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At least 1,045 records · Page 58
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Imaging of Calibrated Defects in Additively Manufactured Materials: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components

Additive manufacturing (AM, or 3D printing) for commercial nuclear energy applications is an emerging method for cost-efficient manufacturing aimed at replacing aging nuclear reactor parts and reducing costs for new construction. Known material flaws in AM include low-density regions consisting of non-sintered powder, which have to be detected to ensure the safety of long-term performance nuclear reactor components. Currently, limited options are available for nondestructive evaluation (NDE), either during or post manufacturing. As a solution to NDE of AM, we are developing pulsed thermal imaging which is non-contact, one-sided, and scalable to arbitrary size and shape of the AM parts. Pulsed thermography (PT) system utilizes a high intensity flash lamp to rapidly heat surface of sample, and a high sensitivity fast-frame megapixel infrared (IR) camera to capture data of surface temperature variations. The acquired data cube consists of a stack of surface temperature images taken at different times. Information about material internal defects is extracted by analyzing the data cube. This report provides results of preliminary performance evaluation of pulsed thermal imaging capability in detection of imprinted flaws in AM metallic structures. The flaws were introduced into AM parts as imprinted hemispherical low density regions, consisting of trapped un-sintered metallic powder. Specimens for developed for this study consisted of AM stainless steel 316 and Inconel 718 plates. The diameters of imprinted defects varied from 1mm to 8mm, and their depths below the plate flat surface varied between 1mm and 6mm. Pulsed thermal tomography (PTT) processes the measured data cube to obtain 3D reconstructions of material effusivity using a unique inversion algorithm developed at Argonne. PTT has been previously used in imaging of similar size flat bottom hole (FBH) simulated defects in stainless steel 316 and Inconel 718 specimens. In the study involving AM specimens, PTT imaging results have shown that 1mm-diameter defects located 1mm and 2mm below the surface of specimens were detectable. Larger size defects were detectable at greater depth. We also explored an alternative approach to detection of material flaws in PT data cube, which is using neural learning-based approach to blind source separation. Detection of small material defects requires finding features in the data cube which have signal contrast levels approaching sensitivity limit of IR camera. In this study, an optimized Neural Learning based Blind Source Separation (NLBSS) algorithm, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) is demonstrated to automatically extract principal temporal and spatial features of thermography frames to enhance flaw detection. By using the NLBSS algorithm, material internal defects can be automatically detected. Furthermore, this processing approach compensates for experimental thermal imaging artifacts, such as noise and uneven heating. By merging artificial intelligence with phtotothermics, the NDE system detects internal calibrated defects of various sizes and depths in AM nuclear-grade metallic alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

ZPPR-15 Criticality Measurements

A reference critical configuration was established for each phase of the ZPPR-15 experimental program. The reference critical configuration for each phase corresponds to a configuration in which the measured excess reactivity was adjusted to a standard set of reporting conditions with an average reactor temperature of 293 K, a zero interface gap and all operational control rods parked 30 inches from the axial centerline of the core. The ZPPR staff published the measured excess reactivity and the statistical uncertainty in the measurement. In reality, the published uncertainty for each reference critical configuration is only a small component of the total uncertainty for that configuration. Additional uncertainties related measurement technique, configuration geometry and material compositions exist. The geometry and material composition uncertainties are the dominant uncertainties for ZPPR-15. A full uncertainty analysis was performed for each ZPPR-15 reference critical configuration. The significant uncertainties related to measurement technique, configuration geometry and material compositions were quantified, and a total uncertainty was derived for each reference critical configuration. The ZPPR-15 experimental records were used to create detailed as-built Monte Carlo models for the reference critical configurations established in ZPPR-15A loading 15, ZPPR-15B loading 88, ZPPR-15C loading 166 and ZPPR-15D loading 185. The as-built models neglect the small, non-uniform gap between matrix halves at full closure, any structures outside the matrix tubes and minor components, e.g., impurities, in some materials. The biases associated with the neglected items were quantified. The experimental value of keff and its associated uncertainty for each reference critical configuration were adjusted to account for biases introduced by items that are neglected in the as-built model for that configuration.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Comprehensive framework for data-driven model form discovery of the closure laws in thermal-hydraulics codes

