Synergistic capture mechanisms for alkali and sulfur species from combustion (open access)

Synergistic capture mechanisms for alkali and sulfur species from combustion

This report presents work done on a laboratory combustor in an attempt to identify mechanisms that govern the simultaneous capture of alkali and sulfur species using sorbent injection techniques. The mechanisms of capture fall into two broad categories i.e. Physical transport of alkali species (in vapor or condensed phase) to the sorbent surface and surface reaction between the alkali species and the sorbents. Water solubility, though not specific, has been used to get an indication of relative significance of these two broad mechanisms. It is assumed that the physically adsorbed alkali species on sorbents are predominantly water soluble while the chemically reacted alkali content is predominantly water insoluble. In order to infer possible dominant mechanisms, specific parameters has been varied during experimentation. Such parameters include, speciation, particle time-temperature history, and furnace burning conditions.
Date: April 23, 1992
Creator: Peterson, T.W.; Shadman, F.; Wendt, J.O.L. & Mwabe, P.O.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Axicell design for the end plugs of MFTF-B (open access)

Axicell design for the end plugs of MFTF-B

Certain changes in the end-plug design in the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF-B) are described. The Laboratory (LLNL) proposes to implement these changes as soon as possible in order to construct the machine in an axicell configuration. The present physics and technology goals as well as the project cost and schedule will not be affected by these changes.
Date: April 23, 1982
Creator: Thomassen, K.I. & Karpenko, V.N.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A STUDY OF THE SHIELD OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS TRIGA MARK II RESEARCH REACTOR (open access)

A STUDY OF THE SHIELD OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS TRIGA MARK II RESEARCH REACTOR

Detailed measurements were made of the fast-neutron and gamma dose rates and the thermal-neutron fluxes existing at the surfaces of the biological shield of the University of Illinois TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor. Dose rates and fluxes were found to be extremely low. A comparison was made by means of threshold foil techniques between the fast-neutron flux in a beam hole of the reactor during steady-state operation at 1 kw and during a nominal 250 Mw, 30 msec pulse produced by rapid insertion of approximates two dollars of excess reactivity. The flux over the duration of the pulse was approximately four times that for steady-state operation for 1 hr at 1 kw. Fast-neutron dose rates and thermal-neutron fluxes were measured at each of the four beam ports of the reactor at operating powers of 0, 1, and 5 watts. Some gamma dose rate data was also obtained at 0 and 1 watt. The threshold foil technique used is described. (auth)
Date: April 23, 1962
Creator: Blosser, T.V.; Freestone, R.M. Jr. & Miller, J.M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Study on reduction of accessory-horsepower requirements. Third quarterly progress report (open access)

Study on reduction of accessory-horsepower requirements. Third quarterly progress report

The objective of this study program is to minimize automotive accessory horsepower consumption, and thereby maximize overall vehicle fuel economy, by utilizing continuously variable speed drives or auxiliary power units (APUs) in a standard passenger automobile. As an aid to definitizing accessory performance, load requirements and fuel economy, a baseline vehicle has beeen established. This vehicle is a conventional intermediate size 5- or 6-passenger automobile with a 4.1 to 5.7 liter (250 to 350 cubic inch) displacement, spark ignition engine. Accessories to be considered are the alternator, power steering system, power brakes, air conditioner, cooling fan, water pump and emission control air pump. A program summary of major accomplishments is presented including: accessory drive devices analyses; vehicle computer model fuel economy analyses; improved accessory efficiency analysis; resized engine fuel economy analysis; accessory evaluation matrix completed; drive-systems trade-study completed and the prime concept presented; and variable-speed belt-drive concepts reviewed.
Date: April 23, 1975
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Buildup studies for MFTF-B (open access)

Buildup studies for MFTF-B

A one-dimensional radial transport code which was developed to study radial transport in tandem mirror machines has been used to perform buildup studies for the central-cell plasma of the proposed MFTF-B experiment. The effects of the cold, unpumped, neutral gas (which accompanies the hot, neutral-beam injection in the central cell) upon the central-cell plasma have been studied for the low-epsilon (epsilon Identical with (..cap omega../sub pi//..cap omega../sub ci/)2) mode and for the two-component mode. A mode here is defined as a particular set of parameters (density, temperature, etc.) under which the experiment will be performed. A very preliminary study of the effects of plateau resonant transport upon the equilibrium plasma obtained for the low-epsilon mode of operation has also been performed.
Date: April 23, 1980
Creator: Gilmore, J. M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Heat transfer in inertial confinement fusion reactor systems (open access)

