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At least 1,207 records · Page 67
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Multifamily Heat Pump Water Heater Evaluation

Although heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) have gained significant attention in recent years as a high efficiency electric water heating solution for single family homes, central HPWHs for commercial or multi-family applications are not as well documented in terms of measured performance and cost effectiveness. To evaluate this technology, the Alliance for Residential Building Innovation team monitored the performance of a 10.5 ton central HPWH installed on a student apartment building at the West Village Zero Net Energy Community in Davis, California. Monitoring data collected over a 16 month period were then used to validate a TRNSYS simulation model. The TRNSYS model was then used to project performance in different climates using local electric rates. Results of the study indicate that after some initial commissioning issues, the HPWH operated reliably with an annual average efficiency of 2.12 (Coefficient of Performance). The observed efficiency was lower than the unit's rated efficiency, primarily due to the fact that the system rarely operated under steady-state conditions. Changes in the system configuration, storage tank sizing, and control settings would likely improve the observed field efficiency. Modeling results suggest significant energy savings relative to electric storage water heating systems (typical annual efficiencies around 0.90) providing for typical simple paybacks of six to ten years without any incentives. The economics versus gas water heating are currently much more challenging given the current low natural gas prices in much of the country. Increased market size for this technology would benefit cost effectiveness and spur greater technology innovation.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2013

Multifamily Heat Pump Water Heater Evaluation

Although heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) have gained significant attention in recent years as a high efficiency electric water heating solution for single family homes, central HPWHs for commercial or multi-family applications are not as well documented in terms of measured performance and cost effectiveness. To evaluate this technology, the Alliance for Residential Building Innovation team monitored the performance of a 10.5 ton central HPWH installed on a student apartment building at the West Village Zero Net Energy Community in Davis, California. Monitoring data collected over a 16 month period were then used to validate a TRNSYS simulation model. The TRNSYS model was then used to project performance in different climates using local electric rates. Results of the study indicate that after some initial commissioning issues, the HPWH operated reliably with an annual average efficiency of 2.12 (Coefficient of Performance). The observed efficiency was lower than the unit's rated efficiency, primarily due to the fact that the system rarely operated under steady-state conditions. Changes in the system configuration, storage tank sizing, and control settings would likely improve the observed field efficiency. Modeling results suggest significant energy savings relative to electric storage water heating systems (typical annual efficiencies around 0.90) providing for typical simple paybacks of six to ten years without any incentives. The economics versus gas water heating are currently much more challenging given the current low natural gas prices in much of the country. Increased market size for this technology would benefit cost effectiveness and spur greater technology innovation.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Building America Case Study: Multifamily Central Heat Pump Water Heaters, Davis, California

Although heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) have gained significant attention in recent years as a high efficiency electric water heating solution for single family homes, central HPWHs for commercial or multi-family applications are not as well documented in terms of measured performance and cost effectiveness. To evaluate this technology, the Alliance for Residential Building Innovation team monitored the performance of a 10.5 ton central HPWH installed on a student apartment building at the West Village Zero Net Energy Community in Davis, California. Monitoring data collected over a 16-month period were then used to validate a TRNSYS simulation model. The TRNSYS model was then used to project performance in different climates using local electric rates. Results of the study indicate that after some initial commissioning issues, the HPWH operated reliably with an annual average efficiency of 2.12 (Coefficient of Performance). The observed efficiency was lower than the unit's rated efficiency, primarily due to the fact that the system rarely operated under steady-state conditions. Changes in the system configuration, storage tank sizing, and control settings would likely improve the observed field efficiency. Modeling results suggest significant energy savings relative to electric storage water heating systems (typical annual efficiencies around 0.90) providing for typical simple paybacks of six to ten years without any incentives. The economics versus gas water heating are currently much more challenging given the current low natural gas prices in much of the country. Increased market size for this technology would benefit cost effectiveness and spur greater technology innovation.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Building America Case Study: Multifamily Central Heat Pump Water Heaters, Davis, California

Although heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) have gained significant attention in recent years as a high efficiency electric water heating solution for single family homes, central HPWHs for commercial or multi-family applications are not as well documented in terms of measured performance and cost effectiveness. To evaluate this technology, the Alliance for Residential Building Innovation team monitored the performance of a 10.5 ton central HPWH installed on a student apartment building at the West Village Zero Net Energy Community in Davis, California. Monitoring data collected over a 16-month period were then used to validate a TRNSYS simulation model. The TRNSYS model was then used to project performance in different climates using local electric rates. Results of the study indicate that after some initial commissioning issues, the HPWH operated reliably with an annual average efficiency of 2.12 (Coefficient of Performance). The observed efficiency was lower than the unit's rated efficiency, primarily due to the fact that the system rarely operated under steady-state conditions. Changes in the system configuration, storage tank sizing, and control settings would likely improve the observed field efficiency. Modeling results suggest significant energy savings relative to electric storage water heating systems (typical annual efficiencies around 0.90) providing for typical simple paybacks of six to ten years without any incentives. The economics versus gas water heating are currently much more challenging given the current low natural gas prices in much of the country. Increased market size for this technology would benefit cost effectiveness and spur greater technology innovation.