The two-phase two-fluid model is a basis of many thermal-hydraulics codes used in design, licensing, and safety considerations of nuclear power plants. Thermal-hydraulics codes rely on the closure laws to close the system of conservation equations and describe the interactions between phases. These laws, derived from years of experimental investigations, are semi-empirical correlations that lack generality and have a limited range of applicability. Increase of computational power, availability of new experiments, and development of high-fidelity simulations has increased the number of validation data. The discrepancies between the code predictions and the validation data are a great source of knowledge. Missing physics that are not included in the model but are important for the considered phenomena can be discovered by propagating the information from the experimental results through the model. Furthermore, physics-discovered data-driven model form (P3DM) methodology integrates available integral effect tests and separate effects tests to determine the necessary corrections to the model form of the closure laws. In contrast to existing calibration techniques, the methodology modifies the functional form of the closure laws. Based on the functional form of the correction, the missing physics that were not included in the original model can be discovered. The methodology provides the alternative to the machine learning approach, in which the model is discovered in the form of the intractable black-box relation. In this work, the methodology was applied to the CTF subchannel code to improve the prediction of the two-phase flow phenomena.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Observation of a new type of self-generated current in magnetized plasmas

A tokamak, a torus-shaped nuclear fusion device, needs an electric current in the plasma to produce magnetic field in the poloidal direction for confining fusion plasmas. Plasma current is conventionally generated by electromagnetic induction. However, for a steady-state fusion reactor, minimizing the inductive current is essential to extend the tokamak operating duration. Several non-inductive current drive schemes have been developed for steady-state operations such as radio-frequency waves and neutral beams. However, commercial reactors require minimal use of these external sources to maximize the fusion gain, Q, the ratio of the fusion power to the external power. Apart from these external current drives, a self-generated current, so-called bootstrap current, was predicted theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. Here, we reveal another self-generated current that can exist in a tokamak and this has not yet been discussed by present theories. We report conclusive experimental evidence of this self-generated current observed in the KSTAR tokamak.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

MOSCATO Development and Integration in Fiscal Year 2025: Implementation of Multiphase, Multiphysics Modeling Capabilities for Molten Salt Systems

MOSCATO (Molten Salt Chemistry and Transport) is a multiphysics code that provides high-fidelity, coupled simulations of fluid flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, chemistry, electrochemical phenomena, and alloy corrosion for molten salt systems. In FY25, significant developments were made to the code package, enhancing its capabilities for modeling all relevant phenomena within operating moltens salt reactors (MSRs). The developments and activities in FY25 included: 1. Implementation of Level-Set methods to enable modeling of single-bubble behavior in molten salts. In FY25, the Level-Set two-phase flow modeling implementation was improved to simulate single bubble behavior with molten salt media. The large density and viscosity ratios between typical gases and molten salt liquids present challenges for these types of numerical solvers. With enhancements to the pressure projection method, MOSCATO’s Level-Set solver was able to be successfully validated to experiments related to helium bubble rise in stagnant molten salt. The simulated bubble rising velocity showed reasonable good agreement with experimental measurements. The bubble shape and dynamics were also visually compared with experimental snapshots, demonstrating a good qualitative match. 2. Generation of mass transfer correlations for multiphase flow systems. To enable calculations of the tritium transport across the interface between gas bubbles and salt, we modeled high- Schmidt-number mass transfer around a sphere across a broad range of Reynolds numbers. The mesh near the sphere surface was highly refined to resolve steep concentration gradients caused by the low diffusion coefficient. Literature-based mass transfer correlations were compared with the numerical results, and modifications were proposed to improve agreement, particularly at higher Schmidt numbers. These mass transfer correlations were subsequently provided to other national laboratories to help enable high quality mass transfer simulations using lower-order solvers under development within the NEAMS program. 3. Preliminary implementation of a bubbly flow solver. To model bubbly flow in molten salt, we implemented a bubbly flow solver for void fractions less than 5%. To do so, an algebraic relative velocity model that assumes small bubbles with rapid momentum equilibration was added to MOSCATO to compute bubble velocities. Preliminary comparisons with experimental data showed reasonable agreement, and further improvements are underway. 4. Generation of mass transfer correlations for MSRE subchannel The Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) was a landmark historical project that demonstrated the feasibility of molten-salt reactor technology. The MSRE campaign also generated a significant body of experimental data and reports that continue to support molten-salt–related research. In this report, the MSRE core subchannel was used as the reference geometry for a mass transfer study performed with MOSCATO. The geometry and computational mesh were adapted from a previous study, providing adequate resolution for the relatively low Reynolds number in this case. Additional mesh refinement was applied to reach higher Schmidt numbers, enabling the derivation of a reliable mass-transfer correlation for the present scenario. 5. Simulations of oxygen ingressions into molten salt. In the previous fiscal year, we initiated a study to simulate oxygen ingression in stagnant salt. As oxygen enters the salt through its surface, it reacts with Ce 3+ to form solid CeO 2 and other reaction products. To more fully capture the complex diffusion-convection-reaction mechanisms, capabilities for modeling natural convection in the salt vessel were added. These were needed as the flow of the ingressed gas induced flow in the salt caused by surface shear and non-isothermal effects. With these updated physics in place, we were able to successfully reproduce the experimental results for the rate of change of CeCl 3 concentrations versus time. 6. Flow corrosion model validation. In FY24, MOSCATO’s corrosion model was validated against static corrosion experiments. In FY25, this work was extended to a flow corrosion experiment, where FLiNaK salt was driven by natural convection, with initial salt impurities to initiate corrosion. Despite uncertainties in parameters such as elemental diffusion coefficients in the alloy and unknown H + concentrations, the simulations achieved good agreement with experimental results, especially in predicting sample mass losses.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

