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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Loading Capacity and Dilute Nitric Acid Rinse of Diglycolamide Resin for the Recovery of Transplutonium and Rare Earth Elements from Mark-18A Targets

N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) as a resin (“DGA resin”) produced by Eichrom Technologies will be used by Savannah River National Laboratory for the indiscriminate extraction of trivalent actinides and rare earth elements with the intent of recovering Cm and Am from dissolved irradiated 242 Pu Mark-18A targets in 7 to 9 M nitric acid. The extracted constituents will be recovered as an oxide by direct thermal decomposition of the loaded resin followed by calcination of the resultant residue. The characteristics of DGA resin with non-radiological feed simulant representative of the anticipated feed in the Mark-18A process, with Sm and Nd as surrogates for Cm and Am, respectively, including breakthrough point and saturation capacity were evaluated in this work. Additionally, this work examined the losses from the loaded resin by rinsing the resin bed with dilute acid to reduce the nitrate concentration in the resin bed prior to thermal decomposition operations to improve the safety posture of the process. A resin loading profile was developed, and the resin was determined to have a trivalent metal saturation capacity of 74 μmol/mL resin under the experimental conditions evaluated. Following a wash of the loaded resin bed with fresh 8 M HNO 3 , the trivalent metals retained was reduced to 68 μmol/mL resin, which represents the practical capacity of the resin for the Mark-18A process. Lighter lanthanides breakthrough the resin well before the saturation capacity is reached. Rinsing the saturated resin bed with 0.26 M HNO 3 was found to result in a rapid reduction in retention of rare earth elements by the resin. After 2.8 bed volumes of dilute acid rinse, the mean resin bed free acid concentration was reduced to 0.28 M and 3.1 bed volumes of dilute acid rinse resulted in a reduction of the cumulative rare earth element retention to 52 μmol/mL of resin.

Transplutonium separations↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Grassroots Network and Community Roadmap for Interconnected Autonomous Science Laboratories for Accelerated Discovery

Scientific discovery is being revolutionized by AI and autonomous systems, yet current autonomous laboratories remain isolated islands unable to collaborate across institutions. We present the Autonomous Interconnected Science Lab Ecosystem (AISLE), a grassroots network transforming fragmented capabilities into a unified system that shorten the path from ideation to innovation to impact and accelerates discovery from decades to months. AISLE addresses five critical dimensions: (1) cross-institutional equipment orchestration, (2) intelligent data management with FAIR compliance, (3) AI-agent driven orchestration grounded in scientific principles, (4) interoperable agent communication interfaces, and (5) AI/ML-integrated scientific education. By connecting autonomous agents across institutional boundaries, autonomous science can unlock research spaces inaccessible to traditional approaches while democratizing cutting-edge technologies. This paradigm shift toward collaborative autonomous science promises breakthroughs in sustainable energy, materials development, and public health.

Ferreira da Silva, Rafael [Oak Ridge National Labo↗
DOE OSTI2020

Performance of Low Salinity Polymer Flood in Enhancing Heavy Oil Recovery on the Alaska North Slope

Combining low-salinity water (LSW) and polymer flooding was proposed to unlock the tremendous heavy oil resources (20–25 billion barrels) on the Alaska North Slope (ANS). The synergy effect of LSW and polymer flooding was demonstrated through coreflooding experiments carried out on representative rock and fluid systems. The results indicate that the high-salinity polymer solution (HSP, 2,300 ppm, salinity=27,500 ppm) requires nearly two thirds more polymer than the low-salinity polymer (LSP, 1,400 ppm, salinity=2,500 ppm) to achieve the same target viscosity of 45 cp measured from viscometer. Additional oil (5–9%) can be recovered from LSW flooding after extensive high-salinity water (HSW) flooding. LSW flooding performed in secondary mode can achieve higher recovery than in tertiary mode. Strikingly, LSP flooding can further improve the oil recovery by ~8% even after extensive HSP flooding with the same viscosity. LSP flooding performed directly after waterflooding can achieve ~10% more incremental oil recovery. The pH increase of the effluent during LSW/LSP flooding was significantly greater than that during HSW/HSP flooding, indicating the occurrence of ion exchange which might contribute to the improved oil recovery. Also, the water breakthrough was delayed in a low-salinity flood compared with a high-salinity flood. The idea of combining LSW and polymer flooding has been put into practice on a pattern-scale field pilot test in the target Milne Point field. Nearly two-year observation has shown impressive success: water cut reduction (70% to below 15%), increasing oil rate, and no polymer breakthrough so far. This work has demonstrated remarkable economical and technical benefits of combination of LSW and polymer flooding in enhancing heavy oil recovery.

