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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Testing in Support of Space Fission System Development and Qualification

Extensive data would be required for the qualification of a fission surface power (FSP) system. The strategy for qualifying a FSP system could have a significant programmatic impact. This paper explores potential options that could be used for qualifying FSP systems, including cost-effective means for obtaining required data. three methods for obtaining qualification data are analysis, non-nuclear testing, and nuclear testing. It has been over 40 years since the US qualified a space reactor for launch. During that time, advances have been made related to all three methods. Perhaps the greatest advancement has occurred in the area of computational tools for design and analysis. Tools that have been developed, coupled with modem computers, would have a significant impact on a FSP qualification. This would be especially true for systems with materials and fuels operating well within temperature, irradiation damage, and burnup limits. The ability to perform highly realistic non-nuclear testing has also advanced throughout the past four decades. Instrumented thermal simulators were developed during the 1970s and 1980s to assist in the development, operation, and assessment of terrestrial fission systems. Instrumented thermal simulators optimized for assisting in the development, operation, and assessment of modem FSP systems have been under development (and utilized) since 1998. These thermal simulators enable heat from fission to be closely mimicked (axial power profile, radial power profile, temperature, heat flux, etc.} and extensive data to be taken from the core region. Both steady-state and transient operation can be tested. For transient testing, reactivity feedback is calculated (or measured in cold/warm criticals) based on reactor temperature and/or dimensional changes. Pin power during a transient is then calculated based on the reactivity feedback that would occur given measured values of temperature and/or dimensional change. In this way nonnuclear testing can be used to provide very realistic information related to nuclear operation. Non-nuclear testing can be used at all levels, including component, subsystem, and integrated system testing. Realistic non-nuclear testing is most useful for systems operating within known temperature, irradiation damage, and burnup capabilities.

Houts, Mike↗
DOE OSTI2019

Modeling and Analysis of a One-Third Scale Used Nuclear Fuel Package 30 cm Drop

This paper compares finite element models of used nuclear fuel package drop tests to actual test data recorded in a recent test campaign. In December of 2018, the US Department of Energy collaborated with Equipos Nucleares S.A, S.M.E (ENSA) and Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) to perform 30 cm horizontal drop tests of a one-third scale model of the ENSA ENUN 32P dual-purpose used nuclear fuel package. The third-scale test package included a third-scale basket and simulated third-scale fuel assemblies that were instrumented with accelerometers to measure their individual impact responses. Two horizontal package drop tests were performed, one with the basket cells oriented parallel and perpendicular to the impact surface, and one with the basket rotated 45 degrees to change the relative orientation with the impact surface. This paper describes the modeling and analysis that supported the development of the test and instrumentation plan, such as which fuel assemblies should be instrumented and at what locations on each fuel assembly should the accelerometers be placed. Pre-test predictions based on finite element modelling are discussed, and a comparison against the actual test data is made. Post-test analysis and model refinement are also discussed, with the goal of identifying best practices and lessons learned. A separate paper by Kalinina et al., to be presented at this conference, more fully describes the test configuration and test results. This paper is focused on the numerical modeling that supported the test and the lessons learned about realistically modeling this type of physical test.

Klymyshyn, Nicholas A.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Particle Release Experiment (PRex) (Final Report)

An experiment to release radioactive particles representative of small-scale venting from an underground nuclear test was conducted to gather data in support of treaty verification and monitoring activities. For this experiment, a CO 2 -driven “air cannon” was used to release La-140 at ambient temperatures. Lanthanum-140 was chosen to represent the fission fragments because of its short half-life and prominent gamma-ray emissions; the choice was also influenced by the successful production and use of La-140 with low levels of radioactive contaminants in a Defence Research and Development Canada Field Trial. The source was created through activation of high-purity natural lanthanum oxide at the reactor of Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Multiple varieties of witness plates and air samplers were laid in an irregular grid covering the area over which the plume was modeled to deposit. Aerial survey, a NaI(Tl) mobile spectrometer, and handheld and backpack instruments ranging from polyvinyl toluene to high-purity germanium were used to survey the plume. Additionally, three varieties of soil sampling were investigated. The relative sensitivity and utility of sampling and survey methods are discussed in the context of On-Site Inspection. The measurements and samples show a high degree of correlation and form a valuable set of test data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

M5 Alloy Specification for TREAT Conceptual Fuel Cladding Selection

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) is a nuclear test facility designed to provide safety data for fuel designs by simulating conditions during various types of nuclear excursions. The M5 alloy cladding material for the conceptual TREAT Low Enriched Uranium fuel core shall be supplied according to this specification.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Assessment of EPRI’s Tan Delta Approach to Manage Cables in Submerged Environments: Statistical Review of EPRI Data

