International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To clarify the effects of the principal factors that govern the thermal fragmentation of a molten metallic fuel jet in the course of fuel-coolant interaction, which is important in evaluating the sequence of core disruptive accidents (CDAs) for metallic fuel fast reactors, basic experiments were carried out using molten metallic fuel simulants (copper and silver) and a sodium pool.Fragmentation of a molten metal jet with a solid crust was caused by internal pressure produced by the boiling of sodium, which is locally entrapped inside the jet due to hydrodynamic motion between the jet and the coolant. The superheating and the latent heat of fusion of the jet are the principal factors governing this type of thermal fragmentation. On the other hand, the effect of the initial sodium temperature is regarded as negligible in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

For higher U-loading in low-enriched U-10 wt.%Mo fuels, monolithic fuel plate clad in AA6061 is being developed as a part of Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) program. This paper reports the first characterization results from a monolithic U-10 wt.%Mo fuel plate with a Zr diffusion barrier that was fabricated as part of a plate fabrication campaign for irradiation testing in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were employed for analysis. At the interface between the Zr barrier and U-10 wt.%Mo, going from Zr to U(Mo), UZr_2, #gamma#-UZr, Zr solid-solution and Mo_2Zr phases were observed. The interface between AA6061 cladding and Zr barrier plate consisted of four layers, going from Al to Zr, (Al, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Substantial roles of precipitates such as Zr-Fe-Cr type intermetallic compounds on uniform corrosion and hydrogen pickup of zirconium alloys in pure water autoclave tests were investigated from an electrochemical point of view. In the previous paper, corrosion mechanism was elucidated by the anodic protection-precipitates degradation model. This paper describes the roles on hydrogen pickup. 633 K pure water autoclave test was performed on high purity zirconium, Zr-0.2Fe, Zr-0.2Cr, and Zr-0.1Fe-0.1Cr alloys. Hydrogen analysis after the corrosion test showed that hydrogen pickup ratio of Zr-0.2Fe alloy was about 80%. It was much higher than about 30% of pure Zr and about 10% of both Zr-0.2Cr and Zr-0.1Fe-0.1Cr alloys. Larger hydrogen content was introduced into Zr-0.2Fe alloy than the other ones by the ...

Science.gov (United States)

This paper describes the anelastic strain recovery and the strain hardening of amorphous metals and presents the experimental result that creep deformation is represented by a viscoelastic model consisting of rheological elements. Materials studied were 80Pd--20Si, 80Fe--13P--7C, and 60 Cu--40 Zr. (DLC)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Metal hydrode stores are used as fuel tanks in vehicles or as stationary stores of high-purity hydrogen. Equilibrium isotherms at low pessures were measured in order to validate the laws of Henry or Sievert for hydrogen uptake of the alloy Ti{sub 0.98}Zr{sub 0.02}V{sub 0.43}Fe{sub 0.09}Cr{sub 0.05}Mn{sub 1.5} (patented by Daimler Benz AG, code DB5800). The laws were to provide information on whether hydrogen uptake is atomic or molecular and on the conditions in which isothermal measurements are possible. (orig.) [Deutsch] Metallhydridspeicher werden als Kraftstofftank in Fahrzeuge oder als stationaere Speicher zur Bereitstellung von Reinstwasserstoff verwendet. Fuer diese Arbeit wurden die Gleichgewichtsisothermen bei kleinen Druecken vermessen, um die Gesetze von HENRY oder SIEVERT fuer die Wasserstoffaufnahme in der Legierung Ti{sub 0.98}Zr{sub 0.02}V{sub 0.43}Fe{sub 0.09}Cr{sub 0.05}Mn{sub 1.5} zu ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... fast reactors fbr type reactors fuels liquid metal cooled reactors materials nuclear

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Concentration profiles of passive films formed on electrolytically anodized niobium and niobium-base alloys are obtained by Auger Electron Spectroscopy with simultaneous ion beam etching. The alloys investigated include 5Zr-Nb, 3Zr-10Ti-Nb, 2.5Zr-2W-Nb, and 1Zr-5Mo-5V-Nb. Experiments demonstrate that AES is among the most fascinating techniques for solving various characterization problems related to the structure and composition of the thin films formed by anodization. Data presented supports evidence that combined anodic and cathodic movements take place during film growth. 11 figures.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Zirconium and particularly Zr-2.5wt%Nb (Zr2.5Nb) alloy are useful for engineering bearing applications because they can be oxidized in air to form a hard surface ceramic. Oxidized zirconium (OxZr) due to its abrasion resistant ceramic surface and biocompatible substrate alloy has been used as a bearing surface in total joint arthroplasty for several years. OxZr is characterized by hard zirconium oxide (oxide) formed on Zr2.5Nb using one step thermal oxidation carried out in air. Because the oxide is only at the surface, the bulk material behaves like a metal, with high toughness. The oxide, furthermore, exhibits high adhesion to the substrate because of an oxygen-rich diffusion hardened zone (DHZ) interposing between the oxide and the substrate. In this study, we demonstrate a two step pro...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Integral Fast Reactor is an innovative liquid metal reactor concept that is being developed by Argonne National Laboratory. It takes advantage of the properties of metallic fuel and liquid metal cooling to offer significant improvements in reactor safety, operation, fuel cycle economics, environmental protection, and safeguards. The plans for demonstrating the IFR fuel cycle, including its waste processing options, by processing irradiated fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II fuel in its associated Fuel Cycle Facility have been developed for the first refining series. This series has been designed to provide the data needed for the further development of the IFR program. An important piece of the data needed is the recovery of TRU material during the reprocessing and waste operations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rhodium (Rh) is a critical component of current automotive three-way catalysts (TWCs), particularly with regard to NO{sub x} and CO conversion at rich and stoichiometric air-fuel ratios (A/F). Rh supported on CeO{sub 2} was active for NO{sub x} and CO conversions but could be deactivated easily by high temperature aging. The cause of the deactivation is ascribed to the sintering of CeO{sub 2}. ZrO{sub 2} incorporation into CeO{sub 2} is reported to have high thermal durability in terms of oxygen storage capacity (OSC). There has been no report showing direct experimental evidence that Rh-loaded on CeO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2} mixed oxides induced effects on TWC performance improvement in the actual automotive exhaust. In the present paper, the Rh-CeO{sub 2} interaction contributing to NO{sub x} reduction and the catalytic behavior of Rh-loaded CeO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2} mixed oxide is addressed. Incorporating ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC), has previously been studied as a method for separating CO{sub 2} during combustion of gaseous fuels. In this project the possibility to apply this process for direct use of solid fuels has been investigated. The following has been accomplished: A 10 kW reactor system for CLC with solid fuels has been designed and built. Tests with solid fuel and metal oxid particles in a laboratory reactor show that it is possible to oxidize solid fuels with metal oxide particles in cyclic testing, thus giving proof of basic concept. They also show how the reaction rate is affected by temperature, steam concentration etc., and, most important of all, that the rates of reaction are realistic. Tests with metal oxide materials available at low costs have been successful. Chemical-looping combustion with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oxide ionic conductivities of (CeO_2)_x(Sc_2O_3)_(_0_._1_1_-_x_)(ZrO_2)_0_._8_9 (x = 0.01-0.10) electrolytes were optimized for the application in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). Powders with different contents of CeO_2 and Sc_2O_3 were prepared via a co-precipitation method. The obtained powders and pellets were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and impedance spectroscopy. Among all the compositions, (CeO_2)_0_._0_4(Sc_2O_3)_0_._0_7(ZrO_2)_0_._8_9(4Ce7ScZr) gives the highest ionic conductivity of 0.065 S cm"-"1 at 800 "oC. The effects on densification and electrical properties of different sintering additives, such as SiO_2, MgO, Co_3O_4, MoO_3 and Bi_2O_3, were studied and different conducting behavior with these additives were observed. The densification temperatures of CeO_2 and Sc_2O_3 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

New data about the structure of high-temperature resistant metalloceramic plasma sprayed coatings in micro and nano areas are presented. Application of the new instrumental methods: transmission electron microscopy combined with selected area electron diffraction mode is possible to obtain these data. The first layer in Ni based metallic bond coat shows nanocrystalline structure. External ceramic layer based on stabilised ZrO_2 is polycrystalline and contains both cubic and tetragonal crystalline phases. Local inhomogeneities in coatings phase composition are determined. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The liquid-metal-cooled fast breeder reactor presented includes a fuel assembly made up of several long sub-assemblies rising side by side. Each of the sub-assemblies of an external area of the fuel assembly comprises an electromagnetic braking system for regulating the flow of coolant in the sub-assembly, the magnetic fields of the braking systems being temperature sensitive.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Due to the increasingly stricter regulations for deep reduction of fuel sulfur content, development of new deep desulfurization processes for liquid transport fuels has become one of the major challenges to the refining industry and to the production of hydrocarbon fuels for fuel cell applications. The sulfur compounds in the current transport fuels corresponding to the S level of 350-500 ppm account for only about 0.12-0.25 wt % of the fuel. The conventional hydrotreating approaches will need to increase catalyst bed volume at high-temperature and high-pressure conditions for treating 100 % of the whole fuel in order to convert the fuel mass of less than 0.25 wt %. In the present study, we are exploring a novel adsorption process for desulfurization at low temperatures, which can effectively reduce the sulfur content in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uranium-aluminum alloys with a significant enrichment of uranium with "2"3"3U or "2"3"5U serve as nuclear fuels in research reactors. The quality assurance of this fuel requires, among other things, precise knowledge that all trace metal constituents that affect neutron economy, fuel integrity, and fuel fabrication process parameters are well within the specification limits. Trace metal characterization of "2"3"5U-Al alloy has been carried out by atomic spectrometry. The trace metal constituents of interest are grouped into common metals (silver, boron, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, nickel, lead, silicon, tin, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, and zinc) and lanthanides (cerium, dysprosium, europium, gadolinium, holminium, lutetium, samarium, and terbium). The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper we have proposed a novel gas turbine cycle with hydrogen-fueled chemical-looping combustion, and the system study on two hydrogen-fueled power plants, the new gas turbine cycle and an advanced gas turbine cycle with H{sub 2}/O{sub 2} combustion, has been investigated with the aid of exergy principle (EUD methodology). The hydrogen fueled chemical-looping combustion in the new gas turbine cycle consists of two successive reactions: hydrogen fuel is reacted with metal oxide (reduction of metal oxide), and then instead of air or pure oxygen, the reduced metal is successively oxidized by the saturated air. As a result, the new hydrogen-fueled gas turbine cycle has a breakthrough performance, with at least about 12 percentage-point higher efficiency compared to the gas turbine cycle with H{sub 2}/O{sub 2} ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The production of atmospheric pollutants in combustion processes depends on plant characteristic, combustion conditions and fuel quality. The influence of fuel quality on the emission of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, dust and carbon dioxide and on the emission of some toxic pollutants, such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is analysed. The comparison between the emission limits, fixed by the Italian legislation, and the uncontrolled pollutant emissions, produced by fossil fuel combustion in power plants and industrial use, shows that, in order to comply with the limits, a reduction of pollutant emissions is required through the use of abatement systems and cleaner fuels where natural gas has a primary role. The use of cleaner fuels is particularly required in heating plants and appliances for the residential sector, where ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This is the final report of a one-year, Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). In an effort to address the problems of long term storage and nuclear waste minimization, zircon has been proposed as a host medium for plutonium and other actinides recovered from dismantled nuclear weapons. The objective of this work is to investigate the feasibility of large scale fabrication of Pu-bearing zircon. Since PuO_2 is thermodynamically less stable than ZrO_2, it is expected that the process parameters determined for synthesizing ZrSiO_4 (zircon) would be applicable to those for PuSiO_4 (Pu-zircon). Furthermore, since the foremost concern in plutonium processing is the potential for contamination release, this work emphasizes the development of process parameters, using zircon first, to anticipate potential material problems in the containment system for reaction mixtures during ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are energy conversion devices that produce electricity from a supply of fuel, such as hydrogen. One of the major challenges in achieving efficient energy conversion is the development of cost-effective materials that can act as electrocatalysts for PEMFCs. In this letter, we demonstrate that, instead of conventional noble metals, such as platinum, chromium nitride nanocrystals of fcc structure exhibit attractive catalytic activity for PEMFCs. Device testing indicates good stability of nitride nanocrystals in low temperature fuel cell operational environment.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of light alkanes is an alternative way for the production of olefins. A wide variety of catalytic systems has been investigated. Vanadium oxide based catalysts were described in the literature as effective catalysts for the ODH of propane. The catalytic activity and selectivity depend on the kind of support material, the kind of dopants and the formation of complex metal oxide phases. In recent papers it was claimed that both orthovanadate and/or pyrovanadate species are selective for the ODH of propane. Niobia based materials were investigated as catalysts for acidic and selective oxidation type reactions. In the ODH of propane niobia exhibited a high selectivity to propene but the conversion of propane was low. V{sub 2}O{sub 5}-Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} catalysts proved to be catalytically active and selective and showed no formation of oxygenates. In the present study the influence of the niobia dopant of the catalytic properties of ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

