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At least 181 records · Page 10

Positive Train Control (PTC) Study: An Analysis of PTC-Related Reports Submitted to the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS)

A supplemental analysis of reports submitted to the voluntary Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) was conducted to identify the potential operational risks associated with the integration and operation of Positive Train Control (PTC) systems. This study identified four areas that may merit further investigation by FRA and rail carriers: System/Paperwork synchronization, training, PTC acceptance, and alerting mechanisms.

C3RS↗

Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research: Phase IV Final Report – Volume I Mach 0.80 Transonic Truss-Braced Wing High-Speed Design Report

This design report summarizes work performed by the Boeing Subsonic Ultra-Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) team from December 2016 through June 2018. In Phase IV of the SUGAR program, Boeing is working to improve the productivity of a TTBW configuration by updating the Mach 0.745 vehicle concept to operate efficiently at Mach 0.80. Due to the aerodynamic and structural design challenges associated with adapting the design to a higher speed, design tasks have been broken into several subtasks. The information in this report (Volume I) documents the development of a Mach 0.80 vehicle outer mold line, maturation of TTBW structural concepts, and presents a preliminary high-liftsystem assessment. Results from these studies were integrated into an aircraft-level performance code that estimates the benefits of TTBW technology, both on its own and as a part of the SUGAR integrated technology suite. The aerodynamic performance results presented herein detail the high cruise efficiency of the TTBW concept operating at M=0.80. Results from the RANS code OVERFLOW indicate that the TTBW is aerodynamically well suited for operation at the design M=0.80 transonic cruise Mach number. Aircraft-level performance predictions show that the TTBW offers a 7.2% improvement in fuel burn (per seat) for an economic mission of 900nm, and a 9.0% improvement in fuel burn (per seat) for a 3500nm mission with full passenger payload, relative to an aspect ratio 13 conventional tube and wing configuration of equivalent technology. Integration of the TTBW performance benefits into the SUGAR technology suite shows a 55.9% reduction in fuel burn (for the economic mission) relative to the reference (SUGAR Free) aircraft, which is a consistently sized traditional cantilever wing, single-aisle transport typical of the 2008 fleet. This benefit does not include the performance improvement potential of hybrid-electric systems studied in earlier phases of the SUGAR program Structural concept development work completed in Phase IV has identified several strut attachment concepts that are worth additional development activity – an inboard strut attachment swivel joint concept (which enables the strut to carry axial loads while avoiding strut bending induced by wing twist during flight) significantly simplifies the construction of the main strut. An outboard offset strut attachment concept holds significant potential for further reductions in wing-strut interference drag. Based on work performed to date on Phase IV and the previous phases of the SUGAR program, the TTBW concept continues to remain a viable concept for significantly improving the performance of future aircraft. High-fidelity aerodynamic analysis of the Mach 0.80 TTBW aircraft has shown fuel burn improvement that has exceeded initial expectations despite the increase in cruise Mach number. Structural concept maturation has continued to refine the TTBW structure, and has found no obvious ‘show-stoppers’ to date. Therefore, the potential benefit of improved performance through the use of a very high aspect ratio strut-braced wing continues to warrant additional study

SUGAR↗

A Unified Approach for Reporting ARM Measurement Uncertainties Technical Report

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility is observationally based, and quantifying the uncertainty of its measurements is critically important. With over 300 widely differing instruments providing over 2,500 datastreams, concise expression of measurement uncertainty is quite challenging. The ARM Facility currently provides data and supporting metadata (information about the data or data quality) to its users through a number of sources. Because the continued success of the ARM Facility depends on the known quality of its measurements, the Facility relies on instrument mentors and the ARM Data Quality Office (DQO) to ensure, assess, and report measurement quality. Therefore, an easily accessible, well-articulated estimate of ARM measurement uncertainty is needed. Note that some of the instrument observations require mathematical algorithms (retrievals) to convert a measured engineering variable into a useful geophysical measurement. While those types of retrieval measurements are identified, this study does not address particular methods for retrieval uncertainty. As well, the ARM Facility also provides engineered data products, or value-added products (VAPs), based on multiple instrument measurements. This study does not include uncertainty estimates for those data products. We propose here that a total measurement uncertainty should be calculated as a function of the instrument uncertainty (calibration factors), the field uncertainty (environmental factors), and the retrieval uncertainty (algorithm factors). The study will not expand on methods for computing these uncertainties. Instead, it will focus on the practical identification, characterization, and inventory of the measurement uncertainties already available in the ARM community through the ARM instrument mentors and their ARM instrument handbooks. As a result, this study will address the first steps towards reporting ARM measurement uncertainty: 1) identifying how the uncertainty of individual ARM measurements is currently expressed, 2) identifying a consistent approach to measurement uncertainty, and then 3) reclassifying ARM instrument measurement uncertainties in a common framework.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Topical Report: Kemper County IGCC Final Public Design Report

