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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 451 records · Page 25

IASCC of 304 SS in BWR environments: Effects of post-irradiation annealing and surface condition

To investigate the impact of low-temperature post-irradiation annealing (PIA) on the stress corrosion cracking of neutron-irradiated 304 stainless steel, constant extension rate tests were conducted in simulated boiling water reactor normal water chemistry (BWR-NWC) and hydrogenated water chemistry (HWC) environments. Ten tensile samples, comprising five as-irradiated and five PIA specimens, were prepared by electropolishing the gauge section of electric discharge machined (EDM) samples. Here, the annealing treatment reduced the yield strength from approximately 550 MPa to around 425 MPa and significantly restored the ductility and the strain hardening capability of the alloy. Consequently, the susceptibility of this material to irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) was effectively mitigated, which is more prominent in HWC, as evident from fractography, which indicated a decreased propensity for intergranular (IG) fracture. Furthermore, it was observed that the polished surface facilitated crack initiation more readily than the EDM surface, suggesting that the EDM process suppressed crack initiation to some extent.

Crack initiation↗

Monitoring and modeling hydrologic conditions in Ukraine for hydropower generation

Study region: The Dnieper and Dniester Rivers of Ukraine. Study focus: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has caused disruptions to electricity generation, of which hydroelectric sources contribute approximately 9 % to the country’s needs. With the takeover of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by enemy forces, the loss of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam, and the future impacts of the conflict on electricity generation unclear, it may be valuable for the Ukrainian government to better understand how it could leverage hydroelectric power sources in the near future. Unfortunately, measurements of river discharge throughout Ukraine ceased data collection in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s. To address this data gap, we developed a protocol that combined satellite-based time-series measurements of river width at seven locations throughout Ukraine from 2013 to 2023 with reanalysis data, climate-model predictions, and hydrologic models to both provide a means of monitoring a proxy for near-real-time discharge and also predict near-term (i.e., 2023–2030) hydrologic patterns for the region. New hydrological insights for the region: We ran new algorithms on 144 WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 satellite images to map rivers and extract width, one of which was validated against river gauge data located along the same river but in a neighboring country. Hydrologic models using two climate scenarios found minimal change in annual discharge at all sites, but magnitude and timing of peak discharge showed a moderate trend. The results suggest that hydropower is underutilized in Ukraine.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Impact of refrigerant undercharge faults on building indoor conditions and HVAC system operation in residential Buildings: A simulation study

This study investigates the impact of refrigerant undercharge on indoor temperature and HVAC system performance in residential buildings. Simulation models for typical residential buildings in Orlando, FL and Indianapolis, IN were developed using the ResStock database. A refrigerant undercharge fault model was then applied to the simulations with varying levels of fault intensity. The paper offers an extensive analysis, revealing that variations in supply air temperature, equipment runtime, and cooling energy consumption due to the level of refrigerant undercharge faults are notably significant on a summer representative day. Similarly, on a winter representative day, changes in supply air temperature and runtime are significant as well as changes in supplemental heat energy consumption. We find that occupants may remain oblivious to these faults during the cooling season, particularly when the HVAC system is oversized; in that case, supply air temperature data could help detect a fault. Another challenge is that during the heating season, when the supplemental heater operates, it is difficult to identify a refrigerant undercharge fault using only indoor and supply air temperature data. Finally, this study finds that supply air temperature, equipment runtime, and supplemental heater energy consumption data can help in detecting refrigerant undercharge faults.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Optimizing bioenergy sorghum productivity and nutrient removal in Illinois: Impact of nitrogen fertilization under diverse marginal conditions

