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At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Status Report on Separate Effects Testing of Thermal Conductivity of U-Zr Alloy

Phases by definition in an alloy system have distinct physical and chemical properties, including thermal conductivity. The goal of this multi-year study is to show that the different phases present in the U-Zr system indeed do have different thermal conductivities. This study will provide meso-scale (10-100 µm) experimental observations using the Thermal Conductivity Microscope (TCM) of phase dependent thermal conductivity. The results of this study may indicate the need to reconsider the application of homogeneous medium assumption for metallic nuclear fuel that is currently used in fuel performance modeling, and could provide input for improving such model using a heterogeneous phase dependent assessment of thermal properties. The local thermal conductivity values from the TCM will be compared to the bulk measurements to validate this work. Twelve alloy samples with varying Zr compositions and heat treatments were fabricated for the initial phase of this study to characterize the individual phases present in the U-Zr system. The gamma body-centered cubic (BCC) phase was successfully identified in the appropriate size for TCM measurement. Next steps in this work will include identification of remaining phases in the U-Zr alloy system. Thermal conductivity will be measured in those phase areas of the materials and used to assess fuel performance codes for improvements.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Corrosion Behavior of Developmental Iron Phosphate Waste Forms: FY20 Status Report

Corrosion tests were performed to assess the dissolution behaviors of developmental iron phosphate materials that are being evaluated as an alternative to the glass-bonded sodalite ceramic waste form to immobilize salt wastes from electrochemical separation operations. Production of the iron phosphate waste form results in dehalogenation of the waste salt that increases potential waste loading. Ferric oxide is added to the waste form to increase the chemical durability. Tests conducted to optimize the amount of ferric oxide used to make the waste form are summarized in this report. Specimens prepared from materials made with between 17 and 34 mole % ferric oxide were subjected to two test methods to assess the effects of the iron content on the relative durability and retention of immobilized salt cations including cesium, strontium, and neodymium. Modified ASTM C1308 test results show the intrinsic durability was significantly higher for materials made with 27 mol % ferric oxide. Further additions generated iron-rich inclusion phases and did not improve durability. Modified ASTM C1285 test results show that solution feedback attenuates the dissolution rate similar to what is observed for borosilicate glasses within seven days. Analyses of test specimens after 42 days show no evidence that surface layers formed. Combined with previous studies addressing the salt loading, a composition region of the ammonium (di)hydrogen phosphate-waste salt-ferric oxide ternary has been defined for durable waste form compositions. Materials with that composition can be used to determine optimal processing conditions, assess long-term performance, and parameterize a degradation model.

Stariha, S. A.↗

June 2021 SAPHIRE 8 Algorithm Enhancements Status Report

This letter report documents the accomplishments and recommendations for the two subtasks that are part of this contract, SAPHIRE Algorithm Enhancements, as set forth in the NRC IAA NRC-HQ-60-17-T-0007 for the period of June 2020 through June 2021.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

$|\Delta \mathcal{B}| =2$: A State of the Field, and Looking Forward--A brief status report of theoretical and experimental physics opportunities

The origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry apparently obligates the laws of physics to include some mechanism of baryon number ($\mathcal{B}$) violation. Searches for interactions violating $\mathcal{B}$ and baryon-minus-lepton number $\mathcal{(B-L)}$ represent a rich and underutilized opportunity. These are complementary to the existing, broad program of searches for $\mathcal{L}$-violating modes such as neutrinoless double $\beta$-decay which could provide deeper understandings of the plausibility of leptogenesis, or $\mathcal{B}$-violating, $\mathcal{(B-L)}$-conserving processes such as proton decay. In particular, a low-scale, post-sphaleron violation mechanism of $\mathcal{(B-L)}$ could provide a \textit{testable} form of baryogenesis. Though theoretically compelling, searches for such $\mathcal{(B-L)}$-violating processes like $\Delta\mathcal{B}=2$ dinucleon decay and $n\rightarrow\bar{n}$ remain relatively underexplored experimentally compared to other rare processes. By taking advantage of upcoming facilities such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment and the European Spallation Source, this gap can be addressed with new intranuclear and free searches for neutron transformations with very high sensitivity, perhaps greater than three orders of magnitude higher than previous experimental searches. This proceedings reports on recent theoretical and experimental advances and sensitivities of next-generation searches for neutron transformations were detailed as part of the Amherst Center for Fundamental Interactions Workshop, "Theoretical Innovations for Future Experiments Regarding Baryon Number Violation," directly coordinated with the Rare Processes and Precision Measurements Frontier.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Industrial Requirements Status Report and Down-Select of Candidate Technologies

The report discusses the potential for implementing Integrated Energy Systems (IES) using advanced nuclear reactors to provide thermal and electrical energy to carbon-emitting industries while reducing their carbon footprint. Nine different industries were reviewed to determine their decarbonization potential, how nuclear power can fit in, and the carbon footprint of each. The report also identifies specific integration points and streams for most processes, including temperature and pressure requirements of integrating nuclear power with industrial processes. The report also provides insights on advanced nuclear reactors and their potential for us in IES for decarbonization. The target audience for the report is broad, but mainly addressed to the industry leads and nuclear reactor developers. The report recommends that in the short term, a few processes should be identified to continue research and investigation so that front end engineering design work can provide technical analysis for integrating nuclear heat and replacing existing carbon-emitting thermal sources. The work emphasized the significant decarbonization opportunity across each of the technologies looked at as well as how novel and useful nuclear integration is to reduce the environmental impact of these significant industries.

