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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Spectrophotometers for plutonium monitoring in HB-line

This report describes the equipment, control software, calibrations for total plutonium and plutonium oxidation state, and qualification studies for the instrument. It also provides a detailed description of the uncertainty analysis, which includes source terms associated with plutonium calibration standards, instrument drift, and inter-instrument variability. Also included are work instructions for instrument, flow cell, and optical fiber setup, work instructions for routine maintenance, and drawings and schematic diagrams.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Computer-based procedure for field activities: Results from three evaluations at nuclear power plants

Nearly all activities that involve human interaction with the systems of a nuclear power plant are guided by procedures. The paper-based procedures (PBPs) currently used by industry have a demonstrated history of ensuring safety; however, improving procedure use could yield tremendous savings in increased efficiency and safety. One potential way to improve procedure-based activities is through the use of computer-based procedures (CBPs). Computer-based procedures provide the opportunity to incorporate context driven job aids, such as drawings, photos, just-in-time training, etc into CBP system. One obvious advantage of this capability is reducing the time spent tracking down the applicable documentation. Additionally, human performance tools can be integrated in the CBP system in such way that helps the worker focus on the task rather than the tools. Some tools can be completely incorporated into the CBP system, such as pre-job briefs, placekeeping, correct component verification, and peer checks. Other tools can be partly integrated in a fashion that reduces the time and labor required, such as concurrent and independent verification. Another benefit of CBPs compared to PBPs is dynamic procedure presentation. PBPs are static documents which limits the degree to which the information presented can be tailored to the task and conditions when the procedure is executed. The CBP system could be configured to display only the relevant steps based on operating mode, plant status, and the task at hand. A dynamic presentation of the procedure (also known as context-sensitive procedures) will guide the user down the path of relevant steps based on the current conditions. This feature will reduce the user’s workload and inherently reduce the risk of incorrectly marking a step as not applicable and the risk of incorrectly performing a step that should be marked as not applicable. As part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Light Water Reactors Sustainability Program, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) along with partners from the nuclear industry have been investigating the design requirements for computer-based work instructions (including operations procedures, work orders, maintenance procedures, etc.) to increase efficiency, safety, and cost competitiveness of existing light water reactors.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Human performance benefits gained by dynamic instructions compared to smart PDFs

Human performance benefits gained by dynamic instructions compared to smart PDFs In recent years multiple nuclear utilities have deployed an electronic work management solution to replace the traditional paper-based processes. There are many benefits of electronic work management solutions compared to paper processes, such as a more streamlined review and approval process of work packages and a better way to track and resolve any potential bottlenecks causing delays in the review process. These benefits have been recognized where electronic work management solutions have been successfully deployed. However the utilities also hoped the new solution would help the field worker conduct his/her job more efficiently, correctly, and safely. Unfortunately, the industry is now realizing that the deployed solutions did not fully help them reach that goal. The electronic work management solutions present the work instructions as an electronic copy (i.e., a portable document format (PDF)) of the paper instruction. The PDF versions used in these electronic work management solutions have some ability for data input, notes, and mark-ups, but are unable to provide many additional benefits compared to using paper. In fact, conducting work using a PDF on a tablet can be more cumbersome than with a paper instruction. For example, flipping back and forth in a paper instruction can be time consuming, but it is not at all as frustrating as scrolling back and forth on a tablet or continuously having to navigate between tabs. The researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) approached the next step beyond smart PDFs from a human factors perspective. In close collaboration with multiple utilities they investigated how to present instruction content and how to design the interaction with the instruction to improve the workers performance and efficiency. Their solution is a dynamic presentation of the instruction that guides the worker through the correct path as well as ensuring the worker is on the correct component. The solution also automatically validates input and provides guidance if unexpected conditions are identified. A well-designed solution has the opportunity to vastly reduce the risk of human errors in the field, such as preventing actions on incorrect component or unintentionally skipping steps. The human factors researchers at INL leveraged their expertise, existing human performance tools, and a great amount of involvement from field workers in multiple utilities to develop and evaluate design concepts that will provide the human performance and efficiency benefits that the electronic work management solutions fall short to deliver. This paper will describe in detail how these new design concepts improve human performance.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Smart Planning Support for Nuclear Power Plant Work Planners

