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At least 505 records · Page 28

Analysis of spent nuclear fuel multipurpose canister dynamics during rail transportation

The primary mode of spent nuclear fuel transportation within the United States will be by railcar. One such system is the Atlas railcar, which is designed to transport 17 different spent nuclear fuel cask systems, including bare fuel systems and canister fuel systems. In the latter configuration, multipurpose canisters containing spent nuclear fuel may be placed within an overpack for storage, or within a cask for transportation. Compared to bare fuel systems, canister fuel systems have additional degrees of freedom for motion during transportation, because clearance between the cask and canister allows for some motion of the canister to occur relative to the cask. This work investigates the effect of canister motion on the shock and vibration imparted to the spent nuclear fuel within. Structural dynamic analyses have been conducted to identify the effects of canister to cask clearance, presence and type of dunnage, and loading direction and frequency. This modeling study calculates anticipated cask motion, canister motion, and spent nuclear fuel structural dynamic response to normal conditions of transportation railcar motion using finite element analysis methods that were developed to model the rail segment of the ENSA/DOE (Equipos Nucleares S.A., U.S. Department of Energy) multimodal transportation test of 2017.

SNF, UNF, LS-DYNA, dynamics, kinematics, shock, vi↗

Acoustic emission monitoring of SSME-ATD roller bearings

Advanced acoustic emission (AE) monitoring methods are being designed to provide a diagnostic capability for ball and roller bearings as part of a program to develop AE sensors, data acquisition hardware, and analysis techniques that can be used to assess the health of a bearing during the operation of the SSME high pressure fuel turbopump and high pressure oxygen turbopump. Preliminary results are presented from six tests of different roller bearing designs in a rig which simulated the speed, load, and temperature environment encountered in the turbopumps. Correlations were found between the bearing clearances, applied loads, rotation speeds, and roller element stability with the AE signal structure.

Hawman, M. W.↗

System Engineering & Integration (SE&I) In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Modeling and Analysis (SIMA) Tool for Subsystem Integration into Full-Scale Architectures

In situ resource utilization (ISRU) is the practice of producing mission consumables from local lunar/planetary resources, thereby minimizing system launch mass requirements, mainly through the production of propellant fuel components and life support resources. Modeling full ISRU technology architectures significantly impacts the design and optimization of individual unit processes and facilitates their introduction into service with the Science Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) logistical planning and operation space. The Mission Analysis and Integration Tool (MAIT) is a modeling framework that connects individual ISRU subsystem models for the purposes of technology down select, scaling & optimization, and end-to-end process planning. The development project team seeks to address specific STMD capability gaps by simulating ISRU systems in MAIT. The goal is to produce system architectures for the Moon and Mars that are linked to Key Performance Parameters (KPP) and environmental requirements. To that end, the framework is adaptive, flexible, and suitable for collaboration among government, private sector, and international entities. Our approach currently provides conventional outputs, such as mass, power, and volume, to analyze whole system trade spaces. However, the framework was designed to validate current breadboard subsystems, simulate future process design capacity, and allow flexibility to any external developer-driven subsystem model that is in a state of evolution.

SE&I↗

Microstructural heterogeneity of the buffer layer of TRISO nuclear fuel particles

Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel particles contain a layered spherical shell designed to retain fission products; however, failure occurs in rare cases—commonly initiated in the porous pyrocarbon buffer layer. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of the buffer-initiated failure mechanisms requires detailed characterization of the buffer porosity and its heterogeneous distribution across multiple length scales. Here we performed FIB-SEM tomography across the buffer layer thickness (~100 µm) to produce 3D reconstructions of the buffer microstructure with 50 nm spatial resolution. We found an average overall porosity of ~14%, which does not solely account for the low density of the buffer (50% of the theoretical density). Additionally, the local porosity and its fluctuation increase from the kernel interface towards the inner pyrocarbon (IPyC) layer, which we attribute to the chemical vapor deposition process conditions during the TRISO particle fabrication. Detailed characterization of the porous microstructure—including analysis of the pore size, distribution, shape, and orientation—provides insight into the process-structure-property-performance relations of TRISO nuclear fuel particles and will inform multiscale models designed to predict the failure of TRISO particles under irradiation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Modelling and Analysis of a Regenerative Fuel Cell Propulsion System for a High Altitude Long Endurance UAV

