Primary Flow Path Research Articles

Pool temperature stratification analysis in CIRCE-ICE facility with RELAP5-3D© model and comparison with experimental tests

In the frame of heavy liquid metal (HLM) technology development, CIRCE pool facility at ENEA/Brasimone Research Center was updated by installing ICE (Integral Circulation Experiments) test section which simulates the thermal behavior of a primary system in a HLM cooled pool reactor. The experimental campaign led to the characterization of mixed convection and thermal stratification in a HLM pool in safety relevant conditions and to the distribution of experimental data for the validation of CFD and system codes. For this purpose, several thermocouples were installed into the pool using 4 vertical supports in different circumferential position for a total of 119 thermocouples [1][2].The aim of this work is to investigate the capability of the system code RELAP5-3D© to simulate mixed convection and thermal stratification phenomena in a HLM pool in steady state conditions by comparing code results with experimental data. The pool has been simulated by a 3D component divided into 1728 volumes, 119 of which are centered in the exact position of the thermocouples. Three dimensional model of the pool is completed with a mono-dimensional nodalization of the primary main flow path. The results obtained by code simulations are compared with a steady state condition carried out in the experimental campaign. Results of axial, radial and azimuthal temperature profile into the pool are in agreement with the available experimental data Furthermore the code is able to well simulate operating conditions into the main flow path of the test section.

Use of navigation channels by Lake Sturgeon: Does channelization increase vulnerability of fish to ship strikes?

Channelization for navigation and flood control has altered the hydrology and bathymetry of many large rivers with unknown consequences for fish species that undergo riverine migrations. In this study, we investigated whether altered flow distributions and bathymetry associated with channelization attracted migrating Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) into commercial navigation channels, potentially increasing their exposure to ship strikes. To address this question, we quantified and compared Lake Sturgeon selection for navigation channels vs. alternative pathways in two multi-channel rivers differentially affected by channelization, but free of barriers to sturgeon movement. Acoustic telemetry was used to quantify Lake Sturgeon movements. Under the assumption that Lake Sturgeon navigate by following primary flow paths, acoustic-tagged Lake Sturgeon in the more-channelized lower Detroit River were expected to choose navigation channels over alternative pathways and to exhibit greater selection for navigation channels than conspecifics in the less-channelized lower St. Clair River. Consistent with these predictions, acoustic-tagged Lake Sturgeon in the more-channelized lower Detroit River selected the higher-flow and deeper navigation channels over alternative migration pathways, whereas in the less-channelized lower St. Clair River, individuals primarily used pathways alternative to navigation channels. Lake Sturgeon selection for navigation channels as migratory pathways also was significantly higher in the more-channelized lower Detroit River than in the less-channelized lower St. Clair River. We speculated that use of navigation channels over alternative pathways would increase the spatial overlap of commercial vessels and migrating Lake Sturgeon, potentially enhancing their vulnerability to ship strikes. Results of our study thus demonstrated an association between channelization and the path use of migrating Lake Sturgeon that could prove important for predicting sturgeon-vessel interactions in navigable rivers as well as for understanding how fish interact with their habitat in landscapes altered by human activity.

Hyporheic zone influences on concentration‐discharge relationships in a headwater sandstone stream

AbstractComplex subsurface flow dynamics impact the storage, routing, and transport of water and solutes to streams in headwater catchments. Many of these hydrogeologic processes are indirectly reflected in observations of stream chemistry responses to rain events, also known as concentration‐discharge (CQ) relations. Identifying the relative importance of subsurface flows to stream CQ relationships is often challenging in headwater environments due to spatial and temporal variability. Therefore, this study combines a diverse set of methods, including tracer injection tests, cation exchange experiments, geochemical analyses, and numerical modeling, to map groundwater‐surface water interactions along a first‐order, sandstone stream (Garner Run) in the Appalachian Mountains of central Pennsylvania. The primary flow paths to the stream include preferential flow through the unsaturated zone (“interflow”), flow discharging from a spring, and groundwater discharge. Garner Run stream inherits geochemical signatures from geochemical reactions occurring along each of these flow paths. In addition to end‐member mixing effects on CQ, we find that the exchange of solutes, nutrients, and water between the hyporheic zone and the main stream channel is a relevant control on the chemistry of Garner Run. CQ relationships for Garner Run were compared to prior results from a nearby headwater catchment overlying shale bedrock (Shale Hills). At the sandstone site, solutes associated with organo‐mineral associations in the hyporheic zone influence CQ, while CQ trends in the shale catchment are affected by preferential flow through hillslope swales. The difference in CQ trends document how the lithology and catchment hydrology control CQ relationships.

