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At least 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Unsteady PSP in the NASA Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

For the first time, unsteady pressure sensitive paint (uPSP) has been applied in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. Obtaining global surface pressure measurements using the uPSP technique required the development of a new paint formulation for use in the low oxygen heavy gas atmosphere, as well as environmental enclosures to protect sensitive electro-optical components from the high temperature, low pressure environment present during tunnel operation. A high-speed datalink connecting the wind tunnel to Langley’s local high performance compute resource was also established for this test to enable near real time processing of the large datasets that were obtained throughout the campaign. A high-speed lifetime measurement technique was also utilized to yield steady state surface pressures at each condition using the same equipment that was used to provide unsteady measurements. Important metrics such as pressure time histories and power spectral density are compared against traditional unsteady pressure point measurements, and more advanced data products such as dynamic mode decomposition are also explored to provide insight into the underlying flow phenomena.

Daniel T. Reese↗
DOE OSTI2023

Heat Transfer Characteristics of Particle and Air Flow Through Additively Manufactured Lattice Frame Material Based on Octet-Shape Topology

Particle-to-supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) heat exchanger is a critical component in next-generation concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. The inherently low heat transfer between falling particles and sCO 2 imposes a challenge toward economic justification of levelized cost of electricity produced through solar energy. Introduction of integrated porous media with the walls bounding particle flow has the potential to enhance the overall particle-to-sCO 2 heat exchanger performance. Here, this paper presents an experimental study on heat transfer characterization of additively manufactured lattice frame material based on Octet-shaped unit cell with particles and air as working fluids. The lattice structures were additively manufactured in stainless steel (SS) 316L and SS420 (with 40% bronze infiltration) via Binder jetting process, where the lattice porosities were varied between 0.75 and 0.9. The mean particle diameters were varied from 266 μm to 966 μm. The effective thermal conductivity and averaged heat transfer coefficient were determined through steady-state experiments. It was found that the presence of lattice enhances the effective thermal conductivity by 2–4 times when compared to packed bed of particles alone. Furthermore, for gravity-assisted particle flow through lattice panel, significantly high convective heat transfer coefficients ranging from 200 W/m2K to 400 W/m2K were obtained for the range of particle diameters tested. The superior thermal transport properties of Octet-shape-based lattice frame for particle flow makes it a very promising candidate for particle-to-sCO 2 heat exchanger for CSP application.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Analysis of Oxygen Liquefaction with Transient Flow Rates for ISRU Systems

Human occupation of lunar and Martian surfaces requires in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to create a sustainable environment with the limited resources available in space. Fuel and oxidizer generation is essential for developing a refueling capability for spacecraft, significantly reducing the propellant mass required for landing. Liquefaction systems are a key step in producing and storing cryogenic liquids such as oxygen, hydrogen, and methane. All those fluids are critical to propulsion, life support, and other spacecraft systems. NASA has previously confirmed the presence of water on the Moon and an electrolysis process can be used to separate the oxygen from the hydrogen molecules. Oxygen has also been found within lunar regolith and can be separated through ISRU processes. The extracted oxygen gas can then be liquefied inside a storage tank with tube-on-tank heat exchangers for future use as an oxidizer for propellants. While steady state liquefaction performance is easy to model, power limitations and cyclical environments caused by the change in Sun exposure between day and night periods potentially call for transient operations. The following analysis was performed using the Thermal Desktop software to investigate how various transient gaseous oxygen (GOX) flow rates impact the production and storage of liquid oxygen (LOX) in a 1-g liquefaction system. Variations of sinusoidal and exponential step functions were selected to model potential GOX flow rates that could be experienced by ISRU systems on lunar or Martian surfaces. This early computational analysis provides some insight on how transient operations impact oxygen liquefaction systems and helps illustrate operational questions to explore experimentally throughout the design process.

