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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2010

Homogenization of plastic deformation in metallic glass foils less than one micrometer thick

Metallic glasses do not possess crystalline structures with slip systems that provide for plastic deformation via dislocation glide. As such, when put under applied stress, they show a wide reversible elastic deformation {epsilon}{sub el{approx_equal}}2% before plastic flow occurs heterogeneously by localization in shear bands only tens of nanometers in thickness. Very recently, there have been reports that in microscopic (submicron thickness) pillars, such shear bands no longer form and deformation occurs homogeneously. Here we report on plastic deformation of submicron thickness foils of metallic glasses. When such foils are compressed or notched, a similar transition occurs from the usual heterogeneous plastic deformation mode via shear banding to more homogeneous deformation without formation of shear bands. Some shape instabilities in the form of vortices observed at interfaces between plastic zones and nondeformed regions are consistent with sharp deformation-induced density, velocity, and viscosity gradients. The onset of homogeneous deformation in the microscopic regime is discussed in relation to shear-band formation energy and thickness.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Impact of homogeneous strain on uranium vacancy diffusion in uranium dioxide

We present a detailed mechanism of, and the effect of homogeneous strains on, the migration of uranium vacancies in UO 2 . Vacancy migration pathways and barriers are identified using density functional theory and the effect of uniform strain fields are accounted for using the dipole tensor approach. We report complex migration pathways and noncubic symmetry associated with the uranium vacancy in UO 2 and show that these complexities need to be carefully accounted for to predict the correct diffusion behavior of uranium vacancies. We show that under homogeneous strain fields, only the dipole tensor of the saddle with respect to the minimum is required to correctly predict the change in the energy barrier between the strained and the unstrained case. Diffusivities are computed using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations for both neutral and fully charged state of uranium single and divacancies. We calculate the effect of strain on migration barriers in the temperature range 800–1800 K for both vacancy types. Homogeneous strains as small as 2% have a considerable effect on diffusivity of both single and divacancies of uranium, with the effect of strain being more pronounced for single vacancies than divacancies. In contrast, the response of a given defect to strain is less sensitive to changes in the charge state of the defect. Further, strain leads to anisotropies in the mobility of the vacancy and the degree of anisotropy is very sensitive to the nature of the applied strain field for strain of equal magnitude. Our results indicate that the influence of strain on vacancy diffusivity will be significantly greater when single vacancies dominate the defect structure, such as sintering, while the effects will be much less substantial under irradiation conditions where divacancies dominate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Radiation of a Charge Intersecting a Boundary Between a Bilayer Area and a Homogeneous One in a Circular Waveguide

This paper is devoted to the analysis of electromagnetic field excited by a charge moving in a circular waveguide, which consists of two semi-infinite parts. The charge moves with a constant velocity along the waveguide axis from the partially dielectric section into the homogeneous one. It is assumed that Cherenkov radiation is generated in the bilayer section. The total field is represented as a sum of a known forced field that is the field of the charge in the infinite regular waveguide and a free field resulting from the presence of the transverse boundary. The infinite system of algebraic equations for amplitudes of the free-field modes is derived. The further analysis is conducted using numerical calculations. Special attention is given to the study of the so-called Cherenkov-transition radiation (CTR) within the homogeneous part of the waveguide volume. Typical distributions of CTR over frequencies and modes are presented for the case when the channel and the homogeneous area are free of medium. Analytical results obtained for the point charge are generalized for the charged bunch with an arbitrary profile and verified using direct simulations for the case of Gaussian bunch.

