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At least 469 records · Page 26

Integrated Military Systems

The Integrated Military Systems (IMS) Center at Sandia National Laboratories is a technical systems integrator of high-risk, high-impact systems. It provides cutting-edge technologies, subsystems, solutions, and products that provide a competitive advantage at every point of engagement. Building on more than six decades of experience, IMS seeks to pursue and provide solutions to the most challenging national security issues. We leverage technical capabilities from the Laboratories' core mission and innovatively apply technology to defense problems. IMS' diverse capabilities produce revolutionary technologies in the areas such as precision strike and defense, autonomy, NG&C, directed energy, signal processing/ATR, lethality and threat assessment, and systems engineering. Our talented engineers and staff take a problem from initial design all the way through testing and fielding.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

IEA Wind TCP Task 37: Definition of the IEA 15-Megawatt Offshore Reference Wind Turbine

This report describes a 15-megawatt offshore wind turbine with a fixed-bottom monopile support structure. This reference wind turbine is a Class IB direct-drive machine, with a rotor diameter of 240 meters and a hub height of 150 meters. An overview of the design is presented in Figure ES-1 and Table ES-1. The design reflects a joint effort between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Technical University of Denmark, sponsored by the European Union's H2020 Program, through the second work package of International Energy Agency Wind Task 37 on Wind Energy Systems Engineering: Integrated RD&D. A forthcoming report will detail a semisubmersible floating support structure developed by the University of Maine.

15 MW↗

Smart Vacuum Cleaner Concept of Operations [Slides]

Modern living brings with it the need to use time as efficiently as possible, one of the key objectives being to create as much free-time for ourselves as we possibly can. In an ideal world, the domestic appliances of today would be replaced by new gadgets with the ability to perform tasks in a completely independent way. This document presents the application of Systems Engineering tools for the concept of operations for a smart vacuum cleaner, a device that replaces the use of hand-held vacuums, and provides a completely automated remote-operated option for keeping floors of all types clean.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Parallel Implicit Hydrodynamics for High Explosive Burn Calculations

High explosives in hostile environments will require calculational capabilities that model processes, which evolve on timescales from minutes to nanoseconds. Eventually the HE will begin to move metal. To handle this temporal evolution an implicit hydrodynamics coupled to the chemical release of the HE energy is required. In addition, the use of chemical kinetics to model the transition from, the initially, slow heating of a confined high explosive through to deflagration and on to detonation requires many computational zones to model high explosive engineering systems. This requirement means that a fully parallel implicit hydrodynamics is essential. In this paper we present the calculation of a nonlinear matrix equation for the advanced particle pressure that has been made parallel and implemented in our AMR code, BABBO. This new parallel implicit hydrodynamics has been applied to a cookoff problem, as well as, one and two dimensional shock problems. Results are presented and discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between National Energy Technology Laboratory and Korea Institute of Energy Research [Abstract]

The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intend to collaborate under a CRADA to advance the development of oxy-combustion technology, with an emphasis on process modeling, optimization, and techno-economic analysis. This collaboration will result in the development of a full-scale process model of a commercial oxy-fueled circulating fluid bed combustion (oxy-CFBC) plant, informed from pilot-scale data and built using the Institute for the Design of Advanced Energy Systems (IDAES) process systems engineering framework. It will also generate cost comparisons of the optimized oxyCFBC process with an air-CFBC process with and without carbon capture and sequestration.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Request for the establishment of quantum information foundries

Quantum information science still requires basic science research to achieve its full potential. However, scientists require access to fabricated device samples if we are to utilize the full toolset for solving the pressing issues in the field such as materials, device layout, or optimal error correction methods.Currently, access to samples is either prohibitively expensive, or requires close collaboration with one of the few groups in the world developing these systems. A dedicated quantum foundry could,in principle,provide affordable samples designed with current best practices to a host of scientists who otherwise do not have access. We detail several different foundry models which we believe will assist the community in developing the science for both the underlying processes, as well as the more advanced chip layout and circuit design. Opening access to the broader community has the potential to significantly lower the barrier to entry and vastly improve the ability for researchers in fields ranging from condensed matter to materials characterization to systems engineering to contribute to accelerating the advance of quantum information science and technology.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Augmented Monitoring and Condition Assessment Program (AMCAP) - Proof-of-Principle (POP) Mockup for Non-Aluminum Spent Nuclear Fuel Container In-Situ Examinations

