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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

An Introduction to Los Alamos National Laboratory [Slides]

The Weapon Systems Engineering Division (W) provides the system engineering and program management necessary to sustain the safety, reliability, and security of the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s assets in the active United States nuclear stockpile - the B61, W76, W78 and W88. The Division generates key certification data for Annual Assessment supporting the Laboratory Director's letter to the President on the health of those warheads. This role demands ongoing surveillance of the active stockpile and evaluation of the potential impact of any issues through design, engineering, fabrication, testing using state-of-the-art computational simulation tools and engineering test facilities. The Division works in close liaison with the several production facilities across the nuclear security complex as well as with the customers in the US Navy and Air Force.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2021

Global Security & Strategic Partnerships Programs

Serving the Nation: Our Missions include Providing the Nuclear Deterrent for our Nation and Allies; Leading Nuclear Nonproliferation and Counterterrorism / Counterproliferation efforts to make the world a safer place; Supplying Enriched Uranium Material for Reactors – Naval Propulsion, Army, NASA, Universities, Isotope Production Reactors; Providing High Explosives for the Stockpile and Strategic Partners; Delivering Solutions – Solve emerging national security challenges

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

CCF Parameter Estimations, 2020 Update

This report documents the quantitative results of the common-cause failure (CCF) data collection effort (which included data through 2020) and summarizes the results of the parameter estimation quantification process performed on CCF data in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) CCF database. This is the 2020 update to NUREG/CR-5497, updating data and parameter estimations for CCFs. This release, CCF Parameter Estimation 2020, reflects the CCF data contained within the CCF database, https://rads.inl.gov/Pages/CCF.aspx, by executing (in August 2021) the CCF query rules in the folder SPAR Rules 2020. The data covers the period from 1/1/2006 to 12/31/2020, the most recent 15-year period in which data are available. The use of the most recent rolling 15-year data in parameter estimation differs from previous updates, in which 1/1/1997 was used as the starting date (e.g., 1/1/1997 to 12/31/2015 for the 2015 update, 1/1/1997 to 12/31/2012 for the 2012 update). The new date range (i.e., the most recent 15-year period), was selected for this CCF update so as to be consistent with the date range chosen for the component reliability parameter estimation, and with the effort to include sufficient data for analysis while simultaneously reflecting the most recent industry performance. These results are appropriate for use in probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) studies, including the Standardized Plant Analysis Risk (SPAR) models of commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the U.S. This update may be referred as: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "CCF Parameter Estimations, 2020 Update," https://nrcoe.inl.gov/publicdocs/CCF/ccfparamest2020.pdf, November 2021.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program (OSELP) Simulation and Computation at LANL [Slides]

Simulation and Computation plays a pivotal role in maintaining confidence in the stockpile as the approach to underwrite that confidence has changed. The need for resolution and fidelity at scale drives our need for increased computing capability. DOE/NNSA Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) program provides the computational surrogate for testing. ASC provides simulation-based confidence in the U.S. stockpile.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigation Support Scenario-based Policy Discussion Development [Slides]

Nuclear forensics is the examination of nuclear or other radioactive material, or of evidence contaminated with radionuclides, in the context of legal proceedings under international or national law related to nuclear security. The goal of forensic science is to discover linkages among people, places, materials and events. Nuclear forensics is an essential component of national response plans to events involving nuclear or other radioactive materials out of regulatory control and informs prevention, detection and response.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Geophysicist's Guide to the Fairfield Nodes

This report details how to successfully use the Fairfield Nodal ZLand seismic instruments to collect data, including preparation steps prior to deploying the instruments, how to record data during a field campaign, and how to retrieve recorded data from the instruments after their deployment. This guide will walk through each step for the novice user, as well as provide a checklist of critical steps for the advanced user to ensure successful, efficient field campaigns and seismic data collection. Currently, use of the seismic nodal instruments is highly limited due to the detailed nature and prior knowledge required to successfully set up, use, and retrieve data from these instruments. With this guide, all interested users will have the knowledge required to perform a seismic deployment and collect data with the Fairfield Nodal instruments.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Verification of Spent Fuel Inside Dry Storage Casks Using Neutron Mapping (2022 Midyear Report)

