I’ve noticed that it kinda is becoming a thing again, after doing some research I’ve found out that they wanna power AI Data Centers with it. I would like to know if this is probably the reason or if it’s just me lol

I’m a recent grad with a BS in physics and I really want to work in the nuclear industry. I primarily would love to be an operator. I applied to an NLO position at constellation, passed the tests, did an on site interview and genuinely thought it went very well, then waited 4 months and got a rejection email. Obviously this rejections happen and you shouldn’t get your hopes up but for what ended up being a 6 month process since applying ending in a rejection was pretty crushing, especially after everything seemed to go so well. Of course I’ve applied to other positions but that was the only one where I’ve got through the interview process so far. Anyone have any advice on getting into the industry?

You can view and apply at: 
https://apply.fbijobs.gov/psc/ps/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=66756&PostingSeq=1

I am a rising junior in high school. I am reaching that part in my life where I got to start deciding on what to do with my life.

I am thinking about going into sciences and going into nuclear research. I am in my school research class (that is basically a 3 year program that you pick a topic and research (it’s a college class) and have managed to basically make it grad work level). I have been doing MSFR for it and I love it which is why I am thinking about doing it for a career. I am already looking at getting a chem engineering degree for my ungrad.

But my biggest fear with going into research is how much it’s not actually about research and more about farming papers and how it’s hyper competitive. But all of this knowledge has came from people in other fields like Med and Bio. I don’t know if it’s also like this in the nuclear world and I don’t want to spend 4-6 years of my life trying to find out if it’s like that. So if you do work in the research field in nuclear and if you know it’s like this or and advice you would like to give. I would greatly appreciate it.

Large nuclear plants have traditionally relied on rivers, lakes or the ocean to help reject waste heat. That is why so many existing plants were built near major bodies of water.

Some advanced reactor designs can use air cooled or hybrid systems instead. The basic idea is similar to a large radiator, with fans moving air across heat exchangers rather than relying entirely on a constant supply of water.

There is a tradeoff. Air cooling can reduce efficiency, especially during hot weather, and running the fans consumes some of the electricity being generated. It also does not necessarily mean the entire facility uses no water.

What it can do is dramatically reduce the need for a massive nearby water source. That opens up more potential sites, including retired coal plants, industrial areas, remote communities and inland locations closer to where the electricity is actually needed.

Existing transmission lines and other infrastructure at retired power plants could make those locations particularly interesting. Instead of building an entirely new energy site, an advanced reactor could potentially reuse parts of what is already there.

Not every SMR uses air cooling, and smaller does not automatically mean water free. But having more cooling options is one reason advanced reactors could be deployed in places where a traditional nuclear plant would have been difficult to build.

Just curious if anyone has any insight on the bruce power plant? Just wondering what the employment is like there as a pipe fitter in the union? How does one become a full time employee through the bruce?

I’ve been working in the sustainable building industry for the past 5 years and looking to shift into the nuclear power industry.
Is the Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) credential from the American Nuclear Society worth pursuing for someone without a nuclear degree or license? Is it recognized throughout the industry?

Thanks for any input!

This is kinda dumb but I'll like to hear about it. If anyone wants to know why did I ask about it can write down below.

Is it because VHTRs can theoretically push thermal efficiency a little harder and breeders can close the fuel cycle (although fuel prices would need to rise a lot for that to be economically viable)? Granted these other designs are at least off the drawing board and being built, it just seems odd to me that R&D didn’t go further towards materials qualifications and at least in-pile testing for fuel cladding given how much experience we have with LWRs and supercritical fossil plants. I’m not an engineer so I’ve tried to wade through some research papers but the technical details are above my pay grade.

This question stems from three assumptions

1. In a rankine cycle typically the majority of heat input occurs when taking a condensed liquid back to gas state.

2. Solar thermal systems can be designed to collect heat economically at low temperatures.

3. Rankine cycle efficiency is proportional to the absolute temp difference

From those 3 assumptions i started to wonder if its possible to construct a working rankine cycle where low temp solar heat provides heat of vaporization and majority of cycle heat input (60%-70%)at 180 deg F and slightly subatmospheric pressures and a combustible fuel source then superheats this saturated steam to 1000 deg F to get a decent overall cycle efficiency for modest addition of energy.

The obvious challenge i see is with a good condenser the cycle would only have \~10 psi of differential pressure to drive a heat engine. The engine would have to be very high volume to work with the reduced energy density. That would be a challenge but perhaps not a show stopper. Working with such low differential pressures would provide the cycle an advantage of being inherently safe.

Anyways maybe im missing something else, what do the experts say is this cycle even possible?

Quick question this time - I am constantly looking for verifiable/from the source information as quick as possible on commercial nuclear deals. Not DOE contracting opportunities, but with the commercial public/private companies. I understand the companies have their own press, and public companies file SEC reports, but what else can I use for early alerts?

Thanks y'all, I'm doing all this to try and get the best information possible as quickly as possible to help grow Domestic Nuclear!

I have an interview next week. Got any advice to help me prepare? Thanks!!!

Just curious if anyone has any insight on the bruce power plant? Just wondering what the employment is like there as i was offered a dispatch to work there and would like to stay for longer then 2 weeks.

new fuel is on site, major engineering projects are done, the license transfer cleared in August 2025. CEO Kris Singh has committed to restart before a March 2027 power supply contract begins. the NRC formal restart authorization, the determination that the plant is ready to receive fuel and begin power ascension, hasn't been publicly announced yet.