ARBI↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

VALENTInE: A Concept for a New Frontiers Class Long Duration In-Situ Balloon Mission to Venus

Venus and Earth are similar in bulk composition, size, density, and approximate distance from the Sun, yet Venus’s modern-day climate and surface geology is distinctly different [1]. Previous missions to Venus revealed unusual volcanic features, possible continental crust, widespread volcanic plains, a weak magnetic field [2], and insights into the Venusian atmosphere [3,4]. Unfortunately, data from these missions were limited in spatial and temporal resolution and global extent. A future mission to Venus is critical to address fundamental questions surrounding the chemical composition and dynamics of the Venusian atmosphere [5], its geologic history [6,7], its internal structure [8,9], and its habitability throughout time [10,11]. We present the Venus Air and Land Expedition: a Novel Trailblazer for In situ Exploration (VALENTInE) mission to meet this need. VALENTInE is a variable altitude balloon that will passively float in Venus’s atmosphere between 45 and 55 km altitude. VALENTInE will acquire atmospheric data at varying latitudes and longitudes in addition to mapping the surface geomorphology and mineralogy across multiple terrains. Mission Objectives: The VALENTInE mission concept is driven by four main science objectives: 1. Determine whether the driving force of the superrotation of Venus’s atmosphere is caused by horizontal or vertical momentum transport. 2. Determine whether the atmospheric composition and noble gas inventory of the Venusian atmosphere is a product of outgassing from the initial protoplanetary source or if there are significant contributions from exogenic sources. 3. Determine whether the tesserae regions (particularly Aphrodite Terra) are felsic and relatively older than surrounding regions. 4. Determine if there is any evidence of a recent dynamo preserved in the rock record of Venus. Mission Overview: A balloon architecture provides a robust system that can survive long-term in the Venusian environment while taking accurate measurements of the lower cloud deck and surface. Two prior balloon missions to Venus, VEGA 1 and VEGA 2 in 1984, have demonstrated the potential for such planetary exploration; however, these missions were short-lived (46 hr), with limited range (54 km). Our spacecraft concept consists of a battery powered balloon with a gondola and flyby carrier stage (Fig. 1). Our novel design allows for at least 15 days of atmospheric exploration, including multiple ascents and descents in the Venus atmosphere. VALENTInE is baselined to launch in 2032, cruise on solar power for 128 days, enter, descend, and inflate (EDI) into Venus’s atmosphere above Aphrodite Terra, and float in Venus’s atmosphere for a total nominal mission duration of 15 days. The balloon, able to control its altitude by changing its buoyancy, will make one full circumnavigation every 4–8 days and move poleward ~1 o latitude per day; it will be passively directed by the horizontal air currents on Venus. The balloon can only be controlled in the z direction, and the expected latitude range is ±10° from EDI. The balloon itself will be a tracer for atmospheric structures such as zonal winds [5, 12]. During the 15-day operational period, there will be five dips to 45 km for a compositional study of the lower atmosphere and geological and magnetic mapping of the surface. Dips are used to take images and measurements closer to the surface and to obtain in situ vertical atmospheric profiles between 45 and 55 km. Instruments: The VALENTInE instrument payload will allow for extensive study of the geology, atmosphere, and interior of Venus. The instrument suite consists of six instruments. The mission profile for each instrument is shown in Fig. 2. Lower Atmosphere Meteorology Analyzer (LAMA) is an atmospheric structure instrument consisting of a thermometer, barometer, and accelerometer to continuously measure temperature and pressure as a function of altitude, longitude, and latitude. TracE and Noble Gas Investigator (TENGI) is aneutral mass spectrometer used to sample the dense atmosphere. TENGI will operate continuously at 45 km and 55 km and will measure D/H ratios, as well as Ne, Ar, and O isotopic ratios. Kilometer Scale Spectral Imager (KSSI) is amultispectral imager (850-1150 nm) used to resolve surface features on the order of km. Near InfraRed Multispectral Photometer (NIRMP) is an Infrared (IR) photometer used to image the surface through the clouds to characterize mineral assemblages at five different areas of the surface. NIRMP will be operated during dwell. ELevation REConnaissance (ELREC) is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) instrument used for measuring topography at five different areas of the surface. The ELREC data will be combined with those of NIRMP to determine mineral assemblages and how they correlate to topography. Magnetic Exploration and Interior Detective (MEID) is a magnetometer used to detect any near-surface magnetic anomalies. The magnetometer will continuously operate at all altitudes. Mission Design: The spacecraft’s propulsion system will have a wet mass of 930 kg and will be launched on an Atlas V rocket. The spacecraft will jettison the payload upon arrival in Venus’s atmosphere before decelerating to orbital velocity. Figure 2. Notional power-dip profile while the balloon is on the dayside. Risks and Challenges: Raising and lowering the spacecraft to dip beneath the haze layer require a large amount of energy. This issue was partly compensated by limiting the number of dips over the 15 day prime mission. Power needs for pumping helium are reduced by slowing the descent speed, which consequently increases spatial resolution of in situ measurements between 45 and 55 km. The main limitation for the duration of the mission is the need to carry 15 days’ worth of batteries. The bus experiences external Venusian temperatures ranging from ~27°C at 55 km altitude to ~110°C at 45 km altitude. These high atmospheric temperatures require thermal protection for the bus (instruments, electronics, and flight systems) during its descent, dwell at 45 km, and ascent. The bus is maintained at a mechanically safe temperature range of -10°C to 50°C using white external paint, multi-layer insulation (MLI), mechanical/thermal isolation (e.g. Ti, composites), and ~57 kg of Phase Change Materials (PCM). Images and spectra taken below the haze dominate the available data transmission regardless of the time spent at 45 km. Therefore, less time at the lower altitude mainly reduces the coverage of in situ measurements there. Further, we assumed an unrealistically low-density material for the helium storage tanks on the gondola. However, this issue is partially resolved if we were to jettison 75% of the spent helium storage tanks. After the entry process, the balloon volume remains mostly inflated and storage tanks are required only for reducing balloon volume in dipping to 45 km. This mission was planned against an expected New Frontiers 5 (NF5) cost cap of $1B, as the NF5 call had not yet been released. The mission we describe fits within the predicted cost cap if the flyby carrier stage, responsible for powering the spacecraft during cruise and for relaying in situ measurements back to Earth, can be contributed by another space agency. Acknowledgments: We thank the JPL Planetary Science Summer School, especially A. Nash, J. Scully, K. Mitchell, L. Lowes, and J. Armijo, and our mentors from JPL Team X. Thank you to our review panel for their insightful review. References: [1] Kane, S. et al. (2019) JGR:Ps, 124 , 2015–2028. [2] Phillips, J. L., & Russell, C. T. (1987). JGR: Space Physics , 92 (A3), 2253-2263. [3] Nakamura, M. et al. (2018) Earth Planets Space, 70 (1), 144. [4] Svedhem, H. et al. (2009) JGR:P 114 (E5). [5] Limaye et al. (2009) Decadal Survey White Paper . [6] Ivanov, M. and Head, J. (2011) PSS, 59 (13) , 1559-1600. [7] Smrekar, S. et al. (2018) Space Sci Rev, 214 (5), 88. [8] O’Rourke, J. et al. (2018) EPSL, 502 , 46-56. [9] O’Rourke J. et al. (2019) GRL , (46), 5768–5777 [10] Way, M. et al. (2016) GRL, 43 (16), 8376-8383. [11] Way, M. et al. (2020) JGR:P, 125 (5), e2019JE006276. [12] Preston, R. A. et al. (1986) Science, 231 (4744), 1414-1416.

