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At least 649 records · Page 36

Techno-Economic Analysis of Photovoltaics and Battery Storage for Maine [Slides]

Maine GEO was interested in a small-scale pilot using REopt to expand on previous resilience efforts and better understand the most useful information to gather from facilities to maximize the efficacy of the analysis. The pilot began with identification of three pilot facilities from the existing Maine Community Resilience Partnership (MCRP) cohort, selection of the facilities prioritizing: social vulnerability, community led planning work and commitment to ongoing work. The technical assistance focused on working with identified facilities to help scope the project and identify their goals and then provide technical specifications on optimal energy generation and storage strategies for each community. At the conclusion of the project, participating facilities received a REopt analysis report, including optimal generation and storage strategies to address identified goals and next steps and considerations for implementation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

MO-D-213-08: Remote Dosimetric Credentialing for Clinical Trials with the Virtual EPID Standard Phantom Audit (VESPA)

Purpose: Report on implementation of a Virtual EPID Standard Phantom Audit (VESPA) for IMRT to support credentialing of facilities for clinical trials. Data is acquired by local facility staff and transferred electronically. Analysis is performed centrally. Methods: VESPA is based on published methods and a clinically established IMRT QA procedure, here extended to multi-vendor equipment. Facilities, provided with web-based comprehensive instructions and CT datasets, create IMRT treatment plans. They deliver the treatments directly to their EPID without phantom or couch in the beam. They also deliver a set of simple calibration fields. Collected EPID images are uploaded electronically. In the analysis, the dose is projected back into a virtual phantom and 3D gamma analysis is performed. 2D dose planes and linear dose profiles can be analysed when needed for clarification. Results: Pilot facilities covering a range of planning and delivery systems have performed data acquisition and upload successfully. Analysis showed agreement comparable to local experience with the method. Advantages of VESPA are (1) fast turnaround mainly driven by the facility’s capability to provide the requested EPID images, (2) the possibility for facilities performing the audit in parallel, as there is no need to wait for a phantom, (3) simple and efficient credentialing for international facilities, (4) a large set of data points, and (5) a reduced impact on resources and environment as there is no need to transport heavy phantoms or audit staff. Limitations of the current implementation of VESPA for trials credentialing are that it does not provide absolute dosimetry, therefore a Level 1 audit still required, and that it relies on correctly delivered open calibration fields, which are used for system calibration. Conclusion: The implemented EPID based IMRT audit system promises to dramatically improve credentialing efficiency for clinical trials and wider applications. VESPA for VMAT will follow soon.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Improving the economics of battery storage for industrial customers: Are incentives enough to increase adoption?

As adoption of behind-the-meter battery energy storage increases across the United States, implementation continues to lag in the industrial sector. This analysis considers two manufacturing facilities with potential for load shifting to reduce peak demand. Although both facilities have load profiles that demonstrate great potential for regular and programmed demand reduction during peak hours, battery energy storage was deemed prohibitively expensive. A review of several existing utility and state-level policies and incentives determined that few may be rightsized for the industrial customer class. Furthermore, this analysis further considers multiple incentive structures and finds that although incentives increase viability of energy storage, developers must also consider optimization, unique load profiles, and use case to effectively increase adoption of battery energy storage by industrial customers.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) attitude measurements of the Interplanetary Dust Experiment

Analysis of the data from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) Interplanetary Dust Experiment (IDE) sun sensors has allowed a confirmation of the attitude of LDEF during its first year in orbit. Eight observations of the yaw angle at specific times were made and are tabulated in this paper. These values range from 4.3 to 12.4 deg with maximum uncertainty of plus or minus 2.0 deg and an average of 7.9 deg. No specific measurements of pitch or roll were made but the data indicates that LDEF had an average pitch down attitude of less than 0.7 deg.

Kassel, Philip C., Jr.↗

Development of alternative data analysis techniques for improving the accuracy and specificity of natural resource inventories made with digital remote sensing data

An investigation was conducted into ways to improve the involvement of state and local user personnel in the digital image analysis process by isolating those elements of the analysis process which require extensive involvement by field personnel and providing means for performing those activities apart from a computer facility. In this way, the analysis procedure can be converted from a centralized activity focused on a computer facility to a distributed activity in which users can interact with the data at the field office level or in the field itself. A general image processing software was developed on the University of Minnesota computer system (Control Data Cyber models 172 and 74). The use of color hardcopy image data as a primary medium in supervised training procedures was investigated and digital display equipment and a coordinate digitizer were procured.

