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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

German experiences in local fatigue monitoring

The ageing management of nuclear power plants (NPP) has gained an increasing importance in the last years. The reasons are mainly due to the international context of extending period of plants operation. Moreover, new scientific discoveries, such as the corrosive influence of the medium on the fatigue process (environmentally assisted fatigue - EAF) play an important role and influence the code development (ASME, EAF code cases). The fatigue damage process takes a central position in ageing mechanisms of components. It must be ensured through appropriate evidence that facilities are being operated under allowable boundary conditions. In the design phase of NPP, fatigue analyses are still based on theoretical considerations and empirical values, which are summarized in the design transient catalogue, necessary for licensing. These analyses aim at proving the admissibility of the loads in terms of stress and fatigue usage. These analyses will also provide the fatigue-relevant positions in the NPP and give a basis for future design improvements and optimization of operating modes. The design transients are in practice conservatively correlated with the real transients occurring during operation. Uncertainties reveal very conservative assumptions regarding forecast temperatures, temperature gradients and frequencies of events. During operation of the plant, it has to be recurrently proved, that the plant is being operated under designed boundary conditions. Moreover, operating signals are constantly acquired to enable a fatigue evaluation. For example, in Germany fatigue evaluation is based on decades of experience and regulatory requirements. The rule KTA 3201.4 [1] establishes the rules for qualified fatigue monitoring. The rule DIN 25475-3 [2] on fatigue monitoring systems is available in draft version. Experience shows that some significant differences occur between the design transients and the real occurred transients during plant operation. The reasons for it are the various manual control options and also different operating modes. It is clear that showing the covering of real loads by design loads, requires a relatively complex and well-qualified detection process. The difficulty of this task is increased due to the lack of data or incomplete information and the exclusive reliance on existing operation plant data. The strategy of employing local fatigue monitoring is a straightforward solution enabling the direct measurement of loads on the fatigue-sensitive zones. Nowadays a direct derivation of the complete stress tensor at the fatigue-relevant locations is enabled thanks to the recorded local loads and combination with finite element (FE) analyses. So, additionally to the recorded temperature curves, a representation of the time evolution of the six stress components for each monitored component is possible. This allows the application of the simplified elasto-plastic fatigue check according to design codes. The fatigue level can be realistically analyzed with a suitable cycle-counting method. Furthermore, the knowledge of the time evolution of the stresses and strains enables to take into account an environmental factor to include the corrosive fluid influence in the calculations. Without local recording, it is impossible to calculate realistic fatigue usage. AREVA offers the AREVA fatigue concept (AFC) and the new fatigue monitoring system integrated (FAMOSi), necessary tools to monitor local fatigue and to provide realistic assessment. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS1998

Data Mining and Optimization Tools for Developing Engine Parameters Tools

This project was awarded for understanding the problem and developing a plan for Data Mining tools for use in designing and implementing an Engine Condition Monitoring System. From the total budget of $5,000, Tricia and I studied the problem domain for developing ail Engine Condition Monitoring system using the sparse and non-standardized datasets to be available through a consortium at NASA Lewis Research Center. We visited NASA three times to discuss additional issues related to dataset which was not made available to us. We discussed and developed a general framework of data mining and optimization tools to extract useful information from sparse and non-standard datasets. These discussions lead to the training of Tricia Erhardt to develop Genetic Algorithm based search programs which were written in C++ and used to demonstrate the capability of GA algorithm in searching an optimal solution in noisy datasets. From the study and discussion with NASA LERC personnel, we then prepared a proposal, which is being submitted to NASA for future work for the development of data mining algorithms for engine conditional monitoring. The proposed set of algorithm uses wavelet processing for creating multi-resolution pyramid of the data for GA based multi-resolution optimal search. Wavelet processing is proposed to create a coarse resolution representation of data providing two advantages in GA based search: 1. We will have less data to begin with to make search sub-spaces. 2. It will have robustness against the noise because at every level of wavelet based decomposition, we will be decomposing the signal into low pass and high pass filters.

