Suppression of the uranium-hydrogen reaction using high-dose carbon implantation (open access)

Suppression of the uranium-hydrogen reaction using high-dose carbon implantation

We have previously reported the delay and reduction of the hydriding of uranium by implantation of oxygen. The reduced hydriding was attributed to the presence of the uranium oxide layer created near room temperature. In this paper we present results for the layers formed by implantation of 80 keV C/sup +/ to a dose of 8E17 C/cm/sup 2/. The carbide layers formed were characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, and glancing angle x-ray diffraction. Hydriding properties of both non-implanted and implanted uranium were measured for 76 Torr hydrogen at 130/sup 0/C. The implanted specimens had significantly longer incubation times for the start of the reaction after exposure to hydrogen and less area participating in the reaction.
Date: April 17, 1987
Creator: Musket, R.G.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Modeling study of solute transport in the unsaturated zone: Workshop proceedings (open access)

Modeling study of solute transport in the unsaturated zone: Workshop proceedings

Issues addressed were the adequacy of the data for the various models, effectiveness of the models to represent the data, particular information provided by the models, the role of caisson experiments in providing fundamental knowledge of porous-media water flow and solute transport, and the importance of geochemistry to the transport of nonconservative tracers. These proceedings include the presentations made by each of the modelers; the summary document written by the panel; and a transcript of the discussions, both the discussions that followed individual presentations and the general discussion held on the second day. This publication completes the series on the workshop. Volume I in the series (NUREG/CR-4615, Vol. I) contains background information and the data sets provided each modeler.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Springer, E.P. & Fuentes, H.R. (eds.)
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Recoil spectrometer for the detection of single atoms (open access)

Recoil spectrometer for the detection of single atoms

A much improved version of our gas-filled spectrometer for heavy-ion-induced fusion reactions is described. This instrument (SASSY II) is of the type D-Q-D wherein the dipoles are made with strong vertically-focussing gradients. The problems associated with experiments with cross sections in the picobarn range are discussed. In such experiments, it is necessary to identify single atoms with a high degree of confidence.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Ghiorso, A.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Determination of plutonium oxidation states at trace levels pertinent to nuclear waste disposal (open access)

Determination of plutonium oxidation states at trace levels pertinent to nuclear waste disposal

A scheme was developed for the determination of oxidation states of plutonium in environmental samples. The method involves a combination of solvent extractions and coprecipitation. It was tested on solutions with both high-level and trace-level concentrations. The scheme was used to determine Pu oxidation states in solutions from solubility experiments in groundwater from a potential nuclear waste disposal site. At steady-state conditions, Pu was found to be soluble predominantly as Pu(V) and Pu(VI).
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Nitsche, H.; Lee, S. C. & Gatti, R. C.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Status of the National Synchrotron Light Source (open access)

Status of the National Synchrotron Light Source

An overview of the present capabilities of the NSLS 750 MeV VUV ring and the 2.5 GeV x-ray ring is presented. Emphasis is placed on performance of the now operational facility, the efforts to improve this performance, a description of the ''Phase II'' upgrade, and outlook for the future.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Heese, R.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Decontamination and decommissioning of the initial engine test facility and the IET two-inch hot-waste line (open access)

Decontamination and decommissioning of the initial engine test facility and the IET two-inch hot-waste line

The Initial Engine Test Decommissioning Project is described in this report. The Initial Engine Test facility was constructed and operated at the National Reactor Testing Station, now known as the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, to support the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Program and the Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power Transient test program, circa 1950 through 1960s. Due to the severe nature of these nuclear test programs, a significant amount of radioactive contamination was deposited in various portions of the Initial Engine Test Facility. Characterizations, decision analyses, and plans for decontamination and decommissioning were prepared from 1982 through 1985. Decontamination and decommissioning activities were performed in such a way that no radiological health or safety hazard to the public or to personnel at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory remains. These decontamination and decommissioning activities began in 1985 and were completed in 1987. 13 figs.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Stoll, F.E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Radiation shielding for 250 MeV protons (open access)

Radiation shielding for 250 MeV protons

This paper is targetted at personnel who have the responsibility of designing the radiation shielding against neutron fluences created when protons interact with matter. Shielding of walls and roofs are discussed, as well as neutron dose leakage through labyrinths. Experimental data on neutron flux attenuation are considered, as well as some calculations using the intranuclear cascade calculations and parameterizations.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Awschalom, M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Impurity and particle transport and control in TFTR (open access)

