Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation ......2020/11/10 · –Testing to...
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Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption Christopher Ferraro – University of Florida Team Members: James Baciak, Hasan Charkas, Yuan Gao, Eric Giannini, Calvin McCall, Jerry Paris, Ashish Patel, Carl Pro, Kyle Riding Rethinking neutron radiation shielding structures to mitigate risk of RIVE and ASR Total Project Cost: $1.2M Length 24 mo. Project Vision
Transcript of Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation ......2020/11/10 · –Testing to...
Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption Christopher Ferraro – University of FloridaTeam Members: James Baciak, Hasan Charkas, Yuan Gao, Eric Giannini,
Calvin McCall, Jerry Paris, Ashish Patel, Carl Pro, Kyle Riding
Rethinking neutron radiation shielding structures to mitigate risk of RIVE and ASR
Total Project Cost: $1.2M
Length 24 mo.
Project Vision
The Concept
Kreitman, K., 2011, U.T. Theses and Dissertations, 148 pp.
Paste
Gel
Aggregate
Paste
Aggregate
Gel
Aggregate
SiO2
Paste
OH-
Alkalis from cement react with siliceous aggregate
Gel absorbs moisture
Gel forms
Cracks form in cement paste and aggregate
Map Cracking at Seabrook
Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption1
Na+
OH-
OH-
OH-
Na+K+
K+
The Concept
Cross-section of concrete with boron and RIVE susceptible silicate aggregate
B
B
B
HO
H
HO
O10B
H
O10B
7Li
4He
HO
H
HO
O
7Li
4He
Cross-section of concrete with finely dispersed boron in paste
Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption2
Si
Si
University of Florida
ESSIEChristopher Ferraro, Ph.D., P.E., FACI – PI
Kyle Riding, Ph.D., P.E. – Co-PIJerry Paris, Ph.D., P.E.
Nuclear Engineering
James Baciak, Ph.D. – Co-PIYuan Gao, Ph.D.
Christopher Ferraro – PI Dr. Ferraro is an expert in in concrete,
kinetics, hydration and alternative supplementary
cementitious materials, and concrete mixture design
and evaluation.
Kyle Riding – Co PIDr. Riding is an expert in concrete mixture
design, durability testing, early-age
Structural behavior, microstructural
characterization, and novel cementitious
systems.
Ashish PatelMr. Patel is leading all of the physical
experimentation in the cement and concrete
labs at the University of Florida.
Jim Baciak – Co PIDr. Baciak has extensive experience with
characterization of gamma-ray spectroscopy,
detector testing, as well as development and
analysis of sampling techniques.
Jerry ParisDr. Paris is an expert in concrete
mixture designs implementing alternative
supplementary cementitious materials with
a background in cement hydration chemistry
and durability experimentation.
Yuan GaoDr. Gao is leading the modeling and physical
testing in the nuclear laboratories at the
University of Florida.
The Team – University of Florida
3Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
The Team
4
Sub-RecipientsRJ Lee Group
Eric Giannini, Ph.D., P.E. Carl Pro
EPRI
Hasan Charkas, Ph.D., P.E.
Eric Giannini (RJ Lee Group) Dr. Eric Giannini is an expert in concrete
durability with a focus on alkali-silica
reactivity testing and simulation of
development of ASR at multiple time scales.
Carl Pro (RJ Lee Group)Carl has extensive contacts with nuclear plant
OEMs and operators as the past Manager of
PMI’s Utility Industry Special Interest Group
And the Utility Industry Community of Practice
at PMI during his 30+ years of experience.
Hasan Charkas (EPRI)Dr. Hasan Charkas manages the engineering
and construction innovation research area to
help deploy new builds of nuclear power
plants around the world.
Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
The Team
5
ContractualCEC
Calvin McCall
Calvin McCall (CEC, Inc) Mr. McCall has developed colemanite concrete
used for radiation shielding at nuclear and
medical facilities. He has also developed
nondestructive testing programs for concrete
structures used in the commercial, wind power,
and nuclear industries.
Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
• University of Florida – Testing/Boron Transmutation/Nuclear Attenuation Modeling
• RJ Lee Group – Testing/Petrography
Alkali Silica Reactivity Mitigation
• University of Florida – Plastic/Hardened Properties Testing
• Concrete Engineering Consulting – Consultation/Mix Design
Cementitious System
Properties
• EPRI – Engagement with NPP Operators, OEMs, utilities, etc.
• RJ Lee Group – Engagement with OEMs
• University of Florida – Dissemination of results, engagement with industry
Technology to Market
• University of Florida – Experimental Design and testing
• RJ Lee Group – Experimental Design
• Concrete Engineering Consulting – Experimental Design
Thin-Layered Cementitious
Systems
Project Objectives
6Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
• RJ Lee Group – Testing/Petrography
• University of Florida – Testing/Boron Transmutation/Nuclear Attenuation Modeling
Alkali Silica Reactivity Mitigation
• University of Florida – Plastic/Hardened Properties Testing
• Concrete Engineering Consulting – Consultation/Mix Design Concrete Properties
• EPRI – Engagement with NPP Operators, OEMs, utilities, etc.
