Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “helium isotopes”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11

Meteoritic silicon carbide - Pristine material from carbon stars

All five gases in interstellar silicon carbide grains have grossly nonsolar isotopic and elemental abundances that vary with grain size but are strikingly similar to calculated values for the helium-burning shell of low-mass carbon stars. Apparently these grains formed in carbon-star envelopes, and were impregnated with noble gas ions from a stellar wind. Meteoritic SiC provides a detailed record of nuclear and chemical processes in carbon stars.

Lewis, Roy S.↗

Progress Towards Microcalorimeter Gamma Spectroscopy Analysis for Nuclear Fuel Separations

The High Efficiency and Resolution Microcalorimeter Spectrometer, 400 pixels (HERMES-400) is an ultra-high resolution gamma-ray spectrometer at Idaho National Laboratory’s Materials and Fuels Complex. HERMES-400 is intended to enable precise nondestructive analysis of advanced fuel cycle materials. Key upgrades and repairs of the instrument were performed this year to improve performance. First, the fourth and final microcalorimeter detector module was installed, meeting the milestone for its integration into the system. Operation with all four modules enables higher detector efficiency than any previous microcalorimeter gamma-ray system. Second, a thinner magnetic shield was installed. This shields the sensitive microcalorimeter pixels from stray magnetic fields while allowing transmission of lower-energy gamma rays, which are important to isotopic analysis. Finally, the cryostat, which provides cooling of the modules to their operating temperature, was found to have a helium coolant leak, which was repaired. HERMES-400 is in a stable state to perform repeated, long-term gamma-ray measurements with good detector efficiency and energy resolution. In FY25, irradiated TRISO fuel and salts from advanced electrochemical recycling techniques are candidates for microcalorimeter measurements. A final upgrade of the magnetic shielding and vibration damping of the system is also planned to maximize the system performance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

ASTROMAG coil cooling study

ASTROMAG is a planned particle astrophysics magnetic facility. Basically it is a large magnetic spectrometer outside the Earth's atmosphere for an extended period of time in orbit on a space station. A definition team summarized its scientific objectives assumably related to fundamental questions of astrophysics, cosmology, and elementary particle physics. Since magnetic induction of about 7 Tesla is desired, it is planned to be a superconducting magnet cooled to liquid helium 2 temperatures. The general structure of ASTROMAG is based on: (1) two superconducting magnetic coils, (2) dewar of liquid helium 2 to provide cooling capability for the magnets; (3) instrumentation, matter-anti matter spectrometer (MAS) and cosmic ray isotope spectrometer (CRIS); and (4) interfaces to the shuttle and space station. Many configurations of the superconducting magnets and the dewar were proposed and evaluated, since those are the heart of the ASTROMAG. Baseline of the magnet configuration and cryostat as presented in the phase A study and the one kept in mind while doing the present study are presented. ASTROMAG's development schedule reflects the plan of launching to the space station in 1995.

Maytal, Ben-Zion↗

Measurement of C-12, O-16, and Fe-56 charge changing cross sections in helium at high energy, comparison with cross sections in hydrogen, and application to cosmic-ray propagation

We present measurements of the spallation cross sections of carbon, oxygen, and iron in helium and hydrogen, at beam energies from 540 to 1600 MeV/nucleon, performed by exposing liquid helium, CH2, and C targets. Charge changing cross sections are reported for fragments down to Ne for Fe + alpha and Fe + p reactions, and down to B for O + alpha, O + p, C + alpha, and C + p reactions. Alpha- to p-induced cross section ratios (sigma(sub alpha)/sigma(sub p)) are determined at the same energy per nucleon. From these measurements an empirical formula for the (sigma(sub alpha)/sigma(sub p)) ratios is derived and is found in good agreement with available isotopic cross sections data from radioactivity and radiochemical techniques. These results are applied to the propagation of heavy charged cosmic rays in an interstellar medium with a helium to hydrogen abundance ratio of 0.10. It is shown that the Sc-Mn/Fe ratio prediction is decreased relative to the B/C ratio when compared to propagation calculations in a pure hydrogen interstellar medium.

