Oak Ridge National Lab Archives

Design-Enabling Nuclear Data Evaluation

OrganiCore will partner with ORNL to leverage its Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), machine-learning-enabled molecular dynamics capabilities, and prior successful TSL validation work for reactor materials to generate and validate the required nuclear data. The project will create critical-path nuclear data needed to support the design, safety analysis, and licensing of organic-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs).

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Investigating Moisture Carryover Behavior

Constellation proposes to partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to apply high-fidelity multiphysics modeling and high-performance computing to improve predictive understanding of MCO phenomena. ORNL will utilize the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) and complementary computational fluid dynamics simulations to analyze historical operating cycles and identify core- and bundle-level mechanisms driving carryover.

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Uncertainty Quantification and Sensitivity Analysis Support

NANO proposes to partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to apply the SCALE/TSUNAMI code suite to quantify the impact of nuclear data, modeling assumptions, and operational parameters on key reactor physics metrics, including reactivity, power distribution, and temperature coefficients. ORNL’s NRC-recognized analytical tools and expertise will enable development of a validated UQ framework tailored to the KRONOS design.

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Development of High-Purity Graphite Matrix for Nuclear TRISO Fuel

Orbia Fluor will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to produce and test Orbia produced purified graphite feedstock for use in nuclear applications. ORNL has unique capabilities for TRISO relevant graphite matrix fabrication, machining, and nuclear materials testing under qualified procedures. Under this project, Orbia will produce purified feedstock powders and graphite matrix with the support of ORNL and then ORNL will test the produced graphite to assess the viability of meeting nuclear standards. This work will help build domestic capabilities to purify graphite feedstock for nuclear energy.

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AI-Guided Fuel Management for a 12-Unit Small Modular Nuclear Plant

NuScale will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to utilize the artificial intelligence (AI) enabled nuclear design framework for the 12-reactor design challenge by strategically exploring the vast design space and reducing the computational time required for the reactor simulations. ORNL has significant expertise in AI, fuel management, and computational resources. Reduced front end and back-end fuel costs can make nuclear energy more competitive in the marketplace.

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EnergyHQ Advanced Nuclear Reactor and Data Center Colocation

EnergyHQ will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The project will use the Oak Ridge Siting Analysis for power Generation Expansion (OR-SAGE) tool to supplement EnergyHQ’s existing criteria for siting data centers. The result will be the identification of multiple sites, which are technology-agnostic, that could support site selection strategies for data centers. EnergyHQ can then work to develop those sites for nuclear and data center development.

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Adding Nuclear to the Mix: Feasibility Study

CSU will partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for techno-economic analysis with decision modeling and with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for the water availability and optimal usage analyses. The study will also assess the feasibility and application of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the CSU service territory.

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Molten Salt Nuclear Graphite Qualification Plan

Natura will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop a graphite qualification plan and identify performance characteristics and development plans to design, approve, and perform graphite irradiations with fuel-bearing salts. The plan will look at utilizing the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at ORNL which would allow for rapid neutron irradiation of graphite (7-10 dpa per year) in a future irradiation test outside of the voucher scope. The project will also include the development of fuel-bearing, molten salt irradiation capsules to support the future irradiation test.

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Reference Data for Determination of Carbon and Oxygen Content in TRISO Fuel Kernels

Standard Nuclear is developing alternative methods to assess the carbon and oxygen content in the fuel kernel. They will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to perform LECO testing in the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) laboratory to help baseline and calibrate the method. By developing an alternative method for assessing carbon and oxygen content in TRISO fuel kernels, this project will reduce the cost and inefficiencies associated with current destructive testing methods.

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Research Evaluates Transitioning from Coal to Nuclear Energy

October 2024 – Researchers are engaging directly with communities to learn more about local opinions and how to build social and cultural metrics into their energy-planning analysis. That’s work that’s also being done at ORNL, where the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) works with individual sites and utilities to run economic analyses and provide decision-making resources.

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