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The goal of this research grant was to test new methods to test theories of dark matter, whether by detecting the dark matter in the Milky Way in underground experiments, or by tracing the stars in the Milky Way and beyond. This is a final technical report summarizing the research publications over the grant period.
The Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the world’s first flash x-ray facility able to take multiple high-resolution radiographs of the interior features of fast-moving dense objects during a single experiment. DARHT’s radiography and complimentary diagnostics makes it an important diagnostic tool in support of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)’s stewardship of the US nuclear deterrent. The project to construct DARHT ran from 1988 through 2003. Initial Operating Capability along a single axis began in 1999. A technical issue delayed Critical Decision 4 for the full dual-axis capability until 2008. DARHT was characterized by several directed changes resulting from an environmental impact study, changes to the global security context resulting from the end of underground nuclear testing, and rapid evolution of applicable technology. Conventional building and lab-space construction were part of the project, but the project was dominated by Special Facility Equipment that, together with the mission to support the nuclear weapons program, required the project to be completed by national laboratories. Although the project pre-dated implementation of DOE Order 413.3, several important lessons for national laboratory projects remain applicable today and will be discussed here, including projects appropriate for the national laboratory environment, scope stability, risk acceptance and mitigation, communication, and collaboration. Finally, considerations for DOE contractor project managers are offered based upon the DARHT experience.
Organizations that monitor for underground nuclear explosive tests are interested in techniques that automatically characterize recurring events such as aftershocks to reduce the human analyst effort required to produce high-quality event bulletins. Waveform correlation is a technique that is effective in finding similar waveforms from repeating seismic events. In this study, we apply waveform correlation in combination with template event metadata to two aftershock sequences in the Middle East to seek corroborating detections from multiple stations in the International Monitoring System of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. We use waveform templates from stations that are within regional distance of aftershock sequences to detect subsequent events, then use template event metadata to discover what stations are likely to record corroborating arrival waveforms for recurring aftershock events at the same location, and develop additional waveform templates to seek corroborating detections. We evaluate the results with the goal of determining whether applying the method to aftershock events will improve the choice of waveform correlation detections that lead to bulletin-worthy events and reduction of analyst effort.
Organizations that monitor for underground nuclear explosive tests are interested in techniques that automatically characterize mining blasts to reduce the human analyst effort required to produce high - quality event bulletins. Waveform correlation is effective in finding similar waveforms from repeating seismic events, including mining blasts. In this study we use waveform template event metadata to seek corroborating detections from multiple stations in the International Monitoring System of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. We build upon events detected in a prior waveform correlation study of mining blasts in two geographic regions, Wyoming and Scandinavia. Using a set of expert analyst-reviewed waveform correlation events that were declared to be true positive detections, we explore criteria for choosing the waveform correlation detections that are most likely to lead to bulletin-worthy events and reduction of analyst effort.
Cryogenic bolometers are an excellent technology for neutrinoless double beta decay searches owing to their very high energy resolution and potential for high radiopurity. The current most advanced large-scale experiment using these detectors is the Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE). The largest source of background in CUORE is degraded alpha particles, emitted from shallow depths of the detector holders, which can deposit a thermal energy signature similar to neutrinoless double beta decay. To mitigate this background, the CUPID concept (CUORE Upgrade with Particle IDentification) proposes to use scintillating cryogenic detectors. Detecting both the scintillation light and the thermal signal allows discrimination between alpha particle events and beta/gamma events. We report on the design and execution of R&D tests to optimize the design of the single detector module, in particular the scintillation light collection efficiency at cryogenic temperatures.
The Hanford Site in Washington State currently stores millions of gallons of radioactive waste in underground, carbon steel, double shell tanks (DSTs) that were constructed between 1968 and 1986. A chemistry control and monitoring program has been established mitigate corrosion in order to extend the service life for the DSTs. The current waste temperatures in the DSTs are at historical lows (i.e., typically less than 50 °C). The previous chemistry control requirements were determined for conditions at temperatures significantly higher. SRNL undertook a statistically based investigation of the role of nitrate and halide ion (i.e., chloride and fluoride) induced pitting corrosion. The objective was to develop a comprehensive waste chemistry envelope for the simultaneous minimization of the pitting and SCC risks caused by halide and nitrate ions at the lower temperature conditions. On the basis of these tests, new chemistry control requirements were proposed and have since been implemented for pitting corrosion control.
Hybrid Optimization Software Suite (HOSS) is based on finite-discrete element modeling to capture the complex physics of explosions. Calibration of near-source modeling for underground explosions in geophysical models is presented, showing the effects of the amplitude of radial and vertical seismic components.