The notes describe in detail primary and secondary galvanic cells, fuel cells, electrochemical synthesis and electroplating processes, corrosion: measurments, inhibitors, cathodic and anodic protection, details of metal dissolution reactions, Pourbaix diagrams and purification of waste water from galvanic industries.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In order to effectively recover uranium, rotation speed of solid cathode was examined, and effect of uranium concentration and current density on electrodeposition were confirmed. And the potentiostatic and galvanostatic electrorefining experiments were conducted. Element used in the experiments were Zr, Nd, La chlorides. The reduction potentials of chlorides metals on liquid Cd cathode were measured by cyclic voltammetry experiments. The electrowinning experiments were performed in order to recover small amounts of uranium in salt. Experimental set-up for the batch type reductive extraction experiments were developed and installed. On the base of experimental results of batch type, multi-stage extraction equipment was set-up, and optimum number of stage and recover yield were measured. In the oxidative extraction study is examine selective separation behavior of the rare earth metals from alloy composed of actinide and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In nuclear fuel, in approximately one quarter of the fissions, one of the two formed fission products is gaseous. These are mainly the noble gases xenon and krypton with isotopes of xenon contributing up to 90% of the product gases. These noble fission gases do not combine with other species, and have a low solubility in the normally used uranium oxide matrix. They can be dissolved in the fuel matrix or precipitate in nanometer-sized bubbles within the fuel grain, in micrometer-sized bubbles at the grain boundaries, and a fraction also precipitates in fuel pores, coming from fuel fabrication. A fraction of the gas can also be released into the plenum of the fuel rod. With increasing fission, and therefore burn-up, the ceramic fuel material experiences a transformation of its structure in the 'cooler' rim region of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) based on proton-conducting electrolytes have attracted much attention because of many advantages, such as low activation energy and high energy efficiency. A stable, easily sintered perovskite oxide BaCe_0_._5Zr_0_._3Y_0_._1_6Zn_0_._0_4O_3_-_#delta# (BCZYZ) as electrolyte for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with Sm_0_._5Sr_0_._5CoO_3_-_#delta# (SSC) composite cathode is investigated. By fabricating thin membrane BCZYZ electrolyte (#approx#20 #mu#m) synthesized by a modified Pechini method on NiO-BCZYZ anode support, PCMFCs are assembled and tested by selecting SSC perovskite cathode with high mixed ionic and electronic conductivities. An open-circuit potential of 1.015 V, a maximal power density of 528 mW cm"-"2, and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.15 #OMEGA# cm"2 is achieved at 700 "oC. The results indicate that BCZYZ proton-conducting ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells, incorporating BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-? (BZCY) electrolyte, NiO-BZCY anode, and Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-?-Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-? (SSC-SDC) cathode, were successfully fabricated by a combined co-pressing and printing technique after a one-step co-firing process at 1100, 1150, or 1200 oC. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed that the co-firing temperature significantly affected not only the density of the electrolyte membrane but the grain size and porosity of the electrodes. Influences of the co-firing temperature on the electrochemical performances of the single cells were also studied in detail. Using wet hydrogen (2% H2O) as the fuel and static air as the oxidant, the cell co-fired at 1150 oC showed the highest maximum power density (PDmax) of 552 and 370 mW cm-2 at 700 and 650 oC, respectively, while the one co-fired at 1100 oC showed the highest PDmax of 276 and 170 mWcm-2 at 600 and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1 - Description of program or function: Continuous energy cross-section data library for the Monte Carlo program MCNP based on the ENDF/B-VI Release 3 evaluated nuclear data library (ACE Format). Format: ACE; Number of groups: Continuous energy; Nuclides (107): H-1, H-2, He-4, Li-6, Li-7, Be-9, B-10, B-11, C-nat, N-14, N-15, O-16, O-17, Na-23, Mg-nat, Al-27, Si-nat, Cl-nat, Ti-nat, Cr-50, Cr-52, Cr-53, Cr-54, Mn-55, Fe-54, Fe-56, Fe-57, Fe-58, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64, Zr-90, Zr-91, Zr-92, Zr-94, Zr-96, Zr-nat, Nb-93, Mo-94, Mo-95, Mo-96, Mo-97, Mo-nat, Tc-99, Ru-101, Ru-102, Ru-104, Rh-103, Pd-105, Pd-107, Ag-109, I-129, Xe-131, Cs-133, Pr-141, Nd-143, Nd-145, Pm-147, Sm-147, Sm-149, Sm-150, Sm-151, Sm-152, Eu-153, Gd-154, Gd-155, Gd-156, Gd-157, Gd-158, Gd-160, Hf-174, Hf-176, Hf-177, Hf-178, Hf-179, Hf-180, Hf-nat, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Although magnesium is not attacked by hydrocarbons, it reacts vigorously with anhydrous methanol, raising concerns about the compatibility of the metal with methanol blend fuels. This paper describes the behavior of magnesium alloys in laboratory tests in static contact with methanol-containing fuels at 110/sup 0/F. Water in small concentrations (above 0.25% by weight of the methanol content) is shown to prevent the destructive attack of magnesium by these fuels. The required water content is well within the water tolerance of methanol-GTBA (gasoline grade tertiary-butyl alcohol) cosolvent fuel blends. Die cast AZ91HP shows greater resistance to methanol reaction than does AZ31B sheet.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Occupational and environmental exposure to organic ligands, solvents, fuel hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls are linked with increased risk of hematologic malignancies. DOE facilities and waste sites in the U.S. are contaminated with mixtures of potentially hazardous chemicals such as metals, organic ligands, solvents, fuel hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and radioactive isotopes. A major goal of this project was to establish linkage between chemical/radiation exposure and induction of genomic damage in target populations with the capability to undergo transformation.

Science.gov (United States)

Development of a shear and leach complex for UO/sub 2/-SS clad fuel was continued with major emphasis on the operation of a rotary drum leacher. Flooding data for nozzle plate pulse columns at high A/O ratios are reported. Engineering tests of dissolution of Zr--6% U alloy with HF in molten salt demonstrated a dissolution rate of 0.8 to 1.5 mg/cm/sup 2//min. Subsequent fluorination with 100% F/sub 2/ proceeded at half times of 40 to 135 min. The results of a high level waste calcination (run R-72) made with formaldehyde treated simulated Purex waste are reported. (auth)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Activated charcoal which is the desulfurizing agent for the fuel cell plant can be used only at the normal temperature, and it must be placed upstream of the fuel gas, increasing the displacement flow of the fuel gas processed in the desulfurizer. In addition, a large quantity of activated charcoal must be filled or the frequency of its exchange must be increased because activated charcoal used at the normal temperature has little sulfur absorbing capacity. This invention is concerned with provision of a desulfurizer in the downstream of the fuel gas compressor of the fuel cell plant to remove sulfur content in the fuel gas by this desulfurizer. As a result, the displacement flow of the processing gas is decreased to increase the processing capacity of the desulfurizing agent. In addition, hydrogen recycling can be eliminated to realize compact arrangement of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

At least quinary alloys form metallic glass upon cooling below the glass transition temperature at a rate less than 10.sup.3 K/s. Such alloys comprise zirconium and/or hafnium in the range of 45 to 65 atomic percent, titanium and/or niobium in the range of 4 to 7.5 atomic percent, and aluminum and/or zinc in the range of 5 to 15 atomic percent. The balance of the alloy compositions comprise copper, iron, and cobalt and/or nickel. The composition is constrained such that the atomic percentage of iron is less than 10 percent. Further, the ratio of copper to nickel and/or cobalt is in the range of from 1:2 to 2:1. The alloy composition formula is: (Zr,Hf).sub.a (Al,Zn).sub.b (Ti,Nb).sub.c (Cu.sub.x Fe.sub.y (Ni,Co).sub.z).sub.d wherein the constraints upon the formula are: a ranges from 45 to 65 atomic percent, b ranges from 5 to 15 atomic percent, c ranges from 4 to 7.5 atomic percent, d comprises the balance, d.multidot.y is less than 10 atomic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

High resolution Monte-Carlo simulations show that the neutron spectrum, fuel burnup and fuel temperature feedback effect of a PWR core loaded with Thoria-based fuel (Th/Pu-O_2) do not significantly differ from the MOX fuelled one due to the similar neutronic characteristics of both fertile materials (Th-232, U-238). The core physics of this fuel variant is characterized by an enhanced moderator/void temperature coefficient (by factor 2.4) and high incineration rate for Pu (approx. 60 %). A PWR core loaded with the Molybdenum-based inert matrix fuel (IMF) - in contrast to MOX-, shows a harder spectrum, resulting in small temperature coefficients of reactivity and particularly in a higher fuel depletion rate as well as an enhanced TRU reduction performance. The incineration of Pu amounts to 46 % resulting, in turn, in generation of minor actinides of about 10 % of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The two-fluid model representation for calculations of two-phase flow characteristics in the FBR fuel pin bundles with liquid metal cooling is presented and analysed. Two conservation equations systems of the mass, momentum and energy have been written for each phase. Components accounted the mass-, momentum- and heat transfer throughout the interface occur in the macro-field equations after the averaging procedure realisation. The pattern map and correlations for two-fluid model in vertical liquid metal flows are presented. The description of processes interphase mass- and heat exchange and interphase friction is determined by the two-phase flow regime. The opportunity of the liquid metal two-phase flow regime definition is analysed. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The elastic scattering angular distributions of 25 MeV alpha particles scattered from "7"3Ge, "8"9Y, "9"0Zr, "9"1Zr"9"4Zr, "9"3Nb, "4"4Ca and "4"5Sc have been measured experimentally, and fitted using a conventional optical model. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... 3 reactions mev range 10-100 neutron spectra neutrons nuclear reaction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Indian Nuclear Power Programme is based on closed nuclear fuel cycle for efficient utilization of its nuclear resources. This strategy also enables waste classification and gives an elegant solution to long-lived waste disposal problem. The three stage nuclear programme envisages mainly pressurized heavy water reactors in the first stage, fast breeder reactors in the second stage and thorium utilization in the third stage. Advanced Fuels in the context of this paper refer to Pu bearing fuels used or proposed to be used in our three stage programme. Fabrication of (U-Pu) Mixed Carbide fuel for FBTR is carried out at Radio Metallurgy Division at Trombay which has also an excellent Characterization facility required for development of all types of advanced Fuels. A (U-Pu) MOX fuel required for Proto-type Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR-500 MWe) is carried out at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The deuterium uptake behavior of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tubes in Wolsung Unit 1 was analyzed in terms of longitudinal location, operation time, and coolant temperature. The results were compared with those obtained from Canadian CANDU reactors. The amount of deuterium uptake was higher at the outlet part than at the inlet part and was also higher when subjected to a longer operation time and a higher coolant temperature. The hydrogen uptake of Zr-2.5Nb in a hydrogen gas atmosphere was dependent on the microstructure of the alloy. The aged Zr-2.5Nb consisting of {alpha}-Zr and {beta}-Zr phases. The hydrogen in the alloy decreased the rate of oxidation. This could be explained in terms of the cathodic controlled reaction of Zr-2.5Nb oxidation. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) presents the overview reports made by SFOE Heads of Program on work done in 2007. Projects reported on in the natural gas-fired fuel cell area include the EU-project REAL-SFOC, the long-term testing of anode-supported SOFC stacks, intermediate-temperature fuel cells based on proton conducting electrolytes, the interdisciplinary ONEBAT project and lifetime-enhancement of SOFC stacks for CHP applications. In the polymer-electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) area, projects concerning proton-conducting polymer membranes, factors limiting the lifetime of fuel cell membranes, a new highly active oxygen reduction electrode for PEM fuel cell and zinc/air battery applications, the enhancement of PEFC durability and reliability, model-based investigation of PEFC performance, and local gas analysis of PE fuel cells are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thermal (gas) nitridation of stainless steel alloys can yield low interfacial contact resistance (ICR), electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant nitride containing surface layers (Cr{sub 2}N, CrN, TiN, V{sub 2}N, VN, etc.) of interest for fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. This paper presents results of proton exchange membrane (PEM) single-cell fuel cell studies of stamped and pre-oxidized/nitrided developmental Fe-20Cr-4V weight percent (wt.%) and commercial type 2205 stainless steel alloy foils. The single-cell fuel cell behavior of the stamped and pre-oxidized/nitrided material was compared to as-stamped (no surface treatment) 904L, 2205, and Fe-20Cr-4V stainless steel alloy foils and machined graphite of similar flow field design. The best fuel cell behavior among the alloys was exhibited by the pre-oxidized/nitrided Fe-20Cr-4V, which exhibited {approx}5-20% better peak power output than ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Use of high plutonia MOX as fuel is contemplated from the point of view of rapid disposition of plutonium and economic power generation. The fuel pellets are subjected to steep thermal gradients #approx# 1700 K drop across a radius of #approx# 2.5mm. This leads to evaporation-condensation of the fuel constituents to cooler regions. Vaporization depends on fuel compositions such as Pu fraction, Oxygen-to-Metal (O/M) ratio and local temperature. Knowledge of vapour chemistry is essential in understanding the fuel behavior. The vaporization behaviour of MOX was analyzed in this work using thermochemical methods. The vapour phase consisted of nine species; O, O_2, Pu, PuO, PuO_2, U, UO, UO_2 and UO_3. Oxygen formed part of the vapour phase along with other species and oxygen potential was not controlled independently. The vapour pressures were estimated at 2000 K as ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An ignition device of the plasma jet type is disclosed. The device has a cylindrical cavity formed in insulating material with an electrode at one end. The other end of the cylindrical cavity is closed by a metal plate with a small orifice in the center which plate serves as a second electrode. An arc jumping between the first electrode and the orifice plate causes the formation of a highly-ionized plasma in the cavity which is ejected through the orifice into the engine cylinder area to ignite the main fuel mixture. Two improvements are disclosed to enhance the operation of the device and the length of the plasma plume. One improvement is a metal hydride ring which is inserted in the cavity next to the first electrode. During operation, the high temperature in the cavity and the highly excited nature of the plasma breaks down the metal hydride, liberating hydrogen which acts as an additional ...

