Development of Experimental Technology for Simulated Fuel-Assembly Heating to Address Core-Material-Relocation Behavior During Severe Accident

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Abe ◽  
Takuya Yamashita ◽  
Ikken Sato ◽  
Toshio Nakagiri ◽  
Akihiro Ishimi
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Plasma Heating ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Core Material ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Test Assembly ◽  
Simulated Fuel ◽  
Experimental Technology ◽  
Heating Technology

Abstract The authors are developing an experimental technology for simulating severe accident (SA) conditions using simulant fuel material (ZrO2) that would contribute, not only to Fukushima Daiichi (1 F) decommissioning, but also to enhance the safety of worldwide existing and future nuclear power plants through clarification of accident progression behavior. Nontransfer (NTR) type plasma, which has been in practical use with a large torch capacity as high as 2 MW, has the potential to heat subject materials to very high-temperatures without selecting the target to be heated. When simulating 1 F with SA code (Severe Core Damage Analysis Package (SCDAP), Methods for Estimation of Leakages and Consequences of Releases (MELCOR) and Modular Accident Analysis Program (MAAP)), the target of this core-material-melting and relocation (CMMR) experiment was to confirm that NTR plasma has a sufficient heating performance realizing large temperature gradients (>2000 K/m) expected under 1 F conditions. The authors selected NTR-type plasma-heating technology that has the advantage of continuous heating in addition to its high-temperature level. A prototype large-scale experiment (1 m × 0.3 m dia.), called CMMR-0, was conducted in 2016, in which a large temperature gradient was realized and basic characteristics of a heated test assembly were studied. However, the maximum temperature was limited in this test by the instability of the plasma torch under low-oxygen concentrations. It was clarified through this test that an improvement in plasma-heating technology was necessary to heat the large-scale test assembly. The CMMR-1/-2 experiments were carried out in 2017 with a test assembly similar to CMMR-0, applying the improved technology (higher heating power and controlled oxygen concentration). In these two tests, heating history was different, resulting in similar physical responses with more pronounced material melting and relocation in the CMMR-2 experiment. The CMMR-2 experiment was selected from the perspective of establishing an experimental technology. The CMMR-2 experiment adopted a 30-min heating period, wherein the power was increased to a level where a large temperature gradient was expected at the lower part of the core under actual 1 F accident conditions. Most of the control blade and channel box migrated from the original position. After heating, the simulated fuel assembly was measured by X-ray-computed tomography (CT) technology and by electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA). CT pictures and elemental mapping demonstrated its excellent performance with rather good precision. Based on these results, an excellent perspective, in terms of applicability of the NTR-type plasma-heating technology to the SA experimental study, was obtained.

Development of Experimental Technology for Simulated Fuel-Assembly Heating to Address Core-Material-Relocation Behavior During Severe Accident

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Abe ◽  
Takuya Yamashita ◽  
Ikken Sato ◽  
Toshio Nakagiri ◽  
Akihiro Ishimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Assembly ◽  
Plasma Heating ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Core Material ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Good Precision ◽  
The Core ◽  
Simulated Fuel ◽  
Experimental Technology ◽  
Heating Technology

Authors are developing an experimental technology to realize experiments simulating Severe Accident (SA) conditions using simulant fuel material (ZrO2 with slight addition of MgO for stabilization) that would contribute not only to Fukushima Daiichi (1F) decommissioning but also to enhance the safety of worldwide existing and future nuclear power plants through clarification of the accident progression behavior. Based on the results of the prototype test, improvement of plasma heating technology was conducted. The Core Material Melting and Relocation (CMMR)-1/-2 experiments were carried out in 2017 with the large-scale simulated fuel assembly (1 m × 0.3 mϕ) applying the improved technology (higher heating power and controlled oxygen concentration). In these two tests, heating history was different resulting basically in similar physical responses with more pronounced material melting and relocation in the CMMR-2 experiment. The CMMR-2 experiment is selected here from the viewpoint of establishing an experimental technology. The CMMR-2 experiment adopted 30-min heating period, the power was increased up to a level so that a large temperature gradient (> 2,000 K/m) expected at the lower part of the core in the actual 1F accident conditions. Most of the control blade and the channel box migrated from the original position. After the heating, the simulated fuel assembly was measured by the X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) technology and by Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA). CT pictures and elemental mapping demonstrated its excellent performance with rather good precision. Based on these results, an excellent perspective in terms of applicability of the non-transfer type plasma heating technology to the SA experimental study was obtained.