TEX 2.0: DOE-EM NCS Experimental Needs [Slides]

This presentation touches on the needs presented from recent work with Hanford Tank Farms (HTF) and Savannah River Site (SRS) Liquid Waste Process (LWP). The Meetings were held with other sites by presenting information about TEX 2.0 and having discussions on what the current challenges were for criticality safety validation.

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

Insights into the emergence of mass from studies of pion and kaon structure

There are two mass generating mechanisms in the standard model of particle physics (SM). One is related to the Higgs boson and fairly well understood. The other is embedded in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the SM’s strong interaction piece; and although responsible for emergence of the roughly 1 GeV mass scale that characterises the proton and hence all observable matter, the source and impacts of this emergent hadronic mass (EHM) remain puzzling. As bound states seeded by a valence-quark and -antiquark, pseudoscalar mesons present a simpler problem in quantum field theory than that associated with the nucleon. Consequently, there is a large array of robust predictions for pion and kaon properties whose empirical validation will provide a clear window onto many effects of both mass generating mechanisms and the constructive interference between them. This has now become significant because new-era experimental facilities, in operation, construction, or planning, are capable of conducting such tests and thereby contributing greatly to resolving the puzzles of EHM. These aspects of experiment, phenomenology, and theory, along with contemporary successes and challenges, are reviewed herein. In addition to providing an overview of the experimental status, we focus on recent progress made using continuum Schwinger function methods and lattice-regularised QCD. Further, advances made using other theoretical tools are also sketched. Our primary goal is to highlight the potential gains that can accrue from a coherent effort aimed at finally reaching an understanding of the character and structure of Nature’s Nambu–Goldstone modes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

VERDI: VERsatile DIffractometer with wide-angle polarization analysis for magnetic structure studies in powders and single crystals

The VERsatile DIffractometer will set a new standard for a world-class magnetic diffractometer with versatility for both powder and single crystal samples and capability for wide-angle polarization analysis. The instrument will utilize a large single-frame bandwidth and will offer high-resolution at low momentum transfers and excellent signal-to-noise ratio. A horizontal elliptical mirror concept with interchangeable guide pieces will provide high flexibility in beam divergence to allow for a high-resolution powder mode, a high-intensity single crystal mode, and a polarized beam option. A major science focus will be quantum materials that exhibit emergent properties arising from collective effects in condensed matter. The unique use of polarized neutrons to isolate the magnetic signature will provide optimal experimental input to state-of-the-art modeling approaches to access detailed insight into local magnetic ordering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Direct real photons in relativistic heavy ion collisions

