The mission of the Transmutation Research Program (TRP) at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is to establish a nuclear engineering test bed that can carry out effective transmutation and advanced reactor research and development effort. Chemical Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratories (ANL) is in charge the design, modeling, and demonstration of countercurrent solvent-extraction process for treating high-level liquid waste, such as U and Tc. The Nevada Center for Advanced Computational Methods (NCACM) at UNLV is developing a systems engineering model that provides process optimization through the automatic adjustment on input parameters, such as feed compositions, stages, flow rates, etc., based on the extraction efficiency of components and concerned output factors. An object-oriented programming (OOP) is considered. Previously designed Microsoft (MS) Excel macro-based program, Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction (AMUSE) code, based on firm understanding of the chemistry and thermodynamics, is the core module for Uranium Extraction process (UREX). Currently AMUSE is the only available module. The Transmutation Research Program System Engineering Model Project (TRPSEMPro) consists of task manager, task integration and solution/monitor modules. A MS SQL server database is implemented for managing large data flow from optimization processing. Task manager coordinates and interacts with other two modules. Task integration module works as a flowsheet constructor that builds task hierarchy, input parameter values and constrains. Task solution/monitor component presents both final and in-progress outputs in tabular and graphical formats. The package also provides a multiple-run process that executes a design matrix without invoking the optimization module. Experimental reports can be generated through database query and formatting.
Increasing Knowledge Capture of Space Instrumentation Using Systems Engineering Model Architecture
