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At least 307 records · Page 17

An experimental study of biaxial yield in modified 9Cr-1Mo steel at room temperature

Described are two biaxial experiments which investigated yield, hardening, and flow behavior in modified 9Cr-1Mo steel at room temperature. The aim of these experiments was to determine whether the procedures recommended in NE Standard F9-5T for inelastic design analysis are applicable for this material in normalized and tempered condition. The first experiment investigated small offset yield behavior subsequent to radial preloads (sq rt of 3 sub sigma 12 = sub sigma 11) in tension-torsion stress space. The second experiment investigated yield behavior subsequent to nonradial preloads and also the time-dependent flow occurring during 0.5 hour periods at constant stress. The results of these experiments were qualitatively similar to those obtained earlier for types 304 and 316 stainless steel. Specifically, the von Mises yield criterion was found to provide a reasonable approximation of initial yield behavior. Although the subsequent yield surfaces suffered considerable distortion from their near-circular form after both radial and nonradial preloads, the hardening behavior was to the first order kinematic in nature. The strain-time data obtained during the 0.5 hr hold periods showed characteristics typical of creep curves. As in the case of earlier experiments, the high initial flow rates diminished more rapidly than would be estimated from elevated temperature data.

Ellis, J. R.↗

Determination of Yield in Inconel 718 for Axial-Torsional Loading at Temperatures up to 649 C

An experimental program has been implemented to determine small offset yield loci under axial-torsional loading at elevated temperatures. The nickel-base superalloy Inconel 718 (IN718) was chosen for study due to its common use in aeropropulsion applications. Initial and subsequent yield loci were determined for solutioned IN718 at 23, 371, and 454 C and for aged (precipitation hardened) IN718 at 23 and 649 C. The shape of the initial yield loci for solutioned and aged IN718 agreed well with the von Mises prediction. However, in general, the centers of initial yield loci were eccentric to the origin due to a strength-differential (S-D) effect that increased with temperature. Subsequent yield loci exhibited anisotropic hardening in the form of translation and distortion of the locus. This work shows that it is possible to determine yield surfaces for metallic materials at temperatures up to at least 649 C using multiple probes of a single specimen. The experimental data is first-of-its-kind for a superalloy at these very high temperatures and will facilitate a better understanding of multiaxial material response, eventually leading to improved design tools for engine designers.

Gil, Christopher M.↗

Determination of Yield in Inconel 718 for Axial-Torsional Loading at Temperatures up to 649 C

An experimental program has been implemented to determine small offset yield loci under axial-torsional loading at elevated temperatures. The nickel-base superalloy Inconel 718 (IN718) was chosen for study due to its common use in aeropropulsion applications. Initial and subsequent yield loci were determined for solutioned IN718 at 23, 371, and 454 C and for aged (precipitation hardened) IN718 at 23 and 649 C. The shape of the initial yield loci for solutioned and aged IN718 agreed well with the von Mises prediction. However, in general, the centers of initial yield loci were eccentric to the origin due to a strength-differential (S-D) effect that increased with temperature. Subsequent yield loci exhibited anisotropic hardening in the form of translation and distortion of the locus. This work shows that it is possible to determine yield surfaces for metallic materials at temperatures up to at least 649 C using multiple probes of a single specimen. The experimental data is first-of-its-kind for a superalloy at these very high temperatures and will facilitate a better understanding of multiaxial material response, eventually leading to improved design tools for engine designers.

Gil, Christopher M.↗

Molecular Based Temperature and Strain Rate Dependent Yield Criterion for Anisotropic Elastomeric Thin Films

A molecular formulation of the onset of plasticity is proposed to assess temperature and strain rate effects in anisotropic semi-crystalline rubbery films. The presented plane stress criterion is based on the strain rate-temperature superposition principle and the cooperative theory of yielding, where some parameters are assumed to be material constants, while others are considered to depend on specific modes of deformation. An orthotropic yield function is developed for a linear low density polyethylene thin film. Uniaxial and biaxial inflation experiments were carried out to determine the yield stress of the membrane via a strain recovery method. It is shown that the 3% offset method predicts the uniaxial elastoplastic transition with good accuracy. Both the tensile yield points along the two principal directions of the film and the biaxial yield stresses are found to obey the superposition principle. The proposed yield criterion is compared against experimental measurements, showing excellent agreement over a wide range of deformation rates and temperatures.