The Kemper County IGCC plant is a lignite-fueled 2-on-1 Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (IGCC) facility incorporating the air-blown Transport Integrated Gasification (TRIG™) technology jointly developed by Southern Company; KBR; and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) at the Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF) in Wilsonville, Alabama. The plant is owned by Mississippi Power Company (MPC) and has a calculated nameplate capacity of 830 MW with a peak net output of 582 MW. As a result of advanced emissions-control equipment, the facility is designed to produce marketable products of ammonia (NH 3 ), sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The plant is designed to capture 65 percent of the carbon entering to sell for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), which makes the Kemper County plant’s carbon emissions comparable to those of a natural-gas-fired combined cycle power plant. This report describes the basic design and function of the plant as determined at the end of the Detailed Design phase of the project. The technical sections of the report were completed in October 2013, and the cost information was incorporated into Section 6.0 in March 2018.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Stakeholder Analysis Report Subtask 3.3 – CarbonSAFE Illinois East Sub-Basin Topical Report 8

Effective stakeholder engagement has been proven to be a critical component in the success of numerous CCS activities and is essential if the technology is to be widely developed in the future. This report contains a stakeholder assessment and highlights some engagement activities conducted during the CarbonSAFE Illinois East Sub-Basin Prefeasibility study. This report is intended to lay the groundwork and provide recommendations for the Wabash CarbonSAFE Feasibility project, currently underway in conjunction with the Wabash Valley Resources ammonia plant retrofit taking place at the former Terre Haute US DOE integrated gasification combined cycle plant. The analysis sets the stage for identifying and understanding the concerns of key stakeholders, describes actions currently underway, highlights perceptions of potential benefits and risks of project activities, and provides recommendations for short- and long-term forms of engagement. This study used social site characterization methods to better understand local and regional stakeholder positions and needs. The stakeholder engagement strategy will emphasize engagement with stakeholders that enable project development and those that are impacted by the project. The stakeholder analysis process can be broken down into the four basic steps of: identifying, analyzing, mapping, and prioritizing. Various stakeholders were identified by literature search, and additionally by a group of approximately twenty Indiana University SPEA master’s students via a stakeholder workshop. The stakeholder analysis and mapping process is used to help prioritize stakeholder engagement strategies; engagement strategies must be developed with particular stakeholder concerns in mind and messages tailored to those stakeholders’ needs. The stakeholder map with engagement strategy developed for this analysis suggests state government, industry, federal government, and state education are predicted to have the highest interest and influence and should be a priority focus in engagement. Local media, local landowners, local government, and utilities are predicted to have high influence but low interest and may also be a high priority group to engage. Environmental and economic impacts of activities that are considered to be important by stakeholders in the present day (key) or activities that have taken place in the past (legacy) can impact stakeholder perspectives and need to be considered when creating a stakeholder engagement strategy. The issue of environmental clean-up was identified in both the social media analysis and also through USEPA Environmental Justice analysis tools. Thus, it is clear this will be an important factor for consideration in any stakeholder engagement conducted in and around Terre Haute. Furthermore, stakeholder engagement education materials will need to emphasize that carbon dioxide is not a hazardous material, as well as address FAQs regarding CCS. In addition, recommendations for consideration when developing the stakeholder engagement strategy for projects in the Illinois East Sub-Basin in general and related to the Wabash CarbonSAFE project specifically include: drawing clear lines of responsibility between Wabash Valley Resources and ISGS-led Wabash CarbonSAFE that allow the projects to manage integration and messaging; the need for ISGS and other partners to maintain objectivity and remain trusted sources of information; monitoring of social media and continuing to engage with key stakeholder groups; and providing support for key stakeholders to become sources of project information and project champions.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Introducing the GeoRePORT Resource Size Tool: Reporting on Geothermal Resource Size Estimations Using the Geothermal Resource Portfolio Optimization and Reporting Technique (GeoRePORT): Preprint

The Geothermal Resource Portfolio Optimization and Reporting Technique (GeoRePORT) was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office to assist in identifying and pursuing long-term investment strategies through the development of a resource reporting protocol. The assessment protocols used in GeoRePORT allow for comparison of project attributes across locations and geological settings to understand the feasibility of geothermal development. This work introduces the Resource Size Tool, a new feature within the GeoRePORT package that compiles two independent methods for estimating geothermal resource size in terms of energy capacity in MW. Energy production potential for twenty-three case studies was estimated with the Resource Size Tool in order to 1) generate a reasonable range of resource size estimates for a particular geothermal field; 2) illustrate the advantages and limitations of each methodology (such as data input requirements, estimate accuracy and precision, and the appropriate circumstances of use); and 3) test the ability of the resource size tool to provide useful and accurate information for geothermal stakeholders. The tool employs two methods widely used in the geothermal industry: (1) USGS Volumetric and (2) Power Density. Results from our case studies show general overlap between these two methods in terms of resource size estimates; however, they also reveal key differences between the two approaches that should be considered when using such estimates to drive development. First, the two methods rely on different input parameters and therefore one method may be more appropriate and/or accurate for a given project than the other. Second, the Power Density method was found to generate wider ranges of resource size predictions, more consistently aligning with actual power production of the field but with larger scales of error; whereas the USGS Volumetric method predicts narrower ranges but tends to overestimate when compared to current MW production. Future work will refine variables used in the methods with input data from other sections of GeoRePORT and modify uncertainty levels based on the particular datasets used for a given project.

