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DOE OSTI2022

Seismoelectric Effects for Geothermal Resources Assessment and Monitoring (SEE4GEO)

The seismoelectric effects technique (SEE) is a new and innovative approach for geothermal subsurface imaging and monitoring at reservoir scale. The objective of this project is to assess SEE in terms of data acquisition, cost and quality, and to determine its capability in comparison with classical imaging and monitoring techniques, particularly decoupled seismic and electromagnetic methods. This will be achieved by (1) development of a fast, true 3D numerical package, handling SEE imaging and subsurface properties characterization, including resistivity and permeability, (2) laboratory experiments performed in a controlled environment to define optimal deployment design, data quality, and inform field deployment, and (3) field surveys to ultimately test and draw lessons for practical use of SEE technology. There is a relatively extensive body of work in the literature on SEE, and members of this consortium have been involved in theoretical and numerical development of SEE modeling as well as laboratory experiments. Nevertheless, to our knowledge few, if any, documented efforts have been specifically targeting the use of SEE for geothermal subsurface imaging and monitoring. The strength and originality of our proposal rely on an integrated approach leveraging numerical, laboratory and field experiments, to properly document the practical use of SEE. Through this process, SEE in-hand technology for the geothermal industry will be able to progress from a TRL 1 to TRL 3.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

In-situ optical monitoring of gas turbine blade coatings under operational extreme environments

High temperature material systems consisting of thermal barrier coatings and the underlying superalloys are key to achieving higher gas temperatures which in turn control engine efficiencies and reduce emissions. With engine temperatures in excess of the limits that metallic blades and vanes can endure, advanced monitoring techniques that ensure the integrity and durability of these coatings are paramount to continuous and safe operation. Optical methods have the benefit of being non-invasive and are able to capture data under limited access available for monitoring the hot-section of turbines. Addressing Topic 5 on Advanced Instrumentation, the research and development effort for this project titled “In situ optical monitoring of gas turbine blade coatings under operational extreme environments” was completed by University of Central Florida researchers, including Raghavan (PI) and Ghosh (co-PI). In this project, the research team leveraged intrinsic properties of coatings and rare-earth dopants as active and intelligent “sensors” through their optical properties. The outcomes of this project pave the way for diagnostics of turbine blade coatings, under operating environments, through the development of the sensing thermal barrier coating configurations, calibration and associated instrumentation while ensuring coating integrity and durability goals are concurrently met.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2021

Calendar Year 2020 Post-Closure Monitoring Report for Corrective Action Unit 99: Rainier Mesa/Shoshone Mountain, Underground Test Area, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada (Rev. 1)

This report presents the results of monitoring conducted for water quality, water levels, and institutional controls in calendar year (CY) 2020 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Management (EM) Nevada Program’s Underground Test Area (UGTA) Activity at Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 99, Rainier Mesa/Shoshone Mountain (RM/SM), at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), Nevada. This report also presents analytical laboratory results (including results of quality assurance/quality control samples, such as field duplicates [FDs]), and verification of use restrictions (URs), institutional controls, and water usage. Groundwater samples were collected; water levels were measured; and well site surveillance was conducted in support of the Underground Test Area Closure Report (CR) for Corrective Action Unit 99: Rainier Mesa/Shoshone Mountain, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada (DOE/EMNV, 2020). Rainier Mesa (RM) was the site of 61 underground nuclear tests, and Shoshone Mountain (SM) was the site of 6 underground nuclear tests. As a result of these activities, which took place from 1957 to 1992, radionuclides (RNs) were released in the subsurface in the vicinity of the detonations. These 67 underground nuclear tests are associated with 66 specific corrective action site (CAS) numbers, as listed in the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) (1996, as amended). Two tests, HURON LANDING and DIAMOND ACE (conducted simultaneously), are included within one CAS. The CR (DOE/EMNV, 2020) establishes the regulatory boundaries and regulatory boundary objectives, monitoring program, UR boundaries and URs, and other institutional controls agreed to by EM Nevada Program and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) for closure of CAU 99. Regulatory boundaries for the RM/SM CAU were established to protect receptors of groundwater from RN contamination within the three downgradient groundwater basins that receive recharge from RM. The SM regulatory boundary was established to verify that RN contamination does not reach the lower carbonate aquifer below SM. The UR boundaries were established based on contaminant simulation forecasts from the flow and transport simulations with consideration of site-specific topographical controls. The URs associated with the UR boundaries were identified to protect onsite workers and the public from inadvertent exposure to contaminated groundwater as forecasted to occur assuming current conditions. The UR is intended to restrict activities that might expose workers to contaminated groundwater within the UR area. In addition to the URs, other institutional controls are established to monitor and limit access to groundwater. These include federal ownership and management in perpetuity, controlled access of the NNSS and surrounding areas, and reporting water use on the NNSS and surrounding hydrographic basins.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