Application of Nontransfer Type Plasma Heating Technology for Core-Material-Relocation Tests in Boiling Water Reactor Severe Accident Conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Abe ◽  
Ikken Sato ◽  
Toshio Nakagiri ◽  
Akihiro Ishimi ◽  
Yuji Nagae
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Heating ◽  
Boiling Water ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Core Material ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Boiling Water Reactor ◽  
Water Reactor ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Heating Technology

A new experimental program using nontransfer (NTR) type plasma heating is under consideration in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to clarify the uncertainty on core-material relocation (CMR) behavior of boiling water reactor (BWR). In order to confirm the applicability of this new technology, authors performed preparatory plasma heating tests using small-scale test pieces (107 mm × 107 mm × 222 mm (height)). An excellent perspective in terms of applicability of the NTR plasma heating to melting high melting-temperature materials such as ZrO2 has been obtained. In addition, molten pool was formed at the middle height of the test piece indicating its capability to simulate the initial phase of core degradation behavior consistent with the real UO2 fuel PHEBUS fission products (FP) tests. Furthermore, application of electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and X-ray computed tomography (CT) led to a conclusion that the pool formed consisted mainly of Zr with some concentration of oxygen which tended to be enhanced at the upper surface region of the pool. Based on these results, an excellent perspective in terms of applicability of the NTR plasma heating technology to the severe accident (SA) experimental study was obtained.

Preparation for a New Experimental Program Addressing Core-Material-Relocation Behavior During Severe Accident With BWR Design Conditions: Conduction of Preparatory Tests Applying Non-Transfer-Type Plasma Heating Technology

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Abe ◽  
Ikken Sato ◽  
Akihiro Ishimi ◽  
Toshio Nakagiri ◽  
Yuji Nagae
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Plasma Heating ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Core Material ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Intermediate Scale ◽  
Test Pieces ◽  
Scale Test ◽  
Heating Technology

A new experimental program using non-transfer type plasma heating is under consideration in JAEA to clarify the uncertainty on core-material relocation (CMR) behavior of BWR. In order to confirm the applicability of this new technology, authors performed preparatory plasma heating tests using small-scale test pieces (107 mm × 107 mm × 222 mmh). Based on these preliminary results, an excellent perspective in terms of applicability of the non-transfer plasma heating technology to the SA (Severe Accident) experimental study was obtained. Furthermore, JAEA is preparing for the next step intermediate-scale preparatory tests in 2016 using about 50 rods and a control blade that would not only confirm its technical applicability, but also some insights relevant to the issue on CMR itself.

Optimal Test Assembly in Practice

2013 ◽  
Vol 221 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg-Tobias Kuhn ◽  
Thomas Kiefer
Keyword(s):  
Particle Physics ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Linear Optimization ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
Optimal Test ◽  
Automated Test Assembly ◽  
Test Assembly ◽  
Block Level ◽  
Mixed Integer Linear Optimization

Several techniques have been developed in recent years to generate optimal large-scale assessments (LSAs) of student achievement. These techniques often represent a blend of procedures from such diverse fields as experimental design, combinatorial optimization, particle physics, or neural networks. However, despite the theoretical advances in the field, there still exists a surprising scarcity of well-documented test designs in which all factors that have guided design decisions are explicitly and clearly communicated. This paper therefore has two goals. First, a brief summary of relevant key terms, as well as experimental designs and automated test assembly routines in LSA, is given. Second, conceptual and methodological steps in designing the assessment of the Austrian educational standards in mathematics are described in detail. The test design was generated using a two-step procedure, starting at the item block level and continuing at the item level. Initially, a partially balanced incomplete item block design was generated using simulated annealing, whereas in a second step, items were assigned to the item blocks using mixed-integer linear optimization in combination with a shadow-test approach.

