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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 595 records · Page 33

Nuclear characteristics of a fissioning uranium plasma test reactor with light-water cooling

An analytical study was performed to determine a design configuration for a cavity test reactor. Test section criteria were that an average flux of 10 to the 15th power neutrons/sq cm/sec (E less than or equal to 0.12 eV) be supplied to a 61-cm-diameter spherical cavity at 200-atm pressure. Design objectives were to minimize required driver power, to use existing fuel-element technology, and to obtain fuel-element life of 10 to 100 full-power hours. Parameter calculations were made on moderator region size and material, driver fuel arrangement, control system, and structure in order to determine a feasible configuration. Although not optimized, a configuration was selected which would meet design criteria. The driver fuel region was a cylindrical annular region, one element thick, of 33 MTR-type H2O-cooled elements (Al-U fuel plate configuration), each 101 cm long. The region between the spherical test cavity and the cylindrical driver fuel region was Be (10 vol. % H2O coolant) with a midplane dimension of 8 cm. Exterior to the driver fuel, the 25-cm-thick cylindrical and axial reflectors were also Be with 10 vol. % H2O coolant. The entire reactor was contained in a 10-cm-thick steel pressure vessel, and the 200-atm cavity pressure was equalized throughout the driver reactor. Fuel-element life was 50 hr at the required driver power of 200 MW. Reactor control would be achieved with rotating poison drums located in the cylindrical reflector region. A control range of about 18 percent delta k/k was required for reactor operation.

Whitmarsh, C. L., Jr.↗

Pressure measurement system for the National Transonic Facility

The electronically scanned pressure (ESP) measurement system concept was selected for application at the Langley Research Center's National Transonic Facility. This pressure measurement application required a complex system design to meet the pressure resolution, range, and accuracy requirements over this facility's wide operating pressure and temperature range of 1.38 x 10 to the 5th to 9.3 x 10 to the 5th N/sq m and 80 to 340 K, respectively. The design uses five ESP systems to measure the nearly 1000 channels of pressure located throughout the facility circuit. Pressure modules mounted inside the facility were housed in specially designed thermal enclosures, while the modules mounted outside the tunnel were mounted in pressure vessels. The unique features of this pressure measurement system design including a special ESP module pressure calibration unit are presented.

Mitchell, M.↗

Demonstration Testing for Ground Servicing of the Commercial Crew Vehicle Emergency Breathing Air Assembly

The new Commercial crew vehicle (CCV) Breathing Air Assembly (CEBAA) is a Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) filled with high-pressure air, which is designed to provide portable emergency breathing air for up to five crew in the event of an ammonia leak aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Industrially, several common methods of delivering breathing air exist; however, ground processing constraints and flight requirements necessitate the more unusual approach of servicing a COPV with high purity gaseous nitrogen and oxygen serially to achieve a specific mixture of breathing air at approximately 4000 PSIA. A dwell period allows the gases to mix before sampling for composition verification. The novelty of this approach led to concerns about acceptable gas mixing and the ability to deliver accurate gas compositions. Tests examining mixing rate over a series of post-servicing dwell periods were conducted to determine the optimal time for achieving a homogeneous mixture. Further testing was conducted to examine process accuracy using temperature-pressure load criteria to target a specific concentration of oxygen and nitrogen. Test results show that while some stratification of nitrogen and oxygen was observed, a seven-day dwell is adequate time to achieve an acceptable level of mixing, and that existing ground support equipment can accurately service CEBAA COPVs to the required temperature, pressure and composition for flight.

Active Thermal↗

Demonstration Testing for Ground Servicing of the Commercial Crew Vehicle Emergency Breathing Air Assembly

The new Commercial crew vehicle (CCV) Emergency Breathing Air Assembly (CEBAA) is a Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) filled with high-pressure air, which is designed to provide portable emergency breathing air for up to five crew in the event of an ammonia leak aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Industrially, several common methods of delivering breathing air exist; however, ground processing constraints and flight requirements necessitate the more unusual approach of servicing a COPV with high purity gaseous nitrogen and oxygen serially to achieve a specific mixture of breathing air at approximately 4000 PSIA. A dwell period allows the gases to mix before sampling for composition verification. The novelty of this approach led to concerns about acceptable gas mixing and the ability to deliver accurate gas compositions. Tests examining mixing rate over a series of post-servicing dwell periods were conducted to determine the optimal time for achieving a homogeneous mixture. Further testing was conducted to examine process accuracy using temperature-pressure load criteria to target a specific concentration of oxygen and nitrogen. Test results show that while some stratification of nitrogen and oxygen was observed, a seven-day dwell is adequate time to achieve an acceptable level of mixing, and that existing ground support equipment can accurately service CEBAA COPVs to the required temperature, pressure and composition for flight.

