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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Momentum informed muon scattering tomography for monitoring spent nuclear fuels in dry storage cask

Development of an effective monitoring method for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in a dry storage cask (DSC) is important to meet the increasing demand for dry storage investigations. The DSC investigation should provide information about the quantity of stored SNF, and quality assurance of materials should be possible without opening the cask. However, traditional nondestructive examination (NDE) methods such as x-rays are difficult to deploy for DSC investigation because a typical DSC is intentionally designed to shield against radiation. To address this challenge, cosmic ray muons (CRMs) are used as an alternative NDE radiation probe because they can easily penetrate an entire DSC system; however, a wide application of muons is often hindered due to the naturally low CRM flux (~10 4 muons/m 2 /min). This paper introduces a newly proposed imaging algorithm, momentum-informed muon scattering tomography (MMST) , and presents how a limitation of the current muon scattering tomography technique has been addressed by measuring muon momentum. To demonstrate its functionality, a commercial DSC with 24 pressurized light water reactor fuel assemblies (FAs) and the MMST system were designed in GEANT4. Three noticeable improvements were observed for MMST system as a DSC investigation tool: (1) a signal stabilization, (2) an enhanced capability to differentiate various materials, and (3) statistically increased precision to identify and locate missing FAs. The results show that MMST improves the investigation accuracy from 79 to 98% when one FA is missing and 51% to 88% when one-half FA is missing. The advancement of the NDE technique using CRM for DSC verification is expected to resolve long-standing problems in increasing demand for DSC inspections and nuclear security.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Performance Results for Sensor Assignment Problem as Solved on a Multi-Node Cluster

An earlier report described a procedure for optimal sensor set selection and its implementation on a computational cluster. This new and innovative capability was developed to facilitate a reduction in operations staffing levels to improve plant economics. By automating surveillance and maintenance tasks through early detection of degrading sensors and equipment, staff can be more efficiently deployed. The method uses automated reasoning and domain knowledge in the form of the conservation equations to infer from plant measurements the state of equipment health. Inclusion of domain knowledge addresses the problem that exists with pure data-driven methods that there are no rigorous guidelines for determining what constitutes an adequate sensor set. Formalizing the procedure for sensor set selection as we have done results in a more reliable and explainable diagnosis of plant equipment health. Importantly, from the standpoint of the plant owner, personnel are provided with an early and explicit diagnosis of an equipment problem. That in principle automates the process and eliminates having to send personnel into the plant to find the cause as typically occurs when a data-driven method detects an anomaly. In this report we describe first results obtained using a computational cluster to solve the sensor set selection problem as framed above. The case described addresses the problem of equipment health monitoring in the high-pressure (HP) feedwater system of a pressurized light water reactor as seen through the eyes of our collaborating utility partner. Maintenance of this system can amount to millions of dollars per year if equipment health issues go undiagnosed and lead to loss of function. On examining the potential that is inherent in the installed sensor set for diagnosing equipment health degradation, it was found that greater fault resolution capability can be achieved using a sensor set that is 20 percent fewer in number. The take-away is that compared to the installed sensor set there exists a more strategic assignment of sensors that will furnish better health monitoring capability and with fewer sensors. Where the problem defies solution by manual inspection, as is the case here, one can be found by an algorithm. The solution was obtained in four hours using 30 computational cores. The HP feedwater problem as posed above illustrates the added value of approaching the sensor selection problem as one amenable to algorithmic solution. This problem is of interest to advanced reactor designers and to utilities that are setting up remote monitoring and diagnostic centers.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Reactor Physics Simulations of the High Flux Isotope Reactor Permanent Beryllium Reflector Number 5 Design

This study evaluates reactor physics aspects of the proposed High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) permanent beryllium reflector number 5 design. HFIR is a pressurized, light water–cooled, and beryllium reflected research reactor that operates at 85 MW for cycle lengths of approximately 24 to 26 days. A new permanent reflector design is highly desirable for increased versatility in irradiation experiments, to arrange the vertical experiment facilities (VXFs) to minimize their impact on neutron scattering if loaded with neutronabsorbing experiments, to enhance reflector thermal-structural-hydraulic performance, and to simplify the complex fabrication process. The current number 4 and concept number 5 reflectors have 22 and 28 VXFs, respectively, and are modeled and analyzed in this study with the MCNP5 and SCALE 6.1.3 nuclear simulation codes.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2025

COMSOL Results for the Nominal Steady-State Operation of the Proposed 95-MW LEU Silicide Core for HFIR Conversion

