Results for “RAM analysis” — Page 15

DOE OSTI2026

HDG-1 Experiment Irradiation Monitoring Data Qualification Final Report

SUMMARY The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Graphite Research and Development (GRD) Program is conducting a series of six experiments to quantify the effects of irradiation on nuclear-grade graphite. This report documents the qualification of irradiation monitoring data for the fifth experiment, High Dose Graphite-1 (HDG-1). Qualified monitoring data are required by the ART program to support the design and licensing of the first high-temperature reactor (HTR) nuclear plant. Data are classified as Qualified if they meet the usage requirements described in the experiment planning and quality assurance (QA) documents, Failed if they do not meet those requirements and provide no usable information, or Trend if they do not fully meet all requirements but still provide useful information subject to an assessment of how any deficiencies may affect a particular use of the data. HDG-1 irradiation began with Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) Cycle 168B on August 24, 2020, and concluded after Cycle 173C on January 27, 2025. The HDG-1 capsule was removed from the reactor core twice—during core internal change (CIC) Cycle 170A and powered axial locator mechanism (PALM) Cycle 172A—to prevent overheating of the graphite specimens during high-power PALM cycles. The capsule was therefore irradiated during a total of seven normal ATR cycles: 168B, 169A, 171A, 171B, 173A, 173B, and 173C. Irradiation monitoring data evaluated in this report include thermocouple (TC) temperature, gas flow rate, gas moisture, gas pressure, specimen load, and graphite stack displacement. Temperature. A total of 14,508,065 TC temperature records were captured. Of these, 13,901,785 (95.8%) are Qualified and 606,280 (4.2%) are Failed. The principal source of failed temperature data was the instrument failure of TC-9 (Zone 2) on June 24, 2024, and TC-10 (Zone 1) on July 5, 2024, near the end of Cycle 173A, which resulted in 595,554 Failed readings. An additional 379 missing values and 10,347 slightly negative values from TC-13 during ATR outages are also Failed. Neither TC-9 nor TC-10 was used as a temperature-control TC, and their failures did not compromise capsule condition monitoring. Correlation analysis of all 13 TCs found no evidence of virtual junction formation. Control chart analysis revealed clear downward drift of approximately 80°C for TC-6 (Zone 3) relative to other stable TCs, and possible downward drift of approximately 60°C for TC-13 relative to the Zone 5 control TC (TC-1), though TC-13 remained consistent with the Zone 2 control TC (TC-12). Gas flow. A total of 20,088,090 gas flow rate records were captured. Of these, 19,941,463 (99.3%) are Qualified and 146,627 (0.7%) are Failed due to missing values. All argon, helium, and total gas flow data were within expected ranges throughout the irradiation. Gas moisture. A total of 1,116,005 outlet gas moisture values were captured. Of these, 1,101,421 (98.7%) are Qualified and 14,584 (1.3%) are Failed, comprising 14,556 out-of-range values and 28 missing values. The out-of-range moisture values exceeded 22,000 ppmv for approximately 1 week at the beginning of Cycle 173A, when accumulated moisture evaporated after the capsule was retrieved from water storage during PALM Cycle 172A and reinserted into the east flux trap. Moisture levels returned to below 25 ppmv for the remaining three cycles, and the transient high-moisture event did not affect the integrity of specimen irradiation. Gas pressure. A total of 7,812,035 gas pressure values were captured. Of these, 6,642,048 (85.0%) are Qualified and 1,169,987 (15.0%) outlet pressure values are Failed, comprising 718,537 zero outlet pressure values due to sensor failure from Cycle 168B through Cycle 171B, 54,550 missing values, and 396,900 too-low outlet pressure values, ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 psia after sensor replacement during Cycle 173A. Load. A total of 6,696,030 load values were captured. Of these, 6,694,580 (99.98%) are Qualified and 1,450 (0.02%) are Failed due to missing values. Applied loads to the six specimen stacks were stable throughout the irradiation. Stack displacement. A total of 6,696,030 displacement values were captured. Of these, 5,713,297 (85.32%) are Qualified and 3,781 (0.06%) are Failed due to missing values. Stack displacement increased consistently throughout the irradiation, reaching approximately 3.08 in. for Channels 5 and 6 by the end of irradiation. 978,952 (14.62%) substantially elevated displacements observed for Channel 6 beginning in Cycle 171A and for Channel 5 beginning in Cycle 173A are assigned Trend status. Raising pressure. A total of 1,115,999 raising pressure values were captured. Of these, 1,115,430 (99.95%) are Qualified and 569 (0.05%) are Failed due to missing values. Ram pressure. A total of 6,696,030 ram pressure values were captured. Of these, 6,692,249 (99.95%) are Qualified and 3,484 (0.05%) are Failed due to missing values. Stack raising was perf

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2012

Insight from molecular modelling: does the polymer side chain length matter for transport properties of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes?

