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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 127 records · Page 7

Report on the recovery of legacy 1997-1998 Depth-of-Burial / Tunnel-and-Hole-Closure explosion data from the Kazakhstan former Soviet nuclear test site, Semipalatinsk.

In 1996, negotiations between the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC), the U.S. Defense Special Weapons Administration (DSWA) and the U.S. Department of Energy led to an agreement for a joint series of experiments at the former Soviet nuclear test site Semipalatinsk (STS). These experiments had a dual purpose: to close holes and tunnels originally created for the purpose of testing nuclear weapons, and to characterize explosive sources at a former nuclear test site. This report covers the recovery of legacy data from the experiments conduct in 1997 and 1998. Two teams collected data. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), in collaboration with the NNC, collected the near-source (local) data out to approximately 20 km. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), with funding from Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLNL), also in collaboration with NNC, collected regional data, 200 – 1000 km distant, leveraging the KZ regional seismic network that LDEO had recently installed in collaboration with NNC. The two teams also worked together to some extent, regarding instrumentation and planning. This report primarily addresses the near-source data collected by the LANL/NNC team.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

FY2020 performance assessment annual review for the E-area low-level waste facility

The Savannah River Site (SRS) E-Area Low-Level Waste Facility (ELLWF) consists of six types of disposal units described in the Performance Assessment (PA) (WSRC, 2008): Low Activity Waste Vault (LAWV), Intermediate Level Vault (ILV), Trenches [Slit Trenches (STs), Engineered Trenches (ETs), and Component-in-Grout (CIG) Trenches], and Naval Reactor Component Disposal Areas (NRCDAs). The ELLWF is a part of the Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF). SWMF is managed and operated by the SRS Management and Operations prime contractor, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS). Within SRNS, the Solid Waste Management (SWM) organization is responsible for operating the SWMF, and the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is the technical agency responsible for preparing and maintaining the PA. SWMF operations have been performed at SRS since 1952. The mission of the SWMF is to provide storage, processing, disposal, and shipment of radioactive, hazardous, and mixed waste. The SWMF is committed to treat, store, and dispose of these waste products in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of the facility worker, the co-located worker, and the offsite general public. Wastes handled in the SWMF include low level waste, transuranic waste, hazardous waste, Toxic Substances Control Act waste, and mixed waste (containing both hazardous and radioactive constituents). The FY2020 PA Annual Review for the ELLWF affirms that the disposal facility continued to operate within the bounds of the current PA and Composite Analysis (CA) baseline and the subsequent SA’s and satisfied all the requirements, conditions, and limitations identified in the 2008 DAS (DOE 2008a), RWMB SRNL_STI-2020-00588 Revision 0 vi (McGill, 2020), and ELLWF Low-Level Waste Acceptance Criteria (SRS-1S, 2014). This annual review affirms that the supporting studies performed in FY2020 do not alter the conclusions of the ELLWF PA (WSRC, 2008) and that there is a reasonable expectation that the ELLWF will meet the performance objectives delineated in DOE Manual 435.1-1 (DOE 2011)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Overview of the Strategic Goods Identification Instructor Training [Slides]

The slides provide an overview of the training course, including course objectives and agenda topics for the 5 days expected. The goal of this course is to establish a core team of Malaysian interagency experts to serve as: 1. Instructors for STS’s recurring STA2010 and Strategic Goods Identification courses; and 2. Technical Strategic Goods List experts when either licensing or enforcement actions require technical consultation or “reachback".