Research conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and other research institutions have concluded that water-trees are one of the leading degradation mechanisms that contribute to the loss of dielectric insulation strength in medium-voltage cable insulating materials in wet or submerged environments. The electrochemical reactions are caused by the combined effect of water presence and relatively high electrical stress. Records of cable failures provided by the licensees in response to Generic Letter (GL) 2007-01 (NRC 2007) have called into question the reliability of medium voltage cables in wetted or submerged environments. EPRI’s dissipation factor or Tan Delta testing guidelines and acceptance criteria have been adopted by most nuclear power plant operators as the primary tool for condition monitoring of medium voltage cables in wet or submerged environments. EPRI has been collecting member data since late 2009 to analyze and provide feedback to members, validate the EPRI-developed acceptance criteria guidelines, support analysis of test results, recommend appropriate actions for the "action required" category, and gather candidate cables for EPRI-sponsored forensic research on causes for insulation degradation. EPRI has collected data from 37 nuclear sites, which represent 44 operating units. The test results have been organized by insulation type, such as cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE); butyl rubber; black, pink, and brown ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR); and compact insulation (black and pink EPR)1. The data have been analyzed, and follow-up information was obtained from members for “action required” test results. EPRI has also performed correlations between Tan Delta tests and the information gathered under the EPRI forensic research on medium-voltage cables. In addition, EPRI has developed guidance by cable insulation type on how to systematically analyze Tan Delta test results. The analysis described here reviewed the two primary EPRI reports (EPRI 3002000557 and EPRI 3002005321) as well as two precedent EPRI reports (EPRI 1028262 and EPRI 1021070) that were cited in the primary reports. The principal results and conclusions from the project analyses are provided.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2011

ENDF/B-VII.1 Neutron Cross Section Data Testing with Critical Assembly Benchmarks and Reactor Experiments

The ENDF/B-VII.1 library is the latest revision to the United States' Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF). The ENDF library is currently in its seventh generation, with ENDF/B-VII.0 being released in 2006. This revision expands upon that library, including the addition of new evaluated files (was 393 neutron files previously, now 418 including replacement of elemental vanadium and zinc evaluations with isotopic evaluations) and extension or updating of many existing neutron data files. Complete details are provided in the companion paper [1]. This paper focuses on how accurately application libraries may be expected to perform in criticality calculations with these data. Continuous energy cross section libraries, suitable for use with the MCNP Monte Carlo transport code, have been generated and applied to a suite of nearly one thousand critical benchmark assemblies defined in the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project's International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments. This suite covers uranium and plutonium fuel systems in a variety of forms such as metallic, oxide or solution, and under a variety of spectral conditions, including unmoderated (i.e., bare), metal reflected and water or other light element reflected. Assembly eigenvalues that were accurately predicted with ENDF/B-VII.0 cross sections such as unmoderated and uranium reflected 235U and 239Pu assemblies, HEU solution systems and LEU oxide lattice systems that mimic commercial PWR configurations continue to be accurately calculated with ENDF/B-VII.1 cross sections, and deficiencies in predicted eigenvalues for assemblies containing selected materials, including titanium, manganese, cadmium and tungsten are greatly reduced. Improvements are also confirmed for selected actinide reaction rates such as 236U capture. Other deficiencies, such as the overprediction of Pu solution system critical eigenvalues and a decreasing trend in calculated eigenvalue for 233U fueled systems as a function of Above-Thermal Fission Fraction remain. The comprehensive nature of this critical benchmark suite and the generally accurate calculated eigenvalues obtained with ENDF/B-VII.1 neutron cross sections support the conclusion that this is the most accurate general purpose ENDF/B cross section library yet released to the technical community.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Halo Nuclei from Ab Initio Nuclear Theory

A realistic description of halo nuclei, characterized by low-lying breakup thresholds, requires a proper treatment of continuum effects. We have developed an ab initio approach, the No-Core Shell Model with Continuum (NCSMC), capable of describing both bound and unbound states in light nuclei in a unified way. With chiral two- and three-nucleon interactions as the only input, we can predict the structure and dynamics of halo and other light nuclei and, by comparing to available experimental data, test the quality of chiral nuclear forces. We review NCSMC calculations of weakly bound states and resonances of the exotic halo nuclei 6He, 8B, 11Be, and 15C. For the latter, we discuss its production in the capture reaction 14C(n,𝛾 )15C. We highlight the challenges of a description of 6He as a Borromean n-n-4He system. Finally, we present our calculations of excited states in 10Be exhibiting a one-neutron halo structure and a large scale No-Core Shell Model investigation of 11Li as a precursor of a full n-n-9Li NCSMC study.