Cherenkov-transition radiation (CTR)↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-513: Investigating Dose of Internal Target Volume After Correcting for Tissue Heterogeneity in SBRT Lung Plans with Homogeneity Calculation

Purpose It was recommended to use the prescription of 54 Gy/3 with heterogeneity corrections for previously established dose scheme of 60 Gy/3 with homogeneity calculation. This study is to investigate dose coverage for the internal target volume (ITV) with and without heterogeneity correction. Methods Thirty patients who received stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to a dose of 60 Gy in 3 fractions with homogeneous planning for early stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were selected. ITV was created either from 4DCT scans or a fusion of multi-phase respiratory scans. Planning target volume (PTV) was a 5 mm expansion of the ITV. For this study, we recalculated homogeneous clinical plans using heterogeneity corrections with monitor units set as clinically delivered. All plans were calculated with 3 mm dose grids and collapsed cone convolution algorithm. To account for uncertainties from tumor delineation and image-guided radiotherapy, a structure ITV2mm was created by expanding ITV with 2 mm margins. Dose coverage to the PTV, ITV and ITV2mm were compared with a student paired t-test. Results With heterogeneity corrections, the PTV V60Gy decreased by 10.1% ± 18.4% (p<0.01) while the maximum dose to the PTV increased by 3.7 ± 4.3% (p<0.01). With and without corrections, D99% was 65.8 ± 4.0 Gy and 66.7 ± 4.8 Gy (p=0.15) for the ITV, and 63.9 ± 3.4 Gy and 62.9 ± 4.6 Gy for the ITV2mm (p=0.22), respectively. The mean dose to the ITV and ITV2mm increased 3.6% ± 4.7% (p<0.01) and 2.3% ± 5.2% (p=0.01) with heterogeneity corrections. Conclusion After heterogeneity correction, the peripheral coverage of the PTV decreased to approximately 54 Gy, but D99% of the ITV and ITV2mm was unchanged and the mean dose to the ITV and ITV2mm was increased. Clinical implication of these results requires more investigation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2010

Estimating time since infection in early homogeneous HIV-1 samples using a poisson model

The occurrence of a genetic bottleneck in HIV sexual or mother-to-infant transmission has been well documented. This results in a majority of new infections being homogeneous, i.e., initiated by a single genetic strain. Early after infection, prior to the onset of the host immune response, the viral population grows exponentially. In this simple setting, an approach for estimating evolutionary and demographic parameters based on comparison of diversity measures is a feasible alternative to the existing Bayesian methods (e.g., BEAST), which are instead based on the simulation of genealogies. We have devised a web tool that analyzes genetic diversity in acutely infected HIV-1 patients by comparing it to a model of neutral growth. More specifically, we consider a homogeneous infection (i.e., initiated by a unique genetic strain) prior to the onset of host-induced selection, where we can assume a random accumulation of mutations. Previously, we have shown that such a model successfully describes about 80% of sexual HIV-1 transmissions provided the samples are drawn early enough in the infection. Violation of the model is an indicator of either heterogeneous infections or the initiation of selection. When the underlying assumptions of our model (homogeneous infection prior to selection and fast exponential growth) are met, we are under a very particular scenario for which we can use a forward approach (instead of backwards in time as provided by coalescent methods). This allows for more computationally efficient methods to derive the time since the most recent common ancestor. Furthermore, the tool performs statistical tests on the Hamming distance frequency distribution, and outputs summary statistics (mean of the best fitting Poisson distribution, goodness of fit p-value, etc). The tool runs within minutes and can readily accommodate the tens of thousands of sequences generated through new ultradeep pyrosequencing technologies. The tool is available on the LANL website.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Variationally Derived Discontinuity Factors for the Asymptotic Homogenized Diffusion Equation

Here in this work, we derive and test variational discontinuity factors (DFs) for the asymptotic homogenized diffusion equation. We begin with a functional for optimally estimating the reactor multiplication factor, then introduce asymptotic expressions for the forward and adjoint angular fluxes, and finally require that all first-order error terms vanish. In this way, the reactor multiplication factor can be calculated with second-order error. The analysis leads to (1) an alternate derivation of the asymptotic homogenized diffusion equation, (2) variational boundary conditions for large periodic systems, and (3) variational DFs to be applied between adjacent periodic regions (e.g., fuel assemblies). Numerical tests show that applying the variational DFs to the asymptotic homogenized diffusion equation yields the most accurate estimates of the reactor multiplication factor compared to other DFs for a wide range of problems. However, the resulting assembly powers are less accurate than those obtained using other DFs for many realistic problems.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quantifying and Qualifying Alloys Based on Level of Homogenization: A U–10 wt% Mo Alloy Case Study

