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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor Modeling Improvements

The University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor converted from HEU to LEU fuel in 2009. As part of the conversion process, an MCNP model was developed to predict flux distributions and depletion in the core. This core model included an unforeseen excess reactivity bias, resulting in an overestimate of core reactivity, and requiring the core configuration to be shuffled in 2011. The original model was constructed by hand and in order to account for radial and axial burnup in the fuel, and to include sufficient detail in the geometric features, the input file was over 17,000 lines long. Given the challenges in assessing the quality of such a long and complicated MCNP model, this project was designed to build an MCNP model based on a minimal set of input quantities in a modular and repeatable fashion. A Python code was implemented to write the MCNP input file from fundamental reactor data, both geometric and material. The recent conversion to LEU fuel provides a unique opportunity to characterize fuel composition quite accurately in the core. The goal of this project is to produce an accurate, maintainable model that can be used with future reactor physics experiments.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Steady-State Pool Boiling in Sea Water

Boiling heat transfer has attracted broad attention because of its high efficiency of heat removal and many possible applications, such as nuclear safety issues. From the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan in 2011, Taiwan Power Company proposed an 'Ultimate Response Guideline' to ensure that there is sufficient water which can be injected into the core and prevent the core from being uncovered. However, if the core uncovered accident really happens, one still needs to continuously inject water into the core to keep the situation from getting worse. This is so called the 'quenching process'. Usually, a nuclear power plant is located near the bank of river or coast, so it is easy to get river or sea water as water resources during an emergency condition. Sea and deionized water (DI water) show significantly different performance during the quenching process. Hsu et al. conducted quenching experiments using different metal spheres (stainless steel 304 and zircaloy 702) initially at 1000 deg. C in deionized water and sea water to compare their difference. Their results indicated that sea water demonstrates a more rapid quenching process due to the suppression of film boiling, the zeta-potential between the hot surface and sea water and other effects prevent the formation of the vapor blanket. Lee et al. also studied quenching process by a reflooding method. They reported the rapid quenching time in sea water is due to higher boiling point and easily top quenching by sea salt solution. Despite the fact that better quenching performance has been observed in sea water, more fundamental experiments must be carried out to investigate basic boiling phenomena in sea water. For the past few years, many researchers studied steady boiling behavior based on pool boiling experiments. The parameters that may affect heat transfer coefficient include nucleation site density, wettability, surface tension, etc. Jamialahmadi et al. selected sodium sulfate (high solubility in water) and calcium sulfate (low solubility in water) solution as testing liquids with rod heaters used. They discovered sparingly soluble salts with inversed solubility may deposit on the heating surface and block heat transfer to bulk liquid. However, the addition of highly soluble salts may reduce heat transfer coefficient at modest heat flux but increase slightly at high heat flux. A few years later, Jamialahmadi et al. suggested the decrease in heat transfer coefficient of electrolyte solution has to do with the mass transfer in the liquid phase and developed a model with high accuracy. For nuclear safety, the use of sea water as an alternative emergency coolant, more basic physical phenomena of boiling in sea water must be investigated. The present work conducts pool boiling of sea water by using a platinum wire and compares with that in deionized water.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Pile noise experiment in MINERVE reactor to estimate kinetic parameters using various data processing methods

MINERVE is a two-zone pool type zero power reactor operated by CEA (Cadarache, France). Kinetic parameters of the core (prompt neutron decay constant, delayed neutron fraction, generation time) have been recently measured using various pile noise experimental techniques, namely Feynman-α, Rossi-α and Cohn-α. Results are discussed and compared to each other's. The measurement campaign has been conducted in the framework of a tri-partite collaboration between CEA, SCK.CEN and PSI. Results presented in this paper were obtained thanks to a time-stamping acquisition system developed by CEA. PSI performed simultaneous measurements which are presented in a companion paper. Signals come from two high efficiency fission chambers located in the graphite reflector next to the core driver zone. Experiments were conducted at critical state with a reactor power of 0.2 W. The core integral fission rate is obtained from a calibrated miniature fission chamber located at the center of the core. Other results obtained in two sub-critical configurations will be presented elsewhere. Best estimate delayed neutron fraction comes from the Cohn-α method: 747 ± 15 pcm (1σ). In this case, the prompt decay constant is 79 ± 0.5 s{sup -1} and the generation time is 94.5 ± 0.7 μs. Other methods give consistent results within the confidence intervals. Experimental results are compared to calculated values obtained from a full 3D core modeling with the CEA-developed Monte Carlo code TRIPOLI4.9 associated with its continuous energy JEFF3.1.1-based library. A very good agreement is observed for the calculated delayed neutron fraction (748.7 ± 0.4 pcm at 1σ), that is a difference of -0.3% with the experiment. On the contrary, a 10% discrepancy is observed for the calculated generation time (104.4 ± 0.1 μs at 1σ). (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Isopycnal Submesoscale Stirring Crucially Sustaining Subsurface Chlorophyll Maximum in Ocean Cyclonic Eddies