In the search to bridge current gaps in surveillance and communication technologies, a new type of, aircraft is currently undergoing design. The idea of a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft is already a few decades old, but has only recently become realizable. A relay and collector of information at altitudes of 65,000 feet and higher could greatly improve standards of data exchange, homeland security, and research of the air, land and sea. NASA, as a major force in propulsion research, is exploring methods of powering an autonomous aircraft for days, weeks, or even months without refueling. Such a task requires not only high energy density, but also the ability to make use of renewable energy sources to regenerate power. Hydrogen is one of the most energy dense fuels available. Fuel cells make use of hydrogen by harnessing the energy released as it combines with oxygen to produce electricity and water. Fuel cells are envisioned to occupy future propulsion systems in cooperation with solar cells where the photovoltaic arrays harness sunlight into power which can electrolize the water byproduct into reusable hydrogen and oxygen. Modeling this type of system requires adequate assumptions of support hardware and daily transients in operation. The performance of a regenerative fuel cell propulsion system lies in the flight characteristics (altitude, density, temperature, latitude, etc.). Each subsystem is defined by many parameters which can be varied across wide ranges. Statistical and probabilistic analyses bring forward a wealth of information that can be utilized in the design process. This is necessary since the required technologies are relatively young and barely, if yet, capable. Once the modeling is complete, a design space exploration of this highly constrained scenario can be utilized to find the optimal design. The model will become an interactive environment with which experiments and tests can be run. When linked

Simpson, Mike B.↗

Characterization of PyC/SiC interfaces with FIB-SEM tomography

Tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel is being considered for multiple reactor designs due to its exceptional performance. This work studies pyrocarbon (PyC) and silicon carbide (SiC) substrates that are near-representative of the inner pyrocarbon (IPyC) and SiC in TRISO fuel. Focused ion beam (FIB)-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tomography was used to understand the influence of different processing routes on the PyC/SiC interface structure. Additionally, this work outlines a methodology for characterizing the IPyC/SiC interface when considering fission product accommodation and retention in TRISO fuel design. The high-fidelity images collected with FIB-SEM tomography can be used to achieve a more in-depth interpretation of microstructural parameters and pore-shape analysis that can inform simulations and processing.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Transition Core Modeling for Extended Enrichment & Accident-Tolerant Fuels Using Polaris/PARCS

Commercial light water reactor (LWR) operators and fuel vendors are currently interested in increasing the low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel enrichments from the current limit of 5.0 $^w/_o$ $^{235}U$ up to 10 $^ w/_o$ $^{235}U$ (referred to as "LEU+") in their current fleets; they are also interested in using accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) with both LEU and LEU+ fuel. This report aims to identify modeling challenges and accuracy concerns in transition core analysis using the SCALE Polaris lattice physics code and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission core simulator PARCS. At the time this study was started, no publicly available LEU+ core designs existed for boiling water reactor (BWR) or pressurized water reactor (PWR) systems. Therefore, fuel lattices were shuffled within a multi-assembly model to mimic neutronically challenging lattice combinations seen in transition cores, such as a fresh LEU+ lattice next to depleted LEU lattices. In addition to multi-assembly models, whole-core BWR transition core calculations were performed for ATF and LEU+ fuel using an existing Hatch-1 Cycle 3 core model. A whole-core BWR model was chosen due to the more heterogeneous core designs compared to those for a PWR core. Since the original core is an old checkerboard core design and no core or fuel design optimization was performed for the modeled fuel types, these core calculations were intended only to provide: (1) Comparisons of core characteristics of interest, such as the pin power distributions and peaking factors, Doppler temperature coefficients (DTCs), and control blade worths (CBWs) under challenging core designs, (2) Identification of reactor physics challenges in modeling LEU+ and ATF cores, and (3) A stress test for the Polaris/PARCS two-step modeling approach, including characterization of the relative accuracy for predicting characteristics of interest such as pin power distributions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Analysis of HolosGen Sub-Scale Simulator with Plant Dynamics Code

