The experimental results on the oxidation of H from a He stream with CuO pellets were very close to the predicted behavior based on the mathematical model. Experimental measurements of uranyl sulfate loading rates on chloride equilibrated resin showed little variation with solution concentrations. A tentative flowsbeet was proposed for cost analysis of processing a Pebble Bed Reactor. A U-Zr plate was dissolved in nitrate-free Zirflex solution. An authentic TRIGA prototype was processed in engineering-scale equipment. Three 4- stage leacher model dissolution runs were made, two of which used 8 M HNO/sub 3/ and one used 4 M HNO/sub 3/. Flooding rates and holdup data were obtained for sieve plate pulse columns under 5% TBP - l.8 Mi Al(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/ flowsheet conditions. A Purex waste calcination run (R-37) was made using sodium anid imagnesium to reduce sulfate volatility. (auth)

Regulatable elements of a deep geological nuclear waste isolation system are those characteristics of a candidate system which need to be specified to achieve control of its performance. This report identifies the regulatable elements with respect to waste form, repository design, site suitability, and the modeling and decision analysis processes. Regulatable elements in each section are listed and described briefly as they affect the short-term and long-term performance of a deep geological repository.

A use for GNLS, a general nonlinear least-squares curve fitting program, is presented. In this use GNLS determines a set of best parameters for relationships that cannot be written in closed form. This program can be useful for experimenters who need to determine experimental parameters by fitting nonclosed-form relationships to experimental data. Two examples are given to indicate how GNLS can be used for this type of problem. 11 figures.

The heat and mass transfer processes taking place in molten core debris/concrete systems have been experimentally investigated. Two types of experiments have been conducted. The first experiment simulates the growth of a molten debris pool in a composite sacrificial bed. This experiment models debris pool growth in an inner, low-melting point, sacrificial material zone followed by a melting attack on the concrete bed. The purpose of the inner zone is to quickly melt and dilute the debris pool so that its subsequent downward growth in the concrete may be slowed. In the second experiment a two-layer immiscible liquid system is volumetrically heated and allowed to melt into a low-density gas releasing solid bed which is miscible in the initially-higher-density bottom liquid. The solid melts, mixes with, and dilutes the bottom liquid pool until its density is lower than that of the top liquid.

The objective of the proposed work is to develop an intelligent distributed fiber optical sensor system for real-time monitoring of high temperature in a boiler furnace in power plants. Of particular interest is the estimation of spatial and temporal distributions of high temperatures within a boiler furnace, which will be essential in assessing and controlling the mechanisms that form and remove pollutants at the source, such as NOx. The basic approach in developing the proposed sensor system is three fold: (1) development of high temperature distributed fiber optical sensor capable of measuring temperatures greater than 2000 C degree with spatial resolution of less than 1 cm; (2) development of distributed parameter system (DPS) models to map the three-dimensional (3D) temperature distribution for the furnace; and (3) development of an intelligent monitoring system for real-time monitoring of the 3D boiler temperature distribution. Under Task 1, we set up a dedicated high power, ultrafast laser system for fabricating in-fiber gratings in harsh environment optical fibers, successfully fabricated gratings in single crystal sapphire fibers by the high power laser system, and developed highly sensitive long period gratings (lpg) by electric arc. Under Task 2, relevant mathematical modeling studies of NOx formation in practical …

The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was requested to generate a document for the Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would cover the following topics: (1) A description of the mineral structures produced by Fluidized Bed Steam Reforming (FBSR) of Hanford type Low Activity Waste (LAW including LAWR which is LAW melter recycle waste) waste, especially the cage structured minerals and how they are formed. (2) How the cage structured minerals contain some contaminants, while others become part of the mineral structure (Note that all contaminants become part of the mineral structure and this will be described in the subsequent sections of this report). (3) Possible contaminant release mechanisms from the mineral structures. (4) Appropriate analyses to evaluate these release mechanisms. (5) Why the appropriate analyses are comparable to the existing Hanford glass dataset. In order to discuss the mineral structures and how they bond contaminants a brief description of the structures of both mineral (ceramic) and vitreous waste forms will be given to show their similarities. By demonstrating the similarities of mineral and vitreous waste forms on atomic level, the contaminant release mechanisms of the crystalline (mineral) and amorphous (glass) waste forms can …

When a graph database is implemented on top of a relational database, queries in the graph query language are translated into relational SQL queries. Graph pattern queries are an important feature of a graph query language. Translating graph pattern queries into single SQL statements results in very poor query performance. By taking into account the pattern query structure and generating multiple SQL statements, pattern query performance can be dramatically improved. The performance problems encountered with the single SQL statements generated for pattern queries reflects a problem in the SQL query planner and optimizer. Addressing this problem would allow relational databases to better support semantic graph databases. Relational database systems that provide good support for graph databases may also be more flexible platforms for data warehouses.

