The characteristics of the epithermal neutron beam at BMRR were measured, calculated, and reported. This beam has already been used for animal irradiations. We anticipate that it will be used for clinical trials. Thermal and epithermal neutron flux densities distributions, and dose rate distributions, as a function of depth were measured in a lucite dog-head phantom. Monte Carlo calculations were performed and compared with the measured values. 2 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

The Service Level D (faulted) load capacity of a conventional three-bolt pipe-clamp based upon the limit analysis method is presented. The load distribution, plastic hinge locations, and collapse load are developed for the lower bound limit load method. The results of the limit analysis are compared with the manufacturer's rated loads. 3 refs.

The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) will immobilize Savannah River Site High Level Waste as a durable borosilicate glass for permanent disposal in a repository. The DWPF will be controlled based on glass composition. The following discussion is a preliminary analysis of the capability of the laboratory methods that can be used to control the glass composition, and the relationships between glass durability and glass properties important to glass melting. The glass durability and processing properties will be controlled by controlling the chemical composition of the glass. The glass composition will be controlled by control of the melter feed transferred from the Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME) to the Melter Feed Tank (MFT). During cold runs, tests will be conducted to demonstrate the chemical equivalence of glass sampled from the pour stream and glass removed from cooled canisters. In similar tests, the compositions of glass produced from slurries sampled from the SME and MFT will be compared to final product glass to determine the statistical relationships between melter feed and glass product. The total error is the combination of those associated with homogeneity in the SME or MFT, sampling, preparation of samples for analysis, instrument calibration, analysis, and the composition/property model. …

The PRISM reactor is presently under pre-application licensing review by the NRC, with Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) providing technical assistance. The purpose of this paper is to review the current PRISM design and describe the results from the SSC Code calculations performed at BNL, for a series of unscrammed accidents. 3 refs., 5 figs.

The goal of this investigation is to develop a description of the biaxial behavior of extruded powder aluminum at elevated temperature. Specimens made of extruded 101 ALCOA (Aluminum Company of America) powder aluminum and specimens made from 1100 commercial aluminum rod are tested biaxially in tension-torsion and compression-torsion loadings at the extrusion temperature. The powder aluminum is examined microscopically and stereological methods are used to give a quantified description of the material behavior in terms of changes in the laminar powder material structure. A model for the biaxial (tension-torsion) behavior of extruded powder aluminum is developed. This description is consistent with a previous analysis of behavior in pure tension.

This report reviews work on the optimization of film synthesized rare earth transition metal permanent magnet systems. Topics include: high coercivity in Sm-Fe-Ti-V, Sm-Fe-V, and two element systems; ThMn{sub 12} type pseudobinary SmFe{sub 12 {minus} X}T{sub X}; and sputter process control for the synthesis of precisely textured RE-TM magnetic films. (JL)

An Electronic Speckle pattern interferometer (ESPI) was constructed which performs full-field surface displacement measurements. This measurement technique when combined with a single-point measurement known as laser vibrometry, can completely determine the vibrational characteristics of complex structures. This information can, in turn, be used for nondestructive testing as well as for modal analysis. One NDT E technique is to vibrationally excite the object and evaluate the time averaged interferograms from the ESPI and the vibration spectra from the vibrometer. Anomalies in the interferograms can be related to subsurface defects such as defective weld joints, internal cracks, voids, etc. All of this can be accomplished in a noncontacting and nonintrusive manor. In many instances, a finite element analysis in concert with this approach can be useful in interpreting the results. Since ESPI is analogous to optical holography, other methods equivalent to real-time and double-pulse holography may also be easily applied. As in holography, EXSPI is sensitive to out-of-plane surface displacements. Other optical arrangements can be implemented with the same equipment to give in-plane displacements which would give results similar to Moire interferometry without the need to apply gratings to the object under test. The advantage of this method over holographic interferometry is …