The Subcritical Power Module Sub-scale Simulator (SPM-SS) has been designed and constructed by HolosGen LLC under the ARPA-E MEITNER program to simulate the thermal-hydraulic and heat transfer behavior of the full-scale Holos-Quad Subcritical Power Modules (SPMs). Four coupled SPMs, each rated at 5.5MW, form the Holos-Quad gas-cooled microreactor design. The SPM-SS represents a substantially scaled-down system with a power rating less than 40 kW, equipped with an electrically heated fuel cartridge heat exchanger, an electrically heated compressor heat exchanger, and a valve actuated turbine heat exchanger, in addition to a recuperator and a cooler heat exchanger. The fuel cartridge represents a portion of the full-scale SPM core, the compressor heat exchanger mimics the temperature changes resulting from the compressor’s turbomachinery inefficiencies, the turbine heat exchanger mimics the expansion process normally occurring through the turbine, while the recuperator and cooler heat exchangers complete the subscale simulator loop. The heaters equipping the fuel cartridge and the compressor heat exchangers are electronically controlled to simulate normal and off-normal SPM operating conditions. The full-scale Holos-Quad SPM design eliminates the traditional balance of plant and executes thermal-to-electric energy conversion by means of an intercooled Brayton cycle with decoupled compressor-turbine turbomachinery. The Holos-Quad full-scale design is equipped with a multi-stage axial Low- and High-Pressure compressor, and a multistage axial turbine. The SPM-SS is designed for testing and validation of selected components which are instead coupled by a traditional balance of plant. The SPMSS is not equipped with turbo-machinery (compressor and turbine) as the development of these components were excluded from the scope of work under the ARPA-E MEITNER funding program. The SPM-SS balance of plant enables modifications, replacement and testing of individual components with different working fluids and is designed to include the turbo-machinery components that will be developed in future research . The SPM-SS can be operated with different gases, variable mass-flow-rates, pressures, and temperatures to obtain test data for selected components, whose performance can be scaled to validate the computer model of the full-scale SPM at various conditions (e.g., start-up, transients conditions). The SPM-SS can operate at the maximum Holos-Quad design pressure of 7 MPa, and a maximum temperature limited to 650 °C by the electrical heaters. Several SPM-SS tests have been conducted and analyzed with the Plant Dynamics Code (PDC) developed at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). These tests aimed at validating the PDC modeled predictions of the full-scale Holos-Quad design with data from selected SPM-SS components. In order to address SPM-SS specific characteristics, such as components heat losses and absence of turbomachinery components, some modifications to the PDC have been implemented to factor the design differences from the full-scale Holos-Quad SPM to the SPM-SS. As the PDC offers capabilities to analyze systems with different working fluids, air, nitrogen, and helium were utilized as the SPM-SS working fluids. Air was utilized to fine-tune the SPM-SS Systems Structures and Components (SSCs), nitrogen was utilized to pressure test the SPM-SS loop at the SPMs design maximum pressure of 7MPa. Helium was utilized as the working fluid circulating through the SPM-SS SSCs for specific tests to validate the PDC predictions of the fuel cartridge heat exchanger. SPM-SS tests data were also analyzed with both the steady-state and transient analysis capabilities offered by the PDC. This report describes the PDC analysis of the SPM-SS tests data, including the necessary code modifications and comparison of the code results with the experimental data. Based on the results, a discussion is presented on how the analysis supports design and transient calculations of the full-scale Holos-Quad microreactor. Also based on the results of this work, recommendations are made for future optimizations of the SPM-SS components and PDC model development needs.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Simulation of Hydrogen Flow in a Nuclear-Thermal Propulsion Reactor Subsystem: Conjugate Heat Transfer in Surrogate Fuel Elements and Flow Through the Dome Inlet to the Fuel Elements

