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At least 343 records · Page 19

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2020

Developing Separate Effects Transient Test Experiments Using an Out-of-Pile Flowing Water Loop

In 2017 the Transient Reactor Test Facility was restarted after being placed in a standby state since 1994. This Test Reactor’s restart has since enabled the progressive development of new nuclear technologies within the U.S. that were previously required to outsource to other countries. While the reactor’s restart was a large feat worthy of recognition, the experimental use of its characteristics has required the further development of in-pile experimental infrastructure sufficient to support programmatic needs. This hardware have taken the form of capsule designs (compact and elongated) as well as loop concepts representing the phenomena of interest for a subset of separate effects tests desire for each respective testing campaign. The Transient Testing Program has a large-integrated effort that aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s current needs. This study compliments those programmatic elements by developing, fabricating and demonstrating a full-scale flowing water loop in an out-of-pile environment. The goal of this effort is to develop a pragmatic understanding of the engineering capabilities and limitations associated with geometric form-factors, metering technology, and controls logic under representative thermal hydraulic conditions that would be experienced within the TREAT reactor during an in-pile reactivity initiated accident test. The outcomes of this study result in an evaluation of the conceptual design of a comprehensive flowing water loop including objective figures of merit (FoMs) for comparing unique instrumentation and the basis for their selection during operations. These efforts directly contribute to and are required for the further advancement of transient testing capabilities within the U.S.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Modeling of Microgrid for Critical Data Center Applications

As part of continuing efforts to develop support, understanding, and infrastructure of data center integration onto the electric grid, our work aims to model and analyze the behavior of data center loads in a microgrid power system. Our model consists of renewable energy sources, batteries, and a nuclear reactor-steam Rankine cycle to power data center loads. The simulation studies investigate the electrical behavior of the microgrid system to assess its ability in supporting large data center electrical demands.

14 - SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Defense Technical Assistance - Infographic 4/24/25

Defense Technical Assistance (TA) Infographic designed to inform potential pilot partnerships with military installation about the TA opportunities available. - Secure and reliable energy is crucial for the operational readiness and resilience of military installations. The Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office has funded a new initiative at Idaho National Laboratory to conduct technical, on-site assessments that aim to secure the power infrastructure of military bases reliant on civilian utilities for their operations, both CONUS and OCONUS. Including how the assessments work and INL capabilities, partnership model as well as outcomes.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗

DOE OSTI2020

Status of GTA Gear Inspection after Testing in Sodium

The Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) is an intermediate-scale liquid metal experimental facility that provides purified reactor-grade (R-grade) sodium to various experimental test vessels. In these test vessels, components that are required to operate in an advanced fast reactor can be tested in a prototypical sodium environment. Experiments conducted in METL significantly assist in the development and maturation of systems and components for advanced reactors. The METL facility consists of multiple test segments including: a purification and diagnostic loop (cold trap was designed after EBR-II), two 18” diameter test vessels with 150 L capacities capable of operating in static or dynamic flow at 538°C, two 28” diameter test vessels with 644 L capacities capable of operating in static or dynamic flow at 650°C, a 3,180 L dump tank with 21 instrumentation ports, and the infrastructure to expand capacity in the future.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Production of Radioisotopes of Scandium for Imaging and Therapy (Final Report)

This collaborative proposal aims developed techniques for the production of important medical isotopes of scandium; 43Sc, 44Sc, and 47Sc. By leveraging complementary infrastructure available at the three collaborating instructions, we have achieved a robust supply source for these isotopes.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

DOE OSTI2023

Energy Storage Sizing, Placement and Valuation for Distribution Networks

SAND2023-05682O The Energy Storage Sizing, Placement, and Valuation for Distribution software allows a user to simulate sizing, placement, and operation of one or more storage assets on a distribution grid. Among its features are measuring differences to determine the best combinations, and options for configuring and comparing results. This new simulation capability leverages the Open Distribution System Simulator and the Hierarchical Engine for Large-scale Infrastructure Co-Simulation (HELICS). Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Tamrakar, Ujjwol↗

