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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 1,639 records · Page 91

Micro-Mechanically Guided High-Throughput Alloy Design Exploration Towards Metastability-Induced H Embrittlement Resistance

We develop a high-throughput approach for studying H embrittlement (HE)-resistance in alloys, which is based on combinatorial compositional screening of metastability effects by in situ scanning electron microscopy H-analyses. The project objective included: (i) technique development of high-throughput screening (HTS) for HE-resistance, (ii) discovery of new metallic materials with superior HE-resistance, (iii) Multiscale verification of HE-resistance of the new alloys and H-barrier layers, from atomic scale to an engineering scale. The investigation focused on a model system that enables exploration of different metastable states in Fe-based complex-concentrated alloys. Composition spread islands with hundreds of varying compositions are fabricated on a single substrate using a combinatorial co-sputtering technique. To screen these alloys, we developed and employed a home-built SEM-based integrated analysis system capable of characterizing H-permeability, H-trapping, H-influence on mechanical properties, and other material properties, as well as atomistic to continuum simulations to study the underlying physics.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Bioprinting microbial communities to examine interspecies interactions in time and space

Bioprinting experiments have emerged as an approach for studying complex cellular interactions in the context of spatial structure, ranging from intracellular networks to interspecies interactions in communities. Despite the progress made in developing and optimizing computational modeling parameters to recapitulate these interactions in silico, experimental verification of model predictions in vitro is often elusive, due to the limits of common laboratory culturing methods, especially at the micro- and nanoscale. In this work, micro-scale bioprinting was used to evaluate the spatiotemporal effects of metabolite sharing between partners in an artificial syntrophic consortium consisting of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Micro-colonies of these bacteria were patterned at increasing spatial separation distances, in the presence of competitor or cooperator strains. Growth of the consortium members was evaluated and compared to predictions generated by a bacterial growth modeling platform known as Computation of Microbial Ecosystems in Time and Space (COMETS). In close agreement with simulation, experimental metabolite sharing between micro-colonies exhibited strong distance-dependency. When bioprinted micro-colonies were confronted with one-way or two-way diffusion barriers, such as the intervention of cooperative or competitive bacteria, experimental results showed that spatial positioning of the barriers critically influences metabolite sharing between consortium members. These results were generally predicted by simulation in COMETS. Our data demonstrate the utility of micro-scale bioprinting to experimentally test which aspects of predictive microbial growth models hold at this spatial scale, and for a range of synthetic biology applications.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Design Analysis Kit for Optimization and Terascale Applications 6.0

Sandia's Dakota software (available at http://dakota.sandia.gov) supports science and engineering transformation through advanced exploration of simulations. Specifically it manages and analyzes ensembles of simulations to provide broader and deeper perspective for analysts and decision makers. This enables them to: (1) enhance understanding of risk, (2) improve products, and (3) assess simulation credibility. In its simplest mode, Dakota can automate typical parameter variation studies through a generic interface to a computational model. However, Dakota also delivers advanced parametric analysis techniques enabling design exploration, optimization, model calibration, risk analysis, and quantification of margins and uncertainty with such models. It directly supports verification and validation activities. The algorithms implemented in Dakota aim to address challenges in performing these analyses with complex science and engineering models from desktop to high performance computers.

Source record↗

The effects of cutouts on the buckling of thin shells

A study of the effects of circular and rectangular cutouts on the buckling of thin cylinders loaded by axial compression, bending, and torsion is presented. Experimentally determined design curves for the various loading conditions are provided. Some analytical verification of the experimental results is also provided by a finite-element computer program.

Starnes, J. H., Jr.↗

Acceleration of fatigue tests for built-up titanium components

A study was made of the feasibility of a room-temperature scheme of accelerating fatigue tests for Mach 3 advanced supersonic transport aircraft. The test scheme used equivalent room-temperature cycles calculated for supersonic flight conditions. Verification tests were conducted using specimens representing titanium wing lower surface structure. Test-acceleration parameters were developed for the test with an auxiliary test set. Five specimens were tested with a flight-by-flight load and temperature spectrum to simulate typical Mach 3 operation. Two additional sets of five specimens were tested at room temperature to evaluate the test-acceleration scheme. The fatigue behavior of the specimens generally correlated well with the proposed correction method.