Heat transfer in inertial confinement fusion reactor systems

The short time and deposition distance for the energy from inertial fusion products results in local peak power densities on the order of 10/sup 18/ watts/m/sup 3/. This paper presents an overview of the various inertial fusion reactor designs which attempt to reduce these peak power intensities and describes the heat transfer considerations for each design.
Date: April 23, 1980
Creator: Hovingh, J.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Torsional rigidity of central calorimeter module. [Using ANSYS computer code] (open access)

Torsional rigidity of central calorimeter module. [Using ANSYS computer code]

The torsional rigidity of the central calorimeter module is obtained using ANSYS.
Date: April 23, 1982
Creator: Leininger, M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect of Explosive Impacting on Uranium (open access)

Effect of Explosive Impacting on Uranium

Abstract: The tensile and yield strengths of both cast and wrought uranium discs were substantially increased by explosively impacting them at room temperature and at 375 deg F. However, the room-temperature impacting caused gross damage in the cast material and slight internal damage in the wrought material at the highest impacting pressures. Impacting at 375 deg F, which is just above the brittle-ductile transition temperature for uranium, was the most effective method for increasing the strengths with no damage to either the cast or wrought material. This impacted material retained some of its increased strength after a low temperature (425 deg C) vacuum anneal that greatly increased the elongation. A salt anneal caused a partial recrystallization in the impacted cast uranium. (auth).
Date: April 23, 1964
Creator: Burditt, R. B.; Carey, W. T. & Coughlen, C. P.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Coins and Currency: How the Costs and Earnings Associated with Producing Coins and Currency Are Budgeted and Accounted For (open access)

Coins and Currency: How the Costs and Earnings Associated with Producing Coins and Currency Are Budgeted and Accounted For

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The government produces billions of coins and currency notes each year. Coins are made by the U.S. Mint and issued by the Treasury Department. Currency notes are made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and issued by the Federal Reserve System (Fed). The Fed buys coins from the Mint at face value but pays the Bureau only the costs of printing currency. Coins on the books of the Fed are assets that are issued by the Mint, and notes are liabilities of the Federal Reserve Banks. In recent years congressional hearings have highlighted the confusion over differences in the budgetary and accounting treatment of coins and currency. In addition, the Treasury Inspector General and others have reported problems with Mint and Bureau operations. GAO was asked to review (1) how the costs and earnings from coins and currency are budgeted and accounted for and (2) whether any operational problems at the Mint and Bureau need further action."
Date: April 23, 2004
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
School Meal Programs: Competitive Foods Are Available in Many Schools; Actions Taken to Restrict Them Differ by State and Locality (open access)

School Meal Programs: Competitive Foods Are Available in Many Schools; Actions Taken to Restrict Them Differ by State and Locality

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The nation faces a complex challenge in addressing recent trends in children's health and eating habits. To address these trends, in 2001, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a call to action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity among all Americans, especially children. In this statement, schools were identified as one of the key settings for public health strategies to address these issues. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs provide millions of children with nutritious meals each school day. The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers these programs at the federal level, and FNS subsidizes the meals served through these programs in local schools as long as the meals meet certain nutritional guidelines. In the last decade, these nutritional guidelines were amended to require schools to serve meals that adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which limit total and saturated fat and provide specific minimum levels of vitamins and nutrients. Despite these efforts to improve the nutritional quality of meals offered through the school meal programs, other foods not provided through these programs are often available to …
Date: April 23, 2004
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Recovery Act: As Initial Implementation Unfolds in States and Localities, Continued Attention to Accountability Issues Is Essential (open access)

Recovery Act: As Initial Implementation Unfolds in States and Localities, Continued Attention to Accountability Issues Is Essential