Mission Concept↗
NASA NTRS2023

ChIPPS: Charged Information-storage Polymer Preparation System

Technological advances are required to support principal science objectives of missions to the solar system’s icy worlds to seek biosignatures of past/extant life. Sensitivity and reliability are key concerns due to small sample sizes (µL – mL) and the extraordinary import of the results. The preparation and processing of small samples can constrain limits of detection (LoDs); therefore, the Charged Information-storage Polymer Preparation System (ChIPPS) project is advancing the technologies of autonomous sample preparation and processing to add a new class of reliably detectable biosignatures: charged polymers and particles, which can be the information storage-and-transmission means for life. Specifically, we are developing an integrated microfluidic sample-processing unit to prepare icy-world samples to support complementary solid-state nanopore-based analyses: 1) charged-polymer analysis, to characterize variations in polymer chain size, shape, and charge vs. position along the chain; 2) polymer and nanoparticle sizing-and-counting, to characterize the relative abundance of polymer chains, as well as small (virus-sized) particles, by their dimensions and charge. Although no such autonomous system presently exists, such measurements can reveal the nature and abundance of charged polymers that could be used by biological systems to store and transfer information—as DNA and RNA are used terrestrially—without limitation to terrestrial nucleic acids, given that life elsewhere may utilize different information store-and-transfer moieties. Key system components include (a) a lysis unit for mechanical sample disruption; b) an ion-exchange column for charged macromolecule/nanoparticle purification; c) dialyzer to remove excess salt; d) concentrator to enhance signal; e) supporting pumps, valves, bubble traps, connectors, filters, etc.; f) interface to nanopore detection instruments.

