Evaluating a Credibility Technical Basis Towards Trusted AI for High Consequence Applications
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Acquesta, Erin Carolyn Solfiell↗
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Unenhanced Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Fusion Imaging in Direct Percutaneous Sac Injection for Treatment of Type II Endoleak: Technical Note
AimTo evaluate safety, feasibility, technical success, and clinical success of direct percutaneous sac injection (DPSI) for the treatment of type II endoleaks (T2EL) using anatomical landmarks on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and fusion imaging (FI).Materials and MethodsEight patients with T2EL were treated with DPSI using CBCT as imaging guidance. Anatomical landmarks on unenhanced CBCT were used for referencing T2EL location in the first five patients, while FI between unenhanced CBCT and pre-procedural computed tomography angiography (CTA) was used in the remaining three patients. Embolization was performed with thrombin, glue, and ethylene–vinyl alcohol copolymer. Technical and clinical success, iodinated contrast utilization, procedural time, fluoroscopy time, and mean radiation dose were registered.ResultsDPSI was technically successful in all patients: the needle was correctly positioned at the first attempt in six patients, while in two of the first five patients the needle was repositioned once. Neither minor nor major complications were registered. Average procedural time was 45 min and the average administered iodinated contrast was 13 ml. Mean radiation dose of the procedure was 60.43 Gy cm{sup 2} and mean fluoroscopy time was 18 min. Clinical success was achieved in all patients (mean follow-up of 36 months): no sign of T2EL was reported in seven patients until last CT follow-up, while it persisted in one patient with stability of sac diameter.ConclusionsDPSI using unenhanced CBCT and FI is feasible and provides the interventional radiologist with an accurate and safe alternative to endovascular treatment with limited iodinated contrast utilization.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
Technical aspects of the evaluation of the overlap of Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov wave functions
Several technical aspects concerning the evaluation of the overlap between two mean-field wave functions of the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov type are discussed. The limit when several orbitals become fully occupied is derived as well as the formula to reduce the dimensionality of the problem when exactly empty orbitals are present. The formalism is also extended to deal with different bases for each of the wave functions. Several practical results concerning the evaluation of pfaffians, as well as the canonical decomposition of norm overlaps, are also discussed in the Appendices.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Society of abdominal radiology gastrointestinal bleeding disease-focused panel consensus recommendations for CTA technical parameters in the evaluation of acute overt gastrointestinal bleeding
Purpose: To formulate consensus recommendations for CT angiography technical parameters used to evaluate overt gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Methods: An electronic questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was sent to a panel of 16 radiologists with expertise on the imaging of GI bleeding from the Society of Abdominal Radiology GI Bleeding disease-focused panel to obtain consensus agreement on issues related to CTA technical parameters for imaging overt GI bleeding. A multi-round Delphi method of voting was performed to obtain consensus which was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. Results: Consensus agreement was reached in 15/17 (89%) of the questions including the technique for the administration of IV contrast, the number of phases, scan timing, and image reconstruction. Conclusions: A panel of experts on the imaging of GI bleeding from the Society of Abdominal Radiology was able to reach consensus on the majority of technical parameters used for CTA of overt GI bleeding. These recommendations should improve the quality of patient care by adopting these minimal technical requirements for optimal exam performance and lead to less variation in the performance of these exams which will facilitate collecting and comparing published data from different centers. These recommendations will need revisions as additional scientific data become available.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
Bryan Mound Groundwater Evaluation
This technical report reviews the available groundwater well information surrounding the Bryan Mound site and provides an evaluation of the groundwater quality and elevation.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Waste-to-Energy Evaluation: U.S. Virgin Islands
This NREL technical report evaluates the environmental impact and fundamental economics of waste-to-energy (WTE) technology based on available data from commercially operating WTE facilities in the United States. In particular, it considers life-cycle impacts of WTE as compared to landfill disposal and various forms of electrical generation, as well as WTE impacts on source reduction or recyclingprograms. In addition, it evaluates the economics and potential environmental impact of WTE in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) based on existing USVI waste stream characterization data, recycling challenges unique to the USVI, and the results of cost and environmental modeling of four municipal solid waste (MSW) management options, including landfill, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production,recycling, and gassification plus RDF.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Jamaica National Net-Billing Pilot Program Evaluation
This technical report discusses the effectiveness of the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited Net-Billing Pilot Program. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) collected and analyzed data from a wide range of stakeholders, conducted in-country research, and compared program elements to common interconnection practices to form programmatic recommendations for the Jamaica context. NREL finds that the net-billing pilot program has successfully contributed to the support of the emerging solar market in Jamaica with the interconnection of 80 systems under the program for a total of 1.38 megawatts (MW) at the time of original analysis.
