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At least 685 records · Page 38

Evaluation of the PhaseNet Model Applied to the IMS Seismic Network

Producing a complete and accurate set of signal detections is essential for automatically building and characterizing seismic events of interest for nuclear explosion monitoring. Signal detection algorithms have been an area of research for decades, but still produce large quantities of false detections and misidentify real signals that must be detected to produce a complete global catalog of events of interest. Deep learning methods have shown promising capabilities in effectively characterizing seismic signals for complex tasks such as identifying phase arrival times. We use the PhaseNet model, a UNet-based Neural Network, trained on local distance data from northern California to predict seismic arrivals on data from the International Monitoring System (IMS) global network. We use an analyst-curated bulletin generated from this data set to compare the performance of PhaseNet to that of the Short-Term Average/Long-Term Average (STA/LTA) algorithm. We find that PhaseNet has the potential of outperforming traditional processing methods and recommend the training of a new model with the IMS data to achieve optimal performance.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

The three-body cluster energy for the isospin asymmetric nucleonic matter in the LOCV formalism

Highlights: • The present LOCV symmetry energy becomes consistent with those of other approaches. • The TBI becomes important in the IASM computation, at the low proton to neutron ratio. • The TBC energy notably affects the IASM EOS around the saturation point. - Abstract: The equation of state (EOS) of the isospin asymmetric nucleonic matter (IASM) is studied in the Lowest Order Constrained Variational (LOCV) formalism, using the AV18 two-body potential with a density-dependent three-body interaction (TBI), which was proposed by Lagaris and Pandharipande (LP) in 1981. In the LOCV framework, an adjustment mechanism is introduced for finding the appropriate parameters of the TBI. It is shown that, assuming the TBI, the corresponding LOCV symmetric nuclear (pure neutron) matter results fairly agree with those of Fermi Hypernetted Chain (FHNC). Also, the contribution of the averaged three-body cluster (TBC) energy is evaluated, at different proton to neutron ratios R. Employing the TBI, up to ρ=0.5 fm{sup −3}, the TBC energy ranges from −6 to 6 MeV per particle which considerably changes the IASM EOS, especially at low densities. Moreover, employing the TBI, the LOCV IASM state-averaged correlation functions (effective potentials) and the nucleon–nucleon distribution functions (NNDF) are reported. It is illustrated that, by increasing the density (ratio R), the impact of the TBI becomes much more evident. Finally, it should be noted that, the IASM FHNC and Monte Carlo (MC) data are not available for comparison.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Probing elemental speciation in hydrochar produced from hydrothermal liquefaction of anaerobic digestates using quantitative X-ray diffraction

Valorization of hydrochar, a solid byproduct from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of anaerobically-digested agriculture wastes (digestates), requires fundamental knowledge of elemental speciation. This study investigated the effects of reaction temperatures (320–360 °C), digestate pH (3.5–8), and digestate cellulose-to-lignin ratios (0.2–1.8) on the speciation (chemical form) and composition of organics and inorganics in hydrochars produced during hydrothermal treatment. Quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) method was the primary technique used to characterize hydrochars. The comprehensive XRD pattern processing including the Rietveld refinement protocols demonstrated that the organic phase was comprised of mostly crystalline monocyclic, heterocyclic, and polycyclic aromatics with diverse aliphatic and aromatic substituents, while the inorganic mineral phase consisted of calcium-phosphates, magnesium-phosphates, calcium-carbonates, and magnesium-carbonates. Further, XRD results were validated by the elemental yields of products and the distribution of chemical functionalities measured using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The characterization data were used to evaluate proposed mechanistic pathways using compositional analysis of biocrude and aqueous-phase coproducts. Mechanistic pathways developed in the study suggested that benzoic acids, phenols, benzaldehydes, phenolic aldehydes, α-dicarbonyls, and α-hydroxycarbonyls were responsible for the precipitation of organics through various reactions depending on operating conditions. Meanwhile, the formation of inorganic compounds appeared to be consistently represented by reactions including dehydration, hydrolysis, endergonic reduction, and structure rearrangement of native minerals in the digestates. This study provides basic knowledge needed to create and assess potential elemental speciation pathways. In addition, the results of the study facilitate the specification of process conditions to optimize targeted utilization routes of hydrochar for more economically-feasible and sustainable HTL processing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

MODELING SHOCK AND VIBRATION ON USED NUCLEAR FUEL DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS OF TRANSPORTATION