Lillesand, T. M.↗

Integration of performance assessments and 3116 basis documents within the Savannah River Site liquid waste facilities - 15375

The end of the Cold War has left a legacy of over 136 million liters (36 million gallons) of radioactive waste in the aging waste tanks at the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS). A robust program is in place to remove waste from these tanks, treat the waste to separate it into a relatively small volume of high-level waste and a large volume of low-level waste, and to actively dispose of the low-level waste on-site. This process allows the US Department of Energy (DOE) to move forward with closure of the cleaned waste tanks and associated ancillary structures. To support performance-based, risk decision making for closure and disposal activities, three individual performance assessments (PAs) have been developed - salt-stone Disposal Facility, F-Tank Farm and H-Tank Farm. In addition, three Waste Determinations (WDs) have been made by the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), under the authority of Section 3116 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (NDAA Section 3116). To support these waste determination decisions, individual '3116 Basis Documents' were developed that describe the assumptions and conditions under which the criteria outlined in NDAA Section 3116 are met. The development of each of the PAs represented a long and arduous effort that involved the development of both deterministic and probabilistic conceptual models of the facilities, the development of assumptions and associated ranges, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, model data collection and analyses, writing of the actual performance assessment, internal and external peer reviews, and ultimately approval by DOE. Similarly, the development of the 3116 Basis Documents represents similar time and financial commitments. At the end of these efforts, after years of preparation and millions of dollars in investment, we have thousands of pages of highly technical text, tables of data and hundreds of graphs and charts all contained in a series of thick binders that fit neatly on the shelf of a bookcase. We were done - right? Actually, we were just getting started. Performance Assessments and 3116 Basis Documents are living documents that shape day-to-day and long-term decision making in the operation of a low-level waste disposal facility (e.g., salt-stone Disposal Facility) or in area closure activities (e.g., F-Tank Farm or H-Tank Farm). Although these documents do not contain specifically described requirements per se, they do utilize specific assumptions that, if changed significantly, could result in no longer being able to demonstrate that there is reasonable assurance that the required performance objectives or the criteria from NDAA Section 3116 can be met. Savannah River Remediation LLC (SRR), the contractor responsible for Liquid Waste operations at SRS, has not only developed the PAs and 3116 Basis Documents to support this work and shepherded these documents through the DOE approval process, but has also developed the processes and procedures to ensure the successful implementation and integration of these documents into day-to-day decision making within the associated facilities. This paper describes these processes, including the Un-reviewed Waste Management Question process and the PA Maintenance process, and provides specific examples of their successful implementation. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Updated Waste Management System Analysis Tool Requirements and Enhancements

Draft presentation for presentation to Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board Winter/Spring Meeting March 2nd NOTE: FYI this presentation is almost the same as the presentation that will be uploaded soon entitled 'Next Generation System Analysis Model: Recently Added Features and Future Plans' for the Waste Management 2022 conference.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

NASA Regional Planetary Image Facility image retrieval and processing system

The general design and analysis functions of the NASA Regional Planetary Image Facility (RPIF) image workstation prototype are described. The main functions of the MicroVAX II based workstation will be database searching, digital image retrieval, and image processing and display. The uses of the Transportable Applications Executive (TAE) in the system are described. File access and image processing programs use TAE tutor screens to receive parameters from the user and TAE subroutines are used to pass parameters to applications programs. Interface menus are also provided by TAE.

Slavney, Susan↗

Wind-tunnel simulation of store jettison with the aid of magnetic artificial gravity

A method employed in the simulation of jettison of stores from aircraft involving small scale wind-tunnel drop tests from a model of the parent aircraft is described. Proper scaling of such experiments generally dictates that the gravitational acceleration should ideally be a test variable. A method of introducing a controllable artificial component of gravity by magnetic means has been proposed. The use of a magnetic artificial gravity facility based upon this idea, in conjunction with small scale wind-tunnel drop tests, would improve the accuracy of simulation. A review of the scaling laws as they apply to the design of such a facility is presented. The design constraints involved in the integration of such a facility with a wind tunnel are defined. A detailed performance analysis procedure applicable to such a facility is developed. A practical magnet configuration is defined which is capable of controlling the strength and orientation of the magnetic artificial gravity field in the vertical plane, thereby allowing simulation of store jettison from a diving or climbing aircraft. The factors involved in the choice between continuous or intermittent operation of the facility, and the use of normal or superconducting magnets, are defined.

