The goal of this research is to engineer enzymes to be efficient and economically attractive catalysts for the chemical industry. The author is attempted to demonstrate generally-applicable approaches to enzyme improvement as well as develop specific catalysts for potential industrial application. The paper describes the progress in two projects: (a) Random mutagenesis of pNB esterase: Improved activity and stability; and (2) Subtilisin mutants exhibiting improved ligase activity in organic solvents.

This report contains tables of the analytical results from grab samples from tank 241-AY-101. Activity levels of radionuclides are tabulated. This tanks has not been watch listed.

Two auger samples from tank 241-C-204 (C-204) were submitted to the 222-S Laboratories for safety screening analyses, consisting of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and total alpha activity. Sampling and analysis requirements are presented in the Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) (which was adapted with minimal changes from the original Tank Characterization Plan. The Tank Characterization Plan was subsequently revised, and the sampling and analytical requirements were inadvertently deleted). The DSC results for all samples from the tank exceeded the action limit of 481 J/g. Secondary analyses [total organic carbon (TOC) and adiabatic calorimetry], as negotiated with the safety program, were performed. The TOC results also exceeded the action limit of 3 weight percent. However, the moisture content of the samples is between 50 and 60%, and the results of adiabatic calorimetry testing indicated that the sample material would not support a propagating exothermic reaction. Primary and secondary analytical results were reported previously. The 90-day report indicated that additional heat capacity and DSC tests would be performed to further interpret the adiabatic calorimetry results. However, the laboratory has not been able to successfully perform heat capacity tests at this time. Therefore, this report is being issued without these …

This document outlines the hazard classification methodology used to determine the hazard classification of the NIF LTAB, OAB, and the support facilities on the basis of radionuclides and chemicals. The hazard classification determines the safety analysis requirements for a facility.

The Equipment Qualification Test described in this test procedure document is the acceptance test procedure (ATP) for the LDUA Baseline System. It verifies that the equipment is complete and in working order, and demonstrates its readiness for being deployed into an actual underground storage tank.

The authors present direct measurements of the Z{sup 0}-lepton coupling asymmetries, A{sub e}, A{sub {mu}}, and A{sub {tau}}. It is based on a data sample selected from 170 k Z{sup 0} decays collected by the SLD detector. The Z`s are produced by collisions of polarized e{sup {minus}} with unpolarized e{sup +} bunches at SLC. The couplings are extracted from the measurement of the left-right forward-backward asymmetry for each lepton species. The preliminary results (using information from all leptonic data for A{sub e}) are: A{sub e} = 0.148 {+-} 0.016, A{sub {mu}} = 0.102 {+-} 0.033 and A{sub {tau}} = 0.190 {+-} 0.034.

Using a diamond-anvil cell (DAC) phase transformation and room temperature Equation of State (EOS) for some actinides and lanthanides were studied to multimegabar (megabar = 100 GPa) pressures. Experimental data are compared with the theoretically predicted crystal structural changes and the pressure-volume relationships. There is a general agreement between theory and experiment for the structural changes in the lighter actinides, however in detail there are some discrepancies still. A generalized trend for the phase transformations in the lanthanides can be seen, which again has broad agreement with theory. We conclude that an accurate and robust theoretical base for predicting the phase transformations in the f-electron metals can be developed by incorporating the DAC data.

This document summarizes the information on the historical uses, present status, and the sampling and analysis results of waste stored in Tank 241-B-204. This report supports the requirements of Tri-Party Agreement Milestone M-44-09.

Ground-penetrating radar was used at three locations in an attempt to locate and determine the depth of the 216-U-1/2 pipeline. Many anomalies were found, all very useful to the project, but only some of which were identified with the pipeline.

The major activities of the period were production operations of the demonstration circuit at Drummond`s Chetopa Preparation Plant near Graysville, Alabama. As the shakedown runs had shown, excellent quality Mulled Coal could be produced, and a total of 870 tonnes (966 tons) was produced. Quality was consistently better than the acceptable level. Immediately following the completion of the production demonstration, removal of equipment and decommissioning of the demonstration facility was undertaken and completed.

