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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations of Glass Vitrification Refractory Coupon Tests

The Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) at the Hanford site is nearing the start of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) operations. DFLAW is destined to convert a pretreated low activity waste portion of the 56 million gallons of tank waste into a stable solid glass. In the subsequent decade completion of the high-level waste (HLW) facility is anticipated. Sustained operational missions of both LAW and HLW melter facilities are expected over multiple decades. In high-temperature glass melters, the refractory lining corrodes over time, which could potentially be an issue for longer term operations, this refractory corrosion is higher at the level of the glass-air interface due to surface tension driven flow. The glass viscosity, melt pool temperature, and glass chemical composition can impact the rate at which the refractory corrodes. This rate is important to quantify for the various waste glasses to be produced at the WTP since the integrity of the refractory should not be a limiting factor affecting the lifetime of the melter. To this end, a series of glasses representative of the first batches of waste glass produced by the WTP will be melted in small-scale crucibles with Monofrax® K-3 coupons inserted. The corrosion of the K-3 will be measured in the melt and at the meltline (or neckline). A model for the corrosion rate will be constructed and implemented into a previously developed framework for a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the full-scale WTP. To assist with experimental design and validate the implementation of the model in the full-scale melter, CFD simulations of the small-scale crucible tests were performed. The bubbling that occurs in the small-scale crucible is initially validated here with a model that uses silicone oil at room temperature. The viscosity of the oil ranges from 1 to 100 Pa•s, which corresponds to operating glass pool temperatures near 1150 °C down to idling temperatures near 950 °C. The simulation results show good agreement with the bubble sizes that form during experiments. CFD modeling of the crucible setup was used to determine bubbling characteristics to match the range of near-wall velocities expected in the full-scale WTP. This study presents the initial CFD modeling results, corrosion testing plan, and some preliminary corrosion samples with an outline for the next steps for the development of the corrosion model.

Abboud, Alexander W. [Idaho National Lab]↗
DOE OSTI2020

Early retirement of power plants in climate mitigation scenarios

International efforts to avoid dangerous climate change aim for large and rapid reductions of fossil fuel CO 2 emissions worldwide, including nearly complete decarbonization of the electric power sector. However, achieving such rapid reductions may depend on early retirement of coal- and natural gas-fired power plants. Here, we analyze future fossil fuel electricity demand in 171 energy-emissions scenarios from Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), evaluating the implicit retirements and/or reduced operation of generating infrastructure. Although IAMs calculate retirements endogenously, the structure and methods of each model differ; we use a standard approach to infer retirements in outputs from all six major IAMs and—unlike the IAMs themselves—we begin with the age distribution and region-specific operating capacities of the existing power fleet. We find that coal-fired power plants in scenarios consistent with international climate targets (i.e. keeping global warming well-below 2 °C or 1.5 °C) retire one to three decades earlier than historically has been the case. If plants are built to meet projected fossil electricity demand and instead allowed to operate at the level and over the lifetimes they have historically, the roughly 200 Gt CO 2 of additional emissions this century would be incompatible with keeping global warming well-below 2 °C. Thus, ambitious climate mitigation scenarios entail drastic, and perhaps un-appreciated, changes in the operating and/or retirement schedules of power infrastructure.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Using lifetime of point defects for dislocation bias in bcc Fe

The interaction between dislocations and point defects is key to deformation processes and microstructural evolution of structural materials. In this work, we compute the lifetime of point defects to describe their interaction with dislocations. This approach can accurately account for the effects of the dislocation core and anisotropic defect dynamics to accumulatively determine the capture efficiency, sink strength, and dislocation bias at different temperatures and dislocation densities. Particularly, the absorption of point defects by straight screw and edge dislocations in a model bcc iron system is studied. The maximum swelling rates based on the obtained bias factors are in close agreement with a variety of experimental measurements, including both neutron and ion-irradiation data, especially when considering the survival fraction for point defects from displacement cascades. Further, this approach applies to many other processes and sinks, such as dislocation loops and interfaces, providing a powerful means to develop fundamental insights critical for improving radiation resistance and mechanical properties of structural materials through controlling defect interaction and evolution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

