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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Site Integration and Regulatory Considerations for a Nuclear Power Plant Colocated with Industrial Facilities: Colocation Studies for a Petroleum Refinery, Methanol Plant, and Wood Pulp Plant

This research explores the colocation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) with industrial applications. Three existing industrial sites were considered to demonstrate the siting process and illuminate technological gaps for future work. The three applications demonstrated for colocation here are a petroleum refinery, a methanol production plant, and a pulp and paper plant. This study uses a modified version of the EPRI siting criteria to explore the geological and demographic characteristics of the location of the current industrial site, as well as exploring external hazards from the industrial plant and its surrounding land use. Data was collected from public databases to estimate site characteristics. We then discuss how the site characteristics may impact the ability to colocate an NPP with an industrial application. The application site and 5 additional sites were explored for each application to give a general indication of the siting implications for an NPP in each area. The hazards for each industrial application was also explored to determine how colocation may impact reactor safety. The following gaps have been identified and should be explored in future research on colocation of NPPs with petroleum refineries, methanol plants, and pulp and paper plants: - There is a variety of industrial use, hazards, and pipelines in the surrounding area. A more thorough review of these hazards should be considered for colocation. - In general, the whole region around some applications seems to have softer soil, with implications for large site preparation costs. Further site investigations should prioritize looking into the geotechnical conditions. - Applications along coastlines are susceptible to flooding and hurricanes. The benefits of colocation should be weighed against the potential design implications. - The benefits of natural gas pipeline infrastructure in place should be explored further. If heat supply from the NPP is not required or not feasible due to the distance between the NPP and the application, there may be an opportunity to supply hydrogen to the plant through an existing pipeline. - Because there are several collocated industrial plants in the regions for the refinery and methanol plant, the benefits of sharing resources from the NPP should be explored further. This may open up additional sites for colocation. The following knowledge gaps were identified for the colocation of NPPs with these three industries, and industrial applications in general. These gaps are: - While the STAND tool contains many important characteristics for the reactor siting process, it is not calibrated for the colocation of NPPs with industrial facilities. - There are aspects of both the NPP and industrial application that need to be quantified for a siting analysis. Particularly, we need to understand the water intake requirements for NPPs and each application. - Further work may focus on adapting the STAND site comparison methodology to comparison of sites for co-location. This will involve using the data documented in this report as a starting point and performing a comprehensive and quantitative comparison. - Without spending significant resources, it would be impossible to gather data for each site to evaluate all aspects of siting. One approach to finding data and understanding its implications to siting is looking at FSARs for existing plants. For example, most sites considered in this study have small Vs30 values, indicating soft soil. However, there are NPPs located in the vicinity of most of the sites (e.g., Waterford Steam Electric Station near New Orleans) and reviewing available site characteristics and geotechnical data for these NPPs, might provide further information for siting. - The siting analysis in this study indicates that colocation of the NPP with the industrial site could be difficult based on external hazards, cooling requirements, weather, or population. We need to determine the impact of distance between the two facilities on cost and quality of energy transport. - This study did not touch on socioeconomic impacts for NPP colocation with industrial facilities. The input-output analysis methodology could be applied to the communities referenced in this study to determine the socioeconomic impact of these projects. - Similarly, the impacts of colocation on emergency planning was not explored in this study. The impacts on emergency planning infrastructure are somewhat related to the socioeconomic impacts, and could be explored using a similar methodology. - This study also did not address physical and cybersecurity, which will be important aspects of co-location [ref] . Cybersecurity will be important, regardless of the distance, but physical security will be important if the facilities are located very closely. Physical security might also be important for the steam lines between the plants, unless they are determined to be non-safety significant. - In many site l

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Site Integration and Regulatory Considerations for an NPP Colocated with a Petroleum Refinery, Methanol Plant, and Wood Pulp Plant

