Fullerite Nano-materials as a Moderator in Neutron Irradiators with Radium Sources: Feasibility and Advantages

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-176
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Flux ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Thermal Neutrons ◽  
Nano Materials ◽  
Additional Advantage ◽  
Nano Material ◽  
Mcnp5 Code ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
First Time

Abstract: In this study, the feasibility of using fullerite nano-materials as a moderator in 226Ra-Be neutron irradiators has been theoretically investigated, for the first time. Thermal, intermediate and rapid neutron flux in irradiation channels was calculated using the MCNP5 code when a fullerite nano-material was used as a moderator. The simulation results were then compared with other simulation results performed when paraffin was used as a moderator. The comparison showed that using fullerite instead of paraffin as a moderator results in an increase in the total number of irradiation neutrons by more than twice in average (240 %) for each direction inside the irradiator. This increase is distributed as follows: 27.84 %, 87.84 % and 124.32 % thermal, intermediate and rapid neutrons, respectively. The previous distribution indicates a significant increase in the intermediate and fast neutron flux. This is considered as an additional advantage of using the 226Ra-Be neutron irradiator with a fullerite moderator. The irradiator can then be used not only to irradiate the materials whose irradiation requires thermal neutrons, but also those that require medium- to high-energy neutrons. Keywords: Neutronic irradiator, Ra-Be radiation source, Cadmium, Neutron flux, MCNP5-beta code. PACS: Neutrons diffusion and moderation, 28.20.Gd, Moderators (nuclear reactors), 28.41.Pa.

Study of changes of thermal neutrons intensity of lithospheric origin for the diagnostics and forecast of earthquakes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Antonova ◽  
Sergey Kryukov ◽  
Vadim Lutsenko ◽  
Andrey Malimbaev
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Flux ◽  
Thermal Neutron ◽  
Thermal Neutron Flux ◽  
Spectral Composition ◽  
Background Level ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Thermal Neutrons

<p>Studies of variations in the intensity of thermal (epithermal) neutrons at the high-mountain station of cosmic rays near the fracture of the earth's crust (3340 m above sea level, Northern Tien- Shan) showed the promising of using them for the diagnosis and forecast of earthquakes in seismically active regions. A method is proposed for distinguishing features of changes in the intensity of thermal neutrons of lithospheric origin against the background of variations caused by solar and atmospheric disturbance sources. However, a necessary condition for this is the synchronous registration of high-energy neutrons of galactic origin.</p><p>It is known that neutrons in the Earth’s atmosphere arise mainly as a result of the interaction of primary cosmic radiation with the nuclei of air atoms. Statistical analysis of neutron measurements during effective solar events (coronal mass ejections), changes of atmospheric pressure confirmed the genetic relationship of thermal neutrons near the Earth's surface with high-energy neutrons of galactic origin and the similarity of the spectral composition of their variations. The difference is observed only in the range (2·10<sup>-7</sup>÷2·10<sup>-6</sup>)Hz. Variations with the period of 29.5 days (synodic lunar month), due to the gravitational influence of the moon, are present throughout the 12-year period of research of thermal neutrons. The amplitude and its changes were determined by the method of complex demodulation. The periodicity of 29.5 days is absent in the spectrum of high-energy neutrons variations.</p><p> Analysis of experimental data during of seismic activity showed the frequent breakdown of the correlation between the intensity of thermal and high-energy neutrons. The cause of this phenomenon is the additional thermal neutron flux of the lithospheric origin, which appears under these conditions. Simple statistical processing of measured parameters makes it possible to exclude variations of interplanetary and atmospheric origin in the intensity of thermal neutrons and to isolate changes caused by seismic processes.</p><p> We used this method for analysis of thermal neutrons intensity during earthquakes with intensity ≥ 3b in the vicinity of Almaty which took place in 2007-2018. The catalog includes 30 events. The increase of thermal neutrons flux was observed for ~ 60% of events. However, before the earthquake the increase of thermal neutron flux is only observed for ~ 25-30% of events. The amplitude of the additional thermal neutron flux of the lithospheric origin is equal to 5-7% of the background level. Sometimes it reaches values of 10-12%.</p><p>The analysis of our catalog of earthquakes in the vicinity of Almaty also showed that 70% of these events occurred during the full moon or new moon (+/- 2 days).</p>

scholarly journals Mechanochemical Synthesis and Nitrogenation of the Nd1.1Fe10CoTi Alloy for Permanent Magnet

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3854
Author(s):  
Hugo Martínez Sánchez ◽  
George Hadjipanayis ◽  
Germán Antonio Pérez Alcázar ◽  
Ligia Edith Zamora Alfonso ◽  
Juan Sebastián Trujillo Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Mechanochemical Synthesis ◽  
Applied Field ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Direction Parallel ◽  
Best Value ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Bcc Phase ◽  
First Time