Thermal hydraulic analysis of a passively controlled DHR system

The safe operation of nuclear reactors cooled by liquid metal is an important issue to be addressed for the development of nuclear technology and presents specific aspects related to the properties of the coolant. While the main parameters influencing safety for water-cooled reactors are reasonably well known, DHR systems for reactors cooled by liquid metal present additional challenges related to coolant freezing, since solidification temperature is higher than the temperature of the final heat sink. If the primary coolant solidifies obstructions of the primary flow path can occur, inhibiting natural circulation and core cooling. This paper presents an innovative passive safety system for decay heat removal which passively delays the coolant freezing. The system adopts noncondensable gases to passively control the power removed from the primary system and to delay freezing in the long term while keeping primary system temperatures below an acceptable limit. The system is simulated by means of the Relap5-3D computer code for a loss of offsite power of the innovative lead-cooled reactor ALFRED. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out in order to study the effect of noncondensable gas pressure on the performance of the passive decay heat removal system, and in particular on the primary coolant temperatures.

Detailed dynamic, geometric and supraglacial moraine data for Glaciar Pio XI, the only surge-type glacier of the Southern Patagonia Icefield

ABSTRACTIn contrast to the general trend for glaciers of the Southern Patagonia Icefield, Glaciar Pio XI has experienced a large cumulative frontal advance since 1945. In an effort to better understand this advancing behaviour, this paper presents a synoptic analysis of frontal fluctuations (1998–2014), ice velocities (1986–2014), ice-surface elevations (1975–2007) and supraglacial moraines (1945–2014) derived from geospatial datasets. These analyses reveal changes in the ice flow of Glaciar Pio XI's freshwater calving northern terminus and tidewater calving southern terminus over recent decades. Between 1986 and 2000, ice flow speed generally accelerated reaching peaks of >15 m d−1 at the frontal edge of the southern terminus. Following this period, flow speed decreased, reducing to <1 m d−1 for the central part of the southern terminus in 2014, despite advancing to a neoglacial maximum. From 2000 to 2014 the reduction in speed was accompanied by a shift in maximum velocity away from the southern terminus, towards the central glacier trunk. As a result, the northern terminus, which accelerated during this period, represented the new primary flow path in 2014. Notably, the moraine maps presented highlight surges occurring around 1981 and again between 1997 and 2000, marked by arcuate moraine features on the southern terminus.

Soil and river contamination patterns of chlordecone in a tropical volcanic catchment in the French West Indies (Guadeloupe)

The aim of this study was to identify primary flow paths involved in the chlordecone (CLD) river contamination and quantify the CLD fluxes to assess CLD pollution levels and duration according to a typical catchment of the banana cropping area in the French Indies (Guadeloupe): the Pérou Catchment (12 km2) characterized by heavy rainfall (5686 mm year−1). Three sub-catchments (SC1, SC2 and SC3) were studied during the hydrological year 2009–2010: a pedological survey combined with a spatialized hydrochemical approach was conducted. The average soil concentration is higher in the Pérou Catchment (3400 μg kg−1) than in the entire banana cropping area in Guadeloupe (2100 μg kg−1). The results showed that CLD stocks in soils vary largely among soil types and farming systems: the weakest stocks are located upstream in SC1 (5 kg ha−1), where a majority of the area is non-cultivated; medium stocks are located in Nitisols downstream in SC3 (9 kg ha−1); and the greatest stocks are observed in SC2 on Andosols (12 kg ha−1) characterized by large farms. The annual water balance and the hydro-chemical analysis revealed that the three sub-catchments exhibited different behaviors. Pérou River contamination was high during low flows, which highlighted that contamination primarily originated from groundwater contributions. The results showed that only a small part of the catchment (SC2), contributing little to the water flow, comprises a major CLD contribution, which is in agreement with the highly contaminated andosol soils observed there. Another significant result considers that at least 50 years would be required to export the totality of the actual CLD soil stocks retained in the topsoil layer. The actual time for soil remediation will however be much longer considering (i) the necessary time for the chlordecone to percolate and be stored in the shallow aquifers and (ii) its travel time to reach the river.

