Purpose: To secure the reactor operation safety by the provision of a fluid pressure detecting section for controlrod driving fluid and a controlrod interlock at the midway of the flow pass for supplying driving fluid to the controlrod drives. Constitution: Between a driving line and a direction control valve are provided a pressure detecting portion, an alarm generating device, and a controlrod inhibition interlock. The driving fluid from a driving fluid source is discharged by way of a pump and a manual valve into the reactor in which the controlrods and reactor fuels are contained. In addition, when the direction control valve is switched and the controlrods are inserted and extracted by ...
The electrically heated rod is usually used as a substitute for fuel rod in thermal-hydraulic experiment. However, the different structure and thermal properties between nuclear fuel rod and electrically heated rod result in different steady-state distribution of temperature and stored energy and different response to thermal-hydraulic in simulation transient experiment. This paper analyses the effect of structure and thermal properties differences between nuclear fuel rod and electrically heated rod on experiment, and then introduce a feasible method, i.e. electric power is controlled by a program, to reduce the differences between the transient responses of nuclear fuel rod and electrically heated rod. At the same time, this paper points out the limits of the method. (authors)
Purpose: To remove excessive driving pressure applied to an unisolated controlrod drive by returning excessive coolant to a condensed water storage tank or to the inlet side of a drive water pump using a coolant flow rate control pipe of a controlrod driving hydraulic system. Constitution: Excessive water is returned to a condensed water tank while controlling the excessive coolant by a flow control valve in response to variations in the pressure difference between the reactor pressure and the driving water line when the controlrods are isolated using a pipe from the outlet side of the drive water pump to the condensed water storage tank. Thus, the controlrod to be isolated is prevented form being dropped. (Sekiya, K.).
Purpose: To improve the reliability of controlrod drive mechanisms for use in BWR type reactors by preventing erroneous insertion of controlrods caused by the increase in the coolant pressure. Constitution: A pressure-releaf valve mechanism is provided which opens its valve when a detected difference between the pressure of the coolants flowing through coolant pipeways and the reactor pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure difference. If the coolant pressure increases abnormally, coolants in the coolant pipeway are released to lower the pressure. (Aizawa, K.).
AGNES is a chopper spectrometer installed at the top of the C3 cold guide of JRR-3 (JAERI, Tokai). In 2004 - 2006, this spectrometer was greatly improved by installing (1) 208 new detectors to make the detector bank complete, (2) new radiation shields composed of Fe (14 mm), polyethylene (50 mm), B4C rubber (10 mm), and Cd (0.5 mm) sheets, (3) a new control system for the anti-frame-overlap chopper rotating simultaneously with the Fermi chopper, (4) a monitor counter at the space between the chopper and monochromator, (5) a neutron guide tube (50 cm) before the monochromator, (6) a new instrument control (monochromators, choppers, beam narrowers, etc.) and measurement control (real-time data monitoring, sample temperature control, etc.) systems, (7) a top-loading type cryostat workable at a wide temperature range of 6 - 480 K. As the results ...
A dynamic controlrod worth measurement was performed for control bank D, C, B, and A of Yonggwang unit 1 cycle 14 during its low power physics test. MASTER was used for three-dimensional core kinetics calculations required to convert excore detector signal into static rod worth, using the same modeling and cross sections as ANC which was used for the core static design. A signal curve fitting method was proposed to solve a low signal problem due to large amount of rod worth, which leads to the distortion of resulting static worth. The static worths measured in this test well agreed with the predicted worth of design within {+-}15% which is a test requirement of rod worth measurement.
A dynamic controlrod worth measurement was performed for control bank D, C, B, and A of Yonggwang unit 1 cycle 14 during its low power physics test. MASTER was used for three-dimensional core kinetics calculations required to convert excore detector signal into static rod worth, using the same modeling and cross sections as ANC which was used for the core static design. A signal curve fitting method was proposed to solve a low signal problem due to large amount of rod worth, which leads to the distortion of resulting static worth. The static worths measured in this test well agreed with the predicted worth of design within #+-#15% which is a test requirement of rod worth measurement.
An inspection system was developed for spent fuel assemblies of PWR so that to check their general state, perform dimensional control and measure oxide layer thickness of peripheral rods. (orig./HP)
TaC and TaC-1wt.% B4C powders were consolidated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1850^oC and varying pressure of 100, 255 and 363MPa. The effect of pressure on the densification and grain size is evaluated. The role of nano-sized B4C as sintering aid and grain growth inhibitor is studied by means of XRD, SEM and high resolution TEM. Fully dense TaC samples were produced at a pressure of 255MPa and higher at 1850^oC. The increasing pressure also resulted in an increase in TaC grain size. Addition of B4C leads to an increase in the density of 100MPa sample from 89% to 97%. B4C nano-powder resists grain growth even at high pressure of 363MPa. The formation of TaB2/Carbon at TaC grain boundaries helps in pinning the grain boundary and ...
The effects of Fe and B_4C on the sintering behavior and mechanical properties of TiB_2 ceramics have been studied. Sintering was performed in an Ar atmosphere at 2000 degrees C using attrition-milled TiB_2 powder. When a small amount of Fe (0.5 wt%) was added, abnormal grain growth occurred and the sintered density was low. In the case of B_4C added along with 0.5 wt% Fe, however, abnormal grain growth was remarkably suppressed, and the sintered density was increased up to 95% of theoretical. But with excess Fe addition (5 wt%), B_4C grains did not act as a grain growth inhibitor, and B_4C grains were frequently trapped in large TiB_2 grains. The best mechanical properties were obtained for the TiB_2-10 wt% ...
A new theory has been developed to calculate the steady state temperature profile in a cylindrical sample positioned along the entire axis of a cylindrical microwave cavity. Temperature profiles were computed for alumina rods of various radii contained in a cavity excited in one of the TM{sub 0n0} modes with n = 1, 2 or 3. Calculations were also performed with a concentric outer cylindrical tube surrounding the rod to investigate hybrid treating. The parametric studies of the total sample center and surface temperatures were performed as a function of the total power transmitted into the cavity. Also, the total hemispherical emissivity was varied at boundaries of the rod, surrounding tube, and cavity walls. The results are discussed in the context of controlling the average rod temperature and the temperature distribution in the rod during microwave processing.
In a fuel assembly having moderator rods, an axial average value of a ratio between the total of the lateral cross sectional area of a portion to be filled with moderators and the total of the lateral cross sectional area of fuel pellets is determined as greater than 0.4, a lateral cross sectional area of a portion to be filled with moderators per one moderator rod is determined as from 14 to 50cm"2 and the ratio between the total of the lateral cross sectional area of moderators and a total of the lateral cross sectional area of fuel pellets in a horizontal cross section is determined as from 2.7 to 3.4. Since the axial average value for lateral cross sectional area of a portion to be filled with moderators/lateral cross sectional area of fuel pellets is determined as #>=# 0.4, the lateral cross sectional area of moderators of moderator rods is increased, the lateral cross sectional area of a gap water region is ...
A high voltage self-blowing circuit breaker with closing resistors is equipped with an auxiliary contact inserted in the trip control circuit of an electrical circuit breaker. The auxiliary contact is actuated by the mechanical controlrod of the circuit breaker in such a way as to prevent any operator closing error. A high-speed mechanism is inserted in the link system connecting the controlrod and the auxiliary contact, with dead travel to delay closing of the auxiliary contact when a closing operation takes place and to prevent a tripping order from being transmitted too early. Such an early transmission would be liable to cause a flashover on the inserter contacts and damage to the circuit breaker.
Extensive experimental and analytical investigations of fluid flow and heat transfer in gas-cooled rod bundles have been carried out. Different bundle geometries with partially or fully roughened rod surfaces were tested in a carbon dioxide loop. An advanced and comprehensive measuring control and instrumentation are important design features of this experiment. Comprehensive thermal hydraulic subchannel analysis computer codes have been developed in order to assist fuel element design calculation for gas-cooled reactors. The experiments, codes and their verification procedure are described and the results of comparisons between measured and calculated pressure and temperature distributions are given. (orig.).
The multi-frequency binary sequence experimental technique has been implemented at the Fast Flux Test Facility for routine surveillance activities. The frequency content of the standard rod-movement sequence has been shown to be sufficient to normalize the data at moderate frequencies. This obviates the need for auxiliary calibration measurements and provides the reactivity worth of the test controlrod. Analyses of a series of tests conducted in 1986 illustrate that the rod worths inferred from the tests are consistent with zero-power measurements. Also, the dependence of the prompt feedback time constant on reactor conditions was determined.
A highly reliable controlrod drive mechanism (CRDM) installed inside the reactor vessel has developed for use of an advanced marine reactor. This CRDM contributes to compactness and simplicity of the reactor system, and it can eliminate the possibility of a rod ejection accident. The CRDM works in the high temperature and high pressure water - 310degC and 12 MPa, the same atmosphere as the primary loop. Driving force is produced by a synchronous motor with the rotor of a permanent magnet, which has been developed. An innovative latch mechanism using separable ball nuts can latch driving shaft connecting the controlrod and de-latch it for scram. The rod position detector using a magnetostrictive wire type sensor on the principle of Wiedeman effect has been developed, accuracy of which is verified to have a detecting error within 1.2 mm. Ball bearings for thrust ...
An overview is presented of the FFTF reactor and plant together with descriptions of core components, core internals, core system, primary and secondary controlrod system, reactor instrumentation, reactor vessel and closure head, and supporting test programs. (DG)
An overview is presented of the FFTF reactor and plant together with descriptions of core components, core internals, core system, primary and secondary controlrod system, reactor instrumentation, reactor vessel and closure head, and supporting test programs.
Purpose: To flatten temperature distribution of coolant within a core. Constitution: The control device of the present invention is to vary reactivity of a fast breeder to control a reactor power. In general, the control device of this kind comprises a guide pipe arranged within the core and a controlrod movable up and down within the guide pipe, and a coolant flows from bottom toward top within the guide pipe. Since a cooling flow rate has a margin, temperature of coolant outlet is extremely low as compared to a fuel assembly, and therefore temperature gradient in the vicinity of the top of the controlrod becomes sharp to possibly impart thermal shock to the structural material. In the present invention, the flow passage of coolant is varied to thereby avoid outflow thereof into the core, thus flattening the temperature distribution of ...
This paper deal with the research and develop (R and D) on ControlRod Magnetic Suspension Drive Mechanism (MSDM) of CARR. The MSDM is made up of tube, coil, armature, step motor, lead screw etc. The MSDM use electromagnetics as its main principle. The open solenoid electromagnet technique is employed to implement suspension function. It has advantages of high drive precision, high safety feature, good running reliability, easy maintenance and good economical property. The R and D process of MSDM has three phases including single coil electromagnet, principle prototype and engineering prototype. (author)
Object: To limit the discharge amount of reactor water in a primary system at the time of scram to prevent excessive outflow of reactor water outside the system. Structure: A signal from an upper limit position indicator detects the fact that controlrods are completely inserted when the reactor is urgently stopped and the detection signal causes a valve in an outflow line of the discharge water from a controlrod driving mechanism to be closed to limit the amount of discharge flown into the scram discharge vessel, thus preventing outflow of reactor water in the primary system after the scram has been initiated. (Kamimura, M.).
The WWR-SM reactor at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences (INP AS) in Uzbekistan was converted to 6-tube IRT-4M LEU (19.7%) fuel in 2009. Presently, INP intends to also use IRT-4M 8-tube FA, and a safety analysis for these 'mixed' (8-tube and 6-tube FA) cores is required by the regulatory authorities. This paper presents results of controlrod ejection transient analysis for these mixed cores
The synthesis of narrowly dispersed nanocrystalline TiO_2 was investigated with a surfactant aided solvothermal synthetic method in toluene solutions. When a sufficient amount of titanium isopropoxide, Ti[OCH(CH_3)_2]_4 (TIP), was added to the solution, the shapes of TiO_2 nanoparticles changed from spheres to rods. The aggregated microstructures of the nano-sized TiO_2 in systems of spheres, rods, and mixtures of spheres and rods was studied using TEM. The morphological shape of the aggregation was described in terms of the fractal dimensions. We used a box-counting method to get the fractal dimension of these systems. The fitted fractal dimensions for spheres, sphere/rod mixtures, and rods are D = 1.54, D = 1.81, and D = 1.89, respectively. The fractal dimension changed from 1.54 to 1.9 with the TIP/toluene ratio, indicating that the growth mechanism for aggregations showed ...
A lot of recent experimental results show that cladding failure limits to the RCCA ejection accident will be changed because of the impact of the high irradiation on the fuel rod behavior in the reactor. The maximal assembly discharge burnup in Daya Bay unit 1 and 2 will reach up to 52 GMd/tU with 18 month fuel cycle. It is necessary to perform the specific RCCA ejection accident analysis for the high burnup fuel assembly in order to evaluate the maximal enthalpy in the fuel rods. There is no definite design limit of maximal enthalpy for high burnup assembly during the RCCA ejection accident. One could perform the rod ejection accident analysis for the high burnup assemblies and compare the analytical results with the specific experimental results. The RCCA ejection accident analysis for the high burnup assemblies for Daya Bay NPS has been performed based on the conventional methodology (2D-1D). For each anticipated cycle ...
The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) was designed to test fast-reactor fuels and other nonfuel materials. In its 37 reactor cycles of operations, the FFTF reactor has performed very well and successfully completed all the irradiation testings with an operating efficiency factor as high as 98%. Since FFTF is an experimental reactor, its core loading changed from cycle to cycle. Depending on the number of test assemblies in the core and their location, the core loading can change significantly from an essentially homogeneous core loading to a relatively nonhomogeneous or even highly localized heterogeneous loading. Consequently, the core reload design and initial criticality analyses were required for each operating cycle. The zero power initial critical controlrod bank height was predicted before each reactor startup. The initial critical prediction depends on the reactivity conditions at the end of the previous cycle, the temperature feedback ...
CORAL-I was an experimental, zero-power, fast-spectrum, high-enriched metal uranium reactor that operated from 1968 until 1988 at the former Junta de Energia Nuclear (JEN), CIEMAT at present. The critical measurements performed at the startup of the reactor are being evaluated as part of the International Critical Safety Benchmark Evaluation Program (ICSBEP) and proposed to be included in its 2001 edition. Additionally, the measurement of the mass reactivity coefficient is compared with MCNP4B calculations. This measurement allows one to perform the approach to critical without the need of a previous controlrod calibration, thus enhancing the safety of such an approach. This technique can also be applied to other reactor types. CORAL-I (Ref. 1) is a 90% enriched metal uranium reactor domestically designed and manufactured in the experimental facilities of JEN, now CIEMAT, in Madrid, Spain. The enriched uranium was supplied by the International ...
The invention deals with a pumping plant for oil filled power cables. An air driven piston type pump is used as primary pump. A PLS (Programmable Logic control System) is used to control the oil flow to the cable(s). Improvements of the pump includes means for ensuring that the pump piston is operated also at low pressure and flow, and means for sealing off the piston rod to ensure maximum life of seals, to facilitate detection of possible leakages and to avoid contamination of the cable oil. 3 figs.
The central feature of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) is the fast test reactor (FTR), which is a liquid-sodium-cooled fast reactor providing high fast-neutron flux for irradiation testing of fuels and materials. The FTR also provides a means to develop breeder reactor core components and to gain reactor systems operating experience for future liquid-metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBRs). In the FTR core, there are 82 incore positions (within rows 1 through 6) available for driver fuel assemblies and/or test assemblies. In addition, there are three safety rods and six controlrods located in rows 3 and 5, respectively, in the three symmetric core sectors. The FFTF has been successfully and continuously operated for more than 11 reactor cycles. For the first 8 cycles, the core loadings were composed of the mixed-oxide driver fuel assemblies and some test assemblies. These assemblies have an active core section of 91.5 cm ...
This study deals with testing the capability of the code PARET to simulate natural convection cooling phenomena under different boundary conditions. In addition to applying and testing some new options related to simulation of the controlrod movement and studying the reactivity effect of thermal expansion fuel elements. The experiments of the simple thermal hydraulic loop of Missouri university about natural cooling phenomena in two narrow paralled channels were used to validate the code. The study indicate good results regarding the distribution of coolant flux velocity and clad temperature. In particular the heat transfer coefficient of natural convection has been calculated in good agreement with the experiment. On the other hand, the core of MNSR reactor has been modelled to simulate the reactor dynamic behaviour under natural convection cooling conditions for different initial power level. The observed oscillation during the initial phase ...
This study deals with testing the capacity of the code PARET to simulate natural circulation phenomena under different boundary conditions in addition to assessment of some new options related to simulation of controlrod movement and the reactivity effect of thermal expansion fuel elements. the experiments of the simple thermal hydraulic loop of Missouri University about natural circulation phenomena in narrow parallel channel were used to validate the code. The results indicate good agreements regarding the evolution of coolant velocity and clad temperature. In particular the heat transfer coefficient of natural convection has been calculated in good agreement with the experiment. On the other hand, the core of MNSR reactor has been modelled to stimulate the reactor dynamic behaviour under natural circulation condition for different initial power level. The observed oscillations during the initial phase vanish gradually with passing time. In ...
The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) core loading during its ninth operating cycle was significantly different from that of previous cycles because of the presence of the Core Demonstration Experiment (CDE). The CDE consists of a number of axially blanketed fuel assemblies and internal blankets prototypic of advanced oxide cores in Liquid Metal Reactors (LMR). In preparation for the Cycle 9 reload design effort, a careful assessment of controlrod worth and reactivity calculations for Cycles 1 through 8 was made. The goal of this study was to establish calculational biases and reduce uncertainties factored into the reload design calculations. These analyses helped assure that the operational objectives for Cycle 9 were met.
The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) core loading during its ninth operating cycle was significantly different from that of previous cycles because of the presence of the Core Demonstration Experiment (CDE). The CDE consists of a number of axially blanketed fuel assemblies and internal blankets prototypic of advanced oxide cores in Liquid Metal Reactors (LMR). In preparation for the Cycle 9 reload design effort, a careful assessment of controlrod worth and reactivity calculations for Cycles 1 through 8 was made. The goal of this study was to establish calculational biases and reduce uncertainties factored into the reload design calculations. These analyses helped assure that the operational objectives for Cycle 9 were met.
New Non Destructive Testing techniques are currently being developed for the inspection of two groups of components in the FA3 EPR nuclear reactor at Flamanville. The first group of components to be controlled is constituted by the welds of the (89) rod cluster control assemblies' containment; two control types are to be used: an ultrasonic technique (UT) evaluation from the outside of the flange-casing weld, and an ET control from the inside of the three other welds. The second group of components is formed by the 44 welded joints of the primary circuit, which will be inspected through ultrasonic testing. Details of the components, control devices and sensors are given and some test results are presented
Purpose: To enable safety reactor shut down upon occurrence of an abnormal excess pressure in a hydraulic control unit. Constitution: The actuation pressure for a pressure switch that generates a scram signal is set lower than the release pressure set to a pressure release valve. Thus, if the pressure of nitrogen gas in a nitrogen container increases such as upon exposure of the hydraulic control unit to a high temperature, the pressure switch is actuated at first to generate the scram signal and a scram valve is opened to supply water at high pressure to controlrod drives under the driving force of the nitrogen gas at high pressure to rapidly insert the control element into the reactor and shut down it. If the pressure of the nitrogen gas still increases after the scram, the pressure release valve is opened to release the nitrogen gas at high temperature to the atmosphere. Since ...
The results for development of methods and computer programs for integrated optimization of parameters of perspective fast reactors are given. The possibilities of the program for the reactor campaign calculation are analysed. This program is based on utilisation of the Bubnov-Galerkin method and Wigner disturbance theory. The possibility of application of approximation methods for the optimization researches is discussed. The results of development of the programs for complex reactor computations with account of controlrods system and change of physical parameters in the reactor campaign are discussed. (author).
A three-dimensional, continuous-energy, coupled neutron-gamma Monte Carlo model of the advanced neutron source (ANS) final preconceptual reference core design has been developed using MCNP Version 3b. This model contains the reactor core with controlrods, the heavy-water reflector tank with shutdown rods and representative beam tubes, and the outer light-water poor. Eighty homogenized fuel zones per fuel element are used to represent the radical and axial {sup 235}U fuel grading. This model is the most sophisticated, physically accurate reactor physics model of the ANS currently available. The purpose of this summary is to demonstrate the MCNP methods and applications for the ANS.
The loss of seal of the H9 channel in vacuum, freeing the entire cross section of the front part, leads to a fast leak that progresses rapidly. The effect of depressurizing the reflector can leads to shutdown of the shutdown rod pumps. The source changer associated with the channel fills completely before the valve closes. All of the leak water remains contained within the source changer containment. After the valves open, cooling of the fuel element is handled by natural convection, requiring a reversal of the flow between the plates. This changeover, which takes place at a relatively low pressure level, could lead to local boiling in the fuel element. Consequently, irreversible transformations cannot be excluded as possibilities for the fuel element and even for the controlrod. Subsequently, the can is refilled with heavy water with establishment of the usual pressure levels.
The Self Actuated Shutdown System (SASS) is now under development for use in a large scale FBR, in order to establish the passive shutdown capability against the postulated ATWS events, i.e. ULOF, UTOP and ULOHS. The function of SASS makes use of the safety characteristics of a liquid metal cooled FBRs such as a large subcooling and low pressure system. The insertion of the controlrods insertion is assured even in the most conservative seismic design condition by employing articulate rods and the SASS will be installed into the detaching mechanism employing a curie point the magnet alloy. ULOF analysis of the present FBR shows that coolant boiling inception is prevented if a controlrod of the SASS is detached at the uppermost temperature of 680degC for the Curie point magnet, and after the reactor shutdown the coolant temperature is kept below 600degC by the pony motor flow. ...
Boron carbide is a high-technological ceramic material (it is used for lightweight armor, neutron absorbers, wear pieces, etc.). Hot pressing (2200"0C, 40 MPa, Ar atmosphere) and recently high isostatic pressing, are the best know ways for industrial preparation of boron carbide items. Pressureless sintering using metallic, inorganic, B+C, additives is not successful, since, despite having a high density, impurities remain present. Pressureless sintering of boron carbide (or silicon carbide composite) using free carbon addition, produced by in-situ pyrolysis of a Novolaque-type phenol-formaldehyde resin (#approx =# 9 wt%), is now possible in industry. A promising new method is the use of organic precursors, e.g. polycarbosilane with a small amount of phenolic resin, giving CSi and C by in-situ pyrolysis; the resulting boron carbide ceramics have high density (> 92%) and contain no free carbon and a small amount of SiC (#approx =# 5 wt%). The mechanical properties of sintered ...
The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) interim examination and maintenance (IEM) cell is used for the remote disassembly of irradiated fuel and material experiments. The absorber open-test assembly (AOTA) is a 12-m (40-ft)-long instrumented absorber (control-rod-material) test assembly. Its primary purpose is to characterize the FFTF control-rod-material reaction rate during reactor operation. Instrumentation allowed temperature and pressure measurements at various locations in several absorber pins during reactor operation. After residing several months in the reactor, the assembly was transferred to the IEM cell by the closed-loop ex-vessel machine (CLEM) for separation of the irradiated portion of the experiment from the instrument stalk. After separation, the 3.6-m (12-ft)-long assembly was processed through the sodium removal system and shipped off-site for examination. This success allowed the timely completion of a major task on the FFTF ...
In the framework of the plutonium production optimization in the PWR, many solutions are studied to decrease or recycle the plutonium of the nuclear fuels. Among these solutions, the inert matrix fuels (IMF) are proposed in this thesis. In seven chapters the author presents, the context and the state of the art, the different matrix, the calculi codes such as APOLLO2 or TRIPOLI4 needed to the neutronic analysis, the different fuel assemblies (CERMET UO{sub 2}, MOX, PuO{sub 2} and PuO{sub 2}-UO{sub 2}), the efficiency of the controlrods in the case of the PWR, the cross sections problem, preliminary reflexions on critical accidents. (A.L.B.)
Transients induced in nuclear power plants from many sources result in one or more fluid conditions changing with time. Fluid conditions of pressure, inlet temperature, inlet flow, or even system power many change separately or in conjunction with each other. The result of the condition change may be one which induces departure from nucleate boiling. An experimental investigation of transient which were intended to achieve Critical Heat Flux was performed at the Heat Transfer Research Facility of Columbia University for Siemens Nuclear Power Corporation. The transients were set up to include broad ranges of flow and pressure conditions near the operating range of pressurized water reactors. Transient events were dominated by varying single conditions and measuring the response of the system and of the rod thermocouples. Because of coupling effects within the test loop, secondary conditions would also vary. In order to perform controlled tests ...
It has been issued that ROP(Regional Overpower Protection) for Wolsong Unit 1 needed to be reanalyzed due to the aging effect. Thermo-hydraulics and core simulation have to be performed for calculation of the fuel bundle power, channel power and detector signal production. PPV/MULTICELL/RFSP code system was used to calculate the power distribution for the ROP analysis. In this study, 232 cases out of 926 scenarios which include postulated accidents such as Startup after Short Shutdown, Shim Cases, Stepback, Insertion and Withdrawal of Reactivity ControlRods were simulated.
This handbook breaks down the complex field of nuclear reactor calculations into major steps. Each step presents a detailed analysis of the problems to be solved, the parameters involved, and the elaborate computer programs developed to perform the calculations. This book bridges the gap between nuclear reactor theory and the implementation of that theory, including the problems to be encountered and the level of confidence that should be given to the methods described. Volume III: ControlRods and Burnable Absorber Calculations. Perturbation Theory for Nuclear Reactor Analysis. Thermal Reactors Calculations. Fast Reactor Calculations. Seed-Blanket Reactors. Index.
The manufacturing of TRIGA fuel rods with low enriched uranium follows in principle the same route as high-enriched uranium. The high purity of the primary metals (uranium, zirconium and erbium) is important for determining the equilibrium metal-hydrogen phases. The impurities from the metal, on the surface and from hydrogen may have an important influence on the hydriding process. This paper presents the aspects of the fuel contamination with oxygen during the manufacturing process of the low enriched uranium fuel. The continuous control of the oxygen concentration in the working zone ensures avoidance of the accidental contamination. Key words: manufacturing, fuel, oxygen, contamination. (authors)
The authors propose an integrated indicator of pump-rod couplings that allows both the couplings and the pump operations to be appraised according to the given formula. (Formula provided). The dynamic relationships of rod operations were determined with nomographs. These relationships involve such factors as: the type and size of the sucker-rod string; the pressure load at the equalizer head and its correlation to threshold pressure at pump discharge; pump diameter; the rod weight and construction; and integral reliability indicators.
Abstract A facile and efficient single-step mineralization approach was exploited for achieving nanoscopic hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystal layer in chitosan porous matrix, wherein a mixed water-ethanol solvent was used to control the growth of minerals. The crystallographic structure, morphology, and mechanical properties of the scaffold were analyzed with XRD, FTIR, environmental scanning electric microscopy (ESEM), TEM, and compression tests. The behaviors and responses of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells on the scaffolds were studied as well. The results showed that the scaffolds kept woodpile structure with predefined and controlled hierarchical structure after mineralization. The inorganic phase in the mineralized chitosan scaffolds was determined as pure rod-like HAP, which settled densely...
In nuclear reactor safety research, the question of the possible consequences of delayed core reflood during severe accidents or anticipated transient without scram transients in boiling water reactors (BWRs) has been raised. One can envisage a very low probability accident scenario leading to core uncovery and core heat-up, followed by control blade melting and subsequential delayed reflooding of the core with unborated water before its degradation. Reflooding of the hot core causes significant increases in the peak heating, melting, and hydrogen production rates, thus increasing the probability of core degradation. However, as has been established, debris beds formed from shattered fuel rods and quenched fuel melt will be undermoderated. The reflood process of a voided, intact core was examined using the TRAC/BFI CODE.
