Resource Type

Texas Safety Action Report (open access)

Texas Safety Action Report

Report regarding immediate and future actions to improve safety for Texans related to mass shootings and other attacks, and including explanations of relevant executive orders.
Date: September 12, 2019
Creator: Abbott, Greg, 1957-
System: The Portal to Texas History
AGR-2 Data Qualification Interim Report (open access)

AGR-2 Data Qualification Interim Report

Projects for the very high temperature reactor (VHTR) Technology Development Office program provide data in support of Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing of the VHTR. Fuel and materials to be used in the reactor are tested and characterized to quantify performance in high temperature and high fluence environments. The VHTR program established the NGNP Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS) to manage and document VHTR data qualification, for storage of the data in a readily accessible electronic form, and to assist in the analysis and presentation of the data. This document gives the status of NDMAS processing and qualification of data associated with the initial reactor cycle (147A) of the second Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR-2) experiment which began on June 21, 2010. Because it is early in the AGR-2 experiment, data from only two AGR-2 data streams are reported on: Fuel Fabrication and Fuel Irradiation data. As of August 1, 2010, approximately 311,000 irradiation data records have been stored in NDMAS, and qualification tests are in progress. Preliminary information indicates that TC 2 in Capsule 2 failed prior to start of the experiment, and NDMAS testing has thus far identified only two invalid data values from the METSO data collection system …
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Abbott, Michael L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Dark Energy Spectrometer (DESpec): A Multi-Fiber Spectroscopic Upgrade of the Dark Energy Camera and Survey for the Blanco Telescope (open access)

The Dark Energy Spectrometer (DESpec): A Multi-Fiber Spectroscopic Upgrade of the Dark Energy Camera and Survey for the Blanco Telescope

None
Date: September 1, 2012
Creator: Abdalla, F.; Annis, J.; Bacon, D.; Bridle, S.; Castander, F.; Colless, M. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Process Knowledge Summary Report for Advanced Test Reactor Complex Contact-Handled Transuranic Waste Drum TRA010029 (open access)

Process Knowledge Summary Report for Advanced Test Reactor Complex Contact-Handled Transuranic Waste Drum TRA010029

This Process Knowledge Summary Report summarizes information collected to satisfy the transportation and waste acceptance requirements for the transfer of one drum containing contact-handled transuranic (TRU) actinide standards generated by the Idaho National Laboratory at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) Complex to the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP) for storage and subsequent shipment to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant for final disposal. The drum (i.e., Integrated Waste Tracking System Bar Code Number TRA010029) is currently stored at the Materials and Fuels Complex. The information collected includes documentation that addresses the requirements for AMWTP and applicable sections of their Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permits for receipt and disposal of this TRU waste generated from ATR. This Process Knowledge Summary Report includes information regarding, but not limited to, the generation process, the physical form, radiological characteristics, and chemical contaminants of the TRU waste, prohibited items, and packaging configuration. This report, along with the referenced supporting documents, will create a defensible and auditable record for this TRU waste originating from ATR.
Date: September 1, 2013
Creator: Adams, B. R.; Grant, R. P.; Smith, P. R. & Weisgerber, J. L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Characterization of Oxy-combustion Impacts in Existing Coal-fired Boilers (open access)

Characterization of Oxy-combustion Impacts in Existing Coal-fired Boilers

Reaction Engineering International (REI) managed a team of experts from University of Utah, Siemens Energy, Praxair, Vattenfall AB, Sandia National Laboratories, Brigham Young University (BYU) and Corrosion Management Ltd. to perform multi-scale experiments, coupled with mechanism development, process modeling and CFD modeling, for both applied and fundamental investigations. The primary objective of this program was to acquire data and develop tools to characterize and predict impacts of CO{sub 2} flue gas recycle and burner feed design on flame characteristics (burnout, NO{sub x}, SO{sub x}, mercury and fine particle emissions, heat transfer) and operational concerns (fouling, slagging and corrosion) inherent in the retrofit of existing coal-fired boilers for oxy-coal combustion. Experimental work was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories’ Entrained Flow Reactor, the University of Utah Industrial Combustion Research Facility, and Brigham Young University. Process modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was performed at REI. Successful completion of the project objectives resulted in the following key deliverables: 1) Multi-scale test data from 0.1 kW bench-scale, 100 kW and 200 kW laboratory-scale, and 1 MW semi-industrial scale combustors that describe differences in flame characteristics, fouling, slagging and corrosion for coal combustion under air-firing and oxygen-firing conditions, including sensitivity to oxy-burner design and …
Date: September 30, 2013
Creator: Adams, Bradley; Davis, Kevin; Senior, Constance; Shim, Hong Shim; Otten, Brydger; Fry, Andrew et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Predictive Science Panel Unclassified Report, LLNL Meeting (open access)