In this work, the mechanochemical synthesis method was used for the first time to produce powders of the nanocrystalline Nd1.1Fe10CoTi compound from Nd2O3, Fe2O3, Co and TiO2. High-energy-milled powders were heat treated at 1000 °C for 10 min to obtain the ThMn12-type structure. Volume fraction of the 1:12 phase was found to be as high as 95.7% with 4.3% of a bcc phase also present. The nitrogenation process of the sample was carried out at 350 °C during 3, 6, 9 and 12 h using a static pressure of 80 kPa of N2. The magnetic properties Mr, µ0Hc, and (BH)max were enhanced after nitrogenation, despite finding some residual nitrogen-free 1:12 phase. The magnetic values of a nitrogenated sample after 3 h were Mr = 75 Am2 kg–1, µ0Hc = 0.500 T and (BH)max = 58 kJ·m–3. Samples were aligned under an applied field of 2 T after washing and were measured in a direction parallel to the applied field. The best value of (BH)max~114 kJ·m–3 was obtained for 3 h and the highest µ0Hc = 0.518 T for 6 h nitrogenation. SEM characterization revealed that the particles have a mean particle size around 360 nm and a rounded shape.

scholarly journals Insights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO2 to methane

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanming Cai ◽  
Jiaju Fu ◽  
Yang Zhou ◽  
Yu-Chung Chang ◽  
Qianhao Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Barrier ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Single Atom ◽  
Faradaic Efficiency ◽  
High Energy Barrier ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Electron Reduction ◽  
First Time

AbstractSingle-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) due to maximized atomic utilization. However, products are usually limited to CO instead of hydrocarbons or oxygenates due to unfavorable high energy barrier for further electron transfer on synthesized single atom catalytic sites. Here we report a novel partial-carbonization strategy to modify the electronic structures of center atoms on SACs for lowering the overall endothermic energy of key intermediates. A carbon-dots-based SAC margined with unique CuN2O2 sites was synthesized for the first time. The introduction of oxygen ligands brings remarkably high Faradaic efficiency (78%) and selectivity (99% of ECR products) for electrochemical converting CO2 to CH4 with current density of 40 mA·cm-2 in aqueous electrolytes, surpassing most reported SACs which stop at two-electron reduction. Theoretical calculations further revealed that the high selectivity and activity on CuN2O2 active sites are due to the proper elevated CH4 and H2 energy barrier and fine-tuned electronic structure of Cu active sites.

scholarly journals Monte Carlo Modeling and Design of Photon Energy Attenuation Layers for >10× Quantum Yield Enhancement in Si-Based Hard X-ray Detectors

Instruments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Eldred Lee ◽  
Kaitlin M. Anagnost ◽  
Zhehui Wang ◽  
Michael R. James ◽  
Eric R. Fossum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Quantum Yield ◽  
Photon Energy ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Yield Enhancement ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies

High-energy (>20 keV) X-ray photon detection at high quantum yield, high spatial resolution, and short response time has long been an important area of study in physics. Scintillation is a prevalent method but limited in various ways. Directly detecting high-energy X-ray photons has been a challenge to this day, mainly due to low photon-to-photoelectron conversion efficiencies. Commercially available state-of-the-art Si direct detection products such as the Si charge-coupled device (CCD) are inefficient for >10 keV photons. Here, we present Monte Carlo simulation results and analyses to introduce a highly effective yet simple high-energy X-ray detection concept with significantly enhanced photon-to-electron conversion efficiencies composed of two layers: a top high-Z photon energy attenuation layer (PAL) and a bottom Si detector. We use the principle of photon energy down conversion, where high-energy X-ray photon energies are attenuated down to ≤10 keV via inelastic scattering suitable for efficient photoelectric absorption by Si. Our Monte Carlo simulation results demonstrate that a 10–30× increase in quantum yield can be achieved using PbTe PAL on Si, potentially advancing high-resolution, high-efficiency X-ray detection using PAL-enhanced Si CMOS image sensors.

Damage Calculation for First Wall Submitted to High Neutron Flux in a Tokamak

2015 ◽  
Vol 1769 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.E. Velasquez ◽  
M. A. F. Veloso ◽  
A. L. Costa ◽  
C. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Flux ◽  
Energy Deposition ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Main Reaction ◽  
First Wall ◽  
Tokamak Reactor ◽  
Mcnp5 Code ◽  
Displacement Per Atom ◽  
High Neutron ◽  
High Neutron Flux

ABSTRACTThe displacement per atom (dpa) has been a specific issue to evaluate the damage in the first wall of the Tokamak. Two different first wall materials were evaluated. In this study, MCNP5 code was used to obtain the neutron flux, the energy deposition and the main reaction rates, on the inboard and outboard first wall. The damage calculations were performed by the SPECTER code using the neutronic parameters obtained by MCNP5. The Tokamak reactor modeled has similar dimensions to the ITER. Tungsten and beryllium alloys were simulated on the outboard first wall. The results indicate which material has a higher resistance to be damage and dpa values for the analyzed material.

