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DOE OSTI2016

Progress In Developing An In-Pile Acoustically Telemetered Sensor Infrastructure

A salient grand challenge for a number of Department of Energy programs such as Fuels Cycle Research and Development ( includes Accident Tolerant Fuel research and the Transient Reactor Test Facility Restart experiments), Light Water Sustainability, and Advanced Reactor Technologies is to enhance our fundamental understanding of fuel and materials behavior under irradiation. Robust and accurate in-pile measurements will be instrumental to develop and validate a computationally predictive multi-scale understanding of nuclear fuel and materials. This sensing technology will enable the linking of fundamental micro-structural evolution mechanisms to the macroscopic degradation of fuels and materials. The in situ sensors and measurement systems will monitor local environmental parameters as well as characterize microstructure evolution during irradiation. One of the major road blocks in developing practical robust, and cost effective in-pile sensor systems, are instrument leads. If a wireless telemetry infrastructure can be developed for in-pile use, in-core measurements would become more attractive and effective. Thus to be successful in accomplishing effective in-pile sensing and microstructure characterization an interdisciplinary measurement infrastructure needs to be developed in parallel with key sensing technology. For the discussion in this research, infrastructure is defined as systems, technology, techniques, and algorithms that may be necessary in the delivery of beneficial and robust data from in-pile devices. The architecture of a system’s infrastructure determines how well it operates and how flexible it is to meet future requirements. The limiting path for the effective deployment of the salient sensing technology will not be the sensors themselves but the infrastructure that is necessary to communicate data from in-pile to the outside world in a non-intrusive and reliable manner. This article gives a high level overview of a promising telemetry infrastructure based on acoustic wireless transmission of data that is being developed and tested by the INL, Penn State and Westinghouse.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

NASA NTRS2012

NASA Ames DEVELOP Interns Collaborate with the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project to Monitor and Study Restoration Efforts using NASA's Satellites

In the past, natural tidal marshes in the south bay were segmented by levees and converted into ponds for use in salt production. In an effort to provide habitat for migratory birds and other native plants and animals, as well as to rebuild natural capital, the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (SBSPRP) is focused on restoring a portion of the over 15,000 acres of wetlands in California's South San Francisco Bay. The process of restoration begins when a levee is breached; the bay water and sediment flow into the ponds and eventually restore natural tidal marshes. Since the spring of 2010 the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) DEVELOP student internship program has collaborated with the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (SBSPRP) to study the effects of these restoration efforts and to provide valuable information to assist in habitat management and ecological forecasting. All of the studies were based on remote sensing techniques -- NASA's area of expertise in the field of Earth Science, and used various analytical techniques such as predictive modeling, flora and fauna classification, and spectral detection, to name a few. Each study was conducted by a team of aspiring scientists as a part of the DEVELOP program at Ames.

Newcomer, Michelle E.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pipeline for Applications-Based Data Discovery

From disaster response and mitigation to monitoring water quality or protecting wildlife habitat, satellite Earth observation data can be applied in countless ways to meet pressing needs and benefit society. The crucial first step toward successful data application is data discovery. Potential users often know exactly what data they need--what Earth feature or phenomenon they need to observe, how frequently, and at what resolution or level of accuracy--but may still struggle to discover the existing observations that meet their needs. We have developed a pipeline to connect applications-based users to specific satellites and data collections within NASA's Earth observation program of record that are highly relevant to their data needs. This pipeline combines available information on satellite and instrument measurement characteristics with an innovative machine learning-based approach that identifies instruments that are most relevant to the feature or phenomenon of interest.

Katrina S Virts↗

DOE OSTI2018

In Situ Monitoring of Groundwater Contamination for Sustainable Remediation Using the Kalman Filter - 18423

Groundwater monitoring is critical for nuclear-related facilities as well as radioactively contaminated sites. Recent advances in sensing, data analytics and simulation capabilities provide substantial opportunities to improve and change current monitoring procedures. In particular, we need a paradigm shift from contaminant-only or compliance-only monitoring programs to comprehensive monitoring, i.e., including other ancillary environmental variables for a holistic understanding of the groundwater systems and plume behaviors. Such new approaches are needed for the effective implementation of sustainable remediation (enhanced and natural attenuation), and they have great potential for cost reduction in site monitoring. This paper reviews recent developments for improving long-term monitoring, with focus on the effective use of in situ sensors, data analytics and simulation capabilities. In particular, we highlight a recent application of the Kalman filter algorithm to estimate contaminant concentrations continuously in real time, based on in-situ measured water quality parameters (e.g. electrical conductance and pH) and sparse groundwater sampling. The results show that we can reduce the groundwater sampling frequency significantly, while capturing the dynamics of short- and long-term contaminant concentration changes. Such advanced and integrated monitoring systems will be beneficial for local residents (e.g., to ensure the safety by detecting adverse events early, enabling a swift response) as well as for site operators (e.g., to gain/improve public acceptance, to be better prepared for litigations and false claims, and to reduce overall monitoring cost). (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2017

Beyond Californium—A Neutron Generator Alternative for Dosimetry and Instrument Calibration in the U.S.