NASA is performing research related to a Nuclear-Thermal Propulsion (NTP) engine as a step toward future manned missions to Mars. BWX Technologies (BWXT), in conjunction with NASA, is developing the reactor subsystem for that NTP engine design. As a subset of the reactor subsystem, the fuel elements have continued to evolve in design, as well. A set of experiments within the Nuclear Thermal Reactor Element Environmental Simulator at NASA Marshall has been developed to compliment that design process, including a series of surrogate fuel elements. Before the experiments of each surrogate can be completed, they must be deemed safe using structural analysis, which itself requires thermal and conjugate heat transfer analyses of the articles. Therefore, conjugate heat transfer simulations of the hydrogen flow through the test article fuel element surrogates were developed to provide estimates of heating, as well as to provide assessments of the fluid flow through the elements. The set of simulations involved not only the separate test conditions, but also a sensitivity study to estimate the effect of physical parameter uncertainty on the selected quantities of interest. Additionally, the fluid flow through the fore section inner plenum dome to the entrances of the fuel elements, another section of the reactor subsystem still under active development, was simulated and analyzed. The simulations show the extent of non-uniformity in the mass flow distribution across the dome outlets. Furthermore, additional analyses estimate the effects of required flow blockages on the potential development of flow dynamics. These analyses were used in the design cycle to make improvements to the reactor subsystem design.

Kalen E. Braman↗

Thermal Analysis Evaluations Using the Dry Cask Simulator

Different thermal analysis models were developed to simulate the dry cask simulator (DCS). The DCS is an experiment designed to simulate dry storage of a single boiling water reactor fuel assembly under a variety of heat loads and internal pressures. The DCS was set up and tested in both a vertical and horizontal configuration to determine cladding temperatures in vertical and horizontal dry cask storage systems. The models included a detailed STAR-CCM+ model with the fuel assembly geometry explicitly modeled, a porous STAR-CCM+ model with the fuel assembly geometry modeled as porous media region with calculated effective properties, and a COBRA-SFS model. COBRA-SFS is a thermal-hydraulic code developed for steady-state and transient analysis of multi assembly spent-fuel storage and transportation systems. STAR-CCM+ is a commercial computation fluid dynamics (CFD) code. Both a detailed and porous STARCCM+ model were developed to look at the effective thermal conductivity (keff) approach to modeling a fuel assembly. A keff fuel model is typically model in CFD thermal analyses due to its significantly lower computational costs. The models were run for a combination of low and high canister pressures (100 kPa and 800 kPa) and low and high internal heat loads (0.5 kW and 5 kW). Results from all three models were compared against experimental data taken from the DCS for the peak cladding temperature (PCT) and inlet air mass flow.

Suffield, Sarah R.↗

A Comparison of As-loaded Dose Calculations to Measured Dose Rates

Demonstrating that the radiation dose fields surrounding spent nuclear fuel (SNF) storage and transportation systems meet the applicable limits set forth in 10 CFR 72 for storage and 10 CFR 71 for transportation is essential for the safe handling of radioactive material. The Used Nuclear Fuel-Storage, Transportation, and Disposal Analysis Resource and Data System (UNF-ST&DARDS) [2] is used to provide realistic estimates of SNF-related safety margins. The UNF-ST&DARDS dose rate analysis approach differs from that used in typical licensing approaches, which use design-basis assemblies with bounding source term characteristics to demonstrate the packaging design complies with the regulations. These bounding licensing approaches can increase the time needed to qualify fuel for loading into dry storage and the time a loaded system must wait prior to transportation. UNF-ST&DARDS dose rate assessments allow quantification of realistic, uncredited safety margins associated with actual fuel loading compared with the regulatory limits. While realistic estimation of the dose field surrounding SNF systems may allow for additional flexibility in operations, it is essential to understand how these predictions compare to measured doses. The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Integrated Waste Management and the Prairie Island Indian Community conducted a transportation dose assessment to estimate the site-specific incident-free radiation doses from shipping SNF by rail from the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant (PINGP) through the Prairie Island Indian Community Reservation and Trust Land [5,6]. For that effort, the dose rates were obtained for 50 TN-40 and TN-40HT systems in storage configurations. This work compares the predicted dose rates from UNF-ST&DARDS as-loaded calculations with dose rates measured from 50 SNF storage systems at PINGP. The remainder of this paper discusses the data obtained for the evaluation, the modeling methods, and the results of the calculations.