Abstract Mesoscale and submesoscale processes have crucial impacts on ocean biogeochemistry, importantly enhancing the primary production in nutrient‐deficient ocean regions. Yet, the intricate biophysical interplay still holds mysteries. Using targeted high‐resolution in situ observations in the South China Sea, we reveal that isopycnal submesoscale stirring serves as the primary driver of vertical nutrient transport to sustain the dome‐shaped subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM) within a long‐lived cyclonic mesoscale eddy. Density surface doming at the eddy core increased light exposure for phytoplankton production, while along‐isopycnal submesoscale stirring disrupted the mesoscale coherence and drove significant vertical exchange of tracers. These physical processes play a crucial role in maintaining the elevated phytoplankton biomass in the eddy core. Our findings shed light on the universal mechanism of how mesoscale and submesoscale coupling enhances primary production in ocean cyclonic eddies, highlighting the pivotal role of submesoscale stirring in structuring marine ecosystems.

Cao, Haijin↗
DOE OSTI2019

Material Property Determinations of P-Tunnel Core in Support of UNESE

A critical component of the Underground Nuclear Explosion Signatures Experiment (UNESE) program is a realistic understanding of the post-detonation processes and changes in the environment that produce observable physical and radio-chemical signatures. Rock and fracture properties are essential parameters for modeling underground nuclear explosions. In response to the need for accurate simulations of physical and radio-chemical signatures, an experimental program to determine porosity, hydrostatic and triaxial compression, and Brazilian disc tension properties of P-Tunnel core was developed and executed. This report presents the results from the experimental program. Dry porosity for P-Tunnel core ranged from 8.7%-55%. Based on hydrostatic testing, bulk modulus was shown to increase with increasing confining pressure and ranged from 1.3GPa-42.3GPa. Compressional failure envelopes, derived from wet samples, are presented for P-Tunnel lithologies. Brazilian disc tension tests were conducted on wet samples and, along with triaxial tests, are compared with dry tests from the first UNESE test bed, Barnwell. P-Tunnel core disc tension test strength varied nearly two orders of magnitude between lithologies (0.03MPa-2.77MPa). Material tested in both tension and compression is weaker wet than dry with the exception of Strongly Welded Tuff in compression which is nearly identical in compressive strength for confining pressures of OMPa and 1 OOMPa. In addition to the inherent material properties of the rocks, fractures within the samples were quantified and characterized, in order to identify differences that might be caused by the explosion-induced damage. Finally, material property determinations are linked to optical microscopy observations. The work presented here is part of a broader material characterization effort; reports are referenced within.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
NASA NTRS2017

Application of the Core Flight System to a Lunar Rover

Resource Prospector (RP) is a lunar mission sponsored by NASAs Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) division, that aims to study in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) feasibility and technologies on the surface of the moon. The RP missions lunar surface segment includes a rover equipped with with a suite of instruments specifically designed to measure and map volatiles both at the surface and in the subsurface. Of particular interest is the quantity and state of volatiles in permanently shadowed regions. To conduct the mission, ground system operators will remotely drive the rover, directing it to waypoints along the surface in order to achieve measurement objectives. At selected locations, an onboard drill will be deployed to collect material and obtain direct measurements of the subsurface constituents. RP is currently planned for launch in 2022. RP is managed at NASA Ames Research Center. The RP Rover is being designed and developed by NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in partnership with NASA Ames. NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is responsible for the Honeybee drilling system and science payload.In order to better understand the technical challenges and demonstrate capability, in 2015 the RP project developed a rover testbed (known as RP15). In this mission in a year, a rover was designed, developed, and outfitted with science instruments and a drill. The rover was operated from a remote operations center, and operated in an outdoor lunar rock yard at Johnson space center. The study was a resounding success meeting all objectives. The RP Rover software architecture and development processes were based on the successful Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer spacecraft. This architecture is built on the Core Flight System software and an interface to MatlabSimulink auto-generated software components known as the Simulink Interface Layer (SIL). The application of this lunar satellite inspired framework worked well for the rover application, and is currently being planned for the mission. This presentation provides an overview of the architecture and processes, and describes some of the changes and challenges for the rover application.