The gallium solar neutrino capture cross section revisited

Solar neutrino flux constraints from the legacy GALLEX/GNO and SAGE experiments continue to influence contemporary global analyses of neutrino properties. The constraints depend on the neutrino absorption cross sections for various solar sources. Following recent work updating the 51 Cr and 37 Ar neutrino source cross sections, we reevaluate the 71 Ga solar neutrino cross sections, focusing on contributions from transitions to 71 Ge excited states, but also revising the ground-state transition to take into account new 71 Ge electron-capture lifetime measurements and various theory corrections. The excited-state contributions have been traditionally taken from forward-angle (𝑝, 𝑛) cross sections. Here we correct this procedure for the ≈ 10%–20% tensor operator contribution that alters the relationship between Gamow-Teller and (𝑝, 𝑛) transition strengths. Using state-of-the-art nuclear shell-model calculations to evaluate this correction, we find that it lowers the 8 B and hep neutrino cross sections. However, the addition of other corrections, including contributions from near-threshold continuum states that radiatively decay, leads to an overall increase in the 8 B and hep cross sections of ≈ 10% relative to the values recommended by Bahcall. Uncertainties are propagated using Monte Carlo simulations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluation of clear-sky and satellite-derived irradiance data for determining the degradation of photovoltaic system performance

Knowing the degradation in performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system over time is important for estimating the lifetime energy produced and the financial return. A key parameter for normalizing performance and determining degradation is the plane-of-array (POA) irradiance. Because accurate long-term POA measurements are not always readily available, three methods of providing irradiance data for determining the degradation rate of PV systems were evaluated—a method using irradiance data modeled with the Ineichen clear-sky model and monthly Linke turbidity coefficients, a method using the supplemental clear-sky irradiance data from the National Solar Radiation Data Base (NSRDB), and a method using the NSRDB solar irradiance data for both cloudy and clear-sky conditions (all-sky). The irradiance data from the three methods were evaluated using measured irradiance data from 1998 through 2018 for the seven-station SURFRAD network and for 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods that might be used for evaluating PV system performance. Only the two clear-sky methods for the 10-year periods had less uncertainty with respect to determining PV system degradation than the expected median degradation rate for PV systems of -0.5%/year to -0.6%/year. Shorter periods and the all-sky method had larger uncertainties, making their use questionable for determining the degradation rates of PV systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding and Advancing Bifacial Thin Film Solar Cells

Because bifacial solar cells increase the power generated per area, their market share is projected to increase over the next decade. While silicon technologies have implemented bifacial technology, little progress has occurred in bifacial thin film (BTF) solar cells. Understanding the factors that limit performance is critical to advancing BTF cells. We show that recombination at the back interface has limited device performance of fabricated BTF devices. Improved BTF performance will require decreasing recombination at the back interface, through passivation or by reducing downward band-bending at this interface. Increasing carrier lifetimes improves performance, but increasing hole density has little effect.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Simulating transient heat transfer in graphene at finite Knudsen number via the Boltzmann transport equation and molecular dynamics

The phonon Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) with the relaxation time approximation (RTA) scattering model is used to calculate transient temperature profiles in graphene, and the results are compared to analogous molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. For the BTE calculations, the phonon dispersion relation and frequency-dependent scattering rates are obtained from a combination of MD data and semi-empirical power-law expressions for the normal and Umklapp phonon lifetimes. The dimensions and initial temperature conditions of graphene are varied to study the size and temperature dependence of thermal transport physics at the mesoscopic scale. Good quantitative agreement to within 5% is found between the BTE and MD results, over a wide range of temperatures and lengthscales of the temperature variation in the graphene sheet. Small differences are attributed to the inaccuracy of the RTA as applied to graphene, and to neglecting four-phonon scattering in the BTE simulations. The present results may further understanding in applications such as the transient heating of nanoelectronics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Shape evolution of neutron-rich 106,108,110 Mo isotopes in the triaxial degree of freedom