Dhawan, Atam P.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Quantification of Gear Tooth Damage by Optimal Tracking of Vibration Signatures

This paper presents a technique for quantifying the wear or damage of gear teeth in a transmission system. The procedure developed in this study can be applied as a part of either an onboard machine health-monitoring system or a health diagnostic system used during regular maintenance. As the developed methodology is based on analysis of gearbox vibration under normal operating conditions, no shutdown or special modification of operating parameters is required during the diagnostic process. The process of quantifying the wear or damage of gear teeth requires a set of measured vibration data and a model of the gear mesh dynamics. An optimization problem is formulated to determine the profile of a time-varying mesh stiffness parameter for which the model output approximates the measured data. The resulting stiffness profile is then related to the level of gear tooth wear or damage. The procedure was applied to a data set generated artificially and to another obtained experimentally from a spiral bevel gear test rig. The results demonstrate the utility of the procedure as part of an overall health-monitoring system.

Choy, F. K.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Feedback following the Industry Engagement of the NNSA Unique Identifier and Global Monitoring 5 year plan

The National Nuclear Security Administration s project for developing a unique identifier and a concept for a global monitoring system for UF6 cylinders made significant progress on developing functional requirements and a concept of operation for such a system. The multi-laboratory team is working to define the functional requirements for both the unique identifier and the global monitoring system and to develop a preliminary concept of operations to discuss with key industry stakeholders. Team members began meeting with industry representatives in January 2013 to discuss the preliminary concept and solicit feedback and suggestions. The team has met with representatives from United States Enrichment Corporation, Cameco, URENCO, Honeywell/ConverDyn, and others. This paper presents an overview of the preliminary concept of operations and shares the feedback obtained from the industry engagement meetings.

IAEA↗
DOE OSTI2020

Aerosol jet printed capacitive strain gauge for soft structural materials

Soft structural textiles, or softgoods, are used within the space industry for inflatable habitats, parachutes and decelerator systems. Evaluating the safety and structural integrity of these systems occurs through structural health monitoring systems (SHM), which integrate non-invasive/non-destructive testing methods to detect, diagnose, and locate damage. Strain/load monitoring of these systems is limited while utilizing traditional strain gauges as these gauges are typically stiff, operate at low temperatures, and fail when subjected to high strain that is a result of high loading classifying them as unsuitable for SHM of soft structural textiles. For this work, a capacitance based strain gauge (CSG) was fabricated via aerosol jet printing (AJP) using silver nanoparticle ink on a flexible polymer substrate. Printed strain gauges were then compared to a commercially available high elongation resistance-based strain gauge (HE-RSG) for their ability to monitor strained Kevlar straps having a 26.7?kN (6?klbf) load. Dynamic, static and cyclic loads were used to characterize both types of strain monitoring devices. Printed CSGs demonstrated superior performance for high elongation strain measurements when compared to commonly used HE-RSGs, and were observed to operate with a gauge factor of 5.2 when the electrode arrangement was perpendicular to the direction of strain.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Methane monitoring and detection apparatus and methods

A low cost, low power, passive optical methane monitoring system for fixed-position installation at oil and gas production well pads and gathering centers is disclosed. The optical methane monitoring system disclosed can be a scannable field of view Near Infrared (NIR) filter photometer to detect and quantify methane concentration in a two dimensional or a three dimensional grid above and around a facility. A randomized fiber optic bundle is disclosed that can be used to direct the total optical power from a collection lens to two or more isolated optical channels. Band pass filters isolate a desired wavelength range for transmission measurements for the two or more channels. Also disclosed is an absorption algorithm which accounts for variable background spectral intensity as well as correcting for water vapor and overall scattering effects to measure methane concentration for a given field of view.

