Resource Type

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site gravity survey and interpretation (open access)

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site gravity survey and interpretation

A portion of the WIPP site has been extensively surveyed with high-precision gravity. The main survey (in T22S, R31E) covered a rectangular area 2 by 4-1/3 mi encompassing all of WIPP site Zone II and part of the disturbed zone to the north of the site. Stations were at 293-ft intervals along 13 north-south lines 880 ft apart. The data are considered accurate to within a few hundredths of a milligal. Long-wavelength gravity anomalies correlate well with seismic time structures on horizons below the Castile Formation. Both the gravity anomalies and the seismic time structures are interpreted as resulting from related density and velocity variations within the Ochoan Series. Shorter wavelength negative gravity anomalies are interpreted as resulting from bulk density alteration in the vicinity of karst conduits. The WIPP gravity survey was unable to resolve low-amplitude, long-wavelength anomalies that should result from the geologic structures within the disturbed zone. It did indicate the degree and character of karst development within the surveyed area.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Barrows, L.J. & Fett, J.D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Primary oil-shale resources of the Green River Formation in the eastern Uinta Basin, Utah (open access)

Primary oil-shale resources of the Green River Formation in the eastern Uinta Basin, Utah

Resources of potential oil in place in the Green River Formation are measured and estimated for the primary oil-shale resource area east of the Green River in Utah's Uinta Basin. The area evaluated (Ts 7-14 S, Rs 19-25 E) includes most of, and certainly the best of Utah's oil-shale resource. For resource evaluation the principal oil-shale section is divided into ten stratigraphic units which are equivalent to units previously evaluated in the Piceance Creek Basin of Colorado. Detailed evaluation of individual oil-shale units sampled by cores, plus estimates by extrapolation into uncored areas indicate a total resource of 214 billion barrels of shale oil in place in the eastern Uinta Basin.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Trudell, L. G.; Smith, J. W.; Beard, T. N. & Mason, G. M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Measurement of seismic moments at the RSTN station RSSD for NTS explosions (open access)

Measurement of seismic moments at the RSTN station RSSD for NTS explosions

We have estimated the seismic moment for two Nevada Test Site (NTS) explosions (Nebbiolo, 6/24/82; Atrisco, 8/5/82) at the Regional Seismic Test Network (RSTN) station in South Dakota (RSSD; distance from NTS approx. 1280 km). The moments are calculated from the vertical component mid-period channel for the Rayleigh waves and the merged mid- and short-period band for the P waves. The moment estimates from surface waves give values of 1.0 x 10/sup 23/ and 2.0 x 10/sup 23/ dyn-cm for Nebbiolo and Atrisco, respectively. The body-wave moments obtained at 0.5 Hz are approximately five times greater than those from surface waves and give values of 4.8 x 10/sup 23/ and 1.0 x 10/sup 24/ dyn-cm for Nebbiolo and Atrisco, respectively. The apparent discrepancy between the body and surface-wave moments can be resolved if there is overshoot (of 5:1) in the explosion source spectrum. As a check on the absolute value of the surface-wave moments, we compared them to moment values predicted from empirical moment-yield relationships for different emplacement media at NTS (Patton, 1983). We found that the agreement between observed and predicted values is satisfactory, within the measurement error on the moments at the one sigma level.
Date: April 5, 1983
Creator: Taylor, S. R. & Patton, H. J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Impact of conservation measures on Pacific Northwest residential energy consumption. Final report (open access)

Impact of conservation measures on Pacific Northwest residential energy consumption. Final report

The objective of this study was to estimate the relationship between residential space conditioning energy use and building conservation programs in the Pacific Northwest. The study was divided into two primary tasks. In the first, the thermal relationship between space conditioning energy consumption under controlled conditions and the physical characteristics of the residence was estimated. In this task, behavioral characteristics such as occupant schedules and thermostat settings were controlled in order to isolate the physical relationships. In the second task, work from the first task was used to calculate the thermal efficiency of a residence's shell. Thermal efficiency was defined as the ability of a shell to prevent escapement of heat generated within a building. The relationship between actual space conditioning energy consumption and the shell thermal efficiency was then estimated. Separate thermal equations for mobile homes, single-family residences, and multi-family residences are presented. Estimates of the relationship between winter electricity consumption for heating and the building's thermal shell efficiency are presented for each of the three building categories.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Moe, R.J.; Owzarski, S.L. & Streit, L.P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Large-scale exploratory tests of sodium/magnetite-concrete interactions. [LMFBR] (open access)

