Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “sampling variability”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4

Variable resolution Poisson-disk sampling for meshing discrete fracture networks

Here, we present the near-Maximal Algorithm for Poisson-disk Sampling (nMAPS) to generate point distributions for variable resolution Delaunay triangular and tetrahedral meshes in two and three-dimensions, respectively. nMAPS consists of two principal stages. In the first stage, an initial point distribution is produced using a cell-based rejection algorithm. In the second stage, holes in the sample are detected using an efficient background grid and filled in to obtain a near-maximal covering. Extensive testing shows that nMAPS generates a variable resolution mesh in linear run time with the number of accepted points. We demonstrate nMAPS capabilities by meshing three-dimensional discrete fracture networks (DFN) and the surrounding volume. The discretized boundaries of the fractures, which are represented as planar polygons, are used as the seed of 2D-nMAPS to produce a conforming Delaunay triangulation. The combined mesh of the DFN is used as the seed for 3D-nMAPS, which produces conforming Delaunay tetrahedra surrounding the network. Under a set of conditions that naturally arise in maximal Poisson-disk samples and are satisfied by nMAPS, the two-dimensional Delaunay triangulations are guaranteed to only have well-behaved triangular faces. While nMAPS does not provide triangulation quality bounds in more than two dimensions, we found that low-quality tetrahedra in 3D are infrequent, can be readily detected and removed, and a high-quality balanced mesh is produced.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Review of Soil Organic Carbon Measurement Protocols: A US and Brazil Comparison and Recommendation

Soil organic carbon (SOC) change influences the life-cycle assessment (LCA) calculations for globally traded bio-based products. Broad agreement on the importance of SOC measurement stands in contrast with inconsistent measurement methods. This paper focuses on published SOC research on lands managed for maize ( Zea mays L.) in the U.S. and sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) in Brazil. A literature review found that reported SOC measurement protocols reflect different sampling strategies, measurement techniques, and laboratory analysis methods. Variability in sampling techniques (pits versus core samples), depths, increments for analysis, and analytical procedures (wet oxidation versus dry combustion) can influence reported SOC values. To improve consistency and comparability in future SOC studies, the authors recommend that: (a) the methods applied for each step in SOC studies be documented; (b) a defined protocol for soil pits or coring be applied; (c) samples be analyzed at 10 cm intervals for the full rooting depth and at 20 cm intervals below rooting until reaching 100 cm; (d) stratified sampling schemes be applied where possible to reflect variability across study sites; (e) standard laboratory techniques be used to differentiate among labile and stable SOC fractions; and (f) more long-term, diachronic approaches be used to assess SOC change. Here, we conclude with suggestions for future research to further improve the comparability of SOC measurements across sites and nations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Sulfur isotope analysis of microcrystalline iron sulfides using secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging: Extracting local paleo-environmental information from modern and ancient sediments

Rationale: Sulfur isotope ratio measurements of bulk sulfide from marine sediments have often been used to reconstruct environmental conditions associated with their formation. In situ microscale spot analyses by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and laser ablation multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) have been utilized for the same purpose. However, these techniques are often not suitable for studying small (≤10 μm) grains or for detecting intra-grain variability. Methods: In this work, we present a method for the physical extraction (using lithium polytungstate heavy liquid) and subsequent sulfur isotope analysis (using SIMS; CAMECA IMS 7f-GEO) of microcrystalline iron sulfides. SIMS sulfur isotope ratio measurements were made via Cs + bombardment of raster squares with sides of 20–130 μm, using an electron multiplier (EM) detector to collect counts of 32 S - and 34 S - for each pixel (128 × 128 pixel grids) for between 20 and 960 cycles. Results: The extraction procedure did not discernibly alter pyrite grain-size distributions. The apparent inter-grain variability in 34 S/ 32 S in 1–4 μm-sized pyrite and marcasite fragments from isotopically homogeneous hydrothermal crystals was ~ ±2‰ (1σ), comparable with the standard error of the mean for individual measurements (≤ ±2‰, 1σ). In contrast, grain-specific 34 S/ 32 S ratios in modern and ancient sedimentary pyrites and marcasites can have inter- and intra-grain variability >60‰. The distributions of intra-sample isotopic variability are consistent with bulk 34 S/ 32 S values. Conclusions: SIMS analyses of isolated iron sulfide grains yielded distributions that are isotopically representative of bulk 34 S/ 32 S values. Populations of iron sulfide grains from sedimentary samples record the evolution of the S-isotopic composition of pore water sulfide in their S-isotopic compositions. These data allow past local environmental conditions to be inferred.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Amplicon Sequencing Reveals Microbiological Signatures in Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Basins

