| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19373_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract19373.pdf | 20 | Boston University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $500,000 | Researchers will acquire molten salt structure and dynamics data at high-temperatures using high-energy x-ray techniques and Raman spectroscopy and relate them to their physical and chemical properties. High-throughput techniques will be developed to rapidly measure multiple high-temperature properties at one time. An understanding of the relationship of salt structure and dynamics to its properties will help to select and optimize melt chemistry in molten salt reactors.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19371_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19371.pdf | 20 | California State University, East Bay | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Reseachers will investigate uranium sorption and abiotic reduction processes in iron-rich montmorillonite systems as a function of solution chemistry and temperature. The team will develop a surface complexation model that can account for both uranium adsorption and reduction, and hence reduce the uncertainties associated with uranium mobility in iron-rich environments with engineering barrier systems.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19831_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19831.pdf | 20 | Clemson University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and optimize highly durable and easily processable phosphate-based glass waste forms to immobilize the dehalogenated salt streams by tailoring the composition of the glasses. To complement the work conducted on glass waste forms at the national laboratories sponsored by the DOE-NE program, modified iron phosphate glass waste forms will be prepared and evaluated by the introduction of various glass modifiers (SnF2 and BaO) to the prototype glass compositions.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19504_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19504.pdf | 20 | Clemson University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $794,192 | Researchers will develop a self-consistent thermodynamic database of reactions describing radionuclide sorption at mineral:water interfaces. The database can be integrated into existing geochemical modeling and reactive transport modeling programs used for performance assessments. The research will facilitate an improved assessment of the human and environmental risks associated with nuclare waste disposal and will establish a resource to further explore radionuclide reactions at the minteral-water interface.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19695_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19695.pdf | 20 | Clemson University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $799,380 | Researcher will characterize actinide sorption to mineral surfaces and examine possible mechanisms of sorption at high temperature/ionic strength through examination of the effects of hydration and hydrolysis on actinide sorption. These data will provide an understanding of radionuclide behavior with engineered barrier materials. A greater understanding of these processes will reduce the uncertainty in strategies for sequestration of radionuclide bearing wastes.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19789_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19789.pdf | 20 | Colorado School of Mines | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $599,763 | Researchers will address continuing issues with separating neptunium and zironium in current separation techniques. They will use coupled optical and x-ray specroscopy, small angle scattering, equilibrium thermodynamics and chemical analysis to understand fundamental molecular-level behaviors of extracted Np and Zr. These techniques, using world-class irradiation facilities, will elucidate the specific chemistries underlying the problematic behavior in Np and Zr in radiation fields.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19660_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19660.pdf | 20 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researcheres will perform a combination of linear and nonlinear guided ultrasonic waves, integrated with new material behavior models to develop a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) approach for both quality control/quality assurance and in-service NDE characterization of the cladding integrity and bond strength. Current NDE techniques are effective for uncoated designs, but these coated fuels add new challenges, which will be addressed by this new approach.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19678_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19678.pdf | 20 | North Carolina State University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced flexible hard ceramic coatings using ultrasonic spray mist-chemical vapor deposition technique manufacturing process to deposit on dry storage canisters. The team will test resistance to corrosion, heat, wear and hydrogen permeation thgourh microstructural characterization and material property evaluation. The ultimate goal is to enhance the long term reliability of spent nuclear fuel dry storage canisters.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19797_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19797.pdf | 20 | Pennsylvania State University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $400,000 | Researchers will (1) develop an open-source high throughput (H-T) computational platform to understand, predict, and evaluate thermochemical and thermophysical properties of molten salts as demonstrated in the F-(K-Li-Na)-(Cr-Fe)-U system and (2) provide H-T approaches (CALPHAD modeling and AIMD simulations) and open-source codes together with thermodynamic models of molten salts and public-accessible databases verified by targeted experiments for the molten salt research community.