Large-scale exploratory tests of sodium/magnetite-concrete interactions. [LMFBR]

Two large-scale tests examining the interaction between molten sodium at 825 K and magnetite concrete were performed. In the first test, bare magnetite concrete was exposed to the sodium and in the second test the concrete was partially protected by a flawed steel liner and a layer of dense silica firebrick. The results demonstrated that energetic chemical reactions can occur between sodium and magnetite concrete. In the first test, reaction zone temperatures exceeded 1150 K and the maximum heat generation rate was approx. 1.3 x 10/sup 5/ J/m/sup 2/-s. The maximum observed penetration rate was 2.5 mm/min. In the second test, the silica firebrick provided little protection for the underlying concrete. The reaction debris that formed between the steel liner and the concrete caused gross deformation of the liner as well as extensive cracking of the reinforced concrete.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Randich, E. & Acton, R.U.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Safety analysis report for packaging: the ORNL gas-cylinder fire and impact shield (open access)

Safety analysis report for packaging: the ORNL gas-cylinder fire and impact shield

The ORNL gas-cylinder fire and impact shield was designed and fabricated at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant for the transport of cylinders filled with radioactive gases. The shield was evaluated analytically and experimentally to determine its compliance with the applicable regulations governing containers in which radioactive and fissile materials are transported, and the results are reported herein. Computational and test procedures were used to determine the structural integrity and thermal behavior of the cask relative to the general standards for normal conditions of transport and the standards for hypothetical accident conditions. Results of the evaluation demonstrate that the container is in compliance with the applicable regulations.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Evans, J.H.; Levine, D.L.; Eversole, R.E. & Mouring, R.W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Radiological-dose assessments of atolls in the northern Marshall Islands (open access)

Radiological-dose assessments of atolls in the northern Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands in the Equatorial Pacific, specifically Enewetak and Bikini Atolls, were the site of US nuclear testing from 1946 through 1958. In 1978, the Northern Marshall Islands Radiological Survey was conducted to evaluate the radiological conditions of two islands and ten atolls downwind of the proving grounds. The survey included aerial external gamma measurements and collection of soil, terrestrial, and marine samples for radionuclide analysis to determine the radiological dose from all exposure pathways. The methods and models used to estimate doses to a population in an environment where natural processes have acted on the source-term radionuclides for nearly 30 y, data bases developed for the models, and results of the radiological dose analyses are described.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Robison, W. L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Options to upgrade the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (open access)

Options to upgrade the Mirror Fusion Test Facility

In this document we describe three options for upgrading MFTF-B, and the nomenclature used for these options is shown on the chart, MFTF-B Upgrade Options. We propose to add a 4-m-long reactor-like insert to the central cell, or to change the end plugs to the new MARS-type configuration, or both. LLNL prefers the third option, labeled MFTF-..cap alpha../sup +/T in the chart, in which both the central cell insert is added and the end plugs are modified. All options are long-pulse or steady-state DT burning experiments. Those upgrades with the insert would be constructed beginning in FY 86, with operation beginning in mid-FY 92. Confirmation of our intent to modify the end plugs would be sought in FY 88 based on positive results from MFTF-B experiments. The upgrade with only the end plug modification would not start until MFTF-B data are available. The timeline for constructing and operating the MFTF-B Upgrade included at the end of this preface is for reference while reading the text. The various modes of operation shown on the chart are described later.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Thomassen, K.I. & Doggett, J.N. (eds.)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Raft River binary-cycle geothermal pilot power plant final report (open access)

Raft River binary-cycle geothermal pilot power plant final report

The design and performance of a 5-MW(e) binary-cycle pilot power plant that used a moderate-temperature hydrothermal resource, with isobutane as a working fluid, are examined. Operating problems experienced and solutions found are discussed and recommendations are made for improvements to future power plant designs. The plant and individual systems are analyzed for design specification versus actual performance figures.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Bliem, C.J. & Walrath, L.F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Porosity, permeability, and their relationship in granite, basalt, and tuff (open access)

