Development of Models for Use in the Assessment of Waste Repository Performance (open access)

Development of Models for Use in the Assessment of Waste Repository Performance

Any repository suitable for the disposal of radioactive waste comprises a combination of various man-made and natural barriers which aim to prevent transfer of the radionuclides from the canister to the external environment. Our group has developed the techniques needed to model the equilibrium chemistry of complex multicomponent rock/water systems over a range of ionic strengths and temperatures. These models, show remarkable agreement with field measurements when applied to natural systems. They have been applied successfully to interpret a variety of geochemical processes: studies of ancient and modern marine evaporite systems, studies of the solar evaporation of seawater studies of mineral formation in lakes and in fluid inclusions. At present our models are limited to the components of the seawater system (Na{sup +}, Mg{sup 2+}, Ca{sup 2+}, H{sup +}, SO{sub 4}{sup 2{minus}}, HCO{sub 3}{sup {minus}}, CO{sub 3}{sup 2{minus}}, CO{sub 2}), together with the borate species and SiO{sub 2}. 2 tabs.
Date: September 30, 1989
Creator: Dickson, A. G. & Weare, J. H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
DEWFALL validation experiment designs (open access)

DEWFALL validation experiment designs

Three experiments are proposed as tests to validate the DEWFALL analysis model for the large vessel project. This document is a very brief record of the techniques and test designs that could be used for validation of the model. Processes of the model which require validation include: (1) vaporization and recondensation of the vessel wall material due to energy transfer from the source, (2) melt and refreeze of vessel wall material, and (3) condensation and solidification of the source material. A methodology was developed to analyze the maximum thickness of material melted and vaporized with given experimental configurations and initial energies. DEWFALL reference calculations are included in an appendix to the document. 2 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.
Date: September 30, 1989
Creator: Lowry, B. & Walsh, B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
FMG, RENUM, LINEL, ELLFMG, ELLP and DIMES: Chain of programs for calculating and analyzing fluid flow through two-dimensional fracture networks: Users manuals and listings (open access)

FMG, RENUM, LINEL, ELLFMG, ELLP and DIMES: Chain of programs for calculating and analyzing fluid flow through two-dimensional fracture networks: Users manuals and listings

The purpose of this report is to provide the user with sufficient information to run the programs FMG, RENUM, LINEL, and ELLFMG. A previous report explained the theory and the design of these programs, so that by using the two reports, a thorough understanding of the codes is possible. This report should familiarize the user with program options and modes of operation, input variables, input and output files. Information not strictly needed to run the programs, but useful in understanding their internal structure is provided in appendices. The appendices cover program variables and arrays, subroutine outlines, a short description of each subroutine, and finally listings of codes. The additional information on FMG, RENUM, LINEL, and ELLFMG is in Appendices A, C, E, G respectively, and the listings are in Appendices B, D, F, and H.
Date: September 30, 1989
Creator: Billaux, D.; Peterson, J.; Bodea, S. & Long, J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
TF-ripple loss of suprathermal alphas in ITER (open access)

TF-ripple loss of suprathermal alphas in ITER

TF-ripple loss of alphas below the critical energy is calculated for a noncircular ITER plasma. For 14 toroidal field (TF) coils, the particle loss was found to be about 6%. About 0.6% of the initial alpha energy (3.5 MeV) is lost. 26 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs.
Date: September 30, 1989
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Design and Structural Analysis of Mars Rover RTG (open access)

Design and Structural Analysis of Mars Rover RTG

The paper describes the design and the structural and mass analysis of a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) for powering the MARS Rover vehicle, which is a critical element of the unmanned Mars Rover and Sample Return mission (MRSR). The RTG design study was conducted by Fairchild Space Company for the U.S. Department of Energy, in support of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's MRSR project.; The paper briefly describes a reference mission scenario, an illustrative Rover design and activity pattern on Mars, and its power system requirements and environmental constraints, including the RTG cooling requirements during transit to Mars. It identifies the key RTG design problem, i.e. venting the helium generated by the fuel's alpha decay without intrusion of the Martian atmosphere into the RTG, and proposes a design approach for solving that problem.; Using that approach, it describes a very conservative baseline RTG design. The design is based on the proven and safety-qualified General Purpose Heat Source module, and employs standard thermoelectric unicouples whose reliability and performance stability has been extensively demonstrated on previous space missions. The heat source of the 250-watt RTG consists of a stack of 18 separate modules that is supported at its ends but not along its …
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: Schock, Alfred; Hamrick, T.; Sankarankandath, V. & Shirbacheh, M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program environmental compliance assessment checklists (open access)

Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program environmental compliance assessment checklists

The purpose of the Environmental Compliance Assessment Program is to assess the compliance of Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) sites with applicable environmental regulations and Department of Energy (DOE) Orders. The mission is to identify, assess, and decontaminate sites utilized during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s to process and store uranium and thorium ores in support of the Manhattan Engineer District and the Atomic Energy Commission. To conduct the FUSRAP environmental compliance assessment, checklists were developed that outline audit procedures to determine the compliance status of the site. The checklists are divided in four groups to correspond to these regulatory areas: Hazardous Waste Management, PCB Management, Air Emissions, and Water Discharges.
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: Levine, M. B. & Sigmon, C. F.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hazardous waste treatment and environmental remediation research (open access)

Hazardous waste treatment and environmental remediation research

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is currently evaluating hazardous waste treatment and environmental remediation technologies in existence and under development to determine applicability to remediation needs of the DOE facilities under the Albuquerque Operations Office and to determine areas of research need. To assist LANL is this effort, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) conducted an assessment of technologies and monitoring methods that have been demonstrated or are under development. The focus of this assessment is to: (1) identify existing technologies for hazardous waste treatment and environmental remediation of old waste sites; (2) identify technologies under development and the status of the technology; (3) assess new technologies that need development to provide adequate hazardous waste treatment and remedial action technologies for DOD and DOE sites; and (4) identify hazardous waste and remediation problems for environmental research and development. There are currently numerous research and development activities underway nationwide relating to environmental contaminants and the remediation of waste sites. To perform this effort, SAIC evaluated current technologies and monitoring methods development programs in EPA, DOD, and DOE, as these are the primary agencies through which developmental methods are being demonstrated. This report presents this evaluation and provides recommendations as to pertinent research …
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
MHTGR core temperature measurement trade study (open access)

MHTGR core temperature measurement trade study

The objective of this task was to assess the need for core non-nuclear instrumentation. The focus of this study was the evaluation of core investment risk events. Three categories of events were considered: (1) unanticipated primary loop flow leakages and core bypass flows, (2) core coolant channel flow blockages and (3) off-design core power distributions. The measurements that were considered include column average coolant exit temperatures, core average coolant exit temperature, core pressure drop and core flow rate. The findings are summarized. 3 refs., 7 figs.
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: Kapernick, R. & Howard, W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Operating procedure for SiC defect detection: Data support document (open access)

Operating procedure for SiC defect detection: Data support document

The feasibility of the Hg Intrusion QC method for measuring SiC coating defects for the MHTGR was conducted as a potential improvement for the Burn/Leach (B/L) QC method currently used. The purpose for evaluating the Hg Intrusion QC method as an alternative method was to determine if B/L QC method underestimated SiC coating defects. Some evidence in work conducted earlier, indicated that TRISO-coated fuel particles with low SiC coating defects measured by the B/L QC method showed higher releases of metallic fission products. These data indicated that the SiC coating defect fractions were higher than the B/L measured data indicated. Sample sizes used in the current study were too small to conclusively demonstrate that the B/L QC method under estimate SiC coating defects. However, observations made during this study indicated a need for an additional QC method to the B/L QC method to measure SiC coating defects for the higher quality MHTGR fuels. The B/L QC method is the best method for measuring SiC coating defects with missing SiC layers or broken SiC coatings (gross SiC defects). However, SiC coating defects with microcracks and other SiC defects not detected by the B/L method may contribute to the release of metallic …
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: Adams, C. C. & Partain, K. E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Radionuclide methods validation with FSV [Fort St. Vrain] data (open access)

Radionuclide methods validation with FSV [Fort St. Vrain] data

As part of the radionuclide methods verification program at GA, a fuel performance analysis of the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) core was performed using the reference fuel performance and fission gas release models. The purpose of the analysis was to predict the fuel and graphite temperature distributions, fuel particle failure, and fission gas release as a function of time, and to compare the predicted fission gas release with data taken as part of the FSV radiochemistry surveillance program. The analysis covered the entire operating time of the FSV plant except for the last 18 days prior to the final shutdown because the operating parameters and data for this period were not available when the analysis was performed. 3 refs., 29 figs., 5 tabs.
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: Jovanovic, V.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
STRUCTURAL DESIGN CRITERIA FOR REPLACEABLE GRAPHITE CORE ELEMENTS (open access)

STRUCTURAL DESIGN CRITERIA FOR REPLACEABLE GRAPHITE CORE ELEMENTS

This document describes the structural criteria for the design of the replaceable graphite elements of the Modular High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (MHTGR) core.
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: Rickard, N. D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Thermal and Electrical Analysis of MARS Rover RTG, and Performance Comparison of Alternative Design Options. (open access)

Thermal and Electrical Analysis of MARS Rover RTG, and Performance Comparison of Alternative Design Options.

