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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.

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At least 253 records · Page 14

BETO 2021 Peer Review - ChemCatBio Data Hub 2.6.2.500

The goal of the ChemCatBio DataHub project is to accelerate the catalyst and process development cycle by developing transformational tools for prediction and collaboration in catalyst R&D. The project is currently focused on the development of the Catalyst Property Database (CPD), a free and public resource released in September 2020. The CPD was designed in response to the observation that when data, such as computed reaction energetics, is used in catalyst design, it is almost always generated by the researchers seeking to use it, even if similar data has been published previously. One barrier to data reuse that results in this duplication of effort is the difficult process of finding and applying published data, which can be slow, error-prone, and manual. The CPD seeks to overcome these challenges by creating a centralized, searchable database of quality catalyst property data. At present, the CPD contains computed adsorption energies for intermediates along catalytic pathways. During FY21 and FY22, development of the CPD continues with a focus on external users and meeting their requirements. A batch upload capability, training and curation procedures, user interviews, and a demonstration of the CPD's utility in accelerating catalyst research are planned. Overall, the Data Hub project and CPD aim to reduce the time and cost of catalyst research by harnessing the power of data in catalyst discovery.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Regulatory Research Planning for Micro-Reactor Development

A limited-scope Regulatory Research Development Plan (RRDP) is being developed to link important advanced non light water nuclear microreactor technology research and development (R&D) activities sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE NE), Science, and Technology to regulatory requirements and critical licensing needs likely to impact the deployment of a domestic commercial microreactor fleet. This document is a precursor to that forthcoming limited scope microreactor RRDP. This report is being published to aid in the identification of key fiscal year (FY) 2022 topical research opportunities (as conveyed to the RRDP development team) by respondent microreactor developers and suppliers in consideration of micro-reactor regulatory needs and challenges noted by industry, DOE, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) stakeholders. Although this document does not contain the regulatory effects analysis and R&D recommendations that is expected in the final RRDP, this document is being released now to assist DOE researchers and investigators in FY22 research planning activities.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Nuclear Material Control and Accountancy Approach for Pebble Fueled Reactors using a Novel Pebble-Type Identification and Classification Technology

In FY21, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) with researchers at Texas A&M University (TAMU) designed and engineered a prototypical device for accounting types of irradiated pebbles (for example with different 235U enrichments or pure graphite) in Pebble-Fueled Reactors (PFRs). Through engagements with reactor designers, a need arose to assist in identifying and categorizing types of pebbles as a complementary nuclear material control method that would synergize with designers’ use of fuel burnup measurements for material accountancy needs. As part of an overall nuclear material control approach, a concept of pebble batch accounting was investigated using extrinsic non-radiological features to identify intrinsic characteristics. This concept of batch accounting led to the ability of identifying types of pebbles based on characteristics such as initial 235U enrichment of pebble batches or dates of introduction into the reactor core. Identification was achieved by embedding the 5-mm thick graphite periphery of pebbles with 2-mm diameter inert Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) microspheres to achieve an averaged volumetric density (i.e., common spacing between microspheres) unique to that type of pebble. With an ultrasound imaging system in proximity with each pebble, the YSZ microspheres in the pebble proved visible and their spacing became the unique feature upon which pebble type categorization could occur. At the culmination of FY21, ANL intended on delivering and installing the prototype at TAMU for initial testing but, due to the on-going pandemic, this was postponed until FY22.

Gariazzo, Claudio↗

Irradiation Testing of Nuclear Flux Sensors - Presentation for 2021 ASI Annual Webinar

This power point presentation is a summary of the work produced in FY2021 under the Irradiation Testing of Neutron Flux Sensors project funded by DOE's Advanced Sensor Initiative, and the outlook for FY22. The objective of this portion of the ASI program is to "Test and demonstrate in-pile instrumentation in conditions similar to those expected to be seen in service, i.e., the conditions they would see in either in irradiation experiments supporting advanced reactors, or ultimately, in advanced reactors themselves". The presentation describes how neutron flux sensors were tested in four INL reactors plus Idaho State University's research reactor during FY2021, and the results obtained from these tests.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Completion of Milestone M3CT-21IN0702028 - Receive Welding Module from IFE (Halden, Norway)