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan for the 92-Acre Area and Corrective Action Unit 111: Area 5 WMD Retired Mixed Waste Pits, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada (Rev.1)
This Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan (CADD/CAP) has been prepared for the 92-Acre Area, the southeast quadrant of the Radioactive Waste Management Site, located in Area 5 of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The 92-Acre Area includes Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 111, 'Area 5 WMD Retired Mixed Waste Pits.' Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) were developed for the 92-Acre Area, which includes CAU 111. The result of the DQO process was that the 92-Acre Area is sufficiently characterized to provide the input data necessary to evaluate corrective action alternatives (CAAs) without the collection of additional data. The DQOs are included as Appendix A of this document. This CADD/CAP identifies and provides the rationale for the recommended CAA for the 92-Acre Area, provides the plan for implementing the CAA, and details the post-closure plan. When approved, this CADD/CAP will supersede the existing Pit 3 (P03) Closure Plan, which was developed in accordance with Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 265, 'Interim Status Standards for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities.' This document will also serve as the Closure Plan and the Post-Closure Plan, which are required by 40 CFR 265, for the 92-Acre Area. After closure activities are complete, a request for the modification of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit that governs waste management activities at the NNSS will be submitted to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to incorporate the requirements for post-closure monitoring. Four CAAs, ranging from No Further Action to Clean Closure, were evaluated for the 92-Acre Area. The CAAs were evaluated on technical merit focusing on performance, reliability, feasibility, safety, and cost. Based on the evaluation of the data used to develop the conceptual site model; a review of past, current, and future operations at the site; and the detailed and comparative analysis of the potential CAAs, Closure in Place with Administrative Controls is the preferred CAA for the 92-Acre Area. Closure activities will include the following: (1) Constructing an engineered evapotranspiration cover over the 92-Acre Area; (2) Installing use restriction (UR) warning signs, concrete monuments, and subsidence survey monuments; (3) Establishing vegetation on the cover; (4) Implementing a UR; and (5) Implementing post-closure inspections and monitoring. The Closure in Place with Administrative Controls alternative meets all requirements for the technical components evaluated, fulfills all applicable federal and state regulations for closure of the site, and will minimize potential future exposure pathways to the buried waste at the site.
