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NASA NTRS2014

An Alternative Water Processor for Long Duration Space Missions

A new wastewater recovery system has been developed that combines novel biological and physicochemical components for recycling wastewater on long duration human space missions. Functionally, this Alternative Water Processor (AWP) would replace the Urine Processing Assembly on the International Space Station and reduce or eliminate the need for the multi-filtration beds of the Water Processing Assembly (WPA). At its center are two unique game changing technologies: 1) a biological water processor (BWP) to mineralize organic forms of carbon and nitrogen and 2) an advanced membrane processor (Forward Osmosis Secondary Treatment) for removal of solids and inorganic ions. The AWP is designed for recycling larger quantities of wastewater from multiple sources expected during future exploration missions, including urine, hygiene (hand wash, shower, oral and shave) and laundry. The BWP utilizes a single-stage membrane-aerated biological reactor for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. The Forward Osmosis Secondary Treatment (FOST) system uses a combination of forward osmosis (FO) and reverse osmosis (RO), is resistant to biofouling and can easily tolerate wastewaters high in non-volatile organics and solids associated with shower and/or hand washing. The BWP has been operated continuously for over 300 days. After startup, the mature biological system averaged 85% organic carbon removal and 44% nitrogen removal, close to stoichiometric maximum based on available carbon. To date, the FOST has averaged 93% water recovery, with a maximum of 98%. If the wastewater is slighty acidified, ammonia rejection is optimal. This paper will provide a description of the technology and summarize results from ground-based testing using real wastewater

Barta, Daniel J.↗

NASA NTRS2015

A Biologically-Based Alternative Water Processor for Long Duration Space Missions

A wastewater recovery system has been developed that combines novel biological and physicochemical components for recycling wastewater on long duration space missions. Functionally, this Alternative Water Processor (AWP) would replace the Urine Processing Assembly on the International Space Station and reduce or eliminate the need for the multifiltration beds of the Water Processing Assembly (WPA). At its center are two unique game changing technologies: 1) a biological water processor (BWP) to mineralize organic forms of carbon and nitrogen and 2) an advanced membrane processor (Forward Osmosis Secondary Treatment) for removal of solids and inorganic ions. The AWP is designed for recycling larger quantities of wastewater from multiple sources expected during future exploration missions, including urine, hygiene (hand wash, shower, oral and shave) and laundry. The BWP utilizes a single-stage membrane-aerated biological reactor for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. The Forward Osmosis Secondary Treatment (FOST) system uses a combination of forward osmosis (FO) and reverse osmosis (RO), is resistant to biofouling and can easily tolerate wastewaters high in non-volatile organics and solids associated with shower and/or hand washing. The BWP was operated continuously for over 300 days. After startup, the mature biological system averaged 85% organic carbon removal and 44% nitrogen removal, close to maximum based on available carbon. The FOST has averaged 93% water recovery, with a maximum of 98%. If the wastewater is slighty acidified, ammonia rejection is optimal. This paper will provide a description of the technology and summarize results from ground-based testing using real wastewater.

Barta, Daniel J.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Evaluating the Socioeconomic Impacts of Rapid Assembly and Deployment of Geospatial Data in Wildfire Emergency Response Planning: A Case Study Using the NASA RECOVER Decision Support System (DSS)

Today’s extended fire seasons and large fire footprints have prompted state and federal land management agencies to devote increasingly larger portions of their budget to wildfire management. As fire costs continue to rise, timely and comprehensive fire information becomes increasingly critical to response and rehabilitation efforts. The NASA Rehabilitation Capability Convergence for Ecosystem Recovery (RECOVER) post-fire decision support system is a server-based application designed to rapidly provide land managers with the information needed to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. This study tested the efficacy of RECOVER through structured interviews with land managers (n=15) who used RECOVER and were responsible for post-fire rehabilitation efforts on over 645 000 ha of fire-affected lands. Although the benefit of better-informed decisions is difficult to quantify, the results of this study illustrate RECOVER’s decision support capabilities provided information to land managers that either validated or altered their decisions on post-fire treatments estimated at over $1.2 million (USD) and saved nearly 800 hours of staff time by streamlining data collection as well as communication with local stakeholders and partnering agencies.

