States

Project Work Plan Chromium Vadose Zone Characterization and Geochemistry (open access)

Project Work Plan Chromium Vadose Zone Characterization and Geochemistry

The major objectives of the proposed study are to 1) determine the leaching characteristics of Cr(VI) from contaminated sediments collected from 100 area spill sites, 2) elucidate possible Cr(VI) mineral and/or chemical associations that may be responsible for Cr(VI) retention in the Hanford site 100 areas through the use of i) macroscopic solubility studies and ii) microscale characterization of contaminated sediments, and 3) from these data construct a conceptual model of Cr(VI) geochemistry in the Hanford 100 area vadose zone. These objectives are based on locating and obtaining contaminated sediment with depth and at varying Cr(VI) concentrations as we hypothesize that mineral/chemical-Cr(VI) associations should be related to the total Cr concentration and other master geochemical variables (e.g., pH, counter-cation type and concentration, and water content). In addressing these objectives, additional benefits accrued will be (1) a fuller understanding of Cr(VI) entrained in the vadose zone that will that can be utilized in modeling potential Cr(VI) source terms, and 2) accelerating the Columbia River 100 area corridor cleanup by developing remedial action based on a fundamental understanding of Cr(VI) vadose zone geochemistry.
Date: May 23, 2006
Creator: Ainsworth, Calvin C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Comment on ?Spin crossover in (Mg,Fe)O: A M?ssbauer effect study with an alternative interpretation of x-ray emission spectroscopy data? (open access)

Comment on ?Spin crossover in (Mg,Fe)O: A M?ssbauer effect study with an alternative interpretation of x-ray emission spectroscopy data?

Electronic spin-pairing transition of iron in magnesiow{umlt u}stite-(Mg,Fe)O has been recently studied with X-ray emission and M{umlt o}ssbauer spectroscopies under high pressures. While these studies reported a high-spin to low-spin transition of iron to occur at pressures above approximately 50 GPa, the width of the observed transition varies significantly. In particular, Kantor et al. reported that the transition in (Mg0.8,Fe0.2)O occurs over a pressure range of approximately 50 GPa in high-pressure M{umlt o}ssbauer measurements. To account for the discrepancy in the transition pressure, Kantor et al. reanalyzed the X-ray emission spectra by Lin et al. using a simple spectral decomposition method and claimed that X-ray emission measurements are also consistent with a spin crossover of iron at high pressures. Here we show that the proposed fitting method is inadequate to describe the X-ray emission spectrum of the low-spin FeS2 and would give an erroneous satellite peak (K{sub beta}') intensity, leading to an artificial high-spin component and, consequently, to invalid conclusions regarding the width of the pressure-induced transition in magnesiow{umlt u}stite. Furthermore, we compare Kantor's M{umlt o}ssbauer data with other recent high-pressure M{umlt o}ssbauer studies and show that the width of the transition can be simply explained by different experimental conditions …
Date: May 23, 2006
Creator: Lin, J.; Struzhkin, V. V. & Garriliuk, A.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Monitoring international nuclear activity (open access)

Monitoring international nuclear activity

The LBNL Table of Isotopes website provides primary nuclearinformation to>150,000 different users annually. We have developedthe covert technology to identify users by IP address and country todetermine the kinds of nuclear information they are retrieving. Wepropose to develop pattern recognition software to provide an earlywarning system to identify Unusual nuclear activity by country or regionSpecific nuclear/radioactive material interests We have monitored nuclearinformation for over two years and provide this information to the FBIand LLNL. Intelligence is gleaned from the website log files. Thisproposal would expand our reporting capabilities.
Date: May 19, 2006
Creator: Firestone, R. B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A general scaling relation for the critical current density inNb3Sn (open access)

