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At least 199 records · Page 11

Rare earth element extraction from pretreated bastnäsite in supercritical carbon dioxide

Rare earth elements are a critical component in many clean energy technologies. Extraction of individual rare earth elements from natural ores or recycled material is challenging due to the very similar chemical properties across the lanthanide series. Supercritical carbon dioxide has emerged in recent years as a possible extraction medium for rare earth elements, due to its tunability and selectivity as a solvent. In this study, rare earth elements were recovered from bastnäsite concentrate using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction with nitric acid/tributyl phosphate adducts. Two bastnäsite pretreatment methods were used to render the rare earth elements amenable to recovery: 1) dry roasting of the source material at 730 °C for 3 hours, and 2) decomposition with 50% sodium hydroxide solution at 150 °C for 4 hours. These pretreated powder samples were extracted in supercritical carbon dioxide at 34 MPa and 65 °C, with kinetic samples obtained at 15-30 minute intervals. A range of tributyl phosphate/nitric acid adduct compositions (from 2 mol/L H + to 6 mol/L H + ) were used in order to determine the effect of adduct composition on recovery rate. The results showed the fastest extraction with an adduct containing approximately 4 M HNO 3 . Adducts with higher acidity showed reduced extraction of cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium. This could be due to the formation of aqueous droplets which dissolve rare earth elements and create an equilibrium limitation, or due to competition between the rare earth nitrates and nitric acid for coordination with tributyl phosphate. Extraction with various adduct concentrations in supercritical CO 2 showed the expected increase in reaction rate with increased adduct concentration. For the 4 mol/L H + adduct at 5.0 mol% adduct concentration, roasted bastnäsite recoveries were 72% for La, 96% for Ce, 88% for Pr, and 90% for Nd after 120 minutes. For 4 mol/L H + adduct at 5.1 mol% adduct concentration, NaOH digested bastnäsite recoveries were 93% for La, 100% for Ce, 99% for Pr, and 101% for Nd after 90 minutes. In conclusion, though further research is needed, these results are a key step in demonstrating applicability of supercritical extraction to rare earth element ores.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

USING ER@CEBAF TO SHOW THAT A MULTIPASS ERL CAN DRIVE AN XFEL

A multi-pass recirculating superconducting CW linac offers a cost effective path to a multi-user facility with unprecedented scientific and industrial reach over a wide range of disciplines. We propose such a facility as an option for a potential UK-XFEL. Energy Recovery enables multi-MHz FEL sources, for example, an X-ray FEL oscillator or regenerative amplifier FEL. Additionally, combining with external lasers and/or self-interaction would provide access to MeV and GeV gamma-rays via inverse Compton scattering at high average power for nuclear and particle physics applications. An opportunity exists to demonstrate the necessary point-to-parallel longitudinal matches to drive an XFEL and successfully energy recover at the upcoming 5-pass up, 5-pass down Energy Recovery experiment on CEBAF at JLab termed ER@CEBAF. We show candidate matches and simulations supporting the minimal necessary modifications to CEBAF this will require. This includes linearisation of the longitudinal phase space in the injector and a reduction in the dispersion of the arcs, both of which increase the energy acceptance of CEBAF. We expect to commence initial tests of these adaptations on CEBAF during 2021.

Perez-Segurana, G.↗

Microbial contribution to post-fire tundra ecosystem recovery over the 21st century

Abstract Tundra ecosystems have experienced an increased frequency of fire, and this trend is predicted to continue throughout the 21 st Century. Post-fire recovery is underpinned by complex interactions between microbial functional groups that drive nutrient cycling. Here we use a mechanistic model to demonstrate an acceleration of the nitrogen cycle post-fire driven by changes in niche space and microbial competitive dynamics. We show that over the first 5-years post-fire, fast-growing bacterial heterotrophs colonize regions of the soil previously occupied by slower-growing saprotrophic fungi. The bacterial heterotrophs mineralize organic matter, releasing nutrients into the soil. This pathway outweighs new sources of nitrogen and facilitates the recovery of plant productivity. We broadly show here that while consideration of distinct microbial metabolisms related to carbon and nutrient cycling remains rare in terrestrial ecosystem models, they are important when considering the rate of ecosystem recovery post-disturbance and the feedback to soil nutrient cycles on centennial timescales.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Dispersal Limitations on Fish Community Recovery Following Long-term Water Quality Remediation