Porosity, permeability, and their relationship in granite, basalt, and tuff

This report discusses the porosity, storage, and permeability of fractured (mainly crystalline) rock types proposed as host rock for nuclear waste repositories. The emphasis is on the inter-relationships of these properties, but a number of reported measurements are included as well. The porosity of rock is shown to consist of fracture porosity and matrix porosity; techniques are described for determining the total interconnected porosity through both laboratory and field measurement. Permeability coefficient, as obtained by experiments ranging from laboratory to crustal scale, is discussed. Finally, the problem of determining the relationship between porosity and permeability is discussed. There is no simple, all encompassing relationship that describes the dependence of permeability upon porosity. However, two particular cases have been successfully analyzed: flow through a single rough fracture, and flow through isotropic porous rock. These two cases are discussed in this report.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Containment-emergency-sump performance. Technical findings related to Unresolved Safety Issue A-43. [PWR] (open access)

Containment-emergency-sump performance. Technical findings related to Unresolved Safety Issue A-43. [PWR]

This report summarizes key technical findings related to the Unresolved Safety Issue A-43, Containment Emergency Sump Performance, and provides recommendations for resolution of attendant safety issues. The key safety questions relate to: (a) effects of insulation debris on sump performance; (b) sump hydraulic performance as determined by design features, submergence, and plant induced effects, and (c) recirculation pump performance wherein air and/or particulate ingestion can occur. The technical findings presented in this report provide information relevant to the design and performance evaluation of the containment emergency sump.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Water geochemistry of the Lucero Uplift, New Mexico: geothermal investigation of low-temperature mineralized fluids (open access)

Water geochemistry of the Lucero Uplift, New Mexico: geothermal investigation of low-temperature mineralized fluids

A detailed geochemical investigation of 27 waters of the Lucero uplift, central New Mexico, was performed to determine if the fluids originate from a high-temperature geothermal system along the Rio Grande rift. Two types of mineralized water issue from the Lucero region: a relatively saline (high-Cl, high-SO/sub 4/) type and a relatively dilute (low-Cl, high-SO/sub 4/) type. Emergence temperatures of both types range from 12 to 26/sup 0/C. Chemical data and thermodynamic and geothermometer calculations all indicate that both water types are in equilibrium with carbonate and evaporite minerals found in local Colorado Plateau rocks at surface temperatures or slightly higher. Stable isotope data do not indicate high-temperature rock-water interaction. Although evidence is seen for mixing between mineralized waters and dilute surface waters, no evidence for mixing of a deep hot fluid and surface waters is seen. Dilute mineral waters, which issue from a large area of Chinle Formation on the west side of the Lucero uplift, may be useful for low-temperature geothermal applications with appropriate design of equipment. Saline mineral waters, which leak from a zone of faulted and folded rocks along the Comanche fault zone, do not appear to have much, if any, geothermal potential due to their …
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Goff, F.; McCormick, T.; Gardner, J.N.; Trujillo, P.E.; Counce, D.; Vidale, R. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Measurement of critical temperature as a function of field (open access)

Measurement of critical temperature as a function of field

The critical temperature has been measured for various magnet conductors as a function of the perpendicular applied magnetic field. The isothermal environment was provided by a variable temperature cryostat which fits into the bore of a 10.0 tesla solenoid. The temperature gradient across the sample volume was measured to be less than 25 millikelvins. The superconducting the normal state transition was measured resistively, using sample current densities from 0.01 to 2 A/cm/sup 2/. The maximum applied magnetic field was 10.0 T and varied less than 0.5% in the sample volume. The critical transport current range of the samples measured was from tens to thousands of amperes in the presence of a 10.0 T perpendicular magnetic field at 4.2K.
Date: April 23, 1983
Creator: McInturff, A.D.; Ishibashi, K. & Heard, G.D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hanford beta-gamma personnel dosimeter prototypes and evaluation (open access)

