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At least 811 records · Page 45

Evaluation of an Additively Manufactured Respirator for Personnel Protection from Particulates

Additively manufactured respirators (AMRs) made using rigid plastic can be fitted with repurposed filter media to yield a wearable mask capable of passing a quantitative fit test with criteria set for commercial, N95 health care particulate respirators. This has been verified through an evaluation study assessing AMR masks fabricated using open-source design files and a commercial fused-filament fabrication machine, using N95 filter cloth and a P100 respirator cartridge. A few examples of filter media not designed for human respiratory protection were also evaluated in an AMR mask but did not demonstrate filtering sufficient to pass the N95 test criteria. All attributes of an AMR mask system must be considered during design and when testing performance, including the mask frame, gasket, and the cord used to secure the mask to the face. AMR masks are not the same as commercially available respiratory masks. If AMR masks are used as personal protective equipment (PPE) during a crisis when there is a shortage of regular PPE it is important that wearers are fully informed of the differences, tradeoffs, and risks associated with their use. Quantitative fit testing and proper training on how to don and doff the AMR mask are important to help achieve the best possible outcome when they are used.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Metaevaluation Final Report: Sandia National Laboratories Recorded Information Management Training Program Evaluation

For my internship project, I chose to evaluate the training program for the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Recorded Information Management (RIM) Program. The purpose of the evaluation was to identify: Where the current training meets federal and corporate requirements and if not, what gaps exist; If the training is accessible in a consistent location; If the training contains a consistent message about the responsibility of managing documents; If the training is organized by records management subject areas.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

Final Evaluation Report for the Sandia National Laboratories Recorded Information Management Training Program

The Recorded Information Management (RIM) training and guidance materials were originally evaluated to determine the current status of the training program. Specifically, how and where are training materials implemented and are members of the workforce (MOWs) regularly accessing them. The evaluation highlighted that there is a breadth of training materials and guidance available; however, the materials are often outdated, point to old Sandia Policies, and/or are in outdated templates. Additionally, there is currently no single-entry point for training, meaning that training is available via the RIM homepage, TEDs, etc. This means that MOWs must search in various webpages or systems for training. To ensure RIM training materials are regularly updated and are accessible for MOWs it is recommended to assign one staff member to manage the program training materials.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

H2OI95: A Stand-Alone Fortran Code for Evaluating the IAPWS-95 Equation-of-State Model for Water (Rev. 1)

H2OI95 is a stand-alone Fortran code for evaluating the IAPWS-95 equation-of-state model for the thermodynamic properties of water. It also evaluates the corresponding thermochemical properties of water consistent with the CODATA recommendations. The IAPWS-95 model is based on a model equation for the dimensionless Helmholtz energy for which the primary variables are the inverse reduced temperature (τ = T cr /T ) and reduced density (δ = ρ/ρ cr ). Here T is the absolute temperature (K), ρ is density (kg/m³), and the subscript “ cr ” refers to the critical point of water (647.096 K and 22.064 MPa pressure in this model, for which ρ cr is 322 kg/m³). The code solves four basic types of problems, distinguished by the specified inputs: 1. Temperature (K) and density (ρ kg/m³) or reduced density (δ) 2. Temperature (K) and pressure (MPa). 3. Temperature (K) on the saturation (liquid-vapor equilibrium) curve 4. Pressure (MPa) on the saturation curve. Each type of problem is run using a corresponding input (text) file. All but the first type of problem require iteration. For example, to solve for desired temperature and pressure, the reduced density must be adjusted to give the desired pressure. Iteration is accomplished using the Newton-Raphson method, though the secant method is also used in solving the fourth type of problem. For the last three types of problems, H2OI95 has been used to conduct numerical studies of convergence and the problem of multiple numerical solutions, some of which are not physically valid. Obtaining valid results depends mainly on appropriate choice of starting values for the density. The default values used in H2OI95 appear to consistently lead to generally desired results. With modification (not addressed here), H2OI95 can be used to support SUPCRT92 and similar codes that compute chemical thermodynamic properties of species and reactions over a wide range of temperature and pressure (273.16-1273K and 0-1000 MPa). Version 1.1 of this software calculates an extended set of water properties, including some derivable solely from IAPWS-95, such as the isobaric thermal expansivity and the isothermal compressibility, and still other properties based on supplementary models sanctioned by IAPWS, including the dynamic viscosity, thermal conductivity, surface tension, and static dielectric constant, and various other properties (notably Debye-Hückel parameters) derivable from the dielectric constant and its partial derivatives with respect to temperature and pressure. A coding error in Version 1.0 was identified while testing the implementation of the viscosity model. This error is described in Appendix C. It mainly affects calculation of “higher order” properties such as compressibility and heat capacity near the critical point.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Evaluation of the NSUF Reactor Activation and Damage (RAD) Calculator damage component

The Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) provide researchers access to nuclear research facilities and expertise all over the United States and at the Belgian Center for Nuclear Research (SCK/CEN). One special capability of the NSUF is providing access to nuclear research and test reactors often used for conducting material testing experiments. These services are provided at no cost to the researcher through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. With so many proposals being submitted simultaneously, an NSUF information management resource called the Combined Materials Experiment Toolkit (CoMET) was implemented to speed up the review process and give users access to the information and tools necessary for designing meaningful experiments and writing the best proposals possible. One of CoMET’s tools is the Reactor Activation and Damage (RAD) Calculator. For those with little or no background in it, neutron irradiation in research and test reactors can be a challenging subject to include in a proposal. That is why the RAD Calculator was created to assist users with providing estimates of irradiation and post-irradiation conditions, enabling them to select the best neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination facilities for reaching their experiment goals. The RAD Calculator is a general scoping tool that estimates radiation damage in terms of DPA, in addition to the resulting radioactivity of the material post-irradiation. This report evaluates the neutron damage component of the RAD Calculator. The evaluation of the activation component of the calculator is covered in report INL/EXT-20-58080.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Area Lighting Yuma Sector Border Patrol Area, AZ. SSL Evaluation [Brief]

Along the Yuma Sector Border Patrol Area in Yuma, Arizona, the GATEWAY program conducted a trial evaluation in which the incumbent quartz metal halide area lighting was replaced with LED at three pole locations, and illuminance measurements were recorded initially and at 2500 hours, 5000 hours, 7000, and 11,000 hours of operation. Additionally, four second-generation LED luminaires installed as part of the full installation were evaluated initially and again after 4,000 hours of operation. While the initial energy, lighting quality, and maintenance benefits relative to the incumbent high-pressure sodium system were very satisfactory, the study raises important questions regarding the long-term performance of LED lighting systems in high-temperature environments.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Technical Gaps in Hanford High-Level Waste Solids Settling Behavior and Settling Time Evaluation for Direct Feed High-Level Waste (DFHLW) Operations

Settling of high-level waste (HLW) solids in process vessels is a key conceptual process step in providing HLW feed directly to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) HLW Vitrification Facility. Direct Feed High-Level Waste (DFHLW) is a potential approach to initiating HLW vitrification prior to completing of the WTP Pretreatment Facility. Settling would be used with subsequent supernatant decant to concentrate HLW feed. To support planning for DFHLW, Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) requested support from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to evaluate the current data set available to predict the time needed for HLW solids to settle, to identify gaps in the understanding and predictive capability of HLW solids waste settling times, and to provide scoping estimates of the potential settling time. Eight technical gaps were identified for predicting settling times and characteristics of the formed sediment layers including: Gap 1: In-Tank Settling Rates Faster than Settling of Laboratory Samples, Gap 2: Effect of Sludge Leaching/Washing on Predicted Settling Times, Gap 3: Predicting Waste Settling from Waste Chemistry (Waste Type), Gap 4: Predicting Waste Settling from Particle Size and Density Distributions (PSDDs), Gap 5: Insufficient Laboratory and In-Tank Settling Data to Represent Hanford Waste, Gap 6: Methods for Real-Time, In-Tank Tracking of Settling, Gap 7: Prediction of Sediment Erosion Resistance as a Function of Settling Time, and Gap 8: Prediction of Sediment Solids Content as a Function of Settling Time. In addition to the data gaps, an overarching observation of the settling rate and settled layer data is the significant variation in behavior. At similar solids concentrations, settling rates can vary by as much as 3 orders of magnitude depending on the source waste tank, and significantly different settling rates are noted between laboratory and in situ tests for the same waste tank. The range of average solids concentration in existing HLW sediment, which may have been quiescent for decades, can vary from less than 7 wt% to greater than 74 wt% solids. The shear strengths (or yield stresses) measured on laboratory samples range from less than 27 Pa to greater than 6400 Pa. These variations can challenge process planning for the application of a settle/decant process for DFHLW. This report describes the significance of the gaps to the settle/decant process and presents uncertainties by way of examples. Potential technical approaches for resolving these gaps are described and the estimated difficulty in resolving these gaps is evaluated. Based on the significance of the gap and the difficulty of resolution, recommendations are made to address specific gaps. Scoping estimates of the potential settling times for DFHLW solids have been made based on the existing data set with its associated gaps. Depending on the process vessel depth and final sediment concentration, substantial fractions of the scoping estimate results for settling times for characterized HLW exceed the 2-week period that has been previously assumed for process planning. There is also significant disparity, potentially greater than a factor of 5000 difference, in the estimated settling times depending on process vessel depth and final sediment solid concentration. This variation in results underscores the significance of the identified gaps and uncertainties with respect to process planning for utilizing settle/decant operations for DFHLW.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

