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DOE OSTI2017

NESHAP Dose-Release Factor Isopleths for Five Source-to-Receptor Distances from the Center of Site and H-Area for all Compass Sectors at SRS using CAP88-PC Version 4.0

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

NESHAP Area-Specific Dose-Release Factors for Potential Onsite Member-of-the-Public Locations at SRS using CAP88-PC Version 4.0

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the use of the computer model CAP88-PC to estimate the total effective doses (TED) for demonstrating compliance with 40 CFR 61, Subpart H (EPA 2006), the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations. As such, CAP88 Version 4.0 was used to calculate the receptor dose due to routine atmospheric releases at the Savannah River Site (SRS). For estimation, NESHAP dose-release factors (DRFs) have been supplied to Environmental Compliance and Area Closure Projects (EC&ACP) for many years. DRFs represent the dose to a maximum receptor exposed to 1 Ci of a specified radionuclide being released into the atmosphere. They are periodically updated to include changes in the CAP88 version, input parameter values, site meteorology, and location of the maximally exposed individual (MEI). In this report, the DRFs were calculated for potential radionuclide atmospheric releases from 13 SRS release points. The three potential onsite MEI locations to be evaluated are B-Area, Three Rivers Landfill (TRL), and Savannah River Ecology Lab Conference Center (SRELCC) with TRL’s onsite workers considered as members-of-the-public, and the potential future constructions of dormitories at SRELCC and Barracks at B-Area. Each MEI location was evaluated at a specified compass sector with different area to receptor distances and was conducted for both ground-level and elevated release points. The analysis makes use of area-specific meteorological data (Viner 2014). The resulting DRFs are compared to the 2014 NESHAP offsite MEI DRFs for three operational areas; A-Area, H-Area, and COS for a release rate of 1 Ci of tritium oxide at 0 ft. elevation. CAP88 was executed again using the 2016 NESHAP MEI release rates for 0 and 61 m stack heights to determine the radionuclide dose at TRL from the center-of-site (COS).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Technical Manual and User's Guide for MILDOS, Version 4.1

The MILDOS computer code is used to estimate the radiological impacts of airborne emissions from uranium mining and milling facilities. The code allows users to consider both conventional uranium ore operations and operations associated with in situ recovery (ISR) facilities. The code is used by license applicants and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff to perform routine radiological impact and compliance evaluations for various uranium recovery operations. As part of a major code update, the following improvements and additions were made to the code: (a) revised ISR models, (b) support for ores containing thorium-232 (Th-232) and its daughter radionuclides in addition to the currently supported uranium-238 (U-238) and its daughter radionuclides, (c) a revised area source model, (d) the capability to perform sensitivity analysis on specific input parameters, (e) the capability to use current meteorological data provided by the National Climatic Data Center, and (f) an interactive results module.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

Long-Term Methane Emissions Rate Quantification and Alert System for Natural Gas Storage Wells and Fields

The Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and other critical stakeholders (e.g., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), state regulators, and industry) seek to more accurately characterize and quantify methane emissions from natural gas storage wells. These efforts will reduce uncertainties in estimates of these emissions in USEPA’s current Green House Gas Inventory (GHGI) under their Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP; EPA, 2016). Emission factors currently used to estimate methane emissions from gas storage wells are the same factors used for onshore natural gas production wells (USEPA, 2016). This study has developed a robust and representative dataset of emissions from disaggregated gas station wellhead components and related emission factors that will inform future enhancements to the GHGI and GHGRP. Extensive methane emissions measurements and meteorological data were collected from three active storage facilities representing two of the three types of storage facilities (i.e., depleted gas reservoir and salt cavern) to support development of emissions factors specifically for gas storage wells and associated components. Methane emissions were quantified from both above-ground components (e.g., pipe fittings and valves) and seepage from the ground surface in proximity to gas storage wellheads.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2016

Online mapping and forecasting of epidemics using open-source indicators

Open-source indicators have been proposed as a way of tracking and forecasting disease outbreaks. Some, such are meteorological data, are readily available as reanalysis products. Others, such as those derived from our online behavior (web searches, media article etc.) are gathered easily and are more timely than public health reporting. In this study we investigate how these datastreams may be combined to provide useful epidemiological information. The investigation is performed by building data assimilation systems to track influenza in California and dengue in India. The first does not suffer from incomplete data and was chosen to explore disease modeling needs. The second explores the case when observational data is sparse and disease modeling complexities are beside the point. The two test cases are for opposite ends of the disease tracking spectrum. We find that data assimilation systems that produce disease activity maps can be constructed. Further, being able to combine multiple open-source datastreams is a necessity as any one individually is not very informative. The data assimilation systems have very little in common except that they contain disease models, calibration algorithms and some ability to impute missing data. Thus while the data assimilation systems share the goal for accurate forecasting, they are practically designed to compensate for the shortcomings of the datastreams. Thus we expect them to be disease and location-specific.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2019

