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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

Response of Nuclear Power Plant Instrumentation Cables Exposed to Fire Conditions.

This report presents the results of instrumentation cable tests sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research and performed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The goal of the tests was to assess thermal and electrical response behavior under fire-exposure conditions for instrumentation cables and circuits. The test objective was to assess how severe radiant heating conditions surrounding an instrumentation cable affect current or voltage signals in an instrumentation circuit. A total of thirty-nine small-scale tests were conducted. Ten different instrumentation cables were tested, ranging from one conductor to eight-twisted pairs. Because the focus of the tests was thermoset (TS) cables, only two of the ten cables had thermoplastic (TP) insulation and jacket material and the remaining eight cables were one of three different TS insulation and jacket material. Two instrumentation cables from previous cable fire testing were included, one TS and one TP. Three test circuits were used to simulate instrumentation circuits present in nuclear power plants: a 4–20 mA current loop, a 10–50 mA current loop and a 1–5 VDC voltage loop. A regression analysis was conducted to determine key variables affecting signal leakage time.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Microfabricated Waveguide Atom Traps.

A nanoscale , microfabricated waveguide structure can in - principle be used to trap atoms in well - defined locations and enable strong photon-atom interactions . A neutral - atom platform based on this microfabrication technology will be prealigned , which is especially important for quantum - control applications. At present, there is still no reported demonstration of evanescent - field atom trapping using a microfabricated waveguide structure. We described the capabilities established by our team for future development of the waveguide atom - trapping technology at SNL and report our studies to overcome the technical challenges of loading cold atoms into the waveguide atom traps, efficient and broadband optical coupling to a waveguide, and the waveguide material for high - power optical transmission. From the atomic - physics and the waveguide modeling, w e have shown that a square nano-waveguide can be utilized t o achieve better atomic spin squeezing than using a nanofiber for first time.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Advancing Molten Salts and Fuels at Sandia National Laboratories

SNL has a combination of experimental facilities, nuclear engineering, nuclear security, severe nuclear accidents, and nuclear safeguards expertise that can enable significant progress towards molten salts and fuels for Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs). The following areas and opportunities are discussed in more detail in this white paper.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring: CY2016 Meteorological, Radiological, and Wind Transported Particulate Observations

In 1963, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) (formerly the Atomic Energy Commission [AEC]), implemented Operation Roller Coaster on the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) and an adjacent area of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) (formerly the Nellis Air Force Range). This operation resulted in radionuclide-contaminated soils at the Clean Slate I, II, and III sites. This report documents observations made during ongoing monitoring of radiological, meteorological, and dust conditions at stations installed adjacent to Clean Slate I and Clean Slate III, and at the TTR Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Range Operations Control (ROC) center. The primary objective of the monitoring effort is to determine if wind blowing across the Clean Slate sites is transporting particles of radionuclide-contaminated soil beyond the physical and administrative boundaries of the sites.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

FY17 Status Report on the Computing Systems for the Yucca Mountain Project TSPA-LA Models.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) continued evaluation of total system performance assessment (TSPA) computing systems for the previously considered Yucca Mountain Project (YMP). This was done to maintain the operational readiness of the computing infrastructure (computer hardware and software) and knowledge capability for total system performance assessment (TSPA) type analysis, as directed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), DOE 2010. This work is a continuation of the ongoing readiness evaluation reported in Lee and Hadgu (2014), Hadgu et al. (2015) and Hadgu and Appel (2016). The TSPA computing hardware (CL2014) and storage system described in Hadgu et al. (2015) were used for the current analysis. One floating license of GoldSim with Versions 9.60.300, 10.5, 11.1 and 12.0 was installed on the cluster head node, and its distributed processing capability was mapped on the cluster processors. Other supporting software were tested and installed to support the TSPA- type analysis on the server cluster. The current tasks included preliminary upgrade of the TSPA-LA from Version 9.60.300 to the latest version 12.0 and address DLL-related issues observed in the FY16 work. The model upgrade task successfully converted the Nominal Modeling case to GoldSim Versions 11.1/12. Conversions of the rest of the TSPA models were also attempted but program and operational difficulties precluded this. Upgrade of the remaining of the modeling cases and distributed processing tasks is expected to continue. The 2014 server cluster and supporting software systems are fully operational to support TSPA-LA type analysis.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

SHDAS Production Seismometer Evaluation.

