Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “fuel cycle length”

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 109 records · Page 6

Sister Rod Destructive Examinations (FY20) Appendix A: Full Length Rod Heat Treatments (FHT)

As a part of the US DOE-NE High Burnup Spent Fuel Data Project, ORNL is performing destructive examinations (DEs) of high burnup (HBU) (>45 gigawatt days per metric ton uranium) spent nuclear fuel (SNF) rods from the North Anna Nuclear Power Station operated by Dominion Energy. The SNF rods, called the “sister rods,” are all HBU and include four different kinds of fuel rod cladding: standard Zircaloy-4, low-tin Zircaloy-4, ZIRLO®, and M5®. The DEs are being conducted to obtain a baseline of the HBU rod’s condition prior to dry storage and are focused on understanding overall SNF rod strength and durability. Both composite fuel and empty cladding are being tested. While the data generated can be used for multiple purposes, a primary goal for obtaining the post-irradiation examination data will support SNF dry storage licensing and relicensing activities.This report documents the status of the ORNL Phase 1 DE activities related to full length rod heat treatments (FHT) applied to selected sister rods in Phase 1 of the sister rod test program. The results of this work and detailed examinations are summarized in the Sister Rod DE Status Report.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fast neutron irradiation capability in existing thermal test reactors

In today’s nuclear industry, momentum towards the design, licensing, and construction of advanced nuclear demonstration plants, including fast reactors, is at a remarkably high level. However, there are currently no dedicated fast spectrum irradiation test facilities in the United States to support the development of fast spectrum technologies. As a result, a unique situation is developing where most of these plants will likely be designed by leveraging historic nuclear material technologies, but where the further optimization and advancement is impeded by the lack of fast neutron irradiation test facilities. While these circumstances present a challenge, there are some near-term opportunities that, if seized, can still help develop advanced fast reactor materials to a meaningful level of readiness to support future commercial fast reactors. Here, in this paper, we assess the feasibility of using thermal neutron filtering materials in existing experiment positions in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to simulate fast reactor test environments for nonfuel test specimens. Items investigated include the incident neutron flux (both fast and thermal), the total neutron fluence and cumulative atom displacements, helium production rate due to thermal neutron capture in nickel, and the potential impact that the thermal neutron filter material has on the cycle length of a given reactor. It is concluded that while HFIR provides the highest fast flux of all the options investigated, it is limited in the amount of thermal neutron filtering material that can be introduced into an experiment position without significantly affecting the operation of the reactor. Irradiation in Outboard-A positions in the ATR was found to be the most realistic near-term experiment avenue due to having ample space for several capsules in a moderately fast flux.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Multiscale modeling for high burnup structure formation and associated pulverization

This report summarizes the lower length scale modeling work performed in the fiscal year 2023 under the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program to capture the microstrutural evolution and associated pulverization criteria in the high burnup regions. This year, the resolution mechanisms within the cluster dynamics code has been updated and it influence on the bubble growth in HBS regions at the mesoscale is studied. To improve the accuracy of phase-field models of fission gas bubble growth, a new Helmholtz free energy for high-density Xe gas is derived from a virial equation of state. Two previously used strategies for representing net vacancy production in phase-field models of fission gas bubble growth are compared with each other and with analytical models of bubble growth. The vacancy source only model is found to be more convenient to parameterize realistically compared with the vacancy source+sink model. Furthermore, the phase-field-fracture simulation have been performed using MD- informed failure stress values and realistic HBS structure obtained from the phase-field simulations. We also present the uncertainty bands on prediction of the critical stress to account for the effect of the lower length scale variabilities on the failure criteria at the mesoscale. It is observed that pulverization may occur in partially restructured regions with restructuring fraction as low as 17%. In light of this, an update to the BISON’s pulverization criteria is recommended.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

