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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 1,387 records · Page 77
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

GIF sodium fast reactor project R and D on safety and operation

The 'Safety and Operation' project is started in 2009 within the framework of Generation-IV International Forum (GIF) Sodium Fast Reactor (SFR) research and development program. In the safety area, the project involves R and D activities on phenomenological model development and experimental programs, conceptual studies in support of the design of safety provisions, preliminary assessment of safety systems, framework and methods for analysis of safety architecture. In the operation area, the project involves R and D activities on fast reactors safety tests and analysis of reactor operations, feedback from decommissioning, in-service inspection technique development, under-sodium viewing and sodium chemistry. This paper presents a summary of such activities and the main achievements. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Fatigue monitoring desktop guide

The development of a program for managing material aging (MMG) in the nuclear industry requires a new and different perspective. The classical method for MMG is cycle counting, which has been shown to have limited success. The classical method has been successful in satisfying the ductile condition per the America Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME) design criteria. However, the defined material failure mechanism has transformed from through-wall cracking and leakage (ASME) to crack initiation (NUREG-6909). This transformation is based on current industry experience with material degradation early in plant life and can be attributed to fabrication issues and environment concerns where cycle counting has been unsuccessful. This new perspective provides a different approach to cycle counting that incorporates all of the information about the material conditions. This approach goes beyond the consideration of a static analysis and includes a dynamic assessment of component health, which is required for operating plants. This health definition should consider fabrication, inspections, transient conditions and industry operating experience. In addition, this collection of information can be transparent to a broader audience that may not have a full understanding of the system design or the potential causes of early material degradation. This paper will present the key points that are needed for a successful fatigue monitoring desktop guide. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Wind Turbine Design Optimization for Hydrogen Production

To help meet the need for inexpensive green fuels, we are working on wind turbine design optimization specifically for hydrogen production. We have thus far achieved a 1.53% decrease in LCOH as compared to a turbine optimized for LCOE using the same code, design variables, and models . We accomplished this by optimizing some components of the wind turbine tower, rotor, and drivetrain design with hydrogen production and costs in the design loop.

design↗
DOE OSTI2013

Development status of the lattice physics code in COSINE project

LATC is an essential part of COSINE code package, which stands for Core and System Integrated Engine for design and analysis. LATC performs 2D multi-group assembly transport calculation and generates few group constants and the required cross-section data for CORE, the core simulator code. LATC is designed to have the capability of modeling the API 000 series assemblies. The development is a continuously improved process. Currently, LATC uses well-proven technology to achieve the key functions. In the next stage, more advanced methods and modules will be implemented. At present, WIMS and WIMS improved format library could be read in LATC code. For resonance calculation, equivalent relation with rational approximations is utilized. For transport calculation, two options are available. One choice is collision probability method in cell homogenization while discrete coordinate method in assembly homogenization, the other is method of characteristics in assembly homogenization directly. For depletion calculation, an improved linear rate 'constant power' depletion method has been developed. (authors)

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2013

Building Confidence in LLW Performance Assessments - 13386

The performance assessment process and incorporated input assumptions for four active and one planned DOE disposal sites were analyzed using a systems approach. The sites selected were the Savannah River E-Area Slit and Engineered Trenches, Hanford Integrated Disposal Facility, Idaho Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Oak Ridge Environmental Management Waste Management Facility, and Nevada National Security Site Area 5. Each disposal facility evaluation incorporated three overall system components (1) site characteristics (climate, geology, geochemistry, etc.), (2) waste properties (waste form and package), and (3) engineered barrier designs (cover system, liner system). Site conceptual models were also analyzed to identity the main risk drivers and risk insights controlling performance for each disposal facility. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

How Successful Site Preparation Work at a Large, Commercial, Hazardous and Toxic Waste Site Can Benefit DOE Cleanup Projects - 18111

