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NASA NTRS1993

TLRS-3 system upgrades

This presentation describes the upgrades to the Transportable Laser Ranging Systems serial number three (TLRS-3), and the impact that these upgrades will have on the TLRS-3 performance in the field. The four major areas of system upgrades are the HP-380 computer, the Optical Attenuation Mechanism (OAM), the upgraded spatial, spectral and temporal filtering for improved daylight ranging capability, and the software upgrade to enable the system to track the Etalon satellites. The TLRS-3 was returned to the Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory (GGAO) in December 1991 for system upgrades in preparation of the TOPEX/POSEIDON campaign scheduled to begin in the summer of 1992. Many system upgrades were incorporated into the system while interleaving planned facility maintenance making TLRS-3 a more versatile and more dependable laser ranging system. The TLRS-3 was initially baselined with the MOBLAS-7 via simultaneous satellite ranging on the LAGEOS, Ajisai, Starlette, and ERS-I satellites. During the upgrades and following completion of the system upgrades intercomparisons with the MOBLAS-7 were made to verify the integrity and accuracy of the system changes. Several other groups of personnel participated in the TLRS-3 upgrade and they are: the Survey Section, the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory, the Architectural and Engineering Services Department, the Precision Timing Section, and the station personnel at TLRS-3 and MOBLAS-7.

Eichinger, Richard↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Outer Planet Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM) Upgrades

Introduction: The Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM) is one of the most widely used engineering models of planetary atmospheres. The GRAM upgrades are being developed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Langley Research Center. This presentation will provide details regarding the upgrades to the existing GRAMs, the development of new GRAMs, and the ongoing objectives, tasks, and milestones related to the GRAM upgrades funded by the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD). GRAM: The GRAMs are engineering-oriented atmospheric models that estimate mean values and statistical variations of the atmospheric properties for numerous planetary destinations. They provide mean values and variability for any point in the atmosphere as well as seasonal, geographic, and altitude variations. GRAM outputs include atmospheric density, temperature, pressure, winds, and chemical composition along a user-defined path. They are extensively used by the engineering community because of their ability to create realistic dispersions. GRAMs have been integrated into high fidelity flight dynamic simulations of launch, entry, descent and landing (EDL), aerobraking and aerocapture. GRAMs are currently available for Earth, Mars, Venus, Neptune, Titan, and Uranus. Outer Planet GRAM Upgrade Status: Code Modernization. The outer planet GRAMs have been rearchitected from Fortran to a common object-oriented C++ framework called the GRAM Suite. This new architecture creates a common GRAM library of data models and utilities. The first C++ releases of the rearchitected legacy outer planet GRAMs (Neptune and Titan-GRAM) are straight conversions from the latest Fortran version. Model Upgrades. The focus of the model upgrade task is to improve the atmosphere models in the existing GRAMs and to establish a foundation for developing GRAMs for additional destinations. The GRAM ephemeris has been upgraded to the NASA Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) SPICE toolkit (version N0066). The calculation of the speed of sound has also been improved in the GRAMs. In FY20, the GRAM project established a contract with Hampton University to develop empirical global models for Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Titan. Upgraded Outer Planet GRAM Releases. GRAM Suite Version 1.0 was released in May 2020 and contains the rearchitected Neptune-GRAM, including the common GRAM framework and planet–specific code. GRAM Suite Version 1.1 was released in September 2020 and added the rearchitected Titan-GRAM to the GRAM Suite. A User Guide and Programmer’s Manual are released with all GRAMs. New Outer Planet GRAM Releases. New GRAMs have been developed for Uranus and Jupiter. Uranus-GRAM is based on the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) Uranus Atmospheric Model [1,2] and was released in GRAM Suite Version 1.2 in July 2021. Jupiter-GRAM is based on Galileo probe Atmospheric Structure Instrument (ASI) data from Seiff et al. [3] Saturn-GRAM is also under development. Both Jupiter and Saturn-GRAM will be released in future versions of the GRAM Suite. Conclusions: GRAMs are vital and frequently used toolsets. Releases of the GRAM Suite, upgrades of the existing planetary GRAMs, and development of new planetary GRAMs are ongoing. Titan-GRAM atmosphere model upgrades will be included in the next phase of GRAM tasks. References: [1] Allen Jr., G.A. et al. (2014) 11th International Planetary Probe Workshop, Abstract #8023. [2] Allen Jr., G.A. et al. (2014) Workshop on the Study of the Ice Giant Planets, Abstract #2001. [3] Seiff, A. et al. (1998) JGR, 103, 22,857 -22,889. Acknowledgments: The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the NASA SMD.

