Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Complex industrial process”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Development of High-efficiency and Cost-effective Forged Ingot Niobium Technology for Science Frontiers and Accelerator Applications

Development of Forged Ingot Niobium Technology: Worlds science frontier programs and SRF accelerator applications demand high performance and cost-effective SRF accelerator technology [1-8]. Fine-grain (FG) and Large-grain (LG) ingot niobium technologies have been very well developed and implemented in all the present-day accelerator projects. However, forged ingot niobium technology which is the focus of this development proposal will be much more cost-effective and expected to have several technical advantages. FG niobium sheet production is very complex involving more than ten processing steps making them prone to contamination. As a result, they are very expensive to produce and require stringent QA procedure to be ready for SRF cavity production. The accelerating cavity process steps are also numerous and require strict procedures in order to achieve high accelerating gradients and quality factors needed for science frontier programs. LG niobium disc production, directly sliced from the ingot, is relatively simple and straight forward to keep surface cleanness. The disc production cost is significantly low compared to FG niobium sheet production. However, there are (some) draw backs due to non-homogeneity of the grain boundary distribution, resulting in non-uniform mechanical properties and complex cavity fabrication, although the LG cavities achieve the expected high-gradient performance goals with lower cost. Medium-grain (MG) niobium disk production may be realized with a new approach/process, the disc directly sliced from the forged ingot, involves a simpler process steps contributing major production cost reduction [9]. These discs are expected to be superior as they tend to be homogenous with uniform sub millimeter grains and mechanical properties. We are eagerly looking forward to developing the forged ingot niobium SRF accelerator technology for the benefit of the world-wide science frontier programs, green energy subcritical nuclear energy systems and a wide variety of industrial applications including the production of radio isotopes and nuclear transmutation applications. Measurement of thermal characteristics of the forged ingot niobium: Measurement of the thermal diffusivity, D, of superconducting MG niobium is important to be understood in comparison with FG sheet and LG disc, as well as that of advanced composite material of Nb3Sn film sputtered on forged ingot Nb, which will be determined using transient pump-probe thermo-modulation [10,11]. Transient thermo-modulation is based on using an ultrafast laser pulse to heat the superconducting materials by a few K, then a synchronized laser pulse probes the reflectance of the heated material. For thin films on a substrate (e.g, 100-nm Nb3Sn on Nb), it takes <100 ps for the heat to reach the substrate by diffusion. Therefore, an ultrafast method is needed to probe D of the studied material. D will be measured from room temperature to liquid helium temperatures. Fundamental Research: The increase of rf loss in SRF cavities is related to trapping of residual magnetic field during the cavity cool-down. The study suggested that the micro structure plays the role in flux trapping sensitivity. The research includes the flux trapping and expulsion study as forged ingot niobium goes through several mechanical deformations, crystallization leading to the optimal SRF cavity performance. Furthermore, the cavity made from FG, MG, and LG sheet/disc will be compared to understand the optimal re-crystallization temperature that cavity needed to be heat treated which minimize the flux trapping and increase SRF cavity performance. References: 1. S. Belomestnykh, Overview of recent SRF developments for ERLs, presented at the SRF 2015, Whistler, BC, Canada (2015). 2. A. Yamamoto, M. Yamanaka and G. Myneni, Ingot Nb based SRF Technology for the International Linear Collider, in Science and Technology of Ingot Niobium for Superconducting Radio Frequency Applications, AIP Conf. Proc. 1687, 030005-1 ? 03005-6, 2015 3. Report of the Workshop on Energy and Environmental Applications of Accelerators, DOE Workshop Report. https://science.osti.gov/-/media/hep/pdf/Reports/2020/CASM_WorkshopReport.pdf? la=en&hash=AEB0B318ED0436B1C5FF4EE0FDD6DEB84C2F15B2 4. G. Ciovati, et al., Design of a cw, low-energy, high-power superconducting linac for environmental applications, Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 21, 091601 (2018). 5. P. Dhakal, et al., Effect of high temperature heat treatments on the quality factor of a large-grain superconducting radio-frequency niobium cavity, Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 16, 042001 (2013). 6. P. Kneisel et al., Review of ingot niobium as a material for superconducting radio frequency accelerating cavities, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 774, 133 (2015). 7. G. Ciovati, P. Dhakal, and G. R, Myneni, Superconducting radio-frequency cavities made from medium and low-purity niobium ingots, Supercond. Sci. Technol. 29, 064002 (2016). 8. M. Drury et al., commissioning of the prototype C75 cavities in a CEBAF cryomodule, in Proc. of IPAC 2018, Vancouver, BC, Canada (2018) 9. Feasibility of forged-ingot niobium disc and SRF cavity fabrication technology recently demonstrated in cooperation of ATI, BSCE, and KEK (2020). 10. Hani E. Elsayed-Ali, ?Measurements of heat transport in thin films by ultrafast laser-based techniques,? 3rd International Conference on Thermal Issues in Emerging Technologies Theory and Applications, Cairo, Egypt, pp. 347 ? 350 (2010). DOI: 10.1109/ThETA17616.2010 11. W. M. G. Ibrahim, H. E. Elsayed-Ali, M. Schinn, and C. A. Bonner, Jr., ?Ultrafast investigation of electron dynamics in multilayer metals,? Int. J. Heat and Mass Transfer, 47(10?11), 2261?2268 (2004).

