4/6/2009 Colloquium - Carolyn D. Heising

Carolyn D. Heising Iowa State University

Event Info

Title:  Safeguards Considerations of Thorium Utilization in Nuclear Reactor Fuel Cycles

Date: Apr 6, 2009
Location: 3105 Etcheverry Hall
Time: 4-5pm

Abstract

This paper examines thorium utilization in nuclear reactor fuel cycles, including the once-through fuel cycle option for use in light water reactors (LWRs), and also for use in high temperature gas reactors (HTGRs), focusing primarily on safeguards considerations. Renewed interest in thorium as a nuclear fuel has developed based on the need for reactors with better proliferation resistance, longer fuel cycles, higher burnup and improved waste form characteristics, and reduction of plutonium inventories.

Speaker Biography

Professor Heising's research areas include: reliability and quality engineering, probabilistic risk analysis (PRA), statistical quality control (SQC), total quality management (TQM), and technology safety assessment. In particular, she is a well-known expert in nuclear power plant safety, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance.