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Integration of seismic-pressure-petrophysics inversion of continuous active-seismic monitoring data for monitoring and quantifying CO 2 plume (Final Report)

The overall objective of this project is to develop and validate an integrated package of joint seismic-pressure-petrophysics inversion (jSPPI) of continuous active-source seismic monitoring dataset capable of providing real-time monitoring of CO 2 plume during geologic carbon sequestration (GCS). The three specific developments include: (a) the methodologies for fast seismic full waveform inversion of continuous active source seismic monitoring, (CASSM) datasets for simultaneously estimating velocity and attenuation, and with data assimilation; (b) joint Bayesian petrophysical inversion of seismic models and pressure data for providing and updating CO 2 saturation models; (c) the methods using multiple datasets including (Crainfield and Frio-II borehole) synthetic, laboratory, and field CASSM datasets. The outcomes of jSPPI include (a) a workflow for processing CASSM data, (b) Bayesian inversion algorithms using CASSM data and pressure response data, and (c) integration with data assimilation algorithms for continuously updating site-specific models used for prediction and reservoir management. The validation of joint FWI will be conducted using synthetic models based on the Cranfield and Frio experiments as well as field CASSM datasets collected as part of the Frio-II pilot injection. To quantify and map the mass and distribution of CO 2 (saturation), we will jointly invert velocity and attenuation measurements from the FWI with a Bayesian approach using a rock physics model for attenuation (e.g., White’s attenuation model with two selected patch sizes (White, 1976; Dutta and Seriff, 1979)). The Bayesian inversion will be applied to each time step in the CASSM survey in an updating scheme, which integrates with an ensemble of reservoir simulations at each step. A more complete experimental validation dataset will be collected as part of a mesoscale (2-3 m) gas-CO 2 injection experiment utilizing a higher frequency version of the CASSM system developed for laboratory studies; the integrated inversion will be demonstrated using this dataset which will provide both a dense geometry as well as more precise secondary confirmation measurements (e.g. saturation) typically not available in the field. The resulting real-time map of CO 2 saturation is able to provide a deeper scientific understanding of the complex, time-varying dynamics of subsurface fluid flow migration path as well as the rapid detection of CO 2 leakage hazards.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Final Report for Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities

Transmission of information using elastic waves on existing metallic pipes provides an alternative communication option for a nuclear facility. The advantages of this approach consist of transmitting information through barriers, such as the containment building wall. A viable candidate for acoustic communication channel is a chemical volume control system (CVCS) stainless steel pipe, which penetrates through the containment building wall. A laboratory bench-scale system consisting of a nuclear grade CVCS-like pipe and ultrasonic transducers was assembled for a preliminary communication system analysis. Because of low bandwidth and spectral dispersion of ultrasonic transducers, on off keying (OOK) protocol was chosen for data communication. Operation of the acoustic communication during normal and post-accident conditions involves data transmission on the CVCS pipe, which according to literature guidelines, will be at 50°C and 150°C, respectively. Preliminary communication system development was performed using paintbrush PZT transducers capable of continuous operation at temperatures up to 80°C. Next, high-temperature LiNbO 3 acoustic transducers, originally developed for flow metering applications of EBRII reactor at Argonne, were utilized to develop a high-temperature acoustic communication system. A Gaussian pulse shape filter was introduced to suppress ringing and thus reduce inter-symbol interference. This resulted in enhancement of data transmission bitrate. Heating tapes, temperature controllers, and thermal insulation were installed on the laboratory pipe to study acoustic communication at elevated temperature. This included development of custom insertion heating elements for controlling temperature at pipe ends. Demonstrations of communication at high temperature included transmission of images and text files. Main achievements thus far include demonstration of transmission of 90KB image at the bitrate of 10Kbps with bit error rate smaller than 10 -3 across the pipe heated to 50°C and 150°C. Final phase of project development involved investigating strategies for deployment of the ultrasonic communication system in a representative environment. Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) facility at ANL was chosen as a viable candidate for communication system demonstration. Analysis of piping manifolds at METL has shown that in a typical scenario, ultrasonic signals have to be transmitted over straight and bent piping sections. This report describes preliminary studies on transmission of information with ultrasonic shear waves across bent piping sections. A test article consisting of a stainless steel pipe bent at 90° was developed for laboratory analysis of ultrasonic signal transmission. The bent piping test article developed by welding two straight pipes to an elbow. For consistency, the diameter and wall thickness of the bent pipe is the same as that of the straight pipe utilized in prior studies. COMSOL computer simulations were performed to study ultrasonic refracted shear wave coupling and transmission across bent piping. Preliminary evaluations of ultrasonic shear wave transmission were conducted with piezoelectric (PZT) and LiNbO 3 transducers, with the signals recorded with previously developed LabView interface. Preliminary results have shown significant dispersion of transmitted signals, most likely due to reflections and scattering by piping welds. Signal distortion compensation algorithm based on time reversal modulation (TRM) was initially investigated for transmission through solids, and demonstrated for signals transmitted over the bent pipe. Using TRM, it was shown that communication bitrates of 100Kbps were achievable, in principle.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Reimagining What's Possible: How NREL's Energy Analysis and Decision Support Capabilities are Guiding Energy Systems Transformation at Home and Around the World; NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