William Toombs↗

NASA NTRS2023

The Design of the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) Reentry Vehicle (RV)

This discussion will involve the design and architecture of the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) Reentry Vehicle (RV). It will describe the structure and modular design of the RV, expounding on its various subsystems, including power and commanding, data handling and recovery, instrumentation, the inflation system, and the aeroshell. The unique launch vehicle architecture for the LOFTID mission, as a massive rideshare payload, required the development of supporting flight systems, including the Payload Adapter Separation System (PASS) and the Reentry Vehicle Payload Adapter Interface Ring (RVPAIR). To do no harm to the primary mission, the LOFTID team also designed and delivered a flightworthy Mass Simulator as risk reduction in the event the RV was not ready in time for the primary mission launch date. Various challenges and design trades will be discussed, along with a brief description of the RV performance in flight.

R J Bodkin↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Design of the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) Reentry Vehicle (RV)

R J Bodkin↗

DOE OSTI2017

Advanced, Energy-Efficient Hybrid Membrane System for Industrial Water Reuse

In the U.S. manufacturing sector, current industrial water use practices are energy-intensive and utilize and discharge high volumes of waters, rendering them not sustainable especially in light of the growing scarcity of suitable water supplies. To help address this problem, the goal of this project was to develop an advanced, cost-effective, hybrid membrane-based water treatment system that can improve the energy efficiency of industrial wastewater treatment while allowing at least 50% water reuse efficiency. This hybrid process would combine emerging Forward Osmosis (FO) and Membrane Distillation (MD) technology components into an integrated FO-MD system that can beneficially utilize low-grade waste heat (i.e., T < 450 °F) in industrial facilities to produce distilled-quality product water for reuse. In this project, laboratory-, bench-, and pilot-scale experiments on the hybrid FO-MD system were conducted for industrial wastewater treatment. It was demonstrated at laboratory, bench, and pilot scales that FO-MD membrane technology can concentrate brine to very high total dissolved solids (TDS) levels (>200,000 ppm) that are at least 2.5 times higher than the TDS level to which RO can achieve. In laboratory testing, currently available FO and MD membranes were tested to select for high-performing membranes with high salt rejection and high water flux. Multiple FO membrane/draw-salt solution combinations that gave high water flux with higher than 98% salt rejection were also identified. Reverse draw-salt fluxes were observed to be much lower for divalent salts than for monovalent salts. MD membranes were identified that had 99.9+% salt rejection and water flux as high as 50-90 L/(m 2 ·h) for flat-sheet membranes and >20 L/(m 2 ·h) for hollow fibers. In bench-scale testing, a single unit of commercially available FO and MD membrane modules were evaluated for continuous, integrated operation. Using the laboratory- and bench-scale test data, numerical modeling was performed on the FO and MD processes to estimate engineering parameters for a larger-scale pilot unit. Based on the experimental studies and modeling results, a pilot-scale, integrated FO-MD prototype unit was designed and built for trailer-mounted operation. This prototype system was fed real industrial wastewater, which could not be further treated by conventional technologies, from an oil production facility and was successfully operated for over 15 weeks without major stoppage. About 90% water recovery was possible, while concentrating the TDS from 12,000 ppm up to 190,500 ppm. The FO-MD prototype rejected most wastewater contaminants while producing water with <300 ppm TDS, even when the feed TDS was higher than 150,000 ppm. No chemical cleaning was necessary during the pilot testing period. Flushing the system with dechlorinated tap water was sufficient to reset the membranes for the next set of test conditions. Pilot performance and membrane autopsy showed that, even though the feed was concentrated more than 10 times, membrane fouling was unnoticeable and no defects were detected on the FO and MD membrane surfaces. This project demonstrated the technical feasibility of the hybrid FO-MD process by taking water already treated to the limit with the highest level of current technologies and further concentrating it 10-fold by using mostly low-cost materials. Because no membranes suitable for full-scale plant applications are available at present, economical feasibility of the hybrid technology is still uncertain, but it is expected that broader industry participation can further reduce FO-MD process costs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2018

Final Scientific / Technical Report: Enabling Technologies for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Cummins 55BTE

