Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “UNDERGROUND”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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

At least 1,171 records · Page 65

Scaleup and Site-Specific Engineering Design for Global Thermostat Direct Air Capture Technology

The overall goal of the project is completion of an initial design of a commercial-scale, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Direct Air Capture (CCUS-DAC) plant design at three different sites that captures a net of at least 100,000 tonnes per year (TPY) carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere and considers compression and conditioning of the captured CO 2 for purpose of pipeline transportation to different geological formation sites for deep well injection and underground storage. In addition to the leading system consisting of a scaled-up Global Thermostat DAC unit, overall plant design includes a combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit integrated with a conventional liquid amine-based carbon capture system (90% capture) and compression facilities. These are considered balance of plant (BOP) systems and are required to provide low carbon-intensity steam and power to the DAC process. A second approach involving provision of DAC units modified to directly capture emissions from the CHP unit was initially assessed as an alternative and it was determined to be less mature than considered approach and not included in the scaled-up plant design efforts. Three geographically diverse continental United States locations were selected to better understand the effect of local/regional ambient conditions on scaled-up DAC system performance and project costs: Bucks, Alabama (hot wet climate), Odessa, Texas (dry hot climate), and Goose Creek, Illinois (mid continental climate). The team focused on initial engineering design activities, including the development of project design criteria, initiation of site-specific studies and investigations, completion of DAC system process and equipment design, and definition of balance of plant (BOP) engineering. The purpose of the activities were to develop Technoeconomic Analysis (TEA), Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA), and Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) analysis, and Business Case Analysis (BCA) to validate that the project engineering and scale-up plans of the DAC systems, at each of the three distinct case studies considered, are technically, economically, and environmentally feasible for commercial-scale operation.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Organic Evaporation, Oxidation, and Hydrolysis Testing in Support of Hanford Sample-and-Send

The Hanford site has approximately 54 to 56 million gallons of radioactive mixed waste stored in 156 unretrieved underground storage tanks. The Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) is being built to treat and immobilize the tank waste. The baseline method for immobilization of Low Activity Waste (LAW) through the WTP is vitrification, but additional immobilization capacity is needed to supplement the initial LAW melters. An alternative cementitious waste form is being investigated for that future immobilization method. However, one impediment to a cementitious waste form is the presence of Land Disposal Restricted (LDR) organic chemicals in tank waste, which are regulated on a concentration based standard in the final waste form. Hence, if the quantity of organics in LAW is high enough, they must be destroyed or removed to make a waste form compatible with disposal in a mixed low level waste landfill. This work evaluates potential avenues for treatment of LDR organics to eliminate the impediment and permit possible use of a cementitious waste form. Vacuum evaporation testing to remove LDR organics consisted of preparing a non-radioactive LAW simulant, spiking that simulant with organic chemicals, and evaporating the mixture via differential distillation. The apparatus was a laboratory-scale vacuum evaporator operated at 60 ±5 torr absolute (vacuum evaporation). The LAW simulant represented the liquid expected to be retrieved from the Hanford tank farms at approximately 4.0 M [Na+] total sodium ion concentration. The concentration of the organic chemicals added was significantly higher than typically found in the tank waste samples since the higher levels were necessary to assist in analytical measurement and tracking of the spiked species.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Horn Location Sensors (HLS) for LBNF

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) will deliver the world's most powerful muon neutrino beam to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), initially operating at 1.2 MW and upgradeable to 2.4 MW. Ensuring the accurate direction of this beam is critical for DUNE's precision goals. This talk introduces the Horn Location Sensors (HLS) system, designed to provide precise, relative measurements of the focusing horns, targets, and beam position monitors in the neutrino beamline. The HLS system employs high-precision FSI-based hydrostatic leveling sensors to track vertical motion and tilt, achieving precision on the order of 0.1 mm. Built for minimal maintenance in radioactive environments, the HLS system ensures precise alignment of beamline components during high-power operations. This system is essential for maintaining beam accuracy and enhancing DUNE's scientific performance.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Latest Three-Flavor Neutrino Oscillation Results from NOvA