In order to practice a design-by-analysis of thermohydraulics design of BWR fuel rod bundles, the subchannel analysis would play a major role. There, the immediate concern is improvement in its predictive capability of CHF due in particular to the film dryout (boiling transition phenomena: BT) on the fuel rod surface. Constitutive equations in the subchannel analysis formulation are responsible for the quality of calculated results. The constitutive equations are a result of integration of the local and instantaneous description of two-phase flows over the subchannel control volume. In general, they are expressed in terms of subchannel-control-volume- as well as area-averaged two-phase flow state variables. In principle the information on local and instantaneous physical phenomena taking place inside subchannels must be counted for in the algebraic form of the equations on the basis of a more ...
Full text of publication follows:In order to practice a design-by-analysis of thermohydraulics design of BWR fuel rod bundles, the subchannel analysis would play a major role. There, the immediate concern is improvement in its predictive capability of CHF due in particular to the film dryout (boiling transition phenomena: BT) on the fuel rod surface. Constitutive equations in the subchannel analysis formulation are responsible for the quality of calculated results. The constitutive equations are a result of integration of the local and instantaneous description of two-phase flows over the subchannel control volume. In general, they are expressed in terms of subchannel-control-volume- as well as area-averaged two-phase flow state variables. In principle the information on local and instantaneous physical phenomena taking place inside subchannels must be counted for in the algebraic form of the equations ...
In order to practice a design-by-analysis of thermohydraulics design of BWR fuel rod bundles, the subchannel analysis would play a major role. There, the immediate concern is improvement in its predictive capability of CHF due in particular to the film dryout (boiling transition phenomena: BT) on the fuel rod surface. Constitutive equations in the subchannel analysis formulation are responsible for the quality of calculated results. The constitutive equations are a result of integration of the local and instantaneous description of two-phase flows over the subchannel control volume. In general, they are expressed in terms of subchannel-control-volume- as well as area-averaged two-phase flow state variables. In principle the information on local and instantaneous physical phenomena taking place inside subchannels must be counted for in the algebraic form of the equations on the basis of a more ...
This paper reports on three-dimensional continuous-energy coupled neutron-gamma Monte Carlo models of the Advanced Neutron Source (ANS) final preconceptual and conceptual reference core designs developed using the Monte Carlo Neutron and Photon transport code (MCNP) Version 3b. These models contain the reactor core with controlrods, the heavy water reflector tank with shutdown rods and some beam tubes, and the outer light water pool. Eighty homogenized fuel zones per fuel element are used to represent the radial and axial {sup 235}U fuel distribution. These models are the most sophisticated, physically accurate reactor physics models of the ANS currently available. The use of MCNP methods and applications to the ANS are demonstrated. Beam tube studies, coolant voiding studies, and many criticality studies have already been performed, as have studies with variance reduction techniques. In comparison with deterministic ...
An experimental apparatus has been built that allows direct measurement of the oil film thickness in a bearing that is subjected to dynamic loads and shaft speeds representative of those occurring in automotive engine connecting rod, big-end bearings. Dynamic motion of the shaft, relative to the bearing, is measured as a function of shaft rotational angle, using non-contact, eddy-current probes. A computer based data acquisition system is used to measure, record, and analyze the journal position in the bearing. The test bearing is 63.5 mm in diameter by 25.4 mm long, and is loaded using a servo-hydraulic actuator rated at 98.3 kN. The journal has an operating speed of 500 to 3800 rpm. The actuator is controlled by a computer-generated waveform that can duplicate load profiles developed by various engines operating at a wide range of conditions. Measurements taken with the shaft statically loaded show excellent agreement with results calculated ...
New visual pigments were formed with 4-hydroxy retinals in isolated vertebrate rod photoreceptors by exposing bleached rods from the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, to lipid vesicles containing...Full Text Available
Reactor Regulating System (RRS) of TAPP-3 and 4 (540 MWe PHWR) addresses issues of elaborate Flux Tilt Control as applied to large Reactor Cores in addition to the traditional Bulk Power (Actual Power) Control. The control of Bulk and Zonal Power by RRS through the use of Zonal Control Compartments (ZCCs) has been successfully demonstrated in the Indian PHWRs for the first time. Features like automation in Demand Power Maneuvering, Manual Movement of Reactivity Devices through the Human Machine Interface (HMI) and the supervised withdrawal of Shut-off Rods during Auto Criticality are also included. Special algorithms to measure and control the individual Zone Power and Bulk Power also form part of RRS algorithms. This paper describes the salient features of RRS of TAPP-3 and 4 and the improvement carried out based on the feedback of past 1 year of operation of ...
In order to practice design-by-analysis of thermohydraulics design of BWR fuel rod bundles, the subchannel analysis would play a major role. There, one of the immediate concerns is improvement in its predictive capability of boiling transition phenomena on the fuel rod surface. This capability strongly depends on the modeling of thermohydraulics phenomena of interests: 1) vapor-liquid redistribution by inter-subchannel exchanges due to the diversion cross flow, turbulent mixing and void drift, 2) liquid film behaviors, 3) transition of two-phase flow regimes, 4) droplet entrainment and deposition and 5) spacer-droplet interactions. These are considered to be five key factors in understanding the BT in BWR fuel rod bundles. This paper describes a progress and current status in the second year of the three year project on developing generalized boiling transition models with the above five key factors being focused on. A ...
The utilization of electrically heated rods for the simulation of nuclear fuel rods represents an universally adopted method by the nuclear industry to study thermalhydraulic problems. The present work represents the development of a method to obtain the time variation of the electric linear power necessary to simulate a given nuclear power transient in order to yield the same temperature and heat flux conditions in the surface of the electrical heater that would be obtained by the nuclear fuel rod. (Author).
Critical power characteristics of tight lattice rod assembly was investigated using a simple-shaped experimental apparatus. An electrically heated rod with four spacers was placed in a circular tube, and boiling transition condition for a rod in an annular geometry was clarified varing annulus clearance. It was found that critical heat flux depends strongly on the clearance accoding as the gap becomes smaller. This results was compared with KfK correlation and the trends were well correlated. (author).
A combined numerical and theoretical study is conducted herein on the penetration of semi-infinite targets by jacketed rods with different r"j"0/r"c"0 ratios where r"j"0 and r"c"0 are the radii of the jacket and the core, respectively. The numerical results show that for smaller r"j"0/r"c"0 ratios the u-v relationship changes only a little compared to that of unitary long rod penetrator of the same core material, hence, the u-v relationship of unitary (homogeneous) long rod penetration is also applicable for jacketed rod penetration. Model for cratering in semi-infinite targets by jacketed rods is then suggested by using the laws of conversation of mass, momentum and energy, together with the u-v relationship of unitary (homogeneous) long rod penetration and an analytical model for predict...
A series of tests were completed at the Fast Flux Test Facility to demonstrate the passive safety characteristics of liquid metal reactors with natural circulation flow. The first test consisted of transition from forced to natural circulation flow at an initial decay power of 0.3%. The second test represented an unprotected loss-of-flow transient to natural circulation from 50% power with the controlrods prevented from scramming into the core. The third test was a steady-state, natural circulation condition with core fission powers up ato about 2.3%. Core sodium data and results of single and multi-channel computer models confirmed the reliability and effectiveness of natural circulation flow for liquid metal reactor safety.
Quantitative, experimentally based assessments of the biases of the methods used to develop the neutronics design of the FTR are presented together with brief descriptions of the design methods. Uncertainties in biases have been established that are sufficiently small to allow a high degree of confidence in the nuclear design. Experimental data for these assessments have been developed in full-scale zero-power mockups of the final design of the reactor, except for Doppler data from SEFOR. Temperature, power coefficient, and stability methods evaluations are necessarily deferred to acceptance testing during initial startup of the FTR. Sodium voiding and small sample worths continue to be the technical areas of greatest complexity with least experiment-theory correlation. Critical mass, Doppler effects, controlrod worth, and spatial power distribution have generally good experiment-theory correlations.
This study report presents the shutdown chemistry of PWR primary system to reduce and remove the radioactive corrosion products which were deposited on the nuclear fuel rods surface and the outside of core like steam generator channel head, RCS pipings etc. The major research results are the follows ; the deposition radioactive mechanism of corrosion products, the radiochemical composition, the condition of coolant chemistry to promote the dissolution of radioactive cobalt and nickel ferrite, the control method of dissolved hydrogen concentration in the coolant by the mechanical and chemical methods. The another part of study is to investigate the removal characteristics of corrosion product ions and particles by the demineralization system to suggest the method which the system could be operate effectively in shut-down purification period. (author). 19 refs., 25 figs., 48 tabs.
A program of tests were conducted in July 1986 at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) to demonstrate that the reactor could withstand a prototypic loss of flow (LOF) without scram without sustaining fuel damage. The reactor was taken to powers up to 50%, and the main primary coolant pump motors were tripped without scramming the controlrods. This paper summarizes the analyses performed to demonstrate the maintenance of redundant protection for all design events as well as potential new events introduced by the test. The analyses focused on the following consequences: (1) unexpected test behavior; (2) transient overpower event during the test; and (3) LOF event during the test.
In order to assess various core parameters a reference equilibrium core with Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel for Pakistan Research Reactor (PARR-1) was assembled. Due to increased volume of reference core, the average neutron flux reduced as compared to the first higher power operation. To get a higher neutron flux an irradiation facility was created in centre of the reference equilibrium core where the advantage of the neutron flux peaking was taken. Various low power experiments were performed in order to evaluate controlrods worth and neutron flux mapping inside the core. The neutron flux inside the central irradiation facility almost doubled. With this arrangement reactor operation time was cut down from 72 hours to 48 hours for the production of the required specific radioactivity. (author)
The foundation of a drill unit for cluster drilling of wells is proposed, which includes support, intermediate, and primary girders, forward and rear carts attached to them, railways and traction units. In order to improve operating reliability of the device during unloading on the cart during drilling and placement of the elevator and movement of the foundation within the area of the cluster of boreholes, it is equipped with controllablerods for connecting the carts to one another with the power component. Each of the power components is attached by hinges to a cart and intermediate girder, while the railways with parts are located on supporting girders. The forward carts are connected to the traction units. In order to reduce labor in moving the foundation to a new borehole of the cluster the foundation has brackets and temporary support. The power components have braces which are connected by hinges to them in the intermediate girders.
SAMPSON is an integration of twelve analysis modules under the final development phase (phase-2) and will be capable of simulating hypothesized severe accidents in a nuclear power plant. One of these modules, the Molten Core Relocation Analysis (MCRA) module, simulates the relocation behavior of a molten core during a severe accident. MCRA models severe accident phenomena by using mechanistic formulations for multi-phase, multi-component, and multi-velocity field. As one of the verification studies of SAMPSON in Phase-1, the in-core phenomena of PHEBUS/FPT0 was analyzed with three modules, MCRA, fuel rod heat up analysis (FRHA) module, and the analysis control module (ACM) of SAMPSON. (author)
Electrical penetration assemblies mounted on the containment wall are used to carry electrical power and signals from the equipment inside this containment (e.g. recirculation pumps, controlrod position indications etc.) Todays BWR nuclear power plants apply epoxy resin sealed electric penetration. Contrariwise, the epoxy resin (organic sealant) was replaced with sodium barium glass (inorganic) by way of trial in search for a quality sealant. The glass sealant has been proved to have high temperature airtightness at 300 degC above from an evaluation test involving full-scale model parts. Environmental tests were conducted continuously as to heat cycle, vibration and LOCA etc. the specimens (module) of five types. They were made certain of conformity to the design requirements for boiling water operation. (author).
The Cycle 8A static tests conducted in the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) during 1986 have resulted in the separation of various feedback reactivity components. These feedback components, described by closed-form equations depending only on the reactor temperature field, can be regarded as database for the validation and/or calibration of feedback mechanistic models. The SASSYS safety analysis code contains the most developed feedback reactivity models and was selected for the comparison study between database and mechanistic calculations for the FFTF. Although detailed feedback models for controlrod repositioning and core radial expansion/bowing exist, only the simple models were available in SASSYS at the time of this study. The results are described in this paper.
In FY1994, JMTR was in operation during 4 operation cycles with low enriched Uranium(LEU,20%) fuel for irradiation study of nuclear fuels and materials and for radioisotope production. Irradiation studies were carried out using capsules, Oarai Gas Loop-1(OGL-1), Oarai Shroud Facility(OSF-1) and hydraulic rabbits irradiation facilities in support of LWR, FBR, HTTR and thermonuclear reactor. Irradiation studies on blanket materials were intensively carried out. Power ramping tests were carried out and the future program is under consideration. For R and D works, neutron spectrum evaluation technology, re-instrumentation technique for irradiation fuel rod, remote controlled SEM apparatus and examination technique with miniaturized specimens were successfully developed. (author).
A comparative core design study is performed on Pb-Bi cooled reactors with forced and natural convection (FC and NC) cooling. Major interests of the study are core performance and core safety features. The designed core concepts with nitride fuel achieve reasonable breeding capability. The results of unprotected event analyses such as UTOP and ULOF show that both of concepts have possible features to withstand unprotected events due to negative reactivity feedback by Doppler effect, controlrod drive line expansion, etc. These results lead to a conclusion that both of concepts have possible capability as one of future promising core concepts. A FC cooling core concept has more advantage if fuel recycle viewpoint is emphasized. (author)
The applicability of the thermal response of an electrically heated simulated rod mostly used in loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA) experiments to that of a nuclear fuel rod is a concern for the safety evaluation of a reactor. The present analysis describes the characteristics of the thermal response for both electrically heated and nuclear fuel rods during typical reflood conditions for a PWR-LOCA. A model describing the radial temperature field in the rod is developed based on the scheme in HETRAP code by Malang and incorporated into a reflood analysis code, REFLA for that purpose. The calculations applied to the existing reflood tests gave good agreement with experiments, showing the validity of the present model. The analysis has shown that the nuclear fuel rod tends to give a lower clad temperature and a sooner quench time than the electrically heated rod in a ...
For safety evaluations and licensing procedures, fuel rod performance is predicted through model calculations. Due to the complexity of fuel rod performance and the insufficient availability of experimental data, such calculations necessarily reflect inaccuracies and conservatism. For verification and development of more realistic models and submodels, acquisition of reliable on-line data on fuel rod performance characteristics is imperative. The present paper describes the instruments and equipment applied in the Halden Reactor for on-line measurements of fuel rod and assembly power and power distribution, and fuel rod axial and diameter deformation. Recent results from evaluation of such fuel rod deformation measurements, covering fuel rods with different designs, subjected to various modes of operation, including startup ramps, steady ...
Ball screw bearings are used for the fine control of ControlRod Drive Mechanism (CEDM) for the SMART-P. Because the friction coefficient of the ball screw bearings suddenly increases at the limit temperature of 120 .deg. C, the surrounding temperature of the ball screw bearings should be less than the limit temperature for the functional integrity of the CEDM. The CEDM coolers are installed at the lower portion of the ball screw bearings to maintain the bearings' temperature less than the limit. In order to check the CEDM cooler satisfy the temperature limit of ball screw bearing at the possible operational conditions, the cooling capacity of the CEDM coolers, which was determined at the stage of 'conceptual design', is evaluated using the Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) code, Fluent. The analysis result shows that the current CEDM coolers satisfy the CEDM temperature limit of 120 .deg. C for ...
Ball screw bearings are used for the fine control of ControlRod Drive Mechanism (CEDM) for the SMART-P. Because the friction coefficient of the ball screw bearings suddenly increases at the limit temperature of 120 .deg. C, the surrounding temperature of the ball screw bearings should be less than the limit temperature for the functional integrity of the CEDM. The CEDM coolers are installed at the lower portion of the ball screw bearings to maintain the bearings' temperature less than the limit. In order to check the CEDM cooler satisfy the temperature limit of ball screw bearing at the possible operational conditions, the cooling capacity of the CEDM coolers, which was determined at the stage of 'conceptual design', is evaluated using the Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) code, Fluent. The analysis result shows that the current CEDM coolers satisfy the CEDM temperature limit of 120 .deg. C for the all the operation modes ...
In this study, the adoptable essential technologies and reference design concept of the advanced reactor were developed and related basic experiments were performed. (1) Once-through Helical Steam Generator: a performance analysis computer code for heli-coiled steam generator was developed for thermal sizing of steam generator and determination of thermal-hydraulic parameters. (2) Self-pressurizing pressurizer : a performance analysis computer code for cold pressurizer was developed. (3) Controlrod drive mechanism for fine control : type and function were surveyed. (4) CHF in passive PWR condition : development of the prediction model bundle CHF by introducing the correction factor from the data base. (5) Passive cooling concepts for concrete containment systems: development of the PCCS heat transfer coefficient. (6) Steam injector concepts: analysis and experiment were conducted. (7) Fluidic diode concepts : analysis and ...
The ControlRod Drive(CRD) nozzles for PWR nuclear power plants(NPP) house the controlrod drives. The number of nozzle penetrations range from the mid-30's to over 100 in each reactor head. The integrity of CRD nozzles is very important, because the primary pressure boundary is established with the J-groove weld joining the nozzle to the head clad surface. The Alloy 600 PWSC CRD nozzle leaks discovered in the fall of 2000 and spring of 2001 in several US plants. Therefore the NRC has recommended a more proactive effort by US utilities to inspect similarly susceptible nozzles in all US plants. The primary safety concern is circumferential cracks that can permit the nozzles to separate from the head at high velocity and produce a large-break leak in the reactor vessel. A secondary concern is head leakage from any through-wall cracks in the nozzle or J-groove weld area. Numerous inspection and ...
Beginning in 1990, gram-positive rods resembling Actinomyces pyogenes were found with increasing frequency in mixed cultures from various infectious processes, most of them from patients with otitis,...Full Text Available
This report contains the study on the dynamic characteristics of Wolsung fuel rod and on the dynamic balancing of rotating machinery to evaluate the performance of nuclear reactor components. The study on the dynamic characteristics of Wolsung fuel rod wa...
This paper describes the effects of SiC coating on the oxidation resistance of C/C composites in combusting fields, which are expected to be applied to high temperature structural materials at over 1770K. The coating methods employed were CVD and pack cementation. The time changes in weight loss of the specimens were measured at temperatures of 1770K and 1900K under the equivalence ratio of 0.9 generated by methane-air combustion, and the surface of the specimens before and after the experiment was observed by SEM. Although the weight loss of the specimens coated by the CVD method was minimal, the coating layer was easily peeled off from the substrate. On the other hand, the layer of the specimens coated by the pack cementation method was stable and adhered to the substrate, but the substrate was degraded because of penetration of oxygen through the pores in the layer. To cover the pores, the specimens were additionally coated with glass materials comprised of metal-Si, ...
Current trends in nuclear power generation (and particularly in pressurized water reactors) are toward plant life extension and extended fuel burnup. A higher heat generation rate can induce local boiling regimes at the fuel rod surface in the hottest channels of the core, which can strongly modify the chemical environment of the cladding and influence the oxidation rate of zirconium alloys. Tests performed in out-of-pile loops under severe chemical and thermal-hydraulic conditions (nucleate boiling, higher lithium contents compared to PWRs) reveal two important phenomena: an increase of the oxidation rate of Zircaloy-4 cladding materials in 'high' lithiated environments; an enrichment of the chemical additives in the primary water (boron, lithium) at the surface of the cladding under nucleate boiling conditions. The latter phenomenon, also called 'hideout effect', is mainly controlled by some thermal hydraulic parameters such as bubble ...
Initial major applications of neutron radiography (NR) to nuclear engineering were nondestructive inspections of nuclear fuel, controlrods, reactor materials and some other components. Increase in the available neutron flux over 10{sup 8} n/cm{sup 2}s at the JRR-3M thermal neutron radiography facility (TNRF) in 1991 has expanded the application field to the dynamic but clear imaging of moving objects and fluid phenomena. The JRR-3M TNRF is facilitated with three major imaging systems, being characterized by spatial and/or temporal resolutions: 1. Static neutron radiography (SNR), 2. real-time neutron radiography (RNR) with an imaging rate of 30 frames/s and 3. High-frame-rate neutron radiography (HFRNR). SNR has been used for three-dimensional visualization of air-water two-phase flows in a simulated rod bundle. Three-dimensional computed tomography clearly illustrated average void fraction distributions around tie ...
The CANDU-type nuclear fuel localization project started in 1981, and mass-production system completed in 1987 through the pilot scale demonstration of fuel manufacturing. Since the completion of the mass-production system, about 24,000 fuel bundles (450 ton-U) had been delivered to Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant by the end of 1992, according to the fuel supply contracts with KEPCO. The superiority of KAERI-made nuclear fuel has been demonstrated by having achieved the highest utilization factor in the world in 1992. In 1993, as contracted, 4,824 fuel bundles well fabricated and delivered to Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant. The process improvement, quality control, safety management, safeguards of nuclear materials and various kinds of audits have also been performed in the course for fuel manufacturing. Especially in 1993, the difficulties of the reduction of participating work-force were overcome by improving the manufacturing techniques, and raising the efficiency of ...
The feasibility of using a thermoplastic-powder metallurgy technique for the fabrication of porous niobium rods was investigated. Some early problems were overcome to successfully extrude the polymer coated niobium powder into long lengths. The effects of certain process variables were investigated. Residual porosity and extrusion pressure were found to be regulated by the polymer fraction. The procedures for taking the extruded polystyrene--niobium rods through the heat treatments to the final, tin infiltrated stage are explained.
This is a patent for a device to increase compaction of the loaded batch in a coking chamber that assures a balanced compaction of the batch from the upper to the bottom layer. The leveling rod has a device on the external end that causes the rod to shift vertically and bring pressure on the material and the pressing attachment. Opposite the loading hoppers of the coking chambers there are guides that ensure the rod will be sunk perpendicularly into the loaded material.
A design concept is presented for an in-bundle gamma densitometer system for measurement of subchannel average fluid density and void fraction in rod or tube bundles. This report describes (1) the application of the design concept to the Thermal-Hydraulic Test Facility (THTF) electrically heated rod bundle; and (2) results from tests conducted in the THTF.
The computer program is developed based on Visual C++, which is equipped with a user-friendly interface of the input/output(I/O) and a display function for the measuring conditions. This program consists of three parts which are the port communication, PLC(Programmable Logic Controller) and the MCA(Multi Channel Analyzer) control parts. The communication type between the CPU of the PLC module box and the computer is selected as be the Rs-232 asynchronous type and the thread method is adapted in the development of the first part of the program. The PLC-related program has been developed so that the data communication between the PLC CPU and the computer could be harmonized with the unique commands which have already been defined in the PLC. The measuring space and time intervals, the start and end ROI(region of interest) values, and the allowable error limitation are input at each measurement in this program. Finally the ...
Fuel rod failures produce a release of fission products into primary coolant system. Since nuclear power plants have licensing limits for the release of volatile fission products to the environment (off-gas limits) detailed monitoring of the development of clad failure is necessary. In case of fuel rod failure a release of fission products into the primary coolant system arises. Fission gases accumulated in the free volume of a fuel rod escape through the clad defect. Water entering the fuel rod reacts with fission products, forming volatile chemical compounds. These may escape in a similar manner into the fission gases. Other compounds may dissolve and may be carried outside the fuel rod as dissolved species. Consequently, the distribution of these fission products, in the cross section of the fuel rod, is modified. An implementation of the maximum entropy ...
In the rod and hole paradox as described by Rindler (1961 Am. J. Phys. 29 365-6), a rigid rod moves at high speed over a table towards a hole of the same size. Observations from the inertial frames of the rod and slot are widely different. Rindler explains these differences by the concept of differing perceptions in rigidity. Gron and Johannesen (1993 Eur. J. Phys. 14 97-100) confirmed this aspect by computer simulation where the shapes of the rods are different as observed from the co-moving frames of the rod and slot. Lintel and Gruber (2005 Eur. J. Phys. 26 19-23) presented an approach based on retardation due to speed of stress propagation. In this paper we consider the situation when two parallel rods collide while approaching each other along a line at an inclination with their axis. The collisions of the top and bottom ends are reversed in time order as ...
An experimental study was carried out to determine the effect of rod-bowing on critical heat flux, using an electrically heated rod cluster. In this experiment, rod-bow was set to occur in the severest subchannel and axially at the middle between the last two spacers, with uniform axial heat flux. The maximum gap between the outer and inner rods was reduced variously to 1.6 mm, 1.00 mm and zero from the nominal value of 2.1 mm. Other experimental conditions were as follows: pressure 7 MPa; mass velocity 640-2600 kg/m"2sec; inlet subcooling 40-560 kJ/kg. Experimental results show only a slight rod-bowing effect, if any, compared with normal spacing, as confirmed by analysis of three-dimensional heat conduction around the rod-bowing area and by the local steam quality deviations calculated by subchannel analyses. (Auth.).
A system for real-time neutron radiography of moving objects is described. It comprise a source adapted to generate a continuous uninterrupted series of neutron pulses. Each pulse has a predetermined peak power and duration compatible with the framing times of a real-time video imaging system. A transporter moves an object to be examined to bring sequentially position selected portions of the object in the path of the pulses. Where the object itself has moving components, pulses are sequentially incident on the object. According to any dissimilarities, the object will alter the intensity of the neutrons passing therethrough. In order to record separately the changes in the neutron intensity, for each pulse, an imager is positioned to receive the neutron beam pulses which have been altered by their passage through the object and produce images indicating intensity alterations. A refrigerated beryllium filter can be used to effectively eliminate thermal neutrons from the pulses and ...
A system for real-time neutron radiography of moving objects is described. It comprise a source adapted to generate a continuous uninterrupted series of neutron pulses. Each pulse has a predetermined peak power and duration compatible with the framing times of a real-time video imaging system. A transporter moves an object to be examined to bring sequentially position selected portions of the object in the path of the pulses. Where the object itself has moving components, pulses are sequentially incident on the object. According to any dissimilarities, the object will alter the intensity of the neutrons passing therethrough. In order to record separately the changes in the neutron intensity, for each pulse, an imager is positioned to receive the neutron beam pulses which have been altered by their passage through the object and produce images indicating intensity alterations. A refrigerated beryllium filter can be used to effectively eliminate thermal neutrons from the pulses and ...
The gadolinium isotopes are interesting for reactor applications as well as for medicine and astrophysics. The gadolinium isotopes have some of the largest neutron capture cross sections. As a consequence they are used in the controlrod in reactor fuel assembly. From the basic science point of view, there are seven stable isotopes of gadolinium with varying degrees of deformation. Therefore they provide a good testing ground for the study of deformation dependent structure such as the scissors mode. Decay gamma rays following neutron capture on Gd isotopes are detected by the DANCE array, which is located at flight path 14 at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The high segmentation and close packing of the detector array enable gamma-ray multiplicity measurements. The calorimetric properties of the DANCE array coupled with the neutron time-of-flight technique enables one to gate on a specific resonance of a ...
As shown in various new examples, HABOG facility (Netherlands), CERNAVODA (Candu - Romania), KOZLODUY (WWER - Bulgaria), CHERNOBYL ( RMBK - Ukraine), MAYAK (Spent Fuel from submarine and Icebreakers - Russia), recent studies allow to confirm the flexibility and performances of the CASCAD system proposed by SGN, both in safety and operability, for the dry storage of main kinds of spent fuel. The main features are: A multiple containment barrier system: as required by international regulation, 2 independent barriers are provided (tight canister and storage pit); Passive cooling, while the Fuel Assemblies are stored in an inert atmosphere and under conditions of temperature preventing from degradation of rod cladding; Sub-criticality controlled by adequate arrangements in any conditions; Safe facility meeting ICPR 60 Requirements as well as all applicable regulations (including severe weather conditions and earthquake); Safe handling operations; ...