Reservoir Characterization and History Matching of the Horn River Shale: An Integrated Geoscience and Reservoir-Simulation Approach

Summary We present a systematic approach to integrate geoscience and dynamic reservoir modeling for two multiwell pads in the Horn River basin, Canada. The Horn River shale-gas play is a world-class unconventional gas resource and is being exploited by use of multistage hydraulic fracturing along horizontal wells. The two well pads, Pad-1 and Pad-2, selected for this study comprise eight and seven horizontal wells, respectively, with 1 to 7 years of production history. Numerical modelling of shale reservoirs has historically been a problematic low-confidence exercise because of the difficulties associated with inadequate characterization of the geologic framework of shale plays; the problems of estimating the properties of induced-fracture networks; and the complexities of capturing multiphase flow in fracture networks and wellbores during production, especially in the face of offset-well activity. This paper provides insights into these issues. The geoscience modelling activity begins with integrating information from cores, well logs, petrophysical analyses, and seismic data into a 3D geocellular model. At first, the model is built upon a simple lithostratigraphic concept, which is the basis of the numerical-flow-modelling exercise of Pad-1. The 3D geocellular model is thereafter thoroughly reworked to incorporate a sequence-stratigraphic perspective to the Horn River shale. This reworked geocellular model has a profound impact on the dynamic modelling of Pad-2. Also, hydraulic conductivity of induced and natural fractures is measured on Horn River core plugs at reservoir conditions to constrain conductivity values assigned to primary, secondary, and tertiary flow paths into dynamic reservoir modelling. As a result of the integrated work flow, we have achieved a history match allowing us to further understand the hydraulic-fracturing behaviour and its impact on producing shale reservoirs of the Horn River formation. On the basis of the findings, we recommend targeting the Evie and Otter Park shale reservoirs for landing horizontal wells and multistage fracturing when the Carbonate Fan is thin; this approach can produce all three compartmentalized shale reservoirs of the Horn River formation. Ultimately, the objective of any reservoir modelling project is to provide a range of reliable forecast of future performance that is grounded in representative geoscience interpretations and that takes operational constraints into account. The technical learnings described in this work will be helpful to further understand hydraulic-fracturing behaviour and its impact on producing shale reservoirs.

An Obstructed Cave Passage in the Cobleskill Plateau: A Gravimetric Study

The Cobleskill Plateau of central New York, part of the greater Helderberg Plateau, is comprised of Silurian and Devonian limestone. This area displays caves and karst landforms subsequently altered by glaciation. The glacially mantled and in-filled pre-existing karst topography of the area was caused by hydrologic changes that determined current karst flow paths. Determining the nature of the antecedent topography, and the location of cave passages, is critical to a complete hydrologic analysis of the Cobleskill Plateau. Two gravity traverses were conducted along traverses near Cobleskill, New York using a Worden Gravity Meter with the intent to validate the subsurface location of an occluded abandoned trunk passage connecting Howe Caverns and McFails Cave. To clarify, the term ‘abandoned’ is meant as an identifier that the passage is no longer utilized as the primary flow path and is only utilized by flowing water during periods of moderate to high discharge. The importance of the existence or absence of the abandoned trunk passage is to increase the understanding of subsurface geology, potential hazards, and controls on pre-glacial groundwater flow in the region. The findings of this study conclude that subsurface anomaly sources do exist at anticipated locations which were believed to contain the passage in question. The study demonstrates that it is possible to identify this passage through the use of gravity surveys. However, the exact shape and size of the anomaly cannot be definitively determined by this study, as the true depth to bedrock could not be determined. Though it is possible to roughly estimate passage dimensions based on a knowledge of the traversable, upstream and downstream passages. The data collected in this study can be fit to various models which can be interpreted to support the existence of a void beneath the two traverses. Further exploration of the subsurface karst systems in the region is needed to determine the exact nature of the anomaly sources.