Ferrando, P.↗

Tritiated Sulfur Hexafluoride Disposition Strategies

Tritium (T 2 ) is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is produced in nuclear fission reactions and is often used in nuclear fusion reactions and accelerator-based applications for medical isotope production. As a hydrogen isotope, tritium can readily bind to hydroxyl radicals (OH), forming tritiated water (HTO or T 2 0), and to carbon atoms. Tritium decays to helium-3 ( 3 He) via beta-decay with max decay energy of 18.6 keV. While it is not an external radiation hazard, it can be an internal radiation hazard if tritium is inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. In applications where tritium is handled, tritium confinement is performed using different barriers to minimize releases to the environment. For gaseous (elemental), liquid (oxide), and metal (hydride) tritium, process piping and components provide the primary confinement function. Secondary tritium confinement is typically provided by inert (i.e. non-flammable gases such as nitrogen, argon, or helium) gloveboxes which are connected to a tritium stripper system. Primary tritium confinement barriers typically produce low volumes of high tritium concentrations of tritiated methane from carbon in steels or organic materials along with tritiated water/tritium oxide (e.g. HTO) and tritiated ammonia from reactions with oxygen and nitrogen. Tritium escaping primary confinement into secondary confinement atmospheres (e.g. gloveboxes) produce higher volumes of lower activity contamination than found in process piping. Tritium contamination also occurs by leaks or tritium permeation/diffusion through confinement materials. Tritium from inside primary confinement barriers will diffuse or leak out of the primary confinement barrier and usually into the air, if the system is inside an air hood or ventilated hot cell, or into the secondary confinement (e.g. glovebox) atmosphere which is either exhausted or stripped based on the function of the secondary confinement (glovebox) system. Accelerator based processes for medical isotope production represent an atypical tritium contamination challenge. In medical isotope production, deuterium supply gas is ionized and accelerated to a tritium gas target to produce neutrons that are then used to produce the medical isotopes through additional nuclear fission reactions. To create large voltage differentials for accelerator operations, an electrical insulation medium is needed to prevent or rapidly quench electric discharges. A common electrical insulation medium utilized in accelerator applications is sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) gas. SF 6 has a high dielectric strength and allows for the construction of smaller accelerator systems compared to other electrical insulation mediums such as air or dry nitrogen. Due to tritium permeation/diffusion through accelerator process and confinement materials, there is the possibility that tritium can contaminate the electrical insulation medium of the accelerator. Tritium contaminated SF 6 creates a material without any obvious processes for managing the contamination, reuse, or disposal of the used SF 6 . This document will discuss possible management strategies for tritium contaminated SF 6 for accelerator-based processes for Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) production.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Modeling and Analysis Support for Acceleratro-based Production of Mo-99

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC, is in the process of commissioning a medical isotope production facility, which will use high-power electron accelerators to produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), the parent of technetium-99m (Tc-99m), through photonuclear reactions in molybdenum-100 (Mo-100). In this approach, a target comprising multiple thin disks of enriched molybdenum metal is bombarded with a 40-MeV electron beam. Electrons that impinge on the molybdenum target produce bremsstrahlung x-rays that cause the nuclear reaction. Because enriched Mo-100 is expensive, there is a desire to use as much beam power as possible to achieve maximum production yield and minimize the size of the target. This requirement leads to very high beam power density (heat deposition in the target), which creates challenging requirements for target cooling. In the latest concept developed by NorthStar, a stack of target (sintered molybdenum) disks is irradiated from two sides by a 40-MeV electron beam, with a total power of 250 kW (125 kW from each side). The target disks are cooled by pressurized helium gas flowing through channels between the disks. Inconel windows in the target housing form a pressure boundary between the helium within the housing and the evacuated beam tube.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Solar wind helium, neon and argon released by oxidation of metal grains from the Weston chondrite