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19627_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19627.pdf | 20 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Reseachers will address critical issues with the compatibility and chemcial interations of uranium nitride fuel, alumina-forming austenitic alloys and lead coolants/sublayers. They will obtain critical data of fuel-coolant-cladding interactions and compatibility to evaluate key parameters of operation temperature, fuel impurities and coolant chemistry. This data will provide key operation windows and parameters for deployment of lead-cooled fast reactors.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19924_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19924.pdf | 20 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $400,000 | Researchers will predict phase equilibria and solubility of fission products in molten salts using a novel hybrid framework for thermodynamic integration combining first-principles, molecular dynamics and continuum methods to calculate free energies. They will be benchmarked using Bayesian-targeted calorimetric, in-situ diffraction and spectroscopic experiments. The project will provide microscopic insights and quantitative parameters necessary for reliable thermophysical modeling of molten salts.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19939_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19939.pdf | 20 | The Ohio State University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and test, to high temperatures, a Schottky diode alpha particle detector that is based on the rapidly emerging ultrawide band gap semiconductor material gallium oxide. Ga2O3 Schottky diode detectors offer the potential of detecting alpha particles at high temperatures, with better resolution than SiC Schottky diode detectors, which the team has previously developed for similar purposes. These detectors could be used in pyrochemical processing streams and molten salt reactors with potential application in other reactor concepts.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19966_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19966.pdf | 20 | University of California, Berkeley | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $600,000 | Researchers will pursue novel chemical separation approaches for advanced reactor used fuels treatments and recycling, by leveraging the unique actinide and lanthanide coordination properties of hydroxypyridinone-based aqueous chelators. These chelators have not been tested in extreme conditions and this work would test potential process performance with a focus on radiation-induced changes and oxidation state distribution.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19545_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19545.pdf | 20 | University of California, Berkeley | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will develop, build, and test a femtosecond laser ablation machining & examination tool that can be deployed in a hot cell environment enabling microscopy sample fabrication, isotope and elemental analysis, and thermal analysis. The technology allows for non-contact materials processing, even through glass windows, potentially preventing contamination of surrounding areas and tools. Such a multi-function tool with high throughput material processing will accelerate the research on fuel and cladding tremendously.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-20093_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-20093.pdf | 20 | University of California, San Diego | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will characterize the effects of high temperatures (up to 200 °C) on unsaturated, compacted granular bentonite and the mechanisms and material properties governing coupled heat transfer, water flow, and volume change. The research will also focus on understanding and simulating the multiphase hydration process of bentonite buffers in deep geological repositories with closely spaced waste packages or Dual Purpose Containers.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19198_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19198.pdf | 20 | University of Florida | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Reseachers will develop synthesize, test, and model novel functionalized clay buffer materials for the long-term sequestration of iodine and technetium. The project will also focus on key experimantal parameters and modeling of how the novel clay buffer material will sequester iodine and technetium species. Novel materials will support DOE's efforts to design improved geologic repository barrier systems and optimize repository performance.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/2020%20CFA%20Technical%20Abstract%2020-19209.pdf | 20 | University of Idaho | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $400,000 | Researchers will perform irradiation experiments to understand how gamma radiation changes trivalent metal ion complex coordination structure and extraction characteristics during the ALSEP process. This work will focus on understanding the types of degradation products that are formed during the extraction process and what effects these degradation products have on process performance.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19936_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19936.pdf | 20 | University of Nebraska, Lincoln | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will develop inorganic, microfiber-reinforced engineered barrier materials (IMEBM) that are less permeable and more resistant to desiccation cracking and chemical degradation for a long term in the challenging geological environment of high-level radioactive waste repositories. The resulting novel IMEBM will serve to significantly alleviate the concern of cracking and guarantee greater confidence for the permanent isolation of used nuclear fuel, leading to viable design strategies and technologies for the safe and long-term disposal of spent nuclear fuel and enabling sustainable fuel cycles.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19713_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19713.pdf | 20 | University of Nebraska, Lincoln | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a strategic solution that combines laser cleaning and laser peening for removal of surface contamination and mitigation of pitting and stress corrosion cracking in welded stainless steels. Laser cleanning will remove surface contamination and reduce pitting caused by corrosion. Laser peening will then be used to mitigate stress corrosion cracking and provide enhanced corrosion resistance. The portability of the laser system means the system will be able to be deployed in the field.