Active Thermal↗

High Temperature Alloys Session 1

Section III Division 5 overview Code materials VHTR materials 617 and 800H Qualification of additional materials Corrosion effects Operating plant experience Additive/advanced manufacturing Control rod sleeves Pressure Vessel Steels Allowed materials Elevated temperature limits and properties Supply chain Welding Radiation damage

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Utah FORGE: Fluid Injection Induced Shearing Experiments on Fractured Granitoid at Elevated Temperatures

This repository contains experimental data from a series of fluid injection-induced shearing tests conducted on Utah FORGE granitoid. The experiments were performed using an aluminum triaxial pressure vessel (TEMCO) apparatus at Pennsylvania State University. The primary aim was to investigate the impact of temperature on fault seismicity and to explore how different pre-stress ratios influence shearing behavior. The data includes results from experiments conducted under varying conditions of temperature, pre-stress ratios, and pore pressure increments. The rock samples used in these experiments were 60-grit granitoid with a single inclined fracture oriented at 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal cross-section. The dataset also includes measurements of normal stiffness at different temperatures and images of the experimental apparatus. The included README file details each experiential setup and outlines which data files represent which experimental conditions.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Acoustic emission testing of composite vessels under sustained loading

Acoustic emission (AE) tests have been conducted on small-diameter Kevlar 49/epoxy pressure vessels subjected to long-term sustained load-to-failure tests. Single-cycle burst tests were used as a basis for determining the test pressure in the sustained-loading tests. AE data from two vessel locations were compared. The data suggest that AE from vessel wall-mounted transducers is quite different for identical vessels subjected to the same pressure loading. AE from boss-mounted transducers yielded relatively consistent values. These values were not a function of time for vessel failure. The development of an AE test procedure for predicting the residual service life or integrity of composite vessels is discussed.

Lark, R. F.↗

1KW Power Transmission Using Wireless Acoustic-Electric Feed-Through (WAEF)

A variety of space applications require the delivery of power into sealed structures. Since the structural integrity can be degraded by holes for cabling we present an alternative method of delivering power and information using stress waves to the internal space of a sealed structure. One particular application of this technology is in sample return missions where it is critical to preserve the sample integrity and to prevent earth contamination. Therefore, the container has to be hermetically sealed and the integrity of the seal must be monitored in order to insure to a high degree of reliability the integrity of the sample return vessel. In this study we investigated the use of piezoelectric acoustic-electric power feed-through devices to transfer electric power wirelessly through a solid wall by using elastic or acoustic waves. The technology is applicable to a range of space and terrestrial applications where power is required by electronic equipment inside sealed containers, vacuum or pressure vessels, etc., where holes in the wall are prohibitive or may result in significant structural performance degradation or unnecessarily complex designs. To meet requirements of higher power applications, the feasibility to transfer kilowatts level power was investigated. Pre-stressed longitudinal piezoelectric feed-through devices were analyzed by finite element models and an equivalent circuit model was developed to predict the power transfer characteristics to different electric loads. Based on the results of the analysis a prototype device was designed, fabricated and a demonstration of the transmission of electric power up to 1.068-kW was successfully conducted. Efficiencies in the 80-90% range were also demonstrated and methods to increase the efficiency further are currently being considered.

pressure vessels↗

High modulus filament wound vessels for cryogenic containers in spacecraft.

Compared to metallic vessels, filament-wound vessels for containment of cryogens and high pressure gases offer high potential weight savings for NASA spacecraft applications. Since carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites exhibit high strength-to-density ratios, high-cycle fatigue life, and excellent strain compatibility with internal metallic liners, filament-wound carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites were evaluated for application to cryogenic internal pressure vessels. Compared to room temperature values, the cryogenic strengths of the composites were reduced by about 15% at -423 F (with the exception of one composite) while moduli increased as much as 25%. Filament-wound carbon fiber/epoxy resin vessel specimens, made by three fabricators, defined and solved problems in the processing of these friable high-modulus fibers into structurally efficient vessel specimens.

Simon, R. A.↗

Liquid neon heat transfer as applied to a 30 tesla cryomagnet

A 30-tesla magnet design is studied which calls for forced convection liquid neon heat transfer in small coolant channels. The design also requires suppressing boiling by subjecting the fluid to high pressures through use of magnet coils enclosed in a pressure vessel which is maintained at the critical pressure of liquid neon. This high pressure reduces the possibility of the system flow instabilities which may occur at low pressures. The forced convection heat transfer data presented were obtained by using a blowdown technique to force the fluid to flow vertically through a resistance heated, instrumented tube.