Engineering design studies are being performed to determine the feasibility of converting the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This activity is sponsored by the Office of Reactor Conversion and Uranium Supply (ORCUS) under the auspices of the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Material Management and Minimization. HFIR is a very high flux, pressurized, light water–cooled and moderated, flux trap–type research reactor with a core made of involute shaped U 3 O 8 /Al cermet fuel plates and coolant channels. HFIR currently operates at a thermal power of 85 MW and supports key national and international missions in neutron scattering, isotope production, materials/fuels irradiation, neutron activation analysis, gamma irradiation, and neutrino research. Advanced multiphysics computational fluid dynamics models have been developed in the COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate the steady-state operating conditions for the proposed low-and high-density LEU U 3 Si 2 -Al (uranium silicide dispersion) fuel designs. The COMSOL models for HFIR inner and outer fuel element models incorporate various essential inputs and physics such as spatially dependent nuclear heat deposition, multilayer heat conduction, conjugate heat transfer, turbulent flows (using Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes turbulence models), structural mechanics (thermal–structural interactions and fuel swelling), and oxide layer build-up. This report presents the best-estimate thermal hydraulics results for the low- and high-density optimized silicide LEU core designs at 95 MW steady-state nominal operation.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Accurate thickness measurement of easily compressed materials

Sheet of material is placed between two thin, uniform, and flat sheets of glass of known thickness; light pressure is applied by means of weights. Micrometer aids thickness measurement of sandwich. Thickness of two sheets of glass is then subtracted.

Carlson, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The photodetachment cross-section and threshold energy of negative ions in carbon dioxide

Threshold energy and sunlight photodetachment measurements on negative carbon dioxide ions, using a 2.5 kw light pressure xenon lamp, show that: (1) Electron affinity of CO3(+) is larger than 2.7 e.V. and that an isomeric form of CO3(+) is likely an error; (2) The photodetachment cross section of CO3(-) will roughly be like a step function across the range of 4250 to 2500A, having its threshold energy at 4250A; (3) Sunlight photodetachment rate for CO3(-) is probably much smaller than elsewhere reported; and (4) The probability of having photodetached electrons re-attach to form negative ions is less than 1%. Mass identifying drift tube tests confirm that the slower ion is CO3(-), formed through the O(-) + 2CO2 yields CO3(-) + CO2 reaction.

Helmy, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Navigational assignment of scientific measurements

Some problems are considered in the navigational assignment of scientific measurements (the calculation of the position of the center of a spacecraft mass in space) as it applies to the Interkosmos series of artificial satellites. Possible models of disturbing forces and the corresponding perturbations in the orbits are analyzed. The following forces and their effect on artificial satellites are discussed: earth's gravity, atmospheric drag, the moon's gravity, the sun's gravity, and light pressure.

Elyasberg, P. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The energy spectrum of 10-50 BeV/nuc cosmic rays

We have obtained measurements of the energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei with charge Z equals 5-14 in the 10-50 BeV/nuc energy interval from a gas Cerenkov detector flown aboard a high altitude balloon at Sioux Falls, South Dakota in September, 1974. The gas Cerenkov detector consists of a pressurized light diffusion chamber viewed by two separate banks of photomultiplier tubes. An analysis of the two signals permits a very effective rejection of background events as well as an understanding of the sources of broadening to be removed in the extraction of kinetic energy spectra from the gas Cerenkov detector pulse height distributions. The ratio of secondary to primary nuclei display a decrease with increasing energy as reported by other investigators.

Lezniak, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar sail mission applications

The paper discusses the concept and the current baseline configuration of a reusable solar sail vehicle using light pressure for propulsion. The range of characteristic accelerations which solar sail vehicles might achieve during early years of operation is estimated to be from 0.2 to 1.3 mm/sq sec, with overall sail efficiency about 80 to 90%. Operating without the expenditure of propellant, the vehicle has the potential of delivering large payloads throughout the solar system. Detailed attention is given to various possible missions of the solar sail vehicle operating as an Interplanetary Shuttle. The vehicle may deliver payloads to the inner planets, asteroids, short period comets, or sun polar orbits and then return to earth, possibly with samples. It may also be used for outer planet missions or solar system escape. An 800-m sail may return samples totaling 200 kg from Mars and deliver them to an earth orbital laboratory. The first mission for the solar sail may be rendezvous with Halley's comet in 1982.

Wright, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Room-temperature bonding of thin plastic sheets

Thin sheets of plastic are bonded together, without heat, by depositing metal films on plastic and applying light pressure. Films are pressed together at room temperature, technique which makes it possible to join organic material without high temperatures necessary for conventional adhesive bonding.

Frazer, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The trapped mercury ion frequency standard

Singly ionized mercury atoms have a structure similar to neutral alkali atoms. They can be maintained as ions for very long times in an RF quadrupole ion trap. Thus, their ground state hyperfine structure can be used to make a frequency standard using optical pumping techniques similar to the well-known rubidium standard. The mass 199 isotope of mercury has an ionic hyperfine structure of 40.5 GHz. In a trap system a linewidth of 10 Hz has been measured. An expression is presented for the short-term stability of a proposed mercury standard as set by the achieved signal to noise ratio. There is prospect of further improvement. Long-term stability is affected by second order doppler effect, and by pressure, light, and Stark shifts. However, these appear either sufficiently small or sufficiently controlable that the proposed mercury ion standard would be competitive with existing standards.

