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Chapter 14: Sustainable Biomass Conversion Process Assessment

Process intensification and integration for sustainable design play an essential role in addressing and alleviating severe sustainable development challenges. It is prudent to evaluate a process design in its early stage development to ensure the process can achieve sustainability goals. The primary goal of a sustainability evaluation is to assess the impact of systems on areas sought to be protected and maintained over time, such as human well-being and ecosystems (Schaubroeck, T. and Rugani, B. (2017). A revision of what life cycle sustainability assessment should entail: towards modeling the net impact on human well-being. Journal of Industrial Ecology 21 (6): 1464-1477). Parenthetically, sustainable process design to convert biomass to fuels and chemicals plays an integral part in the bioeconomy sustainability. It is recognized that the integration of sustainability in process design is core to the mission in developing renewable fuels and should be considered a necessary practice in biorefinery design. This study demonstrates the use of Gauging Reaction Effectiveness for ENvironmental Sustainability of Chemistries with a multi-Objective Process Evaluator (GREENSCOPE) as a tool to help track progress on process sustainability performance attributed to conversion improvement. With the incorporation of a wide range of indicators, GREENSCOPE captures the multi-dimensional aspect of the process design and operation. As opposed to conventional techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment (in which the focuses are limited to economic and environmental aspects), GREENSCOPE enables the consideration of process intensification and integration for sustainable design. A high-octane gasoline production from woody biomass feedstock is used as a case study to demonstrate the approach.

biomass↗

Assessment Report ASMT-1033: Department 635 FY2019 Evaluate Center 600 Assessment Process

This assessment reviewed the Center 600 assessment process; gathered knowledge from 17 assessment points of contact across the Center; piloted an annual assessment planning process; and compared Center 600 Administrative Operating Procedure (AOP) 04-04, Assessments, to current practices and corporate requirements. The assessment identified two observations, three noteworthy practices, and multiple opportunities for improvement beyond the scope of the assessment.

42 ENGINEERING↗

On the Formalization of Development and Assessment Process for Digital Twins in the Nearly Autonomous Management and Control System

In recent years, the autonomous control system has been encouraged in advanced reactors for restoring economic viability, simplifying the operation and maintenance, and enabling remote-site power generations [1]. Since the reactor is expected to be operated for a long period of time with a limited number of individuals onsite, it is recommended that the autonomous control system should have access to very realistic models of the state of processes in the whole lifecycle, together with these process behaviors in interaction with their environment in the real world. As a result, digital twin (DT) technology is suggested in autonomous control systems. DT is defined as a digital representation of a physical object or system, which contains a record for the histories of loads, operation and maintenance status, predictions for the near-term transient of important state variables, and decision-making process [2]. Since machine learning (ML) can recognize patterns within a complex system in real-time applications, it has been used to build DTs in the autonomous control systems for advanced reactors. Meanwhile, due to the rareness of operation data in accident scenarios, the development and assessment of DTs is expected to be mainly driven by simulations. Although the capability and feasibility of ML-based DTs are recognized in improving the safety and efficiency of reactor control, a major concern from the regulatory commission and the nuclear industry is whether the information from a DT is developed and assessed in accordance with expectation and requirements by the target decision. Such concerns not only affect the acceptance criteria for DTs, but also values that can be extracted from DTs and autonomous control system during operations. Inspired by the success of formal methods in improving the reliability and robustness of computer programming and software development, it is suggested that the development and assessment process (DAP) for both separate DTs and integral control system should be formalized in a transparent, consistent, and improvable manner. In this study, a digital-twin development and assessment process (DT-DAP) is proposed by adapting the evaluation model development and assessment process (EMDAP) [3] to requirements by the autonomous control system, ML algorithms, and DT technology. To demonstrate the framework, a baseline nearly autonomous management and control (NAMAC) system with ML-based DTs for diagnosis and prognosis is developed and assessed based on the framework. It is found that with selected testing methods and techniques, the DT-DAP can help identify errors in DTs and NAMAC which would otherwise be left unverified. Meanwhile, it is found that the DT-DAP can improve the DTs and NAMAC by continuously learning and iterating through different elements.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Assessment of Physical Security Modeling and Simulation in the Vulnerability Assessment Process