This engaging brochure shows examples of how NREL enables energy system transformation through robust capabilities in energy analysis and decision support. By reimagining what's possible for renewable energy, NREL contributes to the Department of Energy mission to create energy systems that are cleaner, more reliable, and more secure.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

High Throughput Argon-37 Field System

We report Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has developed a unique fieldable 37 Ar measurement system designed to measure 37 Ar activity concentrations from soil gas samples to detect above ground and underground nuclear explosions. The Argon-37 Field System is modular in design to accommodate both chemical processing and nuclear detection. The system can be packed into shipping crates and shipped to a location near where the sampling is taking place. The system can process six 2-m 3 whole-air samples in 24 hours and can measure the 37 Ar activity in each of the samples using six proportional counters. The proportional counters, designed and built at PNNL, are surrounded with both active and passive shielding to reduce background and can achieve a minimum detection concentration of 10 mBq/m 3 of 37 Ar in whole-air equivalent. The Argon-37 Field System has undergone extensive testing against rigorous requirements to assure the system meets the needs of the noble gas nuclear explosion monitoring community.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

Primary System Test Facility Review

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is designing a Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Laboratory (DETAIL) to demonstrate the operation of an integrated energy system as part of supporting research and development needs for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy Integrated Energy Systems (IES) Program. DETAIL will demonstrate real-time integration with the electrical grid, renewable energy inputs, thermal and electrical energy storage, and energy delivery to an end user. A Thermal Energy Distribution System (TEDS) is being constructed within the DETAIL facility to demonstrate the operation of integrated energy system heat transfer components, thermal energy storage, distribution systems, and instrumentation and control (I&C), which will allow the facility to emulate the distribution of thermal energy to the generation of electrical power, and/or producing non-electrical commodities (e.g., hydrogen). As is the case for other subsystems within DETAIL, TEDS is designed to operate either independently or as a part of an integrated system to demonstrate the operation of integrated components, develop and validate thermal energy transport models and control systems, and study thermal energy inertia and energy storage. In an effort to completely understand how TEDS will integrate with operational plants, data from tests previously run at existing integral system test facilities (IST) will be used to drive the TEDS heater. Alternatively, a real-time data connection would allow steam conditions at the IST to drive the TEDS heater at the same time as having TEDS conditions provide feedback to the IST in terms of steam demand and/or pressure. This integrated testing approach will assess the ability of TEDS to operate during all plant conditions. Three existing integral system test facilities have been reviewed to determine their suitability for demonstrating TEDS capabilities when integrated within the DETAIL. This report summarizes the capabilities of each IST facility and any challenges that must be overcome to meet the operational needs of TEDS and DETAIL.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Frequency response of a jet engine test facility air supply system

The frequency response of a laboratory scale model of a portion of the air supply system of an engine test facility is obtained both experimentally and using one-dimensional, small-signal, distributed parameter theory. The effects of line terminations and mean flow are considered. Good agreement between experiment and theory is obtained. Predictions are extended to a full scale test facility air supply system operating under several possible test conditions.

