in between the inner container (30) and outer container (10).  Calcine (100), or some other radiological waste, is introduced into the cavity of the inner container (30) through a feed pipe (60).  A sand-like borosilicate glass called frit is also introduced through the feed pipe (60) in order to homogeneously mix with the radioactive material as the mixture begins to melt.  As the level of the mixture begins to rise, a bottom segment of heating coils (25) is activated which melts the lower zone (40) of the mixture.  As the level continues to rise due to more radioactive waste and frit being added, another set of heaters (35) are activated, causing the next zone (50) of the mixture to melt.  This process continues until the calciner is filled and all of the heaters are activated.  Once the contents are melted, all the heating coils are deactivated and the contents begin to cool and solidify.  During this entire process, drying gases are introduced through the feed pipe (60) forcing any humidity to be vented through the exhaust pipe (70).

The result of this process is vitrified radiological waste, as shown in this picture taken from Radioactive Isolation Consortium’s website.  However, vitrification is not the only known method of solidifying radiological waste.  For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,476,194, issued on January 13, 2009, and assigned to Studsvik, Inc., based in Atlanta, Georgia, describes a process called mineralization.  In order to mineralize the radioactive waste, the waste is transferred into a treatment container and mixed with mineralization additives. 

These additives include clays, zeolite, silica, phosphates, calcium, magnesium, titanium, iron, and/or aluminum.

The mixture is then heated to between 300 F and 1112 F.  Heating the mixture to the higher end of this range ensures that all the water, volatile organic compounds, as well as all nitrates, are vaporized.  The end product is a mineralized substance that prevents the leaching of radioactive waste for long periods of time. 

Another company, called Clean Technologies International, Inc., based out of Austin, Texas, has patented a method of solidifying nuclear waste in metal.  U.S. Patent No. 7,034,197, issued on April 25, 2006, describes a process that results in the radiological waste being solidified in metal ingots.  The ingots are created by melting the radiological waste and mixing it with an alkaline metal as well as a radiation absorbing metal.  Examples of an alkaline metal include aluminum, magnesium, lithium, calcium, iron, zinc, or copper.  Although the patent recommends using tungsten as the radiation absorbing metal, it also suggests using beryllium, cadmium, vanadium, yttritium, ytterbium, zirconium, or lead.  The patent indicates that the resulting metal ingots are very stable, will not leach any of the immobilized radioactive waste, and emits a low amount of radiation due to the presence of the radiation absorbing metal.

Despite the numerous technologies available, vitrification has become the most widely used technology for immobilizing America’s radioactive liquid waste.  About 98% of the liquid waste stored at the West Valley Site in New York has been successfully solidified using vitrification methods.  In 1996, the Savannah River Site’s Defense Waste Processing Facility began vitrifying radioactive sludge that was stored at various sites around the country.  Since its startup, it has produced over 9 million pounds of glass and has immobilized over 2 million gallons of radioactive sludge.  Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy has contracted Bechtel National, Inc., to design and build another radioactive waste treatment plant located at the Hanford Site.  The treatment plant, known as the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, will use vitrification to immobilize and permanently store radiological waste.  Construction of the plant began in 2002, and is currently scheduled to become operational in 2019.

The rise in use of vitrification in America should come as no surprise.  Vitrification methods have been successfully used for solidifying radioactive liquid waste in America, as well as foreign countries for decades.  In the 1960s, France and England began experimenting with solidifying liquid waste in glass.  Today, both France and England receive radioactive waste from other countries so that it can be vitrified and then returned to the country of origin for storage.  Thus, vitrification has a long, and safe, history.

Last Week's Column:  

Under The Hood With Duncan Williams - MOX Fuel From Weapons-Grade Plutonium

MOX Fuel From Weapons-Grade Plutonium  - By Duncan Williams - On February 25, 2010, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration  (NNSA) announced that it entered into an inter-agency agreement with the government owned Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in order to evaluate the use of a nuclear fuel made from surplus weapons ...

 

About Duncan Williams
Duncan Williams graduated from the University of Florida in 1994 with a B.S. in Physics, and a minor in mathematics.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned  in the U.S. Navy where he completed training in the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion program.  He then served onboard an aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, as a reactor control division officer.  Onboard, he was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the electrical and mechanical components that make up the reactor control systems.  This includes the control rod drive mechanisms, the reactor safety and emergency systems, the reactor coolant pump systems, and the ion exchangers.  He also developed and implemented ship-wide reactor safety drills in order to educate sailors in reactor safety.

Duncan then transferred to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he served as a senior instructor teaching Thermodynamics to senior cadets.  While serving as an instructor at the Naval Academy, Duncan attended night law school at the George Washington University Law School.  After receiving his J.D. in 2004, he resigned his commission and began working as an intellectual property associate with Kenyon & Kenyon LLP.  While at Kenyon & Kenyon, he drafted numerous patents relating to medical devices, electronic devices, telecommunications, as well as other technologies.  He also has experience in all stages of patent litigation, and has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies in protecting their intellectual property rights.  Duncan is currently an intellectual property associate at Blank Rome LLP.