NOvA, is a two-detector, long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment located at Fermilab, Batavia, IL, USA. It aims to constrain neutrino oscillation parameters by analyzing $\nu_\mu (\bar{\nu}_\mu)$ disappearance and $\nu_e (\bar{\nu}_e)$ appearance data. The experiment uses the Neutrinos at Main Injector (NuMI) beamline at Fermilab, which delivers a high-purity 900 KW beam of neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. The detectors are functionally identical finely granulated liquid tracking calorimeters, both situated 14.6 mrad off-axis to the beam direction. The NOvA Near Detector (ND), situated 100 meters underground and 1 kilometer from the beam source, detects the un-oscillated $\nu_\mu (\bar{\nu}_\mu)$ and beam $\nu_e (\bar{\nu}_e)$ events. The Far Detector (FD), located in Ash River, MN, USA, 809 kilometers from the ND, records the oscillated $\nu_e (\bar{\nu}_e)$ and the un-oscillated $\nu_\mu (\bar{\nu}_\mu)$ events. NOvA employs an extrapolation technique to predict the expected events at the Far Detector based on the Near Detector data, thereby providing a significant constraint on systematic uncertainties in the oscillation analyses. As NOvA accumulates more data, controlling these systematic uncertainties becomes increasingly important. This talk will detail the NOvA neutrino oscillation analysis framework and its approach to minimizing dominant systematic uncertainties using Near Detector data. The latest three flavor neutrino oscillation results based on a neutrino-beam exposure of $26.60 \times 10^{20}$ POT and an anti-neutrino beam exposure of $12.50\times 10^{20}$ POT and a novel low energy $\nu_e$ sample, will also be presented.

Choudhary, Brajesh↗

Description of the Gas Sampling and Circulation System for the LYNM PE1-A Experiment

A series of multiphysics experiments, referred to as Physics Experiment 1 (PE1) is underway at the U.S. Nevada National Security Site. The PE1 series includes detonations of three underground chemical explosions. As the name implies, there are a number of experiments investigating the signals generated by the explosion. The experiment series objectives are outlined in a report from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.1 One of the experiments is a gas migration experiment. Gas tracers were imbedded in the explosives and gas sampling boreholes were installed in the formation in the test bed. Connected to the monitoring points is a circulation system that moves gas to a central measurement location. This report does not describe the gas analysis or collection systems, but rather the circulation system that provides the gas for measurement. Here, we have combined four project documents into a single report that describes the design, build, installation, testing, and operation of the gas sampling network.

42 ENGINEERING↗

M3SF-24LL010302062-NEA-TDB Management and International Collaborations in Sorption and Thermodynamic Modeling

This progress report (Level 3 Milestone Number M3SF-24LL010302062) summarizes research conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) within the Crystalline International Collaborations Work Package Number SF-24LL01030206. The activity is focused on our long-term commitment to engaging our partners in international nuclear waste repository research. This includes participation in the Nuclear Energy Agency Thermochemical Database (NEA-TDB) Project and development of methodologies for integrating US and international thermodynamic databases for use in SFWST Generic Disposal System Assessment (GDSA) efforts. A continuing focus for FY24 efforts is to support the US participation in the NEA-TDB effort. The focus of FY24 activities was the development of an agreement for a Phase 7 activity that will start in Q1 of 2025. Mavrik Zavarin is now the US representative on both the Management Board and the Executive group to the NEA-TDB. He is also the POC for the Cements State of the Art Report that is undergoing peer review in FY24. In FY24, we used our position on the NEA-TDB MB and EG to facilitate the integration of NEA-TDB thermochemical data with LLNL’s SUPCRTNE thermodynamic database that supports the SFWST GDSA activities. This effort is coordinated with the Argillite work package SUPCRTNE database development efforts (Wolery, 2024). The goal is to provide a downloadable database that will be hosted on LLNL’s thermodynamics website which incorporates NEA-TDB data into the LLNL database where appropriate. We also began engagement with the EURAD2 program that was initiated in FY24 by our European collaborators at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany. The primary focus of the engagement is with WP20: DITUSC Thermodynamic database evaluation program. A kickoff meeting for this activity is planned for early FY25. Finally, we have been selected to co-host (with Clemson University) the International Conference on Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere in 2025 (Migration2025). The meeting will be held September 21-26, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will focus on international efforts to understand the risks of radionuclide releases into the environment. This central focus of this conference is on international efforts to develop safe disposal options for nuclear wastes. As such, we are developing a theme focused on US underground nuclear waste repository science.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Design and Materials of Reference Electrodes for Radioactive Waste Tank Service – A Literature Review