Impurity and particle transport and control in TFTR

Degassing of the TFTR graphite limiter by low density deuterium or helium discharges enables the limiter to pump deuterium, thereby reducing recycling and improving energy confinement in neutral-beam-heated discharges. During a helium degassing sequence the hydrogen influx decreased by a factor of 20. As a consequence of degassing sequences the low density limit in 0.8 mA deuterium discharges decreased from 1 x 10/sup 19/ m/sup -3/ to 0.5 x 10/sup 19/ m/sup -3/, the density-decay time dropped from greater than 10 s to 0.15 s, and the recycling coefficient dropped from nearly 1 to less than 0.4. Z/sub eff/ values in 2.2 MA L-mode discharges on the toroidal limiter with neutral-beam-heating power up to 15 MW are between 2 and 3 if the pre-beam plasma has low Z/sub eff/ (high density), but can be as high as 4.5 if the pre-beam target has high Z/sub eff/ (low density). Z/sub eff/ values in enhanced confinement shots drop from 7 during the ohmic phase to 3 with neutral beam heating. The radiated power drops from 60 to 70% of total heating power to 30 to 35% for beam powers from 10 to 20 MW.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Hill, K.W.; Arunasalam, V.; Bell, M.G.; Bitter, M.; Blanchard, W.R.; Bretz, N.L. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Seismic imaging of the Medicine Lake Caldera (open access)

Seismic imaging of the Medicine Lake Caldera

Medicine Lake Volcano, a broad shield volcano about 50 km east of Mount Shasta in northern California, produced rhylotic eruptions as recently as 400 years ago. Because of this recent activity it is of considerable interest to producers of geothermal energy. The USGS and LLNL conducted an active seismic experiment designed to explore the area beneath and around the caldera. This experiment had two purposes: To produce high-quality velocity and attenuation images of the young magma body presumed to be the source for the young volcanic features, and to collect a dataset that can be used to develop and test seismic imaging methods that may be useful for understanding other geothermal systems. Eight large explosions were detonated in a 50 km radius circle around the volcano, a distance chosen to produce strong upward traveling signals through the area of interest. The data were inverted using Aki's method to produce three-dimensional velocity and attenuation images of the sub-surface. Preliminary interpretation shows low velocity and attenuation on the flanks of the volcano, and coincident high attenuation values and low velocities (-20%) from 3 to 5 km beneath the center of the caldera. This zone may be a region of partial melt which …
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Zucca, John J.; Evans, John R. & Kasameyer, Paul W.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Prospects for collider vertex detectors (open access)

Prospects for collider vertex detectors

The technologies available for vertex detection and the restrictions imposed by event topologies and multiple coulomb scattering are discussed. It is shown that ultimate performance limits for collider detectors are set by how close active detection starts relative to the interaction region. This in turn is determined by the machine characteristics and the care taken to provide collimation and shielding to minimize radiation backgrounds.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Ritson, D.M.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Advanced materials and biochemical processes for geothermal applications (open access)

Advanced materials and biochemical processes for geothermal applications

Two Geothermal Technology Division (GTD)-sponsored programs: (1) Geothermal Materials Development, and (2) Advanced Biochemical Processes for Geothermal Brines, are described. In the former, work in the following tasks is in progress: (1) high temperature elastomeric materials for dynamic sealing applications, (2) advanced high temperature (300/sup 0/C) lightweight (1.1 g/cc) well cementing materials, (3) thermally conductive composites for heat exchanger tubing, (4) corrosion rates for metals in brine-contaminated binary plant working fluids, and (5) elastomeric liners for well casing. Methods for the utilization and/or the low cost environmentally acceptable disposal of toxic geothermal residues are being developed in the second program. This work is performed in two tasks. In one, microorganisms that can interact with toxic metals found in geothermal residues to convert them into soluble species for subsequent reinjection back into the reservoir or to concentrate them for removal by conventional processes are being identified. In the second task, process conditions are being defined for the encapsulation of untreated or partially biochemically treated residues in Portland cement-based formulations and the subsequent utilization of the waste fractions in building materials. Both processing methods yield materials which appear to meet disposal criteria for non-toxic solid waste, and their technical and economic feasibilities …
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Kukacka, L. E.; van Rooyen, D. & Premuzic, E. T.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Comparative analysis of core drilling and rotary drilling in volcanic terrane (open access)