Operation and Maintenance costs of a nuclear power plant account for 60% of overall plant costs due to the nuclear industry?s risk-adverse culture (World Nuclear Association, 2020). The industry relies on highly conservative estimates to avoid risk and brute force reactions to manage the unexpected and keep a plant running safely. This approach has kept plants operating safer than any other power source available over the last six decades (Ritchie, 2020). However, these conservative methods have cost the nuclear industry in market competitiveness. The solution? Transform the conservative approaches to accurate, efficient, and still safe data-driven approaches that leverage advanced technologies available in the digital age of operation. This project endeavored to identify two key aspects to successfully incorporate historical work execution data. First, where in the work management process is that information most pertinent? Next, what variables are key to informing the best strategy for organizing the upcoming work? The Smart Planner uses data collected by dynamic work instructions to provide a basis for suggesting requirements of similar, upcoming work packages. Further, it curbs inefficiencies of the work management process by analyzing the likelihood of discovery work, offering suggestions to build a contingency package. All this taking place as the work planner builds work packages that meet the predetermined scope of work to be performed.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Implementing Computer-Based Procedures: Thinking Outside the Paper Margins

In the past year there has been increased interest from the nuclear industry in adopting the use of electronic work packages and computer-based procedures (CBPs) in the field. The goal is to incorporate the use of technology in order to meet the Nuclear Promise requirements of reducing costs and improve efficiency and decrease human error rates of plant operations. Researchers, together with the nuclear industry, have been investigating the benefits an electronic work package system and specifically CBPs would have over current paper-based procedure practices. There are several classifications of CBPs ranging from a straight copy of the paper-based procedure in PDF format to a more intelligent dynamic CBP. A CBP system offers a vast variety of improvements, such as context driven job aids, integrated human performance tools (e.g., placekeeping and correct component verification), and dynamic step presentation. The latter means that the CBP system could only display relevant steps based on operating mode, plant status, and the task at hand. The improvements can lead to reduction of the worker’s workload and human error by allowing the work to focus on the task at hand more. A team of human factors researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory studied and developed design concepts for CBPs for field workers between 2012 and 2016. The focus of the research was to present information in a procedure in a manner that leveraged the dynamic and computational capabilities of a handheld device allowing the worker to focus more on the task at hand than on the administrative processes currently applied when conducting work in the plant. As a part of the research the team identified type of work, instructions, and scenarios where the transition to a dynamic CBP system might not be as beneficial as it would for other types of work in the plant. In most cases the decision to use a dynamic CBP system and utilize the dynamic capabilities gained will be beneficial to the worker. However, tasks that are reliant on the skill of the craft or have a short set of instructions may not provide a way or even need to utilize all the advanced capabilities in a dynamic CBP system. Therefore, a hybrid CBP system that could handle all the classifications of a CBP would be the best solution to take advantage of all that a CBP system offers. The implementation of a CBP system does not automatically improve the quality of procedures. Utilities should look into why each procedure is written the way it currently is on paper. Utilities should take the time before implementation to review, standardize format and update current procedures. Implementation of a CBP system can be a time to break out of traditional procedure writing processes and create new processes and procedures that take advantage of the capabilities a CBP system. This paper will summarize the research on CBPs and provide suggestions to take into consideration when implementing a CBP system.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Automated work packages architecture: An initial set of human factors and instrumentation and controls requirements

The work management process in current fleets of national nuclear power plants is so highly dependent on large technical staffs and quality of work instruction, i.e., paper-based, that this puts nuclear energy at somewhat of a long-term economic disadvantage and increase the possibility of human errors. Technologies like mobile portable devices and computer-based procedures can play a key role in improving the plant work management process, thereby increasing productivity and decreasing cost. Automated work packages are a fundamentally an enabling technology for improving worker productivity and human performance in nuclear power plants work activities because virtually every plant work activity is accomplished using some form of a work package. As part of this year’s research effort, automated work packages architecture is identified and an initial set of requirements identified, that are essential and necessary for implementation of automated work packages in nuclear power plants.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Supporting the future nuclear workforce with computer-based procedures

