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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Radiometric characterization process for locating radioactivity hold-up and measuring non-uniformly distributed sources - 15342

A novel approach to facility radiometric characterization for non-uniformly distributed radiation sources has been developed by ANTECH and is currently being employed at the Argonne National Laboratory. It is being applied to the measurement of a wide range of objects and the interiors and contents of laboratories and buildings. The integrated non destructive assay measurement process involves the use of a scanning spectroscopic gamma ray camera as well as high purity Germanium detectors with different collimators and hence differing detector fields of view to measure and quantify non-uniformly distributed sources of radioactivity in laboratory equipment, glove boxes, storage tanks, pipework and general laboratory objects and process components. The purpose of the radiometric characterization is to quantify radiation sources and radioactive contamination levels in facilities containing nuclear material and to ensure compliance with facility characterization requirements and for decontamination and decommissioning planning and execution. The integrated measurement process also involves automated data capture and processing software and a database with which both measurement instrument operators and subject matter expert analysts can interact. An appropriate measuring instrument (gamma camera, scintillation detector, high purity Germanium detector system, neutron detector or alpha-beta counter) records the measurement data and the measurement site is recorded in a photograph. All of the data relevant to the measurement (or set of measurements for a particular object) are recorded in the database including measured gamma ray spectra, equipment description and relevant calibration, measurement site photograph and measurement descriptive data. Once data analysis protocols are established for specific geometries and measurement situations they can be applied to the measured data in a partially automated manner, reducing analysis and transcription errors. In addition to measurements and data analysis the process also utilises radiometric modelling computer codes including MicroShield and Monte Carlo Neutrons Photons in order to perform model calculations where appropriate. In a typical measurement, the ANTECH RadSearch spectroscopic gamma camera is utilized to find areas of concentrated activity so that these areas can be measured and calculated separately from areas with diffuse contamination. The use of the gamma camera in scanning mode helps to ensure that the assay does not overestimate the detected radiation source, which is a frequent consequence of using standard far field geometry and attenuation analysis codes that assume uniformity of both density and radioactive source distribution. Once the hot spots are identified, high purity Germanium detector measurements are made using various collimators with wide or narrow fields of view as required. These measurements are then processed through a semi-automatic calculation process assuming an appropriate source configuration as identified by RadSearch. These source configurations include point sources, line sources or surface sources. The Generalized Geometry Hold-up algorithms are employed to determine an estimate of the activity of the various sources that are identified in a measurement. The ANTECH integrated measurement process provides an automated calculation procedure where the analyst can select the source type, geometry and appropriate input data, and then the software calculates the activity by radionuclide for all sources identified in the measurement. The measurement and analysis process is controlled under the ANTECH ISO9001: 2008 Quality Assurance System and managed by a site specific Quality Assurance Plan. Both Argonne National Laboratory and Department of Energy technical reviewers have vetted the Integrated Measurement and Analysis Process. The application of the measurement and analysis process is described and measurement examples are provided. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Deterministically estimated fission source distributions for Monte Carlo k-eigenvalue problems

The standard Monte Carlo (MC) k-eigenvalue algorithm involves iteratively converging the fission source distribution using a series of potentially time-consuming inactive cycles before quantities of interest can be tallied. One strategy for reducing the computational time requirements of these inactive cycles is the Sourcerer method, in which a deterministic eigenvalue calculation is performed to obtain an improved initial guess for the fission source distribution. This method has been implemented in the Exnihilo software suite within SCALE using the SPNSPN or SNSN solvers in Denovo and the Shift MC code. The efficacy of this method is assessed with different Denovo solution parameters for a series of typical k-eigenvalue problems including small criticality benchmarks, full-core reactors, and a fuel cask. Here it is found that, in most cases, when a large number of histories per cycle are required to obtain a detailed flux distribution, the Sourcerer method can be used to reduce the computational time requirements of the inactive cycles.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Properties of Equivalent Source Distributions Useful for Inverse Thermal Analysis

