scholarly journals International collaboration in disposal research: comparative modeling of coupled processes in the DECOVALEX project

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 231-232
Author(s):  
Jens T. Birkholzer ◽  
Alex Bond
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Comparative Modeling ◽  
Coupled Processes ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Current Phase ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Host Rocks

Abstract. This presentation gives an overview of an international research collaboration for advancing the understanding and modeling of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in geological systems. The creation of the international DECOVALEX project, now running for more than 25 years, was motivated by the recognition that prediction of these coupled effects is an essential part of the performance and safety assessment of geologic disposal systems for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. DECOVALEX emphasizes joint analysis and comparative modeling of state-of-the-art field and laboratory experiments, across a range of host rock options and repository designs. Participating research teams are from radioactive waste management organizations, national research institutes, regulatory agencies, universities, and consulting groups, providing a wide range of perspectives and solutions to these complex problems. The presentation provides examples of the research contributions made collectively in past DECOVALEX tasks and also touches on the unique modeling challenges tackled in the ongoing project phase, referred to as DECOVALEX-2023. The current phase comprises 17 partner organizations, about 50 modeling teams, and 7 modeling tasks, which cover a broad portfolio from fundamental studies on gas migration to full-scale in situ heater experiments in different host rocks to performance assessment studies. Together, these examples illustrate that the insight and scientific knowledge gained within the DECOVALEX project would not have been possible if one group had studied these complex THMC modeling challenges alone rather than within a truly collaborative setting.

scholarly journals Thermal Evolution near Heat-Generating Nuclear Waste Canisters Disposed in Horizontal Drillholes

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Finsterle ◽  
Richard Muller ◽  
Rod Baltzer ◽  
Joe Payer ◽  
James Rector
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Thermal Evolution ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Directional Drilling ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Design Calculations ◽  
High Level

We consider the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in horizontal holes drilled into deep, low-permeable geologic formations using directional drilling technology. Residual decay heat emanating from these waste forms leads to temperature increases within the drillhole and the surrounding host rock. The spacing of waste canisters and the configuration of the various barrier components within the horizontal drillhole can be designed such that the maximum temperatures remain below limits that are set for each element of the engineered and natural repository system. We present design calculations that examine the thermal evolution around heat-generating waste for a wide range of material properties and disposal configurations. Moreover, we evaluate alternative layouts of a monitoring system to be part of an in situ heater test that helps determine the thermal properties of the as-built repository system. A data-worth analysis is performed to ensure that sufficient information will be collected during the heater test so that subsequent model predictions of the thermal evolution around horizontal deposition holes will reliably estimate the maximum temperatures in the drillhole. The simulations demonstrate that the proposed drillhole disposal strategy can be flexibly designed to ensure dissipation of the heat generated by decaying nuclear waste. Moreover, an in situ heater test can provide the relevant data needed to develop a reliable prediction model of repository performance under as-built conditions.

Implementation of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in the UK by the NDA Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD): The Potential for Interaction Between the Co-Located ILW/LLW and HLW/SF Components of a GDF

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Towler ◽  
Tim Hicks ◽  
Sarah Watson ◽  
Simon Norris
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
White Paper ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
Disposal Facility ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
System Designs