Sudden changes in the temperature of flowing liquids can result in transient buoyancy forces which strongly impact the flow hydrodynamics via flow stratification. These effects have been studied for the case of potential flow of stratified liquids to line sinks, but not for moderator flow in SRS reactors. Standard codes, such as TRAC and COMMIX, do not have the capability to capture the stratification effect, due to strong numerical diffusion which smears away the hot/cold fluid interface. A related problem with standard codes is the inability to track plumes injected into the liquid flow, again due to numerical diffusion. The combined effects of buoyant stratification and plume dispersion have been identified as being important in operation the Supplementary Safety System which injects neutron-poison ink into SRS reactors to provide safe shutdown in the event of safety rod failure. The MODFLOW code discussed here provides transient moderator flow pattern ...
Sudden changes in the temperature of flowing liquids can result in transient buoyancy forces which strongly impact the flow hydrodynamics via flow stratification. These effects have been studied for the case of potential flow of stratified liquids to line sinks, but not for moderator flow in SRS reactors. Standard codes, such as TRAC and COMMIX, do not have the capability to capture the stratification effect, due to strong numerical diffusion which smears away the hot/cold fluid interface. A related problem with standard codes is the inability to track plumes injected into the liquid flow, again due to numerical diffusion. The combined effects of buoyant stratification and plume dispersion have been identified as being important in operation the Supplementary Safety System which injects neutron-poison ink into SRS reactors to provide safe shutdown in the event of safety rod failure. The MODFLOW code discussed here provides transient moderator flow pattern ...
This project of law concerns an additional protocol to the agreement of warranties signed on September 22, 1998 between France, the European atomic energy community and the IAEA. This agreement concerns the declaration of all information relative to the R and D activities linked with the fuel cycle and involving the cooperation with a foreign country non endowed with nuclear weapons. These information include the trade and processing of nuclear and non-nuclear materials and equipments devoted to nuclear reactors (pressure vessels, fuel loading/unloading systems, controlrods, force and zirconium tubes, primary coolant pumps, deuterium and heavy water, nuclear-grade graphite), to fuel reprocessing plants, to isotope separation plants (gaseous diffusion, laser enrichment, plasma separation, electromagnetic enrichment), to heavy water and deuterium production plants, and to uranium conversion plants. (J.S.)
Work at Institutt for energiteknikk (IFE) comprises both nuclear and non-nuclear activities. The main nuclear program is centered on the Halden Reactor Project. In 1958, the first Halden Reactor Project Agreement was signed by organisations representing 12 European countries. During 1994 France became a full member and associate membership was established with Russia. Accordingly, 16 countries were participating in the Project by the end of the year. The objectives have evolved from being simply a demonstration of the operation of a boiling heavy-water reactor to becoming a substantial research and development programme covering the domains of human-machine interaction, fuel behaviour, materials testing, water chemistry, and instrumentation. In 1994, significant progress was achieved in all of the areas addressed by the project, including the re-instrumentation of irradiated fuel rods, fission gas release, irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking, a ...
Microstructure evolution under hot deformation was investigated in compression of a magnesium alloy AZ31 at 673 K (0.73T{sub m}). Two kinds of samples were machined along the parallel and transverse direction of the extruded rods. New fine grains are evolved at corrugated grain boundaries at low strains and developed rapidly in grain interiors in the medium range of strain, finally leading to a roughly full evolution of equiaxial fine grains. Kink bands are evolved at corrugated grain boundaries and in grain interiors at low strains. The boundary misorientation of kink band increases rapidly with increasing strain. These characteristics of new grain evolution process are not changed by the orientation of the samples, while the flow behaviors clearly depend on it. It is concluded that new grain evolution can be controlled by a deformation-induced continuous reaction resulting in grain fragmentation by kink bands, i.e. continuous dynamic ...
To seek for a promising concept of a heavy liquid metal coolant (HLMC) fast reactor plant, Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute and the electric utilities conducted conceptual design study on various types of plant concepts and compared these concepts based on technical feasibility and economical perspective. A comparative design study is performed on Lead-Bismuth cooled reactors with forced and natural convection cooling. Eliminating an intermediate cooling system makes the heat transport system simple and can decrease the amount of the weight of NSSS. Based on the estimation of the amount materials, the plant internal load etc., a construction cost of these plants are evaluated approximately 2/3 times of that of LWRs at present. And, the nitride fuel makes breeding ratio of 1.2 with 150 GWd/t of burnup. The results of unprotected event analyses such as UTOP and ULOF show that both of concepts have possible features to withstand unprotected events due to negative reactivity ...
The present paper is concerned with development and application of a so-called Effective Convection Model (ECM), which aims to provide a detailed, mechanistic description of heat transfer processes in a BWR lower plenum. The ECM is a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-like tool which employs a simpler and more effective approach to compute heat transfer by solving only energy conservation equation instead of solving the full set of Navier-Stokes and energy equations by a CFD code. We implement the ECM in a CFD code (Fluent), with detailed description of the ECM development, implementation and validation. A dual approach is used to validate the ECM, namely validation against experimental data and against heat transfer results obtained by CFD predictions in the same geometries and conditions. Insights gained from CFD simulations are also used to improve ECM. The ECM capability as an effective tool to simulate heat transfer of an internally heated volume in 3-dimensional complex geometry ...
The present paper is concerned with development and application of a so-called Effective Convection Model (ECM), which aims to provide a detailed, mechanistic description of heat transfer processes in a BWR lower plenum. The ECM is a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-like tool which employs a simpler and more effective approach to compute heat transfer by solving only energy conservation equation instead of solving the full set of Navier-Stokes and energy equations by a CFD code. We implement the ECM in a CFD code (Fluent), with detailed description of the ECM development, implementation and validation. A dual approach is used to validate the ECM, namely validation against experimental data and against heat transfer results obtained by CFD predictions in the same geometries and conditions. Insights gained from CFD simulations are also used to improve ECM. The ECM capability as an effective tool to simulate heat transfer of an internally heated volume in 3-dimensional complex geometry ...
The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) is a liquid-metal-cooled, fast neutron test reactor located on the Hanford Site. A dual computer system has been developed to monitor the reactor cover gas to detect and characterize any fuel or test pin fission gas releases. The system acquires gamma spectra data, identifies isotopes, calculates specific isotope and overall cover gas activity, presents control room alarms and displays, and records and prints data and analysis reports. The Fission Gas Monitor System (FGMS) integrates commercially available hardware and software, providing a reliable and easily maintained system. The design provides extensive automation of previous manual operations, reducing the need for operator training and minimizing the potential for operator error. The dual nature of the system allows either system A or B to be taken out of service for periodic tests or maintenance without interrupting the overall system performance. A ...
This research has been proceeded over the potential core region (H/B=2) of two-dimensional impinging air jet system, in which square rods(width of 6 mm) has been set up in front of heating surface in order to increase heat transfer. The objective of this research was to investigate the characteristics of heat transfer and air flow, in cases of the clearance from rods to heating surface (C = 1, 2, 4, 6 mm) and the pitch between each rods(P = 30, 40, 50 mm) changed. And this research compared the above with the experimentation without rods. As result, heat transfer performance was best under the condition of C = 1 mm, in case clearance changed, and there was no serious difference in the effect of heat transfer augmentation in the case of pitch of rods changed. (author) 11 refs. 12 figs.
The super simulator 'SAMPSON' has been developed to show that there exist certain safety margins for light water reactors under hypothetical severe accidents and to investigate realistic measures of accident management by simulating accidents with a parallel computer. Heat-up of fuel rods and release of fission products from fuels are important factors to evaluate source terms. Models for fuel rod heat-up, hydrogen production due to cladding oxidation and cladding deformation and failure in the core region have been developed in the fuel rod heat-up analysis module. Fuel temperatures were calculated by solving the heat conduction equation. The calculated results for fuel temperature and hydrogen production were compared with CORA-13 experiment results. The comparisons showed prediction capability for the heat-up of fuel rods. The fission product release analysis module incorporates with models for ...
In the present study, a subcooled boiling loop with an annular flow on the electrically heated rod was used to make an experimental approach to investigate the effects of induced instability by the subcooled boiling on vibration of the rod in different subcooled conditions. The results show the intensive subcooled-boiling-induced vibration (SBIV) which is highly depend on dynamic force generated by fast vapor bubbles growth and collapse whilst they still attach to, or slide along, the heating surface at high loading heat fluxes. These behaviors were strongly influenced by the conditions of subcooling temperature, flow rate and linear power density. (author)
Burnout data with low pressure Freon-113 for even- and odd- numbered peripheral rod clusters with relatively large spacings were used to derive equations in terms of dimensionless parameters suggested by Barnett. The equations which are for three different flow regimes for each rod geometry (even or odd) were found to predict burnout data with maximum RMS deviation being 3.8%. (author). 11 figs., 3 tabs., 15 refs.
Experiments have been performed on the electrically heated rod bundles to investigate the characteristics of the boiling transition under flow oscillation (OSBT) during thermal hydraulic instability. After determining the instability threshold power (Q/sub OS/), the electrical power to the test section was increased further up to the threshold power (Q/sub OSBT/) at which it was detected by the thermocouples that the boiling transition (BT) occurred and the heater rod temperature reached 613 K. Experimental results show that Q/sub OSBT/ is larger than Q/sub OS/ by a certain margin, which depends on the test conditions.
The oxidation of boron carbide in steam or air was recently extensively studied especially in Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut fuer Materialforschung. An important data set is available for the interaction modelling. An oxygen diffusion model through the superficial liquid boron oxide formed on the boron carbide external surface associated to a superficial reaction between the liquid boron oxide and steam is proposed to simulate the experimental kinetics from BOX rig and thermogravimetric tests on the interaction between steam and boron carbide at a temperature range 800 C to 1400 C. The oxygen diffusion model will be also useful to simulate interaction between boron carbide and Ar+O2 (air simulation) atmosphere when the steam pressure becomes zero. From the analysis of BOX rig experimental kinetics of non-condensable (H2, CO2, CO and CH4) gases we propose an oxygen diffusion model through the liquid boron oxide and a ''steam/liquid boron ...
The first Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) started commercial operation as Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station Unit No.6 (K-6) in November 1996 and its sister Unit No.7 (K-7) in July 1997. The ABWR was developed to achieve higher reliability and safety margin while improving overall operability and economics. To achieve these goals, the optimal Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) technologies had been studied, tested and were finally adopted into the ABWR design. These technologies were called 'First of a Kind' and include the Reactor Internal Pump (RIP), Fine Motion ControlRod Drive (FMCRD), Reinforced Concrete Containment Vessel (RCCV), and integrated digital Instrumentation and Control System (I and C). Intensive development study, confirmation tests and verification tests were conducted by the plant equipment suppliers, electric utilities, and government agencies. During plant ...
The aim for deterministic control of the interactions between macroions in aqueous media has motivated widespread experimental and theoretical work. Although it has been well established that like-charged macromolecules can aggregate under the influence of oppositely charged condensing agents, the specific conditions for the stability of such aggregates can only be determined empirically. We examine these conditions, which involve an interplay of electrostatic and osmotic effects, by using a well defined model system composed of F-actin, an anionic rod-like polyelectrolyte, and lysozyme, a cationic globular protein with a charge that can be genetically modified. The structure and stability of actin-lysozyme complexes for different lysozyme charge mutants and salt concentrations are examined by using synchrotron x-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. We provide evidence that supports a structural transition from columnar ...
This decision document presents the selected remedial action for the former Asarco Tacoma Smelter Facility and adjacent slag peninsula, in Ruston and Tacoma, Washington. This Record of Decision (ROD) describes the final cleanup remedy for soil, slag and surface water and disposal of hazardous soils, demolition debris, and residential soils. This ROD is intended to be an interim action for ground water.
The rod drop time event of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant is caused by the malfunction of the guide tube developed by Framatome. Three temporary solutions were implemented successively and the long term solution was found in the process of searching for the root cause. The different solutions and the root cause are introduced. The safety analysis and license of the solutions are mainly discussed. Experiences and lessons are drawn by summarizing the important items related to nuclear safety.
The study of the melting of combustible rods is of great importance for the safety analysis of nuclear reactors. Due to the special characteristics of the problem, a sharp interface between the solid and liquid region does not exist, but appears a 'mushy' region in which the material is partially melted. The Finite Element Method is employed here, together with a regularized enthalpy formulation. Finally, the results obtained are presented and discussed. (Author).
Heat transfer augmentation by straight grid spacers in rod bundles is studied for single phase flow and for post critical heat flux dispersed flow. The heat transfer effect of swirling grid spacers in single phase flow is also examined. Governing heat transfer mechanisms are analyzed, and predictive formulations are established. For single phase flow, the local heat transfer at a straight spacer and at its upstream or downstream locations are treated separately. 18 refs.
Experimental studies on the heat transfer and fluid dynamics of a high heat flux fuel rod for a very high temperature reactor (VHTR) were performed using a single channel test rig of a fuel stack test section (T{sub 1-s}) installed in a helium engineering demonstration loop (HENDEL). The fuel rod has been developed in order to enhance the turbulent heat transfer coefficient than that of the standard fuel rod obtained by the previous experiment. Two-dimensional square ribs were settled on the outer surface of the fuel rod axially to improve the heat transfer. The configuration of a square rib is 0.5 mm in width(w), 0.5 mm in height(h) and 5 mm in pitch(p): p/h=10. The experiment were carried out under the helium gas conditions of high temperature and pressure simulated the VHTR operation. For the turbulent region of Reynolds number 2,500{approx}8,000 of the VHTR core flow condition, it was found that the ...
Experimental studies on the heat transfer and fluid dynamics of a high heat flux fuel rod for a very high temperature reactor (VHTR) were performed using a single channel test rig of a fuel stack test section (T_1_-_s) installed in a helium engineering demonstration loop (HENDEL). The fuel rod has been developed in order to enhance the turbulent heat transfer coefficient than that of the standard fuel rod obtained by the previous experiment. Two-dimensional square ribs were settled on the outer surface of the fuel rod axially to improve the heat transfer. The configuration of a square rib is 0.5 mm in width(w), 0.5 mm in height(h) and 5 mm in pitch(p): p/h=10. The experiment were carried out under the helium gas conditions of high temperature and pressure simulated the VHTR operation. For the turbulent region of Reynolds number 2,500#approx#8,000 of the VHTR core flow condition, it was found that the ...
The first of three scheduled poolside fuel examinations at the Oyster Creek reactor conducted during February/March 1980, was directed at one of the four symmetrically loaded ENC 8 x 8 lead assemblies that had achieved a burnup of approx. 25,000 MWd/MTU. Forty-five of the fuel rods in assembly UD3-109 were removed and examined. In general, the individual fuel rods were in excellent condition. The average fuel rod diameter continued to decrease during the last cycle was assembly burnup increased from 19,500 to 25,700 MWd/MTU. The creepdown since the beginning of life (BOL) in the center of the fuel rods is about 0.003 in. The fuel rods bore no indication of cladding ridging. Fuel rod growth continued at a linear rate of about 0.02% per GWd/MTU burnup since BOL. Preliminary eddy current test data showed that the cladding was free of significant defects. Visual ...
The theory of reliability is used to develop statistical field data on malfunctions of units of sucker rod well pumps (UShSN). The indices of reliability of the UShSN are applied for establishment of the cause-effect links between the operating factors. Dependences of operating time on the depth of suspension of the pumps, mode of pumping out, degree of flooding of the oil, and twisting of the shafts are established for conditions of specific fields. The obtained relationships can be used in selecting and optimizing the work of the UShSN.
We present in this paper the computer code BACCHUS, to analyze the thermal-hydraulics in a rod bundle in single or two-phase flow regime. The model is 2-D and uses the porous body approach. The two-phase model is an extension of the classical homogeneous model, and includes a differential non-equilibrium equation. Results are shown for the extension of the boiling region in a 19-pin bundle.
We present in this paper the computer code BACCHUS, to analyze the thermal-hydraulics in a rod bundle in single or two-phase flow regime. The model is 2-D and uses the porous body approach. The two-phase model is an extension of the classical homogeneous model, and includes a differential non-equilibrium equation. Results are shown for the extension of the boiling region in a 19-pin bundle. (orig.).
A series of 27 reflood experiments has been carried out in a full-length electrically heated rod bundle facility. The primary objective of these tests was to study the effects of a simultaneous upper plenum and downcomer coolant injection and to provide data for the verification of computer codes. The experimental results indicate that an upper plenum injection alone cools the test rods slowly, a simultaneous coolant injection to the downcomer improves cooling significantly, and a downcomer injection alone cools the test rod bundle best if the total value of the coolant flow rate is the same in these three different cases. If the coolant injected to the upper plenum increases the total flow rate, the quench time of the test rods decreases at all elevations. Quenching time and clad temperature histories calculated with the computer codes NORCOOL-I and FLOOD4 are in a reasonable quantitative agreement ...
This document reviews the status of the knowledge on the oxidation of fuels below 400 deg C, in all its forms, including fuel rods, by examining the consequences of this reaction on the strength or ruin of the fuel rods during dry storage in air for a hundred years. The data available in the scientific literature, and the data acquired by CEA, are abundant on irradiated powders and pellets, but sparser for irradiated fuel fragments and for rods or sections of fuel rods. A bibliographic review is made to identify the morphological and structural changes, as well as the kinetic laws. An analysis and a summary is made with a concern to evaluate the risks of rod ruin by oxidation. The final section, in a few pages, addresses the essential lessons from this study. It presents: first, a summary of the main results of this review and its analysis, recommendations and remedies for storage; ...
The CANFLEX-NU Fuel Design Report (FDR) for Wolsung 1,2,3,4 was submitted for licensing review in July 1996. The FDR contains sections of fuel rod design, fuel bundle design, nuclear design and thermal-hydraulic design. Each section describes the design bases, design methodology and design evaluation results showing that the design bases are met. The CANFLEX-NU fuel design is not finalized yet in Korean licensing point of view. For example, among others, new Xc-BL correlation is needed to be developed, fuel rod gap reduction effect is to be considered in the Critical Heat Flux, more information for power ramp defect of fuel rod especially in the end-cap weld region is needed in the fuel rod design, and enough data are not available in irradiated conditions in the fuel rod and bundle designs. The specific detailed technical licensing issues and their backgrounds are explained for the ...
This report presents the results of analysis of selected data from the NRU test series dealing with heatup and reflood heat transfer during postulated PWR LOCA conditions. These tests used nuclear fuel rods and some considered clad ballooning and rupture. Also included was an electrically-heated rod ballooning test, REBEKA-6. The COBRA-TF computer program, renamed PYTHONS, was modified and used for the analytical tool. Modifications included provisions for fuel rod gas flow and pressure, creep deformation and rupture, channel blockage, and blockage heat transfer. Calculated clad temperatures for NRU unpressurized rods show quite good agreement with experimental data. The calculated amount and axial extent of clad ballooning for pressurized rods agrees reasonably well with post-test examinations of the NRU bundles. Time to failure was underpredicted in the MT-3 test as a result of ...
An impinging jet is a widely used technique for realizing high heat-transfer rates between a fluid and a surface. However, the area of enhanced heat transfer is limited to the neighborhood of the stagnation point. In this study, heat transfer is augmented remote from the stagnation point in an impinging plane jet system by a rod array located near the wall. Each square rod in the array was positioned normal to the flow direction and parallel to the flat plate surface. The distance between the nozzle and the flat plate (H) and the spacing between the rods and the flat plate surface (C) were changed to find the optimum values. The largest heat-transfer augmentation was obtained for C = 1 mm, H/B = 10, where the jet nozzle width is B. In this case, the heat-transfer coefficient averaged over an area 2B from the stagnation point is about 1.6 times greater compared to that without a rod array.
GRR-1 is a 5MW open pool type research reactor with MTR-type fuel elements cooled and moderated by light water with beryllium reflectors at the two opposing sides of the core. A graphite thermal neutron column is adjusted to one side of the core. Six radial horizontal beam tubes are available, of which three contain in-pile collimators for neutron scattering instruments. The reactor is currently out of operation for inspection and refurbishment purposes. The core has been dismantled and the fuel elements are stored in the used fuel storage tank. The GRR-1 inspection and refurbishment plan involves inspection and eventually replacement of the reactor's primary cooling circuit. The health physics procedures to be implemented during inspection of the main water outlet are divided in three stages: a) pool dose rate survey from pool top, b) pool drainage by decreasing water level in steps and c) inspection of the water main outlet. urpose of the present work is the evaluation of the gamma ...
This study identifies potential applications and design requirements for ceramic materials (CMs) and ceramic composite materials (CCMs) in the NGNP hightemperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) primary circuit. Components anticipated for fabrication from non-graphite CMs and CCMs are identified along with recommended normal and off-normal operating conditions. The evaluation defines required dimensions and material properties of the candidate materials for normal operating conditions (NOC), anticipated transients, abnormal events, and design basis events. The report also identifies additional activities required for codifying the selected materials. The activities include ASTM Standard and ASME Code development and other work to support NRC licensing of the plant. Evaluation of the NGNP baseline design indicates components requiring either CMs or CCMs depend upon the reactor operating temperatures. For a reactor outlet temperature of 900 oC, four of the five evaluated components would ...
Transducin {alpha} subunits are members of a large family of G-proteins and play an important role in phototransduction in rod and cone photoreceptors. We report the localization of the human cone {alpha} transducin (GNAT2) gene using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on chromosome 1 in band p13. The recent assignment of a gene for Stargardt`s disease to the same chromosomal region by linkage analysis prompted us to investigate the possible role of GNAT2 in the pathogenesis of this disease. Stargardt`s disease is characterized by degeneration in late childhood or early adulthood of the macula of the retina, a region rich in cones. We screened patients with Stargardt`s disease, with or without peripheral cone involvement as monitored by the full-field ERG, for mutations in this gene. We investigated 66 unrelated patients including 22 with peripheral cone dysfunction for mutations in the coding region of the GNAT2 gene using polymerase chain reaction-single ...
This report is composed of the following two parts and appendix. (I) Improvement of the Method for Evaluating Reactivity Based on Monte Carlo Perturbation Theory: Theoretical formulation in Monte Carlo perturbation method had been checked, and then introduced into a calculation code. There are some cases that the results of the change of eigenvalues becomes positive or negative by changing the estimator, and there is no reasonable difference in the results between the conventional method, which does not consider the change of neutron source distribution caused by a perturbation, and the new method, which consider that change. Thus it is still necessary to check the Monte Carlo perturbation code. (II) Improvement of Nodal Transport Method for 3-D Hexagonal Geometry: We can accurately evaluate hexagonal geometry FBR core by nodal transport calculation code for hexagonal-Z geometry named `NSHEX`. However it is also found that in very heterogeneous core the results is not good enough. For ...
The nuclear activity was conducted for many years in Romania under Traditional Safeguards (TS) and has developed in good conditions the specific nuclear safeguards. Now there is a good opportunity to improve the performance and quality of the safeguards activity and at the same time to increase the accountancy and control of nuclear materials by passing to Integrated Safeguards (IS) implementation. The legal framework is the Law 100/2000 for ratification of the Protocol between Romania and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), additional completion to the Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Romania Government and IAEA relating to safeguards. It is part of the Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons published in the Official Gazette no. 3/31 January 1970, and the Additional Protocol published in the Official Gazette no. 295/ 29.06.2000. The first discussion about Integrated Safeguards (IS) between the Nuclear Fuel Plant (FCN) representatives ...
The sixth AER benchmark is the second AER benchmark for couplings of the thermal hydraulic codes and three dimensional neutron kinetic core models. It concerns a double end break of one main steam line in a WWER-440 plant. The core is at the end of its first cycle in full power conditions. In VTT HEXTRAN2.9 is used for the core kinetics and dynamics and SMABRE4.8 as a thermal hydraulic model for the primary and secondary loop. The plant model for SMABRE consists mainly of two input models, Loviisa model and a standard WWER-440/213 plant model. The primary loop includes six separate loops, the pressure vessel is divided into six parallel channels in SMABRE and the whole core calculation is performed in the core with HEXTRAN. The horizontal steam generators are modelled with heat transfer tubes in five levels and vertically with two parts, riser and downcomer. With this kind of detailed modelling of steam generators there occurs strong flashing after break opening. As a sequence of the ...
Mono-dispersed cubic CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles have been synthesized using a surfactant-assisted method with laurylamine hydrochloride and cerium alkoxide modified with acetylacetone in an aqueous solution system. The prepared cubic CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles had a highly crystallized structure at 353 K and formed rod-like structures by calcination at 673 K after freeze-drying the CeO{sub 2} gel. We discovered a clear potential to make 1D, 2D or 3D CeO{sub 2}-materials with a well-controlled characteristic length and shape by assembling cubic-shaped CeO{sub 2} nanoparticle building blocks. CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} composite nanostructures have also been synthesized by changing the mole ratio of cerium alkoxide/titanium alkoxides. By utilizing the redox characteristic of CeO{sub 2}, CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles and CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} composite nanostructures after calcination, showed reaction activity toward the oxidization of I{sup -} to I{sub 2}, due ...
Sudden changes in the temperature of flowing liquids can result in transient buoyancy forces which strongly impact the flow hydrodynamics via flow stratification. These effects have been studied for the case of potential flow of stratified liquids to line sinks, but not for moderator flow in SRS reactors. Standard codes, such as TRAC and COMMIX, do not have the capability to capture the stratification effect, due to strong numerical diffusion which smears away the hot/cold fluid interface. A related problem with standard codes is the inability to track plumes injected into the liquid flow, again due to numerical diffusion. The combined effects of buoyant stratification and plume dispersion have been identified as being important in operation of the Supplementary Safety System which injects neutron-poison ink into SRS reactors to provide safe shutdown in the event of safety rod failure. The MODFLOW code discussed here provides transient moderator flow pattern ...
Sudden changes in the temperature of flowing liquids can result in transient buoyancy forces which strongly impact the flow hydrodynamics via flow stratification. These effects have been studied for the case of potential flow of stratified liquids to line sinks, but not for moderator flow in SRS reactors. Standard codes, such as TRAC and COMMIX, do not have the capability to capture the stratification effect, due to strong numerical diffusion which smears away the hot/cold fluid interface. A related problem with standard codes is the inability to track plumes injected into the liquid flow, again due to numerical diffusion. The combined effects of buoyant stratification and plume dispersion have been identified as being important in operation of the Supplementary Safety System which injects neutron-poison ink into SRS reactors to provide safe shutdown in the event of safety rod failure. The MODFLOW code discussed here provides transient moderator flow pattern ...
The PIUS reactor utilizes simplified, inherent, passive, or other innovative means to accomplish safety functions. Accordingly, the PIUS reactor is subject to the requirements of 10CFR52.47(b)(2)(i)(A). This regulation requires that the applicant adequately demonstrate the performance of each safety feature, interdependent effects among the safety features, and a sufficient data base on the safety features of the design to assess the analytical tools used for safety analysis. Los Alamos has assessed the quality and completeness of the existing and planned data bases used by Asea Brown Boveri to validate its safety analysis codes and other relevant data bases. Only a limited data base of separate effect and integral tests exist at present. This data base is not adequate to fulfill the requirements of 10CFR52.47(b)(2)(i)(A). Asea Brown Boveri has stated that it plans to conduct more separate effect and integral test programs. If appropriately designed and conducted, these test programs ...
The utilization of electrically heated rods for the simulation of nuclear fuel pins represents a generally adopted method by the nuclear industry to study thermalhydraulic problems. Usually its is necessary to determine the time variation of the electric linear power to simulate a given nuclear power transient in order to yield the same temperature and heat flux conditions in the surface of the electrical heater that would be observed in the nuclear fuel pin. The present work analyzes the limits of the usually adopted simulation methods and shows a manner to obtain the required electrical linear power that reduces oscillations and yields accurate results for the thermal conditions of the rod surface wall. (author). 5 refs, 5 figs, 1 tab.