A general approach for inverse thermal analysis of heat deposition processes is parametric modeling of such processes using effective or equivalent source distributions (ESDs). ESDs can be adjusted conveniently for calculation of temperature fields, which are constrained according to boundary and temperature constraint conditions. This study applies properties of ESDs useful for parametric modeling of heat deposition processes. Inverse thermal analysis of a friction stir weld is presented, which is prototypical of processes tending to be complex with respect to energy deposition morphology. This analysis demonstrates properties of ESDs providing relatively optimal parametric modeling of energy deposition processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Surrogate Distributed Radiological Sources—Part III: Quantitative Distributed Source Reconstructions

In this third part of a multi-paper series, we present quantitative image reconstruction results from aerial measurements of eight different surrogate distributed gamma-ray sources on flat terrain. Here, we show that our quantitative imaging methods can accurately reconstruct the expected shapes, and, after appropriate calibration, the absolute activity of the distributed sources. We conduct several studies of imaging performance versus various measurement and reconstruction parameters, including detector altitude and raster pass spacing, data and modeling fidelity, and regularization type and strength. The imaging quality performance is quantified using various quantitative image quality metrics. Our results confirm the utility of point source arrays as surrogates for truly distributed radiological sources, and advance the quantitative capabilities of Scene Data Fusion gamma-ray imaging methods.

Airborne survey↗
DOE OSTI2025

Permanent Source - Distributed Acoustic Sensing (PESO-DAS) v1

The SOV/DAS software program focuses on seismic monitoring and data processing of permanent seismic sources Surface Orbital Vibrators (SOVs) and fiber-optics sensing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). Its key features include automated data processing of the continuous seismic monitoring data acquired with DAS, and output of processed shot gathers and QC plots. The software supports timelapse seismic for long-term reservoir monitoring, and is used for monitoring of geological carbon storage sites, geothermal reservoirs, and oil and gas, and in general subsurface resource management.

dos Santos Maia Correa, Julia [Lawrence Berkeley N↗
DOE OSTI2018

Harnessing a methane‐fueled, sediment‐free mixed microbial community for utilization of distributed sources of natural gas

Abstract Harnessing the metabolic potential of uncultured microbial communities is a compelling opportunity for the biotechnology industry, an approach that would vastly expand the portfolio of usable feedstocks. Methane is particularly promising because it is abundant and energy‐rich, yet the most efficient methane‐activating metabolic pathways involve mixed communities of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea and sulfate reducing bacteria. These communities oxidize methane at high catabolic efficiency and produce chemically reduced by‐products at a comparable rate and in near‐stoichiometric proportion to methane consumption. These reduced compounds can be used for feedstock and downstream chemical production, and at the production rates observed in situ they are an appealing, cost‐effective prospect. Notably, the microbial constituents responsible for this bioconversion are most prominent in select deep‐sea sediments, and while they can be kept active at surface pressures, they have not yet been cultured in the lab. In an industrial capacity, deep‐sea sediments could be periodically recovered and replenished, but the associated technical challenges and substantial costs make this an untenable approach for full‐scale operations. In this study, we present a novel method for incorporating methanotrophic communities into bioindustrial processes through abstraction onto low mass, easily transportable carbon cloth artificial substrates. Using Gulf of Mexico methane seep sediment as inoculum, optimal physicochemical parameters were established for methane‐oxidizing, sulfide‐generating mesocosm incubations. Metabolic activity required >∼40% seawater salinity, peaking at 100% salinity and 35 °C. Microbial communities were successfully transferred to a carbon cloth substrate, and rates of methane‐dependent sulfide production increased more than threefold per unit volume. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that carbon cloth‐based communities were substantially streamlined and were dominated by Desulfotomaculum geothermicum . Fluorescence in situ hybridization microscopy with carbon cloth fibers revealed a novel spatial arrangement of anaerobic methanotrophs and sulfate reducing bacteria suggestive of an electronic coupling enabled by the artificial substrate. This system: 1) enables a more targeted manipulation of methane‐activating microbial communities using a low‐mass and sediment‐free substrate; 2) holds promise for the simultaneous consumption of a strong greenhouse gas and the generation of usable downstream products; and 3) furthers the broader adoption of uncultured, mixed microbial communities for biotechnological use.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Characterizing Radium Distributions, Source Attribution and Impacts from Marcellus Produced Water