RELAP5-3D Modeling of the OECD-NEA HTTF Benchmark

HTTF at Oregon State University (OSU) Reference: General Atomics’ modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor Helium cooled, electrically heated (2.2 MW) Prismatic graphite blocks in the core and reflectors Alumina ceramic blocks are used to simulate the core and top and bottom reflectors One-fourth scale in length and diameter Most of the coolant channels in the core are full scale Lower pressure compared to the prototype reactor (0.7 MPa) Over 500 instruments Designed primarily to investigate depressurized (DCC) and pressurized (PCC) conduction cooldown transients

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Assessing the National Off-Cycle Benefits of 2-Layer HVAC Technology Using Dynamometer Testing and a National Simulation Framework

Some CO2-reducing technologies have real-world benefits not captured by regulatory testing methods. This paper documents a two-layer heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system that facilitates faster engine warmup through strategic increased air recirculation. The performance of this technology was assessed on a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. Empirical performance of the technology was obtained through dynamometer tests at Argonne National Laboratory. Performance of the vehicle across multiple cycles and cell ambient temperatures with the two-layer technology active and inactive indicated fuel consumption reduction in nearly all cases. A thermally sensitive powertrain model, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's FASTSim Hot, was calibrated and validated against vehicle testing data. The developed model included the engine, cabin, and HVAC system controls. Validation of component thermal models and engine efficiency ensured accurate thermal dynamics, fuel consumption, and two-layer benefit. The real-world benefit of the two-layer technology was calculated by simulating the validated powertrain model across a representative test matrix comparing performance with and without the two-layer system. Simulation across the test matrix revealed a real-world representative benefit of 0.0835%. Analysis of test matrix results at the regional level revealed the most benefit in cold climates and rural regions. Mean results across cycle length sensitivity simulations revealed a larger real-world benefit of 0.0872%. These benefit values can be considered a more accurate assessment of real-world technology performance. Future work is planned to explore the requisite number of drive cycles to ensure the full technology benefit is captured.

2-layer↗

Examination of Legacy Metallic Fuel Pins (U-10Zr) Tested in FFTF

The MFF series of metallic fuel (U-10wt%Zr) tests performed in the Fast Fuel Test Facility (FFTF) were the beginning tests to qualify the fuel as a driver fuel for FFTF. They all performed very well, to relatively high burnup and with no pin breaches. Tests MFF-3 and MFF-5 were chosen to be destructively examined because they were run at high peak cladding temperatures, 643 and 649°C respectively, and to modest to high burnup (138 and 101 MWd/kgM respectively). They were the only sodium fast reactor (SFR) metallic tests, with long (91.4 cm) fuel columns and clad in HT9, to be operated at these high temperatures. Extensive operating condition reconstruction was performed to accompany the examination, providing detailed operating conditions axially along the pins. In addition, detailed ORIGEN calculations provided fuel burnup along the pin length. These calculations and detailed cross-section metallography allowed a PhD dissertation to be performed where the fuel/cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) was modeled using Fickian and Soret Effect driven diffusion of rare earth fission products to the cladding surface and interact with the cladding. The examination of the MFF-3 and MFF-5 pins included neutron radiography, axial profilometry including pin bow and length measurements, precision gamma scanning, plenum gas puncturing to measure fission gas release, detailed chemical/isotopic analyses of fuel samples to confirm burnup calculations, and metallography of pin cross-sections, including micro-hardness measurements of fuel and cladding.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Catalytic Upgrading of Pyrolysis Vapors 2.3.1.314

Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) is a versatile pathway for the direct liquefaction of biomass and waste carbon sources to generate a stabilized bio-oil intermediate that can be further processed into renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials. The objective of this project is advance the CFP state-of-technology through integrated catalyst and process development, expand market responsiveness by creating routes to novel co-products, and provide experimental data to inform process modelling and scale-up activities. Research advancements over the past two years include reducing analytical uncertainty by achieving 100 ± 1% carbon balances during reaction testing with woody biomass, improving process efficiency by achieving a 4x increase in catalyst cycle length, demonstrating compatibility with waste feedstocks, and confirming process durability for 100+ reaction cycles. Additionally, this project supported a comprehensive pathway review to evaluate scale-up needs. This review resulted in the early identification of technical risks and informed proactive planning for the BETO 2022 Verification. Other impacts from this project include generation of broadly enabling scientific knowledge (14 publications/18 presentations since 2019), engagement with industry partners (e.g., Johnson Matthey and ExxonMobil), and identification of a promising pathway to market that addresses emerging demands for biogenic refinery feedstocks.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Hierarchical Modeling to Enhance Spectrophotometry Measurements—Overcoming Dynamic Range Limitations for Remote Monitoring of Neptunium

