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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 451 records · Page 25

Plutonium Oxide Containment and the Potential for Water-Borne Transport as a Consequence of ARIES Oxide Processing Operations

The question of oxide containment during processing and storage has become a primary concern when considering the continued operability of the Plutonium Facility (PF-4) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). An Evaluation of the Safety of the Situation (ESS), “Potential for Criticality in a Glovebox Due to a Fire” (TA55-ESS-14-002-R2, since revised to R3) first issued in May, 2014 summarizes these concerns: “The safety issue of fire water potentially entering a glovebox is: the potential for the water to accumulate in the bottom of a glovebox and result in an inadvertent criticality due to the presence of fissionable materials in the glovebox locations and the increased reflection and moderation of neutrons from the fire water accumulation.” As a result, the existing documented safety analysis (DSA) was judged inadequate and, while it explicitly considered the potential for criticality resulting from water intrusion into gloveboxes, criticality safety evaluation documents (CSEDs) for the affected locations did not evaluate the potential for fire water intrusion into a glovebox.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Consequence Analysis for Used Fuel Extended Storage

Early identification and evaluation of security issues related to the extended storage of used nuclear fuel is critical. A breach in a dry fuel storage container has the possibility of external gas from the atmosphere interacting with the used fuel rods at high temperatures, resulting in rapid oxidation and possibly the ignition of a zirconium fire. In support of this idea, the current work aims to develop a computational model of heat transfer and fluid flow in and through a breached dry fuel storage cask to determine if the resulting flow conditions are likely to result in a fire.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Developing a novel hierarchical approach for multiscale structural reliability predictions for ultra-high consequence applications

Microstructural variabilities are among the predominant sources of uncertainty in structural performance and reliability. We seek to develop efficient algorithms for multiscale calcu- lations for polycrystalline alloys such as aluminum alloy 6061-T6 in environments where ductile fracture is the dominant failure mode. Our approach employs concurrent multiscale methods, but does not focus on their development. They are a necessary but not sufficient ingredient to multiscale reliability predictions. We have focused on how to efficiently use concurrent models for forward propagation because practical applications cannot include fine-scale details throughout the problem domain due to exorbitant computational demand. Our approach begins with a low-fidelity prediction at the engineering scale that is sub- sequently refined with multiscale simulation. The results presented in this report focus on plasticity and damage at the meso-scale, efforts to expedite Monte Carlo simulation with mi- crostructural considerations, modeling aspects regarding geometric representation of grains and second-phase particles, and contrasting algorithms for scale coupling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Establishing the consequences of intertwined order parameters in spatially modulated superconductors. Final Report

This the Final Report for the grant DE-SC0012368. The purpose of this project was to establish the generality and full implications of phasesensitive coupling between charge and superconducting order parameters in materials exhibiting charge inhomogeneity. Specifically, our targeted goal was to first confirm experimentally a number of unique phenomena predicted by Berg et al for the cuprate material La 2-x Ba x CuO 4 (LBCO), commonly believed to contain such coupling and then extend the work to include several other superconducting families. More generally, our expanded research program sought to identify material families with co-existing charge and superconducting orders, and to understand the nature of the coupling between the order parameters. In the long term, we hope these are the first steps in identifying symmetry-based unifying principles, which might provide the foundation for a universal phenomenological theory, appropriate to describe to multiple families containing unconventional superconductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Radiological Consequences of Beam Loss on Beamline Front End Collimator during Top-off Injection into the Storage Ring

The primary radiological safety concern for the top-off injection, with the beam line front end safety shutters open, is the scenario where electrons could be conveyed down to the beam line through the front end due to the erroneous combination of lattice magnetic field settings and beam energy. It is of paramount importance to ensure that such events are of remote possibility. Particle tracking simulations by the NSLS-II Accelerator Physicists have shown that by a set of interlocking requirements of the lattice magnetic fields and by the implementation of physical apertures, the errant electron beam can be confined to the front end components within the storage ring.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Radiological Consequences of Beam Loss at Front End by FLUKA during Top-off Injection into the Storage Ring for PROJECT Beamlines

NSLS-II plans to run the top-off mode operation in the near future. Particle tracking simulations proved that an errant injected electron beam can be confined to the beam-line frontend inside the storage ring tunnel by use of appropriate apertures and interlocks. Photon shutter collimator 2 (C2) was selected as the safe point (i.e. electron beam can’t travel beyond the safe point). FLUKA simulations have been carried out with the current beamline front ends and ratchet wall configurations to independently verify the previous calculations performed [1].