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19188_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19188.pdf | 20 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $600,000 | Researchers will develop optically transparent electrodes for spectroelectrochemical measurements in chloride- and fluoride-based radioactive molten salts. The primary electrode material will be boron-doped diamond. Measurements will elucidate important electrochemical properties of nuclear fuel and fission products such as redox potential, diffusion coefficient, and electron transfer stoichiometry.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19641_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract19641.pdf | 20 | University of Nevada, Reno | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $799,950 | Researchers seek to understand the mechanisms of pitting/SCC resistance of welds as affected by a) compressive stress b) surface texture modification and c) microstructural change in the substrate surface resulting from laser shock peening, shot peening, ultrasonic impact peening and laser surface texturing. The study will recommend the best peening and surface texturing process conditions for mitigation of pitting and stress corrosion cracking in 304L welds.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19704_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19704.pdf | 20 | University of Pittsburgh | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a comprehensive thermodynamic database of multicomponent chloride salts through a collaboration between experts in Gibbs energy modeling and thermochemical experiments. A thermochemical database of the multicomponent chloride system KCl-LiCl-NaCl-UCl3-LnCl3 (Ln: La, Pr, Nd) will be developed using the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) method with supported ab initio calculations and thermal analysis experiments.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19506_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19506.pdf | 20 | University of South Carolina | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative 'engineered composite patch' that can absorb moisture, neutralize chloride, and prevent stress corrosion cracking from further growth. This 'patch' with have in integrated non-destructive evaluation capability using laser utrasonic characterization methods to montior quality and performance.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19374_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19374.pdf | 20 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will develop innovative instrumentation focusing on temperature and strain measurements to fill the void left by the Halden reactor and to enhance the experimental capabilities in the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) located at Idaho National Laboratory. The team will develop a fiber optic sensor system that offers an inherent resistance to electromagnetic interference unlike currently used sensors.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19076_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19076.pdf | 20 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $500,000 | Researchers will investigate the thermal, mechanical, and irradiation response of chromium-coated zirconium alloy claddings under RIA conditions, in comparison to uncoated Zr-alloy cladding. The outcome of the project will be used for anticipated licensing applications to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), thereby accelerating use of coated accident tolerant fuel concepts in U.S. commercial power reactors.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19318_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19318.pdf | 20 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $799,838 | Researchers will develop and evaluate a wide range of surface peening treatments, as well as hybrid surface treatments to mitigate initiation and growth of chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) in stainless-steel canisters for used nuclear fuel (UNF) dry cask storage. Canister mock-ups with prototypical fusion welds will be used for this study. Characterization and testing of microstructure, compressive stresses, corrosion and CISCC will be performed.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19614_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19614.pdf | 20 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $800,000 | Researchers will develop novel SiOCN(H) coatings for spent nuclear fuel canisters in order to support sustained nuclear reactor operation and safeguard nuclear waste storage, transport, and disposal, in both terrestrial and marine environments. The novel coating will specifically address pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in spent nuclear fuel canisters.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19382_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19382.pdf | 20 | Washington State University | Research and Development | Fuel Cycle Research and Development | $400,000 | Researchers will produce a set of waste forms from separation of iodine from the caustic offgas scrubber solution. The primary caustic scrub containing iodine, halides, and carbonate will be immobilized in a glass-bonded composite of cancrinite/sodalite. The iodine-loaded silver sorbent will be stripped of iodine, converted to NaI, and immobilized into a separate durable glass-bonded iodosodalite waste form.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19912_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19912.pdf | 20 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $800,000 | Researchers will perform sensitivity analysis (SA) and uncertainty quantification (UQ) of TCR design parameters and relevant physical phenomena, using open-source time dependent Monte-Carlo code (OpenMC), NQA1 qualified commercial codes (STARCCM+), and ABAQUS for thermal-hydraulics and structural mechanics. The SA/UQ analysis will provide key insights to allow for development of performance metrics of robustness for autonomous operation sensors, by processing signals such as neutron flux, temperature and strains, as wll as inform the needed robustness for AI by enveloping the attainable level of decision making by the software.