Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Closure”

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 235 records · Page 13

Characterization of Tank 15H Sample in Support of Preliminary Cease Waste Removal and Closure Mode Determination

The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was requested by Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) to provide sample preparation and analysis of Tank 15H characterization samples. These samples follow an interest in exploring avenues to condense the extensive sampling of the Tank Closure process. One such pathway would be to collect a sample during an earlier waste removal campaign for analysis to determine comparability to the later residual tank inventory determined through Residual Material sampling and characterization prior to grouting. Six Tank 15H samples (HTF-15-24-9, HTF- HTF-15-24-10, HTF-15-24-11, HTF-15-24-12, HTF15-24-13, and HTF-15-24-14) were delivered to SRNL in May of 2024. These six Tank 15H samples were taken as close as possible to the solids layer of the Tank 15H. These six Tank 15H samples were combined to form one composite sample for characterization due to the lack of sufficient solids fraction.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluating Liquid Waste Transfers and their Impacts to the SRS Tank Farms to Support Operations and Closure

BACKGROUND • SRMC mission critical milestones – 34 million liters (9 million gallons) Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Processing Rate – Accelerated Waste Tank Closures • Results in an increase in Tank Farm transfers • Barriers – Equipment failures, replacements, and adjustments – Weather – Procedure development – Outside facility changes How has the Tank Farm adapted to meet these milestones? By improving the transfer evaluation process

MOCMC: Method of Characteristics Moment Closure, a Numerical Method for Covariant Radiation Magnetohydrodynamics

In this work, we present a conservative numerical method for radiation magnetohydrodynamics with frequency-dependent full transport in stationary spacetimes. This method is stable and accurate for both large and small optical depths and radiation pressures. The radiation stress–energy tensor is evolved in flux-conservative form, and closed with a swarm of samples that each transport a multigroup representation of the invariant specific intensity along a null geodesic. In each zone, the enclosed samples are used to efficiently construct a Delaunay triangulation of the unit sphere in the comoving frame, which in turn is used to calculate the Eddington tensor, average source terms, and adaptively refine the sample swarm. Furthermore, radiation four-forces are evaluated in the moment sector in a semi-implicit fashion. The radiative transfer equation is solved in invariant form deterministically for each sample. Since each sample carries a discrete representation of the full spectrum, the cost of evaluating the transport operator is independent of the number of frequency groups, representing a significant reduction of algorithmic complexity for transport in frequency-dependent problems. The major approximation we make in this work is performing scattering in an angle-averaged way. Local adaptivity in samples also makes this scheme more amenable to nonuniform meshes than a traditional Monte Carlo method. We describe the method and present results on a suite of test problems. We find that Method of Characteristics Moment Closure converges at least as ~N -1 , rather than the canonical Monte Carlo N -1/2 , where N is the number of samples per zone.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The Closure Relations in Optical Afterglow of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are extremely high-energy events that can be observed at very high redshift. In addition to γ rays, they can emit in X-ray, optical, and sometimes radio wavelengths. Here, following the approach in Srinivasaragavan et al.; Dainotti et al.; and Dainotti et al., we consider 82 GRBs from Dainotti et al. that have been observed in optical wavelengths and fitted with a broken power law. We consider the relations between the spectral and temporal indices (closure relations; CRs) according to the synchrotron forward-shock model evolving in the constant-density interstellar medium (ISM; k = 0) and the stellar wind environment (k = 2) in both slow- and fast-cooling regimes, where the density profile is defined as n ∝ r -k . We find the $ν$ > $max${$ν$ c , $ν$ m } regime is most favored, where ν c and ν m are the cooling and characteristic frequencies, respectively. Finally, we test the 2D Dainotti correlation between the rest-frame end time of the plateau and the luminosity at that time on GRBs that fulfill the most-favored CRs. When we compare the intrinsic scatter σ int of those 2D correlations to the scatter presented in Dainotti et al., we see the scatters of our correlations generally agree with the previous values within 1σ, both before and after correction for selection bias. This new information has helped us to pinpoint subsamples of GRBs with features that could drive the GRB emission mechanism, and eventually allow for GRBs to be used as standard candles.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Toward closure between predicted and observed particle viscosity over a wide range of temperatures and relative humidity