Assessment of Accident Dose Models Used at the Savannah River Site

AXAIRQ, PUFF-PLUME, and MACCS2 are available for atmosphere modeling of accidental releases at the Savannah River Site (SRS) by qualified users. All models assume Gaussian diffusion and use site-specific or user-specified meteorological data to estimate downwind doses. However, each model was developed, maintained and applied for different purposes for use at SRS. This report briefly describes the lineage of, highlights the differing assumptions for, and compares some results from each model. The report is not intended to be an exhaustive evaluation and/or comparison of the models but to document the capabilities and assumptions of the models to gain perspective on how the models differ.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2018

Air Dispersion Modeling of Radioactive Releases During Proposed 236Z Rubble Pile Removal Activities

This report is part of the planning process for the removal of the 236Z rubble remaining as of January 1, 2018, at the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) on the Hanford Site. This report documents an analysis considering standard techniques for the removal of demolition rubble. It does not document any decisions about the removal approaches. This document is intended to guide the establishment of a boundary for the application of an air monitoring regime. Atmospheric dispersion modeling using estimated release rates has been conducted to provide information on the location and levels of radioactive contamination that may be expected as the result of rubble removal activities. Hourly meteorological data collected over a 6-year period (2004–2009) were used to examine the effects of wind speed, direction, and stability on projected concentrations of contaminants in air and deposited on nearby surfaces. The source terms modeled in this report were based on the residual transuranic contamination levels that are anticipated to remain in the 236Z rubble following building demolition. The potential airborne concentrations were established using the five-factor formula from DOE-HDBK-3010 (DOE 1994) considering material-at-risk, damage ratio, airborne release fraction, respirable fraction, and leak path factor. Radioactive contamination emissions were calculated by release mechanism and rubble pile area for on-shift and off-shift activities. The emissions from the applicable sources were combined to provide emissions estimates for each day from each cleanup area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) AERMOD computer code was used to estimate atmospheric dispersion and deposition of the released radioactive materials in the immediate vicinity of the planned rubble removal activities Both airborne and surface concentrations were modeled with AERMOD. Hourly derived air concentrations (DAC) were modeled for an array of receptors covering the rubble pile site and surrounding area. Peak (95th and 99th percentile) values of time-integrated air concentrations at these receptor points are derived from these hourly values, with modeling results reported as total incremental air concentrations in DAC-hours occurring over the selected time period. Total accumulated deposition amounts were also evaluated with AERMOD using the same array of receptors, with results reported as disintegrations per minute (dpm) per 100 cm2. Each rubble pile was considered in terms of its size, location, and estimated contamination levels. The modeling was based on the assumed sequence of the rubble removal activities. The results in this report are based on cleanup schedules and methods proposed by CHPRC. As of January 1, 2018, there are broadly three large rubble piles (west, footprint, and east) remaining of the 236Z Building process cell. It is assumed that the overall cleanup will require either 1) 30 days over a 6-week period, or 2) 60 days over a 12-week period. Work was assumed to be performed during 10-hour day shifts. The analysis shows that some releases of radioactive material are to be anticipated during the cleanup of the 236Z rubble piles. The modeling results presented here are closely tied to the details of how the rubble removal is to be conducted. The results indicate that for the rubble removal, the radiological exposures from the planned activities are predicted to be well below the designated limits for air and soil exposures. The cleanup of the 236Z main process cell rubble is expected to release some alpha-emitting radionuclides. However, results based on 6 years of hourly climatological data, two representative cleanup periods, realistic mitigating actions, and a bounding source term indicate that concentrations at the fence line of the PFP facilities should remain well below 12 DAC-hours/week. The results presented in this report are a reevaluation of a subset of the results presented in PNNL-20173 Rev. 4.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2021

Validation of the Public Radiation Exposure Calculation for the Incident at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research on February 3, 2021

The Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration Consequence Management Program was contacted by the Health Physics Chief of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) to review public radiation exposure calculations for an event that occurred on its Gaithersburg, Maryland, campus on February 3, 2021. Subject matter experts from the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) assets, specifically the Consequence Management Home Team (CMHT) and the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC), were selected to provide support. CMHT used three separate modeling codes to validate the results the scientists at NCNR calculated using the HotSpot model. The analyses were performed using NARAC’s in-house Lagrangian dispersion codes known as LODI and Aeolus, as well as the Turbo FRMAC software from Sandia National Laboratories. The team used parameters provided by the NCNR scientists regarding the site, applicable observable meteorological data, and environmental survey and sampling data to estimate public exposure. Each model estimated public dose at much less than 0.5 mrem. CMHT concurs with the NCNR public radiation exposure calculations which state that members of the public at the 400-meter boundary would have received a radiological dose of less than 0.5 mrem.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2022

HYSPLIT/MACCS Atmospheric Dispersion Model Technical Documentation and Benchmark Analysis

The nuclear accident consequence analysis code MACCS has traditionally modeled dispersion during downwind transport using a Gaussian plume segment model. MACCS is designed to estimate consequence measures such as air concentrations and ground depositions, radiological doses, and health and economic impacts on a statistical basis over the course of a year to produce annualaveraged output measures. The objective of this work is to supplement the Gaussian atmospheric transport and diffusion (ATD) model currently in MACCS with a new option using the HYSPLIT model. HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling has been implemented, with HYSPLIT as an alternative ATD option. The subsequent calculations in MACCS use the HYSPLIT-generated air concentration, and ground deposition values to calculate the same range of output quantities (dose, health effects, risks, etc.) that can be generated when using the MACCS Gaussian ATD model. Based on the results from the verification test cases, the implementation of the HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling is confirmed. This report contains technical details of the HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling and presents a benchmark analysis using the HYSPLIT/MACCS coupling system. The benchmark analysis, which involves running specific scenarios and sensitivity studies designed to examine how the results generated by the traditional MACCS Gaussian plume segment model compare to the new, higher fidelity HYSPLIT/MACCS modeling option, demonstrates the modeling results that can be obtained by using this new option. The comparisons provided herein can also help decision-makers evaluate the potential benefit of using results based on higher fidelity modeling with the additional computational burden needed to perform the calculations. Three sensitivity studies to investigate the potential impact of alternative modeling options, regarding 1) input meteorological data set, 2) method to estimate stability class, and 3) plume dispersion model for larger distances, on consequence results were also performed. The results of these analyses are provided and discussed in this report.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2022

AERMOD Screening Dispersion Factors for INL Facilities

This engineering calculations and analysis report (ECAR) documents the calculation of screening level air dispersion factors (DFs) for use in identifying Idaho National Laboratory (INL) air pollutant sources that would not be of concern relative to state of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) significant impact levels for toxic air pollutants (IDAPA 2020). A DF (in units of s/m 3 ) is the maximum time-averaged model-predicted air concentration (g/m 3 ) at an ambient-air receptor location divided by a unit source release or emission rate (1 g/s). DFs were calculated for a generic pollutant released from facilities at the INL Site and the Idaho Falls Research Education Campus (REC) using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-recommended AERMOD air-dispersion model (EPA 2019a) and site-specific meteorological data. The use of AERMOD for air quality analyses is specified by EPA in Appendix W of 40 CFR Part 51, Guideline on Air Quality Models, and by DEQ in their air modeling guidance (DEQ 2013). DFs were calculated for 1-hour, 3 hour, 8-hour, 24-hour, monthly, and annual averaging times.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2023

An Urban Climate Archipelago in the Southeastern U.S.

Urban boundary layers (UBLs; Barlow, 2014) are the most populous microclimate in the world but are still a challenge to represent physically due to the lack of frequent observations within most urban centers. We examine a set of inland urban regions of different sizes within the Southeast U.S.: Atlanta, GA; Athens, GA; Augusta, GA; and Columbia, SC. We compare Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF; Skamarock et al., 2019) simulation output of Atlanta to hourly-averaged Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR) temperature profiles within the warm season in the ATL airport. The scaling of the simulated UBL by size of the urban region is assessed by comparing the UBL dynamics of the three smaller cities (Athens, Augusta, and Columbia) to Atlanta.