The utilization of electrically heated rods for the simulation of a nuclear fuel pins represents a generally adopted method by the nuclear industry to study thermalhydraulic problems. Usually, it is necessary to determine the time variation of the electric linear power to simulate a given nuclear power transient in order to yield the same temperature and heat flux conditions in the surface of the electrical heater that would be observed in the nuclear fuel pin. The present work analyses the limits of the usually adopted simulation methods and shows a manner to obtain the required electrical linear power that reduces oscillations and yields accurate results for the thermal conditions of the rod surface wall. (author) 5 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
This invention pertains to a light weight underground pipe or cable installing device adapted for use in a narrow and deep operating trench. More particularly this underground pipe installing device employs a pair of laterally movable gates positioned adjacent the bottom of the operating trench where the earth is more solid to securely clamp the device in the operating trench to enable it to withstand the forces exerted as the actuating rod is forced through the earth from the so-called operating trench to the target trench. To accommodate the laterally movable gates positioned adjacent the bottom of the narrow pipe installing device, a pair of top operated double-acting rod clamping jaws, operated by a hydraulic cylinder positioned above the actuating rod are employed.
This paper describes the heat transfer augmentation and the flow situation around a single spacer (a cylindrical rod) on the heated surface of a parallel plate duct in order to examine basically the effects of the spacer in the fuel elements of a high temperature gas-cooled reactor. The ends of the cylindrical rod contact the upper and lower planes. A thermosensitive liquid crystal film is used to indicate the effective area for the heat transfer. The mean Nusselt number, which is estimated within the optional distance from the spacer to the downstream direction, peaks at a dimensionless distance of X/D = 1-3, and after that decreases gradually with the flow direction. The manner in which heat transfer corresponds to the flow situation is also examined. The horseshoe vortex, produced around the spacer, affects the wake and contributes to the increase of the local heat transfer. (author).
The aim of this study was to investigate whether sub-ablative pulsed C0{sub 2} laser (1 0,6 {mu}m) irradiation is capable of reducing the susceptibility of the dental enamel to demineralization, and thus achieving a potential caries-protective effect. The crowns of 51 bovine front teeth, embedded in acrylic resin and polished until exposure of flat enamel surface, were used. The samples were cut in cubes of 10x10 mm, and totally coated with acid-resistant nail varnish, except for an enamel exposed window of 16 mm square. Three groups (n=17) were obtained: control group (CG) not irradiated; group laser A (LA) and group laser B (LB) where the samples were irradiated. The conditions were 60 mJ, 100 Hz, 0,3 J/cm{sup 2} for LA and 135 mJ, 10 Hz, 0,7 J/cm{sup 2} for LB. Two samples of each group were submitted to SEM analysis and fifteen to demineralization in 3 ml acetate buffer solution (0,1 mol/L) with pH 4,5 for 24h at 37 deg C, with regular agitation. After the ...
On rod disc membranes, single photoactivated rhodopsin (R*) molecules catalytically activate many copies of the G-protein (Gt), which in turn binds and activates the effector (phosphodiesterase). We...Full Text Available
Shut-off rod drive mechanism forms a safety critical system of a nuclear reactor. It is the space constraints for the given reactor layout, which makes design of shut-off rod drive mechanism (SRDM) a custom built design. Design of SRDM adopts fail-safe, replaceability and the simplicity criterion ensuring very high reliability of its operation. Shut-off rod drive mechanism for TAPP-3 and 4 and 'Critical Facility' have been recently designed and developed at Division of Remote Handling and Robotics (DRHR), BARC. These are designed with a number of advanced features and these are significantly different than those used in Dhruva and 220 MWe PHWRs. Design of SRDM is qualified through proto typing and life cycle testing on a full-scale test set-up. This paper gives details of qualification and life cycle test data for prototype SRDM for TAPP-3 and 4 and 'Critical Facility' and reliability assessment. (author)
A Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system is used to determine two-phase flow parameters for a horizontal co-current two-phase flow channel with a CANDU-type 37 rod bundle. Image processing techniques are applied to visualize the two-phase flow, and to determine flow regime, cross-sectional averaged void fraction, time averaged void fraction, and void distribution. The experimentally determined flow regime map disagrees with existing flow regime models developed for the CANDU-type rod bundles. A new flow regime is observed and designated Large Amplitude Stratified Wavy flow. The results show that the LASW flow regime may be due to a combination of undeveloped flow phenomena, boundary conditions, and circumferential cross flow occurring in the bundle. The rods in the bundle may act as a dampener to the vertical flow and hinders the development of the wave into plug or slug flow by changing the momentum of the fluid in ...
A real-time neutron radiography (RTNR) system is used to determine two-phase flow parameters for a horizontal co-current two-phase flow channel with a cylindrical 37 rod bundle. Image processing techniques are applied to visualize the two-phase flow, and to determine flow regime, cross-sectional averaged void fraction, time averaged void fraction, and void distribution. The experimentally determined flow regime map disagrees with existing flow regime models developed for the cylindrical rod bundles. A new flow regime is observed and designated large amplitude stratified wavy (LASW) flow. The results show that the LASW flow regime may be due to a combination of undeveloped flow phenomena, boundary conditions, and circumferential cross flow occuring in the bundle. The rods in the bundle may act as a dampener to the vertical flow component and hinders the development of the wave into plug or slug flow by changing the momentum ...
A Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system is used to determine two-phase flow parameters for a horizontal co-current two-phase flow channel with a CANDU-type 37 rod bundle. Image processing techniques are applied to visualize the two-phase flow, and to determine flow regime, cross-sectional averaged void fraction, time averaged void fraction, and void distribution. The experimentally determined flow regime map disagrees with existing flow regime models developed for the CANDU-type rod bundles. A new flow regime is observed and designated Large Amplitude Stratified Wavy flow. The results show that the LASW flow regime may be due to a combination of undeveloped flow phenomena, boundary conditions, and circumferential cross flow occurring in the bundle. The rods in the bundle may act as a dampener to the vertical flow and hinders the development of the wave into plug or slug flow by changing the momentum of the fluid in ...
1. Interactions of pyrazole and ethanol were studied in three laboratory test procedures. They included sleeping time in mice, rotor rod balance in rats and lever pressing behaviour of rats. 2....Full Text Available
Human blinding disorders are often initiated by hereditary mutations that insult rod and/or cone photoreceptors and cause subsequent cellular death. Generally, the disease phenotype can be predicted...Full Text Available
Turbulent heat transfer performance of a fuel rod with three-dimensional trapezoidal spacer ribs for high temperature gas-cooled reactors was studied for various Reynolds numbers using an annular channel at the same coolant condition as the reactor operation, maximum outlet temperature of 1000 C and pressure of 4 MPa, and analytically by a numerical simulation using the k-#epsilon# turbulence model. The turbulent heat transfer coefficients of the fuel rod were 18-80% higher than those of a concentric smooth annulus at a region of Reynolds number exceeding 2000. On the other hand, the predicted average Nusselt number of the fuel rod agreed well with the empirical correlation obtained from the experimental data within a relative error of 10% with Reynolds number of more than 5000. It was verified that the numerical analysis results had sufficient accuracy. Furthermore, the numerical prediction could clarify quantitatively the ...
A pneumatic device is in the form of a U-shaped frame, on which a prong is attached by using two pairs of levers. It also has a hydraulic or pneumatic cyclinder, whose rod is connected to one of the pairs of levers. All connections are hinges.
Even in healthy individuals, aging leads to deterioration in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field, and dark adaptation. Little is known about the neural mechanisms that drive the...Full Text Available
A shear acoustic transducer-lens system in which a shear polarized piezoelectric material excites shear polarized waves at one end of a buffer rod having a lens at the other end which excites longitudinal waves in a coupling medium by mode conversion at selected locations on the lens.
HFH Herbst has designed and built a unique machine for storage of spent highly radioactive nuclear fuel rods within two years for the Swedish SKB. The vehicle (total weight 98 t) can be operated underground without a driver. Herbst was able to bring to this project almost 30 years of experience in the complementation of vehicle projects for the nuclear industry. The Procyon 1 already proved its efficiency impressively in several hundred storage processes and operates with absolute reliability. (orig.)
We study suspensions of semi-flexible colloidal rods and biopolymers using an Onsager-type second-virial functional for a segmented-chain model. For suspensions of thin and thick fd virus particles we calculate phase diagrams in quantitative agreement with experimental observations, and we find their effective state-point dependent shape to be much shorter and thicker than the actual shape. We also calculate the stretching of worm-like micelles in a host fd virus solution, again finding agreement with experiments. For both systems, our results show that the fd virus stiffness can play a key role in system behavior.
Results of an investigation of the weldability of compact hollow automobile parts are reported. The use of magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) welding for a piston rod (OD_22_mm x 2.2_mm thickness), a shock-absorber (OD 40 mm x 2.2 mm) and a torque rod (OD 34 mm x 6 mm) has been investigated. Metallographic examination and comprehensive mechanical testing has been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method for joining of these types of automobile components
This document presents an assessment of the severe accident phenomena observed from four Full-Length High-Temperature (FLHT) tests that were performed by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) in the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor at Chalk River, Ontario, Canada. These tests were conducted for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as part of the Severe Accident Research Program. The objectives of the test were to simulate conditions and provide information on the behavior of full-length fuel rods during hypothetical, small-break, loss-of-coolant severe accidents, in commercial light water reactors.
CYRANO3 is the new EDF thermomechanical code developed to evaluate the overall fuel rod behavior under irradiation. In that context, this paper presents the phenomena to be simulated and the correlations adopted for modelling purposes. The empirical models presented are taken from the CYRANO2 code and a compilation of the relevant literature. The present revision corrects and supplements version B on the basis of its use during the software coding phase from January 1991 to May 1993. (authors). figs., tabs., 120 refs.
Transformation optics is used to design a gateway that can block electromagnetic waves but allows the passage of other entities. Our conceptual device has the advantage that it can be realized with simple materials and structural parameters and can have a reasonably wide bandwidth. In particular, we show that our system can be implemented by using a magnetic photonic crystal structure that employs a square ray of ferrite rods, and as the field response of ferrites can be tuned by external magnetic fields, we end up with an electromagnetic gateway that can be open or shut using external fields. The functionality is also robust against the positional disorder of the rods that made up the photonic crystal.
Within the framework of the EFTTRA cooperation between CEA, ECN, EDF, FZK, IAM and ITU, six metallic {sup 99}Tc rods have been irradiated in the Petten HFR for 193 effective full power days. During this irradiation, more than 6% of the {sup 99}Tc has been transmuted to the stable {sup 100}Ru. At ECN, one of the six rods has been examined in the hot cell laboratory. The ruthenium concentration in the rod measured by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry reaches 6.4% at 5 mm from the bottom of the rod and 6.0% at 5 mm from the top. Also the axial and radial distributions of the ruthenium have been measured by Electron Probe Micro Analysis. The ruthenium concentrations calculated by the three-dimensional Monte Carlo code KENO reach 6.1% at 5 mm from the bottom of the rod and 5.7% at 5 mm from the top. These values are in reasonable agreement with the measured ones. However, the calculated ...
Etching of SiO_2 rods has been obtained with a dc torch with argon as the process gas in an air environment at atmospheric pressure; the high temperature of the plasma jet causes vaporization of the exposed area. The apparatus and torch operative parameters have been set up to obtain a depth etch rate of up to 0.6 mm min"-"1 corresponding to 0.826 g min"-"1. An enthalpy probe has been employed to monitor the plasma conditions before the thermal plasma etching process and from the experimental etch rate a surface rod temperature of T_s_u_r = 2057 K has been derived. Etching has been obtained with uniformity over the entire exposed area with peak to peak differences below 1%. The plasma to rod heat transfer has been simulated using a commercial CFD code Fluent (copyright). The model consists of a non-steady two-dimensional simulation for a compressible turbulent fluid, with an adapted grid calculation. Boundary conditions ...
Some of the Indian pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) which use Stellite balls in the ball and screw mechanism of the adjustor rod drive mechanism in the moderator circuit have encountered high radiation fields in the moderator system due to "6"0Co. Release of particulate Stellite is responsible for the hotspots in addition to the general uniform contamination of internal surfaces with "6"0Co. Extensive laboratory studies have shown that it is possible to dissolve these Stellite particles by adopting a three-step redox process with permanganic acid as the oxidizing agent. These investigations with inactive Stellite in powder form helped to optimize the process conditions. Permanganic acid was found to have the highest dissolution efficiency as compared to alkaline and nitric acid permanganate. The susceptibility of Stellite to corrode or dissolve was found to depend on the concentration of the permanganate, pH and temperature of the process and microstructure ...
The NEPTUN data discussed in this report are from core uncovery (boil-off) experiments designed to investigate the mixture level decrease and the heat up of the fuel rod simulators above the mixture level for conditions simulating core boil-off for a nuclear reactor under small break loss-of-coolant accident conditions. The first series of experiments performed in the NEPTUN test facility consisted of ten boil-off (uncovery) and one adiabatic heat-up tests. In these tests three parameters were varied: rod power, system pressure and initial coolant subcooling. The NEPTUN experiments showed that the external surface thermocouples do not cause a significant cooling influence in the rods to which they are attached under boil-off conditions. The reflooding tests performed later on indicated that the external surface thermocouples have some effect during reflooding for NEPTUN electrically heated rod bundle. ...
Gamma scanning measurements are used to determine the radioactive nuclides from an irradiated fuel rod in a hot cell which is a routine task in the Irradiated Materials Examination Facility (IMEF) of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Total gamma spectra of radioactive nuclides and the atomic ratio of {sup 134}Cs to {sup 137}Cs in a few segments of a single fuel rod are measured by the present gamma scanning system. For the purpose of determining the radioactive nuclide's distribution in detail within a fuel rod quantitatively, we attempt to upgrade the present gamma scanning system in this paper, therefore, an investigation of the feasibility of the tomographic gamma scanning (TGS) technique, which is one of the promising nondestructive assay (NDA) methods is proposed. The TGS technique is an efficient method and it has an accurate precision for the characterization of several fuel parameters. In ...
An interfacial shear stress equation in the dispersed-annular two-phase flow regime has been developed, which is based on a three-fluid model consisting of a liquid film on a rod, vapor and entrained liquid associated with a vapor flow. It is an extension of J.G.M. Andersen's procedure that provides a two-fluid interfacial shear stress equation using the drift flux parameters C{sub 0} and V{sub gj}. This interfacial shear stress equation can take into account a phase and velocity distribution through an equivalence between the drift flux parameters and the interfacial shear stress. Using the three-fluid subchannel analysis code TEMPO with the three-fluid interfacial shear stress model the capability of a three-fluid calculation using the drift flux parameters C{sub 0} and V{sub gj} that reproduce a measured void fraction is demonstrated. A comparison was made with advanced X-ray computed tomography (CT) void fraction data within a 4x4 ...
A series of 22 steady-state, rod bundle, dispersed flow film boiling experiments has been performed in the Thermal-Hydraulic Test Facility (THTF), a pressurized-water loop containing 64 full-length electrically heated rods. Test parameters in the upflow experiments cover a wide range of conditions typical of those which might be encountered during a nuclear reactor loss-of-coolant accident. Local equilibrium fluid conditions were calculated using mass and energy conservation considerations. Experimentally determined heat transfer coefficients were compared to several available film boiling heat transfer correlations: Dougall-Rohsenow, Groeneveld 5.7, Groeneveld-Delorme, Chen, Jones-Zuber, and Yoder-Rohsenow. The Groeneveld 5.7 correlation tended to predict the data better than any other correlation tested. The Dougall-Rohsenow correlation tends to overpredict the data while the Yoder-Rohsenow correlation predicted the data better than the other ...
Critical power at boiling transition is an important factor in a boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel bundle design. Boiling transition under high quality accounts for dryout as the result of the complete disappearance of film flow on a fuel rod. This liquid film vanishing process can be calculated by the liquid film model, which takes into account the evaporation due to heat from the rod surface, liquid film entrainment by steam flow, and liquid droplet deposition. It is known that spacers affect liquid film entrainment and liquid droplet deposition, so the detailed study of spacer effects on hydrodynamic characteristics is necessary for critical power prediction based on the film flow model. Many studies have been conducted to examine spacer effects on liquid film flow. However, most of them are restricted to simple test sections such as a rectangular conduit. There are a few reports on fuel bundle geometry; however the bundle studied was only a ...
The characterization data obtained to date are described for Approved Testing Material (ATM)-106 spent fuel from Assembly BT03 of pressurized-water reactor Calvert Cliffs No. 1. This report is one in a series being prepared by the Materials Characterization Center at Pacific Northwest Laboratory on spent fuel ATMs. The ATMs are receiving extensive examinations to provide a source of well- characterized spent fuel for testing in the US Department of Energy Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCWRM) program. ATM-106 consists of 20 full-length irradiated fuel rods with rod-average burnups of about 3700 GJ/kgM (43 MWd/kgM) and expected fission gas release of /approximately/10%. Characterization data include (1) as-fabricated fuel design, irradiation history, and subsequent storage and handling; (2) isotopic gamma scans; (3) fission gas analyses; (4) ceramography of the fuel and metallography of the cladding; (5) calculated nuclide ...
The TRAC/PFI-MOD2 Version 5.3 code was assessed against six FLECHT-SEASET forced reflood tests (31504, 31203, 31302, 31701, 34209, and 31922) and two cylindrical core test facility (CCTF) tests [C1-19 and C2-6]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clad thermal response predictive capabilities of the code with the newly added reflood model under large-break loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). The TRAC model for the FLECHT-SEASET test facility was developed from a RELAP5 model. The test section was modeled using a vessel component with 23 axial levels, 1 radial ring, and 1 azimuthal cell. Test inlet and exit conditions were modeled using fill and break components, respectively. The measured lower and upper plenum test conditions were input to the model. The electrically heated rod was modeled using a rod component with 22 axial mesh points. The axial boundary of each mesh point coincided ...
Experimental and computational studies were performed to confirm the enhancement of turbulent heat transfer performance in the 6x6 simulated rod bundle subchannel by generating the large scale secondary vortex flow. Experimental studies were carried out at Reynolds Number 10,000 with atmospheric condition. Axial variations of mean velocity and turbulent intensity in the rod bundle subchannel were measured by the 2-color LDV measurement system. Computational works were accomplished using the commercial CFD code, FLUENT. Normal operating condition of Uljin 3, 4 nuclear power plant is used in computation works as an initial condition. The LSSVF mixing vanes generate the most strong secondary flow vortices that maintain about 35 D_H after the spacer grid. The LSSVF mixing vane influences strongly to flow mixing in adjacent subchannels because large scale stream wise vortices in subchannel sustain two times more than that in subchannel with split ...
Ppercase(femaxi-iv) is a computer code for the analysis of thermal and mechanical behavior of light water reactor fuel rods during steady-state and transient conditions. The main purpose of ppercase(femaxi-iv) is to calculate the stress and strain distributions in the fuel and cladding due to the pellet-cladding mechanical interaction, and the fission gas release rate during operations, especially power transients. The capability of ppercase(femaxi-iv) was extensively tested with a number of experimental results obtained in some international fuel irradiation programs. This paper provides a general description of the various models involved in ppercase(femaxi-iv) and some results of applications on the experimental data. ((orig.)).
The induced radioactivity in the construction materials of a Cockcroft-- Walton type neutron generator was measured. Major activation products (/sup 24/ Na, /sup 28/Al, /sup 56/Mn, /sup 64/Cu, /sup 65/Ni, /sup 69m/Zn, /sup 88/Rb /sup 91/Sr /sup 101/Mo, /sup 187/W/ and resulting doses are tabulated. Results show that the highest gamma activities would be observed in the fluorescent bulbs, copper pipe, aluminum lattice rod, and the aluminum pipe clamp. Thermoluminescent dosimeter readings yield the highest doses for the copper pipe tee, copper pipe, and aluminum lattice rod. Results of measuremerts of the neutron and gamma dose profiles of the facility are shown. However the indication is clearly that the tritium target, compared to other components, is the major source of radiation both during and after shutdown. (UK)
Encapsulation of a unique isotopic blend of krypton and xenon gas employs a special application of laser technology. The encapsulated gas is then used as the primary medium for detection and identification of failed nuclear fuel rods. The use of gas tagging as a means of detecting and identifying failed nuclear fuel rods has been successfully demonstrated and used by the Argonne National Laboratory, Experimental Breeder Reactor (EBR-2) Project, and the Westinghouse Hanford Company (WHC), Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Fast Breeder Reactor Program. The Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation (PNC) of Japan has selected this leak detection system for use in their MONJU Prototype Reactor fuel assemblies. The MONJU reactor is almost identical in design to the highly successful FFTF reactor, which is currently in standby status.
A new test methodology is described which allows access to loading rates that lie between split Hopkinson bar and shock-loading techniques. Gas gun experiments combined with velocity interferometry techniques have been used to experimentally determine the intermediate strain-rate loading behavior of Coors AD995 alumina and Cercom silicon-carbide rods. Graded-density materials have been used as impactors; thereby eliminating the tension states generated by the radial stress components during the loading phase. Results of these experiments demonstrate that the time-dependent stress pulse generated during impact allows an efficient transition from the initial uniaxial strain loading to a uniaxial stress state as the stress pulse propagates through the rod. This allows access to intermediate loading rates over 5 x 10{sup 3}/s to a few times 10{sup 4}/s.
Heat-transfer augmentation by straight grid spacers in rod bundles is studied for single-phase flow and for post-critical heat flux dispersed flow. The heat transfer effect of swirling grid spacers in single-phase flow is also examined. Governing heat-transfer mechanisms are analyzed, and predictive formulations are established. For single-phase flow, the local heat transfer at a straight spacer and at its upstream or downstream locations are treated separately. The effect of local velocity increasing near swirling spacer is considered. For post critical heat flux (CHF) dispersed flow, the heat transfer by thermal radiation, fin cooling, and vapor convection near the spacer are calculated. The predictions are compared with experimental data with satisfactory agreement.
Femaxi-iv is a computer code for the analysis of thermal and mechanical behavior of light water reactor fuel rods during steady-state and transient conditions. The main purpose of femaxi-iv is to calculate the stress and strain distributions in the fuel and cladding due to the pellet-cladding mechanical interaction, and the fission gas release rate during operations, especially power transients. The capability of femaxi-iv was extensively tested with a number of experimental results obtained in some international fuel irradiation programs. This paper provides a general description of the various models involved in femaxi-iv and some results of applications on the experimental data. ((orig.))
The desire to increase uranium utilization and to minimize spent fuel storage requirements provides an incentive to extend the average fuel rod discharge burnup to about 70,000MWd/MTU. For these higher burnups data are needed to determine if waterside corrosion of the cladding may be a life-limiting feature of fuel rod design. It is apparent that many factors can influence waterside corrosion, and these need to be better understood in order to minimize corrosion at these higher target burnups. The objective of this report is to review published data relevant to the corrosion of Zircaloy under PWR operating conditions. (author). 100 refs., 4 tabs., 21 figs.
A new formulation of the theory of tachyons is developed using the same two postulates as in special relativity. Use is made of a 'switching principle' to show how tachyons automatically obey the laws of conservation of energy, momentum and electric charge. Tachyonic mechanics is further developed by a consideration of tachyonic rods and clocks. There follows a discussion of the conservation of electric charge and the apparent visual appearance of a tachyonic cube. 19 refs., 9 figs.
The behaviour of an elastomeric seal for vehicle brake Tandem master cylinder is measured and analyzed in temperature and brake fluids changed. Working conditions are simulated for different piston rod velocity and cylinder supply pressure, in temperature rising, brakefluid boundary and Nanoaluminum oxide brakefluid oxide brakefluid lubrication. The result shows that Nanoaluminum oxide brakefluid with its ball shape can highly reduce friction coefficient to avoid seal excessive wear and reduce slick slip in brake applications.
Supplemental criticality safety analysis of a pool type storage for TRIGA spent fuel at 'Jozef Stefan' Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is presented. Previous results (Ravnik, M, Glumac, B., 1996) have shown that subcriticality is not guaranteed for some postulated accidents. To mitigate this deficiency, a study was made about replacing a certain number of fuel elements in the rack with absorber rods (Glumac, B., Ravnik, M., Logar, M., 1997) to lower the supercriticality probability, when the pitch is decreased to contact (as a consequence of a severe earthquake) in a square arrangement. The criticality analysis for the hexagonal contact pitch is presented in this paper, following the same scenario as outlined above. The Monte Carlo computer code MCNP4B with ENDF-B/VI library and detailed three dimensional geometry was used. First, the analysis about the influence of the number of triangular fuel piles on the bottom that could appear, if the fuel rack, made of ...
Zircaloy fabrication plant manufactures all the necessary Zr-2 components like fuel canning tubes, calandria tubes and other rod and sheet products. This plant is having a capacity of producing about 4 lakh nos. of PHWR fuel tubes per annum. These tubes are seamless, thin walled with close dimensional tolerances and stringent mechanical properties. The plant has established all the facilities required to produce these tubes with required quality.
A slurry intake device is proposed which contains an inlet sleeve, housing with grating installed with the discharge end in the zone of the slurry outlet, and hinged deflector. In order to conserve the clay mud, it is equipped with a tie rod and two-arm lever which is kinematically linked to the deflector and the grating. It is installed by hinges in relation to the housing and the latter is attached by hinges to the inlet sleeve. The deflector is arranged in the zone of slurry outlet. The device is distinguished by the fact that the deflector is equipped with a cantilever on which a fixable weight is attached.
Three dimensional rotatory modes of oscillations in a one-dimensional chain of rodlike charged particles or dust grains in a plasma are investigated. The dispersion characteristics of the modes are analyzed. The stability of different equilibrium orientations of the rods, phase transitions between the different equilibria, and a critical dependence on the relative strength of the confining potential are analyzed. The relations of these processes with liquid crystals, nanotubing, and plasma coating are discussed.
Power density measurements in the critical facility RA-8 are presented. These measurements were the first systematic use of the reactor. A measurement system was designed, built and proved for this goal. Power profiles are showed and the results are compared with calculated values. (author)
The retina-specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, ABCA4, is essential for transport of all-trans-retinal from the rod outer segment discs in the retina and is associated with...Full Text Available
The loosening equipment consists of a base machine and four-link suspension mechanism which is a cross frame with loosening gear connected to the base machine by universal hinges. In order to improve the reliability of the machine, the drive of transverse shifting in the cross frame is made of symmetrically arranged, shock-absorbing, hydraulic cylinders which are connected by additional universal hinges to the base machine and the lower pull rods. The design of the loosening machine guarantees its reliable operation on soil with significant quantity of hard inclusions.
This book presents the papers given at a conference on two-phase flow. Topics considered at the conference included the thermal hydraulics of a feedwater pipe breakage, pressure losses, measurement of void fraction in a rod bundle, laminar filmwise condensation, natural circulation, flow models, bubble dynamics, cavitation, water hammer, and heat transfer augmentation.
This book presents the papers given at a conference on two-phase flow. Topics considered at the conference included the thermal hydraulics of a feedwater pipe breakage, pressure losses, measurement of void fraction in a rod bundle, laminar filmwise condensation, natural circulation, flow models, bubble dynamics, cavitation, water hammer, and heat transfer augmentation.
This paper reports on Run SB-CL-05, a test similar to Semiscale Run S-UT-8. The test results show that the core was uncovered briefly during the accident and that the rods overheated at certain core locations. Liquid holdup on the upflow side of the steam-generator tubes was observed. After the loop seal cleared, the core refilled and the rods cooled. These behaviors were similar to those observed in the Semiscale run. The Large-Scale Test Facility (LSTF) Run SB-CL-06 is a counterpart test to Semiscale Run S-LH-01. The comparison of the results of both tests shows similar phenomena. The similarity of phenomena in these two facilities build confidence that these results can be expected to occur in a PWR. Similar holdup has now been observed in the 6 tubes of Semiscale and in the 141 tubes of LSTF. It is now more believable that holdup may occur in a full-scale steam generator with 3000 or more tubes. These results confirm the scaling of these ...
A centering device for casing tubings is proposed. It includes a housing, collar made of copper linings, return springs and pusher with centering pins placed in it. In order to simplify the design of the centering device it is equipped with levers installed on the pusher rod and connected by hinges to one another. The centering device assures coaxial placement of tubes over the mouth of wells and installation of butt joints during welding of tubes.