The paper describes the thermal, thermoelectric and electrical analysis of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) for powering the MARS Rover vehicle, which is a critical element of the unmanned Mars Rover and Sample Return mission (MRSR). The work described was part of an RTG design study conducted by Fairchild Space Company for the U.S. Department of Energy, in support of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's MRSR Project.; A companion paper presented at this conference described a reference mission scenario, al illustrative Rover design and activity pattern on Mars, its power system requirements and environmental constraints, a design approach enabling RTG operation in the Martian atmosphere, and the design and the structural and mass analysis of a conservative baseline RTG employing safety-qualified heat source modules and reliability-proven thermoelectric converter elements.; The present paper presents a detailed description of the baseline RTG's thermal, thermoelectric, and electrical analysis. It examines the effect of different operating conditions (beginning versus end of mission, water-cooled versus radiation-cooled, summer day versus winter night) on the RTG's performance. Finally, the paper describes and analyzes a number of alternative RTG designs, to determine the effect of different power levels (250W versus 125W), different thermoelectric element designs (standard versus short unicouples versus …
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: Schock, Alfred; Or, Chuen T & Skrabek, Emanuel A
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Visualization of scientific data - work performed for X-3. Final report (open access)

Visualization of scientific data - work performed for X-3. Final report

This is the final report on this project. Applied Computing Systems, Inc., started work on the computer codes for visualization of X-3 scientific data on the Silicon Graphics 4D70/GT workstation on May 18, 1989. There were two separate codes, a 2-D and a 3-D version, that had been developed by X-3 over approximately the previous six months. Work was performed under three successive tasking orders, and the specific accomplishments are summarized as excerpts from the monthly reports that had been submitted while the work was being performed. Installing the video equipment was listed as a subtask in each of the three task orders. However, the video equipment did not arrive until the start of task 3, so that work was delayed until the very end.
Date: September 29, 1989
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
B production in hadron collisions: Theory (open access)

B production in hadron collisions: Theory

A review is presented of heavy quark production in {bar p}p, {pi}{sup -}p, and pp interactions at fixed target and collider energies. Calculations of total cross sections and of single quark inclusive differential cross sections d{sup 2}{sigma}/dk{sub T}dy are described including contributions through next-to-leading order in QCD perturbation theory. Comparisons with available data on charm and bottom quark production show good agreement for reasonable values of the charm and bottom quark masses and other parameters. Predictions and open issues in the interpretation of results are summarized. 20 refs., 5 figs.
Date: September 28, 1989
Creator: Berger, E. L.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Equation of state of partially-ionized dense plasmas (open access)

Equation of state of partially-ionized dense plasmas

This paper describes methods for calculating the equation of state of partially-ionized dense plasmas. The term dense plasma is used rather than strongly coupled plasma, since it is possible that at plasma conditions such that only a few levels can be observed spectroscopically the plasma coupling parameters are not large. Due mainly to their importance in theoretical astrophysics, the properties of partially ionized plasmas have been of interest for a long while. More recently, this interest has intensified due to the development of methods for producing partially ionized plasmas in the laboratory. This has opened up large programs of experimental investigation and of practical application. In this paper we consider detailed statistical mechanical methods that explicitly treat the distribution over ionic species and their energy level structure. These detailed approaches are generally characterized as being in the chemical picture'' when a free energy expression is minimized or in the physical picture'' when the starting point is the grand canonical ensemble. 52 refs., 2 tabs.
Date: September 28, 1989
Creator: Rogers, F. J.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Microwave Tokamak Experiment: An overview of the construction and checkout phase (open access)

Microwave Tokamak Experiment: An overview of the construction and checkout phase

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) we constructed and presently operate the Microwave Tokamak Experiment (MTX) to demonstrate the feasibility of using microwave pulses produced from a free electron laser (FEL) to provide electron cyclotron heating (ECH) for use in tokamaks, particularly high-field machines. The MTX consists primarily of the ALCATOR C tokamak and power supplies that were documented and disassembled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and shipped to LLNL in April 1987. We made many additions, including a new primary power system from the magnetic Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) substation, a new commutation system, substantially upgraded seismic support system for earthquake loading, a fast controls system for use with the FEL, a new data-acquisition system, and a new vault facility. We checked out these systems and put them into operation in October 1988; we achieved the first plasma in November 1988. We have also constructed and installed the microwave transmission system and the local microwave system to be used with the FEL. These systems transmit the microwaves to MTX quasi-optically through an evacuated tube. The ongoing plasma operations, both with and without FEL heating, are described in a companion paper. 12 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.
Date: September 28, 1989
Creator: Lang, L. L. & Bell, H. H.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Prospects for a soft x-ray FEL powered by a relativistic-klystron high-gradient accelerator (RK-HGA) (open access)