Watanabe, R. T.↗

Diode step stress program for JANTX1N2970b

Data for the purpose of evaluating the effect of power/temperature step stress was studied when applied to the zener diode JANTX1N2970B manufactured by Siemens and General Semiconductor, Inc. A total of 48 samples from each manufacturer was submitted to the process. In addition, two control sample units were maintained for verification of the electrical parametric testing. The tests for determining power/temperature stresses are described, and test results are discussed. Failure analyses for power stress, and temperature stress are presented.

Source record↗

Development and Evaluation of the Active Response Gravity Offload System as a Lunar and Martian EVA Simulation Environment

In preparation for future exploration missions, NASA seeks the ability to simulate partial-gravity operations for use in ground-based research, crew training, and engineering design evaluations. The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) is designed to simulate reduced gravity environments, such as lunar, Martian, or microgravity, using a robotic system similar to an overhead bridge crane. ARGOS continuously offloads a portion of a suited human’s weight during all dynamic motions within the test facility, which can include basic functional movements such as walking, running, and jumping, as well as a wide range of planetary surface activities. This system will be used as part of a metabolic-rate task characterization study to determine the workload associated with partial-gravity extravehicular activity (EVA). Pilot testing was conducted using the MKIII prototype planetary space suit and two gimbal designs to determine the ability of the ARGOS test environment to simulate planetary EVA operations. This paper will describe the lessons learned from the feasibility testing, simulation-environment mockup design, and the results from the pilot tests and their influence into the final study design. Being able to effectively simulate partial-gravity environments and characterize the performance of crewmembers will have an impact on multiple domains including suit design, task design, thermal models, and life-support-system capacity verification plans, among others.

Omar S Bekdash↗

Recent Updates to the Object Reentry Survival Analysis Tool (ORSAT) Version 7.1

The Object Reentry Survival Analysis Tool (ORSAT) code is maintained and used by the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) and has been under continuous development and improvement since the mid-1990s. ORSAT is an object-oriented reentry simulation tool; it models a satellite as a collection of discrete components that follow independent trajectories upon the breakup of the parent object. Version 7.1 of the tool incorporates five years of new thermal and aerodynamic model development, multi-processor parametric study capability, codebase upgrades, and numerous bug-fixes. The thermal demise model was completely rewritten using a forward-time/central-space numerical stencil and incorporating a new pyrolysis model for fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials. New aerodynamic and aeroheating models for hollow cylinders and hollow square prisms were developed using a combination of flow simulations in the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) Analysis Code (DAC) and Data Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) code and free-flight tests in the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Hypersonic Wind Tunnel. The latest version also incorporates a mechanical, strength-based demise model for FRP materials. Minor improvements include an update to the Fortran 2018 codebase; improved integration and speed with the Python-based, multi-core, parametric study tool, AutoORSAT; and fixes for many minor bugs. This new version of ORSAT will enable more accurate reentry risk assessments for modern satellites. This paper presents an overview of these changes and a summary of the verification and validation performed on the final code.

Benton R. Greene↗

SWOT and NISAR Boom Ground Deployment Test Challenges & Resolution

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing two new spacecraft that use radar instruments to characterize temporal changes in the Earth’s surface with unprecedented precision (Figure 1). Both the Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) and the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) spacecraft utilize large, precision flight deployable booms to properly position and support their instrument reflectors. The SWOT spacecraft includes two nearly identical reflector booms, each of which have similar flight deployable hinge designs. The NISAR spacecraft has a single reflector boom, with four unique hinge designs. These booms each undergo a multi-staged flight deployment sequence on orbit to transition from the launch stowed configuration to the science configuration within days of launch (Figure 2). The SWOT and NISAR Projects faced significant challenges relevant to requirement verification as well as hardware safety in their approach to ground testing these large flight deployables. This report summarizes flight deployable system design decisions that contributed to ground testing challenges. The report also summarizes the architecture trade study conducted for ground deployment testing. A summary of key issues encountered during flight deployable ground testing with the chosen common gravity offload system ensues, with discussion of the issues and mitigation measures implemented by both Projects that ultimately enabled successful flight subsystem-level full range of motion ground tests. Recommendations and lessons learned are offered to facilitate ground testability of future analogous large scale flight deployables.