DOE OSTI2024

KLOKKOS: Automated test generation for performance-portable programs

SAND2024-13830O The KLOKKOS project provides a suite of test generation and validation tools to increase maintainability and portability of Kokkos programs. KLOKKOS, a portmanteau of Klee and Kokkos, is developing an automated test generation for performance-portable programs using Clang/low-level virtual machine (LLVM) and formal methods. KLOKKOS is based on several topics in computer science: the development of symbolic and concolic analysis of LLVM and C++ codes, formal semantics and type theory, C++ templates and language features, LLVM compiler infrastructure, and data parallel primitives. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525

SciDAC↗

DOE OSTI2023

Status of DUNE Offline Computing

We summarize the status of Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Offline Software and Computing program. We describe plans for the computing infrastructure needed to acquire, catalog, reconstruct, simulate and analyze the data from the DUNE experiment and its prototypes in pursuit of the experiment's physics goals of precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters, detection of astrophysical neutrinos, measurement of neutrino interaction properties and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. In contrast to traditional HEP computational problems, DUNE's Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber data consist of simple but very large (many GB) data objects which share many characteristics with astrophysical images. We have successfully reconstructed and simulated data from 4% prototype detector runs at CERN. The data volume from the full DUNE detector, when it starts commissioning late in this decade will present memory management challenges in conventional processing but significant opportunities to use advances in machine learning and pattern recognition as a frontier user of High Performance Computing facilities capable of massively parallel processing. Our goal is to develop infrastructure resources that are flexible and accessible enough to support creative software solutions as HEP computing evolves.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Cyber-Informed Engineering Guidance—Implementing CIE in Early Systems Engineering Lifecycle Stages

Traditionally, cybersecurity is not considered in the design process. Design engineers typically focus on building safety and reliability into their products and applications. Security against malicious cyber incidents is often an afterthought, resulting in deployment of security solutions during installation or operation. Unfortunately, waiting to consider cybersecurity until later in the systems engineering lifecycle often results in less effective and more expense security. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) developed the concept of Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) in 2015 to provide a framework that enables cybersecurity to be built into systems beginning at the conceptual design stage. In addition to ongoing research by INL, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response has recently developed a National CIE Strategy document for incorporating CIE into the design and operation of infrastructure systems reliant on digital monitoring or controls. This paper provides a brief review of this National CIE Strategy as well as a roadmap to historical, current, and future CIE research by INL through the U.S. DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) Cybersecurity Crosscutting Technology Development Program. A near-term focus of the DOE-NE’s research and development is to extend the foundational CIE work into detailed guidance for implementation during initial systems engineering stages in nuclear digital instrumentation and control projects and to demonstrate use of the guidance in an integrated energy systems project.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Characterizing gravitational wave detector networks: from A # to cosmic explorer

Gravitational-wave observations by the laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatory (LIGO) and Virgo have provided us a new tool to explore the Universe on all scales from nuclear physics to the cosmos and have the massive potential to further impact fundamental physics, astrophysics, and cosmology for decades to come. In this paper we have studied the science capabilities of a network of LIGO detectors when they reach their best possible sensitivity, called A # , given the infrastructure in which they exist and a new generation of observatories that are factor of 10 to 100 times more sensitive (depending on the frequency), in particular a pair of L-shaped cosmic explorer (CE) observatories (one 40 km and one 20 km arm length) in the US and the triangular Einstein telescope with 10 km arms in Europe. We use a set of science metrics derived from the top priorities of several funding agencies to characterize the science capabilities of different networks. The presence of one or two A # observatories in a network containing two or one next generation observatories, respectively, will provide good localization capabilities for facilitating multimessenger astronomy (MMA) and precision measurement of the Hubble parameter. Two CE observatories are indispensable for achieving precise localization of binary neutron star events, facilitating detection of electromagnetic counterparts and transforming MMA. Their combined operation is even more important in the detection and localization of high-redshift sources, such as binary neutron stars, beyond the star-formation peak, and primordial black hole mergers, which may occur roughly 100 million years after the Big Bang. The addition of the Einstein Telescope to a network of two CE observatories is critical for accomplishing all the identified science metrics including the nuclear equation of state, cosmological parameters, the growth of black holes through cosmic history, but also make new discoveries such as the presence of dark matter within or around neutron stars and black holes, continuous gravitational waves from rotating neutron stars, transient signals from supernovae, and the production of stellar-mass black holes in the early Universe. For most metrics the triple network of next generation terrestrial observatories are a factor 100 better than what can be accomplished by a network of three A # observatories.

