NSTD Research Projects: TRP
Proposals
Quarterly Reports
2001:
4th
2002:
1st,
2nd,
3rd,
4th
2003:
1st,
2nd,
3rd,
4th
2004:
1st,
2nd,
3rd
Annual Reports
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
Other
TRP -> Campaign/Number -> TRP 11
TRP 11. Nuclear, Criticality, Shielding, and Thermal Analysis of Separations Processes for the
Transmutation Fuel Cycle
August 2001 - August 2004
Research Objectives & Methods
The primary goal of this research program was to provide the nuclear and thermal modeling support for the development of this new separation process. The assessments of nuclear criticality, radiation for shielding, and thermal analyses of wastes in the Cs/Sr, Pu/Np, and Cm/Am waste streams will assist in designing the UREX+ process. This project was identified as a critical R&D need of the Chemical Technology Division (CTD) at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) as safety concerns associated with criticality, shielding, and heat buildup must be addressed prior to further development of the UREX+ process.
UNLV students used nuclear analysis codes to perform assessments of keff at different points in the separation processes that have been identified by the project collaborators at ANL-CTD. They also worked on problems to assess the need for radiation shielding, and to develop software to assess the possibility of excessive temperatures due to radioactive decay in separated wastes. ANL-CTD has provided sample fuel process geometries and compositions for calculation of keff as a function of the relative concentrations of process salt, transuranics, and fission products.
Researchers
- William Culbreth, Mechanical Engineering
- Tao Pang, Physics
- Denis Beller, Mechanical Engineering
Collaborators
- James Laidler, Senior Scientist, Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory
- George Vandergrift III, Senior Scientist, Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory
Students
-
Srinivasa Elizabeth Bakker, Masters, Mechanical Engineering
(MS Thesis Not Available) - Robin Jenkins, Graduate, Mechanical Engineering
- Maurice Moore, Masters, Mechanical Engineering
- Jason Viggato, Masters, Mechanical Engineering
- Daniel Lowe, Undergraduate, Mechanical Engineering
- Robert O'Brien, Undergraduate, Mechanical Engineering