Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer

Biography

Naveen Karri, PhD, is a mechanical engineer with background in structural mechanics and heat transfer. Karri has been a member of the Computational Structural Mechanics team at PNNL since 2005.  He has extensive experience in applying finite element analysis methods to diverse real-world engineering applications. 

Karri has served as a modeling lead for the structural integrity analysis of the underground nuclear waste storage tanks at the Hanford Site for more than a decade. He is currently the project manager for the single- and double-shell tank integrity assessment projects evaluating the structural integrity under reinforced concrete damage and liner corrosion. He is also the principal investigator for the U.S. High Performance Reactors project’s plate process optimization task overlooking hot isostatic pressing experiments, peel testing, material characterization, and corrosion testing. Other active tasks include simulation of ultrasonic guided wave propagation in structures for flaw detection with non-destructive testing. 

He has significant experience with multi-physics modeling of systems and structures, including thermo-mechanical, thermoelectric, fluid-structure interaction, and fracture mechanics. His previous works focused on system design, optimization, and reliability of thermoelectric generator systems for waste heat recovery and solid oxide fuel-cell/electrolysis systems for power generation and hydrogen production.

Research Interest

  • Reinforced Concrete Design 
  • Structural Reliability
  • Fuel / Electrolysis Cells
  • Finite Element Methods
  • Guided Wave Simulation
  • Hydropower Turbine Design 
  • Thermoelectric Generation
  • Waste Heat Recovery
  • Nuclear Fuel Design
  • Corrosion

Disciplines and Skills

  • Structural Analysis
  • Fracture Mechanics
  • Heat Transfer
  • Buckling
  • ANSYS
  • LS-Dyna
  • MATLAB
  • ABAQUS
  • Python

Education

  • PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University
  • MS in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM, voting Member)
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Awards and Recognitions

  • Energy & Environment Directorate: 10 Outstanding Performance, 3 Exceptional Contribution and 2 of-the-Year awards 

Publications

2024 

  • Fitzpatrick JF, KD Meinhardt, NK Karri, BJ Koeppel, J Bao, T Jin, and LM Seymour, et al. 2024. "Finite element modeling of the glass sealing process for solid oxide cell stacks." Chemical Engineering Journal 498. PNNL-SA-192179. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2024.155452
  • Grant CL and NK Karri. Book Chapter:  Waste Tank Structural Assessment, Remediation of Legacy Hazardous and Nuclear Industrial Sites, Edited by Stuart Arm, Hilary Emerson, 2024 CRC Press, PNNL-SA-191159. doi:10.1201/9781003329213-8

2023 

  • Karri NK, NP Barrett, Johnson KI, Stoops KL, Julyk LJ, Lundquist J, Youngs RR. 2023. Structural Assessment of Concrete Damage in the Hanford SX Single-Shell Tank.  RPP-RPT-64121, Rev. 0, PNNL-34088, Rev. 0.  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington

2022

  • Johnson KI, NK Karri, JE Deibler. 2022. Structural Assessment of Concrete Damage in the Hanford SX Single-Shell Tank.  RPP-RPT-63488, Rev. 0, PNNL-32180, Rev. 2.  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
  • Bao J., N.K. Karri, K.P. Recknagle, C. Wang, B.J. Koeppel, and O.A. Marina. 2022. "Modeling Framework to Analyze Performance and Structural Reliability of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells." Journal of the Electrochemical Society 169, no. 5:Art. No. 054523. PNNL-SA-170581. doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ac6f87
  • Mason C., K. Choi, A. Soulami, K.I. Johnson, K.P. Brooks, N.K. Karri, and V.V. Joshi. 2022. "Computational Modeling of Multi-Pass Rolling Parameters Effect on Resulting Fuel Foil Shape." In Proceedings of the ASME 2022 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE 2022), October 30-November 3, 2022, Columbus, OH, IMECE2022-95081, V006T08A047. New York, New York:ASME. PNNL-SA-172583. doi:10.1115/IMECE2022-95081
  • Nguyen B., N.K. Karri, C. Mason, J.F. Fitzpatrick, and B.J. Koeppel. 2022. "A Mechanistic Damage Model for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Ceramic Materials - Part I: Constitutive Modeling." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 47, no. 11:7388-7402. PNNL-SA-163297. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.10.101