Development of a spent-fuel verification method based upon positional measurement of fast neutrons emitted from the top surface of the dry storage casks. A proof-of-principle field test on a partially loaded spent-fuel cask will be conducted by measuring the fast neutron flux on the top of the cask as a function of position using a single detector. If a useful verification signature is demonstrated, a multi-detector scanning array will be built and tested to demonstrate a practical rapid verification system.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

HYSPLIT/MACCS Atmospheric Dispersion Model Technical Documentation and Benchmark Analysis

The nuclear accident consequence analysis code MACCS has traditionally modeled dispersion during downwind transport using a Gaussian plume segment model. MACCS is designed to estimate consequence measures such as air concentrations and ground depositions, radiological doses, and health and economic impacts on a statistical basis over the course of a year to produce annualaveraged output measures. The objective of this work is to supplement the Gaussian atmospheric transport and diffusion (ATD) model currently in MACCS with a new option using the HYSPLIT model. HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling has been implemented, with HYSPLIT as an alternative ATD option. The subsequent calculations in MACCS use the HYSPLIT-generated air concentration, and ground deposition values to calculate the same range of output quantities (dose, health effects, risks, etc.) that can be generated when using the MACCS Gaussian ATD model. Based on the results from the verification test cases, the implementation of the HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling is confirmed. This report contains technical details of the HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling and presents a benchmark analysis using the HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling system. The benchmark analysis, which involves running specific scenarios and sensitivity studies designed to examine how the results generated by the traditional MACCS Gaussian plume segment model compare to the new, higher fidelity HYSPLIT/MACCS modeling option, demonstrates the modeling results that can be obtained by using this new option. The comparisons provided herein can also help decision-makers evaluate the potential benefit of using results based on higher fidelity modeling with the additional computational burden needed to perform the calculations. Three sensitivity studies to investigate the potential impact of alternative modeling options, regarding 1) input meteorological data set, 2) method to estimate stability class, and 3) plume dispersion model for larger distances, on consequence results were also performed. The results of these analyses are provided and discussed in this report.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nuclear Forensics

Nuclear forensics is a key part of the nuclear security strategy for the United States and the international community. The NACS Division is central to the leadership role that LLNL has had in nuclear forensics over the past 25 years. Our current nuclear forensic program includes conducting R&D on provenance and attribution signatures, collaborating with international partners, training the next generation of nuclear forensic experts, developing test materials for verification and validation exercises, and providing expert advice to national and international policy makers. Key to our success in these areas has been the strong and continuing involvement in nuclear forensic casework obtained through law enforcement and intelligence channels as well as our outstanding analytical capabilities. NACS must continue to conduct forward-thinking R&D in nuclear forensics that supports operational programs and addresses intelligence gaps. To maintain leadership in nuclear forensics, we must attract, develop, and retain the best talent. The NNSA has a central leadership role in developing educational initiatives for nuclear forensics. In concert with the Glenn T. Seaborg Institute, the NACS Division will continue to participate in all nuclear forensic educational initiatives (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral) and incorporate LLNL’s D&I vision into its student and postdoc recruitment efforts. We will continue to build formal relationships with key academic partners and institutions with active and emerging nuclear forensic research interests. We will also strengthen relationships with NNSA DNN and SSAA funded university consortia (e.g. NSSC, ACE, CNEC, CVT, ETI, MTV), helping them conduct research of interest and relevance to nuclear forensics, while at the same time evaluating and recruiting promising talent from these programs.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Engineering Evaluation of Barium Buildup in a Decayed CsCl Sealed Source and Potential Impact for Cesium Release from a Breached Source

For more than 50 years, radioactive 137 Cs has been a major source material for radioactive sealed sources, usually constructed as cesium chloride (CsCl) salt loaded into double-walled, stainless-steel capsules. A complication develops as 137 Cs decays to 137 Ba since this process creates a strongly reducing environment inside the capsule. A potential hazard exists if the capsule is breached and air ingress induces rapid exothermic oxidation, and this mechanism is suspected to be responsible for the well-known contamination incident at the Harbor View facility in Washington state. For this study, many thermodynamic evaluations were performed to assess the internal state of capsules after several decades of decay and to describe the potential oxidation if the capsule contents were to suddenly be exposed to air. Results suggest that reduction of impurities such as Cu, Fe, Pb, and Cr to metal will occur. If these impurities are lacking, it is possible that even Ba metal will form. In most cases, rapid oxidation can occur, and the exothermic reactions are sufficient to vaporize portions of the contents, which would include the remaining 137 Cs.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