This presentation characterizes spatial trends in radium (Ra) concentrations, sources, and potential impacts generated from Marcellus Shale produced waters. Here, we combine previously published produced water data with additional Ra activity measurements extracted from residual waste reports submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from 2012-2023. This is the largest, spatially referenced compilation of Ra activity measurements from produced water sourced from the Marcellus Shale to date. The median Marcellus Shale produced water Ra activity presented here is 6,906 pCi/L (interquartile range = 12,515 pCi/L). Radium activities in the positively skewed dataset can exceed 30,000 pCi/L in some parts of the state. The regional trends in Ra concentrations and isotopic ratios will be characterized and potential environmental and health implications discussed.

Mackey, Justin↗
DOE OSTI2025

Secure and Resilient Operations Using Open-Source Distributed Systems Platform (OpenDSP)

The goal of this project is to identify and address cybersecurity gaps by developing a multi-layer multi-channel cyber-physical defense and survival mechanism for operating distribution networks with high penetration of solar / inverter-based resource (IBR) / distributed energy resource (DER). The proposed security enhancements are built upon the distributed framework and solution architecture for both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems. The technical solutions consist of two composite functionalities and six layers: proactive defense (vulnerability assessment, communication protection, and attack detection, as layers 1-3), and adaptive self-healing (attack-resilient control, adaptive recovery, and resilient survival, as layers 4-6). These layers, built on and extended from DHS CISA Cyber Framework, establish an integrated and robust cybersecurity framework for operating large-scale distribution networks.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

TU-EF-204-04: Feasibility Study of a Novel Stationary Spectral CT Scanner

Purpose: To evaluate a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector module and to develop a proof-of-concept bench-top system to examine the concept and feasibility of a stationary spectral scanner that would consist of a CZT detector ring and a distributed source for rotationless imaging. Methods: The bench-top system employs a double-rotation set-up with two concentric but independent rotating stages, one for turning the object at sparse angles to mimic the imaging from a sequentially activated source distributed on a ring, while the other for translating the detector module to simulate a projection arc along a virtual detector ring. A source of 30-degree fan is used in the set-up, and the ring is designed to be 85cm in diameter in order to provide a 22cm field-of-view that is large enough for an average human head. The CZT detector module has 16×16 0.5mm pixels and eight global energy thresholds, and is attached to an experimental data acquisition board from the same vendor (Nova R&D). Its pixel gain is first calibrated using radioisotope Tc-99m to align the photo-peaks. Count rate performance is assessed using the X-ray source. Air and offset corrections are done prior to each CT scan. A 10cm acrylic phantom with 5 different inserts is imaged at 100kVp, 2mA, with an effective exposure window of 150ms per projection. Reconstruction is done using a total variation-type iterative method. Results: The detector module exhibited large gain variations among pixels. Average count rate was over 1Mcps per pixel. Parallax effect was observed along the arcs but was corrected. Reconstructed images from two energy bins demonstrated good contrast, spatial resolution and image uniformity, with little artifacts. Conclusion: The CZT detector tested is suitable for imaging relatively small objects. A stationary spectral CT appears feasible should we have enough buttable modules and a distributed source. This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology of China through grants 11YQ040082 and 2012BAI13B04.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Capacities of Entanglement Distribution From a Central Source