Space Biology↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mining Air for Fuels and Fine Chemicals

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2021 report underscores that Direct Air Capture (DAC) is an essential component to limiting global warming to 2 °C, yet separating CO 2 from air and its subsequent concentration for conversion into carbon neutral fuels/chemicals or permanent storage remains energy intensive and costly. Further, most DAC technologies rely on repetitive capture and release cycles that reduces the amount of time the DAC materials are able to collect CO 2 and increases wear and tear. Moisture swing (MS) sorption within anion exchange materials utilizes differences in relative humidity to capture and concentrate CO 2 up to 500-fold with negligible energy inputs and low-cost sorbents. Molecular modeling predicts that membranes with a dry and wet side would actively transport CO 2 from its dry side to its wet side against a counter flow of H 2 O evaporating on the dry side, however, existing MS materials are too brittle to be processed into membranes to test this hypothesis. This project brought together experts in DAC materials and design, techno-economic analysis and project management at Arizona State University (ASU), polymer processing at University of Texas at Austin (UTA) and modeling gas transport and exchange at Norther Arizona University (NAU) to develop hollow fiber membranes that use energy from water evaporation to continuously pump CO 2 from air against a concentration gradient to the membranes interior and requiring significantly less energy than current DAC technologies. While this project did not meet its ultimate objectives of demonstrating an active CO 2 pumping membrane, a number of key accomplishments were made in developing low-cost, flexible anion exchange membranes (AEM) at 3.5 m 2 scale, characterizing the ionic and molecular transport within MS materials, and developing several analytical and mathematical models of the MS and pumping process leading to new fundamental knowledge about key rate limiting steps of CO 2 flux in anion exchange membranes at low water activity. Technoeconomic models show that if CO 2 fluxes ≥ 25 µmol CO 2 m -2 s -1 (membrane surface area) are achieved that cost ≤ $\$$100/tonne CO 2 captured, purified and compressed to pipeline quality is possible. The knowledge gained in this research will guide future research in developing new materials toward overcoming these rate limiting steps that in turn could enable transformative and disruptive DAC technologies needed for capturing gigatons of CO 2 per year needed to limiting global warming to 2 °C.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Residual waste detection in HLW tanks - 15701

This research uses commercial sonar technology to monitor residual waste in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Hanford Site high-level-waste staging tanks, with primary focus on the detection and imaging of the settled solids at specified areas of interest along the tank surface within a limited amount of time. High-level waste (HLW) is generated at the US-DOE Hanford Site as a by-product from the processing of nuclear materials. Waste is currently stored in 177 underground carbon-steel waste tanks. Pulse jet mixers (PJM) are often used to break loose and suspend the solids that have settled at the bottom of the tanks. A typical tank can have 6-8 pulse tubes. The Solid Liquid Interface Monitor (SLIM) must be capable of measuring dynamic movements in Region 1 zone between each PJM cycle. SLIM was originally developed to map the sludge/supernate interface within the U.S. DOE Hanford Site's HLW tanks. SLIM is a dual-axis mechanically rotating sonar and consists of an acoustic transducer, rotation motor with gearbox, tilt motor, position reference sensor, and pressure balancing mechanisms and its associated deployment platform. The sonar gathers a swath of data in the horizontal plane and rotates the transducer through a programmed angle around the vertical axis. Oil-filled device. No user serviceable parts. No semiconductors. Hard anodized aluminum and polyurethane delrin. May be deployed in areas of significant radioactivity. Kaolin will be used during mixing operations in order to simulate the physical properties of the expected slurry. In order to reduce the amount of time needed to image and object, all settings were decreased to their minimal state. The low resolution settings provide insufficient data for the manufacturer's 3D profiler to compile a visible point cloud and much less to allow the meshing algorithm to work properly. Several filtering algorithms have been applied to each scan in order to remove erroneous spikes and ghosting effects. Data has been collected for the mixing process of kaolin. This data consists of scans executed while the pump was active and inactive. The imaging algorithm has also been used with data derived from scans of 3% or less of kaolin. Future work: Mixing of kaolin within an experimental tank will be conducted in order to simulate the settling time of the HLW within the tank. The same filtering algorithms will be applied to each of these scans to evaluate the SLIM's efficiency to image solids at the bottom of a tank through increasing volume of kaolin.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2026

Estimating Residual Gas Beam Loss in the BNL AGS Booster:Model, Numerical Tools, and Implications for a Polarimeter Chamber

Beamloss from residual gas scattering is calculated for a storage ring of circumference C = 200m, covering a linear magnetic rigidity ramp from B ρ inj = 1.25Tm to B ρ ext = 9.50Tm over tramp = 1.00s. Three loss mechanisms are considered: nuclear inelastic reactions, single Coulomb scattering beyond the acceptance angle of the machine, and charge-state exchange for heavy ions. Calculations are performed for protons and Au 32+ ions, the latter being the charge state delivered by the EBIS pre-injector into the BNL AGS Booster. At a baseline vacuum of P 0 = 5 × 10 −11 mbar the integrated fractional beam loss over the full ramp is negligible for protons (< 0.001%) and 33.1% for Au 32+ . The impact of a 1m polarimeter section at elevated pressure P s = 5 × 10 −9 mbar is evaluated: the proton loss remains negligible, while the Au 32+ loss rises to 45.1%, establishing the vacuum requirement for the polarimeter chamber. In the present compact approximate model, Au 32+ losses are dominated by charge exchange at injection, while proton losses are dominated by single Coulomb scattering. The design, outgassing budget, pumping strategy, and commissioning sequence for a UHV polarimeter chamber housing silicon detectors and ASICs are described in detail.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Experimental Technetium Release from Simulated Salt-stone Cementitious Waste Form - 18419

