Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories Research Articles

Improved framework for techno-economical optimization of wind energy production

This paper presents an improved framework for the techno-economical optimization and analysis of wind energy production. The main objectives are the maximization of the wind energy production and the minimization of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). The energy production maximization is achieved through optimal site matching of wind turbine generators. Comparative and improved analyses of various models for the optimal matching process and its associated performance indicators are presented. In addition, an improved model for estimating the wind energy production is adopted. Numerical demonstrations are presented considering a set of selected sites in Egypt. These sites cover all the Battelle-Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) classes of wind resources. In addition, careful inspection of the PNL classification discrepancies is presented. Based on energy production, the best site matching index is determined for various wind resources. In addition, the LCOE is estimated considering various indicators, financial, and technical inputs. Measures for reducing the LCOE are determined based on a sensitivity analysis. The external costs of energy have been considered in estimating the LCOE and evaluating the grid parity. In addition, a grid parity analysis is presented considering various load sectors and debt ratios. The main outcomes are summarized in the conclusions’ section.

Thermodynamic considerations and prediction of the primary coolant activity of 99Tc

A physical model has been developed to describe the coolant activity behaviour of 99Tc, during constant and reactor shutdown operations. This analysis accounts for the fission production of technetium and molybdenum, in which their chemical form and volatility is determined by a thermodynamic treatment using Gibbs-energy minimization. The release kinetics are calculated according to the rate-controlling step of diffusional transport in the fuel matrix and vaporization from the fuel-grain surface. Based on several in-reactor tests with defective fuel elements, and as supported by the thermodynamic analysis, the model accounts for the washout of molybdenum from the defective fuel on reactor shutdown. The model also considers the recoil release of both 99Mo and 99Tc from uranium contamination, as well as a corrosion source due to activation of 98Mo. The model has provided an estimate of the activity ratio 99Tc/ 137Cs in the ion-exchange columns of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, i.e., 6 × 10 −6 (following ∼200 days of steady reactor operation) and 4 × 10 −6 (with reactor shutdown). These results are consistent with that measured by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories with a mixed-bed resin-sampling device installed in a number of Pressurized Water Reactor and Boiling Water Reactor plants.

Validation of the Continuous-Energy Monte Carlo Criticality-Safety Analysis System MVP and JENDL-3.2 Using the Internationally Evaluated Criticality Benchmarks

Validation of the continuous-energy Monte Carlo criticality-safety analysis system, comprising the MVP code and neutron cross sections based on JENDL-3.2, was examined using benchmarks evaluated in the “International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments.” Eight experiments (116 configurations) for the plutonium solution and plutonium-uranium mixture systems performed at Valduc, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, and other facilities were selected and used in the studies. The averaged multiplication factors calculated with MVP and MCNP-4B using the same neutron cross-section libraries based on JENDL-3.2 were in good agreement. Based on methods provided in the Japanese nuclear criticality-safety handbook, the estimated criticality lower-limit multiplication factors to be used as a subcriticality criterion for the criticality-safety evaluation of nuclear facilities were obtained. The analysis proved the applicability of the MVP code to the criticality-safety analysis of nuclear fuel facilities, particularly to the analysis of systems fueled with plutonium and in homogeneous and thermal-energy conditions.

Wind potential assessment of Quebec Province

The paper presents the development of a comprehensive wind atlas of the Province of Quebec. This study differs from previous studies by 1) use of a standard classification index to categorize the wind resource, 2) extensive review of surface and upper air data available for the Province to define the wind resource, and 3) integration of available wind data with the topography of the Province. The wind resource in the Province of Quebec is classified using the scheme proposed by Battelle—Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). The Battelle—PNL classification is a numerical one which includes rankings from Wind Power Class 1 (lowest) to Wind Power Class 7 (highest). Associated with each numerical classification is a range of wind power and associated mean wind speed at 10 m and 50 m above ground level. For this study, a classification for 30 m above ground level was interpolated and used. A significant amount of wind data was gathered for the Province. These data were obtained from Atmospheric Environment Service (AES), Canada, from wind project developers, and from climatological summaries of surface and upper air data. A total of 35 primary data sites were selected in the Province. Although a number of wind data sites in the Province were identified and used in the analysis, large areas of the Province lacked any specific wind information. The Province was divided into grid blocks having dimensions of 1/4° latitude by 1/3° longitude. Each grid block is assigned a numerical Wind Power Class value ranging from 1 to 7. This value is based on the integration of the available wind data and the topography within the square. The majority of the Province was classified as 1 or 2. Coastal locations and topographic features in the interior of the Province typically have Wind Power Class 3 or higher.