Waters, Kyle C.↗

Recent Updates to the Object Reentry Survival Analysis Tool (ORSAT) Version 7.1

The Object Reentry Survival Analysis Tool (ORSAT) code is maintained and used by the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) and has been under continuous development and improvement since the mid-1990s. ORSAT is an object-oriented reentry simulation tool; it models a satellite as a collection of discrete components that follow independent trajectories upon the breakup of the parent object. Version 7.1 of the tool incorporates five years of new thermal and aerodynamic model development, multi-processor parametric study capability, codebase upgrades, and numerous bug-fixes. The thermal demise model was completely rewritten using a forward-time/central-space numerical stencil and incorporating a new pyrolysis model for fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials. New aerodynamic and aeroheating models for hollow cylinders and hollow square prisms were developed using a combination of flow simulations in the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) Analysis Code (DAC) and Data Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) code and free-flight tests in the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Hypersonic Wind Tunnel. The latest version also incorporates a mechanical, strength-based demise model for FRP materials. Minor improvements include an update to the Fortran 2018 codebase; improved integration and speed with the Python-based, multi-core, parametric study tool, AutoORSAT; and fixes for many minor bugs. This new version of ORSAT will enable more accurate reentry risk assessments for modern satellites. This paper presents an overview of these changes and a summary of the verification and validation performed on the final code.

Benton R. Greene↗

A verification of unsteady Navier-Stokes solutions around oscillating airfoils

A finite difference solution code for the two dimensional Navier-Stokes equations was combined with a moving-grid system. The thin layer Navier-Stokes equations with a turbulence model are solved in a time-accurate manner in order to study the unsteady aerodynamics around airfoils undergoing small amplitude pitching or heaving motions in the transonic regime. The accuracy of the solutions obtained by the use of the present moving-grid technqiue is investigated. The effects of the minimum grid size and the integrating time-step size on the solutions are also checked. Some of the solutions obtained by the present method are compared with experimental results. It is demonstrated that the unsteady aerodynamics around oscillating airfoils can be predicted fairly well by the present code for cases in which the dynamic angle of attack or displacement is small.

Nakamichi, J.↗

Verification of Atmospheric Signals Associated with Major Seismicity by Space and Terrestrial Observations

Observations from the last twenty years suggest the existence of electromagnetic (EM) phenomena during or preceding some earthquakes [Haykawa et a!, 2004; Pulinets at al, 1999,2004, 2006, Ouzounov et all 2007 and Liu et all 20041. Both our previous studies [Pulinets at al, 2005, 2006, Ouzounov et al, 2006, 20071 and the latest review by the Earthquake Remote Precursor Sensing panel [ERPS; 2003- 20051; have shown that there were precursory atmospheric TIR signals observed on the ground and in space associated with several recent earthquakes. [Tramutoli at al, 2005, 2006, Cervone et al, 2006, Ouzounov et all 2004,2006JT.o study these signals, we applied both multi parameter statistical analysis and data mining methods that require systematic measurements from an Integrated Sensor Web of observations of several physical and environmental parameters. These include long wave earth infra-red radiation, ionospheric electrical and magnetic parameters, temperature and humidity of the boundary layer, seismicity and may be associated with major earthquakes. Our goal is to verify the earthquake atmospheric correlation in two cases: (i) backward analysis - 2000-2008 hindcast monitoring of multi atmospheric parameters over the Kamchatka region, Russia ; and (ii) forward real-time alert analysis over different seismo-tectonic regions for California, Turkey, Taiwan and Japan. Our latest results, from several post-earthquake independent analyses of more then 100 major earthquakes, show that joint satellite and some ground measurements, using an integrated web, could provide a capability for observing pre-earthquake atmospheric signals by combining the information from multiple sensors into a common framework. Using our methodology, we evaluated and compared the observed signals preceding the latest M7.9 Sichuan earthquake (0511212008), M8.0 earthquake in Peru (0811512007), M7.6 Kashmir earthquake (1010812005) and M9.0 Sumatra earthquake (1212812004). We found evidence of the systematic appearance of both atmospheric and ionospheric anomalies preceding most of the major events during the period of our analysis 2001 -2008.