This research explores the colocation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) with industrial applications. Three existing industrial sites were considered to demonstrate the siting process and illuminate technological gaps for future work. The three applications demonstrated for colocation here are a petroleum refinery, a methanol production plant, and a pulp and paper plant. This study uses a modified version of the EPRI siting criteria to explore the geological and demographic characteristics of the location of the current industrial site, as well as exploring external hazards from the industrial plant and its surrounding land use. Data was collected from public databases to estimate site characteristics. We then discuss how the site characteristics may impact the ability to colocate an NPP with an industrial application. The application site and 5 additional sites were explored for each application to give a general indication of the siting implications for an NPP in each area. The hazards for each industrial application was also explored to determine how colocation may impact reactor safety. The following gaps have been identified and should be explored in future research on colocation of NPPs with petroleum refineries, methanol plants, and pulp and paper plants: - There is a variety of industrial use, hazards, and pipelines in the surrounding area. A more thorough review of these hazards should be considered for colocation. - In general, the whole region around some applications seems to have softer soil, with implications for large site preparation costs. Further site investigations should prioritize looking into the geotechnical conditions. - Applications along coastlines are susceptible to flooding and hurricanes. The benefits of colocation should be weighed against the potential design implications. - The benefits of natural gas pipeline infrastructure in place should be explored further. If heat supply from the NPP is not required or not feasible due to the distance between the NPP and the application, there may be an opportunity to supply hydrogen to the plant through an existing pipeline. - Because there are several collocated industrial plants in the regions for the refinery and methanol plant, the benefits of sharing resources from the NPP should be explored further. This may open up additional sites for colocation. The following knowledge gaps were identified for the colocation of NPPs with these three industries, and industrial applications in general. These gaps are: - While the STAND tool contains many important characteristics for the reactor siting process, it is not calibrated for the colocation of NPPs with industrial facilities. - There are aspects of both the NPP and industrial application that need to be quantified for a siting analysis. Particularly, we need to understand the water intake requirements for NPPs and each application. - Further work may focus on adapting the STAND site comparison methodology to comparison of sites for co-location. This will involve using the data documented in this report as a starting point and performing a comprehensive and quantitative comparison. - Without spending significant resources, it would be impossible to gather data for each site to evaluate all aspects of siting. One approach to finding data and understanding its implications to siting is looking at FSARs for existing plants. For example, most sites considered in this study have small Vs30 values, indicating soft soil. However, there are NPPs located in the vicinity of most of the sites (e.g., Waterford Steam Electric Station near New Orleans) and reviewing available site characteristics and geotechnical data for these NPPs, might provide further information for siting. - The siting analysis in this study indicates that colocation of the NPP with the industrial site could be difficult based on external hazards, cooling requirements, weather, or population. We need to determine the impact of distance between the two facilities on cost and quality of energy transport. - This study did not touch on socioeconomic impacts for NPP colocation with industrial facilities. The input-output analysis methodology could be applied to the communities referenced in this study to determine the socioeconomic impact of these projects. - Similarly, the impacts of colocation on emergency planning was not explored in this study. The impacts on emergency planning infrastructure are somewhat related to the socioeconomic impacts, and could be explored using a similar methodology. - This study also did not address physical and cybersecurity, which will be important aspects of co-location [ref] . Cybersecurity will be important, regardless of the distance, but physical security will be important if the facilities are located very closely. Physical security might also be important for the steam lines between the plants, unless they are determined to be non-safety significant. - In many site l

