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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 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Designing Ti-6Al-4V microstructure for strain delocalization using neural networks

Abstract The deformation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy is significantly influenced by slip localized within crystallographic slip bands. Experimental observations reveal that intense slip bands in Ti-6Al-4V form at strains well below the macroscopic yield strain and may serially propagate across grain boundaries, resulting in long-range localization that percolates through the microstructure. These connected, localized slip bands serve as potential sites for crack initiation. Although slip localization in Ti-6Al-4V is known to be influenced by various factors, an investigation of optimal microstructures that limit localization remains lacking. In this work, we develop a novel strategy that integrates an explicit slip band crystal plasticity technique, graph networks, and neural network models to identify Ti-6Al-4V microstructures that reduce the propensity for strain localization. Simulations are conducted on a dataset of 3D polycrystals, each represented as a graph to account for grain neighborhood and connectivity. The results are then used to train neural network surrogate models that accurately predict localization-based properties of a polycrystal, given its microstructure. These properties include the ratio of slip accumulated in the band to that in the matrix, fraction of total applied strain accommodated by slip bands, and spatial connectivity of slip bands throughout the microstructure. The initial dataset is enriched by synthetic data generated by the surrogate models, and a grid search optimization is subsequently performed to find optimal microstructures. Describing a 3D polycrystal with only a few features and a combination of graph and neural network models offer robustness compared to the alternative approaches without compromising accuracy. We show that while each material property is optimized through a unique microstructure solution, elongated grain shape emerges as a recurring feature among all optimal microstructures. This finding suggests that designing microstructures with elongated grains could potentially mitigate strain localization without compromising strength.

Ahmadikia, Behnam↗
DOE OSTI2016

Understanding the Critical Parameters of the PAMS Mandrel Fabrication Process

As a part of an effort to continually better the roundness and roughness of ablator capsules, we looked at improving the same for the poly(alphamethylstyrene) or PAMS mandrels used to make the plastic capsules. The importance of this work is based on the fact that the surface properties of the mandrels set the lower limit for the ultimate attributes of the ablator capsule. These mandrels are made using an elegant double-emulsion process that uses the isotropic forces brought about by hydrostatic pressure and interfacial tension to seek sphericity. This paper describes the reasoning that led to investigating the so-called curing process where a solid PAMS shell is generated from a solution phase for achieving this goal. Using modeling to account for the mass transfer of the fluorobenzene solvent phase, we demonstrate that it is the control of the conditions through the percolation point of the system that leads to better mandrels. These concepts were implemented into the fabrication process to demonstrate significant improvements of the roundness of the mandrels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Trust based attachment

In social systems subject to indirect reciprocity, a positive reputation is key for increasing one’s likelihood of future positive interactions. The flow of gossip can amplify the impact of a person’s actions on their reputation depending on how widely it spreads across the social network, which leads to a percolation problem. To quantify this notion, we calculate the expected number of individuals, the “audience”, who find out about a particular interaction. For a potential donor, a larger audience constitutes higher reputational stakes, and thus a higher incentive, to perform “good” actions in line with current social norms. For a receiver, a larger audience therefore increases the trust that the partner will be cooperative. This idea can be used for an algorithm that generates social networks, which we call trust based attachment (TBA). TBA produces graphs that share crucial quantitative properties with real-world networks, such as high clustering, small-world behavior, and powerlaw degree distributions. We also show that TBA can be approximated by simple friend-of-friend routines based on triadic closure, which are known to be highly effective at generating realistic social network structures. Therefore, our work provides a new justification for triadic closure in social contexts based on notions of trust, gossip, and social information spread. These factors are thus identified as potential significant influences on how humans form social ties.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

