During the main thrust of the HCDA studies, it was found that sodium uranates, especially Na/sub 3/UO/sub 4/, were formed when the Na-U-O system was subjected to high temperatures approximating those of the HCDA. Mechanisms through which these rather complicated compounds are formed remain unknown. The purpose of these SIMS and ESCA studies was to detect the formation of any precursor ion species to the sodium uranates. The ESCA results agree with theory and support the presence of U/sub 2/O/sub 7/ /sup 2 -/ in Na/sub 2/U/sub 2/O/sub 7/; however, SIMS analyses show no evidence of possible uranate precursor formation in an Ar/sup +/ sputtered ion beam.

The Geothermal Development Program at Lawrence Livermore Lboratory has produced several novel expanders for liquids of low to medium temperatures (approx. 180/sup 0/C). A unique radial outflow reaction turbine (RORT) has been developed and laboratory-tested; results indicate that 50% engine efficiency is achievable. This work has led to a new concept called the velocity pump reaction turbine (VPRT), which could significantly increase the gross engine efficiency of the RORT, VPRT and its modifications are a unique family of turbines created specifically for expanding liquids to produce shaft work at potential engine efficiencies of up to 70%. Such devices, if used between the two separation stages of a double-flash system, could increase the overall power output by 15 to 20%, reducing power costs by at least 10% for about a 3% increase in capital costs. Geothermal applications are discussed with emphasis on geopressured resources. Also, these machines are suitable for utilizing solar heated fluids and waste heat sources from industrial processes.

Double shell targets may have decisive advantages over single shells for achieving a number of goals in the laser fusion program. With 0.2 ..mu.. light, such designs achieve 500 to 1000 times liquid density at 2 kJ absorbed; 10 percent or more of breakeven at 15 kJ absorbed, and gains of 10 or more at 200 kJ absorbed. These targets are relatively insensitive to preheat, laser pulse shape, and hydrodynamic instability. A double shell in which the outer pusher is fuel may achieve a gain of 1000 for lasers in the 1 to 10 megajoule size. Ultra thin targets have only about a factor of two reduction in power shells with aspect ratios of 2 to 4 while requiring about the same input energy and achieving about the same gain. Their extreme sensitivity to preheat, symmetry, and hydrodynamic instability makes them unattractive for targets in advanced lasers systems.

The characteristics of Mirror Fusion Reactors, i.e., steady state operation, a low neutral gas density and a large gas throughput require unique vacuum pumping capabilities. One approach that appears to meet these requirements is a liquid helium cooled cryopump system in which a fixed portion can be isolated and degassed while the remainder continues to pump. The time to degas a rotating, fixed portion of the pumping area and the ratio of that area to the total area fixes the gas inventory in the chamber. It follows that the active pump area maintains the required neutral gas density and the time averaged degassing rate equals the gas throughput. We have built such a cryopump whereby the gas condensed (deuterium) on the liquid helium cooled panel can be transferred to a collector pump and subsequently to an exterior mechanical pump and exhausted. At panel loadings as high as .55 torr-litres/cm/sup 2/ the gas leakage during degassing is less than 8% and the degassing time is less than 10 minutes. Scaling to reactor size appears to be feasible.

The neutron-induced fission cross section for /sup 242m/Am(152y) was measured at the Livermore 100-MeV electron linac in the neutron energy range of 0.01 eV to 20 MeV. Fission fragments were detected using a hemispherical fission chamber. The neutron flux was measured below 10 keV using lithium glass scintillators. Above 10 keV, the /sup 242m/Am fission cross section was measured relative to the /sup 235/U fission cross section. Below 20 eV, the data were fit with a sum of single-level Breit-Wigner resonances. Results for the distribution of fission widths, the average fission width, and the average level spacing are presented. The fission cross section in the 100 MeV range is compared with previous measurements. 11 references.

The purpose of this project is to analyze the adsorption and desorption of steam in geothermal reservoirs, considering the effects of dissolved salts and of noncondensible gases. This report details activities during the gases. This report details activities during the reporting period of July through September 1993.

This report evaluates nuclear criticality safety for the High-Enriched Uranium storage area of the X-345 building of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The effects of loss of moderation or mass control are examined for storage units in or out of the storage receptacles. Recommendations are made for decreasing criticality hazards under some conditions of storage or handling considered to be hazardous.