Here we see that computer-based tools have dramatically increased ease and efficiency of everyday tasks. Gone are the days of paging through a paper catalog, transcribing product numbers, and calculating totals. Today, a consumer can find a product online with a simple search engine, and then purchase it in a matter of a few clicks. Paper catalogs have their place, but it is hard to imagine life without on-line shopping sites. All tasks conducted in a nuclear power plant are guided by procedures, which helps ensure safe and reliable operation of the plants. One prominent goal of the nuclear industry is to minimize the risk of human errors. To achieve this goal one has to ensure tasks are correctly and consistently executed. This is partly achieved by training and by a structured approach to task execution, which is provided by procedures and work instructions. Procedures are used in the nuclear industry to direct workers' actions in a proper sequence. The governing idea is to minimize the reliance on memory and choices made in the field. However, the procedure document may not contain sufficient information to successfully complete the task. Therefore, the worker might have to carry additional documents such as turnover sheets, operation experience, drawings, and other procedures to the work site. The nuclear industry is operated with paper procedures like paper catalogs of the past. A field worker may carry a large stack of documents needed to complete a task to the field. Even though the paper process has helped keep the industry safe for decades, there are limitations to using paper. Paper procedures are static (i.e., the content does not change after the document is printed), difficult to search, and rely heavily on the field worker’s situational awareness and ability to consistently meet the high expectation of human performance excellence. With computer-based procedures (CBPs) that stack of papers may be reduced to the size of a small tablet or even a smart phone. Instead of manually matching equipment identification numbers listed in the procedure with the number on the physical equipment the field worker can simply scan a barcode to ensure the correct valve is opened while simultaneously creating a record. Instead of navigating through a maze of cross-references, CBPs enable intelligent work path navigation which accounts for past decisions and observation, thereby enabling more efficient and safe task completion.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Hands-on Course on Intensified Membrane Processes for Sustainable Water Purification

The lack in process intensification (PI) training may be limiting processes to achieve sustainability goals. Furthermore, this project developed a hands-on course on intensified membrane processes to address knowledge gaps in PI. Bench-scale activities introduced concepts of membrane separation, operating engineering-scale modules provided a near-industrial experience, and simulation software allowed modeling and optimization of a process. Student evaluations showed that the combination of modeling, experimental, and peer-instruction work helped them understand the application of theoretical concepts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Ground Control Annual Plan for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (Rev. 9)

This Ground Control Annual Plan (GCAP) is a guidance document for short- and long-term planning for the Washington TRU Solutions LLC (WTS) underground ground control operations. Because ground conditions are dynamic, the data collected for the plan and the evaluation of these data are most useful when used or considered immediately after collection. Use of the data becomes more difficult and less certain with time. This plan is updated annually, and each successive document supersedes the previous document. The data, evaluations, and support plans may be updated more frequently. This document is not intended to be used as a final plan for construction. Detailed plans and work instructions are developed specifically for that purpose.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2012

Ground Control Annual Plan for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (Rev. 10)

This Ground Control Annual Plan (GCAP) is a guidance document for short- and long-term planning for the Washington TRU Solutions LLC (WTS) underground ground control operations. Because ground conditions are dynamic, the data collected for the plan and the evaluation of these data are most useful when used or considered immediately after collection. Use of the data becomes more difficult and less certain with time. This plan is updated annually, and each successive document supersedes the previous document. The data, evaluations, and support plans may be updated more frequently. This document is not intended to be used as a final plan for construction. Detailed plans and work instructions are developed specifically for that purpose.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

BISON BWR Fuel Modeling Capability: Material Models (FY2020)