Myneni, G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Sputtering

This paper primarily reviews the potential of using the sputtering process as a deposition technique; however, the manufacturing and sputter etching aspects are also discussed. Since sputtering is not regulated by classical thermodynamics, new multicomponent materials can be developed in any possible chemical composition. The basic mechanism for dc and rf sputtering is described. Sputter-deposition is described in terms of the unique advantageous features it offers such as versatility, momentum transfer, stoichiometry, sputter-etching, target geometry (coating complex surfaces), precise controls, flexibility, ecology, and sputtering rates. Sputtered film characteristics, such as strong adherence and coherence and film morphology, are briefly evaluated in terms of varying the sputtering parameters. Also described are some of the specific industrial areas which are turning to sputter-deposition techniques.

Spalvins, T.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Quality assurance and risk management: Perspectives on Human Factors Certification of Advanced Aviation Systems

This paper is based on the experience of engineering psychologists advising the U.K. Ministry of Defense (MoD) on the procurement of advanced aviation systems that conform to good human engineering (HE) practice. Traditional approaches to HE in systems procurement focus on the physical nature of the human-machine interface. Advanced aviation systems present increasingly complex design requirements for human functional integration, information processing, and cognitive task performance effectiveness. These developing requirements present new challenges for HE quality assurance (QA) and risk management, requiring focus on design processes as well as on design content or product. A new approach to the application of HE, recently adopted by NATO, provides more systematic ordering and control of HE processes and activities to meet the challenges of advanced aircrew systems design. This systematic approach to HE has been applied by MoD to the procurement of mission systems for the Royal Navy Merlin helicopter. In MoD procurement, certification is a judicial function, essentially independent of the service customer and industry contractor. Certification decisions are based on advice from MoD's appointed Acceptance Agency. Test and evaluation (T&E) conducted by the contractor and by the Acceptance Agency provide evidence for certification. Certification identifies limitations of systems upon release to the service. Evidence of compliance with HE standards traditionally forms the main basis of HE certification and significant non-compliance could restrict release. The systems HE approach shows concern for the quality of processes as well as for the content of the product. Human factors certification should be concerned with the quality of HE processes as well as products. Certification should require proof of process as well as proof of content and performance. QA criteria such as completeness, consistency, timeliness, and compatibility provide generic guidelines for progressive acceptance and certification of HE processes. Threats to the validity of certification arise from problems and assumptions in T&E methods. T&E should seek to reduce the risk of specification non-compliance and certification failure.

Taylor, Robert M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Confessions of a robot lobotomist

Since its inception, numerically controlled (NC) machining methods have been used throughout the aerospace industry to mill, drill, and turn complex shapes by sequentially stepping through motion programs. However, the recent demand for more precision, faster feeds, exotic sensors, and branching execution have existing computer numerical control (CNC) and distributed numerical control (DNC) systems running at maximum controller capacity. Typical disadvantages of current CNC's include fixed memory capacities, limited communication ports, and the use of multiple control languages. The need to tailor CNC's to meet specific applications, whether it be expanded memory, additional communications, or integrated vision, often requires replacing the original controller supplied with the commercial machine tool with a more powerful and capable system. This paper briefly describes the process and equipment requirements for new controllers and their evolutionary implementation in an aerospace environment. The process of controller retrofit with currently available machines is examined, along with several case studies and their computational and architectural implications.