The Glass Material Oxidation and Dissolution System (GMODS) is a recently invented process for the direct, single-step conversion of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) to high-level waste (HLW) glass. GMODS converts metals, ceramics, organics, and amorphous solids to glass in a single step. Conventional vitrification technology can not accept feeds containing metals or carbon. The GMODS has the potential to solve several issues associated with the disposal of various US Department of Energy (DOE) miscellaneous SNFs: (1) chemical forms unacceptable for repository disposal; (2) high cost of qualifying small quantities of particular SNFs for disposal; (3) limitations imposed by high-enriched SNF in a repository because of criticality and safeguards issues; and (4) classified design information. Conversion of such SNFs to glass eliminates these concerns. A description of the GMODS, {open_quotes}strawman{close_quotes} product criteria, experimental work to date, and product characteristics are included herein.

The cable is the heart of superconducting accelerator magnets. Since the initial development of the Rutherford cable, more than twenty years ago, many improvements in manufacturing techniques have increased the current carrying capacity. An experimental cabling machine was designed and constructed at LBL in 1984.

These proceedings are the result of our collective effort to meet that challenge. They reflect the dedication and commitment of many people in government, academia, the private sector and national laboratories to finding practical solutions to one of the most pressing problems of our time -- how to deal effectively with the growing waste s that is the product of our affluent industrial society. The Conference was successful in providing a clear picture of the scope of the problem and of the great potential that recycling holds for enhancing economic development while at the same time, having a significant positive impact on the waste management problem. That success was due in large measure to the enthusiastic response of our panelists to our invitation to participate and share their expertise with us.

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On July 27, 1954, 965 grams of plutonium alloy contained in three standard quart size ice cream cartons were being removed from the process line by two process operators using the plastic bag technique. Shortly after the plastic bag scaler had been energized a brown spot appeared on the plastic bag. The glowing turnings burned through the containers and plastic bag and continued to burn until completely oxidized. Personnel contamination was minor and readily removed. The contamination was confined to the room of the incident and was deposited in gross amounts in the area surrounding Task IV and V. This report includes a description of the incident and subsequent decontamination activities and a summary of plutonium recovery. Facts unknown about the incident and the reasons for these facts not being known are discussed. Plans for the future for reducing the possibility of recurrence of a similar incident are formulated.

The purpose of this test is to verify the Westinghouse configuration of the MICON A/S Distributed Control System for project B610. The following will be verified: proper assignment and operation of all field inputs to and outputs from the MICON Termination panels; proper operation of all display data on the operator`s console; proper operation of all required alarms; and proper operation of all required interlocks. The MICON A/S control system is configured to replace all the control, indication, and alarm panels now located in the Power Control Room. Nine systems are covered by this control configuration, 2736-ZB HVAC, 234-5Z HVAC, Process Vacuum, Dry Air, 291-Z Closed Loop Cooling, Building Accelerometer, Evacuation Siren, Stack CAMs, and Fire. The 2736-ZB HVAC system consists of the ventilation controls for 2736-ZB and 2736-Z as well as alarms for the emergency generators and 232-Z. The 234-5Z HVAC system is the ventilation controls for 235-5Z and 236-Z buildings. Process Vacuum covers the controls for the 26 inch vacuum system. Dry Air covers the controls for the steam and electric air dryers. The 291-Z Closed Loop Cooling system consists of the status indications and alarms for the 291-Z compressor and vacuum pump closed loop cooling system. The …

This report addresses the critical mass studies, part X.

Plutonium Finish Plant (PFP) Engineering requested a criticality safety evaluation (Appendix 1) to support a revision of Criticality Prevention Specification CPS-Z-165-80601 allowing a plexiglass enclosure (PGE) to be placed inside the HC-227T hood as a contamination barrier. The HC-227T hood is the receiving/transfer enclosure for Pu nitrate solution contained in Product Removal containers (PR Cans), L10 Containers (L10, Fl-10, 10 L) or L-3 Containers. Within the HC-227T, a 1.349 square meter (15 square foot) enclosure, PGE, has been created to provide contamination control around the weighing scale. Two or more standard criticality drains shall be installed on this enclosure prior to beneficial usage. The evaluation considered the normal process, spillage scenarios, waste/container accumulations within the enclosure, and interactions of Pu within the enclosure as well as other containers external to the enclosure. The results from the criticality safety analysis by CRA shows that such as contamination barrier can be placed inside the HC-227T Hood if the PGE is equipped with adequate criticality drains. In addition, other limits as well as administrative controls listed in CPS-Z-165-80601 Rev./Mod. B/0 and CPS-Z-165-80010 Rev./Mod. C/1 shall also apply.