Until this year the BISON fuel performance code has been developed primarily for pressurized water reactor (PWR), accident tolerant fuel (ATF), and advanced reactor (e.g., tri-structural isotropic (TRISO), metallic) analyses. The main focus of this work is to develop and document required material models that would aid predicting cladding failure with a specific hydride distribution to be investigated for boiling water reactor (BWR) applications in the next fiscal year. In terms of materials, the primary differences between a BWR and PWR is the use of gadolinia doping of the UO 2 fuel, the use of Zircaloy-2 for the cladding, and the addition of a liner on the inner surface of the cladding for improved pellet-clad mechanical interaction (PCMI)performance. The liner is typically made of pure zirconium or a lower tin content zirconium alloy (e.g. Zr-0.3%Sn). This work details the development and documentation of material and behavioral models for BWR analysis such as the addition of material and behavior models for gadolinia doped UO 2 , pure zirconium, Zr-0.3%Sn, and Zircaloy-2 as well as the ease-of-use additions to allow internal meshing capabilities to include liners. Another important aspect affecting cladding performance is hydrogen diffusion and hydride precipitation in the cladding. A model was added previously for non-lined, homogeneous claddings. In this work, instructions are provided on how to apply the model to BWR liner cladding. Representative experimental values are provided for the hydrogen diffusion parameters and precipitation-dissolution kinetics for typical liner materials of interest.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Analytical Assessment of Impurities Found in Process Gases using the InfiTOF, a High Resolution, Low Mass, Variable Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

The JEOL InfiToF is a high-resolution, low mass (HRLM) mass spectrometer (MS) with the application potential to meet analytical needs for tritium handling systems, such as those at the Savannah River Tritium Facilities (SRTE) and those used in fusion research. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) #144 line 27 “InfiTOF R&D” has concluded its first year of efforts under Tritium Recycle and Renewal. The project goals for FY22 were: (1) Production of a finalized modification list for tritium hardened components in the InfiTOF, (2) perform an assessment on impurity gases commonly found in process gases from Tritium Facilities and (3) begin developing a set of standardized work instructions that will be used as a basis for operations on the InfiTOF.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Approach to Quality Assurance for Complex Environmental Modeling - 20407

A strong Quality Assurance (QA) program for complex environmental modeling is essential for regulatory and public acceptance and trust, but it does not have to be onerous. Neptune and Company, Inc. (Neptune) has developed a strong QA program that improves transparency, traceability, reproducibility, and therefore, defensibility and trust. Neptune's QA program has evolved over the past 27 years, transitioning from an ad hoc QA program, to a program that is currently Nuclear Quality Assurance-1 (NQA-1) compliant, and will soon be NQA-1/DOE approved for DOE EM modeling work. In addition, Neptune is a qualified laboratory assessor and qualified auditor for reference materials, a proficiency testing provider, and fully complies with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) QA program. Neptune's President and CEO, Kelly Black, was recently named the Chairperson of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 69, Application of Statistical Methods. A strong QA program has been developed for Neptune's radiological performance assessment (PA) program. Although pieces of their QA program are currently in development, their current program includes document control using Subversion, issue tracking and work flow tracking using JIRA, and transparency and traceability via a system of 'calc sheets' for documentation of all data analysis and modeling combined with 'check print' documentation of QA checking, and rigorous model testing and configuration control. All work is reviewed by an independent subject matter expert who is not associated with the collection and assembly of information, for an internal peer review. The program is enforced with a handful of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions, QA Project Plans (QAPPs), and Quality Management Plans (QMPs) that are updated frequently, with required annual training and acknowledgment. In addition, effective communication of modeling approaches and results to clients and stakeholders are integral to their QA program. Many of their models are built using the GoldSim modeling platform, for which their models are well-known for their level of transparency, documentation, and QA traceability. This level of QA is also applied to their process-level models. Neptune has taken some lessons learned from the extremely rigorous QA program required for the Yucca Mountain Project (YMP), and imposed the YMP requirements of complete traceability, transparency, and reproducibility, but avoided the inflexibility of a QA program that likely contributed to the suspect e-mails in 2005 that resulted in loss of trust in the YMP, and in nuclear waste disposal (and nuclear power) in general. There are far too many examples of loss of public trust due to poor QA that could have been easily avoided with a simple and straight-forward QA program combined with stakeholder engagement. The purpose of this paper is to share features of Neptune's Radiological Performance Assessment program QA program, and some of their QA related lessons learned over the past 27 years of QA for complex environmental modeling. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Dynamic instructions for Lock-out Tag-out

