Nolan E Goth
R&D Associate Nuclear Engineer, Energy Systems Development Group, Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division
Bio
Dr. Nolan E. Goth is a R&D Associate of Nuclear Engineering for the Energy Systems Development Group within the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His primary interests are in experimental and computational thermal-hydraulics. Experimental efforts include design and analysis of two large molten salt forced-convection loops for fluoride (LSTL) and chloride (FASTR) salts. He is also investigating salt-wetted bearings for molten salt pumps. Computational efforts include design of irradiation targets and systems for 99Mo production, machine learning optimization of cryogenic neutron moderating systems, and high-temperature pebble bed reactor cores.
His experience includes: Designing and operating experimental flow loops, employing CFD, RELAP, and EcosimPro to component and system-level numerical studies, performing flow measurements using optical-based LDV, PIV, SPIV, and PTV techniques, designing NSSS and BOP systems, and research reactor operations and irradiations. Before coming to ORNL, Nolan was a researcher at Texas A&M University and a nuclear engineer for the mPower SMR project with Babcock and Wilcox. Dr. Goth earned his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M, an M.S. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M, and B.S. degrees in nuclear engineering and economics from Missouri S&T.
Dr. Goth's research centers on advancing the technological readiness of advanced fission power systems. Areas of focus include:
- Molten salt forced-convection loop and component experimentation
- Molten salt fusion fuel breeding blankets
- Mo-99 irradiation target experimentation
- Optical-based imaging measurements for flow visualization
- Dynamic cryogenic systems modeling and machine learning control optimization
- Large-scale CFD conjugate heat transfer modeling for high temperature systems
Professional Experience
- R&D Associate, Oak Ridge National Lab, 2021-Present
- R&D Assistant, Oak Ridge National Lab, 2019-2021
- Graduate Researcher, Texas A&M, 2015-2018
- Operations Engineer, Babcock & Wilcox mPower SMR, 2013-2014
- Senior Reactor Operator and Training Instructor, Missouri S&T, 2010-2012
- AutoCAD Technician, Smith-Goth Engineers, Inc., 2006-2008
Awards
- 2021 - ORNL Inventor
- 2018 - US DOE Innovations in Nuclear Technology R&D Award
- 2017 - First Place Poster, CASL Summer Institute
- 2011 - Senior Reactor Operator license
- 2008 - Bright Flight Scholar
Education
- Ph.D. Engineering, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M
- M.S. Engineering, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M
- B.S. Engineering, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Missouri S&T
- B.A. Economics, Dept. of Economics, Missouri S&T
Professional Service
- Reviewer, Nuclear Engineering and Design Journal, 2014-Present
- Reviewer, International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 2020-Present
- Reviewer, Physics of Fluids, 2021-Present
- Reviewer, Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, 2021
- Reviewer, International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2020
- Reviewer, Journal of Turbulence, 2020
- Session Chair, American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting, 2022
- Session Chair, American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting, 2016