spent nuclear fuel (SNF), UNF-ST&DARDS, Validation↗

Design optimization of natural laminar flow fuselages in compressible flow

An optimization method has been developed to design axisymmetric body shapes such as fuselages, nacelles, and external fuel tanks with increased transition Reynolds numbers in subsonic compressible flow. The new design method involves a constraint minimization procedure coupled with analysis of the inviscid and viscous flow regions, and linear stability analysis of the compressible boundary layer. Boundary-layer transition is predicted by a 'hybrid' transition criterion based on Granville's transition criterion and a criterion using linear stability theory coupled with the e(n)-method. A tiptank of a business-jet is used as an example to illustrate that the method can be utilized to design an axisymmetric body shape with extensive natural laminar flow. Boundary layer transition is predicted to occur at a transition Reynolds number of 6.04 x 10 to the 6th on the original tiptank. On the designed body shape, a transition Reynolds number of 7.22 x 10 to the 6th is predicted using compressible linear stability theory coupled with e(n)-method.

Dodbele, Simha S.↗

Design optimization of natural laminar flow bodies in compressible flow

An optimization method has been developed to design axisymmetric body shapes such as fuselages, nacelles, and external fuel tanks with increased transition Reynolds numbers in subsonic compressible flow. The new design method involves a constraint minimization procedure coupled with analysis of the inviscid and viscous flow regions and linear stability analysis of the compressible boundary-layer. In order to reduce the computer time, Granville's transition criterion is used to predict boundary-layer transition and to calculate the gradients of the objective function, and linear stability theory coupled with the e(exp n)-method is used to calculate the objective function at the end of each design iteration. Use of a method to design an axisymmetric body with extensive natural laminar flow is illustrated through the design of a tiptank of a business jet. For the original tiptank, boundary layer transition is predicted to occur at a transition Reynolds number of 6.04 x 10(exp 6). For the designed body shape, a transition Reynolds number of 7.22 x 10(exp 6) is predicted using compressible linear stability theory coupled with the e(exp n)-method.

Dodbele, Simha S.↗

Finite element based electric motor design optimization

The purpose of this effort was to develop a finite element code for the analysis and design of permanent magnet electric motors. These motors would drive electromechanical actuators in advanced rocket engines. The actuators would control fuel valves and thrust vector control systems. Refurbishing the hydraulic systems of the Space Shuttle after each flight is costly and time consuming. Electromechanical actuators could replace hydraulics, improve system reliability, and reduce down time.

Campbell, C. Warren↗

Computing Instability In Combustion Of Liquid Propellants

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code developed for use in design analyses of flow instabilities associated with combustion of sprayed liquid propellants in rocket engines. Code also contributes to design of improved commercial sprayed-fuel combustors in furnaces and jet engines. Proves robust, user-friendly software tool with comprehensive analysis capability. Enables characterization of stability or instability of engine in terms of such physically meaningful parameters as initial conditions of spray, spatial distribution of ratio between concentrations of fuel and oxidizer at injector faces, geometry of combustor, and configurations of baffles.

Chen, Yen-Sen↗

Application of Probabilistic Methods to Assess Risk Due to Resonance in the Design of J-2X Rocket Engine Turbine Blades