atmospheric models↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Venus Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Venus-GRAM) Upgrades

Introduction: The Venus Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Venus-GRAM) is one of the most widely used engineering models of Venus’ atmosphere. The Venus-GRAM upgrades are being developed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). This presentation will provide details regarding the upgrades that have been made to Venus-GRAM and the ongoing objectives, tasks, and milestones related to the GRAM upgrades funded by the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD). Venus-GRAM: Venus-GRAM is an engineering-oriented atmospheric model that estimates mean values and statistical variations of the atmospheric properties of Venus. Venus-GRAM provides mean values and variability for any point in the atmosphere as well as seasonal, geographic, and altitude variations. Venus-GRAM outputs include atmospheric density, temperature, pressure, winds, and chemical composition along a user-defined path. It is extensively used by the engineering community because of its ability to create realistic dispersions. GRAMs have been integrated into high fidelity flight dynamic simulations of launch, entry, descent and landing (EDL), aerobraking and aerocapture. GRAMs are currently available for Earth, Mars, Venus, Neptune, Titan, and Uranus. The lower atmosphere model in Venus-GRAM (up to 250 km) is based on the Venus International Reference Atmosphere (VIRA) [1]. The Venus-GRAM thermosphere (250 to 1000 km) is based on a MSFC-developed model [2] which assumes an isothermal temperature profile initialized using VIRA conditions at 250 km [3]. The VIRA version included in Venus-GRAM includes Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Probe data as well as Venera probe data, but it does not include a solid planet model or a high-resolution gravity model [4]. Venus-GRAM Upgrade Status: Code Modernization. Venus-GRAM has been rearchitected from Fortran to a common object-oriented C++ framework called the GRAM Suite. This new architecture creates a common GRAM library of data models and utilities. The first C++ release of the rearchitected Venus-GRAM is a straight conversion from the latest Fortran version. Model Upgrades. The focus of the model upgrade task is to improve the atmosphere models in the existing GRAMs and to establish a foundation for developing GRAMs for additional destinations. The GRAM ephemeris has been upgraded to the NASA Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) SPICE toolkit (version N0066). The calculation of the speed of sound has also been improved in the GRAMs. In FY20, the GRAM project established contracts to improve the model data within Venus-GRAM. Hampton University is developing an empirical global model for Venus. The University of Wisconsin is reanalyzing the Venus Express radio occultation observations and analyzing the Akatsuki thermal imaging data. Upgraded Venus-GRAM Release. GRAM Suite Version 1.3 will be released in September 2021 and will contain the rearchitected Venus-GRAM, including the common GRAM framework and planet–specific code. A User Guide and Programmer’s Manual are released with all GRAMs. Conclusions: GRAMs are frequently used toolsets and vital in assessing effects of atmospheres on interplanetary spacecraft during the program life cycle process. Releases of the GRAM Suite, upgrades of the existing planetary GRAMs, and development of new planetary GRAMs are ongoing. Venus-GRAM atmosphere model upgrades will be included in the next phase of GRAM tasks. References: [1] Kliore, A. J. et al. (1985) ASR, 5, 11, 1-304. [2] Justh, H. L. et al. (2006) AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference & Exhibit, Abstract AIAA-2006-6394. [3] Guide to Reference and Standard Atmosphere Models, BSR/AIAA G-003-2010. [4] Limaye, S. S. (2012), LPSC VEXAG Townhall Meeting. Acknowledgments: The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the NASA SMD.

atmospheric models↗
DOE OSTI2024

Seasonal Cost-Benefit Analysis of Automated Distribution Feeder Upgrades with Advanced Mitigation Technologies