Taylor, Patrick↗

A Novel Sensor Platform Matching the Improved Version of IPMVP Option C for Measuring Energy Savings

It is easy to measure energy consumption with a power meter. However, energy savings cannot be directly computed by the powers measured using existing power meter technologies, since the power consumption only reflects parts of the real energy flows. The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) was proposed by the Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) to quantify energy savings using four different methodologies of A, B, C and D. Although energy savings can be estimated following the IPMVP, there are limitations on its practical implementation. Moreover, the data processing methods of the four IPMVP alternatives use multiple sensors (thermometer, hygrometer, Occupant information) and power meter readings to simulate all facilities, in order to determine an energy usage benchmark and the energy savings. This study proposes a simple sensor platform to measure energy savings. Using usually the Electronic Product Code (EPC) global standard, an architecture framework for an information system is constructed that integrates sensors data, power meter readings and occupancy conditions. The proposed sensor platform is used to monitor a building with a newly built vertical garden system (VGS). A VGS shields solar radiation and saves on energy that would be expended on air-conditioning. With this platform, the amount of energy saved in the whole facility is measured and reported in real-time. The data are compared with those obtained from detailed measurement and verification (M&V) processes. The discrepancy is less than 1.565%. Using measurements from the proposed sensor platform, the energy savings for the entire facility are quantified, with a resolution of ±1.2%. The VGS gives an 8.483% daily electricity saving for the building. Thus, the results show that the simple sensor platform proposed by this study is more widely applicable than the four complicated IPMVP alternatives and the VGS is an effective tool in reducing the carbon footprint of a building.

vertical garden system (VGS)↗

Simulating Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Data Using Hyperion and MODIS

The success of MODIS (the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) in creating unprecedented, timely, high-quality data for vegetation and other studies has created great anticipation for data from VIIRS (the Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite). VIIRS will be carried onboard the joint NASA/Department of Defense/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPP (NPOESS (National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System) Preparatory Project). Because the VIIRS instruments will have lower spatial resolution than the current MODIS instruments 400 m versus 250 m at nadir for the channels used to generate Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data, scientists need the answer to this question: how will the change in resolution affect vegetation studies? By using simulated VIIRS measurements, this question may be answered before the VIIRS instruments are deployed in space. Using simulated VIIRS products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other operational agencies can then modify their decision support systems appropriately in preparation for receipt of actual VIIRS data. VIIRS simulations and validations will be based on the ART (Application Research Toolbox), an integrated set of algorithms and models developed in MATLAB(Registerd TradeMark) that enables users to perform a suite of simulations and statistical trade studies on remote sensing systems. Specifically, the ART provides the capability to generate simulated multispectral image products, at various scales, from high spatial hyperspectral and/or multispectral image products. The ART uses acquired ( real ) or synthetic datasets, along with sensor specifications, to create simulated datasets. For existing multispectral sensor systems, the simulated data products are used for comparison, verification, and validation of the simulated system s actual products. VIIRS simulations will be performed using Hyperion and MODIS datasets. The hyperspectral and hyperspatial properties of Hyperion data will be used to produce simulated MODIS and VIIRS products. Hyperion-derived MODIS data will be compared with near-coincident MODIS collects to validate both spectral and spatial synthesis, which will ascertain the accuracy of converting from MODIS to VIIRS. MODIS-derived VIIRS data is needed for global coverage and for the generation of time series for regional and global investigations. These types of simulations will have errors associated with aliasing for some scene types. This study will help quantify these errors and will identify cases where high-quality, MODIS-derived VIIRS data will be available.

