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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
Sensitivity Analysis For Best-Estimate Thermal Models Of Vertical Dry Cask Storage Systems, Remy R. Devoe, Kevin R. Robb, Steven Skutnik
Sensitivity Analysis For Best-Estimate Thermal Models Of Vertical Dry Cask Storage Systems, Remy R. Devoe, Kevin R. Robb, Steven Skutnik
Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nuclear Engineering
Loading requirements for dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel are driven primarily by decay heat capacity limitations, which themselves are determined through recommended limits on peak cladding temperature within the cask. This study examines the relative sensitivity of peak material temperatures within the cask to parameters that influence both the stored fuel residual decay heat as well as heat removal mechanisms. These parameters include the detailed reactor operating history parameters (e.g., soluble boron concentrations and the presence of burnable poisons) as well as factors that influence heat removal, including non-dominant processes (such as conduction from the fuel basket to …
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (Libs) In A Novel Molten Salt Aerosol System, Ammon N. Williams, Supathorn Phongikaroon
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (Libs) In A Novel Molten Salt Aerosol System, Ammon N. Williams, Supathorn Phongikaroon
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications
In the pyrochemical separation of used nuclear fuel (UNF), fission product, rare earth, and actinide chlorides accumulate in the molten salt electrolyte over time. Measuring this salt composition in near real-time is advantageous for operational efficiency, material accountability, and nuclear safeguards. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been proposed and demonstrated as a potential analytical approach for molten LiCl–KCl salts. However, all the studies conducted to date have used a static surface approach which can lead to issues with splashing, low repeatability, and poor sample homogeneity. In this initial study, a novel molten salt aerosol approach has been developed and explored …
Effects Of Roughness On Droplet Apparent Contact Angles On A Fiber, M. M. Amrei, M. Davoudi, G. G. Chase, H. Vahedi Tafreshi
Effects Of Roughness On Droplet Apparent Contact Angles On A Fiber, M. M. Amrei, M. Davoudi, G. G. Chase, H. Vahedi Tafreshi
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications
This paper reports on our investigation of the effects of surface roughness on the equilibrium shape and apparent contact angles of a droplet deposited on a fiber. In particular, the shape of a droplet on a roughened fiber is studied via the energy minimization method implemented in the surface evolver finite element code. Sinusoidal roughness varying in both the longitudinal and radial directions is considered in the simulations to study the effects of surface roughness on the most stable shape of a droplet on a fiber (corresponding a global minimum energy state). It is found that surface roughness delays droplet …
In Defense Of Science—What Would John Do?, Mohamed Gad-El-Hak
In Defense Of Science—What Would John Do?, Mohamed Gad-El-Hak
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications
Recent onslaughts on the importance of pure research to our collective well-being are trending. In this essay, I discuss the issues involved and offer a rebuttal. The thoughts are inspired by my mentor, academic sibling, and idol John Leask Lumley.