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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 649 records · Page 36

SPRUCE Whole Ecosystem Warming (WEW) Environmental Data and Water Table Summaries, Marcell Experimental Forest, Minnesota, 2015-2024

This data set contains observations of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), precipitation, soil temperature, soil volumetric water content, air temperature, relative humidity, and normalized water table depth that are summarized on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis for each of the SPRUCE plots. Observations span 2015-2024. This dataset draws on several datasets (Hanson et al. 2016; Hanson et al. 2020; and Warren, unpublished data) and compiles these environmental observations into useful formats for data analysis. These environmental metrics can be used to understand the environmental conditions inside SPRUCE environmental chambers throughout the durations of the experiment and can be paired with other data for modeling and analysis. R code used to generate these files is provided as part of the data package. This dataset contains four data files in comma separate (.csv) format and a compressed folder (*.zip) containing three R (*.r) scripts. Additional metadata are provided: one data dictionary and a file-level metadata file in comma separate (.csv) format and a user guide in PDF (*.pdf) format. User note: Users must cite the original dataset/s along with this dataset when publishing any analyses using this dataset. Details on the dataset used to compile each variable are available in the header row of the files and in the user guide.

air temperature↗

Identifying Controlling Variables for Mercury Vapors in Alpha-4 at Y-12: Two Year Data Collection Update

Multiple sensor packages were deployed at Alpha-4 by SRNL, in collaboration with United Cleanup Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR), to monitor mercury vapor concentrations and meteorological parameters. These sensors collected data, inside and outside of the legacy-use facility, for approximately two years. Though data gaps still exist, particularly in colder months, several controlling variables were identified that govern mercury vapor concentrations within Alpha-4. Temperature, barometric pressure gradients, humidity, and wind speed have been identified as controlling variables. A strong positive correlation was seen between mercury vapor concentrations and temperature which generally followed diurnal fluctuations. Temperatures below approximately 10 degrees Celsius did not show any spikes above the PEL, indicating more work can be performed at any time during the winter months – more data should be collected to confirm consistency in this finding. Additionally, spikes in mercury vapor concentrations above that of the permissible exposure limit (PEL; 100 µg/m 3 ) occurred primarily in late afternoon or evening/overnight hours (between 3 PM and 6 AM), which suggests D&D operations might be best scheduled during morning or daytime hours prior to the late afternoon. However, a limited number of spikes did occur outside of the identified window, although this may be attributed to disturbances in air flow and mercury vapor release from work activities performed inside of the Alpha-4 building. The analysis conducted allows for a strong predictive capability for estimating mercury vapor concentrations based upon accurate meteorological parameters. Still, additional data collection, particularly in the winter months, could help to strengthen the predictive power and validate the identified data trends. Further, increased temporal resolution could also help to better characterize the incipient stages of the increases and decreases in the mercury vapor concentration. Continued monitoring support by SRNL at Y-12 is underway at Alpha-4 to further close remaining data gaps and support deactivation and decommissioning work. Within a collaborative effort with UCOR, the SRNL team is collecting mercury vapor data to study the efficacy of a novel mercury suppressant, FerroBlack® which was recently deployed at Alpha-4. In addition, modifications to the current monitoring setup to increase measurement resolution is also being investigated.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Meteorological data from the Billy Bar site at the East River, Colorado

This dataset includes Quality Assessed and Quality Controlled (QA/QC) meteorological data from the Billy Bar field site in the East River Watershed, Colorado in order to inform watershed hydrobiogeochemical processes. The data includes 1-hour aligned time series of Solar Radiation, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Air Temperature, Relative Humidity, Barometric Pressure, and Precipitation. For each parameter, the QA flags are given: 1 is for extreme (potential abnormal values), and 0 is for values in the expected range. The Rmarkdown document is a stand-alone file/notebook that preserves the text, code, and code results, as well as formatting contained in the original R script. The Data profiling report is a summary and graphical presentation of the data exploration process for data analysis and model building, so that users could focus on understanding data and extracting insights. The report provides a summary of each variable and does data profiling.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Best Practices for Body Temperature Measurement with Infrared Thermography: External Factors Affecting Accuracy