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) is estimated to cost about $787 billion over the next several years, of which about $280 billion will be administered through states and localities. The Recovery Act requires GAO to do bimonthly reviews of the use of funds by selected states and localities. In this first report, GAO describes selected states' and localities' (1) uses of and planning of Recovery Act funds, (2) accountability approaches, and (3) plans to evaluate the impact of funds received. GAO's work is focused on 16 states and the District of Columbia--representing about 65 percent of the U.S. population and two-thirds of the intergovernmental federal assistance available through the Recovery Act. GAO collected documents from and interviewed state and local officials, including Governors, "Recovery Czars," State Auditors, Controllers, and Treasurers. GAO also reviewed guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other federal agencies."
Date: April 23, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Food Safety: FDA Has Begun to Take Action to Address Weaknesses in Food Safety Research, but Gaps Remain (open access)

Food Safety: FDA Has Begun to Take Action to Address Weaknesses in Food Safety Research, but Gaps Remain

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The United States faces challenges to ensuring food safety. First, imported food makes up a substantial and growing portion of the U.S. food supply, with 60 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables and 80 percent of seafood coming from across our borders. In recent years, there has been an increase in reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with both domestic and imported produce. Second, we are increasingly eating foods that are consumed raw and that have often been associated with foodborne illness outbreaks, including leafy greens such as spinach. Finally, shifting demographics means that more of the U.S. population is, and increasingly will be, susceptible to foodborne illnesses. The risk of severe and life-threatening conditions caused by foodborne illnesses is higher for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and immune-compromised individuals. In January 2007 GAO designated federal oversight of food safety as a high-risk area needing urgent attention and transformation because of the federal government's fragmented oversight of food safety. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of roughly 80 percent of the U.S. food supply--virtually all domestic and imported foods except for …
Date: April 23, 2010
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Export Controls: U.S. Agencies Need to Assess Control List Reform's Impact on Compliance Activities (open access)

Export Controls: U.S. Agencies Need to Assess Control List Reform's Impact on Compliance Activities

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "U.S. agencies engaged in export controls use various compliance activities to prevent the diversion or misuse of exported items against U.S. interests or allies and reduce illicit transshipment risk. Compliance activities include (1) vetting transactions prior to export, (2) analyzing shipping data and monitoring the end use of items, and (3) educating companies and foreign governments about illicit transshipment risks. To vet transactions, agencies review license applications for the export of controlled items, consult multiple lists of entities known or suspected of violating export control laws or regulations, and screen foreign end users to determine their eligibility to receive items without a license. Agencies also review shipping records to identify patterns of abuse and to plan end-use checks—visiting foreign companies to verify the approved use and location of exported items on both licensed items and those eligible for export without a license. From 2008 to 2010, Commerce conducted 56 percent of its end-use checks on unlicensed exports. In the 13 transshipment countries, unlicensed exports accounted for about 94 percent of unfavorable end-use check determinations, which indicates that the end use or end user of an export …
Date: April 23, 2012
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Veterans Benefits Administration: Clarity of Letters to Claimants Needs to Be Improved (open access)

Veterans Benefits Administration: Clarity of Letters to Claimants Needs to Be Improved

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provided $23 billion in monthly cash benefits to 3.2 million disabled veterans and their families through its compensation and pension program in fiscal year 2001. In the same year, VBA mailed 1.2 million "notification" letters to veterans and their families, informing them of VBA's decisions on compensation or pension benefits claims filed. VBA also sent 1.2 million "development" letters in fiscal year 2001 requesting information in order to make a decision on claims. VBA found in 1995 that its notification and development letters failed to communicate adequately, and launched an initiative, called Reader-Focused Writing, to improve its written communications. In its letters, VBA clearly explained some, but not all, of the key aspects that claimants needed to understand. Beyond the lack of clarity in these letters, various writing deficiencies, such as sequencing and formatting problems, reduced the value of VBA's letters. First, in many of its rating decision documents and development letters, VBA attempts to achieve more than one objective and, in doing so, compromises clarity for the reader. Second, although VBA's central office and some regional offices have developed boilerplate …
Date: April 23, 2002
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Security and Minorities: Earnings, Disability Incidence, and Mortality Are Key Factors That Influence Taxes Paid and Benefits Received (open access)

Social Security and Minorities: Earnings, Disability Incidence, and Mortality Are Key Factors That Influence Taxes Paid and Benefits Received