A general scaling relation for the critical current density inNb3Sn

We review the scaling relations for the critical currentdensity (Jc) in Nb3Sn wires and include recent findings on the variationof the upper critical field (Hc2) with temperature (T) and A15composition. Measurements of Hc2(T) in inevitably inhomogeneous wires, aswell as analysis of literature results, have shown that all availableHc2(T) data can be accurately described by a single relation from themicroscopic theory. This relation also holds for inhomogeneity averaged,effective, Hc2*(T) results and can be approximated by Hc2(t)=Hc2(0) =1-t1.52, with t = T=Tc.Knowing Hc2*(T) implies that also Jc(T) is known.We highlight deficiencies in the Summers/Ekin relations, which are notable to account for the correct Jc(T) dependence. Available Jc(H) resultsindicate that the magnetic field dependence for all wires from mu0H = 1 Tup to about 80 percent of the maximum Hc2 can be described with Kramer'sflux shear model, if non-linearities in Kramer plots when approaching themaximum Hc2 are attributed to A15 inhomogeneities. The strain (e)dependence is introduced through a temperature and strain dependentHc2*(T,e) and Ginzburg-Landau parameter kappa1(T,e) and a straindependent critical temperature Tc(e). This is more consistent than theusual Ekin unification of strain and temperature dependence, which usestwo separate and different dependencies on Hc2*(T) and Hc2*(e). Using acorrect temperature dependence and accounting for the …
Date: May 8, 2006
Creator: Godeke, A.; Haken, B. ten; Kate, H.H.J. ten & Larbalestier, D.C.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Estimation of composite thermal conductivity of a heterogeneousmethane hydrate sample using iTOUGH2 (open access)

Estimation of composite thermal conductivity of a heterogeneousmethane hydrate sample using iTOUGH2

We determined the composite thermal conductivity (ktheta) ofa porous methanehydrate sample (composedof hydrate, water, and methan egas) as a function of density using iTOUGH2. X-ray computed tomography(CT) was used to visualize and quantify the density changes that occurredduring hydrate formation from granular ice. The composite thermalconductivity was estimated and validated by minimizing the differencesbetween the observed and the predicted thermal response using historymatching. The estimated density-dependent composite thermal conductivityranged between 0.25 and 0.58 W/m/K.
Date: May 15, 2006
Creator: Gupta, Arvind; Kneafsey, Timothy J.; Moridis, George J.; Seol,Yongkoo; Kowalsky, Michael B. & Sloan Jr., E.D.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Chemical analyses of soil samples collected from the Sandia National Laboratories/NM, Tonopah Test Range environs, 1994-2005. (open access)

Chemical analyses of soil samples collected from the Sandia National Laboratories/NM, Tonopah Test Range environs, 1994-2005.

From 1994 through 2005, the Environmental Management Department of Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) at the Tonopah Test Range (TTR), NV, has collected soil samples at numerous locations on-site, on the perimeter, and off-site for the purpose of determining potential impacts to the environs from operations at TTR. These samples were submitted to an analytical laboratory of metal-in-soil analyses. Intercomparisons of these results were then made to determine if there was any statistical difference between on-site, perimeter, and off-site samples, or if there were increasing or decreasing trends which indicated that further investigation may be warranted. This work provided the SNL Environmental Management Department with a sound baseline data reference against which to compare future operational impacts. In addition, it demonstrates the commitment that the Laboratories have to go beyond mere compliance to achieve excellence in its operations. This data is presented in graphical format with narrative commentaries on particular items of interest.
Date: May 1, 2006
Creator: Deola, Regina Anne; Oldewage, Hans D.; Herrera, Heidi M. & Miller, Mark Laverne
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Electron emission and defect formation in the interaction of slow,highly charged ions with diamond surfaces (open access)

Electron emission and defect formation in the interaction of slow,highly charged ions with diamond surfaces