Direct real photons are arguably the most versatile tools to study relativistic heavy ion collisions. They are produced, by various mechanisms, during the entire space-time history of the strongly interacting system. Also, being colorless, most the time they escape without further interaction, i.e. they are penetrating probes. This makes them rich in information, but hard to decypher and interpret. This review presents the experimental and theoretical developments related to direct real photons since the 1970s, with a special emphasis on the recently emerged 'direct photon puzzle', the simultaneous presence of large yields and strong azimuthal asymmetries of photons in heavy ion collisions, an observation that so far eluded full and coherent explanation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Spin-trap isomers in deformed, odd-odd nuclei in the light rare-earth region near $N=98$

Masses of neutron-rich, odd-odd Pm, Eu, and Tb nuclei near N = 98 were measured using the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer at the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility. High-resolution mass measurements yielded the discovery of spin-trap isomers at N = 97 in Tb 162 , and in the N = 99 isotones of Pm 160 and Tb 164 . Furthermore, no evidence of long-lived isomers were observed at N = 95 in Eu 158 , at N = 97 in Pm 158 , nor at N = 101 in Eu 164 and Tb 166 . Here, these experimental observations are compared to results from multiquasiparticle blocking calculations.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗
DOE OSTI2021

Validation of neutron-induced reactions on natural carbon using an active target at neutron energies up to 22 MeV at LANSCE

A single crystal chemical vapor deposited (sCVD) diamond detector is used as an active target to measure neutron-induced reactions on natural carbon using the neutrons produced by spallation, with a broad energy spectrum at LANSCE. Additionally, the neutron-induced reactions are detected in the diamond as low as E n = 400 keV and up to approximately 100 MeV. Relative cross sections for C 12 ( n , α 0 ) , C 12 ( n , p 0 ) , C 12 ( n , d 0 + p 1 ) , and C 13 ( n , α 0 ) are reported up to E n = 22 MeV and comparisons on detected pulse-height spectra and detector response of scattering reactions are made with GEANT4 simulations using the ENDF/B-VIII.0 evaluated nuclear data library up to 20 MeV. The results are compared with past experimental data, including other works that incorporate diamond detectors as an active carbon target. In addition, R-matrix calculations for the C 13 + n system are presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Semiclassical shell-structure micro-macroscopic approach for the level density

Level density ρ(E,A) is derived for a one-component nucleon system with a given energy E and particle number A within the mean-field semiclassical periodic-orbit theory beyond the saddle-point method of the Fermi gas model. We obtain ρ∝I ν (S)/S ν , with I ν (S) being the modified Bessel function of the entropy S. Within the micro-macro-canonical approximation (MMA), for a small thermal excitation energy U, with respect to rotational excitations E rot , one obtains ν = 3/2 for ρ(E,A). In the case of excitation energy U larger than E rot but smaller than the neutron separation energy, one finds a larger value of ν = 5/2. A role of the fixed spin variables for rotating nuclei is discussed. The MMA level density ρ reaches the well-known grand-canonical ensemble limit (Fermi gas asymptote) for large S related to large excitation energies, and also reaches the finite micro-canonical limit for small combinatorial entropy S at low excitation energies (the constant “temperature” model). Fitting the ρ(E,A) of the MMA to the experimental data for low excitation energies, taking into account shell and, qualitatively, pairing effects, one obtains for the inverse level density parameter K a value which differs essentially from that parameter derived from data on neutron resonances.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electron scattering on A = 3 nuclei from quantum Monte Carlo based approaches

We perform first-principle calculations of electron-nucleus scattering on 3 He and 3 H using the Green's function Monte Carlo method and two approaches based on the factorization of the final hadronic state: the spectral-function formalism and the short-time approximation. These three methods are benchmarked among each other and compared to the experimental data for the longitudinal and transverse electromagnetic response functions of 3 He, and the inclusive cross sections of both 3 He and 3 H. Since these three approaches are based on the same description of nuclear dynamics of the initial target state, comparing their results enables a precise quantification of the uncertainties inherent to factorization schemes. At sufficiently large values of the momentum transfer, we find an excellent agreement of the Green's function Monte Carlo calculation with experimental data and with both the spectral-function formalism and the short-time approximation. Here, we also analyze the relevance of relativistic effects, whose inclusion becomes crucial to explain data at high momentum and energy transfer.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Neutrino-induced charged-current coherent pion production for constraining the muon neutrino flux at DUNE