The Cummins 55% BTE (55BTE) program has completed the planned technical work on the project. This work includes the planned engine system demonstration in pursuit of the goal of demonstrating a peak system brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 55%. The engine system included a high efficiency diesel engine integrated with a state-of-the-art waste heat recovery (WHR) system and an advanced aftertreatment system capable of meeting the current emissions standards. While the ultimate program goal of 55% BTE was not fully achieved due to hardware issues during the final testing phase, the program demonstrated a significant increase in reported engine system BTE for a heavy duty sized engine. The previous demonstrations in the Department of Energy funded SuperTruck 1 programs ranged between 50% - 51% BTE. The Cummins 55% BTE program demonstrated 54% BTE. Additionally, the program established a revised path-to-target showing how the system could be improved to reach the ultimate program goal of 55% BTE with some minor modification to the engine system. The changes in the revised path-to-target were unable to be completed during the course of this program due to time and money constraints placed on the program. The program’s goals were challenging in both scope and timing. Although the program’s goal can be simply stated in terms of demonstrating a system efficiency of 55%, the achievement of a heavy-duty diesel engine capable of full torque curve operation, adequate transient performance, low emissions and high brake thermal efficiency (>51% BTE) had not been previously demonstrated in a heavy-duty engine. The closest efforts to date included the SuperTruck 1 programs referenced earlier. The program made several advancements in all system areas. The combustion system was re-designed for a shorter combustion duration and lower in-cylinder heat loss. This was achieved through optimization of the fuel injection rate shape, number of spray holes, piston bowl shape, compression ratio, piston oil cooling, heat flow through the piston and in-cylinder charge motion. The air handling system was re-designed to provide cooled EGR at virtually no pumping penalty. This was achieved through implementation of a dual loop EGR system, reduction of EGR system pressure drop, and implementation of advanced turbocharger efficiency technologies. The engine friction and parasitic signature was dramatically reduced by the program through adoption of variable flow pumps, advanced rings and coatings, rollerized valvetrain, adoption of low viscosity lubricants and reduction in cylinder line bore distortion. The aftertreatment system was optimized through use of low dP substrates and an ammonia gas injection system. The WHR system development included the use of a dual-entry turbine and a mixed charger cooler. Finding and implementing these solutions in a short two-year program at the budgeted funding provided the greatest challenge for the program.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Sustainable Resource Recovery from Trash, Waste, and Overboard Venting

Space travel and planetary missions for long-endurance human presence require Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) loop-closure. The air and water resource loops are generally closed with their processes having been established through extensive development, testing, and long-term use on International Space Station. Closure of the air and water loops have enabled oxygen and hydrogen sustainability. Carbon sustainability has yet to be addressed. Waste and trash, which also contains hydrogen and oxygen and abundant carbon have not been developed to the extent air and water have. Waste and trash have generally been dealt with in terms of simple safening, storage, and disposal. In externally disposing of waste, which includes C1 and C2 hydrocarbon gases, lost resources not only increase mission cost they can result in space and planetary pollution that can lead to unfavorable public opinion. With all this in mind, we explore the idea of carbon sustainability within closed-cycle waste, trash, and C1/C2 reprocessing. Starting from the current ECLS System roadmap, we identify resources that are not yet captured in closed-cycle processes but are lost when crossing the thermodynamic boundaries of an open system. Such pseudo-resources are trash, waste, and the gaseous carbon products of carbon dioxide reduction. We then consider different means and processes for minimizing pseudo-resource loss so as to “close the carbon loop.” There are cases in which pseudo-resources need to be externally discarded, such as reducing spacecraft acceleration mass. In this case we examine various processes that can be beneficial to missions even when these pseudo-resources are lost. An example would be the conversion of waste into propellant, which can produce thrust while at the same time reducing mass for transit acceleration (and ultimately propellant mass at launch), in which case we propose a means for evaluating the value of converting waste into propellant for different propulsion systems.

waste↗

DOE OSTI2016

Uranium Adsorbent Fibers Prepared by Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) from Poly(vinyl chloride)- co -chlorinated Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC- co -CPVC) Fiber