We report on electron emission and defect formation in theinteraction between slow (v~;0.3 vBohr) highly charged ions (SHCI) withinsulating (type IIa) and semiconducting (type IIb) diamonds. Electronemission induced by 31Pq+ (q=5 to 13), and 136Xeq+ (q=34 to 44) withkinetic energies of 9 kVxq increase linearly with the ion charge states,reaching over 100 electrons per ion for high xenon charge states withoutsurface passivation of the diamond with hydrogen. Yields from bothdiamond types are up to a factor of two higher then from reference metalsurfaces. Crater like defects with diameters of 25 to 40 nm are formed bythe impact of single Xe44+ ions. High secondary electron yields andsingle ion induced defects enable the formation of single dopant arrayson diamond surfaces.
Date: May 31, 2006
Creator: Sideras-Haddad, E.; Shrivastava, S.; Rebuli, D.B.; Persaud, A.; Schneider, D.H. & Schenkel, T.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Microstructural Stability and Oxidation Resistance of 9-12 Chromium Steels at Elevated Temperatures (open access)

Microstructural Stability and Oxidation Resistance of 9-12 Chromium Steels at Elevated Temperatures

Various martensitic 9-12 Cr steels are utilized currently in fossil fuel powered energy plants for their good elevated temperature properties such as creep strength, steam side oxidation resistance, fire side corrosion resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance. Need for further improvements on the properties of 9-12 Cr steels for higher temperature (>600oC) use is driven by the environmental concerns (i.e., improve efficiency to reduce emissions and fossil fuel consumption). In this paper, we will discuss the results of the research done to explore new subsitutional solute solution and precipitate hardening mechanisms for improved strength of 9-12 Cr martensitic steels. Stability of the phases present in the steels will be evaluated for various temperature and time exposures. A comparison of microstructural properties of the experimental steels and commercial steels will also be presented. <br><br> The influence of a Ce surface treatment on oxidation behavior of a commercial (P91) and several experimental steels containing 9 to 12 weight percent Cr was examined at 650ºC in flowing dry and moist air. The oxidation behavior of all the alloys without the Ce modification was significantly degraded by the presence of moisture in the air during testing. For instance the weight gain for P91 was two …
Date: May 1, 2006
Creator: Dogan, O. N.; Alman, D. E.; Jablonski, P. D. & Hawk, J. A.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 126-F-2, 183-F Clearwells, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2006-017 (open access)

Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 126-F-2, 183-F Clearwells, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2006-017

The 126-F-2 site is the clearwell facility formerly used as part of the reactor cooling water treatment at the 183-F facility. During demolition operations in the 1970s, potentially contaminated debris was disposed in the eastern clearwell structure. The site has been remediated by removing all debris in the clearwell structure to the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility. The results of radiological surveys and visual inspection of the remediated clearwell structure show neither residual contamination nor the potential for contaminant migration beyond the clearwell boundaries. The results of verification sampling at the remediation waste staging area demonstrated that residual contaminant concentrations do not preclude any future uses and allow for unrestricted use of shallow zone soils. The results also showed that residual contaminant concentrations are protective of groundwater and the Columbia River.
Date: May 4, 2006
Creator: Carlson, R. A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Synopsis of Cathode #4 Activation (open access)

Synopsis of Cathode #4 Activation

The purpose of this report is to describe the activation of the fourth cathode installed in the DARHT-II Injector. Appendices have been used so that an extensive amount of data could be included without danger of obscuring important information contained in the body of the report. The cathode was a 612 M type cathode purchased from Spectra-Mat. Section II describes the handling and installation of the cathode. Section III is a narrative of the activation based on information located in the Control Room Log Book supplemented with time plots of pertinent operating parameters. Activation of the cathode was performed in accordance with the procedure listed in Appendix A. The following sections provide more details on the total pressure and constituent partial pressures in the vacuum vessel, cathode heater power/filament current, and cathode temperature.
Date: May 26, 2006
Creator: Kwan, Joe; Ekdahl, C.; Harrison, J.; Kwan, J.; Leitner, M.; McCruistian, T. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Developing Innovative Wall Systems that Improve Hygrothermal Performance of Residential Buildings (open access)