The Mulled Coal process was developed as a means of overcoming the adverse handling characteristics of wet fine coal without thermal drying. The process involves the addition of a low cost harmless reagent to wet fine coal using off-the-shelf mixing equipment. Based on laboratory- and bench-scale testing, Mulled Coal can be stored, shipped, and burned without causing any of the plugging, pasting, carryback and freezing problems normally associated with wet coal. The objectives of this project are to demonstrate that: The Mulled Coal process, which has been proven to work on a wide range of wet fine coals at bench scale, will work equally well in a commercial coal preparation plant. The wet product from a fine coal cleaning circuit can be converted to a solid fuel form for ease of handling and cost savings in storage and rail car transportation. A wet fine coal product thus converted to a solid fuel form can be stored, shipped, and burned with conventional fuel handling, transportation, and combustion systems. The Mulled Coal circuit was installed in an empty bay at the Chetopa Preparation Plant. Equipment has been installed to divert a 2.7 tonnes/hr (3 tons/hr) slipstream of the froth concentrate to a …

This Subsystem Design Requirement (SSDR) document establishes the performance, design, and verification requirements `for the conventional building systems and subsystems of the Optics Assembly Building (OAB). These building system requirements are associated with housing and supporting the operational flow of personnel and materials throughout the OAB for preparing and repairing optical and mechanical components used in the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Laser and Target Building (LTAB). This SSDR addresses the following subsystems associated with the OAB: * Structural systems for the building spaces and operational-support equipment and building- support equipment. * Architectural building features associated with housing the space, operational cleanliness, and functional operation of the facility. * Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for maintaining a clean and thermally stable ambient environment within the facility. * Plumbing systems that provide potable water and sanitary facilities for the occupants and stormwater drainage for transporting rainwater. * Fire Protection systems that guard against fire damage to the facility and its contents. * Material handling equipment for transferring optical assemblies and other materials within building areas and to the LTAB. * Mechanical process piping systems for liquids and gases that provide cooling, cleaning, and other service to optical and mechanical components. …

This document summarizes the information on the historical uses, present status, and the sampling and analysis results of waste store in Tank 241-AN-106. This report supports the requirements of Tri- Party Agreement Milestone M-44-09.

As a result of the end of the Cold War, the Department of Energy (Department) has downsized many of its facilities. This may have a negative impact on many communities that were heavily dependent on Departmental operations for economic stability. To lessen the negative effects on these communities, the Department has encouraged the formation of community reuse organizations that are responsible for acting on behalf of the community to determine and sponsor initiatives to offset the consequences of the Department`s downsizing. One such initiative has been the award of economic development grants and cooperative agreements. The objective of the audit was to determine whether economic development grants and a cooperative agreement with East Tennessee not-for-profit organizations were achieving the Department`s intended purposes.

Automatic control of fine coal cleaning circuits has traditionally been limited by the lack of sensors for on-line ash analysis. Although several nuclear-based analyzers are available, none have seen widespread acceptance. This is largely due to the fact that nuclear sensors are expensive and tend to be influenced by changes in seam type and pyrite content. Recently, researchers at VPI&SU have developed an optical sensor for phosphate analysis. The sensor uses image processing technology to analyze video images of phosphate ore. It is currently being used by PCS Phosphate for off-fine analysis of dry flotation concentrate. The primary advantages of optical sensors over nuclear sensors are that they are significantly cheaper, are not subject to measurement variations due to changes in high atomic number minerals, are inherently safer and require no special radiation permitting. The purpose of this work is to apply the knowledge gained in the development of an optical phosphate analyzer to the development of an on-fine ash analyzer for fine coal slurries. During the past quarter, installation of the video-based ash analyzer at the Middle Fork plant site was completed. A method of measuring and automatically adjusting for small variations in the sensor illumination scheme was developed …

This notice of construction (NOC) requests a categorical approval for construction and operation of three types of portable/temporary radionuclide airborne emission units (PTRAEUs). These three types are portable ventilation-filter systems (Type 1), mobile sample preparation facilities (Type II), and mobile sample screening and analysis facilities (Type III). Approval of the NOC application is intended to allow construction and operation of the three types of PTRAEUs without prior project-specific approval. Environmental cleanup efforts on the Hanford Site often require the use of PTRAEUS. The PTRAEUs support site characterization activities, expedited response actions (ERAs), sampling and monitoring activities, and other routine activities. The PTRAEUs operate at various locations around the Hanford Site.