2021

  • Nguyen B., N.K. Karri, C. Mason, J.F. Fitzpatrick, and B.J. Koeppel. 2021. "Damage Modeling of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Accounting for Redox Effects." Journal of the Electrochemical Society 168, no. 11:Art. No. 114514. PNNL-SA-164101. doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ac39de
  • Johnson, KI, JE Deibler, and NK Karri. FG Abatt, KL Stoops, and LJ Julyk. 2021.  AN-AW Level Rise Structural Integrity Analysis of Record. RPP-RPT-60175, Rev. 0, PNNL-30097. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.

2020

  • Johnson, KI, NK Karri, JE Deibler. 2020.  Final Report: Structural Analysis of Concrete Spalling in the Hanford AX-102 Single-Shell Tank.  PNNL-29746. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.

2019

  • Karri N.K., and C. Mo. 2019. "Geometry Optimization for Structural Reliability and Performance of a Thermoelectric Generator." SN Applied Sciences 1, no. 9:Article No. 1097. PNNL-SA-138469. doi:10.1007/s42452-019-1120-1

2018

  • Karri N.K., and C. Mo. 2018. "Reliable Thermoelectric Module Design under Opposing Requirements from Structural and Thermoelectric Considerations." Journal of Electronic Materials 47, no. 6:3127-3135. PNNL-SA-132751. doi:10.1007/s11664-017-5934-6
  • Karri N.K., and C. Mo. 2018. "Structural Reliability Evaluation of Thermoelectric Generator Modules: Influence of End Conditions, Leg Geometry, Metallization, and Processing Temperatures." Journal of Electronic Materials 47, no. 10:6101-6120. PNNL-SA-132724. doi:10.1007/s11664-018-6505-1
  • Johnson K.I., N.K. Karri, J.E. Deibler, F.G. Abatt, K.L. Stoops, L.J. Julyk, and B.M. Larsen. 2018. Structural Analysis of Off-Center Penetrations in the A-Farm Tank Domes. PNNL-28219. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

2017

  • Karri N.K., B.J. Koeppel, B. Nguyen, and C. Lai. 2017. "Structural Reliability of Cathode Contact Materials in Planar SOFCs." ECS Transactions 78, no. 1:1701-1712. PNNL-SA-125188. doi:10.1149/07801.1701ecst
  • Karri N.K., C.L. Rakowski, S.F. Harding, J.A. Serkowski, K.I. Johnson, M.C. Richmond, and J.L. Straalsund, et al. 2017. Percheron Power - Small Business Vouchers Pilot Program Technology Assistance Report - CRADA 364 (Final Report). PNNL-26474. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

2015

  • Nune S.K., P.K. Thallapally, B.P. McGrail, H.V. Annapureddy, L.X. Dang, D. Mei, and N.K. Karri, et al. 2015. "Adsorption Kinetics in Nanoscale Porous Coordination Polymers." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 7, no. 39:21712-21716. PNNL-SA-104104. doi:10.1021/acsami.5b04109
  • Johnson, KI, JE Deibler, and NK Karri.  2015. Single Shell Tank Integrity Project Analysis of Record: Summary Report for the Hanford Single Shell Tank Structural Analyses of Record. RPP RPT 49994, Rev. 0.  PNNL-24280.  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.