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Technical Characterization and Benefit Evaluation of 5G-Enabled Grid Data Transport and Applications
This report summarizes the Year 1 work of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL’s) 5G Fabricated Resource and Asset Management Encompassment for energy infrastructure (Energy FRAME) project funded by the Department of Energy Office of Science’s Advanced Scientific Computing Research Program. 5G is a breakthrough technology that enables a fully mobile and connected society, and a 5G-enabled digital continuum will be one of the critical foundations for a clean energy economy and grid modernization. In collaboration with PNNL’s Advanced Wireless Communication team and Center for Advanced Technology Evaluation team, the project team has been evaluating the system performance of 5G testbeds in the PNNL 5G Innovation Studio, and has formulated a co-simulation test case of power system transmission, distribution, and communication (T&D&C) networks considering 5G technology and high penetration of distributed energy resources. The methodology developed in the 5G Energy FRAME project can be customized to fit different future grid scenarios to evaluate multiple (dynamic) configurations (computing, sensing, communication, environment) for different stakeholders. In summary, our main technical highlights in project Year 1 are as follows: 1) Technical characterization of 5G standalone architectures, 2) Formulation of co-simulation test case of T&D&C networks embedded with 5G, 3) Initial benefit evaluation of 5G communication platform for grid use cases, and 4) Additional extended discussions on edge computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and high-performance computing and cloud computing adoptions. In addition, a collection of system performance data is shared through the publicly available weblink, https://www.pnnl.gov/projects/5g-energy-frame/publications
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Easy and Enticing: How a Collaborative Approach to Emerging Technology Adoption in the Commercial Building Sector Has Made Its Mark
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with interested partners (e.g., applicable trade groups), initiated a novel market transformation approach, technology adoption campaigns, to speed the adoption of new technologies that save energy and money in buildings—first with lighting and later with other building technologies. This approach couples technical performance evaluation, guidance, data tracking and technical assistance with recognition for exemplary performance and best practices. Campaigns can be designed around emerging technologies that have significant, cost-effective national energy savings potential and where there is strong public- and private-sector interest in sharing performance criteria and outcomes. Participants in the campaigns share project data with the national laboratories and DOE, benefit from technical support and assistance from objective experts, and highly value recognition for their accomplishments. DOE and its campaign partners benefit from accelerated adoption of new energy-saving technologies and engagement with manufacturers and end users that allows for data collection and insights into technology research needs. This paper documents the success, challenges, lessons learned, and energy and cost savings of lighting campaigns, and in many cases compares these findings with other campaign efforts. This paper also presents recommendations for how other programs of various sizes can employ this model.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Easy and Enticing: How a Collaborative Approach to Emerging Technology Adoption in the Commercial Building Sector Has Made its Mark
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with interested partners (e.g., applicable trade groups), initiated a novel market transformation approach, technology adoption campaigns, to speed the adoption of new technologies that save energy and money in buildings - first with lighting and later with other building technologies. This approach couples technical performance evaluation, guidance, data tracking and technical assistance with recognition for exemplary performance and best practices. Campaigns can be designed around emerging technologies that have significant, cost-effective national energy savings potential and where there is strong public- and private-sector interest in sharing performance criteria and outcomes. Participants in the campaigns share project data with the national laboratories and DOE, benefit from technical support and assistance from objective experts, and highly value recognition for their accomplishments. DOE and its campaign partners benefit from accelerated adoption of new energy-saving technologies and engagement with manufacturers and end users that allows for data collection and insights into technology research needs. This paper documents the success, challenges, lessons learned, and energy and cost savings of lighting campaigns, and in many cases compares these findings with other campaign efforts. This paper also presents recommendations for how other programs of various sizes can employ this model.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Easy and Enticing: How a Collaborative Approach to Emerging Technology Adoption in the Commercial Building Sector Has Made Its Mark
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with interested partners (e.g., applicable trade groups), initiated a novel market transformation approach, technology adoption campaigns, to speed the adoption of new technologies that save energy and money in buildings—first with lighting and later with other building technologies. This approach couples technical performance evaluation, guidance, data tracking and technical assistance with recognition for exemplary performance and best practices. Campaigns can be designed around emerging technologies that have significant, cost-effective national energy savings potential and where there is strong public- and private-sector interest in sharing performance criteria and outcomes. Participants in the campaigns share project data with the national laboratories and DOE, benefit from technical support and assistance from objective experts, and highly value recognition for their accomplishments. DOE and its campaign partners benefit from accelerated adoption of new energy-saving technologies and engagement with manufacturers and end users that allows for data collection and insights into technology research needs. This paper documents the success, challenges, lessons learned, and energy and cost savings of lighting campaigns, and in many cases compares these findings with other campaign efforts. This paper also presents recommendations for how other programs of various sizes can employ this model.
Myer, Michael↗
Reviewing Spent Nuclear Fuel Dry Cask Storage Programs to Identify Challenges for an Integrated Waste Management System - 17535
Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has responsibility for removing commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from nuclear power plant sites and disposing of the SNF in a deep geologic repository. However, the methods used by commercial nuclear power plants for onsite storage of their SNF define the starting conditions for DOE efforts to develop a waste management system that includes packaging, transportation, storage, and disposal of commercial SNF. The NWPA (as amended) also charges the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Board) with evaluating the technical and scientific validity of DOE activities related to the management and disposal of SNF and high-level radioactive wastes (HLW). DOE's efforts related to developing an integrated program for storing, transporting, and disposing of SNF and HLW were the focus of a public meeting held by the Board on August 24, 2016, in Washington, D.C. To prepare for the public meeting, the Board's staff compiled information on the dry cask storage systems in service at nuclear power plant sites in order to identify issues that would need to be addressed by DOE in planning to transport SNF away from the sites. This paper is based on a briefing presented to the Board members by the Board's staff before the public meeting. Post-meeting findings and recommendations of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board are documented in the Board letter to the Department of Energy dated December 8, 2016. A note about terminology: in this paper, the phrase 'dry cask storage system' is generic and applies to a complete system used for dry storage of commercial SNF.Within these storage systems, commercial SNF is sealed inside a container called either a cask or a canister depending upon the specific type of storage system used. This distinction is discussed in more detail in the body of this paper. When referring to the containers holding SNF in particular systems, this paper uses the terms 'casks' or 'canisters,' as appropriate. When discussing the collective group of all containers, this paper uses the phrase 'casks and canisters'. Dry cask storage of SNF is a widespread practice throughout the U.S. commercial nuclear industry. As of August 1, 2016, more than 2300 storage casks and canisters were loaded at U.S. commercial nuclear power plant sites. This number is expected to increase by more than 200 casks and canisters annually, reaching a total of approximately 4500 by 2025. Multiple vendors have developed their own unique designs of dry cask storage and transportation systems. The majority of storage system designs (75 percent) feature SNF loaded in welded stainless steel canisters that are stored in ventilated concrete overpacks that allow for convection cooling. Some older dry cask storage system designs do not include a welded stainless steel canister; instead, SNF is loaded directly into a heavily shielded metal cask to minimize radiation exposure to workers and prevent atmospheric release of radionuclides. These types of systems are sealed by O-rings compressed under a bolted lid. After loading, dry cask storage systems are located on concrete pads at Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSI) at nuclear power plant sites and will remain there until the time when they will be transported to a consolidated interim storage facility or a deep geologic repository. Eventual transportation of canistered SNF will include removing the stainless steel canisters from the concrete overpacks, possibly repackaging the SNF, and loading the canisters into specially designed transportation casks for shipment by truck, rail, or barge. In the case of the non-canistered casks, some are approved for transportation and can be shipped after impact limiters are installed on the casks. SNF will need to be removed from casks not approved for transportation and transferred to transport-approved casks. This paper highlights five issues and challenges presented by the nuclear industry's use of dry cask storage systems that will need to be addressed by DOE in developing an integrated waste management system. One example, among the five, is that several dry-storage casks and canisters have received Nuclear Regulatory Commission certificates of compliance for storage only and do not have certificates of compliance for transportation. This will pose a challenge when the SNF must be moved to a consolidated interim storage facility or a deep geologic repository. Another example is that, when loaded with SNF, the total weight of new, larger transportation cask designs will exceed 142 metric tonnes (156 tons) which, when combined with the weight of the rail-car, will exceed the gross weight limit for unrestricted operation on some rail lines. This will also affect future transportation planning for shipments of SNF. All five issues and challenges are discussed in detail in the body of the paper. (authors)
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Assessing Cumulative Impacts from Source Units within Hanford's Inner Area - 16546