Water quality is an important determinant for the structural integrity of alloy cladded fuels and assemblies during long-term wet storage. Detailed characterization of a water filled storage basin for spent nuclear reactor fuel was performed following the formation and proliferation of an amorphous white flocculent. White precipitant was sampled throughout the storage basin for chemical and spectroscopic characterization, and eDNA was extracted for pyrosequencing of bacterial rRNA gene diversity. Accordingly, spectroscopic analyses indicated the precipitant to be primarily amorphous to crystalline aluminum (oxy) hydroxides with minor associated elemental components including Fe, Si, Ti, and U. High levels of dissolved carbon were co-localized with the precipitant relative to bulk water. Bacterial densities were highly variable between sampling locations and with depth; cell numbers (log scale) ranged from 5.6 to 4.89 cells / mL. Bacterial diversity that was physically associated with the aluminum (oxy) hydroxide complexes exceeded an estimated 4,000 OTUs / amplicon library (3% cutoff) and the greatest percent majority of sequences were aligned to the families Burkholderiales (23%), Nitrospiraceae (23%), Hyphomicrobiaceae (17%), and Comamonadaceae (6%). We surmise that episodic changes in the physical and chemical properties of the basin contribute to the polymerization of aluminum (oxy) hydroxides, which in turn can chemisorb nutrients, carbon ligands and bacterial cells from the surrounding bulk aqueous phase. As such, these precipitants should establish favorable microhabitats for bacterial colonization and growth. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries across diverse environmental landscapes were performed and microbiological signatures unique to the spent nuclear fuel storage basin environment were revealed. These insights could spur the development of tractable bioindicators that are specific of and diagnostic for water quality at discrete locations and finer scales of resolution, marking an important contribution for improved water quality and management of spent nuclear fuel storage facilities.

aluminum↗

HIGHLY VARIABLE YOUNG MASSIVE STARS IN ATLASGAL CLUMPS

High-amplitude variability in young stellar objects (YSOs) is usually associated with episodic accretion events. It has not been observed so far in massive YSOs. Here, the high-amplitude variable star sample of Contreras Peña et al. has been used to search for highly variable (Δ K ≥ 1 mag) sources coinciding with dense clumps mapped using the 850 μ m continuum emission by the ATLASGAL survey. A total of 18 variable sources are centered on the submillimeter clump peaks and coincide (<1″) with a 24 μ m point or compact (<10″) source. Of these 18 sources, 13 can be fit by YSO models. The 13 variable YSOs (VYSOs) have luminosities of ∼10{sup 3} L {sub ⊙}, an average mass of 8 M {sub ⊙}, and a range of ages up to 10{sup 6} yr. A total of 11 of these 13 VYSOs are located in the midst of infrared dark clouds. Nine of the 13 sources have Δ K > 2 mag, significantly higher compared to the mean variability of the entire VVV sample. The light curves of these objects sampled between 2010 and 2015 display rising, declining, or quasi-periodic behavior but no clear periodicity. Light-curve analysis using the Plavchan method shows that the most prominent phased signals have periods of a few hundred days. The nature and timescale of variations found in 6.7 Ghz methanol maser emission in massive stars are similar to that of the VYSO light curves. We argue that the origin of the observed variability is episodic accretion. We suggest that the timescale of a few hundred days may represent the frequency at which a spiraling disk feeds dense gas to the young massive star.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Selection of Sampling and Surrogate Modeling Methods for State-Point Evaluations of an AGN-201M Reactor

Nuclear reactor digital twins (DTs) have been proposed for use as a safeguards technology to efficiently monitor new and novel reactors as they come online. A safeguards DT needs to be capable of detecting misuse and diversion as they occur, requiring physics models to be accurate and efficient. Mathematical surrogate models are capable of achieving the necessary efficiency and can largely maintain the accuracy of higher-order models given a quality training sample. The Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) code framework is specifically equipped to generate training samples and create surrogate models using full-order reactor physics models. Utilizing an operational AGN-201M reactor’s specifications, two surrogate types were trained on samples of variable size, and using Cartesian products, Latin hypercube sampling, and quadrature sampling, each was compared and evaluated on accuracy when compared to a full-order Monte Carlo model. Both surrogate types were able to capture reactivity changes within 0.05 $ of the Monte Carlo model while reducing the computation costs by eight orders of magnitude.