Many evaluations of neutron survey instruments, area monitors and personal dosimeters rely on neutron reference radiations from 252Cf, a source of spontaneous fission neutrons that produces high dose rates from an almost point source geometry. Its characteristics are generally more favorable when compared to (a,n), photoneutron and reactor-based sources of neutrons. The source is typically used in two standardized configurations: unmoderated, to yield a fission energy spectrum, or placed within a heavy-water moderating sphere to produce a softened spectrum that is more appropriate for evaluating devices used in nuclear power plant work environments. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 252Cf Loan/Lease Program was terminated in 2009, and the replacement of high-activity sources is increasingly cost prohibitive for laboratories that formerly benefited from that program, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Neutron generators, based on the D-T and D-D fusion reactions, are becoming economically competitive with 252Cf and are recognized internationally as important calibration and test standards. Researchers from NIST and PNNLare jointly considering the practicality and technical challenges of implementing neutron generators as calibration standards in the U.S. This article reviews characteristics of isotope-based sources, leading to rationale behind increasing favor of electronically-generated neutron options. The evaluation of a D-T system at PNNL has revealed primary challenges in adapting generators to the task of calibration and testing in which neutron characteristics must be accurately determined. Concepts for modifying the generated neutron spectra to achieve particular targeted spectra, simulating 252Cf or workplace environments, are discussed.

Calibration, californium-252, Dosimeter Irradiatio↗

DOE OSTI2022

Nonnuclear Experimental Capabilities to Support Design, Development, and Demonstration of Microreactors

This work provides a summary of selected experimental capabilities being developed to support nonnuclear testing and demonstration of technology in support of microreactors under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Microreactor Program. Major capabilities include the Single Primary Heat Extraction and Removal Emulator (SPHERE) and the Microreactor Agile Non-nuclear Experimental Test Bed (MAGNET). The SPHERE facility allows for controlled testing of the steady-state and transient heat rejection capabilities of a single heat pipe using electrical heaters that simulate nuclear heating. The facility is capable of monitoring axial temperature profiles along the heat pipe and surrounding test articles during startup, steady-state operation, and transients. Instrumentation includes noncontact infrared thermal imaging, surface thermocouples, spatially distributed fiber optic temperature and strain sensors, electrical power meters, and a water-cooled, gas-gap calorimeter for quantifying heat rejection from the heat pipe. The facility can be operated under both vacuum and inert-gas conditions. The MAGNET facility is a large-scale, 250-kW electrically heated microreactor test bed to enable nonnuclear experimental evaluation of a variety of microreactor concepts. It can be supplied to electrically heat a scaled section of a microreactor and further test the capabilities of heat rejection systems. The initial MAGNET experiments will support technology maturation and reduce uncertainty and risk associated with the design, operation, and deployment of monolithic heat pipe–based reactors. However, this test bed can broadly be applied to multiple microreactor concepts to evaluate a wide range of thermal-hydraulic and structural phenomena such as interface coupling with power conversion units and other collocated systems. MAGNET can evaluate integral thermomechanical effects during electrical heating of an array of heat pipes in a larger test article. Examples of initial testing will include thermal stresses in the monolith and the impact of debonding of a heat pipe from the core block and how that failure could impact surrounding heat pipes, i.e., understanding the potential for cascading failure. This work also discusses some modeling capabilities that can support experiment design, analysis, and interpretation, including the heat pipe code Sockeye and a comparison of thermal-structural simulations performed using ABAQUS and STAR-CCM+.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2019