Infrared thermographs (IRTs) are commonly used during disease pandemics to screen individuals with elevated body temperature (EBT). To address the limited research on external factors affecting IRT accuracy, we conducted benchtop measurements and computer simulations with two IRTs, with or without an external temperature reference source (ETRS) for temperature compensation. The combination of an IRT and an ETRS forms a screening thermograph (ST). We investigated the effects of viewing angle (θ, 0–75°), ETRS set temperature (T ETRS , 30–40 °C), ambient temperature (T atm , 18–32 °C), relative humidity (RH, 15–80%), and working distance (d, 0.4–2.8 m). We discovered that STs exhibited higher accuracy compared to IRTs alone. Across the tested ranges of T atm and RH, both IRTs exhibited absolute measurement errors of less than 0.97 °C, while both STs maintained absolute measurement errors of less than 0.12 °C. The optimal T ETRS for EBT detection was 36–37 °C. When θ was below 30°, the two STs underestimated calibration source (CS) temperature (T CS ) of less than 0.05 °C. The computer simulations showed absolute temperature differences of up to 0.28 °C and 0.04 °C between estimated and theoretical temperatures for IRTs and STs, respectively, considering d of 0.2–3.0 m, T atm of 15–35 °C, and RH of 5–95%. The results highlight the importance of precise calibration and environmental control for reliable temperature readings and suggest proper ranges for these factors, aiming to enhance current standard documents and best practice guidelines. These insights enhance our understanding of IRT performance and their sensitivity to various factors, thereby facilitating the development of best practices for accurate EBT measurement.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

TRACER UAS CopterSonde Profiles

This dataset comes from a rotary-wing, weather-sensing uncrewed aerial system called the CopterSonde. Temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed, and direction are gathered during vertical profiles. The vertical resolution is 5 m up to 609 m above ground level and the temporal resolution is on average 30 minutes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

TRACER-Tethersonde Ozone data

TRACER-Tethersonde, a sub-campaign of TRACER, took place during the TRACER June-September 2022 intensive operating period (IOP) at the S3 Ancillary site (29.33°N, 95.74°W) near Guy, TX. The Tethered Balloon System (TBS) operated during the first two weeks of each month during the TRACER IOP, making multiple (~4) up and down vertical profiles each day that could reach as high as ~1 km. TRACER-Tethersonde included an En-Sci electrochemical cell (ECC) ozonesonde on the TBS. The ozonesonde was connected to an iMet-4RSB radiosonde, and the overall data collected included ozone, relative humidity, temperature, and altitude.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

TROPOS pyranometer network (PyrNet) observational data set collected during the S2VSR field campaign

During the Small-Scale Variability of Solar Radiation field campaign (S2VSR), a unique sensor network consisting of 60 autonomous pyranometer stations was deployed for a 12-week period at the ARM Southern Great Plains observatory. Stations have been distributed across a 4x4 to 6x6 km2 domain surrounding the Central Facility. Each station has recorded global radiation together with air temperature and relative humidity with a sampling frequency of 1-Hz. The network has provided a data set with an unprecedented level of detail of the small-scale variability of global solar radiation at the surface, resolving fluctuations down to the second- and decameter-scale.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

ERA5-Land Data for LASSO-CACTI Overview Paper

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) generated a soil reanalysis dataset for the land component of the fifth generation of European ReAnalysis (ERA5), referred to as ERA5-Land. This is a model-generated dataset, with the original version available for the period 1950 to present. The version archived in this DOE ARM product is a subset of the data is for the period of the CACTI field campaign plus several preceding months, specifically from August 1, 2018 through March 22, 2019 with hourly intervals. The ARM copy is also a sub-region of the original global product; the ARM copy is for -60 to -5 °N by -105 to -30 °W. Only variables necessary to drive the WRF-Hydro model are included, which are the 2-m temperature and specific humidity, 10-m wind components, surface pressure, rain rate, and downward surface short and longwave radiation. These data have been obtained from the Copernicus Data Store.