Einstein telescope↗

DOE OSTI2022

Development of a Cloud-based Application to Enable a Scalable Risk-informed Predictive Maintenance Strategy at Nuclear Power Plants

Light-water reactor operations and maintenance (O&M) costs are prohibitively high, thus contributing to the premature decommissioning of nuclear power plants (NPPs). This is partly due to how the equipment is monitored. In recent years, cloud computing has emerged as a dominant technology by virtue of its low costs, computing and storage adaptability, and ability to host applications over numerous types of virtual infrastructures. Cloud computing can be a cost-effective alternative to onsite storage and diagnostics. This paper conducts a techno-economic assessment of a provisional cloud deployment architecture for a NPP predictive monitoring (PdM) system. The cloud-based monitoring system would enable maintenance and diagnostics (M&D) analysts and other authorized plant users to remotely monitor equipment functionality so as to enable PdM practices and early detection of faults. The Microsoft Azure cloud platform is included in the proposed cloud architecture to provide data processing and storage, sensor device networking, and database management; however, this analysis could be extended to other cloud computing service providers as well. For the techno-economic assessment, technical feasibility is measured in terms of network performance metrics such as response time, latency, and throughput, whereas economic feasibility is measured in terms of operational costs and capital expenditures. Finally, this report covers certain regulatory and security aspects that may concern licensees looking to implement cloud computing. The report focuses on the integration of sensor database storage, the application of cloud resources to PdM, and the identification of technological and economic hurdles associated with moving to a cloud-computing-based architecture.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

hifem_transport

SAND2022-14657 O The hifem-transport software is used to simulate transport processes in large geologic environments characterized by complex fractures and man-made infrastructure at an affordable computational cost. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Beskardes, Gungor↗

NASA NTRS2021

Compass Final Report: Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP)-Chemical Vehicle 1.2

Many previous studies have examined sending crews to and from Mars. The most economical involved a ‘conjunction’ class whereby the crew spends around 500 days on Mars waiting for a ‘cheap’ return. The total mission time results in over a 1000-day mission duration (about 3 years). Given the current experience level of only one year on the International Space Station (ISS), it of interest to reduce that time to only two years, thus reducing risk and minimizing required Mars surface infrastructure. The Phase 1.1 Study goal was stated as follows, “Determine the feasibility of a two-year roundtrip class Mars mission concept of operation that enables boots on Mars no later than 2036.” While the Phase1 study did show feasibility for the NEP-Chemical option, the 2036 Opposition opportunity was found to stress the schedule due to proposed technology development schedules. A 2039 Opposition (which requires even more energy than the 2036 case) was chosen as representative for Phase 1.2. Phase 1.2 also sought to further refine the concept, building on the feasibility, but addressing several challenges brought by the red team and habitat team. Given the date of 2039, nearer term technologies, primarily nuclear thermal and nuclear electric were deemed as the most viable for these missions. As will be shown, the energy required to perform such a mission in only two years (for the 2039 opportunity at least) is about three times that of the three-year conjunction mission. The rocket equation shows that this mission would then require several times the propellant of the three-year mission unless the specific impulse (ISP) of the propulsion system can be increased. Based on lunar needs, a limit of five Space Launch System (SLS) launchers with 8.4m fairings was imposed for the piloted transportation portion of the mission, limiting the size of the system. When using nuclear electric propulsion, the main limiting factor was packaging the required radiator area. The higher Isp nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) system option is described herein but with a twist: in order to keep the size of radiators packageable in one SLS and use proven reactor power system technology (~1200K reactor outlet temperature and superalloy-class Brayton) the NEP system had to be combined with a chemical propulsion system. This combination of electric propulsion and high thrust chemical was found to be useful in previous design studies combining solar electric propulsion (SEP) and chemical propulsion. Such a combination allowed the low-thrust system to provide significant change in velocity (∆V) during the interplanetary portions of the mission, thereby notably reducing the ∆V required by the high thrust system to capture and depart from the Mars gravity well. Here the high thrust ‘impulsive’ system is more efficient due to the Oberth Effect. A plethora of trades, both at the mission and system level, as well as the subsystem level were performed to develop these vehicle concepts. An entire family of NEP-Chemical transportation vehicles is described herein. The main driver and the primary focus was the piloted vehicle but additional concepts for cargo were performed using the same ‘building blocks’ in order to reduce costs and provide commonality.