If you have questions, comments, or know of a patent that you think Duncan should review E-mail Duncan Williams>> duncan@nuclearstreet.com 

The U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) was conceived in November 2001 by President George W. Bush and then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Both countries agreed to take cooperative steps to create the requisite political, economic, and legal structures to enable successful high-technology commerce

 - By Linton Levy -

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) this week convened leading executives from U.S. and Indian industry, joined by top government officials, for the 7th Meeting of the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG).

The HTCG Summit provided a day-long opportunity for Indian and U.S. Industry to interact, identify market barriers, and highlight opportunities in high-tech areas such as Civil Nuclear Cooperation, Defense/Strategic Trade,  Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Civil Aviation. The findings of these private sector interactions were presented to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industrial Security, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs to inform the bilateral discussions between the Government of India and U.S. Government scheduled to take place tomorrow, March 16. Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao was chief guest and presided over the day’s event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“When we think back to the progress already made between our nations in the area of high technology cooperation – from the manner in which our navies supported one another following the Tsunami of 2004, in the way we collaboratively embraced civil nuclear cooperation, pioneered the U.S.-India Open Skies Agreement, and participated in India’s first, successful launch to the moon, Chandrayaan I, which included NASA and Raytheon technology – we can only be optimistic looking ahead along our line of sight for 2010, when President Barack Obama travels to India,” said Ron Somers, President of the U.S. – India Business Council.

Somers added: “If we think of our common challenges and our common goals, the United States and India stand united on issues concerning regional security, energy security, food security, fighting disease as well as the scourge of terrorism, promoting aviation safety and the security of our Open Skies, and providing education and the tools for uplifting our fellow man. In every one of these instances, high technology cooperation will play a constructive role in providing the solutions to meet these challenges and in achieving these noble goals,” Somers said.

Building on the successful state visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009, the HTCG working groups identified specific barriers that continue to hamper high-technology trade as well as acknowledged the growing scope for collaboration. The Summit also provided a unique opportunity for business leaders to hear from key U.S. and Indian policy makers, including Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States, Michael Froman.

Foreign Secretary Rao spoke about the need for further streamlining of U.S. Export Controls. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Kevin Wolf presented an update on export control issues affecting U.S. – India trade. Michael Froman, Deputy Assistant to the President, underscored the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, saying: “There is no other bilateral relationship as important as the U.S.-India relationship.”

The U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) was conceived in November 2001 by President George W. Bush and then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Both countries agreed to take cooperative steps to create the requisite political, economic, and legal structures to enable successful high-technology commerce. Since the HTCG’s inception, dual use exports requiring licenses for U.S.-India trade have dropped from 40% to just .3% - demonstrating the commitment of both countries to engender a relationship based on trust, predictability, transparency, and robust high technology engagement.

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is the premier business advocacy organization representing over 340 of the largest U.S. companies investing in India, joined by global Indian companies, whose mandate is to deepen U.S.-India commercial ties.

The new substation will improve power transfer capacity and reliability from eastern Uttar Pradesh, the regional power generation hub, to the western part of the state where it is consumed massively

 - By Chris Smith -

AREVA’s Transmission and Distribution (T&D) division has been awarded a 60-million euro contract in India by state utility Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited. AREVA will build an Extra High-Voltage substation at the Anpara “D” thermal power plant1 in the state of Uttar Pradesh (North of India).

The new substation will improve power transfer capacity and reliability from eastern Uttar Pradesh, the regional power generation hub, to the western part of the state where it is consumed massively.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.

Michel Augonnet, Executive Vice President of AREVA T&D’s Systems business said : "The Extra High-Voltage segment is poised for rapid growth and our strong partnership with Indian state utilities puts AREVA T&D in a powerful position to capitalize on the emerging opportunities."

All over the world, AREVA provides its customers with solutions for carbon-free power generation and electricity transmission. With its knowledge and expertise in these fields, the group has a leading role to play in meeting the world’s energy needs.
Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA's unique integrated offering covers every stage of the fuel cycle, reactor design and construction, and related services. In addition, the group is developing a portfolio of operations in renewable energies. AREVA is also a world leader in electricity transmission and distribution and offers its customers a complete range of solutions for greater grid stability and energy efficiency*.

Sustainable development is a core component of the group’s industrial strategy. Its 75,000 employees work every day to make AREVA a responsible industrial player that is helping to supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.

* Activity in the process of divestment

1 The Anpara “D” thermal power plant, one of the biggest in India has an installed capacity of 1630MW

“The NRC continually reviews the safety performance of Grand Gulf and each of the nation’s commercial nuclear power plants,” said Region IV Administrator Elmo E. Collins. “The meeting provides an opportunity for us to discuss our annual assessment of safety performance with the company, local officials and members of the public.