A Handbook for Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Successful Electric Utility Pilots

Since at least the late 1970s, electric utilities and their regulators have recognized the value of experimentation to motivate innovation. The industry has a long history of using pilots to help inform future decision making about electric utility rates, customer technology adoption and integration, and even changes to the utility’s regulatory or business model. Although utility pilots have become almost ubiquitous proving grounds for new rates, technologies, and alterations to the traditional utility regulatory and business model, some regulators are beginning to raise questions about what constitutes a “good” pilot. Much has been written about utility pilots over the years; however, what is missing from the literature is the identification of a comprehensive process for not only designing and evaluating a pilot, but also implementing, successful utility pilots that provide actionable outcomes upon which more informed decisions can be made. This report provides a step-by-step process that regulators, policymakers, and utilities can follow to help promote a more successful pilot, even if whatever is being tested fails to produce the intended or expected result(s). It is worth noting that this report is not intended to serve as a technical resource for those designing, implementing, and evaluating pilots. However, there are myriad references provided for those wishing to delve deeper into the technical details.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Example Evaluation of a Representative Heat Pipe Test Article Design for Structural Acceptability using ASME Design Rules

This report describes a design analysis of a test article mimicking a core block of a heat-pipe mi-croreactor using the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 5, Subsection HB, Subpart B rules. These rules cover the design and construction of elevated temperature nu-clear reactor structural components, like the core block of a heat-pipe microreactor emulated by the test article. The purposes of the report are to: (1) provide a step-by-step example of applying the ASME rules to a reasonable core block geometry and corresponding loading conditions, (2) to provide design feedback on the test article, and (3) to evaluate the ASME rules for use in the design of complex heat-pipe microreactor components. The test article design has a relatively short ASME design life, limited by high thermal stresses. The current ASME rules are adequate for evaluating the core block component designs, though they could be optimized to increase the design efficiency and reduce the amount of designer/analyst time required to execute the design process. The report covers both the current, 2019 edition ASME rules and modified, currently unapproved, rules designed to improve the design process for components with complex geometries and high secondary stresses, like the core block test article.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Evaluation the Geotech GS-13BH Borehole Seismic Sensor

Sandia National Laboratories has tested and evaluated the Geotech GS-13BH borehole sensor. The sensor provides a response similar to that of the standard GS-13 short-period seismic sensor intended for pier-installations in a borehole package. The purpose of this seismometer evaluation was to determine a measured sensitivity, amplitude and phase response, self-noise and dynamic range, passband and acceleration response of its calibration coil.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Multi-Axis Resonant Plate Shock Testing Evaluation and Test Specification Development

Resonant plate testing is a shock test method that is frequently used to simulate pyroshock events in the laboratory. Recently, it was discovered that if the unit under test is installed at an off-center location, a tri-axial accelerometer would record a shock response in three directions and the resulting shock response spectra implied that the test may have qualified the component in three directions simultaneously. The purpose of this research project was to evaluate this idea of multi-axis shock testing to determine if it was truly a multi-axis shock environment and if such a test could be used as an equivalent component qualification test. A study was conducted using generic, additively manufactured components tested on a resonant plate, along with an investigation of plate motion to evaluate the component response to off- center plate excitation. The data obtained here along with the analytical simulations performed indicate that off-center resonant plate tests are actually not three-axis shock tests, but rather single axis shocks at an arbitrary angle dictated by the location of the unit under test on the plate. This conclusion is supported by the fact that only one vectored shock input is provided to the component in a resonant plate test. Thus, the output response is a coupled response of the transverse plate vibration and the rotational motion of the component on the plate. Additionally, a multi-axis shock test defined by three single axis test environments always results in a significant component over-test in one direction.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete within Nuclear Applications

