The application of laser ablation technology to the decontamination of radioactive metals, particularly the surfaces of equipment, is discussed. Included is information related to the design, capital and operating costs, and effectiveness of laser ablation technology, based on commercial excimer and Nd:YAG lasers, for the decontamination of production scale equipment.

This report summarizes highlights of the technical progress made in the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) Program in FY 1994. Technical accomplishments are presented in the following areas of the IFR technology development activities: metal fuel performance; pyroprocess development; safety experiments and analyses; core design development; fuel cycle demonstration; and LMR technology R&D.

The goals of this project have evolved from an investigation of ways of preparing Li and Hall`s Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst using new methods to yield a more robust catalyst, into an investigation of modified Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts for the simultaneous reduction of NO and oxidation of SO{sub 2}. This was not a conscious effort or decision on the part of the investigators, but resulted from a natural evolution of the project. The authors have developed a zeolite synthesis and characterization capability in the group and have prepared impregnated test materials for the investigation of different catalyst precursors. They have prepared different vanadium-impregnated aluminas, for evaluation of the impregnation method, and have succeeded in reproducing the results of Li and Hall`s Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst. This report reviews the progress during the first three quarters of the year, and includes progress from the last quarter. Results are discussed for the Raman spectroscopy of precursors; infrared spectroscopy of vanadium-impregnated alumina; zeolite overlayer on cordierite; reactivity of Cu-ZSM-5; and impregnation of vanadyl acetylacetonate on alumina.

We tabulate the ground-state odd-proton and odd-neutron spins, proton and neutron pairing gaps, binding energies, neuton separation energies, quantities related to {beta}-delayed one, two and three neutron emission probabilities, {beta}-decay Q values and half-lives with respect to Gamow-Teller decay, proton separation energies, and {alpha}-decay Q values and half-lives. The starting point of the calculations is a calculation of nuclear ground-states and (information based on the finite-range droplet model and the folded-Yukawa single-particle model published in a previous issue of ATOMIC DATA AND NUCLEAR DATA TABLES. The {beta}-delayed neutron-emission probabilities and Gamow-Teller {beta}-decay rates are obtained from a QRPA model that uses single-particle levels and wave-functions at the calculated nuclear ground-state shape as the starting point.

A conceptual model of shallow infiltration processes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, was developed for use in hydrologic flow models to characterize net infiltration (the penetration of the wetting front below the zone influenced by evapotranspiration). The model categorizes the surface of the site into four infiltration zones. These zones were identified as ridgetops, sideslopes, terraces, and active channels on the basis of water-content changes with depth and time. The maximum depth of measured water-content change at a specific site is a function of surface storage capacity, the timing and magnitude of precipitation, evapotranspiration, and the degree of saturation of surficial materials overlying fractured bedrock. Measured water-content profiles for the four zones indicated that the potential for net infiltration is higher when evapotranspiration is low (i.e winter, cloudy periods), where surface concentration of water is likely to occur (i.e. depressions, channels), where surface storage capacity is low, and where fractured bedrock is close to the surface.

The Federal Internetworking Requirements Panel (FIRP) was established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to reassess Federal requirements for open systems networks and to recommend policy on the Government`s use of networking standards. The Panel was chartered to recommend actions which the Federal Government can take to address the short and long-term issues of interworking and convergence of networking protocols--particularly the Internet Protocol Suite (IPS) and Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol suite and, when appropriate, proprietary protocols. The Panel was created at the request of the Office of Management and Budget in collaboration with the Federal Networking Council and the Federal Information Resources Management Policy Council. The Panel`s membership and charter are contained in an appendix to this report.