In June 2008 the UK government published a ‘White Paper’ as part of the “Managing Radioactive Waste Safety” (MRWS) programme to provide a framework for managing higher activity radioactive wastes in the long-term through geological disposal. The White Paper identifies that there are benefits to disposing all of the UK’s higher activity wastes (Low and Intermediate Level Waste (LLW and ILW), High Level Waste (HLW), Spent Fuel (SF), Uranium (U) and Plutonium (Pu)) at the same site, and this is currently the preferred option. It also notes that research will be required to support the detailed design and safety assessment in relation to any potentially detrimental interactions between the different modules. Different disposal system designs and associated Engineered Barrier Systems (EBS) will be required for these different waste types, i.e. ILW/LLW and HLW/SF. If declared as waste U would be disposed as ILW and Pu as HLW/SF. The Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) would therefore comprise two co-located modules (respectively for ILW/LLW and HLW/SF). This paper presents an overview of a study undertaken to assess the implications of co-location by identifying the key Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) interactions that might occur during both the operational and post-closure phases, and their consequences for GDF design, performance and safety. The MRWS programme is currently seeking expressions of interest from communities to host a GDF. Therefore, the study was required to consider a wide range of potential GDF host rocks and consistent, conceptual disposal system designs. Two example disposal concepts (i.e. combinations of host rock, GDF design including wasteform and layout, etc.) were carried forward for detailed assessment and a third for qualitative analysis. Dimensional and 1D analyses were used to identify the key interactions, and 3D models were used to investigate selected interactions in more detail. The results of this study show that it is possible for ILW/LLW and HLW/SF modules to be co-located without compromising key safety functions of different barrier components, and this reflects international precedents, e.g. the Andra and Nagra repository designs. There are two key technical issues that need to be managed in designing the geometry of the co-located GDF: (i) the heat flux from the HLW/SF module interacting with the ILW/LLW module, and (ii) the potential for development of an alkaline plume from the ILW/LLW module interacting with the HLW/SF module; particularly within fractured host rocks.

In-situ electrical-resistivity measurements in the high-voltage electron microscope

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-69
Author(s):  
W. E. King
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Resistivity Measurements ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
High Voltage Electron Microscope ◽  
High Voltage Electron ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Helium Gas

A side-entry type, helium-temperature specimen stage that has the capability of in-situ electrical-resistivity measurements has been designed and developed for use in the AEI-EM7 1200-kV electron microscope at Argonne National Laboratory. The electrical-resistivity measurements complement the high-voltage electron microscope (HVEM) to yield a unique opportunity to investigate defect production in metals by electron irradiation over a wide range of defect concentrations.A flow cryostat that uses helium gas as a coolant is employed to attain and maintain any specified temperature between 10 and 300 K. The helium gas coolant eliminates the vibrations that arise from boiling liquid helium and the temperature instabilities due to alternating heat-transfer mechanisms in the two-phase temperature regime (4.215 K). Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the liquid/gaseous helium transfer system. A liquid-gas mixture can be used for fast cooldown. The cold tip of the transfer tube is inserted coincident with the tilt axis of the specimen stage, and the end of the coolant flow tube is positioned without contact within the heat exchanger of the copper specimen block (Fig. 2).

New Technologies for Decontamination of Radioactive Substances Scattered by Nuclear Accident / Nowe Technologie Dekontaminacji Radioaktywnych Substancji Rozproszonych Przez Awarie Nuklearna

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Nishizaki ◽  
H. Miyamae ◽  
S. Ichikawa ◽  
K. Izumiya ◽  
T. Takano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Ferric Hydroxide ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Radioactive Cesium ◽  
Cesium Ions ◽  
Naoh Solution ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Water Rinsing

Our effort for decontamination of radioactive cesium scattered widely by nuclear accident in March 2011 in Fukushima, Japan has been described. Radioactive cesium scattered widely in Japan has been accumulating in arc or plasma molten-solidified ash in waste incinerating facilities up to 90,000 Bq/kg of the radioactive waste. Water rinsing of the ash resulted in dissolution of cesium ions together with high concentrations of potassium and sodium ions. Although potassium inhibits the adsorption of cesium on zeolite, we succeeded to precipitate cesium by in-situ formation of ferric ferrocyanide and iron rust in the radioactive filtrate after rinsing of the radioactive ash with water. Because the regulation of no preservation of any kind of cyanide substances, cesium was separated from the precipitate consisting of cesium-captured ferric ferrocyanide and ferric hydroxide in diluted NaOH solution and subsequent filtration gave rise to the potassium-free radioactive filtrate. Cesium was captured by zeolite from the potassium-free radioactive filtrate. The amount of this final radioactive waste of zeolite was significantly lower than that of the arc-molten-solidified ash.

