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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

Description and Use of SCALE Sampler Parametric Capability for Engineering Analysis and Optimization

The Sampler sequence was introduced into the SCALE nuclear modeling and simulation suite in SCALE 6.2 to perform uncertainty quantification via random sampling of nuclear data, material number densities, and dimensions. Sampler was expanded with the introduction of a parametric capability in SCALE 6.2.2. This paper discusses input for the Sampler parametric sequence and presents two case studies of analyses performed using the sequence. These case studies include preconceptual design of a package for transporting high assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) oxide and scoping calculations to support subcritical limit development for a future update of the ANSI/ANS-8.1 (ANS-8.1) standard. The parametric capability within Sampler provides many benefits to analysts. For instance, parametric sweeps are frequently used to identify optimum parameter values as part of safety analysis or system design, but such sweeps can require substantial engineering time or may rely on custom-written scripts or scripts such as Write One, Run Many (or WORM) developed outside of any software quality assurance program. With the parametric capabilities in Sampler, however, a large number of inputs can be generated automatically without recourse to scripting by individual analysts. The parametric capability can also be used in lieu of the CSAS5S search sequence to identify optimum parameters more simply with straightforward inputs and outputs. Sampler can also be used to calculate input parameters from engineering specifications. For example, diameters can be converted to radii, or masses can be used to calculate number densities. Overall, the Sampler parametric capability provides a robust feature within SCALE, eliminating the need for user-developed scripting.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Dispersion of Radionuclides and Exposure Assessment in Urban Environments: A Joint CEA and LLNL Report

In the interest of promoting the international exchange of technical expertise, the US Department of Energy’s Office of Emergency Operations (NA-40) and the French Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) requested that the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC) of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, California host a joint table top exercise with experts in emergency management and atmospheric transport modeling. In this table top exercise, LLNL and CEA compared each other’s flow and dispersion models. The goal of the comparison is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, capabilities, and practices, and to demonstrate the utility of modeling dispersal at different levels of computational fidelity. Two modeling approaches were examined, a regional scale modeling approach, appropriate for simple terrain and/or very large releases, and an urban scale modeling approach, appropriate for small releases in a city environment. This report is a summary of LLNL and CEA modeling efforts from this exercise. Two different types of LLNL and CEA models were employed in the analysis: urban-scale models (Aeolus CFD at LLNL/NARAC and Parallel- Micro-SWIFT-SPRAY, PMSS, at CEA) for analysis of a 5,000 Ci radiological release and Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Models (LODI at LLNL/NARAC and PSPRAY at CEA) for analysis of a much larger (500,000 Ci) regional radiological release. Two densely-populated urban locations were chosen: Chicago with its high-rise skyline and gridded street network and Paris with its more consistent, lower building height and complex unaligned street network. Each location was considered under early summer daytime and nighttime conditions. Different levels of fidelity were chosen for each scale: (1) lower fidelity mass-consistent diagnostic, intermediate fidelity Navier-Stokes RANS models, and higher fidelity Navier-Stokes LES for urban-scale analysis, and (2) lower-fidelity single-profile meteorology versus higher-fidelity three-dimensional gridded weather forecast for regional-scale analysis. Tradeoffs between computation time and the fidelity of the results are discussed for both scales. LES, for example, requires nearly 100 times more processor time than the mass-consistent diagnostic model or the RANS model, and seems better able to capture flow entrainment behind tall buildings. As anticipated, results obtained by LLNL and CEA at regional scale around Chicago and Paris look very similar in terms of both atmospheric dispersion of the radiological release and total effective dose. Both LLNL and CEA used the same meteorological data, Lagrangian particle dispersion models, and the same dose coefficients. LLNL and CEA urban-scale modeling results show consistent phenomenological behavior and predict similar impacted areas even though the detailed 3D flow patterns differ, particularly for the Chicago cases where differences in vertical entrainment behind tall buildings are particularly notable. Although RANS and LES (LLNL) models incorporate more detailed physics than do mass-consistent diagnostic flow models (CEA), it is not possible to reach definite conclusions about the prediction fidelity of the various models as experimental measurements were not available for comparison. Stronger conclusions about the relative performances of the models involved and evaluation of the tradeoffs involved in model simplification could be made with a systematic benchmarking of urban-scale modeling. This could be the purpose of a future US / French collaborative exercise.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Connecting Performance Analysis and Visualization to Advance Extreme Scale Computing