The LOX-Hydrogen J-2X Rocket Engine, which is proposed for use as an upper-stage engine for numerous earth-to-orbit and heavy lift launch vehicle architectures, is presently in the design phase and will move shortly to the initial development test phase. Analysis of the design has revealed numerous potential resonance issues with hardware in the turbomachinery turbine-side flow-path. The analysis of the fuel pump turbine blades requires particular care because resonant failure of the blades, which are rotating in excess of 30,000 revolutions/minutes (RPM), could be catastrophic for the engine and the entire launch vehicle. This paper describes a series of probabilistic analyses performed to assess the risk of failure of the turbine blades due to resonant vibration during past and present test series. Some significant results are that the probability of failure during a single complete engine hot-fire test is low (~1%) because of the small likelihood of resonance, but that the probability increases to around 30% for a more focused turbomachinery-only test because all speeds will be ramped through and there is a greater likelihood of dwelling at more speeds. These risk calculations have been invaluable for use by program management in deciding if risk-reduction methods such as dampers are necessary immediately or if the test can be performed before the risk-reduction hardware is ready.

Brown, Andrew M.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2005

Topics covered include: Fiber-Optic Sensor Would Monitor Growth of Polymer Film; Sensors for Pointing Moving Instruments Toward Each Other; Pd/CeO2/SiC Chemical Sensors; Microparticle Flow Sensor; Scattering-Type Surface-Plasmon-Resonance Biosensors; Diode-Laser-Based Spectrometer for Sensing Gases; Improved Cathode Structure for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell; X-Band, 17-Watt Solid-State Power Amplifier; Improved Anode for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell; Tools for Designing and Analyzing Structures; Interactive Display of Scenes with Annotations; Solving Common Mathematical Problems; Tools for Basic Statistical Analysis; Program Calculates Forces in Bolted Structural Joints; Integrated Structural Analysis and Test Program; Molybdate Coatings for Protecting Aluminum Against Corrosion; Synthesizing Diamond from Liquid Feedstock; Modifying Silicates for Better Dispersion in Nanocomposites; Powder-Collection System for Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corer; Semiautomated, Reproducible Batch Processing of Soy; Hydrogen Peroxide Enhances Removal of NOx from Flue Gases; Subsurface Ice Probe; Real-Time Simulation of Aeroheating of the Hyper-X Airplane; Using Laser-Induced Incandescence To Measure Soot in Exhaust; Method of Real-Time Principal-Component Analysis; Insect-Inspired Flight Control for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; Domain Compilation for Embedded Real-Time Planning; Semantic Metrics for Analysis of Software; Simulation of Laser Cooling and Trapping in Engineering Applications; Large Fluvial Fans and Exploration for Hydrocarbons; Doping-Induced Interband Gain in InAs/AlSb Quantum Wells; Development of Software for a Lidar-Altimeter Processor; Upgrading the Space Shuttle Caution and Warning System; and Fractal Reference Signals in Pulse-Width Modulation.

Source record↗

MICROREACTOR APPLICATIONS, RESEARCH, VALIDATION, AND EVALUATION (MARVEL) REACTOR ? STATUS, CONSTRUCTION, AND TESTING

The paper presents the current status of the Microreactor Applications, Research, Validation, and Evaluation (MARVEL) microreactor design, qualification testing, fabrication, and high-level construction schedule. An overview of initial criticality, low power physics testing, and start-up testing is included, as well as an overview of the envisioned processes in which end-users can engage the project for access to operational data or specific demonstrations. Designed by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under the auspices of the US Department of Energy’s Microreactor Program for construction and operation at the INL, MARVEL is a small, fully functional advanced reactor with UZrH fuel and thermal output of 85 kW. It offers a unique opportunity for scaled demonstrations that can dramatically accelerate the design, licensing, and deployment of commercial microreactors for power production or process heat applications. MARVEL’s objective is to build a small liquid-metal thermal reactor at the INL to demonstrate design and operating processes for microreactors, microgrid integration, and process heat applications. MARVEL finished 90%-final-design in September 2023 and completed an independent project assessment in early 2024. Fabrication of long-lead components and fuel, safety analysis review, and procurement for construction are underway. MARVEL assembly and construction will start in 2025 and fuel loading is expected in mid- 2027. Initial criticality will be performed in a dry condition in late 2027, followed by loading of NaK coolant and start-up testing. Approximately six months later, release for unrestricted operations will enable subsequent testing of microreactor characteristics, microgrid integration and select heat extraction applications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