Cryogenic Fluid Management↗
DOE OSTI2024

Predicting Radiation-Induced Plutonium Redox Chemistry using Multi-scale Modeling Methods

Over the the last 70 years plutonium (Pu) has been integral in the development of several technologies that have changed the world, yet our fundamental understanding of its chemistry is still far from complete. This is a testament to this element’s unique and complex properties, such as its ability to coexist as multiple oxidation states in aqueous solution. Careful manipulation of plutonium oxidation states is essential in the study and utilization of its rich chemistry. To achieve this level of control, a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of radiation-induced plutonium redox chemistry is critical due to the unavoidable exposure of plutonium to ionizing radiation fields, both inherent and from in-process applications. For this reason, we have developed an experimentally evaluated multi-scale computer model for the prediction of gamma radiation-induced Pu(IV) redox chemistry in concentrated nitric acid solutions (1.0, 3.0, and 6.0 M). Under these acidic, aqueous solution conditions, cobalt-60 gamma irradiation afforded negligible net change in the steady-state oxidation state distribution of Pu(IV). Multi-scale calculations, which are in excellent agreement with experimental data, indicate that this observation is due to radiation-induced redox cycling between Pu(IV) and Pu(III), as achieved by the reduction of Pu(IV) by radiolytic nitrous acid and hydrogen peroxide, and the oxidation of Pu(III) by nitrate and hydroxyl radicals. These radiation-induced redox processes are augmented by plutonium’s inherent disproportionation reactions.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
NASA NTRS1998

Experiment 1: Orbital Processing of High-Quality Zn-Alloyed CdTe Compound Semiconductors

Zinc-alloyed cadmium telluride (Zn:CdTe) crystals were grown in unit gravity and in microgravity for comparative analysis. Two crystals were grown on USML-1/STS-50 in 1992, and two additional crystals were grown on USML-2/STS-73 in 1995. The Crystal Growth Furnace (CGF) in the seeded Bridgman-Stockbarger crystal growth geometry was utilized on both missions. Crystals grown on USML-1/STS-50 were found to have solidified with partial wall contact due to the near-absence of the hydrostatic pressure in microgravity, a residual g-vector that was not axial, and the nonwetting sample/ampoule wetting conditions. Crystals grown on USML-2/STS-73 included: a sample/ampoule identical to the USML-1/STS-73 sample/ampoule, with the addition of a restraining spring to simulate hydrostatic pressure internally, and a tapered ampoule which accomplished 2.2 cm of crystal growth without wall contact. Infrared transmission of all ground and flight samples was found to be 63-66 percent, very close to the theoretical 66 percent, suggesting good stoichiometric control. Infrared microscopy confirmed that the primary precipitates were Te and their size (1-10 microns) and density suggested that the flight- and ground-base samples experienced similar thermal histories. Longitudinal macrosegregation, calculated using scaling analysis, was predicted to be low. Nearly diffusion controlled growth was achieved even in unit gravity and macrosegregation data could be fit with a diffusion controlled model. Radial segregation was monitored and was found to vary with fraction solidified, particularly through the shoulder region, where the sample cross section was varying significantly. It was also disturbed in the flight samples in regions where asymmetric wall contact was noted. In regions where a steady state was established, the radial segregation was invariant within our experimental measurement error. Flight samples were found to be much higher in structural perfection than samples processed in unit gravity under identical growth conditions. In regions where solidification had occurred without wall contact, the free surfaces evidenced virtually no twinning, although twins appeared in the flight samples in regions of wall contact and were pervasive in the ground samples. These results were confirmed using optical microscopy and synchrotron x-ray white beam topography. Full-width half-maximum rocking curve widths (FWHM), recorded in arc-seconds, were significantly reduced from 20 a-s (1 g) to 9 a-s (micro-g) for the best regions of the crystals. The 9 a-s (FWHM) rocking curve value in the unconfined flight samples equals the best value reported terrestrially for this material. The ground samples exhibited a fully developed (111)[110] dislocation mosaic structure, whereas dislocations within the flight samples were discrete and no mosaic structure was evident. The defect density was quantitatively reduced from 75,000 (1 g) to 800 (micro-g) +/-50 percent. Dislocation etch pit density results were confirmed using transmission synchrotron white beam and monochromated beam topography. The low defect density is thought to have resulted from the near absence of hydrostatic pressure, which allowed the molten boule to solidify with little or no wall contact. This minimized the transfer of hoop stresses during solidification and post-solidification processing.

Larson, D. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Method for defect free keyhole plasma arc welding

A plasma arc welding process for welding metal of increased thickness with one pass includes operating the plasma arc welding apparatus at a selected plasma gas flow rate, travel speed and arc current, to form a weld having a penetration ratio to weld height to weld width, and maintaining the penetration ratio at less than 0.74. Parameters for the plasma gas flow rate, travel speed and arc current are adjusted to a steady state condition during a start up period and maintained during the steady state condition to complete a weld. During a terminal stopping period, the travel speed is stopped and instantaneously replaced by filler wire which adds material to fill the keyhole that had been formed by the welding process. Parameters are subsequently adjusted during the stopping period to terminate the weld in a sound manner.