Bosi, F.↗

Evaluation of Near-Surface Air Temperature from Reanalysis over the United States and Ukraine: Application to Winter Wheat Yield Forecasting

In this work we evaluate the near-surface air temperature datasets from the ERA-Interim, JRA55, MERRA2, NCEP1, and NCEP2 reanalysis projects. Reanalysis data were first compared to observations from weather stations located on wheat areas of the United States and Ukraine, and then evaluated in the context of a winter wheat yield forecast model. Results from the comparison with weather station data showed that all datasets performed well (r2>0.95) and that more modern reanalysis such as ERAI had lower errors (RMSD ~ 0.9) than the older, lower resolution datasets like NCEP1 (RMSD ~ 2.4). We also analyze the impact of using surface air temperature data from different reanalysis products on the estimations made by a winter wheat yield forecast model. The forecast model uses information of the accumulated Growing Degree Day (GDD) during the growing season to estimate the peak NDVI signal. When the temperature data from the different reanalysis projects were used in the yield model to compute the accumulated GDD and forecast the winter wheat yield, the results showed smaller variations between obtained values, with differences in yield forecast error of around 2% in the most extreme case. These results suggest that the impact of temperature discrepancies between datasets in the yield forecast model get diminished as the values are accumulated through the growing season.

GSOD↗

Evaluation of an Alternate Method for Determining Yield Strength Offset Values for Selective Laser Sintered Polymeric Materials

Due to the unique characteristics of Additively Manufactured (AM) polymeric materials, typical mechanical strength characterization methods such as those commonly used for traditionally-processed polymers or composite materials can produce results that do not accurately represent material capabilities. In order to characterize mechanical properties of these materials, new test and analysis methods are required. As part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Advanced Composites Project (ACP), Boeing has evaluated true yield testing as an alternative or complimentary test to 0.2% offset yield testing for determining appropriate yield strength values of polymer materials. Previous testing has shown high strain, low modulus polymer materials such as selective laser sintered (SLS) Nylon 11 at elevated temperatures produce large variations in yield strength. The true yield test method was successful in finding the applied strain level when yield commences and appears to offer an increase in data robustness.

Henry, Chelsey↗

Analysis of fission-product energy release after thermal-neutron fission of {sup 235}U and {sup 239}Pu by scale-6.1.3 with recently available fission product yield data - 14419

The fission-product energy release after the reactor shutdown has been an important issue from the perspective of the nuclear reactor safety in a very short time. The energy release from the decay of fission products can be estimated using a summation calculation method implemented in various burnup and depletion programs. The method generally depends on the nuclear structure data such as the decay and fission product yield data. In this study, the decay heat measurements after thermal-neutron fission of {sup 235}U and {sup 239}Pu have been evaluated by the ORIGEN-S with the decay and fission product yield libraries included in the SCALE-6.1.3 code package. In order to verify the importance of the fission product yield data when estimating the decay heats, new fission product yields libraries for ORIGEN-S have been generated based on the recently available fission product yield data such as ENDF/B-VII.1, JEFF-3.1.1, JENDL/FPY-2011, and JENDL-4.0. The new libraries were applied to the decay heat calculations, and the results were compared with those of the reference calculation based on the yield library that belongs to the SCALE-6.1.3. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Investigating the Strength and Variability of El Niño Southern Oscillation Teleconnections to Hydroclimate and Maize Yields in Southern and East Africa

The state of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is critical for seasonal climate forecasts, but recent events diverged substantially from expectations in many regions, including Sub-Saharan Africa where seasonal forecasts are critical tools for addressing food security. Here, we evaluate 39 years (1982–2020) of data on hydroclimate, leaf area index, and maize yields to investigate the strength of ENSO teleconnections in southern and East Africa. Teleconnections to precipitation, soil moisture, and leaf area index are generally stronger during ENSO phases that cause drought conditions (El Niño in southern Africa and La Niña in East Africa), with seasonality that aligns well with the maize growing seasons. Within maize growing areas, however, ENSO teleconnections to hydroclimate and vegetation are generally weaker compared to the broader geographic regions, especially in East Africa. There is also little evidence that the magnitude of the ENSO event affects the hydroclimate or vegetation response in these maize regions. Maize yields in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe all correlate significantly with hydroclimate and leaf area index, with South Africa and Zimbabwe showing the strongest and most consistent yield responses to ENSO events. Our results highlight the chain of causality from El Niño and La Niña forcing of regional anomalies in hydroclimate to vegetation health and maize yields in southern and East Africa. The large spread across individual ENSO events, however, underscores the limitations of this climate mode for seasonal climate prediction in the region, and the importance of finding additional sources of skill for improving climate and yield forecasts.