Jacobs recently completed site preparation work supporting the private commercial development of a world-scale petrochemical complex (an 'ethylene cracker' to produce the primary building block for many forms of plastic) in Monaca, Pennsylvania - the first major U.S. project of its kind outside the Gulf Coast region in 20 years and one of the largest (multi-billion dollar) construction projects in the eastern U.S. Prior to beginning construction on the petrochemical complex, the site's previous large, industrial zinc smelter operations had to be decommissioned and the facilities had to be removed. During the previous 80 years, the smelting operations at the site were used to produce zinc, lead, mercury, and sulfuric acid (a by-product of smelting). The smelting operations left landfills and industrial soil over a large area that had to be removed or closed under regulatory review to allow development across the 81,000 m{sup 2} (200-acre) industrial site located near a major river and local populations. In order to meet Pennsylvania's site-specific Land Recycling Program (commonly referred to as 'Act 2') legislative requirements, the direct contact pathway for landfill soil and slag was removed or mitigated. The site preparation work, or 'Early Works', started in January 2015. As the selected Early Works overall Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) contractor, Jacobs performed the front end engineering and design. Subsequently, Jacobs had overall responsibility for procurement, construction management, health and safety, quality, security, and environmental services for the entire site and all contractors. The Early Works project included eight separate work scope packages: 1) Site Preparation, 2) Site Development, 3) Marine Works, 4) Rail Works, 5) Road Works and Offsite Utilities, 6) Site Security, 7) Construction Facilities, and 8) High Voltage Line Relocation. The Early Works scope was successfully completed in 2017. The challenges faced by this privately funded commercial project have much in common with large DOE and government construction projects. This paper explores lessons learned from the project and compares how project challenges were addressed on this private commercial project with those anticipated at large DOE/government construction and remediation sites, particularly those in the areas of Safety, Logistics, Infrastructure, and Stakeholder Involvement. The identification of best practices demonstrated on this successful project are shared for the purpose of bringing outside, commercial perspectives to ongoing or planned DOE/government construction projects. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

CFD Predictions of Severe Accident Natural Circulation Flows in a Combustion Engineering PWR

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to predict natural circulation flows between a reactor vessel upper plenum and a steam generator during specific severe accidents in a pressurized-water reactor (PWR). The predictions are based on a model for a simplified Combustion Engineering (CE) design. This work is part of a larger study to investigate the potential for severe accident induced steam generator (SG) tube failures in PWRs being conducted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. The CFD model builds upon the lessons learned from previous studies of a generic Westinghouse PWR under similar conditions. The CE SG is significantly larger than the Westinghouse design and geometric differences are expected to reduce the mixing and increase the potential thermal challenge to the SG tubes. The CFD predictions are utilized to improve the basis for simplified flow and mixing models applied in one-dimensional severe accident codes. Parameters are determined to support system code modeling of hot leg and SG inlet plenum mixing, hot leg and SG tube bundle flow rates, and tube inlet temperatures. This updated modeling uses boundary conditions obtained from system analysis code predictions of severe accident behavior in a CE PWR. Model refinements include an improved tube bundle representation and improvements to the thermal boundary conditions. Results indicate less mixing and higher tube inlet temperatures for the CE design compared to previous Westinghouse studies. (author)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Investigation on Reaction Probabilities for Cyclic Voltammetry of Zirconium in LiCl-KCl Eutectic Molten Salt via Reverse-Engineering Method

This work focuses on a reverse-engineering program design for the cyclic voltammetry (CV) method to help illustrating, enhancing, and providing robustness in detection probability of the reactions during an electrorefining process. Analyzing the reactions from CV plots for 1.07, 2.49, and 4.98 wt% of zirconium chloride (ZrCl{sub 4}) in a LiCl-KCl molten salt at 773 K under different scan rates from Hoover's study has been accomplished. The results provide the current (Amp) versus potential (V) to investigate the optimum probability of the reactions at each peak. All simulations have been done through the commercial software MATLAB by using various experimental values existing in the literature as a first guess (e.g., the diffusion coefficients, and formal potentials). Preliminary results indicate that the zirconium reactions at each peak from cathodic to anodic side for 1.07 wt% are as followed: combination of Zr{sup +2}/Zr and Zr{sup +4}/ Zr{sup +2} at approximately -1.15 V, Zr{sup +2}/Zr at -1.5 V, Zr{sup +4}/Zr at -1.85 V, 70% Zr/Zr{sup +4} and 30% Zr/Zr{sup +2} at -0.5 V, and Zr{sup +2}/ Zr{sup +4} at - 0.25 V. These mentioned peaks are similar for 2.49 wt% at different voltages. In addition, the highest anodic peak for 4.98 wt% is found to be a combination of 30% Zr/Zr{sup +4} and 70% Zr/Zr{sup +2}. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2016

