Digital Platform Informed Certification of Components Derived from Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

Abstract

The Transformational Challenge Reactor is being designed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a reactor core using advanced manufacturing technology. This technology includes additive manufacturing combined with machine learning, materials science, and data science technologies in an effort to facilitate the expansion of additive manufacturing into advanced nuclear energy systems and other applications requiring a high level of quality assurance. The Transformational Challenge Reactor is employing additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence to deliver a new approach. Beginning in FY21, the focus of the program has shifted away from demonstrating a reactor, and instead, towards delivering on four key thrust areas: (1) artificial intelligence-informed design, (2) advanced materials, (3) integrated sensing and control, and (4) the digital platform. Of these four thrust areas, the most pertinent to this report is the digital platform. The digital platform has the potential to be a key enabler for a paradigm shift in how components, those derived from advanced manufacturing technologies, are certified for use in nuclear applications. This is achieved primarily using machine learning to discover correlations from the abundance of data produced through additive manufacturing and those physical properties critical to the performance of the component.A proposed approach towards the certification of advanced manufacturing technology-derived components using the digital platform is presented. This approach has similarities to and builds on those industry initiatives already in progress to qualify advanced manufacturing technology-derived components. However, aspects of where data and the digital platform can integrate with, are especially highlighted. This proposed approach is: a. generic (can be applicable to any advanced manufacturing technology, any supported material, and any application which may have a strong safety significance), b. flexible (can be scaled to large programs with a variety of advanced manufacturing technologyderived component applications, or small programs that have only a few, but clearly defined desired applications), c. complementary to existing industry approaches under development (those being developed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other industry trade groups), and, d. performance-based (allows for operational feedback and building confidence in the digital platform).To envelop these attributes, a simple demonstration has been designed to employ the digital platform for component scale performance predictions. Results from this demonstration are expected around the time of publishing this report and therefore, will be presented in a follow-up report.The digital platform has the potential to transform how concepts of equivalency and expected component performance are measured. Currently, there is no discussion or pathway for using the data and artificial intelligence embedded within the digital platform to demonstrate equivalency ...

Status Report on Regulatory Criteria Applicable to the Use of Digital Twins

“…Under the Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) program at ORNL [66], AI and ML are being used extensively to detect material defects, visualize them, and ultimately determine the material properties based on in-situ data alone. [66].…”

Advancement of Certification Methods and Applications for Industrial Deployments of Components Derived from Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

“…For each of the seven elements of the proposed approach (Figure 4), sub-elements or steps are defined which contain specific goals and action items. These descriptions and action items for each element can be found in the FY 2021 report [6]. Part of these action items include assigning a human grade and a computer grade to the part after it is manufactured.…”

“…This report builds on the work established last year to support the certification of AMT-derived components for nuclear application [6]. There are several key differences and similarities between these two reports.…”

“…This report focuses on a proposed roadmap for industry adoption and on articulating the challenges and pathways for successful implementation of a DP-informed certification approach. It is recommended that the FY 2021 report, ORNL/TM-2021/2210 [6], be reviewed for additional background on the following: To provide motivation and context for the DP-informed certification approach and the proposed roadmap for industry adoption, the DP, the certification process, and some review of NRC processes are discussed herein.…”

“…To better understand the DP-informed certification approach and what may need to occur to assist in its adoption by the nuclear industry, a summary of (1) the DP, (2) joint industry and NRC AMT initiatives, and (3) future NRC advanced reactor regulatory development is provided herein. More detailed information on some of these aspects can be found in the FY 2021 report [6].…”