Structural defects that develop over the lifetime of nuclear power plants (NPPs) could threaten the safety and security of the concrete infrastructure. Developing a reliable nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method to evaluate the damage in NPPs and their associated structures will greatly improve the long-term operation and safety of NPPs. The purpose of the US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Light Water Reactor Sustainability program is to develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability, sustain the safety, and extend the operating lifetimes of NPPs beyond 60 years. This report describes the progress made toward growing NDE capabilities for NPPs. It also documents expanded collaborations with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and future opportunities to collaborate with industry partners (i.e., vendors and utilities) and university partners. These collaborations will continue to stand as a framework to provide value to stakeholders by reducing uncertainties and potential delayed maintenance costs in NPPs.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Diagnosis of convective organization and cold pools using ARM datasets and evaluation of a unified convection parameterization (UNICON)

Tropical thunderstorms often cluster together. Studies have suggested that the degree to which the tropical thunderstorms are clustered impacts Earth's energy balance and water cycle, as well as extreme precipitation events. However, the processes controlling the spatial distribution of the thunderstorms are poorly understood and are not properly represented in most computer models for weather and climate prediction. Under the goals of better understanding how convection organizes at the mesoscale and advancing the representation of mesoscale convective organization in global climate models, we i) objectively quantified the degrees of convective organization and diagnosed cold pool processes using ARM field campaign observations, ii) examined the organization processes in storm-resolving model simulations, and iii) evaluated the impacts of mesoscale convective organization in global model simulations. The project yielded a firm reference against which the global model representation of mesoscale convective organization and cold pools can be evaluated against and shed new light into the role of parameterized convective organization in the global model simulation of the basic state and variability. Our results revealed two distinct phases of convective clustering during the two-day rain episodes (Cheng et al. 2018) and a new mechanism through which vertical wind shear in the low-troposphere can aid convective organization over tropical oceans (Cheng et al. 2020). It was demonstrated that the interactive representation of cold pools and mesoscale convective organization is key for global models to successfully simulate both the mean state and intraseasonal variability in the tropics (Ahn et al. 2019; 2020).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Evaluation of Nuclear Spent Fuel Disposal in Clay-Bearing Rock - Process Model Development and Experimental Studies

The DOE R&D program under the Spent Fuel Waste Science Technology (SFWST) campaign has made key progress in modeling and experimental approaches towards the characterization of chemical and physical phenomena that could impact the long-term safety assessment of heat-generating nuclear waste disposition in deep clay/shale/argillaceous rock. International collaboration activities such as heater tests and postmortem analysis of samples recovered from these have elucidated key information regarding changes in the engineered barrier system (EBS) material exposed to years of thermal loads. Chemical and structural analyses of sampled bentonite material from such tests has as well as experiments conducted on these are key to the characterization of thermal effects affecting bentonite clay barrier performance and the extent of sacrificial zones in the EBS during the thermal period. Thermal, hydrologic, and chemical data collected from heater tests and laboratory experiments has been used in the development, validation, and calibration of THMC simulators to model near-field coupled processes. This information leads to the development of simulation approaches (e.g., continuum vs. discrete) to tackle issues related to flow and transport at various scales of the host-rock and EBS design concept. Consideration of direct disposal of large capacity dual-purpose canisters (DPCs) as part of the back-end SNF waste disposition strategy has generated interest in improving our understanding of the effects of elevated temperatures on the EBS design. This is particularly important for backfilled repository concepts where temperature plays a key role in the EBS behavior and long-term performance. This report describes multiple R&D efforts on disposal in argillaceous geologic media through development and application of coupled THMC process models, experimental studies on clay/metal/cement barrier and host-rock (argillite) material interactions, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of water transport during (swelling) clay dehydration, first-principles studies of metaschoepite (UO 2 corrosion product) stability, and advances in thermodynamic plus surface complexation database development. Drift-scale URL experiments provides key data for testing hydrological-chemical (HC) model involving strong couplings of fluid mixing and barrier material chemical interactions. The THM modeling focuses on heater test experiments in argillite rock and gas migration in bentonite as part of international collaboration activities at underground research laboratories (URLs). In addition, field testing at an URL involves in situ analysis of fault slip behavior and fault permeability. Pore-scale modeling of gas bubble migration is also being investigated within the gas migration modeling effort. Interaction experiments on bentonite samples from heater test under ambient and elevated temperatures permit the evaluation of ion exchange, phase stability, and mineral transformation changes that could impact clay swelling. Advances in the development, testing, and implementation of a spent nuclear fuel (SNF) degradation model coupled with canister corrosion focus on the effects of hydrogen gas generation and its integration with Geologic Disposal Safety Assessment (GDSA). GDSA integration activities includes evaluation of groundwater chemistries in shale formations.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Development of Process Flowsheets for the Recovery of Metals by Solvent Extraction to Recycle Battery Materials: Evaluation of Application of AMUSE Code. Final CRADA Report