Science.gov (United States)

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a process in which an oxygen carrier is used for fuel combustion instead of air or pure oxygen as shown in the figure below. The combustion is split into air and fuel reactors where the oxidation of the oxygen carrier and the reduction of the oxidized metal occur respectively. The CLC system provides a sequestration-ready CO2 stream with no additional energy required for separation. This major advantage places combustion looping at the leading edge of a possible shift in strict control of CO2 emissions from power plants. Research in this novel technology has been focused in three distinct areas: techno-economic evaluations, integration of the system into power plant concepts, and experimental development of oxygen carrier metals such as Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, and Ca. Our recent thorough literature review shows that multiphase fluid dynamics modeling for CLC is not ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the electrorefining step of the pyrochemical process, actinide ions dissolved in the LiCl-KCl eutectic salt are recovered as pure actinide metals at a cathode for a re-use as a nuclear fuel from the aspect of its nonproliferation of the nuclear fuel cycles. The lanthanide species dissolved in the LiCl-KCl eutectic salt play an important role in an effective metal purification during the electrorefining step, so it is necessary to understand the chemical and physical behaviors of lanthanides in molten salt. The in situ spectroscopic measurement system and studies according to temperature changes are essential for better understandable information. To our knowledge, the absorption studies of lanthanides at high temperatures have been reported before, but the fluorescence studies of those at high temperature are not reported yet. We will discuss here the fluorescence behaviors of lanthanides in LiCl-KCl ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Several design options for improved passive circulation flow have been investigated for use in small, modular liquid metal cooled reactors (LMRs). The purpose is to enhance the transition to natural convection cooling following loss of forced circulation flow, reducing thermal transients experienced by the fuel and possibly eliminating the need for emergency pony-motor flow. Design details to minimize pressure drops may also enhance maximum equilibrium power levels possible under natural circulation only.

Science.gov (United States)

Purge water from a typical wet flue gas desulfurization system contains myriad chemical constituents and heavy metals whose mixture is determined by the fuel source and combustion products as well as the stack gas treatment process. A well-designed water treatment system can tolerate upstream fuel and sorbent arranged in just the right order to produce wastewater acceptable for discharge. This article presents state-of-the-art technologies for treating the waste water that is generated by wet FGD systems. 11 figs., 3 tabs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

4.82 wt% AIN and 2.98 wt% Y_2O_3 were added to Si_3N_4 as sintering agents in order to have #alpha#_Sialon composition of x=0.15 and monoclinic ZrO_2 between 0 to 10 wt% was admixed with Si_3N_4 based ceramics were fabricated by hot-pressing at 1,750 deg C for 90 min under 30 MPa in argon and nitrogen atmospheres effects of sintering atmospheres and addition of ZrO_2 on mechanical properties of Si_3N_4 based ceramics were investigated. As ZrO_2 content increased, the fraction of #alpha#-Sialon tended to decrease and the amount of cubic ZrO_2 increased because Y_2O_3 acted as the stabilizer of ZrO_2. The sintering atmospheres didn't affect on the sintering behavior and the product phases in hot-pressing of Si_3N_4. Bending strength increased when ZrO_2 content. ZrO_2 didn't contribute to the increase of fracture toughness because stabilized ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The relaxations of the Ti(0001) and Zr(0001) surfaces are studied using the plane-wave-basis pseudopotential method within the local-density approximation. We find that the first interlayer spacings of Ti(0001) and Zr(0001) are contracted with respect to the bulk spacings by 6.8% and 6.1%, respectively. Such large relaxations for the close-packed surfaces of Ti and Zr are in good agreement with recent linear-augmented-plane-wave calculations. In addition, we predict a weak vibrational effect on the surface relaxation of Zr(0001) by considering the free energy in the quasiharmonic approximation. This result can be attributed to a very strong bonding between the first- and second-layer Zr atoms as a consequence of the bond-order endash bond-length correlation. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) is a liquid-metal-cooled fast reactor, which is designed to test a variety of different structural and fuel materials. A safety analysis is performed for each experiment that is irradiated in FFTF. The FFTF final safety analysis report (FSAR) assumed that all driver fuel assemblies would maintain cladding integrity during normal operations and all design transients. Maintenance of cladding integrity retains three barriers to any fission gas release to the public and also prevents any potential contact between the fuel and coolant. Experiments are, in general, expected to meet the same criterion. Selected experiments can, however, be classified as run-to-cladding-breach experiments (RTCB). The purpose of this paper is to describe alternative acceptance criteria for RTCB experiments that they feel provide protection equivalent to the maintenance of cladding integrity.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Catalyst deactivation during steam reforming of transportation fuels, primarily due to sulfur poisoning and carbon deposition, is a major hurdle in the commercialization of fuel cell technologies. In an attempt to better understand the phenomena, a previously formulated multi-component (Ni, Pd, Rh) catalyst supported on g-Al2O3 was studied under steam reforming of Jet A spiked with thiophene to achieve a total sulfur content of 1000ppm by weight. Analysis of fresh catalysts showed the presence of two groups of active metal particles, primarily distinguished by their size and composition; small particles (1-5nm) largely comprised of Rh and large particles (10-20nm) that were predominantly Ni, with or without the presence of Pd. Analysis of used catalysts showed sintering of crystallites con...

Science.gov (United States)

Continuous metallic glass ribbons were produced by mejans of liquid-quenching at rates >10/sup 50/C/s. The ribbons, typically 30 ..mu..m thick and 1 to 2 mm wide, were determined to be glassy by X-ray diffraction (XRD) employing CuK..cap alpha.. and MoK..cap alpha.. radiation. Mechanical properties of the as-quenched product were determined by measurements of hardness, tensile strength and Young's modulus. The Vicker's diamond pyramid microhardness (H/sub V/) was measured on epoxy mounted samples using a Lietz Miniload instrument with a 100 g load. Tensile tests were conducted in an Instron machine using specimens which were hand-polished to produce smooth, parallel sides. Young's modulus (E) is given by the relationship rho V/sub E/sup 2//. V/sub E/, the velocity of extensional mode waves, was measured by the pulse-echo technique using a Panametrics Intervalometer and glass density, rho, was obtained by the liquid immersion method. ...

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The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor, which started operating in 1982, is a 400 MWt sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor located in Hanford, Washington State, and operated by Westinghouse Hanford Co. under contract with U.S. Department of Energy. The reactor has a wide variety of functions for irradiation tests and special tests, and its major purpose is the irradiation of fuel and material for liquid metal reactor, nuclear reactor and space reactor projects. The review first describes major technical specifications and current conditions of the FFTF reactor. Then the plan for irradiation testing is outlined focusing on general features, fuel pin/assembly irradiation tests, and absorber irradiation tests. Assemblies for special tests include the material open test assembly (MOTA), fuel open test assembly (FOTA), closed loop in-reactor assembly (CLIRA), and other special fuel ...

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This report describes results from emissions testing of a prototype diesel engine, developed by Volvo Truck Corporation of Sweden, which uses pilot injection of diesel fuel for compression ignition of alcohol fuel injection for main combustion. In addition to this dual-fuel engine, emission testing was also conducted on a heavy-duty diesel engine of similar design. Both engines were tested over the 1979 13-mode FTP, or shorter versions of this modal test, and over the 1984 Transient FTP as well as an experimental bus cycle. The dual-fuel engine was characterized with methanol, ethanol and ethanol with 30 percent water (wt %). An oxidation catalyst was also used with methanol and ethanol. Emission characterization included regulated emissions (HC, CO, and NOX) along with total particulate, unburned alcohols, individual hydrocarbons, aldehydes, phenols, and odor. The particulate matter was characterized ...

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In this article two integral computational fluid dynamics methods for steady-state and transient vehicle aerodynamic simulations are described using a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 surface panel model. In the last decade, road-vehicle aerodynamics have become an important design consideration. Originally, the design of low-drag shapes was given high priority due to worldwide fuel shortages that occurred in the mid-seventies. More recently, there has been increased interest in the role aerodynamics play in vehicle stability and passenger safety. Consequently, transient aerodynamics and the aerodynamics of vehicle in yaw have become important issues at the design stage. While there has been tremendous progress in Navier-Stokes methodology in the last few years, the physics of bluff-body aerodynamics are still very difficult to model correctly. Moreover, the computational effort to perform Navier-Stokes simulations from the geometric stage to complete ...

