Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

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**Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy**

A podcast featuring interviews with experts throughout the Nuclear Energy field, covering advanced technology, economics, policy, industry, and more.

Latest Episodes:

Ep 104: Trace Heffner, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant Oct 25, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Trace's background in nuclear engineering at Penn State and his personal journey in the nuclear field
Trace's work and responsibilities as a reactor engineer at Calvert Cliffs
Exelon's mentorship and training program
The processes behind planning and simulating for power maneuvers
Spin fuel storage and the processes for managing it
A deep dive into start-up testing and its purposes
Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR)
Maintaining cooling during fuel changes
The Special Nuclear Material Custodian role
Improving disposal of nuclear waste materials

Ep 103: Nicholas Cahill, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant Oct 24, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Nicholas' background in computer science and his introduction to nuclear through the Navy
Nicholas' work as a reactor engineer at Calvert Cliffs
An electrician's responsibilities on a Navy submarine
Variables and strategies for planning where fuel is deployed and how often
The Exelon-Constellation merger
Power maneuvers and what prompts them
A deep dive into peaking factors
Additions and dilutions of boron for ongoing reactor maintenance
The role and focus of PWR
Nuclear advocacy in the community and improving public awareness and perception

Ep 102: Kevin Dougherty, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant Oct 23, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Dougherty's background and what led him to the nuclear field
A deep dive into the process of taking a submarine reactor critical for the first time
Primary, secondary, and electrical subsystems
Reactor coolant systems and the role of the relief valve
Part 21 process to alert others of a defect or issue with a particular part in a production batch
Environmental harmony of nuclear compared to fossil fuel production
System future-proofing and general practices of preventive maintenance during outages
Shift handoffs and operational flow of activity at a nuclear site
How operational rigor of nuclear industry is being used to set best practices in other industries
The importance of cross-functional input in making operational decision

Ep 101: Mark Flaherty, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant Oct 22, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Mark's background and family history in the nuclear field
Mark's work as Site Vice President at Calvert Cliffs
The origin and evolution of PRA (Probabilistic Risk Assessment)
Differences between two-loop combustion reactors and two-loop Westinghouse reactors
Commonalities in auxiliary systems between pressurized water and boiling water reactors
Common challenges that occur in everyday plant operations
Advantages and considerations around building power plants near natural water sources
Fostering a culture of open dialogue and inclusion within the plant
Strategies for lengthening time between outages and shortening overall outage time
Regulation and deregulation within the nuclear industry
Improving cost efficiency of nuclear power

Ep 100: Bret Kugelmass, Energy Impact Center / Titans of Nuclear Oct 15, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Bret's background in robotics and his first company Airphrame, an unmanned aerial imaging service
Bret's interest in climate and energy and how he came to enter the nuclear industry
Stewart Brand's Whole Earth Discipline
Dwight Eisenhower's important role in setting the tone for nuclear energy
Titans of Nuclear and Bret's mission to positively shape public perception surrounding nuclear technology
A behind the scenes look at Titans of Nuclear and the experts Bret interviews
How nuclear politics, economics, and perspectives vary around the world
The International Atomic Energy Agency and its role in guiding prospective nuclear countries
Nuclear's incredible energy density and lack of emissions compared to other energy sources
Ways we can make nuclear more accessible and how Bret works to do that with Titans of Nuclear
The benefits of healthy competition in the nuclear world
The future of Titans of Nuclear and how Bret aims to help the nuclear industry through the podcast and other entrepreneurial avenues

Ep 99: Gary Mignogna, Framatome (US) Oct 12, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Gary's background in mechanical engineering and personal journey through the nuclear field
Gary's work as president and CEO at Areva and his leadership approach and vision for Framatome
Framatome's legacy of innovation and its commitment to future technology
Framatome's partnership with LightBridge
Challenges and opportunities within digital INC innovation
Economics of maintaining and extending life of existing nuclear plants
Innovation in fuel technology, maintenance tools, and new reactor technology
Educating policymakers on advantages of nuclear
China's trajectory in the nuclear space
The global importance of nuclear energy and Framatome's role in securing future nuclear success

Ep 98: Curtis Van Cleve, Framatome (US) Oct 11, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Curtis' education at VMI and personal journey through the nuclear industry
What is a steam cut?
Challenges of repairs in boronated water and other environments unique to nuclear plant machinery
Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), Ultrasonic Inspection (UT), and process for repair and replacement of nuclear components
Periodic scheduling of inspections for maintenance
Moving from need-based to predictive maintenance
Peening and other techniques for stress relief
Economic challenges of building new plants
Upgrades and improvements provided during component replacement
Extending coping time for the next generation of innovation

Ep 97: Craig Ranson, Framatome (US) Oct 10, 2018

Show notes

In this episode we discuss...

Craig's background in robotics and shock peening
Cycle of production, refueling, and mechanical maintenance at nuclear plants
Use of inspection probes and robotics in steam generator maintenance
Trends in maintenance innovation over last few decades
Causes of component degradation and solutions to limit/reduce
Division of responsibilities and unique challenges in managing outages/refueling cycles
Remaining challenges in plant maintenance to be addressed with new technology
Innovation in plant maintenance dissemination throughout the industry
Technologies on the horizon like high-pressure cavitation peening
Dealing with inspection, regeneration, and replacement of aging plant materials

Ep 96: Bob Freeman, Framatome (US) Oct 09, 2018

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In this episode we discuss...

Bob's personal journey in the nuclear industry
Bob's work in Nuclear Fuel Commercial Operations at Framatome
Different types of nuclear fuel design
Switching out fuel type as a means of reducing enrichment
Ways in which fuel is designed for the commercial sector
Processes and procedures within a full-scale fuel fabrication facility
Who are the commercial sector buyers of nuclear fuel?
What types of new fuels are currently being developed and what needs prompted their conception?
What do typical nuclear fuel contracts look like and how do they differ from other industries?
Influence of cladding and temperature on the MHz limit
A deep dive into the process behind getting new fuel approved

Ep 95: Kam Ghaffarian, X-Energy Oct 06, 2018

Show notes

In this episode we discuss...

Kam's background in engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry
A behind the scenes look at how Kam started X-Energy
Kam's work at X-Energy developing Generation IV high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor and fuel designs
Nuclear challenges and how Kam works to overcome them with methods including fixed cost and fixed timeline
Flaws with the application system and its steep cost for nuclear companies
Kam's vision for the nuclear deployment schedule
The environmental and human benefits of nuclear energy including supplying clean water through desalination and other treatment

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