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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Thin Film...Large Payoff

SRS Technologies is currently the only company licensed by Langley Research Center to produce colorless polyimides. They currently produce two polyimides, the LaRC-CP1 and LaRC-CP2 developed by Langley Research Center. These polyimides offer many advantages over other commercially available materials including excellent thermal stability, radiation resistance, solubility, and transparency. The SRS polyimides can be used in laminates, films, molded parts, and stock shapes. The polyimide technology has also helped the company further their development of solar arrays.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2003

Measurement and Simulation of Spontaneous Raman Scattering Spectra in High-Pressure, Fuel-Rich H2-Air Flames

Rotational vibrational spontaneous Raman spectra (SRS) of H2, N2, and H2O have been measured in H2-air flames at pressures up to 30 atm as a first stem towards establishing a comprehensive Raman spectral database for temperatures and species in high-pressure combustion. A newly developed high-pressure burner facility provides steady, reproducible flames with a high degree of flow precision. We have obtained an initial set of measurements that indicate the spectra are of sufficient quality in terms of spectral resolution, wavelength coverage, and signal-to-noise ratio for use in future reference standards. The fully resolved Stokes and anti-Stokes shifted SRS spectra were collected in the visible wavelength range (400-700 nm) using pulse-stretched 532 nm excitation and a non-intensified CCD spectrograph with a high-speed shutter. Reasonable temperatures were determined via the intensity distribution of rotational H2 lines at stoichiometry and fuel-rich conditions. Theoretical Raman spectra of H2 were computed using a semi-classical harmonic-oscillator model with recent pressure broadening data and were compared with experimental results. The data and simulation indicated that high-J rotational lines of H2 might interfere with the N2 vibrational Q-branch lines, and this could lead to errors in N2-Raman thermometry based on the line-fitting method. From a comparison of N2 Q-branch spectra in lean H2 low-pressure (1.2 atm) and high-pressure (30 atm) flames, we found no significant line-narrowing or -broadening effects at the current spectrometer resolution of 0.04 nm.

Kojima, Jun↗
NASA NTRS2003

Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) on the ICESat Mission: Initial Science Measurement Performance

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System is the space lidar on the NASA ICESat mission. Its design combines an altimeter with 5 cm precision with a laser pointing angle determination system and a dual wavelength cloud and aerosol lidar. GLAS measures the range to the Earth s surface with 1064 nm laser pulses. Each laser pulse produces a precision pointing measurement from the stellar reference system (SRS) and an echo pulse waveform, which permits range determination and waveform spreading analysis. The single shot ranging accuracy is < 10 cm for ice surfaces with slopes < 2 degrees. GLAS also measures atmospheric backscatter profiles at both 1064 and 532 nm. The 1064 nm measurements use an analog Si APD detector and measure the height and profile the backscatter signal from thicker clouds. The measurements at 532 nm use photon counting detectors, and will measure the vertical height distributions of optically thin clouds and aerosol layers Before launch, the measurement performance of GLAS was evaluated using a lidar test instrument called the Bench Check Equipment (BCE). The BCE was developed in parallel with GLAS and served as an inverse altimeter, inverse lidar and a stellar source simulator. It was used to simulate the range of expected optical inputs to the GLAS receiver by illuminating its telescope with simulated background light as well as laser echoes with known powers, energy levels, widths and delay times. The BCE also allowed monitoring of the transmitted laser energy, the angle measurements of the SRS, the co-alignment of the transmitted laser beam to the receiver line of sight, and performance of the flight science algorithms. Performance was evaluated during the GLAS development, before and after environmental tests, and after delivery to the spacecraft. The ICESat observatory was launched into a 94 degree inclination, 590 km altitude circular polar orbit on January 12,2003. Beginning in early February, GLAS was powered on tested in stages. Its 1064 nm optical receiver was evaluated in a several tests using both solar background light and an internal test source. Laser 1 was activated on February 20,2003. GLAS operated with Laser 1 for 38 continuous days on orbit using its 1064 nm receiver channel, producing over 130 million individual laser measurements of the Earth s surface and atmosphere. These nadir-pointed measurements fell along the ICESat s ground track, and spanned more than 4 cycles of the initial 8-day ICESat repeat orbit. The initial GLAS measurement set shows strong echo pulses from ranging to the surface topography, oceans, ice sheets and cloud tops, as well as profiles of clouds and aerosols. The GLAS measurements have unprecedented vertical and angular resolution, and show nearly continuous height profiles of ice, land and ocean surfaces or cloud tops, as well profiles of backscatter from thin clouds and aerosol layers. Examples of these GLAS measurements and an initial assessment of its science measurement performance will be presented.