Site specific agricultural soil management with the use of new technologies

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Interface ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soil Variation ◽  
Soil Information ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Agricultural Areas

<p>The Soil Science Institute of Thessaloniki produces new digitized Soil Maps that provide a useful electronic database for the spatial representation of the soil variation within a region, based on in situ soil sampling, laboratory analyses, GIS techniques and plant nutrition mathematical models, coupled with the local land cadastre. The novelty of these studies is that local agronomists have immediate access to a wide range of soil information by clicking on a field parcel shown in this digital interface and, therefore, can suggest an appropriate treatment (e.g. liming, manure incorporation, desalination, application of proper type and quantity of fertilizer) depending on the field conditions and cultivated crops. A specific case study is presented in the current work with regards to the construction of the digitized Soil Map of the regional unit of Kastoria. The potential of this map can easily be realized by the fact that the mapping of the physicochemical properties of the soils in this region provided delineation zones for differential fertilization management. An experiment was also conducted using remote sensing techniques for the enhancement of the fertilization advisory software database, which is a component of the digitized map, and the optimization of nitrogen management in agricultural areas.</p>

Indium Bromide-catalyzed Unprecedented Hydrogenolysis: A Novel One-Pot Synthesis of Per-O-Acetylated β-carboxymethyl O and S-glycosides

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 900-908
Author(s):  
Ram Naresh Yadav ◽  
Amrendra K Singh ◽  
Bimal Banik
Keyword(s):  
Asymmetric Synthesis ◽  
Chiral Auxiliary ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
One Pot ◽  
Enantiomerically Pure ◽  
Stereoselective Glycosylation ◽  
One Pot Synthesis ◽  
Wide Range

Numerous O (oxa)- and S (thia)-glycosyl esters and their analogous glycosyl acids have been accomplished through stereoselective glycosylation of various peracetylated bromo sugar with benzyl glycolate using InBr3 as a glycosyl promotor followed by in situ hydrogenolysis of resulting glycosyl ester. A tandem glycosylating and hydrogenolytic activity of InBr3 has been successfully investigated in a one-pot procedure. The resulting synthetically valuable and virtually unexplored class of β-CMGL (glycosyl acids) could serve as an excellent potential chiral auxiliary in the asymmetric synthesis of a wide range of enantiomerically pure medicinally prevalent β-lactams and other bioactive molecules of diverse medicinal interest.

scholarly journals A Generalization Performance Study Using Deep Learning Networks in Embedded Systems

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1031
Author(s):  
Joseba Gorospe ◽  
Rubén Mulero ◽  
Olatz Arbelaitz ◽  
Javier Muguerza ◽  
Miguel Ángel Antón
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Embedded Systems ◽  
Embedded System ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Performance Study ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Learning Architectures

Deep learning techniques are being increasingly used in the scientific community as a consequence of the high computational capacity of current systems and the increase in the amount of data available as a result of the digitalisation of society in general and the industrial world in particular. In addition, the immersion of the field of edge computing, which focuses on integrating artificial intelligence as close as possible to the client, makes it possible to implement systems that act in real time without the need to transfer all of the data to centralised servers. The combination of these two concepts can lead to systems with the capacity to make correct decisions and act based on them immediately and in situ. Despite this, the low capacity of embedded systems greatly hinders this integration, so the possibility of being able to integrate them into a wide range of micro-controllers can be a great advantage. This paper contributes with the generation of an environment based on Mbed OS and TensorFlow Lite to be embedded in any general purpose embedded system, allowing the introduction of deep learning architectures. The experiments herein prove that the proposed system is competitive if compared to other commercial systems.

scholarly journals Global soil moisture data derived through machine learning trained with in-situ measurements

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sungmin O. ◽  
Rene Orth
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Soil Moisture Data ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Global Soil

