Nuclear Power Consultants Key Terms

Learn the language of nuclear power consultants

Nuclear power consultants help ensure the safety and productivity of nuclear power plants. These experienced professionals are familiar with the entire nuclear fuel cycle and are able to help nuclear power companies comply with the rules set forth by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

There are many questions to consider when working with a nuclear power consultant. What is the role of nuclear engineers in your project? What makes a nuclear reactor safe and reliable? How do we deal with radioactive waste? Understanding the vocabulary of nuclear power consultants can help you answer these questions.

 

Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste is the spent fuel from a nuclear reaction. The radioactivity of a nuclear waste product can vary in lifespan. Spent fuel can be radioactive for thousands of years, making disposal a serious concern.
Try: Learn more about radioactive waste at the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management.

Nuclear reactor

A nuclear reactor holds the fission reaction that creates steam, turning the turbine to generate electricity. Parts of a nuclear reactor include moderators to slow the reaction, containment structures and control rods.
Try: The World Nuclear Association has further details on types of nuclear reactors.

Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System

The Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System (NMMSS) is the official record kept by the United States government of the possession and use of nuclear material. This database contains data about the nuclear materials used by federal and commercial facilities.
Try: Learn more about NMMSS at the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Nuclear fuel cycle

The nuclear fuel cycle refers to the sequence of events that produces electricity from a nuclear reaction. It involves everything from mining the ore (usually uranium) to storage and disposal of the waste.
Try: The Federation of American Scientists offers diagrams of the nuclear fuel cycle, making it easy to visualize and understand.

Nuclear engineer

Nuclear engineers can work in a variety of settings, including at a consulting firm. They are the problem solvers for nuclear power, nuclear medicine and military nuclear applications. Nuclear engineers must have advanced degrees.
Try: Discover a day in the life of a nuclear engineer at Payscale. Read an interview with a nuclear engineer who works as a consultant at TryEngineering, provided by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an organization to control how radioactive materials are used and disposed. The NRC provides regulations and guidance, operational experience, oversight, licensing, decommissioning, certification and support for decisions regarding nuclear power.
Try: Get detailed information on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission website.

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