Wermter, Jospeh↗

DOE OSTI2024

Multimodal Chemical Characterization of Brown Carbon in Atmosphere and Snowpack during SAIL Field Campaign Report

The main goal of this field project was to characterize the chemical and physical properties of light-absorbing particles (LAP) present in the atmosphere and snowpack. The specific field efforts included: 1) online measurement and sampling of light-absorbing particles using a Magee Scientific model AE33 aethalometer (AE33) and a time-resolved aerosol collector (TRAC); and 2) sampling of snowpack during observed events of LAP deposition on snow, confirmed by onsite U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility measurements and meteorological data. The ongoing research objectives of our follow-up sample and data analysis include: 1) Characterization of aerosol regimes and sources, identifying particle-type populations, mixing states, and atmospheric transformations based on correlative analysis of our detailed chemical imaging and chemical characterization measurements and real-time records from the second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF2) and other instruments available from the Surface Atmosphere Integrated Field Laboratory (SAIL) experiment; 2) Assessment of the optical and chemical properties of snowpack deposits to investigate how aerosol deposition influences snowpack lifetime.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Assessment of Potential Dose and Environmental Impacts from Proposed Testing at the INL Radiological Response Training Range

This assessment uses screening level models to calculate potential environmental impacts from proposed tests at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Radiological Response Training Range (RRTR) site. Proposed tests could be conducted using 11 different radioactive material types that include K 2 O, LaBr 3 , KBr, Cu, Zr, F, Ga, Ga 2 O 3 , NaNO 2 , Ga-68, and Tc-99m. The tests could potentially release radioactive material to the atmosphere and radionuclides and other contaminants to the soil, which could leach into the unsaturated zone and migrate to the aquifer. Atmospheric transport of radionuclides to potential human receptors and time-integrated air concentrations were calculated with a Gaussian plume model and three years of hourly meteorological data. Potential surface-soil impacts were calculated with the computer program Mixing-Cell Model (MCM). Groundwater impacts were calculated with the computer programs MCM and GWSCREEN. Radiological doses from potential atmospheric releases were calculated for public receptors off the INL Site and for workers at nearby INL facilities. Results were compared to regulatory dose limits. Maximum potential groundwater concentrations were estimated in the aquifer below the NSTR site and compared to drinking water standards or risk-based screening levels for resident tap water. Soil concentrations were calculated and compared to risk-based screening levels for workers and potential future residents. All impacts were estimated based on the assumption that 12 tests are conducted annually using all 11 material types for a period of 15 years. This document provides the resources to enable a subject matter expert in the field of environmental assessments to replicate the modeling and calculations. The methodology and parameters are presented in the text. All electronic files, including computer code input, output, executable files, batch files, scripts, and spreadsheet files are contained in a zip file that can be accessed by selecting “Additional Information” (select Native File) in the INL Electronic Document Management System (EDMS).

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Assessment of Potential Dose and Environmental Impacts from Proposed Testing at the INL National Security Test Range

This assessment uses screening level models to calculate potential environmental impacts from proposed tests at two locations at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) National Security Test Range (NSTR) site. Proposed tests could be conducted using 11 different radioactive material types that include K 2 O, LaBr 3 , KBr, Cu, Zr, F, Ga, Ga 2 O 3 , NaNO 2 , Ga-68, and Tc-99m. The tests could potentially release radioactive material to the atmosphere and radionuclides and other contaminants to the soil, which could leach into the unsaturated zone and migrate to the aquifer. Atmospheric transport of radionuclides to potential human receptors and time-integrated air concentrations were calculated with a Gaussian plume model and three years of hourly meteorological data. Potential surface soil impacts were calculated with the computer program Mixing-Cell Model (MCM). Groundwater impacts were calculated with the computer programs MCM and GWSCREEN. Radiological doses from potential atmospheric releases were calculated for public receptors off the INL Site and for workers at nearby INL facilities. Results were compared to regulatory dose limits. Maximum potential groundwater concentrations were estimated in the aquifer below the NSTR site and compared to drinking water standards or risk-based screening levels for resident tap water. Soil concentrations were calculated and compared to risk-based screening levels for workers and potential future residents. All impacts were estimated based on the assumption that 12 tests are conducted annually using all 11 material types for 15 years. This document provides the resources to enable a subject matter expert in the field of environmental assessments to replicate the modeling and calculations. The methodology and parameters are presented in the text. All electronic files, including computer code input, output, executable files, batch files, scripts, and spreadsheet files, are contained in a zip file that can be accessed by selecting “Additional Information” (select Native File) in the INL Electronic Document Management System (EDMS).