The increasing deployment of distributed solar photovoltaics (DPV) to meet clean energy goals can trigger adverse grid operation issues, such as voltage excursions and the violation of thermal loading constraints of the power delivery elements (e.g., lines and transformers) on the evolving electricity infrastructure. Such integration issues would require distribution upgrades with associated costs to mitigate them and to maintain reliable and resilient grid operating conditions. Traditional distribution network upgrade approaches use a specific single snapshot analysis that is overly conservative. This study considers a multi-time point analysis to capture both moderate (probable bounds) and extreme grid operating conditions using time points such as minimum load with minimum photovoltaics (PV), maximum load with maximum PV, maximum load with minimum PV, and minimum load with maximum PV. Further, this study investigates seasonal variation impacts and associated distribution upgrade costs for a spring season case (March, representing a low load and high PV scenario) and a summer case (July, representing a high load and high PV scenario). Such seasonal analysis will allow system operators to characterize upgrade requirements and associated costs across various periods. Because the spatial distribution of DPV can impact upgrade and associated costs, this study investigates three common DPV deployment scenarios - randomly deployed, close to the substation, and far from the substation - at different penetration levels. Apart from spatial distribution impacts, this project evaluates the techno-economic impacts of the nodal photovoltaic penetration factor (NPPF) for generating the various DPV deployment scenarios at increasing penetration levels. This project investigates the impact of varying nodal PV-to-load ratios using conservative and extreme NPPF values of 3 and 10, respectively. This study investigates the deployment of traditional infrastructure upgrade strategies, such as installing new voltage regulating equipment, transformers and lines replacements, and the activation of advanced inverter functionality (e.g., autonomous volt/VAR) in expanding PV hosting capacity. Existing DPV systems are assumed to operate with the legacy unity power factor, and we considered the possibility of retrofitting such systems with the activation of volt/VAR control as integration standards and regulations continue to evolve to allow such functions. The cost-benefit analysis metrics used in study include distribution upgrade costs, average cost per watt of the upgrade cost, average marginal cost per watt of the upgrade cost, and power losses.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

A Systems-Level Roadmap for Biomass Thermal Fractionation and Catalytic Upgrading Strategies

Although multistage thermal decomposition (fractionation) of biomass with catalytic upgrading is a promising strategy of achieving sustainable fuels production, the number of thermal decomposition stages, their conditions, and the optimal catalytic upgrading chemistries are not known. In this paper, we use conceptual process modeling to propose a general roadmap for the design of a biorefinery by employing these technologies. The overall process considered includes a biomass pretreatment system, a (multistage) thermal decomposition system in which the biomass in decomposed into various fractions, a fraction upgrading system, and a combustion system. We focus primarily on the design of the thermal decomposition and fraction upgrading systems. The goal of our work is to demonstrate the key trade-offs between various process options and to identify important areas for improvement. In general, increasing the complexity of the fraction upgrading systems increases the ultimate yield of C6+ products, though there are diminishing returns on the increase in product yield versus the complexity of the catalytic upgrading sequences. The choice of the number of thermal decomposition stages is not simple and requires careful consideration of the chemistries available to upgrade different components and the relative abundances of these different components. Therefore, the optimal design of the thermal decomposition and fraction upgrading systems cannot be done independently.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Impact of High Q on ILC250 Upgrade for Record Luminosities and Path Toward ILC380

In this paper, we address the possibility of upgrading the ILC250 luminosity to $8.1 \times 10^{34}$, so that with the polarization feature, the effective luminosity will be $2.0 \times 10^{35}$ to compete with the FCC-ee luminosity and two detectors. The additional cost of the higher luminosity option will be about 2.2 B ILCU. The total cost for the ILC high luminosity machine will therefore be about 7.7 B versus FCC-ee 10.5 B. The AC power (267 MW) to operate the ILC luminosity upgrade will also be less than the AC power for FCC-ee (300 MW). Even with a modest quality factor Q of $1 \times 10^{10}$ for SRF cavities, the total cost of the upgrade will be 2.5 B ILCU additional over ILC250 baseline. We expect that, if approved, ILC250 will first be built at the baseline luminosity, operated for many years at this luminosity, and later upgraded to the high luminosity option. A significant part (RF power and cryo-power) of the additional cost for the luminosity upgrade overlaps with the expected additional costs for anticipated energy upgrade paths. A second ILC upgrade discussed in this paper will be to the higher energy Top Factory at 380 GeV. We also estimate the additional cost of this upgrade (1.5 B ILCU).