Mcguire, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Technique for Machining Glass

Process for machining glass with conventional carbide tools requires a small quantity of a lubricant for aluminum applied to area of glass to be machined. A carbide tool is then placed against workpiece with light pressure. Tool is raised periodically to clear work of glass dust and particles. Additional lubricant is applied as it is displaced.

Rice, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Study of alumina-trichite reinforcement of a nickel-based matric by means of powder metallurgy

Research was conducted on reinforcing nickel based matrices with alumina trichites by using powder metallurgy. Alumina trichites previously coated with nickel are magnetically aligned. The felt obtained is then sintered under a light pressure at a temperature just below the melting point of nickel. The halogenated atmosphere technique makes it possible to incorporate a large number of additive elements such as chromium, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, aluminum, etc. It does not appear that going from laboratory scale to a semi-industrial scale in production would create any major problems.

Walder, A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Creation of fully vectorized FORTRAN code for integrating the movement of dust grains in interplanetary environments

The main objective is to improve the performance of a specific FORTRAN computer code from the Planetary Sciences Division of NASA/Johnson Space Center when used on a modern vectorizing supercomputer. The code is used to calculate orbits of dust grains that separate from comets and asteroids. This code accounts for influences of the sun and 8 planets (neglecting Pluto), solar wind, and solar light pressure including Poynting-Robertson drag. Calculations allow one to study the motion of these particles as they are influenced by the Earth or one of the other planets. Some of these particles become trapped just beyond the Earth for long periods of time. These integer period resonances vary from 3 orbits of the Earth and 2 orbits of the particles to as high as 14 to 13.

Colquitt, Walter↗
NASA NTRS1991

Charged dust dynamics - Orbital resonance due to planetary shadows

The dynamics of a weakly charged dust grain orbiting in the equatorial plane of a planet surrounded by a rigidly corotating magnetospehre is examined. It is shown that an introduction of an effectilve 1D potential causes a perturbation due to electrostatic forces, which induces a motion of the pericenter, similar to the effect of the planetary oblateness. A case is examined where the charge varies periodically due to the modulation of the photoelectron current occurring as the grain enters and leaves the planetary shadow, causing the electromagnetic perturbation to resonate with the orbital period and to modify the size and eccentricity of the orbit. This effect is demonstrated both numerically and analytically for small grains comprising the Jovian ring, showing that their resulting changes are periodic, and their amplitude is much larger than that of the periodic changes due to light-pressure perturbation or the secular changes due to resonant charge variations that develop over a comparable time span.

Horanyi, M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

On the density of the dust halo around Mars

The escape flux of dust grains from Phobos and Deimos caused by the interplanetary micrometeoroid flux in the mass range 10 exp -18 g to 100 g is examined. The lifetime of ejected dust grains around Mars is investigated considering electromagnetic and light pressure perturbations, collisions, and the Poynting-Robertson effect as possible loss mechanisms. The average number densities of accumulated particles in the different regions of the Martian environment are estimated. It is concluded that particles with sizes less than 0.5 micron and between 7 and 50 microns are the most abundant in the Martian dust environment.

Juhasz, Antal↗
NASA NTRS1995

Polarization and Characterization of Piezoelectric Polymers

Piezoelectric materials exhibit an electrical response, such as voltage or charge, in reaction to a mechanical stimuli. The mechanical stimuli can be force, pressure, light, or heat. Therefore, these materials are excellent sensors for various properties. The major disadvantage of state of the art piezoelectric polymers is their lack of utility at elevated temperatures. The objective of this research is to study the feasibility of inducing piezoelectricity in high performance polymer systems. The three aspects of the research include experimental poling, characterization of the capacitance, and demonstration of the use of a piezoelectric polymer as a speaker.

Bodiford, Hollie N.↗
DOE OSTI2025

2025 Intern Poster

The Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) houses the largest U.S. inert atmosphere hot cell for nuclear material research. Key features include the precision gamma scanning (PGS), Fuel Accident Condition Simulator (FACS), Neutron Radiography Reactor (NRAD), and the focus of this project, the Metallograph Loading Cell (MET Cell). The MET Cell performs tests on spent nuclear fuel, such as microhardness testing, microscopy, and neutron radiography. However, the MET Cell’s existing pressure and lighting control systems are outdated and inefficient, with inadequate documentation for system changes over time. This project aims to design a new automated control system for the MET Cell, ensuring longevity (minimum ten years), ease of troubleshooting/repair, and integration into the building monitoring system. The design process addressed challenges such as space restrictions, varied voltages within enclosures, sourcing new components, and security limitations. Compliance with NFPA 70, UL508A, MFC Physical Security, and INL Engineering standards was essential. The project involves repurposing an existing PLC to manage lighting and pressure control using digital and analog signals, simplifying wiring, and ensuring thorough documentation for future reference.

42 - ENGINEERING↗