In 2017, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) collaborated with Spanish and Korean organizations to perform a multimodal transportation test to measure shock and vibration loads imparted to used nuclear fuel (UNF) assemblies. This test used real fuel assembly components containing surrogate fuel mass to approximate the response characteristics of real, irradiated used nuclear fuel. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was part of the test team and used the data collected during this test to validate numerical models needed to predict the response of real used nuclear fuel in other transportation configurations. This paper summarizes the modeling work and identifies lessons learned related to the modeling and analysis methodology. The modeling includes railcar dynamics using the NUCARS software code and explicit dynamic finite element modeling of used nuclear fuel cladding in LS-DYNA. The NUCARS models were validated against railcar dynamics data collected during captive track testing at the Federal Railroad Administration's Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO. The LS-DYNA models of the fuel cladding were validated against strain gage data collected throughout the test campaign. One of the key results of this work was an assessment of fuel cladding fatigue, and the methods used to calculate fatigue are detailed in this paper. The validated models and analysis methodologies described in this paper will be applied to evaluate future UNF transportation systems.

Klymyshyn, Nicholas A.↗

Method for estimating the propagation direction of a coherent plasma structure using a one-dimensional diagnostic array

This article proposes a new method to evaluate basic characteristics of the dynamics of a coherent plasma structure (blob). With this method, one can evaluate the propagation angle of a blob in a two-dimensional plasma cross section as well as the blob velocity, size, and amplitude from one-dimensional data. The method is applied to blob measurements from the Lithium beam emission spectroscopy system in ASDEX-Upgrade. Statistical features of the observed blob velocities, angles of propagation, blob sizes, and amplitudes are discussed. The validity of the method is examined by comparing two values of the propagation angle that are evaluated in an independent manner.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Using Whisper-1.1 to Guide Improvements to Nuclear Data Evaluations [Slides]

This presentation covers the use of Whisper-1.1 to guide improvements to nuclear data evaluations. This presentation provides a brief overview on what Whisper-1.1 is. Additionally covered is the benchmark selection: using benchmark and application correlations (ck) computed using nuclear data sensitivity profiles and covariance data. Next the presentation touches on compute bias and bias uncertainty based on selected benchmarks using Extreme Value Theory Finally the presentation shows the additional margin for nuclear data uncertainty estimated by GLLS.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

First-Principles Cost Estimation of a Sodium Fast Reactor Nuclear Plant

A multi-tiered cost analysis is performed to estimate full costs of a nuclear power plant (NPP) based on sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) technology. To address the lack of fully transparent cost estimations from past undertakings for NPPs, we have developed a detailed and first-principles-based cost estimate for a generalized SFR NPP. Our intent is to achieve a high degree of transparency with our cost assumptions and develop a cost model that is flexible and easily extendable to variations in NPP design and other nuclear reactor types. Furthermore, we strive to achieve a clear organization of costs and complete identification of key cost drivers based on first principles. To this end, the cost results of our analysis as given in Table 24 and Table 25 are organized and categorized into a code of accounts (COA) under development at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Varying degrees of first-principles methods are employed, such as design for manufacture and assembly® (DFMA® ), to elucidate costs in all process levels of the plant equipment, buildings and site structures, personnel, and other miscellaneous but significant cost elements. These approaches have been successfully applied in past cost analysis projects and are designed to enable rapid and flexible cost estimation. Application of these techniques for evaluating NPP costs is similar in concept to the full, detailed estimation of construction and fabrication costs determined in a later stage of NPP development. Note that our approach tries to avoid use of other past analysis results and data such as those from the legacy Energy Economic Data Base (EEDB) Program, as these resources are based on historical NPP costs and thus may not be indicative of new reactor technologies or construction and fabrication/manufacturing techniques. However, we provide a comparison of our SFR NPP cost results in Table 90 against those included in the EEDB for a representative pressurized water reactor (PWR).

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Sum-of-Fractions Method

Sum-of-fractions is a method intended to make sure a subcritical margin for aqueous solutions and slurries of fissionable isotopes exists. The method indicates that a system is subcritical if the sum of the ratios of the mass of each isotope (in a mixture) to its individual minimum subcritical mass limit is less than or equal to one. Historically, the basis of the sum-of-fractions has been derived from allowances given in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ American Nuclear Society (ANS)-8.15-1981. However, the allowance was removed in ANSI/ANS-8.15-2014 due to a lack of technical basis. A methodology was developed to assess the validity of using the sum-of-fractions for water- or polyethylene-moderated systems for the following nuclides: 232U, 233U, 234U, 235U, 237Np, 236Pu, 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Pu, 242Pu, 241Am, 242mAm, 243Am, 242Cm, 243Cm, 244Cm, 245Cm, 246Cm, 247Cm, 249Cf, and 251Cf. The methodology uses available benchmark data for mixtures of 233U, 235U, and 239Pu to establish the calculational margin, and a mass limit reduction to establish the margin of subcriticality. Water- or polyethylene-moderated and -reflected mixtures containing the nuclides are evaluated with the code system, SCALE 6.2.4. Including the calculational margin, subcritical mass limits for each nuclide were computed for optimally water- or polyethylene-moderated and fully reflected systems. These masses were used to create nuclide mixtures in which the sum of the mass to subcritical mass limit ratios is one. The various nuclide mixtures were modeled over a range of moderation and demonstrate the keff does not exceed the calculational margin. For additional assurance of subcriticality, a significant mass reduction is applied to each computed minimum critical mass of the nuclides without adequate benchmark data consistent with the method in ANSI/ANS-8.15-2014.