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of physical security modeling and simulation tools available for use in the vulnerability assessment (VA) process for nuclear facilities. It outlines the historical evolution of VA methodologies, emphasizing the transition from traditional layer-based approaches to a more holistic framework that integrates detection probabilities directly into combat simulations. The document details the critical components of the VA process, including the characterization of targets, threats, and protective measures, as well as the development of adversary scenarios that reflect both insider and outsider threats. It highlights the importance of performance assurance programs, emphasizing the need for continuous evaluation and testing of security systems to ensure their effectiveness against evolving threats. Additionally, the report discusses the significance of utilizing accredited modeling and simulation tools in accredited areas to accurately represent adversary actions and the corresponding responses of protective forces. By establishing a systematic approach to VA, this document aims to enhance the overall security posture of nuclear facilities, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while effectively mitigating risks associated with potential adversarial actions.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Non-Destructive In-Process Assessment of Thermal Spray Repairs

This exploratory project, entitled “Non-Destructive In-process Assessment of Thermal Spray Repairs,” evaluated the capabilities and limitations of four non-destructive testing (NDE) technologies for detection of defects in as-sprayed thermal spray coatings: acousto-ultrasonics, vibro-thermography, thermal wave infrared (IR) imaging, and flash IR thermography. The project goal was to identify a single technology suitable for use as an in-process inspection for two common classes of defects in thermal spray coatings, porosity and disbonds. Two rounds of test coupons were fabricated with intentionally seeded defects in AISI 420 stainless steel coatings deposited by twin wire arc (TWA) spray onto gray cast iron substrates. These standardized test coupons allowed the sensitivity of the four NDE methods to be directly compared. The results indicated that the acousto-ultrasonic method will not meet requirements for accuracy, inspection time, and reproducibility, while the vibrothermography method will not meet requirements for integration within remanufacturing cells and process flows. The IR methods, thermal wave imaging and flash thermography, both exhibited acceptable accuracy and reproducibility; however, the former method does not meet the requirement for inspection time. Flash IR thermography met all requirements in the initial round of testing, and that result was confirmed in a second round of testing on samples with a larger, more complex geometry. A final recommendation for further development of flash IR thermography was therefore made based upon i) detection performance, and ii) feasibility of deployment into the target application of resurfacing CAT engine blocks and headers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pinellas County Clear Sky Assessment Process: Prioritizing Solar + Storage for Resilient Facilities & Communities

The Clear Sky Tampa Bay project was a 15-month collaborative research effort to support solar + storage deployment for community resilience in Florida. The Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit is a collection of resources designed to support users in conducting solar + storage prioritization and feasibility screening assessments at critical facilities. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council worked with four local governments in the region to test and apply the Toolkit. This case study series describes how each partner government used the Toolkit and highlights key insights and lessons learned that other users could follow to replicate the process. Pinellas County applied the Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit to improve interagency coordination and gather data to analyze solar + storage projects for its critical facilities. This case study examines energy resilience strategies for the Pinellas County Solid Waste-to-Energy Plant. The Toolkit's modular assessment process developed institutional capacity and knowledge within the county and will assist in the research and application of future solar energy projects.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Manatee County Clear Sky Assessment Process: Prioritizing Solar + Storage for Resilient Facilities & Communities

The Clear Sky Tampa Bay project was a 15-month collaborative research effort to support solar + storage deployment for community resilience in Florida. The Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit is a collection of resources designed to support users in conducting solar + storage prioritization and feasibility screening assessments at critical facilities. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council worked with four local governments in the region to test and apply the Toolkit. This case study series describes how each partner government used the Toolkit and highlights key insights and lessons learned that other users could follow to replicate the process. Manatee County applied the Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit to two of the county's critical facilities: Nolan Middle School, which serves as a special needs emergency shelter, and its Public Safety Complex (PSC), which houses critical services including emergency management, communications, and medical services, traffic control, and more. The PSC serves as the Emergency Operations Center during activation events. The Clear Sky assessment process improved interagency communication and coordination and informed siting decisions for a potential solar + storage system for the Manatee County PSC.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Digitalization mapping and assessment process supporting ION strategic transformation activities

