"CONFIRMATORY SURVEY RESULTS FOR THE ABB COMBUSTION ENGINEERING SITE WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT DCN 5158-SR-02-2 (open access)

"CONFIRMATORY SURVEY RESULTS FOR THE ABB COMBUSTION ENGINEERING SITE WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT DCN 5158-SR-02-2

The objectives of the confirmatory activities were to provide independent contractor field data reviews and to generate independent radiological data for use by the NRC in evaluating the adequacy and accuracy of the contractor�s procedures and FSS results. ORAU reviewed ABB CE�s decommissioning plan, final status survey plan, and the applicable soil DCGLs, which were developed based on an NRC-approved radiation dose assessment. The surveys include gamma surface scans, gamma direct measurements, and soil sampling.
Date: March 25, 2013
Creator: ADAMS, WADE C
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Algal Supply System Design — Harmonized Version (open access)

Algal Supply System Design — Harmonized Version

The objective of this design report is to provide
Date: March 2013
Creator: Abodeely, Jared; Stevens, Daniel; Ray, Allison & Schaller, Kastli
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Practical Thermal Evaluation Methods For HAC Fire Analysis In Type B Radiaoactive Material (RAM) Packages (open access)

Practical Thermal Evaluation Methods For HAC Fire Analysis In Type B Radiaoactive Material (RAM) Packages

Title 10 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations Part 71 for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (10 CFR Part 71.73) requires that Type B radioactive material (RAM) packages satisfy certain Hypothetical Accident Conditions (HAC) thermal design requirements to ensure package safety during accidental fire conditions. Compliance with thermal design requirements can be met by prototype tests, analyses only or a combination of tests and analyses. Normally, it is impractical to meet all the HAC using tests only and the analytical methods are too complex due to the multi-physics non-linear nature of the fire event. Therefore, a combination of tests and thermal analyses methods using commercial heat transfer software are used to meet the necessary design requirements. The authors, along with his other colleagues at Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken, SC, USA, have successfully used this 'tests and analyses' approach in the design and certification of several United States' DOE/NNSA certified packages, e.g. 9975, 9977, 9978, 9979, H1700, and Bulk Tritium Shipping Package (BTSP). This paper will describe these methods and it is hoped that the RAM Type B package designers and analysts can use them for their applications.
Date: March 28, 2013
Creator: Abramczyk, Glenn; Hensel, Stephen J & Gupta, Narendra K.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Constraints on Dark Matter Models From a Fermi LAT Search for High-Energy Cosmic-Ray Electrons from the Sun (open access)

Constraints on Dark Matter Models From a Fermi LAT Search for High-Energy Cosmic-Ray Electrons from the Sun

None
Date: March 19, 2013
Creator: Ajello, M.; Atwood, W. B.; Baldini, L.; Barbiellini, G.; Bastieri, D.; Bellazzini, R. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Trade and Investment in the Middle East and North Africa: Overview and Issues for Congress (open access)

U.S. Trade and Investment in the Middle East and North Africa: Overview and Issues for Congress

This report provides background and analysis for policymakers considering re-evaluating U.S. trade and investment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in light of recent political developments. In particular, the report examines the economic challenges facing many countries in the region and the area's limited integration in the world economy, including relatively weak economic ties with the United States. It also analyzes various policy options for increasing trade and investment with MENA countries. The report concludes by discussing: 1) the premise of the policy agenda, specifically whether increased trade and investment can support or lead to successful democratic transitions and political stability; and 2) if such a policy agenda is pursued, possible implementation questions that policymakers in Congress and the Administration may face.
Date: March 4, 2013
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Bolle, Mary Jane & Nelson, Rebecca M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Status Report of the DPHEP Study Group: Towards a Global Effort for Sustainable Data Preservation in High Energy Physics (open access)

Status Report of the DPHEP Study Group: Towards a Global Effort for Sustainable Data Preservation in High Energy Physics

None
Date: March 27, 2013
Creator: Akopov, Zaven; Amerio, Silvia; Asner, David; Avetisyan, Eduard; Barring, Olof; Beacham, James et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Quality Parameters and Chemical Analysis for Biodiesel Produced in the United States in 2011 (open access)

Quality Parameters and Chemical Analysis for Biodiesel Produced in the United States in 2011

