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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 109 records · Page 6

Griffin Capability Improvements in Support of Ex-core Deep-Penetration Problems

Advanced reactor designs, especially portable reactors that are designed to be located closer to humans and operate autonomously, require the ability to accurately compute the ex-core neutron and gamma flux solutions in terms of shielding design optimization to reduce dose rates at the vessel boundary and detector signal prediction to drive the reactor control system. The Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation program has prioritized improvements to the Griffin discrete ordinates (SN) solver for deep-penetration problems in fiscal year 2025. Significant advancements have been made to the Griffin methodologies for solving ex-core deep-penetration problems for steady-state, fixed-source and transient calculations. This work presents the methodology improvements as well as a comprehensive demonstration with a Transient Test Reactor model and measurements.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Loss of Flow Conditions in a Modern Pool-type SFR and In-Pile Experiment Design

The metallic fuel safety performance under unprotected design-basis transients is a key consideration for the deployment of advanced sodium fast reactors (SFRs). Reliable data are needed to validate advanced safety codes, reduce uncertainty in cladding failure thresholds, and strengthen confidence in licensing approaches. To address this need, this report develops blueprints for a conceptual sodium loss-of-flow (LOF) experiment in the Mk-IIIR loop at the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT), providing the technical foundation for future integral testing.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Thermophysical characterization of composite materials under transient heating conditions

Thermophysical property measurements were made under transient heating conditions on several materials being considered for use in SCOUT rocket motors. The materials included were ATJ graphite, MX 2600 silica phenolic, FM 5272 cellulose phenolic, and two carbon-carbon composites: CARBITEX 700 and RPP-4. The ATJ was included as a reference or base line material to check performance of the transient tests as it was not expected to be sensitive to heating rate. Measurements included in the program were thermal conductivity, strength, compressive stress-strain (carbon-carbon only), thermal expansion and the effective thermal expansion under partially restrained conditions. Development of this latter measurement was a major part of the program. It consisted of partially restraining the expansion of a specimen as it was heated, measuring the load and strain which occurred (together with a simultaneous modulus determination by superimposing a small cyclic load) and using these quantities to calculate what the effective thermal expansion would have to be to produce the observed stress and deformation. For materials which are sensitive to heating rate, such as reinforced phenolics, it was believed that this would provide a more realistic determination of the thermal expansion as it more nearly simulates the conditions experienced in end use.

Roetling, J.↗

Statistical study of thermal fracture of ceramic materials in the water quench test

The Weibull statistical theory of fracture was applied to thermal shock of ceramics in the water quench test. Transient thermal stresses and probability of failure were calculated for a cylindrical specimen cooled by convection. The convective heat transfer coefficient was calibrated using the time to failure which was measured with an acoustic emission technique. Theoretical failure probability distributions as a function of time and quench temperature compare favorably with experimental results for three high-alumina ceramics and a glass.

Rogers, Wayne P.↗

Creep deformation of B2 aluminides

The creep resistance and elevated temperature deformation mechanisms in CoAl, FeAl, and NiAl are reviewed. The stress and temperature dependencies of the steady state creep rate, the primary creep behavior, the dislocation substructure, and the response during transient tests are used as the main indicators of the deformation processes. In single phase intermetallics, the influence of grain size, stoichiometry, and solid solution hardening have been examined. In addition, the effect of adding dispersoids, precipitates, and other types of reinforcements to improve creep strength are compared.

Nathal, M. V.↗

Central circulatory hemodynamics as a function of gravitational stress

This study focuses on an evaluation of the central hemodynamics in a nonhuman primate model to variations in gravitational states. The baboon, phylogenectically close to man, was chosen as the human surrogate. The study environments selected are head-down and head-up tilt in the physiology laboratory, centrifugation to test hypergravic stress, and parabolic flights to test transient acute responses to microgravity.

Latham, Rick D.↗

Guaranteed Time Observations Support for Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) on HST

We assemble this final grant report by combining our previously submitted progress reports with the last year's progress report. Section 2 is the progress report for the June 1, 1991 to Nov. 14, 1995 period. Section 4 is the progress report for the Nov. 14, 1996 to Dec. 31, 1996 period. Section 5 is the progress report for the Nov. 14 to Aug. 31, 1997 period. Section 6 is the new progress report for the Sept. 15, 1997 to Nov. 14, 1998 final period. Section 3 is a summary of our spare detector high voltage transient tests activity in 1992 in support of the renewed safe operation of the GHRS HST D1 detector. Note that we have left the format of each progress report the same as originally sent out. The slight differences in format presentation are thus intended.

Beaver, Edward↗

NASA's Technical Handbook for Avoiding On-Orbit ESD Anomalies Due to Internal Charging Effects

This paper describes NASA-HDBK-4002, "Avoiding Problems Caused by Spacecraft On-Orbit Internal Charging Effects". The handbook includes a description of internal charging and why it is of concern to spacecraft designers. It also suggests how to determine when a project needs to consider internal spacecraft charging, it contains an electron penetration depth chart, rationale for a critical electron flux criterion, a worst-case geosynchronous electron plasma spectrum, general design guidelines, quantitative design guidelines, and a typical materials characteristics list. Appendices include a listing of some environment codes, electron transport codes, a discussion of geostationary electron plasma environments, a brief description of electron beam and other materials tests, and transient susceptibility tests. The handbook will be in the web page, hftp://standards.nasa.gov. A prior document, NASA TP2361 "Design Guidelines for Assessing and controlling Spacecraft Charging Effects", 1984, is in use to describe mitigation techniques for the effects of surface charging of satellites in space plasma environments. HDBK-4002 is meant to complement 2361 and together, the pair of documents describe both cause and mitigation designs for problems caused by energetic space plasmas.

