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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Core loading pattern optimization of thorium fueled heavy water breeder reactor using genetic algorithm

In this work genetic algorithm was proposed to solve fuel loading pattern optimization problem in thorium fueled heavy water reactor. The objective function of optimization was to maximize the conversion ratio and minimize power peaking factor. Those objectives were simultaneously optimized using non-dominated Pareto-based population ranking optimal method. Members of non-dominated population were assigned selection probabilities based on their rankings in a manner similar to Baker's single criterion ranking selection procedure. A selected non-dominated member was bred through simple mutation or one-point crossover process to produce a new member. The genetic algorithm program was developed in FORTRAN 90 while neutronic calculation and analysis was done by COREBN code, a module of core burn-up calculation for SRAC. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

TU-AB-BRC-10: Modeling of Radiotherapy Linac Source Terms Using ARCHER Monte Carlo Code: Performance Comparison of GPU and MIC Computing Accelerators

Purpose: (1) To perform phase space (PS) based source modeling for Tomotherapy and Varian TrueBeam 6 MV Linacs, (2) to examine the accuracy and performance of the ARCHER Monte Carlo code on a heterogeneous computing platform with Many Integrated Core coprocessors (MIC, aka Xeon Phi) and GPUs, and (3) to explore the software micro-optimization methods. Methods: The patient-specific source of Tomotherapy and Varian TrueBeam Linacs was modeled using the PS approach. For the helical Tomotherapy case, the PS data were calculated in our previous study (Su et al. 2014 41(7) Medical Physics). For the single-view Varian TrueBeam case, we analytically derived them from the raw patient-independent PS data in IAEA’s database, partial geometry information of the jaw and MLC as well as the fluence map. The phantom was generated from DICOM images. The Monte Carlo simulation was performed by ARCHER-MIC and GPU codes, which were benchmarked against a modified parallel DPM code. Software micro-optimization was systematically conducted, and was focused on SIMD vectorization of tight for-loops and data prefetch, with the ultimate goal of increasing 512-bit register utilization and reducing memory access latency. Results: Dose calculation was performed for two clinical cases, a Tomotherapy-based prostate cancer treatment and a TrueBeam-based left breast treatment. ARCHER was verified against the DPM code. The statistical uncertainty of the dose to the PTV was less than 1%. Using double-precision, the total wall time of the multithreaded CPU code on a X5650 CPU was 339 seconds for the Tomotherapy case and 131 seconds for the TrueBeam, while on 3 5110P MICs it was reduced to 79 and 59 seconds, respectively. The single-precision GPU code on a K40 GPU took 45 seconds for the Tomotherapy dose calculation. Conclusion: We have extended ARCHER, the MIC and GPU-based Monte Carlo dose engine to Tomotherapy and Truebeam dose calculations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Automated Calculation of Bulk-Stamping Matrices for Circular Blanks

The bulk stamping of circular blanks is considered. There is a clear need for automatic stamping. The input and output data for calculating the working part of the bulk-stamping matrix are analyzed. Software for automated calculation of bulk-stamping matrices is developed. The program code and a possible interface for the calculation of matrix parameters and construction of 3D models by means of the Object Pascal language are presented.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Flow instabilities in helical-coil steam generators for small modular reactors: A review

Here, this study covers the research and discoveries in two-phase flow-boiling instabilities available in the literature—specifically for a helical-coil steam generator (HCSG), including experimental findings, theoretical research, computational models, and system code analyses—supporting research and development of representative small modular reactors (SMRs). Like other new and advanced reactor systems, water-cooled SMRs require experimental data from both integral and separate thermal-hydraulics test facilities for the verification and validation (V&V) of the computational models and computer codes in order to design and obtain regulatory approval. The complex dynamics of two-phase flow-boiling instabilities includes flow regimes physics phenomena, flow-channel geometries, heat-transfer behavior, and interactions among the solid–liquid-gas within the system boundary, all of which are pivotal for understanding the design and operational challenges of SMRs. This study focuses on identifying the relevant knowledge gaps on boiling instabilities—specifically for a HCSG—and provides insights about future research direction optimizing the transport of thermal energy, mass-flow rates, and boundary conditions that ensure the adequate heat-transfer performance, operational stability, and safety associated with SMR systems.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Trace Driven Data Structure Transformations