Lievois, John↗
DOE OSTI2024

Abatement Case Study

Radioxenon emissions from industrial sources such as fission based medical isotope production (MIP) facilities and nuclear reactors are generally known to be well below levels of public health and safety concern. However, the global background of radioxenon produced by MIP interferes with nuclear explosion monitoring by the International Monitoring System (IMS) developed for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (CTBTO, 2024). It was calculated that xenon emissions levels of 5×10 9 Bq/day 133 Xe were low enough to have minimal impact on International Monitoring System (IMS) stations (Bowyer et al, 2013). There are several technologies currently used to abate radioactive xenon emissions to meet regulatory release levels, and some alternative methods have been investigated to reduce xenon release levels well below required regulatory levels (Doll et al, 2014, Gueibe, et al, 2014). While MIP producers are sympathetic to the issue of radioxenon interference with IMS monitoring, the cost to implement and maintain additional abatement systems has resulted in limited implementation. Therefore, more cost-effective options for xenon abatement are needed to help reduce the impact of these emissions on nuclear explosion monitoring.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Technology Assessment for Proof-of-Concept UF6 Cylinder Unique Identification Task 3.1.2 Report – Survey and Assessment of Technologies

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Nonproliferation and International Security’s (NA-24) Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI) and the nuclear industry have begun to develop approaches to identify and monitor uranium hexafluoride (UF6) cylinders. The NA-24 interest in a global monitoring system for UF6 cylinders relates to its interest in supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in deterring and detecting diversion of UF6 (e.g., loss of cylinder in transit) and undeclared excess production at conversion and enrichment facilities. The industry interest in a global monitoring system for UF6 cylinders relates to the improvements in operational efficiencies that such a system would provide. This task is part of an effort to survey and assess technologies for a UF6 cylinder to identify candidate technologies for a proof-of-concept demonstration and evaluation for the Cylinder Identification System (CIS).

Cylinder↗
DOE OSTI2019

Online, real-time analysis of highly complex processing streams: Quantification of analytes in Hanford tank sample

Processing of hazardous materials is a crucial example of where on-line monitoring can significantly reduce operation risk, cost, and time. This is particularly true in the case of the Hanford site, where nuclear materials from the cold war era are being processed for environmental cleanup efforts. In exceedingly complex streams such as those at Hanford, on-line and real-time monitoring can be a challenge due to complexity of signals. Further obstacles are imposed by the caustic nature of processing streams as well as the radiation damage inflicted on instruments and probes. On-line monitoring based on Raman spectroscopy enables the detection of many Hanford tank species of interest, and was demonstrated here on nine chemical species that comprise the majority of tank waste by volume, including Al(OH)4-, C2O42-, CO32-, CrO42-, NO32-, NO3-, OH-, PO43-, SO42-. Real-time analysis of Raman signal allows for immediate quantification of target analytes and was successfully accomplished through the use of chemometric models. Furthermore, irradiation tests reveal Raman monitoring systems can effectively continue to operate even after receiving 1·107 Rad of gamma dose. The on-line, real-time monitoring system developed here was successfully used to simultaneously quantify nine target analytes in a real samples collected from Hanford tank AP-105.

Lines, Amanda M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

In Situ Monitoring of Groundwater Contamination Using the Kalman Filter

This study presents a Kalman filter-based framework to establish a real-time in situ monitoring system for groundwater contamination based on in situ measurable water quality variables, such as specific conductance (SC) and pH. First, this framework uses principal component analysis (PCA) to identify correlations between the contaminant concentrations of interest and in situ measurable variables. It then applies the Kalman filter to estimate contaminant concentrations continuously and in real-time by coupling data-driven concentration-decay models with the previously identified data correlations. We demonstrate our approach with historical groundwater data from the Savannah River Site F-Area: We use SC and pH data to estimate tritium and uranium concentrations over time. Results show that the developed method can estimate these contaminant concentrations based on in situ measurable variables. The estimates remain reliable with less frequent or no direct measurements of the contaminant concentrations, while capturing the dynamics of short- and long-term contaminant concentration changes. In addition, we show that data mining, such as PCA, is useful to understand correlations in groundwater data and to design long-term monitoring systems. As a result, the developed in situ monitoring methodology is expected to improve long-term groundwater monitoring by continuously confirming the contaminant plume's stability and by providing an early warning system for unexpected changes in the plume's migration.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Quantification of fossil fuel CO2 emissions at the building/street scale for a large US city

