Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems Integration Division

Division Manager: Kathryn McCarthy, 208-526-9392, Send E-mail

Fission & Fusion Systems Department

Department Manager: Hans Gougar, 208-526-2760, Send E-mail

The Fission and Fusion Systems Department staff engages in designing and analyzing advanced nuclear reactor systems for a wide variety of applications. The Fusion Safety Program focuses on the technology of fusion reactor materials, plasma and tritium interactions and characterization and transport of dust. This work is performed in support of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national fusion energy program and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The other major focus of the department is analytical support and design of Generation IV reactor systems and power conversion. Emphasis is on integrated design activities (reactor physics, thermal fluids and energy conversion) with the major customer being the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology. Current research and development is in Very High Temperature Reactor design, nuclear hydrogen production and fast reactor transmutation of spent fuel.

Fuel Cycle Programs Division

Division Manager: K. Mike Goff, 208-533-7084, Send E-mail

Aqueous Separations and Radiochemistry Department

Department Manager: Terry Todd, 208-526-3365, Send E-mail

The focus of the Aqueous Separations and Radiochemistry Department is research and development in solvent extraction processes and equipment, ion exchange and filtration. These areas support the advanced separations methods for such programs as the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative and specialized separations for nuclear physics measurements. Specific areas of expertise include ultra high purity source preparation for targets in support of international double beta decay and cross-section measurements and research, development of new ion exchange resins, centrifugal contactor engineering, aqueous separations process and flow-sheet development and product solidification studies.

Nuclear Materials Characterization Department

Department Manager: Marsha J. Lambregts, 208-533-7051, Send E-mail

The Nuclear Materials Characterization Department (NMCD) excels at elemental and isotopic analysis of highly radioactive samples for major to trace level constituents in support of the varied research projects taking place at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC). It also conducts research into new materials, such as fuels and waste forms. These materials are developed and thoroughly analyzed for chemical, crystallographic and thermal properties. Further ongoing research projects include the study of corrosion mechanisms, attribution analysis and the development of a variety of manual and automated separation methods.

The NMCD also operates the MFC Analytical Laboratory, a Category III non-reactor nuclear facility, wherein the majority of the analytical chemistry for the MFC takes place.

Pyroprocessing Technology Department

Department Manager: Robert W. Benedict, 208-533-7166, Send E-mail

This department leads the development of pyroprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. This technology is the principal alternative to aqueous reprocessing technology that is being developed under the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI).Pyroprocessing, or pyrometallurgical treatment of spent nuclear fuel is the principal alternative to aqueous reprocessing technology that is being developed under the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI). The separation processes are operated in the Fuel Cycle Facility (FCF). Pyrochemical treatment of spent nuclear fuel for disposition results in two high-level waste (HLW) forms, the ceramic waste form and the metal waste form. The pyroprocessing technology personnel are responsible for the waste process development and waste characterization for these waste forms. Another expertise of the department is the design, fabrication, assembly and testing of remote experimental equipment that is used in the MFC hot cells to support many experimental programs.

Nuclear Safety and Regulation Division

Division Manager: Timothy J. Leahy, 208-526-4944, Send E-mail

Human Factors and Instrumentation & Control Systems Department

Department Manager: Bruce P. Hallbert, 208-526-9867, Send E-mail

Human Factors, Instrumentation and Control Systems Department is devoted to the advancement of human-system interactions. Our innovative approach bases interface design on psychological and biological-centered principles. Developing technology for the human rather than forcing the human to adapt to the technology is the goal. Preventing mishaps and accidents requires the application of knowledge of humans in system design to advance the state of the art of technological systems. This requires a thorough understanding of human behavior, equipment functions and failures and past events. The approach of human-centered design must be incorporated in order to continuously improve the safety and performance of humans and systems in complex, high-risk environments.

Irradiation Test Programs Department

Department Manager: Frances M. Marshall, 208-533-4446, Send E-mail

The Irradiation Test Programs Department is responsible for several activities relating to Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) experiments and fuel programs:

• Irradiation Testing in ATR – Provide liaison between experimenters and ATR operational and engineering staff
• ATR New Business – Obtain new test sponsors for the testing positions in the ATR - identification of potential test sponsors and proposal development
• Preparation of ATR Core Safety Assurance Package Preparation and ATR Nuclear Engineering Support
• University Research Reactor Fuels Management Program fuel specifications, fabrication contracting and technical support, transportation of fresh and spent fuel

Risk, Reliability and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Programs Department

Department Manager: Martin Sattison, 208-526-9626, Send E-mail

Work in the Risk, Reliability and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Programs Department at INL involves providing advanced risk and reliability analytical capabilities to support complex engineered facilities and processes. The department's main focus is nuclear engineering and regulatory analysis support for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Significant work is also performed for the Department of Energy Headquarters and NASA. Areas of research and applications include:

• Probabilistic risk assessment
• Reliability, availability, maintainability (RAM) analysis
• System safety analysis
• Nuclear plant operations analysis and technical assistance
• Statistical analysis, and
• Operational event database development, analysis and maintenance.