Navrátil, Petr↗
DOE OSTI2018

Photoproduction of π 0 mesons off protons and neutrons in the second and third nucleon resonance regions

Background: Photoproduction of mesons off quasi-free nucleons bound in the deuteron allows to study the elec- tromagnetic excitation spectrum of the neutron and the isospin structure of the excitation of nucleon resonances. The database for such reactions is much more sparse than for free proton targets. Purpose: Study experimentally single π 0 photoproduction off quasi-free nucleons from the deuteron. Investigate nuclear effects by a comparison of the results for free protons and quasi-free protons. Use the quasi-free neutron data (corrected for nuclear effects) to test the predictions of reaction models and partial wave analysis (PWA) for $\gamma$n → nπ 0 derived from the analysis of the other isospin channels. Methods: High statistics angular distributions and total cross sections for the photoproduction of π 0 mesons off the deuteron with coincident detection of recoil nucleons have been measured for the first time. The experiment was performed at the tagged photon beam of the Mainz Microtron (MAMI) accelerator for photon energies between 0.45 GeV and 1.4 GeV, using an almost 4π electromagnetic calorimeter composed of the Crystal Ball and TAPS detectors. A complete kinematic reconstruction of the final state removed the effects of Fermi motion. Results: Significant effects from final state interactions (FSI) were observed for participant protons in comparison to free proton targets (between 30% and almost 40%). The data in coincidence with recoil neutrons were corrected for such effects under the assumption that they are identical for participant protons and neutrons. Reaction model predictions and PWA for $\gamma$n → nπ 0 , based on fits to data for the other isospin channels, disagreed between themselves and no model provided a good description of the new data. Conclusions: The results demonstrate clearly the importance of a measurement of the fully neutral final state for the isospin decomposition of the cross section. Model refits, for example from the Bonn-Gatchina analysis, show that the new and the previous data for the other three isospin channels can be simultaneously described when the contributions of several partial waves are modified. Finally, the results are also relevant for the suppression of the higher resonance bumps in total photoabsorption on nuclei, which are not well understood.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Compilation of Historical Data on Hagan Drop Testing with Results

The Hagan nuclear material storage container was designed in the late 1990’s to provide a robust container for daily use, safe transport within the plutonium facility PF-4, and storage of nuclear material for up to twenty years. There are currently >3000 loaded Hagan containers in use at TA-55. The majority of these are in the TA-55 vault, but they are also used in safes and in floor locations on the main floor of PF-4. The original design criteria are given below

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2024

Temporal Explosion Source Processes of Declared Nuclear Tests in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

In this work we highlight a preliminary temporal source analysis of the six declared Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear tests. We use regional seismic data to estimate relative source time functions (RSTFs) via iterative time-domain deconvolution (Ammon, 2006; Pippin, 2022) of vertical-component ground motions recorded within 2000 km of the source region. Since RSTFs are ideally independent of site and propagation effects, their amplitude spectrum is equivalent to the source spectral ratio, but they also retain phase information. We compare observed RSTFs (in the time and frequency domains) with synthetic RSTFs derived from the Mueller & Murphy (1971) explosion source model. The resolution of these time functions varies, however, we generally obtain high-quality results within the limitations of the recording broadband instrumentation. The results indicate that this method effectively preserves source time-history information that can be used for temporal analysis of remote nuclear explosions. This preliminary analysis is intended to assess the viability of using time-domain deconvolution methods for extracting temporal source information.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2016

PRex: An Experiment to Investigate Detection of Near-field Particulate Deposition from a Simulated Underground Nuclear Weapons Test Vent

An experiment to release radioactive particles representative of small-scale venting from an underground nuclear test was conducted to gather data in support of treaty capability development activities. For this experiment, a CO2-driven “air cannon” was used to release lanthanum-140 at ambient temperatures. The radioisotope 140La was chosen as a representative fission fragment with a short half-life and prominent gamma-ray emissions; the choice was also influenced by the successful production and use of 140La with low levels of radioactive contaminants in the Defence Research and Development Canada Field Trials. The source was created through activation of high-purity lanthanum oxide at the TRIGA research reactor of Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Witness plates and air samplers were laid out in an irregular grid covering the area for which the plume was anticipated to deposit based on climatological wind records. A vehicle-mounted spectrometer, and handheld and backpack instruments ranging from polyvinyl toluene to high purity germanium, were used to survey the plume. Additionally, three soil sampling techniques were investigated. The relative sensitivity and utility of sampling and survey methods are discussed in the context of On-Site Inspection.

atmospheric dispersion↗
DOE OSTI2019

Updates to R-matrix Evaluations of Fissile Actinides: 233,235 U, 239 Pu [Slides]