Distribution of entanglement is an essential task in quantum information processing and the realization of quantum networks. In our work, we theoretically investigate the scenario where a central source prepares an N -partite entangled state and transmits each entangled subsystem to one of N receivers through noisy quantum channels. The receivers are then able to perform local operations assisted by unlimited classical communication to distill target entangled states from the noisy channel output. In this operational context, we define the EPR distribution capacity and the GHZ distribution capacity of a quantum channel as the largest rates at which Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) states and Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states can be faithfully distributed through the channel, respectively. We establish lower and upper bounds on the EPR distribution capacity by connecting it with the task of assisted entanglement distillation. We also construct an explicit protocol consisting of a combination of a quantum communication code and a classical-post-processing-assisted entanglement generation code, which yields a simple achievable lower bound for generic channels. As applications of these results, we give an exact expression for the EPR distribution capacity over two erasure channels and bounds on the EPR distribution capacity over two generalized amplitude damping channels. We also bound the GHZ distribution capacity, which results in an exact characterization of the GHZ distribution capacity when the most noisy channel is a dephasing channel.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Free-moving Quantitative Gamma-ray Imaging

The ability to map and estimate the activity of radiological source distributions in unknown three-dimensional environments has applications in the prevention and response to radiological accidents or threats as well as the enforcement and verification of international nuclear non-proliferation agreements. Such a capability requires well-characterized detector response functions, accurate time-dependent detector position and orientation data, a digitized representation of the surrounding 3D environment, and appropriate image reconstruction and uncertainty quantification methods. We have previously demonstrated 3D mapping of gamma-ray emitters with free-moving detector systems on a relative intensity scale using a technique called Scene Data Fusion (SDF). Here we characterize the detector response of a multi-element gamma-ray imaging system using experimentally benchmarked Monte Carlo simulations and perform 3D mapping on an absolute intensity scale. We present experimental reconstruction results from hand-carried and airborne measurements with point-like and distributed sources in known configurations, demonstrating quantitative SDF in complex 3D environments.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2016

Statistical measurement of the gamma-ray source-count distribution as a function of energy

Statistical properties of photon count maps have recently been proven as a new tool to study the composition of the gamma-ray sky with high precision. We employ the 1-point probability distribution function of six years of Fermi-LAT data to measure the source-count distribution dN/dS and the diffuse components of the high-latitude gamma-ray sky as a function of energy. To that aim, we analyze the gamma-ray emission in five adjacent energy bands between 1 and 171 GeV. It is demonstrated that the source-count distribution as a function of flux is compatible with a broken power law up to energies of ∼50 GeV. The index below the break is between 1.95 and 2.0. For higher energies, a simple power-law fits the data, with an index of 2.2{sub −0.3}{sup +0.7} in the energy band between 50 and 171 GeV. Upper limits on further possible breaks as well as the angular power of unresolved sources are derived. We find that point-source populations probed by this method can explain 83{sub −13}{sup +7}% (81{sub −19}{sup +52}%) of the extragalactic gamma-ray background between 1.04 and 1.99 GeV (50 and 171 GeV). The method has excellent capabilities for constraining the gamma-ray luminosity function and the spectra of unresolved blazars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Unveiling the gamma-ray source count distribution below the Fermi detection limit with photon statistics

The source-count distribution as a function of their flux, dN/dS, is one of the main quantities characterizing gamma-ray source populations. We employ statistical properties of the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) photon counts map to measure the composition of the extragalactic gamma-ray sky at high latitudes (|b|⩾30°) between 1 and 10 GeV. We present a new method, generalizing the use of standard pixel-count statistics, to decompose the total observed gamma-ray emission into (a) point-source contributions, (b) the Galactic foreground contribution, and (c) a truly diffuse isotropic background contribution. Using the 6 yr Fermi-LAT data set (P7REP), we show that the dN/dS distribution in the regime of so far undetected point sources can be consistently described with a power law with an index between 1.9 and 2.0. We measure dN/dS down to an integral flux of ∼2×10{sup −11} cm{sup −2} s{sup −1}, improving beyond the 3FGL catalog detection limit by about one order of magnitude. The overall dN/dS distribution is consistent with a broken power law, with a break at 2.1{sub −1.3}{sup +1.0}×10{sup −8} cm{sup −2} s{sup −1}. The power-law index n{sub 1}=3.1{sub −0.5}{sup +0.7} for bright sources above the break hardens to n{sub 2}=1.97±0.03 for fainter sources below the break. A possible second break of the dN/dS distribution is constrained to be at fluxes below 6.4×10{sup −11} cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} at 95% confidence level. The high-latitude gamma-ray sky between 1 and 10 GeV is shown to be composed of ∼25% point sources, ∼69.3% diffuse Galactic foreground emission, and ∼6% isotropic diffuse background.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Source and distribution of naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater from Alberta’s Southern Oil Sands Regions