HELIOS: analysis of MOX critical experiments

Thirty UO 2–PuO 2 fueled light-water moderated lattice critical experiments have been analyzed with HELIOS at the Nuclear Engineering Program of the Pennsylvania State University, in collaboration with Studsvik Scandpower. These experiments were performed at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories in the early 1970s. HELIOS is an advanced lattice physics code based on two-dimensional (2D) high order transport theory with complete geometric flexibility. The 30 cases have been analyzed already with HELIOS as single pin cell cases and these results are used for comparison. The present study involves the development of the HELIOS input decks for complete 2D representations of the estimated critical cores. The sensitivity of the calculated values of k eff for various options such as reflector thickness, energy groups, coupling order and the modeling approach used in this analysis are discussed for selected cases. Finally, the results of HELIOS have been verified by comparison with the experimental results.

Augmenting in‐situ remediation by soil vapor extraction with six‐phase soil heating

AbstractThe use and performance of soil vapor extraction (SVE) as an in‐situ remedial technology has been limited at numerous sites because of both geologic and chemical factors. SVE systems are not well suited to sites containing low permeability soils or sites contaminated with recalcitrant compounds. Six‐phase soil heating (SPSH) has been developed by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories (Battelle) to enhance SVE systems. The technology utilizes resistive soil heating to increase the vapor pressure of subsurface contaminants and to generate an in‐situ source of steam. The steam strips contaminants sorbed onto soil surfaces and acts as a carrier gas, providing an enhanced mechanism by which the contaminants can reach an extraction well.Full‐scale applications of SPSH have been performed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina; at a former fire training site in Niagara Falls, New York; and at Fort Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska. At each site, chlorinated solvents were present in low permeability soils and SPSH was applied in conjunction with SVE. The results of the three applications showed that SPSH is a cost‐effective technology that can reduce the time required to remediate a site using only conventional SVE.

Experiences and Performance of the Harshaw Dosimetry System at Two Major Processing Centres

The installations, operating practices, dose algorithms and results, and maintenance experience at two major dosimetry processing centres are described. System selection considerations and a comprehensive quality programme are described in the light of the publication of testing requirements by various dosimetry regulatory organisations. Reported information from Siemens Dosimetry Services comprises their selection of dosemeters and processing equipment including service history, a description of their dose computation algorithm, and detailed results of their testing against DOELAP standards. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories (PNL) provides a description of their dosemeters and equipment with service history; in addition, a discussion of their new neural network approach to a dose computation algorithm and test results from that algorithm are presented.

Statistical Design Aspects of the Ntp/Hei Collaborative Study on the Health Effects of Chronic Ozone Inhalation

AbstractThe purpose of the NTP/HEI Collaborative Study was to assess exposure- and concentration-related health effects associated with chronic exposure to ozone. Data were obtained from 164 animals specially dedicated to HEI from a standard ozone inhalation study conducted by Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories for the National Toxicology Program. The study involved a number of investigators, each interested in assessing a different type of ozone-related health effect, including respiratory function, as well as structural, cellular and biochemical changes in the nose, lungs, and airways. Designing and analyzing a study with multiple investigators raises many statistical challenges. The highest design priority was that each investigator's data be individually interpretable as an independent study. This means that each investigator had to be assigned an adequate number of animals, balanced with respect to concentration level and other factors such as gender and time of sacrifice. An additional feature ...

Tensile properties and microstructures of neutron irradiated V-Ti-Cr-Si type alloys

The alloy V-5Ti-5Cr-1Si-Al,Y has been investigated for fusion applications and demonstrates a good combination of its superior properties, such as (1) oxidation resistance in the fabrication process or in an oxygen atmosphere with high partial pressure, (2) bonding with ceramics for potential composite structure, (3) mechanical properties at a wide range of temperatures and (4) swelling behavior after irradiation. In the present study, tensile properties of the V-5Ti-5Cr-1Si-Al,Y alloy after neutron irradiation to high fluences were investigated and compared to other vanadium alloys. Specimens were tested using MATRON (monbusho automated tensile machine), which was installed in a multipurpose hot cell at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory as part of a joint Japan/US collaborative program for fusion materials research. The total elongation of V-5Ti-5Cr-1Si-Al,Y alloy tested at temperatures from ambient temperature to 600°C after irradiation at 406°C to 41dpa was 10 to 15%. Dense precipitation of Ti 5Si 3 was the typical microstructure of the alloy after neutron irradiation, which kept the alloy swelling low. The precipitation should have a major role in the low swelling behavior of the alloy without degradation of ductility.

