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At least 505 records · Page 28

Second Generation Toolset for Calculation of Induced Seismicity Risk Profiles

This report describes development and demonstration of Generation 2 of the NRAP toolset for probabilistic analysis of risks from earthquakes that could potentially be induced by CO 2 injection. The capability to carry out hazard estimation at multiple sites and over multiple time periods of interested has been added to the integrated toolset. The capability to carry out hazard runs that utilize multiple simulations, based on random sampling of input parameter distributions, to bound hazard curve uncertainties has also been added. During Generation 2, an innovative method of constructing “nuisance fragility” functions for seismic ground motion has been developed. These functions are combined with seismic hazard curves to estimate of the risk of nuisance from ground shaking. The results described in this report demonstrate the functionality of the toolset based on its application to hypothetical scenarios involving one or two faults. Additional computer program development, including code parallelization, will be needed to bring the toolset up to full functionality. Alternative approaches to implementing the simulation-based approach to probabilistic induced seismicity hazard analysis are also outlined.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Overview of DOE Regulatory Development

This is the overview of DOE Regulatory Development Program under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. This will be a presentation for the NRC Advanced Reactor Stakeholder Meeting on March 27, 2024.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

NREL Programs Channel Students Toward the Future Water Power Workforce

Water power is a flourishing segment of the renewable energy industry, and resilient, reliable technologies like marine energy and hydropower are poised to play a significant role in our energy demands in the years to come. Continuing this trajectory of growth, however, requires new talent and innovation. As part of the effort to thoughtfully attract the best and most qualified workers, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and workforce development programs raised student awareness of and made connections to water power career opportunities throughout fiscal year 2021.

HYDRO ENERGY,TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Kilopower Project: The KRUSTY Fission Power Experiment and Potential Missions

The Kilopower Project was initiated by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate/Game Changing Development Program in fiscal year 2015 to demonstrate subsystem-level technology readiness of small space fission power in a relevant environment (Technology Readiness Level 5) for space science and human exploration power needs. The Kilopower Project centerpiece is the Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) test, which consists of the development and testing of a ground technology demonstrator of a 1-kW(electric)–class fission power system (FPS). The technologies to be developed and validated by KRUSTY are extensible to space FPSs from 1 to 10 kW(electric), which can enable modular surface FPSs for human exploration as well as higher-power future potential deep space science missions. The KRUSTY demonstration is cofunded by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration. The KRUSTY demonstration in the National Critical Experiment Research Center’s Device Assembly Facility was completed in the first quarter of 2018.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Inspiring Tomorrow's Water Power Workforce to Lead the Clean Energy Revolution

Renewable water power, including hydropower and marine energy, will play a key role in building a reliable and flexible 100% clean energy future. That future needs a larger, modern workforce - one that's more diverse, equitable, and inclusive - to power and improve these technologies. And researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are committed to fostering tomorrow's water power workforce through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and workforce development programs. Through events, online resources, and more, the lab aims to engage and inspire students to dive into careers in water power.

HYDRO ENERGY↗

MO-E-17A-06: Organ Dose in Abdomen-Pelvis CT: Does TG 111 Equilibrium Dose Concept Better Accounts for KVp Dependence Than Conventional CTDI?

Purpose: In CT imaging, a desirable quality assurance (QA) dose quantity should account for the dose variability across scan parameters and scanner models. Recently, AAPM TG 111 proposed to use equilibrium dose-pitch product, in place of CT dose index (CTDI100), for scan modes involving table translation. The purpose of this work is to investigate whether this new concept better accounts for the kVp dependence of organ dose than the conventional CTDI concept. Methods: The adult reference female extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantom was used for this study. A Monte Carlo program developed and validated for a 128-slice CT system (Definition Flash, Siemens Healthcare) was used to simulate organ dose for abdomenpelvis scans at five tube voltages (70, 80, 100, 120, 140 kVp) with a pitch of 0.8 and a detector configuration of 2x64x0.6 mm. The same Monte Carlo program was used to simulate CTDI100 and equilibrium dose-pitch product. For both metrics, the central and peripheral values were used together with helical pitch to calculate a volume-weighted average, i.e., CTDIvol and (Deq)vol, respectively. Results: While other scan parameters were kept constant, organ dose depended strongly on kVp; the coefficient of variation (COV) across the five kVp values ranged between 70–75% for liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, colon, small intestine, bladder, and ovaries, all of which were inside the primary radiation beam. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the effect of kVp was highly significant (p=3e−30). When organ dose was normalized by CTDIvol, the COV across the five kVp values reduced to 7–16%. The effect of kVp was still highly significant (p=4e−4). When organ dose was normalized by (Deq)vol, the COV further reduced to 4−12%. The effect of kVp was borderline significant (p=0.04). Conclusion: In abdomen-pelvis CT, TG 111 equilibrium dose concept better accounts for kVp dependence than the conventional CTDI. This work is supported by a faculty startup fund from the Cleveland State University.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Education, Training and Career Pathway Opportunities for Buildings Energy Efficiency Programs Within the Corps Network