일체형원자로 인쇄기판형 증기발생기 열수력학적 설계

The vessel of integral reactor contains its major primary components such as the fuel and core, pumps, steam generators, and a pressurizer, so its size is proportional to the required space for the installation of each component. The steam generators take up the largest volume of internal space of reactor vessel and their volumes is substantial for the overall size of reactor vessel. Reduction of installation space for steam generators can lead to much smaller reactor vessel with resultant decrease of overall cost for the components and related facilities. A printed circuit heat exchanger is one of the compact types of heat exchangers available as an alternative to conventional shell and tube heat exchangers. Its name is derived from the procedure used to manufacture the flat metal plates that form the core of the heat exchanger, which is done by chemical milling. These plates are then stacked and diffusion bonded, converting the plates into a solid metal block containing precisely engineered fluid flow passages. The overall heat transfer area and pressure drops are evaluated for the steam generator based on the concept of the printed circuit heat exchanger in this study. As the printed circuit heat exchanger is known to have much larger heat transfer area density per unit volume, we can expect significantly reduced steam generator compared to former shell and tube type of steam generator. For the introduction of new steam generator, two design requirements are considered: flow area ratio between primary and secondary flow paths, and secondary side parallel channel flow oscillation. The results show that the overall volume of the steam generator can be significantly reduced with printed circuit type of steam generator.

Environmental assessment of vegetation and hydrological conditions in Everglades freshwater marshes using multiple geochemical proxies

Paleoecological reconstructions of environmental changes provide important information for Everglades restoration targets. Traditionally this has been achieved using a combination of biological and physical indicators. However, as microfossils may be sporadically abundant in Everglades soils, organic geochemical methods can provide information at the molecular level. To reconstruct vegetation trends over the last century, soil cores from Shark to Taylor Sloughs, the primary flowpaths of the southern Everglades, were examined using several geochemical proxies. The n-alkane derived biomarker Paq effectively distinguished organic inputs from sawgrass and slough habitats. Other proxies examined include Kaurenes, cyclic diterpenoids unique to sawgrass roots; biomarkers of algae (highly branched isoprenoids (C20HBIs) and Botryococcenes); lignin phenols as vascular plant indicators; and macrofossils. At all sites, soil profiles from sawgrass marshes showed vegetation had shifted over the last 100 years, from sloughs to sawgrass-dominated marshes, reflecting decreased water levels (shorter hydroperiods) induced by water management. Paleo-assessments of modern sloughs, however, indicate these habitats remained deeper water habitats throughout the period of record, though shifts toward shorter hydroperiod vegetation were observed. In Taylor Slough, evidence of increasingly dry conditions in sloughs was confirmed by seed inputs from woody species. At 3 of the 5 sites, recent increases in C20HBIs and Botryococcene concentrations indicated greater periphyton abundance, coincidental with increased mineral concentrations observed in surface waters during the mid-20th Century. Bulk proxies such as organic content and carbon:nitrogen ratios also supported findings of changes in relative contributions of microbial and higher plants in this ecosystem.

Stream water hydrochemistry as an indicator of carbon flow paths in Finnish peatland catchments during a spring snowmelt event

Extreme hydrological events are known to contribute significantly to total annual carbon export, the largest of which in Arctic and boreal catchments is spring snowmelt. Whilst previous work has quantified the export of carbon during snowmelt, the source of the carbon remains unclear. Here we use cation hydrochemistry to trace the primary flowpaths which govern the export of carbon during the snowmelt period; specifically we aim to examine the importance of snowpack meltwater to catchment carbon export. The study was carried out in two forested peatland (drained and undrained) catchments in Eastern Finland. Both catchments were characterised by base-poor stream water chemistry, with cation concentrations generally decreasing in response to increasing discharge. Streamflow during the snowmelt period was best described as a mixture of three sources: pre-event water, snowpack meltwater and a third dilute component we attribute to the upper snow layer which was chemically similar to recent precipitation. Over the study period, pre-event water contributed 32% and 43% of the total stream runoff in Välipuro (undrained) and Suopuro (drained), respectively. The results also suggest a greater near-surface throughflow component in Suopuro, the drained catchment, prior to snowmelt. CO 2 and DOC concentrations correlated positively with cation concentrations in both catchments indicating a common, peat/groundwater flowpath. CH 4 concentrations were significantly higher in the drained catchment and appeared to be transported in near-surface throughflow. Meltwater from the snowpack represented an important source of stream water CO 2 in both catchments, contributing up to 49% of total downstream CO 2 export during the study period. We conclude that the snowpack represents a potentially important, and often overlooked, transient carbon store in boreal snow-covered catchments.

