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At least 163 records · Page 9

Impact of particle loading and phase coupling on gas–solid flow dynamics: A case study of a two-phase, gas–solid flow in an annular pipe

The present study is devoted to a two-phase, gas–solid flow in an annular pipe (hollow cylinder) at an elevated pressure of 15 bars and moderate Reynolds number of circa 6000. The influence of the particle loading, the interaction between the phases, and turbulence dispersion on the flow dynamics is systematically studied by means of computational fluid dynamics simulations, employing the Ansys FLUENT commercial package. The cases with a particle volumetric fraction of 1.2% are referred to as “high particle loading,” and those with 0.13% are denoted as “low particle loading.” The following cases are investigated: (1) pure gas flow; (2) low particle loading two-phase flow with one-way coupling and with turbulence dispersion; (3) low particle loading two-phase flow with two-way coupling but without turbulence dispersion; (4) low particle loading two-phase flow with two-way coupling and with turbulence dispersion; (5) high particle loading two-phase flow with one-way coupling and with turbulence dispersion; (6) high particle loading two-phase flow with two-way coupling but without turbulence dispersion; and (7) high particle loading two-phase flow with two-way coupling and with turbulence dispersion. Additionally, the boundary layer is found to grow without fluctuations of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) for cases 1, 2, and 5. For case 4, the TKE fluctuations have been identified, although they appear to be less substantial than those in cases 6 and 7. The authors attribute the semi-chaotic nature of the TKE fluctuations to the particle loading and two-way coupling. In addition, the onset and development of the flow instability have been observed at a random axial distance in cases 4, 6, and 7. Such instability is also attributed to the two-way coupling with turbulence dispersion in the flow. It is concluded that the particle loading, one-way, or two-way coupling between the phases, and the turbulence dispersion models significantly influence the development of the flow dynamics with the same inlet and boundary conditions. Consequently, it is not a trivial question, which result a user should trust. The present computational results inspire to perform verification as well as experimental validation of the simulations, so the simulation results can subsequently be used with confidence for design analysis.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Tin removal by an annular surface wave plasma antenna in an extreme ultraviolet lithography source

Tin contamination of the collector mirror surface remains one of the crucial issues of EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) sources, directly impacting the availability of the tool. Hydrogen plasma-based tin removal processes employ hydrogen radicals and ions to interact with tin deposits to form gaseous tin hydride (SnH 4 ), which can be removed through pumping. An annular surface wave plasma (SWP) source developed at the University of Illinois—Urbana Champaign is integrated into the cone and perimeter of the collection mirror for in situ tin removal. The SWP is characterized by high ion and radical densities, low electron temperature, and local generation where etching is needed. This method has the potential to significantly reduce downtime and increase mirror lifetime. Radical probe measurements show hydrogen radical densities in the order of 10 19 m -3 , while Langmuir probe measurements show electron temperatures of up to 6 eV and plasma densities on the order of 10 17–18 m -3 . The generated ions are essential to the tin cleaning and have sufficiently low energy to cause no damage to the collector capping layer. Tin etch rates of up to 270 nm/min were observed in a variety of experimental conditions, including various powers, pressures, flowrates, and temperatures. In conclusion, the high etch rates demonstrated in this study exceed the expected contamination rate of the EUV source.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Monte Carlo Perturbation Analysis of Fuel Temperature Variations in the MCNP Model of the Annular Core Research Reactor

The Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) model is used by ACRR reactor operators and experiment designers at Sandia National Laboratories for a variety of computational calculations ranging from reactor kinetics parameter estimates and safety analyses to experimental planning. To understand the dominant source of uncertainty within the MCNP model, perturbations in temperature were applied to individual ACRR MCNP fuel rods. Fuel rod temperatures were randomly sampled from a uniform distribution from operational temperatures to quantify temperature-related uncertainty effects. Stochastic mixing was used to blend the cross sections of the desired temperatures using the MCNP continuous and Thermal Neutron Scattering Treatment [S(α,β)] libraries in ENDF/B-VII.1. Furthermore, this uncertainty analysis produced a 640 row × 640 column correlation and covariance matrix of the neutron energy spectra. Positive covariance was produced around the 1-MeV region and the 0.2-eV region. Correlation was found in the thermal and fast energy regions, but no correlation was observed in the slowing-down energy region because interactions in this region are not dominated by fuel.

ACRR↗

Two-dimensional hydrodynamic viscous electron flow in annular Corbino rings

The concept of fluidic viscosity is ubiquitous in condensed-matter systems hosting a continuum where macroscopic properties can emerge. While an important property of liquids and some solids, only recently was the viscosity of an electron shown to play a role in electronic transport experiments. In this Letter, we present nonlocal electronic transport measurements in concentric annular rings formed in high-mobility two-dimensional electron gases, and the resulting data show that viscous hydrodynamic flow can occur far away from the source-drain current region. Our conclusion of viscous electronic transport is further corroborated by simulations of the Navier-Stokes equations that are found to be in agreement with our measurements below T = 1 K . Finally, this work emphasizes the key role played by viscosity via electron-electron ( e − e ) interaction even when the electronic transport is restricted radially, and for which it should have played no major role. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Vijayakrishnan, Sujatha (ORCID:0009000080933182)↗

Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) Pulse Curve Characterization

Reactor pulse characterization at the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) at Sandia Technical Area V (TA-V) is commonly done through photo conductive detection (PCD) and calorimeter detectors. Each of these offer a mode of analyzing a digital signal with different advantages/methods for determination of integrated dose or temporal based metrology. This report outlines a method and code that takes the millions of data points from such detectors and delivers a characteristic pulse trendline through two main methods: digital signal filtration and machine learning, in particular, Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Each method's endpoint is to deliver a characteristic curve for the many bucket environments of ACRR while considering other points of interest including delayed gamma removal for prompt dose metrics. This work draws and adds on previous work detailing the delayed gamma fraction contributions from CINDER simulations of the ACRR. Results from this project show a method to determine characteristic curves in a way that has previously been limited by data set size.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

ECAR-5067 Computational Evaluation on Effect of Edge-rounding in Circular to Annular Flow Transitions within a Hexagonal Duct

In this ECAR, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the duct with a cross-section varying from circle to annulus was performed to evaluate the effect of edge-rounding of the internal edges. The edge of circular channel and the edge of inner annular channel were rounded with the radius of curvature ranged from 0 mm to 20 mm. The CFD results show that the pressure loss of the duct can be reduced by increasing the radius of the rounded edge. Case-A results showed that the pressure drop can be significantly reduced by the edge-rounding, e.g., the pressure drop was reduced approximately 56% by the radius of curvature of 5.0mm, and reduced 70% by the radius of curvature of 20.0 mm although its effectiveness would be attenuated as the radius of curvature of edge increases. Results from Case-B showed the impact of rounding the inlet edge was practically negligible compared to the outlet edge. This ECAR could provide a guideline to determine the optimum inlet module design of the VTR fuel rod bundle.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Clear-Sky Probability for the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse and the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Using the NREL National Solar Radiation Database

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and collaborators have created a clear-sky probability analysis to help guide viewers to the 2023 annular solar eclipse and the 2024 total solar eclipse. Using cloud and solar data from the NREL National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB), the analysis provides cloudless-sky probabilities specific to the date, time, and location of each eclipse with a 4-km resolution. Though not intended to be an eclipse weather forecast, the detailed maps can help guide eclipse enthusiasts to likely optimal viewing locations. Additionally, high-resolution data are presented for the centerline of the path of each eclipse, representing the likelihood for cloudless skies and atmospheric clarity. The NSRDB provides industry, academia, and other stakeholders with high-resolution solar irradiance data to support feasibility analyses for photovoltaic and concentrating solar power generation projects.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Material Test Reactors; Annular Core Research Reactor Testing

The Material Test Reactors Fifth Workshop reviews the successes and failures of material test protocols and lessons learned. This presentation introduces the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR), the history of nuclear reactors at Sandia National Labs and the experiment review process. Included are actual examples of experimental activities at ACRR.

Martin, Lonnie E. [Sandia National Laboratories (S↗

The advanced characterization, post-irradiation examination, and materials informatics for the development of ultra high-burnup annular U-10Zr metallic fuel

U-Zr metallic fuel is a promising fuel candidate for Gen Ⅳ fast spectrum reactors. Previous experimental irradiation campaigns showed that the sodium thermal bonded U-10Zr fuel design can achieve a burnup of 10% fissions per initial heavy metal atom (FIMA). Advanced metallic fuel designs are pushing the burnup limit to 20% or even 30% FIMA. To achieve the higher burnup and eliminate the pyrophoric sodium, a prototypical annular fuel has been designed, fabricated, clad with HT-9 in the Materials and Fuels Complex, and irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactors of Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to a peak burnup of 3.3% FIMA. During irradiation, the mechanical contact between fuel and cladding acts as a thermal bond. The irradiation lasted for 132 days in the reactor. Recently, the archived fresh and irradiated fuel samples were characterized using advanced characterization capabilities in the Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL) of INL. This article summarizes the results of advanced characterization and computer vision-based materials informatics to reveal the irradiation effects on U-Zr metallic fuel. Future work will focus on further implementation of advanced characterization and statistical data mining to improve the fidelity of fuel performance modeling and support U-Zr metallic fuel qualification for fast spectrum reactors.

Yao, Tiankai↗

Heat Transfer in Annular Passages - Hydrodynamically Developed Turbulent Flow with Arbitrarily Prescribed Heat Flux

The problem of turbulent flow heat transfer in a concentric circular tube annulus with fully developed velocity profile and constant heat rate per unit of length is considered. Experimentally obtained solutions are presented for the thermal entry length for a fluid with P(sub r) = 0·7. Asymptotic solutions (fully developed velocity and temperature profiles) are developed for a wide range of radius ratio, Reynolds number, and Prandtl number. The solutions are based on empirical velocity and eddy diffusivity profiles, and the validity of the solutions is demonstrated experimentally for P(sub r) = 0·7. A superposition method is demonstrated for solving the problem of asymmetric heating from the two surfaces of an annulus, and experimental data on asymmetric heating are presented which are in excellent agreement with the analysis. This paper is the third in a series (1, 2) culminating a four year study of heat transfer in annular passages.

Kays, W. M.↗