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At least 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Numerical Simulation of Infrasound Resonance in Underground Tunnel Structures

Remote observation of infrasound resonant signals emanating from underground tunnel structures could potentially allow the remote quantification of the geometry of the underground structures in which the signals were generated. However, the sensitivity of these observations to tunnel geometry and changes in that geometry are unknown. In this report we outline a numerical simulation study with the following three objectives: 1. Can we model infrasound resonance using numerical simulations? 2. What is the sensitivity of the modeled observations to changes in tunnel geometry or boundary conditions? And 3. Can we accurately model resonant observations of explosions occurring in Redmond Salt Mine in Central Utah. In this report we outline affirmative answers to the first two objectives, but we were unable to accurately model the Redmond Explosions due to numerical instability in the model of the complex structure of the mine. Recommendations for future work emphasize the need to acquire additional datasets and to explore a more data-based approach in which changes in data signatures are detected as a first step towards developing a method which inverts resonant infrasound signals for tunnel geometry.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

2024 Geothermal Rising Conference Poster

As part of a U.S. DOE Geothermal Technologies Office funding opportunity, Geysers Power Company, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Calpine Corporation, partnered with Sandia National Labs, EGI at the University of Utah, and Texas A&M University to demonstrate increased drilling performance at The Geysers Geothermal Field. The performance target in the drilling demonstrations is at least a 25% improvement in rates of penetration with increased time on bottom for each bit. The planned drilling demonstrations are being conducted as part of an existing drilling campaign intended to enhance reservoir utilization. A major goal of the project is to assess the effectiveness of implementing mechanical specific energy (MSE) and drilling dysfunction diagnosis and remediation in these challenging environments, as well as alternate bit technologies. The first demonstration well has been completed, with a total of 15 PDC bit runs in the 17.5”, 12.25” and 8.5” sections. Initial analysis shows ROP gains in all three hole sections, especially in the 17.5” and 12.25” sections, compared with conventional roller cone bit runs in the demonstration well and offset wells. However in the 8.5” hole, wear and damage to the PDC bits resulted in relatively short bit runs. Analysis is underway to take advantage of the positive results and remediate the challenges.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integrating Atmospheric Specifications into Seismoacoustic Event Localization

This report investigates the integration of infrasound and seismic data to improve event localization accuracy, specifically focusing on a surface explosion at the Utah Training and Testing Range (UTTR). Utilizing the Seismoacoustic Bayesian Event Locator (SABEL) framework, we incorporated atmospheric specifications derived from Ground to Space (G2S) profiles to enhance celerity-range priors. Our analysis revealed that while the combination of infrasound and seismic observations significantly reduced localization uncertainty, challenges remained, particularly with returns at distances less than 200 km from the source and the influence of specific observations on location estimates. The results indicate that broader celerity distributions, such as those from Blom et al. (2020), facilitate better alignment with ground truth locations compared to narrower models. Overall, this work demonstrates the promise of seismoacoustic approaches in refining event localization and highlights the need for further exploration of celerity-range models to ensure reliable outcomes.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2024

Colorado State University Extension Industrial Assessment Center

Since its inception in 1984, the Colorado State University Industrial Assessment Center has performed industrial assessments at more than 720 manufacturing facilities in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. From 2017 to 2019 there was a funding gap and the IAC shutdown. In 2020 through DOE extension funding the University relaunched the IAC as an extension center in order to provide assessments to underserved areas. Under this award, the CSU Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) was rebuilt with the help of student employees and the director. The CSU team experienced difficulty as the program was in the process of being restarted right as the 2020 pandemic hit. Nonetheless, the CSU IAC was instrumental in providing energy assessments to manufacturers in Colorado and Wyoming during the period of performance of 09/2019 – 12/2022. The Department of Energy's Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) provide a valuable service to small and medium-sized manufacturers seeking to optimize their operations. These university-based centers offer no-cost, on-site assessments conducted by engineering faculty and students, analyzing energy consumption, production processes, and waste streams. They utilize advanced data acquisition systems to record operational data, and then use the data to create assessment recommendations. These recommendations form the foundation of the comprehensive energy report. The comprehensive report delivers actionable recommendations for enhancing energy efficiency, reducing waste, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving productivity, often identifying significant cost savings. Furthermore, IACs facilitate access to implementation grants, enabling the businesses to readily adopt these improvements. This program not only strengthens individual businesses but also contributes to national goals of training the next generation of energy experts, as well as increasing industrial competitiveness and reduced environmental impact.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Testing- and Model- Based Optimization of Coal-fired Primary Heater Design for Indirect Supercritical CO 2 Power Cycles (Final Scientific and Technical Report)