Developing Innovative Wall Systems that Improve Hygrothermal Performance of Residential Buildings

This document serves as the Topical Report documenting work completed by Washington State University (WSU) under U.S. Department of Energy Grant, Developing Innovative Wall Systems that Improve Hygrothermal Performance of Residential Buildings. This project was conducted in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and includes the participation of several industry partners including Weyerhaeuser, APA - The Engineered Wood Association, CertainTeed Corporation and Fortifiber. This document summarizes work completed by Washington State University August 2002 through June 2006. WSU's primary experimental role is the design and implementation of a field testing protocol that monitored long term changes in the hygrothermal response of wall systems. During the project period WSU constructed a test facility, developed a matrix of test wall designs, constructed and installed test walls in the test facility, installed instrumentation in the test walls and recorded data from the test wall specimens. Each year reports were published documenting the hygrothermal response of the test wall systems. Public presentation of the results was, and will continue to be, made available to the building industry at large by industry partners and the University.
Date: May 31, 2006
Creator: Tichy, Robert & Murray, Chuck
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Response of oceanic hydrate-bearing sediments to thermalstresses (open access)

Response of oceanic hydrate-bearing sediments to thermalstresses

In this study, we evaluate the response of oceanicsubsurface systems to thermal stresses caused by the flow of warm fluidsthrough noninsulated well systems crossing hydrate-bearing sediments.Heat transport from warm fluids, originating from deeper reservoirs underproduction, into the geologic media can cause dissociation of the gashydrates. The objective of this study is to determine whether gasevolution from hydrate dissociation can lead to excessive pressurebuildup, and possibly to fracturing of hydrate-bearing formations andtheir confining layers, with potentially adverse consequences on thestability of the suboceanic subsurface. This study also aims to determinewhether the loss of the hydrate--known to have a strong cementing effecton the porous media--in the vicinity of the well, coupled with thesignificant pressure increases, can undermine the structural stability ofthe well assembly.Scoping 1D simulations indicated that the formationintrinsic permeability, the pore compressibility, the temperature of theproduced fluids andthe initial hydrate saturation are the most importantfactors affecting the system response, while the thermal conductivity andporosity (above a certain level) appear to have a secondary effect.Large-scale simulations of realistic systems were also conducted,involving complex well designs and multilayered geologic media withnonuniform distribution of properties and initial hydrate saturationsthat are typical of those expected in natural oceanic systems. Theresults of the 2D study indicate …
Date: May 1, 2006
Creator: Moridis, G.J. & Kowalsky, M.B.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Multiple-code benchmark simulation study of coupled THMC processesin the excavation disturbed zone associated with geological nuclear wasterepositories (open access)

Multiple-code benchmark simulation study of coupled THMC processesin the excavation disturbed zone associated with geological nuclear wasterepositories

An international, multiple-code benchmark test (BMT) studyis being conducted within the international DECOVALEX project to analysecoupled thermal, hydrological, mechanical and chemical (THMC) processesin the excavation disturbed zone (EDZ) around emplacement drifts of anuclear waste repository. This BMT focuses on mechanical responses andlong-term chemo-mechanical effects that may lead to changes in mechanicaland hydrological properties in the EDZ. This includes time-de-pendentprocesses such as creep, and subcritical crack, or healing of fracturesthat might cause "weakening" or "hardening" of the rock over the longterm. Five research teams are studying this BMT using a wide range ofmodel approaches, including boundary element, finite element, and finitedifference, particle mechanics, and elasto-plastic cellular automatamethods. This paper describes the definition of the problem andpreliminary simulation results for the initial model inception part, inwhich time dependent effects are not yet included.
Date: May 10, 2006
Creator: Rutqvist, J.; Feng, X. T.; Hudson, J.; Jing, L.; Kobayashi, A.; Koyama, T. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Gated Microchannel Plate Photomultiplier For Longitudinal BeamDiagnostics (open access)

