Nuclear Engineering Commons^™

Study Of Geometric Effects On Local Corrosion Rates For Lbe Loop, Chao Wu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Corrosion is an extremely important issue in nuclear cooling system applications. Many scientific and engineering efforts have been contributed to the research of finding an ideal material, which has resistance to corrosive Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE). A Delta Loop was designed and constructed in Los Alamos National Lab (LANL) to obtain the experimental data. This loop is a multi-section closed system that differs in diameter from one part to another. As a result, an intensive study on the geometry effect is hence necessary and valuable. In this thesis, this problem was simulated by commercial software STAR-CD. Results provide a good …

Environment-Induced Degradation And Crack-Growth Studies Of Candidate Target Materials: Annual Progress Report (May 2002 – May 2003), Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

As indicated in the original proposal, the primary objective of this task is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on environment-assisted cracking of candidate target materials for applications in spallationneutron- target (SNT) systems such as accelerator production of tritium (APT) and accelerator transmutation of waste (ATW). The materials selected for evaluation and characterization are martensitic stainless steels including Alloy HT-9, Alloy EP 823 and Type 422 stainless steel. The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of these materials are being evaluated in aqueous environments of interest using tensile specimens under constant load and slow-strain-rate (SSR) conditions. …

Use Of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy For Stress-Strain Measurements: Annual Progress Report (May 2002 – May 2003), Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this collaborative research project involving the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and Idaho State University (ISU) to evaluate the feasibility of determining residual stresses of welded, bent (three-point-bend), and cold-worked engineering materials using a new non-destructive technique based on positron annihilation spectroscopy. The proposed technique is the use γ-rays from a small MeV electron Linear accelerator (LINAC) to generate positrons inside the sample via pair production. This method can be used for materials characterization and investigation of defects in thick samples, which could not be accomplished by conventional positron technique or other non-destructive methods. The data …

Phase Ii: Design And Analysis Of A Process For Melt Casting Metallic Fuel Pins Incorporating Volatile Actinides, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

This research report develops a model to analyze the transport of americium from the melt to the vapor phase above the crucible. The model considers mass transport in the melt, vaporization at the surface, and transport through the vapor phase. The greatest problem with the model is the uncertainty of the thermodynamic properties of the proposed ternary alloy. The details of the model and the specific quantities needed for the physical properties will be discussed.

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities: Phase Ii Final Report, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia, William Culbreth

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Niobium cavities are important parts of the integrated NC/SC high-power linacs. Over the years, researchers in several countries have tested various cavity shapes. They concluded that elliptically shaped cells are the most appropriate shape for superconducting cavities. The need for very clean surfaces lead to the use of a buffered chemical polishing produce for surface cleaning to get good performance of the cavities. The second phase has resulted in an experimental setup of a fluid flow experiment with experimentation to be completed in the third year. Some of these results were presented at American Nuclear Society, Student Conference April 2-5, …

Afci Quarterly Input – Unlv April Through June, 2003, Harry Reid Center For Environmental Studies. Nuclear Science And Technology Division

Transmutation Research Program Reports (TRP)

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas supports the AFCI through research and development of technologies for economic and environmentally sound refinement of spent nuclear fuel. The UNLV program has four components: infrastructure, international collaboration, student-based research, and management and program support.

Quarterly Report For The Trp Project, March–June 2003, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen, Kanthi Kiran Daiska, Chao Wu

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The MTL is assumed to be a 5m long rectangular loop with a circular cross-section. Because of the non-symmetry, and due to the active participation of the secondary flows due to the elbows present in the rectangular loop model, the geometry is considered as a 3D model.

When the regions of maximum corrosion and precipitation are compared, they fall in the same zone for both the analytical and simulated models. The reason for a larger concentration flux in the case of turbulent flow than for the laminar flow can be explained by the concept of higher lateral diffusion in the …

Design And Evaluation Of Processes For Fuel Fabrication: Quarterly Progress Report #7, Georg F. Mauer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

The seventh quarter of the project covered the following:

• Mr. Richard Silva continued the development of a simulation model with a Waelischmiller hot cell robot. Rich will continue to develop detailed 3-D process simulation models as his M.Sc. thesis project.

• Mr. Richard Silva presented a paper on hot cell robotics at the ANS student conference in Berkeley, CA.