The Low-Yield Nuclear Monitoring (LYNM) Experimental Science Plan

The Low-Yield Nuclear Monitoring (LYNM) Program is a long-term NNSA research and development effort designed to improve the United States’ explosion monitoring capabilities, particularly with respect to low-yield and potentially evasive underground nuclear testing. The LYNM Program focuses on researching, discovering, and exploiting unique and useful signatures, from all available technologies and sensors (e.g., seismic, acoustic, electromagnetic, gases, and particulates (both stable and radioactive)). Four Department of Energy laboratories participate in LYNM and together are referred to as the ‘quad-lab’. The R&D program execution is performed under NNSA defined structures known as “ventures”. Four science ventures were established: 1) Explosion Source Functions; 2) Containment of Low-Yield Underground Tests; 3) Local Signatures; 4) Dynamic Monitoring Networks. To organize and execute the large field scale experiment a fifth venture was established: 5) Physics Experiment One (PE-1). As part of the LYNM Program, a series of experiments are planned at various scales and levels of venture involvement. These vary from those that involve a subset of labs and/or LYNM ventures (e.g., small experiments), to full quad-lab LYNM Program field-scale integrated experiments. Such experiments may involve chemical explosions with tracer materials or other means of simulating the expected signals from a nuclear explosion. The LYNM Program does not conduct actual nuclear explosions. Since 1992, the U.S. has observed a moratorium on underground nuclear explosions. This document is intended to provide the underlying scientific basis for the LYNM planned experimental work. Each specific LYNM experiment will develop a goals, objectives, and requirements (GOR) plan following the guidance in this document. The LYNM technical staff will define the numbers and types of experiments required over the course of the Program based on technical needs and within funding constraints. As with any scientific experiment series, the number and types of experiments may change based upon the experimental results obtained. An experiment that agrees with models/codes/software signature predictions may need fewer repetitions/variations, depending upon the level of statistical rigor desired, as compared to one in which the predictions and experimental data do not match. The large LYNM field-scale integrated experiments require the longest lead-time for planning, and these are discussed in more detail near the end of this document.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Cost Efficiency of Environmental DNA as Compared to Conventional Methods for Biodiversity Monitoring Purposes at Marine Energy Sites

The installation of marine energy systems may affect marine environments, and by extension, marine fish communities. Therefore, biomonitoring is an integral part of assessing impacts on species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides a noninvasive alternative to conventional monitoring surveys and the possibility of a more accurate assessment of species richness. Yet, its cost efficiency compared to traditional methods of monitoring is relatively unknown, especially when applied to monitoring around tidal, wave, and offshore wind energy installations. For this study, 202 peer-reviewed journal articles were dissected to inventory the diversity of supplies used for collecting and processing eDNA samples and to compile the average cost of eDNA surveys. Information collected included the type, volume, and brand of containers used in sampling; material, size, and brand of filters; and extraction methods. Cost information was gathered for the most common supplies, and a total cost was estimated for a hypothetical eDNA survey in Sequim Bay, WA, to compare with traditional methods of surveying such as beach seining and scuba surveys. The results showed a higher-than-expected diversity of supplies to collect and process eDNA samples. The most common supplies were 1 L Nalgene bottles at an average cost of 7.96 USD for collecting samples, 0.45 µm glass fiber Merck Millipore filters at an average cost of 1.51 USD for filtering samples, and the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue kit at 3.54 USD per sample for extracting DNA. When compared to beach seine and scuba surveys, eDNA surveys undertaken by senior researchers are less expensive for both initial surveys with all new materials as well as for follow-up surveys reusing some of the supplies. However, when surveys are done solely by students, eDNA surveys are more expensive than scuba surveys when no prior supplies are available and more than both beach seine and scuba surveys for follow-up surveys reusing supplies. In a professional sphere, where surveys are less often conducted by teams of students only, eDNA surveys are an effective and less-costly alternative to conventional methods. We anticipate that the development and refinement of eDNA methodology will continue to decrease surveying costs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2021