The existing fleet of commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs) are an important asset in the nation’s portfolio of electrical generating resources. Their continued safe and reliable operation are critical to providing a large source of carbon-free electricity to power the nation’s economy. The United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program develops the scientific bases, methods, and tools, for the continued safe and economical operation of the nation's commercial NPPs. The Plant Modernization Pathway within LWRS Program focuses on providing guidance to industry on the full-scale implementation of modernization solutions for NPPs that significantly reduce the technical and financial risks associated with modernization. This research is focused on helping the nuclear industry understand how to digitize and digitalize their NPPs so that they can design their modernization solutions to be scalable, sustainable, and integrated both laterally and horizontally within their organization. That is, this research creates a digital transformation in NPPs by reshaping cultural mindsets and by identifying business efficiencies. In partnership with industry, and using four previously established guiding principles for digitalization, this research supported NPP modernization through assessing readiness for digitalization as a means to achieve integrated operations for nuclear. Specifically, this research created an assessment to review an entire organization’s work processes to gather information about the digitalization health of the plant. The assessment tools were administered to plant employees, and the results were used to develop a digitalization plan. The survey assessment identified the optimal candidate processes that would most benefit from a digitalization initiative which were revealed through analytical frameworks. One analysis calculated mean digitalization health indicator scores for all endorsed activities which allowed the researchers to rank and color code the results for easy identification. Individual health indicator scores are also provided, should our industry partner wish to understand these findings according to their own organizational priorities, business considerations and desired end-state. The results were also analyzed from the perspective that organizations are comprised of different types of innovators (e.g., generators, optimizers, conceptualizers, and implementers), which differentially affects the organization’s ability to comprehend and adapt to change (i.e., opportunities to innovate). Understanding the relative composition of innovator types at an NPP allows them to gather insights into the strengths and weaknesses they have in innovating how work is performed. For the utility that partnered with this research team, the results showed that implementers make up the largest portion of respondents and conceptualizers the smallest portion. Knowing the proportion of innovator types gave this organization insights on how they can effectively implement their innovation solutions. Additionally, the results were analyzed from a technical, economic, and risk perspective to identify and quantify work reduction opportunities (WROs). Recognizing that not all cost-saving opportunities are the same, a Technical, Economic and Risk Assessment (TERA) was performed to evaluate WROs to identify areas of greatest potential and lowest risk. The key results from TERA included a digitalization opportunity score for each activity, and a calculation of potential cost savings. These two outputs formed the bases for calculating a priority index and rank for the activities/processes assessed. From the prioritization calculations, TERA can then help the utility 1) decide what digitalization priorities to invest money in implementing and then 2) calculates how much should be invested in the digitalization initiatives selected to achieve cost savings and/or an acceptable return on investment. Last, onsite interviews revealed several inefficiencies in the standard work processes that occur cross-departmentally that are due to the absence of digitized and digitalized processes. Examples of these include time spent scanning paper documents and then uploading the documents electronically, obtaining signatures, and searching for desired information. This represents a digital but not digitalized process. Over 15 opportunities to improve work processes were identified through this multi-method digitalization assessment. The various analytical assessments used (e.g., TERA, digitalization health indicator scores), as well as discussions with the utility partner, corroborated that all the opportunities identified had a strong potential to make work processes more efficient and to improve overall performance of the NPP.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

An Integrated Risk Assessment Process of Safety-Related Digital I&C Systems in Nuclear Power Plants

Upgrading the existing analog instrumentation and control (I&C) systems to state-of-the-art digital I&C (DI&C) systems will greatly benefit existing light water reactors. However, the issue of software common cause failure (CCF) remains an obstacle in terms of qualification for digital technologies. Existing analyses of CCFs in I&C systems mainly focus on hardware failures. With the application and upgrading of new DI&C systems, design flaws could cause software CCFs to become a potential threat to plant safety, considering that most redundancy designs use similar digital platforms or software in their operating and application systems. With complex multilayer redundancy designs to meet the single failure criterion, these I&C safety systems are of particular concern in U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing procedures. In Fiscal Year 2019, the Risk-Informed Systems Analysis (RISA) Pathway of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program initiated a project to develop a risk assessment strategy for delivering a strong technical basis to support effective, licensable, and secure DI&C technologies for digital upgrades and designs. An integrated risk assessment for the DI&C process was proposed for this strategy to identify potential key digital-induced failures, implement reliability analyses of related digital safety I&C systems, and evaluate the unanalyzed sequences introduced by these failures (particularly software CCFs) at the plant level. Here this paper summarizes these RISA efforts in the risk analysis of safety-related DI&C systems at Idaho National Laboratory.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Data Quality Assessment Process for Real-Time Data-Driven Traffic Microsimulation of Smart Corridor

Smart corridor digital twins are often created for the development and evaluation of emerging intelligent transportation systems and Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technologies. However, limited guidance exists for data quality assessment for digital twin development. To address this, this paper discusses the data quality assessment utilized to develop data-driven real-time microscopic simulation models, i.e., digital twins, for two separate smart corridors: the North Avenue Smart Corridor in Atlanta, GA, and the Martin Luther King Smart Corridor in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This paper provides a summary of the author’s investigations of data requirements and data characteristics for the given smart corridor digital twin development efforts. With a focus on data, this summary includes a description of the data investigation process, key data issues observed, and strategies to address observed issues. Discussion is provided to help expand the lessons from these studies to other digital twin development efforts.

