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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 1,333 records · Page 74
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Microgrid Design Toolkit (MDT) Simple Use Case Example for the Microgrid Sizing Capability Software (V1.2)

This simple Microgrid Design Toolkit (MDT) use case will provide you an example of performing microgrid sizing by identifying the types and quantities of technology to be purchased for use in a microgrid. It will introduce basic principles of using the MDT microgrid sizing capability by comparing the results of two microgrids in two different markets. Please reference the MDT User Guide (SAND2017-9374) for detailed instructions on how to use the tool.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Microgrid Design Toolkit (MDT) Simple Use Case Example for the Microgrid Sizing Capability (Software v1.3)

This simple Microgrid Design Toolkit (MDT) use case will provide you an example of performing microgrid sizing by identifying the types and quantities of technology to be purchased for use in a microgrid. It will introduce basic principles of using the MDT microgrid sizing capability by comparing the results of two microgrids in two different markets. Please reference the MDT User Guide (SAND2020-4550) for detailed instructions on how to use the tool.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Recent Advancements in Tomographic Gamma Scanning for Non- Destructive Assay - 17321

Canberra Industries has recently designed and built a Tomographic Gamma Scanning (TGS) system for the deployment in a nuclear facility. The TGS technique combines high-resolution gamma spectroscopy with low spatial resolution 3- dimensional image reconstruction to provide increased accuracy over traditional approaches for the assay of non-uniform source distributions in low-to medium-density containers. The TGS system has been optimized to measure 120 liter drums and has the capability to measure containers of various sizes. Canberra has incorporated numerous enhancements and improvements to the latest system in both its hardware and software components. The signal processing chain and data analysis software have been configured to use either an electronic pulser or digital signal processing (DSP) electronics for dead time corrections. In the case of using the DSP electronics, the need to calibrate and maintain a pulser can be eliminated without sacrificing any performance. For the 120 liter container, the TGS system has been calibrated and validated with three different spatial resolutions, using two collimator aperture sizes, measuring 2.54 and 1.27 cm in width. The system has also been supplied and calibrated with a wide, rectangular collimator (25.4 cm W x 10.2 cm H) for scanning containers solely in the vertical axis. The TGS system also has an automated attenuator assembly, which has the capability to use a combination of attenuators to reduce the count rate for high activity samples. An extensive measurement campaign was performed in addition to the calibration verification to evaluate the accuracy of the system using rod sources, point sources, and a variety of matrices and source distributions. Improvements to the evaluation of the total measurement uncertainty based upon these studies have been incorporated into the analysis software package. Finally, the performance of this new TGS system will be demonstrated in the context of Canberra's previous TGS systems, including several 208 liter-based systems and a smaller, 20 liter container TGS system. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-J-42: Customized Deformable Image Registration Using Open-Source Software SlicerRT

Purpose: SlicerRT is a flexible platform that allows the user to incorporate the necessary images registration and processing tools to improve clinical workflow. This work validates the accuracy and the versatility of the deformable image registration algorithm of the free open-source software SlicerRT using a deformable physical pelvic phantom versus available commercial image fusion algorithms. Methods: Optical camera images of nonradiopaque markers implanted in an anatomical pelvic phantom were used to measure the ground-truth deformation and evaluate the theoretical deformations for several DIR algorithms. To perform the registration, full and empty bladder computed tomography (CT) images of the phantom were obtained and used as fixed and moving images, respectively. The DIR module, found in SlicerRT, used a B-spline deformable image registration with multiple optimization parameters that allowed customization of the registration including a regularization term that controlled the amount of local voxel displacement. The virtual deformation field at the center of the phantom was obtained and compared to the experimental ground-truth values. The parameters of SlicerRT were then varied to improve spatial accuracy. To quantify image similarity, the mean absolute difference (MAD) parameter using Hounsfield units was calculated. In addition, the Dice coefficient of the contoured rectum was evaluated to validate the strength of the algorithm to transfer anatomical contours. Results: Overall, SlicerRT achieved one of the lowest MAD values across the algorithm spectrum, but slightly smaller mean spatial errors in comparison to MIM software (MIM). On the other hand, SlicerRT created higher mean spatial errors than Velocity Medical Solutions (VEL), although obtaining an improvement on the DICE to 0.91. The large spatial errors were attributed to the poor contrast in the prostate bladder interface of the phantom. Conclusion: Based phantom validation, SlicerRT is capable of achieving comparable DIR accuracy to commercial programs such as MIM and VEL.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Process Heating Assessments Using DOE’s Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR) Tool Suite