XAFS Investigation of Uranium Binding by Seawater-Contacted Amidoxime Adsorbents

Extraction of uranium from seawater constitutes an important avenue for ensuring nuclear fuel availability beyond the coming century. With a predicted 100 years of uranium remaining in terrestrial ores, efficient extraction of the 4.5 billion tons of uranium dissolved in ocean water would enable access to an effectively limitless supply. More near-term benefits include establishment of a backstop technology, preventing runaway price inflation for this critical resource. The current state-of-the-art material for seawater extraction of uranium is a polymeric adsorbent composed of a robust trunk material subsequently surface functionalized by copolymerization of polyacrylonitrile and a hydrophilic comonomer. Treatment of this material with hydroxylamine results in the formation of poly-amidoxime functionalities which have been known to bind strongly with uranium since the early 1980's. Despite more than three decades of investigation, many questions remain unanswered regarding how these adsorbents bind uranium in seawater. The physical characteristics of the polymer prohibit many classical characterization techniques, while most spectroscopic approaches are impeded by the relatively low concentration of uranium compared to the polymer itself and other metals extracted by the adsorbent. The traditional approach has been to investigate small molecule analogues of uranyl - dioxouranium (VI), the form of uranium present in seawater - as bound by amidoxime or amidoxime derivatives, and assert the findings to be representative of the larger polymer system. Computational efforts have also been recently leveraged to a similar end. This approach is not without difficulty, as it has been routinely proposed that the treatment with hydroxylamine and subsequent alkaline conditioning results in formation of a cyclic imide dioxime site, which is truly responsible for uranium binding, as opposed to the 'open chain' amidoxime. Further complications ensue from considering the possibility of cooperative binding interactions from the different hydrophilic comonomers which are known to be necessary for optimizing uranium capacity. Finally, application of different surface polymerization techniques has the potential to directly affect the morphology of the surface polymer by influencing the degree of grafting, extent of polymer crosslinking, and polymer density. The impact of these morphological considerations on the uranyl binding environment cannot be easily replicated with small molecule studies or by computation. Ultimately, the precise binding environment of uranium is unknown, but constitutes critical knowledge for the design and engineering of advanced adsorbent materials capable of selective extraction of uranium from seawater. Analysis of the EXAFS fits reveals three of the four polymer morphologies appear to bind uranium in different chemical environments, none of which were predicted by crystallographic study or computational investigation, challenging numerous long-held assumptions. Both AI-8 and AN/HEA spectra possess features which could be attributable to cooperative binding of uranium by comonomers, but this cannot be definitively determined by EXAFS without further investigation. Unlike AF-1, neither AI-8 or AN/HEA require an adjacent μ{sup 2}-oxo-bridged transition metal to obtain a reasonable fit. The fit for Cyclic AF-1 is refined to almost identical parameters to the fit of the original AF-1 adsorbent, with the only difference is the contracting of the light elements in the second coordination sphere. It is thus proposed that the DMSO and heat treatment of the AF-1 fiber does very little to change the uranium binding site, and any differences in uptake are more readily explained by changes in the morphology of the graft polymer. There is no evidence for cyclic amidoxime functionality contributing significantly to the extraction of uranium from seawater, and efforts to maximize the number of these binding sites should be discontinued. While molecular interactions necessarily occur in adsorption processes, these results clearly reveal physical phenomena at the mesoscale play a critical role in adsorbent behavior, even to the extent that the binding environment differs from those predicted by small molecule studies. In contrast to the current paradigm where chemical functionality is varied, improvements in the performance of polymer-based amidoxime-functionalized adsorbents for extraction of uranium from seawater need also be pursued through interrogation and modulation of bulk morphology and improvements in polymer hydrophilicity. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR):Tools for Nuclear Training, Operations and Design