Numerical Modeling and Simulation Analysis of Temperature Field of Disc Brake on Trains

2011 ◽  
Vol 199-200 ◽  
pp. 1492-1495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo Shun Wang ◽  
Rong Fu ◽  
Liang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Field ◽  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Working Condition ◽  
Constant Speed ◽  
Brake Disc ◽  
Disc Brake ◽  
Brake Pad ◽  
Finite Element Software

The simulation calculation on the temperature field of the disc brake system on high-speed trains under the working condition of constant speed at 50Km/h is made. A steady-state calculation model is established according to the actual geometric size of a brake disc and a brake pad, and the analog calculation and simulation on the temperature field of the brake disc and the brake pad by using the large-scale nonlinear finite element software ABAQUS are carried out. The distribution rules of the temperature field of the brake disc and the brake pad under the working condition of constant speed are made known. The surface temperature of the brake disc at friction radius is the highest, with a band distribution for temperature. There exists a temperature flex point in the direction of thickness, of which the thickness occupies 15% of that of the brake disc; due to the small volume of the brake pad, the temperature gradient of the whole brake pad is not sharp, and larger temperature gradient occurs only on the contact surface.

Drivers of (non-)linear Eocene surface warming in the DeepMIP ensemble

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Steinig ◽  
Jiang Zhu ◽  
Ran Feng ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Heat Transport ◽  
Climate Sensitivity ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Early Eocene ◽  
Meridional Heat Transport ◽  
Surface Warming ◽  
Global Mean

<p>The early Eocene greenhouse represents the warmest interval of the Cenozoic and therefore provides a unique opportunity to understand how the climate system operates under elevated atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> levels similar to those projected for the end of the 21st century. Early Eocene geological records indicate a large increase in global mean surface temperatures compared to present day (by ~14°C) and a greatly reduced meridional temperature gradient (by ~30% in SST). However, reproducing these large-scale climate features at reasonable CO<sub>2</sub> levels still poses a challenge for current climate models. Recent modelling studies indicate an important role for shortwave (SW) cloud feedbacks to drive increases in climate sensitivity with global warming, which helps to close the gap between simulated and reconstructed Eocene global warmth and temperature gradient. Nevertheless, the presence of such state-dependent feedbacks and their relative strengths in other models remain unclear.</p><p>In this study, we perform a systematic investigation of the simulated surface warming and the underlying mechanisms in the recently published DeepMIP ensemble. The DeepMIP early Eocene simulations use identical paleogeographic boundary conditions and include six models with suitable output: CESM1.2_CAM5, GFDL_CM2.1, HadCM3B_M2.1aN, IPSLCM5A2, MIROC4m and NorESM1_F. We advance previous energy balance analysis by applying the approximate partial radiative perturbation (APRP) technique to quantify the individual contributions of surface albedo, cloud and non-cloud atmospheric changes to the simulated Eocene top-of-the-atmosphere SW flux anomalies. We further compare the strength of these planetary albedo feedbacks to changes in the longwave atmospheric emissivity and meridional heat transport in the warm Eocene climate. Particular focus lies in the sensitivity of the feedback strengths to increasing global mean temperatures in experiments at a range of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations between x1 to x9 preindustrial levels.</p><p>Preliminary results indicate that all models that provide data for at least 3 different CO<sub>2</sub> levels show an increase of the equilibrium climate sensitivity at higher global mean temperatures. This is associated with an increase of the overall strength of the positive SW cloud feedback with warming in those models. This nonlinear behavior seems to be related to both a reduction and optical thinning of low-level clouds, albeit with intermodel differences in the relative importance of the two mechanisms. We further show that our new APRP results can differ significantly from previous estimates based on cloud radiative forcing alone, especially in high-latitude areas with large surface albedo changes. We also find large intermodel variability and state-dependence in meridional heat transport modulated by changes in the atmospheric latent heat transport. Ongoing work focuses on the spatial patterns of the climate feedbacks and the implications for the simulated meridional temperature gradients.</p>