Acoustic waves propagation of in composite of water with embedded double-layered silicone resin/silver rods is considered. Approximate values of effective dynamical constitutive parameters are obtained. Frequency ranges of simultaneous negative constitutive parameters are found. Localized surface states on the interface between metamaterial and ``normal'' material are found. Doppler effect in metamaterial is considered. Presence of anomalous modes is shown.
This paper gives an overview of a multiyear joint research program being conducted at the University of New Mexico (UNM) with support from Sandia National Laboratories and GA Technologies. This research focuses on heat removal and fluid dynamics in flow regimes characterized by low pressure and low Reynolds number. The program was motivated by a desire to characterize and analyze cooling in a broad class of TRIGA-type reactors under: (a) typical operating conditions, (b) anticipated, new operating regimes, and (c) postulated accident conditions. It has also provided experimental verification of analytical tools used in design analysis. The paper includes descriptions of the UNM thermal-hydraulics test facility and the experimental test sections. During the first two years experiments were conducted using single, electrically heated rod in water and air annuli. This configuration provides an observable and serviceable simulation of a fuel rod ...
A theory has been developed for the mechano-catalytic water-splitting, which is the system of simultaneous H{sub 2} and O{sub 2} evolution by stirring the powder of an oxide semiconductor in pure water under the condition that the stirring rod must be kept in contact with the surface of the glass vessel. The kinetic equations and the coupling strength of the frictional energy conversion between mechanical and electrical systems are calculated . The total system composed of the formation of the dangling bonds on the glass surface, the trapping of the semiconductor particles at the microcrevice of the glass surface, the strong field inside the fine particles due to the frictional electricity, the mechanism of charge transfer from the semiconductor to the stirring rod, the hopping conduction of positive hole, the electric current density injected into water from the semiconductors, and the tunnel chemical reaction for splitting-water have been ...
Certain postulated faults during refuelling of AGRs may give rise to compacted fuel and graphite sleeve debris. This debris must be maintained below some safe limiting temperature. As part of a programme to assess the benefits of natural convection in cooling such debris in a region experiencing no forced cooling, a simple geometry incorporating typical debris has been studied both experimentally and by prediction. The experiment comprised an array of electrically heated fuel rods mounted co-axially in a closed cylindrical vessel and surrounded by fragments of graphite. The vessel was cooled on its cylindrical surface, the ends being insulated. Rods and vessel wall were thermocoupled. Tests covered a range of temperature and pressures in both CO_2 and N_2. Significant natural convection heat removal was demonstrated, particularly at high pressure. Predictions utilising the PHOENICS code agreed well with measured temperatures over a wide range ...
The retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mouse is a well-characterized model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which carries a spontaneous mutation in the ? subunit of rod cGMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE?). Rd10 mouse exhibits photoreceptor dysfunction and rapid rod photoreceptor degeneration followed by cone degeneration and remodeling of the inner retina. Here, we evaluate whether gene replacement using the fast-acting tyrosine-capsid mutant AAV8 (Y733F) can provide long-term therapy in this model. AAV8 (Y733F)-smCBA-PDE? was subretinally delivered to postnatal day 14 (P14) rd10 mice in one eye only. Six months after injection, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), electroretinogram (ERG), optomotor behavior tests, and immunohistochemistry showed tha...
We provide a detailed overview of an on-going, multinational test programme that is developing aerosol data for some spent fuel sabotage scenarios on spent fuel transport and storage casks. Experiments are being performed to quantify the aerosolised materials plus volatilised fission products generated from actual spent fuel and surrogate material test rods, due to impact by a high-energy/density device. The programme participants in the United States plus Germany, France and the United Kingdom, part of the international Working Group for Sabotage Concerns of Transport and Storage Casks (WGSTSC) have strongly supported and coordinated this research programme. Sandia National Laboratories has the lead role for conducting this research programme; test programme support is provided by both the US Department of Energy and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We provide a summary of the overall, multiphase test design and a description of all explosive containment and ...
We provide a detailed overview of an on-going, multinational test programme that is developing aerosol data for some spent fuel sabotage scenarios on spent fuel transport and storage casks. Experiments are being performed to quantify the aerosolised materials plus volatilised fission products generated from actual spent fuel and surrogate material test rods, due to impact by a high-energy/density device. The programme participants in the United States plus Germany, France and the United Kingdom, part of the international Working Group for Sabotage Concerns of Transport and Storage Casks (WGSTSC) have strongly supported and coordinated this research programme. Sandia National Laboratories has the lead role for conducting this research programme; test programme support is provided by both the US Department of Energy and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We provide a summary of the overall, multiphase test design and a description of all explosive containment and ...
The authors provide a detailed overview of an on-going, multinational test program that is developing aerosol data for some spent fuel sabotage scenarios on spent fuel transport and storage casks. Experiments are being performed to quantify the aerosolized materials plus volatilized fission products generated from actual spent fuel and surrogate material test rods, due to impact by a high-energy-density device. The program participants in the United States plus Germany, France and the United Kingdom, part of the international Working Group for Sabotage Concerns of Transport and Storage Casks (WGSTSC) have strongly supported and coordinated this research program. Sandia National Laboratories has the lead role for conducting this research program; test program support is provided by both the US Department of Energy and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The authors provide a summary of the overall, multiphase test design and a description of all explosive ...
The authors provide a detailed overview of an on-going, multinational test program that is developing aerosol data for some spent fuel sabotage scenarios on spent fuel transport and storage casks. Experiments are being performed to quantify the aerosolized materials plus volatilized fission products generated from actual spent fuel and surrogate material test rods, due to impact by a high-energy-density device. The program participants in the United States plus Germany, France and the United Kingdom, part of the international Working Group for Sabotage Concerns of Transport and Storage Casks (WGSTSC) have strongly supported and coordinated this research program. Sandia National Laboratories has the lead role for conducting this research program; test program support is provided by both the US Department of Energy and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The authors provide a summary of the overall, multiphase test design and a description of all explosive ...
An experimental rig was set up to study the performance of a thermal storage unit using stearic acid as the heat storage medium. The unit mainly consists of an electrical heating rod and an outer tube, and the space between is an annulus that is filled with stearic acid. The thermal performance of the unit is measured, and the heat transfer characteristics of the melting processes of stearic acid are studied under different heat flux conditions to determine the influence of heat flux on the melting processes. A new type of fin is designed and fixed to the electrical heating rod to enhance the thermal response of the stearic acid. The experimental results show that the fin can improve the heat transfer of the melting process of the thermal storage unit greatly. The equivalent thermal conductivity of the PCM can be augmented by a factor up to 3. The analysis of the experimental results shows that the enhancement mechanism of the fin is attributed ...
An experimental rig was set up to study the performance of a thermal storage unit using stearic acid as the heat storage medium. The unit mainly consists of an electrical heating rod and an outer tube, and the space between is an annulus that is filled with stearic acid. The thermal performance of the unit is measured, and the heat transfer characteristics of the melting processes of stearic acid are studied under different heat flux conditions to determine the influence of heat flux on the melting processes. A new type of fin is designed and fixed to the electrical heating rod to enhance the thermal response of the stearic acid. The experimental results show that the fin can improve the heat transfer of the melting process of the thermal storage unit greatly. The equivalent thermal conductivity of the PCM can be augmented by a factor up to 3. The analysis of the experimental results shows that the enhancement mechanism of the fin is attributed ...
JAERI has been performing transient core thermal-hydraulic test program. In the program, authors performed BWR/ABWR DBE simulation tests with a test facility, which can simulate BWR/ABWR transients. The test facility has a 4 x 4 bundle core simulator with 15-rod heaters and one non-heated rod. Through the tests, authors quantified the thermal safety margin for core cooling. In order to quantify the thermal safety margin, authors collected experimental data on post-CHF. The data are essential for the evaluation of clad temperature transient when core heat-up occurs during DBEs. In comparison with previous post-CHF tests, present experiments were performed in much wider experimental condition, covering high clad temperature, low to high pressure and low to high mass flux. Further, data at wider elevation (lower to higher elevation of core) were obtained in the present experiments, which make possible to discuss the effect of axial position on ...
The characterization data obtained to date are described for Approved Testing Material (ATM)-103, which is spent fuel from Assembly D101 of pressurized-water reactor Calvert Cliffs, No. 1. This report is one in a series being written by the Materials Characterization Center (MCC) at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) on spent fuel ATMs. The ATMs are receiving extensive examinations to provide a source of well-characterized spent fuel for testing in the US nuclear waste repository program. ATM-103 consists of 176 full-length irradiated fuel rods with rod-average burnups of about 2600 GJ/kgM (30 MWd/kgM) and less than 1% fission gas release. Characterization data include 1) as-fabricated fuel design, irradiation history, and subsequent storage and handling; 2) isotopic gamma scans; 3) fission gas analyses; 4) ceramography of the fuel and metallography of the cladding; 5) special fuels studies involving analytical transmission electron microscopy ...
The characterization data obtained to date are described for Approved Testing Material 104 (ATM-104), which is spent fuel from Assembly DO47 of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (Unit 1), a pressurized-water reactor. This report is one in a series being prepared by the Materials Characterization Center at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) on spent fuel ATMs. The ATMs are receiving extensive examinations to provide a source of well-characterized spent fuel for testing in the US Department of Energy Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) Program. ATM-104 consists of 128 full-length irradiated fuel rods with rod-average burnups of about 42 MWd/kgM and expected fission gas release of about 1%. A variety of analyses were performed to investigate cladding characteristics, radionuclide inventory, and redistribution of fission products. Characterization data include (1) fabricated fuel design, irradiation history, and subsequent ...
The characterization data obtained to data are described for Approved Testing Material 105 (ATM-105), which is spent fuel from Bundles CZ346 and CZ348 of the Cooper Nuclear Power Plant, a boiling-water reactor. This report is one in a series being prepared by the Materials Characterization Center at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) on spent fuel ATMs. The ATMs are receiving extensive examinations to provide a source of well-characterized spent fuel for testing in the US Department of Energy Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) Program. ATM-105 consists of 88 full-length irradiated fuel rods with rod-average burnups of about 2400 GJ/kgM (28 MWd/kgM) and expected fission gas release of about 1%. Characterization data include (1) descriptions of as-fabricated fuel design, irradiation history, and subsequent storage and handling; (2) isotopic gamma scans; (3) fission gas analyses; (4) ceramography of the fuel and metallography ...
The present investigation represents the initial phase of a comprehensive experimental program designed to study the potential for increasing the heat transfer per unit pressure drop in a ribbed duct by positioning vortex generators at key locations in the flow. In particular, the present investigation consists of a rib positioned at the inlet to a rectangular test section with uniform heating at its bottom wall. Local and average Nusselt number results are obtained for a circular rod positioned either immediately above or just downstream of the rib.
HgTe rod-shape composed of crystalline particles has been prepared by a hydrothermal method, and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transition electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of capping agents, reductants, reaction temperatures, and reaction times on crystal structures and shapes of HgTe have been investigated. The results showed that the CTAB as capping agent plays a crucial role in the hydrothermal process. The synthesis procedure is simple and uses less toxic reagents than the previously reported methods.
The paper presents results of experimental research on the interaction of a pulsed plasma-ion stream with a tungsten (W) target. The pulsed hydrogen plasma was produced within the RPI-IBIS (Multi-Rod Plasma Injector) facility at IPJ in Swierk. Measurements were carried out by means of optical spectroscopy and corpuscular diagnostic techniques. For experiments with the W-target the operational conditions (so-called PID mode) were chosen when a clean hydrogen plasma stream was generated. Attention was paid to the identification of WI and WII spectral lines.
The interactions of flavonoid, quercetin with sodium dodecyl sulfate (anionic surfactant) and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (cationic surfactant) micelles were investigated. The average location site of quercetin in different micelles was determined by the cyclic voltammetry method with the aid of molecular optimization. The interaction parameters of quercetin with micelles of different charges such as binding constant K and normal binding energy DG were calculated. Furthermore, the morphologic change of the SDS and CTAB spherical micelles and rod-like micelles upon their interaction with quercetin was also observed.
An advanced experimental technique has been developed to simulate two-phase flow behavior in a light water reactor (LWR). The technique applies three kinds of methods; (1) use of sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) gas and ethanol (C2H5OH) liquid at atmospheric temperature and a pressure less than 1.0MPa, where the fluid properties are similar to steam-water ones in the LWR, (2) generation of bubble with a sintering tube, which simulates bubble generation on heated surface in the LWR, (3) measurement of detailed bubble distribution data with a bi-optical probe (BOP), (4) and measurement of liquid velocities with the tracer liquid. This experimental technique provides easy visualization of flows by using a large scale experimental apparatus, which gives three-dimensional flows, and measurement of detailed spatial distributions of two-phase flow. With this technique, we have carried out experiments simulating two-phase flow behavior in a single-channel geometry, a ...
An experiment was performed with a mock-up of the core of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor to evaluate three reactivity measurement methods for application to liquid-metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR): modified source multiplication measurements with the low-level flux monitor for refueling (35 dollars subcritical) of FFTF, noise analysis to 35 dollars subcritical, and inverse kinetics rod drop to 12 dollars subcritical. To investigate the spatial dependence of these measurement methods and to resolve discrepancies previously reported, detectors were placed in the core, reflector, and radial shield, and experimental data were collected with the reactivity at near delayed criticality to 35 dollars subcritical. Conclusions from this experiment are the following. Low-level flux monitors in the shield of the FFTF will be adequate for reactivity surveillance during refueling, using the modified source multiplication method calibrated near critical by an ...
Reduced-Moderation Water reactor (RMWR) is a light water breeder reactor developed by Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). The RMWR comprises tight lattice fuel assemblies with gap clearance of around 1.0 mm to reduce water volume ratio to achieve a high conversion ratio. It is important to estimate the thermal hydraulic safety margin of the tight lattice core of the RMWR. In the present study, the boiling transition (BT) prediction performance of the subchannel analysis code NASCA developed for the current BWR cores was assessed for series of tight lattice critical heat flux (CHF) experiments performed in JAERI. The test section was a 7-rod bundle with rod diameter of 12.3 mm, rod gap of 1.0 mm and heated length of 1.8m. Axial power distribution was flat. With a simple subchannel model, the code overestimates the critical power in the high mass velocity region, although the predicted critical powers in the low ...
The COBRA-SFS computer code was used to perform thermal-hydraulic analyses of consolidated spent fuel stored in casks. The ability of the COBRA-SFS code to model consolidated fuel was evaluated by comparing predictions with experimental data obtained from electrically heated rod bundles by Ridihalgh, Eggers, and Associates and Eggers Ridihalgh Partners, Inc. under sponsorship of the Electric Power Research Institute. The calculations agreed with the measured temperatures well within the bounds of experimental error. Based on the evaluation results, best-estimate temperature predictions were performed for consolidated fuel in several cask designs. Results are presented for the REA 2023 BWR cask, the CASTOR-1C BWR cask, and the Concrete Sealed Storage Cask designed for Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS). The cask simulation results indicate that consolidation of spent fuel results in a reduction of convection and radiation heat transfer from the fuel ...
1 - Description of program or function: The COOLOD-N2 code provides a capability for the analyses of the steady-state thermal-hydraulics of research reactors. This code is a revised version of the COOLOD-N code, and is applicable not only for research reactors in which plate-type fuel is adopted, but also for research reactors in which rod-type fuel is adopted. In the code, subroutines to calculate temperature distribution in rod-type fuel have been newly added to the COOLOD-N code. The COOLOD-N2 code can calculate fuel temperatures under both forced convection cooling mode and natural convection cooling mode. A 'Heat Transfer package' is used for calculating heat transfer coefficient, DNB heat flux etc. The 'Heat Transfer package' is a subroutine program and is especially developed for research reactors in which plate-type fuel is adopted. In case of rod-type fuel, DNB heat flux is calculated by both the 'Heat Transfer ...
In this paper, we propose a new cooperative control method for multiple robotic systems that eliminates several issues in the discentralized control method. The proposed control method is constructed by extending a Passive Velocity Field Control (PVFC). It is easy to guarantee the stability in control, because the PVFC can keep the passivity of the controlled system. In this study, the cooperative control method is proposed and then it`s stability is proven. Moreover, it is extended so as to control an internal force and to control a virtual time. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed cooperative control method are examined by computer simulations for cooperation tasks with two manipulators. 11 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
An outline of the instrumentation and control systems associated with fuelling machines is given. The control systems such as hydraulic system, oil hydraulic system, electric control system and the remote control systems have been discussed in detail. The difference between RAPP and MAPP fuel handling control systems has been explained. A computer based system for the Narora fuel handling control system is also discussed. (S.K.K.).
This article presents a decentralized control scheme for the complex problem of simultaneous position and internal force control in cooperative multiple manipulator systems. The proposed controller is composed of a sliding mode control term and a force robustifying term to simultaneously control the payloads position/orientation as well as the internal forces induced in the system. This is accomplished independently of the manipulators dynamics. Unlike most controllers that do not require prior knowledge of the manipulators dynamics, the suggested controller does not use fuzzy logic inferencing and is computationally inexpensive. Using a Lyapunov stability approach, the controller is proven to be robust in the face of varying systems dynamics. The payloads position/orientation and the inte...
operating at the maximal setting of speed control dials used to control their ...evaluates their energy performance when the speed control dial used ...FFUs when the speed control dial used for adjusting fan wheel speeds in each FFU was
... 65th AGARD Fluid Dynamics Symposium, Madrid, Spain, October ... of research programs on flow control ... separation, and delta wing flows formed the ...
The heavy water reactor such as Wolsung No.1 and No.2 has a purification system to purify the reactor coolant. The control system regulates the coolant temperature to protect the ion exchanger. After the fuel exchanges of operating plant, the increase of the coolant pressure makes the purification temperature control difficult. In this paper, the controllability of the control dynamics of the purification system was analysed and the optimal parameters were proposed. To reduce the effects of the flow disturbance, the feedforward control structure was proposed and analysed.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has implemented a computer control system for operation of an FN tandem accelerator. The control software utilized is the Thaumaturgic Automated Control Logic (TACL) written by the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility and co-developed with LLNL. Details of the design philosophy, hardware configuration, control software, and special control algorithms will be presented. 2 refs., 4 figs.
In the case of large capacity steam turbines the conventional nozzle group control is, for mechanical and thermodynamic reasons, diminishing more and more in importance in favour of variable pressure control. A design for constant-pressure operation as an alternative to nozzle group control is described; this demonstrates a series of important advantages compared with the latter. (orig.).
Families of regimes for discrete control systems are studied possessing a special quasi-controllability property that is similar to the Kalman controllability property. A new approach is proposed to estimate the amplitudes of transient regimes in quasi-controllable systems. Its essence is in obtaining of constructive a priori bounds for degree of overshooting in terms of the quasi-controllability measure. The results are applicable for analysis of transients, classical absolute stability problem and, especially, for stability problem for desynchronized (asynchronous, switching) systems.
This paper discusses the concept of controllable subspace for open quantum dynamical systems. It is constructively demonstrated that combining structural features of decoherence-free subspaces with the ability to perform open-loop coherent control on open quantum systems will allow decoherence-free subspaces to be controllable. This is in contrast to the observation that open quantum dynamical systems are not open-loop controllable. To a certain extent, this paper gives an alternative control theoretical interpretation on why decoherence-free subspaces can be useful for quantum computation.
The term 'Post-CHF' was generally used in the two-phase flow regime in tube flow occurring downstream of the CHF. It has various other names such as dispersed flow, liquid-deficient flow, mist flow and film boiling because the two-phase regime is characterized by a continuous vapor phase with discrete liquid drops and a non-wetted heated surface. The regime has been adopted in a lot of applications including nuclear power plants, fossil power plants, steam generators, refrigeration systems and spray cooling, In particular, this regime has a considerable importance in the areas of light water reactor(LWR) accident analysis (off-normal operating conditions) and design in heat exchangers operating in the once-through mode where subcooled liquid enters the exchanger and superheated vapor exits. Recently, innovative PWRs adopt very high power density increases and so require increased safety margins. For instance, advanced PWRs would be going to use a new-type of spacer ...
The term 'Post-CHF' was generally used in the two-phase flow regime in tube flow occurring downstream of the CHF. It has various other names such as dispersed flow, liquid-deficient flow, mist flow and film boiling because the two-phase regime is characterized by a continuous vapor phase with discrete liquid drops and a non-wetted heated surface. The regime has been adopted in a lot of applications including nuclear power plants, fossil power plants, steam generators, refrigeration systems and spray cooling, In particular, this regime has a considerable importance in the areas of light water reactor(LWR) accident analysis (off-normal operating conditions) and design in heat exchangers operating in the once-through mode where subcooled liquid enters the exchanger and superheated vapor exits. Recently, innovative PWRs adopt very high power density increases and so require increased safety margins. For instance, advanced PWRs would be going to use a new-type of spacer grid and mixing ...
Multi-dimensional modelling of two-phase flow requires accurate constitutive relationships for interfacial parameters such as interfacial heat transfer, void fraction distribution, interfacial area, etc. However, existing diagnostic systems for measurement of two-phase flow parameters have difficulty measuring two or three-dimensional void distributions required for determination of interfacial parameters. In this work, a Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system is developed for non-intrusive measurement of two-phase flow parameters in nuclear fuel channels at low thermal neutron fluxes (on the order of 10{sup 6}n/cm{sup 2}-s). This advanced radiation technique has the advantage of measuring two-phase flow in 3 1/2 dimensions (x,{integral}dy,t) where the 1/2 dimension refers to an integrated or averaged space dimension. Pipe flow channels, annulus flow channels, MAPLE-type nuclear fuel flow channels, and CANDU-type nuclear fuel flow channels are investigated. Measurements of flow ...
Multi-dimensional modelling of two-phase flow requires accurate constitutive relationships for interfacial parameters such as interfacial heat transfer, void fraction distribution, interfacial area, etc. However, existing diagnostic systems for measurement of two-phase flow parameters have difficulty measuring two or three-dimensional void distributions required for determination of interfacial parameters. In this work, a Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system is developed for non-intrusive measurement of two-phase flow parameters in nuclear fuel channels at low thermal neutron fluxes (on the order of 10"6n/cm"2-s). This advanced radiation technique has the advantage of measuring two-phase flow in 3 1/2 dimensions (x,#integral#dy,t) where the 1/2 dimension refers to an integrated or averaged space dimension. Pipe flow channels, annulus flow channels, MAPLE-type nuclear fuel flow channels, and CANDU-type nuclear fuel flow channels are investigated. Measurements of flow regime, void ...
In this work it is intended a methodology to validate a new version of the software used for monitoring the reactor core, which requires of the evaluation of the thermal limits settled down in the Operation Technical Specifications, for the Unit 2 of Laguna Verde with ARTS (improvements to the APRMs, Rod Block Monitor and Technical specifications). According to the proposed methodology, those are shown differences found in the thermal limits determined with the new versions and previous of the core monitoring software. Author)
Statement of problem The use of titanium has increased for metal ceramic restorations, as well as for use in titanium implants, with developments in CAD/CAM technology. Some surface treatments of titanium have been introduced to enhance the titanium bond strength to low-fusing porcelains; however, a more reliable, easily used dental laboratory method has not been established. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of laser etching as a titanium surface treatment with 3 other surface treatments (machining, airborne-particle abrasion, and acid etching), evaluating their ability to enhance the bond strength between a titanium substrate and porcelain. Material and methods A total of 64 specimen rods of commercially pure titanium (ASTM grade 2, 20 mm in length and 5.7 mm in...
High-flux neutron sources are continuing to be of interest both in Canada and internationally to support materials testing for advanced power reactors, new developments in extracted-neutron-beam applications, and commercial production of selected radioisotopes. The advanced MAPLE reactor concept has been developed to meet these needs. The advanced MAPLE reactor is a new tank-type D_2O reactor that uses rodded low-enrichment uranium fuel in a compact annular core to generate peak thermal-neutron fluxes of 1 x 10"1"9 n#centre dot#s"-"1 in a central irradiation rig with a thermal power output of 50 MW. Capital and incremental development costs are minimized by using MAPLE reactor technology to the greatest extent practicable.
Reduction of silver myristate (AgMy) under mild thermal reaction conditions in a dipolar aprotic solvent i.e. N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) has been carried out. UV-visible absorption measurements of dried and re-dispersible brown flocculants showed broad features of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) due to silver nanoparticles. The freshly isolated particles showed absorption bands at 414 and 485 nm, respectively, due to inter-particle coupling or clustering of silver ions and silver atoms. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of fcc zero-valent silver resulted in crystallite size of about 10 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed formation of rod shaped silver with increasing reaction temperature. Thermal analysis (TGA) showed about 10% weight loss due to organic capping.
Results of ongoing research project at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor Facility on real-time neutron radiography for the visualization of interfacial geometry, movements and phase distributions in gas-liquid and gas-liquid-metal multi-phase flows are presented. Experiments were conducted with bubble column tubes with boiling liquid nitrogen, air-water and air-mercury mixtures. Discussions are also focused on air-water flowing within a tube containing a CANDU type 37 rod fuel bundle assembly positioned both horizontally and vertically. Computer processing using a digital image format to enhance the real-time images was used. Imaging techniques include frame averaging, background substraction, edge enhancement (spatial filtering), contrast enhancement and video densitometry. (orig.).
The Advanced MAPLE is a research reactor design under development as a high-flux neutron source. The main performance goals for the reactor are a high peak thermal neutron flux in a heavy-water reflector tank, and a high average fast neutron flux in a central irradiation facility, with a maximum linear fuel rod rating of less than 120 kW/m. This study investigated the neutronic and reactor design consequences of the use of H_2O coolant as opposed to D_2O. The neutronics results, and several other considerations, indicate that H_2O coolant has a number of advantages. It is suggested that the H_2O coolant option be considered in the design of the Advanced MAPLE reactor. (L.L.) 9 refs., 4 figs., tab.
An imaging position sensitive detector for charged particles, neutrons, X-and gamma rays has been developed. The novel feature of this scintillation imaging radiation detector is its ability to detect individual nuclear particle scintillations with a h igh degree of spatial resolution. The key elements of this detector system are a high gain, low noise image intensifier tube, a CCD camera and commercially available image processing hardware and software. This detector system is highly effective for applications such as low fluence and real time neutron radiography, mapping of radioactive contamination in nuclear reactor fuel rods, X-ray diffraction imaging, high speed autoradiography and in general position sensitive detection of nuclear radiation. Results of some of the exploratory experiments carried out using this detector system are presented in this paper. (orig.).
The experimental technique used for detection of subcooled boiling through analysis of the fluctuation contained in pressure transducer signals is presented. This work was partly conducted at the Institut fuer Kerntechnik und zertoerungsfreie Pruefverfahren von Hannover (IKPH, Germany) in a thermal-hydraulic circuit with one electrically heated rod with annular geometry test section. Piezo resistive pressure sensors are used for onset of nucleate boiling (ONB) and onset of fully developed boiling (OFDB) detection using spectral analysis/ signal correlation techniques. Experimental results are interpreted by phenomenological analysis of these two points and compared with existing correlation. The results allow to conclude that this technique is adequate for the detection and monitoring of the ONB and OFDB. (author)
The experimental technique used for detection of subcooled boiling through analysis of the fluctuation contained in pressure transducer signals is presented. This work was partly conducted at the Institut fuer Kerntechnik und zertoerungsfreie Pruefverfahren von Hannover (IKPH, Germany) in a thermal-hydraulic circuit with one electrically heated rod with annular geometry test section. Piezo resistive pressure sensors are used for onset of nucleate boiling (ONB) and onset of fully developed boiling (OFDB) detection using spectral analysis/ signal correlation techniques. Experimental results are interpreted by phenomenological analysis of these two points and compared with existing correlation. The results allow to conclude that this technique is adequate for the detection and monitoring of the ONB and OFDB. (author)
An emergency shutdown system for high-temperature gas-cooled pebble-bed reactors is proposed in addition to the common absorber rod shutdown system. This system is based on the strongly absorbing effect of small boronated graphite spheres (called KLAK), which trickle in case of emergency by gravity from the top reflector into the reactor core. The inner reflector of the Siemens-Argonaut reactor was substituted by an assembly of spherical Arbeitsgemeinschaft Versuchsreaktor fuel elements, and the shutdown effect was examined by installing well-defined KLAK nests inside this assembly. The purpose was to develop and prove a calculational procedure for determining criticality values for assemblies of large fuel spheres and small absorbing spheres.