Homogenization heat treatment is performed to attain uniformity in microstructure of metals and metal alloys, which is helpful to achieve the desired workability and microstructure in final products, and eventually to gain predictable and consistent performance. Fabrication of fuel plates made from a low-enriched uranium alloy with 10 wt% Mo (U-10Mo) involves multiple thermomechanical processing steps. It is well known that the molybdenum homogeneity in the final formed product affects the fuel performance in the nuclear reactor. To make sure these materials are uniformly homogenized, a statistical method was proposed to quantify and characterize the Mo concentration variation in U-10Mo fuel plates by analyzing the Mo concentration measurement data from scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy line scans. Statistical tolerance intervals were employed to determine the qualification of U-10Mo fuel plates. We formulate an argument for the minimum number of independent samples required to define fuel plate qualification if no Mo measurement data are available in advance, and demonstrate that the given tolerance interval requirements can be equivalently reduced to a sample variance criterion in this application. The outcome of the statistical analysis can be used to optimize casting design and eventually increase productivity and reduce fabrication cost. The statistical strategy developed in this report can be implemented for other applications, especially in the field of material manufacturing to assess qualification requirements and monitor and improve process design.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2016

The chemical homogeneity of open clusters

Determining the level of chemical homogeneity in open clusters is of fundamental importance in the study of the evolution of star-forming clouds and that of the Galactic disk. Yet limiting the initial abundance spread in clusters has been hampered by difficulties in obtaining consistent spectroscopic abundances for different stellar types. Without reference to any specific model of stellar photospheres, a model for a homogeneous cluster is that it forms a one-dimensional sequence, with any differences between members due to variations in stellar mass and observational uncertainties. I present a novel method for investigating the abundance spread in open clusters that tests this one-dimensional hypothesis at the level of observed stellar spectra, rather than constraining homogeneity using derived abundances as is traditionally done. Using high-resolution APOGEE spectra for 49 giants in M67, NGC 6819, and NGC 2420 I demonstrate that these spectra form one-dimensional sequences for each cluster. With detailed forward modeling of the spectra and Approximate Bayesian Computation, I derive strong limits on the initial abundance spread of 15 elements: <0.01 (0.02) dex for C and Fe, ≲0.015 (0.03) dex for N, O, Mg, Si, and Ni, ≲0.02 (0.03) dex for Al, Ca, and Mn, and ≲0.03 (0.05) dex for Na, S, K, Ti, and V (at 68% and 95% confidence, respectively). The strong limits on C and O imply that no pollution by massive core-collapse supernovae occurred during star formation in open clusters, which, thus, need to form within ≲6 Myr. Further development of this and related techniques will bring the power of differential abundances to stars other than solar twins in large spectroscopic surveys and will help unravel the history of star formation and chemical enrichment in the Milky Way through chemical tagging.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Homogenization theory for the effective permittivity of a turbulent tokamak plasma in the scrape-off layer

There has been a growing interest, over the past few years, on understanding the effect on radio frequency waves due to turbulence in the scrape-off layer of tokamak plasmas. While the far scrape-off layer density width is of the order of centimeters in contemporary tokamaks, in ITER, and in future fusion reactors, the corresponding width will be of the order of tens of centimeters. As such, this could impact the spectral properties of the waves and, consequently, the transport of wave energy and momentum to the core plasma. The turbulence in the scrape-off layer spans a broad range of spatial scales and includes blob and filaments that are elongated along the magnetic field lines. The propagation of radio frequency waves through this tenuous plasma is given by Maxwell's equations. The characteristic properties of the plasma appear as a permittivity tensor in the expression for the current in Ampere's equation. This paper develops a formalism for expressing the permittivity of a turbulent plasma using the homogenization technique. This technique has been extensively used to express the dielectric properties of composite materials that are spatially inhomogeneous, for example, due to the presence of micro-structures. In a similar vein, the turbulent plasma in the scrape-off layer is spatially inhomogeneous and can be considered as a composite material in which the micro-structures are filaments and blobs. The classical homogenization technique is not appropriate for the magnetized plasma in the scrape-off layer, as the radio frequency waves span a broad range of wavelengths and frequencies -- from tens of megahertz to hundreds of gigahertz. The formalism in this paper makes use of the Fourier space components of the electric and magnetic fields of the radio frequency waves for the scattered fields and fields inside the filaments and blobs. These are the eigenvectors of the dispersion matrix which, using the Green's function approach, lead to a homogenized dielectric tensor.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