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Super Resolution for Renewable Energy Resource Data With Wind From Reanalysis Data (Sup3rWind) and Application to Ukraine [Slides]

In this work we present a novel deep learning-based downscaling method, using generative adversarial networks (GANs), for generating high-resolution wind resource data from ECMWF Reanalysis v5 data (ERA5). We show that by training a GAN model on ERA5, as opposed to coarsened high-resolution data, we achieve results that are competitive with conventional dynamical downscaling. This GAN-based downscaling method additionally reduces computational costs over dynamical downscaling by two orders of magnitude. All GANs are trained on data sampled from CONUS, selected to provide a diverse sampling of terrain conditions, and validated on observational data along with data held out from training. This cross-validation shows low error and high correlations with observations and excellent agreement with hold out data across physical distributions. Our approach is finally used to downscale 30km hourly ERA5 to 2-km 5-minute wind data, for January 2000 through December 2023, at multiple hub heights, over Ukraine, Moldova, and part of Romania. Comparisons against observational data from Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System (MADIS) and multiple wind farms show the same level of performance as for CONUS validation. This 24 year data record is the first member of the "super resolution for renewable energy resource data with wind from reanalysis data" dataset (Sup3rWind).

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Building research capacity in Southern Appalachian mountain wetlands

This project increased research capacity in Southern Appalachian wetlands by facilitating new collaborations between the PI (UNC Asheville) and DOE and academic research partners. Mountain wetlands are among the rarest natural communities in the Southern Appalachians; most of the sites contain rare or endangered species and have been incorporated into or are being considered for the new Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge (established in 2015). PI Wilcox’s research since 2010 has focused on wetland hydrology at over a dozen priority field sites in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia. This project provided time and funding to learn about DOE programs and resources, including meteorological data, watershed modeling programs, analytical capabilities, and computing facilities. PI Wilcox was able to meet potential research partners at professional conferences and the DOE-BER-ESS PI meeting and invite several of those potential partners to visit UNC Asheville and nearby field sites in Western North Carolina. These connections have resulted in three new collaborative research proposals, and a new cooperative agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service that includes two new field sites.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

The U.S. Agrivoltaic Shading Tool: A National-Scale Interface for Modeling Light and Shade Patterns in Ten Common Agrivoltaic Configurations

Agrivoltaic systems are dual-use configurations that co-locate agriculture and photovoltaic (PV) infrastructure and require careful design to balance crop performance and energy generation. A critical element of agrivoltaic design is the spatial and temporal distribution of irradiance and shade within and around PV arrays. To support research, planning, and stakeholder decision-making, we introduce the U.S. Agrivoltaic Shading Tool, a novel web-based application that delivers high-resolution irradiance and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) modeling for ten standardized PV configurations across the conterminous United States. The tool leverages the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) System Advisor Model (SAM) to perform detailed irradiance simulations, using meteorological data from the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB). Outputs include seasonal, monthly, weekly, and diurnal patterns of available sunlight, amount of shade, irradiance, and PAR at ground level within agrivoltaic system footprints. For a user's selected location, these results are visualized through interactive visualizations, heatmaps, and time-series plots, designed to be accessible to both technical and non-technical users. In addition to facilitating rapid spatial exploration of agrivoltaic light environments, the tool will offer seamless integration with the InSPIRE Agrivoltaics Design and Analysis Model (ADAM). This optional workflow will allow users to port selected site and configuration parameters into a more advanced modeling environment for further customization of structural layouts, crop-system compatibility, power generation, and technoeconomic performance. Finally, to promote open science, the entire dataset will be hosted and available for open access through the OpenEI platform. By standardizing and disseminating high-quality irradiance data and design tools, the U.S. Agrivoltaic Shading Tool supports a wide range of users, including researchers, landowners, energy developers, and policymakers, in evaluating the agronomic and energetic feasibility of agrivoltaic systems across the United States.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2024

National Park Air Quality Index Dataset

The National Park Air Quality Index dataset (NPS-AQI) consists of webcam images taken from the National Park Service's publicly available air quality web cameras and associated measurements for air pollutants, AQI, and meteorological data obtained via the publicly available NPS Gaseous Pollutant Monitoring Program. The full dataset is a collection of 146,822 images paired with air quality measurements. The specific measurements reported are: ozone ppm, 8-hour running average ozone ppm, so2 ppm, AQI (derived from ozone), temperature, and humidity. The images are 1500X1000 pixel PNG files arranged into folders by NPS site and named according to the time and date the image was taken. There are three CSV files (representing "training", "validation", and "testing" images splits) containing image names and associated NPS site names, air pollutant measurements, and meteorlogical data.

Svinth, Christian N↗