Samples of biodiesel (B100) from producers and terminals in 2011were tested for critical properties: free and total glycerin, flash point, cloud point, oxidation stability, cold soak filterability, and metals. Failure rates for cold soak filterability and oxidation stability were below 5%. One sample failed flash point due to excess methanol. One sample failed oxidation stability and metal content. Overall, 95% of the samples from this survey met biodiesel quality specification ASTM D6751. In 2007, a sampling of B100 from production facilities showed that nearly 90% met D6751. In samples meeting D6751, calcium was found above the method detection limit in nearly half the samples. Feedstock analysis revealed half the biodiesel was produced from soy and half was from mixed feedstocks. The saturated fatty acid methyl ester concentration of the B100 was compared to the saturated monoglyceride concentration as a percent of total monoglyceride. The real-world correlation of these properties was very good. The results of liquid chromatograph measurement of monoglycerides were compared to ASTM D6751. Agreement between the two methods was good, particularly for total monoglycerides and unsaturated monoglycerides. Because only very low levels of saturated monoglycerides measured, the two methods had more variability, but the correlation was still acceptable.
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Alleman, T. L.; Fouts, L. & Chupka, G.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect Of Oxidation On Chromium Leaching And Redox Capacity Of Slag-Containing Waste Forms (open access)

Effect Of Oxidation On Chromium Leaching And Redox Capacity Of Slag-Containing Waste Forms

The rate of oxidation is important to the long-term performance of reducing salt waste forms because the solubility of some contaminants, e.g., technetium, is a function of oxidation state. TcO{sub 4}{sup −} in the salt solution is reduced to Tc(IV) and has been shown to react with ingredients in the waste form to precipitate low solubility sulfide and/or oxide phases [Shuh, et al., 1994, Shuh, et al., 2000, Shuh, et al., 2003]. Upon exposure to oxygen, the compounds containing Tc(IV) oxidize to the pertechnetate ion, Tc(VII)O{sub 4}{sup −}, which is very soluble. Consequently the rate of technetium oxidation front advancement into a monolith and the technetium leaching profile as a function of depth from an exposed surface are important to waste form performance and ground water concentration predictions. An approach for measuring contaminant oxidation rate (effective contaminant specific oxidation rate) based on leaching of select contaminants of concern is described in this report. In addition, the relationship between reduction capacity and contaminant oxidation is addressed. Chromate was used as a non-radioactive surrogate for pertechnetate in simulated waste form samples. Depth discrete subsamples were cut from material exposed to Savannah River Site (SRS) ''field cured'' conditions. The subsamples were prepared and …
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Almond, P. M.; Stefanko, D. B. & Langton, C. A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
GAMMA DETECTOR RESPONSE/SOIL CONCENTRATION CORRELATION STUDY AT THE AAR MANUFACTURING, INC. SITE, LIVONIA, MICHIGAN (open access)

GAMMA DETECTOR RESPONSE/SOIL CONCENTRATION CORRELATION STUDY AT THE AAR MANUFACTURING, INC. SITE, LIVONIA, MICHIGAN

At the NRC�s request, ORAU conducted surveys of the AAR Manufacturing site during the period of September 25 through September 27, 2012. The survey activities included walkover surveys and sampling activities. Once the survey team was onsite, the NRC personnel decided to forgo survey activities in the �New Addition� and the pickling area. Areas of the planned study boundary were inaccessible due to overgrowth/large pieces of concrete covering the soil surface; therefore, the study boundary was redefined. Gamma walkover scans of the site boundary and �front yard� identified multiple areas of elevated gamma radiation. As a result, two judgmental samples were collected. Sample results were above thorium background levels The answer to the PSQ relating to the relationship between thorium concentration in soil and NaI instrument response is �Yes.� NaI instrument response can be used as a predictor of Th-232 concentration in the 0 to 1 m layer. An R2 value of 0.79 was determined for the surface soil relationship, thus satisfying the DQOs. Moreover, the regression was cross-checked by comparing the predicted Th-232 soil core concentration to the average Th-232 concentration (Section 5.3.2). Based on the cross-check, the regression equation provides a reasonable estimate for the Th-232 concentration at …
Date: March 22, 2013
Creator: Altic, Nick A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Impact of Camera Optical Alignments on Weak Lensing Measures for the Dark Energy Survey (open access)

The Impact of Camera Optical Alignments on Weak Lensing Measures for the Dark Energy Survey

None
Date: March 18, 2013
Creator: Antonik, Michelle L.; Bacon, David J.; Bridle, Sarah; Doel, Peter; Brooks, David; Worswick, Sue et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
The European Union: Questions and Answers (open access)

The European Union: Questions and Answers

This report serves as a primer on the EU and provides a brief description of U.S.-EU relations that may be of interest in the 113th Congress.
Date: March 4, 2013
Creator: Archick, Kristin
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho Geothermal Resource Assessment and Future Recommendations (open access)

Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho Geothermal Resource Assessment and Future Recommendations