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Titanium Material Comparison for Second Target Station Moderators

Two titanium alloys, Ti 15-3-3-3 and Grade 5 Ti, have been analyzed for their neutronic differences after being exposed to neutron fluxes from a 5-year operational period in the Second Target Station (STS)moderators. There are several differences in the original composition of the two alloys where Ti 15-3-3-3contains Cr and Sn and Grade 5 Ti does not. The differences in original composition propagate through the analysis to yield discrepancies in decay power density and decay gamma intensity density of more than a factor of 3.5 at some times during operation. Immediately after the 5-year operational period, Ti 15-3-3-3has a factor of 3.59 higher intensity of high-energy decay gammas than Grade 5 Ti, and Ti 15-3-3-3 also has a factor of 3.53 higher decay power than Grade 5 Ti. After 1 year of shutdown, Ti 15-3-3-3 has a 48% higher intensity of high-energy decay gammas and a 86% greater decay power density when compared with Grade 5 Ti. The quantities-of-interest in this report are per unit volume and the overall volume of titanium should be considered when making engineering judgment on final titanium alloy selection.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mersen Grade 2114: A Comparison of Tensile Strength Data

The ASTM Brazilian disc graphite strength (splitting tensile strength, σ sts ) test method (ASTM D8289) is of interest because the small-specimen geometry is compatible with that of environmental effects specimens, thus allowing for environmental effects such as irradiation, irradiation creep, or oxidation on tensile strength to be investigated. The Brazilian disc strength of Mersen grade 2114 graphite is reported and compared with strength data previously obtained using larger cylindrical ASTM dog-bone specimens.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Performance Assessment for the E-Area Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility at the Savannah River Site: Chapter 4

This chapter describes the GW flow and transport conceptual models in the VZ for both generic and special waste forms in STs, ETs, LAWV, ILV, and NRCDAs. The development and implementation of the GoldSim® system model for trenches is also introduced. The Trench System Model is used for sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification as reported in Chapter 6.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Performance Assessment for the E-Area Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility at the Savannah River Site: Chapter 5

This chapter presents selected GW flow and radionuclide contaminant transport results from PORFLOW for the VZ and aquifer zone for each type of DU (STs, ETs, LAWV, ILV, and NRCDAs). Results for the nominal PA compliance case and various sensitivity cases are given. Results for the VZ include water saturation spatial profiles and radionuclide flux-to-the-water- table time profiles. Aquifer zone results include maximum concentration spatial contours; radionuclide concentration time profiles at the 100-meter POA; and peak concentrations at the 100-meter POA and time of occurrence for each modeled radionuclide.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Performance Assessment for the E-Area Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility at the Savannah River Site: Appendix D

This appendix to Chapter 5, Section 5.1 provides supplemental concentration profiles for radionuclide species in STs and ETs that contribute to at least 0.1% of the sum-of-fractions. All concentrations are reported as pCi L -1 per Ci parent buried. The following nomenclature is used for all radionuclides in all DUs: an uppercase letter suffix indicates a SWF (e.g., I-129G, C-14N, H-3F, etc.), while the absence of an uppercase letter denotes a generic waste form (e.g., I-129, C-14, H-3, etc.).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Spallation Neutron Source Second Target Station Construction Project: Biological Assessment

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 153 et seq.), as amended (ESA or Act) in section 7(a)(1) directs Federal agencies to conserve and recover listed species and use their authorities in the furtherance of the purposes of the Act by carrying out programs for the conservation of endangered and threatened species so that listing is no longer necessary (50 CFR §402). Furthermore, the Act in section 7(a)(2) directs Federal agencies to consult (referred to as section 7 consultation) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) when their activities “may affect” a listed species or designated critical habitat. This biological assessment (BA) analyzes the potential effects of the proposed Spallation Neutron Source Second Target Station STS construction project on the U. S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) on Federal listed threatened, endangered, proposed, and under consideration for Federal listing bat species, pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the ESA.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Uncertainty Quantification of Monolithic Tungsten Target Block Fatigue

