Ohio University, in collaboration with CONSOL Energy, Advanced Technology Systems, Inc (ATS) and Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. (AER) as subcontractors, is evaluating the impact of emissions from coal-fired power plants in the Ohio River Valley region as they relate to the transport and deposition of mercury, arsenic, and associated fine particulate matter. This evaluation will involve two interrelated areas of effort: ambient air monitoring and regional-scale modeling analysis. The scope of work for the ambient air monitoring will include the deployment of a surface air monitoring (SAM) station in southeastern Ohio. The SAM station will contain sampling equipment to collect and measure mercury (including speciated forms of mercury and wet and dry deposited mercury), arsenic, particulate matter (PM) mass, PM composition, and gaseous criteria pollutants (CO, NO{sub x}, SO{sub 2}, O{sub 3}, etc.). Laboratory analysis of time-integrated samples will be used to obtain chemical speciation of ambient PM composition and mercury in precipitation. Near-real-time measurements will be used to measure the ambient concentrations of PM mass and all gaseous species including Hg{sup 0} and RGM. Approximately of 18 months of field data will be collected at the SAM site to validate the proposed regional model simulations for episodic and …

This paper discusses the successful implementation of simple video technologies at the Savannah River Site (SRS) to perform complex visual inspection, monitoring, and surveillance tasks. The constraints and challenges associated with remote viewing are discussed, and examples of applications are given. Work at SRS involves many radioactive, hazardous, and remote operations and activities, which require monitoring or surveillance. As well, many facilities, including tanks, cells, and pipelines, require inspections but are inaccessible to humans. SRTC supports SRS in these situations by applying simple remote viewing technologies to address these issues and accomplish monitoring and inspection goals.

One of the most powerful and promising strategies for optimizing environmental restoration is the use of combinations of technologies rather than a single technology to reach the target cleanup goals. The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) is actively working to clean up legacy contamination from its operations. Notably, DOE is responsible for the cleanup of many sites where the contamination includes chlorinated solvents (or chlorinated volatile organic contaminants (CVOCs)). At some sites, groundwater plumes containing CVOCs tend to become relatively large. Estimates for times to remediate sites often ranges up to 100s of years for these large plumes. As a result, the CVOC plumes are a concern to DOE, regulators and stakeholders. In response to this challenge, DOE initiated a project to ''provide the technical and policy support to facilitate implementing appropriate passive cleanup... leading to responsible completion of active remediation activities at high risk DOE waste sites.'' A combined approach benefits from the ability to match the invasiveness and aggressiveness of the remedial action to the amount of contamination and level of risk. This matching process is particularly important for recalcitrant contaminants such as chlorinated solvents. Highly contaminated areas justify more intense remediation action(s) while minimally contaminated areas …

Ohio University, in collaboration with CONSOL Energy, Advanced Technology Systems, Inc. (ATS) and Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. (AER) as subcontractors, is evaluating the impact of emissions from coal-fired power plants in the Ohio River Valley region as they relate to the transport and deposition of mercury, arsenic, and associated fine particulate matter. This evaluation will involve two interrelated areas of effort: ambient air monitoring and regional-scale modeling analysis. The scope of work for the ambient air monitoring will include the deployment of a surface air monitoring (SAM) station in southeastern Ohio. The SAM station will contain sampling equipment to collect and measure mercury (including speciated forms of mercury and wet and dry deposited mercury), arsenic, particulate matter (PM) mass, PM composition, and gaseous criteria pollutants (CO, NOx, SO{sub 2}, O{sub 3}, etc.). Laboratory analysis of time-integrated samples will be used to obtain chemical speciation of ambient PM composition and mercury in precipitation. Near-real-time measurements will be used to measure the ambient concentrations of PM mass and all gaseous species including Hg{sup 0} and RGM. Approximately 18 months of field data will be collected at the SAM site to validate the proposed regional model simulations for episodic and seasonal model …

This report summarizes the feasibility of providing spinning reserves from packaged through the wall air conditioning (PTAC) units. Spinning reserves, together with non-spinning reserves, compose the contingency reserves; the essential resources that the power system operator uses to restore the generation and load balance and maintain bulk power system reliability in the event of a major generation or transmission outage. Spinning reserves are the fastest responding and most expensive reserves. Many responsive load technologies could (and we hope will) be used to provide spinning reserve. It is also easier for many loads (including air conditioning loads) to provide the relatively shorter and less frequent interruptions required to respond to contingencies than it is for them to reduce consumption for an entire peak period. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is conducting research on obtaining spinning reserve from large pumping loads and from residential and small commercial thermostat controlled heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units. The technology selected for this project, Digi-Log's retrofit PTAC controller, offers significant advantages. To evaluate the availability of spinning reserve capacity from responsive heating and air conditioning loads, ORNL obtained data from a number of units operating over a year at a motel in the TVA …

This report documents the characterization of the latest batch of shells produced in the Ballistic Furnace System at the Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow, Russia, that we received in mid-February, 1999. The batch consisted of three cassettes containing 36 shells in each cassette. An initial sphericity measurement was done, each shell was weighed, and shells were selected that were spherical enough to run on the Sphere Mapper AFM.