criticality safety, Actinide↗

Uncertainty Propagation from Experiment Measurements to Modeling Approaches: A Case for SMR Steam Entrainment Testing

To license new and advanced reactor designs, regulators must be convinced that their unique safety cases—relative to existing large scale reactors—have been adequately addressed by the designed reactor protection systems. In water cooled small modular reactors (SMRs), droplet entrainment in steam flow has significant implications on the progression of accident scenarios due to its compact design features, which requires representative test data applicable to SMR designs. Computer code, modeling and simulation (M&S) tools and models require adequate verification, assessment, and qualification. This includes M&S results validation against scaled empirical data within allowable uncertainty bands to gain regulatory approvals during the various stages of reactor system design, demonstration, and commercialization. However, measurement uncertainty within the empirical datasets and test data applicability ranges requires careful consideration of M&S inputs (i.e., boundary conditions, and initial conditions), and verification and validation efforts. This study focuses on uncertainty quantification in designing scaled test facilities for SMR applications with appropriate measurements and a standard data-reduction method to estimate thermal hydraulics characteristics parameters that incorporate physics phenomena of interest. In addition, this study supports the evaluation model development and assessment process using M&S that interfaces with advanced computing tools and digital twin capabilities. This will allow synchronization between experiment and modeling approaches for droplet entrainment testing and analysis, improving diagnostics, prognostics, and decision-making to accelerate regulatory approval.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Thermal-hydraulic performance of a high-temperature zigzag-channel printed circuit heat exchanger - 18563

Advanced nuclear reactors, such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) from the Generation IV nuclear systems, are designed with the capability of delivering high-pressure, high-temperature helium to power conversion units for electricity generation and industrial plants for process heat applications. The efficiency of the electricity generation and process heat applications of HTGRs is critically dependent upon an intermediate heat exchanger (IHX), which is a key component in transferring thermal energy from the primary coolant to a secondary coolant. Printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHEs) are promising to be employed in HTGR designs due to their capability for high-temperature, high-pressure applications and compactness. In the current study, a laboratory-scale zigzag-channel PCHE was fabricated and its heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics were investigated experimentally in a high-temperature helium test facility (HTHF). A commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, STARCCM+, was used to simulate the thermal-hydraulic performance of the fabricated PCHE with a simplified geometry model. Comparisons showed some differences between experimental data available for the zigzag-channel PCHE and the numerical results. Local thermal-hydraulic performance analyses indicated that fully-developed flow conditions and periodic changes were not observed, which could be attributed to the temperature variations along the flow channels, resulting in large fluid property variations. In addition, the effects of sharp-edged or rounded zigzag channel geometry were numerically evaluated. The use of rounded corners at each bend of the channels is recommended since this method can reduce the pressure drop on both the hot and cold sides of the heat exchanger while maintaining similar heat transfer capabilities. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Core follow calculation with the nTRACER numerical reactor and verification using power reactor measurement data

The nTRACER direct whole core transport code employing the planar MOC solution based 3-D calculation method, the subgroup method for resonance treatment, the Krylov matrix exponential method for depletion, and a subchannel thermal/hydraulic calculation solver was developed for practical high-fidelity simulation of power reactors. Its accuracy and performance is verified by comparing with the measurement data obtained for three pressurized water reactor cores. It is demonstrated that accurate and detailed multi-physic simulation of power reactors is practically realizable without any prior calculations or adjustments. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

SU-F-E-06: Dosimetric Characterization of Small Photons Beams of a Novel Linear Accelerator