A robust hierarchical model has been demonstrated for monitoring a wide range of neptunium concentrations (0.75–890 mM) and varying temperatures (10–80 °C) using chemometrics and feature selection. The visible–near infrared electronic absorption spectrum (400–1700 nm) of monocharged neptunyl dioxocation (Np(V) = NpO2+) includes many bands, which have molar absorption coefficients that differ by nearly 2 orders of magnitude. The shape, position, and intensity of these bands differ with chemical interactions and changing temperature. These challenges make traditional quantification by univariate methods unfeasible. Measuring Np(V) concentration over several orders of magnitude would typically necessitate cells with varying path length, optical switches, and/or multiple spectrophotometers. Alternatively, the differences in the molar extinction coefficients for multiple absorption bands can be used to quantify Np(V) concentration over 3 orders of magnitude with a single optical path length (1 mm) and a hierarchical multivariate model. In this work, principal component analysis was used to distinguish the concentration regime of the sample, directing it to the relevant partial least squares regression submodels. Each submodel was optimized with unique feature selection filters that were selected by a genetic algorithm to enhance predictions. Through this approach, the percent root mean square error of prediction values were ≤1.05% for Np(V) concentrations and ≤4% for temperatures. This approach may be applied to other nuclear fuel cycle and environmental applications requiring real-time spectroscopic measurements over a wide range of conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Characterization of modeling and experimental data inconsistencies from burst testing for high-burnup commercial fuel rod applications

Fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal are some of the largest issues remaining in the nuclear industry before rod-average burnup can be increased beyond 62 GWd/tU. The issue is primarily related to the potential for fuel to be dispersed into the reactor primary system, which may increase public risk. One way to prevent dispersal is to avoid cladding burst. The objective of this work is to support the high burnup safety case by evaluating cladding burst under high-burnup, full-length fuel rods and to identify uncertainties that could improve model predictions. The results of this analysis will evaluate realistic, prototypic loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions; support future cladding burst test designs; and inform the development of mechanistic material models. Realistic high-burnup operating conditions were implemented in the BISON fuel performance code to simulate steady-state and LOCA transient fuel rod evolution to the point at which cladding burst occurred. Parametric studies are performed to assess code response to changes in rod internal pressures and heating rates. Results were compared with simulated LOCA experiments to identify inconsistencies between commercial fuel rod analysis and experimental validation. The representative full-length fuel rod LOCA simulation results did not agree with cladding burst tests. Cladding burst tests indicated burst occurring well below (100–150 °C) those calculated in the full-length fuel rod LOCA analysis. Further investigation indicated that the cladding burst tests do not appear to be representative for full-length fuel rods. The inconsistency investigated in this work showed that the differences between the BISON simulation and the experiment's cladding burst conditions arise from an incomplete characterization of the cladding surface temperature, detailed rodlet characterization, lack of cladding strain measurements, and uncertainty in the cladding creep and failure models.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Tuning the thermal activation atmosphere breaks the activity–stability trade-off of Fe–N–C oxygen reduction fuel cell catalysts