Harwig, Dennis D.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantitative Cu Counting Methodologies for Cu/SSZ-13 Selective Catalytic Reduction Catalysts by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Here, two Cu/SSZ-13 selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts with distinct Si/Al ratios and isolated Z2Cu and ZCuOH distributions are prepared for in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies. These in situ studies include dehydration, titration of dehydrated samples with NO+O 2 and NH 3 , titration of NH 3 saturated samples with NO+O 2 , and finally steady-state standard NH 3 -SCR reaction. During dehydration, EPR active hydrated ZCuOH loses H 2 O ligands and becomes EPR silent due to a pseudo Jahn-Teller effect; a portion of ZCuOH also undergoes autoreduction to ZCu(I) species, a process that also induces EPR invisibility. During NO+O 2 treatment of dehydrated samples, ZCu(I) species are oxidized to Cu(II)-NO 3 - species, regaining EPR visibility. During NH3 titration, EPR silent dehydrated ZCuOH can also regain EPR visibility by coordinating with NH 3 ligands. During NO+O 2 titration of NH 3 -saturated samples, EPR active Cu contents first decrease due to Cu(II) reduction to Cu(I), and then increase due to Cu(II)-NO 3 - species formation. However, the Cu(II)-NO 3 - formation chemistry is substantially slower for the Si/Al = 36 catalyst. In steady-state SCR studies, the EPR active content decreases with increasing temperature in the kinetically controlled low-temperature regime and becomes largely invariant in mass-transfer limited regime. Importantly, Cu sites in the SCR more active Si/Al = 6 catalyst display substantially higher EPR visibility than the SCR less active Si/Al = 36 catalyst at any reaction temperatures tested. The higher Cu loading for the former catalyst is believed to be key for this difference.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Vitrification of High-Cr Glass in Research-Scale Melter

This test report describes the experimental results from a small-scale test using the research-scale melter (RSM) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to demonstrate processing of a high-Cr simulated feed stream, designated HLW-HCr-16. The RSM is a small, joule-heated melter capable of processing melter feed continuously. The melter is equipped with Inconel ® 693 electrodes, Monofrax ® K-3 refractory, and an Inconel 690 pour spout. An electric kiln surrounds the melter body and minimizes heat loss from the melter body during operation. The RSM is equipped with an offgas treatment system that employs quenching, wet scrubbing, and high-efficiency mist elimination. The glass-discharge section is heated to facilitate pouring of the glass. The melter is fitted with a melt cavity that is ~25 cm (10 in.) in diameter with a nominal glass depth of 8.9 cm (3.5 in.). The melter was operated with a target glass temperature of 1150°C and target plenum temperature between 550°C and 700°C for this test. The air bubbling rate was 4.2 L/min. Overall, during the continuous operation of the melter for ~ 103 hours, ~ 141 kg of glass was produced. At the conclusion of the test, the melter and exhaust lines were visually inspected for particulate deposition and corrosion. Entrained material had adhered to the underside of the melter lid and to the exhaust piping. Enrichments in elements such as Cl, F, B, K, Li, P, Na, and S were measured in these deposits through inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence analysis. When the melter electrodes and air bubbler tube were removed from the glass in the RSM, the electrodes appeared discolored, but no significant loss of metal was observed. The processing of a high-Cr simulant, HLW-HCr-16, in the RSM produced glass at an average rate of 1.36 kg/h, equaling a melter-surface-area normalized glass generation rate of 654 kg/day/m 2 . The resulting glass met the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure requirement. Test results of crystallinity, electrical conductivity, and viscosity showed good processing properties of this high-Cr high-level waste glass. RSM offgas was also sampled and analyzed at periodic intervals during steady-state operating conditions. The total decontamination factor averaged by four sampling periods was 134. The concentrations of CO and NO x in emissions were 237 to 422 and 69 to 94 parts per million by volume, respectively.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-Temperature Creep Behavior of Thin-Walled FeCrAl Alloy Tubes