Prospects for a soft x-ray FEL powered by a relativistic-klystron high-gradient accelerator (RK-HGA)

We present here the concept of x-ray FELs using high gain, single-pass amplifiers with electron beams accelerated in high gradient structures powered by relativistic klystrons. Other authors have also considered x-ray FELs; the unique aspect of this paper is the use of high gradient acceleration. One of the authors has previously presented preliminary studies on this concept. The intent in this paper is to display the results of a top level design study on a high gain FEL, to present its sensitivity to a variety of fabrication and tuning errors, to discuss several mechanisms for increasing gain yet more, and to present explicitly the output characteristics of such an FEL. The philosophy of the design study is to find a plausible operating point which employs existing or nearly existing state-of-the-art technologies while minimizing the accelerator and wiggler lengths. The notion is to distribute the technical risk as evenly as possible over the several technologies so that each must advance only slightly in order to make this design feasible. This study entailed no systematic investigation of possible costs so that, for example, the sole criterion for balancing the trade-off between beam energy and wiggler length is that the two components have …
Date: September 28, 1989
Creator: Shay, H. D.; Barletta, W. A.; Yu, S. S.; Schlueter, R. & Deis, G. A.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Enhancing the use of coals by gas reburning-sorbent injection (open access)

Enhancing the use of coals by gas reburning-sorbent injection

The objective of this project is to evaluate and demonstrate a cost effective emission control technology for acid rain precursors, oxides of nitrogen (NO{sub x}) and sulfur (SO{sub x}), on three coal fired utility boilers in Illinois. The units selected are representative of pre-NSPS design practices: tangential, wall, and cyclone fired. The specific objectives are to demonstrate reductions of 60 percent in NO{sub x} and 50 percent in SO{sub x} emissions, by a combination of two developed technologies, gas reburning (GR) and sorbent injection (SI). With GR, about 80--85 percent of the coal fuel is fired in the primary combustion zone. The balance of the fuel is added downstream as natural gas to create a slightly fuel rich environment in which NO{sub x} is converted to N{sub 2}. The combustion process is completed by overfire air addition. SO{sub x} emissions are reduced by injecting dry sorbents (usually calcium based) into the upper furnace. The sorbents trap SO{sub x} as solid sulfates that are collected in the particulate control device.
Date: September 27, 1989
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Enhancing the use of coals by gas reburning-sorbent injection. Quarterly report no. 8-A, June 1--August 31, 1989 (open access)

Enhancing the use of coals by gas reburning-sorbent injection. Quarterly report no. 8-A, June 1--August 31, 1989

The objective of this project is to evaluate and demonstrate a cost effective emission control technology for acid rain precursors, oxides of nitrogen (NO{sub x}) and sulfur (SO{sub x}), on three coal fired utility boilers in Illinois. The units selected are representative of pre-NSPS design practices: tangential, wall, and cyclone fired. The specific objectives are to demonstrate reductions of 60 percent in NO{sub x} and 50 percent in SO{sub x} emissions, by a combination of two developed technologies, gas reburning (GR) and sorbent injection (SI). With GR, about 80--85 percent of the coal fuel is fired in the primary combustion zone. The balance of the fuel is added downstream as natural gas to create a slightly fuel rich environment in which NO{sub x} is converted to N{sub 2}. The combustion process is completed by overfire air addition. SO{sub x} emissions are reduced by injecting dry sorbents (usually calcium based) into the upper furnace. The sorbents trap SO{sub x} as solid sulfates that are collected in the particulate control device.
Date: September 27, 1989
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Microwave transport system for the MTX (Microwave Tokamak Experiment) (open access)

Microwave transport system for the MTX (Microwave Tokamak Experiment)