In the first week of January 2014 Dagstuhl hosted a Perspectives Workshop on “Connecting Performance Analysis and Visualization to Advance Extreme Scale Computing”. The event brought together two previously separate communities – from Visualization and HPC Performance Analysis – to discuss a long term joined research agenda. The goal was to identify and address the challenges in using visual representations to understand and optimize the performance of extreme-scale applications running on today’s most powerful computing systems like climate modeling, combustion, material science or astro-physics simulations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Variability of earth-emitted radiation from one year of Nimbus-6 ERB data

Outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) measurements from the Nimbus-6 ERB wide field-of-view instrument are used to study daytime and nighttime radiation variability on a 15 deg regional, zonal, and global scale. An analysis of components of variance is used to determine how much of the total variability is due to between-region and within-region variance. Most of the analysis is on July and January data from one year of Nimbus-6 ERB. Different geographical scales are considered: regions within latitude zones and latitude zones within hemispheres. Results show that much of the variability is spatial, peaks in the tropics and subtropics, and is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. Daytime variability is generally larger than nighttime variability for July but not for January. Variance in OLR in the tropics and subtropics is largely a function of cloud variability.

Bess, T. D.↗

Architectural Optimization of Digital Libraries

This work investigates performance and scaling issues relevant to large scale distributed digital libraries. Presently, performance and scaling studies focus on specific implementations of production or prototype digital libraries. Although useful information is gained to aid these designers and other researchers with insights to performance and scaling issues, the broader issues relevant to very large scale distributed libraries are not addressed. Specifically, no current studies look at the extreme or worst case possibilities in digital library implementations. A survey of digital library research issues is presented. Scaling and performance issues are mentioned frequently in the digital library literature but are generally not the focus of much of the current research. In this thesis a model for a Generic Distributed Digital Library (GDDL) and nine cases of typical user activities are defined. This model is used to facilitate some basic analysis of scaling issues. Specifically, the calculation of Internet traffic generated for different configurations of the study parameters and an estimate of the future bandwidth needed for a large scale distributed digital library implementation. This analysis demonstrates the potential impact a future distributed digital library implementation would have on the Internet traffic load and raises questions concerning the architecture decisions being made for future distributed digital library designs.

Biser, Aileen O.↗

Parametric analyses of single-zone thorium-fueled molten salt reactor fuel cycle options

Analyses of fuel cycle options based on thorium-fueled Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) have been performed in support of fuel cycle screening and evaluation activities for the United States Department of Energy. The MSR options considered are based on thermal spectrum MSRs with 3 different separations levels: full recycling, limited recycling, and 'once-through' operation without active separations. A single-fluid, single-zone 2250 MWth (1000 MWe) MSR concept consisting of a fuel-bearing molten salt with graphite moderator and reflectors was used as the basis for this study. Radiation transport and isotopic depletion calculations were performed using SCALE 6.1 with ENDF/B-VII nuclear data. New methodology developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) enables MSR analysis using SCALE, modeling material feed and removal by taking user-specified parameters and performing multiple SCALE/TRITON simulations to determine the resulting equilibrium operating conditions. Parametric analyses examined the sensitivity of the performance of a thorium MSR to variations in the separations efficiency for protactinium and fission products. Results indicate that self-sustained operation is possible with full or limited recycling but once-through operation would require an external neutron source. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Microbial diversity analysis of two full-scale seawater desalination treatment trains provides insights into detrimental biofilm formation