08 - HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS2009

Cambium

The Cambium investigation is one in a pair of investigations which utilizes the Advanced Biological Research System (ABRS). Cambium seeks definitive evidence that gravity has a direct effect on cambial cells (cells located under the inner bark where secondary growth occurs) in willow, Salix babylonica. The Cambium investigation uses willow plants flown on the International Space Station to better understand the fundamental processes by which plants produce cellulose and lignin, the two main structural materials found in plant matter. On Earth, the nature of wood within tree stems varies depending on position, and that within-tree variation includes differences in cell types and chemistry including lignin and cellulose, two major components of wood influencing wood strength, usefulness and carbon content. Reaction wood is an extreme example of such variation, and it is believed that reaction wood develops as a reaction to the influence of gravity. For the Cambium experiment, young willow plants will be launched to the ISS where their stems will be looped in an attempt to induce reaction wood formation. After on-orbit growth, the plants will be preserved and returned to Earth for analysis. Understanding the role of gravity in wood formation is expected to enable wiser management of forests for carbon sequestration as well as better utilization of trees for wood products. Detailed Research Description: The Cambium experiment will provide an understanding of physiological processes such as gene expression, metabolism and general plant development that are affected in plant systems exposed to space flight. Cambium seeks definitive evidence that gravity has a direct effect on the cambial cells (cells located under the inner bark where secondary growth occurs) that contribute to xylogenesis (reaction wood formation) in willow plants, Salix babylonica. Tension wood fibers differentiate on the upper sides of stems when the stem is altered from its normal (vertical) growth position by looping. This reaction wood response does not occur if the orientation of the plant stem with respect to gravity is not altered. If a localized zone of tension wood should be formed in looped stems under microgravity conditions, this would be the first conclusive evidence that gravity is not required. On the other hand, if a zone of tension wood is not produced in looped stems (subjected to tension on one side, compression on the other) in microgravity, this would be the first definitive evidence that gravity has a direct effect on the cambial cells which contribute to reaction wood formation. Following return to Earth the plants will be analyzed by microscopy and chemical methods.

Savidge, Rodney↗
DOE OSTI2021

Plant functional types broadly describe water use strategies in the Caatinga, a seasonally dry tropical forest in northeast Brazil

In seasonally dry tropical forests, plant functional type can be classified as deciduous low wood density, deciduous high wood density, or evergreen high wood density species. While deciduousness is often associated with drought-avoidance and low wood density is often associated with tissue water storage, the degree to which these functional types may correspond to diverging and unique water use strategies has not been extensively tested. We examined (a) tolerance to water stress, measured by predawn and mid-day leaf water potential; (b) water use efficiency, measured via foliar δ 13 C; and (c) access to soil water, measured via stem water δ 18 O. We found that deciduous low wood density species maintain high leaf water potential and low water use efficiency. Deciduous high wood density species have lower leaf water potential and variable water use efficiency. Both groups rely on shallow soil water. Evergreen high wood density species have low leaf water potential, higher water use efficiency, and access alternative water sources. These findings indicate that deciduous low wood density species are drought avoiders, with a specialized strategy for storing root and stem water. Deciduous high wood density species are moderately drought tolerant, and evergreen high wood density species are the most drought tolerant group. Our results broadly support the plant functional type framework as a way to understand water use strategies, but also highlight species-level differences.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dissolved pyrogenic carbon leaching in soil: Effects of soil depth and pyrolysis temperature