This report summarizes measured creep properties for FeCrAl alloy C26M measured using subsized specimens machined from prototypic thin-walled tubes. A representative tube fabricated in a previous large batch production effort was machined into dual-gauge axial specimens using electrical-discharge machining. Creep tests, comprising strain-rate jump tests (SRJ), jump stress (JS) and constant-stress (CS) tests, were conducted at temperatures ranging from 600-900ºC to determine creep mechanisms (elucidated from stress exponents) and activation energies to compare with prior data available in the literature at temperatures up to 650ºC. It was found that the results from the SRJ tests indicated that the highest stress exponent of 5.8 occurred at 600ºC, which decreased to the lowest stress exponent of 2.5 at 700ºC. At higher temperatures, the stress exponents increased slightly to a range of 2.9 to 4.3 between 750ºC and 900ºC. The high stress exponent value of 5.8 suggested dislocation glide creep mechanisms dominated creep deformation at 600ºC since high stress values were measured. The low stress exponent of 2.5 at 700ºC suggested diffusional creep mechanisms start to occur that aid in dislocation cross-slip and climb mechanisms. The slightly higher stress exponents of 2.9 to 3.9 may suggest different contributions of creep deformation mechanisms based on diffusional processes associated with Nabarro-Herring and Coble creep and dislocation creep that involve thermally activated cross-slip and climb mechanisms. These deformation mechanisms could have also been affected by the development of recovery and/or recrystallization processes in the microstructure of the C26M2 specimens. From the SJ and single CS tests, two sets of creep activation energies were calculated. The steady state creep values obtained from the SJ tests showed several abnormalities especially with the data at 850ºC. The comparison of the creep activation energies between the data from the SJ and CS tests showed higher creep rates for the SJ tests than the CS tests, indicating microstructure softening occurred in the C26M2 specimens during the SJ tests that led to the higher creep rates at stresses above the initial stress of 10 MPa. For the CS tests, the results showed steady increases in MCR with increasing temperature at each stress. The best linear fit to the MCR values at each stress was with data obtained at 800ºC, 850ºC and 900ºC. The lowest Q c value of 130.8 KJ/mole was observed with the highest stress of 25 MPa. As stress was lowered, the Q c values increased continuously to the highest value of 188.2 KJ/mole at 10 MPa. This trend suggests that the dominant creep mechanism is diffusional based dislocation climb since the decreasing activation energies with increasing stress promotes easier dislocation climb around obstacles. The comparison between the SJ and CS tests indicates that the best type of creep test performed on FeCrAl alloys such as C26M2 is the single CS test.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1971

The creep properties of dispersion-strengthened silver-gallium oxide alloys.

Steady-state creep rates were measured for two preparations of a dispersion-strengthened alloy of silver with 1 mol % gallium oxide. One preparation, an internally-oxidized type, had a grain size 40 times that of the other preparation, which was a consolidated-powder type of alloy. The temperature and stress dependence of the steady-state creep rate differs widely for the two alloys and must be attributed to the difference in grain size. The activation energy for steady-state creep of the internally-oxidized coarse grained material is near that for self-diffusion of silver, which strongly indicates a creep process controlled by dislocation climb.

Lenel, F. V.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Deuterium and hydrogen flows in the thermosphere

Processes that affect vertical distributions and flows of deuterium and hydrogen between 100 and 500 km in the daytime thermosphere are investigated using a steady state numerical model that includes HD and H2 molecular flows, relevant chemistry, and transport by both molecular and eddy diffusion. The results of calculations indicate that the outward thermospheric fuxes and, hence, the planetary loss rates for D must be large compared to evaporative escape (as is also the case for H), confirming the suggestion of Breig et al. (1987). Results of measurements of H in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere and of H and D in the thermosphere were used to derive upward fluxes through the daytime thermosphere, showing that the upward fluxes exceeded the corresponding Jeans evaporative escape rates by factors of about 5 for H, and greater than 500 for D.

Breig, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Chemical Vapor Deposition at High Pressure in a Microgravity Environment

In this paper we present an evaluation of critical requirements of organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD) at elevated pressure for a channel flow reactor in a microgravity environment. The objective of using high pressure is to maintain single-phase surface composition for materials that have high thermal decomposition pressure at their optimum growth temperature. Access to microgravity is needed to maintain conditions of laminar flow, which is essential for process analysis. Based on ground based observations we present an optimized reactor design for OMCVD at high pressure and reduced gravity. Also, we discuss non-intrusive real-time optical monitoring of flow dynamics coupled to homogeneous gas phase reactions, transport and surface processes. While suborbital flights may suffice for studies of initial stages of heteroepitaxy experiments in space are essential for a complete evaluation of steady-state growth.