Saroj, Abhilasha [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000191178063)↗

City of Largo Clear Sky Assessment Process: Prioritizing Solar + Storage for Resilient Facilities & Communities

The Clear Sky Tampa Bay project was a 15-month collaborative research effort to support solar + storage deployment for community resilience in Florida. The Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit is a collection of resources designed to support users in conducting solar + storage prioritization and feasibility screening assessments at critical facilities. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council worked with four local governments in the region to test and apply the Toolkit. This case study series describes how each partner government used the Toolkit and highlights key insights and lessons learned that other users could follow to replicate the process. The City of Largo used the Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit to advance community solar + storage resilience goals by collaborating with staff across departments and disciplines and engaging with utility stakeholders. The City of Largo conducted an analysis of its Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), which processes an average of 43 million gallons of wastewater daily. Water treatment operations are both critical and energy intensive, requiring sustained energy throughout the day.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Hillsborough County Clear Sky Assessment Process: Prioritizing Solar + Storage for Resilient Facilities & Communities

The Clear Sky Tampa Bay project was a 15-month collaborative research effort to support solar + storage deployment for community resilience in Florida. The Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit is a collection of resources designed to support users in conducting solar + storage prioritization and feasibility screening assessments at critical facilities. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council worked with four local governments in the region to test and apply the Toolkit. This case study series describes how each partner government used the Toolkit and highlights key insights and lessons learned that other users could follow to replicate the process. Hillsborough County used the Clear Sky Decision Support Toolkit to analyze solar + storage as an additional resiliency feature at its Brandon Support Operation Complex (BSOC). During normal operations, the BSOC houses water utility administration services and workspaces for water and wastewater engineers, facilities maintenance, and environmental management staff. During emergency management activation, the BSOC serves as an emergency hub for Emergency Support Function 3 (ESF-3), which includes public utilities, public works, and engineering staff support members. The BSOC is designated as a critical facility by the County.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Cloud Water Chemistry and Aerosol Processing: Assessing the Hydroxyl Radical Burst in Newly Formed Cloud Droplets (Field Campaign Report)

Aerosol particles are tiny liquid or solid particles in the atmosphere, ranging in size from a few nanometers to several micrometers in diameter. Aerosol-cloud interactions are the most uncertain aspect of the climate system, and models routinely underpredict aerosol particle formation. Clouds are well known to alter aerosol size, chemical composition, and radiative properties, but the processes are poorly characterized. Organics and sulfates are the most abundant materials in particles, and for each of these there are significant gaps in the understanding of the role of clouds in their formation and/or aging. Many of the cloud processes are driven by aqueous chemistry that depends on hydroxyl (OH) radicals, the subject of this project.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A Framework for the Optimization of Water Treatment Processes Under Uncertainty Assessed through Process Operability

Conference presentation conveying work conducted on developing a framework for the optimization of water treatment processes after applying robust optimization and process operability tools. The objective of this framework is to optimize treatment processes under the uncertainty of source water conditions. This work contributes to robust optimization and process operability methodologies, allowing for the extension of probability from statistical models to operability calculations.

Barber, Hunter↗

Wood-to-Fuel Demonstration Project for California's Transportation Sector using Autothermal Pyrolysis (Non-Proprietary Summary Process Hazard Assessment)

Frontline has prioritized personnel safety, equipment preservation, and environmental protection throughout the design process of the autothermal pyrolysis unit. To facilitate a safe design, Frontline completed an informal hazards and operability (HAZOP) study and a formal HAZOP study, and employ management of change procedures. The result of these safety procedures is a plant that will function in a safe manner with a limited and acceptable amount of risk. Frontline took an approach it used in previous projects to execute a preliminary, internally facilitated hazards and operability (HAZOP) study. While this HAZOP study was performed without any subsequent change tracking, it enables a group of well-trained engineers to consider the safety implications of each part of the plant in a thorough and methodical manner. Frontline chose to bring in a pyrolysis consultant (Daren Daugaard of Burning Oak Energy) to participate in the review. Following the preliminary HAZOP and once the detailed design work was nearing completion, Frontline performed a formal HAZOP with a third-party facilitator, Jason Stittleburg of Novetus Engineering. Although the plant is not subject to process safety management (PSM) requirements, this formal HAZOP was performed in accordance with OSHA regulations deemed reasonable for PSM. Finally, after the formal HAZOP was conducted, Frontline maintained a safe system by implementing and following management of change procedures on each substantial change to the process. Frontline has kept a record of each subsequent change made to the formal HAZOP P&IDs. The process hazard assessment process allowed Frontline to find and correct several unacceptable configurations within the plant.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Process Heating Assessments Using DOE’s Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR) Tool Suite