Background: Neutron-rich nuclei with mass number between 100 and 110 attract much attention, since several kinds of shapes, such as spherical, prolate, oblate, and triaxial shapes, are predicted. In particular, for neutron-rich Mo isotopes, different models predict different magnitudes and rigidity of triaxial deformation. Previous interpretations of experimental results based solely on low-lying $2^+_2$ states are insufficient to distinguish between the rigid triaxial shape, $\gamma$ vibration, or $\gamma$-soft rotor. Purpose: The shape evolution of 106 Mo, 108 Mo, and 110 Mo is investigated through their $2^+_1$-state lifetimes, decay-branching ratios of the $2^+_2$ state, and energies of the low-lying collective excited states with $K^π = 0^+, 2^+$, and $4^+$. Method: $\beta$-delayed $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy was employed for neutron-rich Nb and Zr isotopes produced at the RIKEN RI Beam Factory to populate excited states in 106 Mo, 108 Mo, and 110 Mo. The EUroball-RIKEN Cluster Array was used for high-resolution $\gamma$-ray detection and lifetimes of the $2^+_1$ states were determined using the UK fast-timing array of LaBr 3 (Ce) detectors. Results: New $\gamma$-ray transitions and levels are reported, including newly assigned $0^+_2$ states in 108,110 Mo. Quadrupole deformations were obtained for 106,108,110 Mo from their $2^+_1$ energies and lifetimes. The $\beta$-delayed neutron-emission probabilities of 108 Nb and 110 Nb were determined by examining the $\gamma$ rays of their respective daughter decays. Conclusions: In this work, the even-odd energy staggering in the $2^+_2$ band was compared with typical patterns of the $\gamma$-vibrational band, rigid triaxial rotor, and $\gamma$-soft rotor. The very small even-odd staggering of 106 Mo, 108 Mo, and 110 Mo favors a $\gamma$-vibrational band assignment. The kinematic moment of inertia for the $2^+_2$ band showed a trend similar to the ground-state band, which is as expected for the $\gamma$-vibrational band. Beyond-mean-field calculations employing the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov and local quasiparticle-random-phase approximation method using the SLy5 + T interaction reproduced the ground and $2^+_2$ bands in 106 Mo and 108 Mo. The collective wave functions are consistent with the interpretation of the $2^+_2$ band as the $\gamma$-vibrational band of the prolate shape. However, the staggering pattern observed in 110 Mo differs from the one suggested in the calculations which predict a $\gamma$-soft rotor. There was no experimental indication of the oblate shape or the $\gamma$-soft rotor predicted in these Mo isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Laser Crystallization and Dopant Activation of a-Si:H Carrier-Selective Layer in TOPCon Si Solar Cells

Herein, we present a pulsed-laser processing method for crystallization and dopant activation of a highly n-doped amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) carrier-selective layer in a tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) Si solar cell structure. Here, the laser method provides enhanced conductivity and implied open circuit voltage while reducing emitter saturation current density and surface heating, as opposed to conventional high-temperature furnace annealing of the bulk Si wafer with a TOPCon structure. We identify an appropriate laser wavelength, fluence, and layer thickness using modeling and simulations. Raman and Hall effect measurements demonstrate increased crystallinity and dopant activation, whereas photoconductive decay shows enhanced surface and interface passivation quality. Additionally, we examine the role of subsequent SiNx deposition on further improving the passivation of laser-processed TOPCon layers to achieve a 5.9 kΩ/sq film sheet resistance, 2 ms effective carrier lifetime, 718 mV implied open-circuit voltage (iVOC), and 8.6 fA/cm 2 one-side recombination current density (J0) with the potential for further passivation improvement via laser process and a-Si layer thickness optimization.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Engineering Approach for Weld Creep Lifetime Assessment Based on Local Property Measurement

The localized creep failure in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of Grade 91 steel weldments has been identified as one of the most important factors causing significantly shortened service lifetime and structural integrity issues of welded components in advanced fossil and nuclear power plants. To conduct a reliable creep lifetime assessment, a new engineering assessment approach has been developed by incorporating the experimentally determined local properties of the heterogeneous HAZ. By creep testing a purposely simulated HAZ specimen with in situ digital image correlation (DIC) technique, the highly gradient creep properties across the HAZ of Grade 91 steel was quantitatively measured. A physical creep cavitation constitutive model was proposed to investigate the local creep deformation and damage accumulation within the heterogeneous HAZ, which takes into account the nucleation of creep cavities and their growth by both grain boundary diffusion and creep deformation. The relationship among the local material property, creep strain accumulation, and evolution characteristic of creep cavities was established. The approach was then utilized to investigate the creep response and subsequent life for an ex-service 9% Cr steel weldment by incorporating the effects of pre-existing damages which developed and accumulated during long-term services. The predicted results exhibited quantitative agreement with the DIC measurement in terms of both nominal/local creep deformation as well as the subsequent life under the test conditions at 650 and 80 MPa.