Lock-out tag-out (LOTO) instructions protect personnel from un-expected re-energization or start-up of equipment that is under maintenance. Even though there is rigorous training associated with LOTO activities, inci-dents still occur. Idaho National Laboratory is researching and developing dynamic LOTO instructions, which supports automatic place keeping, per-sonnel working on multiple instructions, and multiple work groups complet-ing the same instructions. Researchers identified user needs through subject matter expert interviews, observations, and classroom training. Failing to identify potential hazards during LOTO can cause injury or death to person-nel. Dynamic instructions can provide planning, incorporate supplemental documentation into the instruction, and improve instruction compliance. Combining these functions may lead to clearer, more applicable instructions which addresses the reason for compliance issues with current paper-based procedures.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2010

RH Packaging Program Guidance (Rev. 3.1)

The purpose of this program guidance document is to provide the technical requirements for use, operation, inspection, and maintenance of the Remote-Handled Transuranic (RH-TRU) 72-B Waste Shipping Package (also known as the "RH-TRU 72-B") and directly related components. This document complies with the requirements as specified in the RH-TRU 72-B Safety Analysis Report for Packaging (SARP), and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Certificate of Compliance (C of C) 9212. If there is a conflict between this document and the SARP and/or C of C, the C of C shall govern. The C of C states, "each package must be prepared for shipment and operated in accordance with the procedures described in Chapter 7.0, Operating Procedures, of the application." It further states: "…each package must be tested and maintained in accordance with the procedures described in Chapter 8.0, Acceptance Tests and Maintenance Program of the Application." Chapter 9.0 of the SARP tasks the Department of Energy Carlsbad Field Office or the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Management and Operating (M&O) Contractor with assuring the packaging is used in accordance with the requirements of the C of C. Because the packaging is NRC approved, users need to be familiar with Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §71.8, "Deliberate Misconduct." Any time a user suspects or has indications that the conditions of approval in the C of C were not met, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) shall be notified immediately. The CBFO will evaluate the issue and notify the NRC if required. In accordance with 10 CFR Part 71, "Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material," certificate holders, packaging users, and contractors or subcontractors who use, design, fabricate, test, maintain, or modify the packaging shall post copies of (1) 10 CFR Part 21, "Reporting of Defects and Noncompliances," regulations, (2) Section 206 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, and (3) NRC Form 3, Notice to Employees. These documents must be posted in a conspicuous location where the activities subject to these regulations are conducted. This document details the instructions to be followed to operate, maintain, and test the RH-TRU 72-B packaging. This Program Guidance standardizes instructions for all users. Users shall follow these instructions or equivalent approved instructions. Following these instructions assures that operations meet the requirements of the SARP.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2010

RH Packaging Maintenance Manual (Rev. 0)

This document provides instructions for performing (1) Inner containment vessel (IV) and outer containment vessel (OC) maintenance leakage rate test on packaging seals and corresponding seal surfaces using a nondestructive helium (He) leak test; (2) IV and OC periodic leakage rate test using nondestructive He leak test; and (3) IV and OC structural pressure tests.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2013

Refinement of macromolecular structures against neutron data with SHELXL2013

Some of the improvements in SHELX2013 make SHELXL convenient to use for refinement of macromolecular structures against neutron data without the support of X-ray data. The new NEUT instruction adjusts the behaviour of the SFAC instruction as well as the default bond lengths of the AFIX instructions. This work presents a protocol on how to use SHELXL for refinement of protein structures against neutron data. It includes restraints extending the Engh & Huber [Acta Cryst. (1991), A47, 392-400] restraints to H atoms and discusses several of the features of SHELXL that make the program particularly useful for the investigation of H atoms with neutron diffraction. SHELXL2013 is already adequate for the refinement of small molecules against neutron data, but there is still room for improvement, like the introduction of chain IDs for the refinement of macromolecular structures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