Nuclear Power↗

DOE OSTI2022

Plutonium Infrastructure Engineering Division (PIE) [Poster]

PIE supports $\$8.5$ Billion of Plutonium Infrastructure upgrade projects. Approximately $\$167$ Million of architectural & engineering service contracts awarded. PIE Division consists of 130 personnel and growing.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Statement of Work. Y-12 National Security Complex Security Infrastructure Revitalization Program Project - Combination Inspector

The Y-12 SIRP Quadrant 1, Quadrant 2, and Vehicle Barrier project involves the following summary elements. The perimeter intrusion detection and assessment system (PIDAS) is an existing system at the Y-12 National Security Complex, which is a government-owned facility located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and managed by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) for the Department of Energy (DOE). National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (NTESS) is the engineering design agent and construction manager (CM) for the Y-12 SIRP effort. The Quadrants 1 and 2 portion of the project involves the replacement of the PIDAS, and the vehicle barrier portion of the project involves the installation of a continuous passive vehicle barrier alongside the inner PIDAS fence.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2023

Coal Power Plant Reinvestment Visualization Tool

This tool, available at https://energycommunities.gov/coal-power-plant-reinvestment-visualization-tool/, serves as a public database and map for the purposes of enabling state and local economic development officials, project developers, and power plant owners to identify and pursue opportunities for plant and community reinvestment. The Coal Power Plant Reinvestment Visualization Tool focuses on coal power plants that have been closed or set-to-retire, alongside key infrastructure characteristics that are relevant for potential redevelopment reinvestment opportunities, including the opportunity to query these data based off pre-defined or user-set queries to identify opportunities for coal power facility reinvestment to support solar, wind, manufacturing, and nuclear. These Data for visualization and query include, but are not limited to: • Electric Transmission Lines • EPA Brownfield Sites (assessed with Federal funding) • Petroleum Terminals • Ports • Railroads • Others The tool will be updated periodically to provide relevant information to enable state and local economic development officials, project developers, and power plant owners to identify and pursue opportunities for economic revitalization and community reinvestment. Within this application data are focused on U.S. power plants with coal generation, where at least one on-site generator utilizes or utilized coal as a fuel source, including planned retirements through 2058 (EIA, 2024). Additional information on energy communities and revitalization opportunities can be accessed on the Interagency Working Group on Coal & Power Plant Communities & Economic Revitalization Energy Communities website (https://energycommunities.gov).

Closures↗

DOE OSTI2025

Edge at the Pier: EPCAPE Software-Defined Sensing Field Campaign Report

The Eastern Pacific Cloud Aerosol Precipitation Experiment (EPCAPE) was aimed to enhance the understanding of cloud and aerosol properties in the region surrounding La Jolla, California. To address challenges in data collection and processing from various instruments, an edge computing device known as Waggle Sage Node (WSN) was deployed at the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. WSN is a distributed-sensing platform designed to collect and analyze environmental data at the edge. Sage is a multi-agency-supported project that designs and builds a new kind of national-scale reusable cyberinfrastructure to enable artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge based on the Waggle platform. Sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR), DOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), DOE Biological and Environmental Research (BER) through DOE Artificial Intelligence for Earth System Predictability (AI4ESP), Argonne Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD). Sage (https://sagecontinuum.org/) is funded as a National Science Foundation Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure (MSRI) project (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1935984). This robust, multi-architecture edge computing platform facilitated environmental monitoring during the campaign. This report details the scientific objectives, deployment process, and key results of integrating Waggle into the EPCAPE field campaign.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

MORS Phalax Ad for Systems Analysis

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, applying cutting-edge science and technology to challenging security questions is an everyday thing. Systems Analysis is one way we solve problems—by bringing analytic rigor to missions like strategic deterrence and critical infrastructure defense. Working with the brightest minds in science, technology, and engineering, systems analysts at LLNL bring state-of-the-art analytic tools to bear on problems of national importance. From ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of our nation’s nuclear stockpile to shaping the future of inertial fusion energy—if you have a penchant for problem-solving using modeling and analysis tools—we have a place for you.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