Assessment of Hydriding in the U-Si System

Fuels with high uranium densities have been considered in the Nuclear Technology Research and Development program’s Advanced Fuels Campaign as potential replacements for uranium(IV) oxide in commercial light water reactors. One such candidate fuel is U 3 Si 2 , which has been observed to readily oxidize and potentially hydride in steam and simulated pressurized water reactor conditions. The hydrogen absorption properties of U 3 Si 2 , in particular, are not well-understood. Research this FY has focused on developing a better understanding of the hydrogen absorption characteristics of U 3 Si 2 in steam and in pure hydrogen. Pellets of U 3 Si 2 were exposed to 75% steam at various temperatures and monitored for mass changes using thermogravimetric analysis, while pellets and ingots exposed to pure hydrogen in a Sieverts’ apparatus exhibited signs of hydrogen absorption. It was observed that hydrogen absorption of U 3 Si 2 required higher pressures of hydrogen than those required to hydride uranium metal at similar temperatures.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Simulation of Isotopic Concentrations and Gamma Spectra from Dynamic Fission Sources

A tool was developed to rapidly generate synthetic gamma-ray spectra to evaluate safeguards material control and accounting methods for liquid-fueled molten salt reactors. Molten salt reactor operations pose unique challenges to nuclear safeguards methods and protocols compared to deployed reactors designs (e.g., light water reactors). This research evaluates the use of gamma-ray spectroscopy to monitor fission product isotopic flow through a reactor model to understand expected operations and investigate changes to the spectra with material diversion scenarios. The large design space of molten salt reactors (e.g., liquid-fueled, liquid-cooled, online separations) could potentially lead to many measurement points within the reactor system. The developed analytical tool generates and evaluates synthetic gamma-ray spectra from dynamic reactor simulations by extracting isotopic inventory to generate source terms. An implementation in the Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) Application Program Interface (API) uses the source terms, a model of the reactor component, a detector response function, and measurement plan to quickly generate and analyze spectra. Prospective measurements are then evaluated in the more accurate but slower Geant4 simulations. Utilization of the developed modeling tool and analysis of the subsequent spectra enables optimization of collimation, shielding requirements, and expected count rates that are used to determine key measurement points in the modeled reactor design.

O'Brien, Sean↗

NASA NTRS2012

Developments in Atmosphere Revitalization Modeling and Simulation

"NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) program is pioneering new approaches for rapidly developing prototype systems, demonstrating key capabilities, and validating operational concepts for future human missions beyond Earth orbit" (NASA 2012). These forays beyond the confines of earth's gravity will place unprecedented demands on launch systems. They must not only blast out of earth's gravity well as during the Apollo moon missions, but also launch the supplies needed to sustain a crew over longer periods for exploration missions beyond earth's moon. Thus all spacecraft systems, including those for the separation of metabolic carbon dioxide and water from a crewed vehicle, must be minimized with respect to mass, power, and volume. Emphasis is also placed on system robustness both to minimize replacement parts and ensure crew safety when a quick return to earth is not possible. Current efforts are focused on improving the current state-of-the-art systems utilizing fixed beds of sorbent pellets by evaluating structured sorbents, seeking more robust pelletized sorbents, and examining alternate bed configurations to improve system efficiency and reliability. These development efforts combine testing of sub-scale systems and multi-physics computer simulations to evaluate candidate approaches, select the best performing options, and optimize the configuration of the selected approach, which is then implemented in a full-scale integrated atmosphere revitalization test. This paper describes the development of atmosphere revitalization models and simulations. A companion paper discusses the hardware design and sorbent screening and characterization effort in support of the Atmosphere Revitalization Recovery and Environmental Monitoring (ARREM) project within the AES program.

Knox, James C.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Monitoring Invasive Aquatic Vegetation in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, Using NDVI Derived from Modis Data

Lake Okeechobee, located in southern Florida, encompasses approximately 1,700 sq km and is a vital part of the Lake Okeechobee and Everglades ecosystem. Major cyanobacterial blooms have been documented in Lake Okeechobee since the 1970s and have continued to plague the ecosystem. Similarly, hydrilla, water hyacinth, and water lettuce have been documented in the lake and continue to threaten the ecosystem by their rapid growth. This study examines invasive aquatic vegetation occurrence through the use of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) calculated on MOD09 surface reflectance imagery. Occurrence during 2008 was analyzed using the Time Series Product Tool (TSPT), a MATLAB-based program developed at John C. Stennis Space Center. This project tracked spatial and temporal variability of cyanobacterial blooms, and overgrowth of water lettuce, water hyacinth, and hydrilla. In addition, this study presents an application of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to assist in water quality management.

