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At least 181 records · Page 10

Inventory of Radioactive Waste in Canada - 19336

Since 1999, the Government of Canada has been conducting a regular exercise of gathering and compiling Canada's radioactive waste inventory and projection data from waste owners and making it available to the public in the form of a triennial Inventory Summary Report. The goal of this data collection exercise has been to support federal policy development, support the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's regulatory activities, provide consolidated radioactive waste information for the nuclear industry, promote transparency, and meet Canada's international commitments and growing demands internationally for radioactive waste data. The detailed national inventory report provides an overview of the production, accumulation and future projections of radioactive waste in Canada. Since the coming into force of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management in June 2001, the data collection and reporting cycle has been aligned to provide the waste inventory data required for Canada's triennial National Report for the Joint Convention. This paper presents Canada's radioactive waste inventory and projection data as of the end of December 2016, and summarizes key findings from the analysis of the data. For this reporting cycle, the waste data collected was expanded to include more detailed information on the decommissioning schedules and associated waste volume projections for nuclear power plants, and research and prototype reactors, as well as plans for transitioning waste inventories from storage to long-term management and disposal facilities, based on current schedules for establishing these facilities in Canada. With this additional information, the Government of Canada and Canadian stakeholders are better able to understand the waste disposal capacity and schedules required to accommodate all nuclear fuel waste and radioactive waste that will be produced by Canada's existing fleet of nuclear power plants and research reactors. The collection and analysis of projected waste volumes to be emplaced in long-term management facilities is in line with and will support the proposed methodology of presenting waste inventories in terms of management strategy and disposal routes by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Nuclear Energy Agency Expert Group on Waste Inventorying and Reporting Methodology. The paper describes some of the uses that are made of the waste inventory information, as well as Canada's approach to national inventory data collection and its experience and lessons learned. Canada continues to modernize the format of the Inventory Summary Report with the goal of disseminating the technical information into an attractive and public-friendly report. (authors)

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Enhancing e-waste estimates: Improving data quality by multivariate Input–Output Analysis

Highlights: • A multivariate Input–Output Analysis method for e-waste estimates is proposed. • Applying multivariate analysis to consolidate data can enhance e-waste estimates. • We examine the influence of model selection and data quality on e-waste estimates. • Datasets of all e-waste related variables in a Dutch case study have been provided. • Accurate modeling of time-variant lifespan distributions is critical for estimate. - Abstract: Waste electrical and electronic equipment (or e-waste) is one of the fastest growing waste streams, which encompasses a wide and increasing spectrum of products. Accurate estimation of e-waste generation is difficult, mainly due to lack of high quality data referred to market and socio-economic dynamics. This paper addresses how to enhance e-waste estimates by providing techniques to increase data quality. An advanced, flexible and multivariate Input–Output Analysis (IOA) method is proposed. It links all three pillars in IOA (product sales, stock and lifespan profiles) to construct mathematical relationships between various data points. By applying this method, the data consolidation steps can generate more accurate time-series datasets from available data pool. This can consequently increase the reliability of e-waste estimates compared to the approach without data processing. A case study in the Netherlands is used to apply the advanced IOA model. As a result, for the first time ever, complete datasets of all three variables for estimating all types of e-waste have been obtained. The result of this study also demonstrates significant disparity between various estimation models, arising from the use of data under different conditions. It shows the importance of applying multivariate approach and multiple sources to improve data quality for modelling, specifically using appropriate time-varying lifespan parameters. Following the case study, a roadmap with a procedural guideline is provided to enhance e-waste estimation studies.

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Systems Engineering and Analysis in Support of a US Federal Staging Facility for UNF