The Hanford site stores approximately 55 million gallons of radioactive and chemically hazardous wastes from the production of weapons materials. The wastes are stored in 177 underground, carbon steel storage tanks, 149 of these are single shell tanks (SSTs) and 28 of these are double shell tanks (DSTs). The DSTs provide critical retrieval and interim storage before the waste is vitrified in the Waste Treatment and Isolation Plant (WTP). The DSTs have been in service for 38 to 56 years and current plans indicate that WTP operations will be completed in 2075. Thus, the tanks will need to remain in service far beyond the initial 40-year life expectancy. For life extension of the tanks, effective corrosion control practices must remain in force. This effort includes direct measurements of the extent of corrosion (e.g., ultrasonic measurements and corrosion coupons) and electrochemical processes (e.g., linear polarization measurements).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluation of High Level Waste Sludge Processing Behavior

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford Site has 177 underground storage tanks that contain wastes from past nuclear fuel reprocessing and waste-management operations. Over 20% of this waste is in the form of an insoluble sludge that will require slurry modification before its transfer to the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). Specific WTP acceptance criteria for waste feed delivery describe the physical and chemical characteristics of the waste that must be met before the waste is transferred to the WTP. One challenging requirement relates to the undissolved solids (UDS) composition in a waste feed because the waste contains solid particles that settle, and their concentration and relative proportion can change during the transfer of the waste in individual batches. A key uncertainty is the ability to transfer and mix wastes with large variations in UDS concentrations and resulting settling rates. To address this uncertainty, a number of small scale mixing and settling tests have been conducted to determine the mobilization performance of variable chemistry simulants. Comparison of the size and density of the particulate for each simulant to that of southeast area Hanford sludge was made using metrics for particle mobilization, suspension, settling, and pipeline transfer where dependance on particle size and density may be different, including: 1. Settling velocity, 2. Critical shear stress for erosion, 3. Just-suspended impeller speed, and 4. Pipeline critical transport velocity. Existing high-level waste sludge data has shown the effect that increasing Al concentration has on resulting settled solids. This differential settling of particles in the sludge has the possibility of resulting in solids segregation during feed preparation and uneven particle distribution during pipeline transportation or mixer jet pump operations. Understanding the predictive capabilities of HLW solids settling and transport as well as potential remedies for addressing disparate sludge behaviors can help provide technical guidance during HLW flowsheet planning.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Characterization of power delivery and losses in a long coaxial inner MITL

The long coaxial inner magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) is considered as a possible transmission line to guide power to deep underground high yield fusion experiments. The considered dimensions are of order 10-15 meters in length, 60 cm radius, and 6 mm AK gap, with peak current 60 MA and peak pulse 100 ns. In designing such a MITL, the main concern is power loss due to low density plasmas being produced by high electric fields and temperatures. It is found that a 10m-long prototypical MITL is a viable design, with maximum current losses below 10% and temperature rise due to electron impact not exceeding 400°C, thereby avoiding thermal desorption of contaminants and the formation of low density plasmas.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DECOVALEX-2023: Task C Final Report