A Computationally Based Approach to Homogenizing Advanced Alloys

We have developed a computationally based approach to optimizing the homogenization heat treatment of complex alloys. The Scheil module within the Thermo-Calc software is used to predict the as-cast segregation present within alloys, and DICTRA (Diffusion Controlled TRAnsformations) is used to model the homogenization kinetics as a function of time, temperature and microstructural scale. We will discuss this approach as it is applied to both Ni based superalloys as well as the more complex (computationally) case of alloys that solidify with more than one matrix phase as a result of segregation. Such is the case typically observed in martensitic steels. With these alloys it is doubly important to homogenize them correctly, especially at the laboratory scale, since they are austenitic at high temperature and thus constituent elements will diffuse slowly. The computationally designed heat treatment and the subsequent verification real castings are presented.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

EERC Final Topical Report – Findings on Subtask 3.2 – Produced Water Management Through Geologic Homogenization, Conditions, and Reuse

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) was awarded a contract by the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) Oil and Gas Research Program (NDIC No. G-051-101) to conduct a study on the recycling of water used in oil and gas operations, also known as produced water, from oil- and gas-producing regions of North Dakota as directed by Section 19 of North Dakota House Bill 1014. This final report provides a compilation of results of the study, which include regulatory, scientific, technological, and feasibility methods and considerations associated with North Dakota produced water management. The report provides a synopsis of this project’s previously submitted produced water assessment report entitled “Produced Water Management and Recycling Options in North Dakota” (Energy & Environmental Research Center, 2020), with updated values provided as appropriate. The report provides the results from the investigation of a novel produced water management strategy, referred to as geologic homogenization, conditioning, and reuse (GHCR), which aims to use a subsurface geologic formation as a natural medium for managing produced water recycling and reuse. Water management is a significant technical and economic challenge for sustainable oil and gas production, and water volumes are intrinsically linked to oil production volumes. North Dakota oil production rose to over 1.5 million barrels (MMbbl)/day in 2019, and despite a downturn in oil price in early 2020, North Dakota oil production has recovered to 1.1 MMbbl/day as of August 2021. Bakken petroleum system development between 2008 and 2020 has resulted in a nearly fourfold increase in produced water volumes to 642 MMbbl/yr in 2020 after peaking at 740 MMbbl/yr in 2019 and a fivefold increase in saltwater disposal (SWD) volumes to 565 MMbbl/yr in 2020 after a peak of 682 MMbbl/yr in 2019. Produced water and SWD volumes are forecasted to double by 2030. SWD is the primary method of produced water management used in North Dakota, with approximately 95% of the SWD volume occurring through subsurface injection into sandstones of the Dakota Group (Dakota). Localized pressurization of the Dakota resulting from SWD and projected increases in produced water volumes could impact the economics of North Dakota oil production. As a result, there is an emerging need to pursue alternative produced water management approaches, including recycling and reuse. While produced water recycling is not yet widespread, commercial operators are making strides in overcoming the technical challenges of using high salinity produced water in completion operations (Marathon Oil, 2020). As water management continues to be a key focal point in companies’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, focus on water management, including recycling, will likely continue to increase. Laboratory column testing, field sample collection, geologic modeling and numerical simulation, and techno-economic analysis all indicate that GHCR could feasibly be implemented as a potential water management option. Laboratory column testing and field sample collection indicate that the Inyan Kara sandstone and native formation fluid are capable of homogenizing with the Bakken produced water to a point where the fluid composition appears to stabilize. Extracting that stabilized fluid could be considered homogeneous and capable of providing individual batches of hydraulic fracturing fluid. Numerical simulation results indicate that extraction of fluids from the Inyan Kara in a GHCR implementation scenario is capable of reducing formation pressure, which would help ease localized pressurization of the Inyan Kara and extend the available capacity for nearby existing SWD wells. Economic analysis indicates that there are scenarios where GHCR implementation can be a competitive or even lower-cost option than a conventional water management approach. Site-specific conditions will dictate the economic potential of GHCR, but potentially attractive sites for GHCR implementation will be those that are located above a pressurized zone of the Inyan Kara, need six or more Bakken infill wells, and face high costs for conventional SWD and/or freshwater. Based on the regulatory review, drilling into the Inyan Kara for SWD and to harness as a source water for industrial use have precedent in North Dakota, and a workable regulatory solution for GHCR seems likely. However, restrictions in the state regarding surface storage and transport of produced fluids may limit some activities, which will affect how GHCR could ultimately be implemented. In summary, this study reveals pursuing GHCR can be a viable approach to water management in North Dakota. The GHCR concept addresses some of the challenges that hinder the more traditional approaches to recycling in the industry. Furthermore, an assessment of the current landscape of water management within the state reveals the ongoing trend of increasing volumes of produced water and SWD. Projections reveal that the volumes of produced water that need to be managed are expected to double over the next decade (Energy & Environmental Research Center, 2020). With the continued development of the Bakken and continuing driving factors related to ESG initiatives, implementing a practice such as GHCR is a feasible approach to adding recycling of produced water to industry within the state. This subtask was cofunded through the EERC–U.S. Department of Energy Joint Program on Research and Development for Fossil Energy-Related Resources Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FE0024233. Nonfederal funding was provided by the North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil and Gas Research Program. References Energy & Environmental Research Center, 2020, Produced water management and recycling options in North Dakota: Final Report for North Dakota Legislative Management Energy Development and Transmission Committee and North Dakota Industrial Commission. Marathon Oil, 2020, Sustainability report: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/ghcnw9z2/website/ 91744eb6ef8fbe59505a911c6b8d2e8dd9a537fa.pdf?dl (accessed November 2021).

