J. Michael Doster

Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering

  • 919-515-3658
  • Burlington Laboratory 3146

Dr. Joseph Doster is interested in a variety of reactor and reactor-related heat transfer and fluid flow problems. These range from resolving uncertainties associated with the basic equations and numerical techniques used to describe multiphase flow systems to the use of high fidelity systems simulations to develop advanced control methods for current and next generation reactors. He has looked into a number of numerical stability issues associated with the models and numerics typically used to describe the thermal-hydraulic behavior of nuclear reactor systems. This research has led to the development of analytic stability bounds for the numerical solution of two-phase flow problems in situations where these bounds did not previously exist.

 

Education

Ph.D. 1982

Nuclear Engineering

North Carolina State University

B.S. 1977

Nuclear Engineering

North Carolina State University

Research Description

Dr. Doster is interested in computational thermal hydraulics and reactor-related heat transfer and fluid flow problems. Recent research efforts have focused on the development of methods that allow the direct control of steam generator mass inventory as opposed to current technology that relies on measurements of downcomer level. The approach is to use detailed thermal hydraulic simulations to calculate the time dependent relationship between liquid mass inventory and transient indications of indicated level, feedwater flow, steam flow and steam pressure conditions. It was shown that artificial neural networks could be developed that predict mass inventory with sufficient fidelity to allow for the development of control systems that control steam generator mass directly. This approach effectively eliminates feedwater control problems associated with shrink and swell phenomena.

Publications

Investigation of two concrete thermal energy storage system configurations for continuous power production
Mikkelson, D., & Doster, J. M. (2022), JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE, 51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.104387
Phenomenon Identification and Ranking Table Development for Future Application Figure-of-Merit Studies on Thermal Energy Storage Integrations with Light Water Reactors
Mikkelson, D., Frick, K., Bragg-Sitton, S., & Doster, J. M. (2021, August 4), NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2021.1906473
Design and Operation of a Sensible Heat Peaking Unit for Small Modular Reactors
Frick, K., Doster, J. M., & Bragg-Sitton, S. (2019), NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY, 205(3), 415–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2018.1491181
Thermal Energy Storage Configurations for Small Modular Reactor Load Shedding
Frick, K., Misenheimer, C. T., Doster, J. M., Terry, S. D., & Bragg-Sitton, S. (2018), NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY, 202(1), 53–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2017.1420945
Two-way multi-physics coupling for modeling high power RbCl isotope production targets
O'Brien, E. M., Doster, J. M., Nortier, F. M., Olivas, E. R., & Stokely, M. H. (2018), NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS, 433, 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2018.07.022
High Current C-11 Gas Target Design and Optimization Using Multi-Physics Coupling
Peeples, J. L., Magerl, M., O'Brien, E. M., Doster, J. M., Bolotnov, I. A., Wieland, B. W., & Stokely, M. H. (2017), WTTC16: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TARGETRY AND TARGET CHEMISTRY, Vol. 1845. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4983547
Optimization of Thermal-Hydraulic Reactor System for SMRs via Data Assimilation and Uncertainty Quantification
Heo, J., Turinsky, P. J., & Doster, J. M. (2013), NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 173(3), 293–311. https://doi.org/10.13182/nse11-113
Reactor loose part damage assessments on steam generator tube sheets
Proctor, W. C., & Doster, J. M. (2012), Nuclear Technology, 179(3), 339–359. https://doi.org/10.13182/nt12-a14167
Thermal performance of batch boiling water targets for 18F production
Peeples, J. L., Stokely, M. H., & Michael Doster, J. (2011), Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 69(10), 1349–1354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2011.06.015
Application of a neural network based feedwater controller to helical steam generators
Shen, H., & Doster, J. M. (2009), NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN, 239(6), 1056–1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2009.02.011

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Nuclear Energy University Programs - Fellowship and Scholarship Support North Carolina State University
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(8/01/21 - 8/31/33)
Creation of Multiple Effect Evaporator and Combined Cycle Modelica Modules, and Optimization of Potable Water Generation from Saltwater Sources
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/20 - 12/31/22)
Identification, Development, and Integration of Energy Storage into INLs Integrated Energy Systems (IES) Program
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(4/10/19 - 12/31/19)
Nuclear Education Program Scholarships at NC State University
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission(8/09/19 - 8/08/21)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Education Program Scholarship Proposal
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission(7/01/16 - 6/30/18)
NUC Contract Proposal for FY 15 (2014-2015). Formerly ACE - Academic Center for Excellence
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/15/14 - 9/30/23)
Hybrid Nuclear Systems LDRD and NUC Projects
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(1/06/15 - 9/30/17)
Characterization of Severe Accidents in a Small Modular Reactor
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(11/01/13 - 7/31/17)
Integration of a Fortran-based, Dynamic Small Modular Reactor Model with the Nuclear Hybrid Energy System Model in the Modelica Environment
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(6/06/13 - 9/30/13)
SMR Model Development
US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(6/06/12 - 9/30/12)