The basic problem addressed in the project was that of accelerating the iterative convergence of Discrete Ordinates (S{sub N}) problems. Important previous work on this problem, much of which was done at LANL, has shown that the Diffusion Synthetic Acceleration (DSA) method can be a very effective acceleration procedure. However, in two-dimensional geometries, only the diamond differenced S{sub N} equations have been efficiently solved using DSA. This is because, for the 2-D diamond-differenced S{sub N} equations, the standard DSA procedure leads to a relatively simple discretized low-order diffusion equation that for many problems can be efficiently solved by a multigrid method. For other discretized versions of the S{sub N} equations, the standard DSA procedure leads to much more complicated discretizations of the low-order diffusion equation that have not been efficiently solved by multigrid (or other) methods. In this project, we have developed a new procedure to obtain discretized diffusion equations for DSA-accelerating the convergence of the S{sub N} equations using certain lumped discontinuous finite element spatial differencing methods. The idea is to use an asymptotic analysis for the derivation of the discretized diffusion equation. This is based on the fact that diffusion theory is an asymptotic limit of transport theory. …

We report two aspects of a computational molecular dynamics study of large-scale problems on a distributed-memory MIMD parallel computer: (1) efficiency and scalability results on Intel Paragon parallel computers with up to 512 nodes and (2) a new method for dynamic load balancing.

This document is the second volume of a 3 volume safety analysis report on the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA). The GTA program at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the major element of the national Neutral Particle Beam (NPB) program, which is supported by the Strategic Defense Initiative Office (SDIO). A principal goal of the national NPB program is to assess the feasibility of using hydrogen and deuterium neutral particle beams outside the Earth`s atmosphere. The main effort of the NPB program at Los Alamos concentrates on developing the GTA. The GTA is classified as a low-hazard facility, except for the cryogenic-cooling system, which is classified as a moderate-hazard facility. This volume consists of failure modes and effects analysis; accident analysis; operational safety requirements; quality assurance program; ES&H management program; environmental, safety, and health systems critical to safety; summary of waste-management program; environmental monitoring program; facility expansion, decontamination, and decommissioning; summary of emergency response plan; summary plan for employee training; summary plan for operating procedures; glossary; and appendices A and B.

A model of drilling by high radiance pulsed lasers is described. The model involves a one-dimensional description of heat transport below the bottom of the hole, hydrodynamic expansion of the vapor and compressed air, and light propagation through the vapor. The pressure and energy of the vapor are taken from a separate Saha equilibrium code. The boundary conditions at the vaporization surface include the formation of a transition layer within which macroscopic fluid conditions axe reached. The absorption mechanisms are photoionization and inverse bremsstrahlung. The model has been applied to the case of drilling in stainless steel with green copper laser light, for peak input intensities ranging from 10{sup 8} to 4 {times} 10{sup 10} W/cm{sup 2}. Below 3 {times} 10{sup 8} W/cm{sup 2}, there is negligible absorption in the vapor and ablation increases rapidly with intensity. After decreasing for a short interval beyond this point, the ablation rate then increases steadily with power because of a growing electron thermal conduction to the surface. The experimental ablation rate exhibits a somewhat faster overall growth. It appears comparable to the model at low power but is about five times greater at the highest power.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992, Section 801 (US Congress, 1992) provides for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to contract the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study and provide findings and recommendations on reasonable standards for the disposal of high-level wastes at the Yucca Mountain site. The NAS study is to provide findings and recommendations which include, among other things, whether a health-based standard based on dose to individual members of the public from releases to the accessible environment will provide a reasonable standard for the protection of the health and safety of the public. The EPA, based upon and consistent with the findings and recommendations of the NAS, is required to promulgate standards for protection of the public from releases from radioactive materials stored or disposed of in a repository at the Yucca Mountain site. This document presents a number of different ``simple`` analyses of undisturbed repository performance that are intended to provide input to those responsible for setting appropriate environmental standards for a potential repository at the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. Each of the processes included in the analyses has been simplified to capture the primary significance of that process in containing or …

Reaction-bonded silicon carbide ({alpha}-SiC) armor tiles were annealed at 2100{degree}C using microwave radiation at 2.45 GHz. Ultrasonic velocity measurements showed that the longitudinal and shear velocities, acoustic impedances, and acoustic moduli of the post-annealed tiles were statistically higher than for the unannealed tiles. However, the exposed surfaces of the annealed tiles experienced slight degradation, which was attributed to the high annealing temperatures.