2014

  • Li Y., N.K. Karri, and Q. Wang. 2014. "Three-dimensional Numerical Analysis on Blade Response of Vertical Axis Tidal Current Turbine Under Operational Condition." Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 6, no. 4:Article No. 043123. PNNL-SA-98209. doi:10.1063/1.4892952
  • Johnson KI, SP Bapanapalli, JE Deibler, FG Abatt, KL Stoops, NK Karri, SE Sanborn, SP Pilli, BM Larsen and LJ Julyk. 2014.  Single-Shell Tank Integrity Project Analysis of Record: Tank to Tank Interaction Study of the Hanford Single-Shell Tanks.  RPP-RPT-49991, Rev. 0; PNNL-23328, Rev. 0. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
  • Johnson KI, SP Bapanapalli, JE Deibler, FG Abatt, KL Stoops, NK Karri, SE Sanborn, SP Pilli, BM Larsen and LJ Julyk. 2014.  Single-Shell Tank Integrity Project Analysis of Record:      Hanford Type IV Single-Shell Tank Thermal and Operating Loads and Seismic Analysis.  RPP-RPT-49992, Rev. 0; PNNL-23341, Rev. 0. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
  • Johnson, KI, NK Karri, JE Deibler, SE Sanborn, FG Abatt, KL Stoops, BM Larsen, and LJ Julyk.  2014.  Single Shell Tank Integrity Project Analysis of Record: Hanford Type I Single Shell Tank Thermal and Operating Loads and Seismic Analysis. RPP RPT 49993, Rev. 0.  PNNL-23745.  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington. 

2013

  • Hendricks T.J., N.K. Karri, T. Hogan, C.J. Cauchy, and C.J. Cauchy. 2013. "New Perspectives in Thermoelectric Energy Recovery System Design Optimization." Journal of Electronic Materials 42, no. 7:1725-1736. PNNL-SA-75325. doi:10.1007/s11664-012-2406-x

2012

  • Johnson K.I., J.E. Deibler, L.J. Julyk, N.K. Karri, and S. Pilli. 2012. "Limit Load and Buckling Analysis for Assessing Hanford Single-Shell Tank Dome Structural Integrity." In WM2012: Improving the Future in Waste Management, February 26 - March 1, 2012, Phoenix, Arizona, Paper No. 12278. Tucson:WM Symposia. PNNL-SA-84575.
  • Guzman-Leong CE, KI Johnson, FG Abatt, SK Bapanapalli, SP Pilli, JA Dewberry, JE Deibler, SE Sanborn, LJ Julyk, NK Karri, KL Stoops, and BM Larsen.  2012.  Single-Shell Tanks Large Riser Evaluation:  A Maximum Dome Load Evaluation for Single-Shell Tank 241-C-105. RPP-CALC-51994, Rev. 0; PNNL-21187, Rev. 0, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
  • Karri N.K., M.W. Rinker, K.I. Johnson, and S.K. Bapanapalli. 2012. "Refinement of Modeling Techniques for the Structural Evaluation of Hanford Single-Shell Nuclear Waste Storage Tanks." In WM 2012: Improving the Future in Waste Management, February 26 - March 1, 2012, Phoenix, Arizona, Paper No. 12288. Tempe, Arizona:WM Symposia. PNNL-SA-82246.
  • Karri N.K., M.W. Rinker, K.I. Johnson, and S.K. Bapanapalli. 2012. "Refinement of Modeling Techniques for the Structural Evaluation of Hanford Single-Shell Nuclear Waste Storage Tanks." In WM2012: Improving the Future in Waste Management, February 26 - March 1, 2012, Phoenix, Arizona, Paper No. 12288. Tempe, Arizona:WM Symposia. PNNL-SA-84060.
  • Krishnan S., N.K. Karri, P.K. Gogna, J.R. Chase, J. Fleurial, and T.J. Hendricks. 2012. "Progress towards an Optimization Methodology for Combustion-Driven Portable Thermoelectric Power Generation Systems." Journal of Electronic Materials 41, no. 6:1622-1631. PNNL-SA-81689. doi:10.1007/s11664-012-1964-2