Comparative analysis of core drilling and rotary drilling in volcanic terrane

Initially, the goal of this report is to compare and contrast penetration rates of rotary-mud drilling and core drilling in young volcanic terranes. It is widely recognized that areas containing an abundance of recent volcanic rocks are excellent targets for geothermal resources. Exploration programs depend heavily upon reliable subsurface information, because surface geophysical methods may be ineffective, inconclusive, or both. Past exploration drilling programs have mainly relied upon rotary-mud rigs for virtually all drilling activity. Core-drilling became popular several years ago, because it could deal effectively with two major problems encountered in young volcanic terranes: very hard, abrasive rock and extreme difficulty in controlling loss of circulation. In addition to overcoming these difficulties, core-drilling produced subsurface samples (core) that defined lithostratigraphy, structure and fractures far better than drill-chips. It seemed that the only negative aspect of core drilling was cost. The cost-per-foot may be two to three times higher than an ''initial quote'' for rotary drilling. In addition, penetration rates for comparable rock-types are often much lower for coring operations. This report also seeks to identify the extent of wireline core drilling (core-drilling using wireline retrieval) as a geothermal exploration tool. 25 refs., 21 figs., 13 tabs.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Flynn, T.; Trexler, D.T. & Wallace, R.H. Jr. (ed.)
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Compilation of selected marine radioecological data for the US Subseabed Program: Summaries of available radioecological concentration factors and biological half-lives (open access)

Compilation of selected marine radioecological data for the US Subseabed Program: Summaries of available radioecological concentration factors and biological half-lives

The US Subseabed Disposal Program has compiled an extensive concentration factor and biological half-life data base from the international marine radioecological literature. A microcomputer-based data management system has been implemented to provide statistical and graphic summaries of these data. The data base is constructed in a manner which allows subsets to be sorted using a number of interstudy variables such as organism category, tissue/organ category, geographic location (for in situ studies), and several laboratory-related conditions (e.g., exposure time and exposure concentration). This report updates earlier reviews and provides summaries of the tabulated data. In addition to the concentration factor/biological half-life data base, we provide an outline of other published marine radioecological works. Our goal is to present these data in a form that enables those concerned with predictive assessment of radiation dose in the marine environment to make a more judicious selection of data for a given application. 555 refs., 19 figs., 7 tabs.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Gomez, L. S.; Marietta, M. G. & Jackson, D. W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A phenomenological constitutive model for low density polyurethane foams (open access)

A phenomenological constitutive model for low density polyurethane foams

Results from a series of hydrostatic and triaxial compression tests which were performed on polyurethane foams are presented in this report. These tests indicate that the volumetric and deviatoric parts of the foam behavior are strongly coupled. This coupling behavior could not be captured with any of several commonly used plasticity models. Thus, a new constitutive model was developed. This new model was based on a decomposition of the foam response into two parts: (1) response of the polymer skeleton, and (2) response of the air inside the cells. The air contribution was completely volumetric. The new constitutive model was implemented in two finite element codes, SANCHO and PRONTO. Results from a series of analyses completed with these codes indicated that the new constitutive model captured all of the foam behaviors that had been observed in the experiments. Finally, a typical dynamic problem was analyzed using the new constitutive model and other constitutive models to demonstrate differences between the models. Results from this series of analyses indicated that the new constitutive model generated displacement and acceleration predictions that were between predictions obtained using the other models. This result was expected. 9 refs., 45 figs., 4 tabs.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Neilsen, Michael K.; Morgan, Harold S. & Krieg, Raymond D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Radon in groundwater of the Long Valley Caldera, California (open access)

Radon in groundwater of the Long Valley Caldera, California

In the Long Valley caldera, an area of recently (approx.550 y) active volcanism and current seismic activity, /sup 222/Rn concentrations in hot, warm, and cold spring waters have been measured since 1982. Rn contents of the waters correlate inversely with temperature and specific conductance, with high concentrations (1500 to 2500 pCi/l) occurring in dilute cold springs on the margins of the caldera, and low concentrations (12 to 25 pCi/l) in hot to boiling springs. Rn correlates only slightly with the uranium contents of the wide range of rocks which host the hydrological system feeding the springs. These environmental effects on the radon record may mask responses to small or distant seismic, volcanic, or crustal deformation events. To date, anomalous changes in water-borne Rn have been observed in connection with at least one earthquake, which occurred close to the monitoring site. This continuing study points out that an understanding of the geological setting, its associated hydrological system, and environmental influences is necessary to properly evaluate concentrations and changes in groundwater radioactivity.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Flexser, S.; Wollenberg, H. A. & Smith, A. R.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Neutrino physics: A theoretical perspective (open access)