• Concepts and Methods for Vision-Based Hot Cell Supervision and control, focusing on rule-based object recognition (Ph.D. Student Jae-Kyu Lee)

• Undergraduate student Jamil Renno, developed better control algorithms, and created simulations of pick and place actions for the hot …

Development Of A Mechanistic Understanding Of High-Temperature Deformation Of Alloy Ep-823 For Transmutation Applications Trp Task-10: Quarterly Progress Report (March 01 – May 31, 2003), Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the elevated temperature tensile properties of Alloy EP- 823, a leading target material for accelerator-driven waste transmutation applications. This alloy has been proven to be an excellent structural material to contain the lead-bismuth-eutectic (LBE) nuclear coolant needed for fast spectrum operations. Very little data exist in the open literature on the tensile properties of this alloy. The test material will be thermally treated prior to the evaluation of its tensile properties at temperatures relevant to the transmutation applications. The deformation characteristics of tensile specimens, upon completion of testing, will be evaluated by …

Unlv Transmutation Research Program Proposal Year Iii: Design And Evaluation Of Processes For Fuel Fabrication, Georg F. Mauer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

The objective of this project is the design and evaluation of manufacturing processes for transmuter fuel fabrication. The large-scale deployment of remote fabrication and refabrication processes will be required for all transmutation scenarios. Current program emphasis is on a five-year effort to determine the feasibility of transmutation as a technology to limit the need for repository storage of spent commercial fuel. The evaluation of the fabrication processes will create a decision support data base to document design, operations, and costs. Fabrication processes required for different fuel types differ in terms of equipment types, throughput, and cost. Differential cost Implications of …

Development Of A Mechanistic Understanding Of High-Temperature Deformation Of Alloy Ep-823 For Transmutation Applications, Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the elevated temperature tensile properties of Alloy EP-823, a leading target material for accelerator-driven waste transmutation applications. This alloy has been proven to be an excellent structural material to contain the lead-bismuth-eutectic (LBE) nuclear coolant needed for fast spectrum operations. However, very little data exist in the open literature on the tensile properties of this alloy. The selection of Alloy EP-823 as the test material in the proposed task is based on the recommendation of our collaborator at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The test material will be thermally treated prior …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process, Yitung Chen, Darrell Pepper, Randy Clarksean

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Two activities are proposed: the development of a systems engineering model and the refinement of the Argonne code AMUSE (Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction). The detailed systems engineering model will be continuously focusing on the integrated approach to the analysis of the materials separations associated with the TRP Program. A second portion of the project will streamline and improve an integral part of the overall systems model, which is the software package AMUSE. AMUSE analyzes the UREX process and other related solvent extraction processes and defines many of the process streams that are integral to the systems engineering model. …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process: Quarterly Progress Report 2/16/03- 5/15/03, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Two activities are proposed in this Phase I task: the development of a systems engineering model and the refinement of the Argonne code AMUSE (Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction). The detailed systems engineering model is the start of an integrated approach to the analysis of the materials separations associated with the AAA Program. A second portion of the project is to streamline and improve an integral part of the overall systems model, which is the software package AMUSE. AMUSE analyzes the UREX process and other related solvent extraction processes and defines many of the process streams that are integral …

Design And Analysis For Melt Casting Metallic Fuel Pins Incorporating Volatile Actinides: Quarterly Progress Report 2/16/03- 5/15/03, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

Progress continues on the analysis of casting and solidification of the melt into molds. Modeling results for constant pressure casting, which is more realistic, have been obtained and produce physically realistic results for flow that starts, flows, and then eventually stops as it enters the mold. Potential mass transfer modeling features (Lammuir’s law for example) are being studied to enhance the capabilities of a mass transfer in a detailed system model. Different parameters are being varied as part of a parametric study to evaluate factors that impact the flow of the melt into the molds. The ability to include the …

Developing A Sensing System For The Measurement Of Oxygen Concentration In Liquid Pb-Bi Eutectic: Quarterly Progress Report (Feb. 01 – Apr. 30, 2003), Yingtao Jiang, Bingmei Fu, Woosoon Yim

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

We received most of the components, everything except the customized and outsourced stirrer, for the new apparatus for oxygen measurement/calibration. Thus far, most of the machining work has been completed. The LaveView module used for the data collection and the control of the apparatus has been tested. 2-D simulation work has been performed using FEMLAB.