10m wind u-component↗

GreenSight WxHive Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Atmospheric Profiling at the SGP Central Facility

The GreenSight WxHive is capable of flying multiple nanodrones simultaneously to provide spatiotemporal atmospheric sampling. During the WH2yMSIE campaign, the WxHive would fly up to 5 nanodrones at once, performing profiling within the planetary boundary layer over the ARM SGP Central Facility site. The measurements provided by the WxHive include latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed and direction. See the attached WeatherHive User Guide for more details about the instrument and measurements.

Air pressure↗

Weather Data from BSEC Weather Stations

This dataset provides hourly measurements of temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind, and sunlight at Ambient Weather and OttHydro stations across Baltimore city. These surface weather stations were deployed by the Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative (BSEC) Urban Integrated Field Laboratory (UIFL) project, funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). This dataset will be periodically updated to include more stations and recent observations when available. Data File Information This dataset contains surface weather measurements data in comma-separated value (CSV) format and documents that describe the weather stations, locations, and measured parameters and units. data/BSEC-[STATIONID]_[SENSORTYPE]_hourly_[YEAR].csv Surface weather measurements data in CSV format, where STATIONID indicates the weather station, SENSORTYPE is the type of weather station ('AWS' = Ambient Weather Station and 'OTT' = 'OttHydro Station'), and YEAR indicate the year in which the measurements were made. Example data file name: BSEC-AAC_AWS_hourly_2023.csv. documents/Station_Locations.csv This CSV file provides location information and measurement start date for each surface weather station. documents/Weather_Station_Descriptions.pdf This document provides detailed description of the instruments along with their setup and accuracy of measurement. documents/File_Parameters.pdf This document describes the surface weather parameters and units of measurement.

Ambient Weather Stations↗

Weather Data from BSEC Weather Stations

This dataset provides measurements of temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind, and sunlight at Ambient Weather and OttHydro stations across Baltimore city. These surface weather stations were deployed by the Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative (BSEC) Urban Integrated Field Laboratory (UIFL) project, funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). This dataset currently contains measurements from 2023 to June 2026 and will be periodically updated to include more stations and recent observations when available. Data File Information This dataset contains surface weather measurements data in comma-separated value (CSV) format and documents that describe the weather stations, locations, and measured parameters and units. data/[TIMEAVG]/[YEAR]/BSEC-[STATIONID]_[SENSORTYPE]_[TIMEAVG]_[YEAR].csv Surface weather measurements data in CSV format, where STATIONID indicates the weather station, SENSORTYPE is the type of weather station ('AWS' = Ambient Weather Station and 'OTT' = 'OttHydro Station'), TIMEAVG is time period for each entry (= daily, hourly, or 5min), and YEAR indicate the year in which the measurements were made. Example data file name: BSEC-AAC_AWS_hourly_2023.csv. documents/Station_Locations.csv This CSV file provides location information and measurement start date for each surface weather station. documents/Weather_Station_Descriptions.pdf This document provides detailed description of the instruments along with their setup and accuracy of measurement. documents/File_Contents.pdf This document describes the contents on the data files, including time notation, weather parameters and units of measurement. documents/site-metadata/[STATOINID]-metadata.pdf These PDF files provide information on weather station sites, including land cover characteristics, station mounting, and photographs. Each PDF file corresponds to one station, as indicated by STATIONID.