McCall, Sonya↗
DOE OSTI2020

An Improved Model For Determining Salinity Recharge Time for Deep Borehole Disposal - 20405

In a previous publication (K. P. Travis, D. Burley and F. G. F. Gibb, WM2017 Conference, Phoenix Arizona paper no. 17480) we introduced a numerical model to estimate the time it would take for a pressure perturbation to subside following its creation from the construction of a deep geological borehole in water-saturated rock. The model was based on the notion of a point source of momentum - a solution of the time-dependent pressure-diffusion equation. Using the model, we estimated that it would take on the order of 10 k years for physical equilibrium to become re-established following the sinking of a 5 km borehole in granite. The significance of such a model is that it places an upper bound on the lifetime required of a borehole sealing system - a necessary input to a borehole post-closure safety case assessment. No engineered sealing system has ever been devised which is capable of retaining its sealing properties for 10 half-lives of long-lived radioisotopes in spent fuel or high-level waste. One of the key advantages of disposing of nuclear waste via Deep Borehole Disposal (DBD) is the natural sealing provided by density stratified groundwater. Upon sinking of a borehole, and subsequent filling with fresh water, brine or drilling mud, this natural barrier may be temporarily damaged. Over time, fresh brine from the far-field will flow towards or away from the hole (driven by a pressure gradient) and will eventually re-establish the original salinity gradient. It follows that the engineered seals need last only as long as the time required for this salinity gradient to reset itself. One of the limitations of our previous model was the use of a static boundary condition on the borehole wall. The model used a boundary pressure which varied quadratically with depth (arising from differences between the pressure of a column of fresh water in the borehole and that of a column of brine in the host rock). However as brine replaces fresh water in the borehole (driven by a pressure gradient), the boundary function must change with time. We now introduce an improved model which takes this time dependent boundary condition into account. The model also takes into account the time taken for a mixture of brine and fresh water to re-establish chemical equilibrium through the process of diffusion. The paper contains the mathematical details of our new iterative model as well as results showing the time taken to reach steady state, and concentration profiles for the components of the brine-filled borehole as a function of time together with a discussion on the implications of the results for developing a post-closure safety assessment for DBD. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Time-resolved electrical potential pump – X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy probe developments for investigating dynamic processes occurring at electrochemical interfaces

Electrode–electrolyte interfaces are of critical importance in several fields, including renewable energy, corrosion, and environmental chemistry. However, investigating these interfaces under operational conditions poses considerable challenges due to the limitations of the instrumentation employed. While recent advancements in in situ and operando techniques have enhanced our comprehension of the steady-state properties of solid-liquid interfaces, the dynamic behaviors of these systems remain inadequately explored. This study introduces a time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique designed to capture transient reaction intermediates and charging dynamics at electrified interfaces. The presented proof-of-principle study demonstrates that electrochemical processes, represented by an equivalent electrical circuit (EEC) model, can be probed and understood using square wave voltage pulses of a potentiostat synchronized to the modified data acquisition of an XPS setup. This method offers a valuable alternative to traditional pump–probe techniques, facilitating the investigation of a broader range of electrochemical systems. A dedicated software package for analyzing time- and energy-resolved XPS with a focus on extracting parameters of the EEC is geared towards benchmarking different EECs in future real-world electrochemical experiments.

Electrochemistry↗
NASA NTRS1977

Photon pair production in astrophysical transrelativistic plasmas

Photon pair-production processes in marginally relativistic (transrelativistic) accretion plasmas are investigated in both Planckian and non-Planckian cases. Pair production in a plasma with an equilibrium (Planck) spectrum is reviewed, and pair-concentration calculations are performed for three general non-Planckian situations most relevant to black-hole accretion scenarios: steady-state transrelativistic plasmas of relatively high density characterized by a pure bremsstrahlung spectrum, a comptonized bremsstrahlung spectrum, and an unsaturated Compton scattering spectrum. The results obtained indicate that for transrelativistic temperatures (600 million to 6 billion K) photon pair production is not generally a dominant process for a plasma with a pure bremsstrahlung spectrum, but becomes dominant for plasmas where comptonization is important. It is also shown that photon pair-creation processes in a transrelativistic bremsstrahlung-radiating plasma that is more than marginally optically thick to Compton scattering significantly alter the plasma's spectrum by forcing it to become black-body before it reaches relativistic temperatures. Pair production and instabilities in unsteady-state plasmas are briefly considered