Process heating is the most energy-intensive manufacturing process for most sectors of industry. To quantify energy savings from various energy conservation measures, the Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored the development of the Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST) and similar tools for other industrial systems in the early 2000s. It has been used extensively in the Save Energy Now Program’s Energy Savings Assessments and the Better Plants Program’s In-Plant Trainings. Since the initial development of the legacy tools, both computer operating systems and software development have evolved significantly. Thus, DOE has invested in the modernization of PHAST and other legacy software tools to create the Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR) tool suite. MEASUR offers a collection of software tools that can aid manufacturing facilities in improving the efficiency of energy systems and equipment (specifically pumps, fans, steam, and process heating) and in conducting “Energy Treasure Hunts”. Eventually, the tool will also add compressed air and process cooling systems. The Process Heating Assessment (PHA) module of MEASUR is an upgrade of the PHAST tool. PHA provides the means to model fuel-fired, steam-based, and electric process heating systems, covering process heating for most industrial plants in manufacturing sector. It also includes several key upgrades, including the ability to consider multi-component charge loads and account for several different areas of energy losses. The new tool includes a comprehensive flue gas calculator to quantify available heat and heat loss for various gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels and new heat loss calculators. It generates a report and a dynamic Sankey diagram to show the energy consumption in various areas of energy use. MEASUR has significantly improved the user experience by adopting a modern software design. This paper details the structure and workflow of PHA and presents a real-world case study to demonstrate energy savings quantification and MEASUR’s outstanding reporting capabilities.

Nimbalkar, Sachin U.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Flow reversal benchmark of a one-sided heated narrow rectangular channel with CATHARE and RELAP5

Flow reversal in narrow coolant channels can be a crucial phenomenon for the safety of research reactors with a downward nominal flow direction. During a loss of forced flow accident, the downward flow stagnates briefly before transitioning into an upward natural circulation flow. The fuel may be damaged if dryout occurs and threshold fuel and/or cladding temperatures are exceeded. A comprehensive study is provided for flow reversal in narrow rectangular channels by examining experimental data and conducting software model analyses. The literature on flow reversal was reviewed, and selected experimental datasets were used to benchmark against CATHARE and RELAP5 models and also compare the code calculations with each other. The experimental data comes from flow reversal tests conducted with a narrow rectangular channel with one-sided heating. The results were compared with experimental data for successful flow reversal tests and predicted dryout power for dryout conditions. Also, the study examined the effects of the pump coastdown period, inlet liquid temperature, system pressure, and localized pressure drops. The experimental results showed that shorter coastdown periods, reduced pressure drops, and lower coolant inlet temperatures increased the dryout power. However, the system pressure did not noticeably affect the results. The simulation results showed that both CATHARE and RELAP5 agreed with experimental data, capturing the trends of the experimental results. Slight differences between each code calculation, as well as the predicted and measured dryout powers, were attributed to experimental uncertainties and the modeling of physical phenomena such as wall nucleation, interfacial heat transfer, drag coefficients, and critical heat flux. Overall, this study provides an understanding of flow reversal and the prediction capabilities of thermal-hydraulics software models. In conclusion, a future study of the flow reversal benchmark of a narrow rectangular channel with two-sided heating may provide additional valuable insights.