Creation of Laboratory-scale Testbed for Autonomous Monitoring and Control of Subsurface Systems

This report describes the results of an LDRD project aiming to develop a laboratory-scale testbed for autonomous subsurface monitoring and control systems. Modifications were made to an existing polyaxial loading frame to incorporate electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring systems. This allows engineered subsurface processes to be studied under realistic temperatures and stresses in a scaled-down laboratory environment with similar monitoring systems as are deployed in field-scale systems. The paper outlines some challenges that were faced in implementing the ERT system at the laboratory scale and the solutions that were devised. Results are shown from two demonstration tests—one focusing on the ERT system, and one focusing on the AE system.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2023

Demonstration of acoustic monitoring for structural health of microreactors: Through use of neural networks and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Nuclear microreactors prioritize modularity and portability and are intended to be a cost-effective technology for non-conventional nuclear markets. As such, the development of microreactors into a safe and feasible solution for energy security applications will necessitate the development of non-destructive technologies to monitor the integrity of inaccessible reactors components during operation. This demonstration applies linear and nonlinear acoustic techniques, in combination with machine learning, to detect and classify mechanical changes (stress and damage) in a test article which are broadly representative of potential operating challenges within a functioning microreactor. All necessary data has been collected for this demonstration, with minor experimental issues identified that can be addressed in follow-on work. Motivated by the expected conditions within a functioning microreactor, we have demonstrated our monitoring techniques on a core-block-like test article using an unstructured excitation source that approximates the noisy acoustic environment expected during reactor operation. At all stress states mechanically applied to the test article, a machine learning model using an artificial neural network was able to classify with 100% accuracy whether a 3D laser vibrometry point measurement was made on an intact or artificially defective test article. Further, model predictions about whether the defect interface was rough or smooth were 95% accurate, indicating the ability of acoustic techniques to recover defect characteristics. Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) was also applied to the dataset to provide further quantitative insights about material properties. RUS analysis was ultimately hampered by several minor experimental and data issues, limiting results to certain cases for this demonstration. Last, analysis using nonlinear RUS exhibited sensitivity to changing levels of applied stresses for each intact and defective state. As presented in this demonstration, acoustic monitoring exhibits sensitivity to stress changes, which are of concern due to high thermal gradients expected during startup and operation. Further, our techniques distinguish between measurements made on intact and damaged test articles.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Performance Monitoring Program: Developing Comparative Metrics for Fitness-for-Duty Programs

To comply with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations, licensees and entities authorized under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 26 Section 26.3 (§ 26.3) are required to have fitness-for-duty (FFD) programs. Under § 26.3, the expectation of these FFD programs is to provide reasonable assurance that individuals who are granted unescorted access to nuclear power reactor protected areas and Category I fuel cycle facility material control areas are trustworthy, will perform their tasks in a reliable manner, are not under the influence of any substance, legal or illegal, that may impair their ability to perform their duties, and are not mentally or physically impaired from any cause that can adversely affect their ability to safely and competently perform their duties. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was tasked with developing a performance monitoring program to risk inform NRC inspection and policy regarding quantitative FFD performance data. To meet this need, PNNL developed methodologies that could be implemented within a performance monitoring program. Throughout this report, these methodologies are referred to as comparative metrics. The NRC provided PNNL with 2016–2019 data from annual reporting forms and single positive test forms provided by licensees and other entities. For most of the comparative metrics, the analyses required customized processing, such as creating filtering fields, adding data fields and summaries, and joining datasets. The comparative metrics developed include: random testing rate, random policy violation rate, pre-access policy violation rate, subversion attempt rate, and number of policy violations by labor category. The comparative metrics can be used for parsing and visualizing FFD program data and monitoring FFD performance at the labor category, facility, licensee, and industry levels to risk inform NRC inspection and policy with regard to the FFD data currently collected from licensees and other entities that implement Part 26 requirements. Furthermore, these developed comparative metrics allow a more in-depth look at the FFD programs for the industry to discern trends and patterns that may warrant changes at an industry level and to inform policy decisions. These analyses should be refreshed as new FFD data become available.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Implementation Plan for Combined Heat and Power Systems VOLTTRON Controller: Performance Monitoring and Real-Time Commissioning Algorithm Verification