Water flow experiments were conducted on natural circulation decay heat removal with an electrically heated 91-rod bundle. Experimental results were compared with analytical predictions to provide thermal hydraulic characteristics for LMFBR Fuel assemblies under a low flow, typical of the natural circulation regime. The results revealed that, at low flow rate region (Re<1,200), axial friction loss in a heated bundle increases with buoyancy effect. The radial temperature profile provides some insight regarding the concept that coolant redistribution would occur. COBRA-V-I predictions are successfully proved validity in comparison with experimental results.
The confining effect of a spherical substrate inducing anchoring (normal to the surface) of rod-like liquid crystal molecules contained in a thin film spread over it has been investigated with regard to possible changes in the nature of the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition as the sample is cooled. The focus of these Monte Carlo simulations is to study the competing effects of the homeotropic anchoring due to the surface inducing orientational ordering in the radial direction and the inherent uniaxial order promoted by the intermolecular interactions. By adopting entropic sampling procedure, we could investigate this transition with a high temperature precision, and we studied the effect of the surface anchoring strength on the phase diagram for a specifically chosen geometry. We find that there is a threshold anchoring strength of the surface below which uniaxial nematic phase results, and above which the isotropic fluid cools to a radially ordered nematic ...
KMeyeDB () is a database of human gene mutations that cause eye diseases. We have substantially enriched the amount of data in the database, which now contains information about the mutations of 167 human genes causing eye-related diseases including retinitis pigmentosa, cone-rod dystrophy, night blindness, Oguchi disease, Stargardt disease, macular degeneration, Leber congenital amaurosis, corneal dystrophy, cataract, glaucoma, retinoblastoma, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Usher syndrome. KMeyeDB is operated using the database software MutationView, which deals with various characters of mutations, gene structure, protein functional domains, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, as well as clinical data for each case. Users can access the database using an ordinary Internet browser wi...
In this paper compression and power stroke cycles for a 4 stroke cycle spark ignition engine modified by extending the connecting rod to simulate purely sinusoidal piston motion are analyzed over a range of operating speeds and are compared with those of a similar conventional engine. Heat release rate is estimated for both engines using a simple Wiebe function with the functional parameters found via a simplex curve fitting method is used in conjunction with experimental pressure curves. It is shown that the functional parameters which represent the combustion and duration of fuel burn are slightly larger over the range of operation in the sinusoidal engine while the shape factor remains largely the same.
The coolant activity analysis to obtain the information about the fuel failure has been studied long before. And several codes have been developed to estimate the number of fuel failures through evaluating volatile and inert fission products release in coolant from the defective fuel. These codes use a fission product diffusion model coupled with a mass balance in the gap and coolant. But each code has a different model to assess fuel failure. In order to develop the model to estimate the number of fuel failures we analysis well-known code's models such as CHIRON, CADE, IODYNE, and CAAP and compare accuracy through Korean PWR activity data
The preliminary design of a far-infrared free-electron laser with a Coaxial Hybrid Iron (CHI) wiggler is presented. The CHI wiggler consists of a central rod and outer ring of alternating ferrite and dielectric spacers. A periodic wiggler field is produced when the CHI structure is immersed in an axial magnetic field. The design under investigation makes use of 1A, 1MV annular electron beam interacting with the TE{sub 01} coaxial waveguide mode at approximately 1 THz ({lambda} = 300 {mu}m). The nominal wiggler period is 0.5 cm and the inner and outer waveguide radii are 0.4 and 0.8 cm, respectively. An axial guide field of 5-10 kG is used. The device performance is modeled with slow-time-scale nonlinear code. Self fields and axial velocity spread are included in the model. Theoretical results will be presented.
The optical birefringence of rod-like nematogens (7CB, 8CB), imbibed in parallel silica channels with 10 nm diameter and 300 micrometer length, is measured and compared to the thermotropic bulk behavior. The orientational order of the confined liquid crystals, quantified by the uniaxial nematic ordering parameter, evolves continuously between paranematic and nematic states, in contrast to the discontinuous isotropic-to-nematic bulk phase transitions. A Landau-de Gennes model reveals that the strength of the orientational ordering fields, imposed by the silica walls, is beyond a critical threshold, that separates discontinuous from continuous paranematic-to-nematic behavior. Quenched disorder effects, attributable to wall irregularities, leave the transition temperatures affected only marginally, despite the strong ordering fields in the channels.
A new method of plasma treatment for powder particles was investigated. A glass bottle horizontally held on a rotating system was used for the treatment. The outside of the bottle was covered by the grounded metal net, and the rod electrode was provided at the center of the bottle, which was connected to an ac high voltage source. Powder particles were placed in the bottle with stainless steel beads of large diameter and the plasma was generated between two electrodes and while the bottle was rotating. Using this system, powder particles were uniformly plasma-treated without coagulation. After 40 seconds treatment with plasma of 0.55 W in Ar gas, the charge to mass ratio for polyethylene powder particles having 160 {mu}m mean diameter generated by stainless before treatment. (author)
The report presents the results of experimental studies conducted to provide a description of the conditions which lead to the occurrence of critical heat flux (CHF), in Combustion Engineering (C-E) fuel assemblies using the C-E standard spacer grid. A CHF correlation is presented which is based on CHF data obtained in tests with electrically heated rod bundles representative of the C-E 14 x 14 and 16 x 16 array fuel assemblies. The results reported are for a uniform axial heat flux distribution. The experiments were conducted in the Medium Pressure Heat Transfer Flow Loop at the Chemical Engineering Research Laboratories at Columbia University.
A brief survey of present air pollution abatement requirements relevant to domestic heating systems is followed by a comparative evaluation of the latest results worked out on the part of boiler and burner manufacturers, and the legal requirements and existing regulations. Details are given on the limiting values required by law, the regulations valid for domestic heating systems, and the values fixed according to scientific knowledge and research results (development of NO{sub x} and CO, flame temperature dependence, table comparing CO and NO{sub x} limiting values for different types of burners and boilers). Access is given to primary air pollution abatement measures (cooling of flames, absorber rods, influence of mixing pressure), modern burner and boiler systems, and secondary measures suited for smaller boilers. (HWJ).
A two-phase flow regime map is developed experimentally and theoretically for a vertical hexagonal flow channel with and without a 36-finned rod hexagonal bundle. This type of flow channel is of interest to MAPLE-type nuclear research reactors. The flow regime maps are determined by visual observations and observation of waveforms shown by a capacitance-type void fraction meter. The experimental results show that the inclusion of the finned hexagonal bundle shifts the flow regime transition boundaries toward higher water flow rates. Existing flow regime maps based on pipe flow require slight modifications when applied to the hexagonal flow channel with and without a MAPLE-type finned hexagonal bundle. The proposed theoretical model agrees well with experimental results.
A two-phase flow regime map is developed experimentally and theoretically for a vertical hexagonal flow channel with and without a 36-finned rod hexagonal bundle. This type of flow channel is of interest to MAPLE-type nuclear research reactors. The flow regime maps are determined by visual observations and observation of waveforms shown by a capacitance-type void fraction meter. The experimental results show that the inclusion of the finned hexagonal bundle shifts the flow regime transition boundaries toward higher water flow rates. Existing flow regime maps based on pipe flow require slight modifications when applied to the hexagonal flow channel with and without a MAPLE-type finned hexagonal bundle. The proposed theoretical model agrees well with experimental results.
This study is concerned to the perforation phenomena of the oblique dual-plate by projectile. Experiment and simulation related to that was carried out. the variables considered in this phenomena include the electrolytic zinc coated steel sheet and carbon steel rod. In the former, the confirmation and projectile velocity possible phenomena of real phenomena is done, the latter, the effect of parameter such as time-step and grid space length is analyzed by using the three-dimensional Lagrangian explicit time-integration finite element code, HEMP. This code use the eight node hexahedral elements and in this study, Von-Mises Criteria is used as the strength model, Mie-Gruneisen is as the Equation of State. The simulation was performed by contrast with the experiment. Through the calibration of the parameter of Lagrangian code, reasonable result was approached.
The French office for technical studies and control of big dams (BETCGB), has recently reedited the `guidebook for the control of dams in exploitation`. The aim of this document is to provide to the regional directions of industry, research and environment (DRIRE) a methodological help for their control actions of hydroelectric dams granted for exploitation. It comprises 6 chapters dealing with: the different type of dams, the inspection, the surveillance, the floods evacuation, the flood instructions, and the particular emergency plans. (J.S.)
This article deals with the need for control strategies and control systems in buildings with hybrid ventilation. In this respect, control strategies are methods of keeping certain parameters like temperature, air quality etc within specified limits. A control system is automatic and includes sensors, motors, dampers etc. The article also discusses consequences with respect to thermal comfort, air quality and energy use following selection of control parameters for controlling air masses.
Fuji Electric has realized highly reliable and functional control systems by the dispersion type control system FOCUS, which uses the controller (ICS-2000) enjoying good reputation in controlling industrial plants for a long time and a personal computer with high windows operability, the former for controlling and the latter for MHI responsible for monitoring. The smelting process in a steel-making plant needs a highly reliable system for advanced control to ensure continuous operation. Fuji Electric delivered the FOCUS system to Kubota in 1998, as the smelting furnace instrumentation/control system for the cupola furnace. The system has been in service smoothly. Moreover, a total of four control systems have been delivered, 2 for steel-making furnaces and the other 2 for continuous casting. (NEDO)
Studies continued on organic tracers for use as hydrologic tracers as part of the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization project. This subject report for the quarter 01/01/93 through 03/31/93 discusses the following issues: project organization and responsibilities; quality assurance program; design control; procurement document control; instructions, procedures, and drawings; document control; control of purchased items and services; identification and control of items; control of processes; inspection; test control; control of measuring and test equipment; handling, storage, and shipping; inspection, test, and operating status; control of nonconforming items and conditions; corrective action; quality assurance records; audits; software quality assurance; and scientific investigation.
Purpose: To stably control the reactor water level so as not to cause excess water feeding in a BWR type reactor. Constitution: A flow control valve is disposed to the exit of a feedwater pump for a nuclear reactor and the valve is controlled by a flow regulator to maintain the water level constant in the reactor. A signal from a water level controller is inputted to the flow regulator to thereby control the flow rate control valve. In this case, the flow regulator remains in a saturated state just after the starting of the feedwater pump, in which the pump flowrate is at 100% to result in an excess water feeding condition. In view of the above, a feedback circuit is provided to the flow regulator so that the saturated state is eliminated and the water feeding can be controlled directly from the water level controller. ...
A scheme for controlling multimanipulator systems is presented. The control objective is to coordinate the manipulators to perform parts-matching tasks such as screwing a nut onto a bolt. The task of moving a rigid object can be treated as a special case. Two secondary control objectives internal force control and load distribution can be accomplished within the structure of the control law. The internal force control mechanism keeps the internal forces on the object being manipulated at a desirable level. The load distribution mechanism distributes control effort to each manipulator according to a weighting factor. It is also shown that the control algorithm has a modular structure which facilitates its implementation on a multiprocessor computer. The scheme was tested on a planar scara type dual-manipulator system. A ...
This paper deals with the control of an electromechanical valves engine. The control uses neural networks in order to build a non-linear model of engine filing which depends on the driven inlets. The aim is to build this real-time model and to integrate this model to a control system which performs an iterative inversion. (J.S.)
We present a modification of the closed-loop state space model for AO control which allows delays that are a non-integer multiple of the system frame rate. We derive the new forms of the Predictive Fourier Control Kalman filters for arbitrary delays and show that they are linear combinations of the whole-frame delay terms. This structure of the controller is independent of the delay. System stability margins and residual error variance both transition gracefully between integer-frame delays.
Experience and technical innovations in power plant engineering have resulted in continuous improvements of operation control, availability and safety of pumped storage plants. Process control is constantly improved as new developments are made in equipment and systems engineering. Plant control concepts with increasingly complex automation hierarchy are described by which pumped storage processes can be controlled optimally, reliably, and automatically.
University research group with research areas: * Land based and submersible autonomous robots, (UUVs: AUVs and ROVs); * Controllers, electronics, sensor design and fusion, motion control; * Guidance and navigation of underwater vehicles; * AI, neural networks, fuzzy logic, subsumption control, behaviour based control; * Optical fibre and ultrasonic sensors for proximal object detection; * Robot arm control, visual servoing; * Imaging sonar applications; * Simulator development: UUV simulator; imaging sonar simulator; Aircraft/flight simulator.
The technology status of the dynamics and controls discipline as it applies to energy storage wheel systems was evaluated. No problems were identified for which an adequate solution could not be proposed. Design issues that influence control were addressed. The dynamics and control aspects associated with the energy storage system concept and its various constituent parts, and the control tasks attendant to large, manned spacecraft are discussed.
Lower East Fork Poplar Creek (LEFPC) and its floodplain are contaminated with mercury (Hg) from ongoing and historical releases from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. A remedial investigation and feasibility study of LEFPC resulted in the signing of a Record of Decision (ROD) in August 1995. In response to the ROD, soil contaminated with mercury above 400 mg/kg was removed from two sites in LEFPC and the floodplain during a recently completed remedial action (RA). The Postremediation Monitoring Program (PMP) outlined in the LEFPC Monitoring Plan was envisioned to occur in two phases: (1) a baseline assessment prior to remediation and (2) postremediation monitoring. The current report summarizes the results of the baseline assessment of soil, water, biota, and groundwater usage in LEFPC and its floodplain conducted in 1995 and 1996 by personnel of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program ...
In the present paper, experimental study of forced convection boiling were performed to investigate the post-CHF characteristics of a vertical annular channel with one heated rod and four spacer grids for new refrigerant R-134a. The experiments were conducted under outlet pressure of 11.6, 13, 16 and 20 bar, mass fluxes of 100-600 kg/m{sup 2}s, and inlet temperatures of 25-51 .deg. C. The parametric trend of the post-CHF data was well consistent with previous studies. The two phase flow regime in tube flow occurring downstream of the CHF has been called post-CHF, dispersed flow, liquid-deficient flow, mist flow and film boiling. This regime is characterized by a continuous vapor phase with discrete liquid drops and a non-wetted heated surface. This regime has a considerable importance in the areas of light water reactor(LWR) accident analysis and other film boiling applications. The post-CHF region occurs by design in heat exchangers operating in the once-through ...
In the present paper, experimental study of forced convection boiling were performed to investigate the post-CHF characteristics of a vertical annular channel with one heated rod and four spacer grids for new refrigerant R-134a. The experiments were conducted under outlet pressure of 11.6, 13, 16 and 20 bar, mass fluxes of 100-600 kg/m2s, and inlet temperatures of 25-51 .deg. C. The parametric trend of the post-CHF data was well consistent with previous studies. The two phase flow regime in tube flow occurring downstream of the CHF has been called post-CHF, dispersed flow, liquid-deficient flow, mist flow and film boiling. This regime is characterized by a continuous vapor phase with discrete liquid drops and a non-wetted heated surface. This regime has a considerable importance in the areas of light water reactor(LWR) accident analysis and other film boiling applications. The post-CHF region occurs by design in heat exchangers operating in the once-through mode ...
Use of an adaptive optimal control algorithm for two realtime control applications, optimal excitation control of a synchronous generator (OEC) and power system stabilizer (PSS) is described in this paper. Experimental studies on a physical model of a power system show that the proposed OEC and PSS can track the controlled system by parameter identification at different operating conditions. The proposed control algorithm is based on the linear optimal control theory and a special 5th order discrete Riccati equation is solved in each sampling period. The proposed OEC and PSS can always guarantee that in closed loop the controlled system is stable based on the identified parameters. As the actual output of the controlled system and control are directly used in the controller, no ...
How sensory organization for postural control matures in children is not clear at this time. The present study examined, in children aged 7 to 11 and in adults, the postural control modifications in...Full Text Available
This article reviews briefly a range of the latest monitoring and controlling equipment for use in coal mines. This includes pressure transmitters, shale/coal discriminator, nucleonic bunker level indicator, automatic steering and monitoring system, oscilloscope/multimeter, and microprocessor based digital display controllers. 1 fig.
The article describes control and monitoring concepts in which the delegation of responsibility is becoming more decisive than ever (automation hierarchy), and which are capable of optimized, automatic control of process events in pumped storage plants. 8 refs.
The highly variable and intermittent pollutant concentrations and flowrates associated with wet-weather events in combined sewersheds necessitates the use of storage-treatment systems to control pollution.An optimized combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) control system requires a manage...
Studies have shown that the nervous system may adopt a control scheme in which synergistic muscle groups are controlled by common excitation patters, or modules, to simplify the coordination...Full Text Available
This work considers the problem of controlling multiple nonholonomic vehicles so that they converge to a scent source without colliding with each other. Since the control is to be implemented on simple 8-bit microcontrollers, fuzzy control rules are used to simplify a linear quadratic regulator control design. The inputs to the fuzzy controllers for each vehicle are the (noisy) direction to the source, the distance to the closest neighbor vehicle, and the direction to the closest vehicle. These directions are discretized into four values: Forward, Behind, Left, and Right, and the distance into three values: Near, Far, Gone. The values of the control at these discrete values are obtained based on the collision-avoidance repulsive forces and the change of variables that reduces the motion control problem of each nonholonomic vehicle to a ...
A controlled bidirectional quantum secret direct communication scheme is proposed by using a Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state. In the scheme, two users can exchange their secret messages simultaneously with a set of devices under the control of a third party. The security of the scheme is analysed and confirmed.
The objective of this project is to reduce energy consumption in 203 buildings by providing a new EMCS (Energy Monitoring Control System) to control and monitor systems.
A closed loop control process assures that a system performs within control limits. In closed loop control, the system's output feeds back directly to change the system's inputs. We describe an approach...Full Text Available
A retrospective case-control study tested the hypothesis that exposure to hydrocarbon combustion products is associated with the development of renal cell carcinoma. One control per case, matched for...Full Text Available
...Department of Environmental Control to ASARCO Incorporated. (B) Amended Administrative...Department of Environmental Control to ASARCO Incorporated. (C) Second Amended...Department of Environmental Control to ASARCO Incorporated. (ii) Additional...
This paper has the objective of presenting the philosophy of Static Var Compensator (SVC) Control as well the necessary adjustments in the project of control system to guarantee suitable performance under different operating conditions. The verification on the performance of the SVC control has been done by Transient Network Analyzer (TNA/CEPEL) studies, commissioning tests and a factory tests. The SVC is the type of Thyristor Controlled Reactor (TCR) and Thyristor Switched Capacitor (TSC). (author) 3 refs., 12 figs.
The idle speed of an internal combustion engine is controlled in response to a variable ignition timing control signal from a microcomputer. The microcomputer derives this control signal as a function of the magnitude of engine speed variation which occurs during engine idle periods to cause the ignition timing to vary quickly in response to a transitory engine load variation. An auxiliary air delivery system may be advantageously incorporated in the idle speed control system to cooperate with the ignition timing control in response to the engine speed variation.
A dual fuel engine control system for controlling the power output of a dual fuel compression ignition engine. The engine includes mixing means for combining an oxidizer and a primary fuel at a substantially constant ratio of oxidizer to primary fuel. The power output of the engine is controlled through the use of a throttle valve controlling the quantity of combustible mixture delivered to the combustion chamber. The fuel control system minimizes the quantity of ignition fuel required by controlling the quantity of combustible mixture rather than the fuel of air ratio. (author) figs.
The control valve for a large steam turbine must be operated linearly to be run by an automatic control system in a power plant. It is, however, found that the flow increase is much greater for a given valve position change near the closed end of travel than it is near the open end. Accordingly, the desired linearization will be achieved if the valve is opened less near the closed end of travel and greater near the open end. The previous way for linearization was to utilize the cams, which is called the mechanical hydraulic control (MHC). The MHC was afterward improved by producing the nonlinear electric compensation to the nonlinear system of control valves, viz. the electro hydraulic control (EHC)
The control valve for a large steam turbine must be operated linearly to be run by an automatic control system in a power plant. It is, however, found that the flow increase is much greater for a given valve position change near the closed end of travel than it is near the open end. Accordingly, the desired linearization will be achieved if the valve is opened less near the closed end of travel and greater near the open end. The previous way for linearization was to utilize the cams, which is called the mechanical hydraulic control (MHC). The MHC was afterward improved by producing the nonlinear electric compensation to the nonlinear system of control valves, viz. the electro hydraulic control (EHC)
There is an urgent need in aquaculture to develop microbial control strategies, since disease outbreaks are recognized as important constraints to aquaculture production and trade and since the development...Full Text Available
A stable power system stabilizer (PSS) based on the inverse dynamics of the controlled system using an artificial neural network (ANN) is suggested to enhance the dynamic performances of a power system. First, an output feedback control law is driven with some conditions satisfied, which guarantees the internal stability and robustness against the asymptotically stable external disturbances. Then the control law is implemented using the inverse dynamics of the controlled plant. The inverse dynamics of the controlled plant is identified by an ANN, inverse dynamics neural network (IDNN), off-line. The pole-shifting technique and a scaling factor are introduced for the control system to meet the conditions for internal stability and robustness. The proposed controller is applied to a typical single-machine infinite-bus power system. Simulation ...
While substantial research has examined the control of information systems (IS) projects, most studies in this area have only examined how one controller manages a single group of controllees. However, many IS projects, especially enterprise systems projects (often initiated by an organization's corporate headquarters, and involving business unit users and consultants), have multiple stakeholders. The corporate headquarters (the project's principal controller) must simultaneously ensure that the various stakeholders are aligned with the project's goals despite their diverse motivations, and that the stakeholders collaborate with each other to achieve project success. Behavior control theory argues that the controller enacts a control portfolio of formal and informal controls. However, the ...
Despite the existence of effective analgesic drugs, many cancer patients live and die with ineffective pain control. The control of cancer pain is largely achievable with the appropriate use of available...Full Text Available
Models can be useful at many different levels when considering complex issues such as biological control of mosquitoes. At an early stage, exploratory models are valuable in exploring the characteristics...Full Text Available
[9] Rysdyk, R. T., and Calise, A. J., Fault Tolerant Flight control via Adaptive Neural Augmentation, AIAA. Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Aug. ...
Several studies of facilitated communication have demonstrated that the facilitators were controlling and directing the typing, although they appeared to be unaware of doing so. Such results shift...Full Text Available
The management of risks of explosives are described. Administrative and procedural controls are considered. The safety management plan involves hazard identification, risk analysis, assessment and control. The current position of explosives safety is considered. 4 tabs.
In this study, usage of a variable speed refrigeration system in latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system is investigated to increase energy storage efficiency. Four different compressor speed control cases are compared to obtain a constant heat transfer fluid (HTF) temperature at the inlet of the energy storage tank. These control cases are (i) control with evaporation temperature, (ii) control with ethylene glycol temperature at the outlet section of evaporator, (iii) control with suction pressure of the compressor and (iv) on/off control. By means of the experimental analysis the best control strategy is obtained as control with Case (ii), in terms of stability of inlet temperature of heat transfer fluid, variations of energy efficiency of LHTES and coefficient of performance (...
AbstractThe efficacy of tilmicosin administered in the feed to control Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infections in pigs was evaluated through a multisite, multitrial...Full Text Available
In order to suppress resonance vibrations of a rotor-shaft of rotating machinery, a rotor-shaft system elastically supported by ball bearings which are installed in electromagnetic actuators are proposed and the design method of some compensatory circuits in the controller to control the electromagnetic actuators in the system are explained. These actuators are controlled by the analog PID (proportional, integral, and derivative) controller. The compensation for nonlinearity of electromagnetic force, the negative stiffness of electromagnet, and the time lag of the coil current are discussed and the effective control circuits are proposed. The rotor-shaft system is replaced by the equivalent two-degree-of-freedom system and both impulse and frequency responses are numerically simulated for several parameters of PD-controller gain. By applying the principle of ...
Intelligent and decision aiding systems as support to operators are becoming increasingly a necessity in nuclear installations and in nuclear reactors in particular, specially after the Tree Mile Island. Development of new technologies based on linguistic approaches such as fuzzy logic has given rise to much interest during the last years. Fuzzy logic controller (FLC) has many advantage compared to conventional controllers using classical techniques. The aim of the present work is to use a fuzzy logic controller in parallel to actual semi-automatic controller in order to supervise in real time the operation of the research nuclear reactor. The principal of this controller is based on rules which are established previous from experiment using the semi-automatic controller and from the knowledge of the operators. (authors)
Phosphorylation is one of the most frequent modifications in intracellular signaling and is implicated in many processes ranging from transcriptional control to signal transduction in innate immunity....Full Text Available
Disclosed in this proposal are plans to construct a patent pending wrist module with computer control, configurable to form high-dexerity telerobotic arms ...
The biosynthesis of insect juvenile hormone (JH) and its neuroendocrine control are attractive targets for chemical control of insect pests and vectors of disease. To facilitate the molecular...Full Text Available
Externally powered prostheses have been studied for many years, to provide more effective rehabilitation of amputees. To take advantage of the benefits offered by external power in prostheses, however, the mode of control of the prosthesis by the amputee ...
Sep 1, 2011 ... Title: Application of chloropicrin to Douglas-fir stumps to control laminated root rot does not affect infection or growth of regeneration 16 growing ...
Hypertension affects most hemodialysis patients and is often poorly controlled. Adequate control of blood pressure is difficult with conventional hemodialysis alone but is important to improve...Full Text Available
Abstract A control framework was developed for real time implementation of optimal control of emulsion polymerization with multiple monomers by integrating model based algorithms with software engines. The developed system was applied for controlling conversion, particle size, molar mass, and polymer composition using model predictive control (MPC) based on mechanistic models for emulsion polymerization. The control formulation was extended to account for existing process constraints on the input, input moves, and solids content. On experimental testing, the developed control scheme was found to achieve the desired objectives without violating the process constraints and showed good robustness in rejecting disturbances. Improvements in the process operation and polymer property control wer...
A power system stabilizer based on GMV (Generalized Minimum Variance), one of the adaptive control techniques, is developed to enhance the dynamic performances of a power system using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The stabilizer consists of two parts. One part is Inverse Dynamics Neural Networks (IDNN), which is trained to identify the inverse dynamics of controlled plant and used as a one-step ahead controller, or inverse controller. The other part is Adaptive Reference Model (ARM), which prevents excessive controller output. The ARM produces the modified reference value by minimizing a cost function recursively on the assumption that the IDNN perfectly identifies the controlled plant. The IDNN is used in the minimization procedure to calculate the sensitivities. The proposed controller is simulated in a typical ...
The control of gas activity and process technology has developed tremendously over the past two decades. While once considered to be primitive control systems using simple PID loops with thermocouples that were suspect and unable to perform repeatedly and consistently during the arduous process of plasma nitriding and processing, developments in recent years have elevated the control of the process into what might be considered one of the most controllable processes of the latter part of this century. The advent of plasma processing technology has improved control methods by observing and harnessing each of the various process parameters into many different combinations of control systems. Some of these control systems can control the complete function of the process, thus freeing the operator entirely for other duties, ...
The vortex amplifier controller has no moving parts and therefore it can have extremely high reliability and avoid the maintenance problems associated with contaminated equipment. The vortex amplifier and its application to ventilation control of radioactive enclosures is described. Reverse purge vortex amplifier ventilation system control is also discussed. (U.K.).