CATHARE↗
DOE OSTI2015

A comparison of TPS and different measurement techniques in small-field electron beams

In recent years, small-field electron beams have been used for the treatment of superficial lesions, which requires small circular fields. However, when using very small electron fields, some significant dosimetric problems may occur. In this study, dose distributions and outputs of circular fields with dimensions of 5 cm and smaller, for nominal energies of 6, 9, and 15 MeV from the Siemens ONCOR Linac, were measured and compared with data from a treatment planning system using the pencil-beam algorithm in electron beam calculations. All dose distribution measurements were performed using the Gafchromic EBT film; these measurements were compared with data that were obtained from the Computerized Medical Systems (CMS) XiO treatment planning system (TPS), using the gamma-index method in the PTW VeriSoft software program. Output measurements were performed using the Gafchromic EBT film, an Advanced Markus ion chamber, and thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD). Although the pencil-beam algorithm is used to model electron beams in many clinics, there is no substantial amount of detailed information in the literature about its use. As the field size decreased, the point of maximum dose moved closer to the surface. Output factors were consistent; differences from the values obtained from the TPS were, at maximum, 42% for 6 and 15 MeV and 32% for 9 MeV. When the dose distributions from the TPS were compared with the measurements from the Gafchromic EBT films, it was observed that the results were consistent for 2-cm diameter and larger fields, but the outputs for fields of 1-cm diameter and smaller were not consistent. In CMS XiO TPS, calculated using the pencil-beam algorithm, the dose distributions of electron treatment fields that were created with circular cutout of a 1-cm diameter were not appropriate for patient treatment and the pencil-beam algorithm is not convenient for monitor unit (MU) calculations in electron dosimetry.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2022

MPACT Software Management Plan (V.4.3)

The MPACT code solves a discretized form of the Boltzmann transport equation on a wide variety of geometries and is distributed with a multigroup neutron cross section library. MPACT provides an advanced geometrically resolved neutral-particle transport capability to solve the flux distribution throughout the entire problem geometry, and it can model the isotopic depletion, decay, and activation of materials. The flux solution in MPACT is provided using a 2D/1D synthesis method within the framework of the 3D coarse mesh finite difference (CMFD) method for which axial and radial correction factors are obtained from 2D method of characteristics (MOC) and 1D nodal expansion method (NEM), PN, or SN. Other key characteristics of the MPACT code include the subgroup method and the embedded self-shielding method (ESSM) for resonance treatment, depletion capability based on the ORIGEN exponential matrix method, and a simplified thermal-hydraulics method for temperature/fluid feedback. The sole purpose of the simplified feedback model is to provide a mechanism for testing during code development and to provide a limited capability for educational applications. Work performed at the code level supports the VERA-QA-001, quality assurance program plan (QAPP) and VERA-QA-002, VERA Software Quality Assurance Plan.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

MO-D-213-07: RadShield: Semi- Automated Calculation of Air Kerma Rate and Barrier Thickness

Purpose: To develop the first Java-based semi-automated calculation program intended to aid professional radiation shielding design. Air-kerma rate and barrier thickness calculations are performed by implementing NCRP Report 147 formalism into a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The ultimate aim of this newly created software package is to reduce errors and improve radiographic and fluoroscopic room designs over manual approaches. Methods: Floor plans are first imported as images into the RadShield software program. These plans serve as templates for drawing barriers, occupied regions and x-ray tube locations. We have implemented sub-GUIs that allow the specification in regions and equipment for occupancy factors, design goals, number of patients, primary beam directions, source-to-patient distances and workload distributions. Once the user enters the above parameters, the program automatically calculates air-kerma rate at sampled points beyond all barriers. For each sample point, a corresponding minimum barrier thickness is calculated to meet the design goal. RadShield allows control over preshielding, sample point location and material types. Results: A functional GUI package was developed and tested. Examination of sample walls and source distributions yields a maximum percent difference of less than 0.1% between hand-calculated air-kerma rates and RadShield. Conclusion: The initial results demonstrated that RadShield calculates air-kerma rates and required barrier thicknesses with reliable accuracy and can be used to make radiation shielding design more efficient and accurate. This newly developed approach differs from conventional calculation methods in that it finds air-kerma rates and thickness requirements for many points outside the barriers, stores the information and selects the largest value needed to comply with NCRP Report 147 design goals. Floor plans, parameters, designs and reports can be saved and accessed later for modification and recalculation. We have confirmed that this software accurately calculates air-kerma rates and required barrier thicknesses for diagnostic radiography and fluoroscopic rooms.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Portable SHMEMCache: A High-Performance Key-Value Store on OpenSHMEM and MPI