Addressing Paraffin Deposition Challenges Through New Technologies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saugata Gon ◽  
Christopher Russell ◽  
Kasper Koert Jan Baack ◽  
Heather Blackwood ◽  
Alfred Hase
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Mixing Condition ◽  
Cold Finger ◽  
Cold Surface ◽  
Bulk Oil ◽  
Conventional Test

Abstract Paraffin deposition is a common challenge for production facilities globally where production fluid/process surface temperature cools down and reach below the wax appearance temperature (WAT) of the oil. Although chemical treatment is used widely for suitable mitigation of wax deposition, conventional test methods like cold finger often fail to recommend the right product for the field. The current study will present development of two new technologies PARA-Window and Dynamic Paraffin Deposition Cell (DPDC)to address such limitations. Large temperature gradient between bulk oil and cold surface has been identified as a major limitation of cold finger. To address this, PARA-Window has been developed to capture the paraffin deposition at a more realistic temperature gradient (5°C) between the bulk oil and surface temperature using a NIR optical probe. Absence of brine and lack of shear has been identified as another limitation of cold finger technique. DPDC has been developed to study paraffin deposition and chemical effectiveness in presence of brine. Specially designed cells are placed horizontally inside a shaker bath to achieve good mixing between oil and water for DPDC application. A prior study by Russell et al., (2019) showed the effectiveness of PARA-Window in capturing deposition phenomena of higher molecular weight paraffin chains that resemble closely to field deposits under narrow temperature gradient around WAT. Conventional test methods fail to capture meaningful product differentiation in most oils under such conditions and hence can only recommend a crystal modifier type of paraffin chemistries. PARA-Window technique can expand product selection to other type of paraffin chemistries (paraffin crystal modifiers, dispersants and solvents) as shown earlier by Russell et al., (2021). The usage of DPDC allows us to create a dynamic mixing condition inside the test cells with both oil and water under a condition similar to production pipe systems. This allows DPDC to assess water effect on paraffin chemistries (crystal modifiers and dispersants). This study presents the usage of these two new technologies to screen performance of different types of paraffin chemistries on select oils and their advantages over cold finger. The results identify how mimicking field conditions using these new technologies can capture new insights into paraffin products.

scholarly journals On the short-term variability of turbulence and temperature in the winter mesosphere

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1099-1116
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Lehmacher ◽  
Miguel F. Larsen ◽  
Richard L. Collins ◽  
Aroh Barjatya ◽  
Boris Strelnikov
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Density Fluctuations ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Wind Shears

Abstract. Four mesosphere–lower thermosphere temperature and turbulence profiles were obtained in situ within ∼30 min and over an area of about 100 by 100 km during a sounding rocket experiment conducted on 26 January 2015 at Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. In this paper we examine the spatial and temporal variability of mesospheric turbulence in relationship to the static stability of the background atmosphere. Using active payload attitude control, neutral density fluctuations, a tracer for turbulence, were observed with very little interference from the payload spin motion, and with high precision (<0.01 %) at sub-meter resolution. The large-scale vertical temperature structure was very consistent between the four soundings. The mesosphere was almost isothermal, which means more stratified, between 60 and 80 km, and again between 88 and 95 km. The stratified regions adjoined quasi-adiabatic regions assumed to be well mixed. Additional evidence of vertical transport and convective activity comes from sodium densities and trimethyl aluminum trail development, respectively, which were both observed simultaneously with the in situ measurements. We found considerable kilometer-scale temperature variability with amplitudes of 20 K in the stratified region below 80 km. Several thin turbulent layers were embedded in this region, differing in width and altitude for each profile. Energy dissipation rates varied between 0.1 and 10 mW kg−1, which is typical for the winter mesosphere. Very little turbulence was observed above 82 km, consistent with very weak small-scale gravity wave activity in the upper mesosphere during the launch night. On the other hand, above the cold and prominent mesopause at 102 km, large temperature excursions of +40 to +70 K were observed. Simultaneous wind measurements revealed extreme wind shears near 108 km, and combined with the observed temperature gradient, isolated regions of unstable Richardson numbers (0<Ri<0.25) were detected in the lower thermosphere. The experiment was launched into a bright auroral arc under moderately disturbed conditions (Kp∼5).