Hanford beta-gamma personnel dosimeter prototypes and evaluation

Upgraded and modified Hanford dosimeter prototypes were evaluated for possible use at Hanford as a primary beta-gamma dosimeter. All prototypes were compatible with the current dosimeter card and holder design, as well as processing with the automated Hanford readers. Shallow- and deep-dose response was determined for selected prototypes using several beta sources, K-fluorescent x rays and filtered x-ray techniques. All prototypes included a neutron sensitive chip. A progressive evaluation of the performance of each of the upgrades to the current dosimeter is described. In general, the performance of the current dosimeter can be upgraded using individual chip sensitivity factors to improve precision and an improved algorithm to minimize bias. The performance of this dosimeter would be adequate to pass all categories of the ANSI N13.11 performance criteria for dosimeter procesors, provided calibration techniques compatible with irradiations adopted in the standard were conducted. The existing neutron capability of the dosimeter could be retained. Better dosimeter performance to beta-gamma radiation can be achieved by modifying the Hanford dosimeter so that four of the five chip positions are devoted to calculating these doses instead of the currently used two chip positions. A neutron sensitive chip was used in the 5th chip position, but …
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Fix, J.J.; Holbrook, K.L. & Soldat, K.L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Annealing studies of amorphous alloys (open access)

Annealing studies of amorphous alloys

Amorphous films of the alloys Ni-Nb, Ni-Mo, Mo-Si, and W-Si were sputter deposited on single-crystal semiconductor substrates. One-hour crystallization temperatures of the films were determined to within +-25/sup 0/C by annealing and x-ray diffraction measurements. Interdiffusion between Au or Cu overlayers and the amorphous films were studied by annealing combined with Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) profiling, and by Rutherford Backscatter (RBS) analysis. Supplementary measurements used to study structural relaxation and crystallization included resistivity as a function of temperature; DTA and DSC; and electron microscopy.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Wiley, J.D.; Perepezko, J.H. & Nordman, J.E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Preparation of Residual Gravity Maps for the Southern Cascade Mountains, Washington Using Fourier Analysis (open access)

Preparation of Residual Gravity Maps for the Southern Cascade Mountains, Washington Using Fourier Analysis

A continuation of gravity work in the Cascade Mountains of Washington is presented. Baseline gravity data were collected for use in geothermal resource evaluation. The purpose of this report is to describe a Fourier analysis method for separating residual and regional gravity anomalies from a complete Bouguer gravity anomaly field. The technique has been applied to gravity data from the Southern Cascade Mountains, Washington. Residual gravity anomaly maps at a scale of 1:250,000 are presented for various regional wavelength filters, and a power spectrum of the frequency components in the South Cascade gravity data is displayed. No attempt is made to interpret the results of this study in terms of geologic structures.
Date: April 1983
Creator: Dishberger, D. M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Design of GA thermochemical water-splitting process for the Mirror Advanced Reactor System (open access)

Design of GA thermochemical water-splitting process for the Mirror Advanced Reactor System

GA interfaced the sulfur-iodine thermochemical water-splitting cycle to the Mirror Advanced Reactor System (MARS). The results of this effort follow as one section and part of a second section to be included in the MARS final report. This section describes the process and its interface to the reactor. The capital and operating costs for the hydrogen plant are described.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Brown, L.C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
1982 Environmental Monitoring Report Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico (open access)

1982 Environmental Monitoring Report Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Because radionuclides are potentially released from its research activities, SNL has a continuing environmental monitoring program which analyzes for cesium-137, tritium, uranium, alpha emitter, and beta emitters in water, soil, air, and vegetation. Measured radiation levels in public areas were consistent with local background in 1982. The Albuquerque population received an estimated 0.170 person-rem from airborne radioactive releases, whereas it received greater than 50,400 person-rem from naturally occurring radionuclides.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Millard, Gloria Chavez; Gray, Charles E.; Simmons, Theodore N. & O'Neal, Bill L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fast-ion orbit effects during ion-cyclotron range of frequency experiments on the Princeton large torus (open access)

Fast-ion orbit effects during ion-cyclotron range of frequency experiments on the Princeton large torus