Principles for retrofitting coal burners for oxy-combustion

Experiments were performed in a 1.5 MW pilot-scale furnace to investigate the differences between air- and oxy-fired flame behavior from a pulverized coal oxy-research burner designed for flexible operating conditions. The flame behavior was characterized by recording video images of the flames and by measuring radiation intensity along the flame length. Various strategies relating air- and oxy-fired operation of the burner primary register were investigated where the oxy-fired burner primary mass, momentum and velocity were matched to the air-fired conditions. Matching either burner primary mass or momentum under oxy-fired conditions with air-fired conditions resulted in a flame stabilized within the quarl. Matching primary velocity with air-fired conditions resulted in a detached flame indicating a delay in flame ignition for the oxyfired conditions. A decrease in primary velocity of 13% was necessary in order to stabilize a flame within the quarl similar to the air-fired case. Additional experiments also showed a flame could be stabilized with no oxygen enrichment of the primary (∼3 vol.%, dry O 2 in the primary). Experiments where oxygen was injected at the burner face indicated injection at the boundary of the primary and secondary flow paths strongly attach a flame and injection at the coal rich primary flow path increased the radiative intensity of the flame.

Integral Circulation Experiment: Thermal–hydraulic simulator of a heavy liquid metal reactor

In the frame of the IP-EUROTRANS (6th Framework Program EU), domain DEMETRA, ENEA was involved in the Work Package 4.5 “ Large Scale Integral Test”, devoted to characterize a relevant portion of a sub-critical ADS reactor block (core, internals, heat exchanger, cladding for fuel elements) in steady state, transient and accidental conditions. More in details ENEA assumed the commitment to perform an integral experiment aiming to reproduce the primary flow path of the “ European Transmutation Demonstrator (ETD)” pool-type nuclear reactor, cooled by Lead Bismuth Eutectics (LBE). This experimental activity, called “ Integral Circulation Experiment (ICE)”, has been implemented merging the efforts of several research institutes, among which, besides ENEA, FZK, CRS4 and University of Pisa, allowing to design an appropriate test section to be installed in the CIRCE facility. The goal of the experiments is therefore to demonstrate the technological feasibility of a heavy liquid metal (HLM) nuclear system pool-type in a relevant scale (1 MW), investigating the related thermal–hydraulic behaviour (heat source and heat exchanger coupling, primary system and downcomer coupling, gas trapping into the main stream, thermal stratification in the pool, forced and mixed convection in rod bundle) under both steady state and transient conditions. Moreover the preliminary as well as the planned experiments aims to address performance and reliability tests of some prototypical components, such as heat source, heat exchanger, chemistry control system. The paper reports a detailed description of the experiment, the design performed for the test section and its main components as well as the preliminary experimental results carried out in the first experimental campaign run on the CIRCE pool, which consists of a full power steady state test. The preliminary experimental results carried out have demonstrate the proper design of the test section trough the experiment goals as well as the HLM primary system technological viability. Moreover the results depicted into the paper are the first experimental data made available, especially for what concern the HLM pool thermal–hydraulic in a large scale system.

Heavy liquid metal natural circulation in a one-dimensional loop

The ENEA Brasimone Research Centre since 1999 is strongly involved in the national and European research programmes performed in the field of heavy liquid metal technology aiming at the development of critical (LFR) and subcritical (ADS) nuclear systems. In particular, in the frame of the IP-EUROTRANS, (6th Framework Program EU), ENEA assumed the commitment to perform an integral experiment with the aim to reproduce the primary flow path of a HLM pool-type nuclear reactor, cooled by lead bismuth eutectics (LBE). This new experimental activity, named ICE “Integral Circulation Experiment”, will be performed by an appropriate test section designed to be installed in the CIRCE facility. In order to support the ICE activity, as well as characterize the natural and gas enhanced circulation flow regimes in a HLM loop, qualify test procedures and components which are nuclear relevant, a new facility was designed and built-up by Brasimone Research Centre, named NACIE “NAtural CIrculation Experiment”. The paper reports a detailed description of the loop and the main experimental results carried out from the natural circulation tests already performed on the NACIE loop. Numerical simulations have been performed in collaboration with the University of Pisa, adopting the RELAP5/Mod3.3 system code modified to allow for LBE as a cooling fluid. The aim of the performed post-test calculations is to compare the code response with the experimental results under the natural circulation flow regime, allowing to qualify the adopted nodalization as well as the performance of the code when employed on HLM loop.