geological↗

Nevada National Security Site Environmental Report 2021 with 2021 Environmental Report Attachment A: Site Description

This Nevada National Security Site Environmental Report (NNSSER) summarizes actions taken in 2021 to protect the environment and the public while achieving the NNSA/NFO mission goals. It is prepared for the public and our stakeholders in hopes that it is readily understandable and usable. It is a key component in our efforts to keep the public informed of environmental conditions at the NNSS and its support facilities in Las Vegas, Nevada. The accompanying Attachment A expands on the general description of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) presented in the Introduction to the Nevada National Security Site Environmental Report 2021. Included are subsections that summarize the site’s geological, hydrological, climatological, and ecological settings and the cultural resources of the NNSS.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

E Tunnel Wastewater Disposal System Quarterly Monitoring Report and Annual Summary Report Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, Water Pollution Control Permit NEV 96021: Fourth Quarter and Calendar Year 2018

This annual report includes the results of the ETOS sample collection and analysis of the effluent water from the ETOS. The effluent sample was collected on October 9, 2018. Sampling activities were performed in accordance with the requirements of WPC Permit NEV 96021, Revision 1, which is effective October 1, 2013. Although the stated end date of the WPC permit is September 3 O, 2018, the NDEP, in a letter dated September 21, 2018, provided guidance that indicated the WPC Permit NEV 96021, Revision 1, is in effect until NOEP notifies NNSA/NFO otherwise.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Report priority gaps in high temperature thermodynamic data (Interim Progress Report)

This interim progress report (Level 4 Milestone Number M4SF-26LL010203023) summarizes research conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) within the Argillite Host Rock Properties & Processes SF-26LL01020302. Our focus is to assess gaps in data availability and understanding for radionuclide thermodynamics within the context of a “hot repository” concept and expand SUPCRT-NE database development to address higher temperatures needed for a DPC DGR disposal concept. The database is intended to inform the argillite GDSA baseline model. The leading European thermochemical database (Thermochimie) is only applicable to temperatures below 80°C. Thus, a US effort to integrate and expand upon other international thermodynamics database efforts is needed, particular if a “hot repository” concept moves forward.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Precursor Report of Data Needs and Recommended Practices for PV Plant Availability Operations and Maintenance Reporting.

Characterizing the factors that affect reliability of a photovoltaic (PV) power plant is an important aspect of optimal asset management. This document describes the many factors that affect operation and maintenance (O&M) of a PV plant, identifies the data necessary to quantify those factors, and describes how data might be used by O&M service providers and others in the PV industry. This document lays out data needs from perspectives of reliability, availability, and key performance indicators and is intended to be a precursor for standardizing terminology and data reporting, which will improve data sharing, analysis, and ultimately PV plant performance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Status Report on Power System Transformation: A 21st Century Power Partnership Report

This report has three primary goals: (1) to articulate the concept of power system transformation; (2) to explore the current global landscape of ‘innovations’ that constitute power system transformation and provide evidence of how these innovations are emerging; and (3) to suggest an analytical framework for assessing the status of power system transformation on an on-going basis.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Final Report Report: Smart Grid Ready PV Inverters with Utility Communication

In 2011, EPRI began a four-year effort under the Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems - Advanced Concepts (SEGIS-AC) to demonstrate smart grid ready inverters with utility communication. The objective of the project was to successfully implement and demonstrate effective utilization of inverters with grid support functionality to capture the full value of distributed photovoltaic (PV). The project leveraged ongoing investments and expanded PV inverter capabilities, to enable grid operators to better utilize these grid assets. Developing and implementing key elements of PV inverter grid support capabilities will increase the distribution system’s capacity for higher penetration levels of PV, while reducing the cost. The project team included EPRI, Yaskawa-Solectria Solar, Spirae, BPL Global, DTE Energy, National Grid, Pepco, EDD, NPPT and NREL. The project was divided into three phases: development, deployment, and demonstration. Within each phase, the key areas included: head-end communications for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) at the utility operations center; methods for coordinating DER with existing distribution equipment; back-end PV plant master controller; and inverters with smart-grid functionality. Four demonstration sites were chosen in three regions of the United States with different types of utility operating systems and implementations of utility-scale PV inverters. This report summarizes the project and findings from field demonstration at three utility sites.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