The integration of Big Data frameworks and HPC capabilities has drawn enormous interests in recent years. SHMEMCache is a distributed key-value store built on the OpenSHMEM global address space. It has solved several practical issues in leveraging OpenSHMEM’s one-sided operations for a distributed key-value store and providing efficient key-value operations on both commodity machines and supercomputers. However, being based solely on OpenSHMEM, SHMEMCache cannot leverage one-sided operations from a variety of software packages. This results in several limitations for SHMEMCache. First, we cannot make SHMEMCache available to a wider range of platforms. Second, an opportunity for potential performance improvement is missed. Third, there is a lack of deep understanding about how different one-sided operations can fit in with SHMEMCache and other distributed key-values in general. For example, the one-sided operations in OpenSHMEM and MPI have many differences in their interfaces, memory semantics and synchronization methods, all of which can have distinct implications and also increase the complexity in supporting both OpenSHMEM and MPI for SHMEMCache. Therefore, we have taken on an effort on leveraging different one-sided operations for SHMEMCache and proposed a design of portable SHMEMCache. Based on this new framework, we have supported both OpenSHMEM and MPI for SHMEMCache. We have also conducted an extensive set of experiments to compare the performance of the two versions on both commodity machines and the Titan supercomputer.

Computer Science↗
DOE OSTI2018

RayStation: External beam treatment planning system

RaySearch Laboratories is a world leader in the field of advanced software and creator of the RayStation treatment planning system for radiation therapy. The aim with RayStation is to deliver an unmatched user experience and leading functionality. Unique features described here include multiatlas based autosegmentation for contouring, deformable registration with 2 different algorithms, multicriteria optimization, Plan Explorer, fallback planning, ultrafast computation speed, and 4-dimensional (4D) adaptive radiation therapy. RayStation can be used to plan for electrons and photons on traditional linacs, for protons on various delivery systems, and for Accuray's helical TomoTherapy system. This paper describes some of these modalities, with reference to clinical cases and including descriptions of the impact on workflow.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Using the ATLAS experiment software on heterogeneous resources

With the large dataset expected from 2030 onwards by the HL-LHC at CERN, the ATLAS experiment is reaching the limits of the current data processing model in terms of traditional CPU resources based on x86_64 architectures and an extensive program for software upgrades towards the HL-LHC has been set up. The ARM CPU architecture is becoming a competitive and energy efficient alternative. Accelerators like GPUs are available in any recent HPC. In the past years ATLAS has successfully ported its full data processing and simulation software framework Athena to ARM and has invested significant effort in porting parts of the reconstruction and simulation algorithms to GPUs. We report on the successful usage of the ATLAS experiment offline and online software framework Athena on ARM and GPUs through the PanDA workflow management system at various WLCG sites. Furthermore we report on performance optimizations of the builds for ARM CPUs and the GPU integration efforts. We will discuss performance comparisons of different ARM and x86_64 architectures on WLCG resources and Cloud compute providers like GCP and AWS using ATLAS productions workflows as used in the Hep-Score23 benchmark suite.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Interactive visualization of multi-data-set Rietveld analyses using Cinema:Debye-Scherrer [nteractive Visualization of Multi-Dataset Rietveld Analyses using Cinema:Debye-Scherrer]

A tool named Cinema:Debye-Scherrer to visualize the results of a series of Rietveld analyses is presented. The multi-axis visualization of the high-dimensional data sets resulting from powder diffraction analyses allows identification of analysis problems, prediction of suitable starting values, identification of gaps in the experimental parameter space and acceleration of scientific insight from the experimental data. The tool is demonstrated with analysis results from 59 U–Nb alloy samples with different compositions, annealing times and annealing temperatures as well as with a high-temperature study of the crystal structure of CsPbBr 3 . A script to extract parameters from a series of Rietveld analyses employing the widely used GSAS Rietveld software is also described. Finally, both software tools are available for download.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-F-BRE-06: Evaluation of Patient CT Dose Reconstruction From 3D Diode Array Measurements Using Anthropomorphic Phantoms