The Full-scale Emplacement (FE) heater experiment at the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (URL) was designed and conducted by Nagra to replicate an emplacement tunnel of Nagra’s reference repository design at 1:1 scale. Alongside testing the technical feasibility of constructing disposal tunnels, emplacing waste containers in the tunnels and then backfilling them, the main goals of the FE experiment are (1) to obtain a better understanding of the coupled effects of induced thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes that may occur and (2) to validate existing coupled THM models (Müller et al., 2017). A key aspect of ensuring safety for repositories located in low-permeability rock involves minimizing any damage to the rock itself, thereby preserving its integrity and promoting a stable environment Amongst a number of processes that could damage the rock is the increase in pore pressure due to thermal loading caused by heat emitted from the waste. To reduce the potential damage of the rock, it is important to analyse the evolution of heat over time due to the heat load of the containers and assess possible consequences by coupled THM models. The aim of Task C of DECOVALEX-2023 was to build 3D numerical models of the FE experiment, focussing in particular on the heating induced pore pressure change in the Opalinus Clay. Data from a large number of sensors were available from the FE experiment for model comparison. These sensors measured temperature and relative humidity in the bentonite around the heaters, and temperature, pressure and displacement/strain in the surrounding Opalinus clay. Data were available from the start of excavation (April 2012) up to August 2020 for most sensors (more than 5 years from the start of heating in December 2014). To fulfil the overall aim of the task, the work was broken down into a number of steps, starting with simpler models to build confidence in each team’s approach and then moving to more complex models that better represent the FE experiment. Step 0 consisted of 2D benchmark models, gradually increasing the number of processes that are represented from thermal (T) only models in Step 0a, to coupled thermal hydraulic (TH) models in Step 0b with a representation of changing porosity, to coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) models in Step 0c, where porosity changes are calculated by the mechanical model. A detailed specification of processes, parameters, initial and boundary conditions was provided for this step, with the ambition that all teams would work towards close agreement in their model results, thus building confidence in the model implementations. vi It was not straightforward to achieve agreement between the teams, so additional steps (Step 0b2, 0b3, 0c2, 0c3) were added along with derivation of some analytical solutions against which the models could be compared. The reasons for the differences between teams were investigated and found to be caused primarily by different conceptual model assumptions (including temperature dependence of the thermal expansion of water), different model formulations (including porosity evolution) and differences in modelled domain sizes, boundary conditions and grid discretisation. This demonstrates that comparisons between multiple modelling teams and/or comparison with analytical results and experimental data are highly beneficial in providing an indication of uncertainty in model predictions. At the conclusion of Step 0, almost all teams had achieved a close agreement in model results and those that had not achieved an agreement knew the reason for this. Step 1 moved from 2D models to 3D models of the FE experiment without adding technical features like shotcrete or EDZ, and only considering the heating phase. Initially the 3D model was tightly specified to continue to build confidence in the model implementations (Step 1a). The results of Step 1a were compared to the data from the FE-experiment without the teams seeing the data. The teams were then provided with a sub-set of the data from the FE-experiment and invited to consider how best to use the large dataset for model comparison (Step 1b). Teams were then asked to use the data provided to calibrate their models, only changing material property values rather than adding features or processes to their models (Step 1c). In Step 1, teams were asked to only model the heating phase of the experiment, so pressure in the Opalinus Clay was reported as change in pressure since the initial conditions were specified rather than modelled. The change from 2D to 3D models was accompanied by an increase in the dispersion of results between the teams. Some of this was resolved during the task, but some remained and is potentially due to model discretisation. Calibration of parameters was useful in improving the fit of the models to the data but the remaining differences indicated that the models were missing features or processes. In Step 2, the teams were asked to update their models with additional features and processes as well as calibrating parameters to try and improve the fit of the models to the data. Teams were encouraged to represent ventilation of the open FE tunnel prior to backfilling with heaters and bentonite and in Step 2, the absolute pressure in the Opalinus Clay was compared between the teams. Teams took different approaches, but there was consideration of adding shotcrete and an EDZ into the model, representing stress change during excavation and different approaches to modelling ventilation of the FE tunnel. Overall, the documented results showed a very good agreement for temperature. The results for porewater pressure evolution showed a significant improvement for most teams compared to Step 1c with a good agreement to the measurements for several teams whereas some teams overpredicted the pressure increase and others overpredicted the drainage effect especially for the sensors close to the heater. Step 3 was an opportunity for teams to use the models developed in Step 1 and Step 2 to make predictions about the temperature and pressure changes that will be expected at the FE experiment over the next few years in light of the planned changes in thermal output of the heaters.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DECOVALEX-2023: Task F2 Salt Final Report