EGS Collab Experiment 2: Hydraulic Pressure Test Results

The EGS Collab experiment 2 was focused on testing shear stimulation techniques. Shear stimulation, in this case, means using hydraulic pressure to cause shear slip on preexisting fracture or fault planes such that the hydraulic conductivity of the fracture or fault increases. The concept is to create a percolating network of permeable fractures by enhancing the permeability of a primarily preexisting network of fractures. To test this concept the hydraulic pressures for experiment 2 were kept below the the estimated magnitude of the least compressive principal stress based on a set of stress measurements in nearby well TV4100. All tests for experiment 2 were performed by applying hydraulic pressure to well E2-TC. Subsequent stimulations in both E2-TC and E2-TU where the injection pressure was increased above the least compressive principal stress are considered part of experiment 3, which is documented separately. The data are organized in directories labeled by the depth range isolated between packers.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Molecular modeling of the morphology and transport properties of two direct methanol fuel cell membranes: phenylated sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone ketone) versus Nafion

We have used molecular dynamics simulations to examine membrane morphology and the transport of water, methanol and hydronium in phenylated sulfonated poly ether ether ketone ketone (Ph-SPEEKK) and Nafion membranes at 360 K for a range of hydration levels. At comparable hydration levels, the pore diameter is smaller, the sulfonate groups are more closely packed, the hydronium ions are more strongly bound to sulfonate groups, and the diffusion of water and hydronium is slower in Ph-SPEEKK relative to the corresponding properties in Nafion. The aromatic carbon backbone of Ph-SPEEKK is less hydrophobic than the fluorocarbon backbone of Nafion. Water network percolation occurs at a hydration level ({lambda}) of {approx}8 H{sub 2}O/SO{sub 3}{sup -}. At {lambda} = 20, water, methanol and hydronium diffusion coefficients were 1.4 x 10{sup -5}, 0.6 x 10{sup -5} and 0.2 x 10{sup -5} cm{sup 2}/s, respectively. The pore network in Ph-SPEEKK evolves dynamically and develops wide pores for {lambda} > 20, which leads to a jump in methanol crossover and ion transport. This study demonstrates the potential of aromatic membranes as low-cost challengers to Nafion for direct methanol fuel cell applications and the need to develop innovative strategies to combat methanol crossover at high hydration levels.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Highly functional microspheres facilitating Diels–Alder network formation

Introducing particles to dynamic covalent networks is a common approach to improve their performance. However, network formation can be impacted by their size and functionality. The influence can be predicted by common theories for small molecular precursors, but it is unclear whether they are applicable to precursors bearing numerous reactive groups and micrometer-scale dimensions. In this work, an experimental study was undertaken using dynamic covalent networks formed by the Diels–Alder reaction between furan and maleimide groups. The gelation behavior of the Diels–Alder networks was studied using rheometry to track their network formation at 40 °C with varying maleimide-functionalized microsphere loading. The highly functional microspheres can interact with the furan precursor, aiding in the formation of the Diels–Alder networks. A 5 wt% microsphere sample can reduce the gelation time by 23% and facilitate network formation in an unbalanced stoichiometry near the critical composition to form a percolating network.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hydrologic Impacts of a Strike-Slip Fault Zone: Insights from Joint 3D Body-Wave Tomography of Rock Valley

The Rock Valley fault zone (RVFZ), an intraplate strike-slip fault zone in the southern Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), hosted a series of very shallow (<3 km) earthquakes in 1993. The RVFZ may also have hydrological significance within the NNSS, potentially playing a role in regional groundwater flow, but there is a lack of local hydrological data. In the Spring of 2021, we collected active-source accelerated weight drop seismic data over part of the RVFZ to better characterize the shallow subsurface. Here, we manually picked ~17,000 P-wave travel times and over 14,000 S-wave travel times, which were inverted for P-wave velocity (V P ), S-wave velocity (V S ), and V P /V S ratio in a 3D joint tomographic inversion scheme. Seismic velocities are imaged as deep as ~700 m in areas and generally align with geologic and structural expectations. V P and V S are relatively reduced near mapped and inferred faults, with the most prominent lower V P and V S zone around the densest collection of faults. We image V P /V S ratios ranging from ~1.5 to ~2.4, the extremes of which occur at a depth of ~100 m and are juxtaposed across a fault. One possible interpretation of the imaged seismic velocities is enhanced fault damage near the densest collection of faults with relatively higher porosity and/or crack density at ~100 m depth, with patches of semiperched groundwater present in the sedimentary rock in higher V P /V S areas and drier rock in lower V P /V S areas. A relatively higher V P /V S area beneath the densest faults persists at depth, which suggests percolation of groundwater via the fault damage zone to the regionally connected lower carbonate aquifer. Potentially, the presence and movement of groundwater may have played a role in the 1993 earthquake aftershocks.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR HYDROLOGY-BASED GEOMORPHIC EVAPOTRANSPIRATION COVERS FOR RECLAMATION OF MINE LAND