Purpose: To compare 3D reconstructed dose of IMRT plans from 3D diode array measurements with measurements in anthropomorphic phantoms. Methods: Six IMRT plans were created for the IROC Houston (RPC) head and neck (H and N) and lung phantoms following IROC Houston planning protocols. The plans included flattened and unflattened beam energies ranging from 6 MV to 15 MV and both static and dynamic MLC tecH and Niques. Each plan was delivered three times to the respective anthropomorphic phantom, each of which contained thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and radiochromic films (RCFs). The plans were also delivered to a Delta4 diode array (Scandidos, Uppsala, Sweden). Irradiations were done using a TrueBeam STx (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). The dose in the patient was calculated by the Delta4 software, which used the diode measurements to estimate incident energy fluence and a kernel-based pencil beam algorithm to calculate dose. The 3D dose results were compared with the TLD and RCF measurements. Results: In the lung, the average difference between TLDs and Delta4 calculations was 5% (range 2%–7%). For the H and N, the average differences were 2.4% (range 0%–4.5%) and 1.1% (range 0%–2%) for the high- and low-dose targets, respectively, and 12% (range 10%-13%) for the organ-at-risk simulating the spinal cord. For the RCF and criteria of 7%/4mm, 5%/3mm, and 3%/3mm, the average gamma-index pass rates were 95.4%, 85.7%, and 76.1%, respectively for the H and N and 76.2%, 57.8%, and 49.5% for the lung. The pass-rate in the lung decreased with increasing beam energy, as expected for a pencil beam algorithm. Conclusion: The H and N phantom dose reconstruction met the IROC Houston acceptance criteria for clinical trials; however, the lung phantom dose did not, most likely due to the inaccuracy of the pencil beam algorithm in the presence of low-density inhomogeneities. Work supported by PHS grant CA10953 and CA81647 (NCI, DHHS)

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

A three-dimensional head-and-neck phantom for validation of multimodality deformable image registration for adaptive radiotherapy

Purpose: To develop a three-dimensional (3D) deformable head-and-neck (H and N) phantom with realistic tissue contrast for both kilovoltage (kV) and megavoltage (MV) imaging modalities and use it to objectively evaluate deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms. Methods: The phantom represents H and N patient anatomy. It is constructed from thermoplastic, which becomes pliable in boiling water, and hardened epoxy resin. Using a system of additives, the Hounsfield unit (HU) values of these materials were tuned to mimic anatomy for both kV and MV imaging. The phantom opens along a sagittal midsection to reveal radiotransparent markers, which were used to characterize the phantom deformation. The deformed and undeformed phantoms were scanned with kV and MV imaging modalities. Additionally, a calibration curve was created to change the HUs of the MV scans to be similar to kV HUs, (MC). The extracted ground-truth deformation was then compared to the results of two commercially available DIR algorithms, from Velocity Medical Solutions and MIM software. Results: The phantom produced a 3D deformation, representing neck flexion, with a magnitude of up to 8 mm and was able to represent tissue HUs for both kV and MV imaging modalities. The two tested deformation algorithms yielded vastly different results. For kV–kV registration, MIM produced mean and maximum errors of 1.8 and 11.5 mm, respectively. These same numbers for Velocity were 2.4 and 7.1 mm, respectively. For MV–MV, kV–MV, and kV–MC Velocity produced similar mean and maximum error values. MIM, however, produced gross errors for all three of these scenarios, with maximum errors ranging from 33.4 to 41.6 mm. Conclusions: The application of DIR across different imaging modalities is particularly difficult, due to differences in tissue HUs and the presence of imaging artifacts. For this reason, DIR algorithms must be validated specifically for this purpose. The developed H and N phantom is an effective tool for this purpose.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Carbon storage cost modeling for the offshore Gulf of Mexico

