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At least 181 records · Page 10

SU-E-T-675: Remote Dosimetry with a Novel PRESAGE Formulation

Purpose: 3D-gel dosimetry provides high-resolution treatment validation; however, scanners aren’t widely available. In remote dosimetry, dosimeters are shipped out from a central base institution to a remote site for irradiation, then shipped back for scanning and analysis, affording a convenient service for treatment validation to institutions lacking the necessary equipment and resources. Previous works demonstrated the high-resolution performance and temporal stability of PRESAGE. Here the newest formulation is investigated for remote dosimetry use. Methods: A new formulation of PRESAGE was created with the aim of improved color stability post irradiation. Dose sensitivity was determined by irradiating cuvettes on a Varian Linac (6MV) from 0–15Gy and measuring change in optical density at 633nm. Sensitivity readings were tracked over time in a temperature control study to determine long-term stability. A large volume study was performed to evaluate the accuracy for remote dosimetry. A 1kg dosimeter was pre-scanned, irradiated on-site with an 8Gy 4field box treatment, post-scanned and shipped to Princess Margaret Hospital for remote reading on an identical scanner. Results: Dose sensitivities ranged from 0.0194–0.0295 ΔOD/(Gy*cm)—similar to previous formulations. Post-irradiated cuvettes stored at 10°C retained 100% initial sensitivity over 5 days and 98.6% over 10 weeks while cuvettes stored at room temperature fell to 95.8% after 5 days and 37.4% after 10 weeks. The immediate and 5-day scans of the 4field box dosimeter data was reconstructed, registered to the corresponding eclipse dose-distribution, and compared with analytical tools in CERR. Immediate and 5-day scans looked visually similar. Line profiles revealed close agreement aside from a slight elevation in dose at the edge in the 5-day readout. Conclusion: The remote dosimetry formulation exhibits excellent temporal stability in small volumes. While immediate and 5-day readout scans of large volume dosimeters show promising agreement, further development is required to reduce an apparent time dependent edge elevation.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

On the Need to Modify the Sea Surface Roughness Formulation over Shallow Waters

Abstract The wind stress formulation in an atmospheric model over shallow waters is investigated using year-long observations of the wind profile within the first 100 m of the atmosphere and mesoscale simulations. The model experiments use a range of planetary boundary layer parameterizations to quantify the uncertainty related to the turbulent closure assumptions and thus to isolate the dominant influence of the surface roughness formulation. Results indicate that a positive wind speed bias exists when common open-ocean formulations for roughness are adopted for a region with a water depth of 30 m. Imposition of a wind stress formulation that is consistent with previous shallow-water estimates is necessary to reconcile model wind speeds with observations, providing modeling evidence that supports the increase of surface drag over shallow waters. The possibility of including water depth in the parameterization of roughness length is examined.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Fragmentation in Collisions of Snow with Graupel/Hail: New Formulation from Field Observations

Abstract Secondary ice production (SIP) has been attributed to the generation of most ice particles observed in precipitating clouds with cloud tops warmer than −36°C, from various aircraft- and ground-based field observations across the globe. One of the known SIP mechanisms is fragmentation during collisions among ice particles. It has been studied with our theoretical formulation, which has been applied in microphysical schemes of atmospheric models in a few studies. These have predicted an extensive impact on cloud glaciation and radiative properties. However, there has been a lack of experimental field studies, especially involving naturally falling snowflakes, to better understand this particular mechanism of SIP. This study reports the first field measurements with modern technology for fragmentation during collisions between naturally falling snowflakes and graupel/hail particles. This was observed with an innovatively designed portable chamber that was deployed outdoors in northern Sweden. Applying the observations from this field-based study, we optimized the existing formulation for predicting numbers of fragments from collisions of snow with graupel/hail. The observations show the average numbers of fragments per collision for dendritic (3–12 mm) and nondendritic (1–3 mm) snow were about 12 and 1, respectively. This represents a boost of predicted fragment numbers relative to our original formulation published in 2017. The updated formulation for breakup in ice–ice collisions can be implemented in the microphysical schemes of atmospheric models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Mean curl formulation on quadrilaterals with application to implicit magnetics diffusion equations in Alegra 2D

This report proposes a mean curl on quadrilateral elements for Alegra 2D magnetics calculations. The resulting quadrilateral element is an extension of the work [1, 4] to include the curl operator. The resulting quadrilateral element implementation is applicable to implicit calculations in Carte sian coordinates which use either the vector potential or B formulation. It is useful to note that in the vector potential formulation, the mean curl produces a mean flux density on the element, whereas in the B formulation the mean curl produces a mean current on the element. In both cases, the mean curl is, by construction, divergence free. The mean curl is further developed and applied to the nonlinear permeability capability that currently exists in Alegra 2D for the vector poten tial formulation. Using the proposed mean curl, a Jacobian operator is developed and presented which is applicable to nonlinear iterations associated with the implicit problem. Note that the exist ing nonlinear permeability does not include hysteresis; also, the current nonlinear implementation uses a Jacobian free solution algorithm because a Jacobian operator has neither been developed or implemented. A Jacobian for the full quadrature implementation that currently exists in Alegra 2D can be similarly derived based upon the results presented.