The Corps Network (TCN) is a national association that represents more than 150 local organizations around the country that work to provide job training and employment to individuals working on projects that provide community benefits. Through its partnership in the Better Buildings Workforce Accelerator, TCN requested technical assistance from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to support Corps organizations involved in – or interested in developing – programs related to energy efficiency in buildings. The goal of this project is to provide industry-recognized energy efficiency education/training models and resources that can be tailored and replicated by Corps across the country, and which can best prepare Corpsmembers to enter the energy efficiency workforce when they complete their terms of service.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Performance Targets for Perovskite Photovoltaic Research, Development, and Demonstration Programs

On October 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) released the Performance Targets for Perovskite Photovoltaic Research, Development, and Demonstration Programs Request for Information (RFI) for public response and comment. The RFI sought feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on efficiency, stability and replicability performance targets for perovskite (PVSK) photovoltaic devices that could be utilized to align community efforts, ensure relevance of potential future funding programs, and accelerate technical and commercial development and de-risking of perovskite technologies. The RFI included the following proposed target matrix for power conversion efficiency (PCE), area, stability, and sample sizes, and included questions on relevance, completeness, and challenges.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Physics and technology in the ion-cyclotron range of frequency on Tore Supra and TITAN test facility: implication for ITER

To support the design of an ITER ion-cyclotron range of frequency heating (ICRH) system and to mitigate risks of operation in ITER, CEA has initiated an ambitious Research & Development program accompanied by experiments on Tore Supra or test-bed facility together with a significant modelling effort. The paper summarizes the recent results in the following areas: Comprehensive characterization (experiments and modelling) of a new Faraday screen concept tested on the Tore Supra antenna. A new model is developed for calculating the ICRH sheath rectification at the antenna vicinity. The model is applied to calculate the local heat flux on Tore Supra and ITER ICRH antennas. Full-wave modelling of ITER ICRH heating and current drive scenarios with the EVE code. With 20 MW of power, a current of 400 kA could be driven on axis in the DT scenario. Comparison between DT and DT(3He) scenario is given for heating and current drive efficiencies. First operation of CW test-bed facility, TITAN, designed for ITER ICRH components testing and could host up to a quarter of an ITER antenna. R&D of high permittivity materials to improve load of test facilities to better simulate ITER plasma antenna loading conditions.

Litaudon, X↗

Bend Magnet Heat Loads and Out of Orbit Scenarios

This paper presents an analytical calculation of the spatial power spectrum emitted from relativistic electrons passing through a series of bend magnets. Using lattice files from the software Elegant, both the ideal and missteered trajectories taken by the beam are considered in determination of the power profile. Calculations were performed for the Advanced Photon Source Upgrade multi-bend-achromat storage-ring. The power distribution and integrated total power values are in agreement with Synrad, a monte-carlo based program developed at CERN, within one percent error. The analytic solution used in this software gives a both quick and accurate tool for calculating the heat load on a photon absorber. The location and orientation can be optimized in order to reduce the peak intensity and thus the maximum thermal stress. The program can be used with any optimization or FEA software and gives rise to a versatile set of uses. [1]

MAGNET HEAT LOADS↗

University of Texas Safeguards by Design Problem Statement

This document describes the problem statement that students at the University of Texas will use for their senior level capstone design class. The purpose of this project is to introduce students to Safeguards by Design concepts as part of their capstone design course at the culmination of their degree program. This work is supported by Los Alamos National Laboratory with FY17 and FY18 programmatic funding from the U. S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), through the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN), Office of International Nuclear Safeguards (INS), Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI), Human Resource Development Program, Safeguards by Design Project.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