RSR Technologies (RSRT) wished to investigate the use of the AMUSE solvent extraction code, housed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to evaluate the recycling of battery cells for the reclamation of metal values. The modeling studies were undertaken by the group at ANL to evaluate several separation schemes for battery metals using solvent extraction. These studies would develop a framework to be experimentally validated at RSRT at its facility in Dallas, TX. The AMUSE code modeling work would speed the development of recovery flowsheets for spent batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Transfer and Flushing Evaluation for Potential Precipitated Solids in the 241-AP-106 to EMF Transfer Pipeline for DFLAW

Waste transfer pipeline flushing is necessary to maintain pipeline performance, but added flush fluid increases the nuclear waste inventory. During the Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) mission, waste transfer lines from the Interim Low-Activity Waste Storage Tank (i.e., 241-AP-106) to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility must have the capability of being flushed to prevent accumulation of solids and to mitigate corrosion concerns. Operational experience at Hanford has shown that the solids precipitation occurs during processing operations from dilute Hanford liquids. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was requested to evaluate the potential precipitated solid particle transport and flushing operational capabilities of the AP-106 through the Effluent Management Facility (EMF) low-point drain LAW feed pipeline. The evaluation results do not provide operational requirements, but rather provide a scoping basis for understanding the potential operational significance of solids precipitation in the pipeline. The salt and aluminum phase solids most likely to precipitate from the LAW feeds during cooling, evaporation, or mixing have particle densities that are estimated to range from 1.62 to 2.78 g/mL and a spherical particle size range of 8 to 2100 μm, depending on the solid phase considered. Application of the method to calculate the critical deposition velocity required by TFC-ENG-STD-26 at conservatively bounding estimates for the solids concentrations demonstrates that potentially precipitated solids may deposit on the bottom of the transfer pipe invert at the lower LAW feed pipeline flow rate, but the upper LAW feed pipeline flow rate will likely prevent deposition. The system pressure limit for the AP-106 through the EMF low-point drain LAW feed pipeline likely exceeds any pressure loss at a calculated critical deposition velocity even for the most adverse potential precipitated solid. However, should solids settle as a result of no-flow conditions, the flow capabilities of the AP-106 through the EMF low-point drain LAW feed pipeline are shown, based on the available literature, to be potentially inadequate for effective flushing operations to remove solids, even at solids concentrations below the maximum specified for LAW feed. Thus, stepwise solids accumulations over multiple transfers may be an issue, and eventual line plugging may occur. Further inadequacies may potentially be realized should the cohesive nature of certain precipitates be accounted for.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Hydrologic Evaluation of Smallmouth Bass Spawning Sites in the Upper Green River Using LiDAR

The smallmouth bass has been considered one of the most problematic invasive species in the upper Colorado River basin. As a predator of larval fish and juveniles, this nonnative species is an impediment to conservation efforts for endangered fish species of the Colorado River basin including Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), humpback chub (Gila cypha), and bonytail chub (Gila elegans). Several measures have been recommended to control smallmouth bass populations to conserve the endangered fish species. Among these measures are efforts to control flows during the spawning season to disrupt smallmouth bass reproduction. Previous work has suggested that smallmouth bass spawning in areas of the Green River could be inhibited during higher flows from the Flaming Gorge Dam due to lack of suitable habitat. Little research has been conducted to evaluate an optimal range of flow increases (“flow spikes”) needed to disrupt smallmouth bass reproduction in the Green River. Current research proposals to evaluate the effectiveness of flow spikes on controlling smallmouth bass reproduction target post-spawning flows of 4,500 cfs, maintained for three days, to inundate side-channel spawning habitats. In this report, we present results of a topographic study of smallmouth bass spawning sites in the upper Green River to characterize flow levels needed to inundate spawning habitats. This study used remotely sensed Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data collected along the entire Green River, including channel margins and floodplain areas, to model water surface elevations and flow spikes needed to connect and inundate smallmouth bass spawning sites.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Towards improved guidelines for cost evaluation of carbon capture and storage

The white paper is an effort to draw up a set of CCS costing guidelines in three complementary areas where further guidelines and better practices are needed, and where efforts are underway to address those topics. The first area of study tackles the establishment of improved guidelines for cost evaluation of advanced low-carbon technology (such as a new CO 2 capture process or a novel power plant design). The second area of study focuses on CCS from non-power industries while the final area addresses quality assurance and uncertainty evaluations of data and models used in CCS cost analysis.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