This report summarizes the Savanna River Site (SRS) Groundwater Monitoring Program conducted by EPD/EMS during the first quarter 1996. It includes the analytical data, field data, data review, quality control, and other documentation for this program. It also provides a record of the program`s activities and serves as an official record of the analytical results.

Nonthermal plasma (NTP) technology is a promising candidate for the treatment of air pollutants. An NTP is different from a thermal plasma in that high energy electrons are used to create chemically active species without raising the gas to high temperatures. NTPs have the potential of simultaneous removal of multiple air pollutants with better control over treatment byproducts. A silent discharge plasma (SDP) configuration is one method of easily generating such a nonthermal plasma. Silent electrical discharge plasma (dielectric barrier) reactors can decompose gas-phase pollutants by free-radical attack or electron-induced fragmentation. The radicals or electrons are produced by the large average volume nonthermal plasmas generated in the reactor. In the past decade, the barrier configuration has attracted attention for destroying toxic chemical agents for the military, removing harmful greenhouse gases (oxides of sulfur and nitrogen - SO{sub x} and NO{sub x}), and treating other environmentally-hazardous chemical compounds (hydrocarbons, chlorocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons). At the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the authors have been studying the silent discharge plasma for processing gaseous-based hazardous chemicals for approximately five years. The key objective is to convert hazardous or toxic chemicals into non-hazardous compounds or into materials which are more easily managed. The main applications …

Surface irregularities cause the EMI moisture measurement to infer too low of a free water content in the HLW tank.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

A training and qualification program for nuclear criticality safety technical staff personnel has been developed and implemented. The program is compliant with requirements and provides evidence that a systematic approach has been taken to indoctrinate new technical staff. Development involved task analysis to determine activities where training was necessary and the standard which must be attained to qualify. Structured mentoring is used where experienced personnel interact with candidates using checksheets to guide candidates through various steps and to provide evidence that steps have been accomplished. Credit can be taken for the previous experience of personnel by means of evaluation boards which can credit or modify checksheet steps. Considering just the wealth of business practice and site specific information a new person at a facility needs to assimilate, the program has been effective in indoctrinating new technical staff personnel and integrating them into a productive role. The program includes continuing training.

Methods for limiting the size of hadronic spin-flip in the Coulomb- Nuclear Interference. region are critically assessed. This work was presented at the High Energy Polarimetry Workshop in Amsterdam, Sept. 9, 1996 and the RHIC Spin Collaboration meeting in Marseille, Sept. 17, 1996.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has expressed a need for an on-line, real-time instrument for assaying alpha-emitting radionuclides (uranium and the transuranics) in effluent waters leaving DOE sites to ensure compliance with regulatory limits. Due to the short range of alpha particles in water ({approximately}40 Tm), it is necessary now to intermittently collect samples of water and send them to a central laboratory for analysis. A lengthy and costly procedure is used to separate and measure the radionuclides from each sample. Large variations in radionuclide concentrations in the water may go undetected due to the sporadic sampling. Even when detected, the reading may not be representative of the actual stream concentration. To address these issues, Tecogen, a division of Thermo Power Corporation, a Thermo Electron company, is developing a real-time, field-deployable, alpha monitor based on a solid-state silicon wafer semiconductor (patent pending, to be assigned to the Department of Energy). The Thermo Alpha Monitor (TAM) will serve to monitor effluent water streams (Subsurface Contaminants Focus Area) and will be suitable for process control of remediation as well as decontamination and decommissioning operations, such as monitoring scrubber or rinse water radioactivity levels (Mixed Waste Focus Area and D&D Focus Area). It …

We explore the capability of a 500 or 1000 GeV e{sup +} e{sup {minus}} linear collider to measure anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings. In the framework of a non-linear effective Lagrangian with a custodial SU(2) symmetry, there are only two next-to-leading order operators which contribute to quartic, but not to two- and three-gauge boson interactions. The limits on the coefficients of these operators from present and future e{sup +} e{sup {minus}} colliders are compared with those available from other sources.