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Consequence Analysis for Used Fuel Extended Storage: Density-based SFR Modeling Refinement [Slides]

ALE3D has been used to simulate a copper jet impacting a spent fuel pellet. The ultimate goal of these simulations is to determine the respirable fraction of particulates produced by the interaction. This is related to the change in energy density in the fuel pellet. A series of simplified simulations has been performed in order to better understand the differences in the modeling approaches between ALE3D and CTH. The effect of density variation on the energy response of the fuel has been studied.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Sensitivity and Uncertainty Workflow of Full System SIERRA Models Supporting High Consequence Applications

Credibility of end-to-end CompSim (Computational Simulation) models and their agile execution requires an expressive framework to describe, communicate and execute complex computational tool chains representing the model. All stakeholders from system engineering and customers through model developers and V&V partners need views and functionalities of the workflow representing the model in a manner that is natural to their discipline. In the milestone and in this report we define workflow as a network of computation simulation activities executed autonomously on a distributed set of computational platforms. The FY19 ASC L2 Milestone (6802) for the Integrated Workflow (IWF) project was designed to integrate and improve existing capabilities or develop new functionalities to provide a wide range of stakeholders a coherent and intuitive platform capable of defining and executing CompSim modeling from analysis workflow definition to complex ensemble calculations. The main goal of the milestone was to advance the integrated workflow capabilities to support the weapon system analysts with a production deployment in FY20. Ensemble calculations supporting program decisions include sensitivity analysis, optimization and uncertainty quantification. The goal of the L2 milestone aligned with the ultimate goal of the IWF project is to foster cultural and technical shift toward and integrated CompSim capability based on automated workflows. Specific deliverables were defined in five broad categories: 1) Infrastructure, including development of distributed-computing workflow capability, 2) integration of Dakota (Sandia's sensitivity, optimization and UQ engine) with SAW (Sandia Analysis Workbench), 3) ARG (Automatic Report Generator introspecting analysis artifacts and generating human-readable extensible and archivable reports), 4) Libraries and Repositories aiding capability reuse, and 5) Exemplars to support training, capturing best practices and stress testing of the platform. A set of exemplars was defined to represent typical weapon system qualification CompSim projects. Analyzing the required capabilities and using the findings to plan implementation of required capabilities ensured optimal allocation of development resources focused on production deployment after the L2 is completed. It was recognized early that the end-to-end modeling applications pose a considerable number of diverse risks, and a formal risk tracking process was implemented. The project leveraged products, capabilities and development tasks of IWF partners. SAW, Dakota, Cubit, Sierra, Slycat, and NGA (NexGen Analytics, a small business) contributed to the integrated platform developed during this milestone effort. New products delivered include: a) NGW (Next Generation Workflow) for robust workflow definition and execution, b) Dakota wizards, editor and results visualization, and c) the automatic report generator ARG. User engagement was initiated early in the development process eliciting concrete requirements and actionable feedback to assure that the integrated CompSim capability will have high user acceptance and impact. The current integrated capabilities have been demonstrated and are continually being tested by a set of exemplars ranging from training scenarios to computationally demanding uncertainty analyses. The integrated workflow platform has been deployed on both SRN (Sandia Restricted Network) and SCN (Sandia Classified Network). Computational platforms where the system has been demonstrated span from Windows (Creo the CAD platform chosen by Sandia) to Trinity HPC (Sierra and CTH solvers). Follow up work will focus on deployment at SNL and other sites in the nuclear enterprise (LLNL, KCNSC), training and consulting support to democratize the analysis agility, process health and knowledge management benefits the NGW platform provides.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Sensitivity and Uncertainty Workflow of Full System SIERRA Models Supporting High Consequence Applications (Executive Summary)

The overall goal of this work was to advance the integrated workflow capabilities to provide the weapon system analysts the tools to construct, communicate and robustly execute end-to-end computational simulation models and analysis. Specifically, this includes developing and running automated, CompSim workflows that map model inputs to responses from large-scale studies executed on a distributed, heterogenous computing environment (e.g., CAD applications on Windows laptop to Sierra FEM codes on Trinity within a single workflow). The workflows developed enable ensemble calculations in support of ND program decisions, including sensitivity analysis, optimization and uncertainty quantification.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Software Requirements for a Consequence Management Sample Data Simulator for Training and Drills