Evaluation of Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductors for use in a 23.5 T NMR magnet

In order to evaluate the feasibility of using Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductors to generate fields as high as 23.5 T in NMR magnets, the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories has initiated a conductor development and evaluation program. We report the results of one part of that program involving the Wang NMR/LBL team. Based on a preliminary magnet design, and after extensive discussion with various conductor manufacturers, conductors which had been optimized for use at fields above 20 T were purchased. These conductors have been evaluated with respect to mechanical and electrical properties. In particular, the strain dependence of the critical current density has been measured at 1.8 K and 23.5 T. These results, together with coil tests, are reported in this paper.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Conductors for a 1 GHz superconducting magnet

The development of a high resolution high-field 1 GHz NMR spectrometer has been undertaken by Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories (BPNL). In preparation for the design of the superconducting magnet for that instrument, BPNL sponsored a program to measure the properties at high field (up to 23.5 T) and low temperature (1.8 K) of a number of commercially available superconductors. Lengths of these conductors were obtained and tested as short samples and in small coils. The critical current densities, index values and strain dependence of these properties were characterized. The potential applications of these conductors in construction of a 1 GHz NMR magnet are discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

NMR and enzymology of modified DNA/protein interactions.

Annals of the New York Academy of SciencesVolume 726, Issue 1 p. 303-305 NMR and Enzymology of Modified DNA/Protein Interactionsa MICHAEL A. KENNEDY, MICHAEL A. KENNEDY Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory Richland, Washington 99352Search for more papers by this author MICHAEL A. KENNEDY, MICHAEL A. KENNEDY Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory Richland, Washington 99352Search for more papers by this author First published: July 1994 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1994.tb52833.x a This work was supported by Department of Energy Grant DE-FG06-89ER-75522. M.A.K. was supported by a Department of Energy Hollaender Postdoctoral Fellowship. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume726, Issue1DNA Damage: Effects on DNA Structure and Protein RecognitionJuly 1994Pages 303-305 RelatedInformation

Electrochemical process recovers spent catalyst

A catalyst regeneration process designed to provide environmental and cost advantages over conventional spent catalyst reclamation processes has been developed by researchers at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash. The process, based on electrochemical dissolution, recovers metal from the spent catalysts. Hydrocarbon deposits on the catalysts are also removed and are converted to carbon dioxide and water at moderate temperatures and atmospheric pressure. Development of the process was spurred by stricter environmental regulations and the tighter economics of catalyst regeneration. The trend in oil refining toward ever heavier feedstocks puts a correspondingly greater demand on catalyst performance. Heavier feedstocks typically have higher concentrations of impurities, which promote catalyst deactivation and decrease on-stream cycle time. Simultaneously, the economic encourage lower energy consumption and an increase in reaction selectivities to minimize production of waste.

PREDICTING FATE OF PESTICIDES IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

Environmental Toxicology and ChemistryVolume 12, Issue 3 p. 397-398 EditorialFree Access Predicting fate of pesticides in forest ecosystems John W. Barry, John W. Barry Forest Pest Management USDA Forest Service Davis, CASearch for more papers by this authorChris M. Riley, Chris M. Riley Chemical and Biotechnical Services Research and Productivity Council Fredericton, New Brunswick CanadaSearch for more papers by this author John W. Barry, John W. Barry Forest Pest Management USDA Forest Service Davis, CASearch for more papers by this authorChris M. Riley, Chris M. Riley Chemical and Biotechnical Services Research and Productivity Council Fredericton, New Brunswick CanadaSearch for more papers by this author First published: March 1993 https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620120301AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. References 1 Whiteman, C.D. and K.J., Allwine, 1985. VALMET — A valley air pollution model. Final Report. PNL-4728, Rev. 1. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richmond, WA. 2 Norris, L.A., 1990. Pesticide behavior in the forest. Abstracts, Eleventh Annual Meeting, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Arlington, VA, November 11–15, p. 17. Volume12, Issue3March 1993Pages 397-398 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Solar Bowl Component Efficiencies

Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory has published two volumes on the economic evaluation of various proposed configurations and plant sizes for the four solar thermal technologies. These are the latest in a series of publications sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) on plant and operational costs and are more complete in that they include calculations of electrical output. These latest Battelle volumes use the 1976 solar data from Barstow, Calif., and by calculating or estimating the energy conversion efficiency of each element in the process from sun to electricity predict the output and cost of electricity from different plant sizes for each of the four technologies. In this paper a comparison is presented of the component efficiencies developed by Battelle and those of the solar bowl at Crosbyton, Tex.