Woods, Kate↗

DOE OSTI2022

Information Content of a Synergy of Ground-Based and Space-Based Infrared Sounders. Part I: Clear-Sky Environments

Abstract Profiles of atmospheric temperature and water vapor from remotely sensed platforms provide critical observations within the temporal and spatial gaps of the radiosonde network. The 2017 National Academies of Science Decadal Survey highlighted that observations of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) from the current space-based observing system are not of the necessary accuracy or resolution for monitoring and predicting high-impact weather phenomena. One possible solution to improving observations of the PBL is supplementing the existing space-based observing system with a network of ground-based profilers. A synthetic information content study is developed utilizing profiles from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program sites at the Southern Great Plains (SGP), east North Atlantic (ENA), and North Slope of Alaska (NSA) to assess the benefits, in terms of degrees of freedom (DOF), vertical resolution, and uncertainties, of a synergy between the ground-based Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) with space-based hyperspectral infrared (IR) sounders. A combination of AERI with any of the three polar-orbiting IR sounders: the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), or the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), results in a DOF increase of 30%–40% in the surface-to-700-hPa layer compared to the space-based instrument alone. Introducing AERI measurements to the observing system also results in significant improvements to vertical resolution and uncertainties in the bottom 1000 m of the atmosphere compared to CrIS measurements alone. A synergy of CrIS and AERI exceeds the 1-km-vertical-resolution goal set by the Decadal Survey in the lowest 1000 m.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Experimental Capabilities to Support Design, Development and Demonstration of Microreactors

This work provides a summary of selected experimental capabilities being developed to support non-nuclear demonstration of microreactors under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Microreactor Program. Major capabilities include the single primary heat extraction and removal emulator (SPHERE) and the microreactor agile non-nuclear experimental test bed (MAGNET). The SPHERE facility allows for controlled testing of the steady-state and transient heat rejection capabilities of a single heat pipe using electrical heaters that simulate nuclear heating. The facility is capable of monitoring axial temperature profiles along the heat pipe and surrounding test articles during startup, steady-state operation, and transients. Instrumentation includes non-contact infrared thermal imaging, surface thermocouples, spatially distributed fiber-optic temperature and strain sensors, electrical power meters, and a water-cooled, gas gap calorimeter for quantifying heat rejection from the heat pipe. The facility can be operated under both vacuum and inert-gas conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS1982

The Shuttle Environment Workshop, executive summary and workshop procedures

One of the main experimental monitors used to determine the environment in the payload bay was the Induced Environment Contamination Monitor. This package of instruments has made environmental measurements during STS flights with a high degree of success. This has shown that the shuttle environment is relatively free of contaminants, except for special instances of increased abundance of methane, water vapor and particulates. Results of these measurements are rapidly becoming more available. In establishing the Shuttle Environment Workshop, the findings were shared with scientific experimenters, users and other individuals who need to know what the Shuttle is like and what experimenters may expect in the payload bay. The Workshop was centered around results obtained from the environmental measurements made on the Shuttle. The program agenda for the workshop is given. The procedures and flow of communications for the workshop are indicated.

Lehmann, J.↗

DOE OSTI2014

Annual Report of Monitoring at Morrill, Kansas, in 2013

Carbon tetrachloride contamination in groundwater at Morrill, Kansas, was initially identified in 1985 during statewide testing of public water supply wells for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). High levels of nitrate were also present in the public water supply wells. The city of Morrill is located in Brown County in the northeastern corner of the state, about 7 mi east of Sabetha (Figure 1.1). The population of Morrill as of the 2010 Census was approximately 230 (down from 277 in 2000). All residents of Morrill now obtain their drinking water from the Sabetha municipal water system via a pipeline constructed in 1991. Because the identified carbon tetrachloride contamination in groundwater could potentially be linked, in part, to historical use of carbon tetrachloride-based fumigants at its former facility, in 2003 the CCC/USDA assumed responsibility for investigation of the carbon tetrachloride contamination. The CCC/USDA involvement began with development and implementation of a work plan for a Phase I expedited site characterization. That investigation and subsequent investigations were performed by the Environmental Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory. The initial investigation by the CCC/USDA in 2003 determined that soils at the former facility were not impacted by grain fumigation activities. Neither carbon tetrachloride nor chloroform (the primary degradation product of carbon tetrachloride) was detected in nearsurface soils or in subsurface soils collected to bedrock. Because no identifiable human health risk was associated with either carbon tetrachloride or chloroform in shallow soils, the conclusion was that no further threat of contamination to groundwater was present. In September 2005, the CCC/USDA initiated periodic sampling of groundwater, in accord with a program approved by the KDHE (2005), to monitor carbon tetrachloride concentrations in the groundwater. The report presents the data generated during the 2013 monitoring period.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2010

Atmospheric Airborne Pressure Measurements Using the Oxygen A Band for the ASCENDS Mission