In 1989, the research group's activities were divided into several components. The major activity was Experiment PS 197 at CERN-LEAR with the Crystal Barrel detector. This report will deal mainly with the results of our experiment to date and the future of the program at LEAR. The second effort was the completion of several projects which are in the data analysis and publication phase: muon-catalyzed fusion, which will be the thesis of Tom Case; muon decay {eta} parameter, the thesis of Roy Bossingham; and several other publications which are appearing or have appeared this year. The third area being pursued involves the KAON Factory at TRIUMF, where a working group on hadron spectroscopy has been formed. Responsibilities for program organization are shared by Ken Crowe and Martin Comyn of TRIUMF. In July 1990, a major meeting was held with this group. There was a week-long series of sessions reviewing the progress, updating the design and planning the program for both the periods before and after the final approval of KAON by the Canadian government.

The acceptable operating limits of a nuclear reactor are set to prevent fuel cladding damage. Critical Heat Flux (CHF) is the limiting criterion for the high pressure systems such as the BWRs (6.9 MPa) and the PWRs (13.8 MPa). However, the Onset of Flow Instability (OFI) is the limiting criterion of the low pressure system such as the existing Savannah River Site (SRS) production reactors (0.2 MPa). The physical basis of this difference is presented. 3 refs.

The radioactive waste glass melter used at Savannah River Site (SRS) is a liquid slurry feed joule-heated ceramic melter. The physical nature of a joule-heated meter is complex and involves interactions between electric, thermal, and flow fields. These interactions take place through strongly temperature-dependent glass properties, natural convection, advection, diffusion, and volumetrically distributed joule heating sources. The cold feed on top of heated glass distabilizes the flow field and develops unsteady asymmetric flow motions underneath. Thus waste glass modeling requires solving a full 3-D, unsteady, momentum, energy, and electric equation with temperature-dependent properties. Simulation of noble metal deposit process requires an additional mass diffusion equation that is coupled to the momentum equation through mass advection term. The objective of this paper is to identify critical issues anticipated in the Defense Waste Process Facility (DWPF) melter operation and address how these issues can be resolved with current state-of-the-art mathematical modeling techniques.

The results of this analysis quantified the uncertainty associated with monitoring the Axial Power Shape (APS) in the Savannah River Reactors. Thermocouples at each assembly flow exit map the radial power distribution and are the primary means of monitoring power in these reactors. The remaining uncertainty in power monitoring is associated with the relative axial power distribution. The APS is monitored by seven sensors that respond to power on each of nine vertical Axial Power Monitor (APM) rods. Computation of the APS uncertainty, for the reactor power limits analysis, started with a large database of APM rod measurements spanning several years of reactor operation. A computer algorithm was used to randomly select a sample of APSs which were input to a code. This code modeled the thermal-hydraulic performance of a single fuel assembly during a design basis Loss-of Coolant Accident. The assembly power limit at Onset of Significant Voiding was computed for each APS. The output was a distribution of expected assembly power limits that was adjusted to account for the biases caused by instrumentation error and by measuring 7 points rather than a continuous APS. Statistical analysis of the final assembly power limit distribution showed that reducing reactor power …

Accountability and nuclear safety concerns arising from uncertainties in Pu-239 loadings of a number of waste containers at SRS were investigated by in situ neutron and gamma-ray measurements and an assessment of risk stemming from past waste analysis and packaging practices. The neutron and gamma measurements largely confirmed the correctness of original waste analysis and accountability, while the risk assessment and measurement implications suggested no present or foreseeable nuclear safety problems.

The computer codes used at Brookhaven National Laboratory to compute BWR safety parameters are the Engineering Plant Analyzer (EPA) and RAMONA-3B/MOD1. Both codes have the same methodology for modeling thermal hydraulic phenomena: drift-flux formulation, two-phase multipliers for the wall friction and form losses calculations, and the momentum integral approach for spatial integration of the loop momentum equations. Both codes use explicit integration methods for solving ordinary differential equations. It is concluded that both the codes are capable of modelling the instability problems for a BWR. The accuracy of thermohydraulics codes predictions was assessed by modelling oscillatory FRIGG tests. Nodalizations studies showed that 24 axial nodes were sufficient for a converged solution, 12 axial nodes produced an error of 4.4% in the gain of the power to flow transfer function. The code predicted consistently the effects of power and inlet subcooling on gain and system resonance frequency. The comparisons showed that the code predicted the peak gains with a mean difference from experiments of 7% {plus minus} 30% for all the tests modeled. The uncertainty in the experimental data is {minus}11% to +12%. The mean difference in the predicted frequency at the peak gain is {minus}6% {plus minus} 14%.