Building-integrated cooling, heating, and power (CHP) systems are more efficient than conventional systems at providing local power and thermal energy, and favorable fuel prices are bound to spur their increased adoption. However, to realize the full benefit of the CHP systems, we must ensure persistence of energy efficient operations. Much of the inefficiency in the current building operations can be eliminated by use of automated performance monitoring (PM), real-time commissioning verification (CxV) and automated fault detection and diagnostic (AFDD) tools. Automation can help system operators make intelligent decisions. Remote and continuous monitoring of system conditions and performance will enable better management and integration of CHP with existing building systems. Continuous PM, real-time CxV, and AFDD could alleviate burdens for operations staff, enhance operations and maintenance (O&M), and improve reliability of building and CHP systems. To address the O&M challenges and to provide a means to maximize the rate-of-return of building-integrated CHP systems, the Building Technologies Office (BTO) within the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) initiated a project to design, develop, and field test a VOLTTRON™-based supervisory controller and associated open-source algorithms. These algorithms will ensure real-time optimal operation of a building-integrated CHP system, support electric grid reliability, and lead to achieving the goal of clean, efficient, reliable, and affordable next-generation integrated energy system. Previous report listed the components for which PM, real-time CxV, and AFDD algorithms will be developed, how the algorithms will be tested, and the metrics that will be used to validate the algorithms and their ease of deployment. Deployment of these algorithms in the field will result in a reduction in energy consumption of between 10% and 20% (for both CHP and conventional building systems). This report builds upon the previous report by detailing the process by which PNNL will implement performance monitoring and real-time commissioning algorithms for CHP systems in conjunction with the use of the VOLTTRON CHP economic dispatch agent in host facilities.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2023

East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (2023 Fiscal Year Report)

In FY 2023, the East Tennessee Technology Park’s (ETTP’s) Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP) consisted of two tasks that reflected different but complementary approaches to evaluating the effects of ETTP effluents on the ecological integrity of waters near ETTP. These tasks included (1) fish and clams bioaccumulation monitoring and (2) fish and benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and density monitoring. The sampling and analysis requirements for the ETTP BMAP in FY 2023 are outlined in the sampling and analysis plan (UCOR 2023).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2023

Deep Vadose Zone Monitoring Test Bed (FY23 Status Report)

A subsurface air injection at the Hanford Site’s Deep Vadose Zone Monitoring Test Bed was completed to realize a change in subsurface hydrologic conditions in accordance with a soil desiccation remedy. The injection mimicked a previous injection at the site that was performed in accordance with a vadose zone treatability study. Unlike the previous test which relied on electrical methods only, the change in hydrologic conditions during the recent test was also monitored using cross-hole seismic sensing methods to assess the ability of the seismic methods to evaluate changes in moisture conditions of desiccated sediment at the field scale. Data from in situ neutron probes indicates a reduction of soil moisture in the vicinity of the injection well due to the air injection. Similar changes were observed in the time-lapse electrical resistivity and seismic data, which indicates a loss of soil moisture over time. Tomographic inversions of the time-lapse geophysical data illustrate the 2D and 3D features of the soil moisture distribution over time. Time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) results show a reduction in the electrical conductivity of the subsurface in the vicinity of the injection well, with most changes occurring within the screened interval. Similar patterns are observed in the seismic tomography results, with both methods illustrating two lobe-shaped features of reduced soil moisture. Use of seismic and ERT technologies in tandem takes advantage of two complementary geophysical monitoring technologies, providing increased sensitivity to specific hydrologic conditions. The multiphysics approach, therefore, has the potential to improve the ability to estimate subsurface moisture conditions from sensor-based and remotely sensed geophysical data that will ultimately improve the ability of remediation contractors to evaluate remedy performance.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