Introduction: Problems: Mistakes in the field due to a lack of information (Ex: Pump repair failure rate 50%); Avoidable exposure due to multiple employees for procedure adherence and monitoring; Debates over 2D drawings can be more easily resolved. Purpose: Training: Employees can be trained more effectively. Operating: Operations can be carried out more efficiently with fewer workers required with AR. Design Review: Pull the designers and designs into VR. Design: VR: Unreal Engine, Unity, Custom. AR: HoloLens: Unity, Custom - DirectX 12.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

BioHydrogen (BioH2) Consortium to Advance Fermentative H2 Production

The overall objective of this project is to develop a carbon-neutral, microbial dark fermentation technology to convert waste lignocellulosic biomass into H2 with a production cost less than $2/kg-H2 via strain engineering, bioprocess design for scale-up, and integrating fermentation with microbial electrolysis cell (MEC).

bioH2↗
DOE OSTI2023

Final Technical Report

The project goal is to demonstrate low-cost, interlocking, and carbon-storing insulation materials with thermal insulation of R5/inch, flexural modulus > 10 MPa, low material price < $ 0.5/ft2 wall area (materials cost for ½” thick panel), and net embodied carbon of 0.8t net CO2e/t (60% reduction compared to gypsum), respectively, which can meet the cost and performance targets of department of energy (DOE)’s 2050 climate target. To achieve this goal, the project plans three tasks, and each has a specific objective: 1) Modular design and engineering analysis of interlocking insulation panel blocks using biogenic materials (cellulose, straw, etc.): with the consideration of potential assembling and recycling. 2) Scalable manufacturing of biogenic-based interlocking insulation panels: scale up the modular panel production using ambient pressure drying and surface superhydrophobic modification at 1ft*1ft with the potential for further scalable mass production of 4ft*4ft. 3) Code-compliant testing, recycling and carbon footprint analysis of manufactured interlocking insulation panels examined using ASTM standards of thermal insulation (ASTM C518), mechanical properties (ASTM C1161), and water vapor transmission (ASTM E96).

Ren, Shenqiang↗
DOE OSTI2024

BioHydrogen (BioH2) Consortium to Advance Fermentative H2 Production

The overall objective of this project is to develop a carbon-neutral, microbial dark fermentation technology to convert waste lignocellulosic biomass into H2 with a production cost less than $2/kg-H2 via strain engineering, bioprocess design for scale-up, and integrating fermentation with microbial electrolysis cell (MEC).

bioH2↗
DOE OSTI2024

WIP: Collaborating to Introduce Second-Life Battery Technology Research in an Informal STEM Learning Environment

This work in progress, innovative practice, paper outlines an interdisciplinary collaborative model utilized by a team of educational researchers, and engineers to design a series of community-centered, place-based learning activities suitable for a middle or high school informal STEM learning environment. Based on the potential applications and benefits of Second-Life Electric Vehicle Batteries, the activities connect cutting-edge STEM research with multidimensional real-world challenges within their communities related to climate change, renewable energy integration and storage, intelligent transportation systems, and optimized energy management, that empowers students to think critically about the role they can play in shaping a more resilient, environmentally sustainable community.

Whiteside, Hope↗
DOE OSTI2024

A high fidelity and user-friendly equation-oriented optimization model for carbon capture using a novel water-lean solvent