 - Source NRC -

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet with representatives of Entergy Operations, Inc., on March 23, to discuss the agency’s 2009 assessment of safety performance for the Grand Gulf nuclear plant, located near Port Gibson, Miss.

The meeting, which will be open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the Port Gibson City Hall, 1005 College St., Port Gibson. The NRC staff will present the results of the assessment, talk about the NRC and its range of activities, and be available to respond to questions or comments from the public before the close of the meeting.

 “The NRC continually reviews the safety performance of Grand Gulf and each of the nation’s commercial nuclear power plants,” said Region IV Administrator Elmo E. Collins. “The meeting provides an opportunity for us to discuss our annual assessment of safety performance with the company, local officials and members of the public. We look forward to meeting with members of the community and answering any questions they may have about our oversight.”

 A letter sent from the NRC Region IV office to plant officials will serve as the basis for the meeting discussion. It is available on the NRC web site at:   http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/gg_2009q4.pdf.

The NRC said Grand Gulf operated safely during 2009 and will receive the very detailed inspection regime during 2010 used by the NRC for plants that are operating well.

These inspections are performed by resident inspectors stationed at the plant and by specialists from the Region IV office in Arlington, Texas.

Current performance information for Grand Gulf is available on the NRC web site at: 
http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/GG1/gg1_chart.html.

LANS Awards Contract for Demolition of SM-43 Administration Building Valued at approximately $6 Million

 - By April Murelio -

ARSEC Environmental, LLC, a Joint Venture between American Radiation Services, Inc (dba ARS International) and Safety and Ecology Corporation (SEC), was recently awarded a contract by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS), for the demolition of the SM-43 Administration Building at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The project is scheduled to begin in April 2010 and is valued at approximately $6 million.

“I am extremely proud of our team for winning this contract,” said Danny Coleman, ARS/ARSEC CEO. “We fully understand the priority and complexity of this project and feel our team will be extremely successful in the completion of this mission.” 

Under this contract ARSEC will abate hazardous materials, demolish and dispose of the 316,500-foot main Administration Building (SM-43) as well as three connecting walkways. The 18-month project is scheduled to be complete in November 2011. The SM-43 building was originally designed in 1953 as a combination office and laboratory space, with occupancy in 1956.

“SEC is ready to support ARSEC on this demolition project at LANL,” said Christopher Leichtweis, SEC’s CEO. “The team is experienced at LANL with a proven safety culture and project processes.”

The demolition project falls under LANL’s Infrastructure Support Program. The ARS and SEC team has successfully completed similar demolition projects at LANL. In 2007 and 2009, the ARSEC and Los Alamos’s Site Projects Division Disposition team was awarded LANL Pollution Prevention awards for the successful execution of demolition projects. The project team was recognized for a significant waste avoidance through a strategic characterization, processing, and debris segregation methodology. This methodology achieved over 96% recycling on all debris generated from demolition of the PF-41 structure.  Further, the PF-41 D&D project, executed by ARSEC, received a NNSA Defense Programs Award of Excellence in 2008. This project will build upon the successful track record to achieve continued reduction in the nuclear weapons complex footprint for NNSA at LANL.

Led by ARSEC Program Manager, Steve Shirley, this contract will be supported by subcontractors Cleveland Wrecking Company (CWC), providing demolition services, Weston Solutions, providing field engineering and technical support services, and Keers Remediation, providing asbestos abatement.

ARSEC Environmental is a Joint Venture between American Radiation Services Inc. dba ARS International and Safety and Ecology Corporation (SEC).  While the SM-43 Building is not radiologically contaminated, ARSEC Environmental has previous experience with the D&D of radiologically contaminated facilities.  Under Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Multiple Task Order Award Contract (MTOA), ARSEC was awarded Task Order #2, DP West Hazardous Material Abatement and Equipment Removal Project.  This project involves the removal of some radiologically contaminated material.  The DP West facility has radiological contamination that includes tritium, plutonium, uranium contaminated equipment and process systems and contaminated asbestos.

American Radiation Services Inc. dba ARS International is an 8(a) Native American/Veteran owned Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) specializing in environmental services.  Since its inception in 1993 ARS has provided services to the U.S DOE, DOD, USACE, and commercial industries in the form of hazardous material remediation, laboratory analysis, and construction/demolition services. 

Safety and Ecology Corporation (SEC) is a rapidly growing environmental services company specializing in the removal and remediation of hazardous nuclear materials for the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, and other federal agencies. SEC also provides advanced environmental services for private industry across the country and internationally. Since its founding in 1991, SEC has emerged as a technology innovator with more than 450 personnel worldwide and with annual revenues of more than U.S. $70 million.

Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and the Washington Division of URS for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.  Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

"Safety is our number-one goal, and we are committed to ensuring the structural integrity of the equipment before restarting the plant," said Barry Allen, Davis-Besse site vice president.  "We have begun a comprehensive investigation to determine the underlying cause, and have secured nuclear contractor AREVA to make the repairs."

 - Edited by Stephen Heiser -

The planned refueling outage underway at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor, Ohio, will include repair work on several control rod nozzles that penetrate the reactor head vessel.  Sophisticated ultrasonic inspections conducted over the past several days on 49 of the 69 nozzles detected indications in 12 of them.  Further inspections will take place throughout the week.

"Safety is our number-one goal, and we are committed to ensuring the structural integrity of the equipment before restarting the plant," said Barry Allen, Davis-Besse site vice president.  "We have begun a comprehensive investigation to determine the underlying cause, and have secured nuclear contractor AREVA to make the repairs."

Repairs will be made using a proven industry method and thorough testing following the repair of each nozzle will be conducted to ensure safe, reliable plant operations.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been notified, along with federal, state and local officials. 

Davis-Besse's reactor vessel head – which was unused when it was acquired from a partially completed nuclear power plant in Midland, Michigan – was installed in 2002.  The plant has operated safely and reliably since restarting in 2004.    

The refueling outage at Davis-Besse began February 28, 2010.  During the outage, 76 of the 177 fuel assemblies are being exchanged and numerous safety inspections conducted.  Refueling and other scheduled maintenance work continues.  The impact to the outage schedule of the repair work has not yet been determined.

Davis-Besse is part of FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, a subsidiary of Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp. (FE).

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which oversees the inspection and licensing of nuclear facilities, says roughly 30 of the nation's 104 reactor units have experienced Tritium leaks. According to the NRC, none of the leaks have impacted public health or safety but, the unmonitored and unexpected releases have raised concerns within the industry and among watchdog groups nationwide

 - By Stephen Heiser -

Locus Technologies (Locus),a leader in web-based environmental compliance and information management software, and Overhoff Technology Corporation, the world's leader in the design and manufacture of Tritium monitors and radiation monitoring systems, have partnered to offer a complete Tritium monitoring solution for the nuclear industry using Overhoff's Tritium instrumentation and Locus' award winning Cloud Computing software.

As the new Administration advocates expansion of America's nuclear power industry, pushing for billions of dollars in federal incentives and announcing plans to build the first nuclear plant in decades, new issues have arisen regarding leaking and possibly dangerous levels of Tritium, a radioactive byproduct of the nuclear process.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which oversees the inspection and licensing of nuclear facilities, says roughly 30 of the nation's 104 reactor units have experienced Tritium leaks. According to the NRC, none of the leaks have impacted public health or safety but, the unmonitored and unexpected releases have raised concerns within the industry and among watchdog groups nationwide.

Similar concerns regarding leaks at several plants in the mid 2000's prompted the members of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) to put forth a Ground Water Protection Initiative (NEI-07-07) in 2007. This Initiative identifies actions that utilities can take to improve their management and response to instances where the inadvertent release of radioactive substances may result in low but detectible levels of plant-related materials in subsurface soils and water, even when these are well below the NRC limits pertaining to the protection of public health and safety.

One of the key actions that adoptees of the Initiative are expected to undertake is the establishment of an on-site groundwater monitoring program involving on site monitoring or regular sampling and analyses to ensure the timely detection of inadvertent radiological releases. The Tritium groundwater challenge was addressed in 2009 when Locus introduced the nuclear module for its flagship product EIM that is already deployed at several nuclear power plants.

According to the NRC, additional requirements pertaining to the monitoring of air releases of Tritium and Carbon-14 are likely to be promulgated in the future. To meet these requirements, new monitoring instruments and data management tools will have to be installed since many facilities are still using over 30-year old stack monitors and few, if any currently have H-3 or C-14 stack monitors in place.

For those nuclear facilities wanting to fulfill their responsibility under existing (e.g., 10CFR-51 and 10CFR-52) as well as likely forthcoming regulations, the Locus/TA Overhoff solution provides a complete system for Tritium monitoring. TA-Overhoff has been designing and manufacturing nuclear air and stack monitors since 1946. The company recently announced the new, state-of-the-art CAM-TC and CAM-TCI series monitors. The model CAM-TC is a full-service, state-of the-art, stack monitor that reads, analyzes and records Beta-Gamma Particulates, Iodine, Noble Gases, C-14, Tritium and optionally, Alpha Particulates. The data captured by the CAM-TC monitors is immediately passed to Locus's EIM where it is managed and integrated with groundwater and other monitoring data. Within EIM, graphs can be plotted, reports generated, maps can be produced and statistical analyses performed.