As the complexity of scientific codes and computational hardware increases it is increasingly important to study the effects of data-structure layouts on program memory behavior. Program structure layouts affect the memory performance differently, therefore we need the capability to effectively study such transformations without the need to rewrite application codes. Trace-driven simulations are an effective and convenient mechanism to simulate program behavior at various granularities. During an application s execution, a tool known as a tracer or profiler, collects program flow data and records program instructions. The trace-file consists of tuples that associate each program instruction with program internal variables. In this paper we outline a proof-of-concept mechanism to apply data-structure transformations during trace simulation and observe effects on memory without the need to manually transform an application s code.

cache locality↗

The global version of the gyrokinetic turbulence code GENE

The understanding and prediction of transport due to plasma microturbulence is a key open problem in modern plasma physics, and a grand challenge for fusion energy research. Ab initio simulations of such small-scale, low-frequency turbulence are to be based on the gyrokinetic equations, a set of nonlinear integro-differential equations in reduced (five-dimensional) phase space. In the present paper, the extension of the well-established and widely used gyrokinetic code GENE [F. Jenko, W. Dorland, M. Kotschenreuther, B.N. Rogers, Electron temperature gradient driven turbulence, Phys. Plasmas 7 (2000) 1904-1910] from a radially local to a radially global (nonlocal) version is described. The necessary modifications of both the basic equations and the employed numerical methods are detailed, including, e.g., the change from spectral methods to finite difference and interpolation techniques in the radial direction and the implementation of sources and sinks. In addition, code verification studies and benchmarks are presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Security analysis of boolean algebra based on Zhang-Wang digital signature scheme

In 2005, Zhang and Wang proposed an improvement signature scheme without using one-way hash function and message redundancy. In this paper, we show that this scheme exits potential safety concerns through the analysis of boolean algebra, such as bitwise exclusive-or, and point out that mapping is not one to one between assembly instructions and machine code actually by means of the analysis of the result of the assembly program segment, and which possibly causes safety problems unknown to the software.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

CLARA: A Contemporary Approach to Physics Data Processing

In traditional physics data processing (PDP) systems, data location is static and is accessed by analysis applications. In comparison, CLARA (CLAS12 Reconstruction and Analysis framework) is an environment where data processing algorithms filter continuously flowing data. In CLARA's domain of loosely coupled services, data is not stored, but rather flows from one service to another, mutating constantly along the way. Agents, performing event processing, can then subscribe to particular data/events at any stage of the data transformation, and make intricate decisions (e.g. particle ID) by correlating events from multiple, parallel data streams and/or services. This paper presents a PDP application development framework based on service oriented and event driven architectures. This system allows users to design (Java, C++, and Python languages are supported) and deploy data processing services, as well as dynamically compose PDP applications using available services. The PDP service bus provides a layer on top of a distributed pub-sub middleware implementation, which allows complex service composition and integration without writing code. Examples of service creation and deployment, along with the CLAS12 track reconstruction application design will be presented.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

SU-E-T-194: From Dicom-RT to Radiobiological Dose Metrics in 5 Minutes

Purpose: To develop a flexible and standalone framework for batch calculation of radiobiological dose metrics from Dicom-RT. Methods: Software has been developed which allows (1) The calculation of DVH data from DICOM dose and structure files (DVHgenerator), (2) Calculation of a wide range of radiobiological metrics from this data (CompPlanGui). Both these tools are run via graphical user interface (GUI), making them fast and simple. Part 1 is a new tool which has not previously been published, whilst part 2 is a GUI overlay for the previously published software ‘Comp-Plan’ (Holloway et. al., Medical Dosimetry, 2012), previously reliant on command line interface. The time taken for an experienced user to evaluate a test case of 6 plans with and without CompPlanGUI was quantified. Results: The DVH-generator has been found to be faster, more robust and require far less physical memory then using alternative software solutions for the same purpose. The Comp Plan GUI significantly reduces the amount of time required to set up a base directory, eliminates code crashes arising from typographical errors, and renders the code far more accessible to non-expert users. It took an experienced user of the code around 3 minutes to set up a base directory of 6 plans compared around 8 minutes without, indicating that using CompPlanGUI reduced setup time by over 50%. Conclusion: A standalone GUI based framework has developed which allows for the batch calculation of radiobiological dose metrics directly from Dicom-RT files. As with the original code, this work will be made freely available on request, as well as via matlab file exchange.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Substantiation of parameters of the geometric model of the research reactor core for the calculation using the Monte Carlo method

The choice of the spatial nodalization for the calculation of the power density and burnup distribution in a research reactor core with fuel assemblies of the IRT-3M and VVR-KN type using the program based on the Monte Carlo code is described. The influence of the spatial nodalization on the results of calculating basic neutronic characteristics and calculation time is investigated.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