The US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Office of Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Disposition is examining a set of system options and conducting supporting analyses to inform the development of an integrated waste management system, which may include one or more federal staging facilities (FSFs) for used nuclear fuel (UNF ) sited using a collaborative siting process. This paper focuses on the ongoing activities in two systems engineering and analysis work areas: (1) data and tools development, validation, and maintenance and (2) systems engineering execution. Within the first work area, the STANDARDS 5.0 UNF data and analysis tool, formerly known as UNF-ST&DARDS, is being developed as a foundational resource to assist in the management of UNF data. It has the key capability to model UNF throughout the entire back end of the fuel cycle. STANDARDS also includes several compatible analysis tools for the time-dependent characterization of UNF and related systems by interfacing with the SCALE code system for nuclear analysis and COBRA-SFS for thermal analysis. Also, within the data and tools area is the Next Generation System Analysis Model (NGSAM), which is an agent-based simulation software tool expressly designed to be capable of modeling the waste management system, including the transportation of UNF to and from a FSF. NGSAM has been developed to enable informed decision-making by providing the capability to analyze various potential system options for the management of UNF and high-level radioactive waste. Finally, in the systems engineering execution area, the team has begun to apply a disciplined systems engineering approach at the system level along with supporting analysis to guide the development of the FSF project requirements (including associated transportation infrastructure). Systems engineering principles and practices and their adaptation/application to design and development activities will ensure that the waste management system is effectively implemented as work proceeds. Other activities include investigating the implications of changes in various assumptions and parameters related to waste management systems, such as UNF acceptance rates, receipt logic, facility capacities and capabilities, use of standardized canisters, and different assumed facility operation start dates. Keywords: federal staging facility (FSF), used nuclear fuel (UNF), integrated waste management (IWM) system, Next Generation System Analysis Model (NGSAM), STANDARDS, systems engineering

Joseph, Robert↗

Advanced manufacturing and digital twin technology for nuclear energy*

Advanced manufacturing techniques and digital twin technology are rapidly transforming the nuclear industry, offering the potential to enhance productivity, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Customized parts are being produced using additive manufacturing, automation, and robotics, while digital twin technology enables the virtual modeling and optimization of complex systems. These advanced technologies can significantly improve operational efficiency, predict system behavior, and optimize maintenance schedules in the nuclear energy sector, leading to heightened safety and reduced downtime. However, the nuclear industry demands the highest levels of safety and security, as well as intricate manufacturing processes and operations. Thus, challenges such as data management and cybersecurity must be addressed to fully realize the potential of advanced manufacturing techniques and digital twin technology in the nuclear industry. This comprehensive review highlights the critical role of digital twin technology with advanced manufacturing toward nuclear energy to improve performance, minimize downtime, and heighten safety, ultimately contributing to the global energy mix by providing dependable and low-carbon electricity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A New Module for Large Scale Bayesian Evaluation in the Fast Neutron Energy Region

We present an improved update scheme for the Linearized Bayesian Update procedure (LBUP). The revised procedure extends the application of the LBUP to a large number of observables. The consistent update of dozens of millions of observables becomes manageable by circumventing the costly calculation of the prior covariance matrix. Nuclear data evaluations based on the revised scheme may exhaustively enclose all differential and angle-integrated channels, treating all correlations between them exactly in the update procedure.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Troika partnership model for licensing NASA-LaRC technologies

The Technology Applications (TAG) Group at NASA Langley Research Center has currently more than 100 technologies that are ripe for commercialization. These technologies are categorized by various sectors including: Energy and the Environment; Materials and Structures; Manufacturing; Information and Communications; Transportation, and Medical/Sensor/ Instrumentation. A requirement that TAG has placed on all technologies ready for licensing is that there will be some university involvement in the technology transfer or knowledge transfer process. This model involves the troika of government (LaRC), industry and university. A number of variations on the Troika Partnership Model (TPM) were developed as a part of this ASEE Fellowship. Furthermore, five technologies were identified - three of which industrial interests have been matched: LaRC-SI, a thermoplastic that can be used as a coating; Variable Geometry Truss Manipulator Arm that can be used for nuclear waste clean -up and as scaffolding; and ADAPT (Approach to Data Management, Archive Protection, and Transmission) is a technology that could be used for a variety of multi-tasking operations over the Internet. The aim of this work was to initiate a Space Act Agreement (SAA) for at least one of these technologies using one of the options of the TPM. A preliminary partnership agreement using the SAA is currently being negotiated with NASA-LaRC, VPI and Virginia Power for the LaRC-SI thermoplastic that will be used as a coating.