This document describes the requirements for a software tool that will enable FRMAC to simulate large sets of sample result data that is based realistically on simulated radionuclide deposition grids from NARAC. The user of this tool would be scientists involved in exercise and drill planning or part of the simulation cell of an exercise controller team. A key requirement is that this tool must be able to be run with a reasonable amount of training and job aids by any person within the Assessment, Laboratory Analysis, or Monitoring and Sampling divisions of the FRMAC to support any level of exercise from the small IPX to the national level full scale exercise. This tool should be relatively lean and stand-alone so that the user can run it in the field with limited IT resources. This document will describe the desired architecture, design characteristics, order of operations, and algorithms that can be given to a software development team to assist them in project scoping, costing, and eventually, development.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

JEDEC Tray Flexures for High-Consequence Electronics

JEDEC matrix trays are an industry standard for the safe handling, transport, and storage of electronics. Manufacturing tolerances of the trays (typical for injection-molded components) forces the creation of an envelope around components rather than a secure interface to prevent the trays themselves from damaging the electronics during use. However, this allows relative motion between the components, another potential damage source. This paper covers the design of tray features (flexures) than enable intentional, tuned contact preload to prevent relative motion, maximizing component safety while keeping the JEDEC tray form-factor. The target preload is balanced between gravity and shipment forces that could be experience during adverse handling or transport to prevent loss of contact or slip and keeping the load itself low enough to prevent component damage. Typical features/dimensions for JECEC trays were employed to maximize utility and minimize tray fabrication difficulty. The design also increases usability and component safety by making the chips visible while still sandwiched between trays. The point design described here exemplifies a simple, easy-to-manufacture tray-matrix flexure that significantly improves the security of supported components

42 ENGINEERING↗

Assessment of the MACCS Code Applicability for Nearfield Consequence Analysis

Three codes are used for comparisons in this report to evaluate the adequacy of MACCS in the nearfield, AERMOD, ARCON96 and QUIC. Test cases were developed to give a broad range of weather conditions, building dimensions and plume buoyancy. Based on the comparisons of MACCS with AERMOD, ARCON96 and QUIC across the test cases, the following observations are made: MACCS calculations configured with point-source, ground-level, nonbuoyant plumes provide nearfield results that bound the centerline, ground-level air concentrations from AERMOD, ARCON96, and QUIC. MACCS calculations with ground-level, nonbuoyant plumes that include the effects of the building wake (area source) provide nearfield results that bound the results from AERMOD and QUIC and the results from ARCON96 at distances >250 m. If using a point-source is too conservative and it is desired to bound the results from all three codes, another alternative is to use area source parameters in MACCS that are less than the standard values, i.e., an area source intermediate between the standard recommendation and a point source. All these options provide results from MACCS that are bounding for the test cases evaluated. Based on these observations, it appears that MACCS is adequate for use in nearfield calculations, given the correct parameterization.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Technical and Programmatic Consequences of a Hypersonic Vehicle Flight Test Ban

The hypersonic vehicle (HV) is defined as any vehicle capable of traveling at or above five times the local speed of sound (Mach 5). Development of hypersonic flight has been pursued since the late 1950s, especially for reentry of missile warheads and returning orbiting spacecraft. Although considerable progress has been made since then, air- breathing and gliding hypersonic flight remains in the development and testing phase. Concerns have been raised, however, about continued HV flight tests because of HV's potential military use, which has the potential to encourage hair-trigger tactics that would increase crisis instability. In recent years, non-governmental organizations have called for a ban on HV flight testing for the primary purpose of halting continued development of the HV as a weapon. The emphasis on banning flight tests is due to its vital role in aerospace programs. Without it, significant technical uncertainties remain, creating safety and reliability issues that would discourage commercial development. Although the cost and time involved in flight tests have already spurred the use of other test methods, none can completely reproduce the flight test environment. Flight tests are important for reasons such as generating data unique to flight test environments to use in validating models and verifying ground test data, identifying unanticipated problems, and reducing risk. Commercial HV technology development today depends on advancements in four areas: propulsion; aerodynamics; critical guidance, navigation and control; and thermal management. This report summarizes the ramifications on HV technology development if flight tests were banned.

42 ENGINEERING↗