In this work, finite-element models were proposed to evaluate the spacer grids compression strength and structural behavior of fuel assemblies, mainly in terms of their natural frequencies. Firstly, a three-dimensional model was developed to provide consistent predictions of 16 × 16-type spacer grids compression strength. Regarding their original geometry and some possible design variations, th...

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) offer electrochemically generated sources of electricity using oxygen ion transport at elevated temperatures. Analysis of materials used in SOFC using electron microscopy provides insights of foreseeable chemical reactions that govern the performance of the fuel cell. Materials used in SOFC can be divided into four categories; anode, cathode, electrolyte and interc...

Aluminum-coated plates, containing a uranium silicide (U3Si2) meat dispersed in an aluminum matrix, are commonly used the fuel elements of Material Testing Reactors (MTRs). These typically comprised narrow channels formed by parallel flat which allow coolant flow to remove heat fission reactions. It is important mention that thickness plates much smaller than their width and height. The high ra...

Background: Decrease of economically accessible uranium resources motivates consideration of breeding of fertile elements such as thorium. Material and Method: Thorium oxide fuel burn up calculation of a simulated research reactor cooled heavy water has been proposed in the present work using MCNPX 2.6 code. Two 233U and 235U isotopes have been used as fissile element of thorium oxide fuel. 135...

in the present study, the effect of porosity on the cathode microstructure (50:50 wt. % lsm: ysz) of a solid oxide fuel cell (sofc) has been examined. a 3-d finite element method for mixed ionic and electronic conducting cathodes (miec) is presented to study the effects of porosity on cell performance. each microstructure was realized using the monte carlo approach with the isotropic type of gr...

Over the last few decades, researchers have made significant developments in producing more advanced electrocatalytic materials for power generation applications. For example, traditional fuel cell catalysts often involve highpriced precious metals such as Pt. However, in order for fuel cells to become commercially viable, there is a need to reduce or completely remove precious metal altogether...

A finite element model of an ATR42-300 commuter-class aircraft was developed and a crash simulation was executed. Analytical predictions were correlated with data obtained from a 30-ft/s (9.14-m/s) vertical drop test of the aircraft. The purpose of the test was to evaluate the structural response of the aircraft when subjected to a severe, but survivable, impact. The aircraft was configured wit...

The focus of this paper is to study the flow crossover between two adjacent flow channels in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell with serpentine flow field design in bipolar plates. The effect of gas diffusion layer (GDL) deformation on the flow crossover due to the compression in a fuel cell assembly process is particularly investigated. A three-dimensional structural mechanics model is...

Docking with potentially tumbling Targets is a common element of many mission architectures, including on-orbit servicing and active debris removal. This paper studies synchronized docking trajectories as a way to ensure the Chaser satellite remains on the docking axis of the tumbling Target, thereby reducing collision risks and enabling persistent onboard sensing of the docking location. Chase...