Stoeger, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Characterization of SiC/SiC Composites Subjected to Sequential Tensile Creep and Dwell Fatigue in Air under Thermal Gradient Conditions

Uncoated SiC/SiC composites, with 2D and 3D fiber architectures, were investigated under steady state thermal gradient conditions with sequential tensile creep and dwell fatigue. Melt infiltration (MI), chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP), and hybrid (CVI and PIP) techniques were used to fabricate ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) with a 2D balanced fiber architecture. CMCs with 3D fiber weaves were also fabricated using MI and hybrid methods. Steady state through the thickness thermal gradients were generated for the tensile specimens using laser heating on the front (hot side) and forced air cooling on the back (cold side). Hot side and cold side temperatures of 2400 and 2200 °F, respectively, were used for testing CMCs fabricated with the MI process, whereas hot side and cold side temperatures of 2700 and 2400 °F, respectively, were used for CMCs fabricated with CVI, PIP, and hybrid processes. Each CMC specimen was initially tested under tensile creep at 69 MPa (10 ksi) for 80 hours, which was then followed by tensile dwell fatigue testing at a maximum stress of 69 MPa (10 ksi) for another 80 hours for a total of 160 hours. This type of sequential tensile creep followed by tensile dwell fatigue testing was performed to ascertain the integrity of uncoated CMCs under steady state thermal gradient conditions. Tensile creep and dwell fatigue test results, generated under steady state thermal gradient conditions on different types of SiC/SiC composites, are compared with corresponding creep behaviors observed under isothermal conditions to determine the influence of both monotonic creep (static fatigue) and dwell fatigue on accumulated strains and deformation behaviors of the CMCs.

Kalluri, Sreeramesh↗
DOE OSTI2024

The Role of Radiation-Induced Non-Equilibrium Plutonium Oxidation States in Solution

Plutonium plays a key role in global actinide research and nuclear fuel cycle technologies, and yet, our fundamental understanding of its inherent radiation-induced chemical behavior is limited. These radiation-induced processes cannot simply be switched off, as they are as fundamentally inherent to plutonium as the impact of relativistic effects on its f-electrons. In less chemically complex actinide systems, such as aqueous solutions of neptunium and americium, both steady-state and transient radiolysis products play a significant role in the redox cycling of their oxidation states, which ultimately impacts their chemistry and transport. However, plutonium's multiple, coexisting, and chemically active oxidation states, which comprise of bare ions and dioxo cations, provide additional redox pathways that complicate the aforementioned radiation-induced competition kinetics. Mechanistically understanding the response of these multiple oxidation states, both equilibrium and non-equilibrium, to intense ionizing radiation fields is essential for predicting the behavior of plutonium under a host of conditions that support technological innovation in global nuclear energy and non-proliferation efforts. Here, advances in radiation-induced plutonium solution chemistry will be presented, including new results from time-resolved electron pulse and steady-state gamma and alpha irradiations.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
NASA NTRS2020

Interannual variations in meltwater input to the Southern Ocean from Antarctic ice shelves

Ocean-driven basal melting of Antarctica’s floating ice shelves accounts for about half of their mass loss in steady state, where gains in ice-shelf mass are balanced by losses. Ice-shelf thickness changes driven by varying basal melt rates modulate mass loss from the grounded ice sheet and its contribution to sea level, and the changing meltwater fluxes influence climate processes in the Southern Ocean. Existing continent-wide melt-rate datasets have no temporal variability, introducing uncertainties in sea level and climate projections. Here, we combine surface height data from satellite radar altimeters with satellite-derived ice velocities and a new model of firn-layer evolution to generate a high-resolution map of time-averaged (2010–2018) basal melt rates and time series (1994–2018) of meltwater fluxes for most ice shelves. Total basal meltwater flux in 1994 (1,090 ± 150 Gt/yr) was similar to the steady-state value (1,100 ± 60 Gt/yr), but increased to 1,570 ± 140 Gt/yr in 2009, followed by a decline to 1,160 ± 150 Gt/yr in 2018. For the four largest ‘cold-water’ ice shelves, we partition meltwater fluxes into deep and shallow sources to reveal distinct signatures of temporal variability, providing insights into climate forcing of basal melting and the impact of this melting on the Southern Ocean.

Susheel Adusumilli↗