Zhang, Wei↗
NASA NTRS1964

Effect of Thrustor Arcing on Ion Rocket System Design

Arcing between the electrodes of an ion rocket thrustor is investigated for the effect it will have on the overall design of ion rocket systems. The effect of generator, transformer, and inserted impedances on system stability and efficiency, and on operating lifetime of thrustor components are considered. Rate of arcing, preferential arc paths, speed of arc interruption, and response of thrustors to voltage transients are also discussed. The study indicates that arcing is a system hazard and that arcing rates are of prime importance in the design and development of thrustors, thrustor arrays, and system components. Two system models for reducing the hazard are proposed, based on principles developed herein, published data, and experience available from operation of nine-module electron-bombardment thrustor array. Experimental investigation of these models is presently underway.

THRUSTOR↗
NASA NTRS1978

Gravitational and radiative effects on the escape of helium from the moon

On the moon, and probably on Mercury and other similar regolith-covered bodies with tenuous atmosphere, the dominant gas is He-4. It arises as the radiogenic product of the decay of uranium and thorium within any planet, but its major source appears to be the alpha particle flux of the solar wind. The moon intercepts solar wind helium at an average rate of 1.1 times 10 to the 24th atom/sec, and loses it at the same rate. Some helium may escape directly as the result of the process of solar wind soil bombardment which may release previously trapped helium at superthermal speeds. Atmospheric models have been calculated with the total helium influx as source. Subsequent comparison of model and measured helium concentrations indicates that the fraction of helium escaping via the atmosphere may range from 20% to 100% of the solar wind influx. Of the escaping atmosphere, most of the helium (about 93%) becomes trapped in earth orbit, while about 5% gets trapped in satellite orbits about the moon. Owing to a 6 month lifetime for helium in solar radiation, the satellite atoms form a lunar corona that exceeds the lunar atmosphere in total abundance by a factor of 4 to 5.

Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Electron propagation in the leaky box model with a truncated pathlength distribution

A study of electron propagation using the leaky box model is discussed. It is shown that a truncated pathlength distribution due to a lack of nearby sources is responsible for the steepening of the electron spectrum. The electron spectrum is broken into three regions: a low-energy region where electron storage is dominated by escape, a medium energy region in which the electron energy loss lifetime is sufficiently short to dominate propagation, but not so short as to prevent electrons from propagating throughout the storage region, and a third energy region in which the energy loss lifetime is shorter than the time it takes for cosmic rays to diffuse to earth from the nearest source. The asymptotic slope of the electron spectrum is shown to be steeper than that of the injection spectrum by more than one power of energy.

Mauger, B. G.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Observations from Long-Term Performance Monitoring of the TOPEX Radar Altimeter

From its August 1992 launch to the present, we have performed performance analysis and engineering assessment for the TOPEX radar altimeter. We continually update databases containing: (1) on-board engineering parameters such as temperatures, voltages, and currents; (2) internal calibration mode indications of bias changes in range and power estimates; and (3) global over-ocean averages of geophysical quantities such as significant waveheight (SWH) and ocean surface radar backscattering cross-section (sigmaO). For some time now we have seen an apparent increase in the TOPEX cycle-average SWH, amounting now to an increase of about 10% from our earlier mission value of about 2.8 m. Recently several investigators have reported that the TOPEX SWH is increasing relative to ERS-2 and to ocean buoy measurements. We examined the past six years of waveform data from an internal calibration mode (Cal 1) which samples the altimeter's point target response (ptr), and found that the ptr sidelobes are apparently greater now than at start of mission. Modeling studies indicate that the sidelobe enhancement can account for most of the increase in the TOPEX SWH estimate; that is, the SWH increase is not real but result of some drift within the altimeter. Our modeling indicates that the TOPEX range estimates will change less than a centimeter for ptr changes seen to date. An approximate recipe for correcting the TOPEX SWH values will be made available on our web site (http://topex.wffnasa.gov/). We emphasize that a radar altimeter is a complex system requiring continuing calibration and monitoring throughout its entire lifetime.