Fe–N–C catalysts are the most promising platinum group metal-free oxygen-reduction catalysts, but they suffer from a low density of active metal sites and the so-called activity–stability trade-off. Here we report an Fe–N–C catalyst prepared by adding an optimal amount of H 2 to the traditional inert atmosphere during the thermal activation. The presence of H 2 significantly increases the total density of FeN 4 sites, suppressing the unstable pyrrolic-N-coordinated S1 sites and favouring the stable pyridinic-N-coordinated S2 sites with shortened Fe–N bond lengths. Here, we propose that the intrinsically stable S2 sites are probably arranged in well-graphitized carbon layers, and the S1 sites exist in less-graphitized carbon. H 2 could remove unstable S1 sites and retain stable S2 sites during the pyrolysis to break the challenging activity–stability trade-off. The Fe–N–C catalyst in membrane electrode assemblies maintains a current density of 67 mA cm -2 at 0.8 V (H 2 –air) after 30,000 voltage cycles (0.60 to 0.95 V under H 2 –air), achieving encouraging durability and performance simultaneously.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Improvement of the $\mathrm{BISON U_3Si_2}$ modeling capabilities based on multiscale developments to modeling fission gas behavior

Uranium silicide (U 3 Si 2 ) is a concept explored as a potential alternative to UO 2 fuel used in light water reactors (LWRs) since it may improve accident tolerance and economics due to its higher thermal conductivity and increased uranium density. U 3 Si 2 has been previously used in research reactors in the form of dispersion fuel, but operated at lower temperatures than commercial LWRs. The research reactor data illustrated that significant gaseous swelling occurs as the fuel burnup increases. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the fission gas behavior of U 3 Si 2 under higher temperature LWR operating conditions. In this work, molecular dynamics and phase-field modeling techniques are used to reduce the uncertainty in select modeling assumptions made in developing the fission gas behavior model for U 3 Si 2 in the BISON fuel performance code. These lower length scale informed models are then utilized in the validation of BISON U 3 Si 2 modeling capabilities to simulate the ATF-1 experiments irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Sensitivity analysis (SA) and uncertainty quantification (UQ) are included as part of the validation process to identify where further experiments and lower length scale modeling would be beneficial. Here, the multiscale modeling approach utilized in this work can be applied to new fuel concepts being explored for both LWRs and advanced reactors (e.g., uranium nitride, uranium carbide).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

In situ monitoring of microstructure evolution during thermal processing of uranium-zirconium alloys using laser-generated ultrasound

In this study, laser-generated ultrasound was used to monitor microstructure evolution during thermal processing of as-cast, polycrystalline binary uranium-zirconium metallic fuel alloys with compositions of U-20wt.%Zr (U-20Zr), U-50wt.%Zr (U-50Zr) and U-80wt.%Zr (U-80Zr). Ultrasonic waveforms were recorded during heating and cooling the samples from room temperature to >973 K and back. A phase transition temperature for all three compositions was estimated from the temperature at which an abrupt and rapid reduction in ultrasonic velocities was observed. Microstructural features on the length scale of tens of micrometers were inferred from the observation of scattering of ultrasonic waves by elastic heterogeneities above ~823 K in U-20Zr, while a hysteresis in the ultrasonic velocities of U-80Zr upon cooling was attributed to a partial retention of the high temperature phase following thermal annealing. The U-50Zr alloy exhibited a reversible viscoelastic response above 933 K, as evidenced by the observation of high frequency attenuation of the shear component of the waveforms at high temperature. Ultrasonic measurements were supplemented by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM images revealed that the δ-U-Zr matrix in the three compositions underwent a spinodal decomposition above ~823 K into nanoscale regions. The ultrasonic measurements revealed larger, micron-scale structure evolution in the U-20Zr alloy at the same temperature. This large-scale structure is associated with heterogeneous regions having different Zr content. Our findings show the potential heating rate dependence of microstructural evolution in U-Zr alloys and highlight differences in the thermomechanical response and associated length scales during thermal annealing between single- and dual-phase compositions. These results demonstrate the utility of laser ultrasonics to rapidly and efficiently scan phase boundaries and monitor micrometer-scale structure evolution in metallic fuel alloys.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fracture toughness evaluations for spent nuclear fuel dry storage canister welds and spent nuclear fuel clad-pellet structures