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19216_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract19216.pdf | 20 | North Carolina State University | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $498,532 | Researchers will develop models of Multiple Effect Evaporators and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine systems to be used within the Modelica framework, with an end goal of creating an energy park that can supply its own energy and water through Small Modular Reactor nuclear systems and/or Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Systems with brackish to brine water sources. These same models will be capable of being implemented into larger models of grid independent and near independent energy parks located about military bases, large manufacturing facilities, and in small communities where freshwater is limited.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19590_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19590.pdf | 20 | North Carolina State University | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an integral benchmark evaluation based on available experimental data from cold ramp tests performed at the Studsvik testing R2 reactor. Transient multiphysics benchmark evaluations are needed to support validation of the NEAMS ToolKit and the VERA suite. This research will focus on pellet cladding interaction and pellet cladding mechanical interaction and their associated events. The benchmark will be prepared for inclusion in the IRPhEP handbook.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19837_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19837.pdf | 20 | Purdue University | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $800,000 | Researchers will address the need to qualify the risk associated with AM fabricated nuclear reactor parts by incorporating a novel rendition of a well-established artificial intelligence learning strategy, the multi-armed bandit reinforcement learning (RL). The RL framework will be developed and demonstrated using TCR data and its associated digital platform. This research will assimilate in-process sensor data and physics-based simulation data to calculate risk measures in the form of failure probabilities for the AM parts.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19829_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19829.pdf | 20 | The Ohio State University | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a simulation environment that will allow comparisons of various cyber architectures and the various levels of protection they offer on the basis of risk. The developed simulation environment could also be used in nuclear power plant operator education and training. While this research focuses on the application to nuclear power plants, the framework will be applicable to other critical infrastructures, as it models a variety of facets in the probabilistic risk assessment of nuclear power plants.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19642_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract_19642.pdf | 20 | University of California, Berkeley | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $400,000 | Researchers will use a CLYC scintillator as an active target and a NaCl activitation sample to measure all of the 35Cl(n,p), (n,alpha) and (n,gamma) cross sections. They will then evaluate the impact of these data, as well as previously measured 56Fe(n,inelastic) data, on major performance parameters including reactor size, fuel attainable burnup, reactivity coefficients, and 36Cl production. The research will be directly applicable to molten chloride fast reactors and sodium fast reactors including a representative burner and a traveling wave design.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19363_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19363.pdf | 20 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $799,427 | Researchers will design and model a renewable, nuclear Integrated Energy System (IES), compatible with the RAVEN/Modelica framework, for co-generation of cost competitive electricity and clean water. The components of the IES to be included are concentrated solar power, the supercritical CO2/sCO2 cyle, multi-effect distillation, and the lead-cooled fast reactor.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19066_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19066.pdf | 20 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy | $400,000 | Researchers will advance the capability to model, predict and control void swelling in irradiated structural components through developing engineering-informed, advanced data-driven statistical and machine learning techniques. Excess swelling not only leads to dimensional instability, but also can cause severe embrittlement of internal materials. The proposed efforts will ensure more effective regulation, aging management and license renewal.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19404_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19404.pdf | 20 | | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) | $600,000 | Researchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19795_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19795.pdf | 20 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) | $600,000 | Researchers will develop a fast high-fidelity multigroup cross section generation method for arbitrary geometry configurations and energy spectra by developing a response-based high order perturbation method to perform hybrid stochastic-deterministic local transport calculations. The proposed method will be implemented as independent modules that can be easily embedded into any neutron transport or diffusion code and also be used as a standalone cross section generator. The modules will provide data that can interface with the associated NEAMS toolkit and workbench user interfaces to enable advanced neutronics tools that will perform high-fidelity multigroup multiphysics steady-state and transient calculations that capture and represent the complex resonance interactions and core environmental effects which exist in heterogeneous reactors, including advanced reactors.