Zhao, Yang↗
DOE OSTI2020

Experimental Investigation on Separation Behavior of Heavy-Oil Emulsion for Polymer Flooding on Alaska North Slope

The first-ever field pilot on Alaska North Slope (ANS) to validate using polymer floods for heavy-oil enhanced oil recovery is currently ongoing. One of the major concerns of the operator is the effect of polymer on oil/water-separation efficiency after polymer breakthrough. This work investigates the influence of polymer on the separation behavior of heavy-oil emulsions and evaluates the performance of emulsion breakers (EBs). In this study, two types of heavy-oil emulsions were prepared and tested at 20 and 50% water cut (WC), respectively. The bottle test method was used in the experiments, in which the separated water volume with time, the separated water quality, and the volume fraction of phases were recorded. Results showed that polymer accelerated the oil/water separation acting as an emulsion inhibitor at 20% WC but tended to impede the water separation at 50% WC. Regardless of WC, polymer resulted in poor water quality and the formation of a stable intermediate oil in water (o/w) emulsion, because of the increased viscosity of the water phase. The performance of EBs showed a complex dependency on the WC, the type of demulsifier and dosage, and the polymer concentration. Despite the varied conditions encountered in the heavy-oil/water/polymer/demulsifier system, a compound EB achieved satisfactory demulsification performance, showing the highest potential for deployment in the current ANS polymer flooding pilot. Here, we systematically studied the potential influence of polymer breakthrough on the separation behavior of heavy-oil emulsion on ANS for the first time. The findings of this study will provide practical guidance in advance for produced fluid treatment of the ongoing first-ever polymer flooding pilot on ANS.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

First Ever Polymer Flood Field Pilot To Enhance The Recovery Of Heavy Oils On Alaska’s North Slope - Pushing Ahead One Year Later

In June 2018 the team embarked on an ambitious project to address the slow development pace of Alaska’s 20+ billion barrels heavy oil resource via the first ever polymer flood pilot. Following the successful commencement of the pilot in August 2018, the field demonstration, supporting laboratory experiments and numerical simulation have steadily progressed. A significant amount of valuable data and lessons learned have been collected, and are reported in this paper. The ongoing pilot and the research activities is making headway toward the primary objective of validating the use of polymer flooding for extracting heavy oil in Alaska’s challenging environment. The pilot is conducted in two pre-existing pairs of horizontal injectors and producers in an isolated fault block of the Schrader Bluff heavy oil reservoir at the Milne Point Field. A customized polymer blending and pumping unit injects HPAM polymer at a concentration of 1,750 ppm to achieve a target viscosity of 45 cP. Supporting coreflood laboratory experiments have focused on quantification of polymer retention in the rock, and effect of injection water salinity, polymer, and their combinations on oil recovery. The injection and production response of the pilot flood pattern is utilized to develop a history matched reservoir simulation model for forecasting oil recovery beyond the pilot. Finally, specially designed laboratory experiments address anticipated operating concerns regarding post-polymer breakthrough such as oil-water separation efficiency and polymer induced fouling of heater tubes. Polymer has been injected continuously since startup except for two short equipment modification shutdowns, and more recently a prolonged disruption due to polymer hydration issues at the J-pad field site. Cumulatively, over 600,000 lbs. of polymer has been injected, corresponding to ~7%PV. The two producers show significant decrease in the water cut, gradually increasing oil rate, and no polymer breakthrough. Two main observations from the coreflood are a significant uncertainty in polymer retention values, and positive oil recovery response to low salinity water (2,600 mg/liter TDS). The heterogeneity in the flood pattern presents some challenges in obtaining a robust history matched simulation model. Experimental results on produced fluids treatment indicate the formation of a dense polymer deposit, at certain conditions, on heating tubes that can negatively impact the heat transfer efficiency. The scientific knowledge, including the lessons learned during unanticipated shutdowns, quality control, logistics and field data that is being acquired from this effort has referential value for other planned EOR projects. Finally, by all indications, the polymer field pilot is steadily progressing toward achieving the ultimate goal of unlocking the massive heavy oil resources on Alaska North Slope (ANS).