Mitchell, John Anthony↗

Enhanced Sulfate Management in HLW Glass Formulations

The present report describes a series of small-scale crucible tests to determine sulfate solubility in HLW glasses, tests to assess the effect of compositional changes on sulfate solubility, and small-scale meIter tests to determine maximum acceptable sulfate loadings in HLW feeds to the meIter. The work was performed in accordance with the Test Plan for this work and the ORP contract. Glasses produced in previous melter tests using WTP and ORP waste and glass compositions were tested in the present work to determine sulfur solubility. In parallel, a glass formulation was developed for a previously untested HLW composition with one of the highest projected sulfate concentrations; that formulation was subsequently processed on the DM10 melter system at successively higher waste loadings to determine the maximum waste loading. Tests were also conducted on the DM10 on several HLW formulations which had been previously subjected to crucible-scale sulfur solubility testing; these formulations were selected based on sulfur solubility information for HLW glasses that was compiled in a previous report to WTP; similar information for LAW glasses was compiled in a report to ORP.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Baseline LAW Glass Formulation Testing

The major objective of the baseline glass formulation work was to develop and select glass formulations that are compliant with contractual and processing requirements for each of the LAW waste streams. Other objectives of the work included preparation and characterization of glasses with respect to the properties of interest, optimization of sulfate loading in the glasses, evaluation of ability to achieve waste loading limits, testing to demonstrate compatibility of glass melts with melter materials of construction, development of glass formulations to support ILAW qualification activities, and identification of glass formulation issues with respect to contract specifications and processing requirements.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Supplemental Immobilization of Hanford Low-Activity Waste: Cast Stone Augmented Formulation Matrix Tests

More than 56 million gallons of radioactive and hazardous waste are stored in 177 underground storage tanks at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Hanford Site in Washington State. The HLW will be vitrified in the HLW facility for ultimate disposal at an offsite federal repository. A portion (~35%) of the LAW will be vitrified in the LAW vitrification facility for disposal onsite at the Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF). The pretreatment and HLW vitrification facilities will have the capacity to treat and immobilize all of the wastes destined for those facilities. However, a second facility will be needed for the expected volume of LAW requiring immobilization. Cast Stone, a cementitious waste form, is being considered to provide the required additional LAW immobilization capacity. The Cast Stone waste form must be acceptable for disposal in the IDF. The Cast Stone waste form and immobilization process must be tested to demonstrate that the final Cast Stone waste form can comply with the waste acceptance criteria for the disposal facility and that the immobilization processes can be controlled to consistently provide an acceptable waste form product. A testing program was developed in fiscal year (FY) 2012 describing in detail the work needed to develop and qualify Cast Stone as a waste form for the solidification of Hanford LAW. A statistically designed test matrix was used to evaluate the effects of key parameters on the properties of the Cast Stone as it is initially prepared and after curing. For the processing properties, the water-to-dry-blend mix ratio was the most significant parameter in affecting the range of values observed for each property. The single shell tank (SST) Blend simulant also showed differences in measured properties compared to the other three simulants tested. A review of the testing matrix and results indicated that an additional set of tests would be beneficial to improve the understanding of the impacts noted in the Screening Matrix tests. A set of Cast Stone formulations were devised to augment the original screening test matrix and focus on the range of the test conditions. Fly ash and blast furnace slag were limited to either northwest or southeast and the salt solutions were narrowed to the Average and the SST Blend at the 7.8M Na concentration. To fill in the matrix, a mix ratio of 0.5 was added. In addition, two admixtures, Xypex Admix C-500 and Rheomac SF100 (silica fume), were added as an additional dry material binder in select compositions. As in the Screening Matrix, both fresh and cured properties were evaluated for the formulations. In this study, properties that were influenced by the W/DM ratio in the Screening Matrix; flow diameter, plastic viscosity, density, and compressive strength, showed consistent behavior with respect to W/DM. The leach index for highly soluble components, sodium and nitrate, were not influenced by changes in formulation or the admixtures. The leach index for both iodine and Tc-99 show an influence from the addition of the admixture, Xypex Admix C-500. Additional testing should be performed to further evaluate the influence of Xypex Admix C-500 on the leach index over a range of admixture concentrations, Cast Stone formulations, and curing and storage conditions.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Initial Results from the Third Round of Remediated Nitrate Salt Surrogate Formulation and Testing