The need to secure future supplies of energy attracts researchers in several countries to a vast resource of nuclear energy fuel: uranium in seawater (estimated at 4.5 billion tons in seawater). In this study, we developed effective adsorbent fibers for the recovery of uranium from seawater via atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from a poly- (vinyl chloride)-co-chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-co-CPVC) fiber. ATRP was employed in the surface graft polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and tert-butyl acrylate (tBA), precursors for uranium-interacting functional groups, from PVC-co-CPVC fiber. The [tBA]/[AN] was systematically varied to identify the optimal ratio between hydrophilic groups (from tBA) and uranyl-binding ligands (from AN). The best performing adsorbent fiber, the one with the optimal [tBA]/[AN] ratio and a high degree of grafting (1390%), demonstrated uranium adsorption capacities that are significantly greater than those of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) reference fiber in natural seawater tests (2.42-3.24 g/kg in 42 days of seawater exposure and 5.22 g/kg in 49 days of seawater exposure, versus 1.66 g/kg in 42 days of seawater exposure and 1.71 g/kg in 49 days of seawater exposure for JAEA). Adsorption of other metal ions from seawater and their corresponding kinetics were also studied. The grafting of alternative monomers for the recovery of uranium from seawater is now under development by this versatile technique of ATRP.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Hyperspectral imaging for real-time waste materials characterization and recovery using endmember extraction and abundance detection

Hyperspectral imaging, combined with advanced spectral unmixing techniques and artificial intelligence, offers a powerful solution for improving material identification and classification. Here, this study evaluates the effectiveness of the pixel purity index and the sequential maximum angle convex cone algorithms in extracting and validating spectral signatures from pure samples of paper components (cellulose and lignin) and plastic (polypropylene). Principal-component analysis showed that both algorithms captured nearly all relevant variance for the tested materials. Spectral signatures were compared using the spectral angle mapper, revealing high similarity in the short-wave infrared region and greater variability in the visible near-infrared range. The methodology was then applied to a disposable coffee cup to detect and quantify mixed materials, accurately estimating material abundance and object area with less than 1% error. This approach enhances material classification, supporting product verification, quality control, and automated sorting for sustainable waste management and resource recovery.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2016

Using [{sup 18}F]Fluorothymidine Imaged With Positron Emission Tomography to Quantify and Reduce Hematologic Toxicity Due to Chemoradiation Therapy for Pelvic Cancer Patients

Purpose: The purpose of the present prospective clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of [{sup 18}F]fluorothymidine (FLT)-identified active bone marrow sparing for pelvic cancer patients by correlating the FLT uptake change during and after chemoradiation therapy with hematologic toxicity. Methods and Materials: Simulation FLT positron emission tomography (PET) images were used to spare pelvic bone marrow using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT BMS) for 32 patients with pelvic cancer. FLT PET scans taken during chemoradiation therapy after 1 and 2 weeks and 30 days and 1 year after completion of chemoradiation therapy were used to evaluate the acute and chronic dose response of pelvic bone marrow. Complete blood counts were recorded at each imaging point to correlate the FLT uptake change with systemic hematologic toxicity. Results: IMRT BMS plans significantly reduced the dose to the pelvic regions identified with FLT uptake compared with control IMRT plans (P<.001, paired t test). Radiation doses of 4 Gy caused an ∼50% decrease in FLT uptake in the pelvic bone marrow after either 1 or 2 weeks of chemoradiation therapy. Additionally, subjects with more FLT-identified bone marrow exposed to ≥4 Gy after 1 week developed grade 2 leukopenia sooner than subjects with less marrow exposed to ≥4 Gy (P<.05, Cox regression analysis). Apparent bone marrow recovery at 30 days after therapy was not maintained 1 year after chemotherapy. The FLT uptake in the pelvic bone marrow regions that received >35 Gy was 18.8% ± 1.8% greater at 30 days after therapy than at 1 year after therapy. The white blood cell, platelet, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts at 1 year after therapy were all lower than the pretherapy levels (P<.05, paired t test). Conclusions: IMRT BMS plans reduced the dose to FLT-identified pelvic bone marrow for pelvic cancer patients. However, reducing hematologic toxicity is challenging owing to the acute radiation sensitivity (∼4 Gy) and chronic suppression of activity in bone marrow receiving radiation doses >35 Gy, as measured by the FLT uptake change correlated with the complete blood cell counts.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Development of Integrated Mechanical Pods