Stephens, T.↗

Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) Facility (Safety Assessment, Rev. 0)

This Safety Assessment (SA) documents the hazard analysis conducted for the Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) Facility. The Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Authorization Basis process requires Safety Assessment documents for all moderate-hazard industrial facilities. Together with the Primary Hazard Screening (PHS) Document [SNL11A00204), the SA documents the SWiFT safety basis, which is defined as the safety analysis and hazard controls that provide reasonable assurance that a DOE facility can be operated in a manner that adequately protects the workers, collocated/onsite workers, the public, and the environment. The SA specifically addresses the potential impact of hazards on the worker, collocated worker, and public.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

An overview of the facilities, activities, and developments at the University of North Texas Ion Beam Modification and Analysis Laboratory (IBMAL)

The Ion Beam Modification and Analysis Laboratory (IBMAL) at the University of North Texas includes several accelerator facilities with capabilities of producing a variety of ion beams from tens of keV to several MeV in energy. The four accelerators are used for research, graduate and undergraduate education, and industrial applications. The NEC 3MV Pelletron tandem accelerator has three ion sources for negative ions: He Alphatross and two different SNICS-type sputter ion sources. Presently, the tandem accelerator has four high-energy beam transport lines and one low-energy beam transport line directly taken from the negative ion sources for different research experiments. For the low-energy beam line, the ion energy can be varied from {approx}20 to 80 keV for ion implantation/modification of materials. The four post-acceleration beam lines include a heavy-ion nuclear microprobe; multi-purpose PIXE, RBS, ERD, NRA, and broad-beam single-event upset; high-energy ion implantation line; and trace-element accelerator mass spectrometry. The NEC 3MV single-ended Pelletron accelerator has an RF ion source mainly for hydrogen, helium and heavier inert gases. We recently installed a capacitive liner to the terminal potential stabilization system for high terminal voltage stability and high-resolution microprobe analysis. The accelerator serves a beam line for standard RBS and RBS/C. Another beamline for high energy focused ion beam application using a magnetic quadrupole lens system is currently under construction. This beam line will also serve for developmental work on an electrostatic lens system. The third accelerator is a 200 kV Cockcroft-Walton accelerator with an RF ion source. The fourth accelerator is a 2.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator, which was in operation for last several decades is currently planned to be used mainly for educational purpose. Research projects that will be briefly discussed include materials synthesis/modification for photonic, electronic, and magnetic applications, surface sputtering and micro-fabrication of materials, development of high-energy ion microprobe systems, and educational and outreach activities.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Integrating Reanalysis and Satellite Cloud Information to Estimate Surface Downward Long-Wave Radiation

The estimation of downward long-wave radiation (DLR) at the surface is very important for the understanding of the Earth’s radiative budget with implications in surface–atmosphere exchanges, climate variability, and global warming. Theoretical radiative transfer and observationally based studies identify the crucial role of clouds in modulating the temporal and spatial variability of DLR. In this study, a new machine learning algorithm that uses multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and the combination of near-surface meteorological data with satellite cloud information is proposed. The new algorithm is compared with the current operational formulation used by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Satellite Application Facility on Land Surface Analysis (LSA-SAF). Both algorithms use near-surface temperature and dewpoint temperature along with total column water vapor from the latest European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis ERA5 and satellite cloud information from the Meteosat Second Generation. The algorithms are trained and validated using both ECMWF-ERA5 and DLR acquired from 23 ground stations as part of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility. Results show that the MARS algorithm generally improves DLR estimation in comparison with other model estimates, particularly when trained with observations. When considering all the validation data, root mean square errors (RMSEs) of 18.76, 23.55, and 22.08 W·m –2 are obtained for MARS, operational LSA-SAF, and ERA5, respectively. The added value of using the satellite cloud information is accessed by comparing with estimates driven by ERA5 total cloud cover, showing an increase of 17% of the RMSE. The consistency of MARS estimate is also tested against an independent dataset of 52 ground stations (from FLUXNET2015), further supporting the good performance of the proposed model.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Data compression for data archival, browse or quick-look

Soon after space and Earth science data is collected, it is stored in one or more archival facilities for later retrieval and analysis. Since the purpose of the archival process is to keep an accurate and complete record of data, any data compression used in an archival system must be lossless, and protect against propagation of error in the storage media. A browse capability for space and Earth science data is needed to enable scientists to check the appropriateness and quality of particular data sets before obtaining the full data set(s) for detailed analysis. Browse data produced for these purposes could be used to facilitate the retrieval of data from an archival facility. Quick-look data is data obtained directly from the sensor for either previewing the data or for an application that requires very timely analysis of the space or Earth science data. Two main differences between data compression techniques appropriate to browse and quick-look cases, are that quick-look can be more specifically tailored, and it must be limited in complexity by the relatively limited computational power available on space platforms.

