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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.

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At least 1,279 records · Page 71
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

xRage simulations of magnetic velocity gauges used in gas gun shock initiation experiments

Shock initiation gas gun experiments of PBX 9012 have been performed by Burns and Chiquete [2020] using magnetic velocity gauges as the principal diagnostic. In private communications, the experimenters noted that compatibility issues required a different glue to bond the gauges to PBX 9012 then previously used for experiments with PBX 9501 and PBX 9502. The silicon glue used is more viscous and can result in glue layers up to 50 microns, which is about the gauge thickness. This raises the question on what affect the thicker glue layers have on the gauge response. In particular, the width of the lead shock can affect the accuracy of inferring shock locus points used for the shock pressure of Pop plot data points and for Hugoniot data to calibrate the reactants EOS.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Improve wildfire predictability driven by extreme water cycle with interpretable physically-guided ML/AI

Focal Area(s): Predictive modeling using AI techniques and AI-derived model components; use of AI and other tools to design a prediction system comprising of a hierarchy of models (Primary); insight gleaned from complex data (both observed and simulated) using AI, big data analytics, and other advanced methods, including explainable AI and physics or knowledge-guided AI (Secondary). Science Challenge: Wildfires modify land surface characteristics, such as vegetation composition, soil and litter carbon stocks, and surface albedo, with significant consequences for the regional carbon cycle. For example, tropical regions (i.e., African and South America) are particularly vulnerable to wildfire, account for more than 80% of the global burned area, and emit ~1.4 PgC y -1 into the atmosphere together with other dust and aerosols that strongly affect regional climate.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tracker Fits for shot 1s1674

Gas gun shock-to-detonation experiments provide data for calibrating HE burn models. At LANL the principal diagnostic is a magnetic gauge package that provides data on the lead shock trajectory, which is used to determine the run-distance to detonation, and the lead shock speed with run distance, which together with jump-off velocity of the velocity gauges determines Hugoniot locus points for the reactants.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

PBX9012 Tracker Gauge Data

Five shock-to-detonation transition (SDT) gas gun experiments for PBX 9012 were performed by Burns and Chiquete [2020]. The data from the experiments is available on the small-scale database. Here we focus on the tracker gauge data for the lead shock trajectory, x(t). In order to determine the shock speed U s (t) and the detonation transition point, a least squared fit to the shock trajectory is used based on a pair of ODEs with a fitting form for the shock acceleration developed by Hill and Gustavsen [2002].

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Novel Algae Technology for CO2 Utilization

The United States, the world’s largest energy user and second largest CO2 emitter, is heavily dependent on fossil energy. In 2014, U.S. coal burning utilities emitted ~1562 million (MM) tons/year (TPY) of CO2 into the atmosphere, accounting for 76% of the total US power sector emissions1. Hence, reducing the CO2 emission footprint from coal plants is widely viewed as a key element in mitigating global warming. Despite significant interest, implementation of CO2 capture technologies has been constrained by the high capture cost which significantly increases the total cost of electricity. Not only is capturing CO2 with traditional technologies expensive, but generally the CO2 has little value and additional expense must be incurred for sequestration. This project funded by a SBIR grant from the U.S. D.O.E. to Helios-NRG in collaboration with the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) and Membrane Technology and Research Inc. (MTR) aimed to develop a novel, algae based technology to capture CO2 from the effluent of coal-based power plants and convert it to renewable bio-fuels and higher value co-products such as animal feed and nutraceuticals with the potential to enable a substantial reduction in the net cost of carbon capture. The Phase 2 project was aimed at further demonstrating the technical feasibility of the proposed multi-stage continuous (MSC) flow CO2 capture system and the generation of high-value co-products to offset the CO2 capture cost. The project was completed and the project objectives were met and exceeded. A first-of-a-kind integrated, laboratory scale MSC process unit was fabricated and tested in a greenhouse. The tests were conducted with the preferred algae species identified in Phase I and simulated flue gas containing contaminants at levels typically present in the post flue gas desulfurization (FGD) stream, including ~12% CO2, acid gas (SOX, NOX), and a large number of heavy metals. The tests were successful and demonstrated a 25g/m2/day seasonal average algae productivity and an 80% CO2 capture efficiency. Two new algae species were identified for high-value nutraceutical production. Studies to improve growth rate and nutraceutical content of these algae species were performed and a pathway for further improvements was identified. A new dewatering technology called DeAqua was further advanced. Significant improvement in the performance index was achieved. The anti-fouling membrane was developed and fabricated into a module. The fabricated membrane module was tested with algae slurry and demonstrated improved fouling resistant properties, that can potentially reduce the cost and energy of the critical dewatering step. Test data were used to simulate operation of the overall process. The preliminary economic analysis was updated and modelled based on a 5000-acre algae farm. To the extent possible, the financial and operating assumptions used were the same as those used in the DOE’s 2022 projections for algae technology for CO2 capture and utilization. The results showed the proposed technology’s potential to significantly reduce the cost of CO2 capture compared to current options and that the high value products generated from the CO2 captured can make a step change in the cost of carbon capture. Plans to advance the technology to Phase 2B were developed and potential end-user partners were identified.