Power Electronics Based Self-Monitoring and Diagnosing for Photovoltaic Systems

Faults in photovoltaic (PV) systems can seriously affect the efficiency, energy yield, cost, safety, and reliability of PV plants. Condition monitoring of PV plants is, therefore, a very important approach to estimating the health condition of PV modules and power electronics in the system. However, additional hardware for PV system monitoring adds cost to the system's operation; delayed maintenance service also causes additional energy production loss. The Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES) at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Siemens Cooperate Research developed the online impedance measurement for a PV panel self-monitoring and diagnosing technology using the DC-DC converter connected to the panel. Small-signal impedances of a monocrystalline silicon PV panel were modeled and simulated to reflect fault conditions such as the short-circuit, hot-spot, and junction box faults. Modeling and simulation results were validated firstly using a test setup consisting of a solar simulator, a network analyzer, small-signal injectors, and a monocrystalline PV panel rated at 300 W.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Evaluation of In-Situ AM Process Monitoring Techniques and Potential for Detecting Process Anomalies and Undesirable Microstructures

The US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies (AMMT) program is pursuing rapid qualification of new materials for fabrication of nuclear relevant components using advanced manufacturing techniques. Particular interest is placed on code-qualifying stainless steel (SS) 316H processed by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing. A paradigm that incorporates data from in-situ sensing during the printing, ex-situ characterization, and advanced artificial intelligence–based models was established under the Transformation Challenge Reactor (TCR) program to develop a pedigree for each fabricated component that could be tracked from the feedstock to the component’s release for application. Under the TCR program, the Peregrine software was developed as a tool for incorporating the vast amounts of in-situ and ex-situ characterization data collected; all data stored on a rapidly growing digital platform. The digital platform allows for users to link site-specific process anomalies to the macro- and microstructure. The platform will eventually be able to predict component performance, which will be crucial to qualifying materials and components in risk-averse industries such as those supporting and building nuclear reactors. Current in-situ process monitoring techniques that are already integrated with software like Peregrine are advantageous for identifying process anomalies including powder spatter, component edge swelling, recoating-build interactions, and so on. However, additional data are required to fully predict the resulting microstructures needed for identifying relationships to component performance. The rapid cooling rates observed in LPBF are some of the highest of any bulk manufacturing process, resulting in heterogenous microstructures and typically causing anisotropy in mechanical properties. Moreover, evolved residual thermal stresses are high, which can cause severe defects such as delamination or cracking. Therefore, other in-situ monitoring methods are warranted for exploration to measure and map the thermal history, and potentially the stress state, of each build. This report summarizes different in-situ monitoring strategies proposed for LPBF with a focus on the more developed sensor systems. Novel capabilities for measuring melt pool temperatures are also addressed to better inform modeling efforts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Modeling and Design of Micro Flux Monitors for Neutron Fluence Measurements

Measuring neutron flux is critical to understanding the characteristics of nuclear reactors and can provide information on the energy spectrum, total neutron fluence, and operational history of a facility. Such measurements are typically performed by irradiating high-purity materials in an operating reactor for a known length of time. By measuring and identifying activation products in the irradiated materials and referencing the energy-dependent cross section of each isotope, the neutron energy spectrum and total fluence can be determined. Historical techniques use a variety of small, individually pressed foils or wires for dosimeter devices, which can result in excessively high levels of radioactivity and complications in handling after irradiation. The present work describes a new neutron dosimetry concept, named the micro flux monitor, that uses semiconductor device fabrication processes to deposit thin films of flux monitoring materials in precise geometries onto a SiC wafer. This approach allows multiple dosimetry materials to be located on a single device, simplifying irradiation and subsequent analysis. The geometry, and therefore mass, of each material can be custom-tailored for a specific application—considering the expected neutron flux, duration of irradiation, and device retrieval time of a facility. Additionally, hundreds of identical dosimetry monitors can be produced simultaneously, reducing fabrication costs. Finally, the extremely thin metal dimensions of these devices could improve the fidelity of neutron fluence measurements by reducing neutron self-shielding and gamma self-attenuation effects.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Operational and Performance Monitoring of East Tennessee Technology Park Ponds - 2024 Results