Dandekar, Abhijit↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enhancing Heavy-Oil-Recovery Efficiency by Combining Low-Salinity-Water and Polymer Flooding

Summary Combining low-salinity-water (LSW) and polymer flooding was proposed to unlock the tremendous heavy-oil resources on the Alaska North Slope (ANS). The synergy of LSW and polymer flooding was demonstrated through coreflooding experiments at various conditions. The results indicate that the high-salinity polymer (HSP) (salinity = 27,500 ppm) requires nearly two-thirds more polymer than the low-salinity polymer (LSP) (salinity = 2,500 ppm) to achieve the target viscosity at the condition of this study. Additional oil was recovered from LSW flooding after extensive high-salinity-water (HSW) flooding [3 to 9% of original oil in place (OOIP)]. LSW flooding performed in secondary mode achieved higher recovery than that in tertiary mode. Also, the occurrence of water breakthrough can be delayed in the LSW flooding compared with the HSW flooding. Strikingly, after extensive LSW flooding and HSP flooding, incremental oil recovery (approximately 8% of OOIP) was still achieved by LSP flooding with the same viscosity as the HSP. The pH increase of the effluent during LSW/LSP flooding was significantly greater than that during HSW/HSP flooding, indicating the presence of the low-salinity effect (LSE). The residual-oil-saturation (Sor) reduction induced by the LSE in the area unswept during the LSW flooding (mainly smaller pores) would contribute to the increased oil recovery. LSP flooding performed directly after waterflooding recovered more incremental oil (approximately 10% of OOIP) compared with HSP flooding performed in the same scheme. Apart from the improved sweep efficiency by polymer, the low-salinity-induced Sor reduction also would contribute to the increased oil recovery by the LSP. A nearly 2-year pilot test in the Milne Point Field on the ANS has shown impressive success of the proposed hybrid enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) process: water-cut reduction (70 to less than 15%), increasing oil rate, and no polymer breakthrough so far. This work has demonstrated the remarkable economical and technical benefits of combining LSW and polymer flooding in enhancing heavy-oil recovery.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2023

Autonomous Fracture Conductivity Using Expandable Proppants in Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Summary Early thermal breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) due to the presence of preferential flow channels is a major challenge that endangers efficient and economic heat extraction in such systems. Previous studies mainly focused on adjusting circulation rates of the working fluid, which still leaves significant amounts of untapped heat behind. Currently, there is a lack of technologies for altering flow distribution within the fracture network to achieve uniform heat sweeping in the reservoir. This work presents a novel concept for making proppants to autonomously control fracture conductivity based on the surrounding temperature. Here, proppants with negative thermal expansion coefficients have demonstrated the capability for appropriate fracture conductivity adjustment as a function of temperature to achieve uniform flow across the fracture network. Particle-particle interactions governing such functions are explicitly modeled, and then the Lattice Boltzmann methods (LBM) is used to determine the potential impact of closure stress and temperature changes on the permeability of the proposed proppant packs. Microscale analyses are further used to determine the required material properties to achieve a certain improvement in the permeability of the proppant pack. Our analyses show an enhancement in permeability and the associated fracture conductivity by half of their initial values. Field-scale analysis further confirms the effectiveness of the proposed concept as 31.4% more heat can be extracted from EGS over 50 years of production when the proposed proppants are used. Such novel proppants may effectively delay thermal breakthrough, sweep heat from larger rock volumes, and elongate the life span of the EGS project.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2020

Performance Criteria for Capture and/or Immobilization Technologies (Revision 1)