Experiments are being conducted to evaluate the early release of technetium (Tc) from fresh salt-stone waste forms using dynamic flow-through tests. Salt-stone is a chemically reducing, grout-based waste form used by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to dispose of low-activity salt solutions arising from high-level radioactive waste tank closure activities at the Savannah River Site (SRS). A key safety function of salt-stone is maintaining a low-flow, chemically reducing environment that will attenuate the release of redox-sensitive radioelements such as Tc. Salt-stone also provides a physical barrier due to its low intrinsic permeability, which limits both water and oxygen ingress. These release experiments, conducted to support the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's monitoring role during tank closure, are designed to provide independent information on how well salt-stone will perform its safety function. The dynamic leach tests were conducted in a Hassler-type core-holder permeameter system that allows an accelerated flow rate of simulated SRS groundwater through an intact cylinder of salt-stone spiked with Tc-99 at a concentration of approximately 2,100 Bq/g (3 ppm). The first salt-stone specimen to be tested (Specimen 2) was prepared with Grade 100 ground granulated blast-furnace slag and aged for 119 days in a temperature-controlled, low-oxygen, high-humidity environment. Before test completion, 9.5 pore volumes (PV) of simulated SRS groundwater were passed through the salt-stone cylinder. After a few PV, apparent saturated hydraulic conductivity (K{sub sat}) values calculated from flow data reached a steady-state value of approximately 1.0 x 10{sup -9} cm/s, which is within the range of previously reported data. Tc-99 concentrations in leachate peaked early during the leach test at 2.0 x 10{sup -7} M and then declined to approximately 4 x 10{sup -8} M after 9.5 PV. The leachate Tc-99 concentration after elution of 9.5 PV is broadly consistent with a Tc solution concentration controlled by the solubility of reduced Tc solids. The range of Tc-99 concentrations is similar to the range reported for a column test that was sponsored by DOE, but the time pattern of release differs. The second salt-stone specimen tested (Specimen 3) was aged for 372 days and it further differed from the first specimen in that its Grade 100 slag component had been finely ground using a mortar and pestle in an attempt to make it more reactive. This second test yielded Tc release behavior broadly similar to that observed during the first test, except that the early Tc peak (at 1.2 x 10{sup -6} M) was six times higher and the concentration after 6.7 PV (8.8 x 10{sup -8} M) was approximately two times higher than in the first test. In addition, the steady-state K{sub sat} was an order of magnitude lower than that of the first specimen. During the second test, the injection pump was intentionally turned off for a period of 11 days (i.e., approximate residence time for 1 PV) and a Tc spike was observed when pumping resumed, suggesting that longer residence times may promote higher Tc effluent concentrations. During a second intentional shut-down of the pump for 25 days (approximate residence time for 2 PV), another Tc spike was observed. An unplanned excursion to higher confining pressure physically affected the specimen, temporarily lowering the apparent K{sub sat} followed by a subsequent increase in both K{sub sat} and Tc effluent concentration. One hypothesis is that the transient spike in confining pressure and resulting salt-stone compression and later decompression may have induced Tc release from otherwise inactive pores. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Addressing Food Insecurity on the Navajo Reservation Through Sustainable Greenhouses

Navajo (Diné) tribal members experience alarming rates of diabetes and food insecurity on the reservation. Increasing involvement with food production through gardening is a crucial step to rebuilding Diné food systems and improving the health of Navajos. The main challenges are drought, lack of available land, limited food production knowledge, and large up-front costs. However, implementing community-based gardens would help alleviate land space issues, leverage community knowledge, and shift financial responsibility to local community level or chapter level. Greenhouses are advantageous because they reduce water consumption and allow for year-round production, but require energy intensive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to compare a propane heating and evaporative cooling HVAC system to a ground source heat pump (GSHP). Using EnergyPlus to simulate annual energy loads, this paper compares the financial feasibility and environmental impact of each system. The operating cost of GSHPs was found to be 57% — 72% less than traditional HVAC systems based on location and fuel prices. Additionally, GSHPs required 72% — 90% less water and emitted 35% — 69% less carbon dioxide annually. Given the large up-front cost of GSHPs, conservative estimates showed payback periods from 5.2 — 10.8 years when using renewable energy grants. A life cycle cost analysis over 20 years showed greenhouses with GSHPs could cost $1,272 — $1,605 per year or 27% — 44% less than traditional HVAC systems. Tax revenue for chapters showed that funding is available to carry out such projects. Food produced using GSHP systems was found to cost $2.26 — $2.30 per daily serving of fruit and vegetables, which is competitive with grocery store prices. More importantly, greenhouses equipped with GSHPs present a compelling case because they cost less to operate and are more environmentally friendly than traditional HVAC systems. Future work should focus on adding a photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage system, which would completely eliminate HVAC water consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