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The purpose of this paper is to describe instrumentation and control (I&C) system improvements at Experimental Breeder Reactor 11 (EBR-11). The improvements are focused on three objectives; to keep the reactor and balance of plant (BOP) I&C systems at a high level of reliability, to provide diagnostic systems that can provide accurate information needed for analysis of fuel performance, and to provide systems that will be prototypic of I&C systems of the next generation of liquid metal reactor (LMR) plants.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The first Russian reprocessing facility, known as RT-1 (located at PA-Mayak in Ural region) was started on the radiochemical plant base in 1977. Nowadays RT-1 is the sole operating reprocessing plant in Russia. The main features of RT-1 is its broad spectrum of reprocessing spent nuclear fuels (SNF). The following spent fuel types are reprocessed: -) SNF from PWR reactors (WWER-440) and FB reactor (BN-600); -) SNF of transport ship reactors; -) production reactors SNF; -) research reactor spent nuclear fuel. The world-known technological processes are used at RT-1, but there are the following distinctive features. First, the universality of the three technological lines which allows not only the reprocessing of various SNF kinds, but also to implement the combined reprocessing of some types of them. Secondly, extraction of neptunium during SNF reprocessing which is used to implement its separate storage and for radioisotope ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alloy HT-9 is being used for both duct and cladding applications in advanced liquid-metal reactor (LMR) experiments. This tempered martensitic steel was selected for use as an LMR core component material primarily because of its excellent resistance to radiation-induced swelling. Experiments conducted in the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) at 410 degree C and exposures in the range of 150 to 175 displacements per atom (dpa) have shown that Ht-9 exhibits only a 0.2 to 0.3% increase in volume. Cold-worked austenitic steels exhibit volumetric increases of 20 to 30% at 410 degree C, Alloy HT-9 is being used for a series of fuel pin experiments in the FFTF, and these tests have achieved a burnup of 175 MWd/kg metal and a fluence of 25 x 10"2"2 n/cm"2 (E > 0.1 MeV) without fuel pin breach. The high confidence placed in HT-9 is based on a wide series of in- and ex-reactor experiments. Test results for these ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An application of the renormalized random phase approximation to nuclear structure is presented for the semi-magic nuclei /sup 88/Sr and /sup 90/Zr. It is reported the outcome for the microscopic approach in comparison with the semiphenomenological version for the particle-hole forces.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radioactive "3"1Si was used as a marker to study metal silicide formation. Activity profiles in the silicides were measured by a combination of ion beam sputtering, radioactivity counting and Rutherford backscattering of charged nuclear particles. It was found that the metal is the diffusing species during Co_2Si, Pt_2Si, NiSi and PtSi formation, while silicon diffuses during CrSi_2, TiSi_2 and ZrSi_2 formation. Silicon was also found to be the diffusing species during second phase formation of CoSi from Co_2Si. However, in this case it was established that the silicon diffuses by a grain boundary and/or interstitial mechanism. Both the metal and silicon diffuse during Ni_2Si and Pd_2Si formation. In an attempt to interpret complex radioactivity profiles a computer program, simulating various diffusion mechanisms during both first and second phase silicide formation, was written. A numerical approach ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Spent oxide fuels are reduced in a molten salt of CaCl[sub 2]-CaF[sub 2] to convert them into metals, then melted in an Fe-U bath disposed in an electrolytic refining vessel and brought into contact with molten Mg, to extract transuranium elements and rare earth elements contained in the Fe-U bath as metals in the molten Mg. Then molten Mg is removed and the residue is brought into contact with KCl-LiCl molten salt and electrolyzed using the Fe-U as an anode. Then, uranium is recovered by deposition on an iron cathode disposed in chloride electrolytes of the electrolytic refining vessel. Uranium and transuranium elements can be thus separated and, for example, depleted uranium for use in blanket fuels can be recovered easily. This can greatly reduce the temporary storage amount of depleted uranium, to eliminate requirement for a large-scaled facility used exclusively for storing uranium and long time ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present invention provides a fuel cladding tube having an excellent corrosion resistance and thus a long life, and a suitable manufacturing method therefor. Namely, in the fuel cladding tube, the outer circumference of an inner layer made of a zirconium base alloy is coated with an outer layer made of a metal more corrosion resistant than the zirconium base alloy. Ti or a titanium alloy is suitable for the corrosion resistant metal. In addition, the outer layer can be coated by a method such as vapor deposition or plating, not limited to joining of the inner layer material and the outer layer material. Specifically, a composite material having an inner layer made of a zirconium alloy coated by the outer material made of a titanium alloy is applied with hot fabrication at a temperature within a range of from 500 to 850degC and at a fabrication rate of not less than 5%. The fabrication method includes ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... RADIATION PHYSICS beta decay delayed protons excited states experimental

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This proceedings volume is organized into seven sections that reflect the materials systems and issues of electrochemical materials R and D in batteries, fuel cells, and capacitors. The first three parts are largely devoted to lithium ion rechargeable battery materials since that electrochemical system has received much of the attention from the scientific community. Part 1 discusses cathodes for lithium ion rechargeable batteries as well as various other battery systems. Part 2 deals with electrolytes and cell stability, and Part 3 discusses anode developments, focusing on carbon and metal oxides. Part 4 focuses on another rechargeable system that has received substantial interest, nickel/metal hydride battery materials. The next two parts discuss fuel cells--Part 5 deals with Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and Part 6 discusses oxide materials for solid oxide ...

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The high-temperature enthalpy increments of the phosphates La{sub 1/3}Zr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}, Nd{sub 1/3}Zr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}, Eu{sub 1/3}Zr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} and Lu{sub 1/3}Zr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} have been measured by high-temperature drop calorimetry in the temperature range 484.5-1090.7 K. From these results the heat capacity of the studied compounds has been derived.

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Two isothermal sections were prepared at 1000 and 1150 C showing the low-Zr phases of the system Fe-Al-Zr. The phase equilibria were determined by means of X-ray powder diffractometry and electron beam microanalysis. For initial characterisation of mechanical properties, hardness values are determined and added to the tabulated data. (orig./MM) [German] Es werden am Fe-Al-Zr-System zwei isotherme Schnitte durch den zirkoniumarmen Teil des Systems bei 1000 und 1150 C erstellt. Die auftretenden Phasengleichgewichte werden mit Hilfe der Roentgenpulverdiffraktometrie und Elektronenstrahlmikroanalyse aufgeklaert. Zusaetzlich werden zur ersten Charakterisierung der mechanischen Eigenschaften Haertewerte bestimmt.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a promising source of power generation in terms of conversion efficiency which is higher than the conventional one, as it is not limited by the Carnot efficiency. Theoretically, the SOFC have an efficiency of the order of 60-80 % but it is limited by the number of active side available for the reaction i.e. TPB (triple phase boundary) at the electrode-electrolyte interface which depends on the particle size of the materials employed during the fabrication of SOFC components (i.e. the method employed during the synthesis). Literally, there are several methods used in the syntheses of oxide materials such as conventional solid-state reaction, co-precipitation, hydrothermal rout, sol-gel and Glycine nitrate process (GNP) but among these GNP found to be effective over the other because of homogeneity, phase purity and smaller particle size of final product. In this work, the Nano-crystalline Ln_0_._6Sr_0_._4Co_0_._8Fe_0_._2O_3_-_#delta# ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The recovery of noble metals from the quaternary Mo-Ru-Rh-Pd alloy in the simulated insoluble residue was studied by means of Pb extraction and the recovery yield was found to be more than 90% for Ru, Rh and Pd. The recovery yield of Mo was very small due to the oxidative vaporization in air. The decontamination factor for Ce as a stand-in of Pu was determined to be around 200 for one stage. These results on the recovery yields of noble metals from the quaternary alloy and the decontamination factor for Ce are in good agreement with those for the ternary Mo-Ru-Pd alloy previously reported by the present authors. The mutual separation of noble metal elements recovered in Pb button was examined by means of re-extraction with molten Zn and the dissolution in boiling 3M or 6M nitric acid solution. The dissolution fractions of Pd and Rh recovered in the Pb button in boiling 3M and 6M nitric acid solution for 12 h were about 90 ...

Science.gov (United States)

We have grown crack-free antiferroelectric (AFE) Pb{sub 0.92}La{sub 0.08}Zr{sub 0.95}Ti{sub 0.05}O{sub 3} (PLZT) films on nickel foils by chemical solution deposition. To eliminate the parasitic effect caused by the formation of a low-permittivity interfacial oxide, we applied a conductive buffer layer of lanthanum nickel oxide (LNO) on the nickel foil by chemical solution deposition prior to the PLZT deposition. Use of the LNO buffer allowed high-quality film-on-foil capacitors to be prepared at high temperatures in air. With the AFE PLZT deposited on LNO-buffered Ni foils, we observed field-induced phase transformations of AFE to ferroelectric (FE). The AFE-to-FE phase transition field, E{sub AF} = 260 kV cm{sup -1}, and the reverse phase transition field, E{sub FA} = 220 kV cm{sup -1}, were measured at room temperature on a {approx}1.15 {micro}m thick PLZT film grown on LNO-buffered Ni foils. The relative permittivities of the AFE and FE states were {approx}530 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Forensic signatures are present in any Pu sample that can determine the sample`s origin: isotopic ratio of Pu, progeny species that grow into the sample, and contaminant species left over from incomplete purification of the Pu in fuel reprocessing. In the context of intelligence information, this can result in attribution of responsibility for the product of clandestine proliferant operations or material smuggled from existing stockpiles. A list of signature elements and what can be determined from them have been developed. Work needs to be done in converting concentrations of signature species into a quantitative forensic analysis, particularly in regard to reactor performance, but this should require only a small effort. A radiochemical analysis scheme has been developed for measuring these nuclides; more work is needed, particularly for determining fission product concentrations. A sample of Pu metal has been analyzed and several parameters ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

BaZr_0_._1Ce_0_._7Y_0_._2O_3_-_#delta# (BZCY7) exhibits adequate proton conductivity as well as sufficient chemical and thermal stability over a wide range of SOFC operating conditions, while layered GdBa_0_._5Sr_0_._5Co_2O_5_+_#delta# (GBSC) perovskite deposited on a doped ceria electrolyte demonstrates advanced electrochemical properties. This research fully takes advantage of these advanced properties and develops novel protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) of Ni-BZCY7|BZCY7|GBSC. The results show that the open-circuit potential of 1.003 V, maximum power density of 430 mW cm"-"2, and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.08 #OMEGA# cm"2 are achieved at 700 "oC. With temperature increases, the total cell resistance decreases, among which electrolyte resistance becomes increasingly dominant over polarization resistance. The results also indicate that GBSC perovskite cathode is a good candidate for intermediate ...

CERN Document Server

In this paper we develop an analytical framework for the study of electrochemical impedance of mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIEC). The framework is based on first-principles and it features the coupling of electrochemical reactions, surface transport and bulk transport processes. We utilize this work to analyze two dimensional systems relevant for fuel cell science via finite element method (FEM). Alternate current Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) of a ceria symmetric cell is simulated near equilibrium condition (zero bias) for a wide array of working conditions including variations of temperature and $H_2$ partial pressure on a two dimensional fuel cell sample with patterned metal electrodes. The model shows agreement of IS curves with the experimental literature with the relative error on the impedance being consistently below 2%. Important two-dimensional effects such the effects of thickness decrease and the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The development of an electrolytic reduction technology for spent fuels in the form of oxide is of essence to introduce LWR SFs to a pyroprocessing. In this research, the technology was investigated to scale a reactor up, the electrochemical behaviors of FPs were studied to understand the process and a reaction rate data by using U{sub 3}O{sub 8} was obtained with a bench scale reactor. In a scale of 20 kgHM/batch reactor, U{sub 3}O{sub 8} and Simfuel were successfully reduced into metals. Electrochemical characteristics of LiBr, LiI and Li{sub 2}Se were measured in a bench scale reactor and an electrolytic reduction cell was modeled by a computational tool.

Science.gov (United States)

This report--the forty-fifth of a series--is a compendium of monthly progress reports for the ORNL research and development programs that are in support of the increased utilization of coal and other fossil fuel alternatives to oil and gas as sources of clean energy. The projects reported this month include those for coal conversion process development, materials engineering, alkali metal vapor topping cycles, a coal equipment test program, an AFB coal combustor for cogeneration (CCC), engineering and support studies, process and program assistance, evironmental assessment studies, magnetic beneficiation, and AFBC demonstration plant.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper reports several design options for improved passive circulation flow investigated for use in small, modular liquid metal cooled reactors (LMRs). The purpose is to enhance the transition to natural convection cooling following loss of forced circulation flow, reducing thermal transients experienced by the fuel and possibly eliminating the need for emergency pony-motor flow. Design details to minimize pressure drops may also enhance maximum equilibrium power levels possible under natural circulation only.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fabrication processes for FFTF fuel pins are described.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fuel cell vehicles have been identified as the personal transportation technology of the future because of their high efficiency and very low emissions. To achieve the goal of road-ready fuel cell vehicles, great strides must be made in the development of fuel cells, hydrogen production and hydrogen storage technologies, that includes metal-H interaction studies and safety considerations. The interaction between two-hydrogen atoms and a {gamma}-Fe structure containing a vacancy has been studied using a cluster model and a theoretical method. For the study of the sequential absorption, the hydrogen atoms were positioned in their energy minima configurations, near the vacancy. The interactions mainly involve Fe 4s-H 1s atomic orbitals. The contribution of Fe 4p and Fe 3d orbitals is much less important. The Fe-Fe bond is weakened as new Fe-H-H and H-H pairs were formed. The effect of H atoms is limited to ...