Holistic restoration approaches, such as water quality remediation, are likely to meet conservation objectives because they are typically implemented at watershed scales, as opposed to individual stream reaches. However, habitat fragmentation may impose constraints on the ecological effectiveness of holistic restoration strategies by limiting colonization following remediation. We questioned the importance of dispersal limitations to fish community recovery following long-term water quality remediation and species reintroductions across the White Oak Creek (WOC) watershed near Oak Ridge, Tennessee (USA). Long-term (26 years) responses in fish species richness and biomass to water quality remediation were evaluated in light of habitat fragmentation and population isolation from instream barriers, which varied in their passage potential. In addition, ordination techniques were used to determine the relative importance of habitat connectivity and water quality, in explaining variation fish communities relative to environmental fluctuations, i.e. streamflow. Ecological recovery (changes in richness) at each site was negatively related to barrier index, a measure of community isolation by barriers relative to stream distance. Following species reintroductions, dispersal by fish species was consistently in the downstream direction and upstream passage above barriers was non-existent. The importance of barrier index in explaining variation in fish communities was stronger during higher flow conditions, but decreased over time an indication of increasing community stability and loss of seasonal migrants. Compared to habitat fragmentation, existing water quality concerns (i.e., outfalls, point source discharges) were unrelated to ecological recovery, but explained relatively high variation in community dynamics. Our results suggest that habitat fragmentation limited the ecological effectiveness of intensive water quality remediation efforts and fish reintroduction efforts by impeding recolonization at isolated stream reaches.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Real-Time Optimized Load Recovery Considering Frequency Constraints

A self-healing power grid can mitigate the impact of power outages and recover the affected area swiftly. To properly size the optimal amount and location of de-energized loads in the presence of both conventional and renewable sources, a precise optimization-based load recovery tool is proposed herein. The steady-state and transient behaviors of loads have been taken into account. The proposed tool contains three separate problems that interact with each other during the restoration period. The first-level problem determines the dispatching of generation units. The second-level problem comprises the non-linear algebraic equations, whose task is to provide the initial conditions for the third-level problem. Finally, the third-level problem intends to determine the optimal location and amount of load pickup through modeling the governor of generators as well as loads' dynamic behaviors. To examine the effectiveness of the proposed tool, a modified IEEE 39-system under a partial blackout condition has been tested. The results are verified by a commercial time-domain simulation software (PSS/E) to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed approach. Ultimately, the impact of wind turbine frequency control on the load recovery process has been studied under different penetration levels.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Public Health Response and Medical Management of Internal Contamination in Past Radiological or Nuclear Incidents: A Review

Following a radiological or nuclear emergency, workers, responders and the public may be internally contaminated with radionuclides. Screening, monitoring and assessing any internal contamination and providing necessary medical treatment, especially when a large number of individuals are involved, is challenging. Experience gained and lessons learned from the management of previous incidents would help to identify gaps in knowledge and capabilities on preparedness for and response to radiation emergencies. In this paper, eight largescale and five workplace radiological and nuclear incidents are reviewed cross 14 technical areas, under the broader topics of emergency preparedness, emergency response and recovery processes. The review findings suggest that 1) new strategies, algorithms and technologies are explored for rapid screening of large populations; 2) exposure assessment and dose estimation in emergency response and dose reconstruction in recovery process are supported by complementary sources of information, including ‘citizen science’; 3) surge capacity for monitoring and dose assessment is coordinated through national and international laboratory networks; 4) evidence-based guidelines for medical management and follow-up of internal contamination are urgently needed; 5) mechanisms for international and regional access to medical countermeasures are investigated and implemented; 6) long-term health and medical follow up programs are designed and justified; and 7) capabilities and capacity developed for emergency response are sustained through adequate resource allocation, routine nonemergency use of technical skills in regular exercises, training, and continuous improvement.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DEVELOPMENT OF A SOFTWARE DESIGN TOOL FOR HYBRID SOLAR-GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS IN HEATING- AND COOLING-DOMINATED BUILDINGS