A disciplined engineering approach is being followed to develop an engineered system of tooling and sensors, characterization techniques, and deployment subsystems for in-situ inspection of the several container types used for the storage of non-aluminum spent nuclear fuel (NASNF) in L Basin under the Augmented Monitoring and Condition Assessment Program (AMCAP). Inspecting the containers to provide information on their structural condition helps ensure the safe handling and storage of the NASNF containers pending final disposition. This report describes the work performed in the initial two phases of this developmental work, namely the bench scale and proof-of-principle (POP) scale, which focus on sensor selection and the tooling design and fabrication for two remote non-destructive examination (NDE) methods. These methods include visual testing (VT) for a visual examination of the container surfaces and ultrasonic testing (UT) for a n examination to characterize container wall material thickness and flaws.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Comparison of Test Data Using Different Tools Available in W-13 [Slides]

Here, we show progress on recent work performed in our team to answer system engineer’s questions; solicit feedback on metrics and provide suggestions on other test comparison examples; and use quasi “tool-time” to share two tools that fellow engineers in our group have developed and are using.

42 ENGINEERING↗

APS Science 2020 (Vol. 2)

The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Photn Source (APS) is one of the world’s most productive x-ray light source facilities. Each year, the APS provides high-brightness x-ray beams to a diverse community of more than 5,000 researchers in materials science, chemistry, condensed matter physics, the life and environmental sciences, and applied research. Researchers using the APS produce over 2,000 publications each year detailing impactful discoveries, and solve more vital biological protein structures than users of any other x-ray light source research facility. APS x-rays are ideally suited for explorations of materials and biological structures; elemental distribution; chemical, magnetic, electronic states; and a wide range of technologically important engineering systems from batteries to fuel injector sprays, all of which are the foundations of our nation’s economic, technological, and physical well-being. The APS occupies an 80-acre site on the Argonne campus, about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois. It shares a site with the Center for Nanoscale Materials and the Advanced Protein Characterization Facility.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Small Reactors in Microgrids: Technical Studies Guidance

This report provides initial guidance for the technical studies that are needed for the integration of small reactors (SR)—i.e., small modular reactors (SMR) and microreactors—in microgrids. Power-system engineering issues related to the configuration of these microgrids and their interconnection and interaction with the grid are identified. This guidance applies microgrid concepts to the deployment of SRs for a range of use cases (scenarios). Further, it identifies issues and necessary studies related to laboratory testing and validation of various configurations of SR in microgrids.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Analysis in Support of Disposition of Tank 48 Legacy Material

This report contains the characterization of six 200-mL Tank 48H samples: HTF-48-21-74, HTF-48-21-75, HTF-48-21-76, HTF-48-21-81, HTF-48-21-82, and HTF-48-21-83. The effort supports a Systems Engineering Evaluation (SEE) recommendation involving a Tank 48H decantation strategy that would remove liquid volume and grout the solids. The first three Tank 48H samples were surface samples taken after a quiescent period in the tank. The quiescent period allowed settling of the solids, these being mostly potassium tetraphenylborate. These three surface samples had no measurable solids, though a settling haze could be seen. The latter three samples were taken at 48, 25, and 10 inches from the bottom of Tank 48H immediately after tank mixing pumps had been run. Those samples contained measurable insoluble solids that were readily visible. All six samples were analyzed to provide chemical and radionuclide concentrations as defined as the "Limit" and "Target" in the Saltstone Production Facility (SPF) Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) and per the compliance strategy in the Tank Farm Waste Compliance Plan (WCP). Samples were analyzed by many methods to determine pH, density/specific gravity, radioactive isotopes, soluble and insoluble elements, total solids, total insoluble solids, organic and inorganic mercury, volatile and semi-volatile chemicals, and anions. Photographs of the settling of small samples were taken over time and are displayed in this report. The extent of settling was very significant, showing that surface sample liquids are similar to filtrates. However, Cs-137 measurements exceeded WAC limits in all surface samples (1.1E+07 vs. 1.3E+06). The solids were found to contain very high cesium activity, measured as high as 1.1E+10 dpm/gram. Sodium was in the range of 4.24 to 4.74 M for all samples, so the solids would tend to settle with time and would not be at risk of floating without air entrainment. No organic mercury was detected in this work.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Analysis in Support of Disposition of Tank 48 Legacy Material