Gottshall, R. Marc↗
NASA NTRS2009

NASA TEERM Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives Projects

This slide presentation reviews the NASA/DOD projects to select an alternative to hexavalent chrome in the aerospace industry. The Phase I process of the project performed: (1) Evaluation and testing of non-chromated coating systems as replacements for hexavalent chrome coatings in aircraft and aerospace applications. (2) Testing of coating systems to DoD and NASA specifications for corrosion resistance and adhesion. (3) Bare corrosion resistance and atmospheric exposure will be focus areas of Phase II Testing. The description includes a chart that summarizes the 3000 hour salt fog test results. The second phase of the project includes (1) Evaluation and testing of coating systems that do not contain hexavalent chrome as replacements for aerospace applications. (2) Evaluation of coatings at Beach Test Site and Launch Complex 39B (3) Evaluation of non-chrome coatings for electronic housings (bare corrosion resistance and electrical impedance) is a part of this round of testing. This project was performed for the Technology Evaluation for Environmental Risk Mitigation (TEERM)

Rothgeb, Matt↗
DOE OSTI2016

Organizing environmental flow frameworks to meet hydropower mitigation needs

The global recognition of the importance of natural flow regimes to sustain the ecological integrity of river systems has led to increased societal pressure on the hydropower industry to change plant operations to improve downstream aquatic ecosystems. However, a complete reinstatement of natural flow regimes is often unrealistic when balancing water needs for ecosystems, energy production, and other human uses. Thus, stakeholders must identify a prioritized subset of flow prescriptions that meet ecological objectives in light of realistic constraints. Yet, isolating aspects of flow regimes to restore downstream of hydropower facilities is among the greatest challenges of environmental flow science due, in part, to the sheer volume of available environmental flow tools in conjunction with complex negotiation-based regulatory procedures. Here, we propose an organizational framework that structures information and existing flow paradigms into a staged process that assists stakeholders in implementing environmental flows for hydropower facilities. The framework identifies areas where regulations fall short of the needed scientific process, and provide suggestions for stakeholders to ameliorate those situations through advanced preparation. We highlight the strengths of existing flow paradigms in their application to hydropower settings and suggest when and where tools are most applicable. In conclusion, our suggested framework increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the e-flow implementation process by rapidly establishing a knowledge base and decreasing uncertainty so more time can be devoted to filling knowledge gaps. As a result, the framework provides the structure for a coordinated research agenda to further the science of environmental flows related to hydropower environments.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Uncertainty Quantification of Metal Additive Manufacturing Processing Conditions Through the use of Exascale Computing

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a disruptive manufacturing technology that opens the design space for parts outside those possible from traditional manufacturing methods. In order to accelerate industry and R&D needs to certify AM parts, the Exascale Additive Manufacturing project (ExaAM) has developed a suite of exascale-ready computational tools to model the process-to-structure-to-properties (PSP) relationship for additively manufactured metal components. One such tool is an uncertainty quantification (UQ) pipeline to quantify the effect that uncertainty in processing conditions has on local mechanical responses. We present an overview of this pipeline and its required simulation and workflow codes. Using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) exascale computer, Frontier, we utilize this pipeline to cross multiple length and time scales to predict the local mechanical response of a location within a complex AM bridge part, AMB2018-01 produced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of their 2018 AM-Bench test series. Our results are then compared to experimental mechanical tests of parts from the NIST build to quantify the error in the ExaAM UQ workflow.

Carson, Robert↗
DOE OSTI2018

Requirements Efficiency: External Questionnaire Results

Efficiency in requirements engineering and management (REM) for complex hardware systems is desirable to reduce program impacts, such as schedule and budget. Sandia National Labs (SNL) investigated external state-of-the-practice REM to capture insights, recommendations, and best practices from external entities on several REM topics. Twenty-one at-will participants contributed responses to closed- and open-ended questions. The results were synthesized and are provided herein. The results help SNL and others to understand where its practices are current; what trends, approaches, or processes in REM might be beneficial if implemented or introduced; what challenges might be avoided; where efficiencies might be realized; and which practices are still maturing or evolving in industry and academia, so that SNL can stay abreast of these developments.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1991

Instrumentation, performance visualization, and debugging tools for multiprocessors