"Nearly all of the activities associated with water and air protection at nuclear power plants, including the assessment of site characteristics, the ongoing monitoring of site conditions, and decommissioning of old plants or permitting of new plants, involve the collection and/or analysis of data. The tools and systems used to manage and store this information must satisfy strict NRC security and QA/QC requirements such as NQA-1 or ISO 9001:2008 to ensure that only the appropriate people can access the data, and that the quality of the data adheres to the highest NRC standards. It is also critical that these applications allow engineers and scientists to do their work in a cost-effective way, allowing them to focus less of their time on finding the data they need and formatting various outputs, and more on the evaluation and analysis of these data. In addition data must be transparent and verifiable to all stakeholders. All of these requirements are instantly met using Locus/Overhoff monitoring and data management solution. We are very pleased that Overhoff Technology has decided to join forces with Locus. The company's outstanding reputation for having monitors that excel in performance will enhance Locus' offering in the important nuclear monitoring market," said Dr. Neno Duplan, President and CEO of Locus.

"We are very pleased to join with Locus to bring an integrated and elegant solution to address the nuclear industry's Tritium monitoring needs. Our experience in producing hundreds of different types of monitors for different users, coupled with Locus' market leader position in Cloud Computing-based environmental data management, will benefit our joint clients," said Dr. Robert I. Goldstein, President and CEO of Overhoff.

Locus provides business with the power to be green on demand. Locus pioneered cloud computing environmental software suites. Locus' software enables companies to organize and validate all key environmental information in a single system, which includes analytical data for water, air and soil, greenhouse gases, sustainability, compliance and environmental content. Locus software is delivered as an on-demand service (SaaS), so there is no hardware to procure, no large up-front license fee, and no complex set-ups.

Founded in 1972, Overhoff Technology Corporation specializes in the design and manufacture of Tritium monitors. With the world's largest selection of Tritium monitors, Overhoff can offer monitors ranging from simple hand held units to complex integrated digital radiation monitoring systems. 

TA is a leading supplier of real-time Radiation monitors for Drinking Water and Groundwater. TA has been designing and manufacturing all types of radiation monitors since 1946. TA is the parent company for Overhoff Technologies.

These products and services are used by a wide variety of power generation and industrial customers to monitor and control particulates and other emissions from power plants, factories and other facilities

 - By Linton Levy -

Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. (B&W PGG) has signed a contract with GE Energy, a division of General Electric Company, to acquire its electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and emissions monitoring business units. B&W PGG is an operating unit of The Babcock & Wilcox Company.

Under the terms of the transaction, B&W PGG will acquire the assets of GE Energy’s ESP and emissions monitoring business units, including its ESP replacement parts and mechanical components product lines, ESP performance-enhancing hardware and controls, continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS), data acquisition and handling system (DAHS), as well as the ESP and emissions monitoring remote diagnostics and services offerings. These products and services are used by a wide variety of power generation and industrial customers to monitor and control particulates and other emissions from power plants, factories and other facilities.

GE Energy’s ESP and emissions monitoring businesses employ approximately 220 people at offices in Kansas City, Mo., Folkston, Ga., Newport News, Va. and Hatfield, Pa., in the United States, as well as locations globally. Employees will transition to B&W PGG in the coming months.

“This acquisition enhances B&W PGG’s already strong environmental equipment and services capabilities,” said B&W PGG President and Chief Operating Officer Richard L. Killion. “We’re confident the knowledge and experience of these highly-skilled employees and the ability to offer new products and services to current and prospective customers will be a valuable addition to our strategic growth plan.”

The deal is expected to close following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc., is a leader in advanced energy technology innovation and service, primarily in nuclear and fossil power. Providing quality products and technical services to commercial and government customers, B&W is focused on issues such as energy efficiency, clean air, global market competitiveness, and safe and secure resolution for nuclear waste. B&W has locations worldwide and employs more than 20,000 people.

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that's built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.

GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With 60,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $37 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energy - GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas - work together to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

The agency is required by Congress to recover for the U.S. Treasury most of its annual appropriated budget through two types of fees. One is for specific NRC services, such as licensing and inspection activities, that apply to a specific license; the other is an annual fee for generic regulatory expenses and other costs not recovered through fees for specific services

 - Source NRC -

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to amend its regulations for the licensing, inspection and annual fees it charges applicants and licensees for fiscal year (FY) 2010.

The agency is required by Congress to recover for the U.S. Treasury most of its annual appropriated budget through two types of fees. One is for specific NRC services, such as licensing and inspection activities, that apply to a specific license; the other is an annual fee for generic regulatory expenses and other costs not recovered through fees for specific services. These fees are contained in NRC regulations in Title 10 (Energy) of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 170 (fees for license-specific services) and 10 CFR Part 171 (annual fees). These fees are paid to the U.S. Treasury and go into the general fund.