The overall objective of this project was to perform the R&D necessary to mitigate the risk associated with the design of a primary heat exchanger for a solid-fired combustion system coupled with an indirect-fired closed-loop Brayton Cycle utilizing supercritical CO 2 . The key technological hurdle was the coupling of a solid-fuel firing system with the primary heater, which poses a singular challenge, which is the management of burner performance and operational conditions in a way to manage heat exchanger tube metal temperatures and temperature ramp rates in the absence of fluid phase change on the inside of the tubes. We designed and built the first ever pseudo power system employing a simple recuperated supercritical CO 2 closed-loop Brayton Cycle coupled to a solid-fuel fired system. Advanced coupled CFD and process modeling were used to design the primary heat exchanger (PHX), which consisted of both radiative and convective sections, to limit tube metal temperatures resulting from the heat release profile of the solid fuel flame near the radiative tubes. The heat exchanger was designed to produce finished CO 2 temperatures of 600 °C a pressure of 20.7 MPa and CO 2 flow of 5.5 kg/s. The constructed PHX was capable of 1.2 MWth heat uptake. During design of the PHX, the modeling showed that most variables influencing flame shape (burner stoichiometric ratio and register velocities and swirl) were not suitable to manage heat flux to the metal surfaces. This is because they substantially increased adiabatic flame temperature through the influence of localized stoichiometric ratio. Excess air and firing rate were the two most powerful variables that could be used to control tube surface temperatures. The coupled system was operated for a total of 407 hours, with the longest continuous run of 248 hours. For 62% of the operational time, the unit was unmanned and in automatic control. The fuels used for the testing included natural gas, two Utah Bituminous coals, woody biomass, and bagasse. During the testing we were able to verify the 1.2 MWth heat uptake and we operated at a finished CO 2 temperature of 607 °C and a pressure of 20.3 MPa simultaneously. The real-time corrosion rate of the Super 304H tube CO 2 surface in the region of the radiative section of the PHX were measured, at an approximate temperature of 550 °C. The two key variables related to corrosion rate are the pressure and flow rate of the CO 2 . A technoeconomic analysis was performed at a scale of 120 MWE. The updated analysis showed that the efficiency of an sCO 2 power producing plant will be related to the pressure drop of the PHX.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2025

Clean Air as a Bonus for Achieving Energy-Related State Goals: A Review of Policies and Programs in 15 States

This report explores connections between six common areas for state action on energy-related issues — resilience, economic development, energy affordability, electrifying transportation, grid modernization, and using local resources — and reducing air emissions. Although clean air often is not a driver for such state actions, they nonetheless reduce a variety of emissions, including particulates, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The study spans 15 geographically diverse states: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. While these states have not adopted mandatory climate goals, they conduct a wide range of energy-related activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants as a side benefit.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Connecting In Situ Stress and Wellbore Deviation to Near-Well Fracture Complexity Using Phase-Field Simulations

The interactions among in situ stress, rock fabric, wellbore geometry, natural fractures, and other natural or man-made defects create highly complex fracture trajectories in the near-wellbore region, far more intricate than those in the far-field. These near-wellbore complexities are critical for the Utah FORGE project and Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in general. Frictional pressure loss in the near-wellbore region during stimulation can significantly influence the growth of far-field fractures, while pressure losses during circulation serve as a major source of energy dissipation. Near-wellbore fracture complexities are often observable through image logs, offering valuable insights into in situ stress characteristics. However, leveraging this information requires a high-fidelity model capable of capturing the interplay among the diverse factors influencing fracture behavior.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

CRiSPPy: An advanced hydropower scheduling tool for the Colorado River Storage Project

The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) plays a vital role in delivering reliable and cost-effective hydroelectric power to millions of customers across the western United States. The Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) carries out WAPA’s mission in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming and Texas. Achieving this mission requires effective management of the Colorado River system, and depends on the use of advanced analytical tools and modeling methodologies. For many years, CRSP has relied on the Generation and Transmission Maximization Superlite (GTMax SL) model for its mid-term and long-term hydroscheduling needs. However, the evolving energy market, power system operations, environmental rules, and hydrology conditions, coupled with advancements in computational capabilities, have necessitated the development of a more modern and robust solution. This report introduces the Colorado River Storage Project Python-based (CRiSPPy) model, a new, advanced hydropower scheduling tool developed to address CRSP ever-evolving challenges. CRiSPPy represents a significant leap forward in our ability to model and optimize the operation of the Colorado River system. It incorporates state-of-the-art optimization algorithms, enhanced data management capabilities, and an advanced graphical user interface, providing WAPA CRSP personnel with unprecedented insights and decision-making support. This document details the development, capabilities, and implementation of CRiSPPy. It is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource for WAPA staff, stakeholders, and anyone interested in the future of hydropower scheduling in the Colorado River Basin. We are confident that CRiSPPy will enhance WAPA's mission while adapting to the challenges of a dynamic and increasingly complex environment. The version of CRiSPPy described in this report is the version 2.3. New versions of CRiSPPy will be developed as the tool keeps evolving to address CRSP challenges.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Expedition UT-GOM2-2 Methods