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and SLB have developed a novel water-lean solvent technology for carbon capture, demonstrating low specific reboiler duty (SRD) values at capture rates exceeding 90%. At the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) pilot plant, the technology achieved an SRD of 2.55 GJ/t-CO2 at 95% capture, utilizing an intercooler and a 5°C temperature approach in the lean/rich solvent cross exchanger. To meet varying carbon capture targets for Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies and to enable real-time optimization and advanced process control, an efficient optimization model is required. This model needs to minimize energy demand for a given capture rate and determine optimal operating parameters in response to fluctuating flue gas conditions. While an existing Aspen Plus simulation model, developed by RTI and SLB, accurately matches TCM plant data, its sequential modular (SM) strategy is too slow for real-time applications due to recycle streams and tight heat integration inherent in solvent-based carbon capture processes. Although an equation-oriented (EO) modeling strategy is more suitable for optimizing these processes, its adoption has been limited by several factors: feature limitations in Aspen Plus EO mode (e.g., lack of balance block support), a less user-friendly interface for variable identification and loop solving, complex troubleshooting of convergence issues, and the necessity for accurate initial values.

carbon capture↗
DOE OSTI2016

Roadmap to the multidisciplinary design analysis and optimisation of wind energy systems

Here, a research agenda is described to further encourage the application of Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimisation (MDAO) methodologies to wind energy systems. As a group of researchers closely collaborating within the International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Task 37 for Wind Energy Systems Engineering: Integrated Research, Design and Development, we have identified challenges that will be encountered by users building an MDAO framework. This roadmap comprises 17 research questions and activities recognised to belong to three research directions: model fidelity, system scope and workflow architecture. It is foreseen that sensible answers to all these questions will enable to more easily apply MDAO in the wind energy domain. Beyond the agenda, this work also promotes the use of systems engineering to design, analyse and optimise wind turbines and wind farms, to complement existing compartmentalised research and design paradigms.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Simulation and Controls for Heavy Duty Dual Mode Hybrid Powertrain (Final CRADA Report)

Hybrid powertrains are of considerable interest because of potential reductions in fuel consumption, criteria pollutants and green house gas (GHG) emissions. Parallel hybrids have been applied to light and medium duty trucks, where urban driving cycles are prevalent, while series hybrids have been successfully used for other applications like transit and school buses. Unfortunately, hybridization of the Class 8, heavy-duty (HD) powertrain is inherently challenging due the expected long-haul driving requirements and limited opportunities for regenerative braking. The Participant has conceived and demonstrated a transformational Dual Mode Hybrid Powertrain (DMHP) technology developed specifically for the needs and function of Class 8 line haul trucks. The DMHP system enables a new paradigm in powertrain operational efficiency in the Class 8 truck segment. It decouples the connection between the engine operating point and the truck road load demands over a broad operating range through an innovative hybrid design. The DMHP operation choices include running in full series, full parallel and engine-off modes. The DMHP offers the opportunity for an engine to operate in a narrow range, thus providing a strategy for maximized fuel economy and minimized emissions. Further, it is expected that transient torque and power wheel demands are handled in whole or part by the electric system, thus reducing the frequency and intensity of engine transients and further improving the fuel economy and emissions. Fuel consumption and emissions have been further reduced through the elimination of overnight hoteling and idling at stops. Finally, based on the unique operating profile of an engine integrated into our hybrid powertrain, a transformational HD truck engine design concept next can emerge. Recent research activities by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have yielded significant data in real-life speed and load profiles of Class 8, long haul trucks. In addition, preliminary simulations of the DMHP carried out by ORNL reveal significant optimization opportunities of the DMHP by applying systematic simulation and controls approaches. An improved understanding of the complex interactions offered by the on-board engine, energy storing system, and electric machines is necessary for the development of control methodologies and practical implementation. We will continue to further this understanding through detailed experimentation and modeling, drawing on and expanding ORNL’s core competency in basic engine research and development (R&D) and advanced controls. This knowledge will be used to develop, implement, and evaluate control strategies on an actual DMHP using Meritor’s components and subsystems. Our initial focus will be on optimization of DMHP utilizing a “stock” diesel engine that is commercially available in the market place. A new DMHP-specific engine design concept will be pursued at a later phase of this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). Meritor will develop the experimental setup, conduct sub-system experiments at their facility, and implement and evaluate potential control strategies resulting from this CRADA partnership. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will develop a real-time simulation model for use in real-time control of the DMHP. The model and potential algorithms will be evaluated on a HD, hybrid powertrain dynamometer facility that will also be developed at the ORNL Vehicle Systems Integration facility.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