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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Development of an advanced spacecraft water and waste materials processing system

An Integrated Waste Management-Water System (WM-WS) which uses radioisotopes for thermal energy is described and results of its trial in a 4-man, 180 day simulated space mission are presented. It collects urine, feces, trash, and wash water in zero gravity, processes the wastes to a common evaporator, distills and catalytically purifies the water, and separates and incinerates the solid residues using little oxygen and no chemical additives or expendable filters. Technical details on all subsystems are given along with performance specifications. Data on recovered water and heat loss obtained in test trials are presented. The closed loop incinerator and other projects underway to increase system efficiency and capacity are discussed.

Murray, R. W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

System Analysis Modeling and Intermodal Transportation for Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has long term goals to develop solutions for managing the nation’s spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level waste (HLW) inventory. The Integrated Waste Management (IWM) program under the DOE office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is employing system-level engineering and analysis principles to inform potential future waste management system architectures. Managing the spent nuclear waste requires the use of system-level analysis software that takes various aspects of the fuel cycle into account like waste generation, on-site/centralized storage, transportation infrastructure, and long-term disposal. The Next Generation System Analysis Model (NGSAM) is an agent-based model that was developed to simulate the transportation and storage of SNF and HLW. As an agent-based model, NGSAM has the capability to detail the interaction and movement of individual components and groups, such as rail cars and casks. The SNF inventory from commercial nuclear reactors is currently in temporary storage at multiple locations spread across the United States. Shipping of SNF from these locations relies on one of three transportation modes: rail, heavy-haul truck, or barge. Out of the three modes identified, rail is generally the most preferred due to the size of the canisters and casks the SNF would be shipped in. However, under some scenarios, a direct rail route might not be readily available to a reactor site or improving the rail infrastructure at shutdown sites might be too cost-prohibitive for utilities to opt for a direct rail transfer. Under such scenarios, using a barge or heavy haul truck to de-inventory the site and transfer the SNF to a nearby intermodal transfer site with adequate rail infrastructure where the payload could be transferred to a rail car might prove to be an attractive option. This work initially presents the various intermodal transportation options that could be used to transfer SNF from reactor sites to rail cars. This is followed by exploring the operational steps in each of these modes to move the SNF from a reactor site and transfer it to a rail car. This work also presents the procedure of implementing the intermodal transfer methodology in NGSAM using various Java methods. Finally, the process times for accomplishing each of the individual steps are furnished. The implementation ideology, assumptions, and future steps are presented in this work.

Gadey, Harish Reddy↗
NASA NTRS2023

Decommissioning of Air Sparge System at Vertical Processing Facility, Solid Waste Management Unit 077 Implementation Report

This document discusses the decommissioning of the air sparge (AS) system at the Vertical Processing Facility (VPF), Solid Waste Management Unit 077 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida completed between January 30, 2023, and February 8, 2023. A 2005 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Investigation identified chlorinated volatile organic compound impacts at the site. Following assessment activities, an AS system was in operation intermittently from April 2012 through October 2017, when the system was permanently shutdown due to equipment failure. Trichloroethene and vinyl chloride remained above their groundwater cleanup target levels in several monitoring wells and the site was moved into the Industrial Area Long Term Monitoring Program. VPF continues to be sampled biennially; the most recent event was May 2022. Successful implementation of this decommissioning project will reduce the risk of accidental AS and soil vapor extraction well damage and will lower operating costs associated with maintaining obsolete AS systems. Decommissioning the AS system at VPF included vegetation clearing to access AS wells and associated piping, abandonment of all on site AS wells, temporary electrical outage, and site restoration. At the completion of demobilization and site restoration activities, the site was returned to its original or better than original condition.

Jason J Bublitz↗
NASA NTRS1988

Component Data Base for Space Station Resistojet Auxiliary Propulsion

The resistojet was baselined for Space Station auxiliary propulsion because of its operational versatility, efficiency, and durability. This report was conceived as a guide to designers and planners of the Space Station auxiliary propulsion system. It is directed to the low thrust resistojet concept, though it should have application to other station concepts or systems such as the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), Manufacturing and Technology Laboratory (MTL), and the Waste Fluid Management System (WFMS). The information will likely be quite useful in the same capacity for other non-Space Station systems including satellite, freeflyers, explorers, and maneuvering vehicles. The report is a catalog of the most useful information for the most significant feed system components and is organized for the greatest convenience of the user.

Bader, Clayton H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Cost analysis of water recovery systems

Cost and performance data from Gemini, Skylab, and other aerospace and biotechnology programs were analyzed to identify major cost elements required to establish cost estimating relationships for advanced life support subsystems for long range planning in support of earth orbital programs. Cost analysis are presented for five leading water reclamation systems; (1) RITE waste management-water system;(2) reverse osmosis system;(3) multifiltration system;(4) vapor compression system; and(5) closed air evaporation system with electrolytic pretreatment.