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Carbon supported catalysts can lose their activity over a period of time due to the sintering of the nanometer-sized catalyst particles. The sintering of metal clusters on carbon supports can occur due to the weak interaction between the metal and the support and also due to the corrosion of carbon, especially in fuel cell electrocatalysts. The sintering may be reduced by increasing the interaction between the metal and the support and also by increasing the corrosion resistance of carbon supports. In an effort to mitigate the growth of the nanoparticles, carbon-substituted boron defects were introduced in the carbon lattice. The interaction between the Pt nanoparticles on the pure and boron-doped carbon supports was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the interaction between the Pt nanoparticles and the boron-doped carbon support was slightly stronger than ...

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Safety-technical factors related to spontaneous ignition and dust explosions of biomasses were investigated. Parametres of dust explosions and effect of inertisation on the maximum pressure (pmax) and the maximum rate of pressure rise (Kstmax) were studied at elevated initial pressure (1-9 bar). The level of inertisation required to prevent dust explosions totally was determined at different initial pressures. The sensitivity of fuels to spontaneous ignition and the effect of pressure on the sensitivity to and temperature of spontaneous ignition were studied on a pressurised dynamic self-ignition equipment. The effect of inertisation on the self-ignition temperature and alternatives of preventing spontaneous ignition by effective inertisation in the pressure ranges of 1 and 25 bar were investigated. As an example of application, results obtained with the laboratory test equipment were extrapolated to bin sizes used in practice. As a factor contributing to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Substantial roles of precipitates such as Zr-Fe-Cr type intermetallic compounds on uniform corrosion and hydrogen pickup of zirconium alloys in pure water autoclave tests were investigated from an electrochemical point of view. This paper describes the roles on corrosion. A corrosion test on precipitate-containing and precipitate-free materials made from pure zirconium and a small quantity of iron and chromium, rest potential measurements on an intermetallic compound of Zr(FeCr){sub 2} and zirconium matrix, and a galvanic coupling test of those were performed. Results showed that corrosion behavior of zirconium alloys could be attributed to the electrochemical properties of intermetallic compounds precipitated in each alloy. Namely, the cathodic and anodic polarization characteristics were associated with anodic protection provided by the precipitates on the alloys and the precipitates degradation in the oxide films, respectively. The mechanism ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ultra low loading noble metal (0.04-0.12 mg_P_t/cm"2) based electrodes were obtained by direct metallization of non-catalyzed gas diffusion layers via dual ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) method. Fuel cell performance results reported earlier indicate significant improvements in terms of mass specific power density of 0.297 g_P_t/kW with 250 A thick IBAD deposit (0.04 mg_P_t/cm"2 for a total MEA loading of 0.08 mg_P_t/cm"2) at 0.65 V in contrast to the state of the art power density of 1.18 g_P_t/kW using 1 mg_P_t_(_M_E_A_)/cm"2 at 0.65 V. In this article we report the peroxide radical initiated attack of the membrane electrode assembly utilizing IBAD electrodes in comparison to commercially available E-TEK (now BASF Fuel Cell GmbH) electrodes and find the pathway of membrane degradation as well. A novel segmented fuel cell is used for this purpose to relate membrane degradation ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The /sup 252/Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis method has been tested in a wide variety of experiments that have indicated the broad range of applicability of the method. The neutron multiplication factor k/sub eff/ has been satisfactorily detemined for a variety of materials including uranium metal, light water reactor fuel pins, fissile solutions, fuel plates in water, and interacting cylinders. For a uranyl nitrate solution tank which is typical of a fuel processing or reprocessing plant, the k/sub eff/ values were satisfactorily determined for values between 0.92 and 0.5 using a simple point kinetics interpretation of the experimental data. The short measurement times, in several cases as low as 1 min, have shown that the development of this method can lead to a practical subcriticality monitor for many in-plant applications. The further development of the method will require experiments ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The nuclei {sup 81}Zr and {sup 85}Mo with T{sub z}=1/2 have been reinvestigated via their {beta}-delayed proton emissions with p-{gamma} coincidence measurement. The half-life of {sup 81}Zr has been measured to be 5.3{+-}0.5 s, which agrees with one of the two previous values. For {sup 85}Mo, the measured half-life is 3.2{+-}0.2 s, which revises the previous value. (orig.) With 3 figs., 12 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Instrumental neutron activation analysis is used for simultaneously determination of macrocomponents in ferroelectric materials LLZT. Pb, Zr, Ti have been determined by "2"0"3Pb, "8"9Zr and "4"8Sc nuclides created by fast neutron (14.5 MeV) activation. Application of paraffine as neutron moderator and reflector allows to simultaneously determine lanthanum by "1"4"0La nuclide. It has been shown that zirconium, titanium and lanthanum can be determined with the accuracy of #+-#0.1 mas. % and lead - #+-#0.7 mas. %.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... base alloys alloys beams chemical reactions elements hardness irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The electronic structure and properties of the cubic Laves phase (C15) compounds ZrZn/sub 2/ and ZrV/sub 2/ have been determined using our all-electron full-potential linearized-augmented-plane-wave (FLAPW) method for bulk solids. The computations were performed in two stages: (i) self-consistent warped muffin tin and (ii) self-consistent full potential. Spin-orbit coupling was included after either stage. The effects of the inclusion of the nonspherical terms inside the muffin tins on the eigenvalues is found to be small (of order 1 mRy). However, due to the fact that some of the bands near the Fermi level are flat, this effect leads to a much higher value of the density of states at E/sub F/ in ZnZr/sub 2/. The most important difference between the materials ZrZn/sub 2/ and ZrV/sub 2/ is the position of the d bands derived from the Zr and V atoms. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zirconia has demonstrated a very moderate toughening effect in nitrogen-based ceramic composites because the reaction between tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO_2) and nitrogen results in additional zirconia stabilization to a nontransformable t' or cubic structure. In O'-SiAlON matrices, the oxygen concentration increases and the oxygen-rich intergranular glassy phase prevents zirconia from nitridation. As a result, tetragonal ZrO_2 is maintained and is transformable in the O'-SiAlON materials. The present study has provided transmission electron microscopy (TEM) evidence of the zirconia transformation and the associated toughening effect in a ZrO_2/O'-SiAlON composite. The implications and limitations of the transformation on toughening of the material are discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... minutes living radioisotopes nuclear reactions nuclei nucleons odd-odd nuclei

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... INIS-UA--158 488 p. MATERIALS SCIENCE additives aluminium oxides

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Developing safe, reliable, cost-effective, and efficient hydrogen-electricity co-generation systems is an important step in the quest for national energy security and minimized reliance on foreign oil. This project aimed to, through materials research, develop a cost-effective advanced technology cogenerating hydrogen and electricity directly from distributed natural gas and/or coal-derived fuels. This advanced technology was built upon a novel hybrid module composed of solid-oxide fuel-assisted electrolysis cells (SOFECs) and solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), both of which were in planar, anode-supported designs. A SOFEC is an electrochemical device, in which an oxidizable fuel and steam are fed to the anode and cathode, respectively. Steam on the cathode is split into oxygen ions that are transported through an oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte (i.e. YSZ) to oxidize the anode fuel. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As stated last quarter, we discovered potassium as an impurity in the mixed metal oxides. The potassium was probably incorporated into the solid during the coprecipitation using K{sub 2}CO{sub 3}. Currently NH{sub 4}OH is being used as the precipitating base. We have discovered that the precipitation agent influences the surface composition of the mixed-metal oxides. Chemical analysis of the surface and bulk compositions showed significant differences in surface compositions of the K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} and NH{sub 4}OH precipitated catalysts. In TPR experiments we have discovered that the precipitating pH markedly affects the reducibility of the ZnMnCr oxides. This shows that the choice of base as well as the pH strongly affects the surface composition of the mixed metal catalysts. Additional studies are in progress in which we are studying how the precipitating agents affect the surface composition of the mixed ...

Science.gov (United States)

High quality La/sub 1.8/Sr/sub 0.2/CuO/sub 4/ and YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ superconducting thin films, with zero resistance at 88 K, have been made by dual-ion-beam sputtering of metal and oxide targets at elevated temperatures. The films are about 1.0 ..mu..m thick and are single phase after annealing. The substrates investigated are Nd-YAP, MgO, SrF/sub 2/, Si, CaF/sub 2/, ZrO/sub 2/-9% Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/, BaF/sub 2/, Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, and SrTiO/sub 3/. Characterization of the films was carried out using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, resistivity measurements, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Substrate/film interaction was observed in every case. This generally involves diffusion of the substrate into the film, which is accompanied by, for example, the replacement of Ba by Sr in the YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 2/O/sub 7/ structure, in the case of SrTiO/sub 3/ substrate. The best ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alkaline promoted active carbon supported iron catalysts are very active in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene in the presence of carbon dioxide. The best results were obtained at 550 C for a Li-promoted catalyst with a conversion of ethylbenzene of 75% and a selectivity towards styrene of nearly 95%. These results are better than those obtained with industrial catalysts which perform the dehydrogenation process with an excess of water. The main product of the dehydrogenation reaction with CO{sub 2} was styrene, but the following by-products were detected - benzene and toluene. The selectivity towards toluene was always higher than towards benzene. We observed also the formation of carbon monoxide and water, which were produced with a constant molar ratio of about 0.8. The weight of the catalysts increased up to 20% during the reaction due to deposition of carbon. Using a too large excess of CO{sub 2} (CO{sub 2}/EB>10) was harmful for the styrene yield. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Red mud is a waste and tail material from primary aluminum production, and is named for its color, coming from its iron oxide content. The quantity of red mud is almost equal to the primary aluminum production and leads to a considerable environmental issue. Red mud of the ETI Seydisehir Aluminum Plant is considered as detrimental waste for storage due to its content of various metal oxides, elements and caustics. This detrimental effect is classified into two groups: first, environmental health and second, the cost of storage. In order to minimize the negative effect of red mud, there have been or are presently many investigations carried out on usage of red mud in building materials. However, no effective way of utilizing red mud has yet been found. In this study domestic red mud was investigated and chemical analyses were performed by EDAX and XRF techniques. Radioactivity of the samples was also measured with gamma spectroscopy. The concentrations of elemental ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An effort to expand the irradiation mission of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) beyond testing fuels and materials for the liquid-metal reactor (LMR) program included a study of the feasibility of producing commercial quantities of "6"0Co. The "6"0Co would be produced by neutron capture in assemblies containing an array of natural cobalt pins and hydrogen-bearing moderator pins located at the periphery of the FFTF core. Adding hydrogenous material to the assemblies enhances "6"0Co production by slowing neutrons into energy ranges where the "5"9Co capture cross section is higher. Some of the moderated neutrons leak from the moderated region to adjacent fuel regions, increasing local fission rates. In order to validate calculated fission rates and establish calculational biases and uncertainties, experiments were conducted in the zero-power plutonium reactor (ZPPR) to measure fission rates in fuel ...

Science.gov (United States)

The effect of solution treatment temperature and oxygen content on the microstructure and age hardening response of the metastable beta alloy Ti-11.5Mo-6Zr-4.5Sn have been studied. Kinetics of formation of the equilibrium alpha-phase and the metastable om...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The first successful observation of double analog states in "8"8Zr and "9"0Mo has been made by means of the (#pi#"+,#pi#"-) pion double charge exchange (DCX) reaction. The systematics of the (N - Z) and the A dependence of analog DCX, made possible by these observations, is discussed. (orig.).

Science.gov (United States)

The excitation of compound-nucleus resonances in Y/sup 89/ and Zr/sup 90/ by proton bombardment at 4 to 5.5 Mev of Sr/sup 88/ and Y/sup 89/, respectively, is reported. Shell-model corfigurations were used to interpret the results. (R.E.U.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Major advances in 'Energy and Materials Cycles' have been achieved in the removal of heavy metals from the solid residues of municipal waste incineration. It has been conclusively shown that the oxidation/reduction conditions established during the thermal treatment of filter ash have a decisive influence on the evaporation of groups of heavy metals. With respect to biomass gasification, studies have been carried out with respect to the best way of extracting pure hydrogen from the low calorific value gas that is typically obtained from a biomass gasifier. The overarching goal of the laboratory 'High Temperature Solar Technology' is the use of solar energy for the production of solar fuels, or for the reduction of CO{sub 2} emissions in large scale industrial processes that are conventionally carried out with the use of fossil fuels. In a short-term project targeted ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The possibility of the group preconcentration of Zr(4), Hf(4), Nb(5), and Ta(5) countercurrent liquid chromatography using extraction systems based on di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine, and tetraoctylethylenediamine (TOEDA) is studied. A method have been proposed for the group extraction of Zr(4), Hf(4), Nb(5), and Ta(5) from solution of geological samples. At the stage of the preconcentration of Zr(40, Hf(4), Nb(5) and Ta(5) with a 0.1 M solution of TOEDA in chloroform from mixture of oxalic (0.01 M) and hydrochloric (0.1 M) acids, matrix components are eluted with a flow of the mobile phase, Then, upon changing the eluent (2.0 M HCl), the four elements mentioned above are extracted to a small (7-8 mL) eluate fraction. The results of determining Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry in the international standard reference material ...