A set of experiments were carried out to test the feasibility of determining unfractionated elemental and isotopic ratios for the noble gases in the presumably ancient solar wind present in the gas rich meteorites. The problems of diffusive loss was avoided by analyzing metal rather than the usual silicates. In order to avoid chemical, and even harsh physical, treatment of the sample, which might have affected the surfaces of metal grains, a means of analyzing the metal in the presence of residual silicate not removed by gentle crushing and magnetic separation was devised. Preliminary results given were obtained by taking advantage of the differing properties of metal and silicates with regard to diffusion. The results suggests that, with some modifications in the choice of pyrolysis and combustion temperatures and in the amount of O2 used, it should be possible, by oxidizing the surfaces of metal grains from gas rich meteorites, to obtain data on solar wind that has not been fractionated by diffusive loss.

Becker, R. H.↗

A New Approach for Calculating the Alpha-Decay Half-Life for the Heavy and Super-heavy Elements and an Exact A Priori Result for Beyllium-8

A new general method for calculating the alpha decay half-life is presented. The method predicts an a priori exact value for the beryllium-8 half-life. Beryllium-8 is an exception to the current alpha decay theory captured in the Geiger-Nuttal law. The new method predicts the beryllium-8 alpha half-life using only constants and measured isotopic mass. The method also reliably predicts all the heavier isotope alpha decay half-lives consistent with the Geiger-Nuttal law. With respect to current theory, the inability of the Geiger-Nuttal Law to predict the alpha-decay half-life in the case of beryllium-8 has led to consideration of other decay mechanisms for this isotope, such as fission for example. One result is that given the consistency of the new method presented here for all isotopes including an exact a priori result for beryllium-8, the evidence strongly suggests that the beryllium-8 decay is in fact an alpha decay. A second result is that the method definitively demonstrates that the entire rest mass of the two helium-4 electrons is converted to energy in the decay process and this energy becomes part of the emitted alpha particle kinetic energy.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Stable water isotopes and tritium data from porewater at Elkhorn Slough

Salt marshes are dynamic hydrologic systems where terrestrial groundwater, terrestrial surface water, and seawater mix due to bi-directional flows and pressure gradients. Due to the counteracting terrestrial and marine forcings that control these environments, we do not comprehensively understand water fluxes in these complex coastal systems. To understand the water sources, flow directions, and velocities in salt marsh porewater, we collected geochemical tracers across a hillslope-to-salt marsh continuum in a salt marsh experiencing daily inundation of estuarine surface water (SW) from tides and mixing of fresh seasonal groundwater. The experimental transect is located at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.Here we present a data table (.csv) with the results of electrical conductivity, stable water isotopes, and tritium in porewater across several elevations in the hillslope-to-salt marsh continuum (information in the data set). We analyzed the stable water isotope samples by cavity ring-down spectroscopy in a Picarro L2130-i at the University of California Santa Cruz (accuracy of 0.025‰ and 0.1‰ for δ18O and δ2H, respectively). We measured the electric conductivity of the samples with an Orion Star™ A329 multiparameter meter (0.5% accuracy, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts, USA). We analyzed 3H samples at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory by helium-3 accumulation (Clarke et al., 1976; Surano et al., 1992).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Proceedings for the Workshop on Applied Nuclear Data Activities 2024