This project provides an easy-to-use, menu-driven, software tool for designing hybrid solar-geothermal heat pump systems (GHP) for both heating- and cooling-dominated buildings. No such design tool currently exists. In heating-dominated buildings, the design approach takes advantage of glazed solar collectors to effectively balance the annual thermal loads on the ground with renewable solar energy. In cooling-dominated climates, the design approach takes advantage of relatively low-cost, unglazed solar collectors as the heat rejecting component. The primary benefit of hybrid GHPs is the reduced initial cost of the ground heat exchanger (GHX). Furthermore, solar thermal collectors can be used to balance the ground loads over the annual cycle, thus making the GHX fully sustainable; in heating-dominated buildings, the hybrid energy source (i.e., solar) is renewable, in contrast to a typical fossil fuel boiler or electric resistance as the hybrid component; in cooling-dominated buildings, use of unglazed solar collectors as a heat rejecter allows for passive heat rejection, in contrast to a cooling tower that consumes a significant amount of energy to operate, and hybrid GHPs can expand the market by allowing reduced GHX footprint in both heating- and cooling-dominated climates. The design tool allows for the straight-forward design of innovative GHP systems that currently pose a significant design challenge. The project lays the foundations for proper and reliable design of hybrid GHP systems, overcoming a series of difficult and cumbersome steps without the use of a system simulation approach, and without an automated optimization scheme. As new technologies and design concepts emerge, sophisticated design tools and methodologies must accompany them and be made usable for practitioners. Lack of reliable design tools results in reluctance of practitioners to implement more complex systems. A menu-driven software tool for the design of hybrid solar GHP systems is provided that is based on mathematically robust, validated models. An automated optimization tool is used to balance ground loads and incorporated into the simulation engine. With knowledge of the building loads, thermal properties of the ground, the borehole heat exchanger configuration, the heat pump peak hourly and seasonal COP for heating and cooling, the critical heat pump design entering fluid temperature, and the thermal performance of a solar collector, the total GHX length can be calculated along with the area of a supplemental solar collector array and the corresponding reduced GHX length. An economic analysis module allows for the calculation of the lowest capital cost combination of solar collector area and GHX length. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project was funded by the United States Department of Energy DOE-DE-FOA-0000116, Recovery Act Geothermal Technologies Program: Ground Source Heat Pumps. The lead contractor, The University of Hartford, was supported by The University of Dayton, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratories. All funding and support for this project as well as contributions of graduate and undergraduate students from the contributing institutions are gratefully acknowledged.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Impact of post-irradiation annealing on mechanical performance of irradiated 718 alloy

Here, the effect of post-irradiation annealing on solution-annealed 718 alloy was investigated using advanced mechanical testing, fractography, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Specimens were extracted from a proton beam window operated at the Spallation Neutron Source, irradiated with 940 MeV protons to a maximum dose of approximately 9.7 displacements per atom (dpa) at a calculated temperature not exceeding 110 °C while in service. Helium and hydrogen concentrations reached about 1700 and 6900 atomic parts per million (appm), respectively. Despite irradiation and high tensile strength (yield stress over 1 GPa), the material exhibited significant ductility. Annealing at 500 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C for 30 min resulted in an appreciable decrease in yield strength and an increase in ductility for annealing treatments at 500 °C and 900 °C relative to the strength and ductility of the as-irradiated material. The presence of helium and hydrogen led to cavity formation and cleavage-like brittle features on fractured surfaces; however, high-magnification imaging revealed the presence of small-scale ductile dimples, indicating that the fracture mechanism remained mixed. The annealed specimens retained total elongation levels of 14–33 %, and there was no sudden drop in ductility after heat treatments. The ductility level in the irradiated and annealed material is notable despite the presence of helium and hydrogen.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Techno-economic Analysis of CO2 Capture From Pulp/Paper Plants

This poster presentation evaluates the cost of capturing CO2 from a 400,000 air dried tonne (adt)/year pulp production plant, using Shell’s CANSOLV post-combustion capture process. There are five steps in a pulp/paper process: wood preparation, pulping, chemical recovery, bleaching and papermaking. There are three sources of CO2: combustion of waste wood in the wood-preparation step; combustion of black liquor, a product of pulping; and combustion of natural gas coupled with CO2 generated from calcination of limestone in the lime kiln used in chemical recovery. Standalone (pulp only) and integrated (pulp + paper) mills are modeled. The base case results and sensitivity analyses are displayed.

Mantripragada, Hari↗

Simulating the Geological Fate of Terrestrial Organic Matter: Lignin vs Cellulose

While shale gas has become a major source of energy, a more sustainable recovery requires a better understanding of the gas/kerogen matrix interactions. Here, we use replica exchange molecular dynamics to investigate the geological conversion of two important classes of gas-forming constituents of the terrestrial organic matter: lignin and cellulose. In agreement with results from pyrolysis experiments, we show that lignin produces twice as much kerogen and 5 times more methane than cellulose. In addition, while ex-cellulose kerogen is relatively stiff and almost nonporous, ex-lignin kerogen, despite having a very similar composition and bonding, is an order of magnitude more compliant due to the presence of large micropores. The obtained results can potentially improve the nanoscale brick of bottom-up models of shale gas recovery.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

HOLISMOKES IX. Neural network inference of strong-lens parameters and uncertainties from ground-based images