Methods used during the University of Texas (UT) Deepwater Hydrate Coring Expedition (UT-GOM2-2) include work done onboard the Helix Q4000 in the offshore Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico), herein “the Gulf”, “dockside” in Salt Lake City, Utah, and some shore-based work in individual laboratories. The goal of this report is two-fold: to provide enough detail on the methods so they can be repeated by others; and to provide a reference document for the team to enhance cross-disciplinary understanding and knowledge. Methods include drilling operations, depth references and depth modification, downhole tool deployment, coring tool performance assessment, core processing, lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, as well as physical properties, including core logging and imaging, rock magnetism, dissolved methane concentration, hydrate saturation, microbiology, and geochemistry. An extensive amount of operational work and planning was required before mobilization of the expedition to permit, build mobile labs, and test downhole tools for deepwater drilling.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2025

eMosaic: Electrification Mosaic Platform for Grid Informed Smart Charging Management (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

ABB (Prime Contractor), in collaboration with its partners at the Utah State University (USU), Idaho National Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), and Electric Power Engineers (EPE), have performed research, development, and wide scale demonstration of a scalable and resilient Electrification Mosaic (eMosaic) platform for Smart Charge Management (SCM) for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. Work was completed under DE EE0009194, titled “eMosaic Electrification Mosaic Platform for Grid Informed Smart Charging Management”, funded by the US Department of Energy. The project members developed algorithms that provide localized and bulk grid services and that reduce and stabilize costs all the way down the supply chain to the PEV owner through SCM. This platform aggregates telemetry from multiple data sources as pieces of the larger picture including personal, private fleet or transportation EVs, fast chargers and other supply equipment, weather service information, and geographically distributed charging sites such as public lots, garage and retail, and private or shared usage depots. ABB and the project team designed, tested, and improved a charging management system at local/edge and cloud levels. The ultimate objective of the project was to convincingly demonstrate that the developed secure eMosaic plat-form can be readily and favorably adopted by diverse utilities and site owners at scale. This was achieved through a demonstration plan with field deployment at several physical sites across 4 states and additional scalable simulation from high fidelity charging models.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

STILGAR End-of-Project Report

The Subsurface Tunnel Imaging LeveraGed by Analysis of Rayleigh wave ellipticity (STILGAR) project demonstrated an integrated geophysical approach for detecting, locating, and characterizing underground structural changes using dense seismic arrays and advanced inversion techniques. Field campaigns were conducted at two operational mines—the Redmond salt mine (Utah) and Graymont Pleasant Gap limestone mine (Pennsylvania)—providing real-world testbeds for monitoring anthropogenic subsurface activity. At the Redmond salt mine, seismic interferometry combined with back-projection inversion successfully identified continuous, low-amplitude signals from mining operations. The approach differentiated stationary from migrating anthropogenic sources, captured daily operational cycles, and validated the potential of passive seismic monitoring for remote detection of underground activity. At the Graymont Pleasant Gap mine, two dense seismic deployments in the spring and fall of 2023 generated over 4 TB of high-resolution data. Key outcomes included the relocation of 199 underground and 8 surface explosions with accuracies within tens of meters and the development of a 3D P-wave velocity model using the triple-difference tomography algorithm (tomoTD) that resolved major structural features such as the mine entrance, low-velocity tunnels, and roof-collapse areas. Ambient noise cross-correlation and back-projection analyses revealed persistent sources linked to ongoing mining activity, whereas horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) and ellipticity studies confirmed stable site responses across seasons and identified soil thickness trends consistent with regional erosional and depositional processes. Checkerboard and sensitivity tests further validated the robustness of the tomographic results. Overall, the findings emphasize that although significant progress has been made in subsurface imaging, further work is needed to enhance the detection and localization of underground structures. Accurate imaging requires higher frequencies, yet anthropogenic sources tend to dominate the seismic record at those frequencies, and high-frequency surface waves are affected by higher modes that complicate interpretation. The improved detection and localization of human-induced signals enabled detailed temporal and spatial mapping of daily mine operations, demonstrating the feasibility of continuous anthropogenic source monitoring. Sensitivity to signals from nontraditional sources, such as fan operations, highlights the broader applicability of this approach to other industrial environments in which continuous and impulsive signals are present. The field campaigns produced a substantial volume of high-quality seismic data, supporting the development and testing of new methods for seismic source characterization and subsurface imaging. Future deployments should include sensors capable of recording lower frequencies to probe deeper structures, increase bandwidth to enhance resolution and sensitivity to both shallow and deep targets, and collect additional large-scale datasets to refine imaging and source characterization techniques. Moreover, conducting 3D modeling studies of seismic wavefields at higher frequencies will provide a better understanding of wave scattering and cavity–wavefield interactions in complex underground environments. In conclusion, the STILGAR project demonstrated that integrated seismic monitoring can effectively characterize underground operations, capturing both natural and anthropogenic signals. The approaches developed provide a foundation for improved detection, localization, and imaging of subsurface structures and are directly transferable to broader industrial monitoring applications.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Assessing Dynamic Time Warping Techniques for Discriminating Seismic Sources at Local and Regional Distances