The Workshop for Applied Nuclear Data Activities (WANDA) is designed to increase communication among nuclear data (ND) users in multidisciplinary federal programs, ND producers, ND funders, and other ND experts. It also presents an opportunity to cross-pollinate ideas as well as introduce ND gaps identified by federal programs to ND experts and ND capabilities to the various federal ND users. WANDA 2024 included five technical sessions, three of which focused on Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)—FES Fusion Neutronics, FES Tritium Production, and FES Material Damage—and two stand-alone sessions—Isotopes and Targetry for Nuclear Data and Uncertainty Quantification. The FES sessions successfully brought new voices to the WANDA discussions, expanding the application space in which nuclear data are critical. FES programs need accurate nuclear data with realistic uncertainty quantification to properly estimate, for example, shielding, activation, tritium production, helium production, structural material integrity, and superconducting magnet operation. This includes a variety of projectile (neutrons, photons, charged particles) and target atoms. One of the action items common to all the FES sessions was a need to perform sensitivity studies to identify the prioritization of nuclear data needs. The Isotopes and Targetry session highlighted the many capabilities available to produce high-quality targets for nuclear data measurements, including 3D printing with spherical powders, combustion synthesis coupled with spin coating & electrospraying, inkjet printing, and isotopic doping. These new methods open doors for more accurate measurement, but it was also stressed that sample characterization following any method of fabrication is of the highest importance to accurately interpret nuclear data measurement results that used that sample. The Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) session was broken into two categories: nuclear data uncertainty quantification and the use of that uncertainty quantification. Thematic to the UQ session was the loss of information when going from nuclear data measurement, to evaluation, to evaluated file, and finally to neutron transport calculations. Current evaluated ND libraries typically only contain covariances, which assume that the probability distributions are Gaussian. Beyond being a simplified assumption for many evaluations, this can lead to negative values on many observables when attempting to sample the covariance. The covariance format, however, is very efficient in that a simple set of linear equations can transform uncertainty from parameters or cross sections to the application of interest. Focused collaboration is needed between nuclear data evaluators and nuclear data users to ensure that needs are being met.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Helium in Stream Water as a Volcanic Monitoring Tool

Abstract We show that synoptic sampling of streams can be used to characterize volcanic volatiles in groundwater over large spatial scales. Synoptic sampling of dissolved noble gases, 222 Rn, major ions, and stream discharge was carried out along a 30 km reach of the Gibbon River, near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Groundwater discharge location, volume, and composition were estimated by constrained calibration of a stream flow and solute transport model. Estimated groundwater composition from stream modeling was compared to shallow groundwater concentrations measured in nearby springs. 3 He, 222 Rn, and Cl signatures in the Gibbon River are indicative of groundwater discharge with a volcanic signature along the study reach. Stream water noble gas isotopic composition has similar isotopic mixing patterns to springs. The model‐estimated composition of groundwater discharging to the Gibbon agrees well with observed groundwater composition from nearby springs for all modeled analytes. We present the first observations of elevated mantle helium in stream water and show that stream water can be used as a convenient collection point to estimate spatially distributed groundwater composition and to monitor changes in volatile flux over large spatial areas. These results offer the possibility that stream surveys in volcanic terrain could be a new method for distributed volcanic monitoring at the catchment scale and beyond.

Gardner, W. Payton↗

Progress from ASDEX Upgrade experiments in preparing the physics basis of ITER operation and DEMO scenario development

An overview of recent results obtained at the tokamak ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) is given. A work flow for predictive profile modelling of AUG discharges was established which is able to reproduce experimental H-mode plasma profiles based on engineering parameters only. In the plasma center, theoretical predictions on plasma current redistribution by a dynamo effect were confirmed experimentally. For core transport, the stabilizing effect of fast ion distributions on turbulent transport is shown to be important to explain the core isotope effect and improves the description of hollow low-Z impurity profiles. The L–H power threshold of hydrogen plasmas is not affected by small helium admixtures and it increases continuously from the deuterium to the hydrogen level when the hydrogen concentration is raised from 0 to 100%. One focus of recent campaigns was the search for a fusion relevant integrated plasma scenario without large edge localised modes (ELMs). Results from six different ELM-free confinement regimes are compared with respect to reactor relevance: ELM suppression by magnetic perturbation coils could be attributed to toroidally asymmetric turbulent fluctuations in the vicinity of the separatrix. Stable improved confinement mode plasma phases with a detached inner divertor were obtained using a feedback control of the plasma β. The enhanced D α H-mode regime was extended to higher heating power by feedback controlled radiative cooling with argon. The quasi-coherent exhaust regime was developed into an integrated scenario at high heating power and energy confinement, with a detached divertor and without large ELMs. Small ELMs close to the separatrix lead to peeling-ballooning stability and quasi continuous power exhaust. Helium beam density fluctuation measurements confirm that transport close to the separatrix is important to achieve the different ELM-free regimes. Based on separatrix plasma parameters and interchange-drift-Alfvén turbulence, an analytic model was derived that reproduces the experimentally found important operational boundaries of the density limit and between L- and H-mode confinement. Feedback control for the X-point radiator (XPR) position was established as an important element for divertor detachment control. Stable and detached ELM-free phases with H-mode confinement quality were obtained when the XPR was moved 10 cm above the X-point. Investigations of the plasma in the future flexible snow-flake divertor of AUG by means of first SOLPS-ITER simulations with drifts activated predict beneficial detachment properties and the activation of an additional strike point by the drifts.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