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Safety-Related Instrumentation and Control Pilot Upgrade: Initial Scoping Phase Implementation and Lessons Learned

In May 2016, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff provided a digital instrumentation and control (I&C) regulatory infrastructure integrated action plan to the NRC for approval. One of the objectives of that plan was to establish a clear regulatory structure with reduced regulatory uncertainty to enable the expanded safe use of digital I&C in commercial nuclear reactors while continuing to ensure safety and security. To achieve this end, the NRC, with collaboration from industry, developed a streamlined License Amendment Request Alternate Review (AR) process for safety-related (SR) digital I&C upgrades. In spite of this effort, the industry has remained reluctant to perform such I&C upgrades because of perceived regulatory and financial risks associated with being the first or an early adopter of the AR process for SR I&C upgrades. The U.S. Department of Energy Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program at the Idaho National Laboratory performed Initial Scoping Phase research to help break this impasse by supporting a SR I&C Pilot Upgrade, working with MPR Associates, ScottMadden Inc., and Exelon Generation. Exelon’s Limerick Generating Station (LGS) was selected as the target for this research. This paper summarizes the Initial Scoping Phase engineering and operations, licensing, and project management activities necessary to bound the scope, schedule, and estimated cost of the project sufficiently to enable utility management authorization of Conceptual Design Phase activities. These efforts and associated products are intended to provide a template to support larger industry efforts to perform similar upgrades as a foundation stone for a digital transformation that will improve plant safety, reliability, and operational performance while lowering plant total cost of ownership. As a result of the combined effort of Exelon Generation and research participants, Conceptual Design Phase activities for the subject upgrade at LGS were approved by Exelon. Further, the U.S. Department of Energy also awarded a $50 million cost share award to Exelon in order to pave the way for SR I&C modernization and associated control room upgrades across the U.S. nuclear fleet. Additional research reports are planned for the Conceptual Design Phase, Detailed Design Phase, and the Implementation Phase of the LGS project to document the process followed and promulgate lessons learned to industry.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Upgrading Biogas through in situ Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Biomethane in Anaerobic Digesters

Organic waste streams generated by wastewater treatment plants, agricultural operations, and food processing industries represent an important yet underutilized opportunity for renewable energy production in the United States. Through anaerobic digestion, these waste streams can produce biogas, a mixture primarily composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), that can be upgraded to pipeline-quality natural gas. However, most existing upgrading technologies remove CO2 from biogas rather than utilizing it, leaving a significant portion of the potential energy unused. This project investigates a novel biological upgrading approach that converts CO2 into additional CH4 by supplying hydrogen (H2) to specialized microorganisms capable of performing hydrogenotrophic methanation. The main challenges associated with biological biogas upgrading are related to hydrogen supply, gas-liquid mass transfer, and process stability. First, due to the high cost of hydrogen gas, it is preferable that H2 be produced on-site using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. Second, hydrogen has low solubility in liquids, which limits its availability to microorganisms and requires strategies to improve gas dissolution and transfer within the reactor. Third, process inhibition may occur as a result of increased pH caused by CO2 consumption or elevated H2 partial pressure, both of which can negatively affect methanogenic activity. Although research in these areas has advanced during the course of this project, these challenges have not yet been fully resolved. To date, the biological systems that have achieved the highest methane concentrations are typically ex-situ reactors, where operational conditions can be more easily controlled. For this reason, the findings of the present project remain highly relevant. The project goal was to develop an innovative system that can accomplish biogas upgrading via biological conversion of CO2 to CH4, in a novel hybrid approach that combines the advantages of both in-situ and ex-situ systems. The proposed system employs a three-phase upflow anaerobic bioreactor with H2 delivery through a gas-permeable membrane, enabling efficient hydrogen transfer and microbial conversion. Under optimized operating conditions, the system achieved 99% H2 consumption and 90% CO2 conversion. A subsequent gas cleaning stage was implemented to further improve gas quality and meet target purity standards. The upgraded gas composition reached 97.7% CH4, 2.2% CO2, and 0.97% O2, while H2S concentrations remained below detection limits. In addition, a flue gas-driven inorganic thermoelectric generator (TEG) system was designed and experimentally validated as a potential source of electricity for H2 production. The system consisted of six TEG modules connected in series and achieved an open-circuit voltage of 4.5 V and a maximum power output of 224 mW at a temperature difference of approximately 53.5 °C, demonstrating effective conversion of waste heat into electrical power under simulated flue gas conditions. Finally, a comprehensive techno-economic analysis was completed to evaluate the capital and operating costs associated with the proposed system. The results provide important insights to guide future scale-up, optimization, and potential deployment of integrated biological biogas upgrading technologies.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review