Effective monitoring of seismic explosions and hazard assessment relies heavily on the accurate discrimination of underground seismic sources. This study investigates the application of novel nonlinear alignment techniques, specifically Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), for event-type discrimination at regional and local distances. Building on prior research that used DTW and Elastic Shape Analysis (ESA) in discrimination at regional distances, we evaluate the performance of recently developed variants of DTW, including a method that employs Pearson cross-correlation as a measure of warping distance and a time distortion coefficient that quantifies the type and degree of time distortion between signals. By analyzing observational datasets that include different source types, we assess the performance of these approaches for realistic monitoring scenarios. Specifically, we consider a dataset recorded at regional distances in the Korean Peninsula and a local-distance subset from the Unconstrained Utah Event Bulletin catalog to evaluate DTW-based discrimination across multiple distance scales. Additionally, we introduce the maximum cross-correlations of warped waveforms as a similarity metric for event classification. Through hierarchical cluster analysis and dendrogram interpretation, we present our findings, highlighting the strengths and limitations of these techniques in seismic event classification.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2026

Wind River Experimental Forest Subcanopy Tower Information Sheet

Wind River was one of three sites that collected 3d sonic anemometer data for an ICOS subcanopy observation study. The three sites were defined by the following features and terrain: a deciduous broadleaf forest in flat terrain (Lanžhot, Czech Republic), a coniferous forest in mountainous terrain (Renon, Italy), and a tall conifer forest in mountain-valley terrain (Wind River, USA). The Wind River subcanopy towers were deployed in a high LAI, old-growth evergreen conifer forest and collected approximately 11 months of data. The site is an ecologically rich temperate rainforest in the western Cascade Mountains, and the biological carbon sink and source strength has been measured since 1998 using eddy covariance on the top of a 74 m tall flux tower (currently called the Wind River NEON tower). Additionally, forest inventory records date back to the 1920s. In 2024, four subcanopy towers were installed near the Wind River NEON tower to measure wind flow in the understory canopy layer for better understanding canopy flow coupling and decoupling in the subcanopy and how this affects the interpretation of overstory fluxes. The subcanopy tower installation was done by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Washington State University (WSU) with collaborations from the University of Utah and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Critical Minerals Leadership Academy: Building a Cross-Disciplinary Workforce for the Evolving Critical Minerals Sector

This presentation was submitted to the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) MineXchange annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. This abstract and subsequent presentation provide an overview of the Critical Minerals Leadership Academy (CMLA) that took place in Laramie, Wyoming in August of 2025. The presentation includes information regarding the development of the CMLA, a review of the event, and information regarding participants, their backgrounds and future intentions.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Coupling Remote Sensing and Sonar Measurements to Estimate Availability of Suitable Backwater Nursery Habitat for Colorado Pikeminnow

Low-velocity channel-margin habitats serve as important nursery habitats for the endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) in the middle Green River between Jensen and Ouray, Utah. These habitats, known as backwaters, are associated with emergent sandbars and are shaped and reformed annually by peak flows. Recent knowledge about backwater characteristics and dynamics was summarized in a synthesis report (Grippo et al. 2015) that was based on detailed annual survey data collected from a relatively small sample of backwaters between 2003 to 2014 and reach-wide evaluations of backwater surface area based on manual interpretation of aerial and satellite imagery. Methods that bridge the gap between the detailed surveys from a small number of backwaters and reach-wide assessments of their surface area would enable an improved assessment of the availability of backwater habitats that provide suitable depths for young-of-the-year (YOY) Colorado pikeminnow.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