Groundbreaking for geologic carbon storage (GCS) projects in the offshore Gulf of Mexico is imminent, and there is great interest in utilizing this region for GCS projects. Offshore saline reservoirs provide a significant and accessible resource for GCS. However, conducting GCS in the offshore environment will pose distinct challenges pertaining to site selection, operations, infrastructure use, and monitoring compared to operating onshore that ultimately affect technoeconomic assessment of offshore GCS projects. Carbon storage and transport costs are critical to project developers looking to deploy carbon storage in the offshore environment. We present CO2_S_COM_Offshore, a model developed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as a screening-level offshore saline GCS cost modeling tool. Based on NETL’s widely used CO2_S_COM cost model for onshore saline CS, CO2_S_COM_Offshore enables technoeconomic analysis of GCS in offshore areas. This model comprehensively incorporates multiple facets of offshore GCS projects, from regional evaluation and site selection to permitting, transport, operations, monitoring, site closure, and decommissioning. In general, the model can explore the cost implications for potential offshore GCS project(s) by enabling the user to change several project operational and financial attribute configurations. Key inputs include offshore storage formation options, CO2 injection rate and duration, infrastructure types, monitoring intensity, project financing, and post-injection site care duration. Supporting cost algorithms within CO2_S_COM_Offshore were compiled utilizing S&P Global’ s QUE$TORTM cost estimation software alongside a variety of open-source scientific literature. In addition to reviewing key model components, we discuss several sensitivity analyses, input variabilities, and results on analysis of break-even CO2 price required by a project based on different regulation/policy and operational scenarios for the offshore Gulf of Mexico. These results indicate the value of modeling offshore GCS specifically, and the potential of offshore GCS within a decarbonization value chain. Presented at the 41st USAEE/IAEE North American Conference, 3-6 November 2024, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.

Mark-Moser, Mackenzie K.↗
DOE OSTI2022

How open data and interdisciplinary collaboration improve our understanding of space weather: A risk and resiliency perspective

Space weather refers to conditions around a star, like our Sun, and its interplanetary space that may affect space- and ground-based assets as well as human life. Space weather can manifest as many different phenomena, often simultaneously, and can create complex and sometimes dangerous conditions. The study of space weather is inherently trans-disciplinary, including subfields of solar, magnetospheric, ionospheric, and atmospheric research communities, but benefiting from collaborations with policymakers, industry, astrophysics, software engineering, and many more. Effective communication is required between scientists, the end-user community, and government organizations to ensure that we are prepared for any adverse space weather effects. With the rapid growth of the field in recent years, the upcoming Solar Cycle 25 maximum, and the evolution of research-ready technologies, we believe that space weather deserves a reexamination in terms of a “risk and resiliency” framework. By utilizing open data science, cross-disciplinary collaborations, information systems, and citizen science, we can forge stronger partnerships between science and industry and improve our readiness as a society to mitigate space weather impacts. The objective of this manuscript is to raise awareness of these concepts as we approach a solar maximum that coincides with an increasingly technology-dependent society, and introduce a unique way of approaching space weather through the lens of a risk and resiliency framework that can be used to further assess areas of improvement in the field.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Development of a Methodology to Assess the Impact of Non-Conventional Waste Streams Following a Radiological Incident - 18271

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Waste Estimation Support Tool (WEST) is a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based decision support tool for estimating waste generated from remediation and cleanup activities following a radiological incident. WEST uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Hazus-MH software's infrastructure information combined with image classification capabilities to estimate the quantity of waste and debris that may result from a radiological incident. WEST can be used to create customized decontamination strategies that allow end-users to evaluate different means of decontamination and how those strategies may impact the resulting waste stream in each geographical locality. This capability can potentially reduce the response/recovery time frame and cost. One of the key observations from past applications of WEST is that planning scenarios are site-specific, especially when dealing with chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) waste management issues. Furthermore, site-specific issues are not limited to resource limitations or response bottlenecks but should also account for differences in an area's geography and urban footprint, a phenomenon observed during the Fukushima response. For instance, a recent WEST case study found that the amount of waste generated per unit of affected area, for a given decontamination approach, is largely a function of the building surface area in the affected area (relative to the ground surfaces). However, differences in the geometry and density of contaminated objects in the landscape may impact the amount and characteristics of the waste stream. Although buildings typically constitute a large portion of the surface area in urban environments, other objects such as vehicles and trees can be just as prominent. For example, seasonal changes in the amount of foliage present can alter the non-structural surface area calculated for an area like New York City by 20-30%. Very little is known about the impact that these non-conventional waste streams have on overall remediation strategies, or to what extent differences in characteristics of urban versus rural environments, traffic activities, or seasonal variations may have on these factors. This paper will present the proposed methodology to incorporate into WEST the impacts that niche, nonconventional waste streams might have from rural and urban environments following a nuclear power plant incident or detonation of a radiological dispersal device or improvised nuclear device. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