Annotated Bibliography for the MATADOR Project

The MATADOR project is focused on developing methods to infer the operational mode of facilities that have the potential to be used in weapons development programs. Our central hypothesis is that by persistent, non-intrusive monitoring of such facilities, differences between various use scenarios can be reliably discovered. The impact of success in this area is that new tools and techniques for monitoring and treaty verification would make it easier to reliably discover and document weapons development activities. This document captures the literature that will serve as a basis to approach this task. The relevant literature is divided into topical areas that relate to the various aspects of expected MATADOR project development. We have found that very little work that is directly applicable for our purposes has been published, which has motivated the development of novel methods under the project. Therefore, the manuscripts referenced in this document were selected based on their potential use as foundational blocks for the methods we anticipate developing, or so that we can understand the limitations of existing methods.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Spectroscopy of Resonances in the Astrophysical r p –Process Path. Final Technical report

This report describes the results of a project to study the spectrum of proton-resonances which determine the energy release and timescale for the astrophysical rp-process path. Steps to achieve successful experiments include the commissioning of a the in-flight radioactive-beam facility RESOLUT , development of instrumentation and analysis techniques for experiments performed with it. Radioactive-beam experiments performed in the context of the grant included the reactions 25 Al(d,n) 26 Si, 19 O(d,p) 20 O, 19 Ne(d,n) 20 Na and 17 F(d,n) 18 Ne. The experimental program developed experiments and methods to characterize aspects of proton-capture reactions with respect to the in the context of the astrophysical rp-process.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

URS/WTP's Future Leader Program and AECOM's Early Career Professional Technology Exchange - 17239

URS Energy and Construction, Inc. (URS), a subsidiary of AECOM, is the Bechtel National, Inc. (BNI) teaming subcontractor on the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Project. Recently, the WTP Project has begun a transition toward facility turnover and commissioning. With that transition came the hiring of staff for the startup and commissioning workforce. With many of these individuals being Early Career Professionals (ECPs), URS recognized a need to create and implement a workforce development program to give these professionals the skills to thrive in a professional environment and provide a sense of community to improve talent retention. The result of this recognition of need was the creation of URS/WTP Future Leaders. This paper will share the successes and lessons learned related to founding the URS/WTP Future Leaders. This includes establishing programs such as the Continuous Learning Workshops, Rotational Program, and implementing a mentor program. In addition, establishing a budget and obtaining support from Human Resources will be discussed. By March 2017, the ECP program will have been in effect for approximately two years. As a separate effort, many of AECOM's major waste remediation contractors have started having Early Career Professional Technology Exchanges (ECP TE) in an effort to create collaboration between sites and to establish industry contacts that will continue to be a resource for years to come. Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC; URS/WTP; Savannah River Remediation, LLC; and Nuclear Waste Partnership, LLC have conducted ECP TE, with each site hosting an event. For these events, each participant prepares a presentation and answers questions on the presentation topic. This allows ECPs to practice presentation skills, develop skills in answering questions from their peers and management, and be the expert in the room on a particular topic. Tours of the onsite facilities also are given as a way for ECPs to gain a broader understanding of the waste remediation industry and the challenges that other sites are facing. Accomplishments, lessons learned, and future plans for ECP TE will be discussed. The ECP TE events allow AECOM, as the parent company, to provide a unique learning opportunity to the next generation of engineers within the DOE nuclear field and to ensure the safe operations of these nuclear sites for years to come. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Collective Summary of sCO2 Materials Development Part II: High-Temperature Alloy Corrosion Behavior within Compact Heat Exchangers.

Materials compatibility is a major concern for the design and operation of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles. Two areas were recently identified for which very little prior knowledge was available. These were the behavior of polymer materials in low-temperature sCO2 environments as well as the high-temperature corrosion behavior for alloys that have been fabricated into compact heat exchangers. A critical need exists to increase understanding in both areas. As such, the Sandia sCO2 Materials Development program initiated a series of experiments for both areas in FY19. The progress that has been made in understanding the behavior of polymers in sCO2 was summarized in the Part I report, while this Part II report describes progress in the area of compact heat exchanger corrosion. For the compact heat exchangers being developed for use in supercritical CO2 power cycles, alloy corrosion is important to understand as it may lead to reduced flow path area, reduced heat transfer, and blocked flow channels. The fabrication of these heat exchangers involve thermal processes such as brazing or diffusion bonding, where the influence of these processes on the corrosion behavior of the alloys is unknown. Candidate alloys for these heat exchangers are typically evaluated for corrosion behavior as witness coupons, without being subjected to these thermal processes. To close this gap in understanding, a series of experiments were completed that utilized small heat exchanger samples subjected to flowing CO2 for 500 hours at 750°C. Small sections of the heat exchanger samples were characterized before and after the 500 hour exposure in order to characterize the oxide growth in the channels as well as the hardness of the alloys. Results are compared to witness coupons of the same alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Carbon-Based Quantum Information Science with Symmetry Protected Topological States (Final Report, DOE-BES award DE-SC0023105)