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities Phase Ii: Third Quarterly Report, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Niobium cavities are important parts of the integrated NC/SC high-power linacs. Over the years, researchers in several countries have tested various cavity shapes. They concluded that elliptically shaped cells are the most appropriate shape for superconducting cavities. The need for very clean surfaces lead to the use of a buffered chemical polishing produce for surface cleaning to get good performance of the cavities. The second phase has resulted in an experimental setup of a fluid flow experiment with experimentation to be completed in the third year. Other experimental activities include the evaluation of a vacuum system and various vacuum equipment …

Stress Corrosion Cracking Of Type 422 Stainless Steel For Applications In Spallation-Neutron-Target Systems, Ramprashad Prabhakaran

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Introduction

• This research program is aimed at evaluating different types of environment-induced degradation of candidate target materials for applications in transmutation of spent nuclear fuels (SNF).

• Transmutation refers to the elimination of long-lived actinides and fission products from SNF.

Objectives

• Evaluate susceptibility of candidate target materials to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and localized corrosion (pitting and crevice) in neutral and acidic aqueous environments at ambient and elevated temperatures

• Determine the extent and morphology of cracking in tested materials as functions of experimental and environmental variables including pH, temperature, loading conditions and specimen geometry

• Develop mechanistic …

Afci Quarterly Input – Unlv January Through March, 2003, Harry Reid Center For Environmental Studies. Nuclear Science And Technology Division

Transmutation Research Program Reports (TRP)

Quarterly report highlighting research projects and objectives of the Transmutation Research Program at the Nuclear Science & Technology Division, Harry Reid Research Center.

Environment-Induced Degradation And Crack-Growth Studies Of Candidate Target Materials, Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

During the past two years (2001-2002) of this project, the primary effort was focused on evaluating the effect of hydrogen on the cracking behavior of candidate target materials namely, Alloys EP-823, HT-9 and 422 in aqueous environments of different pH values at ambient and elevated temperatures. More recently, emphasis is being placed to evaluate the cracking behavior of these materials in molten lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) environment at much higher testing temperatures so as to compare the cracking susceptibility in environments containing molten metals and aqueous solutions, respectively. The most recent tests to evaluate the cracking susceptibility were primarily based on …

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics: Quarterly Progress Report 12/1/02- 2/28/03, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been determined from previous experimental studies by the Russians and the European scientific community to be a potential material that can be used as a spallation target and coolant for the AAA proposed application.

Properly controlling the oxygen content in LBE can drastically reduce the LBE corrosion to structural steels. However, existing knowledge of material corrosion performance was obtained from point-wise testing with very limited density. The transport of oxygen and corrosion products, their interaction and variation of corrosion/precipitation along the flow are not well understood.

The first subtask of this project involves using a …

Design And Analysis Of A Process For Melt Casting Metallic Fuel Pins Incorporating Volatile Actinides, Yitung Chen, Darrell Pepper, Randy Clarksean

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

UNLV has developed and will continue to develop process models for the analysis of melt casting processes. This work will continue to be performed under the guidance of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) engineers to insure that their knowledge and experience benefits the project. The research to be conducted during year three will center on performing detailed analyses on a conceptual design of an inductively heated skull-crucible casting furnace. Processing conditions will be analyzed, basic models utilized, and detailed heat and mass transfer models will be developed to analyze the most promising processes. The goal of this third year is to …

Design And Evaluation Of Processes For Fuel Fabrication: Quarterly Progress Report #6, Georg F. Mauer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

The sixth quarter of the project covered the following:

• Mr. Richard Silva continued the development of a simulation model with a Waelischmiller hot cell robot. Rich will continue to develop detailed 3-D process simulation models as his M.Sc. thesis project. Rich is employed with Bechtel at the Yucca Mountain project.

• Concepts and Methods for Vision-Based Hot Cell Supervision and control (Ph.D. Student Jae-Kyu Lee )

• An undergraduate senior student in mechanical engineering, Mr. Jamil Renno, was hired to develop the simulation model for the hot cell manipulator.