Most earth materials are anisotropic with regard to seismic wave-speeds, especially materials such as shales, or where oriented fractures are present. However, the base assumption for many numerical simulations is to treat earth materials as isotropic media. This is done for simplicity, the apparent weakness of anisotropy in the far field, and the lack of well-characterized anisotropic material properties for input into numerical simulations. One approach for addressing the higher complexity of actual geologic regions is to model the material as an orthorhombic medium. We have developed an explicit time-domain, finite-difference (FD) algorithm for simulating three-dimensional (3D) elastic wave propagation in a heterogeneous orthorhombic medium. The objective of this research is to investigate the errors and biases that result from modeling a non-isotropic medium as an isotropic medium. This is done by computing “observed data” by using synthetic, anisotropic simulations with the assumption of an orthorhombic, anisotropic earth model. Green’s functions for an assumed isotropic earth model are computed and then used an inversion designed to estimate moment tensors with the “observed” data. One specific area of interest is how shear waves, which are introduced in an anisotropic model even for an isotropic explosion, affect the characterization of seismic sources when isotropic earth assumptions are made. This work is done in support of the modeling component of the Source Physics Experiment (SPE), a series of underground chemical explosions at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
The United States recently launched the Net Zero World Initiative on decarbonization. As temperatures and sea levels rise, strong action is needed to mitigate high atmospheric CO 2 levels. In response to this need, a joint workshop between the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) was convened to assess the challenges and opportunities within biological carbon (C) capture. The virtual workshop on Biological Carbon Sequestration for Climate and Soil Health focused on three aspects of biological C capture research: natural systems, engineered systems, and modeling. For this workshop, the scope of natural systems included unmanaged (e.g., grasslands, wetlands, natural forests) and managed (e.g., agricultural lands, commercial forests, forest biofuels) ecosystems. The engineered systems group covered topics in genetically modified plants and microbes, synthetic microbiomes, and altered plant–microbe interactions for enhancing C capture, storage, and utilization. The modeling group focused on computational tools and data collection to predict and assess the effectiveness of new biocarbon sequestration advances. Participant expertise included plant and microbial systems biology, synthetic biology, soil biogeochemistry, and techno-economic analysis. Together, participants outlined key scientific advances in support of biological C capture and storage. Among the major findings of the meeting were the need to better measure C flux within natural, agricultural, and fabricated ecosystems for experimentation; better understand the role of soil composition, plant roots, and the rhizosphere (i.e., the soil surrounding the plant root) in the underground storage of organic C; and design plant–microbe systems for maximal C storage.
The proposal “University of Florida High Energy Physics Intensity Frontier Research: Liquid Argon Detectors” requested one year of funding support for the PI, one postdoc and one graduate student to start their involvement in ongoing and upcoming experiments that use Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LAr TPCs) to reconstruct neutrino interactions. Specifically, it was proposed that the group join the Short Baseline Near Detector (SBND) at Fermilab and that the PI continue their involvement in the Deep Underground Neutrino Detector (DUNE).
This report focuses on analysis and determination of the causes of transient water levels measured between 1964 and 2017 near the Cheshire underground nuclear test, which was detonated on February 14, 1976 in Area 20 (USDOE, 2015) of the Pahute Mesa (PM) testing areas of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) located in southern Nevada (Figure 1). Transient water levels near Cheshire indicate influences of a water-production well and yet-unexplained water level rise attributed to testing effects (Jackson and Fenelon, 2018; Jackson et al. 2021). Transient groundwater flow is relevant to the implementation of the hydrologic source term (HST), which prescribes the quantity and release rates of radionuclide source terms to be applied at individual test locations in assessment of regional-scale radionuclide transport (Carle and Tompson, 2021; Carle et al., 2021), as previously investigated for NNSS testing areas at PM (Pawloski et al., 2001), Frenchman Flat (Carle et al, 2007), Yucca Flat (Mcnab, 2009; Tompson, 2009), and Rainier Mesa (Carle, 2011; Tompson et al., 2011).
The purpose of this project is to create a viable business case for CO 2 capture, use, and storage (CCUS) by enabling grid-scale, long-term energy storage in mature hydrocarbon reservoirs and saline aquifers. Our CCUS approach, called the Earth Battery, is based on patents issued to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on Multi-Fluid Geo-Energy and Earth Battery Systems and to the University of Minnesota and TerraCOH, Inc. on CO 2 Plume Geothermal (CPG). Excess energy can be used to compress and store CO 2 and hot brine underground in permeable formations, including: (1) saline aquifers suitable for geologic CO 2 storage (GCS) and (2) hydrocarbon reservoirs, the focus of this project featuring a pilot test in a mature oil and natural gas (NG) field. Excess energy can come in the form of excess electricity from the grid or excess NG that does not have a market. It can also come in the form of excess heat from other sources, such as from the heat of air or CO 2 compression or from a nearby base-load power plant or solar thermal energy (STE) facility, when heat is not needed to generate electricity from those sources.