By law, the NRC must recover, through fees to applicants and licensees, 90 percent of its
budget authority for FY 2010 (Oct. 1, 2009 - Sept. 30, 2010), less the amounts appropriated from
the Nuclear Waste Fund for high-level radioactive waste activities and from general funds for waste-incidental-to-reprocessing and generic homeland security activities. The total amount of fees to be recovered by Sept. 30 is approximately $912.2 million, about 5 percent ($41.5 million) more than in FY 2009.

The increase in FY 2010 fees is mostly in response to increased activities for reactor oversight, new reactor programs, information technology support, homeland security issues, and licensing reviews for fuel facilities, non-power reactors and spent fuel storage.

Approximately 40 percent of the fees will be billed for specific services (Part 170) and the remaining 60 percent will be billed to annual fees (Part 171). The hourly rate for Part 170 activities will increase nominally from $257 to $259 per hour. The increase is due primarily to increased infrastructure and support costs for the new reactor program, fuel facility reviews, reactor licensing renewal, and spent nuclear fuel storage and transportation activities.

The proposed rule includes several other changes. First, NRC will cut costs by no longer mailing hard copies of the proposed fee rule to all licensees, but will instead send a short summary with instructions on how to access complete documents on the Internet. Second, NRC will review its fee policies for power reactors, as it anticipates receiving additional applications to license small and medium-sized commercial nuclear reactors. Third, in FY 2011 the agency plans to change its policy for issuing inspection bills to licensees. Currently, inspection costs are billed only after the inspections are completed. In some cases, this can result in inspection costs accumulating over several billing cycles.  Instead, inspection hours will be billed on a quarterly basis as work is performed.

The NRC is continuing its efforts to keep its fees as low as possible by ensuring its programs are conducted efficiently and effectively and requesting from Congress only the resources necessary to perform its mission of protecting people and the environment.

The proposed FY 2010 annual fees are categorized by types of licensees/applicants and include the following:

Class/Category                                                                                                     FY 2010 Proposed Annual Fee

Operating Power Reactors (including Spent Fuel Storage/               
Reactor Decommissioning annual fee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,719,000
Spent Fuel Storage/Reactor Decommissioning . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$143,000
Test and Research Reactors (Non-power reactors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$81,800
High-Enriched Uranium Fuel Facility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,442,000
Low-Enriched Uranium Fuel Facility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,048,000
UF6 Conversion Facility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,112,000
Conventional Mills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $38,300
Radiographers. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28,200
Well Loggers . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,000
Gauge Users (Category 3P) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,500
Broad Scope Medical Licensees (Category 7B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$45,100

NRC estimates that the FY 2010 annual fees will be paid by licensees of 104 nuclear power reactors, 4 non-power reactors, 19 spent nuclear fuel storage/reactor-in-decommissioning facilities, 12 fuel cycle facilities, 10 uranium recovery facilities, and approximately 3,150 nuclear material users.  The FY 2010 proposed fee rule, published today in the Federal Register, includes fees based on the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-85), signed by the President on October 28, 2009.

Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted within 30 days of the Federal Register notice and needs to include Docket ID NRC-2009-033 in the subject line. Written comments should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555- 0001, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to rulemaking.comments@nrc.gov, faxed to (301) 415-1101 or submitted online via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.Regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2009-0333.

Hazardous Materials Company 1, one of the first FDNY teams to deploy Demron, is using RST’s Demron Two-Ply Radiation Torso Vest, Demron-W High Energy Nuclear/Ballistic IED RDD RED Shield, and Crew Protection Blanket

 - By Chris Smith -

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has selected Radiation Shield Technologies’ (RST) new Demron personal-protection armor as part of its commitment to improve firefighter safety, RST President Ronald DeMeo, M.D., has announced. FDNY is on the cutting edge of fire departments worldwide choosing Demron, the world’s first and only fabric that provides multi-hazard protection from all nuclear, biological, chemical and bomb and ballistic threats as well as infrared radiation and heat.

FDNY will incorporate Demron in its chemical protective clothing (CPC) upgrade program to enhance its response capabilities with universal protection. Hazardous Materials Company 1, one of the first FDNY teams to deploy Demron, is using RST’s Demron Two-Ply Radiation Torso Vest, Demron-W High Energy Nuclear/Ballistic IED RDD RED Shield, and Crew Protection Blanket. These technologies maximize safety while minimizing the time, manpower and resources required to respond to potential emergencies. The vest may be worn under most hazmat suits to protect vital organs, the thyroid and groin. It proved in tests by the U.S. Department of Energy to shield against X-Ray and low energy Gamma emissions, and high- and low-energy Beta and Alpha particles.

The nuclear/ballistic shield is a flame- and acid-resistant blanket that helps contain blasts and high-energy radiation sources and can help prevent or minimize catastrophes. The blanket proved in tests by H.P. White Laboratory to provide Level IIIA ballistic protection and the highest fragmentation protection. The Crew Protection Blanket, which RST custom-created specifically for FDNY, provides complete nuclear shielding for first responders and may also be used to transport radiation victims without contaminating others.