Prior to 2018, the U.S. DOE and the commercial nuclear industry relied upon the Halden Reactor Project’s capability to refabricate and reinstrument previously irradiated fuel rods. This capability has now been lost. This activity is key to recovering that capability and enabling the continuation of critical research on commercial and advanced LWR fuels. This welding module completes the three-module suite the Institute For Energy (IFE) was contracted to deliver to INL. This equipment will be used in FY22 to practice techniques developed at IFE for refabricating and instrumenting prototypical fuel rods.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Comparative assessment of neutron flux sensor technologies for advanced reactors

This report documents the comparative assessment of the rhodium-based self-powered neutron detectors (Rh-SPND), micro-pocket fission detectors (MPFD), and dosimetry wires in heated irradiations at the Neutron Radiography reactor facility at Idaho National Laboratory. The sensors performances are evaluated high-temperature environments (upwards of 850°C) during maximum reactor power to simulate use in advanced reactor applications. The performance of the Rh-SPNDs indicates the experiment cartridge heater power supply interferes with the SPND signals. This interference become increasingly significant at temperatures above 500°C with minimal interference observed for temperatures below 500°C. This work also demonstrated the fabrication process for the updated design of the MPFD, but issues related to the seal welds were identified and usable data was limited. Finally, the dosimetry measurements were within the expected range correlated with reactor power; thus, the dosimetry results were used to provide preliminary SPND calibration factors. The results from this experiment serves as a reference for developing and testing of flux sensors that are designed for high-temperature irradiations and advanced reactor deployments. This includes upcoming FY22 irradiations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor and the Neutron Radiography (NRAD) reactor utilizing additional fission chambers from Photonis Technologies and fission chambers and SPNDs from The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

BETO 2021 Peer Review - 3.4.2.302 - Process Scale Up for Production Environments

This project supports the Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technology Office mission of transitioning bioenergy technologies to market by de-risking integration, developing scaling relations and modeling that de-risks scale up, and providing a feedback loop with lower TRL projects to understand process and technology fundamentals. Two objectives were pursued during this merit cycle. First, the Thermal and Catalytic Process Development Unit (TCPDU), a 0.5 ton/day pilot plant, was used to validate kinetic models developed by the Consortium for Computational Physics and Chemistry (CCPC). Validating the models accurately predict product yields and composition is a first step toward de-risking a common industry failure - taking too large of steps between scales. In addition, these models help with design and troubleshooting of new unit operations for the TCPDU. The second objective was to conduct the FY22 verification campaign around ex situ CFP. The primary challenge of this effort was the coordination of multiple national labs and projects. This was overcome by a dedicated leadership role and effective communication strategy between the projects. Currently the project is undergoing a pivot based on a stagegate decision to not conduct the verification campaign in the TCPDU and it is focused on closing out the CFP technology at a smaller scale by the end of the current fiscal year.

BIOMASS FUELS↗

Advanced Computing Annual Report 2022

National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) high-performance computing (HPC), efficient data center operation, and state-of-the-art data visualization powered over 300 clean energy projects in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). 555 scientists and engineers utilized HPC resources to assess and integrate data into their research. The report highlights the arrival of new HPC Kestrel in 2023, the contributions of the Insight Center, and researchers looking into bias in artificial intelligence, alongside key research collaborations using advanced computing.

advanced computing↗

Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance for Local Governments

The goal of this project is to mobilize data, information, and knowledge generated about organic waste streams to local governments and support their decision-making. It builds on previous work related to wet organic waste resources (food waste, sludge, manure, waste fats and oils). The project provides an improved understanding of local waste challenges and priorities to inform BETO's R&D strategies and decision-making. It also supports local governments' goals and plans related to sustainable waste management, enables energy and/or resource recovery projects development at municipal level, and facilitates public-private partnerships. A key challenge is associated with more activities requested by entities than program allows which is mitigated by prioritization by requesting agency. All FY21 and FY22 TA requests have been completed. Major accomplishments include: 1). 34 requests managed in the past two years, 2) Distilled key challenges faced by communities. Key outcomes include strong community participation since inception of the program, dedicated program web site, deliverables tailored to communities' needs, and distribution materials (e.g., fact sheets, brochures) for a broader audience.

BIOMASS FUELS↗