In the last five years, there have been three periods at the 105KE fuel storage basin (KE Basin) where the reported drawdown test rates were in excess of 25 gph. Drawdown rates in excess of this amount have been used during past operations as the primary indicators of leaks in the basin. The latest leak occurred in March, 1993. The reported water loss from the KE Basin was estimated at 25 gph. This engineering study was performed to identify and recommend the most feasible and practical method of transferring canisters of irradiated fuel and basin sludge from the KE Basin to the 105KW fuel storage basin (KW Basin). Six alternatives were identified during the performance of this study as possible methods for transferring the fuel and sludge from the KE Basin to the KW Basin. These methods were then assessed with regard to operations, safety, radiation exposure, packaging, environmental concerns, waste management, cost, and schedule; and the most feasible and practical methods of transfer were identified. The methods examined in detail in this study were based on shipment without cooling water except where noted: Transfer by rail using the previously used transfer system and water cooling; Transfer by rail using …

This document contains a revised and updated monitoring plan for RCRA interim status groundwater assessment, site hydrogeology, and a conceptual model of the RCRA treatment, storage, and disposal unit. Monitoring under interim status is expected to continue until the 216-U-12 crib is incorporated as a chapter into the Hanford Facility RCRA Permit or administratively closed as proposed to EPA and Ecology.

The ATLAS Electromagnetic (EM) calorimeter (EMCAL) Front End Board (FEB) will be located in custom-designed enclosures solidly connected to the feedtroughs. It is a complex mixed signal board which includes the preamplifier, shaper, switched capacitor array analog memory unit (SCA), analog to digital conversion, serialization of the data and related control logic. It will be described in detail elsewhere in these proceedings. The electromagnetic interference (either pick-up from the on board digital activity, from power supply ripple or from external sources) which affects coherently large groups of channels (coherent noise) is of particular concern in calorimetry and it has been studied in detail.

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It is well established that damage introduced at the surface of beryllium during machining operations can lower its mechanical properties. Tensile tests were conducted to illustrate this on beryllium presently being used for parts in the W79 program and similar to the new powder-processed beryllium specified for production (tentative specification MEL 76-001319). The objective of this study is to quantitatively illuminate the importance of controlling machining damage in this particular grade of powder-processed beryllium.

This report deals with gold-5 percent copper, which exhibited serious instability even in its higher strength states. The uniaxial specimens in this investigation make such instabilities appear even worse. The major effect of higher strain rates and lower forming temperatures was to extend the homogeneous deformation range, which generally allowed higher attainable strengths. Biaxial testing could suppress the low-strength instabilities but probably not the higher-strength instabilities. However, it was possible to produce a 110-ksi, 7 percent-elongation material by cryoforming at a relatively low deformation (23 to 32 percent). The literature indicates a minimum 50 percent deformation for this material is usual, which would produce a 150- to 200-ksi strength. If the instabilities can be suppressed, then room temperature (RT) working might be as effective as cryoforming. Cryogenic (or RT) spinning/forming could then produce an exceptionally strong structural material. For more material on cryoforming, see UCID-17265.)

The objective of this study is to develop technology that permits the practical and economic preparation, storage, handling, and transportation of coal pellets, which can be formulated into Coal-Water Fuels (CWFs) suitable for firing in small- and medium-size commercial and industrial boilers, furnaces, and engines.

Fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) depends on creating inks or pastes of catalyst and binder, and applying this suspension to either the membrane (catalyst coated membrane) or gas diffusion media (gas diffusion electrode) and respectively laminating either gas diffusion media or gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) to the membrane. One barrier to cost effective fabrication for either of these approaches is the development of stable and consistent suspensions. This program investigated the fundamental forces that destabilize the suspensions and developed innovative approaches to create new, highly stable formulations. These more concentrated formulations needed fewer application passes, could be coated over longer and wider substrates, and resulted in significantly lower coating defects. In March of 2012 BASF Fuel Cell released a new high temperature product based on these advances, whereby our customers received higher performing, more uniform MEAs resulting in higher stack build yields. Furthermore, these new materials resulted in an “instant” increase in capacity due to higher product yields and material throughput. Although not part of the original scope of this program, these new formulations have also led us to materials that demonstrate equivalent performance with 30% less precious metal in the anode. This program has achieved two key milestones …