The current STS spallation target design consists of 21 water cooled, tantalum clad, monolithic tungsten blocks. The target wheel assembly rotates such that each target block receives a direct proton pulse every 1.4 seconds (21 blocks / 15 Hz pulses). The quasi-steady heating induced by the repetitive beam pulses creates a significant mean stress distribution in the target. On top of this, the rapid energy deposition from a proton pulse induces dynamic stress waves that are of the same order of magnitude as the mean stresses. Over the design goal of 5,000 operational hours per year for a decade, each target must withstand over 130 million repetitions of these dynamic stress events. The fatigue life prediction of the target blocks is a complex sequence of simulations that depend upon a set of input parameters. For the tungsten block, the end goal is the fatigue factor-of-safety (FOS). This study documents a new structural analysis routine using software available to U.S. national laboratories (e.g. CUBIT, Sierra Multiphysics, Dakota) that enables more rapid target fatigue analysis. The increased throughput is amenable to parameter sensitivity and uncertainty quantification (UQ) studies. A set of input parameters (ultimate strength, fatigue strength, density, elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, specific heat, flow rate) with expected ranges are documented based on literature data, recent experimental testing, and engineering judgement. UQ bounds the resulting fatigue FOS at [0.5, 3.4] using epistemic interval analysis. These bounds are expected to be wider due to model effects (discretization) and beam effects (focus, offset) that were not included. Parameter sensitivity underscores the importance of ultimate strength and fatigue strength of irradiated tungsten on the fatigue calculations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Sierra/SolidMechanics for Target Pulse Analysis

Sierra is a Multiphysics engineering simulation software suite developed and maintained by Sandia National Laboratories. Created for nuclear weapon needs, it is available to national laboratories with a foreign national restriction. The STS Target Systems analysis team is interested in using Sierra to perform explicit dynamics simulations of the tantalum clad tungsten target blocks as a response to sudden temperature changes induced by proton beam pulses. The capability already exists with Abaqus|Explicit, however, there are time and cost limitations due to licensing. The following document serves as a “quick-start” guide to the successful setup, simulation, and post-processing of a target model in Sierra on the OZ3 computing cluster at the Spallation Neutron Source.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NSTX-U National Research Program: White Paper in Response to Call from FESAC Sub-Committee

Both scientific and technical innovation is needed for the realization of an attractive engineering solution for a timely and cost-effective Pilot Plant, the design and construction of which is the overarching recommendation of the FESAC Long Range Plan, and the 2021 NASEM Pilot Plant reports, which underpin the Bold Decadal Vision. The two most significant plasma physics gaps to close for a Compact Pilot Plant (CPP) are core confinement improvement and heat flux mitigation, neither of which have been closed in an integrated fashion for any planned fusion power production device. High core confinement and stability are essential for producing majority self-driven plasmas in CPPs with reduced size and auxiliary heating power requirements, with an improvement in confinement being the major driver for cost reduction of a CPP. The National Spherical Tokamak Experiment - Upgrade (NSTX-U) is a unique low aspect ratio research facility that will address the fundamental challenge of developing the science and technology basis for a CPP design that integrates high core and edge confinement with the ability to mitigate very high incident heat fluxes. NSTX-U capabilities will enable the high performance, already achieved on NSTX, to extend into physics regimes much closer to those anticipated in Spherical Tokamak (ST)-based CPPs. These confinement and stability properties will be assessed by a full complement of diagnostics and analysis tools, which will also aid in the development of the underlying theory and predictive models needed for further optimization. Both conventional and transformative heat flux mitigation methods, such as liquid lithium plasma-facing components, will be developed and tested in-situ in NSTX-U at incident heat fluxes of ~100 MW/m 2 , and will inform plans and reduce risk for a subsequent major upgrade to the device to fully heated, high-Z wall and full liquid lithium divertor capability, a technology that potentially could then be implemented on any magnetic confinement device at any aspect ratio. NSTX-U research is fully complementary to programs performed on other STs, nationally and internationally. Furthermore, NSTX-U research has a direct connection to the private sector by informing design choices for future power production facilities being developed by these companies. The NSTX-U program will operate as a national User Facility, with collaborating researchers, engineers, and graduate students from 19 outside institutions, and open to participation and experiments led by researchers from both public and private entities. The research program will advance workforce development through training of young scientists, engineers, and technicians, and it will also serve for further diagnostic innovation, especially for high heat flux and high-Z wall environments, and implementation of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) for plasma and heat flux control.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Mersen Grade 2114: Tensile Strength from Brazilian Disc Testing