High explosives science and technology (M-7) is currently working on the third round of formulation and testing of Remediated nitrate salt (RNS) surrogates. This report summarizes the calorimetry results from the 15% sWheat mixtures. All formulation and testing was carried out according to PLAN-TA9-2443 Rev B, "Remediated Nitrate Salt (RNS) surrogate formulation and testing standard procedure", released February 16, 2016. Results from the first and second rounds of formulation and testing were documented in memoranda M7-16-6042 and M7-16-6053.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Final report for SERDP WP-2209 Replacement melt-castable formulations for Composition B

During this project we investigated a number of energetic materials both old and new and determined that most of them were unsuitable due to safety or sensitivity reasons. Unsuccessful coformulants include TNAZ and BNFF for volatility reasons, and DAAF due to thermal compatibility issues. The powerful explosive HMX became a focus of the work in later stages as it conferred excellent power while being commonly available in well-regulated particle size lots and is chemically compatible in the melt with many coformulants. Ultimately three preferred formulations emerged from this work: a formulation tested on large scale by ARDEC involving PrNQ and HMX; a formulation tested at ARDEC and LANL using a nitrate salt eutectic and HMX; a formulation tested at LANL using LLM-201 and HMX.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Preliminary Enhanced LAW Glass Formulation Algorithm

This report summarizes the Preliminary Enhanced LAW Glass Formulation Algorithm, its background information, and the calculations it performs. The Preliminary Enhanced LAW Glass Formulation Algorithm is a tool that has been developed in MATLAB to formulate glass at a given a waste composition, while attempting to maximize waste loading. It is intended for use at the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, where nuclear waste will be vitrified into glass for safe, long-term storage. The formulated glass is required to meet several processing and product quality constraints. In addition, calculations must account for associated uncertainties in constraint prediction and measurement. The algorithm also allows for the ability to hold glass compositions closer to tested regions in order to increase confidence in the output. The algorithm must also follow nuclear quality assurance procedures and submit to rigorous validation and verification testing.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Formulation via Resonant Acoustic Mixing at LANL

Discussions in the middle of 2014 led researchers at LANL to seek an alternate formulation method for making PBX based explosives. We began looking into the use of Resonant Acoustic Mixers (RAM) to formulate explosives and mocks. Acoustic mixing had been used in pharmaceutical plants for mixing medicines and coating materials, so we envisioned transitioning that same technology to the energetics world. Up until this time only the wet slurry formulation method that had been used was from the 1940’s. This wet slurry method had been and still was the standard for all explosive formulations. The possibility of an alternate method needed to be looked at to advance the process by expanding solvent choices, substrates, and reducing costs. Acoustic mixing had been shown to mix powders, slurries, pastes or even liquids. A Resodyn LabRAM was purchased in late 2014 to explore these possible applications to energetics. This LabRAM was in a remote configuration that met our need for explosive operations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physical Properties of the Salt Waste Processing Next Generation Solvent Formulation

In 2020, a review team examined the risks associated with the implementation of a new solvent formulation, similar to what was used in Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Unit (MCU). The team identified a number of risks associated with the change and pathways to mitigate some of the risks. SRNL has been tasked with examination and testing of a Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) formulation for a Next Generation Solvent (NGS) intended for use at that facility. This formulation is known as the “$NGS\tiny{OPTIMUM}$”. This formulation consists of: 50 mM MAXCalix; 3 mM TiDG•HCl; 0.65 M Modifier; Remainder Isopar-L™. SRNL examined several physical aspects of this solvent in order to confirm its suitability for use at SWPF, such as viscosity, dispersion, surface tension, and third phase formation. Results indicate no unusual properties of this solvent when compared to the current “BOBCalix” solvent in use at SWPF.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

High Waste Loading Glass Formulation Development for High-Cr HLW, VSL-14R3060-1 (April 2014)

This report describes work performed to develop and test new glass and feed formulations with both high waste loadings and high melting rates for Hanford high level waste (HLW) with high concentrations of chromium. The testing was designed to identify glass and melter feed formulations that optimize waste loading and waste processing rate while meeting all processing and product quality requirements. The work included preparation and characterization of crucible melts to assess melt rate using a vertical gradient furnace system and testing with respect to properties that determine processability and product quality. The results from crucible-scale testing supported subsequent DM100 tests designed to further assess the enhanced glass and feed formulations with respect to processing rate and product quality. The DM100-BL, which is one of two DM100 melter systems installed at VSL, was selected as the platform for these tests due to its extensive previous use in processing rate determination for various HLW streams and glass compositions. This work builds on previous work performed at VSL for DOE to increase waste loadings in HLW glass formulations and processing rates. The testing was performed according to the Test Plan that was developed for this work.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Glass Formulation for Next Generation Melters