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosols can exist in amorphous semi-solid or glassy phase states whose viscosity varies with atmospheric temperature and relative humidity. The temperature and humidity dependence of viscosity has been hypothesized to be predictable from the combination of a water–organic binary mixing rule of the glass transition temperature, a glass-transition-temperature-scaled viscosity fragility parameterization, and a water uptake parameterization. This work presents a closure study between predicted and observed viscosity for sucrose and citric acid. Viscosity and glass transition temperature as a function of water content are compiled from literature data and used to constrain the fragility parameterization. New measurements characterizing viscosity of sub-100 nm particles using the dimer relaxation method are presented. These measurements extend the available data of temperature- and humidity-dependent viscosity to −28 ∘C. Predicted relationships agree well with observations at room temperature and with measured isopleths of constant viscosity at ∼107 Pa s at temperatures warmer than −28 ∘C. Discrepancies at colder temperatures are observed for sucrose particles. Simulations with the kinetic multi-layer model of gas–particle interactions suggest that the observed deviations at colder temperature for sucrose can be attributed to kinetic limitations associated with water uptake at the timescales of the dimer relaxation experiments. Using the available information, updated equilibrium phase-state diagrams (-80∘C

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Deformable closure mechanism

A deformable closure mechanism for an aperture that may include an aperture seal that has a seal seat between an internal support structure and an external support structure. A barrier structure may be configured to resealably close the aperture, and have a central membrane and a barrier sealed that is inflatable in order to engage the barrier structure with the aperture seal.

Doggett, William R.↗

DOESC Closure Leak Test Assembly

This conceptual design report is for the DOESC Closure Leak Test Assembly, which satisfies a portion of the milestone "Preliminary Design Report for Remote Helium Leak Test System". This CDR is part of the Preliminary Design Report/Package.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Cesium Removal and Hydraulic Performance Comparisons of CST Ion Exchange Media Batches in Support of the Tank Closure Cesium Removal Project - 20522

Three batches of Crystalline Silicotitanate (CST) ion exchange media have been evaluated for cesium removal efficiency from a Savannah River Site (SRS) High Level Waste (HLW) supernate simulant in support of the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) Project, which involves at-tank column waste treatment. Results will be utilized to select the CST media batch to be added to the next TCCR unit columns. Two of the CST media samples were recent production batches and the third was an archived batch studied extensively at SRS nearly two decades ago. The archived CST batch had a significantly smaller average particle diameter than more recent batches. Small-scale (∼23 mL), side-by-side column tests were conducted at 35 deg. C with each of the CST batches using the same simulant at flow rates near 1.2 mL/min (3.0-3.4 CST bed volumes/hr). The cesium ion exchange column performance results were lower than expected for all three CST batches, but the data indicated that 30% more simulant volume and 40% more equivalent CST bed volumes of solution can be processed with the older CST batch prior to reaching the 50% cesium breakthrough point than can be processed with the newer CST batches. Hydraulic evaluations of the CST columns were also conducted in simulant at 24 deg. C to determine the impact of the different particle size distributions and associated bed porosities on frictional pressure drop under dynamic flow conditions. Higher differential pressure drops were observed with the archived CST batch relative to recent production batches, due to the smaller particle size distribution and the packing characteristics of the archived batch. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Qualification of Processing Batches for Tank Closure Cesium Removal Through In-Tank Batch Contact Testing - 20470

The Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) process at the Savannah River Site (SRS) is currently processing waste from Tank 10H, generating decontaminated salt solution that is sent to Tank 11H. Transfers out of Tank 11H are then disposed of on site as a grout wasteform in the SRS Saltstone Processing Facility. This is a full-scale demonstration of the use of Crystalline Silicotitanate (CST) for the decontamination of aqueous nuclear waste supernate. CST primarily removes cesium from the high sodium alkaline feed, but also adsorbs strontium, actinides, and some other trace metals. The TCCR unit is an at-tank set of four ion exchange columns, with two typically being operated in series during waste processing. Tank 10H is serving a dual function as both the salt dissolution tank as well as the feed tank for the TCCR system. Prior to operation of TCCR, Tank 10H must undergo dissolution campaigns, dissolving the salt cake to form an aqueous salt solution (supernate). After each dissolution campaign, the supernate created must be qualified prior to processing through the TCCR system. Qualification includes detailed characterization of the supernate as well as in-tank batch contact tests to determine the equilibrium loading of Cs-137 on the CST ion exchange media (IONSIV{sup TM} R9120-Ba). In support of the in-tank batch contact testing, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) developed a CST sample holder, also referred to as a 'tea-bag', to hold a measured amount (∼0.1 grams) of pretreated CST between stainless steel screens. The tea-bag fits within a standard stainless steel sample vial that has been modified to allow the flow of supernate to the CST. This sample holder is then immersed in the waste tank allowing free contact between the CST beads and the surrounding liquid, at an effectively infinite liquid-to-solid phase ratio. A pair of tea-bags are deployed in the tank for a period of 10 days for each batch, after which the CST is recovered, digested, and analyzed to determine the loading of cesium isotopes on the CST. This result then supports the TCCR column thermal loading limits for processing as part of the TCCR safety basis. This paper will discuss the design and testing of the CST sample holder, as well as results from the first few batches of waste qualified and subsequently processed through the TCCR system. In addition, results from analyses of Tank 11H samples, showing decontamination of the product will be included. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluating Liquid Waste Transfers and their Impacts to the SRS Tank Farm to Support Operations and Closure

The Liquid Waste (LW) contractor at the Savannah River Site, Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), supports the storage, processing, and safe disposition of legacy, radioactive liquid waste. The LW Tank Farms contain approximately 127 million liters (33.5 million gallons) of liquid waste within 43 active, underground waste tanks. To meet mission critical milestones for the closure of waste tanks and processing of 34 million liters (9 million gallons) of salt waste per year by the LW Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF), an increase in Tank Farm operations, including waste tank transfers, is required. Waste is compiled in salt and sludge batches in the Tank Farms and transferred to SWPF and the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) for treatment. All waste tank transfers, such as waste removal and batch compilation transfers, must be pre-evaluated to ensure Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) requirements are met via Evaluated Transfer Approval Forms (ETAFs). Facility conditions and configurations may change as a result of a waste transfer. These changes must be reflected in the Tank Farms Emergency Response Datasheet (ERD), which contains data utilized for operation and emergency situations.

Peterson, Shelby R.↗

Improvement of two-phase closure models in CTF using Bayesian inference

Under the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) program, extensive capabilities have been developed in CTF to analyze light-water reactors (LWRs) for normal operating conditions, departure from nucleate boiling (DNB), and system transients. However, further improvements are required in the modeling and simulation of boiling water reactors (BWRs), which is a focus of the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program. In this work, CTF validation results were used to optimize selected modeling coefficients by calibrating to experimental data using a Bayesian inference approach. Here, calibration studies were conducted to improve (vapor) void fraction prediction without worsening the two-phase pressure drop prediction, as well as to improve the two-phase pressure drop prediction. Calibration was performed for interfacial drag and wall shear models. Surrogates were developed to alleviate the computational expense required for sampling the parameter space using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). An assessment performed with calibrated models demonstrated an improvement of CTF in its prediction of key parameters such as void fraction and two-phase pressure drop.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action Unit (CAU) Post-Closure Inspection Report, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada For Calendar Year 2024

This report includes visual inspection results, descriptions of maintenance and repair activities, and recommendations for calendar year 2024 for use restrictions at corrective action sites located on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and on the Nevada Test and Training Range that are accessed through the NNSS Main Gate.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