SS-HORSE extension of the no-core shell model: Application to resonances in He 7

Theoretical ab initio studies of resonances in the unbound 7 He nucleus are presented. We perform no-core shell-model calculations with NN interactions Daejeon16 and JISP16 and utilize the SS-HORSE method to calculate the S matrix for two-body channels n + 6 He and n + 6 He* with 6He respectively in the ground and excited 2 + states as well as for the four-body democratic decay channel 4 He + n + n + n. The resonant energies and widths are obtained by numerical location of the S-matrix poles. Here, we describe all experimentally known 7 He resonances and suggest an interpretation of an observed wide resonance of unknown spin-parity.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

Medium resolution stellar spectra in the two-micron region

The astrophysical implications of available medium resolution spectra in the limited wavelength range from 1.9 to 2.5 microns are considered. Observational techniques are discussed along with features observable at medium resolution. Attention is given to molecular bands of carbon monoxide, water, and cyanogen. Identified atomic features are related to hydrogen, helium, silicon, magnesium, and titanium. Empirical band strength-color relationships are examined, taking into account carbon monoxide in G5-M8 giants and supergiants, the isotopic C-12/C-13 abundance ratio, and water vapor band strengths in late-type stars.

Hyland, A. R.↗

Efficient Thermal Processes Using Alternating Electromagnetic Field for Methodical and Selective Release of Hydrogen Isotopes

The controlled and selective release of hydrogen isotopes from Lanthanum-Nickel-Aluminum (LANA) materials was achieved using an alternating electromagnetic field (AEMF). Here, in the presence of the AEMF, the rate of desorption for D 2 was faster than for H 2 . In a closed system, compared to control experiments with helium, hydrogen-loaded LANA samples showed a significant increase in pressure which illustrates the desorption of hydrogen from the applied AEMF. An exponential increase in the hydrogen release rate was observed with increased AEMF strength. Additionally, hydrogen release from LANA confined in a subzero environment (-78°C) using an AEMF was demonstrated. These results demonstrate that the LANA material can be heated directly using alternating electromagnetic fields rather than indirectly to rapidly and selectively desorb hydrogen isotopes. The rapid response and difference in desorption kinetics for different hydrogen isotopes in the presence of the alternating electromagnetic fields provide a promising pathway for applications requiring controlled release of hydrogen and separation of its isotopes.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Asymptotic Energies and QED Shifts for Rydberg States of Helium

This paper reviews progress that has been made in obtaining essentially exact solutions to the nonrelativistic three-body problem for helium by a combination of variational and asymptotic expansion methods. The calculation of relativistic and quantum electrodynamic corrections by perturbation theory is discussed, and in particular, methods for the accurate calculation of the Bethe logarithm part of the electron self energy are presented. As an example, the results are applied to the calculation of isotope shifts for the short-lived 'halo' nucleus He-6 relative to He-4 in order to determine the nuclear charge radius of He-6 from high precision spectroscopic measurements carried out at the Argonne National Laboratory. The results demonstrate that the high precision that is now available from atomic theory is creating new opportunities to create novel measurement tools, and helium, along with hydrogen, can be regarded as a fundamental atomic system whose spectrum is well understood for all practical purposes.