The Seismo - Hydroacoustic Data Acquisition System (SHDAS) is undergoing evaluation in preparation for its engineering, development, and deployment by the U.S Navy as an ocean bottom seismic monitoring system. At the current stage of development, the production seismometers are being evaluated to confirm their performance prior to packaging and assembly for deployment. The testing of the seismometers is being conducted at the Pinon Flats Observatory (PFO) , supervised by Sandia National Laboratories, U.S Navy, and RP Kromer Consulting. SNL will conduct evaluation of the collected seismometer data and comment on the performance of the seismometers.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Co-Optima Project E2.2.2: Accelerate Development of ACI/LTC Fuel Effects on RCCI Combustion

Many advanced combustion approaches have demonstrated potential for achieving diesel-like thermal efficiency but with much lower pollutant emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). RCCI is one advanced combustion concept, which makes use of in-cylinder blending of two fuels with differing reactivity for improved control of the combustion phasing and rate (Reitz et al., 2015). Previous research and development at ORNL has demonstrated successful implementation of RCCI on a light-duty multi-cylinder engine over a wide range of operating conditions (Curran et al., 2015). Several challenges were encountered when extending the research to practical applications, including limits to the operating range, both for high and low loads. Co-optimizing the engine and fuel aspects of the RCCI approach might allow these operating limits to be overcome. The in-cylinder mechanisms by which fuel properties interact with engine operating condition variables is not well understood, however, in part because RCCI is a new combustion concept that is still being developed, and limited data have been acquired to date, especially using in-cylinder optical/imaging diagnostics. The objective of this work is to use in-cylinder diagnostics in a heavy-duty single-cylinder optical engine at SNL to understand the interplay between fuel properties and engine hardware and operating conditions for RCCI in general, and in particular for the light-duty multi-cylinder all-metal RCCI engine experiments at ORNL.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Battery Deactivation by Electrochemically-Generated Inorganic Thin Films or Other Modifications to the External Casing

Every year in the U.S., more than 3,500 people of all ages swallow miniature disc, coin, or “button” batteries. In recent years, the number of reported battery ingestions has remained level yet the number of documented debilitating or fatal battery ingestions has increased. One particularly important approach to mitigate this risk is developing a solution that acts as the last line of defense: a solution that will prevent injury from accidentally swallowed batteries regardless if the ingestion is discovered or not. The primary objective of this project was to develop a solution that may render a coin cell harmless if it is swallowed. We explored a number of approaches toward this aim and found a composite organic/inorganic material that could be applied to a battery that allowed normal battery operation when dry and that would deactivate when wet. This collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the Procter and Gamble Company (P&G), enabled by DOE facilities, allowed the development of a potentially simple but effective solution to the rare but horrific damage ingested batteries can do. This solution could have far-reaching effects due to the ubiquity of coin cells, and the potential impact is great for safer batteries that prevent debilitating injury and death.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Chemical Analysis of Canister Surface Samples

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) collaborated to analyze dust and surface deposits on spent nuclear fuel (SNF) dry storage canisters at interim storage sites. The U.S. currently has no clear pathway for the ultimate disposition of spent fuel, so spent fuel will continue to be stored in dry casks for an extended period of time, likely well beyond the current license period of 60 years. Data on the behavior of dry storage systems and the spent fuel inside them after some period of dry storage, particularly extended storage, are limited. Potential degradation mechanisms for the canisters and fuel need to be identified and addressed for extended storage of spent fuel in dry casks past the renewal period and beyond 60 years.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Standard Inverter Interface and Compliance Framework

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) collaborated to develop and demonstrate a standard communication interface for solar inverters as well as a compliance framework to verify proper product operation via that interface. This activity filled a key void in the needs of California in relation to revisions to California’s Electric Tariff Rule 21 interconnection guidelines. Rule 21 is a CPUC-approved tariff based on IEEE 1547 technical requirements that describes the interconnection, operating, and metering requirements for generation facilities to be connected to a utility’s distribution system, over which the CPUC has jurisdiction. These guidelines, as presently being developed, anticipate a requirement for future inverters to have a standard communication interface and to be testable to verify their proper operation prior to deployment.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Ultraclean Vacuum System for Reticle Inspection Tool

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and KLA-Tencor collaborated on this CRADA to develop the conceptual and architectural design of an ultraclean vacuum system for an actinic extreme ultraviolet (EUV) patterned reticle inspection system. This includes the design of protection/mitigation mechanisms for surfaces and interfaces, and advanced modeling of vacuum and pumping, contamination and particle transport.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Screening Distribution Feeders: Alternatives to the 15 Percent Rule

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) collaborated to develop new methods that utilities can use to quickly and accurately determine the capacity of individual distribution feeders to accept new photovoltaic (PV) projects without the risk of impacting the grid. A key outcome will be a data-driven, validated approach to determining feeder limits that can simplify interconnection processes and lead to greater PV adoption across the California distribution system. Additionally, project developers and potential PV system owners will be able to identify locations best suited to accommodate adding PV without the high capital cost for grid infrastructure. These results will directly contribute to the goals of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to enable and enhance integrating PVs on the electric grid.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Creation of System Validation Platform

SNL and SunSpec were to create a System Validation Platform to verify the functionality of DERs with advanced grid functionality and utility communication capabilities. The Validation Platform software was to ensure DERs are compatible with new grid interconnection requirements for these advanced functions by communicating to equipment under test, data acquisition software, and test equipment.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Coatings for Tower Receivers

SNL and Abengoa were to cooperatively engage in work to determine an optimal solar selective coating to meet the SunShot initiative performance demands at temperature and longevity and to reduce the Levelized Cost of Coating (LCOC) of these materials. Materials were to be identified, tested for durability and optical properties, optimized, and if successful, were to be tested on-sun for a period of up to a year at Abengoa’s test facilities in Spain.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