MOOSE↗

Results for the first quarter calendar year 2017 tank 50H salt solution sample

In this memorandum, the chemical and radionuclide contaminant results from the First Quarter Calendar Year 2017 (CY17) sample of Tank 50H salt solution are presented in tabulated form. The First Quarter CY17 Tank 50H samples [a 200 mL sample obtained 6” below the surface (HTF-50-17-7) and a 1 L sample obtained 66” from the tank bottom (HTF-50-17-8)] were obtained on January 15, 2017 and received at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) on January 16, 2017. Prior to obtaining the samples from Tank 50H, a single pump was run at least 4.4 hours and the samples were pulled immediately after pump shut down. All volatile organic analysis (VOA) and semi-volatile organic analysis (SVOA) were performed on the surface sample and all other analyses were performed on the variable depth sample. The information from this characterization will be used by Savannah River Remediation (SRR) for the transfer of aqueous waste from Tank 50H to the Saltstone Production Facility, where the waste will be treated and disposed of in the Saltstone Disposal Facility. This memorandum compares results, where applicable, to Saltstone Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) limits and targets. The chemical and radionuclide contaminant results from the characterization of the First Quarter CY17 sampling of Tank 50H were requested by SRR personnel and details of the testing are presented in the SRNL Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan (TTQAP). This memorandum is part of Deliverable 2 from SRR request. Data pertaining to the regulatory limits for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals will be documented at a later time per the TTQAP for the Tank 50H saltstone task.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Results for the First Quarter Calendar Year 2017 Tank 50H Salt Solution Sample

In this memorandum, the chemical and radionuclide contaminant results from the First Quarter Calendar Year 2017 (CY17) sample of Tank 50 H salt solution are presented in tabulated form. The First Quarter CY17 Tank 50H samples [a 200 mL sample obtained 6” below the surface (HTF-50-17-7) and a 1 L sample obtained 66” from the tank bottom (HTF-50-17-8)] were obtained on January 15, 2017 and received at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) on January 16, 2017. Prior to obtaining the samples from Tank 50H, a single pump was run at least 4.4 hours and the samples were pulled immediately after pump shut down. All volatile organic analysis (VOA) and semi-volatile organic analysis (SVOA) were performed on the surface sample and all other analyses were performed on the variable depth sample. The information from this characterization will be used by Savannah River Remediation (SRR) for the transfer of aqueous waste from Tank 50H to the Saltstone Production Facility, where the waste will be treated and disposed of in the Saltstone Disposal Facility.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Results for the Third Quarter Calendar Year 2017 Tank 50 Salt Solution Sample

In this memorandum, the chemical and radionuclide contaminant results from the Third Quarter Calendar Year 2017 (CY17) sample of Tank 50 salt solution are presented in tabulated form. The Third Quarter CY17 Tank 50 samples [a 200 mL sample obtained 6” below the surface (HTF-50-17-62) and a 1 L sample obtained 66” from the tank bottom (HTF-50-17-63)] were obtained on July 17, 2017 and received at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) on July 17, 2017. Prior to obtaining the samples from Tank 50, a single pump was run at least 4.4 hours and the samples were pulled immediately after pump shut down. All volatile organic analysis (VOA) and semi-volatile organic analysis (SVOA) were performed on the surface sample and all other analyses were performed on the variable depth sample. The information from this characterization will be used by Savannah River Remediation (SRR) for the transfer of aqueous waste from Tank 50 to the Saltstone Production Facility, where the waste will be treated and disposed of in the Saltstone Disposal Facility.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Summary of Expedited Results from Samples Supporting Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) Batch 3

Savannah River Remediation (SRR) is currently operating the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) process to remove 137 Cs from tank waste supernate using an ion exchange process. As part of that process, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) receives and analyzes samples in support of the qualification of each batch to be processed. SRNL recently received supernate samples retrieved from Tank 10H as well as in-tank batch contact samples for characterization in support of qualifying Batch 3 for processing through the TCCR unit. SRNL received and characterized a set of dip samples collected from Tank 10H (one surface and one variable depth sample). No solids were observed in either sample and therefore the samples were combined, and a suite of analyses were performed on the composite sample. The density of the combined sample was 1.174 g/mL (0.18 %RSD), which was consistent with the measured sodium concentration of 3.54 M (0.08 %RSD). The 137Cs activity in the sample was 4.75E+07 dpm/mL (4.28 %RSD) and the total Cs concentration was calculated to be 1.54 mg/L (1.16E-05 M). The in-tank batch contact samples consist of 0.1 g of crystalline silicotitanate (CST) contained within a teabag device. Duplicate samples were submerged in Tank 10H supernate for a period of about 13 days, after which time they were retrieved and transferred to SRNL for analysis. At SRNL the CST was rinsed to remove excess salt solution and the CST was then air dried before being digested for analysis. Results of the analysis indicated a 137 Cs loading of 3.66E+10 ± 1.40E+09 dpm/g or 16.5 ± 0.63 Ci/kg CST . This value represents a bounding upper limit as it includes the addition of two sigma uncertainty from replicate analysis of the individual teabag samples as well as the addition of the small amount of 137 Cs activity measured in the rinse solutions. The above values are based on the air-dried mass of CST. Correcting to the true dry mass using a F-factor of 0.8191 results in a maximum loading of 20.2 ± 0.77 Ci/kg CST .

