Nolan 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 91°µÍø. 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 Staff, Oak Ridge National Lab, 2024-Present
- R&D Associate, Oak Ridge National Lab, 2021-2024
- 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