Franke, M. E.↗

User Access to Scientific Facilities via 5G: A Cyber Security Thought Experiment

5G is more than an over-the-air radio technology upgrade. It is a strategy to extend Mobile Network Operator service offerings beyond traditional voice, instant messaging and Internet access. 5G Mobile Network Operators will offer new telecommunication services that include enhanced guarantees of confidentiality, integrity and availability. How could such services change the way Science collaborations connect scientists to supercomputers and other scientific facilities? Current scientific collaborations implicitly trust cloud service providers to securely store and process data. The perceived risks of outsourcing Science data security are counterbalanced by assurances that cloud providers operate at a scale that allows them to implement security measures impractical for Science collaborations (e.g. continuous system administrator behavioral monitoring and strict individual separation of duties). If that is true for a cloud service provider like Amazon Web Services (2018 revenue: $25.7 billion), could it also be true for Mobile Network Operators like Verizon Wireless (2018 revenue: $91.7 billion) or AT&T Mobility (2018 revenue: $71.3 billion)? DOE Leadership Class supercomputer facility users currently access them from the public Internet via Secure Shell. The sponsors and operators of the supercomputer facilities have determined that the public Internet path between the Scientist’s Device and the Login Node does not natively provide enough confidentiality or integrity to protect those communications. Therefore, the facilities achieve additional confidentiality and integrity by requiring Secure Shell encryption across those untrusted network paths. Using 5G Network Slice technology, a Mobile Network Operator may offer communication services between supercomputer users and facilities that natively provide confidentiality and integrity guarantees. Sponsors and operators of supercomputer facilities may determine that these guarantees provide enough confidentiality and integrity to protect those communications. If so, a 5G Network Slice could replace an SSH session running over the public Internet. Finally, this use case could be extended to other Office of Science user facility access requirements. Consider microscopy instruments at (e.g.) the Center for Nanoscale Materials or the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. The embedded systems controlling such instruments may not always support encrypted network access technologies like SSH. 5G Network Slices may offer an alternative to current VPN or SSH tunneling techniques, with additional benefits like guaranteed minimum bandwidth.

5G↗

Experimental Hypervelocity Dust Impact in Olivine: FIB/TEM Characterization of Micron-Scale Craters with Comparison to Natural and Laser-Simulated Small-Scale Impact Effects

The space weathering of regoliths on airless bodies and the formation of their exospheres is driven to a large extent by hypervelocity impacts from the high relative flux of micron to sub-micron meteoroids that comprise approximately 90 percent of the solar system meteoroid population. Laboratory hypervelocity impact experiments are crucial for quantifying how these small impact events drive space weathering through target shock, melting and vaporization. Simulating these small scale impacts experimentally is challenging because the natural impactors are both very small and many have velocities above the approximately 8 kilometers-per-second limit attainable by conventional chemical/light gas accelerator technology. Electrostatic "dust" accelerators, such as the one recently developed at the Colorado Center for Lunar Dust and Atmospheric Studies (CCLDAS), allow the experimental velocity regime to be extended up to tens of kilometers-per-second. Even at these velocities the region of latent target damage created by each impact, in the form of microcraters or pits, is still only about 0.1 to 10 micrometers in size. Both field-emission analytical scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and advanced field-emission scanning transmission electron microscopy (FE-STEM) are uniquely suited for characterizing the individual dust impact sites in these experiments. In this study, we have used both techniques, along with focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation, to characterize the micrometer to nanometer scale effects created by accelerated dust impacts into olivine single crystals. To our knowledge this work presents the first TEM-scale characterization of dust impacts into a key solar system silicate mineral using the CCLDAS facility. Our overarching goal for this work is to establish a basis to compare with our previous results on natural dust-impacted lunar olivine and laser-irradiated olivine.