The subject of Task F of DECOVALEX-2023 concerns performance assessment modelling of radioactive waste disposal in deep mined repositories. The primary objectives of Task F are to build confidence in the models, methods, and software used for performance assessment (PA) of deep geologic nuclear waste repositories, and/or to bring to the fore additional research and development needed to improve PA methodologies. In Task F2- (salt), these objectives have been accomplished through staged development and comparison of the models and methods used by participating teams in their PA frameworks. Coupled-process submodels and deterministic simulations of the entire PA model for a reference scenario for waste disposal in domal salt have been conducted. The task specification has been updated continuously since the initiation of the project to reflect the staged development of the conceptual repository model and performance metrics. Thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical properties of individual components of the engineered and natural system were chosen for relevance by participating teams. The salt reference case system was characterized using data and measurements collected at relevant underground research laboratories (URLs), field sites, and simulation results from teams with specialized modelling capability. Participating teams made a wide range of model assumptions from compartmentalized networks to full 3D models of the salt formation. No single contributed model includes full-fidelity representation of all the features, events, and processes (FEPs) detailed in the task specification, but almost all features and processes are represented in at least one model. Despite differences in the modelling strategies developed by participating teams, all models indicate that salt compaction and radionuclide diffusion are key processes in the repository, and for the FEPs and model scenario considered, little of the disposed radionuclides will migrate beyond the repository seal over the 100,000 year simulations. In general, the model output quantities have the largest differences over the short term and near the waste. The models tend to be more similar further from waste and at later time. Disparities between the models are believed to be due to differing simplifications from the task specification, some of which are chosen simplifications to reduce complexity, and some are restrictions imposed by the modelling tools. A second round of this task has been accepted for DECOVALEX-2027 in conjunction with Task F1 on crystalline PA modelling. The future round includes waste package heating, improved modelling of salt creep closure, additional comparisons of coupled-process sub-models, and the impact of repository engineering design on radionuclide migration in the repository. Participants will also propose and finalize a set of uncertain inputs for the reference case simulations, propagate these uncertainties in a set of realizations, and conduct sensitivity analyses on the simulation results.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DECOVALEX-2023: Task G, SAFENET Final Report

DECOVALEX Task G deals with fracture mechanics at several scales using a combined approach of experimental work, related model development, benchmarking and experimental analysis. Fig. 0.1 provides a graphical abstract for Task G. The experimental basis for the related mechanical (M), hydro-mechanical (HM), and thermo-mechanical (TM) processes comes from the rock mechanics laboratories of Universities of Freiberg (TUBAF) and Edinburgh, as well as the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT). The experimental work in the rock laboratories is closely linked to the underground research laboratories (URLs) Reiche Zeche (Germany), KURT (Korea), and Mont Terri (Switzerland). The scientific key questions are related to fracture permeability evolution under THM conditions, anisotropy effects on fracturing processes, and thermal fracture slip, which are being addressed in specific steps of the task. A large variety of numerical methods have been developed and applied for experimental analysis, ranging from continuum to discontinuum approaches. A detailed comparison of mechanical and hydro-mechanical processes is given in the section 3 via the benchmarking exercises. As a result of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G we further improved our understanding and predictability of fracturing processes under THM conditions. This was based on robust numerical simulation methods and in-depth experimental analysis.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Carbon Storage Site Mapping Inquiry Tool (MapIT)