This research program established the scientific foundation for the rational, bottom-up design, synthesis, isolation, and investigation of symmetry-protected topological (SPT) electron spin qubits embedded in graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). The work focused on integrating atomically precise low-dimensional carbon nanostructures with emerging quantum logic architectures, providing a pathway toward scalable quantum materials for next-generation computing and sensing technologies. A central component of the program was the elucidation of fundamental relationships between real-space molecular architecture, local spin density distributions, electronic band dispersion, and energy level alignment in atomically precise GNR systems. These correlations define key operational parameters of SPT qubits and were systematically investigated to establish quantitative benchmarks against established molecular and solid-state spin qubit platforms. Attention was given to properties critical for quantum device performance, e.g. decoherence times, spectral sharpness of energy transitions, and tunable exchange interactions between spin states. The research demonstrated that these parameters can be engineered with atomic precision through scalable bottom-up synthetic strategies. Theory-guided design played a central role in identifying candidate structures hosting topologically protected spin states. Experimental validation was performed using both ensemble measurements and single-molecule characterization. In addition to advances in quantum materials synthesis, the program developed and applied spin-sensitive scanning probe microscopy techniques capable of directly probing quantum states and dynamic processes with atomic-scale spatial resolution. These capabilities enabled direct observation and characterization of quantum structures at the single-atom level. While the research activities were primarily hypothesis-driven fundamental investigations, the program adopted a comprehensive materials-by-design framework aimed at translating scientific discoveries into technological concepts compatible with scalable and intelligent manufacturing approaches.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Material Profile Influences in Bulk-Heterojunctions

he morphology in mixed bulk-heterojunction films are compared using three different quantitative measurement techniques. We compare the vertical composition changes using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy with electron tomography and neutron and x-ray reflectometry. The three measurement techniques yield qualita-tively comparable vertical concentration measurements. The presence of a metal cathode during thermal annealing is observed to alter the fullerene concentration throughout the thickness of the film for all measurements. However, the abso-lute vertical concentration of fullerene is quantitatively different for the three measurements. The origin of the quantitative measurement differences is discussed. The authors thank Luna Innovations, Inc. for donating the endohedral fullerenes used in this study and Plextronics for the P3HT. They are gratefully thank the National Science Foundation Energy for Sustainability Program, Award No. 0933435. This work benefited from the use of the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center funded by the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences and Los Alamos National Laboratory under DOE Contract DE-AC52-06NA25396. This research was also supported in part by Laboratory Directed Research & Development program at PNNL. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the US Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-76RL01830.

blends↗

Sensor Recommendations for Long Term Monitoring of the F-Area Seepage Basins

In mid-2018, a new paradigm for long-term monitoring was developed after of decade of applied research projects funded by the Department of Energy’s office of Environmental Management Technology Development program. The program at SRNL was focused on transitioning complex environmental waste sites from active to passive remediations strategies. A key result of these studies was that the use of enhanced attenuation approaches at radiologically contaminated sites will result in the creation of secondary source areas in the subsurface that will require monitoring for decades. Alternative monitoring approaches are being developed and tested at the Savannah River Site’s F-Area Hazardous Waste Management Facility, the new paradigm provides innovative solutions that will significantly lower costs of monitoring through the coupling of data collection, machine learning and deterministic groundwater modeling. The foundation of this approach is a well-optimized network of sensors for measuring hydrogeochemical master variables that control, and therefore act as indicators of groundwater contaminant transport. By monitoring changes in the controlling master variables over time arising from geological and environmental shifts, predictive modelling can assist with identifying new strategies for ensuring regulatory requirements are met if trends toward conditions for potential remobilization of attenuated contaminants are detected. In this report, we evaluated commercially available single parameter sensor platforms (e.g., temperature/depth) and configurable multi-parameter sensor platforms (e.g., pH, oxidation-reduction potential, temperature, depth, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity). Each was scored using an optimization function based on how well the system supports the proposed long-term monitoring paradigm, in general, and the site-specific conditions at F-Area, in particular. Several viable sensor systems were identified. Of these, a combined platform including the In-Situ Aqua TROLL 500 multi-parameter sensor platform and the In-Situ temperature/depth sensor had the highest rating and was identified as the most suitable candidate for installation and monitoring of the master variables and potentiometric surface that control groundwater contaminant plumes emanating from the F-Area Seepage Basins. The discussion of recommended potential deployment locations builds upon recommendations made by Denham et al (2019).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