El Niño Southern Oscillation↗

Strategies to achieve high productivity, high conversion, and high yield in yeast fermentation of algal biomass hydrolysate

The conversion of carbohydrates in biomass via fermentation is an important component of an overall strategy to decarbonize the production of fuels and chemicals. Owing to the cost and resources required to produce biomass hydrolysates, the economic and environmental sustainability of these fermentation processes requires that they operate with high yields, sugar conversion, and productivity. Immobilized-cell technology in a continuous bioprocess can achieve significantly higher volumetric productivities than is possible from standard batch fermentation using free cells. Here, we demonstrate approaches for improvement of ethanol yield from algal hydrolysates and a mock hydrolysate medium. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was immobilized in alginate and incorporated into a two-column immobilized cell reactor system. Furthermore, the yeast quorum-sensing molecule, 2-phenylethanol, was added to improve ethanol yield by restricting growth and diverting sugar to ethanol. The bioreactor system could achieve high ethanol volumetric productivity (>20 g/ Lreactor ·h) and high glucose conversion (>99%) in mock hydrolysate, while the addition of 0.2% 2-phenylethanol resulted in 4.9% higher ethanol yield. With an algal hydrolysate of <10 g/L sugar, the ethanol volumetric productivity reached 9.8 g/ Lreactor ·h, and the addition of 0.2% 2-phenylethanol increased the ethanol yield by up to 7.4%. These results demonstrate the feasibility of novel strategies to achieve sustainability goals in biomass conversions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

An adaptive adversarial domain adaptation approach for corn yield prediction

Recently, statistical machine learning and deep learning methods have been widely explored for corn yield prediction. Though successful, machine learning models generated within a specific spatial domain often lose their validity when directly applied to new regions. To address this issue, we designed an unsupervised adaptive domain adversarial neural network (ADANN). Specifically, through domain adversarial training, the ADANN model reduced the impact of domain shift by projecting data from different domains into the same subspace. Also, the ADANN model was designed to be trained in an adaptive way, which guaranteed the model can learn the domain-invariant features and perform accurate yield prediction simultaneously. Informative variables including time-series vegetation indices and sequential weather observations were first collected from multiple data sources and aggregated to the county level. Then, we trained the ADANN model with the extracted features and corresponding reported county-level corn yield from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Finally, the trained model was evaluated in four testing years 2016–2019. The U.S. corn belt was used as the study area and counties under study were grouped into two diverse ecological regions. Overall, the experimental results showed that the developed ADANN model had better performance than three other state-of-the-art machine learning models in both local experiments (train and test in the same region) and transfer experiments (train and test in different regions). As the first study using adversarial learning for crop yield prediction, this research demonstrates a novel solution for improving model transferability on crop yield prediction.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Collaborative simulations and experiments for a novel yield model of coal devolatilization in oxy-coal combustion conditions

Oxy-coal combustion is an emerging low-cost “clean coal” technology for emissions reduction and Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS). The use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools is crucial for the development of cost-effective oxy-fuel technologies and the minimization of environmental concerns at industrial scale. The coupling of detailed chemistry models and CFD simulations is still challenging, especially for large-scale plants, because of the high computational efforts required. The development of scale-bridging models is therefore necessary, to find a good compromise between computational efforts and the physical-chemical modeling precision. This paper presents a procedure for scale-bridging modeling of coal devolatilization, in the presence of experimental error, that puts emphasis on the thermodynamic aspect of devolatilization, namely the final volatile yield of coal, rather than kinetics. The procedure consists of an engineering approach based on dataset consistency and Bayesian methodology including Gaussian-Process Regression (GPR). Experimental data from devolatilization tests carried out in an oxy-coal entrained flow reactor were considered and CFD simulations of the reactor were performed. Jointly evaluating experiments and simulations, a novel yield model was validated against the data via consistency analysis. In parallel, a Gaussian-Process Regression was performed, to improve the understanding of the uncertainty associated to the devolatilization, based on the experimental measurements. Potential model forms that could predict yield during devolatilization were obtained. The set of model forms obtained via GPR includes the yield model that was proven to be consistent with the data. Finally, the overall procedure has resulted in a novel yield model for coal devolatilization and in a valuable evaluation of uncertainty in the data, in the model form, and in the model parameters.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Anisotropic breakage mechanics: From stored energy to yielding in transversely isotropic granular rocks