The capture and subsequent immobilization of regulated volatile radionuclides from the off-gas streams of a used nuclear fuel (UNF) reprocessing facility has been a topic of substantial research interest for the US Department of Energy and its international counterparts. Removal of specific radionuclides from the plant effluent streams before discharge to the environment is required to meet regulations set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Upon removal, the radionuclides, as well as associated sorbents that cannot be regenerated in a cost-effective manner, are destined for conversion to a waste form. Research in separation and capture methodologies has included a wide range of technology types, and studies of waste forms are correspondingly diverse. In considering the future development and implementation of both sorbents and waste forms, it is necessary to identify benchmark measures of performance to objectively evaluate each sorbent system or waste form. Sets of performance criteria and associated metrics have been developed for sorbent and waste form evaluation. These criteria address physical, radiological, and chemical characteristics, technical practicality, technical maturity, cost, and, for sorbents, system performance. The criteria and metrics appear to be robust and should be applicable despite the eventual waste classification (as either high- or low-level waste). They are flexible enough to address both aqueous reprocessing and electrochemical reprocessing of UNF. These criteria sets can serve as tools to evaluate performance at multiple stages within the development process, and in this revision (Revision 1) they have been used to assess technologies relating to krypton/xenon separations and iodine capture from off-gas streams arising from UNF reprocessing. Assessment of krypton/xenon separations using engineered forms of two zeolite minerals (silver mordenite and hydrogen mordenite in a polyacrylonitrile-based binder [AgZ-PAN/HZ-PAN]) found that the zeolite-based separation is relatively advanced in its development, but several key issues require resolution. First, desorption processes for both krypton and xenon require refinement to provide an understanding of the product purity that can be achieved. Second, adsorption rate data is needed in order to calculate the bed depth required for effective separation. Finally, it is strongly recommended that a technical review of krypton/xenon separation by AgZ-PAN/HZ-PAN be performed to synergize available data and assess the cost savings and operational benefits that may be realized from implementation of this technology. Assessment of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for their use in the separation of krypton/xenon found that the ideal separation would be performed using a single-column system with a MOF selective for krypton over xenon. A robust research effort should work to identify a krypton-selective MOF designed to operate at temperatures of approximately 0°C or higher, which could be preferred over cryogenic krypton/xenon capture for used fuel reprocessing off-gas streams. In the case of the CaSDB-MOF (the most well-understood xenon sorbent to date), two issues are judged of high importance. First, xenon breakthrough capacity for the CaSDB-MOF in prototypical conditions should be determined. Preliminary research indicates that breakthrough may be near immediate, presenting a substantial obstacle in separative system design. Second, development of desorption methodology should be performed to determine regeneration time, energy requirements, and the product stream composition. Silver-based sorbents (AgZ and AgAero) for use in iodine capture from the dissolver off-gas were evaluated against the established criteria. These sorbents are significantly better understood for this application as a result of research efforts over the past decade. The potential implementation of AgAero at a large scale is hindered by its physical degradation by components of the dissolver off-gas stream. Less is known about the adsorption of iodine by these sorbents from other off-gas streams in the plant. Initial experimental efforts have been closely coordinated in an effort to understand organic iodine (such as would be found in the vessel off-gas) adsorption by AgZ and AgAero. Future work should expand this experimental program, and analysis of other reprocessing facility off-gas streams such as the vitrification off-gas stream should be conducted to better understand other potential applications for iodine sorbents. A review of iodine waste form development shows that this area is diverse and that multiple promising waste forms have been identified for the immobilization of radioactive iodine. Efforts related to the direct conversion of iodine sorbents (including AgZ and AgAero) should be continued because of the advantages of direct conversion in a waste management strategy and other sorbents should continue to be advanced as merited.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

SiPA | Simple Partnership Agreement for accelerating early-stage collaborations between startups and large corporations

The technologies required to advance society will come from research from a broad range of scientific disciplines including materials science, chemistry, physics, and biology where the innovation relies on a scientific breakthrough rather than a software or business model innovation. This science-based technology focus can be referred to as “hardtech,” although there is much crossover with the concept of “cleantech.” These new technology developments will have vast reach across most industrial sectors - energy, materials, manufacturing, electronics, life sciences, etc. - with great economic consequences. The majority of these scientific breakthroughs will be produced and developed by those companies best suited for high-risk, early-stage development work: startups.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