Detrimental biofilms on RO membranes remain a crucial challenge for seawater desalination. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data revealed differences and commonalities of biofilm communities associated with unit operations in the two largest seawater desalination facilities in the U.S., the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant and the Tampa Bay Seater Desalination facility. At both plants, feedwater collected at a single time point was a poor indicator of the RO membrane communities, which showed far greater taxa diversity. The analysis of prefilter cartridges from the Carlsbad plant revealed similarly high taxon diversity as the RO module biofilms, with relevant differences. Algal sequences were enriched on the prefilter cartridges as were sequences representing Bdellovibrionota, which are predatory bacteria. Sequences representing opportunistic Gammaproteobacteria (i.e., Shewanella, Woesia) were present in significantly higher relative abundance on the RO membranes than in the prefilter cartridges, suggesting growth of certain taxa in the RO modules. Untargeted metabolomics distinguished intra- and inter-desalination plant biofilm samples, highlighting the potential value of this tool for biofilm monitoring. These findings underscore the value of omics tools for effective microbial monitoring, to understand biofouling dynamics within RO desalination plants, and to provide insight for the development of ecologically-informed biofilm control measures.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Effect of including variable gas properties and entrained particles in the flow analysis of the ASRM nozzle

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of using constant gas properties for the analysis of the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) nozzle and to gain more understanding concerning those types of analysis which might require this additional complexity. Kinetics data for viscosity, thermal conductivity, specific heat, and specific heat ratio are extracted from the Solid Propellant Rocket Motor Performance Prediction Computer Program (SPP) and tabulated as a function of temperature. These tables are added to the Aerovisc computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code in place of the constant gas property values. The results of a CFD analysis of the ASRM 48 inch motor with constant gas properties will be compared with an analysis which uses variable gas properties. Mach number, surface pressure, and torque plots are presented. A full scale ASRM analysis using SPP with and without particle flow is presented.

Clayton, Curtis D.↗

A Multiscale, Nonlinear, Modeling Framework Enabling the Design and Analysis of Composite Materials and Structures

A framework for the multiscale design and analysis of composite materials and structures is presented. The ImMAC software suite, developed at NASA Glenn Research Center, embeds efficient, nonlinear micromechanics capabilities within higher scale structural analysis methods such as finite element analysis. The result is an integrated, multiscale tool that relates global loading to the constituent scale, captures nonlinearities at this scale, and homogenizes local nonlinearities to predict their effects at the structural scale. Example applications of the multiscale framework are presented for the stochastic progressive failure of a SiC/Ti composite tensile specimen and the effects of microstructural variations on the nonlinear response of woven polymer matrix composites.

Bednarcyk, Brett A.↗

A Multiscale, Nonlinear, Modeling Framework Enabling the Design and Analysis of Composite Materials and Structures

A framework for the multiscale design and analysis of composite materials and structures is presented. The ImMAC software suite, developed at NASA Glenn Research Center, embeds efficient, nonlinear micromechanics capabilities within higher scale structural analysis methods such as finite element analysis. The result is an integrated, multiscale tool that relates global loading to the constituent scale, captures nonlinearities at this scale, and homogenizes local nonlinearities to predict their effects at the structural scale. Example applications of the multiscale framework are presented for the stochastic progressive failure of a SiC/Ti composite tensile specimen and the effects of microstructural variations on the nonlinear response of woven polymer matrix composites.

Bednarcyk, Brett A.↗

The use of large-scale aerial photography for interpreting Landsat digital data in an elk habitat-analysis project

Large-scale aerial photography was used to interpret Landsat multispectral scanner data processed through an unsupervised classifier. After scale adjustment and interpretation by application of an elk-habitat photointerpretation legend, the photographs were registered with the spectral classification, and the co-occurrence of spectral picture elements with photointerpreted habitat classes was tabulated. Analysis of the resulting table of data permitted the description of spectral classes in terms meaningful and useful to elk research and management unit in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon.