Arsenic (As) concentrations as high as 179 μg/L have been observed in shallow groundwater in the Alberta’s Southern Oil Sand Regions. The geology of this area of Alberta includes a thick cover (up to 200 m) of unconsolidated glacial deposits, with a number of regional interglacial sand and gravel aquifers, underlain by marine shale. Arsenic concentrations observed in 216 unconsolidated sediment samples ranged from 1 and 17 ppm. A survey of over 800 water wells sampled for As in the area found that 50% of the wells contained As concentrations exceeding drinking water guidelines of 10 μg/L. Higher As concentrations in groundwater were associated with reducing conditions. Measurements of As speciation from 175 groundwater samples indicate that As(III) was the dominant species in 74% of the wells. Speciation model calculations showed that the majority of groundwater samples were undersaturated with respect to ferrihydrite, suggesting that reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxides may be the source of some As in groundwater. Detailed mineralogical characterization of sediment samples collected from two formations revealed the presence of fresh framboidal pyrite in the deeper unoxidized sediments. Electron microprobe analysis employing wavelength dispersive spectrometry indicated that the framboidal pyrite had variable As content with an average As concentration of 530 ppm, reaching up to 1840 ppm. In contrast, the oxidized sediments did not contain framboidal pyrite, but exhibited spheroidal Fe-oxyhydroxide grains with elevated As concentrations. The habit and composition suggest that these Fe-oxyhydroxide grains in the oxidized sediment were an alteration product of former framboidal pyrite grains. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) indicated that the oxidized sediments are dominated by As(V) species having spectral features similar to those of goethite or ferrihydrite with adsorbed As, suggesting that Fe-oxyhydroxides are the dominant As carriers. XANES spectra collected on unoxidized sediment samples, in contrast, indicated the presence of a reduced As species (As(-I)) characteristic of arsenopyrite and arsenian pyrite. The results of the mineralogical analyses indicate that the oxidation of framboidal pyrite during weathering may be the source of As released to shallow aquifers in this region.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Finite-Difference Simulation for Infrasound Generated by Finite-Extent Ground Motions

Underground explosions can produce infrasound in the atmosphere, and the wavefield characteristics are often governed by the ground surface motions. Finite-difference methods are popular for infrasound simulation as their generality and robustness allow for complex atmospheric structures and surface topography. A simple point-source approximation is often used because infrasound wavelengths tend to be large relative to the source dimensions. However, this assumption may not be able to capture the complexity of explosion-induced ground motions if the surface area is not compact, and appropriate source models must be incorporated into the finite-difference simulations for accurate infrasound prediction. In this study, we develop a point source representation of the complex ground motions for infrasound sources. Instead of a single point source, we use a series of point sources distributed over the source area. These distributed point sources can be equivalent to air volume changes produced by the ground motions in the atmosphere. Further, we apply the distributed point-source method to a series of buried chemical explosions conducted during the Source Physics Experiment Phase I. Epicentral ground-motion measurements during the experiments provide a way to calculate accurate distributed point sources. We validate and evaluate the accuracy of distributed point source approach for infrasound simulations by direct comparison with acoustic observations in the field experiment.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