Performance and operational monitoring are regulatory requirements associated with a non–time-critical removal action for three surface water bodies at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Figure 1): the K-1007-P1 Pond, the K-901-A Pond, and the K-720 Slough. This progress report summarizes the monitoring activities and results from FY 2024. The goal of ecological enhancement of the K-1007-P1 and K-901-A Ponds is to reduce risk from polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in fish to humans and wildlife. Lowering PCB concentrations in the water column and in the food that fish eat is expected to decrease PCB bioaccumulation in fish. Performance monitoring of the K-1007-P1 Pond focuses on annual PCB trends in water, clams, and fish. PCBs in fish also are sampled annually at the K-720 Slough.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program - 2024 Fiscal Year Report

In FY 2024, the East Tennessee Technology Park’s (ETTP’s) Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP) consisted of two tasks that reflect different but complementary approaches to evaluating the effects of ETTP effluents on the ecological integrity of waters near ETTP. These tasks included (1) fish and clam bioaccumulation monitoring and (2) fish and benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and density monitoring. The sampling and analysis requirements for the ETTP BMAP in FY 2024 are outlined in the sampling and analysis plan (UCOR 2023).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Determining Unabated Airborne Radionuclide Emissions Monitoring Requirements Using Inventory-Based Methods

Compliance with the airborne radionuclide emission monitoring requirements in the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP; Title 40 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 61, Subpart H) and State requirements in Washington Administrative Code 246–247: Radiation Protection – Air Emissions and 173-480: Ambient Air Quality Standards and Emission Limits for Radionuclides were evaluated for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) operations. Additional guidance may be found in the U.S. Department of Energy Handbook, Environmental Radiological Effluent Monitoring and Environmental Surveillance. To meet regulatory requirements, reviews of planned or proposed projects and activities provide the basis for implementing necessary monitoring adjustments or for implementing changes to projects and activities in a timely manner. Potential unabated off-site doses were evaluated for emission locations managed by PNNL and licensed to the Department of Energy. These locations were at facilities in Richland, Washington (i.e., the Hanford Site and PNNL–Richland campus) and in Sequim, Washington, (PNNL–Sequim campus). This report describes the inventory-based methods and provides the results for the NESHAP assessment performed in January 2024 for calendar year ending 2023.

40 CFR 61 Subpart H↗

DOE OSTI2024

Development of an L-Edge X-ray Absorbance Spectrometer for Monitoring Dissolver Solutions in H-Canyon

Savannah River National Laboratory has developed a monitor to measure plutonium and uranium concentrations in solutions of dissolved nuclear fuel. The monitor will be installed in the sample aisle location for the 6.3D Dissolver in the Savannah River Site’s H-Canyon and used in support of the electrolytic dissolution such as Fast Critical Assembly fuel. The monitor is based on the atomic absorbance of x-rays. Elements are differentiated by the appearance of absorbance features at specific energies of the x-ray spectrum that correspond to L-edge transitions of inner core electrons. Hence, the technique is called L-Edge X-Ray Absorbance Spectroscopy (L-XRAS). The technique is suitable for nuclear fuel processing due to its relative insensitivity to other components of the dissolver solution, such as nitric acid, transition metals (Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn) such as those from stainless steel, particulates, and catalysts and additives. The instrumentation consists of a commercially available x-ray source and detector, a sample cell designed to interface with the airlift sampler associated with H-Canyon Tank 6.3D, and a stainless steel enclosure. SRNL wrote instrument control software and developed chemometric models to interpret x-ray intensity spectra and estimate analyte concentrations and uncertainties in real time.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