2011

  • Rinker MW, KI Johnson, SK Bapanapalli, NK Karri, JE Deibler, SP Pilli, CE Guzman-Leong, SE Sanborn, FG Abatt, JA Dewberry, BM Larsen, KL Stoops, and LJ Julyk.  2011.  Single-Shell Tank Integrity Project Analysis of Record:  Hanford Type III Single-Shell Tank Thermal and Operating Loads and Seismic Analysis.  RPP-RPT-49990, Rev. 0, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
  • Rinker MW, KI Johnson, SK Bapanapalli, NK Karri, JE Deibler, SP Pilli, CE Guzman-Leong, SE Sanborn, FG Abatt, JA Dewberry, BM Larsen, KL Stoops, and LJ Julyk.  2011.  Single-Shell Tank Integrity Project Analysis of Record:  Hanford Type II Single-Shell Tank Thermal and Operating Loads and Seismic Analysis.  RPP-RPT-49989, Rev. 0, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington

2010

  • Hendricks T.J., N.K. Karri, T. Hogan, C.J. Cauchy, and C.J. Cauchy. 2010. "New Thermoelectric Materials and New System-Level Analysis Perspectives Using Battlefield Heat Sources for Battery Recharging." In Proceedings of the 44th Power Sources Conference, June 14-17, 2010, Las Vegas, Nevada, 455-458; Paper No. 28.2. New York, New York:Power Sources Conference. PNNL-SA-71832.

2009

  • Hendricks T.J., and N.K. Karri. 2009. "Micro- & Nano-Technology: A Critical Design Key in Advanced Thermoelectric Cooling Systems." Journal of Electronic Materials 38, no. 7:1257-1267. PNNL-SA-61621.
  • Rinker M.W., S. Pilli, N.K. Karri, J.E. Deibler, K.I. Johnson, J.D. Holbery, and O. Mullen, et al. 2009. "Structural Integrity of Single Shell Tanks at Hanford - 9491." In Waste Management for the Nuclear Renaissance: Waste Mangement Symposium 2009; March 1-5, 2009, Phoenix, Arizona, 978-986. Tucson, Arizona:WM Symposia. PNNL-SA-63733.

2008

  • Hendricks T.J., and N.K. Karri. 2008. "Robust Design of Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems: Probabilistic Design Impacts on Specific Power and Power Flux Optimization." In Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Spring Meeting March 24-28, 2008, San Francisco, California, 1102, Paper No.: 1102-LL05-04. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-59804.

2007

  • Hendricks T.J., and N.K. Karri. 2007. "Design Impacts of Stochastically-Varying Input Parameters on Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems." In 26th International Conference on Thermoelectrics, ICT 2007, 343-352. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-55646. doi:10.1109/ICT.2007.4569492
  • Hendricks T.J., and N.K. Karri. 2007. "Design Impacts of Stochastically-Varying Input Parameters on Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion." In The 26th International Conference on Thermoelectrics, 343 - 352. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-55618. doi:10.1109/ICT.2007.4569492
  • Hendricks T.J., and N.K. Karri. 2007. "Probabilistic Design and Analysis for Robust Design of Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems." In Proceedings of the Energy Sustainability Conference, 323-331. New York, New York:American Society of Mechanical Engineers. PNNL-SA-53436.
  • Karri N.K., and T.J. Hendricks. 2007. "Probabilistic Modeling Approach to Thermoelectric Systems Design Optimization." In 5th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit (IECEC), June 25-27, 2007, St. Louis, Missouri, Paper No. AIAA-2007-4779. Reston, Virginia:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. PNNL-16543.
  • Deibler, JE, KI Johnson NK Karri, SP Pilli, and MW Rinker.  2007.  Hanford Double Shell Tank Thermal and Seismic Project – Minimum Wall Thickness Analysis, RPP-RPT-32238, Rev. 0. PNNL-16368. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
  • Deibler, JE, NK Karri, SP Pilli, and MW Rinker. 2007.  Hanford Double-Shell Tank Thermal and Seismic Project – Effects of Dome Reinforcement and Concrete Degradation.  RPP-ASMT-34090, Rev. 0, PNNL-16657, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.  Richland, WA.