Performance of Core Exit Thermocouple for PWR Accident Management Action in Vessel Top Break LOCA Simulation Experiment at OECD/NEA ROSA Project

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuhiro Suzuki ◽  
Takeshi Takeda ◽  
Hideo Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Time Delay ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Simulation Experiment ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
The Core ◽  
Accident Management

Presented are experiment results of the Large Scale Test Facility (LSTF) conducted at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) with a focus on core exit thermocouple (CET) performance to detect core overheat during a vessel top break loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) simulation experiment. The CET temperatures are used to start accident management (AM) action to quickly depressurize steam generator (SG) secondary sides in case of core temperature excursion. Test 6-1 is the first test of the OECD/NEA ROSA Project started in 2005, simulating withdraw of a control rod drive mechanism penetration nozzle at the vessel top head. The break size is equivalent to 1.9% cold leg break. The AM action was initiated when CET temperature rose up to 623K. There was no reflux water fallback onto the CETs during the core heat-up period. The core overheat, however, was detected with a time delay of about 230s. In addition, a large temperature discrepancy was observed between the CETs and the hottest core region. This paper clarifies the reasons of time delay and temperature discrepancy between the CETs and heated core during boil-off including three-dimensional steam flows in the core and core exit. The paper discusses applicability of the LSTF CET performance to pressurized water reactor (PWR) conditions and a possibility of alternative indicators for earlier AM action than in Test 6-1 is studied by using symptom-based plant parameters such as a reactor vessel water level detection.

scholarly journals Fluids of the Future

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas H. Edwards ◽  
Guillaume L. Hoareau
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Fluid Resuscitation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Military Research ◽  
Animal Data ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
The Future ◽  
Significant Burden

Fluids are a vital tool in the armament of acute care clinicians in both civilian and military resuscitation. We now better understand complications from inappropriate resuscitation with currently available fluids; however, fluid resuscitation undeniably remains a life-saving intervention. Military research has driven the most significant advances in the field of fluid resuscitation and is currently leading the search for the fluids of the future. The veterinary community, much like our civilian human counterparts, should expect the fluid of the future to be the fruit of military research. The fluids of the future not only are expected to improve patient outcomes but also be field expedient. Those fluids should be compatible with military environments or natural disaster environments. For decades, military personnel and disaster responders have faced the peculiar demands of austere environments, prolonged field care, and delayed evacuation. Large scale natural disasters present field limitations often similar to those encountered in the battlefield. The fluids of the future should, therefore, have a long shelf-life, a small footprint, and be resistant to large temperature swings, for instance. Traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock are the leading causes of preventable death for military casualties and a significant burden in civilian populations. The military and civilian health systems are focusing efforts on field-expedient fluids that will be specifically relevant for the management of those conditions. Fluids are expected to be compatible with blood products, increase oxygen-carrying capabilities, promote hemostasis, and be easy to administer in the prehospital setting, to match the broad spectrum of current acute care challenges, such as sepsis and severe systemic inflammation. This article will review historical military and civilian contributions to current resuscitation strategies, describe the expectations for the fluids of the future, and describe select ongoing research efforts with a review of current animal data.

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