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Multi-site evaluation of stratified and balanced sampling of soil organic carbon stocks in agricultural fields

Estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in agricultural fields is essential for environmental and agronomic research, management, and policy. Stratified sampling is a classic strategy for estimating mean soil properties, and has recently been codified in SOC monitoring protocols. However, for the specific task of estimating the SOC stock of an agricultural field, concrete guidance is needed for which covariates to stratify on and how much stratification can improve estimation efficiency. It is also unknown how stratified sampling of SOC stocks compares to modern alternatives, notably doubly balanced sampling. To address these gaps, we collected high-density (average of 7 samples ha -1 ) and deep (average of 75 cm) measurements of SOC stocks at eight commercial fields under maize-soybean production in two US Midwestern states. We combined these measurements with a Bayesian geostatistical model to evaluate stratified and balanced sampling strategies that use a set of readily-available geographic, topographic, spectroscopic, and soil survey data. We examined the number of samples needed to achieve a given level of SOC stock estimation accuracy. While stratified sampling using these variables enables an average sample size reduction of 17% (95% CI, 11% to 23%) compared to simple random sampling, doubly balanced sampling is consistently more efficient, reducing sample sizes by 32% (95% CI, 25% to 37%). The data most important to these efficiency gains are a remotely-sensed SOC index, SSURGO estimates of SOC stocks, and the topographic wetness index. We conclude that in order to meet the urgent challenge of climate change, SOC stocks in agricultural fields could be more efficiently estimated by taking advantage of this readily-available data, especially with doubly balanced sampling.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Influence of humidity and iron(iii) on photodegradation of atmospheric secondary organic aerosol particles

The absorption of solar actinic radiation by atmospheric secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles drives condensed-phase photochemical processes, which lead to particle mass loss by the production of CO, CO 2 , hydrocarbons, and various oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs). We examined the influence of relative humidity (RH) and Fe(III) content on the OVOC release and subsequent mass loss from secondary organic aerosol material (SOM) during UV irradiation. The samples were generated in a flow tube reactor from the oxidation of D-limonene by ozone. The SOM was collected with a Micro Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) on CaF 2 windows. To selected samples, a variable amount of FeCl 3 was added before irradiation. The resulting SOM samples, with or without added FeCl3, were irradiated with a 305 nm light-emitting diode and the release of several OVOCs, including acetic acid, acetone, formic acid and acetaldehyde, was measured with a Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS). The release of OVOCs from photodegradation of SOM at typical ambient mid-values of RH (30–70%) was 2–4 times higher than under dry conditions. The release of OVOCs was slightly enhanced in the presence of low concentrations of iron (0.04 Fe molar ratio) but it was suppressed at higher concentrations (0.50 Fe molar ratio) of iron indicating the existence of a complicated radical chemistry driving the photodegradation of SOM. Our findings suggest that the presence of iron in atmospheric aerosol particles will either increase or decrease release of OVOCs due to the photodegradation of SOM depending on whether the relative iron concentration is low or high, respectively. At atmospherically relevant RH conditions, the expected fractional mass loss induced by these photochemical processes from limonene SOA particles would be between 2 and 4% of particle mass per hour. Therefore, photodegradation is an important aging mechanism for this type of SOA.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The rate of extreme coronal line emitting galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and their relation to tidal disruption events