Integrity of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) interim storage canisters is very important to the safety of the back-end nuclear fuel cycle. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) potential of interim storage canister has been considered as a high priority. Because no post-weld heat treatment was required for forming these canisters, the high tensile residual stress existed within these canister welds. This can change the fracture resistance capacity significantly as well as increase SCC potential. Due to relative thin shell thickness of a canister weldment, the spiral notch torsion test (SNTT) method was used to estimate the canister weldment fracture toughness. SNTT was developed to measure the intrinsic fracture toughness of structural materials using small specimens. The SNTT method has been applied to a wide variety of structural materials, such as low-alloy steels, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, ceramics, concrete, and composites. The SNTT system operates by applying pure torsion to cylindrical specimens with a notch line that spirals around the specimen at a 45° pitch. In order to carry out pure torsion load mode, biaxial tension/torsion tester was developed accordingly to perform SNTT protocol. Moreover, applying fracture mechanics approach to SNF system reliability investigation is warranted due to the inherent flaws and hydride structures existed in a SNF system after nuclear reactor operation. However, none of the existing fracture toughness data deal with fuel cladding specific geometry or spent fuel material conditions, such as cladding structure with the pellet-inserts and the associated pellet clad mechanical interactions induced mixed-mode damage mechanisms. Thus, the development of an intrinsic fracture mechanics approach that is suitable for SNF materials is needed. Furthermore, due to thin wall and small dimension of clad tubing structure, the SNTT method was used to estimate the clad tubing structure fracture toughness. Fracture testing were performed on the received stainless steel canister weldment, most SNTT weld samples fracture initiation sites are at heat-affected zone (HAZ) regions. The estimated fracture toughness J Q ’ for the baseline SS304 steel is at 283 kJ/m². The estimated JQ’ for the SS304/308 weld and baseline metals are 148 kJ/m 2 and 459 kJ/m 2 , respectively. Out of cell fracture testing for spent fuel structure were carried out on the surrogate rods made of Zr-4 clad and alumina inserts, the estimated fracture toughness values for baseline Zr-4 cladding with alumina-pellet inserts are: (1) For SNTT samples with a short or medium crack length, between 5.4-mm and 8-mm, the estimate J IQ upon fracture initiation for the baseline Zr-4 cladding is at 50 kJ/m 2 with 2-sigma uncertainty of 3.26 kJ/m 2 , and the associated K IQ is at 67.46 MPa$\sqrt{m}$; and (2) For SNTT samples with a long crack length, around 13-mm, the crack initialization is deviated from that of the Mode-I tensile fracture and appears to be a mixed-mode fracture of Mode I - tensile stress and Mode III - out of plane shear stress; the estimated J MQ is at 18.9 kJ/m 2 , the associated K MQ is at 41.4 MPa$\sqrt{m}$.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Safeguarding Reactors and Spent Nuclear Fuel [Slides]

Highly enriched fuel contains large quantities of ²³⁵U; Burned fuel may contain large quantities of ²³⁹Pu; Reprocessing is the major threat (discussed at length later), but we need to ensure the amount of plutonium going to the reprocessing plant is what we believe it to be; All nuclear material needs to be accounted for (material accountancy); There may be a loss of continuity of knowledge in which case fuel needs to be measured to determine how much plutonium and uranium it contains.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Preliminary Neutronics Design and Analysis of the Fast Modular Reactor

General Atomics is developing a new 100-MW(thermal) fast modular reactor (FMR) that provides safe, carbon-free electricity and is capable of incremental capacity additions. The modular design allows it to be factory built and assembled onsite to keep the capital cost low, while the use of dry cooling facilitates siting to complement renewables in nearly any location. The FMR uses high-assay low-enriched uranium-dioxide fuel encapsulated by recognized irradiationresistant silicon carbide composite (SiGA®) cladding that is derisked in the current accident-tolerant fuel program. The FMR fuel assembly is a hexagonal fuel bundle of 120 fuel rods. The total length of the fuel assembly is less than 4 m, with an active fuel length of 1.8 m. The fuel assemblies are configured in an annular core that is located and supported by the reactor internals. The coolant material is helium at a normal operating pressure of 7 MPa. The core is surrounded by zirconium silicide (Zr 3 Si 2 ) and graphite reflector blocks. The fuel, coolant, internals, and reflectors are contained within a reactor pressure vessel. Here, the preliminary nuclear design and analysis established the arrangement of the active core and reflector blocks. The nuclear design analyses of the FMR defined the design parameters, such as fuel enrichments, excess reactivity, fueling scheme, fuel cycle, power distribution, and control rod worth. The preliminary conceptual design determined the three-batch fueling scheme with the allowable total power peaking factor of 1.5. The average discharge burnup is 100 GW days per ton of uranium.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