Christoffersen, R.↗

Helicopter Airborne Laser Positioning System (HALPS)

The theory of operation, configuration, laboratory, and ground test results obtained with a helicopter airborne laser positioning system developed by Princeton University is presented. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, flight data could not be completed for presentation at this time. The system measures the relative position between two aircraft in three dimensions using two orthogonal fan-shaped laser beams sweeping across an array of four detectors. Specifically, the system calculates the relative range, elevation, and azimuth between an observation aircraft and a test helicopter with a high degree of accuracy. The detector array provides a wide field of view in the presence of solar interference due to compound parabolic concentrators and spectral filtering of the detector pulses. The detected pulses and their associated time delays are processed by the electronics and are sent as position errors to the helicopter pilot who repositions the aircraft as part of the closed loop system. Accuracies obtained in the laboratory at a range of 80 ft in the absence of sunlight were + or - 1 deg in elevation; +0.5 to -1.5 deg in azimuth; +0.5 to -1.0 ft in range; while elevation varied from 0 to +28 deg and the azimuth varied from 0 to + or - 45 deg. Accuracies in sunlight were approximately 40 deg (+ or - 20 deg) in direct sunlight.

Eppel, Joseph C.↗

A Novel Process for Carbon Dioxide Conversion to Fuel

In this project, TDA developed a new mixed metal oxide-based sorbent that converts CO2 (captured from coal fired power plants) to CO, which can then be combined with renewable H2 generated by water electrolysis or H2 from steam methane reforming to produce different liquid fuels. TDA’s absorbent-based CO2 conversion process uses a redox process, which splits the catalytic reforming of methane with CO2 reaction into two stages: CO2 reduction to CO and CH4 reforming into H2 and CO which eliminates the equilibrium limitations. The CO produced in the two-stage reactor system can then be further reacted with renewable H2 to produce methanol, naphtha, diesel, or gasoline. We worked with the Advanced Power & Energy Program (APEP) of University of California, Irvine (UCI) to design and develop the liquid fuel synthesis process that is built around this new material. We demonstrated the techno-economic viability of the new sorbent based redox process to convert CO2 into synthesis gas by demonstrating continuous carbon dioxide reduction in a prototype test system for over 585 hours while converting up to 10 kg CO2/day. With the successful completion of the R&D effort, the technology is now ready for a larger pilot-scale demonstration and the technology readiness has been raised from TRL 3 to TRL 5. In collaboration with UCI, we completed a high-fidelity process design and economic analysis. The required sale price (RSP) for gasoline (Case 1 NG-MTG) is $4.91/gal and naphtha and diesel (Case 2 NG-FT) are $4.23/gal and $6.07/gal, respectively, on a 2011 dollar basis. To put these costs in perspective, the California prices in current dollars (with its strict specifications) for regular grade gasoline from last year to current year have varied from a low of $3.10/gal in January 2021 to a high of $5.76/gal in March 2022, while prices for diesel from last year to current year have varied from a low of $3.40/gal in January 2021 to a high of $6.41/gal in May 2022 according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency data. It should be noted that the gasoline and diesel produced by these designs of Case 1 and Case 2 would be of very high quality and both nitrogen and sulfur free. These RSPs are based on a cost of imported electricity of $64/MWh based on the low-end current wind generated electricity cost (Genevieve 2011). This cost is by far the largest component of the variable costs used in computing the RSPs. A sensitivity analysis of these RSPs to the cost of imported electricity shows that the cost of the imported electricity has a significant effect on the RSPs. The life cycle analysis (LCA) shows that the total cradle-to-gate CO2 emissions for both liquid fuels (diesel and gasoline) were negative, indicating that overall more CO2 is consumed than released during production of the fuel from CO2 feed stack for both cases (-296 kgCO2 per MT gasoline for Case 1 and -705 kgCO2 per MT diesel for Case 2). On a cradle-to-grave comparison, the use of diesel produced using TDA’s process (2,457 kgCO2 per MT diesel) would release 37.6% less CO2 compared to petroleum based diesel (3,937 kgCO2 per MT diesel) while the use of gasoline produced using TDA’s process (2,792 kgCO2 per MT gasoline) would release 29.3% less CO2 compared to petroleum based gasoline (3,946 kgCO2 per MT gasoline). With the successful completion of the R&D effort, the technology is now ready for a bench-scale demonstration and the technology readiness has been raised from TRL 3 (Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept) to TRL 5 (Laboratory scale similar system validation in relevant environment).