CFS↗
NASA NTRS2000

Structural Characterization of Crystalline Ice Nanoclusters

Water ice nanoclusters are useful analogs for studying a variety of processes that occur within icy grains in the extraterrestrial environment. The surface of ice nanoclusters prepared in the laboratory is similar to the surface of interstellar ice grains. In cold molecular clouds, the silicate cores of interstellar grains are typically approx. 100 nm in diameter and have a coating of impure amorphous water ice. Depositional, thermal and radiolytic processes leave the surface and subsurface molecules in a disordered state. In this state, structural defects become mobile and reactions of trapped gases and small molecules can occur. The large surface area of nanocluster deposits relative to their bulk allows for routine observation of such surface-mediated processes. Furthermore, the disordered surface and subsurface layers in nanocluster deposits mimic the structure of amorphous ice rinds found on interstellar dust grains. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM has been used tn characterize the crystallinity, growth mechanism, and size distribution of nanoclusters formed from a mixture of water vapor with an inert carrier gas that has been rapidly cooled to 77K. E M imaging reveals a Gaussian size distribution around a modal diameter that increases from approx. 15 to 30 nm as the percentage of water vapor within the mixture increases from 0.5 to 2.007, respectively . TEM bright and dark field imaging also reveals the crystalline nature of the clusters. h4any of the clusters show a mosaic structure in which crystalline domains originate at the center Other images show mirror planes that are separated by approx. 10 nm. Electron diffraction patterns of these clusters show that the clusters are composed of cubic ice with only a small hexagonal component. Further, the crystalline domain size is approximately the same as the modal diameter suggesting that the clusters are single crystals.

Blake, David↗
DOE OSTI2017

Optimized pulses for Raman excitation through the continuum: Verification using the multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree-Fock method

Here, we have verified a mechanism for Raman excitation of atoms through continuum levels previously obtained by quantum optimal control using the multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree-Fock (MCTDHF) method. For the optimal control, which requires running multiple propagations to determine the optimal pulse sequence, we used the computationally inexpensive time-dependent configuration interaction singles (TDCIS) method. TDCIS captures all of the necessary correlation of the desired processes but assumes that ionization pathways reached via double excitations are not present. MCTDHF includes these pathways and all multiparticle correlations in a set of time-dependent orbitals. The mechanism that was determined to be optimal in the Raman excitation of the Ne 1s 2 2s 2 2p 5 3p 1 valence state via the metastable 1s 2 2s 1 2p 6 3p 1 resonance state involves a sequential resonance-valence excitation. First, a long pump pulse excites the core-hole state, and then a shorter Stokes pulse transfers the population to the valence state. This process represents the first step in a multidimensional x-ray spectroscopy scheme that will provide a local probe of valence electronic correlations. Although at the optimal pulse intensities at the TDCIS level of theory the MCTDHF method predicts multiple ionization or excitation ionization of the atom, at slightly lower intensities (reduced by a factor of about 4) the TDCIS mechanism is shown to hold qualitatively. Quantitatively, the MCTDHF populations are reduced from the TDCIS calculations by a factor of 4.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2010

Software Development to Assist in the Processing and Analysis of Data Obtained Using Fiber Bragg Grating Interrogation Systems