This presentation highlights early wins, updated progress, and upcoming developments on ‘national-scale shared development platform’ for rapid prototyping, testing and validation of various integrated Mechanical Pod solutions and form factors. Such pod solutions consist of a set of all-electric heat pump mechanical equipment that have integrated functionalities through built-in controls, with heating, cooling, hot water, ventilation (including energy recovery), electrical management, and battery storage within a single package. The presentation draws inspiration from the success of bathroom pods in the US modular construction industry, UK’s efforts with unitizing mechanical systems as ‘utility cupboards’, and VEIC’s early wins in design-build of all-electric Mechanical Pod solutions in Vermont. The presentation includes researchers and partners involved with NREL in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), and digital twin based process optimization modeling of integrated Mechanical Pod solutions. The presentation aims to highlight early wins from such a platform and how various physical and virtual tools are currently being employed as part of NREL’s ongoing multi-year project funded by US DOE. Streamlined procurement, coordination, installation, and O&M of Mechanical Pods such that the majority of work is delegated to the off-site modular factory implies monetary savings. Such a seemingly basic shift in location of the construction process leads to great reduction in complexity, first cost, lead time, and waste, and greater opportunities for innovative compartmentalization and integration of mechanical systems appropriately sized for each apartment or hotel guest room. However, past studies on unitized combination systems show that high installation costs, maintenance issues, challenges with system integration, limitations in existing electrical infrastructure, and lack of architecturally appealing solutions are key barriers. NREL and partners aim to address key barriers through DfMA approach, rapid prototyping and testing, and digital twin process optimization modeling. The presentation is also a call for interested entities to partner with NREL as part of the national-scale development platform, help drive both product and process innovation, and encourage open source sharing of learnings. Learning objectives include (1) learn about the vision of national-scale shared development platform for process-product innovation on integrated mechanical pod solutions and how to get involved, (2) gain an understanding of the components of an all-electric, high performance home, design characteristics and equipment included in an all-electric mechanical pod, integration of mechanical systems within a modular factories’ assembly line, and the system’s commissioning, operation and maintenance. The pre-planning and coordination with the factory and sub-contractors are also highlighted, (3) gain an understanding of using process modeling tools to quantify resource-constrained performance of operations (such as integration of energy efficiency strategies) to manufacture modules of varying design, (4) gain insights on virtual design, rapid prototyping, and emulated testing of various form factors across different climatic conditions. The need for such preliminary testing with open source sharing of learnings will also be highlighted.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2018

Numerical analysis of experimental studies of methane hydrate dissociation induced by depressurization in a sandy porous medium

Methane Hydrates (MHs) are a promising energy source abundantly available in nature. Understanding the complex processes of MH formation and dissociation is critical for the development of safe and efficient technologies for energy recovery. Many laboratory and numerical studies have investigated these processes using synthesized MH-bearing sediments. A near-universal issue encountered in these studies is the spatial heterogeneous hydrate distribution in the testing apparatus. In the absence of direct observations (e.g. using X-ray computed tomography) coupled with real time production data, the common assumption made in almost all numerical studies is a homogeneous distribution of the various phases. In an earlier study (Yin et al., 2018) that involved the numerical description of a set of experiments on MH-formation in sandy medium using the excess water method, we showed that spatially heterogeneous phase distribution is inevitable and significant. In the present study, we use as a starting point the results and observations at the end of the MH formation and seek to numerically reproduce the laboratory experiments of depressurization-induced dissociation of the spatially-heterogeneous MH distribution. This numerical study faithfully reproduces the geometry of the laboratory apparatus, the initial and boundary conditions of the system, and the parameters of the dissociation stimulus, capturing accurately all stages of the experimental process. Using inverse modelling (history-matching) that minimized deviations between the experimental observations and numerical predictions, we determined the values of all the important flow, thermal, and kinetic parameters that control the system behaviour, which yielded simulation results that were in excellent agreement with the measurements of key monitored variables, i.e. pressure, temperature, cumulative production of gas and water over time. We determined that at the onset of depressurization (when the pressure drop – the driving force of dissociation – is at its maximum), the rate of MH dissociation approaches that of an equilibrium reaction and is limited by the heat transfer from the system surroundings. Furthermore, as the effect of depressurization declines over time, the dissociation reaction becomes kinetically limited despite significant heat inflows from the boundaries, which lead to localized temperature increases in the reactor.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Validation of a Hybrid Domain Overlapping Coupling Between SAM and CFD Against the TALL-3D Transients