Papell, S. S.↗

The role of crack blunting in sustained load crack growth

Sustained load crack growth occurs in metals following critical crack extension above KIc and in aggressive environments while maintaining a constant load below KIc. In this paper, crack arrest measurements are performed on precracked, 0.0254-m thick, side-grooved WOL specimens exposed to 34.5 MN/sq m hydrogen at ambient temperature. The specimens are loaded inside a pressure vessel while in contact with the high pressure hydrogen environment. Crack growth is observed with each loading increment. The crack blunting observed in the fracture mechanics tests on 321 stainless steel is found to be similar to that produced in the 321 stainless steel tensile specimens. Rounding and branching of the crack decreases the effective stress intensity at the crack tip. It is possible, for materials in which cracks tend to blunt or branch in hydrogen, that although cracks will arrest at a relatively high stress intensity in decreasing stress intensity test, a crack may begin to grow at a lower stress intensity when loaded in hydrogen, and the crack may continue to grow when the stress intensity is continually increasing.

Walter, R. J.↗

Shatter-Resistant, Flame-Resistant Window

Combustion-chamber window combines properties of polycarbonate and sapphire. Inner layer of sapphire, withstands flame in chamber. Outer layer of polycarbonate tough but susceptible to weakening by flame and protected from flame by sapphire layer. Resists flames, shattering, and high pressure. Windows withstand 60 lb/in. to second power (414 kPa) in hydrostatic pressure vessel. Also survives leak test under internal pressure of 2 atm (0.2 MPa) of helium and external pressure of 10 to negative fifth power torr (1.3 mPa). Has transmission density of 0.08 to 0.11 in visible light. In contrast, unbonded layers have transmission density of 0.13 to 0.16.

Richardson, William R.↗

LWR Aging Management for Life Beyond 80

While several decades of materials degradation research enabled the current US fleet of Light Water Reactors (LWR) to plan to produce electrical power through extended operations up to 80 years of plant life, it now seems appropriate to evaluate what issues, methods, and timelines need to be considered to meet the expected electric power demands for life beyond eighty (LBE) years. To address these questions, it will be necessary to review the electrical capacity and the projected LWR fleet capacity including new builds and advanced reactors. This effort should begin with a materials degradation assessment focused on known and possible unknown issues using a reduced Expanded Materials Degradation Assessment [1], which was employed to identify knowledge gaps for a second license renewal (60-80 yrs.). The focus of the LBE assessment should include: Establishing a timeline to initiate assessments of possible materials aging issues and to ensure sufficient time to evaluate materials degradation research gaps; assessing components and materials to be evaluated, e.g., metals (reactor pressure vessels and alloys within and outside the pressure boundary), concrete, cables, as well as mitigation methods, advanced monitoring, and validation with ex-service materials; initiating a LBE research plan focused on developing an expanded mechanistic understanding of materials degradation and refined models through Codes and Standards evaluation for use by the nuclear industry; and maintaining and strengthening the nuclear materials human knowledge base to address new and as yet unknown degradation modes.

Chen, Xiang↗

316L Stainless Steel Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing and Characterization for Potential SNF Canister Production

In this paper, 316L stainless steel (316L SS) straight walls, curved walls, and vessels were printed by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) using the 316L SS welding wire, to demonstrate the feasibility of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) canisters using this advanced manufacturing technique. Helium leak test with leak tight criteria of 1 × 10-7 ref-cc/s were performed on printed vessels with various wall thickness, and testing pressures were from 0.345 MPa (50 psi) to 1.724 MPa (250 psi). Printed wall microstructures were characterized using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tensile specimens were machined out from printed walls along the length, height, and thickness directions, respectively, and tested at different temperature conditions, room temperature, 80 °C, 150 °C and 250 °C, respectively. Results showed t hat, all five WAAM-printed canisters with different thickness passed the helium leaktight criteria of radioactive materials containers by the ANSI N14.5; Dispersed micrometer-level size inclusions/voids were observed at printed wall cross sections, dendritic microstructures were found with grain size variation through the welding torch shifting direction, and very small amount of δ-ferrite and σ-phase were also observed in those cross sections; The printed walls were ductile, all tensile specimens broke with large plastic deformation/elongation and without brittle failure, and printed specimens yield strengths and tensile strengths under room temperature and 80 °C conditions are higher than minimum values of 316L SS for pressure vessels and for general applications at room temperature required by the ASTM standard, respectively.

Tang, Wei↗