This paper suggests how nonlinear periodic optimal control of a pumped storage plant can be realized. The control problem consists in maximization of the plant benefits over an operational period. An optimal control law is proposed, yielding a bang-off-bang mode of operation. An algorithm for numerical solution of the problem was developed, and its effectiveness was demonstrated by simulation experiments.
Brief summaries of research work are presented in the following section: overview of the ORNL Instrumentation and Controls Division activities; new developments and methods; reactor instrumentation and controls; measurement and control engineering; electronic engineering; maintenance; studies; services; and development; and division achievements.
Implementation of an adaptive power system stabilizer (PSS) based on linear optimal control is described in this paper. The generator is identified in real time, and a special 3rd order discrete Riccati equation is solved in each sample interval. Because the output of the generator is fed back directly, the controller can track the system very fast. Experimental studies on a physical model of a power system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive optimal controller.
This paper reviews emission standards, technologies to control emissions, and the cost of these controls. It is concluded that international bodies will increasingly set minimum emissions, these standards will continue to be reduced, and in addition new substances will be controlled. The cost of this control will likely not exceed 0.5 cents per kWe-hr. 4 refs., 3 tabs.
Response of control valves plays an important role in the dynamics of the flow system as a whole. Knowledge of its transfer function would facilitate analysis of the behaviour of the system. This paper presents the application of Levy's complex curve fitting method for determination of the transfer function of control valves used in Liquid Zone Control System of 540 MWe PHWR. (author)
In the positive column of a neon glow discharge, two different types of ionization waves occur simultaneously. The low-dimensional chaos arising from the nonlinear interaction between the two waves is controlled by a continuous feedback technique. The control strategy is derived from the time-delayed autosynchronization method. Two spatially displaced points of observation are used to obtain the control information, using the propagation characteristics of the chaotic wave.
A program to modernize existing computer control and data analysis in a precision gamma-scanning system is described. This involves interfacing a new computer-based multichannel analyzer to existing equipment through a CAMAC system with an intelligent crate controller and writing software for scan control and data reduction. Both hardware and software requirements are discussed. 6 figures.
A dual-rate self-tuning control technique, in which the system identification and control calculation are performed separately, is proposed in this paper. This greatly increases the control rate. A self-tuning power system stabilizer (DSPSS) making use of this technique is developed and implemented using multi-micro-computers. Simulation and experimental results with DSPSS show that the increase in the control rate can considerably improve the system performance.
Installation of the major hardware subsystems for MFTF is nearing completion. These subsystems include the Fusion Chamber System, the eighty KV Neutral Beam System, the Superconducting Magnet System, and the Personnel Safety System. The Local Controls group has undertaken a uniform aproach to implementing the control systems for all of these hardware subsystems. This approach has two major aspects: (1) to provide a stand-alone computer control system with a remote, portable terminal so that computer control can be provided at the site of the hardware for initial testing, (2) to provide hardware simulators so that the complicated MFTF computer control system can be tested independent of the hardware. The software and hardware tools which were developed to carry out this plan will be described. Our experiences with bringing up subsystems containing up to 900 separate channels of ...
The Proportional-Integral-Derivative Controller is widely used in industries for process control applications. Fractional-order PID controllers are known to outperform their integer-order counterparts. In this paper, we propose a new technique of fractional-order PID controller synthesis based on peak overshoot and rise-time specifications. Our approach is to construct an objective function, the optimization of which yields a possible solution to the design problem. This objective function is optimized using two popular bio-inspired stochastic search algorithms, namely Particle Swarm Optimization and Differential Evolution. With the help of a suitable example, the superiority of the designed fractional-order PID controller to an integer-order PID controller is affirmed and a comparative study of the efficacy of the two above algorithms in solving the ...
The Los Alamos Nuclear Material Accounting and Safeguards System (MASS) is a near-real-time accountability system for bulk materials, discrete items, and material undergoing dynamic processing. MASS has evolved from an eighty-column card based process control system to a very sophisticated computer system. The security of the MASS computer system is provide through various access controls. There are two kinds of access control to be addressed. They are physical access control to the hardware which make up the system, and access control to the software. There are many features which provide a measure of security to the hardware that will be discussed. Access to the software is controlled by a security password. Access to various transaction activities in the system is controlled through the level of MASS user privilege. Details of MASS user ...
Butter-fly valves are advantageous over gate, globe, plug, and ball valves in a variety of installations, particularly in the large sizes. The purpose of this project development of linear flow rate control system for eccentric butter-fly valve (intelligent butter-fly valve system). The intelligent butter-fly valve system consist of a valve body, micro controller. The micro controller consist of torque control system, pressure censor, worm and worm gear and communication line etc. The characteristics of intelligent butter-fly valve system as follows: Linear flow rate control function. Digital remote control function. guard function. Self-checking function. (author)
The manual provides design information for four groups of sediment control structures and treatments which are suitable for use on small areas in surface coal mining. A detailed design procedure is given for each group which will estimate the total amount of settleable solids from a small area with a sediment control structure or treatment for a specific design storm. A procedure is also given for estimating the mean annual sediment yield from a small area. Information on design, installation, maintenance and cost is given for each sediment control measure. Methods for determining the maximum allowable area for each sediment control measure and for design of combined sediment control systems are presented. The design procedures contain numerous nomographs, graphs, and worksheets to facilitate the use of the design procedure. The sediment control measures, design ...
The manual provides design information for four groups of sediment control structures and treatments which are suitable for use on small areas in surface coal mining. A detailed design procedure is given for each group which will estimate the total amount of settleable solids from a small area with a sediment control structure or treatment for a specific design storm. A procedure is also given for estimating the mean annual sediment yield from a small area. Information on design, installation, maintenance and cost is given for each sediment control measure. Methods for determining the maximum allowable area for each sediment control measure and for design of combined sediment control systems are presented. The design procedures contain numerous nomographs, graphs, and worksheets to facilitate the use of the design procedure. The sediment control measures, design ...
A multivariate bioprocess control approach, capable of tracking a pre-set process trajectory correlated to the biomass or product concentration in the bioprocess is described. The trajectory was either a latent variable derived from multivariate statistical process monitoring (MSPC) based on partial least squares (PLS) modeling, or the absolute value of the process variable. In the control algorithm the substrate feed pump rate was calculated from on-line analyzer data. The only parameters needed were the substrate feed concentration and the substrate yield of the growth-limiting substrate. On-line near-infrared spectroscopy data were used to demonstrate the performance of the control algorithm on an Escherichia coli fed-batch cultivation for tryptophan production. The controller showed good ability to track a defined biomass trajectory during varying process dynamics. The robustness of the ...
This paper summarizes the findings from an exploratory definition of a usage strategy for multiple control centre wall displays in CANDU nuclear power plants. Wall displays are defined as large sized, vertically oriented display surfaces that may be positioned in various locations about a control room to support user information needs. The paper begins by discussing the need for a usage strategy for all control room information resources, and then reviews the history in wall display implementation and usage in nuclear power plant control rooms. The balance of the paper discusses the approach used in characterization and review of control room task information needs and definition of a wall display usage strategy. The paper concludes by outlining some of the possible impacts on future control room design and operations that the introduction of wall displays may ...
Previous flow regime studies have been for horizontal, vertical, and inclined pipe flow. As such, only a few studies have been performed on bundle geometries. The present paper examines the flow regimes for a vertical hexagonal flow channel with and without a finned fuel bundle. This type of a 36 finned rod hexagonal fuel bundle in parallel hexagonal flow channels is used in a MAPLE (Multi- purpose Applied Physics Lattice Experimental) type nuclear reactor. An experiment apparatus was designed consisting of the flow channel, inlet plenum and an air-water separator. The inlet plenum is used to provide a uniform mixture of air and water before entering the hexagonal flow channel. A turbine flow meter is used to determine the water flow rate. The turbine flow meter is calibrated for a low flow range and limits the measurable flow to 50 l/min. Flow pattern observation is determined by a SONY video camera, Real-Time Neutron Radiography, pressure transducer and ...
We use X-ray scattering and molecular simulations to investigate the structural properties of complexes of multivalent cationic lipids and DNA molecules. At low mole fraction of neutral lipids (NLs), $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$, the complexes show dramatic DNA compaction down to essentially close packed DNA arrays with a DNA interaxial spacing $d_{\\rm DNA}=25\\AA$. A gradual increase in $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$ does not lead to a continuous increase in $d_{\\rm DNA}$ as observed for DNA complexes of monovalent cationic lipids (CLs). Instead, distinct spacing regimes exist, with sharp transitions between them. Three packing states have been identified: (i) close packed, (ii) condensed, but not close packed, with $d_{\\rm DNA}=27-28\\AA$, and (iii) an expanded state, where $d_{\\rm DNA}$ increases gradually with $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$. Based on our experimental and computational results, we conclude that the DNA condensation is mediated by the multivalent cationic lipids, which assemble between the ...
Samples of nylon 66 rods were irradiated using a cobalt-60 gamma ray source at a dose rate of 0.25 Mrad h[sup -1] in air at room temperature to a maximum dose of 500 Mrad. The linear coefficient of thermal expansion ([alpha]) was measured using a three-terminal capacitance technique reported previously. The variation of [alpha] with temperature between 10 K and 340 K was investigated for an unirradiated sample and two samples irradiated to 300 Mrad and 500 Mrad. In the range 10K to 160K, [alpha] is almost invariant with radiation dose and there is little difference between the values for the unirradiated and the 300 Mrad irradiated samples above 160 K. The sample irradiated to 500 Mrad does show a 6% increase in [alpha] over the other samples in the higher temperature range. All samples show an increase overall in the value of [alpha] with temperature. The melting point of each sample was also determined and was shown to decrease with radiation dose. (1 figure, 1 ...
The 540 MWe PHWR has two fully independent shutdown systems. The first shutdown system (SDS-1) comprises of 28 spring assisted, vertical gravity drop shut-off rods, each consisting of a cadmium absorber sandwiched between stainless steel tubes. The second shutdown system (SDS-2) constitutes six poison tanks connected to respective zircaloy injection tubes. This system is capable of high speed injection of gadolinium nitrate solution (in D2O) into the moderator through these tubes. Theoretical estimation was carried out at different injection pressures and different concentration of gadolinium nitrate solution to arrive at the limiting value of these parameters from reactivity consideration point of view. The plant measurements of SDS-2 actuations at 60 and 80 Kg/cm2 pressure of helium was used to validate and upgrade the estimation model. The paper gives the details of the validation details of SDS-2 actuation. (author)
We developed a new TLD array for precise dose measurement and verification of the spatial dose distribution in small radiation targets. It consists of a hemicylindrical, tissue-equivalent rod made of polystyrene with 17 parallel moulds for an exact positioning of each TLD. The spatial resolution of the TLD array was evaluated using the Leskell spherical phantom. Dose planning was performed with KULA 4.4 under stereotactic conditions on axial CT images. In the Leksell gamma unit the TLD array was irradiated with a maximal dose of 10 Gy with an unplugged 14 mm collimator. The doses delivered to the TLDs were rechecked by diode detector and film dosimetry and compared to the computer-generated dose profile. We found excellent agreement of our measured values, even at the critical penumbra decline. For the 14 mm and 18 mm collimator and for the 11 mm collimator combination we compared the measured and calculated data at full width at half maximum. This TLD array may be ...
This decision document presents the selected remedial action for the Ruston/North Tacoma Study Area, in Ruston and Tacoma, Washington. The EPA has divided the Commencement Bay/Nearshore Tideflats Superfund site into seven operable units (OU's) in order to facilitate the investigation, analysis, and cleanup of this very large site. Four of these OU's are associated with the Asarco smelter: OU 02 - Asarco Tacoma Smelter; OU 04 - Asarco Off-Property (Ruston/North Tacoma Study Area); OU 06 - Asarco Sediments; and OU 07 - Asarco Demolition. The remedy described in this ROD addresses OU 04 and involves the cleanup of arsenic and lead contaminated soils and slag in the Study Area, the residential community surrounding the smelter. This remedy will address the principal threat posed by conditions at the site, which is the ingestion of contaminated soil and dust.
Thermochromic tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide (VO2) powders were successfully synthesized by thermal reduction using V2O5 as a vanadium precursor. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicated that W was successfully doped into the crystal lattice of VO2 matrix, and prepared tungsten-doped VO2 had a rod-like morphology. The effects of reducing temperature and annealing temperature on the crystallographic structures were also discussed. The phase transition temperature (Tt) of VO2 could be simply tuned by changing the doping concentration of tungsten. When the doping concentration was 1.58 mol%, the Tt could be reduced to 37.8 oC from initial 69.5 oC, suggesting that tungsten-doped VO2 possesses prominent thermochromic properties and optical switching characters. It has shown that this convenient and efficient ...
We discuss the possibility of extending solid state laser technology to high average power and of improving the efficiency of such lasers sufficiently to make them reasonable candidates for a number of demanding applications. A variety of new design concepts, materials, and techniques have emerged over the past decade that, collectively, suggest that the traditional technical limitations on power (a few hundred watts or less) and efficiency (less than 1%) can be removed. The core idea is configuring the laser medium in relatively thin, large-area plates, rather than using the traditional low-aspect-ratio rods or blocks. This presents a large surface area for cooling, and assures that deposited heat is relatively close to a cooled surface. It also minimizes the laser volume distorted by edge effects. The feasibility of such configurations is supported by recent developments in materials, fabrication processes, and optical pumps. Two types of lasers can, in ...
To resolve the central thermal safety issue for spent fuel dry storage concrete canister design or Wolsung (CANDU) nuclear power plant unit 1, a thermal analysis method has been developed for the complicated geometry of rod bundles and the multi-dimensional and multi-mode heat transfer phenomena. The canister geometry is simplified and combined heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation is considered through effective heat transfer coefficients. Mean temperature distributions of the fuel bundles within the fuel basket are obtained by solving the heat transfer problem using an existing computer code HEATING5. The measured steady state temperature distribution within a mock-up of a storage basket is compared to the calculated result. Steady state and/or transient fuel temperature distributions have been calculated for various ambient conditions at the canister exterior surface.
To resolve the central thermal safety issue for spent fuel dry storage concrete canister design or Wolsung (CANDU) nuclear power plant unit 1, a thermal analysis method has been developed for the complicated geometry of rod bundles and the multi-dimensional and multi-mode heat transfer phenomena. The canister geometry is simplified and combined heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation is considered through effective heat transfer coefficients. Mean temperature distributions of the fuel bundles within the fuel basket are obtained by solving the heat transfer problem using an existing computer code HEATING5. The measured steady state temperature distribution within a mock-up of a storage basket is compared to the calculated result. Steady state and/or transient fuel temperature distributions have been calculated for various ambient conditions at the canister exterior surface.
In ionic nanocrystals the cationic sub-lattice can be replaced with a different metal ion via a fast, simple, and reversible place-exchange, allowing post-synthetic modification of the composition of the nanocrystal, while preserving its size and shape. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that during such an exchange, the anionic framework of the crystal is preserved. When applied to nanoheterostructures, this phenomenon ensures that compositional interfaces within the heterostructure are conserved throughout the transformation. For instance, a morphology composed of a CdSe nanocrystal embedded in a CdS rod (CdSe/CdS) was exchanged to a PbSe/PbS nanorod via a Cu2Se/Cu2S structure. During every exchange cycle, the seed size and position within the nanorod were preserved, as evident by excitonic features, Z-contrast imaging, and elemental line-scans. Anionic framework conservation extends the domain of cation exchange to the design of more complex and unique ...
The effect of Mo addition on the glass-forming ability (GFA), magnetic properties, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of (Fe0.76Si0.096B0.084P0.06)100-xMox (x=0, 2, 4 and 6at.%) bulk glassy alloys (BGAs) with high Fe contents was investigated. The 2at.% Mo addition makes the alloy composition approach towards a eutectic point, which could result in an increase in the GFA. The BGA rod with diameters up to 3.5mm was produced by copper mold casting. These BGAs exhibit a rather high saturation magnetization of 0.98-1.51T and lower coercive force of 1.7-2.1A/m. A significant improvement in corrosion resistance was observed with microalloying Mo element in 1N H2SO4 solution. Furthermore, these Fe-based BGAs show super-high strength of ~3.3GPa and Young's modulus of 200GPa.
There is increasing use of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) in industry for communications, welding, security, radio, medicine, navigation etc. It has been recognised for some years that RFR may interact with cardiac pacemakers and steps have been taken to prevent this interference. It is less well recognised that other metallic implants may also act as antennas in an RFR field and possibly cause adverse health effects by heating local tissues. There are a large and increasing number of implants having metal components which may be found in RFR workers. These implants include artificial joints, rods and plates used in orthopaedics, rings in heart valves, wires in sutures, bionic ears, subcutaneous infusion systems and (external) transdermal drug delivery patches"1. The physician concerned with job placement of such persons requires information on the likelihood of an implant interacting with RFR so as to impair health. The following outlines the approach developed in ...
The detection efficiency of gamma scanning system in irradiated materials examination facility has been measured. Gamma-ray sources used in this experiment are Cs-Co standard sources a PWR spent fuel rod in which {sup 134}Cs and {sup 154}Eu peaks are clearly identified in the energy region of 500 to 1,600 keV. The distance between source and detector is about 1.6 m. A slit type collimator with 3 mm-width window and 30 mm-thick lead block are installed between source and detector. The detector is a HPGe detector. This equipment is mainly used in gamma scanning of irradiated nuclear fuel. The measured detection efficiency seems to be 1.89 x 10{sup -6} % for 1 MeV gamma-ray. With these results the activities of unknown sources could be measured. This results are expected to be used in the measurement of the absolute distribution of gamma emitting nuclides in nuclear fuel.
Bulk nanocrystalline pure iron rods were fabricated by the equal channel angular pressure (ECAP) technique up to eight passes. The microstructure and grain size distribution, natural immersion and electrochemical corrosion in simulated body fluid, cellular responses and hemocompatibility were investigated in this study. The results indicate that nanocrystalline pure iron after severe plastic deformation (SPD) would sustain durable span duration and exhibit much stronger corrosion resistance than that of the microcrystalline pure iron. The interaction of different cell lines reveals that the nanocrystalline pure iron stimulates better proliferation of fibroblast cells and preferable promotion of endothelialization, while inhibits effectively the viability of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The burst of red cells and adhesion of the platelets were also substantially suppressed on contact with the nanocrystalline pure iron in blood circulation. A clear ...
Beside sucker-rod-type pumps and submersible centrifugal pumps, excentric screw pumps (so-called progressing cavity pumps) belong to standard conveyors in the production of crude oil. The authors of the contribution under consideration present the further development of excentric screw pumps with respect to the reduction of fluid levels in gas wells. This further development is based on a co-operation between the operator (Rohoel Aufsuchungs AG (Gampern, Austria)), the pump supplier (NETZSCH Oilfield Products GmbH (Selb, Federal Republic of Germany)) and the Institute for Process Technologies and Machinery at the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg (Federal Republic of Germany). The authors report on first attempts with the excentric screw pump at Weizberg (Federal Republic of Germany), material investigations at the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, optimization of pump components and pump systems as well as on the optimization of the entire drainage process. ...
The thermal and heat transfer characteristics of stearic acid during the solidification processes were investigated experimentally in a vertical annulus energy storage system. The temperature distribution and temperature variations with time at different radial positions during the freezing processes were obtained. The thermal characteristics of the stearic acid, including movement of the solid-liquid interface in the radial direction, and the effects of Reynolds number on the heat transfer parameters were studied. The heat flux was estimated by using a simple approximate model. A new copper fin was designed and fixed to the electrical heating rod to enhance the thermal conductivity of the stearic acid. The results show that the new fin can enhance both the conduction and the natural convection heat transfer of the PCM, and the enhancement factor during solidification is estimated to be as high as 250%. The effect of the fin width on the enhancement was also ...
The thermal and heat transfer characteristics of stearic acid during the solidification processes were investigated experimentally in a vertical annulus energy storage system. The temperature distribution and temperature variations with time at different radial positions during the freezing processes were obtained. The thermal characteristics of the stearic acid, including movement of the solid-liquid interface in the radial direction, and the effects of Reynolds number on the heat transfer parameters were studied. The heat flux was estimated by using a simple approximate model. A new copper fin was designed and fixed to the electrical heating rod to enhance the thermal conductivity of the stearic acid. The results show that the new fin can enhance both the conduction and the natural convection heat transfer of the PCM, and the enhancement factor during solidification is estimated to be as high as 250%. The effect of the fin width on the enhancement was also ...
The use of previously measured mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel systems as benchmarks can be valuable tool in computational analysis and quality assurance efforts. The Fissile Materials Disposition Program (FMDP) has identified these experiments as potential benchmarks, or standards, for VVER's employing MOX fuel. Standards for the analysis of these benchmark experiments were based on those used in the recent compilation International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments begun in 1992 by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Los Alamos National Laboratory's archives were explored for log-book records of these experiments without success. These experiments were the first to use MOX fuel in light water. Three approach-to-critical experiments were performed using fuel rods at various pitches and different plutonium-oxide concentrations. A parallel program verified the prediction of critical condition as similar materials and geometries were actually ...
In the early sixties it was decided to investigate salt formations on its suitability to host heat generating radioactive waste in Germany. In the reference repository concept consequently the emplacement of vitrified waste canisters in deep vertical boreholes inside a salt mine was considered whereas spent fuel should be disposed of in self shielding casks (type POLLUX) in horizontal drifts. The POLLUX casks, 65 t heavy carbon steel casks, will be laid down on the floor of a horizontal drift in one of the disposal zones to be constructed in the salt dome at the 870 m level. The space between casks and drift walls will be backfilled with crushed salt. The transport, the handling und the emplacement of POLLUX casks were subject of successfully performed demonstration and in situ tests in the nineties and resulted in an adjustment of the atomic law. The borehole disposal concept comprises the emplacement of unshielded canisters with vitrified HLW in boreholes with a diameter of 60 cm and ...
Synthesis of highly anisotropic rod-like b-Si3N4 particles with different morphological characteristics was accomplished using commercial a-Si3N4. A number of powder mixtures were prepared with additions of various oxides (Al2O3+RE2O3, being RE=Y, La or Yb) that were subsequently heat treated in a loose powder state in the temperature range of 1750-1950degreeC and dwell times from 10 to 180min under high pressure of N2 (60MPa) in a hot isostatic press. The obtained aggregated porous bodies were lightly crushed by hand using an alumina mortar and pestle and subsequently subjected to sequential chemical treatments to eliminate the glassy phases and possible residual crystalline compounds, and to separate the synthesized b-Si3N4 particles. Resulting b-Si3N4 particles were characterized by X-r...
Treatment of cultures of 3T3-L1 cells with methylisobutyl-xanthine and dexamethasone has been shown to result in accumulation of lipid and conversion to the morphology of adipocytes in more than 90% of the cells. The status of the stimulatory (Gs), inhibitory (Gi) and Go-proteins during the course of 3T3-L1 differentiation was examined. The amount of alpha subunit of Gs (#alpha#Gs), assayed by radiolabeling in the presence of cholera toxin and ["3"2P]NAD"+, increased upon differentiation as previously described by others. The amounts of #alpha#Gi and #alpha#Go assayed by radiolabeling in the presence of pertussis toxin and ["3"2P]NAD"+ increased 3-fold upon differentiation. Immunoblots of cell membranes subjected to gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate were probed with two rabbit antisera raised against bovine brain #alpha#Go and with one raised against the#beta#-subunit of the bovine rod-outer-segment G-protein, referred to as transducin. The ...
The device for removing drilling fines from the well head includes a support disk encompassing the sucker rod of the drilling machine with frame made in the form of a dish with inner conical surface, and overturned truncated cone located in the dish of the support disk with the formation between them of a ring guide slit. In order to improve the effectiveness of removing the drilling fines and convenience of operation by excluding heavy manual auxiliary operations to clean the well head and to move the device from one well to another, it is equipped with a mechanism for suspension with a drive. The inner conical surface of the dish is equipped with slide blocks, while the overturned truncated cone is equipped with projections. The suspension mechanism is made in the form of a hydrocylinder and two pairs of levers connected in pairs by means of hinges. The hinges of each pair of levers are connected to the hydrocylinder, and the levers are hinged to the machine ...
The SMART (System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor) which is a 330 MWt advanced integral PWR was developed by the KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Institute) for electricity generation and seawater desalination. A thermal hydraulic evaluation and analysis of the SMART is performed by the TASS /SMR-S (Transient And Setpoint Simulation/System integrated Modular Reactor-Safety). The TASS/SMR-S code has various models reflecting the design features of the SMART such as the drift flux model, the core models (core power and core heat transfer model), the component models, and the specific models. One of the core models is the core heat transfer model. The role of this model is to calculate the heat flux and radial temperature profiles at a fuel rod surface using the relevant heat transfer correlations for all of the heat transfer modes. Also it is modeled to meet the requirements of the 10 CFR 50 appendix K EM model for the CHF (Critical Heat Flux) and post CHF conditions. ...
The genus Conexibacter (Monciardini et al. 2003) represents the type genus of the family Conexibacteraceae (Stackebrandt 2005, emend. Zhi et al. 2009) with Conexibacter woesei as the type species of the genus. C. woesei is a representative of a deep evolutionary line of des-cent within the class Actinobacteria. Strain ID131577T was originally isolated from temperate forest soil in Gerenzano (Italy). Cells are small, short rods that are motile by peritrichous fla-gella. They may form aggregates after a longer period of growth and, then as a typical charac-teristic, an undulate structure is formed by self-aggregation of flagella with entangled bacteri-al cells. Here we describe the features of the organism, together with the complete sequence and annotation. The 6,359,369 bp long genome of C. woesei contains 5,950 protein-coding and 48 RNA genes and is part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.
The SONACO experiments are conducted on an electrically heated 37-pin rod bundle, immersed in liquid sodium and contained within a hexagonal wrapper. The rig was designed to investigate natural convection cooling for a geometry representative of fast reactor fuel assemblies. Heat can be removed from the test section in several ways, but in this paper only the axial cooling mode is examined. Above the heated bundle is a plenum, at the top of which is a cooling coil containing a separate, forced sodium flow. Heat transfer from the bundle to this cooling coil is effected by means of buoyancy driven circulatory flow in the sodium, and in the axial cooling mode almost all the heat is removed by the coil. This mode is intended to simulate the natural convection cooling of a blocked fuel assembly by way of thermosyphon coupling to the inner pool. In this paper experimental results are presented, for the temperatures measured under such conditions, and these are compared ...
Low transition temperature (low-{Tc}) and high-{Tc} Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) have been used to perform high-resolution magnetic measurements on samples whose temperatures are much higher than the operating temperatures of the devices. Part 1 of this work focuses on measurements of the rigidity of flux vortices in high-{Tc} superconductors using two low-{Tc} SQUIDs, one on either side of a thermally-insulated sample. The correlation between the signals of the SQUIDs is a direct measure of the extent of correlation between the movements of opposite ends of vortices. These measurements were conducted under the previously-unexplored experimental conditions of nominally-zero applied magnetic field, such that vortex-vortex interactions were unimportant, and with zero external current. At specific temperatures, the authors observed highly-correlated noise sources, suggesting that the vortices moved as rigid rods. At other temperatures, the ...
A algorithm was developed to determine the characteristic parameters of PWR spent fuel, such as burnup, cooling time and initial enrichment of {sup 235}U by use of gamma-ray activity ratios of {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs, {sup 154}Eu/{sup 137}Cs and {sup 106}Ru/{sup 137}Cs from the high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy and ORIGEN-S calculations. For the verification of the method developed, gamma-ray measurements of Kori-1 and Kori-2 nuclear fuel rods were carried out using HPGe gamma ray scanning system. As a results, it is revealed that the measured values are in a good agreement with the operator declared values within the about {+-} 5% errors. Besides, the under-water burnup measuring device has been designed to measure the gamma-ray from the PWR spent fuel assembly. This device will be set up in the pool of Post-Irradiation Examination Facility(PIEF), and used in determination of the average burnup, cooling time and initial enrichment of the PWR spent fuel ...