We report Pyrogenic organic carbon (PyC) is found in soils as a heterogeneous mixture of thermally altered plant residues that range in their susceptibility to losses via mineralization, leaching, and erosion. Leaching of PyC as DOC (DPyC) within the soil profile is likely influenced by the chemical composition of solid PyC and the dominant soil processes and properties at a particular depth. Here we report the results of a 2-year laboratory decomposition and leaching study designed to investigate the interactive effects of pyrolysis temperature levels (no pyrolysis, 300 °C, and 450 °C) and soil depth (surface soil, 0–10 cm depth; subsurface soil, 50–70 cm depth) on losses of 13 C-labeled jack pine (Pinus banksiana) wood, wood pyrolyzed at 300 °C (PyC300) and wood pyrolyzed at 450 °C (PyC450) as dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Losses of wood and PyC in the 13 C- DOC pool were measured in leachates drained from soils once a month over the course of 1 year, and at one single leaching event after 2 years. We found that pyrolysis temperature levels interacted with time and soil depth to affect losses of wood and PyC as DOC throughout the 1-year incubation and leaching study, with greater DOC losses from wood in surface soil (0.73 ± 0.076% of added C) than in subsurface soil (0.40 ± 0.063% of added C) averaged across sampling time. Monthly DOC losses from PyC were not affected by soil depth. Cumulative data indicated a small contribution of wood (2.86 ± 0.07%), PyC300 (0.40 ± 0.04%), and PyC450 (0.16 ± 0.01%) to total DOC leached from soils. DOC losses from wood and PyC300 (as a proportion of added C) were greater in surface soil than in subsurface soil, whereas DOC losses from PyC450 were unaffected by differences between surface and subsurface soil. Losses of DOC were greater from PyC300 than from PyC450 in surface soil, with no significant differences in DOC losses between PyC300 and PyC450 in subsurface soil. One single leaching event at the end of the 2-year decomposition study resulted in higher DOC losses from wood in subsurface soil than in surface soil likely due to desorption, and no differences in DOC losses between PyC300 and PyC450 regardless of soil depth. Our results suggest strong interactions between the initial physicochemical composition of organic C inputs and soil properties (soil depth as a proxy) that control the mobility and transport of PyC and should be better represented in Earth system models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nanostructural Analysis of Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Brown Rot Fungal Deconstruction of the Lignocellulose Cell Wall†

Brown rot (BR) decay mechanisms employ carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) as well as a unique non-enzymatic chelator-mediated Fenton (CMF) chemistry to deconstruct lignocellulosic materials. Unlike white rot fungi, BR fungi lack peroxidases for lignin deconstruction, and also lack some endoglucanase/cellobiohydrolase activities. The role that the CMF mechanism plays in “opening up” the wood cell wall structure in advance of enzymatic action, and any interaction between CMF constituents and the selective CAZyme suite that BRs possess, is still unclear. Expression patterns for CMF redox metabolites and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO–AA9 family) genes showed that some LPMO isozymes were upregulated with genes associated with CMF at early stages of brown rot by Gloeophyllum trabeum. In the structural studies, wood decayed by the G. trabeum was compared to CMF-treated wood, or CMF-treated wood followed by treatment with either the early-upregulated LPMO or a commercial CAZyme cocktail. Structural modification of decayed/treated wood was characterized using small angle neutron scattering. CMF treatment produced neutron scattering patterns similar to that of the BR decay indicating that both systems enlarged the nanopore structure of wood cell walls to permit enzyme access. Enzymatic deconstruction of cellulose or lignin in raw wood samples was not achieved via CAZyme cocktail or LPMO enzyme action alone. CMF treatment resulted in depolymerization of crystalline cellulose as attack progressed from the outer regions of individual crystallites. Multiple pulses of CMF treatment on raw wood showed a progressive increase in the spacing between the cellulose elementary fibrils (EFs), indicating the CMF eroded the matrix outside the EF bundles, leading to less tightly packed EFs. Peracetic acid delignification treatment enhanced subsequent CMF treatment effects, and allowed both enzyme systems to further increase spacing of the EFs. Moreover, even after a single pulse of CMF treatment, both enzymes were apparently able to penetrate the cell wall to further increase EF spacing. The data suggest the potential for the early-upregulated LPMO enzyme to work in association with CMF chemistry, suggesting that G. trabeum may have adopted mechanisms to integrate non-enzymatic and enzymatic chemistries together during early stages of brown rot decay.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Visualisation of sulphur on single fibre level for pulping industry