The U.S. Air Force is facing a number of challenges as it moves into the future, one of the biggest being how to provide safe and secure energy to support base operations. A team of scientists and engineers met at Mountain Home Air Force Base in early 2011 near Boise, Idaho, to discuss the possibility of exploring for geothermal resources under the base. The team identified that there was a reasonable potential for geothermal resources based on data from an existing well. In addition, a regional gravity map helped identify several possible locations for drilling a new well. The team identified several possible sources of funding for this well—the most logical being to use U.S. Department of Energy funds to drill the upper half of the well and U.S. Air Force funds to drill the bottom half of the well. The well was designed as a slimhole well in accordance with State of Idaho Department of Water Resources rules and regulations. Drilling operations commenced at the Mountain Home site in July of 2011 and were completed in January of 2012. Temperatures increased gradually, especially below a depth of 2000 ft. Temperatures increased more rapidly below a depth of 5500 ft. …
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Armstrong, Joseph C.; Breckenridge, Robert P.; Nielson, Dennis L.; Shervais, John W. & Wood, Thomas R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from hydropower complexes on large rivers in Eastern Washington (open access)

Evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from hydropower complexes on large rivers in Eastern Washington

Water bodies, such as freshwater lakes, are known to be net emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4). In recent years, significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from tropical, boreal, and mid-latitude reservoirs have been reported. At a time when hydropower is increasing worldwide, better understanding of seasonal and regional variation in GHG emissions is needed in order to develop a predictive understanding of such fluxes within man-made impoundments. We examined power-producing dam complexes within xeric temperate locations in the northwestern United States. Sampling environments on the Snake (Lower Monumental Dam Complex) and Columbia Rivers (Priest Rapids Dam Complex) included tributary, mainstem, embayment, forebay, and tailrace areas during winter and summer 2012. At each sampling location, GHG measurement pathways included surface gas flux, degassing as water passed through dams during power generation, ebullition within littoral embayments, and direct sampling of hyporheic pore-water. Measurements were also carried out in a free-flowing reach of the Columbia River to estimate unaltered conditions. Surface flux resulted in very low emissions, with reservoirs acting as a sink for CO2 (up to –262 mg m-2 d-1, which is within the range previously reported for similarly located reservoirs). Surface flux of methane remained below 1 mg CH4 …
Date: March 15, 2013
Creator: Arntzen, Evan V.; Miller, Benjamin L.; O'Toole, Amanda C.; Niehus, Sara E. & Richmond, Marshall C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed CPS Energy Tri-County Substation, Comal and Guadalupe Counties, Texas (open access)

An Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed CPS Energy Tri-County Substation, Comal and Guadalupe Counties, Texas

An archaeological survey report of the proposed site of the CPS Energy Tri-County Substation in Comal and Guadalupe Counties, Texas to determine whether there were any cultural resources in the area.
Date: March 2013
Creator: Atkins North America, Inc.
Object Type: Report
System: The Portal to Texas History
Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay in $^{136}$Xe with EXO-200 (open access)

Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay in $^{136}$Xe with EXO-200

None
Date: March 26, 2013
Creator: Auger, M.; Auty, D. J.; Barbeau, P. S.; Beauchamp, E.; Belov, V.; Benitez-Medina, C. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Nuclear Science References Database (open access)

The Nuclear Science References Database

N/A
Date: March 4, 2013
Creator: B., Pritychenko
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Systematics of Evaluated Double-Beta Decay Half-Life Times (open access)

Systematics of Evaluated Double-Beta Decay Half-Life Times

N/A
Date: March 4, 2013
Creator: B., Pritychenko & Pritychenko,B.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Water Oxidation by a Direct [RuIV=O]2+ Pathway (open access)

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Water Oxidation by a Direct [RuIV=O]2+ Pathway

N/A
Date: March 3, 2013
Creator: Badiei, Y. M.; Polyansky, D. E.; Muckerman, J. T.; Szalda, D. J.; Haberdar, R.; Zong, R. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
The CUNY Energy Institute Electrical Energy Storage Development for Grid Applications (open access)

The CUNY Energy Institute Electrical Energy Storage Development for Grid Applications