Maclin, Arlene P.↗

Unified Software Architecture for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Data Management and Processing: FY 2023 Multidimensional Data Correlation Platform

This report details the various digital manufacturing activities ongoing at ORNL as part of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies (AMMT) program. The AMMT program is exploring a data-driven approach to demonstrate the use of AM for the fabrication of components for nuclear applications, with the goal of providing a greater understanding of manufacturing quality outcomes that would pave the way toward the development of standards for certification and qualification. The objective of this work package is to establish a digital manufacturing discipline common to all participants of the AMMT program to improve the performance, reliability, and lifetime of nuclear components. As part of this effort, we will develop a unified software architecture for AMMT data management and processing, deploy the digital platform across AMMT participants’ facilities, and generate pedigreed datasets in a common format across multiple labs and facilities. To this end, the MDDC work package has focused on three activities during FY23. First, the MDF Digital Tool was overhauled to better serve the needs of the AMMT program. Next, multiple laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) systems at the MDF were upgraded to a common sensor package for collecting comparable in situ data across machines. Finally, various improvements relevant to the AMMT program were implemented in the ORNL-developed software tool, Peregrine. This report marks the completion of FY23 milestone M3CR-22OR0403051: Report Describing the Architecture of the Digital Platform to Support AMMT Activities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

2016 Postclosure Groundwater Monitoring and Inspection Report, Central Nevada Test Area, Nevada, Subsurface Corrective Action Unit 443

This report presents the groundwater monitoring data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) from the Central Nevada Test Area (CNTA), Nevada, Site, Subsurface Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 443 in Nye County, Nevada (Figure 1). The site was the location of an underground nuclear test in 1968, which resulted in residual contamination at and near the detonation depth of approximately 3200 feet (ft) below ground surface (bgs) that requires long-term monitoring. Responsibility for the environmental restoration and long-term monitoring was transferred from the DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nevada Field Office to LM on October 1, 2006. The environmental restoration and site closure process were completed in 2015 in accordance with the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (State of Nevada et al. 1996) (as amended) (FFACO) and all applicable Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) policies and regulations. The Closure Report, Central Nevada Test Area, Subsurface Corrective Action, Unit 443 (LMS/CNT/S12760) (DOE 2016a) (Closure Report) describes LM’s plan for the long-term postclosure monitoring of radioisotope concentrations and water elevations, inspecting the site and maintaining the institutional controls (ICs), evaluating and reporting data, and documenting the site’s records and data management processes (DOE 2016a).

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Evaluation of Neutron-induced Cross Sections and their Related Covariances with Physical Constraints

Nuclear data, along with numerical methods and the associated calculation schemes, continue to play a key role in reactor design, reactor core operating parameters calculations, fuel cycle management and criticality safety calculations. Due to the intensive use of Monte-Carlo calculations reducing numerical biases, the final accuracy of neutronic calculations increasingly depends on the quality of nuclear data used. This paper gives a broad picture of all ingredients treated by nuclear data evaluators during their analyses. After giving an introduction to nuclear data evaluation, we present implications of using the Bayesian inference to obtain evaluated cross sections and related uncertainties. In particular, a focus is made on systematic uncertainties appearing in the analysis of differential measurements as well as advantages and drawbacks one may encounter by analyzing integral experiments. The evaluation work is in general done independently in the resonance and in the continuum energy ranges giving rise to inconsistencies in evaluated files. For future evaluations on the whole energy range, we call attention to two innovative methods used to analyze several nuclear reaction models and impose constraints. Finally, we discuss suggestions for possible improvements in the evaluation process to master the quantification of uncertainties. These are associated with experiments (microscopic and integral), nuclear reaction theories and the Bayesian inference.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Identifying requisite changes to support modern maintenance practices - 294

Modern data science and processing require the use of modern maintenance records. With traditional record-keeping practices, the isolated nature of the data, as well as the presence of handwritten maintenance work orders and incomplete service logs, severely limit the amount of progress that can be made towards advanced condition-based maintenance. These condition-based methods of diagnostics, prognostics, and maintenance planning are a primary goal of next-generation plant operations and maintenance strategies, and are all dependent on the availability of quality plant data including maintenance data. By implementing changes to maintenance record-keeping practices, such as the use of a computerized maintenance management system, key data will become available to allow for implementation of state-of-the-art data analysis methods. This paper covers the benefits of utilizing digital record systems to increase maintenance data availability in terms of condition-based maintenance and asset management. The ability of these methods to enable state-of-the-art practices within industrial organizations is discussed to offer insight into ways that these improvements to operating strategy will contribute to improvements in world-class maintenance excellence. A discussion of the future of asset management in terms of data analytics, maintenance decision support, and data integration is provided to illustrate the changing landscape of plant management. The result is an examination of innovative maintenance strategies and discussion of challenges related to the future of asset management and implementing modern maintenance practices. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