02 PETROLEUM↗

FY23 status report on the development of new ASME Section III, Division 5 Class B rules

This report summarizes the work done in Fiscal Year 2023 on the development of the new American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5, Class B rules to address the gaps identified for high temperature reactor designs. The summary of the design-by-analysis strain limit evaluation and creep-fatigue damage assessment is presented. The proposed design-by-analysis creep-fatigue damage calculation approach uses a new elastic follow-up-based Isochronous Stress Strain Curve stress relaxation procedure. This approach captures the elastic follow-up generated due to interactions of components with adjacent components, supports, and other connections in the power plant. A set of sample problems are selected to validate the proposed design-by-analysis rules for creep-fatigue damage assessment. The proposed Class B rules are evaluated against the Class A elastic design rules, and the experimental data obtained from a family of Simplified Model Test based key-feature test results. The proposed Class B creep-fatigue damage assessment methodology yields conservative design cycles estimates compared to the experimental results.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Status Report on Fast Flux Test Facility Mechanistic Fuel Failure Experiment Analysis with BISON for Post Irradiation Examination Support

The renewed interest in metallic U-Zr nuclear fuel alloy has led to a drive for deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving the phenomena observed under irradiation conditions. The Department of Energy Advanced Fuel Campaign has developed infrastructure to support metallic fuel development, including Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) of legacy Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Mechanistic Fuel Failure (MFF) experiments. The PIE performed on legacy FFTF MFF experiments gives insight on metallic fuel performance and can address the lack of knowledge and scarcity of reliable data identified in several studies over recent years. Unfortunately, PIE efforts can cost significant time and resources which can impede the progress of metallic U-Zr fuel development. Metallic U-Zr fuel performance modeling can be used to inform PIE efforts on regions of interest for relevant investigations and can help understand phenomena observed in PIE. This report demonstrates the current progress of FFTF MFF fuel performance simulations using the BISON fuel performance code and discusses the support provided by simulation to PIE efforts. Progress in temperature, profilometry, fission gas release, plenum pressure, and zirconium redistribution simulation results have been demonstrated.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

FY25 status report on the addition of candidate materials in Class B Code Case

This report provides the time-dependent allowable stress calculation strategy leveraging the limited creep rupture tests data generated to support the allowable stress for 100,000 hours in American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section II, Part D. A variable confidence index procedure to extrapolate material properties to support 500,000 hours design life is discussed. Time-dependent allowable stresses for Class B component design and analysis are presented for Grade 1 and Grade 2 of Alloy 625. The presented data extrapolation and allowable stress calculation method will support new material addition using limited creep rupture data in the new ASME Boiler and BPVC, Section III, Division 5, Class B rules.

Part D↗

Space Shuttle Program Progress Report

A status report is presented on progress in the design, manufacturing and testing of components of the space transportation system (STS), and primarily the Space Shuttle vehicles. Project landmarks from 1969 to 1981 are indicated, fabrication of the Shuttle Orbiter and rollout of the first prototype are described, fabrication and assembly of some Orbiter parts are sketched, and some of the subsystems (thermal protection, avionics, maneuvering aids, reaction control, remote manipulator) are described. Also discussed are: Orbiter carrier aircraft, Shuttle main engine and tests, external fuel tank, solid rocket booster, launch and landing facilities. A separate section is devoted to ground tests (vibration, propulsion, electronics, avionics integration), trainers and simulators, and flight tests (captive flight, free flight, landing and approach, orbital flight).

Thompson, R. F.↗

Space Shuttle Program progress report

A status report devoted to progress of design, manufacturing and test activities for each element of the Space Shuttle is presented. In particular, attention is given to system engineering and integration, the orbiter and its subsystems, the carrier aircraft, the main engine, the external tank, the solid rocket booster, the launch and landing facilities, and ground and orbital flight tests.

Thompson, R. F.↗

Space Shuttle progress report

A status report on the development of the Space Shuttle system is presented, with emphasis on the system capability, the major objectives accomplished during the development period, the Orbital Flight Test program, and the STS-1 mission profile. The system incorporates virtually all of the characteristics and requirements initially established as design goals over a decade ago: both the system and the solid rocket booster are reusable; the orbiter, a delta wing vehicle, is capable of aerodynamic cross-range in excess of 1,100 nautical miles and has an approximate 4,000 nautical mile down-range capability; the flight control system and software provide various abort modes, and the orbiter crew compartment is designed for a shirt-sleeve environment; the main liquid fuel engines provide 470,000 pounds of thrust at vacuum, and the payload lift capacity is 65,000 pounds to a 150 nautical mile orbit.

Thompson, R. F.↗