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2016

Improved Few-group Homogenized Cross-section Sensitivity Analysis for Lattice Physics Calculation

In the conventional reactor physics 'two-step' calculation scheme, lattice-physics calculation is followed by core calculation using neutron diffusion theory. The few-group spatially homogenized cross-sections are the outputs of the lattice-physics calculation as well as the inputs of the core calculation. The uncertainties of fundamental nuclear data will be propagated to the core calculation results through few-group spatially homogenized cross-sections. Consequently, assessing the sensitivity and uncertainty of few-group homogenized cross-sections is necessary for the core-calculation sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. Conventional method for sensitivity analysis is usually performed with respect to effective self-shielding cross sections but not continuous-energy cross sections by neglecting resonance self-shielding effects. The purpose of this work is to improve the sensitivity analysis of few-group cross sections and assess the effects introduced by resonance calculation with the subgroup method being used for resonance calculation. This paper is organized as follows: Firstly, theoretical models of this work are described. Secondly, validation and analysis are performed based on a boiling-water reactor (BWR) fuel-pin cell under hot zero power (HZP) condition. Finally, summaries and conclusions are given. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A mean field homogenization model for the mechanical response of ceramic matrix composites

SiC/SiC composites offer exceptional mechanical stability at high temperatures and under irradiation. These ceramic matrix composites are therefore strong candidate materials for future nuclear energy applications. Their mechanical response, which exhibits pseudo-plasticity, is mediated by matrix cracking, fiber debonding, and fiber pull-out due to slip. Here, this study introduces a mechanistic model for the behavior of unidirectionally reinforced SiC/SiC composites. Specifically a mean field homogenization approach is proposed to account for all deformation and degradation modes during mechanical deformation. The homogenization scheme relies on a Mori Tanaka method that is extended to consider the effects of the coating’s elasto-plastic response on the development of micromechanical fields. Further, the model proposed introduces a method to effectively account for the role of localized damage (i.e., cracks) on mechanical fields within both the fiber and the matrix. Upon validating the model against experimental data, the roles of interface sliding, coating dimensions and intrinsic elastic response, as well as of microstructure (e.g. porosity, fiber volume fraction) are discussed.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Homogenization of time series from Portugal and its former colonies for the period from the late 19th to the early 21st century