Bioenergy sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a promising crop for contributing to the United States bioenergy supply. However, the varying limitations of the marginal lands targeted for its cultivation present a management challenge. This two-year study aimed to investigate how the limitations associated with marginal cropland impact the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the yield of bioenergy sorghum and the uptake of 11 macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B). The study contrasted prime cropland in central Illinois (Urbana) with three marginal cropland sites in southern (Ewing) and central Illinois (Fairbury and Pesotum). These marginal cropland sites are characterized by varying limitations, including low soil fertility (P and K limitations), leaching and erosion, and flooding, respectively. Four nitrogen rates (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg N ha –1 ) were tested under eight environments. The average yields and ranges of sorghum biomass were 20.2 (17.0–23.2) Mg ha –1 in Urbana, 18.1 (13.1–19.8) Mg ha –1 in Ewing, 13.8 (9.0–17.3) Mg ha –1 in Fairbury, and 23.3 (14.6–33.0) Mg ha –1 in Pesotum. Optimal N rates were 56 N in Pesotum and 112 N in Urbana, Ewing, and Fairbury. Tissue macronutrient contents in Urbana were generally higher than in the marginal croplands, while micronutrient contents did not show discernible trends. Increasing N rate generally correlated with the macronutrient removal except in Ewing. Comparable sorghum biomass yields were observed between prime and marginal croplands (averaging 18.3 Mg ha –1 ), but optimal N rates varied between 56 N and 112 N. This suggests that yield gaps can be narrowed by applying the optimal N rates for the respective locations. However, increased removals of macronutrients, especially P and K, with increasing yields indicate the need to revise fertilizer recommendations, particularly for soils deficient in these nutrients.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

A methodology for corrosion testing ODS steels in liquid tin under reactor conditions in HFIR

Liquid metal–based divertor concepts have promising attributes for application in fusion reactors. Liquid tin is being considered as one of those liquid metals due to its excellent thermophysical properties. However, tin is extremely corrosive to steels at elevated temperatures, and the coupled effects of corrosion with neutron irradiation for application in fusion reactors have not been quantified. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have designed and irradiated a series of capsules in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to help address gaps in the literature with respect to coupled corrosion and neutron irradiation effects. The capsules are filled with solid tin designed to melt due to the gamma heating in HFIR and allow interaction with the specimens. The capsules contain a SiC thermometer for post-irradiation temperature verification. Five capsules were irradiated in HFIR for 10.5 days, accumulating 0.93 dpa in the FeCrAl specimens. Post-irradiation temperature verification was performed on the SiC thermometers, and temperatures were observed to be higher than what was expected from thermal models. An explanation for the model underprediction is given herein. In conclusion, the capsules described within this article are the first to irradiate liquid metal within the HFIR flux trap and demonstrated the safety basis for continued liquid coolant studies in HFIR.

FeCrAl↗

Discovery of nanopore filling by gypsum in wellbore cement exposed to 17 MPa CO 2 under geologic carbon storage conditions

Here, this study investigates the pore structure evolution of the reaction zones in wellbore cement samples exposed to a CO 2 -rich solution in equilibrium with 17 MPa supercritical CO 2 over 14 days. Through advanced characterization methods of field emission SEM, Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy (QEMSCAN), and micro-CT, a new mechanism of CO 2 -cement reaction involving filling of nanopores in the interior of cement by gypsum was revealed. Gypsum was formed by the liberation of SO 4 2− from ettringite (AFt) and monosulfate (AFm) caused by a decrease in pH. Based on these experimental observations, a new CO 2 -cement reaction model that incorporates four distinct reaction zones is developed. This model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of minerals in cement due to high pressure CO 2 —cement reactions. This study demonstrates that the major damage induced by high pressure CO 2 alteration occurs in the most exterior region of the cement. The interior region of the cement maintains its integrity due to nanopore filling by gypsum.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Delivering laser performance conditions to enable fusion ignition, and beyond at the National Ignition Facility

On December 5th, 2022, controlled fusion ignition was demonstrated for the first time at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), a major achievement in the field of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) requiring a multi-decadal effort involving broad national and international collaborations. To drive the fusion ignition reaction with the compressed fuel capsule, that yielded 3.15 MJ of nuclear energy [1], the NIF laser delivered a high-precision pulse shape with 2.05 MJ of ultra-violet (UV) laser energy and a peak power of 440 TW. This laser energy was an increase of ~8 % compared to that delivered on the previous “threshold of ignition” record yield experiment (1.37 MJ of yield for 1.89 MJ of laser energy) on August 8th, 2021. Here we explain how the results of our extensive research in laser technology and UV optics damage mitigation led to major improvements in the NIF laser, enabling this energy increase along with additional accuracy, precision, and power balance enhancements. Furthermore, we will discuss on-going efforts that have enabled operations at 2.2 MJ of UV energy as well as potential new initiatives to push the laser performance –accuracy and delivered energy– to even higher levels in the future as previously demonstrated on a small subset of NIF beams.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