The angular dependence of the flux of fast neutrals was measured in conjunction with Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequency (ICRF) experiments on the Princeton Large Torus (PLT). We found a regime where the energetic tail of the charge-exchange neutral flux was strongly anisotropic. Unexpectedly, however, the flux from co-moving ions was peaked at an angle intermediate between perpendicular and parallel. This could be the consequence of a preferential filling of that class of banana orbits whose tips are localized within the ion cyclotron resonance layer.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Kaita, R.; Goldston, R. J.; Beiersdorfer, P.; Herndon, D. L.; Hosea, J.; Hwang, D. Q. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reactor-safety research programs. Quarterly report, October-December 1982. Volume 4 (open access)

Reactor-safety research programs. Quarterly report, October-December 1982. Volume 4

Evaluations of nondestructive examination (NDE) techniques and instrumentation are reported; areas of investigation include demonstrating the feasibility of determining the strength of structural graphite, evaluating the feasibility of detecting and analyzing flaw growth in reactor pressure boundary systems, examining NDE reliability and probabilistic fracture mechanics, and assessing the integrity of pressurized-water-reactor steam-generator tubes where service-induced degradation has been indicated. Experimental data and analytical models are being provided to aid in decision making regarding pipe-to-pipe impacts following postulated breaks in high-energy fluid system piping. Core thermal models being developed to provide better digital codes to compute the bahavior of full-scale reactor systems under postulated accident conditions. Fuel assemblies and analytical support are being provided for experimental programs at other facilities.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Edler, S.K. (ed.)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Geothermal progress monitor. Progress report No. 7 (open access)

Geothermal progress monitor. Progress report No. 7

A state-by-state review of major geothermal-development activities during 1982 is presented. It also inlcudes a summary of recent drilling and exploration efforts and the results of the 1982 leasing program. Two complementary sections feature an update of geothermal direct-use applications and a site-by-site summary of US geothermal electric-power development.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
FED-R: a fusion engineering device utilizing resistive magnets (open access)

FED-R: a fusion engineering device utilizing resistive magnets

The principal purpose of the FED-R tokamak facility is to provide a substantial quasi-steady flux of fusion neutrons irradiating a large test area in order to carry out thermal, neutronic, and radiation effects testing of experimental blanket assemblies having a variety of configurations, compositions, and purposes. The design of the FED-R device also suggests potential for an upgrade that could be employed as a full-scale demonstration reactor for some specific fusion-neutron application when required.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Jassby, D. L. & Kalsi, S. S. (eds.)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Regulatory cost-risk study (open access)

Regulatory cost-risk study

This study is intended to provide some quantitative perspective by selecting certain examples of criteria for which estimates of risks and costs can be obtained, and the balance of the various risks, (i.e., internal versus external risks), can be put into perspective. 35 refs., 39 tabs. (JDB)
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Summary report on optimized designs for shipping casks containing 2-, 3-, 5-, 7-, or 10-year-old PWR spent fuel (open access)

Summary report on optimized designs for shipping casks containing 2-, 3-, 5-, 7-, or 10-year-old PWR spent fuel

The purpose of this study was to develop new conceptual designs for large Pb, Fe, and U-shielded spent fuel casks which have been optimized for the shipment of 2-, 3-, 5-, 7-, or 10-year-old PWR spent fuel assemblies. Design specifications for about 100 cases of potential interest are presented along with a brief 20-page synopsis of the associated analyses. Optimized shielding requirements are presented for each type of cask as a function of the age of the spent fuel and the number of assemblies in the cask. With respect to criticality, a new type of inherently subcritical fuel assembly separator is described which uses hollow, borated stainless-steel tubes in the wall-forming structure between the assemblies. Steady-state and transient heat transfer analyses for casks under nominal and accident conditions were performed using the SCOPE code for Shipping Cask Optimization and Parametric Evaluation. Based on criticality, shielding, and heat transfer considerations, it appears that optimized cask designs could be developed to carry 15 to 18 five-year-old PWR fuel assemblies or as many as 18 to 21 ten-year-old PWR fuel assemblies. 4 figures, 4 tables.
Date: April 1, 1983
Creator: Bucholz, J.A.
System: The UNT Digital Library