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Studying Microbial Adaptation in the Laboratory: Sensor & Control Upgrades for an Experimental Evolution Biofluidics System

Experimental evolution (EE) involves iteratively exposing a microbial community to specific stressors to study its response to changes in environment over time. EE work is commonly done manually in the laboratory, but, when there are many environmental variables to measure and adjust, it is highly labor intensive, prone to human error, and challenging to scale. Single-purpose automated continuous culturing chambers exist, but implement only limited stressor types. A more general-purpose design is desirable. The BeING Lab at Ames Research Center created the prototype Automated Adaptive Directed Evolution Chamber (AADEC) to address these problems, beginning with Escherichia coli tolerance of short-wave ultraviolet (UV-C) radiation and of temperature. In newer versions, AADEC monitors microbial activity and can adjust the UV-C and temperature levels automatically. An optical density measurement is used to determine how many cells are present in the growth medium—over time, this corresponds to how many survive and reproduce. Oxidation-reduction potential provides information on consumed metabolic energy, and pH and electrical conductivity on metabolic products. Dissolved oxygen content is used to determine aerobic vs anaerobic growth. A Raspberry Pi computer processes all this data to set the UV-C stressor level. AADEC’s auxiliary systems include peristaltic pumps to change media and agitation to counteract cell settling. These actuators can also act as additional stressors. With the Raspberry Pi monitoring sensors and adjusting actuators in real time, AADEC takes measurements and controls the environment much more accurately than can be done with a manual EE implementation. The third and latest AADEC iteration is the first to simplify design and usage with circuits on PCBs and the ability to pre-program experimental protocols. Still planned is expansion to a multi-well design for the study of varying cell cultures in parallel, which will enable researchers to retain and re-inoculate cultures exhibiting the desired trait most strongly while flushing out others. AADEC’s special capabilities make it a valuable tool for studying life under multiple stressors, enabling scientists to replicate changes in climate on microbes for study in a lab setting.

Microbial Adaptation↗

Tradeoffs in Prameter Values for Optional Performance

Transmission of information using elastic waves on existing metallic pipes provides an alternative communication option for a nuclear facility. The advantages of this approach consist of transmitting information through barriers, such as the containment building wall. A viable candidate for acoustic communication channel is a chemical volume control system (CVCS) stainless steel pipe, which penetrates through the containment building wall. A laboratory bench-scale system consisting of a nuclear grade CVCS-like pipe and ultrasonic transducers was assembled for a preliminary communication system analysis. Because of low bandwidth and spectral dispersion of ultrasonic transducers, on off keying (OOK) protocol was chosen for data communication. Operation of the acoustic communication during normal and post-accident conditions involves data transmission on the CVCS pipe, which according to literature guidelines, will be at 50°C and 150°C, respectively, In general, continuous operation of most commercial ultrasonic transducers above 50°C is challenging because of transducer material incompatibility with high temperature. High-temperature LiNbO 3 acoustic transducers, originally developed for flow metering applications of EBRII reactor at Argonne, were utilized to develop a high-temperature acoustic communication system. A Gaussian pulse shape filter was introduced to suppress ringing and thus reduce inter-symbol interference. This resulted in enhancement of data transmission bitrate. Heating tapes, temperature controllers, and thermal insulation were installed on the laboratory pipe to study acoustic communication at elevated temperature. This included development of custom insertion heating elements for controlling temperature at pipe ends. Demonstrations of communication at high temperature included transmission of images and text files. Main achievements thus far include demonstration of transmission of 90KB image at the bitrate of 10Kbps with bit error rate smaller than 10 -3 across the pipe heated to 50°C and 150⁰C.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Drop mass transfer in a microfluidic chip compared to a centrifugal contactor

