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Emerson Astle, Leigh Ann

Publications and source records attributed to Emerson Astle, Leigh Ann.

4 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

ATR NEXSHARE Fact Sheet

This fact sheet will provide information for the database of experimental facilities supported by the IAEA as outlined below: NEXSHARE: As part of the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI), the IAEA proposes to establish a Network for global cooperation and resource sharing for experiments and code validation between experimental facilities, SMRs design organizations, International Organizations and Technical Support Organizations (TSOs). The proposed Network, NEXSHARE, will be done in collaboration with the OECD/NEA. EXPERIMENTAL FACILITY DATABASE: As part of this activity, the IAEA is compiling a database of experimental facilities applicable to SMRs (including water cooled, high temperature gas cooled, molten salt and fast neutron spectrum reactors). This database will also form part of NEXSHARE and will be documented in an IAEA publication.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Structure and Process of Managing the UO2 Dry In-Pile Fracture Test Irradiation Experiment

The management and structure of a novel research and development (R&D) project can be hard to navigate. This is especially true when it involves nuclear fuel. Familiarity with institutional safety and procedural requirements, a well defined scope, and accurate cost estimates can all help ensure successful project management from start to finish. The Dry In-Pile Fracture Test (DRIFT) experiments performed at the Transient Test Reactor Facility are an excellent example of managing an R&D project within its scope and budget constraints. The objective of the DRIFT test was to develop fracture propagation data in a manner consistent with light-water reactors to validate and improve the fracture propagation models of uranium oxide fuels in the MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment)-BISON-Marmot code framework [1].

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Post-Transient Examination Results of RIA Commissioning Teats at the Transient Reactor Test Facility

Six reactivity-initiated-accident (RIA) commissioning tests have been performed at Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) Transient Reactor Test Facility. Five of these tests were performed using fresh fuel rodlets, and the sixth test was performed using a previously irradiated rodlet from the ATF-2 irradiation experiment. These experiments demonstrate the ability to perform RIA testing including the ability to perform experiments using previously irradiated materials. Post-transient examinations revealed pellet cladding interactions and cladding ballooning depending on the initial boundary conditions of the test. Increased thickness of both zirconium oxide and alpha-zirconium were found in the cladding with tests performed at higher levels of total energy deposition. No oxide or alpha-zirconium was found in the test with the greatest amount of ballooning, which was also the test with the highest initial rod internal pressure. The highest energy deposition test (1110 J/g) resulted in failure of the rodlet. Fragmentation of the fuel pellets occurred in this test with the size of the fragments decreasing inversely to the pellet radius.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