Maloney, James↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nuclear Fuels and Reprocessing Technologies: A U.S. Perspective

Reprocessing and/or waste management issues are of concern to the “back end” of the nuclear fuel cycle. Of course, there are a great many “nuclear fuel cycle” scenarios to consider; if not in practice, then at least in theory. The simplest conceptually is the “once through” fuel cycle in which the spent fuel is discarded. The more complex fuel cycle scenarios involve reprocessing spent nuclear fuels and a family of nuclear reactor technologies to accommodate burning and breeding for various military and commercial needs. Therefore, the selection of a specific “fuel cycle” is what ultimately imposes the engineering requirements of the reprocessing and waste management technologies. No one part is independent of the other parts in a fuel cycle flowsheet; all parts are fully integrated. This paper presents a summary of radiochemical processes, nuclear reactor technologies, nuclear fuel types, and the reprocessing technologies that serve the different nuclear fuel types. Comprehending how this series of topics are related to each other is a prerequisite to understanding the requirements of any reprocessing strategy. The summary materials presented here are selective, as opposed to comprehensive. More detailed information on any one subject can be found in the reference materials.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Symmetry requirements for double shell capsules with aluminum ablators

Double shell targets present a promising avenue to obtain robust neutron yield on current laser facilities. The nature of the target, like current single shell designs, requires a symmetric implosion of an outer ablator to obtain a symmetric fuel volume that will lead to alpha heating and thermonuclear burn. Due to using aluminum as an ablator material and requiring different convergence than single shell symmetry studies at various energies are required. This paper moves forward from previous experiments conducted at 1MJ to show implosion symmetry at 1.25 and 1.5MJ. Symmetry in these experiments is sufficient to merit experiments using double shells to study the platform further. Additional studies are carried out on the outer shell symmetry impacts, showing that mitigating mode growth on the outer ablator is of great importance.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Technoeconomic and Life Cycle Analysis for Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Baseline

Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is an attractive option from an environmental standpoint, as biomass regrowth removes CO 2 from the atmosphere, which offsets the emissions produced by burning the biomass. When combined with carbon capture, this produces a system that is capable of zero or even negative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study examines the performance, environmental impact, and economics of co-firing biomass in pulverized coal (PC) power plants. The analysis is based on various plant configurations (with and without carbon dioxide [CO 2 ] capture) using hybrid poplar biomass at three levels of co-fire (20, 35, and 49 weight percent) with Illinois No. 6 coal. This study is an analysis of the overall performance and economics of the plant, which was used to determine the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and to perform a full environmental life cycle analysis (LCA) of greenfield PC plants co-firing biomass.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Quantum Nature of the Neutrino