A fiber Bragg grating is a portion of a core of a fiber optic stand that has been treated to affect the way light travels through the strand. Light within a certain narrow range of wavelengths will be reflected along the fiber by the grating, while light outside that range will pass through the grating mostly undisturbed. Since the range of wavelengths that can penetrate the grating depends on the grating itself as well as temperature and mechanical strain, fiber Bragg gratings can be used as temperature and strain sensors. This capability, along with the light-weight nature of the fiber optic strands in which the gratings reside, make fiber optic sensors an ideal candidate for flight testing and monitoring in which temperature and wing strain are factors. A team of NASA Dryden engineers has been working to advance the fiber optic sensor technology since the mid 1990 s. The team has been able to improve the dependability and sample rate of fiber optic sensor systems, making them more suitable for real-time wing shape and strain monitoring and capable of rivaling traditional strain gauge sensors in accuracy. The sensor system was recently tested on the Ikhana unmanned aircraft and will be used on the Global Observer unmanned aircraft. Since a fiber Bragg grating sensor can be placed every halfinch on each optic fiber, and since fibers of approximately 40 feet in length each are to be used on the Global Observer, each of these fibers will have approximately 1,000 sensors. A total of 32 fibers are to be placed on the Global Observer aircraft, to be sampled at a rate of about 50 Hz, meaning about 1.6 million data points will be taken every second. The fiber optic sensors system is capable of producing massive amounts of potentially useful data; however, methods to capture, record, and analyze all of this data in a way that makes the information useful to flight test engineers are currently limited. The purpose of this project is to research the availability of software capable of processing massive amounts of data in both real-time and post-flight settings, and to produce software segments that can be integrated to assist in the task as well. The selected software must be able to: (1) process massive amounts of data (up to 4GB) at a speed useful in a real-time settings (small fractions of a second); (2) process data in post-flight settings to allow test reproduction or further data analysis, inclusive; (3) produce, or make easier to produce, three-dimensional plots/graphs to make the data accessible to flight test engineers; and (4) be customized to allow users to use their own processing formulas or functions and display the data in formats they prefer. Several software programs were evaluated to determine their utility in completing the research objectives. These programs include: OriginLab, Graphis, 3D Grapher, Visualization Sciences Group (VSG) Avizo Wind, Interactive Analysis and Display System (IADS), SigmaPlot, and MATLAB.

Hicks, Rebecca↗
NASA NTRS2000

Subsetting and Formatting Landsat-7 LOR ETM+ and Data Products

The Landsat-7 Processing System (LPS) processes Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) instrument data into large, contiguous segments called "subintervals" and stores them in Level OR (LOR) data files. The LPS processed subinterval products must be subsetted and reformatted before the Level I processing systems can ingest them. The initial full subintervals produced by the LPS are stored mainly in HDF Earth Observing System (HDF-EOS) format which is an extension to the Hierarchical Data Format (HDF). The final LOR products are stored in native HDF format. Primarily the EOS Core System (ECS) and alternately the DAAC Emergency System (DES) subset the subinterval data for the operational Landsat-7 data processing systems. The HDF and HDF-EOS application programming interfaces (APIs) can be used for extensive data subsetting and data reorganization. A stand-alone subsetter tool has been developed which is based on some of the DES code. This tool makes use of the HDF and HDFEOS APIs to perform Landsat-7 LOR product subsetting and demonstrates how HDF and HDFEOS can be used for creating various configurations of full LOR products. How these APIs can be used to efficiently subset, format, and organize Landsat-7 LOR data as demonstrated by the subsetter tool and the DES is discussed.

Reid, Michael R.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Discovery and Structure-Based Optimization of Potent and Selective WD Repeat Domain 5 (WDR5) Inhibitors Containing a Dihydroisoquinolinone Bicyclic Core

WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) is a member of the WD40-repeat protein family that plays a critical role in multiple chromatin-centric processes. Overexpression of WDR5 correlates with a poor clinical outcome in many human cancers, and WDR5 itself has emerged as an attractive target for therapy. Most drug-discovery efforts center on the WIN site of WDR5 that is responsible for the recruitment of WDR5 to chromatin. In this paper, we describe discovery of a novel WDR5 WIN site antagonists containing a dihydroisoquinolinone bicyclic core using a structure-based design. These compounds exhibit picomolar binding affinity and selective concentration-dependent antiproliferative activities in sensitive MLL-fusion cell lines. Furthermore, these WDR5 WIN site binders inhibit proliferation in MYC-driven cancer cells and reduce MYC recruitment to chromatin at MYC/WDR5 co-bound genes. Thus, these molecules are useful probes to study the implication of WDR5 inhibition in cancers and serve as a potential starting point toward the discovery of anti-WDR5 therapeutics.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1986

Extensive air showers (HE-4)

Ultra high energy (UHE) gamma ray astronomy is an exciting area which has added a new sense of purpose to ground based array work. There is much to be done before UHE gamma ray showers can be understood properly and it is important to remain conservative with claims while the properties of such showers are still not clear. The muon content is only one of the properties that needs to be clarified. It remains to be seen how well progress occurs on the second order problem of detailed interaction parameters once the gross features are clarified. The shower disk thickness has become an area of intense study with interest in Linsley's technique for measuremnts of giant showers and in the study of structure near the core for improving fast timing and studying delayed subshowers. Perhaps the most significant area of promise for the future is individual shower develpments with Cerenkov and, particularly, air fluorescence techniques. The importance and potential of having relatively complete information on a complete set of individual showers can hardly be overestimated. A complete understanding of the observation process is needed to determine whether or not the recorded data set is complete at a given energy, apparent core distance, and zenith angle.