This work aims to characterize how home energy upgrade projects and programs in the US have evolved over the past decade. It also identifies what changes are needed to drive expansion of the US energy retrofit market in such a way that addresses carbon emissions from buildings, improves resilience and upgrades the housing stock. This review focuses on whole-home energy upgrades, targeting deep energy retrofit savings of >30%. The topics we cover include trends in home electrification, US and European home energy upgrade programs, energy upgrade measure costs, business economics, and health effects. Key changes in project design noted in this review include: (1) the electrification of dwellings with rapidly improving heat pump systems and low-cost solar photovoltaic technology; and (2) a shift away from high-cost building envelope strategies and towards more traditional home performance/weatherization envelope upgrades. Promising program design strategies covered include: (1) end-use electrification programs; (2) novel financing approaches; (3) the use of carbon-based program and project metrics; and (4) “one-stop shop” programs. Based on the existing market barriers, we suggest that the industry should adopt new project performance metrics. Additionally, market drivers are needed to spur widespread energy upgrades in the US housing stock. Costs must be reduced, and projects designed to appeal to homeowners and contractors.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Recent Progress in Electrochemical Upgrading of Bio-Oil Model Compounds and Bio-Oils to Renewable Fuels and Platform Chemicals

Sustainable production of renewable carbon-based fuels and chemicals remains a necessary but immense challenge in the fight against climate change. Bio-oil derived from lignocellulosic biomass requires energy-intense upgrading to produce usable fuels or chemicals. Traditional upgrading methods such as hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) require high temperatures (200–400 °C) and 200 bar of external hydrogen. Electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH), on the other hand, operates at low temperatures (<80 °C), ambient pressure, and does not require an external hydrogen source. These environmental and economically favorable conditions make ECH a promising alternative to conventional thermochemical upgrading processes. ECH combines renewable electricity with biomass conversion and harnesses intermediately generated electricity to produce drop-in biofuels. This review aims to summarize recent studies on bio-oil upgrading using ECH focusing on the development of novel catalytic materials and factors impacting ECH efficiency and products. Here, electrode design, reaction temperature, applied overpotential, and electrolytes are analyzed for their impacts on overall ECH performance. We find that through careful reaction optimization and electrode design, ECH reactions can be tailored to be efficient and selective for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. Preliminary economic and environmental assessments have shown that ECH can be viable alternative to convention upgrading technologies with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 3 times compared to thermochemical upgrading. While the field of electrochemical upgrading of bio-oil has additional challenges before commercialization, this review finds ECH a promising avenue to produce renewable carbon-based drop-in biofuels. Finally, based on the analyses presented in this review, directions for future research areas and optimization are suggested.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Current status of biogas upgrading for direct biomethane use: A review

Anaerobic digestion produces biogas, a mixture of CH 4 and CO 2 , where CH 4 is a low cost, environmentally friendly, and renewable energy source. The application of biogas production is increasing rapidly as a means of reducing the pollution impact of organic biomasses. However, biogas contains unwanted elements such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, siloxanes, and carbon dioxide. To remove these elements, several biogas upgrading technologies like water scrubbing, amine scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption, and membrane separation have been developed and are being used at various commercial scales. Problems with these methods are high energy consumption, the use of expensive chemicals, and high operating cost. Therefore, a major effort is currently underway to improve the design of existing methods as well as developing innovative new upgrading technologies such as cryogenic separation and biological upgrading. Here, this review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the limitations with the existing upgrading technologies along with recent advances in physical, chemical, and biological biogas upgrading technologies (e.g., pressure swing adsorption, membrane separation, biochar adsorption and CO 2 conversion by biological organisms) and further into possible future solutions, such as hybrid systems. Comparative studies of process complexities and associated economic concerns are also provided, and future perspectives that may facilitate research into sustainable biogas upgrading technologies are discussed, focusing in particular on cryogenic separation, novel biological techniques, biochar based upgrading and hybrid technologies incorporating two or more different methods seamlessly integrated.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2014

A poloidal section neutron camera for MAST upgrade

The Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak Upgrade (MAST Upgrade) is intended as a demonstration of the physics viability of the Spherical Tokamak (ST) concept and as a platform for contributing to ITER/DEMO physics. Concerning physics exploitation, MAST Upgrade plasma scenarios can contribute to the ITER Tokamak physics particularly in the field of fast particle behavior and current drive studies. At present, MAST is equipped with a prototype neutron camera (NC). On the basis of the experience and results from previous experimental campaigns using the NC, the conceptual design of a neutron camera upgrade (NC Upgrade) is being developed. As part of the MAST Upgrade, the NC Upgrade is considered a high priority diagnostic since it would allow studies in the field of fast ions and current drive with good temporal and spatial resolution. In this paper, we explore an optional design with the camera array viewing the poloidal section of the plasma from different directions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

