This work studied the effect of increasing degree of metamorphism on the properties of rocks.The properties investigated are the physical,mechanical and dynamic parameters.They are important inputs in the design of ma...This work studied the effect of increasing degree of metamorphism on the properties of rocks.The properties investigated are the physical,mechanical and dynamic parameters.They are important inputs in the design of many mining and civil engineering techniques such as in tunnelling,slope stability and dynamic activities associated with seismicity and fragmentation.This work compared the degree of metamorphism examined through petrographic studies of the Transvaal Sequence in South Africa with the properties of the rocks.The study shows that as the effect metamorphism increases,the state of stress,compaction of grains,cementation and the brittleness of the rocks increases.In addition,increase in the metamorphic effect increases the value of the rock property.The degree of metamorphism of an outcrop is the key factor influencing its property value.Therefore the metamorphism effect of an outcrop may act as a guide to its engineering properties.展开更多
The traveling wave reactor （TWR） is a once-through reactor that uses in situ breeding to greatly reduce the need for enrichment and reprocessing. Breeding converts incoming subcritical reload fuel into new critical ...The traveling wave reactor （TWR） is a once-through reactor that uses in situ breeding to greatly reduce the need for enrichment and reprocessing. Breeding converts incoming subcritical reload fuel into new critical fuel, allowing a breed-burn wave to propagate. The concept works on the basis that breed-burn waves and the fuel move relative to one another. Thus either the fuel or the waves may move relative to the stationary observer. The most practical embodiments of the TWR involve moving the fuel while keeping the nuclear reactions in one place-sometimes referred to as the standing wave reactor （SWR）. TWRs can operate with uranium reload fuels including totally depleted uranium, natural uranium, and low-enriched fuel （e.g., 5.5% 23sU and below）, which ordinarily would not be critical in a fast spectrum. Spent light water reactor （LWR） fuel may also serve as TWR reload fuel. In each of these cases, very efficient fuel usage and significant reduction of waste volumes are achieved without the need for re- processing. The ultimate advantages of the TWR are realized when the reload fuel is depleted uranium, where after the startup period, no enrichment facilities are needed to sustain the first reactor and a chain of successor reactors. TerraPower＇s conceptual and engineering design and associated technolo- gy development activities have been underway since late 2006, with over 50 institutions working in a highly coordinated effort to place the first unit in operation by 2026. This paper summarizes the TWR technology： its development program, its progress, and an analysis of its social and economic benefits.展开更多
基金The School of Mining Engineering,University of the Witwatersrand South Africa is acknowledged for providing support towards the success of this researchSpecifically the Centennial Trust Fund for Rock Engineering is appreciated for funding part of this research
文摘This work studied the effect of increasing degree of metamorphism on the properties of rocks.The properties investigated are the physical,mechanical and dynamic parameters.They are important inputs in the design of many mining and civil engineering techniques such as in tunnelling,slope stability and dynamic activities associated with seismicity and fragmentation.This work compared the degree of metamorphism examined through petrographic studies of the Transvaal Sequence in South Africa with the properties of the rocks.The study shows that as the effect metamorphism increases,the state of stress,compaction of grains,cementation and the brittleness of the rocks increases.In addition,increase in the metamorphic effect increases the value of the rock property.The degree of metamorphism of an outcrop is the key factor influencing its property value.Therefore the metamorphism effect of an outcrop may act as a guide to its engineering properties.
文摘The traveling wave reactor （TWR） is a once-through reactor that uses in situ breeding to greatly reduce the need for enrichment and reprocessing. Breeding converts incoming subcritical reload fuel into new critical fuel, allowing a breed-burn wave to propagate. The concept works on the basis that breed-burn waves and the fuel move relative to one another. Thus either the fuel or the waves may move relative to the stationary observer. The most practical embodiments of the TWR involve moving the fuel while keeping the nuclear reactions in one place-sometimes referred to as the standing wave reactor （SWR）. TWRs can operate with uranium reload fuels including totally depleted uranium, natural uranium, and low-enriched fuel （e.g., 5.5% 23sU and below）, which ordinarily would not be critical in a fast spectrum. Spent light water reactor （LWR） fuel may also serve as TWR reload fuel. In each of these cases, very efficient fuel usage and significant reduction of waste volumes are achieved without the need for re- processing. The ultimate advantages of the TWR are realized when the reload fuel is depleted uranium, where after the startup period, no enrichment facilities are needed to sustain the first reactor and a chain of successor reactors. TerraPower＇s conceptual and engineering design and associated technolo- gy development activities have been underway since late 2006, with over 50 institutions working in a highly coordinated effort to place the first unit in operation by 2026. This paper summarizes the TWR technology： its development program, its progress, and an analysis of its social and economic benefits.