Modeling of strong gravitational lenses is a necessity for further applications in astrophysics and cosmology. With the large number of detections in current and upcoming surveys, such as the Rubin Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), it is pertinent to investigate automated and fast analysis techniques beyond the traditional and time-consuming Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling methods. Building upon our (simple) convolutional neural network (CNN), we present here another CNN, specifically a residual neural network (ResNet), that predicts the five mass parameters of a singular isothermal ellipsoid (SIE) profile (lens center x and y, ellipticity e x and e y , Einstein radius θ E ) and the external shear (γ ext, 1 , γ ext, 2 ) from ground-based imaging data. In contrast to our previous CNN, this ResNet further predicts the 1σ uncertainty for each parameter. To train our network, we use our improved pipeline to simulate lens images using real images of galaxies from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey (HSC) and from the Hubble Ultra Deep Field as lens galaxies and background sources, respectively. We find very good recoveries overall for the SIE parameters, especially for the lens center in comparison to our previous CNN, while significant differences remain in predicting the external shear. From our multiple tests, it appears that most likely the low ground-based image resolution is the limiting factor in predicting the external shear. Given the run time of milli-seconds per system, our network is perfectly suited to quickly predict the next appearing image and time delays of lensed transients. Therefore, we use the network-predicted mass model to estimate these quantities and compare to those values obtained from our simulations. Unfortunately, the achieved precision allows only a first-order estimate of time delays on real lens systems and requires further refinement through follow-up modeling. Nonetheless, our ResNet is able to predict the SIE and shear parameter values in fractions of a second on a single CPU, meaning that we are able to efficiently process the huge amount of galaxy-scale lenses expected in the near future.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Faraday Michelson Interferometers for Signal Demodulation of Fiber-Optic Sensors

We developed an all-fiber-based optical demodulator for the signal interrogation of low-coherence fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometric sensors. The optical demodulator consists of a Michelson interferometer implemented by using a 3×3 fiber coupler and two fiber-coupled Faraday reflectors with tunable fiber delay lines. The demodulator's output contains two optical interference signals with a constant phase shift and the output shows no sensitivity to the polarization variation in the light source or fibers. A digital phase recovery algorithm is used to extract the measurand information from the phase-shifted signals at high accuracy, high dynamic range, and high stability. The optical demodulator has been applied to the measurement of high-frequency vibrations and strains using fiber-optic sensors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Studies of CSR and Microbunching at Jefferson Laboratory ERLs

One attractive feature of energy recovery linacs (ERLs) is they are source limited. However as beam brightness increases so too do the effects of coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) and the microbunching instability. The Low Energy Recirculator Facility at Jefferson Laboratory provides a test bed to characterize aspects of CSR's effect on the beam by measuring the energy extraction via CSR as a function of bunch compression. Data was recorded with acceleration occurring on the rising part of the RF waveform while the full compression point was moved along the backleg of the machine and the response of the beam measured. Acceleration was moved to the falling part of the RF waveform and the experiment repeated. Initial start-to-end simulations using a 1D CSR model show good agreement with measurements. The experiment motivated the design of a modified Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility-style arc with control of CSR and the microbunching gain. Insights gained from that study informed designs for recirculation arcs in an ERL-driven electron cooler for Jefferson Laboratory's Electron Ion Collider. Progress on the design and outstanding challenges of the cooler are discussed.

Tennant, C.↗

Review of Quantitative Monitoring Methodologies for Emissions Verification and Accounting for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage for California’s Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade and Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Programs