Neutrino physics: A theoretical perspective

Experimental measurements of sin/sup 2/theta/sub W/ are surveyed. They are shown to test electroweak unification at the quantum loop level and constrain new physics beyond the standard model. Neutrino oscillations are also examined in the framework of 3 generation mixing. Searches for nu/sub ..mu../ ..-->.. nu/sub tau/ oscillation at aceelerator facilities are advocated.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Marciano, William J.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Evolution of a test article handling system for the SP-100 ground engineering system test (open access)

Evolution of a test article handling system for the SP-100 ground engineering system test

A simulated space environment test of a flight prototypic SP-100 reactor, control system, and flight shield will be conducted at the Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory (HEDL). The flight prototypic components and the supporting primary heat removal system are collectively known as the Nuclear Assembly Test Article (TA). The unique configuration and materials of fabrication for the Test Article require a specialized handling facility to support installation, maintenance, and final disposal operations. Westinghouse Hanford Company, the Test Site Operator, working in conjunction with General Electric Company, the Test Article supplier, developed and evaluated several handling concepts resulting in the selection of a reference Test Article Handling System. The development of the reference concept for the handling system is presented.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Shen, E. J.; Schweiger, L. J.; Miller, W. C.; Gluck, R. & Devies, S. M.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Core lithology, Valles caldera No. 1, New Mexico (open access)

Core lithology, Valles caldera No. 1, New Mexico

Vallas caldera No. 1 (VC-1) is the first Continental Scientific Drilling Program research core hole in the Vallas caldera and the first continuously cored hole in the region. The hole penetrated 298 m of moat volcanics and caldera-fill ignimbrites, 35 m of volcaniclastic breccia, and 523 m of Paleozoic carbonates, sandstones, and shales with over 95% core recovery. The primary research objectives included coring through the youngest rhyolite flow within the caldera; obtaining structural and stratigraphic information near the intersection of the ring-fracture zone and the pre-caldera Jemez fault zone; and penetrating a high-temperature hydrothermal outflow plume near its source. This report presents a compilation of lithologic and geophysical logs and photographs of core that were collected while drilling VC-1. It is intended to be a reference tool for researchers interested in caldera processes and associated geologic phenomena.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Gardner, J.N.; Goff, F.; Goff, S.; Maassen, L.; Mathews, K.; Wachs, D. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Derivative expansion of the effective action (open access)

Derivative expansion of the effective action

This paper describes some methods for calculating derivative terms in the one loop effective action for a quantum field theory. The functional approach and background field method are first used to derive the general form of the one loop determinant. Then the determinant is expanded in powers of derivatives of the background fields. The form of this expansion is described for the simple case of an interacting scalar field, and then for the more complicated problem of a non-abelian gauge field. Finally, the expansion is applied to the task of calculating Higgs mass dependent effects in the Glashow-Weinberg-Salam model, and all terms which grow with the Higgs mass M/sub H/ are found in the one loop approximation. The result of this calculation is used to find the dependence of the gauge boson mass ratio rho on M/sub H/, and also to estimate the size of corrections to W and Z scattering theorems.
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Cheyette, O.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Recovery Efficiency Test Project: Phase 1, Activity report. Volume 1: Site selection, drill plan preparation, drilling, logging, and coring operations (open access)

Recovery Efficiency Test Project: Phase 1, Activity report. Volume 1: Site selection, drill plan preparation, drilling, logging, and coring operations