The persistence of memory in ionic conduction probed by nonlinear optics

Predicting practical rates of transport in condensed phases enables the rational design of materials, devices and processes. This is especially critical to developing low-carbon energy technologies such as rechargeable batteries. For ionic conduction, the collective mechanisms, variation of conductivity with timescales and confinement, and ambiguity in the phononic origin of translation, call for a direct probe of the fundamental steps of ionic diffusion: ion hops. However, such hops are rare-event large-amplitude translations, and are challenging to excite and detect. Here we use single-cycle terahertz pumps to impulsively trigger ionic hopping in battery solid electrolytes. This is visualized by an induced transient birefringence, enabling direct probing of anisotropy in ionic hopping on the picosecond timescale. The relaxation of the transient signal measures the decay of orientational memory, and the production of entropy in diffusion. We extend experimental results using in silico transient birefringence to identify vibrational attempt frequencies for ion hopping. Using nonlinear optical methods, we probe ion transport at its fastest limit, distinguish correlated conduction mechanisms from a true random walk at the atomic scale, and demonstrate the connection between activated transport and the thermodynamics of information.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stand Alone Battery Thermal Management System

The objective of this project is research, development and demonstration of innovative thermal management concepts that reduce the cell or battery weight, complexity (component count) and/or cost by at least 20%. The project addresses two issues that are common problems with current state of the art lithium ion battery packs used in vehicles; low power at cold temperatures and reduced battery life when exposed to high temperatures. Typically, battery packs are “oversized” to satisfy the two issues mentioned above. The first phase of the project was spent making a battery pack simulation model using AMEsim software. The battery pack used as a benchmark was from the Fiat 500EV. FCA and NREL provided vehicle data and cell data that allowed an accurate model to be created that matched the electrical and thermal characteristics of the actual battery pack. The second phase involved using the battery model from the first phase and evaluate different thermal management concepts. In the end, a gas injection heat pump system was chosen as the dedicated thermal system to both heat and cool the battery pack. Based on the simulation model. The heat pump system could use 50% less energy to heat the battery pack in -20°C ambient conditions, and by keeping the battery cooler at hot climates, the battery pack size could be reduced by 5% and still meet the warranty requirements. During the final phase, the actual battery pack and heat pump system were installed in a test bench at DENSO to validate the simulation results. Also during this phase, the system was moved to NREL where testing was also done to validate the results. In conclusion, the heat pump system can improve “fuel economy” (for electric vehicle) by 12% average in cold climates. Also, the battery pack size, or capacity, could be reduced 5%, or if pack size is kept constant, the pack life could be increased by two years. Finally, the total battery pack and thermal system cost could be reduced 5% only if the system is integrated with the vehicle cabin air conditioning system. The reason why we were not able to achieve the 20% reduction target is because of the natural decay of the battery cell due to the number of cycles. Perhaps newer battery chemistries that are not so sensitive to cycling would have more potential for reducing the battery size due to thermal issues.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Analysis of the Salt Feed Tank Core Sample

The Saltstone Production Facility (SPF) immobilizes and disposes of low-level radioactive and hazardous liquid waste (salt solution) remaining from the processing of radioactive material at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Low-level waste (LLW) streams from processes at SRS are stored in Tank 50 until the LLW can be transferred to the SPF for treatment and disposal. The Salt Feed Tank (SFT) at the Saltstone Production Facility (SPF) holds approximately 6500 gallons of low level waste from Tank 50 as well as drain water returned from the Saltstone Disposal Facility (SDF) vaults. Over the past several years, Saltstone Engineering has noted the accumulation of solids in the SFT. The solids are causing issues with pump performance, agitator performance, density/level monitoring, as well as taking up volume in the tank. The tank has been sounded at the same location multiple times to determine the level of the solids. The readings have been 12, 25 and 15 inches. The SFT is 8.5 feet high and 12 feet in diameter, therefore the solids account for approximately 10 % of the tank volume. Saltstone Engineering has unsuccessfully attempted to obtain scrape samples of the solids for analysis. As a result, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was tasked with developing a soft core sampler to obtain a sample of the solids and to analyze the core sample to aid in determining a path forward for removing the solids from the SFT. The source of the material in the SFT is the drain water return system where excess liquid from the Saltstone disposal vaults is pumped back to the SFT for reprocessing. It has been shown that fresh grout from the vault enter the drain water system piping. Once these grout solids return to the SFT, they settle in the tank, set up, and can't be reprocessed, causing buildup in the tank over time. The composition of the material indicates that it is potentially toxic for chromium and mercury and the primary radionuclide is cesium-137. Qualitative measurements show that the material is not cohesive and will break apart with some force.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Remediation of the FGMSP at Sellafield: The First Transfer of Bulk Sludge - 17133