Purpose: The aim of the present contribution was to measure the main dosimetric quantities of small fields produced by UNIQUE and evaluate its matching with the corresponding dosimetric data of one 21EX conventional linear accelerator (Varian) in operation at the same center. The second step was to evaluate comparative performance of the EDGE diode detector and the PinPoint micro-ionization chamber for dosimetry of small fields. Methods: UNIQUE is configured with MLC (120 leaves with 0.5 cm leaf width) and a single low photon energy of 6 MV. Beam data were measured with scanning EDGE diode detector (volume of 0.019 mm{sup 3}), a PinPoint micro-ionization chamber (PTW) and for larger fields (≥ 4×4cm{sup 2}) a PTW Semi flex chamber (0.125 cm{sup 3}) was used. The scanning system used was the 3D cylindrical tank manufactured by Sun Nuclear, Inc. The measurement of PDD and profiles were done at 100 cm SSD and 1.5 depth; the relative output factors were measured at 10 cm depth. Results: PDD and the profile data showed less than 1% variation between the two linear accelerators for fields size between 2×2 cm{sup 2} and 5×5cm{sup 2}. Output factor differences was less than 1% for field sizes between 3×3 cm{sup 2} and 10×10 cm{sup 2} and less of 1.5 % for fields of 1.5×1.5 cm{sup 2} and 2×2 cm{sup 2} respectively. The dmax value of the EDGE diode detector, measured from the PDD, was 8.347 mm for 0.5×0,5cm{sup 2} for UNIQUE. The performance of EDGE diode detector was comparable for all measurements in small fields. Conclusion: UNIQUE linear accelerator show similar dosimetrics characteristics as conventional 21EX Varian linear accelerator for small, medium and large field sizes.EDGE detector show good performance by measuring dosimetrics quantities in small fields typically used in IMRT and radiosurgery treatments.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Applying Waveform Correlation to Reduce Seismic Analyst Workload Due to Repeating Mining Blasts

Agencies that monitor for underground nuclear tests are interested in techniques that automatically characterize mining blasts to reduce the human analyst effort required to produce high–quality event bulletins. Waveform correlation is effective in finding similar waveforms from repeating seismic events, including mining blasts. We report the results of an experiment to detect and identify mining blasts for two regions, Wyoming (U.S.A.) and Scandinavia, using waveform templates recorded by multiple International Monitoring System stations of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear–Test–Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PrepCom) for up to 10 yr prior to the time of interest. We discuss approaches for template selection, threshold setting, and event detection that are specialized for characterizing mining blasts using a sparse, global network. We apply the approaches to one week of data for each of the two regions to evaluate the potential for establishing a set of standards for waveform correlation processing of mining blasts that can be generally applied to operational monitoring systems with a sparse network. Here, we compare candidate events detected with our processing methods to the Reviewed Event Bulletin of the International Data Centre to assess potential reduction in analyst workload.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Evaluation of the Reconstruction Accuracy of the Ultrasound Model–Based Image Reconstruction (U-MBIR) Method for Concrete to Optimize Damage Detection

Reinforced concrete is a critical structural material used to construct nuclear power plants (NPPs). As such, its safety and performance must be thoroughly examined throughout the life cycle of the NPP infrastructure system. Ultrasonic measurements have been an industry standard for both surface and subsurface inspections. To support the development of these techniques, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has researched and developed advanced image reconstruction algorithms to capture internal damage. The results and discussion presented herein summarize the current state of the ultrasonic model–based iterative reconstruction (U-MBIR) algorithm developed at ORNL. In the work documented in this report, the U-MBIR methodology was applied to four sets of ultrasonic data collected from concrete specimens. The results demonstrate that the U-MBIR algorithm can successfully detect defects within the four concrete samples. The reconstruction images help identify the specimen thickness, regions of delamination, and location of rebar embedded within the concrete. The reconstruction images allow engineers and technicians to characterize the internal defects within concrete specimens and structural members. Ultimately, this knowledge can guide engineers in making informed decisions regarding the performance, safety, and reliability of structural materials (i.e., reinforced concrete) throughout the life cycle of NPPs.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Methodology, verification, and performance of the continuous-energy nuclear data sensitivity capability in MCNP6

A continuous-energy sensitivity coefficient capability has been introduced into MCNP6. The methods for generating energy-resolved and energy-integrated sensitivity profiles are discussed. Results from the verification exercises that were performed are given, and these show that MCNP6 compares favorably with analytic solutions, direct density perturbations, and comparisons to TSUNAMI-3D and MONK. Run-time and memory requirements are assessed for typical applications, and these are shown to be reasonable with modern computing resources. (authors)

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

SU-E-T-388: Evaluation of Electronic Brachytherapy Dose Distributions in Tissue Equivalent Materials