The need for computing power has forced a migration from serial computation on a single processor to parallel processing on multiprocessor architectures. However, without effective means to monitor (and visualize) program execution, debugging, and tuning parallel programs becomes intractably difficult as program complexity increases with the number of processors. Research on performance evaluation tools for multiprocessors is being carried out at ARC. Besides investigating new techniques for instrumenting, monitoring, and presenting the state of parallel program execution in a coherent and user-friendly manner, prototypes of software tools are being incorporated into the run-time environments of various hardware testbeds to evaluate their impact on user productivity. Our current tool set, the Ames Instrumentation Systems (AIMS), incorporates features from various software systems developed in academia and industry. The execution of FORTRAN programs on the Intel iPSC/860 can be automatically instrumented and monitored. Performance data collected in this manner can be displayed graphically on workstations supporting X-Windows. We have successfully compared various parallel algorithms for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applications in collaboration with scientists from the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Systems Division. By performing these comparisons, we show that performance monitors and debuggers such as AIMS are practical and can illuminate the complex dynamics that occur within parallel programs.

Yan, Jerry C.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Safety Metrics for Human-Computer Controlled Systems

The rapid growth of computer technology and innovation has played a significant role in the rise of computer automation of human tasks in modem production systems across all industries. Although the rationale for automation has been to eliminate "human error" or to relieve humans from manual repetitive tasks, various computer-related hazards and accidents have emerged as a direct result of increased system complexity attributed to computer automation. The risk assessment techniques utilized for electromechanical systems are not suitable for today's software-intensive systems or complex human-computer controlled systems.This thesis will propose a new systemic model-based framework for analyzing risk in safety-critical systems where both computers and humans are controlling safety-critical functions. A new systems accident model will be developed based upon modem systems theory and human cognitive processes to better characterize system accidents, the role of human operators, and the influence of software in its direct control of significant system functions Better risk assessments will then be achievable through the application of this new framework to complex human-computer controlled systems.

Leveson, Nancy G↗
NASA NTRS2010

NASA Spacecraft Fault Management Workshop Results

Fault Management is a critical aspect of deep-space missions. For the purposes of this paper, fault management is defined as the ability of a system to detect, isolate, and mitigate events that impact, or have the potential to impact, nominal mission operations. The fault management capabilities are commonly distributed across flight and ground subsystems, impacting hardware, software, and mission operations designs. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Discovery & New Frontiers (D&NF) Program Office at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) recently studied cost overruns and schedule delays for 5 missions. The goal was to identify the underlying causes for the overruns and delays, and to develop practical mitigations to assist the D&NF projects in identifying potential risks and controlling the associated impacts to proposed mission costs and schedules. The study found that 4 out of the 5 missions studied had significant overruns due to underestimating the complexity and support requirements for fault management. As a result of this and other recent experiences, the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Planetary Science Division (PSD) commissioned a workshop to bring together invited participants across government, industry, academia to assess the state of the art in fault management practice and research, identify current and potential issues, and make recommendations for addressing these issues. The workshop was held in New Orleans in April of 2008. The workshop concluded that fault management is not being limited by technology, but rather by a lack of emphasis and discipline in both the engineering and programmatic dimensions. Some of the areas cited in the findings include different, conflicting, and changing institutional goals and risk postures; unclear ownership of end-to-end fault management engineering; inadequate understanding of the impact of mission-level requirements on fault management complexity; and practices, processes, and tools that have not kept pace with the increasing complexity of mission requirements and spacecraft systems. This paper summarizes the findings and recommendations from that workshop, as well as opportunities identified for future investment in tools, processes, and products to facilitate the development of space flight fault management capabilities.

Newhouse, Marilyn↗
DOE OSTI2016

Transmutation Scoping Studies for a Chloride Molten Salt Reactor

Over the past few years, there has been strong renewed interest from private industry, mostly from start-up enterprises, in molten salt reactor (MSR) technologies because of the unique properties of this class of reactors. These are reactors in which the fuel is homogeneously mixed with the coolant in the form of liquid salts and is circulated continuously into and out of the active core region with on-line fuel management, salt treatment, and salt processing. In response to such wide-spread interest, Argonne National Laboratory is expanding its well-established reactor modelling and simulation expertise and infrastructure to enable detailed analysis and design of MSRs. The tools being developed are able to simulate the continuous fuel flow, the complex on-line fuel management and elemental removal processes (e.g., fission product removal) using depletion steps representative of a real MSR system. Leveraging these capabilities, a parametric study on the transmutation performance of a simplified actinide-burning MSR concept that uses a chloride-based salt was performed. This type of salt has attracted attention over the more commonly discussed fluoride-based salts since no tritium is produced as a result of irradiation and it is compatible with a fast neutron spectrum. The studies discussed in this paper examine the performance of a burner MSR design with a fixed core size and power density over a range of possible fuel salt molar ratios with NaCl-MgCl2 as the carrier salt. The intent is to quantify the impact on the required transuranics content of the make-up fuel, the actinide transmutation rates, and other performance characteristics for typical burner MSR designs.