This report documents the Environmental Transport Section's (ETS) two-dimensional, sequential gaussian puff transport and dispersion model for emergency response. The sequential puff scheme is described, and the dispersion equations are presented. The advantages of this model over the ETS's PUFF/PLUME model are discussed. Options are calculating a two-dimensional wind field, interpolation procedures, and the wind field grid are described. The various grid systems for puff transport calculations and dose estimates are also described. A flow diagram for the modules comprising the 2DPUF code and a description of each module is presented.

Specialized miniature low cost video equipment has been effectively used in a number of remote, radioactive, and contaminated environments at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The equipment and related techniques have reduced the potential for personnel exposure to both radiation and physical hazards. The valuable process information thus provided would not have otherwise been available for use in improving the quality of operation at SRS.

The two basic methods for modeling the atmospheric transport of pollutants (diagnostic and prognostic) are examined along with the current models utilized at SRS for emergency response (WINDS). The ability of a limited-area (mesoscale) model, nested within a synoptic scale model, to represent a wide range of flow behavior, makes it the method of choice for predicting pollutant transport. Such a mesoscale model can provide an invaluable research tool and, with a periodic processing strategy for wind field calculation and/or sufficient computer capability, can be utilized in an emergency response capacity. Various models are compared.

The chemical decomposition of aqueous alkaline solutions of sodium tetraphenylborate, NaTPB, has been investigated. The focus of the investigation is on the determination of components which influence NaTPB decomposition. Copper(II) ions, solution temperature, and solution pH (hydroxide ion concentration) have all been demonstrated to affect NaTPB stability. Their relationship with each other and the stability of NaTPB has been determined. Based upon this knowledge, a method for stabilizing NaTPB was determined. Decomposition of a NaTPB solution was delayed with the addition of sodium hydroxide. In additional work, the elimination of oxygen from the reaction environment did not prevent NaTPB decomposition in the presence of copper(II) ions but did, however, affect the course of decomposition.

The Savannah River Site has conducted a study to statistically quantify differences in metals concentrations as a function of sampling device and filter treatment. Twelve wells screened in unconsolidated coastal plain sediments were sampled for the study. All wells had histories of detectable toxic metals concentrations. Unfiltered and filtered (using 10 and 0.45 micron filters) samples were collected from all wells to evaluate the effects of filtering. To compare the effects of sampling device, the wells were sampled twice, once with a bladder pump and once with a centrifugal pump. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) method was used to assess the effects of sampling device and filtration on metals concentrations considering the variation in pH, conductivity, and turbidity among samples. This study demonstrates that when controlled sampling techniques are employed, differences in toxic metals concentrations between filtered and unfiltered samples are not statistically significant. However, variations in sampling devices yield samples with statistically different metals concentrations. The centrifugal pumps, which cause more agitation of the sample and the screened zone than bladder pumps, yield samples with statistically higher metals concentrations.