The microstructure of geological solids is affected by their deposition history, which generates complex systems of grain contacts and damage patterns able to induce mechanical anisotropy. Here this paper aims to disclose the connection between energy storage and the yield surface of cross-anisotropic granular rocks, with the goal to simplify the representation of their mechanical anisotropy. For this purpose, a reformulation of Continuum Breakage Mechanics (CBM) is proposed to introduce material symmetries associated with energy storage processes. It is shown that, due to the thermodynamic consistency of the selected approach, the energy release resulting from comminution is influenced by the anisotropic characteristics of the elastic energy potential. As a result, the model is able to capture naturally and without additional fitting parameters the dependence of the yielding envelope on the relative orientation between bedding planes and loading direction. The performance of the new CBM model has been tested by performing parametric analyses which elucidate the role of cross-anisotropic elastic properties on the yield surface of a granular rock. Furthermore, its accuracy has been assessed against laboratory results available for two sandstones exhibiting dependence of the yield stress on the orientation of the bedding planes. Despite the simplicity of the selected model, the results emphasize that the proposed approach captures the salient features of the deformation response of anisotropic granular rocks, thereby disclosing an intimate connection between grain-scale energy release and cataclastic yielding which greatly simplifies the mathematical description of intrinsic inelastic anisotropy.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Spherical Indentation and Implementation of S 3 /P for yield stress determination of brittle materials

Here, a mathematically transparent and robust experimental method has been developed to estimate the yield stress of brittle materials through the analysis of depth-sensing spherical indentation. Employing Hertzian contact mechanics, an elastically invariant ratio based on the simple equation S 3 / P = 6RE r 2 , (where S and P are contact stiffness and indentation load, respectively) has been derived that enables more accurate and confident determination of the transition from elastic to inelastic deformation; a transition that the yield stress dictates and represents. Using two diamond spheres with radii of 3.2 and 8.6 μm, the indentation test method and analyses are applied to two vitreous silicates: Corning's HPFS 7980® fused silica and Vitro's Starphire® soda lime silicate. The estimated yield strengths are 8.15 GPa ± 2.5% for the fused silica and 6.1 GPa ± 3.3% for the soda-lime silicate, and both were independent of indenter radius. Verification of this new experimental method is demonstrated with an as-drawn titanium by showing equivalence of measured yield stress by its spherical indentation and that from uniaxial compression testing. This method will enable easier and more confident estimation of yield stress in brittle materials - a property that historically has been elusive to measure for these materials using common laboratory mechanical test methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Covariance Matrix Evaluations for Independent Mass Fission Yields

Recent needs for more accurate fission product yields include covariance information to allow improved uncertainty estimations of the parameters used by design codes. The aim of this work is to investigate the possibility to generate more reliable and complete uncertainty information on independent mass fission yields. Mass yields covariances are estimated through a convolution between the multi-Gaussian empirical model based on Brosa's fission modes, which describe the pre-neutron mass yields, and the average prompt neutron multiplicity curve. The covariance generation task has been approached using the Bayesian generalized least squared method through the CONRAD code. Preliminary results on mass yields variance-covariance matrix will be presented and discussed from physical grounds in the case of {sup 235}U(n{sub th}, f) and {sup 239}Pu(n{sub th}, f) reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Absolute light yield of the EJ-204 plastic scintillator