To date, 48 projects, consisting of 139 wells, are currently under review with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Class VI – wells used for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide. The number of applications submitted is expected to increase in coming years with the increase of the 45Q tax credit available to projects that initiate construction prior to 2033. The amount of data collected to submit a Class VI permit is vast, and often disparate, coming from state, federal, and commercial entities, as well as field-specific data collected within an area of interest. When preparing for site selection and permitting, the initial aggregation of relevant public data can be time intensive. The Carbon Storage Site Mapping Inquiry tool (MapIT) was created to support and accelerate the discovery and accessibility of open-source data and information available across the USA. Data was aggregated and organized based on data types described within the EPA UIC Class VI permit documentation. The online tool enables users to explore hundreds of geospatial data layers and connect to additional external resources, leveraging API and REST services where possible to ensure updates to data in real time. MapIT enables users to explore state and federal data related to geologic, geophysical, structural, hydrologic, and contextual information. In addition to displaying spatial data and linking to external resources, MapIT leverages custom widgets to ensure that internal data and external data are discoverable and accessible. The widgets connect users to resources such as the USGS publications and the USGS Earthquake Catalog based on a user-defined location. This talk will describe data aggregation workflows, data types, data preparation, and tool development for MapIT. The Carbon Storage Site Mapping Inquiry Tool and underlying database are valuable, intuitive resources that empower government, academic, commercial and industry stakeholders to explore, analyze, and acquire carbon storage related data.

Morkner, Paige↗

Mitigation for Removal of Building 01-202681 in the Main Storage Yard of the Area 1 Subdock, Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada

The Main Storage Yard was originally recorded as SHPO Resource No. S2772 in 2020 during an architectural survey of the Area 1 Subdock (Collins et al. 2022). It was recommended individually eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criteria A and C and as contributing to the significance of the potential Area 1 Subdock Historic District. The SHPO concurred with these determinations in a letter dated April 29, 2022 (Reed). The Main Storage Yard retains all seven aspects of integrity. The location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association have not changed since the original construction. Since the purpose of the yard is to maintain storage equipment that is actively being used, the design and feeling will change each time equipment is moved. Such actions reinforce the integrity of design and feeling. Buildings 01-101 and 01-102 were removed (Collins and Menocal 2020), but the other buildings and storage yard remain. Therefore, the setting has been changed, but not to the degree that the Main Storage Yard no longer conveys its significance (see Figures 4 and 5 for comparison). The Main Storage Yard was designed to facilitate the relocation of the Area 3 Subdock to Area 1 in 1985. The design for the overall Subdock provided a centralized cluster of buildings surrounded by two large storage yards. While the North Storage Yard largely serves as overflow storage, the Main Storage Yard holds the majority of drill rigs and drilling equipment needed to support big hole drilling. The Main Storage Yard and its contents were essential elements of the nuclear testing drilling program on the NNSS thus making it eligible for the NRHP under Criterion A for its contribution to broad patterns of history by storing specially designed equipment for underground nuclear testing at the NNSS. It is also eligible under Criterion C as it is an engineered landscape that now serves as an open-air repository of drilling technology and nuclear testing. In addition to its individual significance, the Main Storage Yard also contributes to the significance of the Area 1 Subdock Historic District as it showcases a variety of big-hole drilling equipment, support facilities, and warehouses that were specially designed for nuclear testing at the NNSS. Despite the demolition of two contributing elements to date, the district still contains numerous examples of other facilities with the purpose of supporting big-hole drilling; therefore, the district still remains eligible under Criteria A and C.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Five Year Wildfire Risk Reduction Action Plan for the Electric Power Industry