The Central Plateau area at the Hanford Site has a complex mix of waste sites in several operable units, with many co-mingled source contamination and groundwater plumes. A key component of the evaluation process involves a planned assessment of the potential cumulative impacts resulting from co-mingled plumes and potential contribution from waste sites sources throughout the Inner Area, about 26 million square meters (10 square miles) area located in the middle of the Central Plateau. This assessment will evaluate the fate and transport of contamination at each waste site and remedial actions at those waste sites, providing an integrated vadose zone and groundwater fate and transport assessment. Although DOE's goal is to remediate the entire Inner Area to meet standard requirements in the National Contingency Plan (NCP), the complexity of the contamination including continuing contaminant sources in the Inner Area may not allow restoration of groundwater in a reasonable timeframe. DOE and regulatory agencies may need to evaluate the technical practicability of remedial actions and the potential for establishment of one or more waste management areas where drinking water standards can be obtained and maintained. The cumulative impacts evaluation is the tool to evaluate remedial action effects across source and groundwater operable units, contribute to technical impracticability evaluations, support remedial design and remedial process optimization efforts, identify additional monitoring requirements, and evaluate standard and conditional points of compliance for use considering all contaminant sources and groundwater plumes. (authors)
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Real-Time 3D Fluoroscopy-Guided Large Core Needle Biopsy of Renal Masses: A Critical Early Evaluation According to the IDEAL Recommendations
Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT is a promising new technique for image-guided biopsy of solid tumors. We evaluated the technical feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and complications of this technique for guidance of large-core needle biopsy in patients with suspicious renal masses. Methods: Thirteen patients with 13 suspicious renal masses underwent large-core needle biopsy under 3D real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT guidance. Imaging acquisition and subsequent 3D reconstruction was done by a mobile flat-panel detector (FD) C-arm system to plan the needle path. Large-core needle biopsies were taken by the interventional radiologist. Technical success, accuracy, and safety were evaluated according to the Innovation, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term study (IDEAL) recommendations. Results: Median tumor size was 2.6 (range, 1.0-14.0) cm. In ten (77%) patients, the histological diagnosis corresponded to the imaging findings: five were malignancies, five benign lesions. Technical feasibility was 77% (10/13); in three patients biopsy results were inconclusive. The lesion size of these three patients was <2.5 cm. One patient developed a minor complication. Median follow-up was 16.0 (range, 6.4-19.8) months. Conclusions: 3D real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT-guided biopsy of renal masses is feasible and safe. However, these first results suggest that diagnostic accuracy may be limited in patients with renal masses <2.5 cm.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) FEMP Technical Assistance for Geothermal Resource Evaluation Projects
The purpose of this document is to report on the evaluation of geothermal resource potential on and around three different United States (U. S.) Air Force Bases (AFBs): Nellis AFB and Air Force Range (AFR) in the State of Nevada (see maps 1 and 5), Holloman AFB in the State of New Mexico (see map 2), and Mountain Home AFB in the State of Idaho (see map 3). All three sites are located in semi-arid parts of the western U. S. The U. S. Air Force, through its Air Combat Command (ACC) located at Langley AFB in the State of Virginia, asked the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) for technical assistance to conduct technical and feasibility evaluations for the potential to identify viable geothermal resources on or around three different AFBs. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is supporting FEMP in providing technical assistance to a number of different Federal Agencies. For this report, the three different AFBs are considered one project because they all deal with potential geothermal resource evaluations. The three AFBs will be evaluated primarily for their opportunity to develop a geothermal resource of high enough quality grade (i.e., temperature, productivity, depth, etc.) to consider the possibility for generation of electricity through a power plant. Secondarily, if the resource for the three AFBs is found to be not sufficient enough for electricity generation, then they will be described in enough detail to allow the base energy managers to evaluate if the resource is suitable for direct heating or cooling. Site visits and meetings by INL personnel with the staff at each AFB were held in late FY-2009 and FY-2010. This report provides a technical evaluation of the opportunities and challenges for developing geothermal resources on and around the AFBs. An extensive amount of literature and geographic information was evaluated as a part of this assessment. Resource potential maps were developed for each of the AFBs.
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
Advanced Reactor Concepts, Technical Review Panel Report: Evaluation and Identification of Future R&D on Eight Advanced Reactor Concepts, conducted April – September 2012
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Advanced reactor, technical review panel, nuclear ↗
Validation Process Methods
This report documents the validation process as applied to projects awarded through Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) within the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (DOE-BETO). It describes the procedures used to protect and verify project data, as well as the systematic framework used to evaluate and track performance metrics throughout the life of the project. This report also describes the procedures used to validate the proposed process design, cost data, analysis methodologies, and supporting documentation provided by the recipients.
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