TU-G-BRD-02: Automated Systematic Quality Assurance Program for Radiation Oncology Information System Upgrades

Purpose: To: (1) describe an independent, automated, systematic software-based protocol for verifying clinical data accuracy/integrity for mitigation of data corruption/loss risks following radiation oncology information system (ROIS) upgrades; and (2) report on application of this approach in an academic/community practice environment. Methods: We propose a robust approach to perform quality assurance on the ROIS after an upgrade, targeting four data sources: (1) ROIS relational database; (2) ROIS DICOM interface; (3) ROIS treatment machine data configuration; and (4) ROIS-generated clinical reports. We investigated the database schema for differences between pre-/post-upgrade states. Paired DICOM data streams for the same object (such as RT-Plan/Treatment Record) were compared between pre-/post-upgrade states for data corruption. We examined machine configuration and related commissioning data files for changes and corruption. ROIS-generated treatment appointment and treatment parameter reports were compared to ensure patient encounter and treatment plan accuracy. This protocol was supplemented by an end-to-end clinical workflow test to verify essential ROI functionality and integrity of components interfaced during patient care chain of activities. We describe the implementation of this protocol during a Varian ARIA system upgrade at our clinic. Results: We verified 1,638 data tables with 2.4 billion data records. For 222 under-treatment patients, 605 DICOM RT plans and 13,480 DICOM treatment records retrieved from the ROIS DICOM interface were compared, with no differences in fractions, doses delivered, or treatment parameters. We identified 82 new data tables and 78 amended/deleted tables consistent with the upgrade. Reports for 5,073 patient encounters over a 2-week horizon were compared and were identical to those before the upgrade. Content in 12,237 xml machine files was compared, with no differences identified. Conclusion: An independent QA/validation approach for ROIS upgrades was developed and implemented at our clinic. The success of this approach ensures a robust QA of ROIS upgrades without manual paper/electronic checks and associated intensive labor.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Case Studies of Residential Façade Upgrades in Four Climate Zones

This paper reports on a project that explored the viability of insulation and window upgrades during siding retrofits in four case studies across the United States. Thousands of homes are re-sided every year, but only a fraction of consumers add insulation and upgrade the windows at the same time, even though a siding replacement is the ideal time to update the thermal performance of building enclosures. To better understand why more siding retrofits do not include insulation and window upgrades, research staff from several organizations collaborated with the U.S. Department of Energy on a multi-faceted research project that included a cost analysis, workforce analysis, market assessment, and contractor assessment. This paper will review four in-field case studies conducted with contractors actively engaged in home re-siding projects that agreed to add rigid insulation and window upgrades as part of their projects. Findings from the case studies will be presented including contractor perspectives, cost, and technical approaches on projects, located in multiple climate zones including Bellingham WA, Jackson MS, Kalamazoo MI, and Phoenix AZ. All projects involved adding continuous rigid insulation on the exterior walls and installation of new cladding. Cladding types varied from wood and metal to fiber cement, vinyl, and traditional stucco. All homes also received a window upgrade, although upgrades varied depending on the original condition of the windows and climate; upgrades included triple-pane windows, low-e storm windows, and exterior shading. Key findings including technical approaches, opportunities, barriers, and project cost will be presented.

re-siding, insulation, rigid insulation, exterior ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Screening and evaluation of biomass upgrading strategies for sustainable transportation fuel production with biomass-derived volatile fatty acids

Biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals is crucial to decarbonization, but choosing an advantageous upgrading pathway out of many options is challenging. Rigorously evaluating all candidate pathways (process simulation, product property testing) requires a prohibitive amount of research effort; even simple upgrading schemes have hundreds of possible permutations. We present a method enabling high-throughput screening by approximating upgrading unit operations and drop-in compatibility of products (e.g., fuel properties) and apply it to volatile fatty acid (VFA) conversion to liquid transportation fuels via a MATLAB script, VFA Upgrading to Liquid Transportation fUels Refinery Estimation (VULTURE). VULTURE selects upgrading configurations that maximize fuel blend bio-derived content. We validate VULTURE's approximations through surrogate fuel property testing and process simulation. Techno-economic and life cycle analyses suggest that VFA upgrading processes down-selected by VULTURE are profitable and have low carbon intensities, demonstrating the potential for the strategy to accelerate process development timelines at decreased costs.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fermilab's Horizontal Test Stand Upgrade Overview and Commissioning