Gated Microchannel Plate Photomultiplier For Longitudinal BeamDiagnostics

A gated microchannel plate photomultiplier can be used as aneffective tool for measuring the longitudinal distribution of particlesaround most electron and high-energy proton rings. The broad availablewavelength range,low noise, and high sensitivity allow using such adevice for measuring the emitted synchrotron radiation and to extract thebeam intensity. The fast gate rise time can be used to reject strongsignals coming from filled RF buckets and avoid saturation of thephotocathode so that it is possible to monitor, with a high degree ofresolution, gaps in the machine fill and growth of parasitic bunches. Therugged characteristics of the device and its simplicity of use make itideal for all those applications where more complex and expensiveinstrumentation is not absolutely necessary. We present the experimentalresults obtained at the Advanced Light Source and on the Tevatron usingan Hamamatsu R5916U-50 series model.
Date: May 3, 2006
Creator: Byrd, John M.; De Santis, Stefano & Thurman-Keup, Randy
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Measurement and modeling of energetic-material mass transfer to soil-pore water - Project CP-1227 final technical report. (open access)

Measurement and modeling of energetic-material mass transfer to soil-pore water - Project CP-1227 final technical report.

Military test and training ranges operate with live-fire engagements to provide realism important to the maintenance of key tactical skills. Ordnance detonations during these operations typically produce minute residues of parent explosive chemical compounds. Occasional low-order detonations also disperse solid-phase energetic material onto the surface soil. These detonation remnants are implicated in chemical contamination impacts to groundwater on a limited set of ranges where environmental characterization projects have occurred. Key questions arise regarding how these residues and the environmental conditions (e.g., weather and geostratigraphy) contribute to groundwater pollution. This final report documents the results of experimental and simulation model development for evaluating mass transfer processes from solid-phase energetics to soil-pore water.
Date: May 1, 2006
Creator: Stein, Joshua S.; Sallaberry, Cedric M.; Webb, Stephen Walter; Phelan, James M. & Hadgu, Teklu
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dynamical Expansion of HII Regions From Ultracompact to Compact Sizes in Turbulent, Self-Gravitating Molecular Clouds (open access)

Dynamical Expansion of HII Regions From Ultracompact to Compact Sizes in Turbulent, Self-Gravitating Molecular Clouds

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Date: May 26, 2006
Creator: Low, Mordecai-Mark Mac; Toraskar, Jayashree; Oishi, Jeffrey S. & Abel, Tom
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Pilot Demonstration of Technology for the Production of High Value Materials from the Ultra-Fine (PM 2.5) Fraction of Coal Combustion Ash (open access)

Pilot Demonstration of Technology for the Production of High Value Materials from the Ultra-Fine (PM 2.5) Fraction of Coal Combustion Ash

During this reporting period, efforts focused on improving our understanding of the basic operating principles of the lamella classifier. It was determined from testing that product grade is primarily a function of the classifier configuration and operation and the feed grade has relatively minor influence. Additionally, within the range of the testing conducted, the feed density did not seem to have an impact of the yield. Thus, the product composition will not be strongly influenced by the variability of the feed, an important consideration for heterogeneous ponded fly ash. Three types of chemically and functionally different thermoplastic polymers have been chosen for evaluation with the fly ash derived filler: high density polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, and polyethylene terphthalate. The selections were based on volumes consumed in commercial and recycled products. The reference filler selected for comparison was 3 {micro}m calcium carbonate, a material which is commonly used with all three types of polymers. A procedure to prepare filled polymers has been developed and most ({approx}80%) of the polymer/filler blends have been prepared. Selected samples of filled polymers were subjected to SEM analysis to verify that the fly ash derived filler and the calcium carbonate were well dispersed. A stainless steel mold …
Date: May 12, 2006
Creator: Robl, T.L.; Groppo, J.G. & Rathbone, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Solid Target Studies for Muon Colliders And Neutrino Beams (open access)