We present a detailed analysis of the nanostructure of short side chain (SSC) perfluorosulfonic acid membrane and its effect on H{sub 2}O network percolation, H{sub 3}O{sup +} and H{sub 2}O diffusion, and mean residence times of H{sub 3}O{sup +} and H{sub 2}O near SO{sub 3}{sup -} groups based on molecular dynamics simulations. We studied a range of hydration levels ({lambda}) at temperatures of 300 and 360 K, and compare the results to our previous findings in the benchmark Nafion membrane at 300 K. The water channel diameter is about 20% larger in Nafion, while the extent of SO3- clustering is more in SSC membrane. The calculated channel diameter is in excellent agreement with the recently proposed cylindrical water channel model of these membranes. The H{sub 2}O network percolation occurs at comparable hydration levels, and the diffusion coefficients of H{sub 2}O and H{sub 3}O{sup +} are similar in SSC and Nafion membranes. Raising the temperature of the SSC membrane from 300 to 360 K provides a much bigger increase in proton vehicular diffusion coefficient (by a factor of about 4) than changing the side chain length. H3O+ ions are found to exchange more frequently with SO{sub 3}{sup -} partners at the higher temperature. Our key findings are that (a) the hydrophobic-hydrophilic separation in the two membranes is surprisingly similar; (b) at all hydration levels studied, the longer side chain of Nafion is bent and is effectively equivalent to a short side chain in terms of extension into the water domain; and (c) proton transport along the centre of the channel is improbable and vehicular proton transport occurs between SO{sub 3}{sup -} groups. The simulations are validated by good agreement with corresponding experimental values for the simulated membrane density and diffusion coefficients of H{sub 2}O.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2014

Propagation And Damping Of High Harmonic Fast Waves And Electron Cyclotron Waves In The Nstx-U-Device

For the spherical torus and for conventional tokamaks to be viable means of producing fusion energy there are two important requirements. The first is to heat the plasma in the experimental devices to high temperatures; preferably, to fusion relevant temperatures. The second is to drive a current in the plasma so that the fusion device operates in a steady-state mode. A pulsed fusion reactor for energy production is not desirable. A favored means to achieve both of these requirements is through the use of microwaves, commonly referred to as radio frequency waves. This proposal was to understand observations from the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) device on radio frequency wave heating of the confined plasma during operations with high harmonic fast waves. The proposed research was also directed toward assisting in the optimization of the experimental modes of operation so as to maximize the heating efficiency. A detailed analysis of the experiments has shown that about one-third of the input radio frequency power does not make it into the core region of the plasma where heating is required. The losses are believed to occur primarily in the edge region where the radio frequency power is initially coupled into the plasma. Using sophisticated computational codes and theoretical models, that have been developed for the NSTX-U experimental program, this research quantified the physical processes which occur in the edge plasma and lead to a decrease in the heating efficiency. The effect of edge turbulence on the scattering of radio frequency waves was studied for waves in the ion cyclotron and electron cyclotron range of frequencies. For high harmonic fast waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies, simulations were carried out using a full-wave solver that was extended to the vacuum vessel wall. These simulations successfully reproduced trends that were observed experimentally. This simulation capability was also used to study the interaction of high harmonic fast waves with the scrape-off layer plasma. More recently, a new technique has been developed for the calculation of radio frequency waves in toroidal geometry that enables the simultaneous incorporation of antenna geometry, plasma facing components, the scrape off-layer, and core propagation in the high harmonic fast wave regime. The effect of turbulent plasmas on the mode conversion of extraordinary electromagnetic waves in the electron cyclotron range of frequencies in the NSTX-U plasma has been studied theoretically. In the over-dense plasmas of NSTX-U, the traditional electromagnetic waves are not effective for delivering energy and momentum to the core plasma. However, electron Bernstein waves generated by mode conversion are efficient carriers of wave energy and momentum to the core. The mode conversion occurs in the turbulent edge region. A theory for mode conversion in such plasmas has been developed. The parameters that can optimize the mode conversion can be readily determined. Also, the model is useful for experimentalists to analyze observation on a shot-to-shot basis.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

Propagation And Damping Of High Harmonic Fast Waves And Electron Cyclotron Waves In The Nstx-U-Device