Ambient Weather Stations↗

Modeling Streamflow and Sediment Transport Under Current and Future Climates at the West Valley Site - 20231

Performance Assessment models often require inputs representing specific hydrologic processes such as streamflow and sediment flux. This paper details the development of a process-level hydrologic model and its use in a Probabilistic Performance Assessment (PPA) system-level model for the West Valley Site in western New York. For this PPA model, a watershed model was developed using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) and used to evaluate water and sediment fluxes in nearby streams draining the Site. A particular challenge of probabilistic modeling over long periods of time is scaling parameters appropriately so that outcomes are not grossly over- or underestimated. This challenge is especially important when the spatial and temporal scales of process and system level models differ. In this instance, the SWAT watershed model and GoldSim PPA model have similar spatial scales of stream reaches and sub-catchments within a single watershed (approximately hundreds to tens of thousands of square meters, but the temporal scales differ considerably. The SWAT model calculates streamflow and sediment transport rates at the daily scale, while the PPA model requires long-term average values that are applied over hundreds to thousands of year-long periods. As such, distributions of daily climatic parameters such as average precipitation rate, temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity were developed to force a transient SWAT model that captures the dynamic behavior of the watershed in response to daily changes in the weather. Output from the model, which includes stream flow (m{sup 3}/y) and sediment transport rate (Mg/y) is then averaged over a 100-year period as an approximation for the long-term average values which can be applied in GoldSim. A single SWAT model was run 5000 times with varying climatic inputs and deterministic soil, land use, and elevation data, and the range of outputs were compiled into a distribution which can be implemented stochastically into the PPA Model. Additionally, this paper includes a high-level discussion of how changes in future climate affect weather input distributions, and a summary of how those changes in weather affect the outcomes from the SWAT model and the inputs into the PPA model. In this analysis, future climate distributions were developed based on climate research documenting the expected changes to precipitation and temperature in western New York. The 5,000 SWAT simulations were then repeated with these future climate distributions, and the resulting output was implemented into the PPA Model as hydrologic conditions under a future climate. In the current version of the PPA Model, hydrologic parameters change linearly from the 'current climate' conditions to the 'future climate' conditions over a period of 100 years, after which they remain constant. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Ammonia Permeation Through Inorganic Membranes

Moisture probes are used in the tritium facility to measure the moisture content of the gas stream. When tritium reacts with nitrogen to form ammonia, the ammonia gas damages the sensitive moisture probe. The gas stream tested during this experiment for moisture probe protection is composed of nitrogen and argon gas in conjunction with ammonia and water vapor. The gas stream is filtered through an inorganic membrane due to the high reactivity of tritium and a residual gas analyzer (RGA) is used to measure the ammonia and water vapor in the gas stream, as well as the permeability of nitrogen and argon through the inorganic membranes. The membranes tested were boron nitride and silver. The permeability was compared for each membrane at different pressures and flow rates. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to compare the membranes before and after ammonia permeation. Ammonia gas is a byproduct formed from tritium gas reacting with nitrogen in the gas stream, similar to the Haber Process which occurs when hydrogen reacts with nitrogen [2]. The corrosive nature of ammonia damages metals and sensitive instruments such as moisture probes. Moisture probes are essential in various gas and liquid processes for measuring the moisture content of a gas. Membrane research has found that graphene oxide membranes successfully uptake ammonia from the gas stream at a humidity of approximately 30% at which point the pores pin closed, preventing gas permeation. Further research is being conducted to find an inorganic membrane that will prevent ammonia permeation thus circumventing damage to the sensitive moisture probe. The permeation measurements for argon and nitrogen gas and water and ammonia vapor were measured at various pressures of 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 1800, and 2000 torr. The permeability average (PA) was calculated for each filter using a Barrer calculation. The average permeations for each filter were then compared. The gas composition was measured using the RGA Nitrogen was permeated through the membranes after ammonia permeation and a FT-IR spectrum was obtained. Boron Nitride: As the nitrogen pressure increased, the permeability of the membrane decreased from 800-1200 torr and remained relatively unchanged from 1200-2000 torr. The membrane exhibited a slight decrease in argon permeability from 800-1200 torr and a slight increase from 1500-2000 torr. The boron nitride membrane when permeated with ammonia and nitrogen prevented less ammonia permeation compared to the blank filter. The boron nitride filter demonstrated a decrease in permeability after ammonia permeation. Silver Membrane: When permeated with nitrogen alone, the membrane permeability decreased from 800 torr to 1200 torr. The permeability of the membrane showed little difference as pressure increased from 1200 torr. When permeated with argon, the same phenomenon occurred but on a much smaller scale. When compared to the blank and the boron nitride membranes the silver membrane exhibited significantly lower permeability. This may be in part due to the coating on the silver membrane and differences in pore size of the membranes. During permeation with ammonium hydroxide vapor and nitrogen, the partial pressure of the ammonia increased as compared to the blank membrane. The permeability before and after permeation with ammonia and nitrogen were compared. Permeability values suggested that after being permeated with the ammonia that the permeability for lower pressures increased slightly. There was no significant change in the FT-IR spectrums before and after permeation. Future work: Continue testing various inorganic membranes for ammonia permeation. Further research chemical separation of ammonia from the gas stream, which may prove difficult due to the high reactivity of tritium.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