Process heating is the most energy-intensive manufacturing process for most sectors of industry. To quantify energy savings from various energy conservation measures, the Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored the development of the Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST) and similar tools for other industrial systems in the early 2000s. It has been used extensively in the Save Energy Now Program’s Energy Savings Assessments and the Better Plants Program’s In-Plant Trainings. Since the initial development of the legacy tools, both computer operating systems and software development have evolved significantly. Thus, DOE has invested in the modernization of PHAST and other legacy software tools to create the Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR) tool suite. MEASUR offers a collection of software tools that can aid manufacturing facilities in improving the efficiency of energy systems and equipment (specifically pumps, fans, steam, and process heating) and in conducting “Energy Treasure Hunts”. Eventually, the tool will also add compressed air and process cooling systems. The Process Heating Assessment (PHA) module of MEASUR is an upgrade of the PHAST tool. PHA provides the means to model fuel-fired, steam-based, and electric process heating systems, covering process heating for most industrial plants in manufacturing sector. It also includes several key upgrades, including the ability to consider multi-component charge loads and account for several different areas of energy losses. The new tool includes a comprehensive flue gas calculator to quantify available heat and heat loss for various gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels and new heat loss calculators. It generates a report and a dynamic Sankey diagram to show the energy consumption in various areas of energy use. MEASUR has significantly improved the user experience by adopting a modern software design. This paper details the structure and workflow of PHA and presents a real-world case study to demonstrate energy savings quantification and MEASUR’s outstanding reporting capabilities.

Nimbalkar, Sachin U.↗

A Comparison of Preconstruction and Operational Wake Loss Estimates for Land-Based Wind Plants

Recent studies suggest that biases between wind plant pre-construction energy yield estimates and actual energy production are decreasing over time. However, variability in energy yield prediction accuracy across different projects and wind energy consultants remains high. Wake effects are one of the largest categories comprising the pre-construction energy yield assessment process. To assess the accuracy of wake loss predictions, we compare pre-construction wake loss estimates provided by 8 consultants to the estimated operational wake losses for 10 North American wind plants, as part of the Wind Plant Performance Prediction (WP3) Benchmark project. We estimate operational wake losses using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data by comparing total wind plant energy production to the potential energy production based on the power produced by freestream wind turbines. In the presentation, we will discuss the overall wake loss prediction bias as well as the project-to-project variability in the prediction accuracy. Further, we will highlight challenges encountered when estimating operational wake losses, including the impact of complex terrain and the presence of neighboring wind plants.

benchmark↗

Remote Home Energy Score Assessments (Feasibility Study)

The delivery of Home Energy Scores (HES) has been significantly impacted over the last year by the recent pandemic and ongoing limitations to person-to-person interactions. There are also historic challenges in providing HES to more remote geographies where assessor infrastructure is not in place. Alternative approaches to in-person, on-site home energy assessments could help address these current restrictions, while also potentially providing opportunities for the efficient delivery of HES in certain use cases after COVID-related restrictions are lifted. From the program administrator’s perspective, there needs to be confidence that the remote scores closely match what they would have been if the assessment had been performed on-site. The recommendations shown on a report generated from a remote score should closely match those of an onsite assessment. A remote assessment should be an option for all HES Partners and have direction on how to deliver those scores. From the HES partner’s and assessor’s perspective, there needs to be understanding of what level of experience is needed, what system infrastructure is required, the time expenditure of the remote assessment process, and the limitations of a remote assessment. From the homeowner’s perspective, there needs to be an awareness and comfort with the time commitment, the level of knowledge of the home, the equipment needed, and any physical requirements of the remote assessment process. During this study, Earth Advantage assessed methods for delivering Home Energy Score assessments remotely through web-based technology platforms and resident interaction in a diverse array of home types in different geographic locations. Earth Advantage developed remote assessment test protocols and integrated those testing protocols into existing Home Energy Score programs being overseen by USDOE Home Energy Score partners New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), and the City of Portland (PDX). Earth Advantage staff acted as the Remote assessor and gathered HES data remotely during the video sessions with participants. Authorized Home Energy Score assessors performed the onsite assessments that were then used to compare with the remote assessment data. This allowed the research to effectively test the efficacy of various remote assessment approaches in a diverse array of home-types. Earth advantage identified the key components of a remote assessment infrastructure which included Remote Home Energy Score Assessments Page vi processes, tools, services, methods and mechanisms that would better enable remote assessments. This report details methods, results, and findings of the HES remote assessment research. In addition, the report provides recommendations and best practices that could be used as guidance for the Home Energy Score administrator and the HES partners seeking to effectively conduct remote assessments.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