Science.gov (United States)

A pyrochemical partitioning process has been conceptually designed so that the transmutation of spent LWR fuels in PEACER can produce mainly low-level waste (Class C waste) for near-surface burial. Chloride salt technology developed for IFR has been employed as the baseline. Electrorefining, reductive extraction and salt recycling steps are used to construct overall flowsheet in order to support PEACER operation. The decontamination factor for transuranic elements was estimated based on both thermodynamic models and reported experimental data. It is expected that overall decontamination factor can be as high as 10{sup 5} for transuranic elements. Final wastes from pyrochemical processing for PEACER are noble metals, alkaline earth metal, and lanthanides. The final wastes are stabilized by mixing with zeolite and glass-frits such that concentration limit for class C waste can be met. The volume of Class C waste is estimated ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uranyl nitrate solution from 200-Area processing of spent SRP fuel tubes is now sent to Oak Ridge Y-12 for conversion of uranium metal. However, after implementation of the powder metallurgy (P/M) process, U{sub 3}O{sub 8} powder will be needed at SRP but not uranium metal. U{sub 3}O{sub 8} powder for fabrication and irradiation tests was produced during development of P/M at SRL by firing UO{sub 3}, obtained from Y-12, at 800{degrees}C for 6 hours in a low grade nitrogen atmosphere. The UO{sub 3} powder was produced by denitration of unsulfated uranyl nitrate solution. The stoichiometry, particle size distribution, surface area and density of the Y-12 and SRL powders were measured. A comparison was then made between SRL U{sub 3}O{sub 8} produced at 800{degrees}C in nitrogen and in air and U{sub 3}O{sub 8} produced at Y-12 at other heating temperatures.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Industrial segments as plant of mining, hospitals and university generate considerable volumes of radioactive wastewater containing uranium. The increasing development of the use of the nuclear energy to lead away to an expansion of the sectors of the nuclear fuel cycle, but it leads to security problems and it appears the necessity of control of the removing of uranium and radioactive effluent treatments. Researches evaluate if the technique of the biosorption would promote an alternative process with attractive characteristics of cost-benefit. The residual biomass from agricultural activities has been studied and used as adsorbent of metals and organic composts by low cost, abundance and for being biodegradable. In this work, it is presented the efficiency of the coir pith for the adsorption of ions UO_2"2"+. The coir pith is a by-product of the harvest of the coconut, a renewable natural source. The study was accomplished using the batch ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Several types of coatings have previously been visually identified on the surface of 105-K East and 105-K West Basins fuel elements. One type of coating (found only in K West Basin) in particular was found to be a thick translucent material that was often seen to be dislodged from the elements as flakes when the elements were handled during visual examinations (Pitner 1997). Subsequently it was determined (for one element only in a hot cell) that this material, in the dry condition, could easily be removed from the element using a scraping tool. The coating was identified as Al(OH){sub 3} through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and to be approximately 60 {micro}m thick via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). However, brushing under water in the basin using numerous mechanical strokes failed to satisfactorily remove these coatings in their thickest form as judged by appearance. Such brushing was done with only one type of metal brush, a brush ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Topics related to aerospace power are discussed, taking into account trends and issues of military space power systems technology, space station power system advanced development, the application and use of nuclear power for future spacecraft, the current status of advanced solar array technology development, the application of a parabolic trough concentrator to space station power needs, life test results of the Intelsat-V nickel-cadmium battery, and metal hydride hydrogen storage in nickel hydrogen batteries. Other subjects explored are concerned with alternative fuels, biomass energy, biomedical power, coal gasification, electric power cycles, and electric propulsion. Attention is given to an advanced terrestrial vehicle electric propulsion systems assessment, fuel cells as electric propulsion power plants, a sinewave synthesis for high efficiency dc-ac conversion, steam desulfurization of coal, leadless transfer of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF)is a 400 MW (th) sodium-cooled fast flux test reactor located on the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State. The FFTF is operated by the Westinghouse Hanford Company for the United States Department of Energy. The FFTF is a three loop plant designed primarily for the purpose of testing full-scale core components in an environment prototypic of future liquid metal reactors. The plant design emphasizes features to enhance this test capability, especially in the area of the core, reactor vessel, and refueling system. Eight special test positions are provided in the vessel head to permit contact instrumented experiments to be installed and irradiated. These test positions effectively divide the core into three sectors. Each sector requires its own In-Vessel Handling Machine (IVHM) to access all the core positions. Since the core and the in-vessel refueling components are submerged under sodium, all handling operations must be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This report describes accomplishment of simulations of Pyrochemical Process Operation by using virtual engineering models. The pyrochemical process using molten salt electrorefining would introduce new technologies for new fuels of particle oxide, particle nitride and metallic fuels. This system is a batch treatment system of reprocessing and re-fabrication, which transports products of solid form from a process to next process. As a results, this system needs automated transport system for process operations by robotics. In this study, a simulation code system has been prepared, which provides virtual engineering environment to evaluate the pyrochemical process operation of a batch treatment system using handling robots. And the simulation study has been conducted to evaluate the required system functions, which are the function of handling robots, the interactions between robot and process equipment, and the time schedule ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been conducted on a new fuel cell electrocatalytic material based on a highly porous carbonized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) microcellular foam with very low platinum loading ({approximately}13 to 23 {micro}g/cm{sup 2}). TEM images of this material clearly show the existence of nanometer size platinum particles which are homogeneously distributed in the highly porous carbonized PAN matrix. An XPS study of Pt-loaded PAN indicates that C 1s, O 1s, and N 1s peaks shift to lower binding energies, compared to virgin PAN. It was concluded that special metal-support interaction exists, through the formation of a charge-transfer complex between platinum and pyridine-type nitrogen atoms of PAN support. This interaction leads to the enhancement of the catalytic activity, and the improvement of the long-time stability of this electrocatalyst.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Future power plants will be more fuel efficient, environmentally benign, and economical than current power plants. A high performance power system (HIPPS), based on a coal-fired combined cycle, is currently being developed. The corrosion and temperature-strength properties of currently available metallic materials limit the maximum efficiency of this cycle. Recently, ceramic matrix composites have shown promise in overcoming the design limitations on the future power plants. In particular, the high-temperature, and corrosion and erosion resistant properties of continuous fiber ceramic composites (CFCCs) will allow engineers to design high-temperature heat exchangers, cyclone vortex finder tubes, and other components. Research being performed to evaluate candidate materials for use in future power plants is discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper will adress the unique safety related aspects of the LMFBR concept which are of significance to containment design and structural analyses. Topics to be covered will include: primary boundary integrity assurance; effects of sodium spills on integrity of structures; provisions being considered for containment of melted cores; and fuel handling accidents. Specific reference will be made to the FFTF and the Clinch River Breeder Reactor Project designs and methods of treatment of the above problems. In particular, the part played by tests, such as those carried out on a simulated FFTF model, and the planned structural reliability and related programs will be considered. Where practicable, these topics will be addressed in a manner which places FFTF and CRBR in context with other LMFBR's, and will point to a possible direction for future American LMFBR designs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Real-time neutron radiography (RTNR) is now proving to be a valuable research tool in the study of hydrogenous fluid flow. One of the most significant advantages of neutron radiography is the ability to image hydrogenous substances (such as lubricants, coolants, and fuels) inside metallic materials such as aluminum and titanium engines. By using RTNR, one can then study dynamic events such as the movement of liquids inside these solids. The Phoenix Memorial Laboratory (PML) at the University of Michigan has recently developed and installed a facility dedicated to RTNR. The work at PML has shown that RTNR of dynamic events can provide information enabling the researcher to follow dynamic events that were previously impossible or impractical. This paper will show the variety of uses of RTNR presently being pursued at PML.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Experimentally, a feasibility study for adsorption and catalytic pyrolysis of spill oils on Cu/ZSM-5 for recycling of light oils has been conducted in the present work. The adsorption and pyrolysis of model compounds such as heptane, toluene, and diesel (to stimulate the spill oils) on Cu/ZSM-5 have been investigated on a continuous fixed-bed reactor. By component fitted X-ray absorption near edge structural (XANES) spectroscopy, catalytic active species such as metallic copper (Cu) (77-84%) and Cu2O (6-7%) are found in the channels of ZSM-5 during pyrolysis of heptane or toluene. Pyrolysis of diesel effected by Cu/ZSM-5 yields gas (C1-C5) (32%) and light oil (68%) that can be used as auxiliary fuels.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Two sodium cooled reactors are currently being operated in the United States of America for the US Department of Energy. These are Experimental Breeder Reactor 11, EBR-11, and the Fast Flux Test Facility, FFTF. EBR-11 is located near Idaho Falls, Idaho, and the FFTF is near Richland, Washington. These reactors are currently engaged in a wide range of testing including fuels and materials tests, and plant system performance and safety development. The US DOE program also includes designs of a next generation sodium cooled power reactor. The FFTF and EBR-11 communities are providing input to these designs. This paper discusses the efforts to develop and operate cover gas systems for the sodium cooled nuclear reactor program in the USA.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) is a 400 Mw(t), loop-type, sodium-cooled, fast neutron reactor. It is operated by the Westinghouse Hanford Company for the United States Department of Energy at Richland, Washington. The FFTF is a multipurpose test reactor used to irradiate fuels and materials for programs such as Liquid Metal Reactor (LMR) research, fusion research, space power systems, isotope production and international research. FFTF is also used for testing concepts to be used in Advanced Reactors which will be designed to maximize passive safety features and not require complex shutdown systems to assure safe shutdown and heat removal. The FFTF also provides experience in the operation and maintenance of a reactor having prototypic components and systems typical of large LMR (LMFBR) power plants. The 5 year operational performance of the FFTF reactor is discussed in this report. 6 refs., 10 figs., 2 tabs.

Science.gov (United States)

The economic benefits of supplemental fuel injections depend, in part, on the coke replacement ratio. An assessment of the accuracy with which blast furnace coke rate may be measured and a determination of the key drivers of coke rate uncertainty are offered, to provide guidance for experiments in high-rate gas injection. Using statistical analysis tools, an expression for the measurement error associated with the various terms of blast furnace carbon balance is developed. Coke rate calculations based on the material balance are most sensitive to coke carbon content and to proper tracking of hot metal tapping schedule.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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 control rod 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.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The condition of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in wet storage at ten Soviet-designed research reactors has been assessed in the light of international experience in order to identify any associated safety issues. These reactors use Al-clad UO2-Al or U-Al alloy dispersion fuels of ?20% enrichment that were fabricated in Russia; the reactors have been in operation since 1955-70. Although originally sent for reprocessing, much of the SNF generated over the last 25-30 years has been stored in fuel storage pools (FSPs) of variable water quality. The external condition of wet-stored SNF assemblies from the reactors surveyed varied from significant failure due to galvanic corrosion that was driven by poor water quality, through gradual pitting caused by slightly impure water, to a stable condition of no observable change in the oxidized Al alloy surface of the irradiated fuel. SNF stability in wet storage seems to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A fuel composition comprising a liquid hydrocarbon fuel and a detergent amount of the product of reaction between a polyamine and a stearic acid is described.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Production of cermet nuclear fuel having fine uranium dioxide (UO{sub 2}) particles dispersed in matrix metal requires basic property data on the compatibility of matrix metal with fission product compounds. It is thermodynamically suggested that, as burnup increases, cesium in oxide fuel reacts with the fuel, other fission products or cladding pipe and produces cesium uranates, cesium molybdate, or cesium chromate in stainless steel cladding pipe. Attempt was made to measure the thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity of cesium uranates (Cs{sub 2}UO{sub 4} and Cs{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7}), cesium molybdate (Cs{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}) and cesium chromate (Cs{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}). Thermal expansion was measured by X-ray diffraction and determined by Cohen`s method. Thermal conductivity was obtained by measuring thermal diffusion by laser flash method. The thermal expansion of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

All stable even-A molybdenum isotopes and sup(90,92)Zr have been investigated with the (d, "6Li) reaction at Esub(d) = 45 MeV to study proton- and neutron-pair correlations. Differential cross sections were measured for states up to Esub(x) = 3 MeV in "8"6Sr, sup(88,92,94,96)Zr and up to 6 MeV in "8"8Sr and "9"0Zr. Particular attention was paid to the comparison of #alpha#-pickup data with two-nucleon pickup data. The population of low-lying 0"+ and 5"- states for two-neutron and four-nucleon pickup reactions was calculated using simple phenomenological wave functions for the initial and final states. The results of these calculations are in satisfactory agreement with the data. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zirconia-toughened sialon composites have been fabricated using conventional hot-pressing techniques. The fracture toughness and microstructure were determined for CeO_2- and Y_2O_3-stabilized ZrO_2 additives and also as a function of volume percent ZrO_2. The Yttria system showed a linear increase in fracture toughness with increasing volume fraction zirconia content while the ceria-stabilized system exhibited a peak in fracture toughness at 20 vol% ZrO_2 content. The fracture toughness at 800 C was measured and correlated with the microstructure. High-temperature stability was determined and it was found that the deleterious nitride phases of zirconium could be precluded from the microstructure.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The powder particle size, D, influences the creep behaviour of Al-Cr-Zr alloys. The alloy studied in this work, Al-5Cr-2Zr (mass%), was prepared by argon atomization. Three size fractions of powder particles were selected: 24-50 #mu#m, 50-100#mu#m and 100-200 #mu#m in diameter. They were consolidated by extrusion. Independently of D, the flow behaviour of the alloy can be described by the power law equation. As test temperature increases, the stress exponent n decreases up to a value close to 5. A decrease of D causes an increase of n and delays the alloy degradation at high temperature. (Author) 11 refs.