WIPP Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System (SSCVS) HEPA Filtration System - 20165

Construction and major equipment fabrication are underway for a new ventilation exhaust system at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The new system will provide continuous High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration of the exhaust from the WIPP underground while meeting the ventilation demands for expanded waste emplacement and mining operations over the next 40 years. The integrated system design provides for reducing the salt, clay and diesel particulates from the exhaust airflow from the mine, prior to full filtration using Nuclear Safety Significant HEPA filters. The SSCVS design and equipment provides for continuous HEPA filtration over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions. The new exhaust system connects to the existing underground exhaust shaft, and the exhaust air flows from the underground through Salt Reduction Units (SRUs) to protect the final filter banks from excessive moisture and rapid salt/dust buildup. Each of the six (6) SRUs consists of a demister to remove entrained moisture, a dry salt remover unit to filter approximately 90% of the entrained salt/dust, and an automated water treatment system to periodically clean the demisters and to remove salt from the SRU filters. At the maximum expected exhaust flowrate of 540,000 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) / 255 Cubic Meters per Second (m{sup 3}/s), five (5) salt removal units will be in operation with one unit in standby or maintenance. An in-line variable frequency drive booster fan will offset pressure losses through each SRU and reduce the relative humidity of the air exiting the SRUs. In the event of a high radiation alarm from the underground Continuous Air Monitors (CAMs), the SRUs will be automatically bypassed, which places the SRS and building outside of the Safety Significant confinement boundary. From the SRUs, the exhaust is directed to the HEPA filter banks located in the New Filter Building. The exhaust system is designed to provide continuous HEPA filtration prior to release to the exhaust stack. There are 22 HEPA filter banks rated at 27,000 CFM / 12.75 m{sup 3}/s each. Each filter bank has two stages of pre-filters and two stages of HEPA filters. The filtered air from each of the 22 filter banks discharges into a common concrete plenum, which is maintained under a negative pressure by the main exhaust fans. Six 1,000 HP variable frequency drive exhaust fans are provided on the south side of the plenum. At the maximum expected exhaust flow of 540,000 CFM, four exhaust fans and twenty filter banks will be in operation. The fans discharge vertically to a separate concrete exhaust plenum. The filtered exhaust is routed from the exhaust plenum to a 125-foot-tall exhaust stack via a 13-foot diameter duct. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Aging of Concrete for the Evaluation of Repair Materials to Protect the Walls of the HCAEX Tunnel at Savannah River - 20301