Heidet, Florent↗
DOE OSTI2018

Enabling Coal Technology with Carbon Capture for Future Markets with Flameless Pressurized Oxy-Combustion (FPO)

Future markets for power are expected to require more load following power plants, which reduces output during the night and early morning. This is when the demand for electricity is the lowest, so plants must respond rapidly at any time to peak loads resulting from the variable output of wind and solar power. A coal power plant based on Flameless Pressurized Oxy-combustion (FPO) can go from 5% to 100% of capacity rate in less than 30 minutes in response to fluctuating demand, operating at capacity when power prices are highest. FPO is a proven oxy-combustion technology that was developed to recover energy from low ranking coal, other brown fuels and wastes. ITEA began developing FPO in 2003 on a 5-MWth pilot in Gioia del Colle, Italy, to destroy hazardous industrial waste and as such, design objectives were very high combustion efficiencies and capture of metals in the fuel in the vitreous slag. The technology was subsequently deployed in 2009 at the 15-MWth scale at the Jurong Island petrochemical cluster in Singapore for waste incineration. FPO is an oxy-combustion process whereby oxygen is separated from the air, and it is used in combustion with recirculated flue gas to maintain combustion temperatures at acceptable levels. The resultant flue gas is primarily CO 2 and water, which allows for a relatively simple and cheap CO 2 capture process. This is in contrast to air-combustion systems which require a complex and costly post-combustion capture (PCC) process. Coal is fed to the combustor slurried in water, and the combustor operates at elevated pressure (approximately 12 bar) which improves the overall efficiency and reduces the size and cost of the combustor. Notably, the FPO cycle maintains high efficiency by recovering most of the heat of vaporisation of the contained water. The combustor is designed to coalesce the molten ash particles so that they settle to the chamber walls and drain to the outlet, significantly reducing the particulate content in the exhaust gas and allowing the use of coals with up to 40% alkaline ash content. FPO is a low-emission technology: zero thermal NOx minimises overall NOx; any organic nitrogen is converted to elemental nitrogen (N2). Total organic content (TOC) at combustor exit is hundreds of times lower than for traditional combustion processes, with dioxin and furans close to zero. Work commenced on a DOE funded pilot demonstration project in October 2016 to provide the design for a 50-MWth FPO pilot plant that can fire a wide range of high-to-low rank coals. The project will investigate updating and improving the cycle for power generation with CO 2 capture by incorporating a turbo-expander with a principal steam power island that utilizes a heat recovery steam generator, increasing the overall efficiency of the cycle. A cost study is also performed on the updated FPO design as part of the project. The FPO pilot plant built based on the design will then be demonstrated over a 3-year test program to generate data for the design of a commercial-scale 500 MWth firing module commercial power plant with integral carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), which could start construction in 2025. A discussion of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of various cases are presented, including a comparison of established supercritical with PCC (SCPC) technologies with FPO fitted with CO 2 compression and liquefaction, and FPO ready for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS-ready). This would enable CO 2 capture for use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) or sequestration when market conditions make it attractive to do so. In addition, a comparison of LCOE of FPO and conventional processes for firing low-ranking coals with high water and ash content will be provided.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2015

The future of RADCALC- the radioactive material and waste transportation software program - 15154