2021 GeoAI Workshop Report: The Trillion Pixel Challenge

The convergence of geospatial big data with advancements from artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and high-performance computing continues to revolutionize mapping and analysis of Earth's surface in unprecedented detail. Rapid innovations in sensing technologies will soon collect geospatial data in even higher resolution and throughput. These developments offer the potential for breakthroughs in science, policy, and national security via end-to-end GeoAI systems that can provide fresh insights into how humans occupy and alter their environment over time. At the 2021 GeoAI Trillion Pixel workshop, international subject matter experts from government, academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations gathered virtually to discuss the Trillion Pixel GeoAI Challenge. The event focused on six major themes currently influencing scientific innovation and breakthroughs. Particular focus was paid to societal impacts. As an additional takeaway message, the gathering identified remaining application gaps and challenges that are in need of stronger community partnerships and collaborations.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Noble Gas Management: SBMOF 1 vs. NUCON Carbon

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), in collaboration with Flibe Energy, Inc., demonstrated the fabrication of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) into engineered beads to manage off-gases released from molten salt reactors. Among the many MOF options, SBMOF 1 was selected as an ideal sorbent to manage off-gases released from a molten salt reactor because its pore size is optimal. The SBMOF 1 was synthesized and fabricated into engineered particles using three different methods, with and without polymers. All the engineered particles were exposed to Co-60 radiation (1,000 kGy) to demonstrate their radiation stability. Single column breakthrough experiments were performed at different temperatures, activation conditions, flow rates, and off-gas compositions to optimize the Xe capacity at the breakthrough point and at saturation. The Xe loading in SBMOF 1 was compared with that of standard solid sorbent (Nucon carbon) under identical conditions. Based on the single column experiments, SBMOF 1 outperforms the Nucon carbon at all the temperatures and reduces the mass (to as little as 55%) of sorbent needed to achieve the same performance as carbon. The bed volume is also reduced, down to 48% of that of Nucon carbon, when the MOF is used. These results clearly demonstrate improvement in the amount of adsorbent needed and show a reduction in bed volume compared to traditional sorbent material.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A New Era of Discovery: The 2023 Long-Range Plan for Nuclear Science (V.1.2)

Nuclear science is the investigation of how protons and neutrons are formed from elementary particles and how the forces between those particles produce both nuclei and the vast variety of nuclear phenomena that occur in the universe. It has evolved into a broad field that addresses profound scientific questions: Where does the mass of visible matter come from? How do stars ignite, live, and die? How do nuclei illuminate the search for new laws of nature? This science points the way to using nuclei to build new technologies that benefit society. The 2015 Nobel Prize in physics was shared by nuclear physicists Art McDonald and Takaaki Kajita for the discovery of neutrino oscillations, which confirmed that neutrinos have mass. Our progress on big questions like this one since 2015 has been remarkable owing to new experimental tools, theoretical breakthroughs, powerful computational techniques, and the talented people who make these innovations possible. Focusing on these new tools, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University is already producing exciting results on decays of never-before-produced isotopes a year after it was completed on time and on budget. The energy upgrade of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) was also completed on schedule and on budget—new data from this facility are revealing the spectrum, structure, and dynamics of protons, neutrons, nuclei, and mesons. On the theory front, we can now calculate the distribution of quarks inside the proton from first principles. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques has led to improved data analysis and increased efficiency in running experiments and theoretical calculations. The impact of nuclear science goes beyond expanding the frontiers of knowledge about matter in the universe. We simultaneously develop a STEM work force that advances the security, technology, health, and wealth of our nation. Some connections are obvious. Expert scientists trained to work with radioactive nuclei are in demand in nuclear security arenas and are highly sought after by various government agencies and private industries. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) obtain extensive computational, modeling, and data science skills that are similarly in high demand. Less obvious but equally important is the connection between these trained scientists and success in other professions, including medicine, energy, and entrepreneurial pursuits. The workforce that enables discovery in nuclear science also makes breakthroughs in technologies with tremendous impact on the nation’s economic advancement.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Cesium Removal from SY-101 Tank Waste Using Crystalline Silicotitanate