Solid Target Studies for Muon Colliders And Neutrino Beams

This paper presents preliminary results from an ongoing post-irradiation analysis of materials that have been irradiated at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Isotope facility. The effort is part of an experimental study that focuses on how prone to irradiation damage these materials are and thus what is their potential in playing the role of high power targets in the neutrino superbeam and the muon collider initiatives.
Date: May 10, 2006
Creator: Simos, N.; Kirk, H.; Ludewig, H.; Thieberger, P.; Weng, W. T.; Trung, P. T. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of a Mathematical Air-Leakage Model from MeasuredData (open access)

Development of a Mathematical Air-Leakage Model from MeasuredData

A statistical model was developed to relate residential building shell leakage to building characteristics such as building height, floor area, floor leakage, duct leakage, and year built or the age of the house. Statistical regression techniques were used to determine which of the potential building characteristics best described the data. Seven preliminary regressions were performed to investigate the influence of each variable. The results of the eighth and last multivariable linear regression form the predictive model. The major factors that influence the tightness of a residential building are participation in an energy efficiency program (40% tighter than ordinary homes), having low-income occupants (145% leakier than ordinary) and the age of a house (1% increase in Normalized Leakage per year). This predictive model may be applied to data within the range of the data that was used to develop the model.
Date: May 1, 2006
Creator: McWilliams, Jennifer & Jung, Melanie
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Feasibility of Diffraction Radiation for a Non-invasive Diagnostics of the SLAC Electron Beam (open access)

Feasibility of Diffraction Radiation for a Non-invasive Diagnostics of the SLAC Electron Beam

The development of the non-invasive bunch size diagnostics based on the diffraction radiation is now in progress in frame of TPU-KEK-SLAC collaboration. The experimental test of a transverse beam size measurement was performed successful on the KEK-ATF extracted electron beam. However many difficulties emerge if we going from the one GeV electron energy to the several tenth GeV electron beams. The extremely high Lorenz-factor value gives rise to the some problems, such as large contribution of a radiation from an accelerator construction elements in submillimeter wavelength region, extremely pre-wave zone effect even in the optical range, exceeding of the electron beam divergence over the diffraction radiation cone, and so on. More over, the sensitivity of the method based on the optical diffraction radiation from flat slit target decrease catastrophic when an electron energy increase up to several tenth GeV. We suggest the new method based on the phase shift on the slit target, consisting on the two semi-planes which are turned at a some angle one to other (crossed target technique) and present here the results of experimental test of this technique. Also we discuss the origins of indicated difficulties and suggest the ways of these problems solution.
Date: May 16, 2006
Creator: Naumenko, G.; Potylitsyn, A.; U., /Tomsk Polytechnic; Araki, S.; Aryshev, A.; Hayano, H. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hydrogen Production via a Commercially Ready Inorganic Membrane Reactor, Semi-Annual Technical Progress Report: October 200[5] - March 2006 (open access)

Hydrogen Production via a Commercially Ready Inorganic Membrane Reactor, Semi-Annual Technical Progress Report: October 200[5] - March 2006

One of the technical barriers for ceramic membranes is its scale up potential. The conventional ceramic membranes/modules originally developed for liquid phase applications are costly and not suitable for high temperature applications. One of the objectives under this project is the development of a ceramic membrane/module, which is economical and suitable for high temperature applications proposed under this project (200-300 C). During this period, we initiated the fabrication of a prototype ceramic membrane module which can be (1) qualified for the proposed application temperature, and (2) cost acceptable for large scale applications. A prototype ceramic membrane bundle (3-inch diameter and 35-inch L) has been prepared, which passes the temperature stability requirement. It also meets the low end of the burst pressure requirement, i.e., 500-750 psi. In the next period, we will continue the improvement of this prototype module to upgrade its burst pressure to 1000 to 1500 psi range. In addition, bench-top experimental study has been conducted in this period to verify satisfactorily the simulated results for the process scheme developed in the last report, which took into the consideration of streamlining the pre- and post-treatment. The sensitivity analysis indicates that membrane surface area requirement is a key operating parameter …
Date: May 31, 2006
Creator: Liu, Paul K. T.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fatique Resistant, Energy Efficient Welding Program, Final Technical Report (open access)