This report contains the characterization of six 200-mL Tank 48H samples: HTF-48-21-74, HTF-48-21-75, HTF-48-21-76, HTF-48-21-81, HTF-48-21-82, and HTF-48-21-83. The effort supports a Systems Engineering Evaluation (SEE) recommendation involving a Tank 48H decantation strategy that would remove liquid volume and grout the solids. The first three Tank 48H samples were surface samples taken after a quiescent period in the tank. The quiescent period allowed settling of the solids, these being mostly potassium tetraphenylborate. These three surface samples had no measurable solids, though a settling haze could be seen. The latter three samples were taken at 48, 25, and 10 inches from the bottom of Tank 48H immediately after tank mixing pumps had been run. Those samples contained measurable insoluble solids that were readily visible. All six samples were analyzed to provide chemical and radionuclide concentrations as defined as the "Limit" and "Target" in the Saltstone Production Facility (SPF) Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) and per the compliance strategy in the Tank Farm Waste Compliance Plan (WCP). Samples were analyzed by many methods to determine pH, density/specific gravity, radioactive isotopes, soluble and insoluble elements, total solids, total insoluble solids, organic and inorganic mercury, volatile and semi-volatile chemicals, and anions. Photographs of the settling of small samples were taken over time and are displayed in this report. The extent of settling was very significant, showing that surface sample liquids are similar to filtrates. However, Cs-137 measurements exceeded WAC limits in all surface samples (1.1E+07 vs. 1.3E+06). The solids were found to contain very high cesium activity, measured as high as 1.1E+10 dpm/gram. Sodium was in the range of 4.24 to 4.74 M for all samples, so the solids would tend to settle with time and would not be at risk of floating without air entrainment. No organic mercury was detected in this work.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

University of Miami Industrial Assessment Center (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

The University of Miami Industrial Assessment Center (MIIAC) is located at the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering in the College of Engineering at University of Miami. The Center has conducted 402 energy assessments with estimated Total Energy Savings over $\$57.3$ million, Total Non- Energy Cost Savings of $\$23.7$ million, and Total Energy Saving as a 26% of Energy Costs of $\$311$ million. A total of 6.01 TBtu of energy savings were recommended as a result of energy efficiency measures resulting in $\$81$ million in cost savings.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Investigating Benefits and Challenges of Converting Retiring Coal Plants into Nuclear Plants

A coal-to-nuclear (C2N) transition means siting a nuclear reactor at the site of a recently retired coal power plant. Three overarching questions from the C2N transition guide this research: where in the United States are retired coal facilities located and what factors make a site feasible for transition; what factors of technology, cost, and project timeline drive investor economics over such a decision; and how will C2N impact local communities? The study team evaluated the siting characteristics of recently retired plants and those operating coal-fired power plant sites run by a utility or an independent power producer utilizing publicly available data to screen U.S. coal power plant sites to nuclear-feasible locations. After screening all retired coal sites to a set of 157 potential candidates and screening operating sites to a set of 237 candidates, the study team estimates that 80% of retired and operating coal power plant sites that were evaluated have the basic characteristics needed to be considered amenable to host an advanced nuclear reactor. For the recently retired plant sites evaluated, this represents a capacity potential of 64.8 GWe to be backfit at 125 sites. For the operating plant sites evaluated, this represents a capacity potential of 198.5 GWe to be backfit at 190 sites. This report evaluates a case study for the detailed impacts and potential outcomes from a C2N transition. Based on the nuclear technology choices and sizes evaluated to replace a large coal plant of 1,200 MWe generation capacity at the case study site, nuclear overnight costs of capital could decrease by 15% to 35% when compared to a greenfield construction project, through the reuse of infrastructure from the coal facility. Nuclear replacement designs can have a lower capacity size because nuclear power plants run at higher capacity factors than coal power plants. In the case study replacing coal capacity with 924 GWe of nuclear capacity, the study team found regional economic activity could increase by as much as $\$275 million$ and add 650 new, permanent jobs to the region of analysis. The evaluated site choice in the report is hypothetical for analysis purposes only and based on available data and documented assumptions. Consequently, the findings only inform at a general level. A community, investor, or other interested stakeholder can use these results to set up a detailed, in-depth analysis for a specific application of interest, such as evaluating a C2N transition of a specific coal power plant and a specific nuclear technology design. The report was subjected to independent peer reviews by experts in systems engineering and regional economic modeling to evaluate analysis and assumptions.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Derivation of a Multi-Species Mix Model

