Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Structural Mechanics Module Development Plan (open access)

Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Structural Mechanics Module Development Plan

None
Date: October 30, 2013
Creator: Ferencz, R M
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Recommendations for Tritium Science and Technology Research and Development in Support of the Tritium Readiness Campaign, TTP-7-084 (open access)

Recommendations for Tritium Science and Technology Research and Development in Support of the Tritium Readiness Campaign, TTP-7-084

Between 2006 and 2012 the Tritium Readiness Campaign Development and Testing Program produced significant advances in the understanding of in-reactor TPBAR performance. Incorporating these data into existing TPBAR performance models has improved permeation predictions, and the discrepancy between predicted and observed tritium permeation in the WBN1 coolant has been decreased by about 30%. However, important differences between predicted and observed permeation still remain, and there are significant knowledge gaps that hinder the ability to reliably predict other aspects of TPBAR performance such as tritium distribution, component integrity, and performance margins. Based on recommendations from recent Tritium Readiness Campaign workshops and reviews coupled with technical and programmatic priorities, high-priority activities were identified to address knowledge gaps in the near- (3-5 year), middle- (5-10 year), and long-term (10+ year) time horizons. It is important to note that there are many aspects to a well-integrated research and development program. The intent is not to focus exclusively on one aspect or another, but to approach the program in a holistic fashion. Thus, in addition to small-scale tritium science studies, ex-reactor tritium technology experiments such as TMED, and large-scale in-reactor tritium technology experiments such as TMIST, a well-rounded research and development program must also include …
Date: October 30, 2013
Creator: Senor, David J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Solar Powered Radioactive Air Monitoring Stations (open access)

Solar Powered Radioactive Air Monitoring Stations

Environmental monitoring of ambient air for radioactive material is required as stipulated in the PNNL Site radioactive air license. Sampling ambient air at identified preferred locations could not be initially accomplished because utilities were not readily available. Therefore, solar powered environmental monitoring systems were considered as a possible option. PNNL purchased two 24-V DC solar powered environmental monitoring systems which consisted of solar panels, battery banks, and sampling units. During an approximate four month performance evaluation period, the solar stations operated satisfactorily at an on-site test location. They were subsequently relocated to their preferred locations in June 2012 where they continue to function adequately under the conditions found in Richland, Washington.
Date: October 30, 2013
Creator: Barnett, J. M.; Bisping, Lynn E. & Gervais, Todd L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Technical Letter Report of Slow-Strain-Rate Tensile Tests on Irradiated Stainless Steels in a PWR Environment (open access)

Technical Letter Report of Slow-Strain-Rate Tensile Tests on Irradiated Stainless Steels in a PWR Environment

None
Date: October 30, 2013
Creator: Chen, Y.; Soppet, W.; Alexandreanu, B. & Natesan, K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Technical Letter Report on the Cracking of Irradiated Stainless Steels in Low-Corrosion-Potential Environments (open access)

Technical Letter Report on the Cracking of Irradiated Stainless Steels in Low-Corrosion-Potential Environments

None
Date: October 30, 2013
Creator: Chen, Y.; Alexandreanu, B. & Natesan, K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Technical Spotlight: NEAMS Structural Mechanics with Diablo (open access)

Technical Spotlight: NEAMS Structural Mechanics with Diablo

None
Date: October 30, 2013
Creator: Ferencz, R M
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library

Thriving Through Tough Times

None
Date: October 30, 2013
Creator: Huber, A M & Moyle, A R
Object Type: Presentation
System: The UNT Digital Library
3013 DE INNER CONTAINER CLOSURE WELD CORROSION EVALUATION (open access)

3013 DE INNER CONTAINER CLOSURE WELD CORROSION EVALUATION

Destructive evaluation (DE) of 3013 containers is one part of the U. S. Department of Energy Integrated Surveillance Program. During standard DE of 3013 containers, visual examinations for pitting and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) are performed on the accessible surfaces of the outer, inner, and convenience containers, which make up the 3013 container. As a result of 3013 DE additional analysis, the area near the inner container closure weld has been identified as being a region of increased corrosion susceptibility, which may provide a pathway for corrosive gases to the outer container. This area has a higher residual stress, an altered microstructure, and less corrosion resistant weld oxides as a result of the welding process as well as a lower temperature than other areas of the container, which may increase the absorption of moisture on the surface. The deposition of moisture in this stressed region could lead to pitting and stress corrosion cracking. During FY2013, the inner container closure weld area was more closely evaluated on several archived samples from DE containers. These containers included FY09 DE2, FY12 DE4, FY12 DE6 and FY12 DE7 and the Hanford High Moisture Container. The additional examinations included visual observations with a stereomicroscope, scanning …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Mickalonis, J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Advanced CO{sub 2} Capture Technology for Low Rank Coal IGCC System (open access)