H-Canyon, located in the Savannah River site, is a unique facility for chemical reprocessing of plutonium, highly-enriched uranium, and other radioactive materials. The exhaust gases of the H-Canyon are sent through the H-Canyon Exhaust (HCAEX) tunnel for contamination removal. Robotic inspections of the tunnel revealed significant degradation of the reinforced concrete structure that was associated with acid attack, and could compromise the structural stability of the tunnel. Thus, the identification and evaluation of potential repair materials that could be applied on the degraded walls to mitigate and prevent further degradation is of significant interest to the Department of Energy and the Savannah River representatives. This research effort has been divided into two phases: 1) Development and evaluation of aged concrete under accelerated aging conditions (which is the focus of this paper) and 2) Evaluation of potential repair materials applied on aged and non-aged concrete under simulated aggressive conditions. In order to develop and evaluate concrete samples exposed to accelerated aging conditions in simulated aggressive environments, a literature review of the HCAEX tunnel was conducted that included 1) characterization and extent of the concrete damage, 2) environmental conditions inside the tunnel and 3) primary deterioration mechanisms. In addition, potential coatings and/or repair materials for degraded concrete surfaces exposed to aggressive environments (primarily acidic) were selected from the literature review and the most common testing and measurements for evaluating acid attack phenomena, erosion, etc. were reviewed. From the literature review findings, a preliminary bench-scale test plan for the concrete aging was developed, including accelerated aging tests with aggressive conditions (acid fumes, humidity, etc.). Concrete samples were exposed to the aging accelerated conditions (e.g. immersion in acid solutions) and visual inspection, mass loss and pH change (acid solution) were recorded over time. Correlations between the visual inspection, mass loss and pH changes results and the aging time or the aging conditions were developed. Specimens submitted to the highest acid concentration showed the fastest and most intense degradation. The type of coarse aggregate (limestone) used for the concrete seemed to be the cause of the fastest aging observed, compared to the cement paste. The research findings created the foundation for the ongoing investigation, in which new concrete samples with a mix design similar to the HCAEX tunnel will be tested and will serve as the substrate for testing the selected coatings and /or repair materials. In this paper, the literature review and preliminary results from the aging tests are provided. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Technology Development for Dry Storage of Aluminum-Clad Spent Nuclear Fuel - 20490

A candidate disposition pathway for the > 13 MTHM of aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel (ASNF), owned and managed by the U.S. Department of Energy, is the drying and placement of the SNF into sealed-canister dry storage, with the ASNF-in- canisters 'road-ready' for transportation to and final direct disposal in a repository waste package. Technical information gaps in fuel drying, and fuel dry storage behavior, have previously challenged the declaration of technology readiness for drying and placement of this fuel into the DOE Standard Canister design for > 50 years of safe dry storage. The principal technical information gaps included: i) characterization and thermal dehydration behavior of aluminum (oxy)hydroxide films attendant on the cladding due to film formation during reactor operation and during post-discharge up to long-term wet storage histories; and ii) G-value data to enable estimation of the radiolytic gas generation from the cladding with its (oxy)hydroxide films. Thus, the oxide films on the ASNF challenged the safety of a sealed storage canister with thermal and radiolytic decomposition of the waters on the films that can lead to corrosion, pressurization, and flammability issues. These gaps in the technical information base have largely been closed. This paper discusses the investigations at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the Savannah River National laboratory (SRNL), and outlines the pending technology development work for input to an engineering design to enable a road-ready dry storage system for ASNF. The ASNF inventory considered for road-ready dry storage is stored at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) at the INL. The ASNF inventory in the SRS L Basin is from foreign and domestic research reactors (FRR and DRR), and is diverse in terms of design, irradiation, and post-reactor-discharge storage conditions; these factors yield a range of characteristics of cladding oxide films on ASNF. Mixed aluminum (oxy)hydroxide (boehmite and bayerite/gibbsite) films, non-uniform in thicknesses up to a maximum local thickness bounded by 25 μm, were observed on ASNF materials removed from wet storage in the L Basin and in non-sealed dry storage at the SRS following reactor service and a long-term (up to 40+ years) interim storage history. The ASNF inventory at INTEC, in both wet and vented dry storage, is predominantly from the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), but it also includes DRR and FRR fuel. To address a profound behavior of these films, radiolysis testing of aluminum specimens with mixed type boehmite/bayerite oxide films was performed to develop basic data on G-values for production of radiolytic hydrogen under dry storage conditions with nominal relative humidity, temperature, and cover gas. Modeling and simulation of canister internal environments with postulated inventories of oxide films provides estimation of the evolution of the conditions of the canister loaded with ASNF. Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (TGA/DSC) of hydrated oxide powders, and laboratory-scale aluminum specimens with a bayerite film (∼10 μm) using TGA methods, inform drying time/temperature conditions to be used for the ASNF. A demonstration project is recommended for Verification and Validation of the drying and storage of the ASNF. Remaining major tasks leading up to the hot demonstration include scale-up radiolysis testing and scale-up drying testing. Engineering design with the information from the technology program will establish the safety basis and enable long-term (> 50 years) dry storage compatibility with ASNF in the DOE Standard Canister pending its transportation to and disposal in a repository. This full capability would show the ASNF-in-canister storage system to be road-ready. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Determining Drying Conditions to Mitigate Hanford Double Shell Storage Tank Underside Corrosion — Phase 1

