This report discusses activity at Los Alamos on the nuclear optical model. In particular, the following topics are discussed: format of the optical model parameter library; contents of the library; validation of the optical model library; and conclusions and recommendations.

In evaluating the feasibility of neutron radiography and tomography in the 10-14 MeV region, it is important to estimate the radiation backgrounds that could potentially interfere with the measurements. In this context, backgrounds refer to all counts in the detector other than those due to neutrons transmitted through the sample without scattering. There are two principal sources of backgrounds: (1) neutrons and gammas resulting from incident neutrons interacting in the sample, and (2) events in the detector arising from neutrons scattering in the accelerator vault and collimation system, together with natural and induced activation. Counts due to these backgrounds are spread fairly uniformly across the detector, and therefore do not compromise the ability to identify small features in the sample on the millimeter scale in a tomographic reconstruction; however, they do increase the neutron dose required to achieve sufficient statistical accuracy to reveal features of interest. Backgrounds are generally considered to be tolerable if their count rates are less than or comparable to the rates from the transmitted (uncollided) beam. If they are significantly above this level, they are a potentially serious problem. Understanding radiation backgrounds is thus critically important in determining the required source strength and running time. The …

The overall objective of the bioremediation project is to provide a cost effective bioremediation demonstration of petroleum contaminated soil at the Czechowice Oil Refinery. Additional objectives include training of personnel, and transfer of this technology by example to Poland, and the Risk Abatement Center for Central and Eastern Europe (RACE). The goal of the remediation is to reduce the risk of PAH compounds in soil and provide a green zone (grassy area) adjacent to the site boundary. Initial project discussions with the Czechowice Oil Refinery resulted in helping the refinery find an immediate cost effective solution for the dense organic sludge in the lagoons. They found that when mixed with other waste materials, the sludge could be sold as a fuel source to local cement kilns. Thus the waste was incinerated and provided a revenue stream for the refinery to cleanup the lagoon. This allowed the bioremediation project to focus on remediation of contaminated soil that unusable as fuel, less recalcitrant and easier to handle and remediate. The assessment identified 19 compounds at the refinery that represented significant risk and would require remediation. These compounds consisted of metals, PAH`s, and BTEX. The contaminated soil to be remediated in the bioremediation …