• RJ Lee Group – Engagement with OEMs
• University of Florida – Dissemination of results, engagement with industry
Technology to Market
• University of Florida – Experimental Design and testing
• RJ Lee Group – Experimental Design
• Concrete Engineering Consulting – Experimental Design
Thin-Layered Cementitious
Systems
Project Objectives
7Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
‣ Major goal(s) included predicting lithium production from boron dosing and neutron fluence, then
evaluating efficacy of ASR mitigation for various durations of NPP operation
– Using Argonaut nuclear reactor at University of Florida to transmute boron into lithium
– Will be using reactor to refine mix designs to increase neutron capture and increase neutron
attenuation coefficient for the final mix parameters
– Accelerated mortar bar testing (ASTM C1260, ASTM C1567, USACE CRD-C 662-10)
conducted to evaluate ASR mitigation efficacy of predicted quantities of lithium produced by
neutron capture over 80-year NPP operating life
– Testing to include modified Miniature Concrete Prism Test (MCPT, AASHTO T380) in addition to
ASTM C1567 testing
Project Objectives
8Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
‣ Major goal(s) included mitigating effects of boron on workability and set retardation on cementitious
systems
‣ Typical accelerating admixtures were completely ineffective with higher than maximum
recommended dosages of chloride accelerators resulting in set retardation of more than 2 days
‣ Inclusion of typical boron compounds lead to delayed slump increases
‣ Investigation into these mechanisms is on-going
Project Objectives
9Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
‣ Utilization of EPRI’s vast network of energy sector contacts to facilitate open dialog between team
and industry
‣ Have interfaced with nine OEMs and engineering firms in the nuclear power plant industry to present
initial findings, refine ideas, determine industry and regulatory concerns
– Two virtual meetings
– Phone correspondence with OEM engineers/representatives
Project Objectives
10Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
‣ Focus includes application of boron to NPPS for new construction as well as development of coating
systems to retrofit and upgrade applications for plant life extensions
‣ Experimental evaluation of thin-layered cementitious systems (Summer 2020) slightly delayed due to
COVID-19.
‣ Experimentation has expected to resumed
– Experimentation includes bond strength, coefficient of thermal expansion, and neutron
attenuation/thermalization
• RJ Lee Group – Testing/Petrography
• University of Florida – Testing/Boron Transmutation/Nuclear Attenuation Modeling
Alkali Silica Reactivity Mitigation
• University of Florida – Plastic/Hardened Properties Testing
• Concrete Engineering Consulting – Consultation/Mix Design Concrete Properties
• EPRI – Engagement with NPP Operators, OEMs, utilities, etc.
• RJ Lee Group – Engagement with OEMs
• University of Florida – Dissemination of results, engagement with industry
Technology to Market
• University of Florida – Experimental Design and testing
• RJ Lee Group – Experimental Design
• Concrete Engineering Consulting – Experimental Design
Thin-Layered Cementitious
Systems
‣ Major goal(s) included predicting lithium production from boron dosing and neutron fluence, then
evaluating efficacy of ASR mitigation for various durations of NPP operation
Initial Results
11Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
Note: Mitigation mixes for Aggregate
1 included 20% Class F fly ash
Initial Results
12Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption
‣ Major goal(s) include mitigating effects of boron on workability and set retardation on cementitious systems
‣ Conventional accelerating admixtures are ineffective in mitigating delayed hydration in systems amended with
boron
Challenges and Risks
‣ Historical drawbacks with respect to the addition of boron in portland cement based systems
includes loss of workability, set retardation, strength loss and increased water demand
– These issues have been resolved entirely
‣ Industry concerns:
– Boron has reduced neutron capture efficacy at higher neutron energies
• Investigating solutions to increase thermalization potential of cementitious system to
convert fast neutrons to thermal neutrons more efficiently
• We can test for this at the University of Florida Training Reactor through use of
different beam ports (thermal neutrons, fission neutron spectrum), as well as the D-D
Neutron Generator Facility (fast neutron flux only).
– Limited access between reactor vessel and biological shield
• Available space, and therefore potential installation solutions, will vary by specific
application
‣ Accelerated deployment of technology can be attained with the proper formulation and
classification of the additive for use in construction approved by the NRC
Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron Absorption13
Potential Partnerships
– UFTR is a 100 kW (1.8 x 1012 n/cm²-sec) reactor that can offer• Sample Irradiations
• Neutron Activation Analysis
• Neutron Beam Port Use
• Real-time Neutron Radiography
• Detection System Use
– RJ Lee Group – microscopy and petrography (optical/SEM/EBSD),
analytical chemistry
– Team composition is very broad: Academia, industry, Electric
power industry funded research
• Allows us to respond to industry needs more effectively
14Insert Presentation NameNovember 10, 2020
Summary Slide
‣ Boron in cement paste coats aggregates in a neutron shield which converts to lithium ASR
mitigation product
– This application protects near-surface concrete much more efficiently than boron aggregate concretes
without adversely affecting workability/cement hydration when exposed to neutron radiation
‣ Team of researchers include:
– University of Florida: Chris Ferraro (PI), James Baciak, Yuan Gao, Jerry Paris, Ashish Patel, Kyle Riding
– RJ Lee Group: Eric Giannini, Carl Pro
– EPRI: Hasan Charkas
– CEC: Calvin McCall
‣ Goals include developing a boron-doped cementitious system that can be leveraged in two
methods:
– New construction application which would combine a neutron absorbing concrete with active lithium
production to prevent future ASR/RIVE production
– Retrofit application in which a thin-layered cementitious system could be applied to high-neutron flux
areas primarily as a neutron absorber to protect concrete
15Boron Concrete for Active Formation of Lithium as Mitigation of
Neutron-Induced Expansion and Passive Neutron AbsorptionNovember 10, 2020