On-line Waste Library Supporting Information

The On-Line Waste Library is a website that contains information regarding United States Department of Energy-managed high-level waste, spent nuclear fuel, and other wastes that are likely candidates for deep geologic disposal, with links to supporting documents for the data. This report provides supporting information for the data for which an already published source was not available.

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Theoretical and calculable dependent variables and their covariance in nuclear data libraries [Slides]

This presentation begins by defining observables, including theoretical observable, calculable observable, and measured observable. It also provides definitions and examples of experimental effects. Additionally, uncertainty in evaluated libraries and a metric to probe evaluated uncertainty is presented. In conclusion, being related to theoretical quantities such as resonance parameters, the uncertainty in ENDF libraries (e.g., ENDF/B-VIII.0) can be overestimated because it is usually evaluated under the guidance of experimental uncertainty: lim Δσexp.corr.→0 Δσ = Δσ theoretical model . The presentation states that a clear distinction of the uncertainty between nuclear theoretical models and experimental corrections should be revisited and this is important since (e.g., transport) simulations need theoretical quantities convoluted with specific operational parameters and material configurations. It also states that strong coupling between uncertainty quantification methodologies and optimization procedures exists, and it is necessary to develop methodologies to obtain uncertainty on theoretical models from physical and mathematical constraints.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Generic Natural Systems Evaluation - Thermodynamic Database Development and Data Management

Thermodynamic data are essential for understanding and evaluating geochemical processes, as by speciation-solubility calculations, reaction-path modeling, or reactive transport simulation. These data are required to evaluate both equilibrium states and the kinetic approach to such states (via the affinity term or its equivalent in commonly used rate laws). These types of calculations and the data needed to carry them out are a central feature of geochemistry in many applications, including water-rock interactions in natural systems at low and high temperatures. Such calculations are also made in engineering studies, for example studies of interactions involving man-made materials such as metal alloys and concrete. They are used in a fairly broad spectrum of repository studies where interactions take place among water, rock, and man-made materials (e.g., usage on YMP and WIPP). Waste form degradation, engineered barrier system performance, and near-field and far-field transport typically incorporate some level of thermodynamic modeling, requiring the relevant supporting data.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

On-Line Waste Library V4.0 Supporting Information

The On-Line Waste Library is a website that contains information regarding United States Department of Energy-managed high-level waste, spent nuclear fuel, and other wastes that are likely candidates for deep geologic disposal, with links to supporting documents for the data. This report provides supporting information for the data for which an already published source was not available.

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Development of a Technology Roadmap for Online Monitoring of Nuclear Power Plants

