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Small modular reactors (SMRs) are small-scale reactor designs (< 300 MWe), generally planned for deployment as multi-module nuclear power plants. Due to their small size, SMR modules could be manufactured in a factory and deployed to a site via truck or rail for installation and fueling. SMRs are being evaluated for their ability to provide both power and steam, such that they could be a viable replacement for fossil fuels. SMRs have been considered for coupling to manufacturing processes in addition to being connected to the grid, allowing them to follow the net grid demand in a “load following” operational mode during times of high renewable generation. Alternately, SMRs could be used to replace cogeneration and combined-cycle processes at manufacturing plants which utilize natural gas and other fossil fuels. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is studying the use of SMRs for large-scale manufacturing processes that require both electricity and steam. The current study examines the integration of a SMR with two mid-size pulp and paper mills in the southeastern United States. The study consists of three parts: steady-state analysis of the mill, elimination of fossil fuel use in the lime kilns, and economic analysis of the modified plant operations. A steady-state model of each mill is developed in Aspen HYSIS based on real data from the operation of each mill. The steady-state model is then modified to include the SMR while maintaining production steam quality and making as few changes to existing equipment as possible. This model gives an estimate of the minimum requirements for SMR output, as well as the change in generation by existing boilers and turbines. With an overall picture of the new plant operation and determining the number of SMR modules required, further changes are suggested to minimize or completely eliminate fossil fuel use from the plant. Apart from steam generation, the largest consumer of fossil fuels at the plant is typically the lime kilns. Conversion of the lime kilns from fossil fuel combustion to electric heating is the most feasible solution to eliminate fossil fuels. This study finds that electric lime kilns are economical when the plant has a surplus This study presents a feasible example of using an SMR as a substitute for fossil fuel cogeneration. If this approach were expanded across the manufacturing industry, it would have a significant impact on environmental emissions and air quality.

This paper was erroneously published in ASME Turbo Expo 2021: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, Vol. 2D and removed on October 13, 2021. Copyright © 2021 by ASME

Due to depleting natural resources, it is necessary to develop eco-composite materials that are fabricated from sustainable and inexpensive materials such as recycled paper or cellulose-based materials. Such materials are required to meet the mechanical performance at par with traditional materials. The main aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical performance of a composite material fabricated from paper pulp and polyvinyl acetate (wood glue). It is expected that a high strength composite material may be achieved by varying the amount of paper-pulp fiber fraction from 7.5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% to 60% weight. A tensile test was conducted and it was found that an increase in fiber content on the fabricated composite resulted in an increase in ultimate tensile strength and a decrease in corresponding strain. Furthermore, the material becomes more brittle at higher fiber content and conversely, more ductile at lower fiber content. The ultimate tensile strength was found to be 7.69 MPa at 60% w.t fiber and the minimum tensile strength was 0.12 MPa at 0% w.t fiber. There were no signs of fiber content limit observed in the obtained results. It was concluded that a composite of moderate strength was produced and future work is required in order to fully understand how the composite behaves at different loading conditions. However, an optimum fiber content limit will have to be determined.

This paper was removed from publication at the author’s request, February 26, 2021. Copyright © 2021 by ASME

This paper was removed from publication at the author’s request, March 8, 2021. Copyright © 2021 by ASME

This paper was removed from publication at the author’s request. February 18, 2021. Copyright © 2021 by ASME

This paper was removed from publication at the author’s request, August 30, 2021. Copyright © 2021 by ASME

The above referenced paper has been removed from publication at the author’s request. October 2, 2020. Copyright © 2020 by ASME

The above referenced paper has been removed from publication at author’s request. September 9, 2020. Copyright © 2020 by ASME

The above referenced paper has been removed from publication. (April 21, 2020) Copyright © 2020 by ASME

The above referenced paper has been removed from publication. (April 21, 2020) Copyright © 2020 by ASME

This erratum corrects errors that appeared in the paper “Surface Bonding Graphene-Based Elastomeric Sensor: Preliminary Characterization of Adhesion Strength” which was published in Proceedings of the ASME 2019 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, ASME 2019 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, (V001T01A002), September 2019, SMASIS2019-5578, doi: 10.1115/SMASIS2019-5578.

In Japan, the production of traditional handmade Japanese paper using the spring water has been performed in the Shuso area of Shikoku Island. However, the method of production was been handed down by trial and error and observation of the expert movement until now. The produced papers are counted one unit that is five hundred sheets of Japanese paper. Five hundred sheets of Japanese paper are called 1 [lot]. The paper has two type of thickness and its size is 600mm × 1500mm. Thick paper is 9[kgf] per lot. The other hand, thin paper is 8[kgf] per lot. In other words, the expert is making paper which is the difference of 2[gf] per sheet. This time, we have been able to obtain cooperation with traditional craftsman for the digitizing of his skills. Therefore, we visualize the tacit knowledge of the expert’s skill. The expert subject has 34 years of experience of traditional hand-made Japanese paper. We have digitized his manufacturing movement by using motion capture. His movements are analyzed by attaching infrared reflective markers of 20 on each parts of the body. In this study, we found that constant rhythm of the neck in handmade Japanese paper manufacturing movement. Furthermore, the first scoop is performed at the time much shorter than in the case of other scoops.

The above referenced paper has been removed from publication. (March 10, 2020) Copyright © 2020 by ASME

This paper has been retracted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers due the commercial nature of the content. December 21, 2018. Copyright © 2018 by ASME

The above referenced paper has been removed from publication. (March 10, 2020) Copyright © 2020 by ASME

The above referenced paper has been removed from publication. (March 10, 2020) Copyright © 2020 by ASME

This erratum corrects errors that appeared in the paper “Analysis of the Performance of Plasma Actuators Under Low-Pressure Turbine Conditions Based on Experiments and URANS Simulations” which was published in Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2017: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, Volume 2A: Turbomachinery, V02AT40A034, June 2017, GT2017-64867, doi: 10.1115/GT2017-64867.

This erratum corrects errors that appeared in the paper “Development of a Simplified Ankle Distractor” which was published in Proceedings of the 2017 Design of Medical Devices Conference, 2017 Design of Medical Devices Conference, V001T03A005, April 2017, DMD2017-3438, doi: 10.1115/DMD2017-3438.