Predictive Science Panel Unclassified Report, LLNL Meeting

None
Date: September 12, 2013
Creator: Adams, M
System: The UNT Digital Library
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Transit Bus Experience Survey: April 2009--April 2010 (open access)

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Transit Bus Experience Survey: April 2009--April 2010

This survey was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to collect and analyze experiential data and information from a cross-section of U.S. transit agencies with varying degrees of compressed natural gas (CNG) bus and station experience. This information will be used to assist DOE and NREL in determining areas of success and areas where further technical or other assistance might be required, and to assist them in focusing on areas judged by the CNG transit community as priority items.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Adams, R. & Horne, D. B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Security Assistance to Lebanon (open access)

U.S. Security Assistance to Lebanon

This report discusses key issues facing U.S. policy makers and Members of Congress when considering U.S. security assistance in the context of U.S. policy toward Lebanon. These key issues include assessing the effectiveness of U.S. assistance programs, assessing overall U.S. policy toward Lebanon, and managing relations with other external actors.
Date: September 20, 2010
Creator: Addis, Casey L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Security Assistance to Lebanon (open access)

U.S. Security Assistance to Lebanon

This report discusses key issues facing U.S. policy makers and Members of Congress when considering U.S. security assistance in the context of U.S. policy toward Lebanon. These key issues include assessing the effectiveness of U.S. assistance programs, assessing overall U.S. policy toward Lebanon, and managing relations with other external actors.
Date: September 20, 2010
Creator: Addis, Casey L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lifecycle Assessment of Beijing-Area Building Energy Use and Emissions: Summary Findings and Policy Applications (open access)

Lifecycle Assessment of Beijing-Area Building Energy Use and Emissions: Summary Findings and Policy Applications

Buildings are at the locus of three trends driving China's increased energy use and emissions: urbanization, growing personal consumption, and surging heavy industrial production. Migration to cities and urban growth create demand for new building construction. Higher levels of per-capita income and consumption drive building operational energy use with demand for higher intensity lighting, thermal comfort, and plug-load power. Demand for new buildings, infrastructure, and electricity requires heavy industrial production. In order to quantify the implications of China's ongoing urbanization, rising personal consumption, and booming heavy industrial sector, this study presents a lifecycle assessment (LCA) of the energy use and carbon emissions related to residential and commercial buildings. The purpose of the LCA model is to quantify the impact of a given building and identify policy linkages to mitigate energy demand and emissions growth related to China's new building construction. As efficiency has become a higher priority with growing energy demand, policy and academic attention to buildings has focused primarily on operational energy use. Existing studies estimate that building operational energy consumption accounts for approximately 25% of total primary energy use in China. However, buildings also require energy for mining, extracting, processing, manufacturing, and transporting materials, as well as energy …
Date: September 15, 2010
Creator: Aden, Nathaniel; Qin, Yining & Fridley, David
System: The UNT Digital Library
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ELUANTS FOR NON-ACID ELUTION OF CESIUM FROM RESORCINOL-FORMALDEHYDE RESIN (open access)

PRELIMINARY REPORT ON EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ELUANTS FOR NON-ACID ELUTION OF CESIUM FROM RESORCINOL-FORMALDEHYDE RESIN

Small-column ion exchange (SCIX) units installed in high-level waste tanks to remove Cs-137 from highly alkaline salt solutions are among the waste treatment plans in the DOE-complex. Spherical Resorcinol-Formaldehyde (sRF) is the ion exchange resin selected for use in the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). It is also the primary ion exchange material under consideration for SCIX at the Hanford site. The elution step of the multi-step ion exchange process is typically done with 0.5 M nitric acid. An acid eluant is a potential hazard in the event of a spill, leak, etc. because the high-level waste tanks are made of carbon steel. Corrosion and associated structural damage may ensue. Studies are ongoing to explore non-acid elution as an alternative. Batch contact sorption equilibrium screening tests have been conducted with 36 potential non-acid eluants. The sorption tests involve equilibrating each cesium-containing eluant solution with the sRF resin for 48 hours at 25 C in a shaker oven. In the sorption tests, an eluant is deemed to have a high cesium elution potential if it minimizes cesium sorption onto the sRF resin. The top candidates (based on lowest cesium sorption distribution coefficients) include ammonium carbonate, ammonium carbonate/ammonium hydroxide, ammonium …
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Adu-Wusu, K. & Pennebaker, F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Demonst (open access)

Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Demonst

The online monitoring of active components project
Date: September 1, 2013
Creator: Agarwal, Vivek; Lybeck, Nancy J. & Matacia, Laura C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Monte Carlo Simulation Tool Installation and Operation Guide (open access)

Monte Carlo Simulation Tool Installation and Operation Guide

This document provides information on software and procedures for Monte Carlo simulations based on the Geant4 toolkit, the ROOT data analysis software and the CRY cosmic ray library. These tools have been chosen for its application to shield design and activation studies as part of the simulation task for the Majorana Collaboration. This document includes instructions for installation, operation and modification of the simulation code in a high cyber-security computing environment, such as the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory network. It is intended as a living document, and will be periodically updated. It is a starting point for information collection by an experimenter, and is not the definitive source. Users should consult with one of the authors for guidance on how to find the most current information for their needs.
Date: September 2, 2013
Creator: Aguayo Navarrete, Estanislao; Ankney, Austin S.; Berguson, Timothy J.; Kouzes, Richard T.; Orrell, John L.; Troy, Meredith D. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cosmic Ray Interactions in Shielding Materials (open access)

Cosmic Ray Interactions in Shielding Materials

This document provides a detailed study of materials used to shield against the hadronic particles from cosmic ray showers at Earth’s surface. This work was motivated by the need for a shield that minimizes activation of the enriched germanium during transport for the MAJORANA collaboration. The materials suitable for cosmic-ray shield design are materials such as lead and iron that will stop the primary protons, and materials like polyethylene, borated polyethylene, concrete and water that will stop the induced neutrons. The interaction of the different cosmic-ray components at ground level (protons, neutrons, muons) with their wide energy range (from kilo-electron volts to giga-electron volts) is a complex calculation. Monte Carlo calculations have proven to be a suitable tool for the simulation of nucleon transport, including hadron interactions and radioactive isotope production. The industry standard Monte Carlo simulation tool, Geant4, was used for this study. The result of this study is the assertion that activation at Earth’s surface is a result of the neutronic and protonic components of the cosmic-ray shower. The best material to shield against these cosmic-ray components is iron, which has the best combination of primary shielding and minimal secondary neutron production.
Date: September 8, 2011
Creator: Aguayo Navarrete, Estanislao; Kouzes, Richard T.; Ankney, Austin S.; Orrell, John L.; Berguson, Timothy J. & Troy, Meredith D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Recommendations for a Static Cosmic Ray Shield for Enriched Germanium Detectors (open access)

Recommendations for a Static Cosmic Ray Shield for Enriched Germanium Detectors

This document provides a detailed study of cost and materials that could be used to shield the detector material of the international Tonne-scale germanium neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment from hadronic particles from cosmic ray showers at the Earth's surface. This work was motivated by the need for a shield that minimizes activation of the enriched germanium during storage; in particular, when the detector material is being worked on at the detector manufacturer's facility. This work considers two options for shielding the detector material from cosmic ray particles. One option is to use a pre-existing structure already located near the detector manufacturer, such as Canberra Industries in Meriden, Connecticut. The other option is to build a shield onsite at a detector manufacturer's site. This paper presents a cost and efficiency analysis of such construction.
Date: September 21, 2011
Creator: Aguayo Navarrete, Estanislao; Orrell, John L.; Ankney, Austin S. & Berguson, Timothy J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Future of the Eurozone and U.S. Interests (open access)

The Future of the Eurozone and U.S. Interests

This report details the consequences of the European financial crisis of 2010 beginning with the economic fallout of the Greek economy. It then highlights six factors that would be instrumental regarding the "Eurozones" future.
Date: September 14, 2010
Creator: Ahearn, Raymond J.; Jackson, James K.; Nelson, Rebecca M. & Weiss, Martin A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Enabling R&D for accurate simulation of non-ideal explosives. (open access)

Enabling R&D for accurate simulation of non-ideal explosives.