The Hanford Site in Washington State has legacy radiological waste that is being retrieved from single shell tanks (SSTs) and transferred to newer, double shell tanks (DSTs) for eventual closure of the SSTs. The waste is maintained in the DSTs until eventual immobilization can be performed at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP), currently under construction. Until full immobilization is complete, extended service of the DSTs must be ensured by mitigating corrosion of the steel tank walls and buried steel pipelines. A Pit Air Supply System has been developed to mitigate corrosion of the leak detection pits connected to the concrete foundations of the DSTs. The objectives for the present study are: (i) to corrode steel specimens in an electrolytic simulant to form artificial pits with specific pit depths, and (ii) to determine the temperature and humidity levels that will mitigate further pit growth. Experimental work and results will be presented to evaluate conditions associated with the PASS system and predict corrosion rates when the PASS is operating.

Atmospheric Corrosion↗

Solvent Impregnated Polymers Loaded with Liquid-Like Nanoparticle Organic Hybrid Materials for Enhanced Kinetics of Direct Air Capture and Point Source CO 2 Capture

Hybrid CO 2 capture materials, solvent impregnated polymers (SIPs), are developed based on a simple and scalable encapsulation technique to enhance CO 2 capture kinetics of water-lean solvents with high viscosity. Liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials functionalized with polyethylenimine (NOHM-I-PEI) are incorporated into a shell material and UV-cured to produce gas-permeable solid sorbents with uniform NOHMs loading (NPEI-SIPs). The CO 2 capture kinetics of NPEI-SIPs show a remarkable 50-fold increase compared to that of neat NOHM-I-PEI due to a large increase in the NOHMs-CO 2 interfacial surface area provided by the SIP design. The optimum NOHM-I-PEI loading and sorption temperature are found to be ≈49 wt% and 50 °C, respectively, and NPEI-SIPs exhibit great thermal stability over 20 CO 2 capture/sorbent regeneration temperature swing cycles. The pseudoequilibrium CO 2 loadings of NPEI-SIPs under humid conditions are as high as 3.1 mmol CO 2 g -1 NPEI - SIPs for 15 vol% CO 2 (postcombustion capture) and 1.7 mmol CO 2 g -1 NPEI - SIPs for 400 ppm (direct air capture). Overall, these findings suggest that NPEI-SIPs can effectively capture CO 2 from a wide range of CO 2 concentrations including direct air capture while allowing the flexible design of CO 2 capture reactors by combining the benefits of liquid solvents and solid sorbents.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