Multi-species flow takes place when two or more gases, plasmas or fluids are flowing and interacting with one another through particle collisions, chemical reactions, turbulence, and thermonuclear processes; this list is not exhaustive. It has a wide range of applications in geological, biological and engineering systems. In what follows species refers to different species of atoms or molecules that may or may not be partially or fully ionized. The interactions between these species takes place at an atomic or molecular level. The species are electrically neutral. These are very important points, because the coupling between species that are interacting on a mesoscale level or are immiscible would be very different than what is being considered in this work. In addition, in section 4, we present a heuristic argument to enhance the collisional mean free path to incorporate the effects of turbulent eddies by use of Prandtl’s assumption that the integral scale length of a turbulent boundary layer is proportional to the width of the turbulent layer. This leads to coupling terms that are non-Newtonian, because they are a function of the dynamics of the flow. It is also assumed that the turbulent stress terms are much smaller than the species partial pressures. This may be a good assumption if the species are hot, dense plasmas that exist in ICF targets.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Evaluation of Technologies for Destruction of LDR Organics in Hanford Tank Waste

Aqueous Hanford tank wastes contain soluble organics and some tanks contain small amounts (<100 mg/L) of organics that are regulated under the Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) portions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Most of these organics can be removed by evaporation, but some are not. Methods to destroy/remove organics that are regulated by the LDR section of the RCRA and that are not removed by evaporation may be needed if ambient temperature waste treatment processes are used to immobilize aqueous Hanford tank wastes. To identify viable and compatible organic removal or destruction pretreatment methods an evaluation was performed by a team of researchers. The team utilized a Systems Engineering Approach that examines all aspects of the technology, based on information available in the literature and the experience of the team members. That evaluation led to recommendations by the team to perform testing on technologies to determine efficacy in destroying organics in Hanford tank waste liquids. The primary technologies recommended are chemical oxidants, including permanganate, peroxymonosulfate or peroxydisulfate (PMS/PDS), hydrogen peroxide, and ozone. Ultraviolet light irradiation of the stream with a solid catalyst sorbent is also recommended for testing. A generalized description of the test program is also included.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Integrated Issues and Risk Management: A Theoretical Framework Overview

The contractor requirements document for DOE O 226.1B, Implementation of Department of Energy Oversight Policy, requires DOE/NNSA contractors to establish an assurance system that includes, among other things, “Rigorous, risk-informed, and credible self-assessment and feedback and improvement activities. Assessment programs must be risk-informed, formally described and documented, and appropriately cover potentially high consequence activities” and “Contains an issues management process that is capable of categorizing the significance of findings based on risk and priority and other appropriate factors….” However, the term “risk-informed” is not defined in this or any other DOE order, and no formal guidance on how to integrate the two concepts currently exists. The Risk Management Guide for Defense Programs released by NA-18, Office of Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I), states it is “a framework and general guidance to program office personnel on the effective management of program risks and issues”, however it then defines issues as “events with 100% likelihood of affecting program objectives” and states “unless specified otherwise, the term “risk” will also serve to represent issues for the remainder of this plan,” severally limiting its ability to provide adequate guidance on this topic. Outside of DOE scope, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S. NRC) imposes similar requirements. ASME NQA-1-2015 Requirement 16 states “Conditions adverse to quality shall be identified promptly and corrected as soon as practicable. In the case of a significant condition adverse to quality, the cause of the condition shall be determined, and corrective action taken to preclude recurrence. The identification, cause, and corrective action for significant conditions adverse to quality shall be documented and reported to appropriate levels of management. Completion of corrective actions shall be verified”. The purpose of this document is to provide a best-in-class framework for an integrated risk and issues management process. This process would provide a robust feedback loop between risk management and issues management to: Enhance risk identification and characterization, use risk handling principles to improve corrective action planning, and ensure regulatory compliance.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