Ross, Kenton W.↗

BrachyView, A novel inbody imaging system for HDR prostate brachytherapy: Design and Monte Carlo feasibility study

Purpose: High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy for treating prostate cancer whereby a high activity radiation source is moved between predefined positions inside applicators inserted within the treatment volume. Accurate positioning of the source is essential in delivering the desired dose to the target area while avoiding radiation injury to the surrounding tissue. In this paper, HDR BrachyView, a novel inbody dosimetric imaging system for real time monitoring and verification of the radioactive seed position in HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment is introduced. The current prototype consists of a 15 Multiplication-Sign 60 mm{sup 2} silicon pixel detector with a multipinhole tungsten collimator placed 6.5 mm above the detector. Seven identical pinholes allow full imaging coverage of the entire treatment volume. The combined pinhole and pixel sensor arrangement is geometrically designed to be able to resolve the three-dimensional location of the source. The probe may be rotated to keep the whole prostate within the transverse plane. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of the design through computer simulation, and to estimate the accuracy in resolving the source position (in detector plane and in 3D space) as part of the feasibility study for the BrachyView project.Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the GEANT4 radiation transport model, with a {sup 192}Ir source placed in different locations within a prostate phantom. A geometrically accurate model of the detector and collimator were constructed. Simulations were conducted with a single pinhole to evaluate the pinhole design and the signal to background ratio obtained. Second, a pair of adjacent pinholes were simulated to evaluate the error in calculated source location.Results: Simulation results show that accurate determination of the true source position is easily obtainable within the typical one second source dwell time. The maximum error in the estimated projection position was found to be 0.95 mm in the imaging (detector) plane, resulting in a maximum source positioning estimation error of 1.48 mm.Conclusions: HDR BrachyView is a feasible design for real-time source tracking in HDR prostate brachytherapy. It is capable of resolving the source position within a subsecond dwell time. In combination with anatomical information obtained from transrectal ultrasound imaging, HDR BrachyView adds a significant quality assurance capability to HDR brachytherapy treatment systems.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Experimental Space Shuttle Orbiter Studies to Acquire Data for Code and Flight Heating Model Validation

In an experimental study to obtain detailed heating data over the Space Shuttle Orbiter, CUBRC has completed an extensive matrix of experiments using three distinct models and two unique hypervelocity wind tunnel facilities. This detailed data will be employed to assess heating augmentation due to boundary layer transition on the Orbiter wing leading edge and wind side acreage with comparisons to computational methods and flight data obtained during the Orbiter Entry Boundary Layer Flight Experiment and HYTHIRM during STS-119 reentry. These comparisons will facilitate critical updates to be made to the engineering tools employed to make assessments about natural and tripped boundary layer transition during Orbiter reentry. To achieve the goals of this study data was obtained over a range of Mach numbers from 10 to 18, with flight scaled Reynolds numbers and model attitudes representing key points on the Orbiter reentry trajectory. The first of these studies were performed as an integral part of Return to Flight activities following the accident that occurred during the reentry of the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) in February of 2003. This accident was caused by debris, which originated from the foam covering the external tank bipod fitting ramps, striking and damaging critical wing leading edge heating tiles that reside in the Orbiter bow shock/wing interaction region. During investigation of the accident aeroheating team members discovered that only a limited amount of experimental wing leading edge data existed in this critical peak heating area and a need arose to acquire a detailed dataset of heating in this region. This new dataset was acquired in three phases consisting of a risk mitigation phase employing a 1.8% scale Orbiter model with special temperature sensitive paint covering the wing leading edge, a 0.9% scale Orbiter model with high resolution thin-film instrumentation in the span direction, and the primary 1.8% scale Orbiter model with detailed thin-film resolution in both the span and chord direction in the area of peak heating. Additional objectives of this first study included: obtaining natural or tripped turbulent wing leading edge heating levels, assessing the effectiveness of protuberances and cavities placed at specified locations on the orbiter over a range of Mach numbers and Reynolds numbers to evaluate and compare to existing engineering and computational tools, obtaining cavity floor heating to aid in the verification of cavity heating correlations, acquiring control surface deflection heating data on both the main body flap and elevons, and obtain high speed schlieren videos of the interaction of the orbiter nose bow shock with the wing leading edge. To support these objectives, the stainless steel 1.8% scale orbiter model in addition to the sensors on the wing leading edge was instrumented down the windward centerline, over the wing acreage on the port side, and painted with temperature sensitive paint on the starboard side wing acreage. In all, the stainless steel 1.8% scale Orbiter model was instrumented with over three-hundred highly sensitive thin-film heating sensors, two-hundred of which were located in the wing leading edge shock interaction region. Further experimental studies will also be performed following the successful acquisition of flight data during the Orbiter Entry Boundary Layer Flight Experiment and HYTHIRM on STS-119 at specific data points simulating flight conditions and geometries. Additional instrumentation and a protuberance matching the layout present during the STS-119 boundary layer transition flight experiment were added with testing performed at Mach number and Reynolds number conditions simulating conditions experienced in flight. In addition to the experimental studies, CUBRC also performed a large amount of CFD analysis to confirm and validate not only the tunnel freestream conditions, but also 3D flows over the orbiter acreage, wing leading edge, and controlurfaces to assess data quality, shock interaction locations, and control surface separation regions. This analysis is a standard part of any experimental program at CUBRC, and this information was of key importance for post-test data quality analysis and understanding particular phenomena seen in the data. All work during this effort was sponsored and paid for by the NASA Space Shuttle Program Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Wadhams, T. P.↗