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Although Social Security's benefit and contribution provisions are neutral with respect to race, ethnicity, and gender, concerns about the experiences of minority groups under Social Security focus on whether they benefit less than whites, particularly because of the shorter life expectancy of blacks. These concerns are related to the concept of equity, or how benefits compare with taxes. To gain a thorough understanding of the experiences of minority populations under Social Security, GAO was asked to examine (1) what socioeconomic and demographic factors influence Social Security taxes paid and benefits received and (2) how different equity measures compare across racial groups. Because of the current system's projected actuarial deficit, to conduct this study, GAO made its calculations using three policy scenarios, each of which achieves 75-year solvency: a payroll tax increase and a progressive and proportional benefit cut. Further, GAO used three measures of equity: lifetime benefit-to-tax ratios, net lifetime benefits, and real internal rates of return. GAO also examined four birth cohorts: 1931-40, 1941-45, 1946-55, and 1956-64."
Date: April 23, 2003
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Small Business Administration: Review of Selected Personnel Practices (open access)

Small Business Administration: Review of Selected Personnel Practices

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed events related to personnel reassignments, appointments, and activities at the Small Business Administration (SBA)."
Date: April 23, 1999
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Biometrics: Additional Training for Leaders and More Timely Transmission of Data Could Enhance the Use of Biometrics in Afghanistan (open access)

Defense Biometrics: Additional Training for Leaders and More Timely Transmission of Data Could Enhance the Use of Biometrics in Afghanistan

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) has trained thousands of personnel on the use of biometrics since 2004, but biometrics training for leaders does not provide detailed instructions on how to effectively use and manage biometrics collection tools. The Office of the Secretary of Defense, the military services, and U.S. Central Command each has emphasized in key documents the importance of training. Additionally, the Army, Marine Corps, and U.S. Special Operations Command have trained personnel prior to deployment to Afghanistan in addition to offering training resources in Afghanistan. DOD’s draft instruction for biometrics emphasizes the importance of training leaders in the effective employment of biometrics collection, but existing training does not instruct military leaders on (1) the effective use of biometrics, (2) selecting the appropriate personnel for biometrics collection training, and (3) tracking personnel who have been trained in biometrics collection to effectively staff biometrics operations. Absent this training, military personnel are limited in their ability to collect high-quality biometrics data to better confirm the identity of enemy combatants."
Date: April 23, 2012
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Lack of Accountability for Computer Equipment Leaves These Assets Vulnerable to Loss or Misappropriation (open access)

Department of Housing and Urban Development: Lack of Accountability for Computer Equipment Leaves These Assets Vulnerable to Loss or Misappropriation

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "In testimony in October 2002 and in a report issued in April 2003 we raised concerns about the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) accountability for computers and computer-related equipment bought with government purchase cards. Our review identified a large volume of computers and computer-related purchases for which HUD did not have adequate supporting documentation. In addition, HUD acknowledged that items bought with purchase cards were not being consistently entered in its asset management system thereby increasing its vulnerability to loss or theft. Given these findings, and the approximately $59 million HUD reported it has spent on computers and computer-related equipment and services over the last 3 fiscal years, Congress asked of us to further assess HUD's accountability for these vulnerable assets. Specifically, it was requested that we determine whether HUD had established an effective system of internal control for maintaining accountability over its computer equipment. Our review covered HUD's systems and controls in place during fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003."
Date: April 23, 2004
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Terrorism Insurance: Implementation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (open access)

Terrorism Insurance: Implementation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, insurance coverage for terrorism largely disappeared. Congress passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) in 2002 to help commercial property-casualty policyholders obtain terrorism insurance and give the insurance industry time to develop mechanisms to provide such insurance after the act expires on December 31, 2005. Under TRIA, the Department of Treasury caps insurer liability and would process claims and reimburse insurers for a large share of losses from terrorist acts that Treasury certified as meeting certain criteria. As Treasury and industry participants have operated under TRIA for more than a year, GAO was asked to describe (1) their progress in implementing the act and (2) changes in the terrorism insurance market under TRIA."
Date: April 23, 2004
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment: Service Contract Management Is Improving, but Challenges Remain (open access)

VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment: Service Contract Management Is Improving, but Challenges Remain