Over the last 100 years we have learned much about the neutrino, but there remain interesting questions about this weakly interacting particle. In particular, at LLNL we are developing an experiment to measure the quantum nature of the neutrino. The 2015 long range plan recom mended tonne-scale neutrinoless double beta decay experiments as the top new project priority and this experiment will target the quantum nature of the neutrino. The LLNL team is motivated and focused on developing the best technology for this experiment which is a liquid xenon time projection chamber called nEXO. Work on nEXO at LLNL started in 2015 with an LDRD and program development funds to de velop the nEXO concept, publish sensitivity predictions, explore alternatives and risks, and to build a credible project team and this effort is on going. In addition, we received research funding from DOE-SC NP and LLNL manages pre-conceptual R&D for the nEXO collaboration a portion of which is executed at LLNL. LLNL has a long history of building large projects, science projects and time projection chambers, but nEXO is in fact the first project of this scale that LLNL is prepared to lead for DOE-SC NP. We have the tools, skills, people and motivation to make nEXO a reality. The current program devel opment dollars are used to prepare the nEXO concept for down select and CD1. These internal LLNL dollars pay for a number of things including project staff to organize the nEXO collaboration for the various reviews, to develop the draft plans and structure to manage the project as well as setting up external advisory committees. The DOE-SC NP base funding is targeted at simulation and analysis of the nEXO concept in preparation for the down select and refinement of the under standing of the detector as well as scientific effort on the large xenon test stand (LXTS) that will burn down one of the largest risks to the nEXO project. Lastly, LLNL is leading the pre-conceptual R&D effort and managing the funds for the nEXO collaboration. LLNL continues to build the best scientific team for nEXO and this year that includes adding Ethan Bernard to lead the efforts on the LXTS. We will also soon add a new postoc, Samuel Hedges, in the fall to the LLNL nEXO team. The effort this year was influenced by the portfolio review, and there were a number of scientific activities led by LLNL to prepare for this review. In addition, we again took a lead role on the new sensitivity paper as well as publishing a paper based analyzing the effects of skin xenon in nEXO. LLNL leads the software and analysis for the project and we continued work in this area as well. High voltage remains a significant risk for the project and we continue to make progress on the LXTS that will mitigate this risk. Lastly we remain active in looking at how to scale the technology to larger scales, and expect to produce a paper on this topic in the near future.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Status Update on the High Precision Isotopic Measurements on High Burnup LWR Fuel in 2020

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) is currently investigating the feasibility of directly disposing dual-purpose (storage and transportation) canisters (DPCs) in a spent nuclear fuel (SNF) repository. Criticality during the repository performance period (10,000 years or more) is one of the major concerns related to direct disposal of DPCs, specifically as the system undergoes degradation in the repository environment and timeframe. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is developing an as-loaded criticality analysis methodology using full (actinides + fission products) burnup credit that exploits the inherent criticality margin associated with actual canister-specific loading configuration. Burnup credit criticality analysis requires validation of the depletion/decay codes used to generate the burned isotopic inventory of an assembly by comparing the code-predicted inventory with experimentally determined isotopic data. Currently, isotopic measurement data for boiling water reactors (BWR) SNF are limited, and additional measurements will be highly beneficial for BWR burnup credit analysis, which is essential to demonstrate disposability of BWR DPCs. Moreover, new pressurized water reactor (PWR) samples of isotopic measurements will expand the PWR sample population and consequently will greatly improve sample statistics. In turn, this will reduce uncertainty in the computational determination of the isotopic composition of commercial SNF and eliminate additional penalties currently used for lack of data. As part of the isotopic analysis task, eight diverse, high burnup (HBU) samples from several PWR rods are being dissolved and isotopically analyzed to provide high-quality measurement data for PWR SNF to reducing the uncertainties associated with PWR isotopic depletion validation. The isotopics of interest focus on nuclides important to burnup credit, shielding, and decay heat in PWR SNF. Additionally, eight high burnup BWR fuel samples from the Limerick nuclear power plant have been identified for measurement to support reducing uncertainties associated with BWR isotopic depletion validation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Final Reports of the 2021 Los Alamos National Laboratory Computational Physics Student Summer Workshop