The nuclear power industry has recently recognized the potential cost saving that can be achieved from migrating the current manual and labor dependent surveillance and preventive maintenance activities to data-driven online monitoring methods. Since then, several efforts have been launched with various degrees of momentum to tackle specific surveillance or preventive maintenance activities. The light water reactor sustainability program (LWRS) program has anticipated this need and launched an effort that aimed to develop a technology roadmap for the nuclear power industry. Because the roadmap has to be focused towards the user or application’s value, and because nuclear power plants have different process efficiencies and deficiencies, the technology roadmap has to be plant independent. Achieving this objective required optimizing the extent of details described by a technology roadmap. The approach followed is for the roadmap to describe the sequence of activities needed to automate a process or equipment activity, but not describe the sequence of processes or equipment to target. For example, the steps required to migrate the inspection of a pump are plant independent. However, defining that the migration of feed water pumps inspections to online monitoring should be performed before inspections of feed water valves is dependent on multiple plant factors such as the plant requirements, labor work capacity, and process or equipment conditions. The technology roadmap was broken down into six elements, four of which have a sequential path of advancement, while the other two are supporting elements to the sequential elements. The sequential part of the roadmap analyzes data collection, analytics, visualization, and management. For these elements of the technology roadmap, the migration of an activity is defined in three states. The base state is defined as the most primitive, manual, and labor dependent process used by some nuclear power plants. The modern state is defined as the state that can be achieved if the activities are augmented or replaced by current technologies that are commercially available or are soon to be available. The state of the art is defined as using technologies of the future, i.e. concept and technologies that are being researched. The data collection part of the technology roadmap defines three states of every process performed in a nuclear power plant. However, the data analytics part is described based on equipment, because automating an activity performed on one equipment required considering multiple data sources. The visualization and data management elements are process or equipment independent. Visualization describes the means to use human factor science and technologies advancement in presenting the data collected and the data analytics results. The data management targets storage, communication, and computational power need, in addition to data integration and sharing. Since storage, communication, and computational power technologies and path for deployment are known to any information technology organization, this effort targeted the cost of data management. This has a direct impact on the feasibility of the automation effort. The supporting elements analyzes the value of automating the activity and the change challenges to tackle. For the support elements, the roadmap targeted describing activities that need to be performed as part of the roadmap development. The value element of the roadmap describes how to analyze the cost saving and the associated risk. The change management identifies multiple factors to consider such as regulation, cybersecurity, resource availability, supporting infrastructure availability, feasibility (power, fitness, environment tolerance, facilities), and cultural change.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Trend of the research on construction and demolition waste management

Research interests in addressing construction and demolition (C and D) waste management issues have resulted in a large amount of publications during the last decade. This study demonstrates that there is no systematic examination on the research development in literature in the discipline of C and D waste management. This study presents the latest research trend in the discipline through analyzing the publications from 2000 to 2009 in eight major international journals. The analysis is conducted on the number of papers published annually, main authors' contributions, research methods and data analysis methods adopted, and research topics covered. The results exhibit an increasing research interest in C and D waste management in recent years. Researchers from developed economies have contributed significantly to the development of the research in the discipline. Some developing countries such as Malaysia and China have also been making good efforts in promoting C and D waste management research. The findings from this study also indicate that survey and case study are major methods for data collection, and the data are mostly processed through descriptive analysis. It is anticipated that more future studies on C and D waste management will be led by researchers from developing economies, where construction works will remain their major economic activities. On the other hand, more sophisticated modeling and simulating techniques have been used effectively in a number of studies on C and D waste management research, and this is considered a major methodology for future research in the discipline. C and D waste management will continue to be a hot research topic in the future, in particularly, the importance of human factors in C and D waste management has emerged as a new challenging topic.

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Integrating Immersive Visualization in Molten-Salt Reactor Waste Management for Experimental Design and Planning

Molten-salt reactors (MSRs) represent a promising solution for next-generation nuclear energy, offering advantages in safety, fuel efficiency, and waste minimization. However, their liquid-fueled design presents unique challenges for spent fuel management, making post-shutdown waste characterization essential for developing effective strategies. Despite this need, there is a notable absence of visualization platforms specifically tailored to the unique characteristics and analytical requirements of MSR waste management. Existing tools in the nuclear industry are primarily designed for reactor operations or generic data exploration and lack both integration with MSR-specific multiphysics frameworks and the ability to simultaneously visualize time-dependent thermal fields, chemical composition evolution, and radiation distribution patterns. To address these limitations, this paper presents an immersive virtual reality (VR) visualization platform that processes and displays high-fidelity multiphysics simulation output from the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) framework in real-time, using Unity. The platform visualizes MSR waste characteristics such as nuclide decay, salt cooling, and corrosion by using Exodus II output data and running on a VR headset. It includes a user-friendly interface with features such as visibility toggling, cross-sectional slicing, and time-series animation for exploring simulation data. These capabilities support experimental design, stakeholder engagement, and public communication by making complex reactor behavior more accessible and understandable. By enhancing spatial reasoning and reducing cognitive load, this immersive environment fosters more effective communication and decision-making in MSR waste management.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

On-Line Waste Library V5.0 Supporting Information

The On-Line Waste Library is a website that contains information regarding United States Department of Energy-managed high-level waste, spent nuclear fuel, and other wastes that are likely candidates for deep geologic disposal, with links to supporting documents for the data. This report provides supporting information for the data for which an already published source was not available.

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