Currently there are about half a million abandoned mine sites in the U.S. and New Mexico has an estimated 15,000. Surface mining imposes severe ecological effects on the land because it not only alters the vegetation, soils, bedrock, and landforms, but also changes the surface hydrology, groundwater, and flow paths that ultimately result in degraded ecology and water quality. Two relatively new methodologies, fluvial geomorphic landform design and evapotranspiration (ET) waste covers, offer solutions to reclaim these sites for long term. GeoFluvTM is a specific geomorphic grading design method that uses natural analogues for post-mining landscapes and uses design input values taken from stable natural landscapes to make a reclamation design that provides hydrological function, supports ecosystem integrity, and is cost-effective, sustainable, and more visually attractive. It has documented the ability to produce surface runoff water quality equal to or better than adjacent undisturbed lands and has been used for disturbed lands, including active and abandoned mine sites. To manage the subsurface hydrology, surface ET covers have been used above landfills, waste sites, and mine lands. ET covers protect the underlying materials against erosion, provide a medium for vegetation growth, store precipitation within the cover, and release the stored water into atmosphere so that the infiltration of precipitation is minimized. A conceptual design study is carried out based on an actual, typical abandoned mine site near Raton, New Mexico, to which common problem conditions at abandoned mine sites are assumed. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that superior covers can be designed by integrating these two remediation technologies (geomorphic grading and ET cover) as a geomorphic ET (GET) cover. The overall shape of the GET cover can mimic the natural topography of the surrounding area, while the thickness and layering of the cover can be optimized for best vegetation growth and infiltration control. The application of GET cover technology on mine land is expected to substantially improve the reclamation effects by coupling the benefits of the geomorphic cover (drainage reduction, runoff management, vegetation diversity) with the benefits of ET covers (vegetation growth and sustainability, percolation reduction, protection of surface and groundwater).

Tailings, Geotechnical, Water Management, Vegetati↗
DOE OSTI2019

Nitrate Leaching from Continuous Corn, Perennial Grasses, and Poplar in the US Midwest

Leaching from annual corn ( Zea mays L.) crops is a primary source of nitrate (NO 3 - ) pollution of ground and surface waters. Here, we compare NO 3 - losses from no-till corn with losses from various alternative perennial cropping systems (switchgrass [ Panicum virgatum L.], miscanthus [ Miscanthus ×giganteus J.M. Greef & Deuter ex Hodkinson & Renvoiz], a native grass mixture, and restored prairie), as well as hybrid poplar ( Populus nigra L. × P. maximowiczii A. Henry ‘NM6’), all grown on a well-drained soil in Michigan. Soil water was sampled from below the root zone using suction cup samplers during nonfrozen periods (March–November) between 2009 and 2016. Leaching was estimated from NO 3 - concentrations in soil water and modeled drainage (percolation) rates. Drainage rates were not significantly different among crops, constituting ~30% of total annual precipitation. Aboveground net primary production (Mg ha -1 yr -1 ) averaged across the 7 yr was highest in poplar (30.8 ± 1.9 [SE]) followed by miscanthus (23.9 ± 2.4) and corn (20.4 ± 0.9). Volume-weighted mean NO 3 - concentrations (mg N L -1 ) and NO 3 - leaching (kg ha -1 yr -1 ) averaged across the 7 yr were 9.2 and 34.1, 2.3 and 5.9, and 3.0 and 7.2, respectively, for corn, perennial grasses and poplar. Approximately 10 to 32% of applied N was lost as NO 3 - from these crops, with the highest percent losses from poplar (32%) followed by corn (20%). Perennial cropping systems leached considerably more NO 3 - in first few years after planting, but over 7 yr they lost much less NO 3 - than corn. Perennial crops may therefore help ameliorate NO 3 - pollution in agricultural landscapes even if they receive modest N fertilization.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Numerical Evaluation of Unsaturated-Zone Flow and Transport Pathways at Rainier Mesa, Nevada