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides services such as vocational counseling and job training to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities obtain and maintain suitable employment and achieve maximum independence in daily living. In fiscal year 2006, the VR&E program obligated about $702 million and served about 89,000 veterans. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), which administers the VR&E program, provides some services to veterans through two types of contracts--national contracts and local contracts. In fiscal year 2003, VA adopted the National Acquisition Strategy (NAS) to award contracts at the national level to ensure that veterans have access to the same quality and types of VR&E services across regional offices. These national contracts, once awarded, are implemented by VA's regional offices. Services available under these national contracts include initial evaluations, case management, and employment placement assistance. In fiscal year 2006, VR&E spent about $15 million through national contracts. There are 165 national contracts currently active in fiscal year 2007. Regional offices also can negotiate and implement local contracts for services that are not provided through national contracts such as tutoring and computer skills …
Date: April 23, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Data Center Consolidation: Strengthened Oversight Needed to Achieve Cost Savings Goal (open access)

Data Center Consolidation: Strengthened Oversight Needed to Achieve Cost Savings Goal

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The 24 agencies participating in the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI) made progress towards the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) goal to close 40 percent, or 1,253 of the 3,133 total federal data centers, by the end of 2015, but OMB has not measured agencies' progress against its other goal of $3 billion in cost savings by the end of 2015. Agencies closed 420 data centers by the end of December 2012, and have plans to close an additional 548 to reach 968 by December 2015--285 closures short of OMB's goal. OMB has not determined agencies' progress against its cost savings goal because, according to OMB staff, the agency has not determined a consistent and repeatable method for tracking cost savings. This lack of information makes it uncertain whether the $3 billion in savings is achievable by the end of 2015. Until OMB begins tracking and reporting on performance measures such as cost savings, it will be limited in its ability to oversee agencies' progress against key initiative goals. Additionally, extending the horizon for realizing planned cost savings could provide OMB and data center …
Date: April 23, 2013
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Postal Service: Subcommittee Questions Concerning Year 2000 Challenges Facing the Service (open access)

U.S. Postal Service: Subcommittee Questions Concerning Year 2000 Challenges Facing the Service

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the challenges facing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in addressing the year 2000 problem."
Date: April 23, 1999
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Contractors: Better Performance Information Needed to Support Agency Contract Award Decisions (open access)

Federal Contractors: Better Performance Information Needed to Support Agency Contract Award Decisions

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In fiscal year 2007, federal agencies worked with over 160,000 contractors, obligating over $456 billion, to help accomplish federal missions. This reliance on contractors makes it critical that agencies have the information necessary to properly evaluate a contractor's prior history of performance and better inform agencies' contract award decisions. While actions have been taken to improve the sharing of past performance information and its use--including the development of the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS)--concerns remain about this information. This report assesses agencies' use of past performance information in awarding contracts; identifies challenges that hinder systematic sharing of past performance information; and describes efforts to improve contractor performance information. In conducting this work, GAO analyzed 62 contract solicitations from fiscal years 2007 and 2008 and met with 121 contracting officials. While the solicitations represent a range of contracts and contractors, GAO's findings cannot be generalized to all federal contracts."
Date: April 23, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Voters with Disabilities: Challenges to Voting Accessibility (open access)

Voters with Disabilities: Challenges to Voting Accessibility

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Compared to 2000, the proportion of polling places in 2008 without potential impediments increased and almost all polling places had an accessible voting system as states and localities made various efforts to help facilitate accessible voting. In 2008, based upon GAO's survey of polling places, GAO estimated that 27 percent of polling places had no potential impediments in the path from the parking to the voting area--up from16 percent in 2000; 45 percent had potential impediments but offered curbside voting; and the remaining 27 percent had potential impediments and did not offer curbside voting. All but one polling place GAO visited had an accessible voting system--typically, an electronic machine in a voting station--to facilitate private and independent voting for people with disabilities. However, 46 percent of polling places had an accessible voting system that could pose a challenge to certain voters with disabilities, such as voting stations that were not arranged to accommodate voters using wheelchairs. In GAO's 2008 state survey, 43 states reported that they set accessibility standards for polling places, up from 23 states in 2000. Further, 31 states reported that ensuring polling place accessibility was …
Date: April 23, 2013
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library