The very first bulk transfers of radioactive sludge have commenced from one of the most hazardous nuclear plants in Europe, using equipment and systems researched, designed, installed and commissioned by Jacobs as part of the ACKtiv alliance. Sellafield is a nuclear fuel reprocessing and decommissioning site, close to the village of Seascale on the coast of the Irish Sea in Cumbria, England. Sellafield incorporates the original nuclear reactor site at Windscale, which is currently undergoing decommissioning, and dismantling, and Calder Hall, the world's first nuclear power generating reactor. The first nuclear facilities were built in the 1940's.The First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) dates back to the 1950's as part of the UK's expanding nuclear programme and was constructed to store, cool and prepare used Magnox nuclear fuel for recycling into new fuel. It urgently needs to be emptied of 1500 cubic metres of radioactive sludge. In this paper we describe the work undertaken by Jacobs to deliver a very challenging programme of work to provide the capability to remove sludge from the pond. The FGMSP Retrievals Project was awarded in March 2007 to supply equipment and services for the removal of sludge and miscellaneous waste from the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond at Sellafield. The Project is being executed by ACKtiv Nuclear (Jacobs, Carillion and Atkins) of which Jacobs is a 40% stakeholder. ACKtiv Nuclear is a mature Joint Venture and has been operating continuously and successfully since 2002, the oldest JV still in operation on Sellafield Site. The roots of the JV can be traced back to the 1980's. The Project covers all project phases from front-end engineering through detailed design, procurement, installation and commissioning support. The Project places huge emphasis on off-Site testing and has several facilities for both installation and integrated testing. This proves equipment prior to installation in a radioactive environment. The Project has achieved success and recognition including winning the 2014 and 2015 Sellafield Business Excellence awards, as well as numerous internal Jacobs awards. The Project achieved a major decommissioning milestone in March 2016. Since the installation of a 31 m pipe-bridge in 2012, using a 1200 te mobile crane surrounded by several other facilities with nuclear inventory, the Project has successfully installed the sludge retrieval and effluent system into the FGMSP. This 4 year programme of work included 2 booster pump platforms, sludge recovery tooling, hoses, umbilicals and a deluge skip wash box which were all trialled and proven off-Site prior to installation in the pond. This milestone to commence transfer of sludge to modern stainless steel containment is a major step forward in the hazard reduction of the facility.The presentation will cover the installation of the pond de-sludging equipment, the innovations deployed that ensured that the milestone was achieved under budget and ahead of schedule, as well the benefits to the facility, the Site and the nuclear industry. It will also examine the challenges that needed to be overcome such as high dose, contamination, limited working times and space constraints. The presentation will describe why the work is of national Importance and conclude with the achievement of commencement of bulk sludge transfer to a modern facility. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Remote Retrieval, Disruption and Processing of Legacy Nuclear Waste - 16179

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is currently undertaking, in conjunction with Sellafield Ltd, a series of high profile trials of robotic equipment on a full scale test facility at their Workington Laboratory in England. These trials are designed to underpin and substantiate the processes proposed for the remote retrieval, disruption and processing of legacy Miscellaneous Beta Gamma Waste (MBGW) from a number of different donor plants on the Sellafield site, including some of the older fuel storage ponds and storage silos. These processes will be conducted inside the new Box Encapsulation Plant (BEP) which is due to be commissioned at Sellafield by 2020. These processes will subsequently enable Sellafield Ltd to safely recover legacy Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) from the older storage facilities on site and process it into a safer form which is more suitable for long term storage and then ultimately final disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility. As part of this legacy waste processing within the BEP plant, MBGW waste items will have to be remotely removed from a variety of different types of import skips. This waste will then be transferred, using robots, into the export container, which is a 3 m{sup 3} box liner, where the processed waste will be flood grouted to produce an encapsulated waste package. As part of this processing, any MBGW items consisting of sealed containers will have to be remotely disrupted before being grout encapsulated. This disruption is in order to (a) release any trapped liquors or gases from the containers and (b) ensure full grout infiltration of the container contents, thus minimising the amount of free liquors and voids within the final waste product. The NNL are conducting this technical work to confirm the viability of the proposed concept, processes and equipment. The developed solution consists of a linear layout of processing equipment with a pair of heavy duty, standard industrial, 'commercially off the shelf' (COTS) robots positioned around a Waste Handling Table. These robots have a 500 kg payload capacity and are operated remotely to handle all of the various types of MBGW waste, including the heavy and bulky items. The robots can be operated in manual tele-operation mode as well as pre-programmed automatic mode and have a range of primary and secondary tooling in order to perform the waste processing and disruption tasks as well as undertake general house-keeping and cleaning duties within the cell. The main tools include two types of hydraulic grab for the main waste recovery and handling tasks and a hydraulic shear for the waste disruption activities, but a number of other tools have also been designed and built for ancillary activities, such as a set of general purpose gripper jaws, drilling tool, bolt removal tool, pump tool, spray tool and a number of different housekeeping tools etc. The robot trials were started in November 2014, and have attracted a significant degree of high level stakeholder interest, including the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Environment Agency (EA) and Radioactive Waste Management Limited (RWML) witnessing a number of the critical demonstration trials. Robots of the type selected are readily available, robust, reliable and easy to use. The trials have been very successful in proving the retrieval, processing and disruption operations, reducing the burden in the legacy waste facilities. Utilising robots to perform these tasks will lower the probability of producing non-compliant waste packages. In addition the robots can increase the consolidation of incoming waste skips into outgoing 3 m{sup 3} box liners, significantly increasing packing efficiencies and reducing the overall number of export containers produced thus lowering the decommissioning and waste storage/disposal costs. The trials have also enabled an assessment of the optimum way to operate the robots, as well as their reliability and maintainability issues. Engineering work associated with recovering failed robots and removing them from a typical Sellafield plant environment and then subsequently replacing them with functioning robots has also been undertaken and further work is now planned. The success of the trials, completed safely to a very challenging timescale, has enabled the use of robots in BEP to be endorsed as a viable option by the key stakeholders. Following a robust decision making process, this was a clear cut decision. The technical development and testing of the robot technology is currently continuing in order to investigate areas such as robot reliability, failure recoveries, human factors, ease of waste identification, optimisation of throughput rates, nuclearisation modifications etc. (authors)