Ambient noise measurements from 100 Hz to 80 kHz

Measurements covering a broad frequency range from 100 Hz to 80 kHz have been made in Behm Canal, Alaska. This site represents a fairly deep embayment (400 m) with a very soft bottom (porosity of about 0.8) and, hence, the noise detected at the hydrophones is affected negligibly by multipath contributions except possibly at the very lowest frequencies. Data were gathered over a wide range of wind speeds (0–15 m/s) and during periods of rain and snow. Several unique and noteworthy results were obtained. Foremost was the observation that the wind‐generated noise level measured during the winter was 5 dB lower than during the summer for the same wind speeds and air‐sea temperature differences (air temperature about the same or colder than the sea surface). The summer data agree well with the most recent published measurements and are approximately 2 dB higher than the standard Knudsen/Wenz reference spectra. Most reported wind noise measurements are restricted to frequencies less than 20 kHz. Those that go beyond this frequency display a noticeable hump above the usual −17 dB/decade power‐law slope, and the Behm Canal measurements show that this hump continues to 80 kHz, where the spectrum rejoins the extension of the canonical power‐law slope. [Work supported by Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories and NORDA.]

Authors

Authors

LC/MS and SFC/MS: Will They Replace GC/MS?

Will LC/MS and SFC/MS eventually replace GC/MS as the method of choice for organic trace analysis. This question was addressed at a symposium organized by Richard Browner of the Georgia Institute of Technology at this year's Pittsburgh Conference in Atlantic City, NJ. The symposium, one of the best-attended technical sessions at this year's meeting, featured presentations by Browner, Ron Hites of Indiana University, Jack Henion of Cornell University, Dick Smith of Battelle's Pacific Northwest Laboratory, and Marvin Vestal of The University of Houston.

Input distributions for VISA

Work is currently underway at Battelle's Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) to improve the probabilistic models used to simulate pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events, and further, to incorporate these improvements into the present Vessel Integrity Simulation Analysis (VISA) code. Key inputs are the model used to compute the shift in reference temperature for nil ductility transition (ΔRT NDT) and the distribution of flaw sizes. It is noted that slight changes in the way flaw depths are categorized have significant and undesirable effects on simulation results. To minimize the effects of categorization, it is recommended that a variable be simulated from the cumulative form of its distribution, rather than a frequency form. The probability assigned to depths greater than 0.25 inches also has a significant effect on results. Although the probabilities assigned to deep flaws by various flaw depth distributions differ by several orders of magnitude, there are insufficient data to determine which (if any) of the proposed distributions are realistic. Results of a Monte Carlo study to determine the effect of variability in parameters which affect ΔRT NDT are reported. A physically realistic method of simulating ΔRT NDT is proposed.

Radioactive Source Term Models in a Compartment Fire Code

Models for the release of airborne radioactivity in fires have been developed. These radioactive source term models are used as subroutines in a compartment fire code called FIRIN. Each model is based on release factors developed using information from experiments. Models are developed for the following release mechanisms: burning of contaminated combustible solids; burning of contaminated combustible liquids; heating of noncombustible contaminated surfaces; heating of unpressurized radioactive liquids; pressurized releases of radioactive powders; and pressurized releases of radioactive liquids. The potential for release from these mechanisms was examined in an analysis of three types of fuel cycle facility fires. The types of fires considered were mixed oxide ( MOX) general facility fires, MOX stored combustible waste fires, and solvent extraction fires in fuel reprocessing plants. Input parameters were varied to determine relative importance of release mechanisms and sensitivity of predicted releases to changes in initial conditions. Total radioactive material released ranged from 8 X 10/sup -4/ g of plutonium (0.002% of material at risk) given off in a combustible waste fire to 75 g of mixed isotopes (0.3% of material at risk) given off in a solvent extraction fire. Fuel loading and burn area were the parameters that caused themore » greatest change in total release of radioactive material. Changes in ventilation rate also made a significant difference in release for overventilated fires, but not for underventilated fires. Work is under way at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory to improve the models for burning of contaminated combustible solids and liquids.« less