For the spherical torus and for conventional tokamaks to be viable means of producing fusion energy there are two important requirements. The first is to heat the plasma in the experimental devices to high temperatures; preferably, to fusion relevant temperatures. The second is to drive a current in the plasma so that the fusion device operates in a steady-state mode. A pulsed fusion reactor for energy production is not desirable. A favored means to achieve both of these requirements is through the use of microwaves, commonly referred to as radio frequency waves. This proposal was to understand observations from the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) device on radio frequency wave heating of the confined plasma during operations with high harmonic fast waves. The proposed research was also directed toward assisting in the optimization of the experimental modes of operation so as to maximize the heating efficiency. A detailed analysis of the experiments has shown that about one-third of the input radio frequency power does not make it into the core region of the plasma where heating is required. The losses are believed to occur primarily in the edge region where the radio frequency power is initially coupled into the plasma. Using sophisticated computational codes and theoretical models, that have been developed for the NSTX-U experimental program, this research quantified the physical processes which occur in the edge plasma and lead to a decrease in the heating efficiency. The effect of edge turbulence on the scattering of radio frequency waves was studied for waves in the ion cyclotron and electron cyclotron range of frequencies. For high harmonic fast waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies, simulations were carried out using a full-wave solver that was extended to the vacuum vessel wall. These simulations successfully reproduced trends that were observed experimentally. This simulation capability was also used to study the interaction of high harmonic fast waves with the scrape-off layer plasma. More recently, a new technique has been developed for the calculation of radio frequency waves in toroidal geometry that enables the simultaneous incorporation of antenna geometry, plasma facing components, the scrape off-layer, and core propagation in the high harmonic fast wave regime. The effect of turbulent plasmas on the mode conversion of extraordinary electromagnetic waves in the electron cyclotron range of frequencies in the NSTX-U plasma has been studied theoretically. In the over-dense plasmas of NSTX-U, the traditional electromagnetic waves are not effective for delivering energy and momentum to the core plasma. However, electron Bernstein waves generated by mode conversion are efficient carriers of wave energy and momentum to the core. The mode conversion occurs in the turbulent edge region. A theory for mode conversion in such plasmas has been developed. The parameters that can optimize the mode conversion can be readily determined. Also, the model is useful for experimentalists to analyze observation on a shot-to-shot basis.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Machine-Learning-Based Mapping and Modeling of Solar Energy with Ultra-High Spatiotemporal Granularity

Despite the rapid growth of solar energy, we still lack a dynamic, high-fidelity database that tracks the spatiotemporal variations of solar PVs and their associated infrastructures across different places at a spatially resolved scale. The absence of such data presents a barrier to various applications such as solar PV growth projection, solar energy integration, solar incentive design, and climate risk assessment. In this project, we aim to bridge this gap by developing AI-based algorithms to extract granular information about solar PV installations and their associated infrastructures (i.e., distribution grids) from widely available unstructured data like remote sensing images and street views. As a result, we have built the Solar Energy Atlas, a fine-grained, large-scale geospatial overlay of distributed solar PVs and distribution grids. On top of it, we have advanced the understanding of solar adoption and distribution grid vulnerability to climate-induced extremes. Our major contributions can be summarized as follow: (1) By developing new AI algorithms, we have built the most comprehensive solar PV spatiotemporal database covering the entire US. This is the first time we obtained the exact GPS locations, size, subtype, and installation year information for rooftop solar PVs across the US. This database can be used for solar PV growth projection, solar energy integration, solar energy policy analysis and design, and spatially-resolved climate risk assessment. (2) Leveraging this database, we have uncovered the socioeconomic driving factors that are correlated with earlier onset of solar adoption and higher saturated adoption levels. We have identified the heterogeneity in the effects of different types of financial incentives on solar adoption and provided implications for tailoring incentive design based on local income levels to promote equitable solar adoption. (3) We have developed a distribution grid GIS mapping algorithm which can obtain granular geospatial and topology information about distribution grids using multi-modal open data, reducing the dependency on hard-to-obtain smart meter data of conventional approaches. It shows effectiveness in both the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa. Using this algorithm, we have uncovered the non-uniform vulnerability of distribution grids to wildfires in California in the aspects of undergrounding protection and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) preparedness. This has provided important implications for improving the affordability and equity of grid adaptation approaches. (3) We have made our produced database publicly available and provided user-friendly interface to enable various stakeholders and the general public to interact with the data. We have also integrated the produced data into the Data Commons platform to enable the public to access the data and correlate it with other location-specific characteristics simply using natural language as queries. The impact of our project is three-fold: (1) New algorithms for mapping solar PVs and distribution grids across space and time, which are open source to facilitate researchers and industry; (2) New databases of solar PVs and distribution grids that have been made publicly available for engineering, social, and policy applications; (3) New understandings and actionable insights on the potential approaches to promoting solar adoption and reducing energy infrastructure vulnerabilities. In this report, we start by discussing the project background and motivation (section 5), followed by the overview of project objectives (section 6). Results and discussion for each task are presented in section 7. Significant accomplishments are summarized in section 8. This report will be concluded by discussing the paths forwards (section 9), products (section 10), and team roles (section 11).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