Dozier, Jeff↗

Beyond Design Basis Event Pilot Evaluations: Results and Recommendations for Improvements to Enhance Nuclear Safety at DOE Nuclear Facilities (DOE, 2013. A Report to the Secretary of Energy)

In the six months after the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in Japan, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) took several actions to review the safety of its nuclear facilities and identify situations where near-term improvements could be made. These actions and recommendations were addressed in an August 2011 report to the Secretary of Energy, Review of Requirements and Capabilities for Analyzing and Responding to Beyond Design Basis Events. Based on recommendations in the August 2011 report, DOE embarked on a project to develop and refine guidance that supports improvements in DOE’s processes for analyzing and mitigating beyond design basis events (BDBEs), i.e., events such as earthquakes that are more severe than the events that formed the basis of the design for DOE’s nuclear facilities. The results of this BDBE project and recommendations for further DOE actions are provided in this follow-on report. The main activity of the BDBE project was the pilot application of guidance for evaluation of BDBE analysis and mitigation features at four DOE nuclear facilities representing a range of DOE sites, nuclear facility types/activities, and responsible program offices. The pilot evaluations focused on: (1) BDBE evaluations as documented in the facility Documented Safety Analysis (DSA); (2) potential BDBE vulnerabilities and margins to failure for facility safety features as obtained from general area and specific system walkdowns and design document reviews; and, (3) preparations made in facility and site emergency management programs to respond to severe accidents. The BDBE project also evaluated whether draft BDBE guidance on safety analysis and emergency management could be used to improve the analysis of, and preparations for, mitigating severe accidents and BDBEs. The pilot evaluation team paid close attention to related actions being pursued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the U.S. commercial nuclear industry, and the international nuclear safety community to help refine the guidance developed for the pilot evaluations.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Space Operations Center: A concept analysis

The Space Operations Center is a concept for a shuttle-service, permanent, manned facility in low Earth orbit. An analysis of this concept was conducted and the results are reported. It is noted that there are no NASA plans at present to implement such a concept. The results are intended for consideration in future planning.

Livingston, L. E.↗

Development of Fusion Neutronics Methodology, Software, and Testing Facility in FDS Team

Fusion neutronics including methodology, software, experiments, etc. is studied concerning the generation, utilizing and protection of neutrons in fusion facilities. Achievements have been made in the past decades to solve the new problems fusion neutronics. However there is still some way to go such as following. Automatic modeling method based on CAD has been developed to avoid the heavy burden of manual geometry description. The pre-processing costs much time to simplify the CAD model for converting to Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG), 2D or 3D mesh based geometry. This problem has become a new focus. Deep penetration of radiation shielding is notable problem for fusion. Adaptive variance reduction methods such as Consistent Adjoint Driven Importance Sampling (CADIS) were developed to accelerate convergence. However the gap still exists between engineering requirements and current methodology. The geometry simplification, homogenizing based tally, error in nuclear data and error propagation in coupled calculation, etc., causes considerable uncertainty, which leads to 'safety factor' applied in simulation results to achieve required safety margin. It can significantly raise the cost and even makes it impractical to initiate the fusion facilities. Uncertainty qualification, error analysis and error propagation problem should be studied. New methodology and software should be validated. For example the (n,p), (n,a), (n,t) cross section of Cu, Fe, W, Ni which is important for evaluation of material radiation damage is absent. The validation of neutronics properties of special components such as first wall, blanket and coil are needed. The D-T fusion neutron generator can directly represent the neutron environment in fusion reactors. However the neutron yield is several orders of magnitudes lower than requirements. To resolve obstacles in fusion neutronics, broad improvements of methodology, software and testing facility have been achieved by FDS Team in recent years and the main progress was introduced in this paper.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Analysis of travel logistics for transportation of used nuclear fuel in the continental United States - 15179

The US DOE Office of Nuclear Energy is conducting planning activities within the Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project (NFST) to lay the groundwork for implementing interim storage, including associated transportation, per the Administration's Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, and to develop a foundation for a new nuclear waste management organization. Integrated waste management system architecture analyses are being conducted to support the future deployment of a comprehensive system for managing nuclear waste that consider all aspects of the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle (transportation, storage, and disposal). One aspect of a potential future nuclear waste management strategy is the transportation of spent nuclear fuel to an away from reactor interim storage facility. Transportation routes from commercial nuclear reactor sites to various locations in the continental U.S. chosen as hypothetical locations for a future interim storage facility were evaluated using Stakeholder Tool for Assessing Radioactive Transportation (START). The objective of this evaluation was to identify and parameterize generic transportation routes for use in integrated waste management system analyses that include an interim storage facility, the associated uncertainty in these selections, and the uncertainty associated with different transportation route selection criteria. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