On the image of AGS 3 He 2+ $\vec{n}$ 0 in the blue

This note addresses the transport of Helion spin $\vec{n}$ 0 vector, from its periodic orientation in the AGS to RHIC Blue ring injection kicker, via the AGS extraction system and the AtR line. The goal is to investigate optimal injection energy into RHIC, in the matter of Helion spin matching, in the hypothesis of equal warm and cold snake strengths in the AGS. The study uses recently computed OPERA 3-D field maps of the AGS cold snake, including possibility of independent solenoid and helix settings (as discussed in Tech. Note C-A/AP/485), together with the machinery of the AGS and AtR models developed in the stepwise ray-tracing code Zgoubi. Computing tools and methods employed are discussed as well, in order to facilitate possible further checks or investigations. They are however similar to those used in an earlier study regarding the image in RHIC Blue and Yellow of AGS $\vec{n}$ 0 via the AtR in the case of proton beam (Tech. Note C-A/AP/502), which can be referred to for additional details.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Validation of the U.S. NRC coupled code system TRITON/TRACE/PARCS with the special power excursion reactor test III (SPERT III)

The Special Power Excursion Reactor Test III (SPERT III) was a series of reactivity insertion experiments conducted in the 1950's. This paper describes the validation of the U.S. NRC Coupled Code system TRITON/PARCS/TRACE to simulate reactivity insertion accidents (RIA) by using several of the SPERT III tests. The work here used the SPERT III E-core configuration tests in which the RIA was initiated by ejecting a control rod. The resulting super-prompt reactivity excursion and negative reactivity feedback produced the familiar bell shaped power increase and decrease. The energy deposition during such a power peak has important safety consequences and provides validation basis for core coupled multi-physics codes. The transients of five separate tests are used to benchmark the PARCS/TRACE coupled code. The models were thoroughly validated using the original experiment documentation. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Effect of IAEA patch for TRANSX2.15 - 25264

IAEA released two unofficial patches for TRANSX2.15 for the MATXS file of FENDL-2.0 in 1998, but the patches have not been known well. The first patch is for all MATXS files, while the second one is effective only for MATXS files with mixed data types, which are very rare. This paper demonstrates with simple calculations that the first patch is essential because it solves a problem of extremely large neutron fluxes caused by the original TRANSX2.15 code. We hope that the patch will be included in the official TRANSX2.15 release. (authors)

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

AMPX: A Modern cross section processing system for generating nuclear data libraries - 14619

Nuclear data libraries are essential for nuclear analysis code systems like SCALE. AMPX has been continuously developed since the early 1970's and is used to generate these data libraries for SCALE. Recently, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) initiated a major modernization effort to position AMPX for continued development and deployment on modern computing platforms. An important step toward modernization has been to merge AMPX under the SCALE continuous integration (CI) development framework. As a result, AMPX is now developed under the SCALE software quality assurance plan, providing increased confidence in the quality of data libraries developed and deployed by AMPX. This merge allowed us to develop novel methods to generate self-shielding factors that combine SCALE's resonance self-shielding capabilities with the AMPX library-generation capabilities. AMPX processes Evaluated Nuclear Data Format (ENDF/B) files. The ENDF community is working to develop a more modern format that will replace the existing ENDF/B format. Due to strict space and memory requirements when AMPX was first developed, the original AMPX processing and reading of ENDF data were tightly integrated. On newer computer systems, this is no longer necessary. Now there is a separation between reading and processing which allows for simultaneous support of current and new ENDF formats. As a result, AMPX is positioned to adopt any new ENDF format when available. For end users, the modernization effort has resulted in improved processing capabilities for generating nuclear data libraries. The objective of the paper is to document the latest AMPX cross-section processing capabilities and provide the current status of the AMPX modernization effort. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗

MARS-KS code validation activity through the atlas domestic standard problem

The 2 nd Domestic Standard Problem (DSP-02) exercise using the ATLAS integral effect test data was executed to transfer the integral effect test data to domestic nuclear industries and to contribute to improving the safety analysis methodology for PWRs. A small break loss of coolant accident of a 6-inch break at the cold leg was determined as a target scenario by considering its technical importance and by incorporating interests from participants. Ten calculation results using MARS-KS code were collected, major prediction results were described qualitatively and code prediction accuracy was assessed quantitatively using the FFTBM. In addition, special code assessment activities were carried out to find out the area where the model improvement is required in the MARS-KS code. The lessons from this DSP-02 and recommendations to code developers are described in this paper. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