Experimental Investigation Of Steel Corrosion In Lead Bismuth Eutectic (Lbe): Characterization, Species Identification, And Chemical Reactions, John Farley, Dale L. Perry, Allen L. Johnson

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The goal of the present research is to achieve a basic understanding of corrosion of steels by Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE). Liquid LBE is under consideration in the transmuter as both a spallation target and as a blanket coolant. There have been previous studies of LBE, especially by the Russians, who have over 80 reactor-years experience with LBE coolant in their Alpha-class submarine reactors. The Russians found that the presence of small amounts (ppm) of oxygen in the LBE significantly reduced corrosion. However, a fundamental understanding and verification of its role in the corrosion of steels is still very incomplete. …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process: Quarterly Progress Report 11/16/02- 2/15/03, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Two activities are proposed in this Phase I task: the development of a systems engineering model and the refinement of the Argonne code AMUSE (Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction). The detailed systems engineering model is the start of an integrated approach to the analysis of the materials separations associated with the TRP Program. A second portion of the project is to streamline and improve an integral part of the overall systems model, which is the software package AMUSE. AMUSE analyzes the UREX process and other related solvent extraction processes and defines many of the process streams that are integral …

University Of Nevada, Las Vegas Transmutation Research Program: Quarterly Report, Second Quarter Year 2 (June 2002 To August 2002), Anthony Hechanova

Transmutation Research Program Reports (TRP)

This Quarterly Report is a primary deliverable from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Transmutation Research Program (TRP) Director to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as described in the UNLV Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) proposal, and AAA FY02 Work Package. Note: during this quarter, the AAA national program changed names to the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) and the UNLV AAA University Participation Program changed its name to the Transmutation Research Program. The new names will be used in future references.

The TRP Director implements the program’s administration using staff from the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies …

Perspectives On Radioactive Waste Disposal: A Consideration Of Economic Efficiency And Intergenerational Equity, Helen R. Neill, Robert H. Neill

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

There are both internal and external pressures on the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce the estimated costs of isolating radioactive waste, $19 billion for transuranic waste at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and $57 billion for high level waste at Yucca Mountain. The question arises whether economic analyses would add to the decision-making process to reduce costs yet maintain the same level of radiological protection. This paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of using cost-benefit analysis (CBA), a tool used to measure economic efficiency as an input for these decisions. Using a comparative research approach, we find that CBA …

Corrosion Of Steel By Lead Bismuth Eutectic: Quarterly Report November- December 2002 January 2003, John Farley

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

We continue to get valuable data from sputter depth profiling of steel samples. We meet weekly to discuss progress. We took depth-profiling data on D9 steel that had been exposed to LBE. This the first time we have examined this type of steel. This is important because it will enable us to separate out two effects and determine their effect on corrosion: composition of the steel vs surface preparation.

We started to plan a small experiments using a crucible of heated LBE, with the research program to be conducted at UNLV, on basic aspects of corrosion in this system. The …

Developing A Sensing System For The Measurement Of Oxygen Concentration In Liquid Pb-Bi Eutectic: Quarterly Progress Report (Nov. 01 – Jan. 31, 2002), Yingtao Jiang, Bingmei Fu, Woosoon Yim

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The design of the new apparatus for oxygen measurement/calibration has been completed. This new apparatus shall be of great importance for the UNLV researchers to conduct the research work in the campus.

An Analysis Of The Melt Casting Of Metallic Fuel Pins, Xiaolong Wu, Randy Clarksean, Yitung Chen [email protected], Darrell Pepper, Mitchell K. Meyer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

• Background

– Casting Volatile Actinides

– Need to Contain Americium

– Overview of Project

• Fuel Rod Model

– Physical System

– Governing Equations

• Preliminary Modeling Results

– Mold Materials

– Injection Casting Velocity

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process, Lijian Sun, Haritha Royyuru, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper, George Vandegrift, James Laidler

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Project Overview:

• Two Components

– Refine AMUSE Code

– Develop Systems Engineering Model

• Research Objectives

– Develop a framework and environment for a systems engineering analysis of the chemical separations system for the AAA program.

– Establish a baseline systems engineering model from which modifications and improvements can be made.

– Refine the existing AMUSE program that gives a detailed examination of the UREX process, a critical component of the overall separation scheme.