Advanced CO{sub 2} Capture Technology for Low Rank Coal IGCC System

The overall objective of the project is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of a new Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant designed to efficiently process low rank coals. The plant uses an integrated CO{sub 2} scrubber/Water Gas Shift (WGS) catalyst to capture over90 percent capture of the CO{sub 2} emissions, while providing a significantly lower cost of electricity (COE) than a similar plant with conventional cold gas cleanup system based on SelexolTM technology and 90 percent carbon capture. TDA’s system uses a high temperature physical adsorbent capable of removing CO{sub 2} above the dew point of the synthesis gas and a commercial WGS catalyst that can effectively convert CO in The overall objective of the project is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of a new Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant designed to efficiently process low rank coals. The plant uses an integrated CO{sub 2} scrubber/Water Gas Shift (WGS) catalyst to capture over90 percent capture of the CO{sub 2} emissions, while providing a significantly lower cost of electricity (COE) than a similar plant with conventional cold gas cleanup system based on SelexolTM technology and 90 percent carbon capture. TDA’s system uses a high temperature …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Alptekin, Gokhan
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Advanced Low Energy Enzyme Catalyzed Solvent for CO₂ Capture (open access)

Advanced Low Energy Enzyme Catalyzed Solvent for CO₂ Capture

A proof-of-concept biocatalyst enhanced solvent process was developed and demonstrated in an integrated bench-scale system using coal post combustion flue gas. The biocatalyst was deployed as a coating on M500X structured packing. Rate enhancement was evaluated using a non-volatile and non- toxic 20 wt% potassium carbonate solution. Greater than 500-fold volumetric scale-up from laboratory to bench scale was demonstrated in this project. Key technical achievements included: 10-fold mass transfer enhancement demonstrated in laboratory testing relative to blank potassium carbonate at 45°C; ~ 7-fold enhancement over blank in bench-scale field testing at National Carbon Capture Center; aerosol emissions were below detection limits (< 0.8 ppm); 90% capture was demonstrated at ~19.5 Nm{sup 3}/hr (dry basis); and ~ 80% CO{sub 2} capture was demonstrated at ~ 30 Nm{sup 3}/hr (dry basis) for more than 2800-hrs on flue gas with minimal detectible decline in activity. The regeneration energy requirement was 3.5 GJ/t CO{sub 2} for this solvent, which was below the target of <2.1 GJ/t CO{sub 2}. Bench unit testing revealed kinetic limitations in the un-catalyzed stripper at around 85°C, but process modeling based on bench unit data showed that equivalent work of less than 300 kWh/t CO{sub 2} including all CO{sub 2} …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Zaks, Alex
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Amorphous Alloy Membranes for High Temperature Hydrogen Separation (open access)

Amorphous Alloy Membranes for High Temperature Hydrogen Separation

At the beginning of this project, thin film amorphous alloy membranes were considered a nascent but promising new technology for industrial-scale hydrogen gas separations from coal- derived syngas. This project used a combination of theoretical modeling, advanced physical vapor deposition fabricating, and laboratory and gasifier testing to develop amorphous alloy membranes that had the potential to meet Department of Energy (DOE) targets in the testing strategies outlined in the NETL Membrane Test Protocol. The project is complete with Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), Georgia Institute of Technology (GT), and Western Research Institute (WRI) having all operated independently and concurrently. GT studied the hydrogen transport properties of several amorphous alloys and found that ZrCu and ZrCuTi were the most promising candidates. GT also evaluated the hydrogen transport properties of V, Nb and Ta membranes coated with different transition-metal carbides (TMCs) (TM = Ti, Hf, Zr) catalytic layers by employing first-principles calculations together with statistical mechanics methods and determined that TiC was the most promising material to provide catalytic hydrogen dissociation. SwRI developed magnetron coating techniques to deposit a range of amorphous alloys onto both porous discs and tubular substrates. Unfortunately none of the amorphous alloys could be deposited without pinhole defects that …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Coulter, K
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
ANALYSIS OF THE AXIAL GAP VS FIBERBOARD MOISTURE CONTENT IN A 9975 SHIPPING PACKAGE (open access)