High-ionization iron coronal lines (CLs) are a rare phenomenon observed in galaxy and quasi-stellar object spectra that are thought to be created by high-energy emission from active galactic nuclei and certain types of transients. In cases known as extreme coronal line emitting galaxies (ECLEs), these CLs are strong and fade away on a time-scale of years. The most likely progenitors of these variable CLs are tidal disruption events (TDEs), which produce sufficient high-energy emission to create and sustain the CLs over these time-scales. To test the possible connection between ECLEs and TDEs, we present the most complete variable ECLE rate calculation to date and compare the results to TDE rates from the literature. To achieve this, we search for ECLEs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We detect sufficiently strong CLs in 16 galaxies, more than doubling the number previously found in SDSS. Using follow-up spectra from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph, Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer mid-infrared observations, and Liverpool Telescope optical photometry, we find that none of the nine new ECLEs evolve in a manner consistent with that of the five previously discovered variable ECLEs. Using this sample of five variable ECLEs, we calculate the galaxy-normalized rate of variable ECLEs in SDSS to be $R_\mathrm{G}=3.6~^{+2.6}_{-1.8}~(\mathrm{statistical})~^{+5.1}_{-0.0}~(\mathrm{systematic})\times 10^{-6}~\mathrm{galaxy}^{-1}~\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. The mass-normalized rate is $R_\mathrm{M}=3.1~^{+2.3}_{-1.5}~(\mathrm{statistical})~^{+4.4}_{-0.0}~(\mathrm{systematic})\times 10^{-17}~\mathrm{M_\odot ^{-1}}~\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ and the volumetric rate is $R_\mathrm{V}=7~^{+20}_{-5}~(\mathrm{statistical})~^{+10}_{-0.0}~(\mathrm{systematic})\times 10^{-9}~\mathrm{Mpc}^{-3}~\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. Our rates are one to two orders of magnitude lower than TDE rates from the literature, which suggests that only 10–40 per cent of all TDEs produce variable ECLEs. Additional uncertainties in the rates arising from the structure of the interstellar medium have yet to be included.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Characterization of Tank 11H Samples from Tank Closure Cesium Removal 1A (TCCR 1A) Batch 1

Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) is currently operating the Tank Closure Cesium Removal 1A (TCCR 1A) process to remove 137 Cs from tank waste supernate using an ion exchange process. The TCCR 1A unit processes dissolved salt fed from Tank 10H through a series of ion exchange columns containing crystalline silicotitanate (CST, IONSIV TM R9120-B, 30x60) and the effluent is then discharged to Tank 11H. In support of the TCCR 1A program, SRNL analyzed samples taken from Tank 11H (without tank mixing) before, during, and at the completion of TCCR 1A Batch 1 processing. Tank 11H serves as the receipt tank for the filtered and cesium removed product from the TCCR 1A system. Processing of Batch 1 commenced on January 13, 2022 and completed on February 17, 2022, after processing approximately 70,100 gallons. A pre-production sample was collected from the heel remaining in Tank 11H just before Batch 1 processing began. In addition, five interim surface samples were collected from Tank 11H during processing, and both a surface and a variable depth sample (VDS, ~7” from tank bottom) were collected just after processing completed. Analysis of all samples included density and gamma spectroscopy, in addition to a more comprehensive suite of analytes for the pre- and post-production samples. The density of the pre-production sample was the highest of all samples measured and was then observed to decrease for the first two interim samples, followed by becoming fairly consistent for the remainder of the samples (~1.3 g/mL). The density of 1.3 g/mL is similar to the density measured for one of the three Tank 10H qualification samples (HTF-10-21-126). The 137 Cs activity was found to decrease as additional decontaminated effluent from the TCCR columns was added to Tank 11H during processing; however, an increase in activity was observed during periods of no processing which can be attributed to leaching of 137 Cs from the known solids in Tank 11H. The Cs isotope concentrations in the Tank 11H postproduction surface sample were determined to be 99.7-99.8% lower than the concentrations measured in the Tank 10H feed as measured by mass spectrometry.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Variable Stars in the Giant Satellite Galaxy Antlia 2

We report 350 pulsating variable stars found in four DECam fields (~12 deg 2 ) covering the Antlia 2 satellite galaxy. The sample of variables includes 318 RR Lyrae stars and eight anomalous Cepheids in the galaxy. Reclassification of several objects designated previously to be RR Lyrae as anomalous Cepheids get rid of the satellite's stars intervening along the line of sight. This in turn removes the need for prolific tidal disruption of the dwarf, in agreement with the recently updated proper motion and pericenter measurements based on Gaia EDR3. There are also several bright foreground RR Lyrae stars in the field, and two distant background variables located ~45 kpc behind Antlia 2. We found RR Lyrae stars over the full search area, suggesting that the galaxy is very large and likely extends beyond our observed area. The mean period of the RRab in Antlia 2 is 0.599 days, while the RRc have a mean period of 0.368 days, indicating the galaxy is an Oosterhoff-intermediate system. The distance to Antlia 2 based on the RR Lyrae stars is 124.1 kpc (μ 0 = 20.47) with a dispersion of 5.4 kpc. We measured a clear distance gradient along the semimajor axis of the galaxy, with the southeast side of Antlia 2 being ~13 kpc farther away from the northwest side. This elongation along the line of sight is likely due to the ongoing tidal disruption of Ant 2.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