1. Project Objectives The objectives of the project are to elucidate science issues intrinsic to high energy density electricity storage (battery) systems for smart-grid applications, research improvements in such systems to enable scale-up to grid-scale and demonstrate a large 200 kWh battery to facilitate transfer of the technology to industry. 2. Background Complex and difficult to control interfacial phenomena are intrinsic to high energy density electrical energy storage systems, since they are typically operated far from equilibrium. One example of such phenomena is the formation of dendrites. Such dendrites occur on battery electrodes as they cycle, and can lead to internal short circuits, reducing cycle life. An improved understanding of the formation of dendrites and their control can improve the cycle life and safety of many energy storage systems, including rechargeable lithium and zinc batteries. Another area where improved understanding is desirable is the application of ionic liquids as electrolytes in energy storage systems. An ionic liquid is typically thought of as a material that is fully ionized (consisting only of anions and cations) and is fluid at or near room temperature. Some features of ionic liquids include a generally high thermal stability (up to 450 °C), a high electrochemical …
Date: March 31, 2013
Creator: Banerjee, Sanjoy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Analysis of the Impacts of Distribution-Connected PV Using High-Speed Data Sets: Preprint (open access)

Analysis of the Impacts of Distribution-Connected PV Using High-Speed Data Sets: Preprint

This paper, presented at the IEEE Green Technologies Conference 2013, utilizes information from high resolution data acquisition systems developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and deployed on a high-penetration PV distribution system to analyze the variability of different electrical parameters. High-resolution solar irradiance data is also available in the same area which is used to characterize the available resource and how it affects the electrical characteristics of the study circuit. This paper takes a data-driven look at the variability caused by load and compares those results against times when significant PV production is present. Comparisons between the variability in system load and the variability of distributed PV generation are made.
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Bank, J. & Mather, B.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
NANOSTRUCTURED METAL OXIDE CATALYSTS VIA BUILDING BLOCK SYNTHESES (open access)

NANOSTRUCTURED METAL OXIDE CATALYSTS VIA BUILDING BLOCK SYNTHESES

A broadly applicable methodology has been developed to prepare new single site catalysts on silica supports. This methodology requires of three critical components: a rigid building block that will be the main structural and compositional component of the support matrix; a family of linking reagents that will be used to insert active metals into the matrix as well as cross link building blocks into a three dimensional matrix; and a clean coupling reaction that will connect building blocks and linking agents together in a controlled fashion. The final piece of conceptual strategy at the center of this methodology involves dosing the building block with known amounts of linking agents so that the targeted connectivity of a linking center to surrounding building blocks is obtained. Achieving targeted connectivities around catalytically active metals in these building block matrices is a critical element of the strategy by which single site catalysts are obtained. This methodology has been demonstrated with a model system involving only silicon and then with two metal-containing systems (titanium and vanadium). The effect that connectivity has on the reactivity of atomically dispersed titanium sites in silica building block matrices has been investigated in the selective oxidation of phenols to benezoquinones. …
Date: March 5, 2013
Creator: Barnes, Craig E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
New Measurement of the Charged Kaon Semileptonic $K^\pm \to \pi^ \pi^- E^\pm\nu$ ($K_E4$) Decay Branching Ratio and Hadronic Form Factors (open access)

New Measurement of the Charged Kaon Semileptonic $K^\pm \to \pi^ \pi^- E^\pm\nu$ ($K_E4$) Decay Branching Ratio and Hadronic Form Factors

None
Date: March 8, 2013
Creator: Batley, J. R.; Kalmus, G.; Lazzeroni, C.; Munday, D. J.; Slater, M. W.; Wotton, S. A. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
National Wind Distance Learning Collaborative (open access)

National Wind Distance Learning Collaborative

Executive Summary The energy development assumptions identified in the Department of Energy's position paper, 20% Wind Energy by 2030, projected an exploding demand for wind energy-related workforce development. These primary assumptions drove a secondary set of assumptions that early stage wind industry workforce development and training paradigms would need to undergo significant change if the workforce needs were to be met. The current training practice and culture within the wind industry is driven by a relatively small number of experts with deep field experience and knowledge. The current training methodology is dominated by face-to-face, classroom based, instructor present training. Given these assumptions and learning paradigms, the purpose of the National Wind Distance Learning Collaborative was to determine the feasibility of developing online learning strategies and products focused on training wind technicians. The initial project scope centered on (1) identifying resources that would be needed for development of subject matter and course design/delivery strategies for industry-based (non-academic) training, and (2) development of an appropriate Learning Management System (LMS). As the project unfolded, the initial scope was expanded to include development of learning products and the addition of an academic-based training partner. The core partners included two training entities, industry-based Airstreams Renewables …
Date: March 29, 2013
Creator: Beddow, Dr. James B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Peace Talks in Colombia (open access)

Peace Talks in Colombia

This report provides background on Colombia's armed conflict and describes its key players. It briefly analyzes prior negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the lessons learned from those efforts that apply to the current talks. It examines what has transpired in the talks that have now lasted for more than a year and a half, considers some of the constraints that could limit the success of the peace talks, and looks at the prospects for the current negotiations.
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Beittel, June S.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library