Purpose: To study the measured and calculated dose distributions for electronic brachytherapy (EBT) in various tissue equivalent homogenous materials. Methods: Calculated dose distributions in water were generated using published TG-43 parameters in Varian BrachyVision software for a 50 kVp, 50 cm Xoft source. Dose distributions were measured within a 3D-scanning tank using dosimeters including: PTW 0.125 cc, pin-point, and parallel-plate ion chambers, Sun Nuclear “Edge” diode and Gafchromic EBT3 film. Multi-channel film dosimetry was used in film analysis. EBT3 film curves were calibrated via radial dose comparison to both independently measured and published data. The resulting film calibration was utilized to measure dose distributions created by titanium filtered source utilized in clinical brachytherapy applications. Data was collected within homogenous PMMA, vinyl, polystyrene, paraffin, and water-equivalent plastic phantoms. Results: Ion-chamber data was corrected to effective points of measurement and normalized prior to comparison between calculated and measured dose distributions. Measurements made in water and water equivalent materials compared well with results from treatment planning software. The maximum percent differences (relative to water) observed between 1 cm and 3.5 cm depth from source for each of the phantom materials are as follows: PMMA 35%, polystyrene 41%, plastic-water 23%, vinyl 115%, and paraffin 46%. Conclusion: The increased probability of photoelectric interactions occurring within the patient during electronic brachytherapy will emphasize the radiological differences between varying human tissues in dose deposition. These differences can Result in clinically significant dose perturbations and it is therefore recommended to move to a model based dose calculation, as outlined in TG-186, to improve the dosimetric accuracy of low energy EBT.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Results of the Analyses of SMECT Mercury Sample Collected During Mercury Pump (MB1) Functional Check

A pump added to remove mercury from the sump of the Slurry Mix Evaporator Condensate Tank (SMECT) in DWPF was successfully tested in 2020, resulting in a sample of contaminated mercury obtained from the Mercury Purification Process (MPP) cell. The mercury in the sump of the SMECT was present as a result of steam stripping of sludge slurry in the Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) at DWPF. A schematic of the MPP system provided by DWPF personnel is shown in Appendix A. DWPF personnel supplied the following detailed description of the Hg sampling: “The sample provided is the result of DWPF extraction of mercury by means of the Mercury Pump-Water Cart. The Mercury Pump extracted the sample from the SMECT mercury sump. The pump uses pressurized water to transfer a small amount of mercury to a leachate bucket located at the Lab Mercury cell. The mercury and water were allowed to be self separated, and mercury was gravity decanted from the leachate bucket.” DWPF personnel indicate that the leachate bucket is equipped with both a top stopcock/drain and a lower/bottom stopcock/drain from which the mercury was decanted or drained out, while the separated water layer remained above the mercury during draining. The DWPF customer requested SRNL to analyze the sample for the following: gross alpha/nonvolatile beta analysis and perform a Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) per the Environmental Protection Agency's Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste: Physical/Chemical Methods, SW-846. While the TCLP was preferred, a Total Metals analysis of the eight Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals was deemed acceptable.2 The analytical data collected on this mercury sample will be used in planning for sample disposition as well to start a profile for future Hg disposition of Hg collected from steam stripping.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Estimation of uncertainties for subcritical benchmark measurements - 14387

Subcritical measurements are used for many applications including nonproliferation, treaty verification, in-situ monitoring for criticality, and reactor subcriticality monitoring. Most analysis methods involve correlated neutron detection, based upon the property that fission events can create multiple neutrons that are born at nearly the same time (on a scale of 10{sup -13} or 10{sup -14} seconds). Many different time-correlated methods have been used since the 1950's and are still widely utilized today. This particular work describes an uncertainty analysis of measured data using the Hage-Cifarelli formalism of the Feynman Variance-to-Mean method. The Feynman Variance-to-Mean method was introduced by Feynman et al. in 1956 and is based upon the differences between the detector count data and the data that would be expected from measurements taken from a Poissonian source. The Hage-Cifarelli formalism relates moments of the Feynman histograms to several parameters of a system: leakage multiplication (M{sub L}), spontaneous fission rate (F{sub S}), (α,n) neutron emission rate (S{sub α}), detector efficiency (ε), and the moments of the number of neutrons emitted per fission (ν). The first part of the uncertainty method described in this work will show how to determine uncertainties of the first (R{sub 1}) and second (R{sub 2}) reduced factorial moments of the Feynman histograms. The second part of the method will describe how to determine the uncertainties in the other parameters given uncertainties in the reduced factorial moments; in particular, this work will focus on determining the uncertainties in M{sub L} and F{sub S}. This work will utilize measured data from a recent benchmark evaluation with a 4.5 kg sphere of α-phase plutonium to validate the uncertainty analysis. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