The Cap-and-Trade and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) programs being administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) include Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) as a potential means to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, there is currently no universal standard approach that quantifies GHG emissions reductions for CCS and that is suitable for the quantitative needs of the Cap-and-Trade and LCFS programs. CCS involves emissions related to the capture (e.g., arising from increased energy needed to separate carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from a flue gas and compress it for transport), transport (e.g., by pipeline), and storage of CO 2 (e.g., due to leakage to the atmosphere from geologic CO 2 storage sites). In this project, we reviewed and compared monitoring, verification, and accounting (MVA) protocols for CCS from around the world by focusing on protocols specific to the geologic storage part of CCS. In addition to presenting the review of these protocols, we highlight in this report those storage-related MVA protocols that we believe are particularly appropriate for CCS in California. We find that none of the existing protocols is completely appropriate for California, but various elements of all of them could be adopted and/or augmented to develop a rigorous, defensible, and practical surface leakage MVA protocol for California. The key features of a suitable surface leakage MVA plan for California are that it: (1) informs and validates the leakage risk assessment, (2) specifies use of the most effective monitoring strategies while still being flexible enough to accommodate special or site-specific conditions, (3) quantifies stored CO 2 , and (4) offers defensible estimates of uncertainty in monitored properties. California’s surface leakage MVA protocol needs to be applicable to the main CO 2 storage opportunities (in California and in other states with entities participating in California’s Cap-and-Trade or LCFS programs), specifically CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery (CO 2 -EOR), CO 2 injection into depleted gas reservoirs (with or without CO 2 -enhanced gas recovery (CO 2 -EGR)), as well as deep saline storage. Regarding the elements of an effective surface leakage MVA protocol, our recommendations for California are that: (1) both CO 2 and methane (CH 4 ) surface leakage should be monitored, especially for enhanced recovery scenarios, (2) emissions from all sources not directly related to injection and geologic storage (e.g., from capture, or pipeline transport) should be monitored and reported under a plan separate from the surface leakage MVA plan that is included as another component of the quantification methodology (QM), (3) the primary objective of the surface leakage MVA plan should be to quantify surface leakage of CO 2 and CH 4 and its uncertainty, with consideration of best-practices and state-of-the-art approaches to monitoring including attribution assessment, (4) effort should be made to monitor CO 2 storage and migration in the subsurface to anticipate future surface leakage monitoring needs, (5) detailed descriptions of specific monitoring technologies and approaches should be provided in the MVA plan, (6) the main purpose of the CO 2 injection project (CO 2 -EOR, CO 2 -EGR, or pure geologic carbon sequestration (GCS)) needs to be stated up front, (7) approaches to dealing with missing data and quantifying uncertainty need to be described, and (8) post-injection monitoring should go on for a period consistent with or longer than that prescribed by the U.S. EPA.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Case Study for the ARRA-funded GSHP Demonstration at Furman University

With funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 26 ground source heat pump (GSHP) projects were competitively selected in 2009 to demonstrate the benefits of GSHP systems and innovative technologies for cost reduction and/or performance improvement. One of the selected demonstration projects was proposed by Furman University for ten student housing buildings—the North Village located on the campus in Greeneville, South Carolina. All ten buildings are identical in floor plan and construction. Each building is conditioned by an identical GSHP system consisting of 25 water-to-air heat pump (WAHP) units, a closed-loop vertical ground heat exchanger (GHX) installed under an adjacent parking lot, and two redundant 7.5 hp variable-speed pumps to circulate water through the GHX and the WAHPs. The actual performance of the GSHP systems is analyzed with available measured data for 2014. The annual energy performance is compared with a baseline scenario in which the building is conditioned by air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) with the minimum allowed efficiencies specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 (SEER 13 for cooling and 7.8 HSPF for heating) and supplemental electric heaters. The comparison is made in terms of energy savings, operating cost savings, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits. Finally, limitations in conducting this analysis are identified and recommendations for further improving the operational efficiency of the GSHP systems are made.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Recovery and calibration of legacy analog data from the Leo Brady Seismic Network for the Source Physics Experiment

The Leo Brady Seismic Network (LBSN) was established in 1960 by Sandia National Laboratories for monitoring underground nuclear tests (UGTs) at the Nevada Test Site— renamed in 2010 to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The LBSN has been in various configurations throughout its existence, but it has been generally comprised of four to six stations at regional distances from the NNSS with evenly spaced azimuthal coverage. Between 1962 and the early 1980s, the LBSN—and a sister network operated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory—were the most comprehensive U.S. source of regional seismic data of UGTs. During the pre-digital era, LBSN data were transmitted as frequency-modulated (FM) audio over telephone lines to the NTS and recorded in analog on hi-fi 8-track AMPEX tapes. These tapes have been stored in temperature-stable buildings or bunkers on the NNSS and Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM for decades and contain the sole record of this irreplaceable data from the analog era; full waveforms of UGTs during this time were never routinely converted to digital form. We have been developing a process over the past few years to recover and calibrate data from these tapes, converting them from FM audio to digital waveforms in ground motion units. The calibration of legacy data from the LBSN is still ongoing. To date, we have digitized tapes from 592 separate UGTs. As a proof-of-concept, we calibrated data from the BOXCAR event.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Low Energy Nuclear Physics Experiments at Jefferson Lab

Jefferson Lab houses a state-of-the-art 12 GeV accelerator (CEBAF) that may be used to probe nuclear structure. Not all of the experiments at Jefferson Lab are carried out at the GeV scale though. Experiments in the CEBAF injector and in the Low Energy Recirculation Facility (LERF) are capable of doing experiments at low center of mass energy with very high intensities. I will go over some examples of experiments that have been either carried out or have been proposed using these low energy electron sources. The LERF contains an Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) that allows some novel experiments due to the combination of low energy, high current, and thick targets. An example of this, an experiment looking for dark matter candidates, will be described in some detail.

Benson, Stephen↗