The goal of this project was to develop, through experiments and modeling, a better understanding of the physics issues and machining techniques related to short-pulse laser materials processing. Although we have successfully demonstrated many types of cuts in a wide range of materials, our general short-pulse machiing scientific knowledge and our ability to model the complex physical processes involved are limited. During this past year we made good progress in addressing some of these issues, but there remain many unanswered questions. Section 2 begins with a theoretical look at short-pulse laser ablation of material using a 1-D radiation-hydrodynamic code which includes a self-consistent description of laser absorption and reflection from an expanding plasma. In Section 3 we present measurements of scaling relationships, hole drilling progression, electric field and polarization effects, and a detailed look at the interesting structures formed during hole drilling of metals under various conditions. Section 4 describes the consequences of the presence of a prepulse before the main drilling pulse. In Section 5 we take a brief look at the plasma plume: how it can be useful, and how we can avoid it. Finally, Section 6 contains a couple of examples of machining non-metals. The laser system …

Prior to final dispositioning of Savannah River Site (SRS) residual depleted uranium (DU) following reactor irradiation the amount of contamination from other radionuclides must be determined. The Nonproliferation Technology Section (NTS) was requested by the SRS Nuclear Materials Management Division (NMMD) to analyze a number of samples in the SRTC/NTS clean labs. The requested analytes were Am-241, Np-237, Ra-226, Cs-137, I-129, Tc-99, Sr-90 and the plutonium isotopes from 238 through 242. The NTS routinely analyzes all types of samples for trace plutonium by mass spectrometry. The other analytes are routinely analyzed only in environmental samples. This report documents the analytical data and the analysis methods developed and used for these analyses. All requested analytes were determined to be less than one tenth of the waste acceptance criteria in all samples analyzed.

The transboundary nature of water resources demands a transboundary approach to their monitoring and management. However, transboundary water projects raise a challenging set of problems related to communication issues, and standardization of sampling, analysis and data management methods. This manual addresses those challenges and provides the information and guidance needed to perform the Navruz Project, a cooperative, transboundary, river monitoring project involving rivers and institutions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan facilitated by Sandia National Laboratories in the U.S. The Navruz Project focuses on waterborne radionuclides and metals because of their importance to public health and nuclear materials proliferation concerns in the region. This manual provides guidelines for participants on sample and data collection, field equipment operations and procedures, sample handling, laboratory analysis, and data management. Also included are descriptions of rivers, sampling sites and parameters on which data are collected. Data obtained in this project are shared among all participating countries and the public through an internet web site and are available for use in further studies and in regional transboundary water resource management efforts. Overall, the project addresses three main goals: to help increase capabilities in Central Asian nations for sustainable water resources management; to provide a scientific …

This report explains the unusual characteristics of West Carney Field based on detailed geological and engineering analyses. A geological history that explains the presence of mobile water and oil in the reservoir was proposed. The combination of matrix and fractures in the reservoir explains the reservoir?s flow behavior. We confirm our hypothesis by matching observed performance with a simulated model and develop procedures for correlating core data to log data so that the analysis can be extended to other, similar fields where the core coverage may be limited.

This report is a brief summary of House and Senate procedures for reaching agreement on legislation. It discusses the provisions of House Rule XXII and Senate Rule XXVIII as well as other applicable rules, precedents, and practices. The report focuses on the most common and customary procedures. There are many exceptions, complications, and possibilities that are not addressed, and the House and Senate may modify or waive their procedures by unanimous consent or by other means.

This report discusses current regulations governing election campaigns and potential new threats to campaigns that may require new regulations or policies.

This report provides background and analysis of U.S.-China commercial ties, including history, trends, issues, and outlook.

This report discusses the U.S. District for the Southern District of California's recent decision in a case brought by the State of California against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding DHS's right to waive environmental and other administrative laws for border fence building projects. The court agreed with other court rulings on the issue and affirmed DHS's right to waive the laws.

This report addresses frequently asked questions regarding U.S. trade policy and is intended to assist Members and staff who may be new to trade issues. The report provides context for basic trade concepts and data on key U.S. trade and investment trends. It also addresses how U.S. trade policy is formulated and describes the trade and investment policy tools used to advance U.S. objectives. The report is divided into five sections: The basics of trade, U.S trade trends, formulation of U.S. trade policy, U.S. trade policy tools, and the link between international investment and trade.

This report discusses the FY2018 appropriations for the Army Corps of Engineers and funding priorities for the year.

This report discusses the Supreme Court case of "Benisek v. Lamone" which involves a challenge to a Maryland congressional district map on the basis that it was drawn as a part of partisan gerrymandering. Previous Supreme Court cases involving gerrymandering and background on this case is included.

This report discusses the history and political background of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia since their breakaway from the former Soviet Union at the end of 1991. It looks at key issues for the 112th Congress including economies, energy, regional politics, local crime, and terrorism.

This report provides background and discusssion regarding United States aid in food, energy, and denuclearization to North Korea. Currently plans for new aid are on hold due to the North Korean rocket launch on April 13, 2012.

This report provides background on current International Criminal Court (ICC) cases and examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa, including the potential deterrence of future abuses and the potential impact on African peace processes.

This report provides an overview of the operation of the government's watchlists, examines some of the legal issues implicated by challenges to the No Fly list, and describes recent case law on the matter.

The report describes the expired eligibility criteria, as well as the types of health insurance to which the tax credit may have been applied. It discusses past federal and state roles in administering the HCTC program, and it summarizes analyses on the credit's effectiveness in reaching targeted populations and related equity and efficiency issues. In addition, the report includes a short discussion of relevant current law and summarizes statutory history of the HCTC program.

This report answers several questions about the regulation of social media accounts in the House of Representatives, as social media accounts for official representational duties have increased.

This report discusses the two sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) that require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission) to issue regulations to make public the involvement of U.S. companies in conflict minerals and in resource extraction payments.