Abshire, James B.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Innovative Structural Design Features for a 10 m Solar Sail Demonstrator

The successful development of sail architectures will require careful attention to a number of key issues including but not limited to material strength issues, stress conditions for the membrane, load interactions between membrane and structure, and membrane material planarity. Along with the inherent challenges of fabricating and handling very large membrane structures these issues will pose real challenges for the near-term development of practical sail technologies. SRS has developed innovative technologies that deal directly with the challenges of developing very large sail membranes. Some of these technologies include edge reinforcements and innovative reinforcement attachment techniques, production of flight durable sail materials of less than 2.5 micron thicknesses and large scale fabrication techniques. SRS has employed these technologies in several large 10 m demonstrators that have been delivered to LaRC for solar vacuum testing. Details of the design of this system will be discussed.

Laue, G.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Inflatable Antennas Support Emergency Communication

Glenn Research Center awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts to ManTech SRS Technologies, of Newport Beach, California, to develop thin film inflatable antennas for space communication. With additional funding, SRS modified the concepts for ground-based inflatable antennas. GATR (Ground Antenna Transmit and Receive) Technologies, of Huntsville, Alabama, licensed the technology and refined it to become the world s first inflatable antenna certified by the Federal Communications Commission. Capable of providing Internet access, voice over Internet protocol, e-mail, video teleconferencing, broadcast television, and other high-bandwidth communications, the systems have provided communication during the wildfires in California, after Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, and following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2011

Using 100G Network Technology in Support of Petascale Science

NASA in collaboration with a number of partners conducted a set of individual experiments and demonstrations during SC 10 that collectively were titled "Using 100G Network Technology in Support of Petascale Science". The partners included the iCAIR, Internet2, LAC, MAX, National LambdaRail (NLR), NOAA and SCinet Research Sandbox (SRS) as well as the vendors Ciena, Cisco, ColorChip, cPacket, Extreme Networks, Fusion-io, HP and Panduit who most generously allowed some of their leading edge 40G/100G optical transport, Ethernet switch and Internet Protocol router equipment and file server technologies to be involved. The experiments and demonstrations featured different vendor-provided 40G/100G network technology solutions for full-duplex 40G and 100G LAN data flows across SRS-deployed single-node fiber-pairs among the Exhibit Booths of NASA, the National Center for Data lining, NOAA and the SCinet Network Operations Center, as well as between the NASA Exhibit Booth in New Orleans and the Starlight Communications Exchange facility in Chicago across special SC 10- only 80- and 100-Gbps wide area network links provisioned respectively by the NLR and Internet2, then on to GSFC across a 40-Gbps link. provisioned by the Mid-Atlantic Crossroads. The networks and vendor equipment were load-stressed by sets of NASA/GSFC High End Computer Network Team-built, relatively inexpensive, net-test-workstations that are capable of demonstrating greater than 100Gbps uni-directional nuttcp-enabled memory-to-memory data transfers, greater than 80-Gbps aggregate--bidirectional memory-to-memory data transfers, and near 40-Gbps uni-directional disk-to-disk file copying. This paper will summarize the background context, key accomplishments and some significances of these experiments and demonstrations.

Gary, James P.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Frame-Transfer Gating Raman Spectroscopy for Time-Resolved Multiscalar Combustion Diagnostics

Accurate experimental measurement of spatially and temporally resolved variations in chemical composition (species concentrations) and temperature in turbulent flames is vital for characterizing the complex phenomena occurring in most practical combustion systems. These diagnostic measurements are called multiscalar because they are capable of acquiring multiple scalar quantities simultaneously. Multiscalar diagnostics also play a critical role in the area of computational code validation. In order to improve the design of combustion devices, computational codes for modeling turbulent combustion are often used to speed up and optimize the development process. The experimental validation of these codes is a critical step in accepting their predictions for engine performance in the absence of cost-prohibitive testing. One of the most critical aspects of setting up a time-resolved stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) diagnostic system is the temporal optical gating scheme. A short optical gate is necessary in order for weak SRS signals to be detected with a good signal- to-noise ratio (SNR) in the presence of strong background optical emissions. This time-synchronized optical gating is a classical problem even to other spectroscopic techniques such as laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) or laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Traditionally, experimenters have had basically two options for gating: (1) an electronic means of gating using an image intensifier before the charge-coupled-device (CCD), or (2) a mechanical optical shutter (a rotary chopper/mechanical shutter combination). A new diagnostic technology has been developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center that utilizes a frame-transfer CCD sensor, in conjunction with a pulsed laser and multiplex optical fiber collection, to realize time-resolved Raman spectroscopy of turbulent flames that is free from optical background noise (interference). The technology permits not only shorter temporal optical gating (down to <1 s, in principle), but also higher optical throughput, thus resulting in a substantial increase in measurement SNR.