This presentation begins by discussing the importance and significance of cross section fluctuations. It also discusses the motivation and overarching goals which are to establish the highest fidelity nuclear evaluated data. In conclusion, a procedure to accurately model the measured cross section fluctuations for inclusion into evaluated nuclear data files was developed and tested on 239 Pu total cross sections. The procedure consisted of defining population of levels as well as related amplitudes extrapolated from the systematics of the resonance parameters in the resolved resonance region. By using realistic population of extrapolated levels, the fit of measured total cross section produced a continuous S-matrix function S( E ) in Reich-Moore approximation. The S-matrix function averaged over a suitable energy interval was used to obtain averaged cross sections consistent with the measured data. Transmittable formatted files (ENDF, GNDS) with LSSF=1 will consist of File 3 which are smoothed cross sections and File 2 which are average resonance parameters fitted to the energy bins defined in File 3. The capability to store probability tables is a way to show the fluctuating cross sections.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

AGR-3/4 Data Qualification Report for ATR Cycles 151A, 151B, 152A, 152B, 154A, and 154B

This data report provides the qualification status of Advanced Gas Reactor-3/4 (AGR-3/4) fuel irradiation experimental data from Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) Cycles 151A, 151B, 152A, 152B, 154A, and 154B, as recorded in the Nuclear Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS). Of these cycles, ATR Cycle 152A is a low power cycle that occurred when the ATR core was briefly at low power. The irradiation data are not used for physics and thermal calculation, but the qualification status of these cycle data is still covered in this report. On the other hand, during ATR Cycles 153A (unplanned Outage cycle) and 153B (Power Axial Locator Mechanism [PALM] cycle), the AGR-3/4 was pulled out from the ATR core and stored in the canal to avoid being overheated. Therefore, qualification of the AGR-3/4 irradiation data from these 2 cycles was excluded in this report. By the end of ATR Cycle 154B, AGR-3/4 was irradiated for a total of 264.1 effective full power days. The AGR-3/4 data streams addressed in this report include thermocouple (TC) temperatures, sweep gas data (flow rates, pressure, and moisture content), and Fission Product Monitoring System (FPMS) data (release rates and release-to-birth rate ratios [R/Bs]) for each of the twelve capsules in the AGR-3/4 experiment. The final data qualification status for these data streams is determined by a Data Review Committee (DRC) composed of AGR technical leads, Sitewide Quality Assurance (QA), and NDMAS analysts. The DRC convened on February 12, 2014, reviewed the data acquisition process, and considered whether the data met the requirements for data collection as specified in QA-approved Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) Technology Development Office (TDO) data collection plans. The DRC also examined the results of NDMAS data testing and statistical analyses, and confirmed the qualification status of the data as given in this report.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2019

MODELING SHOCK AND VIBRATION ON USED NUCLEAR FUEL DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS OF TRANSPORTATION

In 2017, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) collaborated with Spanish and Korean organizations to perform a multimodal transportation test to measure shock and vibration loads imparted to used nuclear fuel (UNF) assemblies. This test used real fuel assembly components containing surrogate fuel mass to approximate the response characteristics of real, irradiated used nuclear fuel. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was part of the test team and used the data collected during this test to validate numerical models needed to predict the response of real used nuclear fuel in other transportation configurations. This paper summarizes the modeling work and identifies lessons learned related to the modeling and analysis methodology. The modeling includes railcar dynamics using the NUCARS software code and explicit dynamic finite element modeling of used nuclear fuel cladding in LS-DYNA. The NUCARS models were validated against railcar dynamics data collected during captive track testing at the Federal Railroad Administration's Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO. The LS-DYNA models of the fuel cladding were validated against strain gage data collected throughout the test campaign. One of the key results of this work was an assessment of fuel cladding fatigue, and the methods used to calculate fatigue are detailed in this paper. The validated models and analysis methodologies described in this paper will be applied to evaluate future UNF transportation systems.

Klymyshyn, Nicholas A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Updates to the Regional Seismic Travel Time (RSTT) Model: 2. Path-dependent Travel-time Uncertainty

Abstract The regional seismic travel time (RSTT) model and software were developed to improve travel-time prediction accuracy by accounting for three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure. Travel-time uncertainty estimates are used in the process of associating seismic phases to events and to accurately calculate location uncertainty bounds (i.e. event location error ellipses). We improve on the current distance-dependent uncertainty parameterization for RSTT using a random effects model to estimate slowness (inverse velocity) uncertainty as a mean squared error for each model parameter. The random effects model separates the error between observed slowness and model predicted slowness into bias and random components. The path-specific travel-time uncertainty is calculated by integrating these mean squared errors along a seismic-phase ray path. We demonstrate that event location error ellipses computed for a 90% coverage ellipse metric (used by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization International Data Centre (IDC)), and using the path-specific travel-time uncertainty approach, are more representative (median 82.5% ellipse percentage) of true location error than error ellipses computed using distance-dependent travel-time uncertainties (median 70.1%). We also demonstrate measurable improvement in location uncertainties using the RSTT method compared to the current station correction approach used at the IDC (median 74.3% coverage ellipse).

58 GEOSCIENCES↗