The absolute light yield of a scintillator, defined as the number of scintillation photons produced per unit energy deposited, is a useful quantity for scintillator development, research, and applications. Yet, literature data on the absolute light yield of organic scintillators are limited. The goal of this work is to assess the suitability of the EJ-204 plastic scintillator from Eljen Technology to serve as a reference standard for measurements of the absolute light yield of organic scintillators. Four EJ-204 samples were examined: two manufactured approximately four months prior and stored in high-purity nitrogen, and two aged approximately eleven years and stored in ambient air. The scintillator response was measured using a large-area avalanche photodiode calibrated using low energy $γ$-ray and X-ray sources. The product of the quantum efficiency of the photodetector and light collection efficiency of the housing was characterized using an experimentally-benchmarked optical photon simulation. The average absolute light yield of the fresh samples, 9100 ± 400 photons per MeV, is lower than the manufacturer-reported value of 10400 photons per MeV. Moreover, the aged samples demonstrated significantly lower light yields, deviating from the manufacturer specification by as much as 26%. These results are consistent with recent work showcasing environmental aging in plastic scintillators and suggest that experimenters should use caution when deploying plastic scintillators in photon counting applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Cumulative fission yields of short-lived fission products from 235 U and 239 Pu measured by HPGe gamma-ray spectroscopy

In this study, we present a preliminary investigation focused on determining cumulative fission yields for short-lived fission products. Our analysis involves examining gamma spectra from the irradiated samples of 235 U and 239 Pu using the High Flux Isotope Reactor. The motivation stems from the observed discrepancy in the antineutrino energy spectrum within the range of 5 to 7 MeV. While several hypotheses have been proposed, a thorough analysis of fission yields provides an additional way of gaining insight into this unexplained phenomenon. Our study suggests that the measured gamma rays from 100 Nb, 140 Cs and 95 Sr are consistent with the expected values. However, 93 Rb, 96 Y, 97 Y and 142 Cs cannot be quantified due to insufficient statistics, interference from other gamma rays and the Compton scattering background. Additionally, the calculated cumulative fission yields based on the measured 140 Cs and 95 Sr are found to be consistent with the JEFF3.3 fission yield library. In conclusion, the present work shows that the potential of improving gamma-ray spectroscopy in the fission yields as a means to improve our understanding of the antineutrino spectrum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Thick target neutron yields from Beryllium, Carbon, Tungsten, and Lead targets irradiated by 26.7 MeV/nucleon 4 H e ions

The angular and energy distributions of secondary neutrons produced from 26.7 MeV/nucleon 4 He ions, stopping in thick Be, C, W and Pb targets are measured by the time of flight method. The GEANT4, PHITS, and FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation codes with different physics models are employed to simulate the neutron yields and the results are compared with the experimental data. For the thick Be and C targets, GEANT4 with INCL++ reproduces the experimental data reasonably well. Whereas PHITS with JQMD-2.0 overestimates the neutron yields at intermediate energies and FLUKA with PEANUT underestimated the neutron yields at intermediate energies. For W and Pb targets, FLUKA with PEANUT physics model agree with experimental data best. PHITS with JQMD-2.0 overestimates the neutron yield at intermediate energies at 0°, and GEANT4 with INCL++ underestimates the neutron yield at intermediate energies at three angles.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Development and characterization of a high yield transportable pulsed neutron source with efficient and compact pulsed power system

The results of characterization experiments carried out on a newly developed dense plasma focus device based intense pulsed neutron source with efficient and compact pulsed power system are reported. Its high current sealed pseudospark switch based low inductance capacitor bank with maximum stored energy of ∼10 kJ is segregated into four modules of ∼2.5 kJ each and it cumulatively delivers peak current in the range of 400 kA–600 kA (corresponding to charging voltage range of 14 kV–18 kV) in a quarter time period of ∼2 μs. The neutron yield performance of this device has been optimized by discretely varying deuterium filling gas pressure in the range of 6 mbar–11 mbar at ∼17 kV/550 kA discharge. At ∼7 kJ/8.5 mbar operation, the average neutron yield has been measured to be in the order of ∼4 × 10{sup 9} neutrons/pulse which is the highest ever reported neutron yield from a plasma focus device with the same stored energy. The average forward to radial anisotropy in neutron yield is found to be ∼2. The entire system is contained on a moveable trolley having dimensions 1.5 m × 1 m × 0.7 m and its operation and control (up to the distance of 25 m) are facilitated through optically isolated handheld remote console. The overall compactness of this system provides minimum proximity to small as well as large samples for irradiation. The major intended application objective of this high neutron yield dense plasma focus device development is to explore the feasibility of active neutron interrogation experiments by utilization of intense pulsed neutron sources.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