Laboratory studies have been conducted under simulated reactor operating conditions to determine the effect of various chemical additives and coatings on the adsorption of trace elements on aluminum surfaces. Of the materials tested, silicate additives and organic ink coatings were by far the most effective, reducing the adsorption of arsenic and phosphorus tracers by as much as one to three orders of magnitude. The laboratory techniques and results are discussed.

This report covers the middle year of this three-year grant. Technical progress is presented in each investigators area. (JL)

The Purex Plant has been requested to process Z-Plant MR and EPT solutions containing about 200 kilograms of plutonium in order to alleviate processing problem at Z-Plant and to reduce the inventory of MR and EPT rework. Campaign recycle of uranium through the main plant is recommended as an economical and effective means of reworking large quantities of Z-Plant plutonium solutions. This memorandum outlines process alternates and costs for reworking the solutions and itemizes specific recommendations for process and critical mass control.

A project has been proposed and the funds allocated for the replacement of the central zone aluminum process tubes at both K Reactors with smooth bore zirconium process tubes of approximately the same outside diameter as the original tubes. Associated with this project is the problem of relieving the present graphite stack distortion in the vicinity of the process tube channels and counteracting or prereliving, at this time, the expected graphite stack distortion that, will take place over the next ten years. Such relief becomes increasingly important when it is realized that long reactor life is required for the zirconium tubes in order to justify the cost of the project. This justification is also based upon the ability to charge normal sized, self supported fuel elements during the reactor life of the tubes. Relieving the restrictions in the graphite process channels caused by stack contraction will be done by removing localized portions of the graphite from the tube blocks and trunion blocks with a guided cutting tool. This immediately brings up the question of graphite temperatures and the presently imposed maximum graphite in temperature limits. Combined coring and graphite stark distortion could result in excessive graphite temperatures or localized hot …

This report documents the answers to specific questions posed by management on December 17,1962. The questions asked were: (1) What were the design and construction start and completion dates of project CG-558-600?, what was the percent power level increase design for CG-558-600?, what was the actual power level increase achieved?, what was the construction completion date of DR reactor?, what was the expansion-overbore program initiation date?, on what date was the oral overbore-type proposal made to HOO-AEC?, when was the initial documentation of overbore-expansion program?, on what dates were the budgets submissioned for the Reactor Modification Program?, what is the conversion ratio increase from the RMP?, what is the production capacity increase from the RMP?, and what are the design completion dates for the H, C, DR, and K reactors?. (GHH)

A program for increasing the available coolant flow at the H Reactor has been proposed and supported by documentation. This Process Improvement Transition Authorization (being written in two parts) authorizes the initiation of an immediate phase of the program designed to increase total coolant flow by about 6,000 to 10,000 gallons per minute. Part I of this PITA describes in detail the limitations and requirements peculiar to Process Engineering aspects of the proposed modifications and is presented as a separate document. This portion of the PITA, Part II, is written to establish and define conditions and restrictions in the area of Operational Physics, including loading procedures, instrumentation requirements startup checks and procedures related to reactivity effects, total control and speed of control considerations, and other physics functions. The governing criterion shall be that nuclear safety is not compromised during the proposed transition, which includes a complete shutoff of reactor flow for a limited period of time under closely monitored conditions.

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Objectives of this investigation were to (1) monitor the population status and recruitment of burbot Lota lota in the Kootenai River, Idaho and British Columbia, Canada during the winter of 2006-2007; (2) evaluate the selective withdrawal system in place at Libby Dam to maintain the river temperature near Bonners Ferry between 1-4 C (November-December) to improve burbot migration and spawning activity; and (3) determine if a hatching success of 10% of eyed burbot embryos could be achieved through extensive rearing and produce fingerlings averaging 9.8 cm in six months. Water temperature did not fall below the upper limit (4 C) until mid-January but was usually maintained between 1-4 C January through February and was acceptable. Snowpack was characterized by a 101% of normal January runoff forecast. Adult burbot were sampled with hoop nets and slat traps. Only three burbot were captured in hoop nets, all at Ambush Rock (rkm 244.5). No burbot were caught in either slat traps or juvenile sampling gear, indicating the population is nearly extirpated. Burbot catch per unit effort in hoop nets was 0.003 fish/net d. Extensive rearing was moved to a smaller private pond and will be reported in the 2008-2009 annual report.