This report describes glass formulation work performed at the Vitreous State Laboratory (VSL) to support the development and testing of next generation advanced joule-heated ceramic melters (NG AJHCMs). The principal objective was to develop and test new glass formulations to take advantage of the enhanced processing capabilities of the NG AJHCMs. New glass formulations were designed to maximize waste loadings while meeting all processing and product quality requirements. The increase in waste loadings, together with the improvements afforded by the NG AJHCMs, will potentially reduce the glass volumes while increasing the throughput rates. Newly developed glass formulations will be needed in melter testing to demonstrate the feasibility of NG AJHCM technologies. This work builds on previous work performed at VSL to increase waste loading and processing rates for Hanford high-iron and high-chromium high level waste (HLW) streams.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

HLW Processing for Complementary Disposition Strategy: Development and Testing of Glass and Feed Formulations

The objective of the work described herein was to develop and identify HLW glass compositions and glass forming additive blends for vitrification of selected HLW streams, which have undergone various degrees of washing but no other pretreatment, while maintaining high WLs, high processing rates, and acceptable glass properties. The glass formulations were actively designed and based on previous formulation experience and testing at VSL. The WTP baseline HLW property-composition models were used to select glass formulations for testing and to predict various glass properties. Crucible-scale fabrication of the HLW glasses that were formulated was performed and the product glasses were characterized with respect to select properties. A total of 10 HLW glasses were developed and tested for five fully washed waste batches and one singly washed waste batch.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

High Waste Loading Glass Formulation Development for High-Zr HLW

This report describes work performed to develop and test new glass and feed formulations in order to increase waste loadings and glass melting rates for Hanford HLW with high concentrations of zirconium. Testing was designed to identify glass and melter feed formulations that optimize waste loading and waste processing rate while meeting all processing and product quality requirements. The work included preparation and characterization of crucible melts to evaluate the effects of waste loading on glass properties and the maximum waste loadings that can be achieved. The testing included an assessment of melt rate using a Vertical Gradient Furnace (VGF) system to develop new formulations with both high waste loadings and high melt rates. The results from crucible-scale testing supported subsequent DM100 tests designed to further assess the enhanced glass and feed formulations with respect to processing rate and product quality.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

A Continuous-Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Electromagnetic Simulations Based on an All-Frequency Stable Formulation

In this paper, a potential-based partial-differential formulation, called the all-frequency stable formulation, is presented for the accurate and robust simulation of electromagnetic problems at all frequencies. Due to its stability from (near) dc to microwave frequencies, this formulation can be applied to simulate wide-band and multiscale problems without encountering the infamous low-frequency breakdown issue or applying basis function decompositions such as the tree-cotree splitting technique. To provide both efficient and flexible numerical solutions to the electromagnetic formulation, a mixed continuous-discontinuous Galerkin (CDG) method is proposed and implemented. In regions with homogeneous media, the continuous Galerkin method is employed to avoid the introduction of duplicated degrees of freedom (DoFs) on the elemental interfaces, while on the interfaces of two different media, the discontinuous Galerkin method is applied to permit the jump of the normal components of the electromagnetic fields. Numerical examples are provided to validate and demonstrate the proposed numerical solver for problems in a wide electromagnetic spectrum.

Yan, Su↗

Photoinitiator Selection and Concentration in Photopolymer Formulations towards Large-Format Additive Manufacturing

Photopolymers are an attractive option for large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM), because they can be formulated from structural thermosets and cure rapidly in ambient conditions under low-energy ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) lamps. Photopolymer cure is strongly influenced by the depth penetration of UV light, which can be limited in the 2–4 mm layer thicknesses typical of LFAM. Photoinitiator (PI) systems that exhibit photobleaching have proven useful in thick-section cure applications, because they generate a photoinitiation wavefront, but this effect is time-dependent. This study investigates the light transmission and through-thickness cure behavior in (meth)acrylate photopolymer formulations with the photobleaching initiator bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenylphosphine oxide (BAPO). Utilizing an optical model developed by Kenning et al., lower concentrations (0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt%) of BAPO were predicted to yield rapid onset of photoinitiation. In situ cure measurements under continuous UV LED irradiation of 380 mW/cm2 showed that a 0.1 wt% concentration of BAPO achieved peak polymerization rate within 2.5 s at a 3-mm depth. With only 1 s of irradiation at 1.7 W/cm2 intensity, the 0.1 wt% BAPO formulation also achieved the highest level of cure of the formulas tested. For an irradiation dose of 5.5 J/cm2 at a duration of 3.7 s, cured polymer specimens achieved a flexural strength of 108 MPa and a flexural modulus of 3.1 GPa. This study demonstrates the utility of optical modeling as a potential screening tool for new photopolymer formulations, primarily in identifying an upper limit to PI concentration for the desired cure depth. The results also show that photobleaching provides only a limited benefit for LFAM applications with short (1.0 s to 3.7 s) UV irradiation times and indicate that excess PI concentration can inhibit light transmission even under extended irradiation times up to 60 s.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