The purpose of the Tank Characterization Data subject area of the Hanford Environmental Information System (HEIS) is to manage data acquired from waste tank characterization efforts. Tank samples provide the data stored in this subject area. Also included are data from tank inventories. These data are analyzed to determine disposal requirements, such as suitability for grout or vitrification. The data provide the basis for developing safety analyses and closure plans, and for establishing and verifying compliance with waste acceptance specifications. Two major sources of data make up the tank characterization data subject area: Data from single-shell and double-shell tank core samples -- core sampling analytical results include physical properties, radionuclides, major chemicals, and hazardous components; and data from waste tank supernatant samples. Four types of data are stored in the TCD subject area. Qualifiers for TCD analytical result data are listed in Appendix A. Data loading and verification procedures are described in Appendix B.

Indicator geostatistical techniques have been used to produce a number of fully three-dimensional stochastic simulations of large-scale lithologic categories at the Yucca Mountain site. Each realization reproduces the available drill hole data used to condition the simulation. Information is propagated away from each point of observation in accordance with a mathematical model of spatial continuity inferred through soft data taken from published geologic cross sections. Variations among the simulated models collectively represent uncertainty in the lithology at unsampled locations. These stochastic models succeed in capturing many major features of welded-nonwelded lithologic framework of Yucca Mountain. However, contacts between welded and nonwelded rock types for individual simulations appear more complex than suggested by field observation, and a number of probable numerical artifacts exist in these models. Many of the apparent discrepancies between the simulated models and the general geology of Yucca Mountain represent characterization uncertainty, and can be traced to the sparse site data used to condition the simulations. Several vertical stratigraphic columns have been extracted from the three-dimensional stochastic models for use in simplified total-system performance assessment exercises. Simple, manual adjustments are required to eliminate the more obvious simulation artifacts and to impose a secondary set of deterministic geologic features …

Scaling laser systems to large sizes for power beaming and other applications can sometimes be simplified by combing a number of smaller lasers. However, to fully utilize this scaling, coherent beam combination is necessary. This requires measuring and controlling each beam`s pointing and phase relative to adjacent beams using an adaptive optical system. We have built a sub-scale brass-board to evaluate various methods for beam-combining. It includes a segmented adaptive optic and several different specialized wavefront sensors that are fabricated using diffractive optics methods. We have evaluated a number of different phasing algorithms, including hierarchical and matrix methods, and have demonstrated phasing of several elements. The system is currently extended to a large number of segments to evaluate various scaling methodologies.

The telemetered southern Great Basin seismic network (SGBSN) is operated for the Department of Energy`s Yucca Mountain Project (YMP). The US Geological Survey, Branch of Earthquake and Landslide Hazards, maintained this network until September 30, 1992, at which time all operational and analysis responsibilities were transferred to the University of Nevada at Reno Seismological Laboratory (UNRSL). This report contains preliminary earthquake and chemical explosion hypocenter listings and preliminary earthquake focal mechanism solutions for USGS/SGBSN data for the period January 1, 1992 through September 30, 1992, 15:00 UTC.

The high-grade uranium deposit at Cigar Lake, Canada, is being investigated as a natural analog for the disposal of nuclear fuel waste. Geochemical aspects of the site have been studied in detail, but the microbial ecology has not been fully investigated. Microbial populations in an ore sample and in groundwater samples from the vicinity of the ore zone were examined to determine their effect on uranium mobility. Counts of the total number of bacteria and of respiring bacteria were obtained by direct microscopy, and the viable aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were assessed as colony forming units (CFUs) by the dilution plating technique. In addition, the population distribution of denitrifiers, fermenters, iron- and sulfur-oxidizers, iron- and sulfate-reducers, and methanogens was determined by the most probable number (MPN) technique.

Field investigations illustrate that it is not realistic to expect new high-tech equipment to function for a full life expectancy at high efficiency without significant operations and maintenance (O&M). A simple walk through inspection of most buildings reveals extensive equipment that is being operated on manual override, is incorrectly adjusted and operating inefficiently, or is simply inoperative. This point is illustrated with two examples at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The first describes development of a comprehensive, base-wide, steam trap maintenance program. The second describes a measured evaluation from a typical office building. The objective of both examples was to assess the importance of proper O&M. The proposed ``O&M First`` philosophy will result in more efficient building HVAC operation, provide improved services to the building occupants, and reduce energy consumption and unscheduled equipment repair/replacement. Implementation of a comprehensive O&M program will result in a 15--25% energy savings. The O&M foundation that is established will allow other energy conservation activities such is demand side management or energy management and control systems, to achieve and maintain their expected energy savings.