Sixty-one underground nuclear tests were conducted at Rainier Mesa at the Nevada National Security Site between 1957 and 1992. The mesa includes the highest-elevation areas at the Nevada National Security Site and experiences some of the highest estimated infiltration rates. Perched water is ubiquitous in many of the tunnels used for testing. The presence of sloping layers with strongly varying degrees of fracturing and overall permeability suggests that some infiltrating water may be diverted laterally along higher-permeability layers, thereby reducing overall percolation flux and radionuclide transport through the low-permeability testing horizons but also potentially transporting radionuclides laterally away from the test locations. A high-resolution, two-dimensional, cross-sectional model was created to simulate water and particle movement along potential lateral flow paths and to investigate flow and transport paths within and surrounding the perched water bodies. The model results indicate that particles with starting locations within the low-permeability perching layers will follow dominantly vertical trajectories through the perching horizons and reach the water table in the underlying carbonate aquifer only after many thousands of years. In contrast, particles starting near ground surface above the testing horizon are mostly diverted laterally before reaching the testing horizon, except where nearby faults through the perching layers are present. Where the rock above the perching horizon is fractured, particles originating near ground surface can move laterally with relatively high transport velocities. Transport calculations for 3 H show that transport extent is limited by slow matrix flow, radioactive decay, and matrix diffusion in the fractured units.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Cornell Fuel Cell Institute: Materials Discovery to Enable Fuel Cell Technologies (Final Report)

The discovery and understanding of new, improved materials to advance fuel cell technology are the objectives of the Cornell Fuel Cell Institute (CFCI) research program. CFCI was initially formed in 2003. This report highlights the accomplishments from 2006-2009. Many of the grand challenges in energy science and technology are based on the need for materials with greatly improved or even revolutionary properties and performance. This is certainly true for fuel cells, which have the promise of being highly efficient in the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. Fuel cells offer the possibility of efficiencies perhaps up to 90 % based on the free energy of reaction. Here, the challenges are clearly in the materials used to construct the heart of the fuel cell: the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA consists of two electrodes separated by an ionically conducting membrane. Each electrode is a nanocomposite of electronically conducting catalyst support, ionic conductor and open porosity, that together form three percolation networks that must connect to each catalyst nanoparticle; otherwise the catalyst is inactive. This report highlights the findings of the three years completing the CFCI funding, and incudes developments in materials for electrocatalyts, catalyst supports, materials with structured and functional porosity for electrodes, and novel electrolyte membranes. The report also discusses developments at understanding electrocatalytic mechanisms, especially on novel catalyst surfaces, plus in situ characterization techniques and contributions from theory. Much of the research of the CFCI continues within the Energy Materials Center at Cornell (emc 2 ), a DOE funded, Office of Science Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC).