Dr. DeMeo, MBA, the surgeon who developed Demron, said: “We congratulate FDNY for staying on the leading edge of hazmat and proudly support its mission to provide the best protection for its personnel and the public.” In response to interest in Demron, Dr. DeMeo is attending FDNY’s “Special Operations Symposium,” scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 15-16 at the FDNY Fire Academy Bureau of Training, 1 Randall’s Island, in New York, NY.

Demron consists of a radiopaque nano-polymeric compound fused between fabric layers and manufactured into lightweight garments including full-body suits, vests, blankets and medical X-ray vests and aprons. The product line includes Demron-W, which has National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Class 2 Certification for the 1994-2007 Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents. Demron has been proven to block gamma rays, X-rays and nuclear emissions by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, part of the National Nuclear Security Administration within the U.S. Department of Energy, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Demron is used worldwide by NATO, NASA, the National Guard, US Navy, UAE and the governments of South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia and Australia, among others.

Radiation Shield Technologies (RST), with headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Miami, is a global leader in the research, development and production of personal-protection systems. RST’s core technology, Demron, is the world’s first and only fabric that provides complete protection from all nuclear, biological, chemical and bomb and ballistic threats as well as infrared radiation and heat.

Contract Put in Place Two Months Ahead of Schedule

 - Edited by April Murelio -

The United States Enrichment Corporation and United Steelworkers (USW) Local Union 689 at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio, have reached a new labor agreement almost two months ahead of the expiration of the existing contract.  Union membership voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday, March 10, to ratify a labor contract that will be in effect for five years.

Approximately 495 USEC employees are members of USW Local 689.  A majority of the membership approved the contract proposal.

"This is a positive step forward for both the union and for the United States Enrichment Corporation as we look ahead to providing continued quality work at the Piketon site," said Bobby Graff, President, USW Local 689.

"Clearly the mission of USEC's Government Services will go through a transition over the next few years," said Mark Keef, general manager of USEC's Government Services.  "The site will be moving from cold shutdown to decontamination and decommissioning work, as well as creating an energy park and exploring other possible initiatives. This contract cements a strong workforce that will be flexible and innovative as we face an increasingly competitive environment and the changes ahead."

"This contract demonstrates our strong relationship with the USW union.  This five-year agreement maintains good jobs at good pay that supports the regional economy in southern Ohio," said Keef.

The United States Enrichment Corporation is a subsidiary of USEC Inc. (NYSE:USU), a global energy company and a leading supplier of enriched uranium for fuel for commercial nuclear plants.

No fewer than 700 ministers, senior civil servants, industry experts and industry players from 65 countries attended the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy held on March 8 and 9.  Hosted by the French government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the event was held at the Paris head office of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

 - Edited by April Murelio -

The Paris head office of the OECD hosted the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy on March 8 and 9.  We look back at the event and forward to the future of this initiative.

No fewer than 700 ministers, senior civil servants, industry experts and industry players from 65 countries attended the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy held on March 8 and 9.  Hosted by the French government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the event was held at the Paris head office of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).

Officially opened by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the aim of the conference was “to promote the peaceful and responsible use of nuclear power”.  Other objectives included “providing an insight into the needs of new nuclear countries” and “contributing to the much-needed dialog between the states that supply and the states that receive nuclear goods and technologies”.  Six roundtable sessions were held to address these issues:

nuclear power and the energy mix in a sustainable development perspectivethe responsible development of nuclear energy: what is an appropriate framework?how to support new nuclear countries?how to finance a nuclear program?training issuesthe medium- and long-term outlook for nuclear power
 
Close How can we satisfy the world's energy needs?

Currently, 16% of the world's electricity is generated using nuclear power (30% in OECD countries). In August 2009, there were 436 nuclear reactors in service worldwide (with a total generating power of 372 GWe), 49 under construction (with a total generating power of 44 GWe) and nearly 140 at the planning stage (representing a total generating power of 150 GWe).

But the increase in world population and wealth will mean that humanity will need 40% more energy by 2030, by which time world energy consumption will be increasing at an annual rate of 1.7%. Against this background, nuclear energy offers an economical and effective route to meeting the increasing energy needs of many countries, maintaining or increasing their energy independence and limiting their greenhouse gas emissions. This is the case not only in Europe (including Bulgaria, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, the UK, Slovakia and Slovenia), but also in Israel and Syria, both of which used this conference to reiterate their commitment to developing their own civil nuclear energy industries.

In the USA, between 1,300 and 1,900 power generating plants will have to be replaced over the next 10 years. China plans to construct between 20 and 30 new reactors by 2030, whilst South Korea plans to double its stock of 19 reactors over the coming years.