We implemented two numerical simulation capabilities essential to reliably predicting the effect of non-ideal explosives (NXs). To begin to be able to treat the multiple, competing, multi-step reaction paths and slower kinetics of NXs, Sandia's CTH shock physics code was extended to include the TIGER thermochemical equilibrium solver as an in-line routine. To facilitate efficient exploration of reaction pathways that need to be identified for the CTH simulations, we implemented in Sandia's LAMMPS molecular dynamics code the MSST method, which is a reactive molecular dynamics technique for simulating steady shock wave response. Our preliminary demonstrations of these two capabilities serve several purposes: (i) they demonstrate proof-of-principle for our approach; (ii) they provide illustration of the applicability of the new functionality; and (iii) they begin to characterize the use of the new functionality and identify where improvements will be needed for the ultimate capability to meet national security needs. Next steps are discussed.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Aidun, John Bahram; Thompson, Aidan Patrick & Schmitt, Robert Gerard
System: The UNT Digital Library
ANALYSIS OF PASSIVATED SURFACES FOR MASS SPECTROMETER INLET SYSTEMS BY AUGER ELECTRON AND X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY (open access)

ANALYSIS OF PASSIVATED SURFACES FOR MASS SPECTROMETER INLET SYSTEMS BY AUGER ELECTRON AND X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY

Stainless steel coupons approximately 0.5' in diameter and 0.125' thick were passivated with five different surface treatments and an untreated coupon was left as a control. These surface treatments are being explored for use in tritium storage containers. These coupons were made to allow surface analysis of the surface treatments using well-know surface analysis techniques. Depth profiles using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed on these coupons to characterize the surface and near surface regions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were collected as well. All of the surface treatments studied here appear to change the surface morphology dramatically, as evidenced by lack of tool marks on the treated samples. In terms of the passivation treatment, Vendors A-D appeared to have oxide layers that were very similar in thickness to each other (0.7-0.9 nm thick) as well as the untreated samples (the untreated sample oxide layers appeared to be somewhat larger). Vendor E's silicon coating appears to be on the order of 200 nm thick.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Ajo, H. & Clark, E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues (open access)

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues

This report provides: (1) a background on Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) origins and program operations; (2) discussion of the international development finance context; and (3) analysis of key issues for Congress related to OPIC.
Date: September 25, 2013
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah I.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Ex-Im Bank: No Quorum, No Problem? (open access)

Ex-Im Bank: No Quorum, No Problem?

This report discusses the operation on a limited basis of the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) despite a renewal of its general statutory charter through FY2019 (P.L. 114-94,
Date: September 15, 2016
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
System: The UNT Digital Library
Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) Reauthorization (open access)

Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) Reauthorization

None
Date: September 2, 2014
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
System: The UNT Digital Library
Handling and characterization of glow-discharge polymer samples for the light gas gun (open access)

Handling and characterization of glow-discharge polymer samples for the light gas gun

None
Date: September 6, 2013
Creator: Akin, M. C.; Chau, R.; Jenei, Z.; Lipp, M. J. & Evans, W. J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cyber Security Challenges in Using Cloud Computing in the Electric Utility Industry (open access)

Cyber Security Challenges in Using Cloud Computing in the Electric Utility Industry

This document contains introductory material that discusses cyber security challenges in using cloud computing in the electric utility industry.
Date: September 1, 2012
Creator: Akyol, Bora A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Methods Data Qualification Interim Report (open access)

Methods Data Qualification Interim Report

The overall goal of the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS) is to maintain data provenance for all NGNP data including the Methods component of NGNP data. Multiple means are available to access data stored in NDMAS. A web portal environment allows users to access data, view the results of qualification tests and view graphs and charts of various attributes of the data. NDMAS also has methods for the management of the data output from VHTR simulation models and data generated from experiments designed to verify and validate the simulation codes. These simulation models represent the outcome of mathematical representation of VHTR components and systems. The methods data management approaches described herein will handle data that arise from experiment, simulation, and external sources for the main purpose of facilitating parameter estimation and model verification and validation (V&V). A model integration environment entitled ModelCenter is used to automate the storing of data from simulation model runs to the NDMAS repository. This approach does not adversely change the why computational scientists conduct their work. The method is to be used mainly to store the results of model runs that need to be preserved for auditing purposes or …
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Alessi, R. Sam; Grimmett, Tami; Vang, Leng & McGrath, Dave
System: The UNT Digital Library