Whittlesey, Albert↗

Model of ASTM Flammability Test in Microgravity: Iron Rods

There is extensive qualitative results from burning metallic materials in a NASA/ASTM flammability test system in normal gravity. However, this data was shown to be inconclusive for applications involving oxygen-enriched atmospheres under microgravity conditions by conducting tests using the 2.2-second Lewis Research Center (LeRC) Drop Tower. Data from neither type of test has been reduced to fundamental kinetic and dynamic systems parameters. This paper reports the initial model analysis for burning iron rods under microgravity conditions using data obtained at the LERC tower and modeling the burning system after ignition. Under the conditions of the test the burning mass regresses up the rod to be detached upon deceleration at the end of the drop. The model describes the burning system as a semi-batch, well-mixed reactor with product accumulation only. This model is consistent with the 2.0-second duration of the test. Transient temperature and pressure measurements are made on the chamber volume. The rod solid-liquid interface melting rate is obtained from film records. The model consists of a set of 17 non-linear, first-order differential equations which are solved using MATLAB. This analysis confirms that a first-order rate, in oxygen concentration, is consistent for the iron-oxygen kinetic reaction. An apparent activation energy of 246.8 kJ/mol is consistent for this model.

Steinberg, Theodore A↗

A Bridge Health Monitoring Method Using the Hilbert-Huang Transform: A Case Study

We have developed a new method for nondestructive instrument method to monitor the health of a bridge. This new method is based on a transient test load and simple data collection. The nuclear of the method is the new invented nonstationary and nonlinear time series analysis method, the Empirical Mode Decomposition and Hilbert Spectral Analysis. The final decision on the health of the bridge structure is based on the nonlinear characteristic of the data, and on the comparison between the free and the forced vibration frequencies. Thus this alternative method enjoys many advantages: (1) no a priori data required, (2) simple data collection, and (3) minimum traffic disruption. Results from a case study of the Shing-Nan Bridge in Hou-Wei will be reported.

Huang, Norden E.↗

Creep Deformation of B2 Alumindes

The creep resistance and elevated temperature deformation mechanisms in CoAl, FeAl, and NiAl are reviewed. The stress and temperature dependencies of the steady state creep rate, the primary creep behavior, the dislocation substructure, and the response during transient tests are used as the main indicators of the deformation processes. In single phase intermetallics, the influence of grain size, stoichiometry, and solid solution hardening have been examined. In addition, the effect of adding dispersoids, precipitates, and other types of reinforcements to improve creep strength are compared.

Nathal, M. V.↗

BYU-Idaho Colloquium Presentation

A brief overview of the Transient test reactor facility (TREAT), what working at TREAT entails and a brief overview of current and recently finished experiment campaigns.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Transient response characteristics of test chamber Mach number

The transient dynamic characteristics of a test chamber Mach number was established for a disturbance initiated in the test chamber. An approximate linear expression was given, showing that the change in the Mach number is linearly proportional to the algebraic sum of the static pressure change in the test chamber and the stagnation pressure change. The static pressure change is the dominating factor. The two pressure changes were also calculated for small Mach number variations, and these results were applied to instrumentation requirements.

Tcheng, P.↗

Specifications of Legacy U(Pu)Zr Metallography Data

The DOE Nuclear Energy Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Program has supported the creation of several databases with information describing the safety performance of fast reactors, components, and fuels. This growing collection of legacy experimental data, operating data, and analysis is available online to registered users. Metallography data is one of the most important types of PIE data being collected, organized and stored in several ART Fast Reactor Databases (https://frdb.ne.anl.gov), including the Fuels Irradiation & Physics Database (FIPD), Out-of-Pile Transient Database (OPTD), and TREAT (the Transient Reactor Test Facility) Experimental Relational Database (TREXR). These databases contain three main sets of metallography data. The first set is the metallography data from Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II) and Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) irradiated fuel pins measured in the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF); the second set is the metallography data from EBR-II irradiated fuel pins measured in the Alpha-Gamma Hot Cell Facility (AGHCF); the third set is the metallography data from transient tested fuel pins (the transients tests include the out-of-pile tests and TREAT tests) measured in AGHCF. Since both the second and third sets of data were measured in AGHCF, they are governed by the same specification. The metallography data in the databases are digital images scanned from either positive or negative photos. The quality of the images, including their resolution and contrast, relies on the preserved quality of the pictures and the scanning conditions. To analyze the microstructure of a fuel pin, a series of preparatory steps must be undertaken. These include sectioning, epoxy mounting, mechanical grinding and polishing, and often etching. The resulting samples were then transferred to a secondary hot cell, or glovebox (depending the strength of radiation field) for microscopy examination. The specifications provided herein focus on the metallography examinations. The sample grinding, polishing and etching processes are also discussed. The procedures involving sectioning and epoxy mounting are out of the scope of the current specification; details can be found in the corresponding operation manuals. If more data are collected and added to the ART Fast Reactor Databases, this specification will be updated to accommodate the additional data.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