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19968_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19968.pdf | 20 | Texas A&M University | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) | $600,000 | Researchers will establish a highly coordinated, concurrent experimental and computational effort combining high-resolution turbulence simulations (including Nek5000, Star-CCM+) and experiments to deepen physical understanding and address long standing modeling inaccuracies related to near wall and bypass flow effects in pebble bed reactors. The project's acquired extensive database will be used to derive closure models and correlations needed for porous media code, such as Pronghorn.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19864_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract19864.pdf | 20 | University of Michigan | Research and Development | Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a robust, multi-scale coupling scheme between the SAM code and the CFD code, NEK5000, based on a novel overlapping domain approach. The developed coupling will be validated by using experiments specifically designed for the validation of multi-scale coupled codes.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-20074_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA20-20074.pdf | 20 | CUNY, City College of New York | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will obtain and provide experimental data on the plenum-to-plenum natural circulation flows in a typical high temperature gas reactor using helium and nitrogen over a wide range of temperatures and pressures to simulate natural circulation under both pressurized and depressurized conduction cooldown scenarios. The results of the project will yield new data and complement other very high temperature related studies.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19042_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19042.pdf | 20 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $440,517 | Researchers will develop siting criteria that are tailored to micro-reactors deployable in densely-populated areas by comparing the characteristics of the MIT research reactor with those of leading micro-reactor concepts, and evaluate whether and how the MIT research reactor design basis and associated regulations are applicable to micro-reactors. A model of operations for micro-reactors that would minimize the staffing requirements will also be conceptualized.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-20045_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-20045.pdf | 20 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will design and build a compact steam generator (CSG) test section that can be easily modified for different flow paths and geometries, as well as modify an existing loop to accept the test section. The conceptual optimized CSG system design, which could be deployed in small modular reactors, will be informed by CFD simulations to determine critical characteristics of the test section.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19205_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19205.pdf | 20 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel, validated, robust bullet-time tagging and tracking system, based on computer vision techniques, to tag and track each individual pebble in pebble bed reactors. The effort will utilize Residence Time Distribution and Radioactive Particle Tracking techniques to validate and refine the developed method, using a continuous cold flow pebble bed experimental setup.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19625_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19625.pdf | 20 | North Carolina State University | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will perform a series of corrosion and stress corrosion tests on unirradiated alloys to determine the possibility of switching from LiOH to KOH to control the pH in nuclear reactors without worsening the corrosion behavior of the structural alloys used in pressurized water reactor core internal components. The impacts of such a change and the consequent water chemistry alterations on the corrosion processes and nucleaer power plant core-internal component service-life will be assessed and better understood.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19735_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19735.pdf | 20 | Texas A&M University | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will produce validation data for the heat pipe code, Sockeye, by measuring the internal thermal-hydraulic parameters of a single-heat pipe and the performance of an integrated multi-heat-pipe system in various operation scenarios. The results of this project will generate more liquid metal heat pipe validation data, which is currently lacking and needed to support micro-reactor design and licensing activities.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19367_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19367.pdf | 20 | University of Cincinnati | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate and establish the scientific foundations for the development of promising Ni-Mo-W-Cr-Al-X alloys with a superior balance of properties compared to current materials for high temperature structural applications in molten chloride salt fast reactors. The project couples critical experiments with a high-value integrated computational materials engineering approach.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19693_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19693.pdf | 20 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the opportunities and challenges of operating micro-reactors in decentralized power generation applications and the potential for deployment in established micro-grids with diverse power generation sources. By using a well-characterized prototypic environment platform, the Modelica-based Hybrid Energy System, the market potential for deployment of micro-reactors on campuses and other similar existing micro-grids will be quantified.