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TRP -> Campaign/Number -> TRP 22
TRP 22. Design Concepts and Process Analysis for Transmuter Fuel Manufacturing
July 2004 - November 2007
Research Objectives & Methods
The goal of this research project is to provide technical support to process designers working on the development of the fuel cycles for transmutation applications. Detailed process models have been developed to better define the impact of fuel choice on the transmuter fuel cycle, including relative process losses, waste generation, and plant capital cost. These process models provide insight regarding required plant size and number of plants needed to mesh with the fuel recycling line. They also determine requirements for automation.
Manufacturing models for large-scale production in a hot cell environment have also been developed. Combined, these two models allow the assessment of plant layout, and provide the framework for estimation of plant capital and operating cost estimates, and for feasibility in general. The operations of robotic equipment and the sensor technology required for safe ad reliable robot control have been evaluated through simulations in three-dimensional space. The manufacturing technology developed for hot cell applications is also applicable to other, more general uses, where occupational hazards prevent human presence near processes.
Researchers
- Georg Mauer, Mechanical Engineering
Collaborators
- Mitchell Meyer, Group Leader, Fabrication Development Group, Nuclear Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory
Students
- Kamalakur Aluri, Masters, Computer Science
- Koushik Damera, Masters, Computer Science
-
Jamil Renno, Masters, Mechanical Engineering
(MS Thesis Not Available) - Prathima Sajja, Graduate Student, Computer Science
- Kyle Gohres, Undergraduate Student, Computer Science
- Tobias Kotthauser, Visiting Undergraduate, University of Duisburg, Germany, Mechanical Engineering
-
Andreas Roderburg, Visiting Undergraduate, RWTH Aachen, Germany, Mechanical Engineering
Diploma Thesis - Douglas Wettekin, Undergraduate Student, Electrical Engineering