Design Concepts and Principle of Operation of the HeartWare Ventricular Assist System

Implantable left ventricular assist devices provide circulatory support for patients at risk of death from refractory, end-stage heart failure. Rotary blood pumps have been designed for increased reliability and smaller size for use in a broader population of patients than the first-generation pulsatile devices. The design concepts and principle of operation of the HeartWare System are discussed. The HeartWare Ventricular Assist System (HVAD) is a small centrifugal flow pump with a displacement volume of 50 ml and an output capacity of 10 L/min. A unique wide-blade impeller is suspended by hybrid passive magnets and hydrodynamic forces. An integrated inflow cannula is inserted into the left ventricle and is held in position by an adjustable sewing ring; the pump is positioned in the pericardial space. The 10-mm outflow graft is anastomosed to the ascending aorta. External system components include the microprocessor-based controller, a monitor, lithium-ion battery packs, alternating current and direct current power adapters, and a battery charger. Physiologic control algorithms are incorporated for safe operation. Preclinical life cycle tests have shown the HVAD to be highly reliable. This system design offers reliability, portability, and ease of use for ambulatory patients.

Spatial analysis of instream nitrogen loads and factors controlling nitrogen delivery to streams in the southeastern United States using spatially referenced regression on watershed attributes (SPARROW) and regional classification frameworks

AbstractUnderstanding how nitrogen transport across the landscape varies with landscape characteristics is important for developing sound nitrogen management policies. We used a spatially referenced regression analysis (SPARROW) to examine landscape characteristics influencing delivery of nitrogen from sources in a watershed to stream channels. Modelled landscape delivery ratio varies widely (by a factor of 4) among watersheds in the southeastern United States—higher in the western part (Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi) than in the eastern part, and the average value for the region is lower compared to other parts of the nation. When we model landscape delivery ratio as a continuous function of local‐scale landscape characteristics, we estimate a spatial pattern that varies as a function of soil and climate characteristics but exhibits spatial structure in residuals (observed load minus predicted load). The spatial pattern of modelled landscape delivery ratio and the spatial pattern of residuals coincide spatially with Level III ecoregions and also with hydrologic landscape regions. Subsequent incorporation into the model of these frameworks as regional scale variables improves estimation of landscape delivery ratio, evidenced by reduced spatial bias in residuals, and suggests that cross‐scale processes affect nitrogen attenuation on the landscape. The model‐fitted coefficient values are logically consistent with the hypothesis that broad‐scale classifications of hydrologic response help to explain differential rates of nitrogen attenuation, controlling for local‐scale landscape characteristics. Negative model coefficients for hydrologic landscape regions where the primary flow path is shallow ground water suggest that a lower fraction of nitrogen mass will be delivered to streams; this relation is reversed for regions where the primary flow path is overland flow. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Failure analysis on a primary superheater tube of a power plant

In this paper failure analysis on the SA213-T12 superheater tube by visual inspection, in situ measurements of hardness and finite element analyses is presented. A primary superheater tube has failed with a wide open burst after running at around 28,194 h. Heavy clinkers were found to almost entirely cover the primary superheater region. In situ hardness measurements were carried out on the selected primary superheater first row tubes at the middle region between furnace rear screen tube and primary superheater blower flow path. Hardness measurements are also taken on the as-received failed tube. Finite element analyses on possible features prior to failure are also conducted in order to illustrate and deduce the failure mechanism and failure root cause. Localized short-term overheating of the tube due to localized and concentrated flue gas flow resulted in a failure of the primary superheater tube.