This paper presents the design and construction, as well as the initial operation, of the Microwave Transmission System. The system consists of containment vessels, mirror boxes, mirrors, an alignment system, two turbo-molecular pump vacuum stations, and microwave source. Fifty-ns-length pulses of 6-MeV electrons pass through a free electron laser (FEL) wiggler. A 300 W extended interaction oscillator (EIO) of 140 GHz frequency supplies the seed signal for amplification in the wiggler. The electron beam is dumped and the microwave beam is transmitted quasi-optically 90 ft by six aluminum mirrors through an evacuated tube. Three of the mirrors are elliptical paraboloids and the others are flat. A seventh mirror is rotated into the microwave beam to divert it into a load tank. The transport vacuum vessel is 20-in.-diameter stainless steel tube with bellows and mirror boxes at each mirror. Two vacuum systems at each end of the transport tube allow a base pressure of 10{sup {minus}7} Torr to be attained by 7000 L/s of turbo-molecular pumping. Also at each mirror, at the MTX vessel, and at the two ends of the wiggler waveguide are HeNe laser detectors used for vacuum alignment. Descriptions of the major components, their requirements and system requirements …
Date: September 27, 1989
Creator: Felker, B. & Ferguson, S.W.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
MTX/ELF II (Microwave Tokamak Experiment/ Electron Laser Facility II) microwave power measurements and calibration for the 2-GW, 140-GHZ, ELF II free-electron laser (FEL) (open access)

MTX/ELF II (Microwave Tokamak Experiment/ Electron Laser Facility II) microwave power measurements and calibration for the 2-GW, 140-GHZ, ELF II free-electron laser (FEL)

We have developed techniques for measuring the power and frequency of the Electron Laser Facility (ELF) II free-electron laser (FEL) used for plasma heating experiments on the Microwave Tokamak Experiment (MTX). We also have designed a multichannel, 140-GHz receiver capable of measuring FEL power levels from 10 mW to 0.1 {mu}W within an accuracy of {plus minus}1 dB with a 50-dB dynamic range and a 2-ns response time. By using calibrated attenuators, we can measure power levels from 10 GW to 0.1 {mu}W. We sample the microwave output of the FEL in a microwave load tank by using WR-8 or WR-28 stub waveguide antennas. Microwave turning mirrors are used to guide the microwave beam down an evacuated beam tube to the MTX. Stub, WR-8, fundamental-mode, waveguide antennas are used for beam detection on the microwave turning mirrors. Orthogonal, WR-8, stub waveguides are machined into the surfaces of the mirrors and used as directional couplers to measure forward and reflected power from the FEL. The microwave power is then transported to the microwave receiver via a low-loss, over-moded, WR-28 waveguide. A movable modes probe in the microwave load tank is used to scan across the microwave beam to determine the modes …
Date: September 27, 1989
Creator: Ferguson, S.W.; Stever, R.; Throop, A.; Felker, B. & Franklin, R.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
SSC (Superconducting Super Collider) supplementary conceptual design report: Cryogenics for detectors (open access)

SSC (Superconducting Super Collider) supplementary conceptual design report: Cryogenics for detectors

This technical memorandum contains text provided to the SSC for their use in the Supplementary Conceptual Design Report. It was written as part of a Fermilab effort under the guidance of Ray Stefanski of the Fermilab Research Division. This particular memorandum considers the cryogenic systems required to support the superconducting magnets and liquid argon calorimeters associated with SSC detectors.
Date: September 27, 1989
Creator: Fast, R.W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Assessment of Geothermal Resources for Electric Generation in the Pacific Northwest, Draft Issue Paper for the Northwest Power Planning Council (open access)

Assessment of Geothermal Resources for Electric Generation in the Pacific Northwest, Draft Issue Paper for the Northwest Power Planning Council

This document reviews the geothermal history, technology, costs, and Pacific Northwest potentials. The report discusses geothermal generation, geothermal resources in the Pacific Northwest, cost and operating characteristics of geothermal power plants, environmental effects of geothermal generation, and prospects for development in the Pacific Northwest. This report was prepared expressly for use by the Northwest Power Planning Council. The report contains numerous references at the end of the document. [DJE-2005]
Date: September 26, 1989
Creator: Geyer, John D.; Kellerman, L. M. & Bloomquist, R. G.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biomodal spontaneous fission (open access)

Biomodal spontaneous fission

Investigations of mass and kinetic-energy distributions from spontaneous fission have been extended in recent years to an isotope of element 104 and, for half-lives, to an isotope of element 108. The results have been surprising in that spontaneous fission half-lives have turned out to be much longer than expected and mass and kinetic- energy distributions were found to abruptly shift away from those of the lighter actinides, showing two modes of fission. These new developments have caused a re-evaluation of our understanding of the fission process, bringing an even deeper appreciation of the role played by nuclear shell effects upon spontaneous fission properties. 16 refs., 10 figs.
Date: September 26, 1989
Creator: Hulet, E.K. (Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA))
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library