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19195_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19195.pdf | 20 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will study the effect of surface microstructure, mechanical stress factors, and radiation damage on the corrosion response of stainless steel under two different alkaline pressurized water reactor primary water chemistry conditions. The project will involve investigation of mechanical stress factors such as strain rate, residual stress, deformation induced persistent slip bands, dpa damage, and fatigue cracks and modeling to understand the physical phenomena associated with the measured corrosion response and inform the U.S. nuclear industry regarding KOH.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19491_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19491.pdf | 20 | University of Maryland, College Park | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $799,979 | Researchers will develop a method for identifying and prioritizing sources of uncertainty in external hazard probabilistic risk assessment for nuclear power plants, with particular emphasis on uncertainties associated with hazard characterization. External flooding wil be utilized as the demonstration hazard during this project, while a common taxonomy for communicating uncertainties across a broad range of external hazards will be created.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19737_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract19737.pdf | 20 | University of Michigan | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative, enhanced automation control framework for small modular reactors (SMRs) that supports control of multiple units operating in a variety of reactor core conditions. Through these enhancements, SMR technology gains improved marketability through potential deployment to a broader range of markets and can also lead to reduced operating and maintenance costs for a SMR site, increasing the overall profitability.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19954_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19954.pdf | 20 | University of Michigan | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $691,658 | Researchers will explore how to leverage two key value propositions for small modular reactors (SMR) in shifting market conditions, in order to achieve widespread market deployment: (1) participation in small and large power and industrial markets and (2) cost reductions via mass fabrication. The result of this work will be advanced power system modeling, optimized SMR design with thermal storage for power and industry markets, and new SMR deployment pathways.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19752_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19752.pdf | 20 | University of New Mexico | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate scalable advanced bearings and seals of fluoride salt pumps for fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactors. The systematic approach to be used will employ both experimental and numerical methods to investigate the static and dynamic performance of fluoride-salt-lubricated bearings and high-temperature seals. The outcomes of this research will directly contribute to the reliability, safety, design, and operation of the fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor power plants.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19544_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19544.pdf | 20 | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a holistic artificial intelligence tool to help the detection and mitigation of human factors errors in nuclear power plants. The tool will increase the efficiency of various activities such as testing, inspection, data collection, and interpretation, improve operation and maintenance decision-making, and reduce costs in nuclear power plants by minimizing the impact of human factors errors and providing warnings to mitigate them, when possible.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19556_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract20-19556.pdf | 20 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a predictive model for the irradiation behavior of the buffer layer in tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuels to provide feedback for future design of TRISO particles. The effort will combine multiscale modeling and quantitative characterization to study several critical factors impacting buffer behavior, including buffer microstructure heterogeneity, buffer inner-pyrocarbon layer bonding strength, swelling of fuel kernel and irradiation temperature.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19524_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstract19524.pdf | 20 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a first-of-its kind flow monitoring system with significantly enhanced capabilities for liquid metal fast reactors and other advanced reactors, such as molten salt reactors. The flow monitoring system will involve a proven and breakthrough fiber optic sensing technology that enables the harmonic-free interrogation of thousands of grating-based distributed interferometers along an optical fiber that is integrated into a sensing pad that can readily be installed at desired locations in the flow loop.
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| | https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/FY%202020%20Abstracts/CFA-20-19671_TechnicalAbstract_2020CFATechnicalAbstractCFA-20-19671.pdf | 20 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Research and Development | Reactor Concepts Research and Development and Demonstration (RCRD&D) | $799,393 | Researchers will identify fire parameters that have the largest impact on fire conditions, quantify those parameters contributing to uncertainties in the fire data through Monte Carlo simulation results, and use statistical analysis and machine learning models from the simulation results to assess existing data and recommend appropriate new fire tests to reduce uncertainties that are important to risk. With this information, researchers will develop a framework capable of determining the significant contributors to uncertainty in physical events that are relevant to the risk assessment and, then, determine the need for new experiments that would be of most value to reduce risk.
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