The electrical performance of many superconducting materials is strongly dependent on mechanical load. This report presents electromechanical data on a broad range of high-magnetic-field superconductors. The conductors that were studied fall into three general categories: Candidate conductors, experimental conductors, and reference conductors. Research on candidate conductors for fusion applications provides screening data for superconductor selection as well as engineering data for magnet design and performance analysis. The effect of axial tensile strain on critical-current density was measured for several Nb{sub 3}Sn candidate conductors including the US-DPC (United States Demonstration Poloidal Coil) cable strand and an ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) candidate conductor. Also, data are presented on promising experimental superconductors that have strong potential for fusion applications. Axial strain measurements were made on a V{sub 3}Ga tape conductor that has good performance at magnetic fields up to 20 T. Axial strain data are also presented for three experimental Nb{sub 3}Sn conductors that contain dispersion hardened copper reinforcement for increased tensile strength. Finally, electromechanical characteristics were measured for three different Nb{sub 3}Sn reference conductors from the first and second VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards) international Nb{sub 3}Sn critical-current round robins. Published papers containing key results, including the first …

Accurately tracking welder qualification and assigning welders to jobs for which they are qualified is becoming more important as customers increasingly demand improved quality and conformance to industry standards. A computerized welder qualification records and tracking system (WPQ) was developed at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant to assist the user in this process. The system enables the user to consistently generate welder qualification records with minimal effort and increased accuracy, relate the welder qualification limits with the limits of the welding procedure specification, generate a printout which reports essential information for selecting qualified welders, and provide a method for updating welders based on process usage as permitted by the codes. Codes addressed by the system include American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section IX, American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1, AWS D1.3 and AWS D9.1

Much effort has been devoted to the development of sensitive spectroscopic techniques for the study of actinide speciation based on the sensitivity of f-f electronic absorption bands to oxidation state and ligation of the actinide ions. These efforts assume that data obtained in such studies will be interpretable in terms of changes in complexation of the metal center. However, the current understanding of 5f electronic structure is based on data from solid state doped single crystals. In those studies, the local coordination geometry about the central actinide ion is maintained in an almost perfect high-symmetry environment and will have little relevance for species in solution where deviations from perfect high symmetry tend to be the rule rather than the exception. The authors have developed a vigorous research program in the systematic preparation and spectroscopic characterization of synthetic actinide complexes (Th, U, Np, and Pu) in which they can control nuclearity, oxidation state, and molecular structure. These complexes have been used to determine how observable electronic transitions are perturbed in response to structural changes in the complex in solution. From the spectra obtained for these model complexes, the authors have found that the f-f transitions naturally fall into obvious groupings by …

We have made progress in characterizing a Cu-exchanged ZSM-5 for NO decomposition activity. Additionally, we are pursuing the impregnation of alumina with vanadium and copper and studying the adsorption and reaction of SO{sub 2} on these catalysts.

A qualitative three-dimensional analysis of the saturated zone flow system was performed for a 8 km {times} 8 km region including the potential Yucca Mountain repository site. Certain recognized geologic features of unknown hydraulic properties were introduced to assess the general response of the flow field to these features. Two of these features, the Solitario Canyon fault and the proposed fault in Drill Hole Wash, appear to constrain flow and allow calibration.

This document has been developed to provide guidance in the interchange of electronic CAD data with Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It is not meant to be as comprehensive as the existing standards and specifications, but to provide a minimum set of practices that will enhance the success of the CAD data exchange. It is now a Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Field Office requirement that Architect-Engineering (A-E) firms prepare all new drawings using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) system that is compatible with the Facility Manager`s (FM) CAD system. For Oak Ridge facilities, the CAD system used for facility design by the FM, Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., is Intregraph. The format for interchange of CAD data for Oak Ridge facilities will be the Intergraph MicroStation/IGDS format.