An innovative environmental restoration technology, in situ air stripping, has been demonstrated at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina. This process, using horizontal wells, is designed to concurrently remediate unsaturated-zone soils and ground water containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). In situ technologies have the potential to substantially reduce costs and time required for remediation as well as improve effectiveness of remediation. Horizontal wells were selected to deliver and extract fluids from the subsurface because their geometry can maximize the efficiency of a remediation system and they have great potential for remediating contaminant sources under existing facilities. The first demonstration of this new technology was conducted for a period of twenty weeks. A vacuum was first drawn on the vadose zone well until a steady-state removal of VOCs was obtained. Air was then injected at three different rates and at two different temperatures. An extensive characterization program was conducted at the site and an extensive monitoring network was installed prior to initiation of the test. Significant quantities of VOCs have been removed from the subsurface (equivalent to an eleven-well, 500-gpm, pump-and-treat system at the same site). Concentrations of VOCs in the ground water have …

The evaporative fraction is a ratio that expresses the proportion of turbulent flux energy over land surfaces devoted to evaporation and transpiration (evapotranspiration). It has been used to characterize the energy partition over land surfaces and has potential for inferring daily energy balance information based on mid-day remote sensing measurements. The HAPEX-MOBILHY program's SAMER system provided surface energy balance data over a range of agricultural crops and soil types. The databases from this large-scale field experiment was analyzed for the purpose of studying the behavior and daylight stability of the evaporative fraction in both ideal and general meteorological conditions. Strong linear relations were found to exist between the mid-day evaporative fraction and the daylight mean evaporative fraction. Statistical tests however rejected the hypothesis that the two quantities were equal. The relations between the evaporative fraction and the surface soil moisture as well as soil moisture in the complete vegetation root zone were also explored.

A review of the Savannah River Site production reactor systems was initiated in 1980 and led to implementation of the Reactor Materials Program in 1984 to assess reactor safety and reactor service life. The program evaluated performance of the reactor tanks, primary coolant piping, and thermal shields, components of welded construction that were fabricated from Type 304 stainless steel. The structural integrity analysis of the primary coolant system has shown that the pressure boundary is not susceptible to gross rupture, including a double ended guillotine break or equivalent large area bank. Residual service life is potentially limited by two material degradation modes, irradiation damage and intergranular stress corrosion cracking. Analysis of the structural integrity of the tanks and piping has shown that continued safe operation of the reactors for several additional decades is not limited by the material performance of the primary coolant system. Although irradiation damage has not degraded material behavior to an unacceptable level, past experience has revealed serious difficulties with repair welding on irradiated stainless steel. Stress corrosion can be mitigated by newly identified limits on impurity concentrations in the coolant water and by stress mitigation of weld residual stresses. Work continues in several areas: the effects …

The Reversatron 2 RFP (R/a=50cm/8cm) has been operated with interchangeable shells to investigate resistive wall modes. Shell penetration times are 610, 100, and 4 {mu}sec (no shell). With the 610 {mu}sec shell, the plasma current is {le} 65 kA and the duration {le} 550 {mu}sec. With no shell, helium discharges are more resistive and hydrogen discharges cannot be sustained. An m=1, n=-6 mode resonant on axis grows to a relative amplitude of 20% during the setting-up phase. With the 100{mu}sec shell, deuterium discharges can be sustained but are degraded due to a broad spectrum of modes. The increased plasma resistance can be correlated with the flux intersecting the wall. 21 refs., 12 figs.

Progress has included (1) construction and installation of an ultraviolet photoelectron spectrometer (UPS) with power supply and pumping system that has been added as an attachment to the SCIENTA ESCA-300 instrument, (2) modification of the high resolution electron energy loss spectrometer (HREELS) to produce a stable ultra high vacuum (UHV) environment for initial experiments with a Pd(311) single crystal, (3) construction of a separate high vacuum system for preparation of surface doped model catalysts by chemical vapor deposition and pretreatment of a Pd(100) single crystal in this system, (4) carried out detailed experiments of methane activation and oxidation on Pd(679) using a high pressure reaction cell contained in a third ultra high vacuum system, (5) completion of adsorption/desorption studies of H{sub 2}, CO, and O{sub 2} on Pd(679), (6) utilized angle-resolved XPS to probe the diffraction characteristics and structure of the Pd(100) surface, (7) determination of the electronic surface structure of Pd(100) using angle-resolved UPS, and (8) computational analysis of oxygen overlayers on the PD(100) surface. Each of these is discussed in further detail below.

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