Isaacson, D. L.↗

Hierarchical analysis of spatial pattern and processes of Douglas-fir forests

There has been an increased interest in the quantification of pattern in ecological systems over the past years. This interest is motivated by the desire to construct valid models which extend across many scales. Spatial methods must quantify pattern, discriminate types of pattern, and relate hierarchical phenomena across scales. Wavelet analysis is introduced as a method to identify spatial structure in ecological transect data. The main advantage of the wavelet transform over other methods is its ability to preserve and display hierarchical information while allowing for pattern decomposition. Two applications of wavelet analysis are illustrated, as a means to: (1) quantify known spatial patterns in Douglas-fir forests at several scales, and (2) construct spatially-explicit hypotheses regarding pattern generating mechanisms. Application of the wavelet variance, derived from the wavelet transform, is developed for forest ecosystem analysis to obtain additional insight into spatially-explicit data. Specifically, the resolution capabilities of the wavelet variance are compared to the semi-variogram and Fourier power spectra for the description of spatial data using a set of one-dimensional stationary and non-stationary processes. The wavelet cross-covariance function is derived from the wavelet transform and introduced as a alternative method for the analysis of multivariate spatial data of understory vegetation and canopy in Douglas-fir forests of the western Cascades of Oregon.

Bradshaw, G. A.↗

Numerical analysis of the influence of scale effects and microstructure on hydrogen diffusion in polycrystalline aggregates

Predicting resistance to environmental degradation, especially hydrogen embrittlement (HE) has become a major concern for life assessment and risk analysis of structural materials. The microstructure of the materials plays a significant role in HE. Despite the large documentation about the subject, the contribution of hydrogen diffusion on this process stays unclear. In this work, we analyze the effects of the microstructure on hydrogen diffusion, especially the influence of grain boundaries considered as high diffusivity paths and possible sites of damage occurrence. Electrochemical permeation was simulated using finite elements method (FEM). Scale effects between the RVE (Representative Volume Element) and the size of the membrane are discussed. Domains of applicability for standard homogenization methods, especially Hashin Shtrikman model are studied using results from microstructural based FEM. Domains of invariance of diffusion behavior and concentration profiles for grain shapes and the size of the membrane are also analyzed. Thus, the difficulty to extract diffusion properties by permeation test for heterogeneous microstructures is highlighted and discussed.

hydrogen, permeation, diffusion, microstructure, g↗

The origin of CEMA and its relation to CSP

Currently, there exist two methods for analysing an explosive mode introduced by chemical kinetics in a reacting process: the Computational Singular Perturbation (CSP) algorithm and the Chemical Explosive Mode Analysis (CEMA). CSP was introduced in 1989 and addressed both dissipative and explosive modes encountered in the multi-scale dynamics that characterize the process, while CEMA was introduced in 2009 and addressed only the explosive modes. It is shown that (i) the algorithmic tools incorporated in CEMA were developed previously on the basis of CSP and (ii) the examination of explosive modes has been the subject of CSP-based works, reported before the introduction of CEMA.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Comprehensive Analysis Modeling of Small-Scale UAS Rotors

Multicopter unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, have continued their explosive growth in recent years. With this growth comes demand for increased performance as the limits of existing technologies are reached. In order to better design multicopter UAS aircraft, better performance prediction tools are needed. This paper presents the results of a study aimed at using the rotorcraft comprehensive analysis code CAMRAD II to model a multicopter UAS rotor in hover. Parametric studies were performed to determine the level of fidelity needed in the analysis code inputs to achieve results that match test data. Overall, the results show that CAMRAD II is well suited to model small-scale UAS rotors in hover. This paper presents the results of the parametric studies as well as recommendations for the application of comprehensive analysis codes to multicopter UAS rotors.

Analysis↗