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2012

Gas Hydrate Characterization in the GoM using Marine EM Methods

In spite of the importance of gas hydrate as a low-carbon fuel, a possible contributor to rapid climate change, and a significant natural hazard, our current understanding about the amount and distribution of submarine gas hydrate is somewhat poor; estimates of total volume vary by at least an order of magnitude, and commercially useful concentrations of hydrate have remained an elusive target. This is largely because conventional geophysical tools have intrinsic limitations in their ability to quantitatively image hydrate. It has long been known from well logs that gas hydrate is resistive compared to the host sediments, and electrical and electromagnetic methods have been proposed and occasionally used to image hydrates. This project seeks to expand our capabilities to use electromagnetic methods to explore for gas hydrate in the marine environment. An important basic science aspect of our work was to quantify the resistivity of pure gas hydrate as a function of temperature at seafloor pressures. We designed, constructed, and tested a highpressure cell in which hydrate could be synthesized and then subjected to electrical conductivity measurements. Impedance spectroscopy at frequencies between 20 Hz and 2 MHz was used to separate the effect of the blocking electrodes from the intrinsic conductivity of the hydrate. We obtained very reproducible results that showed that pure methane hydrate was several times more resistive than the water ice that seeded the synthesis, 20,000 {Ohm}m at 0{degrees} C, and that the activation energy is 30.6 kJ/mol over the temperature range of -15 to 15{degrees} C. Adding silica sand to the hydrate, however, showed that the addition of the extra phase caused the conductivity of the assemblage to increase in a counterintuitive way. The fact that the increased conductivity collapsed after a percolation threshold was reached, and that the addition of glass beads does not produce a similar increase in conductivity, together suggest that while the surface of the gas hydrate grains are not intrinsically conductive, the presence of sand does increase their conductivity. In the field component of this project, we carried out an 18day cruise on the R.V. Roger Revelle in the Gulf of Mexico from 7th-26th October 2008 to collect controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) data over four hydrate prospects; blocks AC 818, WR 313, GC 955, and MC 118. During these surveys we deployed 30 ocean bottom electromagnetic (OBEM) recorders a total of 94 times at four survey areas and towed the Scripps Undersea Electromagnetic Source Instrument (SUESI) a total of 103 hours. SUESI transmission was 200 A on a 50 m dipole antenna at heights of 70-100 m above the seafloor. We also towed a neutrally buoyant 3-axis electric field recorder behind the SUESI antenna at a constant offset of 300 m. The use of a towed receiver that is "flown" above the seafloor allowed us to operate in areas where seafloor infrastructure such as wellheads, pipelines, and installed scientific equipment existed. We reduced the data to apparent resistivity psuedosections. The most compelling results come from the hydrate observatory at MC 118, where a localized resistivity anomaly is clearly identified under the southeast crater in an otherwise uniform 1 {Ohm}m background. The data from MC 118 also show that authigenic carbonate does not necessarily express itself as a confounding resistor, as was feared at the start of this project. While the results from the other prospects are much more complicated, the data are well correlated with known geology, and line to line agreement is good. Although these data are not amenable to 1D inversion as was initially hoped, we expect to use a newly developed 2D CSEM inversion code to continue to get useful information from this rich data set.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2012

The mechanics of network polymers with thermally reversible linkages

Encapsulated printed circuit boards typically use conventional thermosetting polymers which are difficult to remove without damaging the electronics if upgrades are needed. To improve the efficiency of maintaining printed circuit boards, network polymers with thermally reversible linkages were developed to provide an alternative class of encapsulation thermosets that could be easily and non-destructively removed and later reapplied. These polymers include functionalities that dynamically break and form covalent bonds. Over time, the connectivity of the network evolves, which causes the macroscopic stress in the material to relax and the permanent shape to change even if these processes are in equilibrium. With respect to removal, the equilibrium behavior of these processes changes if the thermodynamic state of the material is changed, which alters the number density of chains. If the number density of chains is reduced below the percolation threshold, the material exhibits a gel-point transition beyond which, it behaves as a viscous liquid. These two properties contrast sharply with conventional thermosetting polymers, which do not exhibit this relaxation mechanism nor a gel-point transition.