Clay, R. W.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Status Report on ASME Code Development for Nonmetallic Core Components in 2020

The purpose of this report is to provide a status update on the progress and ongoing activities of the current ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code Section III, Division 5, on nonmetallic core components and assemblies which includes the design rules for graphite and ceramic composite materials. Section III is concerned with the design and construction of nuclear reactor components and Division 5 focuses on high temperature reactors (HTR). The ASME Section III Committee’s function for nuclear items other than pressure-retaining components, is to establish rules of safety related to structural integrity. The term “construction” refers to the all-inclusive effort comprising of materials, design, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing, certification, and pressure relief. The Department of Energy (DOE) supports industry codes and standards development through focused research providing the technical basis for new or modified codes and standards and the participation of subject matter experts in codes and standards committees. The activities for the nonmetallic core components and assemblies committees are the pursuit of two working groups that meet quarterly during ASME BPV Code Week meetings. The two working groups are General Requirements for Graphite and Ceramic Composite Core Components and Assemblies (GR GCCCCA) and Nonmetallic Design and Materials (NDM). The rules on general requirements for nonmetallic core components are discussed in the articles of Subsection HA subpart B. Ceramic composites were recently incorporated within the rules, and the GR GCCCCA working group is now in the process of aligning the requirements with the subsections and articles of ASME BPV Code Section III NCA, the general requirements for Division 1 and 2 of the code. The NDM working group is concerned with the design rules for graphite and composite materials for core components and assemblies discussed in Subsection HH (Class SN Nonmetallic Core Components) subpart A and subpart B which reference graphite and composite materials respectively. The bulk of the progress and work is done within this working group. A significant undertaking, with discussion that started in 2015, is to gain endorsement of ASME Section III, Division 5, by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In June 2018, ASME formally recommended endorsement to the NRC. The NRC has since initiated the endorsement review process, which is to be concluded early in 2021. ASME task groups on metallic structures and components, as well as non-metallic core support structures, have been formed to define potential pathways and schedules for NRC endorsement of Division 5. NRC determined to perform a review on the 2017 edition of Section III Division 5 as a baseline. As a result, the use of graphite as nonmetallic core components formed part of the review, but it excluded composite materials (which were first introduced in the 2019 edition). This report documents progress in FY 2020 directed toward ASME’s efforts to develop design codes for graphite and composites. Progress includes a major code review by NRC, the first code enquiry, and its solution, an overhaul of the treatment of Weibull Statistics, and the addition of Nonmandatory Appendices to the composites code relating to carbon-carbon composite materials.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

mzapy : An Open-Source Python Library Enabling Efficient Extraction and Processing of Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry Data in the MZA File Format

We have recently reported MZA, a new and simple mass spectrometry data structure based on the broadly supported HDF5 format and created to facilitate software development. While this format is inherently supportive of application development, the availability of a core library with standard mass spectrometry utilities greatly facilitates fast software development. Here, we present a Python library, mzapy, for efficient extraction and processing of mass spectrometry data in the MZA format. In addition to raw data extraction, mzapy contains supporting utilities enabling tasks including calibration, signal processing, peak finding, and generating plots. Being implemented in pure Python with minimal and largely standardized dependencies makes mzapy uniquely suited to application development in the multi-omics domain. The free and open source mzapy is built with extensibility in mind, and future development will support cloud computing and artificial intelligence/machine learning applications. The software source code is freely available at https://github.com/PNNL-m-q/mzapy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2015

Preservation of Lipid Biomarkers Under Prolonged and Extreme Hyperaridity in Atacama Desert Soils