TCO Analysis Approach and Regional Analysis of dWPT for Class 8 Tractors

Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (dWPT) is a method by which battery electric vehicles (BEVs) can charge their battery while traveling on the road without the need for a physical conductive connection to the power source. dWPT has been proposed as a strategy to enable a reduction in vehicle battery capacity and associated mass and cost. In this slide deck presented at the EVs@Scale Consortium - Wireless Power Transfer Pillar Deep-Dive Meeting on November 11th, 2023, NREL provides results from an evaluation of dWPT using data from Class 8 tractors driving in the Atlanta Metro Area. NREL selected data for archetypal days representing local, regional, and long-haul trips, defined according to trip length, that included travel on primary roadways. EVI-InMotion (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure - InMotion), a systems planning and optimization tool developed at NREL, was used to evaluate dWPT performance assuming dWPT charging on 120 road segments for a total roadway lane distance of 2,365 miles. The EVI-InMotion results and representative day drive cycles were analyzed with NREL's T3CO (Transportation Technology Total Cost of Ownership) tool to estimate the total cost of ownership (TCO) for scenarios comprising two model years - 2030 and 2040 - and two technology progress cases. TCO was calculated for diesel, fuel cell electric, BEVs with batteries sized assuming no dWPT capabilities, and 200kWh BEVs with dWPT installed. This analysis finds that en-route stationary charging frequency and downtime when not on electrified roadways are the main contributors to TCO for the dWPT vehicles and that these vehicles can achieve cost parity with FCEVs at low electricity costs. Based on the scenario assumptions used here, low electricity costs would further help the cost parity with diesel vehicles in regional and long-haul cases due to stationary fueling downtime. This presentation also concludes that key factors affecting the parity potential of dWPT-capable vehicles include more extensive dWPT road coverage, higher en-route charging power, less expensive power batteries, and higher hydrogen or diesel fuel costs.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY PLANNING, POLIC↗

Update on the Current R&D Activity in the U.S.

This presentation is to fulfil DOE commitment to GIF VHTR Materials PMB. Notched creep rupture testing: Weldment V-notch specimen test finished. 800C 60MPa, 15,716 hour rupture life. Two double V-notch specimen tests have finished. Crack growth tests: System modification was required for creep and creep-fatigue testing, Epsilon 3548COD Extensometer has been ordered, to allow load-line displacement measurements, to be paired with direct current potential drop already used to measure crack length, Sample redesigned in accordance to ASTM E2760 and E1457 to allow for both creep and creep-fatigue crack growth rate testing. Alloy 800H Weldments (1/2) and Alloy 800H Weldments (2/2), Variable Fatigue Testing, and Multi=axial Stress Relaxation. Continue work to finish 800H model, examine ?universal? constitutive model form.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fact Sheet - Long-length Scintillating Fibers for Radiation Detection

As the world looks to underground geological repositories for storing nuclear waste, technologies to safeguard the material are needed. An example of a project that developed a new technology is Tripwire. Tripwire proposes a multi-sensor system approach for geological spent nuclear fuel repositories that relies of radiation, vibration, and electromagnetic detection. Tripwire was developed by the Applied Radiation Measurements and Systems (ARMS) group at INL and sponsored by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The ARMS group performs research and development, testing and evaluation, operational support, and training focused on applied ionizing radiation detection and measurement. Application areas include nuclear engineering for advanced reactors and fuel cycle operations, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear counterproliferation, nuclear forensics, and arms control and disarmament.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