AbstractWhile soil moisture information is essential for a wide range of hydrologic and climate applications, spatially-continuous soil moisture data is only available from satellite observations or model simulations. Here we present a global, long-term dataset of soil moisture derived through machine learning trained with in-situ measurements, SoMo.ml. We train a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to extrapolate daily soil moisture dynamics in space and in time, based on in-situ data collected from more than 1,000 stations across the globe. SoMo.ml provides multi-layer soil moisture data (0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, and 30–50 cm) at 0.25° spatial and daily temporal resolution over the period 2000–2019. The performance of the resulting dataset is evaluated through cross validation and inter-comparison with existing soil moisture datasets. SoMo.ml performs especially well in terms of temporal dynamics, making it particularly useful for applications requiring time-varying soil moisture, such as anomaly detection and memory analyses. SoMo.ml complements the existing suite of modelled and satellite-based datasets given its distinct derivation, to support large-scale hydrological, meteorological, and ecological analyses.

scholarly journals Quantification of assembly forces during creation of head-neck taper junction considering soft tissue bearing: a biomechanical study

Arthroplasty ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Wendler ◽  
Torsten Prietzel ◽  
Robert Möbius ◽  
Jean-Pierre Fischer ◽  
Andreas Roth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Force Sensor ◽  
Biomechanical Study ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Head Neck

Abstract Background All current total hip arthroplasty (THA) systems are modular in design. Only during the operation femoral head and stem get connected by a Morse taper junction. The junction is realized by hammer blows from the surgeon. Decisive for the junction strength is the maximum force acting once in the direction of the neck axis, which is mainly influenced by the applied impulse and surrounding soft tissues. This leads to large differences in assembly forces between the surgeries. This study aimed to quantify the assembly forces of different surgeons under influence of surrounding soft tissue. Methods First, a measuring system, consisting of a prosthesis and a hammer, was developed. Both components are equipped with a piezoelectric force sensor. Initially, in situ experiments on human cadavers were carried out using this system in order to determine the actual assembly forces and to characterize the influence of human soft tissues. Afterwards, an in vitro model in the form of an artificial femur (Sawbones Europe AB, Malmo, Sweden) with implanted measuring stem embedded in gelatine was developed. The gelatine mixture was chosen in such a way that assembly forces applied to the model corresponded to those in situ. A study involving 31 surgeons was carried out on the aforementioned in vitro model, in which the assembly forces were determined. Results A model was developed, with the influence of human soft tissues being taken into account. The assembly forces measured on the in vitro model were, on average, 2037.2 N ± 724.9 N, ranging from 822.5 N to 3835.2 N. The comparison among the surgeons showed no significant differences in sex (P = 0.09), work experience (P = 0.71) and number of THAs performed per year (P = 0.69). Conclusions All measured assembly forces were below 4 kN, which is recommended in the literature. This could lead to increased corrosion following fretting in the head-neck interface. In addition, there was a very wide range of assembly forces among the surgeons, although other influencing factors such as different implant sizes or materials were not taken into account. To ensure optimal assembly force, the impaction should be standardized, e.g., by using an appropriate surgical instrument.

Regioselective Functionalization of N-Fused Heteroaromatics via FeCl3-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Addition to Activated N-Heterocycles

Synthesis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikyon Kim ◽  
Sung June Kim ◽  
Sunhee Lee
Keyword(s):  
Aromatic Compounds ◽  
Nucleophilic Addition ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Regioselective Functionalization

AbstractBroadening of nitrogen-fused heteroaromatic chemical space such as indolizine and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine was achieved via FeCl­3-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of these N-fused aromatic compounds to a wide range of azolinium systems generated in situ, leading to novel N-fused heteroaromatic scaffolds with dearomatized N-heterocyclic substituents regioselectively. Nucleophilic addition of indolizines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines mainly occurred at the C1 position of the isoquinoliniums and at the C4 site of the quinoliniums.

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