We study neutrino-induced charged-current coherent pion production ( ν μ CC - Coh π ) as a tool for constraining the neutrino flux at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The neutrino energy and flavor in the process can be directly reconstructed from the outgoing particles, making it especially useful to specifically constrain the muon neutrino component of the total flux. The cross section of this process can be obtained using the Adler relation with the π -Ar elastic scattering cross section taken either from external data or, as we explore, from a simultaneous measurement in the DUNE near detector. We develop a procedure that leverages ν μ CC - Coh π events to fit for the neutrino flux while simultaneously accounting for relevant effects in the cross section. We project that this method has the statistical power to constrain the uncertainty on the normalization of the flux at its peak to a few percent. This study demonstrates the potential utility of a ν μ CC - Coh π flux constraint, though further work will be needed to determine the range of validity and precision of the Adler relation upon which it relies, as well as to measure the π -Ar elastic scattering cross section to the requisite precision. We discuss the experimental and phenomenological developments necessary to unlock the ν μ CC - Coh π process as a “standard candle” for neutrino experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Signatures of QCD conductivities in heavy-ion collisions

Dissipative processes are pivotal for understanding the hydrodynamic evolution of hot and dense quantum chromodynamics (QCD) matter created in relativistic nuclear collisions. The interplay of multiple conserved charges—net baryon, strangeness, and electric charge—is of particular interest. Here, we simulate the longitudinal hydrodynamic evolution with the three diffusion currents in a hydrodynamic model with a lattice-QCD-based equation of state, NEOS -4 D , and estimate rapidity distributions including diffusive corrections to the phase-space distribution in the presence of multiple charges, which ensure charge conservation at particlization. We determine the response of particle yields at midrapidity to changes in the diagonal and off-diagonal conductivities. Inversely, we find that most components of the conductivity matrix can be constrained experimentally using identified particle multiplicities at different collision energies.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cascade Models in Simulation of Extended Heavy Targets Irradiated by Accelerated Proton and Deuteron Beams

The paper presents a survey of the main numerical models used for simulation of interaction of accelerated particle beams with target nuclei. These models form the core of the software for simulation of various experiments and experimental facilities both for scientific and applied purposes. The beam and target parameters considered in detail in this study (protons and deuterons with energies from 0.66 to 4 AGeV and bulk U targets) cover the range of interest in development of new concepts of nuclear power production aided by accelerated particle beams.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Radiation Characterization Summary: WSMR Fast Burst Reactor Environment at the 6-Inch and 24-Inch Irradiation Locations

This document presents the facility-recommended characterization of the neutron, prompt gamma-ray, and delayed gamma-ray radiation fields for the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Fast Burst Reactor, also known as molybdenum-alloy Godiva (Molly-G), at the 6-inch and the 24-inch irradiation locations. The neutron, prompt gamma-ray, and delayed gamma-ray energy spectra, uncertainties, and covariance matrices are presented. Code dependent recommended constants are given to facilitate the conversion of various dosimetry readings into radiation metrics desired by experimenters. Representative pulse operations are presented with conversion examples.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Evaluation and Validation of the n+ 63,65 Cu Cross Sections [Slides]

This presentation discusses the objective of the research which is to update n+ 63,65 Cu cross section evaluations with recently measured data to resolve discrepancies in benchmark performance. It also discusses the models used which are the R -matrix analysis and the analysis of angular distribution coefficients. Additionally, the validation methods that were used are discussed, including the Rez shielding benchmark and the ICSBEP criticality benchmarks. In conclusion, he n+ 63,65 Cu cross sections have been updated via R-matrix analysis up to 100 keV. An increased average capture cross section and the adoption of experimentally based Legendre coefficients lead to improved performance in reactivity benchmarks. In the fast region, the adoption of the JENDL-4.0 cross sections above 4.0 MeV improves the performance in shielding benchmarks. Ultimately, the n 63,65 Cu ENDF files will be submitted to ENDF/B-VIII.1.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