Yakut, M. M.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Overview of System Integration Analysis Activities for Integrated Waste Management

Spent nuclear fuel (SNF) generated by the current fleet of commercial nuclear reactors is being stored at reactor sites in spent fuel pools (SFPs) and in dry independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSIs). The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Integrated Waste Management (IWM) program is examining a suite of IWM system options and conducting supporting analyses to enable future informed choices. The IWM program is currently organized into the following four major areas: (1) IWM facilities and equipment concepts and development, (2) transportation capability analysis and support, (3) information technology solutions and support, and (4) system integration analysis and support. This paper focuses on the activities ongoing in the IWM system integration analysis and support area. Two main research activities in this area are: data and tools development, validation, and maintenance; and special studies, analyses, and assessments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1987

A university team approach to regenerative concepts

An interdisciplinary team of university-affiliated scientists and engineers has undertaken the design of a controlled ecological life support system that employs physical, chemical, and biological components to supply and efficiently recycle food, atmospheric gases, water, and waste products. An Integrated Waste and Water Management System furnishes the basic capabilities for waste product preprocessing and for the establishment of baseline comparisons with proven physical and chemical systems. Attention is given to the relationships between food and oxygen supply and the mass fraction of algae in food, as well as to the potential for O2 production.

Nicks, Oran W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Waste management in space: a NASA symposium. Special issue

This special issue contains papers from the NASA Symposium on Waste Processing for Advanced Life Support, which was held at NASA Ames Research Center on September 11-13, 1990. Specialists in waste management from academia, government, and industry convened to exchange ideas and advise NASA in developing effective methods for waste management in a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). Innovative and well-established methods were presented to assist in developing and managing wastes in closed systems for future long-duration space missions, especially missions to Mars.

NASA Center ARC↗
NASA NTRS1990

Publications of the NASA Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Program, 1979-1989

Publications of research sponsored by the NASA Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Program from 1979 to 1989 are listed. The CELSS Program encompasses research and technology with the goal of developing an autonomous bioregenerative life support system that continually recycles the solid, liquid, and gaseous materials essential for human life. The bibliography is divided into four major subject areas: food production, nutritional requirements, waste management, and systems management and control.

Wallace, Janice S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Cost analysis of water recovery systems

A methodology was developed to predict the relevant contributions of the more intangible cost elements encountered in the development of flight-qualified hardware based on an extrapolation of past hardware development experience. Major items of costs within water recovery systems were identified and related to physical and/or performance criteria. Cost and performance data from Gemini, Skylab, and other aerospace and biotechnology programs were analyzed to identify major cost elements required to establish cost estimating relationships for advanced water recovery systems. The results of the study are expected to assist NASA in long-range planning and allocation of resources in a cost effective manner in support of earth orbital programs. This report deals with the cost analysis of the five leading water reclamation systems, namely: (1) RITE waste management-water system, (2) reverse osmosis system, (3) multifiltration system, (4) vapor compression system, and (5) closed air evaporation system with electrolytic pretreatment.

Yakut, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Publications of the NASA Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) program 1989-1992

Publications of research sponsored by the NASA Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) program are listed. The CELSS program encompasses research and technology with the goal of developing an autonomous bioregenerative life support system, which is based upon the integration of biological and physical/chemical processes, that will produce nutritious and palatable food, potable and hygienic water, and a breathable atmosphere by recycling metabolic and other wastes. This research and technology development is being performed in the areas of biomass production/food processing, waste management, and systems management and control. The bibliography follows these divisions. Principal investigators whose research tasks resulted in publication are identified by an asterisk. Publications are identified by a record number corresponding with their entry in the Life Sciences Bibliographic Database, maintained at the George Washington University.

Powers, Janet V.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dual-Bed Radioiodine Capture from Complex Gas Streams with Zeolites: Regeneration and Reuse of Primary Sorbent Beds for Sustainable Waste Management

Dual-sorbent systems are proposed for radioiodine management with a regenerated primary bed for multiple cycles of use in complex conditions and a secondary bed for disposal with higher waste loadings. Sorbent approaches for the effective capture of gaseous radioiodine (isotopes 129 I and 131 I) produced from a range of nuclear processes have been studied for over half a century. (1−5) Whether or not a sorbent (e.g., molecular sieve) is required to physically screen/trap or chemically bind a radionuclide of interest through chemisorption, the complexity of the gas stream has a large impact on the performance (e.g., loading capacity, selectivity) and active life of a sorbent bed. (3) Silver mordenite (AgZ), the U.S. Department of Energy baseline sorbent for radioiodine capture from nuclear processes, performs well within acidic conditions and at elevated temperatures (6) and can be consolidated into a chemically durable waste form for long-term disposal. (7,8) However, new sorbents are being sought because optimal capture performance of AgZ significantly decreases in dynamic oxidizing environments with competing species, and it is expensive and it contains Ag (a toxic metal). (9) Until a new sorbent is found to replace AgZ, the regeneration and reuse of AgZ is an attractive alternative to a single-use primary sorbent bed. In this regard, a primary sorbent could be designed for enhanced capture in complex gas streams and the ability to be regenerated for reuse. Here, a secondary sorbent could then be tailored for maximum iodine loading in the gas stream and chemical durability within a disposal facility.