The Institute for Multiscale Modeling of Biological Interactions (IMMBI) has two primary goals: Foster interdisciplinary collaborations among faculty and their research laboratories that will lead to novel applications of multiscale simulation and modeling methods in the biological sciences and engineering; and Building on the unique biophysical/biology-based engineering foundations of the participating faculty, train scientists and engineers to apply computational methods that collectively span multiple time and length scales of biological organization. The success of IMMBI will be defined by the following: Size and quality of the applicant pool for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellows; Academic performance; Quality of the pre-doctoral and post-doctoral research; Impact of the research broadly and to the DOE (ASCR program) mission; Distinction of the next career step for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellows; and Faculty collaborations that result from IMMBI activities. Specific details about accomplishments during the three years of DOE support for IMMBI have been documented in Annual Progress Reports (April 2005, June 2006, and March 2007) and a Report for a National Academy of Sciences Review (October 2005) that were submitted to DOE on the dates indicated. An overview of these accomplishments is provided.

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This report describes work performed to develop and test new glass and feed formulations in order to increase glass melting rates in high waste loading glass formulations for HLW with high concentrations of iron. Testing was designed to identify glass and melter feed formulations that optimize waste loading and waste processing rate while meeting all processing and product quality requirements. The work included preparation and characterization of crucible melts to assess melt rate using a vertical gradient furnace system and to develop new formulations with enhanced melt rate. Testing evaluated the effects of waste loading on glass properties and the maximum waste loading that can be achieved. The results from crucible-scale testing supported subsequent DuraMelter 100 (DM100) tests designed to examine the effects of enhanced glass and feed formulations on waste processing rate and product quality. The DM100 was selected as the platform for these tests due to its extensive previous use in processing rate determination for various HLW streams and glass compositions.

Transuranic solid waste that has been generated as a result of the production of nuclear material for the United States defense program at the Savannah River Site (SRS) has been stored in more than 30,000 55-gallon drums and various size carbon steel boxes since 1953. Nearly two thirds of those containers have been processed and shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Among the containers assayed so far, the results indicate several drums with fissile inventories significantly higher (600-1000 grams {sup 239}Pu) than their original assigned values. While part of this discrepancy can be attributed to the past limited assay capabilities, human errors are believed to be the primary contributor. This paper summarizes an assessment of the probability of occurrence of a criticality accident during handling of the remaining transuranic waste containers at SRS.

This pilot scale study evaluated the counting accuracy of two people counting systems that could be used in demand controlled ventilation systems to provide control signals for modulating outdoor air ventilation rates. The evaluations included controlled challenges of the people counting systems using pre-planned movements of occupants through doorways and evaluations of counting accuracies when naive occupants (i.e., occupants unaware of the counting systems) passed through the entrance doors of the building or room. The two people counting systems had high counting accuracy accuracies, with errors typically less than 10percent, for typical non-demanding counting events. However, counting errors were high in some highly challenging situations, such as multiple people passing simultaneously through a door. Counting errors, for at least one system, can be very high if people stand in the field of view of the sensor. Both counting system have limitations and would need to be used only at appropriate sites and where the demanding situations that led to counting errors were rare.

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The objective of the proposed work is to develop an intelligent distributed fiber optical sensor system for real-time monitoring of high temperature in a boiler furnace in power plants. Of particular interest is the estimation of spatial and temporal distributions of high temperatures within a boiler furnace, which will be essential in assessing and controlling the mechanisms that form and remove pollutants at the source, such as NOx. The basic approach in developing the proposed sensor system is three fold: (1) development of high temperature distributed fiber optical sensor capable of measuring temperatures greater than 2000 C degree with spatial resolution of less than 1 cm; (2) development of distributed parameter system (DPS) models to map the three-dimensional (3D) temperature distribution for the furnace; and (3) development of an intelligent monitoring system for real-time monitoring of the 3D boiler temperature distribution. Under Task 1, improvement was made on the performance of in-fiber grating fabricated in single crystal sapphire fibers, test was performed on the grating performance of single crystal sapphire fiber with new fabrication methods, and the fabricated grating was applied to high temperature sensor. Under Task 2, models obtained from 3-D modeling of the Demonstration Boiler were used to …

Aqueous mixed low level wastes (MLLW) containing radionuclides, solvents, and/or heavy metals represent a serious current and future problem for DOE environmental management and cleanup. In order to provide low-cost treatment alternatives under mild conditions for such contained wastes, we have proposed to use the radiation-resistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans. This project has focused on developing D. radiodurans strains for dual purpose processes: cometabolic treatment of haloorganics and other solvents and removal of heavy metals from waste streams in an above-ground reactor system. The characteristics of effective treatment strains that must be attained are: (a) high biodegradative and metal binding activity; (b) stable treatment characteristics in the absence of selection and in the presence of physiological stress; (c) survival and activity under harsh chemical conditions, including radiation. The result of this project has been a suite of strains with high biodegradative capabilities that are candidates for pilot stage treatment systems. In addition, we have determined how to create conditions to precipitate heavy metals on the surface of the bacterium, as the first step towards creating dual-use treatment strains for contained mixed wastes of importance to the DOE. Finally, we have analyzed stress response in this bacterium, to create the foundation for …