The System Thermal Hydraulics (STH) code SAM has been coupled to the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code Simcenter STAR-CCM+ utilizing a hybrid domain overlapping method with an explicit coupling in time. The coupling aims to extend the STH code’s applicability to scenarios where local momentum and energy transfers are important yet difficult for STH codes to capture, such as three-dimensional (3D) mixing. The coupling method’s numerical stability was verified in the past against two closed-loop configurations, and it was validated against a double T-junction experiment with 3D scalar mixing. In the present work, the coupling method is validated against the TALL-3D STH/CFD coupling benchmark facility. TALL-3D is a three-legged, liquid-metal facility with a large, pool-type enclosure (test section) that exhibits 3D flow effects to be modeled by a CFD code. The rest of the system exhibits approximately 1D behavior well-predicted by an STH code. First, the present STAR-CCM+ CFD model of the 3D test section is validated against experimental data. Then, the SAM-STARCCM+ coupled model is validated against six different TALL-3D steady states, including SAM standalone model results for comparison. Lastly, the SAM-STARCCM+ coupled model is validated against two TALL-3D transients, one exhibiting flow reversal in the test section and one exhibiting nonlinear, Limit Cycle Oscillations (LCO). For the first transient, the SAM-STARCCM+ coupled model properly predicts an increase in the test section’s inlet temperature during flow reversal, and this is not predicted by the SAM standalone model. Following flow reversal, the SAM-STARCCM+ coupled model better-predicts the initial flow recovery and following oscillations as the system approaches a final natural circulation state. For the second transient, no true final steady state is observed due to LCO. Neither the SAM-STARCCM+ coupled model nor the SAM standalone model can perfectly capture the experiment’s changing oscillation frequency during the transient. However, the SAM-STARCCM+ coupled model does reproduce the oscillatory feedback observed in the system. This is a significant achievement as the SAM-STARCCM+ coupled model only uses an explicit coupling in time, as opposed to a semi-implicit coupling. In comparison, previous STH/CFD coupling efforts of the TALL-3D facility required semi-implicit coupling to obtain similar results.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2015

Quality control for quantitative multicenter whole-body PET/MR studies: A NEMA image quality phantom study with three current PET/MR systems

Purpose: Integrated positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) systems derive the PET attenuation correction (AC) from dedicated MR sequences. While MR-AC performs reasonably well in clinical patient imaging, it may fail for phantom-based quality control (QC). The authors assess the applicability of different protocols for PET QC in multicenter PET/MR imaging. Methods: The National Electrical Manufacturers Association NU 2 2007 image quality phantom was imaged on three combined PET/MR systems: a Philips Ingenuity TF PET/MR, a Siemens Biograph mMR, and a GE SIGNA PET/MR (prototype) system. The phantom was filled according to the EANM FDG-PET/CT guideline 1.0 and scanned for 5 min over 1 bed. Two MR-AC imaging protocols were tested: standard clinical procedures and a dedicated protocol for phantom tests. Depending on the system, the dedicated phantom protocol employs a two-class (water and air) segmentation of the MR data or a CT-based template. Differences in attenuation- and SUV recovery coefficients (RC) are reported. PET/CT-based simulations were performed to simulate the various artifacts seen in the AC maps (μ-map) and their impact on the accuracy of phantom-based QC. Results: Clinical MR-AC protocols caused substantial errors and artifacts in the AC maps, resulting in underestimations of the reconstructed PET activity of up to 27%, depending on the PET/MR system. Using dedicated phantom MR-AC protocols, PET bias was reduced to −8%. Mean and max SUV RC met EARL multicenter PET performance specifications for most contrast objects, but only when using the dedicated phantom protocol. Simulations confirmed the bias in experimental data to be caused by incorrect AC maps resulting from the use of clinical MR-AC protocols. Conclusions: Phantom-based quality control of PET/MR systems in a multicenter, multivendor setting may be performed with sufficient accuracy, but only when dedicated phantom acquisition and processing protocols are used for attenuation correction.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Idaho National Laboratory’s Analysis of ARRA-Funded Plug-in Electric Vehicle and Charging Infrastructure Projects: Final Report