We report on airborne atmospheric pressure measurements using new fiber-based laser technology and the oxygen A-band at 765 nm. Remote measurements of atmospheric temperature and pressure are required for a number of NASA Earth science missions and specifically for the Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions Over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission. Accurate measurements of tropospheric CO2 on a global scale are very important in order to better understand its sources and sinks and to improve predictions on any future climate change. The ultimate goal of a CO2 remote sensing mission, such as ASCENDS, is to derive the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere in terms of mole fraction in unit of parts-per-million (ppmv) with regard to dry air. Therefore, both CO2 and the dry air number of molecules in the atmosphere are needed in deriving this quantity. O2 is a stable molecule and uniformly mixed in the atmosphere. Measuring the O2 absorption in the atmosphere can thus be used to infer the dry air number of molecules and then used to calculate CO2 concentration. With the knowledge of atmospheric water vapor, we can then estimate the total surface pressure needed for CO2 retrievals. Our work, funded by the ESTO IIP program, uses fiber optic technology and non-linear optics to generate 765 nm laser radiation coincident with the Oxygen A-band. Our pulsed, time gated technique uses several on- and off-line wavelengths tuned to the O2 absorption line. The choice of wavelengths allows us to measure the pressure by using two adjacent O2 absorptions in the Oxygen A-band. Our retrieval algorithm fits the O2 lineshapes and derives the pressure. Our measurements compare favorably with a local weather monitor mounted outside our laboratory and a local weather station.

Riris, Haris↗

NASA NTRS2011

Atmospheric Airborne Pressure Measurements Using the Oxygen A Band for the ASCENDS Mission

Riris, Haris↗

DOE OSTI2020

Pre-Commercial Scale-Up of a Gas-Fired Absorption Heat Pump

The project sought to advance the maturity of SMTI’s 80 kBTU/hr residential space and water heating GAHP from the engineering prototype stage (TRL-7) to pre-production readiness by addressing manufacturing, balance of system design and installation, cost, reliability, and field application questions. As part of this project, the project team has: (1) Matured the design package for a commercially ready product (2) Demonstrated compliance with relevant ANSI standards (3) Completed manufacturing and assembly process specifications (4) Completed total production cost estimates and capital equipment requirements (5) Initiated component and system level reliability assessments (6) Completed a small field demonstration including measured performance, installation requirements and expected costs, and customer/key stakeholder feedback. (7) Completed a Techno-economic analysis for representative applications and climate zones, including justification for utility incentive programs. (8) Completed a market intelligence report. Scope of Work: A multi-faceted project was completed that included: (a) design for manufacturing tasks for both the sealed system and balance of system, (b) development and trial of key manufacturing processes and techniques, (c) evaluation of component and system level reliability, (d) exploration of make/buy decisions including impact on cost and required capital. Additionally, (e) installation and monitoring of a small number of field test units was completed to demonstrate energy savings and collect customer/installer feedback, and (f) a focused market research task was completed to explore potential barriers and improve market introduction plans. These tasks addressed many of the remaining technical risks regarding long-term reliability, verification of manufacturing cost estimates and identification of cost concerns, identify installation and balance of system design criteria necessary to achieve energy savings and installed cost goals, and identify market barriers and strategies prior to product market introduction.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Microbiological and geochemical characterization of As-bearing tailings and underlying sediments

Over the past 100 years, extensive oxidation of As-bearing sulfide-rich tailings from the abandoned Long Lake Gold Mine (Canada) has resulted in the formation of acid mine drainage (pH 2.0-3.9) containing high concentrations of dissolved As (similar to 400 mg L -1 ), SO 4 2- , Fe and other metals. Dissolved As is predominantly present as As(III), with increased As(V) near the tailings surface. Pore-gas O 2 is depleted to < 1 vol% in the upper 30-80 cm of the tailings profile. The primary sulfides, pyrite and arsenopyrite, are highly oxidized in the upper portions of the tailings. Elevated proportions of sulfide-oxidizing prokaryotes are present in this zone (mean 32.3% of total reads). The tailings are underlain by sediments rich in organic C. Enrichment in δ 34 S-SO 4 in pore-water samples in the organic C-rich zone is consistent with dissimilatory sulfate reduction. Synchrotron-based spectroscopy indicates an abundance of ferric arsenate phases near the impoundment surface and the presence of secondary arsenic sulfides in the organic-C beneath the tailings. The persistence of elevated As concentrations beneath the tailings indicates precipitation of secondary As sulfides is not sufficient to completely remove dissolved As. The oxidation of sulfides and release of As is expected to continue for decades. The findings will inform future remediation efforts and provide a foundation for the long-term monitoring of the effectiveness of the remediation program.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