Fatique Resistant, Energy Efficient Welding Program, Final Technical Report

The program scope was to affect the heat input and the resultant weld bead geometry by synchronizing robotic weave cycles with desired pulsed waveform shapes to develop process parameters relationships and optimized pulsed gas metal arc welding processes for welding fatique-critical structures of steel, high strength steel, and aluminum. Quality would be addressed by developing intelligent methods of weld measurement that accurately predict weld bead geometry from process information. This program was severely underfunded, and eventually terminated. The scope was redirected to investigate tandem narrow groove welding of steel butt joints during the one year of partial funding. A torch was designed and configured to perform a design of experiments of steel butt weld joints that validated the feasability of the process. An initial cost model estimated a 60% cost savings over conventional groove welding by eliminating the joint preparation and reducing the weld volume needed.
Date: May 25, 2006
Creator: Egland, Keith & Ludewig, Howard
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Modal testing of the TX-100 wind turbine blade. (open access)

Modal testing of the TX-100 wind turbine blade.

This test report covers the SNL modal test results for two nominally identical TX-100 wind turbine blades. The TX-100 blade design is unique in that it features a passive braking, force-shedding mechanism where bending and torsion are coupled to produce desirable aerodynamic characteristics. A specific aim of this test is to characterize the coupling between bending and torsional dynamics. The results of the modal tests and the subsequent analysis characterize the natural frequencies, damping, and mode shapes of the individual blades. The results of this report are expected to be used for model validation--the frequencies and mode shapes from the experimental analysis can be compared with those of a finite-element analysis. Damping values are included in the results of these tests to potentially improve the fidelity of numerical simulations, although numerical finite element models typically have no means of predicting structural damping characteristics. Thereafter, an additional objective of the test is achieved in evaluating the test to test and unit variation in the modal parameters of the two blades.
Date: May 1, 2006
Creator: Reese, Sarah; Griffith, Daniel Todd; Casias, Miguel; Simmermacher, Todd William & Smith, Gregory A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Refinery Integration of By-Products from Coal-Derived Jet Fuels Semi-Annual Progress Report: September 2005 - March 2006 (open access)

Refinery Integration of By-Products from Coal-Derived Jet Fuels Semi-Annual Progress Report: September 2005 - March 2006

This report summarizes the accomplishments toward project goals during the first six months of the third year of the project to assess the properties and performance of coal based products. These products are in the gasoline, diesel and fuel oil range and result from coal based jet fuel production from an Air Force funded program. Specific areas of progress include generation of coal based material that has been fractionated into the desired refinery cuts, acquisition and installation of a research gasoline engine, and modification of diesel engines for use in evaluating diesel produced in the project. Characterization of the gasoline fuel indicates a dominance of single ring alkylcycloalkanes that have a low octane rating; however, blends containing these compounds do not have a negative effect upon gasoline when blended in refinery gasoline streams. Characterization of the diesel fuel indicates a dominance of 3-ring aromatics that have a low cetane value; however, these compounds do not have a negative effect upon diesel when blended in refinery diesel streams. The desulfurization of sulfur containing components of coal and petroleum is being studied so that effective conversion of blended coal and petroleum streams can be efficiently converted to useful refinery products. Equipment is …
Date: May 17, 2006
Creator: Clifford, Caroline E. Burgess; Boehman, Andre; Song, Chunshan; Miller, Bruce & Mitchell, Gareth
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library