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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
NASA NTRS1971

What can nuclear energy do for society.

Nuclear fuel is a compact and abundant source of energy. Its cost per unit of energy is less than that of fossil fuel. Disadvantages of nuclear fuel are connected with the high cost of capital equipment required for releasing nuclear energy and the heavy weight of the necessary shielding. In the case of commercial electric power production and marine propulsion the advantages have outweighed the disadvantages. It is pointed out that nuclear commercial submarines have certain advantages compared to surface ships. Nuclear powerplants might make air-cushion vehicles for transoceanic ranges feasible. The problems and advantages of a nuclear aircraft are discussed together with nuclear propulsion for interplanetary space voyages.

Rom, F. E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Elevated levels of radiocarbon in methane dissolved in seawater reveal likely local contamination from nuclear powered vessels

Measurements of the natural radiocarbon content of methane ( 14 C-CH 4 ) dissolved in seawater and freshwater have been used to investigate sources and dynamics of methane. However, during investigations along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Ocean Margins of the United States, as well as in the North American Great Lakes, some samples revealed highly elevated 14 C-CH 4 values, as much as 4–5 times above contemporary atmospheric 14 C-CH 4 levels. Natural production of the 14 CH 4 isotopologue is too low to cause these observations nor can it explain the variations in location and depth. Numerous lab and field validation tests and blanks, as well as the relatively small number of samples that display these elevated values, all suggest that these signals are not derived from an unknown procedural issue. Here, in this work, we suggest that the byproducts of nuclear power generation include localized discharges of the 14 CH4 isotopologue into marine and aquatic environments, severely altering the measured 14 C-CH 4 isotopic signals. Since several of our sample sites are distant from on-land nuclear powerplants, we conduct further calculations concluding that the most elevated anomalies in 14 C-CH 4 likely originate with discharge from nuclear-powered vessels.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1982

Power Generation from Nuclear Reactors in Aerospace Applications

Power generation in nuclear powerplants in space is addressed. In particular, the states of technology of the principal competitive concepts for power generation are assessed. The possible impact of power conditioning on power generation is also discussed. For aircraft nuclear propulsion, the suitability of various technologies is cursorily assessed for flight in the Earth's atmosphere; a program path is suggested to ease the conditions of first use of aircraft nuclear propulsion.

English, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Small reactor power system for space application

A development history and comparative performance capability evaluation is presented for spacecraft nuclear powerplant Small Reactor Power System alternatives. The choice of power conversion technology depends on the reactor's operating temperature; thermionic, thermoelectric, organic Rankine, and Alkali metal thermoelectric conversion are the primary power conversion subsystem technology alternatives. A tabulation is presented for such spacecraft nuclear reactor test histories as those of SNAP-10A, SP-100, and NERVA.

Shirbacheh, M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hypothetical Nuclear Reactor Facility Modeling Simulation Data Scenario Comparison

This document evaluates a hypothetical nuclear powerplant and associated protective force personnel using modern modeling and simulation tools. The facility incorporates security early in the design to consider and integrate methods to resolve security issues and vulnerabilities via the facility’s inherent design characteristics before construction. The evaluation in this document is an example only. It is not intended to recommend or evaluate the effectiveness of existing physical security requirements or identify any method that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff may find acceptable for complying with existing requirements.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Estimation of stress and stress-induced permeability change in a geological nuclear waste repository in a thermo-hydrologically coupled simulation

Geologic disposal is a promising solution for a safe permanent isolation of accumulated high-level nuclear waste from nuclear powerplants. The behavior of host rock is highly coupled thermally, hydromechanically, and chemically. Numerical simulations of such coupled phenomena for the extremely long term (>100,000 years) and large length scale (>1 km) of geologic disposal remain to be computationally challenging. In this study, a methodology has been developed to approximate stress and stress-induced permeability change in host rock using only thermo-hydrological (TH) variables. A coupled thermo-hydromechanical (THM) simulation is carried out using TOUGH-FLAC simulator to model THM behaviors of a generic nuclear waste repository, in order to evaluate the performance of the developed methodology, which is implemented in a coupled TH simulation. Results show that stress and permeability change estimated by the developed methodology in the TH-coupled simulation match those calculated in the THM-coupled simulation over the simulated timeframe of over 10,000 years. Details about errors in stress and permeability estimates accrued by the developed methodology are discussed here. The developed methodology will help incorporate stress-induced permeability change into existing TH simulators for the long-term radionuclide transport in geologic disposal.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1987

Speculations on future opportunities to evolve Brayton powerplants aboard the space station

The Space Station provides a unique, low risk environment in which to evolve new capabilities. In this way, the Space Station will grow in capacity, in its range of capabilities, and its economy of operation as a laboratory and as a center for space operations. The Brayton cycle using a mixture of He and Xe as its working fluid is examined herein. Using a Brayton powerplant to supply the station's increasing demands for both electric power and heat has the potential to gradually evolve higher and higher performance by exploiting already evolved materials (Ta alloy and molten-Li heat storage), its peak cycle temperature rising ultimately to 1500 K. Adapting the station to exploit long tethers (200 to 300 km) could yield increases in payloads to LEO, to GEO, and to distant destinations in the solar system. Such tethering of the Space Station would not only require additional power for electric propulsion but also would so increase nuclear safety that nuclear powerplants might provide this power. From an 8000 kWt SP-100 reactor, thermoelectric power generation could produce 300 kWe, or adapted solar-Brayton cycle, 2400 to 2800 kWe.

English, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Speculations on future opportunities to evolve Brayton powerplants aboard the space station

The Space Station provides a unique, low-risk environment in which to evolve new capabilities. In this way, the Space Station will grow in capacity, in its range of capabilities, and its economy of operation as a laboratory and as a center for space operations. Although both Rankine and Brayton cycles, two concepts for solar dynamic power generation, now compete to power the station, this paper confines its attention to the Brayton cycle using a mixture of He and Xe as its working fluid. Such a Brayton powerplant to supply the station's increasing demands for both electric power and heat has the potential to gradually evolve higher and higher performance by exploiting already-evolved materials (ASTAR-811C and molten-Li heat storage), its peak cycle temperature rising ultimately to 1500 K. Adapting the station to exploit long tethers (200 to 300 km long) could yield increases in payloads to LEO, to GEO, and to distant destinations in the solar system. Such tethering of the Space Station would not only require additional power for electric propulsion but also would so increase nuclear safety that nuclear powerplants might provide this power. From an 8000-kWt SP-100 reactor, thermoelectric power generation could produce 300 kWe, or adapted solar-Brayton cycle, 2400 to 2800 kWe.

English, Robert E.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multi-element isotopic analysis of hot particles from Chornobyl

Microscopic fuel fragments, so-called “hot particles”, were released during the 1986 accident at the Chornobyl nuclear powerplant and continue to contaminate the exclusion zone in northern Ukraine. Isotopic analysis can provide vital information about sample origin, history and contamination of the environment, though it has been underutilized due to the destructive nature of most mass spectrometric techniques, and inability to remove isobaric interference. Recent developments have diversified the range of elements that can be investigated through resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS), notably in the fission products. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the application of multi-element analysis on hot particles as relates to their burnup, particle formation in the accident, and weathering. The particles were analysed with two RIMS instruments: resonant-laser secondary neutral mass spectrometry (rL-SNMS) at the Institute for Radiation Protection and Radioecology (IRS) in Hannover, Germany, and laser ionization of neutrals (LION) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, USA. Comparable results across instruments show a range of burnup dependent isotope ratios for U and Pu and Cs, characteristic of RBMK-type reactors. Results for Rb, Ba and Sr show the influence of the environment, retention of Cs in the particles and time passed since fuel discharge.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Feasibility of space disposal of radioactive nuclear waste. 2: Technical summary

The feasibility of transporting radioactive waste produced in the process of generating electricity in nuclear powerplants into space for ultimate disposal was investigated at the request of the AEC as a NASA in-house effort. The investigation is part of a broad AEC study of methods for long-term storage or disposal of radioactive waste. The results of the study indicate that transporting specific radioactive wastes, particularly the actinides with very long half-lives, into space using the space shuttle/tug as the launch system, appears feasible from the engineering and safety viewpoints. The space transportation costs for ejecting the actinides out of the solar system would represent less than a 5-percent increase in the average consumer's electric bill.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1975

Geology, summary

Trends in geologic application of remote sensing are identified. These trends are as follows: (1) increased applications of orbital imagery in fields such as engineering and environmental geology - some specific applications include recognition of active earthquake faults, site location for nuclear powerplants, and recognition of landslide hazards; (2) utilization of remote sensing by industry, especially oil and gas companies, and (3) application of digital image processing to mineral exploration.

Sabins, F. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Hydrogen turbine power conversion system assessment

A three part technical study was conducted whereby parametric technical and economic feasibility data were developed on several power conversion systems suitable for the generation of central station electric power through the combustion of hydrogen and the use of the resulting heat energy in turbogenerator equipment. The study assessed potential applications of hydrogen-fueled power conversion systems and identified the three most promising candidates: (1) Ericsson Cycle, (2) gas turbine, and (3) direct steam injection system for fossil fuel as well as nuclear powerplants. A technical and economic evaluation was performed on the three systems from which the direct injection system (fossil fuel only) was selected for a preliminary conceptual design of an integrated hydrogen-fired power conversion system.

Wright, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

New Algorithms Manage Fourfold Redundancy

Redundant sensors, actuators, and computers improve reliability of complex control systems, such as those in nuclear powerplants and aircraft. If one or more redundant elements fail, another takes over so that normal operation is not interrupted. Quad selection filter rejects data from null-failed and hardover-failed and hardover-failed units.

Gelderloos, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Weld-Wire Monitor

Changes in the size or composition of weld wire being fed to an automatic welding machine are detected by an impedance-monitoring instrument. The instrument triggers an alarm if the changes would affect weld quality or cause weld failure. Device could find applications in construction of pipelines or nuclear powerplants.

Olson, R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Puncture-Tolerant Heat Radiator

Heat radiator does not lose coolant through small punctures and does not require heavy, cumbersome shielding as protection against punctures. Small holes in radiator cause no outpouring of coolant; only small amount evaporates through hole leaves system. Film of silicone oil flows along interior surface of aluminum shell, transferring much of its heat to shell and outside. Unit provides cooling for 100-kW nuclear powerplant.

Elliott, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Dissipation Of Energy In Extension Of Cracks

Dissipation in elastic-plastic material calculated by two-dimensional finite-element method. Analytical procedure developed to calculate various components of dissipation of energy during extension of crack and to relate them to total dissipation of energy computed from global load-displacement response. Observations in study valid for other elastic-plastic fracture situations, including growth of cracks in pressure vessels in nuclear powerplants.

Shivakumar, Kunigal N.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Human Error In Complex Systems

Report presents results of research aimed at understanding causes of human error in such complex systems as aircraft, nuclear powerplants, and chemical processing plants. Research considered both slips (errors of action) and mistakes (errors of intention), and influence of workload on them. Results indicated that: humans respond to conditions in which errors expected by attempting to reduce incidence of errors; and adaptation to conditions potent influence on human behavior in discretionary situations.

Morris, Nancy M.↗