Long, Kevin N.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Effects of morphology on ion transport in ionomers for energy storage

Polymer electrolytes are essential elements of current and next-generation energy storage applications. An important class of polymer electrolytes is ionomers, in which one of the ions is covalently bound to the polymer backbone. Ionomers are currently used in fuel cells, and show extraordinary promise as solid electrolytes in batteries for transportation and portable power applications. Solid electrolytes are desirable for a variety of reasons. A primary one is safety: the lack of solvent leads to fewer electrochemical reactions (e.g. with the electrodes) and the absence of flammable liquids. Solvent-free electrolytes allow for less packaging (and hence higher energy density batteries) and easier manufacture. Single-ion conductors such as ionomers also have the advantage of higher efficiency (high lithium transference numbers), since the anions are bound to the polymer backbone and the current is primarily due to the cations that actively participate in the electrochemical reactions. However, to date ionomeric materials do not have sufficiently high conductivities. Ion transport mechanisms in ionomers and their relation to molecular structure are poorly understood, although it is known that ion transport is coupled to polymeric motion and to the nanoscale morphology of ionic aggregates that often self-assemble in the polymer matrix. In this project we investigate the morphol ogy and ion dynamics in ionomer melts using ab initio calculations, NMR experiments, and both atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the aggre gate morphology depends strongly on polymer architecture, neutralizing cation, and degree of neutralization. This morphology in turn affects the counterion dynamics; we find that counte rions diffuse more quickly in systems with percolated aggregates than in systems with discrete aggregates.

Frischknecht, Amalie Lucile↗
DOE OSTI2012

Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives

The objective of this research is to increase the thermal conductivity of uranium oxide (UO 2 ) without significantly impacting its neutronic properties. The concept is to incorporate another high thermal conductivity material, silicon carbide (SiC), in the form of whiskers or from nanoparticles of SiC and a SiC polymeric precursor into UO 2 . This is expected to form a percolation pathway lattice for conductive heat transfer out of the fuel pellet. The thermal conductivity of SiC would control the overall fuel pellet thermal conductivity. The challenge is to show the effectiveness of a low temperature sintering process, because of a UO 2 -SiC reaction at 1,377°C, a temperature far below the normal sintering temperature. Researchers will study three strategies to overcome the processing difficulties associated with pore clogging and the chemical reaction of SiC and UO 2 at temperatures above 1,300°C:

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Evaluation of the Impact of Thin Pours on Saltstone Properties

The proposed Saltstone Disposal Unit 6 (SDU6) is a larger structure than the SDU4 cells and larger than the disposal units (SDU2, SDU3, and SDU5) currently in use or under construction. The additional capacity provided by SDU6 is desired to reduce life cycle costs and support site accelerated closure goals. The larger size of the planned SDU6 could result in saltstone being placed in thinner lifts as the unit is filled. This study was performed to determine whether thinner layers of saltstone negatively impact the performance of the waste form. A larger number of cold joints could potentially result in increased drying, salt deposition, and surface oxidation. A matrix of samples was prepared to simulate thin pours ranging from 0.5 to 6 inches thick. Each sample was cured for at least 28 days prior to further characterization. Leachability results showed that there is no obvious impact of the number of grout layers on the Leachability Index values for Na and NO 3 . The concentrations of Cr, NO 2 , and C 2 O 4 were below detection limits for all of the leachates. No attempt was made to evaluate the oxidation of these samples since no measureable Cr was leached, although this would appear to indicate that Cr in the samples remained reduced for cold joints with surfaces exposed for approximately four days. The results of hydraulic conductivity measurements showed that the number of cold joints in the samples did not have a significant impact on the measured values for the vertical lift orientation (i.e., when the flow path is perpendicular to the cold joints). For the horizontal lift orientation (i.e., when the flow path is parallel to the cold joints), the number of cold joints in the samples also did not appear to have a significant impact on hydraulic conductivity. The measured hydraulic conductivity was faster when the flow path was parallel to the cold joints as compared to when the flow path was perpendicular to the cold joints. Percolation testing showed increased flow when the number of cold joints was increased. Compressive strength testing showed that the maximum load at the onset of cracking was reduced by approximately 26% for those samples that contained cold joints as compared to the monolithic samples. The number of cold joints in the sample had no significant impact on the maximum load prior to cracking. The porosity of the samples was not influenced by cold joints. This result was expected as the porosity is a material property affected by the properties of the components (premix and salt solution) and the water to premix ratio. Overall, the only obvious impact of cold joints in the samples was to significantly increase hydraulic conductivity in the direction parallel to the cold joints. An increasing number of cold joints (thin layers) in the simulated saltstone samples did not exacerbate this effect, nor did it have a negative impact on the Leachability Indices or porosity for surfaces exposed for approximately four days. The presence of a cold joint reduced the compressive strength of the material, although this impact was seen regardless of the number of cold joints in the sample.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2015