According to the World Nuclear Association, more than 450 new reactors are likely to be constructed by 31 countries between now and 2030, thus doubling the existing capacity. Already, there are 58 countries working on projects with the IAEA, and between 10 and 25 new countries expect to commission their first nuclear power plant by 2015.

Close Encouraging international coordination and sharing experience

The French President Nicolas Sarkozy put forward the case for “the World Bank, the EBRD [European Bank for Reconstruction and Development] and the development banks to make a wholehearted commitment to funding” the civil nuclear energy industry. Before going on to say that “all low-carbon energy sources can be funded by carbon credits”.

He also announced the creation of an International Nuclear Energy Institute that would include an “International nuclear training center” capable of attracting “the very best instructors and researchers”. The new institute will be part of an international network of specialist centers of excellence now being formed. The first of these will open in Jordan.

He also advocated the setting up of an “independent body under the aegis of the IAEA”, whose purpose would be to “establish an international system of analysis built on indisputable scientific and technical foundations”. He then listed the technologies available in the market “on the basis of safety”. Lastly, he suggested the introduction of a “fuel bank” managed by the IAEA in order to avoid any discontinuity of uranium supplies.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso announced “a European initiative to assess international security and safety standards and make them legally binding worldwide”. Europe will also bring forward draft legislation on nuclear waste treatment by the end of this year.

Speakers include Dr. Aris Candris – President and CEO, Westinghouse Electric Company and Bill Timmerman – Chairman & CEO, SCANA

 - By Stephen Heiser -

SCANA Corporation has announced that it will conduct an Analyst Day for the financial community on Thursday, April 8, 2010 (with tours on April 7), at its V.C. Summer Nuclear Station site near Jenkinsville, South Carolina. SCANA’s management team will give an update on their nuclear plans and discuss the Company’s financials and recent regulatory activity.

The V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, located in Jenkinsville, S.C., is jointly owned with Santee Cooper and produces nearly 1,000 megawatts of electricity. It has operated safely and efficiently for more than 20 years and consistently ranks among the top nuclear units in the nation.

As the demand for electricity continues to rise in our country, the need for more generation is inevitable.

SCE&G projects a need for a large-scale power plant to serve its system by the 2016 timeframe. To meet this demand, SCE&G, in conjunction with Santee Cooper, plan to build two new nuclear units at the V.C. Summer site.

The presentation will begin at 8:00 a.m. Daylight Savings Time and is expected to last approximately four hours.

Currently scheduled presenters at the event include:

Bill Timmerman – Chairman & CEO, SCANA
Kevin Marsh – President & COO, SCE&G
Steve Byrne – Executive VP Generation & Chief Nuclear Officer, SCANA
Jimmy Addison – CFO, SCANA
Guest Speaker:

Dr. Aris Candris – President and CEO, Westinghouse Electric Company
The presentations will be webcast live and will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Web site at www.scana.com. The webcast will be archived on the Company’s Web site for 2 weeks after the presentation ends.

SCANA Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Cayce, SC, is an energy-based holding company principally engaged, through subsidiaries, in electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy-related businesses. The Company serves approximately 655,000 electric customers in South Carolina and more than 1.2 million natural gas customers in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.

The deal lays the foundation for the two countries to work together to build a new Korean type of nuclear power plant, the APR1400.  Turkey is still open to partnering with other companies from other nations

 - By Linton Levy -

The Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) and the Turkish state power company Elektrik Uretim AS have reached final agreement on nuclear energy cooperation, according to the Knowledge Economy Ministry.

The deal lays the foundation for the two countries to work together to build a new Korean type of nuclear power plant, the APR1400, in Sinop. The project will be implemented by a taskforce consisting of an equal number of experts from both countries.

A ministry official says the deal means Korea has "secured a foothold" to export nuclear power plants to Turkey. "Concrete results could come out this year."

Still, It seems that Turkey remains open to proposals from other companies, if better terms are offered for the plant in Sinop, says Energy Minister Taner Yildiz.

"If any company from the United States, Canada, Japan, France makes a proposal, we are open to work similarly with them," Taner said, according to Anatolia news agency. Turkey signed a similar preliminary deal with Russia's Rosatom two months ago for a nuclear power plant at Akkuyu.

Under terms of the new deal, KEPCO and Elektrik Uretim AS will carry out preliminary work and "if a common ground with mutually acceptable conditions emerges, the main agreement between the two governments will be signed", says Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey wants KEPCO to shorten the preperatory stage of the project, which the company estimates will take up to two years, he said, adding that the South Koreans will have a Turkish partner if the project progresses.

"We want Turkey to acquire nuclear power plants (with a capacity) of at least 8,000 to 10,000 megawatts. Therefore, the work for Akkuyu and Sinop should start and go simultenously," Yildiz says.  "The objective is to have nuclear plants up and running in at least two regions in 2023."

Turkey plans to build three nuclear power plants in order to prevent future energy shortages and reduce foreign supplier dependencies.