chemisorption↗
DOE OSTI2020

Utilizing Commercial Submersible Mixer Pumps for Sludge Removal in Savannah River Site's Tank 26 - 20289

The Savannah River Site (SRS) Liquid Waste System (LWS) safely manages, stores, treats, and dispositions liquid radioactive waste. The LWS consists of 51 underground waste storage tanks (eight of which are operationally closed and filled with grout), waste evaporators, treatment facilities, and solidification facilities, known as the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) and Saltstone Production Facility (SPF). One of the waste storage tanks, Tank 26, was placed into service in 1980 as an F Tank Farm (FTF) Evaporator Feed Tank. From 1980 to 2013, Tank 26 received F Canyon receipts and dilute supernate that was then transferred to the 242-16F FTF Evaporator for volume reduction. In 2013, the steam tube bundle failed in the FTF Evaporator, and the decision was made not to repair/resume evaporator operation. During operation of Tank 26, solids built up to a level of 2.03 m in the tank with a volume of 1062.9 kL. Due to the evaporator failure and subsequent shutdown, the solids in Tank 26 were selected to feed Sludge Batch 10, which is collected and prepped prior to being sent to DWPF for final disposition. To accomplish solids removal, Commercial Submersible Mixer Pumps (CSMPs) were selected to slurry the solids in preparation to be sent to Tank 51. Four CSMPs were installed in Tank 26 with each one installed in a separate quadrant of Tank 26. This work would mark the first deployment of CSMPs in an SRS waste tank. The CSMPs were developed in response to operational issues from previous mixing pumps and budgetary constraints. The CSMPs use the concept of modifying commercially available equipment for nuclear waste applications. The CSMPs consist of a 230-horsepower submersible mixing pump (manufactured by GPM, Inc.) joined to a mast fabricated at SRS. For this application, Savannah River Remediation (SRR) design services was challenged to provide a mast design that required no steel superstructure support system on top of Tank 26. Also, SRR design services provided a simplified Tank 26 riser interface that did not require extensive machine parts to adjust height of the suction screen of the CSMP within the tank. Other design improvements include no requirements for tank top radiation monitors and no requirements for flushing of the CSMPs during startup/shutdown operations. The CSMPs were operated at an initial height of 2.29 m above the Tank 26 bottom for 10 days. After sludge sounding, the CSMPs were lowered to a height of 1.52 m with no issues due to proper work planning and the simplified riser interface. With the CSMPs lowered to a level of 1.52 meters above the tank bottom, the CSMPs were operated for 12 days and another sounding was performed. The sounding level came back matching the disturbance depth results of the first pump run. Chemistry samples were analyzed while the tank was left to settle. The analysis revealed enough weight percent solids to provide good feed to Sludge Batch 10. Also, the results revealed the supernate within the mixture would provide good salt solution feed to Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Salt Batch 3. So, the plan was modified to let the disturbed solids settle and decant the salt solution for addition to SWPF Salt Batch 3. Then water will be added back to Tank 26, and the CSMPs run in order to wash the solids to decrease settling time prior to being sent to Tank 51 for Sludge Batch 10. Utilizing CSMPs for waste removal in an SRS Tank has provided a cost-effective means for further waste removal efforts. In addition, the CSMPs are easier to operate by utilizing a robust and simplified design. The CSMPs performed quite well with no process shutdown or delays during operation. As a result, CSMPs are integral to the future of removing radioactive waste from storage tanks at SRS. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Irradiation Assessment of a Lightweight Industrial Robot - Towards Faster, Safer and Sooner Waste Decommissioning - 20317

Robotic systems have been successfully applied in the nuclear industry for several decades as a safe approach to minimize the exposure dose of human operators. As nuclear waste management and decommissioning gathers pace, there is an emerging interest integrating modern off-the-shelf industrial robots in nuclear robotic systems which make use of complex electronics and software to improve functionality over traditional machines. The use of the industrial robots will significantly increase the pace of development of automated waste management systems at a reduced cost, and although these off-the-shelf robots are proven robust in typical industrial environments, performance in radioactive environments is less clear. This paper investigates the performance degradation of a lightweight industrial robot (KUKA iiwa 7 LBR 800) in a controlled radiation field, aiming to simulate conditions in highly radioactive nuclear waste handling facilities. The degradation of the industrial robot's performance is identified while measuring the air kerma dose-tolerance of sensitive components, via a systematic experimental methodology. The experience from this experiment has demonstrated the significant capabilities of industrial robots, which tolerated a large gamma dose of 164 Gy before a system failure. Future tests are planned, aiming to enable faster, safer and sooner waste management and decommissioning using complex robotic systems. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