The ASTM Brazilian disc graphite strength (splitting tensile strength, σ sts ) test method (ASTM D8289) is of interest because the small-specimen geometry is compatible with that of environmental effects specimens, thus allowing for environmental effects such as irradiation, irradiation creep, or oxidation on tensile strength to be investigated. The Brazilian disc strength of Mersen grade 2114 graphite (billet 116310 slab 1) is reported and compared with strength data previously obtained using larger cylindrical ASTM dog-bone specimens and with Brazilian disc strength data obtained from billet 116310 slab 5.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Improved Chopper System for a Direct Geometry Spectrometer at the Second Target Station

This report describes a chopper cascade suitable for a cold direct geometry spectrometer at a pulsed neutron source with a low repetition rate such as the Second Target Station (STS) currently being planned at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The chopper cascade offers the following capabilities: selection of a variable number of pulses per frame (flexible pulse suppression), selection of pulses with increasing timing separation within one frame, and an increasing pulse width ∆t within one frame, in order to achieve an even energy resolution over several pulses at different wavelengths across the frame.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Spallation Neutron Source Proton Power Upgrade (PPU) Project: Lessons Learned for CD-4

The SNS PPU project goals were to design, build, install and test the equipment necessary to double the accelerator power from 1.4 MW to 2.8 MW and to deliver a 2.0 MW qualified target. PPU also included the provision of a stub-out in the SNS accumulator-ring-to-target tunnel to facilitate a rapid connection to a new proton beamline for the Second Target Station (STS) project. The power capability was doubled by increasing the proton beam energy by 33% and the peak beam current by 50%, relative to pre-PPU accelerator performance. The project also included modifications to some buildings and services. The PPU project accomplished the energy upgrade by fabricating and installing new superconducting radiofrequency (RF) cryomodules, with supporting RF equipment, in the existing linac tunnel and klystron gallery, respectively. The High Voltage Converter Modulators (HVCM) and klystrons for some of the existing installed RF equipment were upgraded to handle the higher beam current. The increased beam power of 2 MW on the First Target Station (FTS) was enabled by the addition of a new high-volume gas injection system for pressure pulse and cavitation mitigation in the mercury target and a redesigned mercury target vessel.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Multimodal Instrument Concepts for Chemical Sciences at Second Target Station

The development of advanced chemical and energy systems is inherently complex, relying heavily on their unique pathways. Because no two catalysts or batteries follow exactly the same kinetic trajectories, conventional sequential measurements often obscure crucial relationships between structure and dynamics through statistical averaging. This report introduces two neutron scattering instrument concepts for the Second Target Station (STS) specifically designed to overcome this barrier: the Extended Q-range Diffractometer (EQD) and the Multimodal Chemical Spectrometer (MCS).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Moderator Optimization for the Second Target Station Final Design

This report details the results from the optimization simulations performed for the final design of the Second Target Station (STS). This is a continuation of the analysis performed in 2022 for the preliminary design. To evaluate the impact of the design changes since 2022, the analysis was repeated with updated target and moderator models. Additionally, more degrees of freedom have been considered in the premoderator dimensions which provide a refinement compared to the previous optimization analysis.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Data for: Subsurface Interface Structure Controlling Local Electronic Properties of Epitaxial Graphene on SiC(0001)

Recently realized high-mobility semiconducting epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide, provided an important step towards integration of the graphene-based system into active components in post-silicon micro- and nano-electronics. However, the exact atomic-scale structure and the complex bonding configurations of the first epitaxial graphene carbon layer remain an open problem. Our recent report has shed new light on understanding this interface, where the external transverse electric field-dependent dynamic switching behavior of the Cbuffer-SiC bonds was observed. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS), we present the direct evidence of silicon (Si) vacancies at the interface and provide their distribution at the topmost reconstructed SiC(0001) layer. Experimental STM and density functional theory modeling data were used in the preparation of figures in a published article in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. Files related to the figures and supplementary materials in the article are present in this dataset in .txt format.

Condensed matter imaging↗