Cementitious Barriers Partnerships (FY2015 Mid-Year Status Report)

The DOE-EM Office of Tank Waste Management Cementitious Barriers Partnership (CBP) is chartered with providing the technical basis for implementing cement-based waste forms and radioactive waste containment structures for long-term disposal. Therefore, the CBP ultimate purpose is to support progress in final treatment and disposal of legacy waste and closure of High-Level Waste (HLW) tanks in the DOE complex. This status report highlights the CBP 2015 Software and Experimental Program efforts and accomplishments that support DOE needs in environmental cleanup and waste disposal. DOE needs in this area include: Long-term performance predictions to provide credibility (i.e., a defensible technical basis) for regulator and DOE review and approvals, Facility flow sheet development/enhancements, and Conceptual designs for new disposal facilities. In 2015, the CBP plans to release its newest version, the CBP Software Toolbox – “Version 3.0”, which will include new STADIUM carbonation and damage models, a new SRNL module for transport properties and flow in fractured and in-tact cementitious materials, and a new LeachXS/ORCHESTRA (LXO) oxidation module. In addition, improved STADIUM sulfate attack and chloride models will be included. This is in addition to the LXO modules for sulfate attack, carbonation, constituent leaching, and percolation with radial diffusion (for leaching and transport in cracked cementitious materials), of which will also be improved for Version 3.0. These STADIUM and LXO models are applicable and can be used by both DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for service life and long-term performance evaluations and predictions of nuclear and radioactive waste containment structures across the DOE complex. In 2015, the Cementitious Barriers Partnership is providing tangible progress toward fulfilling the objective of developing a set of software tools and experimental programs to improve understanding and prediction of the long-term structural, hydraulic and chemical performance of cementitious barriers used in nuclear applications. To reflect this progress, CBP partners authored and are currently drafting many reports including six papers that were presented at WM2015.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2015

Cementitious Barriers Partnership - FY2015 End-Year Report

The DOE-EM Office of Tank Waste Management Cementitious Barriers Partnership (CBP) is chartered with providing the technical basis for implementing cement-based waste forms and radioactive waste containment structures for long-term disposal. Therefore, the CBP ultimate purpose is to support progress in final treatment and disposal of legacy waste and closure of High-Level Waste (HLW) tanks in the DOE complex. This status report highlights the CBP 2015 Software and Experimental Program efforts and accomplishments that support DOE needs in environmental cleanup and waste disposal. DOE needs in this area include: Long-term performance predictions to provide credibility (i.e., a defensible technical basis) for regulator and DOE review and approvals, Facility flow sheet development/enhancements, and Conceptual designs for new disposal facilities. In 2015, the CBP developed a beta release of the CBP Software Toolbox – “Version 3.0”, which includes new STADIUM carbonation and damage models, a new SRNL module for estimating hydraulic properties and flow in fractured and intact cementitious materials, and a new LeachXS/ORCHESTRA (LXO) oxidation module. In addition, the STADIUM sulfate attack and chloride models have been improved as well as the LXO modules for sulfate attack, carbonation, constituent leaching, and percolation with radial diffusion (for leaching and transport in cracked cementitious materials). These STADIUM and LXO models are applicable to and can be used by both DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) end-users for service life prediction and long-term leaching evaluations of radioactive waste containment structures across the DOE complex.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