Diversity and Distribution of Anaeromyxobacter Strains in a Uranium-Contaminated Subsurface Environment with a Nonuniform Groundwater Flow

Versaphilic Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strains implicated in hexavalent uranium reduction and immobilization are present in the fractured saprolite subsurface environment at the U.S. Department of Energy Integrated Field-Scale Subsurface Research Challenge (IFC) site near Oak Ridge, TN. To provide insight into the in situ distribution of Anaeromyxobacter strains in this system with a nonuniform groundwater flow, 16S rRNA gene-targeted primers and linear hybridization (TaqMan) probes were designed for Oak Ridge IFC Anaeromyxobacter isolates FRC-D1 and FRC-W, along with an Anaeromyxobacter genus-targeted probe and primer set. Multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (mqPCR) was applied to samples collected from Oak Ridge IFC site areas 1 and 3, which are not connected by the primary groundwater flow paths; however, transport between them through cross-plane fractures is hypothesized. Strain FRC-W accounted for more than 10% of the total quantifiable Anaeromyxobacter community in area 1 soils, while strain FRC-D1 was not detected. In FeOOH-amended enrichment cultures derived from area 1 site materials, strain FRC-D1 accounted for 30 to 90% of the total Anaeromyxobacter community, demonstrating that this strain was present in situ in area 1. The area 3 total Anaeromyxobacter abundance exceeded that of area 1 by 3 to 5 orders of magnitude, but neither strain FRC-W- nor FRC-D1-like sequences were quantifiable in any of the 33 area 3 groundwater or sediment samples tested. The Anaeromyxobacter community in area 3 increased from <10(5) cells/g sediment outside the ethanol biostimulation treatment zone to 10(8) cells/g sediment near the injection well, and 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis revealed that representatives of a novel phylogenetic cluster dominated the area 3 Anaeromyxobacter community inside the treatment loop. The combined applications of genus- and strain-level mqPCR approaches along with clone libraries provided novel information on patterns of microbial variability within a bacterial group relevant to uranium bioremediation.

Microhaemodynamics within the blade tip clearance of a centrifugal turbodynamic blood pump

A persistent challenge facing the quantitative design of turbodynamic blood pumps is the great disparity of spatial scales between the primary and auxiliary flow paths. Fluid passages within journals and adjacent to the blade tips are often on the scale of several blood cells, confounding the application of macroscopic continuum models. Yet, precisely in these regions there exists the highest shear stress, which is most likely to cause cellular trauma. This disparity has motivated these microscopic studies to visualize the kinematics of the blood cells within the small clearances of a miniature turbodynamic blood pump. A transparent model of a miniature centrifugal pump having an adjustable tip clearance (50-200 microm) was prepared for direct optical visualization of the region between the impeller blade tip and the stationary housing. Synchronized images of the blood cells were obtained by a microscopic visualization system, consisting of an inverted microscope fitted with long-working-distance objective lens (40x), mercury lamp, and high-resolution charge-coupled device camera electronically triggered by the rotation of the impeller. Experiments with 7 microm fluorescent particles revealed the influence of the gap dimension on the trajectory across the blade thickness. The lateral component of velocity (perpendicular to the blade) was dramatically enhanced in the 50 microm gap compared with the 200 microm gap, thereby reducing the exposure time. Studies with diluted bovine blood (Ht = 0.5 per cent) showed that the concentration of cells traversing the gap is also reduced dramatically (30 per cent) as the blade tip clearance is reduced from 200 microm to 50 microm. These results motivate further investigation into the microfluidic phenomena responsible for cellular trauma within turbodynamic blood pumps.

Reconstruction of Water Temperature, pH, and Flux of Ancient Hot Springs from Travertine Depositional Facies

An extensive data set of the physical and chemical attributes of two modern hot springs in the Mammoth Hot Springs complex of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A., yields a strong correlation between travertine depositional facies and the temperature, pH, and flux of the hot-spring water from which the travertine precipitated. Because advection dominates in these hot-spring drainage systems, we quantify variability between and within springs in order to construct a hydrologic model that defines the primary flow path in the context of key macroscopic travertine accumulation patterns. This model, based on 343 in situ triplicate measurements, provides the basis for the use of travertine facies models to quantitatively reconstruct hot-spring aqueous temperature, pH, and flux solely from precipitated travertine. As an example reconstruction, we deduce that previously described Pleistocene apron and channel facies travertine quarry deposits from central Italy precipitated from hot-spring waters with a pH of 6.86 6 0.19 and a temperature of 65.4 6 3.6uC.