ANALYSIS OF THE AXIAL GAP VS FIBERBOARD MOISTURE CONTENT IN A 9975 SHIPPING PACKAGE

The fiberboard assembly within a 9975 shipping package contains a modest amount of moisture, which can migrate to the cooler regions of the package when an internal heat load is present. Typically, this leads to increased moisture levels in the bottom fiberboard layers, along with elevated chloride levels which can leach from the fiberboard. Concerns have been raised that this condition could lead to corrosion of the stainless steel drum. It has been postulated that checking the axial gap at the top of the package against the current 1 inch maximum criterion provides a sufficient indication regarding the integrity of the fiberboard and drum. This report estimates the increase in axial gap that might be expected for a given moisture increase in the bottom fiberboard layers, and the likelihood that the increase will create a nonconforming condition that will lead to identification of the moisture increase. Using data relating the fiberboard moisture content with the degree of compaction under load, the present analysis indicates that the axial gap will increase by 0.282 inch as the bottom fiberboard layers approach the saturation point. This increase will cause approximately 58% of packages with otherwise nominal package component dimensions to fail the axial …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Daugherty, W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Beam Driven Plasma-Wakefield Linear Collider: From Higgs Factory to Multi-TeV (open access)

A Beam Driven Plasma-Wakefield Linear Collider: From Higgs Factory to Multi-TeV

None
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Adli, E.; Delahaye, J. P.; Gessner, S. J.; Hogan, M. J.; Raubenheimer, T.; An, W. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Characterization of Oxy-combustion Impacts in Existing Coal-fired Boilers (open access)

Characterization of Oxy-combustion Impacts in Existing Coal-fired Boilers

Reaction Engineering International (REI) managed a team of experts from University of Utah, Siemens Energy, Praxair, Vattenfall AB, Sandia National Laboratories, Brigham Young University (BYU) and Corrosion Management Ltd. to perform multi-scale experiments, coupled with mechanism development, process modeling and CFD modeling, for both applied and fundamental investigations. The primary objective of this program was to acquire data and develop tools to characterize and predict impacts of CO{sub 2} flue gas recycle and burner feed design on flame characteristics (burnout, NO{sub x}, SO{sub x}, mercury and fine particle emissions, heat transfer) and operational concerns (fouling, slagging and corrosion) inherent in the retrofit of existing coal-fired boilers for oxy-coal combustion. Experimental work was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories’ Entrained Flow Reactor, the University of Utah Industrial Combustion Research Facility, and Brigham Young University. Process modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was performed at REI. Successful completion of the project objectives resulted in the following key deliverables: 1) Multi-scale test data from 0.1 kW bench-scale, 100 kW and 200 kW laboratory-scale, and 1 MW semi-industrial scale combustors that describe differences in flame characteristics, fouling, slagging and corrosion for coal combustion under air-firing and oxygen-firing conditions, including sensitivity to oxy-burner design and …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Adams, Bradley; Davis, Kevin; Senior, Constance; Shim, Hong Shim; Otten, Brydger; Fry, Andrew et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Chlorite Dissolution Kinetics at Variable pH and Temperatures up to 275C (open access)

Chlorite Dissolution Kinetics at Variable pH and Temperatures up to 275C

None
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Carroll, S. & Smith, M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
CHP Integrated with Burners for Packaged Boilers (open access)