In order to advance the scientific understanding of carbon exchange with the land surface, build an effective carbon monitoring system and contribute to quantitatively-based U.S. climate change policy interests, fine spatial and temporal quantification of fossil fuel CO2 emissions, the primary greenhouse gas, is essential. Called the ‘Hestia Project’, this research effort is the first to use bottom-up methods to quantify all fossil fuel CO2 emissions down to the scale of individual buildings, road segments, and industrial/electricity production facilities on an hourly basis for an entire urban landscape. a large city (Indianapolis, Indiana USA). Here, we describe the methods used to quantify the on-site fossil fuel CO2 emissions across the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. This effort combines a series of datasets and simulation tools such as a building energy simulation model, traffic data, power production reporting and local air pollution reporting. The system is general enough to be applied to any large U.S. city and holds tremendous potential as a key component of a carbon monitoring system in addition to enabling efficient greenhouse gas mitigation and planning. We compare our estimate of fossil fuel emissions from natural gas to consumption data provided by the local gas utility. At the zip code level, we achieve a bias adjusted pearson r correlation value of 0.92 (p<0.001).

Gurney, Kevin R↗
NASA NTRS2001

Monitoring and analysis of data in cyberspace

Information from monitored systems is displayed in three dimensional cyberspace representations defining a virtual universe having three dimensions. Fixed and dynamic data parameter outputs from the monitored systems are visually represented as graphic objects that are positioned in the virtual universe based on relationships to the system and to the data parameter categories. Attributes and values of the data parameters are indicated by manipulating properties of the graphic object such as position, color, shape, and motion.

Schwuttke, Ursula M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Burnup Monitoring for Pebble Bed Reactor Systems

A pebble burnup monitoring system is a required component for domestic reactor safety and safeguards applications associated with pebble bed reactors (PBRs). One of the main requirements of a PBR burnup monitoring system is that it needs to be capable of rapid measurements to assess the burnup of each individual pebble to determine whether to recirculate it in the reactor or discard it as spent fuel. This report considers three different approaches for a burnup monitoring system for pebbles discharged from the reactor core in a pebble bed modular reactor-400: • passive gamma spectrometry measurement, • passive neutron coincidence measurement, and • active neutron counter based on the differential die-away technique. Conceptual designs have been created for each of these detectors, and preliminary analysis has been performed using Monte Carlo N-Particle and Oak Ridge Isotope Generation code simulations. The advantages and practical limitations (e.g., high radiation background) of each system were identified. Simulations suggest that each of the three measurement techniques can be successfully employed to distinguish between pebbles based on their number of passes through the core and to quantify the burnup of pebbles.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS2014

Investigating Space Weather Events Impacting the Spitzer Space Telescope

Our understanding of the dynamical process in the space environment has increased dramatically. A relatively new field of study called "Space Weather" has emerged in the last few decades. Fundamental to the study of space weather is an understanding of how space weather events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections impact spacecraft in varying orbits and distances around the Sun. Specialized space weather satellite monitoring systems operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allow scientists to predict space weather events affecting critical systems on and orbiting the Earth. However, the Spitzer Space Telescope is in an orbit far outside the areas covered by those space weather monitoring systems. This poses a challenge for the Spitzer's Mission Operations Team in determining whether space weather events affect Spitzer.

solar flare↗
NASA NTRS2017

A PCR Based Microbial Monitoring Alternative Method of Detection and Identification of Microbes Aboard ISS