Control of inverters in standalone andgrid-connected microgrid using different control strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikash Gurugubelli ◽  
Arnab Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Transient Response ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Power Balance ◽  
Droop Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Simulink Simulation ◽  
Time Simulation ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
First Time

Purpose The share of renewable energy sources (RESs) in the power system is increasing day by day. The RESs are intermittent, therefore maintaining the grid stability and power balance is very difficult. The purpose of this paper is to control the inverters in microgrid using different control strategies to maintain the system stability and power balance. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, different control strategies are implemented to the voltage source converter (VSC) to get the desired performance. The DQ control is a basic control strategy that is inherently present in the droop and virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control strategies. The droop and VSM control strategies are inspired by the conventional synchronous machine (SM). The main objective of this work is to design and implement the three aforementioned control strategies in microgrid. Findings The significant contributions of this work are: the detailed implementation of DQ control, droop control and VSM control strategies for VSC in both grid-connected mode and standalone mode is presented; the MATLAB/Simulink simulation results and comparative studies of the three aforementioned controllers are introduced first time in the proposed work; and the opal-RT digital real-time simulation results of the proposed VSM control show the superiority in transient response compared to the droop control strategy. Research limitations/implications In the power system, the power electronic-based power allowed by VSM is dominated by the conventional power which is generated from the traditional SM, and then the issues related to stability still need advance study. There are some differences between the SM and VSM characteristics, so the integration of VSM with the existing system still needs further study. Economical operation of VSM with hybrid storage is also one of the future scopes of this work. Originality/value The significant contributions of this work are: the detailed implementation of DQ control, droop control and VSM control strategies for VSC in both grid-connected mode and standalone mode is presented; the MATLAB/Simulink simulation results and comparative studies of the three aforementioned controllers are introduced first time in the proposed work; and the opal-RT digital real-time simulation results of the proposed VSM control show the superiority in transient response compared to the droop control strategy.

scholarly journals A High Capacity, Room Temperature, Hybrid Flow Battery Consisting of Liquid Na-Cs Anode and Aqueous NaI Catholyte

Batteries ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caihong Liu ◽  
Leon Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Flow Battery ◽  
Membrane Interfaces ◽  
Number Of Cycles ◽  
Novel Concept ◽  
First Time

In this study, we have proposed a novel concept of hybrid flow batteries consisting of a molten Na-Cs anode and an aqueous NaI catholyte separated by a NaSICON membrane. A number of carbonaceous electrodes are studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) for their potentials as the positive electrode of the aqueous NaI catholyte. The charge transfer impedance, interfacial impedance and NaSICON membrane impedance of the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery are analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The performance of the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery is evaluated through galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery and shows that the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery has the potential to achieve the following properties simultaneously: (i) An aqueous NaI catholyte with good cycle stability, (ii) a durable and low impedance NaSICON membrane for a large number of cycles, (iii) stable interfaces at both anode/membrane and cathode/membrane interfaces, (iv) a molten Na-Cs anode capable of repeated Na plating and stripping, and (v) a flow battery with high Coulombic efficiency, high voltaic efficiency, and high energy efficiency.

scholarly journals Experiments on lepton and baryon stability and oscillation phenomena

1982 ◽  
Vol 304 (1482) ◽  
pp. 105-134 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Neutrino Mass ◽  
Neutrino Oscillations ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Solar And Atmospheric Neutrinos ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Lepton Number ◽  
Atmospheric Neutrinos ◽  
Nucleon Decay ◽  
Number Conservation ◽  
Experimental Approaches

The various experiments on lepton number conservation and on nucleon stability currently being done or prepared are reviewed, and their relative merits compared and discussed. The first part of the paper is devoted to the measurement of the neutrino mass and to the present limits on the conservation of the total lepton number and of the various lepton flavours. The existing results and future projects on the strictly connected problems of neutrino oscillations at nuclear reactors, pion factories and high energy accelerators will be also discussed, together with oscillations of solar and atmospheric neutrinos. The second part of the paper concerns the few results and the m any planned detectors on nucleon decay with particular emphasis on the problems of background radioactivity and of the variety of experimental approaches. Oscillation experiments on neutron—antineutron oscillations at nuclear reactors are also considered.

SET STABILIZATION OF A MODIFIED CHUA'S CIRCUIT

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 567-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHIHUA LI ◽  
YU-PING TIAN
Keyword(s):  
Equilibrium Point ◽  
Lyapunov Stability ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Invariant Set ◽  
Linear Feedback ◽  
Chua’S Circuit ◽  
Chua's Circuit ◽  
Linear Feedback Controller ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
First Time

In this paper, we develop a simple linear feedback controller, which employs only one of the states of the system, to stabilize the modified Chua's circuit to an invariant set which consists of its nontrivial equilibria. Moreover, we show for the first time that the closed loop modified Chua's circuit satisfies set stability which can be considered as a generalization of common Lyapunov stability of an equilibrium point. Simulation results are presented to verify our method.

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