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, managing and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is the lead laboratory for U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA). INL’s conduct of the AVTA resulted in a significant base of knowledge and experience in the area of testing light-duty vehicles that reduced transportation-related petroleum consumption. Due to this experience, INL was tasked by DOE to develop agreements with companies that were the recipients of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) grants, that would allow INL to collect raw data from light-duty vehicles and charging infrastructure. INL developed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with several companies and their partners that resulted in INL being able to receive raw data via server-to-server connections from the partner companies. This raw data allowed INL to independently conduct data quality checks, perform analysis, and report publicly to DOE, partners, and stakeholders, how drivers used both new vehicle technologies and the deployed charging infrastructure. The ultimate goal was not the deployment of vehicles and charging infrastructure, cut rather to create real-world laboratories of vehicles, charging infrastructure and drivers that would aid in the design of future electric drive transportation systems. The five projects that INL collected data from and their partners are: • ChargePoint America - Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Demonstration • Chrysler Ram PHEV Pickup - Vehicle Demonstration • General Motors Chevrolet Volt - Vehicle Demonstration • The EV Project - Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Demonstration • EPRI / Via Motors PHEVs – Vehicle Demonstration The document serves to benchmark the performance science involved the execution, analysis and reporting for the five above projects that provided lessons learned based on driver’s use of the vehicles and recharging decisions made. Data is reported for the use of more than 25,000 vehicles and charging units.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2017

Results for the first quarter calendar year 2017 tank 50H salt solution sample

In this memorandum, the chemical and radionuclide contaminant results from the First Quarter Calendar Year 2017 (CY17) sample of Tank 50H salt solution are presented in tabulated form. The First Quarter CY17 Tank 50H samples [a 200 mL sample obtained 6” below the surface (HTF-50-17-7) and a 1 L sample obtained 66” from the tank bottom (HTF-50-17-8)] were obtained on January 15, 2017 and received at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) on January 16, 2017. Prior to obtaining the samples from Tank 50H, a single pump was run at least 4.4 hours and the samples were pulled immediately after pump shut down. All volatile organic analysis (VOA) and semi-volatile organic analysis (SVOA) were performed on the surface sample and all other analyses were performed on the variable depth sample. The information from this characterization will be used by Savannah River Remediation (SRR) for the transfer of aqueous waste from Tank 50H to the Saltstone Production Facility, where the waste will be treated and disposed of in the Saltstone Disposal Facility. This memorandum compares results, where applicable, to Saltstone Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) limits and targets. The chemical and radionuclide contaminant results from the characterization of the First Quarter CY17 sampling of Tank 50H were requested by SRR personnel and details of the testing are presented in the SRNL Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan (TTQAP). This memorandum is part of Deliverable 2 from SRR request. Data pertaining to the regulatory limits for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals will be documented at a later time per the TTQAP for the Tank 50H saltstone task.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2019

Project: Enabling Technologies for Oxy-fired Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustor Systems (Final Project)

GTI and team members CanmetENERGY and Linde worked on developing technologies at the pilot-scale to significantly improve the performance and economics of current oxy-fired pressurized fluidized bed combustor systems and reduce scale up risk. The technologies include: an In-bed Supercritical CO 2 (SCO 2 ) Heat Exchanger, the objective being to quantify SCO 2 heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop in an Oxygen-fired pressurized fluidized bed combustor (Oxy-PFBC) environment to anchor design rules for scale up; Staged Coal Combustion, the objective being to develop design rules for placement of staged coal combustion injectors to appropriately distribute heat throughout the bed to maintain an oxidizing environment and avoid slagging; and an Isothermal Deoxidation Reactor, the objective being to define operational limits on flue gas O 2 concentration for an isothermal catalyst bed and demonstrate heat recovery from this deoxidation unit. In-bed SCO 2 heat exchanger manifolds were successfully manufactured and installed in the combustor at CanmetENERGY. Staged fuel injectors were designed and fabricated. A task to test an oxygen carrier in the fluidized bed was also planned. A Quasi-Isothermal Deoxidation Reactor (Q-IDR) concept was developed and fabricated, consisting of two adiabatic catalytic reactors with a single inter-stage cooler with SCO 2 as the coolant. The project was stopped prior to testing these technologies due to damage to the hardware on the related Oxy-PFBC Phase II project (DE-FE0009448).

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