Previous research has shown that microorganisms and potential human pathogens have been detected on the International Space Station (ISS) with additional introduction of new microflora occurring with every exchange of crew or addition of equipment and supplies. These microbes are readily transferred between crew and subsystems (i.e. ECLSS, environmental control and life support systems). As this can be detrimental to astronaut health and optimal performance of ISS systems, monitoring of systems such as ECLSS to include identification of microbial contaminants could prevent adverse effects on human health and life support systems. Current monitoring on ISS is laborious and utilizes culture based methods followed by sample return to Earth for complete analysis. Future, long-distance spaceflight missions will require real-time monitoring capabilities that enable efficient and rapid assessments of the microbial environment allowing for expedited decisions and more targeted response to cope with anomalies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a molecular microbial monitoring method was chosen and numerous PCR instruments investigated for their potential to perform in microgravity conditions. Using ISS as a test bed for PCR verification in microgravity will enable NASA to assess whether molecular based microbiological sensors may be components of reliable, closed-loop life support and habitation systems in spacecraft, enhancing infrastructure capabilities through increased efficiency, reliability, and time savings by enabling sample analysis on orbit. NASA selected the Water Monitoring Suite as one of the rapid spaceflight hardware demonstration activities utilizing a streamlined process to minimize the time required to fly experimental flight hardware. The RAZOR EX (BioFire Defense, Salt Lake City, UT) system was part of the water monitoring suite and is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) real-time PCR instrument designed for field work. The RAZOR EX was originally designed for Department of Defense (DoD) under a small business innovative research (SBIR) grant and is ruggedized, compact and provides a rapid, sample to answer in less than an hour. PCR assays using a fluorescent probe were optimized and spiked with known concentrations of DNA (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) ranging from 0.002 to 20 ng. PCR reagents were lyophilized and configured in customized pouches and tested for flight readiness. Three types of water were used to rehydrate the reagents and demonstrate the fidelity of the PCR reaction in microgravity. Molecular grade deionized water served as a control while filtered and unfiltered ISS potable water served to test for chemical or biological inhibitors. All three types were compared to parallel ground test results. Nine tests were run on ISS (3 of each water type) and the critical threshold cycle (Ct) was compared to parallel ground tests completed at Kennedy Space Center, FL and Johnson Space Center, TX. All concentrations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa DNA were detected. A comparison of the Ct produced in real time PCR indicated similarity between flight and ground samples. There appeared to be no significant difference between flight or ground PCR reactions or between any of the three water types. This testing demonstrated the ability to perform molecular testing during spaceflight operations with similar sensitivity. It will allow for future ground development of molecular protocols and minimize the need for spaceflight testing. Future testing will include development of additional targets including environmental and health related organisms.

Christina Khodadad↗
DOE OSTI2012

Transducer Signal Noise Analysis for Sensor Authentication

The abstract is being passed through STIMS for submision to the conference. International safeguards organizations charged with promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy employ unattended and remote monitoring systems supplemented with onsite inspections to ensure nuclear materials are not diverted for weaponization purposes. These systems are left unattended for periods of several months between inspections. During these periods physical security means are the main deterrent used to detect intentional monitoring system tampering. The information gathering components are locked in secure and sealed rooms. The sensor components (i.e. neutron and gamma detectors) are located throughout the plant in unsecure areas where sensor tampering could take place during the periods between inspections. Sensor tampering could allow the diversion of nuclear materials from the accepted and intended use to uses not consistent with the peaceful use of nuclear energy. A method and an apparatus is presented that address the detection of sensor tampering during the periods between inspections. It was developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for the Department of Energy (DOE) in support of the IAEA. The method is based on the detailed analysis of the sensor noise floor after the sensor signal is removed. The apparatus consists of a 2.1” x 2.6” electronic circuit board containing all signal conditioning and processing components and a laptop computer running an application that acquires and stores the analysis results between inspection periods. The sensors do not require any modification and are remotely located in their normal high radiation zones. The apparatus interfaces with the sensor signal conductors using a simple pass through connector at the normal sensor electronics interface package located in the already secure and sealed rooms. The apparatus does not require hardening against the effects of radiation due to its location. Presented is the apparatus design, the analysis method, and the test results as applied to tamper detection using three HE3 neutron sensors and two gamma sensors designed and built for safeguards monitoring.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
NASA NTRS2001

Gear Damage Detection Integrating Oil Debris and Vibration Measurement Technologies Developed

The development of highly reliable health-monitoring systems is one technology area recommended for reducing the number of helicopter accidents. Helicopter transmission diagnostics are an important part of a helicopter health-monitoring system because helicopters depend on the power train for propulsion, lift, and flight maneuvering. One technique currently being tested for increasing the reliability and decreasing the false alarm rate of current transmission diagnostic tools is the replacement of simple single-sensor limits with multisensor systems integrating different measurement technologies.

Gyekeyeski, Andrew L.↗