The recovery Efficiency Test well project addressed a number of technical issues. The primary objective was to determine the increased efficiency gas recovery of a long horizontal wellbore over that of a vertical wellbore and, more specifically, what improvements can be expected from inducing multiple hydraulic fractures from such a wellbore. BDM corporation located, planned, and drilled a long radius turn horizontal well in the Devonian shale Lower Huron section in Wayne County, West Virginia, demonstrating that state-of-the-art technology is capable of drilling such wells. BDM successfully tested drilling, coring, and logging in a horizontal well using air as the circulating medium; conducted reservoir modeling studies to protect flow rates and reserves in advance of drilling operations; observed two phase flow conditions in the wellbore not observed previously; cored a fracture zone which produced gas; observed that fractures in the core and the wellbore were not systematically spaced (varied from 5 to 68 feet in different parts of the wellbore); observed that highest gas show rates reported by the mud logger corresponded to zone with lowest fracture spacing (five feet) or high fracture frequency. Four and one-half inch casting was successfully installed in the borehole and was equipped to isolate …
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Overbey, W. K. Jr.; Carden, R. S. & Kirr, J. N.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Active layer hydrology for Imnavait Creek, Toolik, Alaska (open access)

Active layer hydrology for Imnavait Creek, Toolik, Alaska

The hydrology of the active layer of a watershed is described. In the annual hydrologic cycle, snowmelt is the most significant event at Imnavait Creek located near Toolik Lake, Alaska. Precipitation that has accumulated for more than 6 months on the surface melts in a relatively short period of 7 to 10 days once sustained melting occurs. Significant runoff events are few. Convective storms covering relatively small areas on the North Slope of Alaska can produce significant small-scale events in a small watershed scale,but these events are rapidly attenuated outside the basin. Data collection began in August 1984. We have continuously monitored the hydrologic, the meteorologic, and the soil`s physical conditions. Information was collected through implementation of four snowmelt runoff plots and measurements of essential microclimate parameters. Soil moisture and temperature profiles were measured adjacent to each snowmelt runoff plot, and heat flux is collected adjacent to one of these plots. Meteorological parameters were measured locally. The water content of the snowpack prior to snowmelt was measured throughout the watershed and measured daily adjacent to each plot during snowmelt. The stream draining the basin was measured regularly during the spring melt event to provide information on watershed runoff rates and …
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Hinzman, L. D. & Kane, D. L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
I.F.H. Quarter Module Lifting Fixture (open access)

I.F.H. Quarter Module Lifting Fixture

The main purpose of this report is to explain the procedure for lifting the I.F.H. quarter module from a 'prone' position to a 'standing' position and then into the liquid nitrogen test vessel. The main objective for the design of the lifting fixtures was simplicity. The fixtures are to be made of .75 inch thick stainless steel plates which is a stock item for the steel companies. The fixtures are stainless steel so they will be able to keep their structural integrity when immersed in the liquid nitrogen.
Date: April 28, 1987
Creator: May, M.P.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fluorescence spectroscopic studies of DNA dynamics (open access)

Fluorescence spectroscopic studies of DNA dynamics

Random solvent induced motions of DNA are manifest as nanosecond torsional oscillations of the helix backbone, nanosecond through millisecond bending deformations and overall rotational and translational diffusion of the polymer. Fluorescence spectroscopy is used to study this spectrum of DNA motions while ethidium monoazide was covalently bounded. The steady state fluorescence depolarization data indicate that the covalent monoazide/DNA complex exhibits internal motions characterized by an average angular amplitude of 26 degrees confirming reports of fast torsional oscillations in noncovalent ethidium bromide/DNA systems. Data obtained by use of a new polarized photobleaching recovery technique (FPR) reflect both the rotational dynamics of the polymer and the reversible photochemistry of the dye. To isolate the reorientational motion of the DNA, the FPR experiments were ran in two modes that differ only in the polarization of the bleaching light. A quotient function constructed from the data obtained in these two modes monitors only the rotational component of the FPR recovery. In specific applications those bending deformations of long DNA molecules that have characteristic relaxation times on the order of 100 microseconds have been resolved. A fluorescence correlation technique that relates fluctuations in particle number to center-of-mass motion was used to measure translational diffusion on …
Date: April 1, 1987
Creator: Scalettar, B. A.
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Melter feed system 3-way feed valve Auma motorized operator (open access)

Melter feed system 3-way feed valve Auma motorized operator

This document discusses the Scale Melter currently testing feed systems. One component of that system is a valve operator, which directs the feed slurry or flush water through the 3-way ball valve to the melter. This valve operator may be causing problems on the TNX Scale Melter by failing to accurately align the feed valve ports.
Date: April 7, 1987
Creator: Phillips, T. D. & O`Rourke, J. M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library