Since 2011, the Los Alamos National Laboratory Computational Physics Student Summer Workshop has been bringing together a highly talented and diverse group of students every summer. Students work in teams of two, alongside typically two mentors, on research projects reflecting a broad range of topics within computational physics. In addition, students attend a series of lectures on topics within computational physics, facility tours, and networking events. The program lasts ten weeks, with this year’s workshop running from June 7 to August 13. At the end of the summer, students give a final presentation, along with a written report. Those reports are what make up the remaining sections of this document. Admission to the workshop is by a competitive process, with the mentors forming the selection committee. One of the important accomplishments of the workshop has been to create a student pipeline from diverse schools that sometimes are not normally tapped by LANL recruiting. Many workshop students maintain a continuing relationship with LANL, returning as student interns, post-doctoral researchers, and staff members. Additionally, workshop alumni act as ambassadors for LANL. The result is a wider awareness both of LANL as a potential employer, and of the technical work that happens at LANL. This year, the workshop was once again in an off-site, virtual format. Students worked on LANL virtual desktop systems remotely, also accessing LANL HPC resources. In order to facilitate communication, student were given accounts on both Webex, a video teleconferencing platform, and Mattermost, an online team collaboration and chat platform, similar to Slack. Daily communication between students and mentors was primarily on Mattermost, with Webex conferencing as needed. The lectures were all done on Webex. Given the difficulty of the virtual format, and a concern that students might have video teleconferencing burn-out, all lectures were optional this year. In spite of this, the attendance was generally high. Lecturers were asked to try to move to a more high-level, ”What is it?,” format. Once again, the students did a tremendous job. Over the course of ten weeks, they did important research across a staggering array of disciplines. The following pages contain the final report for each team’s research efforts. Enjoy!

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2021

Coupled radiation transport and plasma physics for ICF simulations [Slides]

Describing high-temperature plasmas requires inclusion of several nonlinear coupled physics, including ion kinetics - for each isotope species present in the plasma, electron kinetics, thermal radiative transfer (TRT), electromagnetic description, and nuclear reactions (fusion burn). Simulating plasmas in ICF hohlraums aims to solve kinetic ions (particles), fluid electrons, energetic electrons, electromagnetics, kinetic radiation (MG DP solver), and laser-plasma interactions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fuels Characterization for National Research Council Canada 2-m Pool Fire Test Series

This report provides a detailed analysis of the physical and chemical properties of three liquid hydrocarbon fuels: heptane, Bakken crude, and a diluted bitumen, that were subsequently tested in a series of 2-m pool fire experiments at Sandia National Laboratories for the National Research Council Canada. Properties such as relative density, vapor pressure (VPCR x ), composition, and heat of combustion were evaluated. The heptane analysis, with relative density = 0.69 (at 15°C), confirmed that the material tested was consistent with high-purity (>99%) n-heptane. The Bakken crude, with a relative density = 0.81 (at 15°C), exhibited a vapor pressure by VPCR 0.2 (37.8°C) in the range 120-157 kPa. The dilbit, with a relative density = 0.92 (at 15°C) exhibited a vapor pressure by VPCR 0.2 (37.8°C) in the range 85-98 kPa. Solids remaining in the test pans after the pool fires were also collected and weighed. No detectable solids were left after the heptane burns. In contrast, the crude oils left some brittle, black solid residue. On average, dilbit pool fires left about 40 more residue by mass than Bakken pool fires for equivalent mass of fuel feed.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2020

An Enhanced Safeguards Approach for Accelerator Driven Systems utilized to Close the Fuel Cycle

Further to our previous safeguards approach for Accelerator Driven Systems, which focused on estimates of fissile material production using relevant proton accelerator systems and corresponding safeguards needs for fuel storage, the subcritical reactor, and spent fuel storage material balances areas, this report is more expansive and considers utilization of ADS for either burning of transuranics or breeding of fissile materials. We find that the recycled fuels likely intended for ADS will be thermally and radioactively hot to such a degree that it is likely reprocessing and fuel fabrication will have to be co - located with the ADS reactor facility to avoid impractical hot fuel transportation issues. As such, we consider in detail the full ADS system to include material balance areas for spent fuel receiving, reprocessing, storage & cooling, fuel fabrication, subcritical reactor area, and waste storage & handling. Furthermore, aqueous - based separation methods like PUREX cannot tolerate the intense heat of the ADS fuels, so pyroprocessing will likely be required. With these considerations, we developed an Enhanced Safeguards Approach for ADS beyond the work done in our first report, and conclude that significant diagnostic development is needed , a nd provide safeguards recommendations. We have also included an appendix regarding some country programs, in particular the Chinese ADANES burner/breeder program a nd the Indian thorium - based breeder program.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