CERN Document Server

Metals and alloy - Atmospheric corrosion testing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), the properties of laser-generated aerosols, such as size and composition, are crucial for matrix-independent quantification. In this study, the aerosol particle morphology and elemental composition generated by two state-of-the-art laser systems (ArF excimer nanosecond-UV laser and Ti:sapphire femtosecond-IR laser) were investigated by electron microscopic techniques. Electrostatic sampling of the aerosols directly onto transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids allowed us to study the morphology and elemental composition of the aerosols using TEM and TEM-EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) analyses, respectively. The results of the electron microscopic studies were finally compared to the LA-ICPMS signals of the main matrix components. The investigations were carried out for non-conducting materials (glass and zircon), metallic samples (steel and brass) and semiconductors ...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Plasma Technologies of Solid Fuels Processing for Power Engineering and Metallurgy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This patent describes a gas-diesel dual fuel engine apparatus having a diesel engine, a diesel fuel supply system including a diesel fuel injection pump, a gaseous fuel supply system including gaseous fuel regulating valve, and a governing and controlling device for governing the speed of the engine and controlling the switchover of the operation of the engine between a diesel fuel mode and a gaseous fuel mode.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... coolants departure nucleate boiling fluid flow fluidic control devices fuel

Science.gov (United States)

Quality assurance data for FFTF reactor fuel pellets are presented.

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Research of Cumulative Jets Interaction with Spent Nuclear Fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Propylene polymerizations were carried out with {phi}{sub 2}C(Flu)(Cp)ZrCl{sub 2} and SiMe{sub 2}(Ind)2ZrCl{sub 2} catalysts supported on silica, zeolite sodic mordenite (NaM) and acid mordenite (HM). The polymerizations were performed at different temperatures and varying aluminium/zirconium molar ratios ([Al]/[Zr]). The effect of these reaction parameters on the catalyst activity was investigated using a proposed statistical experimental planning. In the case of f{sub 2}C(Flu)(Cp)ZrCl{sub 2}, SiO{sub 2} and NaM were used as support and the catalyst performance evaluated using toluene and pentane as polymerization solvent. The molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, melting point and crystallinity of the polymers were examined. The results indicate very high activities for the syndiospecific heterogeneous system. Also, the polymers obtained had superior Mw and stereo regularity. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reaction of formation of 3, 5, 7, 3', 4', 5' - hexaoxiflavone - myricetin complexes with zirconium and hafnium ions has been the basis for development of luminescent method of determining these elements. Optimum conditions for complexing have been determined. For Hf they are : 8-9 HCl concentration, maximum fluorescence wave length (lambda fl.)of 520 nm, wave length of exciting light (lambda el) of 436 nm, for Zr lambda fl = 536nm, lambda el = 436 nm. Stable fluorescence establishes after 25 min. for Zr and after 15 min for Hf in the presence of 40% ethanol. Usage of various camouflage agents has permitted to attain high selectivity of the method. Possibility for determination of Zr with myricetin in the presence of a 10-time excess of Hf, Cr, Cu, 50-time excess of Mo and Ti is shown. Sensitivity of Zr determination is 2.0x10 #mu#g"-"2/ml, for Hf it is 9.0x10 #mu#g"-"3 and mineral waters.

Science.gov (United States)

The corrosion behavior of Ta, Ti, and Zr in inorganic acids, bases, chlorides and miscellaneous salts, waters and gases, and organic acids and miscellaneous organic chemicals is summarized. (W.L.H)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

(Dec 1970). United States Feeney, JA Boeing Co., Renton, Wash.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The "8"6Kr("3He,n)"8"8Sr and "8"8Sr("3He,n)"9"0Zr reactions were studied to determine whether significant excited 0"+ strength was observed or whether these nuclei exhibited absence of excited state strength generally seen away from shell closures. Various properties of the levels are considered including angular distributions, spins, parities, interference, and enhancement. It is concluded that neither "8"8Sr nor "9"0Zr exhibit the strong proton pairing vibration expected for a closed proton shell nucleus.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Formation of the soft magnetic nanostructure in amorphous Fe_1_4Ni_4_0Zr_7B_1_2 alloy due to heat treatment is studied by the Moessbauer, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Annealing at temperatures 520-580 "oC leads to the formation of extremely soft nanocrystalline alloy as revealed by the rf-Moessbauer measurements. The superparamagnetic behaviour was observed for the alloy annealed at 620-640 "oC. At higher annealing temperatures good soft magnetic properties deteriorate. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The influence of deformation on the corrosion behavior of a newly developed multifunctional beta titanium alloy Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-O (mol%) in Ringer's solution at 310 K was evaluated using an electron backscatter diffraction technique and electrochemical measurements. The results showed that the effect of deformation on the corrosion resistance of the beta titanium alloy is complicated. Small levels of plastic deformation are detrimental to the corrosion resistance, whereas large deformations tend to eliminate this detrimental effect.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A study of the #pi#1g/sub 9/2/ orbit size in "8"8Sr, "9"0Zr, and "9"2Mo is presented. The rms radius for the point-proton density is extracted by studying transitions to 8"+ states in these nuclei. The radii are consistently larger than a value determined in a magnetic electron scattering experiment on "9"3Nb. A qualitative discussion of the ground state occupation of the #pi#1g/sub 9/2/ orbit based on the transition amplitudes to the 8"+ states is given.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The structure of the low-lying levels of the [sup 91]Zr nucleus is discussed in a framework of the cluster-phonon coupling model. In order to describe simultaneously positive- and negative-parity states, octupole as well as quadrupole vibrations of the [sup 88]Sr core are allowed. The cluster states include two single protons coupled to a single neutron. The residual interaction among the cluster particles is assumed to be the modified surface [delta] interaction. Energy levels and electromagnetic properties are calculated and compared with the experimental data.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Differential cross sections have been measured for the elastic and inelastic scattering of 104 MeV alpha-particles from /sup 90/,/sup 92/Zr. The experimental data are analyzed in terms of coupled channels on the basis of a flexible anharmonic vibrator model and using different parametrizations of the radial shape of the extended optical potential. The results favour the squared Saxon-Woods type for the real part. Additionally to a radial momentum analysis of the real potentials a semimicroscopic folding model has been invoked for extracting isoscalar quadrupole and hexadecapole transition rates.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The research carried out in Canada in the design of containers for the disposal of radioactive waste has focussed on spent nuclear fuel, even though the quantities of other currently stored radioactive wastes are substantially greater. Research carried out at the Royal Military College of Canada on the effects of mixed fields of radiation on high polymer adhesives and composite materials has shown that some polymers are quite resistant to radiation and could well serve in the fabrication of radioactive waste disposal containers. The purpose of this research was to determine if thermoplastic polymers could be used as superior materials to replace metals in the application of low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal containers. Polymers have the advantage that they do not corrode like metals. The experimental methods, used in this research, focused on the effects of radiation on the properties of the materials. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alloying elements such as Fe and Cr are generally considered to be effective even in small quantities for corrosion resistance of Zircaloy-4. The maximum total solubility of Fe + Cr in a Zr-Sn matrix has been reported to be very low. Therefore, most of these elements are observed in the form of ternary Zr-Fe-Cr-type precipitates. To clarify the effects of precipitates on corrosion property, Zr-1.3 Sn-(Fe,Cr) alloys containing Fe + Cr from 45 up to 180 ppm (the Fe to Cr ratio is about 2) were melted from pure zirconium (X-bar Zr and EB-Zr) and pure alloying elements. They were subjected to corrosion testing in 633 K water and microstructural analysis. It was found that precipitate-free materials showed much larger weight gains than precipitate-containing materials even at the same alloy compositions. Subsequently, a corrosion test on the precipitate-free material galvanically coupled ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sulfur poisoning from engine fuel and lube is one of the most recognizable degradation mechanisms of a NOx adsorber catalyst system for diesel emission reduction. Even with the availability of 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel, NOx adsorber will be deactivated without an effective sulfur management. Two general pathways are currently being explored for sulfur management: (1) the use of a disposable SOx trap that can be replaced or rejuvenated offline periodically, and (2) the use of diesel fuel injection in the exhaust and high temperature de-sulfation approach to remove the sulfur poisons to recover the NOx trapping efficiency. The major concern of the de-sulfation process is the many prolonged high temperature rich cycles that catalyst will encounter during its useful life. It is shown that NOx adsorber catalyst suffers some loss of its trapping capacity upon high temperature lean-rich exposure. With the use of a disposable SOx ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A summary of the off-gas behavior in the HARVEST pot vitrification process is presented. Experimental runs were carried out on 3 representative wastes (MAGNOX - thermal reactor, metal fuel, THORP - thermal oxide fuel and PFR - fast reactor oxide fuel) using 2 methods of feeding the glass-formers (slurry and crizzle). Materials were carried over from the vitrification vessel into the off-gas system by entrainment supplemented by volatilization. The main volatile elements were Ru, B, Cs. Some volatility was also shown by Na and Li. The overall behavior of the off-gas was consistent with the presence in it of 5 separate aerosols of particulate matter. Sources of entrainment gave rise to 3 aerosols, and a further 2 aerosols were formed as a result of chemical reaction (Ru) and condensation (Cs) proceses involving the volatile species. Entrainment was enhanced when the feed contained free alkali nitrate. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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 ...

Science.gov (United States)

Processes for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide have had commercial importance since about 1920, when the commercial production of methanol and higher alcohols on oxide catalysts began. Soon thereafter Fischer and Tropsch discovered that liquid hydrocarbons could be synthesized from carbon monoxide and hydrogen over Group VIII metal catalysts. Following extensive catalyst and process development efforts, this technology provided Germany with a source of liquid fuels during World War II. The period following the war saw an acceleration in research and development on the Fischer-Tropsch process, but the only commercial application that was to emerge was the SASOL process in the Union of South Africa. The oil crises of the 1970s have rekindled worldwide interest in indirect liquefaction technologies for the production of clean, high-quality motor fuels from coal. The development of more efficient coal gasification processes ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The interaction between two metals, which can be either synergistic or antagonistic, implies that the behavior of one is changed by the presence of the other. Possible mechanisms of these interactions,...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a novel technology where CO{sub 2} is inherently separated during combustion. Due to the existence of sulfur contaminants in the fossil fuels, the gaseous products of sulfur species and the interaction of sulfur contaminants with oxygen carrier are a big concern in the CLC practice. The reactivity of NiO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} oxygen carrier reduction with a gas mixture of CO/H{sub 2} and H{sub 2}S is investigated by means of a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum analyzer in this study. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are used to evaluate the phase characterization of reacted oxygen carrier, and the formation mechanisms of the gaseous products of sulfur species are elucidated in the process of chemical looping combustion with a gaseous fuel containing hydrogen sulfide. The results show that the rate of ...