In the pulp and paper industry, about 5 Mt/y chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) are produced globally from softwood chips for production of carton board grades. For tailor making CTMP for this purpose, wood chips are impregnated with aqueous sodium sulphite for sulphonation of the wood lignin. When lignin is sulphonated, the defibration of wood into pulp becomes more selective, resulting in enhanced pulp properties. On a microscopic fibre scale, however, one could strongly assume that the sulphonation of the wood structure is very uneven due to its macroscale size of wood chips. If this is the case and the sulphonation could be done significantly more evenly, the CTMP process could be more efficient and produce pulp even better suited for carton boards. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a technique based on X-ray fluorescence microscopy imaging (µXRF) for quantifying the sulphur distribution on CTMP wood fibres. Firstly, the feasibility of µXRF imaging for sulphur homogeneity measurements in wood fibres needs investigation. Therefore, clarification of which spatial and spectral resolution that allows visualization of sulphur impregnation into single wood fibres is needed. Measurements of single fibre imaging were carried out at the Argonne National Laboratory's Advanced Photon Source (APS) synchrotron facility. With a synchrotron beam using one micrometre scanning step, images of elemental mapping are acquired from CTMP samples diluted with non-sulphonated pulp under specified conditions. Since the measurements show significant differences between sulphonated and non-sulphonated fibres, and a significant peak concentration in the shell of the sulphonated fibres, the proposed technique is found to be feasible. The required spatial resolution of the µXRF imaging for an on-site CTMP sulphur homogeneity measurement setup is about 15 µm, and the homogeneity measured along the fibre shells is suggested to be used as the CTMP sulphonation measurement parameter.

CTMP↗
DOE OSTI2024

Adhesion in thermomechanically processed seaweed-lignocellulosic composite materials

The increasing concerns associated with petroleum-derived polymers motivate the development of sustainable, renewably sourced alternatives. In ubiquitous applications such as structural materials for infrastructure, the built environment as well as packaging, where natural materials such as wood are used, we rely on nonrenewable and nondegradable polymers to serve as adhesives. In wood panels, such as medium density fiberboards (MDFs), formaldehyde-based resins are predominantly used to bond wood fibers and to provide strength to the materials. To further mitigate the environmental impact of construction materials, more sustainable adhesives need to be investigated. Here, in this article, we introduce Ulva seaweed as an adhesive to enable cohesion and strength in hot-pressed wood panels. Upon hot-pressing, powdered Ulva flows in between the wood particles, generating a matrix, which provides strong binding. We show that the flexural strength of Ulva-bonded wood biocomposites increases with increasing Ulva concentrations. At an Ulva concentration of 40 wt%, our composites reach an average elastic modulus of 6.1 GPa, and flexural strength of 38.2 MPa (compared to 4.7 GPa and 22.6 MPa, respectively, for pure wood compressed at the same pressing conditions). To highlight the bonding mechanisms, we performed infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and identified indications of fatty acid mobility during hot-pressing. In addition, we demonstrate that the presence of Ulva improves other properties of the composites such as water resistance and fame retardancy. Ulva is also shown to behave as an excellent adhesive agent between two prepressed beams. Finally, we perform an in-depth analysis of the environmental impact of wood-Ulva biocomposites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2002

Environment-Conscious Ceramics (Ecoceramics) Technology Received 2001 R&D 100 Award

Since the dawn of human civilization, there has been a delicate balance between the use of resources as human frontiers expanded and the need to have a minimum influence on the ecosystem. The first 200 years of the industrial revolution essentially solved the problem of production. However, the massive production of goods also generated tremendous amounts of byproducts and wastes. In the new millennium, to sustain a healthy life in harmony with nature, it will be extremely important for us to develop various materials, products, and processes that minimize any harmful influence on the environment. Environment-conscious ceramics (ecoceramics) are a new class of materials that can be fabricated with renewable resources (wood) and wood waste material (wood sawdust). Wood is a "lignocellulosic" material formed by the photosynthetic reaction within the needles or leaves of trees. The photosynthesis process uses sunlight to take carbon dioxide from air and convert it into oxygen and organic materials. Wood has been known to be one of the best and most intricate engineering materials created by nature and known to mankind. In addition, natural woods of various types are available throughout the world. On the other hand, wood sawdusts are generated in abundant quantities by sawmills. Environment-conscious ceramic materials, fabricated via the pyrolysis and infiltration of natural wood-derived preforms, have tailorable properties with numerous potential applications. The experimental studies conducted to date on the development of materials based on biologically derived structures indicate that these materials behave like ceramic materials manufactured by conventional approaches. These structures have been shown to be quite useful in producing porous or dense materials having various microstructures and compositions.