Cryo-assemblies with the Nb 3 Sn MQXFA low-beta quadrupoles for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) upgrade will be tested at Fermilab's magnet test facility. A total of 10 cryo-assemblies will be delivered to CERN within the US HL-LHC Accelerator Upgrade Project (AUP). The horizontal test stand at Fermilab already has been used for testing the existing LHC inner-triplet quadrupoles, but the stand and corresponding electrical and cryogenic sub-systems were not operational for more than a decade. In order to restore the test stand functions and meet the design and test requirements for the HL-LHC magnets, the existing horizontal test facility at Fermilab underwent a significant refurbishment of the cryogenic and mechanical components. Most of the upgrades were completed and verified during so called zero-magnet test by late 2020, and then final commissioning of the upgraded horizontal test stand was completed during the first cryo-assembly test in 2023. These tests verified the major cryo-mechanical installations, as well as the basic test stand operations, including controlled cooldown and operation at 1.9 K, magnet protection and process controls. Here, in this paper, overview of the Fermilab's horizontal test facility upgrade and commissioning of these upgrades are presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge: A Preliminary Techno-Economic Analysis

A preliminary process model and techno-economic analysis (TEA) was completed for fuel produced from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of sludge waste from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and subsequent biocrude upgrading. The model is adapted from previous work by Jones et al. (2014) for algae HTL, using experimental data generated in fiscal year 2015 (FY15) bench-scale HTL testing of sludge waste streams. Testing was performed on sludge samples received from MetroVancouver’s Annacis Island WWTP (Vancouver, B.C.) as part of a collaborative project with the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation (WERF). The full set of sludge HTL testing data from this effort will be documented in a separate report to be issued by WERF. This analysis is based on limited testing data and therefore should be considered preliminary. Future refinements are necessary to improve the robustness of the model, including a cross-check of modeled biocrude components with the experimental GCMS data and investigation of equipment costs most appropriate at the smaller scales used here. Environmental sustainability metrics analysis is also needed to understand the broader impact of this technology pathway. The base case scenario for the analysis consists of 10 HTL plants, each processing 100 dry U.S. ton/day (92.4 ton/day on a dry, ash-free basis) of sludge waste and producing 234 barrel per stream day (BPSD) biocrude, feeding into a centralized biocrude upgrading facility that produces 2,020 barrel per standard day of final fuel. This scale was chosen based upon initial wastewater treatment plant data collected by the resource assessment team from the EPA’s Clean Watersheds Needs Survey database (EPA 2015a) and a rough estimate of what the potential sludge availability might be within a 100-mile radius. In addition, we received valuable feedback from the wastewater treatment industry as part of the WERF collaboration that helped form the basis for the selected HTL and upgrading plant scales and feedstock credit (current cost of disposal). It is assumed that the sludge is currently disposed of at $16.20/wet ton ($46/dry ton at 35% solids; $50/ton dry, ash-free basis) and this is included as a feedstock credit in the operating costs. The base case assumptions result in a minimum biocrude selling price of $3.8/gge and a minimum final upgraded fuel selling price of $4.9/gge. Several areas of process improvement and refinements to the analysis have the potential to significantly improve economics relative to the base case: • Optimization of HTL sludge feed solids content • Optimization of HTL biocrude yield • Optimization of HTL reactor liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) • Optimization of fuel yield from hydrotreating • Combined large and small HTL scales specific to regions (e.g., metropolitan and suburban plants) Combined improvements believed to be achievable in these areas can potentially reduce the minimum selling price of biocrude and final upgraded fuel by about 50%. Further improvements may be possible through recovery of higher value components from the HTL aqueous phase, as being investigated under separate PNNL projects. Upgrading the biocrude at an existing petroleum refinery could also reduce the MFSP, although this option requires further testing to ensure compatibility and mitigate risks to a refinery. And finally, recycling the HTL aqueous phase product stream back to the headworks of the WWTP (with no catalytic hydrothermal gasification treatment) can significantly reduce cost. This option is uniquely appropriate for application at a water treatment facility but also requires further investigation to determine any technical and economic challenges related to the extra chemical oxygen demand (COD) associated with the recycled water.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