Combined experimental and modeling efforts have been extremely productive in understanding irradiation-induced displacement damage in metal and metal alloy systems. In order to help understand the fundamental mechanisms of irradiation-induced defect formation and evolution in nuclear fuel, similar combined modeling and experimental efforts have been carried out. Ceria CeO2) was selected as a surrogate material …
Tag Archive: Nuclear
Mar
12
Mar
10
A multi-channel integrated readout circuit (MIROC) chip for solid state charged particle detectors
Various electronic amplifier systems have been developed during the past years for solid state detectors for energetic charged particle detection. Most of them were based on the design of discrete parts or high performance hybrid packaged chips. With rapid development of modern integrated circuit industry, there are more and more integrated systems built for such …
Mar
08
Effects of support grid vane angles on single phase heat transfer within rod bundle subchannels
The main goal of this project is to investigate how changes in support grid mixing vane angles affect the single phase heat transfer coefficient for rod bundle flows. Since other studies have been done on these types of flows, the present study also serves the purpose of further solidifying conclusions made in those works. A …
Feb
26
Methods and strategies for future reactor safety goals
There have been significant discussions over the past few years by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRC), the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards ACRS), and others as to the adequacy of the NRC safety goals for use with the next generation of nuclear power reactors to be built in the United States. The NRC, …
Feb
24
Development of a compact neutron generator to be used for associated particle imaging utilizing a RF-driven ion source
Ion source development plays an important role for improving and advancing the neutron generator technology used for active interrogation techniques employed by the Department of Homeland Security. Active neutron interrogation using compact neutron generators has been around since the late 1950s for use in oil well logging. However, since the September 11th, 2001 terrorists attack, …
Feb
22
Radionuclide transport coupled with bentonite extrusion in a saturated fracture system
The study in this dissertation focuses on the characterization of radionuclide migration in a water saturated fracture. The near field of a high level radioactive waste repository contains the engineered barrier system, which provides manufactured components designed to limit radionuclide releases to the environment. A major component in this system involves the utilization of bentonite …
Feb
21
Effect of boiling on deposition of metallic colloids
In this study relationship between heterogeneous nucleate boiling and deposition of metallic colloidal particles, popularly known as crud or corrosion products in process industries, on those heterogeneous sites is investigated. Various researchers have reported that hematite is major constituent of crud which makes it primary material of interest； however the models developed in this work …
Feb
16
Design and fabrication of a novel self-powered solid-state neutron detector
There is a strong interest in intercepting special nuclear materials SNM) at national and international borders and ports for homeland security applications. Detection of SNM such as U and Pu is often accomplished by sensing their natural or induced neutron emission. Such detector systems typically use thermal neutron detectors inside a plastic moderator. In order …
Feb
14
Physical Similitude in Hierarchical Engineered Systems
Engineers interested in predicting the behavior of complex engineered systems have a strong need to prioritize phenomena by importance due to limitations in simulation and experimentation. The hierarchical nature of reactor systems allows for this organization of complex interactions. By breaking down the system into a series of levels, or stratas, the hierarchical architecture of …
Feb
13
Flow-Induced Sound and Vibration due to the Separated Shear Layer in Backward-Facing Step and Cavity Configurations
Fully turbulent inflow past symmetrically located side branches mounted in a duct can give rise to pronounced flow oscillations due to coupling between separated shear layers and standing acoustic waves. Experimental investigation of acoustically-coupled flows was conducted using digital particle image velocimetry DPIV) in conjunction with unsteady pressure measurements. Global instantaneous, phase- and time-averaged flow …