Molecular biomarkers are the most direct biosignatures of life on early Earth and a key target in the search for life on Mars. Lipid biomarkers are of particular interest given their ability to survive oxidative degradation and record microbial presence and activity of microorganisms that occurred billions of years ago (Eigenbrode, 2008). Environmental conditions that suspend biotic and abiotic degradative processes prior to lithification can lead to enhanced biomolecular preservation over geological time-scales. The hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile offers a unique environment to investigate lipid biomarker taphonomy under extreme and prolonged dryness. We investigated the accumulation and degree of preservation of lipid biomarkers in million-year-old hyperarid soils where primarily abiotic conditions influence their taphonomy. Soils were extracted and free and membrane bound lipids were analyzed across a vertical profile of 2.5 meters in the Yungay hyper-arid core of the Atacama Desert. Due to the extremely low inventory of biomass in Atacama soils, samples were collected by scientists wearing cleanroom suits to minimize anthropogenic contamination during sampling. Fatty acids were found to be well preserved in Yungay soils, and were most abundant in the clay-rich soils at approx.2 m depth (approx.750 ng of fatty acid methyl ester/g of soil). These buried clays layers were fluvially deposited approximately 2 million years ago, and have been excluded from exposure to rainwater and modern surficial processes since their emplacement (Ewing et al., 2008). Monocarboxylic fatty acid, monohydroxy fatty acid, glycerol tetraether, and n-alkane hydrocarbon content was found to change with depth. Lipid biomarker content in deeper soil layers is suggestive of soils having been formed at a time when environmental conditions were capable of supporting active microbial communities and plants. In short, total lipid extracts reveal a remarkable degree of lipid biomarker preservation even in the oldest soils analyzed (ca. 2 Myr) indicating that typical diagenetic processes of lipid destruction are arrested under extreme dryness. This result has implications for the search for molecular biomarkers on Mars, which could have experienced millions to billions of years of extreme hyperaridity.

Lipid Biomarkers↗
DOE OSTI2025

Parameter Study of the Running-In Process for the Generic Pebble Bed Reactor (GPBR200)

The run-in period of a pebble bed reactor is complex and difficult to model given significant heterogeneity in core composition, power, and temperature. While it is understood that the initial composition of the core should eventually result in the same equilibrium core composition, the approach to equilibrium can vary significantly depending on factors such as start-up fuel enrichment and power ramp rate. To explore this, a high-fidelity model of the General Pebble Bed Reactor was used to vary power ramp schemes and start-up core compositions. It was found that both the initial core composition and power ramp rate had a significant impact on the flow rate of pebbles during early time steps, with higher ramp rates and low enrichment resulting in non-physical flow rates. Power ramp rate alone was found to dictated maximum pebble power peaking observed during the run-in process, with higher ramp rates resulting in greater peak pebble powers. Start-up fuel enrichment and power ramp were found to both impact total fuel consumption, although the impact of start-up fuel enrichment was generally secondary to ramp rate.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS2014

Transmission Loss and Absorption of Corrugated Core Sandwich Panels With Embedded Resonators

The effect of embedded resonators on the diffuse field sound transmission loss and absorption of composite corrugated core sandwich panels has been evaluated experimentally. Two 1.219 m × 2.438 m panels with embedded resonator arrangements targeting frequencies near 100 Hz were evaluated using non-standard processing of ASTM E90-09 acoustic transmission loss and ASTM C423-09a room absorption test measurements. Each panel is comprised of two composite face sheets sandwiching a corrugated core with a trapezoidal cross section. When inlet openings are introduced in one face sheet, the chambers within the core can be used as embedded acoustic resonators. Changes to the inlet and chamber partition locations allow this type of structure to be tuned for targeted spectrum passive noise control. Because the core chambers are aligned with the plane of the panel, the resonators can be tuned for low frequencies without compromising the sandwich panel construction, which is typically sized to meet static load requirements. Absorption and transmission loss performance improvements attributed to opening the inlets were apparent for some configurations and inconclusive for others.

Allen, Albert R.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Predicting effective thermal and elastic properties of cementitious composites containing polydispersed hollow and core-shell micro-particles

Micro- and nano-sized hollow and core-shell particles (CSPs) have attracted tremendous interests in developing functional cementitious composites and concretes. In this paper, a general method is developed to predict the thermal and elastic properties of cementitious composites containing core-shell and hollow micro-particles. The model follows a two-stage homogenization process – CSP inclusions together with their surrounding interfacial transition zone (ITZ) are first treated as equivalent solid particles, and then the homogenized properties of the composite system are obtained using numerical (i.e., finite element) or analytical (Mori-Tanaka) approaches. Compared with other homogenization methods, the proposed model is easy-to-use and versatile. The numerical model, validated by experimental results, is then used to guide the design of functional cementitious composites. The results show that CSP particle size (or relative shell thickness), volume fraction, shell property, and the size of the ITZ have significant impacts on the effective thermal and elastic properties of cementitious composites; whereas the particle size distribution pattern has relatively minor influence. In addition, the effective property of the composite is more sensitive to the particle property change when CSP inclusions are much stiffer or more thermally conductive than the matrix. Lastly, a scoping study is conducted to elucidate the relationship between the effective thermal conductivity and effective elastic moduli for cementitious composites containing CSP additives with different shell materials, particle sizes, and volume concentrations etc.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