The U.S. DOE and the Electric Power Research Institute convened a wildfire advisory group to bring together knowledge of ignition risks, electric utility needs, the applicability of available technology, and existing technology gaps. The outcome is a five-year action plan, containing recommendations on RD&D projects, that if completed by the year 2030, may accelerate the power industry’s ability to substantially reduce wildfire ignition risks. When reviewing this document please consider it is a snapshot in time for the years 2023 and 2024, could be obsolete by the end of the decade. The following list comprises the titles and topics for the proposed follow-on demonstrations: 1. Hybrid Undergrounding RD&D, 2. Live Downed Conductor Detection RD&D, 3. Fault Energy Reduction RD&D, 4. Advanced Inspection and Response Drone, 5. Fault and PQ Event Signature Repository, 6. Advanced and Intelligent Sensor Nodes, 7. Fire Friendly Asset Coatings and Coverings, and 8. Environmental Monitoring Action Plan.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Latest Results from the NOvA Experiment

NOvA, is a two-detector, long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment located at Fermilab, Batavia, IL, USA. The NOvA experiment was designed primarily to constrain neutrino oscillation parameters by analyzing $\nu_\mu (\bar{\nu}_\mu)$ disappearance and $\nu_e (\bar{\nu}_e)$ appearance data observed at the far detector. The Neutrinos at Main Injector (NuMI) beamline at Fermilab provides a high purity beam of neutrinos and anti-neutrinos to the experiment. The NOvA experiment consists of two functionally identical, finely granulated liquid tracking calorimeters, both situated 14.6 mrad off-axis to the beam direction. The NOvA near detector, situated 100 meters underground and 1 kilometer from the beam source, detects the non-oscillated $\nu_\mu (\bar{\nu}_\mu)$ and beam $\nu_e (\bar{\nu}_e)$ events. The far detector, located in Ash River, MN, USA, 810 kilometers from the beam source, records the non-oscillated $\nu_\mu (\bar{\nu}_\mu)$ and the oscillated $\nu_\mu (\bar{\nu}_\mu) \to \nu_e (\bar{\nu}_e)$ events. The latest results on standard 3-flavor neutrino oscillations, joint NOvA-T2K analysis, active-to-sterile neutrino mixing, and non-standard interactions will be presented in this talk.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

CO 2 Transport Infrastructure Outlook in the United States

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) represents one of the most important methods to mitigate anthropogenic carbon emissions at a large scale, playing a key role in meeting climate change targets (Bui et al., 2018) and for net-zero CO 2 by 2050 scenarios in the United States (Browning et al., 2023). This technology involves capturing CO 2 emissions from industrial processes, transporting them via pipelines, trucks, rails, or ships, and ultimately storing them in underground geological sites, such as saline aquifers or depleted oil reservoirs. Thus, to encourage carbon reduction initiatives, the U.S. Congress enacted the Bipartisan Budget Act in 2018, reforming the 45Q tax credit to benefit operators storing CO 2 in geologic formations (Jones and Sherlock, 2021). Additionally, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act further expanded these incentives, providing additional support for CCS initiatives (Hackett and Kuehn, 2023). Although numerous studies describe the importance of optimal CO 2 transportation to support the decision-making of CCS projects aligned with the objective of net-zero emissions by 2050 (Abramson and Christensen, 2021; Chen and Pawar, 2023; Greig and Pascale, 2021), further efforts are required to optimize the transport infrastructure for national-scale CCS deployment. Therefore, in this study, we examine three nationwide scenarios with the SimCCS 3.0 tool (Ma et al., 2022, 2023, 2024) along with a novel geospatial splitting approach developed by Velasco-Lozano et al. (Velasco- Lozano et al., 2024a, 2024b). We present optimized pipeline networks that meet the dynamic evolution of annual capture amounts, describing the required total pipeline lengths at each stage as a function of the pipeline diameters. Thus, the cases presented demonstrate the feasibility of CO 2 pipeline infrastructure for large-scale CCS projects.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