CHP Integrated with Burners for Packaged Boilers

The objective of this project was to engineer, design, fabricate, and field demonstrate a Boiler Burner Energy System Technology (BBEST) that integrates a low-cost, clean burning, gas-fired simple-cycle (unrecuperated) 100 kWe (net) microturbine (SCMT) with a new ultra low-NOx gas-fired burner (ULNB) into one compact Combined Heat and Power (CHP) product that can be retrofit on new and existing industrial and commercial boilers in place of conventional burners. The Scope of Work for this project was segmented into two principal phases: (Phase I) Hardware development, assembly and pre-test and (Phase II) Field installation and demonstration testing. Phase I was divided into five technical tasks (Task 2 to 6). These tasks covered the engineering, design, fabrication, testing and optimization of each key component of the CHP system principally, ULNB, SCMT, assembly BBEST CHP package, and integrated controls. Phase I work culminated with the laboratory testing of the completed BBEST assembly prior to shipment for field installation and demonstration. Phase II consisted of two remaining technical tasks (Task 7 and 8), which focused on the installation, startup, and field verification tests at a pre-selected industrial plant to document performance and attainment of all project objectives. Technical direction and administration was under the …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Castaldini, Carlo & Darby, Eric
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Chronic, Multi-Contact, Neural Interface for Deep Brain Stimulation (open access)

Chronic, Multi-Contact, Neural Interface for Deep Brain Stimulation

None
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Tooker, A. C.; Madsen, T. E.; Crowell, A.; Shah, K. G.; Felix, S. H.; Mayberg, H. S. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Color Maintenance of LEDs in Laboratory and Field Applications (open access)

Color Maintenance of LEDs in Laboratory and Field Applications

Synopsis: To date, consideration for parametric failure of LED products has largely been focused on lumen maintenance. However, color shift is a cause of early failure for some products, and is especially important to consider in certain applications, like museums, where visual appearance is critical. Example data collected by the GATEWAY program for LED lamps installed in museums shows that many have changed color beyond a reasonable tolerance well before their rated lifetime was reached, necessitating replacement. Similar data collected by the CALiPER program between 2008 and 2010 reveals that many early products shifted beyond acceptable tolerances in as little as a few thousand hours. In contrast, data from the L Prize program illustrates that commercially available LED products can have exemplary color stability that is unmatched by traditional light sources. Beyond presenting data from the aforementioned DOE programs, this report discusses the metrics used for communicating color shift—namely MacAdam ellipses and Δu'v'—as well as providing guidance for end users on how to monitor color shift and what to look for in manufacturer warranties. Also included are descriptions of the physical changes that have been documented as leading to color shift in some example types of LED packages. As with …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Royer, Michael P.; Tuttle, Ralph; Rosenfeld, Scott M. & Miller, Naomi J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development Of A Macro-Batch Qualification Strategy For The Hanford Tank Waste Treatment And Immobilization Plant (open access)

Development Of A Macro-Batch Qualification Strategy For The Hanford Tank Waste Treatment And Immobilization Plant

The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) has evaluated the existing waste feed qualification strategy for the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) based on experience from the Savannah River Site (SRS) Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) waste qualification program. The current waste qualification programs for each of the sites are discussed in the report to provide a baseline for comparison. Recommendations on strategies are then provided that could be implemented at Hanford based on the successful Macrobatch qualification strategy utilized at SRS to reduce the risk of processing upsets or the production of a staged waste campaign that does not meet the processing requirements of the WTP. Considerations included the baseline WTP process, as well as options involving Direct High Level Waste (HLW) and Low Activity Waste (LAW) processing, and the potential use of a Tank Waste Characterization and Staging Facility (TWCSF). The main objectives of the Hanford waste feed qualification program are to demonstrate compliance with the Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC), determine waste processability, and demonstrate unit operations at a laboratory scale. Risks to acceptability and successful implementation of this program, as compared to the DWPF Macro-Batch qualification strategy, include: Limitations of mixing/blending capability of the Hanford …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Herman, Connie C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
DOE Commercial Building Energy Asset Score Web Service (Draft) (open access)

DOE Commercial Building Energy Asset Score Web Service (Draft)

Documentation of the DOE Commercial Building Energy Asset Score application programming interface (API).
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Elliott, Geoffrey & Wang, Na
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Facility Decontamination and Decommissioning Program Surveillance and Maintenance Plan, Revision 2 (open access)

Facility Decontamination and Decommissioning Program Surveillance and Maintenance Plan, Revision 2