This paper deals with the buffeting of a slender, circular, flexible beam-rod in an axial turbulent flow. The principal excitation mechanisms are the turbulent wall pressure fluctuations and the motion-dependent (self-excited) aerodynamic force caused by the beam motion. On the assumption that the turbulent wall pressure fluctuations are independent of the beam motion, a linear forced-vibration model is used to determine the buffeting response of the beam and to investigate the length scale effects of turbulences on the beam buffeting. Transverse buffeting of the beam in an axial turbulent flow depends largely on the ratio of the longitudinal scale of the turbulences to the bending wavelength of the beam and on the ratio of the circumferential scale of the turbulences to the radius of the beam. The spectra and the mean square values of the buffeting displacement of the beam become vanishingly small, both when either of these ratios is very small (<10/sup -2/) ...
A small break LOCA event simulation with no high pressure injection system available, known as International Atomic Energy Agency Standard Problem Exercise no. 4 (IAEA-SPE-4), was performed on the PMK-2 integral test facility in Budapest in 1993. This paper analyses the response of the PMK-2 facility, a model of VVER-440 nuclear power plant, using the latest released version MOD3.2.1.2 of the RELAP5 thermal-hydraulic code. After several years of the SPE-4 experiment analyses, many problems have emerged and been studied. Main goal of the present analyses was to study the main influencing parameters for adequate modelling of the hexagonal core channel with 19-rod bundle and phenomena during the core uncovery. Some influencing parameters have been identified, mostly on the primary side, but some also on the secondary side. This is exact simulation of main coolant pump coast down, hydro-accumulators water temperature and connections to the primary system. Some concern ...
Inert gas contamination, structure and mechanical properties of consolidated high-Ni alloy powder material were studied to improve its characteristics. In experiment, the chemical composition and fraction of porosity in cross sections of Alloy 625 powder were examined which was produced by Ar gas atomization method impinging supplemental gas jet onto accumulated alloy powder in the bottom of a tank for rapid cooling. The structure and mechanical properties of the alloy rod were also examined which was produced by hot hydrostatic pressing or hot extrusion of the powder filled into a capsule. As a result, although Ar content included in the powder produced by Ar gas atomization method decreased with reduction in grain size, the fine powder less than 22{mu}m still included Ar of nearly 0.5mass-ppm. Obvious correlation was found between the fraction of porosity in powder cross sections and Ar in the powder. Although cavities were detected in the consolidated powder ...
To obtain reactor physics parameters for high-moderation mixed-oxide (MOX) cores, Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (NPEC), the French Atomic Commission (CEA), and their industrial partners have conducted a MOX core physics experimental program called MISTRAL with the EOLE critical facility of the Cadarache research center. This program consists of four high-moderation cores and was successfully completed in July 2000. This paper describes the analysis results of MISTRAL-3 that is a homogeneous full MOX cylindrical core (H/HM = 6.2) with an 80-cm height and a 59-cm diameter consisting of 1388 standard pressurized water reactor-type MOX fuel rods of 7.0 wt% plutonium-enrichment in a square pitch of 1.39 cm. NPEC has been analyzing the experimental results by using the SRAC and MVP code systems. SRAC and MVP calculate the nuclear core characteristics correctly for the high-moderation MOX core MISTRAL-3. No apparent trend with the moderation ratio is observed in ...
A simplified two step thermal analysis method has been develop to evaluate (1) the mean temperature of the CANDU fuel bundles within a fuel basket in a given spent fuel dry storage canister by HEATING5 code with additional input data and heat transfer correlations in the step-1 analysis and (2) the maximum fuel rod temperature within a CANDU 37-element fuel bundle by MAXROT code developed here for step-2 analysis. In addition, the results of sample analysis is performed to examine the parametric effects of the site-specific ambient conditions on the maximum fuel temperature within a canister are presented. The comparison between the results of step-1 analysis and the mock-up test, in particular, is quite satisfactory. In essence, the two-step thermal analysis method proposed here is a code package that used the HEATING5 and MAXROT codes, respectively, for step-1 and step-2 calculations in series.
A simplified two step thermal analysis method has been develop to evaluate (1) the mean temperature of the CANDU fuel bundles within a fuel basket in a given spent fuel dry storage canister by HEATING5 code with additional input data and heat transfer correlations in the step-1 analysis and (2) the maximum fuel rod temperature within a CANDU 37-element fuel bundle by MAXROT code developed here for step-2 analysis. In addition, the results of sample analysis is performed to examine the parametric effects of the site-specific ambient conditions on the maximum fuel temperature within a canister are presented. The comparison between the results of step-1 analysis and the mock-up test, in particular, is quite satisfactory. In essence, the two-step thermal analysis method proposed here is a code package that used the HEATING5 and MAXROT codes, respectively, for step-1 and step-2 calculations in series.
A metamaterial that is composed of solid viscoelastic elements with controllable properties is proposed in this Letter. This enables an adaptable and general acoustic metamaterial to be practically realised. An array of masses with a single elastic connection to a supporting viscoelastic structure, such as one that is dynamically equivalent to an array of Helmholtz resonators, only provides a system with negative effective mass. A local active control scheme applied to each of these masses can emulate additional elastic connections to the supporting structure. An array of masses with a suitable local control scheme can provide both the negative effective stiffness and mass required for negative refraction. The tuneable feedback control parameters determine the characteristics of the region...
To utilize ethanol from agricultural residue as a fuel in diesel engines, a dual-fuel engine was developed. The engine, which was equipped with a system to electrically control diesel and alcohol flow rates, met basic requirements of a tractor engine, including engine speed control and setting of the torque curve. However, engine knock due to alcohol was a significant drawback. A diesel injection pump with a timing and flow rate control system was adapted, and the effect of injection timing on combustion and performance was investigated. It was observed that the timing control was effective in reducing engine knock caused by rapid alcohol combustion. (author)
This paper presents the eigenvalue control strategy which utilizes an adaptive power system stabilizer for the decentralized control of damping and frequency of electromechanical oscillations in power systems. The control procedure includes the complete identification of the decoupled subsystem model in real-time from local measurements only and the assignment of its estimated electromechanical eigenvalue by the change of stabilizer parameters. The robustness and efficiency of the proposed adaptive controller to enhance overall system stability are illustrated in several examples, including the three-machine power system model.
Since the PWR plants in Japan have been operated more than 30 years, main instrumentation control equipment of analog systems has been renewed to digital control systems. Renewal works had to be done in short period within periodical inspection term and for several facilities. The Mitsubishi LTD group had been provided with these market needs by its digital control system (MELTAC-NplusR 3) applicable to main instrumentation control equipment for primary and secondary systems and had already finished the renewal for practical plants. (T. Tanaka)
Purpose: In a case of automatically controlling the water level at the time of generating a lower power, to impact the followability of the control necessary for the power variation of the steam generator thereby to obtain good controllability. Constitution: A signal of deviation of water level of a steam generator and its set value and a signal of a difference between the temperature of the primary coolant in the high temperature side pipeline and that of the primary coolant in the low temperature side pipeline are used to automatically or manually control the flow quantity of water fed to the steam generator. (Yoshihara, H.).
This study presents a semi-active vibration control of a scaled two-span bridge structure. Magneto-rheological fluid dampers are utilized as the semi-active energy absorbing devices, and a bridge vibration control system is developed. Closed-loop control system based on fuzzy logic is used to suppress the bridge deck motion under random excitation. It is demonstrated that this fuzzy logic control system can significantly reduce the relative deck displacement using about 60% less power compared to passive on state, while the absolute deck acceleration remains practically unchanged.
Particle Swarm Optimization technique offers optimal or suboptimal solution to multidimensional rough objective functions. In this paper, this optimization technique is used for designing fractional order PID controllers that give better performance than their integer order counterparts. Controller synthesis is based on required peak overshoot and rise time specifications. The characteristic equation is minimized to obtain an optimum set of controller parameters. Results show that this design method can effectively tune the parameters of the fractional order controller.
This article describes a hierarchical and functional model for continuous process control aid. The expertise is represented by graphs from a simple functional restructuring of the Grafcet, which is the formalism used by the designers of the command-control program. The new structure is familiar to the operator, and it is settled in an expert system. The application built on the basis of this method detects some default types which are not detected by the control-command. It proposes a diagnosis to the operator, and can explain and justify the state of the process. (authors) 9 refs.
CANDU 600 nuclear reactors are usually fuelled with STANDARD (STD), 37 rods fuel bundles. Natural uranium (NU) dioxide (UO_2), is used as fuel composition. A new fuel bundle geometry called CANFLEX (CFX) with 43 rods is proposed and some new fuel composition are considered. Flexibility is the key word for the attempt to use some different fuel geometries and compositions for CANDU 600 nuclear reactors as well as for innovative ACR-700/1000 nuclear reactors. The fuel bundle considered in this paper is CFX-RU-0.90 that encodes the CANFLEX geometry, recycled dioxide uranium (RU) with 0.90% enrichment. The goal of this proposal is ambitious: a higher average discharge burn-up up to 14000 MWd/tU and, for the same amount of generated electric power, reduction in nuclear fuel fabrication, reduction of spent nuclear fuel radioactive waste and reduction of refueling operational work by using fewer bundles. An improved sub-channel approach for ...
1 - Description of test facility: The LOBI facility is a 1/700 scale model of a four loop PWR and has two primary loops, the intact loop representing three loops and the broken loop representing one loop of a four-loop PWR. The reactor pressure vessel model contains an electrically heated rod-bundle with 64 rods and a heated length of 3.9 m. The nominal heating power is 5.3 MW. The downcomer is of annular shape. An upper head simulator is connected to the vessel. Each of the two primary loops contains a pump and a steam generator. The different mass flows in the loops are established by the pump speeds, since the two pumps are identical. Heat is removed from the steam generators by a secondary system. ECC water can be supplied from two accumulators, one for each loop. Cold or hot leg as well as combined injection can be simulated. The LOBI test facility is the only high pressure integral test facility within the European Communities (1982), ...
We provide a detailed overview of an ongoing, multinational test program that is developing aerosol data for some spent fuel sabotage scenarios on spent fuel transport and storage casks. Experiments are being performed to quantify the aerosolized materials plus volatilized fission products generated from actual spent fuel and surrogate material test rods, due to impact by a high energy density device, HEDD. The program participants in the U.S. plus Germany, France, and the U.K., part of the international Working Group for Sabotage Concerns of Transport and Storage Casks, WGSTSC have strongly supported and coordinated this research program. Sandia National Laboratories, SNL, has the lead role for conducting this research program; test program support is provided by both the U.S. Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission. WGSTSC partners need this research to better understand potential radiological impacts from sabotage of nuclear material shipments and ...
In the past few decades the need for improved nuclear reactor safety analyses has led to a rapid development of advanced methods for multidimensional thermal-hydraulic analyses. These methods have become progressively more complex in order to account for the many physical phenomena anticipated during steady state and transient Light Water Reactor (LWR) conditions. The advanced thermal-hydraulic subchannel code COBRA-TF (Thurgood, M. J. et al., 1983) is used worldwide for best-estimate evaluations of the nuclear reactor safety margins. In the framework of a joint research project between the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and AREVA NP GmbH, the theoretical models and numerics of COBRA-TF have been improved. Under the name F-COBRA-TF, the code has been subjected to an extensive verification and validation program and has been applied to variety of LWR steady state and transient simulations. To enable F-COBRA-TF for industrial applications, including safety margins evaluations and ...
This dissertation deals with the control of active power flow, or load flow in electric power systems. During the last few years, interest in the possibilities to control the active power flows in transmission systems has increased significantly. There is a number of reasons for this, coming both from the application side - that is, from power system operations - and from the technological side. where advances in power electronics and related technologies have made new system components available. Load flow control is by nature a multi-input multi-output problem, since any change of load flow in one line will be complemented by changes in other lines. Strong cross-coupling between controllable components is to be expected, and the possibility of adverse interactions between these components cannot be rejected straightaway. Interactions with dynamic phenomena in the power system are also a source of ...
This paper describes the graphical simulation of a traffic environment. The environment includes streets leading to an intersection, the intersection, vehicle traffic, and signal lights in the intersection controlled by different methods. The simulation allows for the study of parameters affecting traffic environments and the study of different control strategies for traffic signal lights, including conventional, fuzzy, and adaptive control methods. Realistic traffic environments are simulated including a cross intersection, with one or more lanes of traffic in each direction, with and without turn lanes. Vehicle traffic patterns are a mixture of cars going straight and making right or left turns. The free velocities of vehicles follow a normal distribution with a mean of the ``posted`` speed limit. Actual velocities depend on such factors as the proximity and velocity of surrounding traffic, approaches to intersections, ...
A method is described of controlling an anodic protection system in a heat exchanger comprising: (a) installing at least one cathode within the heat exchanger, at least one cathode being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger and extending substantially along the length of the heat exchanger; (b) installing a first reference electrode within and at one end of the heat exchanger, the first reference electrode having a first controller having a set point for control and a power supply having an output creating an electrical potential between at least one cathode and the heat exchanger; (c) measuring the electrical potential of the heat exchanger with the first reference electrode; (d) operating the first controller in response to measurements made by the first reference electrode to change the output of the power supply; (e) installing a second reference electrode within and at the ...
The aim of this paper is to present and evaluate control strategies for adjustment and preservation of air quality, thermal and visual comfort for buildings' occupants while, simultaneously, energy consumption reduction is achieved. Fuzzy PID, fuzzy PD and adaptive fuzzy PD control methods are applied. The inputs to any controller are: the PMV index affecting thermal comfort, the CO{sub 2} concentration affecting indoor air quality and the illuminance level affecting visual comfort. The adaptive fuzzy PD controller adapts the inputs and outputs scaling factors and is based on a second order reference model. More specifically, the scaling factors are modified according to a sigmoid type function, in such a way that the measured variable to be as closer as possible to the reference model. The adaptive fuzzy PD controller is compared to a non-adaptive fuzzy PD and to an ON-OFF ...
This paper presents a semi-active vibration control of a scaled two-span bridge structure. Magneto-rheological fluid dampers are utilized as the semi-active energy absorbing deices and a bridge vibration control system is developed. Closed-loop control system based on fuzzy logic is used to suppress the bridge deck motion under random excitations. The sufficient condition for the closed-loop stability of the fuzzy control system is derived from the variable structure system theory. It is demonstrated that this stable fuzzy control system can significantly reduce the relative deck displacement using about 55 percent less power compared to passive-on state, while the absolute deck acceleration is relatively unaffected.
The performance requirements of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) challenge the control system in a number of areas. This paper will review a few applications of advanced technology in the control and monitoring of the APS. The application of digital signal processors (DSPs) and techniques will be discussed, both from the perspective of a large distributed multiprocessor system and from that of embedded systems. In particular, two embedded applications will be highlighted, a beam position monitor processor and a DSP-based power supply controller. Fast data distribution is often a requirement. The application of a high-speed network based on reflective memory will also be discussed in the context of the APS global orbit feedback system. Timing systems provide opportunities to apply technologies such as high-speed logic and fiber optics. Examples of the use of these technologies will also be included. Finally, every modern ...
This paper presents a new and simple method for sensorless control of matrix converter drives using a power flowing to the motor. The proposed control algorithm is based on controlling the instantaneous real and imaginary powers into the induction motor. To improve low-speed sensorless performance, the nonlinearities of a matrix converter drive such as commutation delays, turn-ON and turn-OFF times of switching devices, and on-state switching device voltage drop are modeled using a PQ power transformation and compensated using a reference power control scheme. The proposed sensorless control method is applied for the induction motor drive using a 3 kW matrix converter system. Experimental results are shown to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy. Udgivelsesdato: September
Because the state of a free-floating space robot model is uncertain and sudden changes in the model parameters might undermine the stability of the system, this paper proposes a control strategy based on a variable structure neural integrated controller. This scheme does not need a precise space robot model, making use of the radial basis function neural network ability approach to learn about an uncertain model. The network weights are adjusted online in real-time. During the early period of the control phase and parameter changes, the variable structure controller compensates for the uncertain model which the neural network could not learn well. It also creates global asymptotic stability for the whole closed-loop system. Simulation results show that the controller can handle bad changea...
A new chemical reactor, the Open Plate Reactor, is being developed by Alfa Laval AB. It combines good mixing with high heat transfer capacity into one operation. With the new concept, highly exothermic reactions can be produced using more concentrated reactants. A nonlinear model of the reactor is derived and a control system is developed. For temperature control a cooling system is designed and experimentally verified, which uses a mid-ranging control structure to increase the operating range of the hydraulic equipment. A Model Predictive Controller is proposed to maximize the conversion under hard input and state constraints. An extended Kalman filter is designed to estimate unmeasured concentrations and parameters. Simulations show that the designed control system gives high conversion ...
Local control of Ewing's sarcoma was analysed in a series of 67 patients treated by surgery and/or radiotherapy as well as combination chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was employed with or without surgery in 60 patients and produced an overall local control rate of 55%; complete excision of the primary lesion seemed to be beneficial. There was a marked variation in control rates depending on the site of the primary lesion: limb 85%, rib 53%, pelvis 31% and other sites 33%.Primary tumours greater than 10 cm in diameter were significantly less likely to be controlled. Using daily fractions of approximately 180 cGy, total doses in excess of 6000 cGy seem more likely to produce serious late morbidity amd may not increase the local control rate. No cases of second malignancy arising in irradiated tissue have been observed to date, but one patient developed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. ...
The control valve for a large steam turbine must be operated linearly to be run by an automatic control system in a power plant. It is, however, found that the flow increase is much greater for a given valve position change near the closed end of travel than it is near the open end. Accordingly, the desired linearization will be achieved if the valve is opened less near the closed end of travel and greater near the open end. The previous way for linearization was to utilize the cams, which is called the mechanical hydraulic control (MHC). The MHC was afterward improved by producing the nonlinear electric compensation to the nonlinear system of control valves, viz. the electro hydraulic control (EHC). This paper addresses the principle of linearization.
The control valve for a large steam turbine must be operated linearly to be run by an automatic control system in a power plant. It is, however, found that the flow increase is much greater for a given valve position change near the closed end of travel than it is near the open end. Accordingly, the desired linearization will be achieved if the valve is opened less near the closed end of travel and greater near the open end. The previous way for linearization was to utilize the cams, which is called the mechanical hydraulic control (MHC). The MHC was afterward improved by producing the nonlinear electric compensation to the nonlinear system of control valves, viz. the electro hydraulic control (EHC). This paper addresses the principle of linearization.
In this paper, a robust water level control system for the horizontal steam generator (SG) using the quantitative feedback theory (QFT) method is presented. To design a robust QFT controller for the nonlinear uncertain SG, control oriented linear models are identified. Then, the nonlinear system is modeled as an uncertain linear time invariant (LTI) system. The robust designed controller is applied to the nonlinear plant model. This nonlinear model is based on a locally linear neuro-fuzzy (LLNF) model. This model is trained using the locally linear model tree (LOLIMOT) algorithm. Finally, simulation results are employed to show the effectiveness of the designed QFT level controller. It is shown that it will ensure the entire designer's water level closed loop specifications.
It is very important to develop the design guidelines which can be applicable for Korean operators for the purpose of designing the KSNP more safely. The objective of this project is to provide the standards, guidelines and bases applicable for HF-010 through the within-subject experiment for obtaining Korean operators' population stereotype for direction-of-movement of controls associated with displays on the control panels. Through the survey of researches on display compatibility and the classification of types of displays and controls in the main control room of Uljin units 3 and 4, methods for an experiment on the stereotype were established. Experimental interface prototypes for a total of 108 combinations of display and control types were implemented. Experimental data collection and analysis system was built in association with the interface prototypes. The ...
This project is about the simulation design of an engine control unit (ECU) for an Otto cycle engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI). The simulation includes a model for the ECU as well as physical parameters of the engine, which allows closed-loop control and monitoring of various systems.This simulation has been realized using Simulink and Stateflow, which are components of Mathworks' MATLAB software.The program allows control of various parameters of the ECU, as well as the simulation of failures to verify that the designed ECU is fault-tolerant and can control the engine using an open loop control. The main function the ECU provides is fuel metering.Subsequently, this program could be used as a tool to quickly develop and test models of ECU in order to control an engine in laborat...
FELs require tight control of the amplitudes and phase of the fields in two linear accelerator tanks to obtain stable lasing. The accelerator control loops must establish constant, stable, repeatable amplitudes and phases of the rf fields and must have excellent bandwidth to control high-frequency noise components. A model of the feedback loops has been developed that agrees well with measurements and allows easy substitution of components and circuits, thus reducing breadboarding requirements. The model permits both frequency and time-domain analysis. The accelerator control scheme and model are described and the control of noise in feedback loops is discussed, showing how low-frequency-noise components (errors) can be corrected, but high-frequency-noise components (errors) are actually amplified by the feedback circuit. Measurements of noise in both open- and closed-loop modes is ...
Kawasaki Steel has constructed many facilities for 15 years to produce cold rolled products and galvanized products in Mizushima Works and Chiba Works. To efficiently and stably produce high and uniform quality products, various new control methods have been developed and applied to these new facilities. Especially, temperature control in a continuous annealing line, zinc coating control in a continuous galvanizing line or paint coating control in a multi-purpose coating line and tension control to achieve stable processing are the most advanced technologies and are introduced in this paper. (author)
In this work, we propose a conceptual distributed control framework for electrical grid integrated with distributed renewable energy generation systems in order to enable the development of the so-called ''smart electrical grid''. First, we introduce the key elements and their interactions in the proposed control architecture and discuss the design of the distributed control systems which are able to coordinate their actions to account for optimization considerations on the system operation. Subsequently, we focus on a specific wind/solar energy generation system connected to a reverse osmosis water desalination system and the electrical grid and design two supervisory predictive controllers via model predictive control to operate the integrated system taking into account short-term and lo...
A very simple theoretical scheme is proposed to implement two- and three-qubit controlled-phase gates firstly only using a single resonant interaction between ladder-type three-level atoms and the single-mode cavity. In the presented protocol, the quantum information is encoded on the stable ground states of the atoms (as the controlling qubits) and the zero- and one-photon Fock states of cavity-field (as the target qubit). Under the influence of the atomic spontaneous emission, the decay of the cavity-mode, and deviation of the coupling strength, the three-qubit controlled-phase gate may have a comparatively high fidelity. The experimental feasibility of controlled-phase gate and the case that is extended to realize N-qubit controlled-phase gate are also discussed. (general)
A gas-diesel dual fuel engine apparatus is described having a diesel engine, a diesel fuel supply system including a diesel fuel injection pump, a gaseous fuel supply system including a gaseous fuel regulating valve, and a governing and controlling device for governing the speed of the engine through the control of fuel supplied to the engine and controlling the switchover of the operation of the engine between a diesel fuel mode and a gaseous fuel mode. The improvement of the governing and controlling device consists of: (a) at least one electronic governor means adapted to compare a speed signal representing the actual operating speed of the diesel engine with a set speed signal representing the set speed thereof; (b) a pair of electric actuator means having respective power amplifier circuits and mechanically connected to the diesel fuel injection pump and the gaseous fuel regulating valve, ...
This report describes a quality assurance program plan for the Yucca Mountain Project. Aspects of the plan include: document control, equipment maintenance and calibration, process control, audits, computer software, and inspections. (CBS)
BackgroundThere have been reports both supporting and refuting an inverse relationship between hip fracture and hip osteoarthritis (OA). We explore this relationship using a case-control...Full Text Available
A schematic diagram of the decision making process for air pollution control equipment for the conversion of a fossil-fired generating unit from oil to coal is presented and explained.
This report presents by state the status of awarded grants, requested grants, and the estimated time required to achieve required control of combined sewer overflow pollution. It also compares discharges of pollutants from treated municipal effluent with ...
Target of rapamycin (TOR) kinases control cell growth through two functionally distinct multiprotein complexes. TOR complex 1 (TORC1) controls temporal cell growth and is sensitive to rapamycin, whereas...Full Text Available
The paper develops a new design procedure for simultaneous coordinated designing of the thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) damping controller and power system stabilizer (PSS) in multi-machine power system. The coordinated design problem of PSS and TCSC damping controllers over a wide range of loading conditions is converted to an optimization problem with the time domain-based objective function that is solved by a particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique which has a strong ability to find the most optimistic results. By minimizing the proposed fitness function in which oscillatory characteristics between areas are included and thus the interactions among the TCSC controller and PSS under transient conditions in the multi-machine power system are improved. To ensure the robustness of the proposed stabilizers, the design process takes a wide range of operating conditions into account. The ...
A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of a homeopathic treatment of neonatal calf diarrhoea was performed using 44 calves in 12 dairy herds. Calves with spontaneously derived diarrhoea were...Full Text Available
End binding proteins (EBs) are highly conserved core components of microtubule plus-end tracking protein networks. Here we investigated the roles of the three mammalian EBs in controlling microtubule...Full Text Available
This manual provides information to assist in selection and designing control measures for reducing pollutant discharges from combined sewer overflows (CSOs). he manual will be useful for municipal public works staff, design engineers, and regulatory agency staff tasked with the ...
This is a description of the preliminary local design specifications of the Central Computing Network Security Controller. The external interface to the Central Computing Network is not described, but the functions and services to be provided are included as justification for the local design.
Progress is briefly summarized for a large number of projects in the areas of research instruments, measurement and controls engineering, reactor systems, and maintenance management. (LEW)
BackgroundThe prevalence of tobacco use among individuals with mental illness remains a serious public health concern. Tobacco control has received little attention in community...Full Text Available
BackgroundCompared to healthy controls, cancer patients have a higher risk of unemployment, which has negative social and economic impacts on the patients and on society at large....Full Text Available
Bistability plays a central role in the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) controlling many essential biological functions, including cellular differentiation and cell cycle control. However, establishing...Full Text Available
The modification of a Ford 7600 turbocharged diesel engine to a dual fuel engine using methane as the supplementary fuel has been carried out. The paper describes the preliminary work of dual fuel control. Two systems are examined and their behaviour is presented.
Various physico-chemical tissue optical clearing (TOC) methods have been suggested to maximize photon density in tissue. In order to enhance photon density, a compression-controlled low-level...Full Text Available
This design manual contains descriptions of design procedures and operating experience to date, including results obtained, for secondary flow pollution control devices. Two types of combined sewer overflow regulators are described: the swirl and the helical bend regulator/separa...
Operant conditioning techniques were applied to the study of how target fixations are controlled by the probability of signal occurrence. In a standard vigilance setting, gaze at three illuminable...Full Text Available
A case-control study has been carried out to examine the occurrence of childhood cancer in relation to the proximity of overhead power lines to a child's home address at birth and to the calculated...Full Text Available
BackgroundThere is no consensus as to the prognostic model for brachytherapy of tongue carcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic factors for local control based...Full Text Available
The 17-metre DOE/Sandia VAWT began operation in March 1977. Since that time the turbine has been operated strictly by manual control for the purpose of data acquisition and performance analysis; this procedure has limited the VAWT operation time and power...
A self-optimizing pole-shifting control algorithm has been developed for an adaptive power system stabilizer (APSS) to improve its dynamic performance and autonomous operation. The proposed algorithm deals with the system frequency and time domain characteristics simultaneously to guarantee stability and to enhance the performance of the closed-loop system. The mechanism of discrete control system control limits influencing the closed loop system behaviour is studied. Short-term behaviour is studied by introducing the concept of a short-term behaviour index. With the introduction of dynamic control limits, an effective discrete control system design method is proposed. A PSS oriented power system dynamics simulation package (PSDSP) has been developed. Using the PSDSP, simulation studies were performed with the proposed APSS applied to a single machine and a multi machine power ...
AIM: To examine the determinants of maternal-neonatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV).METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted in Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic...Full Text Available
Adaptive Neural Augmentation , AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and. Control Conference, Aug. 1998. [2] J. T. Kaneshige, J. Bull, and J. J. Totah, Generic Neural ...