Computational Science and Modeling
Dr. Si Young Lee’s sludge mixing and erosion modeling analyses play an important role in high-level tank waste removal operations at SRS. His technical experience includes nuclear accident modeling, reactor core modeling and analysis, nuclear criticality evaluation, and analysis for repository disposal of aluminum-based spent nuclear fuel.
SRNL provides computational modeling capabilities as an integrated element of research, development, and delivery of technology solutions. Computational modeling is the “third leg” of research, acting as a bridge between theoretical research and physical experiments. By using computational modeling to conduct virtual experiments, SRNL researchers gain valuable insight into the relationships that make up processes and systems, demonstrating not only what happens in the process, but also why. This knowledge allows researchers to identify those areas that would benefit from physical experimentation – allowing research dollars to be spent where they would gain the greatest benefit. It also provides a cost-effective way of studying interactions that cannot be observed by physical experimentation, because they are too large, too small, or involve too many variables.
SRNL’s experts use a combination of commercially available software and in-house-developed programs to provide services that range from short-term consultation to in-depth analysis, as well as the development of specific user applications and decision support tools.
Engineering Modeling and Simulation
Advanced Atmospheric Modeling
Subsurface and Porous Media Modeling
Statistical Decision Support
Engineering Modeling and Simulation
SRNL has extensive experience in engineering modeling and simulation of a variety of complex systems or processing operations, both existing and proposed. The laboratory’s researchers apply these skills to assist their customers in the design of new processes, the enhancement of existing processes, and analysis of the feasibility of proposed processes. Areas of expertise include:
Using state-of-the-art computational tools, the Atmospheric Technologies Center provides guidance to emergency response teams regarding transport and consequences of radiological and other toxic releases.
Advanced Atmospheric Modeling
SRNL performs and publishes research and development projects on advanced atmospheric modeling to serve the needs of the Savannah River Site as well as customers such as the DOE NNSA Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation and the U.S. Forest Service. Using state-of-the-art computational tools, SRNL scientists tackle a spectrum of atmospheric modeling problems from long-range transport of toxic or radioactive gases to predicting forest fire risk to investigating the effect of large cooling towers on local atmospheric conditions. Diverse applications such as these require flexible modeling capabilities and creative approaches. Some of the tools used are:
Dr. Gregory Flach uses three-dimensional subsurface modeling and sophisticated computer graphics to better understand contaminant migration.
Subsurface and Porous Media Modeling
SRNL has strong capabilities in the subsurface and porous media modeling and simulation arena. Multi-disciplinary teams of hydrogeologists, geochemists, and engineers address challenging environmental problems using innovative methods to incorporate field data for input into modeling and simulation results. Areas of interest include:
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Geostatistical methodologies for incorporating subsurface heterogeneity
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Synthesis of different types of data at various scales for model input
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Alternative contaminant transport formulations such as dual-media
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Application of new approaches in porous media modeling to various disciplines
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Performance assessment modeling for waste disposal
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Statistical Decision Support
Statistical services are provided to a wide range of customers. These services include: experimental design, sampling plan development, statistical process control, data analysis, and application development.
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