SECARB 2020 Semi-Annual Field Review Reports - Anthropogenic Test

The Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) managed the overall Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (SECARB) Phase III project and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) managed all activities associated with the Anthropogenic Test site. Advanced Resources International, Inc. (ARI) assisted EPRI with the management of site activities. EPRI and ARI followed reporting procedures that included monthly and quarterly technical progress reports, as well as periodic reporting on key field activities. Subsequent sections of this report catalog the field activities and are organized in a semi-annual chronology. The SECARB Anthropogenic Test was the largest demonstration of a fully integrated, pulverized coal-fueled carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in the United States as of 2012 and supports a commercial prototype of CO 2 capture; transportation; subsurface storage; and monitoring, verification, and accounting (MVA); and assessment. The demonstration-scale, post-combustion CO 2 capture facility at Alabama Power Company’s Plant Barry diverted flue gas (25MW equivalent) from its Unit #5 coal burning facility and captured the CO 2 using Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) KM-CDRTM advanced amine technology. The captured CO2 was compressed at Plant Barry and transported by pipeline to the injection location southeast of Citronelle, Alabama. The Citronelle Project’s geologic storage and MVA sites were located on the flanks of the Citronelle Dome, approximately three miles southeast of the city of Citronelle. The injection zone, the Paluxy Formation, a saline formation that occurs at approximately 9,400 feet and overlies the oil production horizon of the Citronelle oilfield, presents a favorable injection reservoir in terms of areal extent and petrophysical characteristics. The confining zone, the basal shale of the overlying Washita-Fredericksburg Formation, is persistent throughout the Citronelle area and possesses the appropriate criteria to act as an effective CO 2 seal.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2021

WSF PISA example for SAFER pilot

On October 15, 2021, the Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Management Facility Manager declared a Potential Inadequacy in the Safety Analysis (PISA) due to a new information relating to an error discovered in calculation AB-WSF-20-002. Calculation AB-WSF-20-002 is used to determine source terms and heat release rates for vehicle and aircraft impacts with fuel fires involving TRU waste containers. The source term for an aircraft’s impact has different source terms factors (i.e., DR, ARF, RF, LPF) that are applied to multiple categories of drums impacted in the accident scenario based on the physical stresses of the aircraft impact and involvement in the subsequent fuel pool fire. The source terms of the multiple categories of affected drums are summed to determine the final source term for the accident scenario. Certain categories of affected drums are modeled to lose their lid, causing material to eject and burn unconfined on the ground. For these specific categories, a lower ARF value was incorrectly applied in AB-WSF-20-002 (i.e., an ARF value of 1E-3 was used instead of the DOE-STD-5506-2007 directed ARF value of 1E-2). For these categories, the ARF is applied to a relatively small number of low-activity drums (i.e., 17 drums at 2.9 PE-Ci each) compared to the total number of drums affected (i.e., 166 drums totaling 621.8 PE-Ci). Therefore, this error is not expected to significantly increase final dose for the accident scenario. No immediate actions or compensatory measures are required to maintain the facility in a safe condition.

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

Megafires: A New Fire Paradigm [Slides]

Twenty-five years ago LANL started a wildfire modeling effort with Rodman Linn to help educate firefighters. This work led to the development of HIGRAD-FIRETEC that has been used to examine a range of fires, controlled burns, and forest management. Rodman Linn and Mike Brown have recently developed QUIC-FIRE for DoD applications and wildland firefighters. HIGRAD-FIRETEC is currently being used to examine a variety of large fires including megafires.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Los Alamos LDRD Appraisal Final Report for 20190124ER [Hot Electron Beam Generation and Transport for Fast Ignition]

This project was successful in addressing key technical issues of the cone-guided electron fast ignition concept for ICF. The development of an e-beam to deliver energy of 10’s of kilojoules to HED targets would be useful for myriad experimental applications relevant to the Laboratory’s mission. For example, ICF ignition and the development of a burning plasma is a high priority for the national high energy density physics effort and this work is aligned with that mission. Moreover, other technologies (e.g., MeV laser radiography) would be advanced by the R&D advancements from this project, so this work has broader implications for other LANL missions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