The purpose of this analysis is to assess the fiscal impact of using risk-based methods to define the area of review (AoR) and post-injection site care (PISC) duration for a geologic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) storage project. The Office of Fossil Energy (FE)/National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) CO 2 Saline Storage Cost Model (“cost model”) was utilized to evaluate CO 2 storage economics in this study. The cost model is a widely used tool for evaluating CO 2 storage costs in geologic settings. It estimates costs for storage operations conducted under compliance to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI regulations. This analysis evaluates and compares the costs of storage (on a first-year break-even dollar per tonne [2018$] basis) at the proposed FutureGen 2.0 site as a case study storage location by implementing different approaches to determine AoR and PISC given the prevailing geologic conditions and injection volume and duration considerations. The approaches include the use of 1) risk-based methods to define AoR and PISC duration, 2) an EPA-approved AoR and PISC documented in the FutureGen 2.0 UIC Class VI permit applications, and 3) cost model default settings that utilize uncertainty multipliers to estimate CO 2 plume and pressure front extent as part of AoR determination, as well as a 50-year PISC default. From all three sources, the AoR and PISC specified in the Class VI permit applications for FutureGen 2.0 were the largest and longest relative to the other two sources.
Within the next decade, experimental High Energy Physics (HEP) will enter a new era of scientific discovery through a set of targeted programs recommended by the Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5), including the upcoming High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC) HL-LHC upgrade and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). These efforts in the Energy and Intensity Frontiers will require an unprecedented amount of computational capacity on many fronts including Monte Carlo (MC) detector simulation. In order to alleviate this impending computational bottleneck, the Celeritas MC particle transport code is designed to leverage the new generation of heterogeneous computer architectures, including the exascale computing power of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Leadership Computing Facilities (LCFs), to model targeted HEP detector problems at the full fidelity of Geant4. This paper presents the planned roadmap for Celeritas, including its proposed code architecture, physics capabilities, and strategies for integrating it with existing and future experimental HEP computing workflows.
The Hanford Site, in southeast Washington State, is preparing to disposition approximately 56,000,000 gallons (56 Mgal) of radioactive and chemically hazardous wastes currently stored in underground tanks at the site. Tank wastes will be divided into a high-activity fraction and a low-activity fraction for subsequent treatment and disposition. A waste processing and treatment facility, the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP), will include the high-level waste (HLW) vitrification facility (WTP HLW Vitrification Facility) for immobilizing the high-activity fraction and a low-activity waste (LAW) vitrification facility (WTP LAW Vitrification Facility) for immobilizing the low-activity fraction. Both facilities will use vitrification technology to immobilize the Hanford tank wastes in a glass waste form. The volume of LAW to be treated and disposed of following waste retrieval and WTP operations will exceed the planned processing capacity of the WTP LAW Vitrification Facility. ORP-11242,-River Protection Project System Plan, estimates a shortfall in LAW treatment capacity of approximately 56 Mgal, approximately 50% of the projected LAW volume. To maintain the planned tank waste processing mission schedule, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will require additional LAW treatment capacity (termed “supplemental LAW”) external to the WTP process. LAW must be solidified by a treatment technology before the waste can be permanently disposed of in an approved DOE on-site disposal facility or a commercial (state or U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission [NRC-licensed]) off-site mixed low-level waste disposal facility. A decision on the approach to supplemental LAW treatment, processing, and disposal has not yet been made
Approximately 54 to 56 million gallons of radioactive mixed waste is currently stored in underground tanks at The United States Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Hanford site in the State of Washington. The Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) will provide DOE’s Office of River Protection (ORP) with a means of treating this waste by vitrification for subsequent disposal. The tank waste will be separated into low- and high-activity waste fractions, which will then be vitrified respectively into Immobilized Low Activity Waste (ILAW) and Immobilized High-Level Waste (IHLW) products. The ILAW product will be disposed of in an engineered facility – the Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF) – on the Hanford site, while the IHLW product will be directed to the national deep geological disposal facility for high-level nuclear waste. The ILAW and IHLW products must meet a variety of requirements with respect to protection of the environment before they can be accepted for disposal. To capitalize on the success of the FY19 and FY20 Atkins/VSL test results on six glasses, Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS) has contracted with Atkins/VSL to collect IEX data on four more ILAW glasses using PFT, the results of which are the subject of the present report. The work described herein was performed according to a Test Plan that is responsive to the corresponding WRPS scope of work.
Approximately 54 to 56 million gallons of radioactive waste is currently stored in underground tanks at The United States Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Hanford site in the State of Washington. The Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) will provide DOE’s Office of River Protection (ORP) with a means of treating this waste by vitrification for subsequent disposal. The tank waste will be separated into low- and high-activity waste fractions, which will then be vitrified respectively into Immobilized Low Activity Waste (ILAW) and Immobilized High Level Waste (IHLW) products. The ILAW product will be disposed in a near-surface engineered facility – the Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF) – on the Hanford site, while the IHLW product is designed for deep geological disposal in a national facility for high-level nuclear waste. The ILAW and IHLW products must meet a variety of requirements with respect to protection of the environment before they can be accepted for disposal. The objective of the work described in this report is to perform testing, data collection, and analyses for the ILAW glass product for subsequent use in the performance assessment (PA) of the IDF to assess potential environmental risks associated with long-term storage.
A poster on the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is described