Verification of MCNP5-1.60 and MCNP6-Beta-2 for Criticality Safety Applications

To verify that both MCNP5-1.60 and MCNP6-Beta-2 are performing correctly for criticality safety applications, several suites of verification/validation benchmark problems were run in early 2012. Results from these benchmark suites were compared with results from previously verified versions of MCNP5. The goals of this verification testing were: (1) Verify that MCNP5-1.60 works correctly for nuclear criticality safety applications, producing the same results as for the previous verification performed in 2010; (2) Determine the sensitivity to computer roundoff using different Fortran-90 compilers for building MCNP5 and MCNP6, to support moving to current versions of the compilers; and (3) Verify that MCNP6-Beta-2 works correctly for nuclear criticality safety applications, producing the same results as for MCNP5-1.60. This provides support for eventual migration of users and applications to MCNP6. The current production version of MCNP5 included in the RSICC release package is MCNP5-1.60. This version was first distributed by RSICC in October 2010. While there were subsequent RSICC distributions of the MCNP package in July 2011 and February 2012, no changes were made to MCNP5-1.60. The RSICC release package in February 2012 included both MCNP5-1.60 and the current beta version of MCNP6, MCNP6-Beta-2. MCNP6 is the merger of MCNP5 and MCNPX capabilities. The current release of MCNP6 available from RSICC as of February 2012 is MCNP6-Beta-2. This version includes all of the features for criticality safety calculations that are available in MCNP5-1.60, and many new features largely unrelated to nuclear criticality safety calculations. This release is a 'beta' release to allow intermediate and advanced users to begin testing the merged code in their field of expertise. It should not be used for production calculations.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Prognostics and Health Management in Nuclear Power Plants: An Updated Method-Centric Review With Special Focus on Data-Driven Methods

In a carbon-constrained world, future uses of nuclear power technologies can contribute to climate change mitigation as the installed electricity generating capacity and range of applications could be much greater and more diverse than with the current plants. To preserve the nuclear industry competitiveness in the global energy market, prognostics and health management (PHM) of plant assets is expected to be important for supporting and sustaining improvements in the economics associated with operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) while maintaining their high availability. Of interest are long-term operation of the legacy fleet to 80 years through subsequent license renewals and economic operation of new builds of either light water reactors or advanced reactor designs. Recent advances in data-driven analysis methods—largely represented by those in artificial intelligence and machine learning—have enhanced applications ranging from robust anomaly detection to automated control and autonomous operation of complex systems. The NPP equipment PHM is one area where the application of these algorithmic advances can significantly improve the ability to perform asset management. This paper provides an updated method-centric review of the full PHM suite in NPPs focusing on data-driven methods and advances since the last major survey article was published in 2015. The main approaches and the state of practice are described, including those for the tasks of data acquisition, condition monitoring, diagnostics, prognostics, and planning and decision-making. Research advances in non-nuclear power applications are also included to assess findings that may be applicable to the nuclear industry, along with the opportunities and challenges when adapting these developments to NPPs. Finally, this paper identifies key research needs in regard to data availability and quality, verification and validation, and uncertainty quantification.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