This Surveillance and Maintenance (S&amp;M) Plan describes the activities performed between deactivation and final decommissioning of the following facilities located on the Nevada National Security Site, as documented in the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order under the Industrial Sites program as decontamination and decommissioning sites: ? Engine Maintenance, Assembly, and Disassembly (EMAD) Facility: o EMAD Building (Building 25-3900) o Locomotive Storage Shed (Building 25-3901) ? Test Cell C (TCC) Facility: o Equipment Building (Building 25-3220) o Motor Drive Building (Building 25-3230) o Pump Shop (Building 25-3231) o Cryogenic Lab (Building 25-3232) o Ancillary Structures (e.g., dewars, water tower, piping, tanks) These facilities have been declared excess and are in various stages of deactivation (low-risk, long-term stewardship disposition state). This S&amp;M Plan establishes and implements a solid, cost-effective, and balanced S&amp;M program consistent with federal, state, and regulatory requirements. A graded approach is used to plan and conduct S&amp;M activities. The goal is to maintain the facilities in a safe condition in a cost-effective manner until their final end state is achieved. This plan accomplishes the following: ? Establishes S&amp;M objectives and framework ? Identifies programmatic guidance for S&amp;M activities to be conducted by National Security Technologies, LLC, for the …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Poderis, Reed J. & King, Rebecca A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Feasibility of Wind to Serve Upper Skagit's Bow Hill Tribal Lands and Feasibility Update for Residential Renewable Energy. (open access)

Feasibility of Wind to Serve Upper Skagit's Bow Hill Tribal Lands and Feasibility Update for Residential Renewable Energy.

A two year wind resource assessment was conducted to determine the feasibility of developing a community scale wind generation system for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe�s Bow Hill land base, and the project researched residential wind resource technologies to determine the feasibility of contributing renewable wind resource to the mix of energy options for our single and multi-family residential units.
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Rich, Lauren
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Final Report - ADVANCED LASER-BASED SENSORS FOR INDUSTRIAL PROCESS CONTROL (open access)

Final Report - ADVANCED LASER-BASED SENSORS FOR INDUSTRIAL PROCESS CONTROL

The objective of this work is to capture the potential of real-time monitoring and overcome the challenges of harsh industrial environments, Los Gatos Research (LGR) is fabricating, deploying, and commercializing advanced laser-based gas sensors for process control monitoring in industrial furnaces (e.g. electric arc furnaces). These sensors can achieve improvements in process control, leading to enhanced productivity, improved product quality, and reduced energy consumption and emissions. The first sensor will utilize both mid-infrared and near-infrared lasers to make rapid in-situ measurements of industrial gases and associated temperatures in the furnace off-gas. The second sensor will make extractive measurements of process gases. During the course of this DOE project, Los Gatos Research (LGR) fabricated, tested, and deployed both in-situ tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry (TDLAS) analyzers and extractive Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (Off-Axis ICOS) analyzers.
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Gupta, Manish & Baer, Douglas
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Final Report DE-EE0005380: Assessment of Offshore Wind Farm Effects on Sea Surface, Subsurface and Airborne Electronic Systems (open access)

Final Report DE-EE0005380: Assessment of Offshore Wind Farm Effects on Sea Surface, Subsurface and Airborne Electronic Systems

Offshore wind energy is a valuable resource that can provide a significant boost to the US renewable energy portfolio. A current constraint to the development of offshore wind farms is the potential for interference to be caused by large wind farms on existing electronic and acoustical equipment such as radar and sonar systems for surveillance, navigation and communications. The US Department of Energy funded this study as an objective assessment of possible interference to various types of equipment operating in the marine environment where offshore wind farms could be installed. The objective of this project was to conduct a baseline evaluation of electromagnetic and acoustical challenges to sea surface, subsurface and airborne electronic systems presented by offshore wind farms. To accomplish this goal, the following tasks were carried out: (1) survey electronic systems that can potentially be impacted by large offshore wind farms, and identify impact assessment studies and research and development activities both within and outside the US, (2) engage key stakeholders to identify their possible concerns and operating requirements, (3) conduct first-principle modeling on the interactions of electromagnetic signals with, and the radiation of underwater acoustic signals from, offshore wind farms to evaluate the effect of such interactions …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Ling, Hao; Hamilton, Mark F.; Bhalla, Rajan; Brown, Walter E.; Hay, Todd A.; Whitelonis, Nicholas J. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library