Drake, G.W.F.↗

Effects of 18 O Exchange on Neutron Emission Rates of Aging 238 PuO 2 LWRHUs

The Lightweight Radioisotope Heater Unit (LWRHU) provides about 1 Watt of thermal power to critical electrical and mechanical systems in the extreme temperatures of space, maintaining the operating temperature of the spacecraft’s scientific and general operating equipment. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) designed and tested the LWRHU in the 1970s through early 1980s. The first production campaign at LANL was in the early 1980s in support of the Galileo mission in which over 100 LWRHUs were manufactured. In the mid-1990s, almost 200 LWRHUs were manufactured in support of the Cassini mission. After the primary Cassini manufacturing campaign, the Department of Energy (DOE) approved the fabrication of more than 10 additional LWRHUs as spares in 1998. The LWRHU assembly contains the following components: a fuel pellet, a vented capsule, a pyrolytic graphite insulator, and a fine-weave pierced fabric (FWPF) graphite aeroshell. The fuel pellet is a hot-pressed 238 PuO 2 cylindrical pellet that is sintered to create a ceramic pellet. The pellet is encapsulated in a platinum-rhodium encapsulation. The welded fueled clad is placed inside a pyrolytic graphite thermal insulation to protect the fuel from the heat produced in reentry events. The exterior layer of the LWRHU assembly is the FWPF aeroshell. Before sintering, PuO 2 granules are heated in a furnace at temperatures greater than or equal to 700°C under an enriched 16 O atmosphere in order to reduce trace quantities of 18 O. Because 18 O undergoes an (α,n) reaction, 18 O needs to be removed as much as possible to meet radiation emission requirements set by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as other agencies. The relative abundances of the oxygen isotopes are indicated by neutron emission rate (NER) measurements. LWRHUs are vented with a sintered platinum frit vent (George 1986). During extraterrestrial operation, the vent in the cladding allows helium from the decay of plutonium to escape and relieves pressure from the system while preventing the solids from escaping (Rinehart 1996, Tate 1982 & 1985). This vent is protected during manufacture by a platinum-30 rhodium cover. The capsule vent is activated by milling a 0.025-inch diameter hole through the protective cover to a nominal depth of 0.015 inches, generally immediately before the LWRHU is loaded into the aeroshell (George 1986). Prior to long-term storage, LWRHUs are vented and thus potentially allow infiltration of 18 O from the ambient atmosphere. Although NER decreases with age due to the reduction in emitted alpha particles, it might be expected that NER reduction is mitigated by the exchange of 18 O. However, this is not necessarily the case and no trend was observed relating NER to age other than the natural decay of 238 Pu (Mulford 2021). The most probable and dominant factor for determining specific NER was manufacturing discrepancies between individual units. It is important to understand the lack of observed 16 O- 18 O exchange and to compare LWRHU pellets as much as possible.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Transport of Highly Volatile Gases Related to Noble Gases and Tritium in the MSRE

This study aims to comprehend mass transfer in the closed-loop circulation of highly volatile gases, including noble gases and tritium. We explore the impact of steady-state xenon-135 and tritium on the MSRE and reveal their isotopic distributions using online noble gas stripping of fuel salts. The MSRE was engineered to extract fission product gases from fuel salts and efficiently eliminate inert gases with the help of helium bubbles within a circulating fuel pump. These reactors introduce significant theoretical challenges in estimating interfacial area and mass transfer coefficients, crucial for modeling mass transfer processes. An essential component of our analysis is the mass transfer coefficient. These coefficients are important for understanding how radionuclides move during various phase transitions within a nuclear reactor. Xenon-135 and tritium are found in both liquid and gas phases within the reactor system. In the liquid phase, they dissolve in molten salts, while in the gas phase, they manifest as bubbles. These elements have significant adverse effects on reactor operation due to their strong neutron absorption properties, influencing both safety and performance. The Mole code, which predicts the behavior of chemical species under steady-state conditions, facilitates multiphysics coupling with Griffin to update species distributions and address inherent MSR safety.

Lee, Kyoung↗