I. Final Report for DOE SBIR Phase I Project DE-SC0013795 Final Report for DOE SBIR Phase I Project DE-SC0013795 Microtron-based Compact, Portable Gamma-Ray Source

Microtron-based Compact, Portable Gamma-Ray Source. The objective of Phase I of this project was to produce a conceptual design of a prototype compact microtron electron accelerator, which could be designed, built, and demonstrated in Phase II of the project. The conceptual design study included an analysis of the parameters of the microtron and its components, and the expected performance of the prototype microtron as a source of x-rays and/or RF neutrons in the MeV energy range. The major components of the microtron are the magnet, the accelerating system, the power system, the vacuum system, the control system, the beam extraction system and the targets to produce x-rays (and/or neutrons). Our objectives for the design of the prototype were for it to be compact, cost-effective, capable of producing high intensity x-ray (an/or neutron) fluxes. In addition, the prototype was to be easily assembled and disassembled so that components could be easily replaced. The main parameters for the prototype are the following: the range of electron kinetic energies, the output power, the RF frequency band (X-band, C-band, or S-Band), the type of injection (Type I or Type II), the magnet type, i.e. permanent magnet, electromagnet, or a hybrid combination of permanent and electromagnet. The results of the Phase I study and analysis for a prototype microtron are the following: The electron energy range can be varied from below 6 MeV to 9 MeV, the optimal frequency range is S-Band (2-4 GHz) RF frequency, Type II injection (described below), and the magnet type is the hybrid version. The prototype version will be capable of producing gamma ray doses of ~1800 R/min-m and neutron fluxes of up to ~6 x 10 10 n/s with appropriate targets. The results of the Phase I study and analysis are provided below. The proposed Phase II plan was to demonstrate the prototype at low beam power. In the subsequent Phase III, high power tests would be performed, and the design of commercial versions of microtrons with various energies, sizes and types would be produced and marketed, including a more compact and more portable 6 MeV battery-powered model that more closely meets the requirements in the original FOA topic description. In the course of the Phase I study, we also identified another microtron version, one that was larger (not compact) and more powerful than that of the Phase II prototype, which could serve as an intense source of photo- neutrons, up to 4 x 10 12 n/s for use in nuclear medicine, short-lived isotope production, or other applications. In addition, it could produce gamma dose rates up to 130 kR/min-m with a heavy metal bremsstrahlung target. The results and specifications of this were submitted to IPAC16 (Reference [12]) the paper is included in Addendum B. Because this version was beyond the scope of the Phase I project, there is no additional description in the Final Report.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Extreme Heterogeneity 2018 - Productive Computational Science in the Era of Extreme Heterogeneity: Report for DOE ASCR Workshop on Extreme Heterogeneity

The 2018 Basic Research Needs Workshop on Extreme Heterogeneity identified five Priority Research Directions for realizing the capabilities needed to address the challenges posed in this era of rapid technological change. This report captures the outcomes of that workshop. In the context of extreme heterogeneity, it defines basic research needs and opportunities in computer science research to develop smart and trainable operating and runtime systems, programming environments, and predictive tools that will make future systems easier to adapt to scientists’ computing needs and easier for facilities to deploy securely.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop - Phase I Status Report - FY2018 (Update to FY2017 Report)

This report documents the current status of the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) as of August 2018. Currently, METL has completed Phase I construction, performed an initial heat-up of the METL piping, vessels, and components, baked out the facility under vacuum (minus the test vessels), addressed a variety of punchlist items, transferred sodium from 15 55-gallon drums to the dump tank, in the final commissioning/operations stage.

42 ENGINEERING↗

BTO 3.1.2.55 Milestone Report – Report of Literature Review for Maldistribution in Heat Exchangers

In this quarter, a comprehensive review of the literature was performed to understand the effects of flow maldistribution and current efforts to improve performance through flow control. Nearly all systems have some degree of maldistribution on either the air-side, refrigerant-side, or both. Air-side maldistribution was found to have a greater impact on heat exchanger performance compared to refrigerant-side, but both sides of the system are important to consider when developing solutions. Up to a maximum of 65% capacity loss was reported in large commercial systems due to air-side maldistribution. Microchannel heat exchangers are becoming more widespread due to their efficiency and size but are even more prone to maldistribution than conventional fin-tube heat exchangers. Current solutions tend to focus on optimizing header design and refrigerant circuitry to improve performance. Several active control methods, such as hybrid control, have been explored to control refrigerant flow in real time, but there is a need for an adaptive yet cost effective system which can optimize performance in changing conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