Here, three homogenization software packages – AnClim, RhTestsV3 and HOMER – have been applied to monthly and annual temperature and pressure series from Portugal and its ex-colonies in Africa and Asia to detect non-climatic breaks. Homogenization tests in both absolute and relative mode were performed with an a posteriori statistical assessment to select the most probable breakpoints. Time series from neighbouring stations as well as reanalyses data were used as reference series. The reanalyses data sets were used due to lack of suitable neighbouring stations and also to test reanalyses as proxy data. A list of probable shifts is produced and will be used to support future global reanalyses. Moreover, temperature and pressure series were adjusted using adjustment factors that were obtained by calculating the difference between certain periods before and after the breaks. The accuracy of the adjusted series was verified subjectively (visually) and objectively using three verification techniques: correlation coefficient, central root-mean-square error and standard deviation. A positive impact of the applied adjustment in terms of all three scores was reflected in a majority of cases.

abrupt breaks↗
DOE OSTI2015

Homogenization of Functionals with Linear Growth in the Context of A-quasiconvexity

This work deals with the homogenization of functionals with linear growth in the context of A-quasiconvexity. A representation theorem is proved, where the new integrand function is obtained by solving a cell problem where the coupling between homogenization and the A-free condition plays a crucial role. This result extends some previous work to the linear case, thus allowing for concentration effects.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effect of endoglucanase and high-pressure homogenization post-treatments on mechanically grinded cellulose nanofibrils and their film performance

In this study, the effects of mechanical grinding (G) assisted by endoglucanase (E) and high-pressure homogenization (H) post-treated cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and its film properties were investigated. Compared to only mechanical grinding, these two post-treatment processes improved the size uniformity of CNFs in width. Additionally, the crystallinity of GECNFs was increased by 4.3 % and the resulting film exhibited low oxygen permeability rate (6.33 mL/m 2 ·day). Moreover, the combination post-treatments of enzyme and homogenization improved the tensile strength and transparency of CNFs films from 132.31 MPa, 27.52 %– to 177.99 MPa, 61.75 %, respectively. Besides, a composite of acrylic resin ABPE-10 and GEHCNFs film under negative pressure improved the transparency (85.68 %) and water contact angle (104.11°) of film. This work also provides insight on the relationship between the CNFs morphology and their film properties, which can be used to improve the CNFs film performance and promote future applications of CNFs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mechanisms of electromagnetic field control on mineral scaling in brackish water reverse osmosis: Combined homogenous and heterogeneous nucleation

Electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment has emerged as a promising approach for scaling control due to its cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and low energy consumption. However, there is a limited understanding of the mechanisms by which applied EMF impacts mineral scaling in reverse osmosis (RO) systems. This has led to inconclusive and varied results and uncertainties regarding its effectiveness. This study elucidates the impacts of EMF on homogenous and heterogeneous nucleation and membrane performance during RO desalination of different feedwaters. Our results reveal that EMF exhibits greater efficacy in treating near-saturated water (SI∼0), especially when coupled with extended hydraulic flushing (HF). For saturated brackish water desalination, heterogeneous scaling predominantly occurs on membrane surfaces, with the effectiveness of EMF in inhibiting scaling primarily attributed to the hydration effect. In supersaturated solutions, EMF promotes bulk precipitation due to the magnetohydrodynamic effect, quickly blocking membrane pores. Thus, when the saturation reaches a certain high level during RO desalination, magnetohydrodynamic EMF effects can accelerate flux decline caused by homogeneous scaling. In conclusion, this work provides an efficient method for predicting EMF efficiency, emphasizing the importance of saturation conditions and HF cleaning duration in determining membrane performance, suggesting these show promise for improving undersaturated or near-saturated feedwater desalination via RO.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2010

Damping of linear waves via ionization and recombination in homogeneous plasmas

An oscillation-center model is proposed that analytically describes transformation of an arbitrary homogeneous linear wave at gradual ionization and recombination in homogeneous plasma. For the case when either of the processes dominates, general adiabatic invariants are found, from which the wave energy is derived as a function of the frequency.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