Nuclear Science and Engineering Division

Division Manager: Ronaldo Szilard, 208-526-8376, Send E-mail

Nuclear Fuels and Materials Programs

Department Manager: Doug Crawford, 208-533-7456, Send E-mail

Personnel in the Nuclear Fuels and Materials Department lead or contribute to nationwide programs to develop and test reactor fuels and materials for sustainable fuel cycles, for converting research reactors from high-enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium and for the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) concept proposed for hydrogen production. Other efforts include characterization of irradiated light water reactor (LWR) fuel and core deposits for the assessment of LWR fuel performance issues. Personnel experienced in disciplines of nuclear engineering, materials science, chemistry and mechanical engineering work in fuels and materials technology associated with fabrication, characterization, performance testing and performance modeling.

Reactor and Nuclear Physics Department

Department Manager: David W. Nigg, 208-526-7627, Send E-mail

The Reactor and Nuclear Physics Department has three areas of focus within its realm of responsibility.

Computational and Experimental Reactor and Radiation Physics

• Physics Support of Advanced Test Reactor Experiments
• Advanced Reactor Modeling
• Computational Reactor Physics Methods Development and Benchmarking
• Nuclear Criticality Safety
• Medical Applications of Nuclear Science

Radiation Measurement Instrumentation Development and Applications

• Specialized radiation measurements for INL nuclear, environmental and national security application
• Advanced Gas Reactor test support
• Ultrasonic and nuclear techniques for Non-Destructive Examination and Non-Destructive Analysis

Nuclear Physics and Spectroscopy

• Nuclear Structure Studies/Nuclear Data Measurements
• Gamma Spectroscopy

Thermal Fluids and Heat Transfer Department

Department Manager: James R. Wolf, 208-526-7725, Send E-mail

The Thermal Fluids and Heat Transfer Department is involved in thermal hydraulic reactor safety code development and experimental heat transfer/thermal hydraulics. The reactor code development is focused around the development and application of methods development techniques such as the RELAP5-3D code. RELAP5, developed at the INL is the world's most widely used thermal hydraulic code and is applied to both existing water reactor designs and advanced Generation IV concepts. In the experimental area, support is provided for projects in the matched index of refraction flow loop, the hydrogen initiative and high temperature gas reactor turbulence modeling.

Space Nuclear Systems and Technology Division

Division Manager: Harold McFarlane, 208-533-7106, Send E-mail

Department Manager: Stephen G. Johnson, 208-533-7496, Send E-mail

The Space Nuclear Systems and Technology (SNST) Division coordinates and manages the INL's programs in the space nuclear arena. The division accomplishes much of its work by enlisting the talents of other technical divisions. The organization comprises one department focused on radioisotope power systems and a small Space Reactor Systems Group that primarily handles new initiatives related to space nuclear fission systems. The SNST Division is also the laboratory's interface with the Center for Space Nuclear Research and manages the Plutonium-238 Nuclear Infrastructure Consolidation Project.

Plutonium-238 Nuclear Infrastructure Consolidation Project

The Department of Energy has proposed resuming the production of plutonium-238 for use in power systems that are deployed for NASA or national security missions. Managed by the SNST Division, the project is supporting DOE's efforts by providing input for environmental impact analysis, and design of the new or modified facilities and processes required for production of plutonium-238. The activities employ a broad cross section of skills from across INL as well as outside consultants and contractors.

Radioisotope Power Systems Department

The Radioisotope Power Systems Department fuels, tests and delivers power units that are used in remote locations or hostile environments by NASA or various National Security agencies. Fabricated at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Pu-238 heat sources are wedded to industry-supplied power converters to produce the units that are subjected to customer-specified acceptance tests. Transportation to the field locations is handled by well-trained teams using sophisticated casks and equipment. Radioisotope power systems are known for providing reliable, uninterrupted power over a timeframe unmatched by any other technology, often extending to several decades without maintenance.

Space Reactor Systems Group

The Space Reactor Systems Group is developing fuels, materials and components to be used in space nuclear power and propulsion systems. Activities include developing fuel fabrication technology, testing experimental fuel samples, evaluation of systems and components and computational modeling. In addition, this group provides INL's interface with NASA centers, other Department of Energy laboratories engaged in space nuclear fission activities and other university and industry organizations involved in the field. Space reactors can provide the necessary thrust and base power technology that would enable human and robotic exploration of the moon, Mars and the outer solar system.