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

Hydrogen Detection Strategies to Support H2@SCALE - The NREL Sensor Laboratory

Hydrogen represents a major pathway to decarbonize and stabilize the national and international energy industry and select manufacturing markets. To facilitate the development of hydrogen markets, the US Department of Energy initiated H2@Scale to bring together stakeholders to advance affordable hydrogen production, transport, storage, and utilization to increase revenue opportunities in multiple energy sectors. One major impediment to hydrogen implementation is cost. To expedite the use of hydrogen in energy and other markets, the United States announced in 2021 the Hydrogen Shot, which seeks to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by 80% to $1 per 1 kilogram in 1 decade ("1 1 1"). As the cost of hydrogen drops, new applications will emerge that will require unique configurations of existing equipment and infrastructure, and eventually lead to advances in the generation and utilization of hydrogen. As the hydrogen economy expands, sensors and detection methods will need to adapt to changing infrastructure demands to address the primary targets of health & safety, emissions monitoring, and process control. The NREL Sensor Laboratory is playing a pivotal role in advancing the use of hydrogen sensors and detection methodologies in each of these categories to support DOE's mission for safe and efficient utilization in emerging markets. Health & safety monitors are required to ensure that operators and facilities can react to unintended hydrogen releases, either as GH2, LH2, or as a constituent of blends (e.g., natural gas or ammonia). Current detection methodologies focus on safety applications to detect near its lower flammable limit (4 vol %), and typically include point sensors in applications such as fixed or mobile detectors (e.g., personal gas monitors). Methodologies amenable for area detection include acoustic, emerging optical imaging methods, and flame detectors. Comparable detection strategies can be utilized for emissions monitoring and quantization, however few methods can simultaneously cover both low (emissions) and high (health & safety) levels. Deployment of emission level detectors will be required to 1) reduce product loss through small but potentially significant leaks from an environmental or cost perspective, 2) reduce downtime of high demand systems by early identification of eminent system failures (leaks through pump or compressor seals indicative of impending failure), and 3) address potential emission monitoring requirements that may be set by regulating bodies. The first two points should be adopted by industry to reduce the cost-of-goods-sold. The third main category for hydrogen detection relates to process control and may be advantageous for many existing applications. Two main applications are emerging. For example, the purity requirements for hydrogen that is dispensed from refueling systems for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) is rigorously regulated by the Standard SAE J2719, which prescribes maximum allowable levels of multiple impurities in the hydrogen fuel and must be verified by a regulatory body. Hydrogen contaminant detectors (HCD) integrated to the fueling station can assure this compliance. HCDs must be able operate in 100% H2 backgrounds and be able to distinguish between multiple contaminants at low ppm to low ppb levels. Secondly, as a strategy to decarbonize the natural gas grid, there are proposals to blend hydrogen with natural gas. This blending will affect transport applications (pipeline infrastructure), stationary combustion systems (turbines), and consumer and commercial appliances. In the short-term, hydrogen levels up to 20% are proposed. Variations in the hydrogen level can have dramatic impact on the combustion process and on the potential response of safety sensors. These mixtures may be regulated so that the concentration at a delivery point must be monitored with high precision. However, routine maintenance may introduce background gases such as ambient air (with water) or maintenance gases (introduced with welding processes or adhesive outgassing.) Therefore, the detection methodology must be robust enough to recover or respond to various contaminants. Several reviews can be found in literature addressing sensing and detection technologies, including their limitations and applications. However, for most applications, limitations can be alleviated by combining various detection techniques either through system integration or implementation of machine learning methods (artificial intelligence). In this presentation, we will discuss several applications, highlight their current approach for hydrogen detection, and suggest detection strategies to supplement their limitations.

ENERGY STORAGE,HYDROGEN↗