The newly operational Tank Side Cesium Removal (TSCR) system removes radioactive cesium-137 ( 137 Cs) and solids from tank waste supernate in the 200 east area of the Hanford site. Efforts to expand the removal capabilities to the 200 west area are underway by a system anticipated to be called the West Area Risk Management (WARM) system. Laboratory-scale ion exchange processing using expected WARM unit operations were conducted to contribute toward Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) establishing accurate process flowsheets for the individual feed campaigns planned for the west area supernate pretreatment. This report describes the small-scale ion exchange testing with 8.0 L of filtered supernate from tank 241-SY-101 (referred to as SY-101) at 16 °C (62 °F) to demonstrate processing conditions that would be prototypic of what the WARM system may experience. One of the waste acceptance criteria (WAC) for the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) Low-Activity Waste Facility is that the waste must contain less than 3.18×10 -5 Ci 137 Cs per mole of Na. For the SY-101 tank waste to meet this criterion, only 0.44% of the influent 137 Cs concentration may be delivered to the WTP; this requires a Cs decontamination factor of 227. Testing with SY-101 matched current TSCR prototypic operations where a lead-lag configuration is used until the lag column reached the WAC limit. Neither the lead nor lag columns reached the WAC, so a polish column was never utilized during this test. Feed was processed at 1.9 bed volumes (BVs) per hour; the flowrate, in terms of contact time with the crystalline silicotitate (CST) bed, matched the current flowrate at TSCR (an expected flowrate to be used at WARM). The lead column only reached 0.09% Cs breakthrough after processing ~1363 BVs of feed. Cesium breakthrough from the lag column was not observed during the entire processing. Table S.1 and Figure S.1 summarize the observed column performance and relevant Cs loading characteristics. Table S.1 and Figure S.1 also summarize the measured SY-101 Cs load performance.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Transformational Sorbent-Based Process for a Substantial Reduction in the Cost of CO2 Capture

Adsorption processes have the potential to significantly reduce the CO2 capture cost from power plants and industrial flue gases. InnoSepra has developed several sorbent-based technologies to obtain very high CO2 recovery and high purity CO2 while meeting the EOR/sequestration product specifications. A first-generation process was shown to achieve CO2 recoveries greater than 94% at CO2 purities in the range of 98.5-99.5%. The absolute heat energy required for the process was not only 40% lower than MEA but also was needed at a much lower temperature. This work will present the performance of the second-generation InnoSepra process which is based on a breakthrough sorbent regeneration method. This process has a projected 45% lower capital cost compared to MEA, less than 16% loss in plant output for CO2 capture and compression, and a CO2 capture cost at least 55% lower than MEA. Lab scale testing and the process simulations indicate a CO2 capture performance similar to or better than the first-generation process. Pilot scale drying and breakthrough tests were carried out at the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM), Norway, and lab-scale cyclic tests were carried out at InnoSepra to confirm the process improvement. During these tests, InnoSepra’s flue gas purification technology was also tested at TCM. It can provide a low-cost option for the removal of NO2 and SOX to sub-ppm levels as well as a significant reduction in aerosol emissions.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of Hypotheses for the Fate of Historical Discharges from Hanford Site BC Cribs and Trenches

A preliminary review of declassified reports and historical documents from the 1950s and 1960s indicated they may contain valuable information regarding potential impacts to groundwater from liquid waste discharged to the 216-BC Cribs and Trenches during the late 1950s. Transport of contaminants in the vadose zone beneath the BC Cribs area is simulated by a vadose zone model developed for the Composite Analysis (DOE/RL-2019-52, Composite Analysis for Low-Level Waste Disposal in the Hanford Site Central Plateau ). Results from this model indicate there has been no substantial breakthrough of contaminants (particularly technetium-99) to groundwater from the vadose zone up to the present day. However, there is uncertainty in the anisotropy and other model input parameters as well as acknowledged sparseness of sampling data for this area. In this study, historical documents and other information were reviewed to evaluate the possibility that contaminant breakthrough to groundwater occurred during or shortly after operation of the BC Cribs sites, and whether refinements of the vadose zone model parametrization should be considered.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

STARFIRE – Science and Technology Accelerated Research for Fusion Innovation and Reactor Engineering progress report