A model system was developed for enabling a multiscale understanding of centrifugal-contactor liquid–liquid extraction.The system consisted of Nd(III) + xylenol orange in the aqueous phase buffered to pH =5.5 by KHP, and dodecane + thenoyltrifluroroacetone (HTTA) + tributyphosphate (TBP) in the organic phase. Diffusion constants were measured for neodymium in both the organic and aqueous phases, and the Nd(III) partition coefficients were measured at various HTTA and TBP concentrations. A microfluidic channel was used as a high-shear model environment to observe mass-transfer on a droplet scale with xylenol orange as the aqueous-phase metal indicator; mass-transfer rates were measured quantitatively in both diffusion and reaction limited regimes on the droplet scale. Lastly, the microfluidic results were comparable to observations made for the same system in a laboratory scale liquid–liquid centrifugal contactor, indicating that single drop microfluidic experiments can provide information on mass transfer in complicated flows and geometries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Toward transformational carbon capture systems

This paper will briefly review the history and current state of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) research and development and describe the technical barriers to carbon capture. it will argue forcefully for a new approach to R&D, which leverages both simulation and physical systems at the laboratory and pilot scales to more rapidly move the best technoogies forward, prune less advantageous approaches, and simultaneously develop materials and processes.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Improve durability and surface quality of additively manufactured molds using carbon fiber prepreg

Hybrid tooling is an emerging concept introduced in the aerospace industries to reduce weight and cost of traditional tools. A hybrid tool features a skin, which provides desired surface quality, durability, and a low-density substrate to reduce the weight of the mold. The big area additive manufacturing (BAAM) technology permits rapid production of thermoplastic polymer intensive large-scale structures. The present study features a carbon fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (CF-PPS) substrate fabricated using Oak Ridge National Laboratory's BAAM system. Carbon fiber-bismaleimide (CF-BMI) prepreg skin was then bonded to the BAAM tool through high-pressure autoclave molding. Process optimization was conducted to improve the bonding between CF-PPS and CF-BMI (transverse tensile strength increased from 0.54 to 4.8 MPa). Durability of the mold was demonstrated from fabricating seven (7) carbon fiber-Huntsman epoxy hand lay-up parts utilizing the mold.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Impact of installation faults in air conditioners and heat pumps in single-family homes on U.S. energy usage

To ensure that new residential air conditioners and heat pumps operate optimally, care must be taken during the initial system design and installation to avoid missteps that immediately degrade a system’s performance. Laboratory and simulation studies have quantified the impact that faults can have on capacity and efficiency. Field studies have demonstrated that installation-related faults are commonplace. However, the national impact of installation-related faults cannot be accurately estimated by only simulating a limited number of homes at several fault levels because of the variety of home characteristics and climates involved. In our analysis, we use an improved residential building stock simulation tool to predict the annual energy increase and additional utility costs resulting from two common installation faults: indoor airflow rate and refrigerant charge level. Our method considers the wide range of building characteristics and climate zones of the U.S. housing stock. We use existing field data to develop fault intensity probability distributions to inform our analysis. The study shows that these two faults result in approximately 20.7 TWh/y of additional energy use for central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps in U.S. single-family detached homes, which is a 9% increase over baseline (no-fault) usage, costing homeowners approximately $2.5 billion annually on utility bills. Air-source heat pumps are responsible for a disproportionate fraction of this energy use increase because of the larger number of operating hours compared to central air conditioners and the sensitivity of heating mode performance to the faults analyzed compared to cooling mode.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