Science.gov (United States)

H{sub 2}Gen, with the support of the Department of Energy, successfully designed, built and field-tested two steam methane reformers with 578 kg/day capacity, which has now become a standard commercial product serving customers in the specialty metals and PV manufacturing businesses. We demonstrated that this reformer/PSA system, when combined with compression, storage and dispensing (CSD) equipment could produce hydrogen that is already cost-competitive with gasoline per mile driven in a conventional (non-hybrid) vehicle. We further showed that mass producing this 578 kg/day system in quantities of just 100 units would reduce hydrogen cost per mile approximately 13% below the cost of untaxed gasoline per mile used in a hybrid electric vehicle. If mass produced in quantities of 500 units, hydrogen cost per mile in a FCEV would be 20% below the cost of untaxed gasoline in an HEV in the 2015-2020 time period using EIA fuel cost projections for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effects of changes in the cetane number of liquid pilot fuels on the ignition delay period in dual fuel engines were investigated experimentally. Various pilot fuel quantities were employed with methane, propane and low heating value gaseous fuel mixtures over a wide range of engine load.the ignition delay variation with increased gaseous fuel admission showed a strong dependence on both the quantity and the quality of the pilot fuel used. It was found that the use of high cetane number pilot liquid fuels permitted smaller pilot quantities to be used satisfactorily. Engine operation on propane and low heating value gaseous fuels improved in comparison with dual fuel engine operation employing common diesel fuels.

Wastenet

... Fuel Cell Technologies Equipment on Environmental Expert Find and compare a variety of fuel cell technologies equipment on the world's largest environmental industry portal. View ...

Science.gov (United States)

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are energy sources that have the ... for H2 /02 PEM fuel cells because their catalysts have properties suitable for 0 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This bulletin describes case studies of trucks operating on ethanol fuel. Cost, maintenance and repair, as well as fuel economy are discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A transition from petroleum~derived jet fuels to blends with Fischer-Tropsch (F~T) fuels, and ultimately fully synthetic hydro-isomerized F-T fuels has raised concern about the fate of plasticizers in nitrile-butadiene rubber a-rings that are contacted by the fuels as this transition occurs. The partitioning of plasticizers and fuel molecules between nitrile a-rings and petroleum-derived, synthetic, and additized-synthetic jet fuels has been measured. Thermal desorption of o-rings soaked in the various jet fuels followed by gas chromatographic analysis with a mass spectrometric detector showed many of the plasticizer and stabilizer compounds were removed from the o-rings regardless of the contact fuel. Fuel molecules were observed to migrate into the o-rings for the petroleum-derived ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short communication.

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

No abstract prepared.

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Thermodynamic Stable Metal Compositions for Improvement of an Operational Safety of Constructional Materials under Conditions of Multifactor Loadings of an Aggressive Environment

CERN Document Server

Metals and alloys : atmospheric corrosion testing : General requirements for field tests

Science.gov (United States)

... Title : Compressive and Shear Buckling Analysis of Metal Matrix Composite Sandwich Panels Under Different Thermal Environments. ...

Science.gov (United States)

... nent to the design and construction of metal-semiconductor solar cells, in that both the photovoltage and the efficiency of metal-semiconductor cells ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Electrochemical Technology Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides technical and programmatic support to DOE's Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Division (DOE-EBP). The goal of DOE-EHP is to advance promising EV propulsion technologies to levels where industry will continue their commercial development and thereby significantly reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector of the US economy. In support of this goal, ANL provides research, development, testing/evaluation, post-test analysis, modeling, database management, and technical management of industrial R D contracts on advanced battery and fuel cell technologies for DOE-EBP. This report summarizes the objectives, background, technical progress, and status of ANL electric vehicle battery R D tasks for DOE-EHP during the period of October 1, 1990 through December 31, 1990. The work is organized into the following six task areas: 1.0 Project Management; 3.0 Battery Systems ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) was home to nuclear fuel reprocessing activities for decades at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. As a result of the reprocessing activities, INTEC has accumulated approximately one million gallons of acidic, radioactive, sodium-bearing waste (SBW). The purpose of this demonstration was to investigate a reforming technology, offered by ThermoChem Waste Remediation, LLC, (TWR) for treatment of SBW into a ''road ready'' waste form that would meet the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). TWR is the licensee of Manufacturing Technology Conservation International (MTCI) steam-reforming technology in the field of radioactive waste treatment. A non-radioactive simulated SBW was used based on the known composition of waste tank WM-180 at INTEC. Rhenium was included as a non-radioactive surrogate for technetium. Data was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) was home to nuclear fuel reprocessing activities for decades at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. As a result of the reprocessing activities, INTEC has accumulated approximately one million gallons of acidic, radioactive, sodium-bearing waste (SBW). The purpose of this demonstration was to investigate a reforming technology, offered by THORsm Treatment Technologies, LLC, for treatment of SBW into a ''road ready'' waste form that would meet the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). A non-radioactive simulated SBW was used based on the known composition of waste tank WM-180 at INTEC. Rhenium was included as a non-radioactive surrogate for technetium. Data was collected to determine the nature and characteristics of the product, the operability of the technology, the composition of the off-gases, and the fate of key ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The development of light-weight vehicle is in great demand for enhancement of fuel efficiency and dynamic performance. The vehicle weight can be reduced effectively by using lightweight materials such as magnesium alloys. However, the use of magnesium alloys in sheet forming processes is still limited because of their low formability at room temperature and the lack of understanding of the forming process of magnesium alloys at elevated temperatures. In this study, uniaxial tensile tests of the magnesium alloy AZ31B-O at various temperatures were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of this alloy relevant for forming of magnesium sheets. To construct a FLD (forming limit diagram), a forming limit test were conducted at temperature of 100 and 200 deg. C. For the evaluation of the effects of the punch temperature on the formability of a rectangular cup drawing with AZ31B-O, numerical modelling was conducted. The experiment results indicate that the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In order to predict the effect of a fuel-coolant interaction after a hypothetical core-melt-down accident, a phenomenological model has been developed to describe the thermal and hydrodynamic behavior of a high-temperature molten jet when it interacts with saturated or subcooled water in a film boiling regime. The mechanisms of jet-material erosion were analyzed by Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities on the coherent column and by boundary layer stripping on the leading edge. The heat transfer coefficient, vapor-film thickness, and net steam generation, all of which strongly affect the jet-breakup behavior, were solved analytically. It was found that the jet breakup (or erosion) depends strongly on the steam generation from the jet/water interaction. The jet-breakup length (i.e., penetration distance) was found to be sensitive to the initial jet temperature, water subcooling, and the physical state of the ambient water. The jet-breakup length and leading-edge velocity of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) is a liquid-metal-cooled 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 makes extensive use of 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 one monitor to be taken out of service for periodic tests or maintenance without interrupting the overall system functions. A built-in calibrated ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The rates of hydrogen release from simulated high-level liquid waste (SHLLW) during irradiation of "6"0Co #gamma#-rays have been studied using a laboratory-scale apparatus. The SHLLW used was made up of 28 different metal elements, the concentrations of which were determined from a computed data (ORIGEN-2) for a Purex spent fuel (burn-up of 4.5 GWd/t, cooling time of 4 years) except for those of corrosion products (Fe, Cr and Ni) and of chemical process additive (P). The nitrate ion concentration of the SHLLW was 4.97 M. The G-value of hydrogen release was 0.0164 for stirred conditions, but for nonstirred conditions with dose rate : 2.8 kGy/h and with the SHLLW solution height more than 8 cm, the following relation was found between the G-value and the solution height (d cm); G(H_2) = 0.100 d"-"1"."6. The G-values of oxygen and nitrogen releases were also determined. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

The financial evaluation of capital and operating cost estimates for a dry coke quenching facility installation indicates a marginal return on investment if the evaluation is based exclusively on steam credits. However, the potential improvements in environmental emissions and reported, but unverified, blast furnace operations may justify the expenditure. The Russian and Japanese claim of 2 to 4% reduction in blast furnace coke usage with up to 4% increase in iron production has not been demonstrated in the domestic steel industry and, therefore, is not included in the financial analysis. A 2% coke reduction represents a savings of approximately $0.81 per ton of hot metal produced or an additional annual credit of $1,800,000 for dry coke quenching, exclusive of productivity gains. Additional credit of this magnitude would increase the estimated discounted cash flow return from 10% to approximately 16% for the estimated capital expenditure of $21,742,652. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During 17 years since the start of operation of the first commercial LWR in Japan, many LWRs have experienced various corrosion damages, but the causes of them were clarified, and the counter-measures were executed effectively in actual plants, as the results, the cause of corrosion damage decreased remarkably, and now, the high rate of operation has become to be maintained. In this paper, the major cases of corrosion damage experienced in LWRs in Japan and foreign countries, the causes of them and the countermeasures, the problems of hereafter and so on are described. The corrosion damage of metallic materials in the environment of LWRs occurs in the parts in contact with high temperature, high pressure water and steam, such as stainless steel piping in the primary cooling system of BWRs, and nickel alloy heating tubes of steam generators, carbon steel feed water piping and zirconium alloy fuel cladding tubes in PWRs. Recently, accompanying ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The feasibility study on conceptual design methodology for accelerator-driven sodium-cooled sub-critical transmutation reactors has been conducted to optimize the design parameters from the scale laws and validates the reactor performance with the integrated code system. A 1000 MWth sodium-cooled sub-critical transmutation reactor has been scaled and verified through the methodology in this paper, which is referred to Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor (ALMR). A Pb-Bi target material and a partitioned fuel are the liquid phases, and they are cooled by the circulation of secondary Pb-Bi coolant and by primary sodium coolant, respectively. Overall key design parameters are generated from the scale laws and they are improved and validated by the integrated code system. Integrated Code System (ICS) consists of LAHET, HMCNP, ORIGEN2, and COMMIX codes and some files. Through ICS the target region, the core region, and thermal-hydraulic related regions are ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work is concerned with the development and application of ion implantation techniques for improving the corrosion resistance of zircaloy-4. The corrosion resistance in nitrogen implanted zircaloy-4 under a 120 keV nitrogen ion beam at an ion dose of 3 x 10"1"7 cm"-"2 depends on the implantation temperature. The characteristics of surface oxidation and corrosion resistance were analyzed with the change of implantation temperature. It is shown that as implantation temperature rises from 100 to 724 C, the colour of specimen surface changes from its original colour to light yellow at 100 C, golden at 175 C, pink at 300 C, blue at 440 C and dark blue at 550 C. As the implantation temperature goes above 640 C, the colour of surface changes to light black, and the surface becomes a little rough. The corrosion resistance of zircaloy-4 implanted with nitrogen is sensitive to the implantation temperature. The pitting potential of specimens increases from 176 to 900 mV (SCE) as the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Results of an experimental study of the interaction of 140 MeV alpha particles with /sup 90/Zr nuclei resulting in fragmentation of the alpha particle are reported. The experimental observations of the study are analyzed and are found to show that alpha particle breakup reactions leading to at least 4-body final states, composed of two charged alpha particle fragments, contribute significantly to the singles yield of charged fragments observed at a fixed forward angle. The conclusions are based on coincidence measurements where one charged fragment is detected at a small forward angle which remains fixed, while the second charged fragment is detected at a series of coplanar secondary angles. The largest coincidence charged particle yield for the multiparticle final state events results from /sup 90/Zr(..cap alpha..,pp)X reactions, where both of the measured protons have energy distributions similar to the proton singles energy distributions. ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study describes the mechanical compatibility of the direct use of spent pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel in Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) reactors (DUPIC) fuel, when it is loaded into a CANDU reactor. The mechanical compatibility can be assessed for the fuel management, primary heat transport system, fuel channel, and the fuel handling system in the reactor core by both the experimental and analytic methods. Because the physical dimensions of the DUPIC fuel bundle adopt the CANDU flexible (CANFLEX) fuel bundle design which has already been demonstrated for a commercial use in CANDU reactors, the experimental compatibility analyses focused on the generation of material property data and the irradiation tests of the DUPIC fuel, which are used for the computational analysis. The intermediate results of the ...

Science.gov (United States)

Not Available

Science.gov (United States)

Not Available

Science.gov (United States)

No Abstract Available