Singh, Mrityunjay↗
DOE OSTI2021

The fate of carbon utilized by the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes

Abstract Subterranean termites are ecosystem engineers that modulate the flow of carbon from dead wood to the atmosphere and soil, yet their contributions to the latter pool are largely unaccounted for in carbon cycling models. The fate of C from wood utilized by Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) was determined using a reductionist design in a closed system with δ 13 C labeled wood as a stable isotope tracer. The percentage of wood‐based carbon in termite respiratory gases, tissues, and organic deposits (frass and construction materials) was measured for five colonies to budget wood‐C mass distributed into metabolic and behavioral pathways during a 160‐h incubation period. We found that termites emitted 42% of the C from wood as gas (largely as carbon dioxide), returned 40% to the environment as organic deposits (frass and construction materials), and retained 18% in their tissues (whole alimentary tracts and de‐gutted bodies). Our findings affirm that termites are a source of greenhouse gases but are also ecosystem engineers that return approximately half the C from dead wood as organic deposits into their surrounding environment.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Oxidation states of iron and manganese in lignocellulose altered by the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum measured in-situ using X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES)

Brown rot fungi utilize iron as part of a chelator-mediated Fenton (CMF) reaction during wood biodegradation. Research suggests these fungi reduce Fe 3+ to promote oxygen radical generation resulting in depolymerization of the wood cell wall. High levels of Mn are also found in wood decayed by brown rot fungi. However, little is known about the oxidation states of Fe and Mn during the decay process. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) can be used to examine metal oxidation states and coordination chemistry. In this work, XANES experiments were conducted on wood decayed by Gloeophyllum trabeum over 2–8 weeks with results showing that Mn 2+ and Fe 3+ predominated for metal oxidation states. However, Fe 2+ was present at sites of greater fungal growth In certain cases, the μXANES measurements showed that the fraction of Fe 2+ in the wood samples was as high as 50%. Localized areas of reduced iron corresponded with areas of greater fungal hyphal mass which is in agreement with how brown rot fungi decay wood via the CMF reaction. The limited change in oxidation state of Mn observed in wood with active fungal activity suggests that the role of manganese in CMF biodegradation chemistry should be further explored.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Flammability and thermal stability of thermoplastic-based composites filled with natural carbon

This investigation characterized flammability and thermal stability for a novel sustainable composite engineered for use in building applications. Flammability and thermal stability of coal plastic composites composed of coal (40–60 wt.%) and high-density polyethylene were compared to commercial wood–plastic composites. Pyrolysis thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that coal plastic composites possessed a single-step decomposition and higher char residue, while wood–plastic composites had two-step decomposition, with the first peak occurring at much lower temperatures. Thermogravimetric analyses in air suggest coal plastic composites, compared to wood–plastic composites and neat high-density polyethylene, were more thermally stable. Flash ignition temperatures for coal plastic composites were higher than high-density polyethylene and wood–plastic composites, while self-ignition temperatures were in the same range as wood–plastic composites. Rate of burning data indicated coal plastic composites were slower burning than wood–plastic composites, with increasing coal content slowing burning rate by 19.9%–27.6%. Cone calorimeter testing showed 27% and 59% reduction in total heat release and total smoke release as coal content increased while coal plastic composite with 60 wt.% coal possessed lower overall flammability in comparison with predominant commercially available wood–plastic composite products. Coal improved composite overall thermal stability and flammability by acting as char former and foaming agent.

Engineering↗