Hayne, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Remote Sensing of Aerosol and their Effect on Climate

Smoke aerosol, pollution or dust affects the distribution of sunlight reaching the Earth. It enhances reflection of sunlight back to space and absorption in the atmosphere. Aerosol particles also affect cloud formation, thickness and formation of precipitation. The concentration of aerosol and their properties vary rapidly, due to the heterogeneity of sources and a short lifetime of about a week. Satellite and ground based network of remote sensing instruments were developed for continues measurement of the global distribution of aerosol and variation of their concentration and properties. I shall present examples of such measurements from the Terra spacecraft and the Aerosol Robotic Network, and explore the pathways to integrate these measurements into models that calculate the aerosol radiative forcing of climate.

Kaufman, Yoram↗
NASA NTRS2002

Space Flight Qualification Program for the AMS-2 Commercial Cryocoolers

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02 (AMS-02) experiment is a state-of-the-art particle physics detector containing a large superfluid helium-cooled superconducting magnet. Highly sensitive detector plates inside the magnet measure a particle's speed, momentum, charge, and path. The AMS-02 experiment will study the properties and origin of cosmic particles and nuclei including antimatter and dark matter. AMS-02 will be installed on the International Space Station on Utilization Flight-4. The experiment will be run for at least three years. To extend the life of the stored cryogen and minimize temperature gradients around the magnet, four Stirling-cycle Sunpower M87N cryocoolers will be integrated with AMS-02. The cryocooler cold tip will be connected via a flexible strap to the outer vapor cooled shield of the dewar. Initial thermal analysis shows the lifetime of the experiment is increased by a factor of 2.8 with the use of the cryocooler. The AMS-02 project selected the Sunpower M87 cryocoolers and has asked NASA Goddard to qualify the cryocoolers for space flight use. This paper describes the interfaces with the cryocoolers and presents data collected during testing of the two engineering model cryocoolers. Tests include thermal performance characterization and launch vibration testing. Magnetic field compatibility testing will be presented in a separate paper at the conference.

Shirey, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Age and Pathway Diagnostics for a Stratospheric General Circulation Model

Using a variety of age diagnostic experiments we examine the stratospheric age spectrum of the Goddard Finite Volume Generd Circulation Model. Pulse tracer release age-of-air computations are compared to forward and backward trajectory computations. These comparisons show good agreement, and the age-of-air also compares well with observed long lived tracers. Pathway diagnostics show how air arrives in the lowermost stratosphere and the age structure of that region. Using tracers with different lifetimes we can estimate the age spectrum - this technique should be useful in diagnosing transport from various trace gas observations.

Schoeberl, Mark R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dynamic Scaling Analysis of Accelerated Irradiation Testing on Additive Manufacturing Materials by Positron Annihilation

The timely applications of Additive Manufacturing (AM) materials in nuclear environments require accelerated irradiation tests, mainly ion irradiation to enable rapid prototyping. Low dose ion irradiation would cause sub-nanostructure changes by generation of lattice defects, vacancies, vacancy clusters and voids and void swelling caused by cellular dislocations. Positron Annihilation Lifetime (PAL), a novel technology, sensitive towards sub-nanostructure morphology with high accuracy (about 10-7 vacancy per atom), supported by Transition Electron Microscope (TEM) would be applied to identify the type and total size of the defects. The subsequent PAL measurements and TEM surface studies would be followed by PAL analysis that includes sophisticated trapping model. The PAS results would become an input to dynamic scaling analysis (that predicts radiation effects from low dose studies for high dose effects), which incorporate mean-field theory model. The final effect is an in-depth understanding of the microstructure evolution of AM materials under ion irradiation which can be extrapolated to the studies of neutron irradiation, since ion-irradiation takes less time and do not cause the irradiation hazard. The working hypothesis is that PAL technology, that have excellent sensitivity to low-defect concentration would help to identify ion-induced material damage on the atomic and nano-scale level, which then could be extrapolated to understand the neutron damage better.

accelerated irradiation testing↗

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