The STARFIRE hub leverages foundational science and technology (S&T) research and integrated plant modeling tools to advance Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). S&T breakthroughs achieved in each thrust are incorporated into an integrated modeling tool to assess and prioritize remaining gaps to bridge for IFE to become viable. Scientific highlights span high-gain target design, diode-pumped solid-state lasers, and innovative target manufacturing. Key highlights include the investigation of shock propagation through various foam structures among other limiting factors of compression of IFE target, exploration of novel 3D printing techniques such as light-sheet additive manufacturing for 2-photon polymerization foams, and diode-pumped solid-state laser architectures required for several IFE approaches. In addition, the STARFIRE team has established two public-private working groups to address laser diode supply chain issues and test advanced laser diode configurations. Finally, a lite version of the integrated modeling tool has been developed to facilitate outreach and engage with private companies. STARFIRE’s management structure has been designed to ensure agile resource allocation, robust performance assessment, and alignment with the broader fusion energy mission. STARFIRE’s breakthroughs are disseminated to the community via reports, presentations, and publications, while agreements with private companies are set in place to protect proprietary information.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

FY25 Ion Exchange Processing for the West Area Risk Management (WARM) Project

The West Area Risk Management (WARM) Project was established to enable near-term retrieval and pretreatment of tank waste from Hanford’s 200 West Area and to support deployment of an ion exchange (IX) system capable of producing cesium-depleted supernate suitable for offsite treatment and disposal. The WARM experimental campaign was designed to provide key data for design and operational planning of the 200 W IX system, which plans to utilize crystalline silicotitanate (CST) as the active media for cesium removal. This report documents a comprehensive FY25 experimental campaign designed to produce key technical data required for design and operational planning of the WARM IX system. Testing includes assessing Cs and Sr breakthrough performance in a 4-column system, Cs capacity batch contact testing, phosphate precipitation assessments, reduced-hydroxide feed displacement evaluation, and Sr speciation impacts on Sr removal. The experimental results provide detailed trends in Cs and Sr loading behavior, breakthrough performance across a 4-column staged IX system, distribution profiles within CST beds, and projections of operational flowrates relative to Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) limits. Batch contact testing established equilibrium partitioning behavior for the S1–S5 simulants and characterized how matrix chemistry influenced Cs sorption onto CST. Additionally, further evaluations on waste matrix as it pertains to precipitation potential were also determined. Collectively, these datasets support engineering design choices for WARM system throughput and pretreatment planning.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Hydrogen, Methane, Brine Flow Behavior, and Saturation in Sandstone Cores During H 2 and CH 4 Injection and Displacement

Large-scale underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is a critical component in the emerging hydrogen economy. Knowledge of multiphase flow behavior involving hydrogen in storage reservoir formations is crucial to characterizing hydrogen transport properties and essential for the deliverability and storage operations of UHS. There are still many gaps in fully understanding hydrogen–methane–brine multiphase phase flow that require further investigation. In this work, H 2 and CH 4 were injected through brine-saturated sandstone cores using a tri-axial core holder system fitted with flow rate meters and pressure transducers, while the effluent gas concentrations were analyzed using an online micro gas chromatograph. Brine displacement, permeability, and gas breakthrough curves were measured. We studied the flow behavior of hydrogen and methane in sandstone cores through testing brine displacement by gas injection and comparing the hydrogen displacement of methane with the methane displacement of hydrogen. We also tested the differences between horizontal and vertical flow in brine displacement. The results showed that brine displacement was more efficient in a core with higher permeability and porosity, resulting in a higher initial gas saturation. A higher gas injection rate brought about faster gas breakthrough measured by pore volume and sharper concentration curves. Hydrogen did not exhibit abnormal flow in the sandstone when the flow was horizontal and downward vertical. Gas overriding was observed in brine displacements when the flow was horizontal, with hydrogen showing this behavior more profoundly compared to methane. Downward vertical gas injection induced higher efficiency brine displacement compared to horizontal displacement and resulted in a higher initial gas saturation in the sandstone cores. These findings address critical knowledge gaps regarding gas flow patterns and displacement behaviors during hydrogen injection and recovery phases in UHS facilities using methane as the cushion gas. The insights from this research offer valuable guidance for optimizing UHS systems, ensuring operational efficiency, and advancing sustainable energy solutions in alignment with decarbonization goals.

08 HYDROGEN↗