This paper provides a thorough review of RADCALC, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-developed software tool to assist DOE sites in making radioactive material and waste packaging and transportation determinations in compliance with applicable Federal regulations and DOE Orders and Standards. There are more than 400 registered users of the RADCALC tool across the DOE complex. DOE has also authorized a limited number of users from certain universities and foreign countries. DOE periodically upgrades the software consistent with changing domestic and international requirements, as well as needs unique to DOE. Due to recent changes in regulatory requirements by the Department of Transportation (DOT), it is necessary that the current version of RADCALC should be updated in a timely manner. Prior to investing funds in software upgrades, DOE decided to evaluate the nature of changes required and level of operational support and looked for alternatives for meeting sites' operational needs. DOE formed a joint review team consisting of experts from Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) sites, commercial waste treatment facilities and the National Laboratories. This team evaluated the RADCALC software, commercially available software packages, and internal DOE site-developed programs against an established set of criteria. The team also reviewed and prioritized regulatory changes and user-recommended enhancements. Based on extensive review, the team recommended that DOE continue to support RADCALC noting that RADCALC is a cost-effective, technically robust tool that can perform complicated radioactive material shipping determinations. The tool promotes accuracy, consistency, and completeness between shipments by a single shipper, between shippers at a given site, and between sites. The isotopic coverage, decay algorithm and the range of calculations are without compare either within DOE or in industry in a tool of this kind. The team also recommended that DOE should actively promote RADCALC use throughout the DOE complex and consider cooperative arrangements with the Department of Defense or other government entities that may have similar needs. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2019

Phase-change heterostructure enables ultralow noise and drift for memory operation

Artificial intelligence and other data-intensive applications have escalated the demand for data storage and processing. New computing devices, such as phase-change random access memory (PCRAM)–based neuro-inspired devices, are promising options for breaking the von Neumann barrier by unifying storage with computing in memory cells. However, current PCRAM devices have considerable noise and drift in electrical resistance that erodes the precision and consistency of these devices. We designed a phase-change heterostructure (PCH) that consists of alternately stacked phase-change and confinement nanolayers to suppress the noise and drift, allowing reliable iterative RESET and cumulative SET operations for high-performance neuro-inspired computing. Our PCH architecture is amenable to industrial production as an intrinsic materials solution, without complex manufacturing procedure or much increased fabrication cost.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2014

Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater

Utilizing amidoxime-based polymer sorbents for extraction of uranium from seawater has attracted considerable interest in recent years. Uranium collected in the sorbent is recovered typically by elution with an acid. One drawback of acid elution is deterioration of the sorbent which is a significant factor that limits the economic competitiveness of the amidoxime-based sorbent systems for sequestering uranium from seawater. Developing innovative elution processes to improve efficiency and to minimize loss of sorbent capacity become essential in order to make this technology economically feasible for large-scale industrial applications. This project has evaluated several elution processes including acid elution, carbonate elution, and supercritical fluid elution for recovering uranium from amidoxime-based polymer sorbents. The elution efficiency, durability and sorbent regeneration for repeated uranium adsorption- desorption cycles in simulated seawater have been studied. Spectroscopic techniques are used to evaluate chemical nature of the sorbent before and after elution. A sodium carbonate-hydrogen peroxide elution process for effective removal of uranium from amidoxime-based sorbent is developed. The cause of this sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide synergistic leaching of uranium from amidoxime-based sorbent is attributed to the formation of an extremely stable uranyl peroxo-carbonato complex. The efficiency of uranium elution by the carbonate-hydrogen peroxide method is comparable to that of the hydrochloric acid elution but damage to the sorbent material is much less for the former. The carbonate- hydrogen peroxide elution also does not need any elaborate step to regenerate the sorbent as those required for hydrochloric acid leaching. Several CO2-soluble ligands have been tested for extraction of uranium from the sorbent in supercritical fluid carbon dioxide. A mixture of hexafluoroacetylacetone and tri-n-butylphosphate shows the best result but uranium removal from the sorbent reaches only 80% after 10 hours of leaching. Some information regarding coordination of vanadium with amidoxime molecules and elution of vanadium from amidoxime- based sorbents is also given in the report.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS2000

A Model-based Framework for Risk Assessment in Human-Computer Controlled Systems

The rapid growth of computer technology and innovation has played a significant role in the rise of computer automation of human tasks in modem production systems across all industries. Although the rationale for automation has been to eliminate "human error" or to relieve humans from manual repetitive tasks, various computer-related hazards and accidents have emerged as a direct result of increased system complexity attributed to computer automation. The risk assessment techniques utilized for electromechanical systems are not suitable for today's software-intensive systems or complex human-computer controlled systems. This thesis will propose a new systemic model-based framework for analyzing risk in safety-critical systems where both computers and humans are controlling safety-critical functions. A new systems accident model will be developed based upon modem systems theory and human cognitive processes to better characterize system accidents, the role of human operators, and the influence of software in its direct control of significant system functions. Better risk assessments will then be achievable through the application of this new framework to complex human-computer controlled systems.

Hatanaka, Iwao↗