Nguyen, Quang-Viet↗
NASA NTRS2014

Autonomous Real Time Requirements Tracing

One of the more challenging aspects of software development is the ability to verify and validate the functional software requirements dictated by the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) and the Software Detail Design (SDD). Insuring the software has achieved the intended requirements is the responsibility of the Software Quality team and the Software Test team. The utilization of Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) Auto- Procedures for relocating ground operations positions to ISS automated on-board operations has begun the transition that would be required for manned deep space missions with minimal crew requirements. This transition also moves the auto-procedures from the procedure realm into the flight software arena and as such the operational requirements and testing will be more structured and rigorous. The autoprocedures would be required to meet NASA software standards as specified in the Software Safety Standard (NASASTD- 8719), the Software Engineering Requirements (NPR 7150), the Software Assurance Standard (NASA-STD-8739) and also the Human Rating Requirements (NPR-8705). The Autonomous Fluid Transfer System (AFTS) test-bed utilizes the Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) Language for development of autonomous command and control software. The Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) system has the unique feature of providing the current line of the statement in execution during real-time execution of the software. The feature of execution line number internal reporting unlocks the capability of monitoring the execution autonomously by use of a companion Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) sequence as the line number reporting is embedded inside the Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) execution engine. This negates I/O processing of this type data as the line number status of executing sequences is built-in as a function reference. This paper will outline the design and capabilities of the AFTS Autonomous Requirements Tracker, which traces and logs SRS requirements as they are being met during real-time execution of the targeted system. It is envisioned that real time requirements tracing will greatly assist the movement of autoprocedures to flight software enhancing the software assurance of auto-procedures and also their acceptance as reliable commanders.

Plattsmier, George↗
NASA NTRS2014

Autonomous Real Time Requirements Tracing

One of the more challenging aspects of software development is the ability to verify and validate the functional software requirements dictated by the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) and the Software Detail Design (SDD). Insuring the software has achieved the intended requirements is the responsibility of the Software Quality team and the Software Test team. The utilization of Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) Auto-Procedures for relocating ground operations positions to ISS automated on-board operations has begun the transition that would be required for manned deep space missions with minimal crew requirements. This transition also moves the auto-procedures from the procedure realm into the flight software arena and as such the operational requirements and testing will be more structured and rigorous. The autoprocedures would be required to meet NASA software standards as specified in the Software Safety Standard (NASASTD- 8719), the Software Engineering Requirements (NPR 7150), the Software Assurance Standard (NASA-STD-8739) and also the Human Rating Requirements (NPR-8705). The Autonomous Fluid Transfer System (AFTS) test-bed utilizes the Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) Language for development of autonomous command and control software. The Timeliner- TLX(sup TM) system has the unique feature of providing the current line of the statement in execution during real-time execution of the software. The feature of execution line number internal reporting unlocks the capability of monitoring the execution autonomously by use of a companion Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) sequence as the line number reporting is embedded inside the Timeliner-TLX(sup TM) execution engine. This negates I/O processing of this type data as the line number status of executing sequences is built-in as a function reference. This paper will outline the design and capabilities of the AFTS Autonomous Requirements Tracker, which traces and logs SRS requirements as they are being met during real-time execution of the targeted system. It is envisioned that real time requirements tracing will greatly assist the movement of autoprocedures to flight software enhancing the software assurance of auto-procedures and also their acceptance as reliable commanders

Plattsmier, George I.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Exact and Heuristic Algorithms for Runway Scheduling

This paper explores the Single Runway Scheduling (SRS) problem with arrivals, departures, and crossing aircraft on the airport surface. Constraints for wake vortex separations, departure area navigation separations and departure time window restrictions are explicitly considered. The main objective of this research is to develop exact and heuristic based algorithms that can be used in real-time decision support tools for Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) controllers. The paper provides a multi-objective dynamic programming (DP) based algorithm that finds the exact solution to the SRS problem, but may prove unusable for application in real-time environment due to large computation times for moderate sized problems. We next propose a second algorithm that uses heuristics to restrict the search space for the DP based algorithm. A third algorithm based on a combination of insertion and local search (ILS) heuristics is then presented. Simulation conducted for the east side of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport allows comparison of the three proposed algorithms and indicates that the ILS algorithm performs favorably in its ability to find efficient solutions and its computation times.

safe & surface operations↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Examining Artifacts from GLOBE Program Research Symposia & Using Network Analysis Techniques to Characterize Students’ Authentic STEM Investigations

For the past several years, the GLOBE Program's International Virtual Science Symposia (IVSS) and Student Research Symposia (SRS) have provided opportunities for U.S. and international students to present their Earth science research investigations to the GLOBE community through online or in-person events. This presentation will share the techniques and findings of an evaluation study that used student posters and written reports to characterize their research investigations through multiple lenses and frameworks. The study began with a list of characteristics drawn from a literature review, an analysis of sample projects, and several reviews by expert stakeholders and scientists, which comprehensively covered diverse relevant frameworks including citizen science, student STEM learning through authentic experiences, and The GLOBE Program model. Once applied to 207 student projects, this list of codes revealed the frequency and prevalence of various qualities and experiences represented by GLOBE student research investigations. An innovative application of social network analysis techniques to the coded dataset revealed frequently cooccurring characteristics. This networking approach identified and conceptually mapped several "clusters" of characteristics that typified student projects, empirically based on the submitted projects themselves. The basic quantitative investigation of frequencies indicates the extent to which various characteristics are present in - or absent from - GLOBE SRS and IVSS projects, while the network analysis provides a descriptive framework for typifying projects. Ultimately, the descriptive framework fostered a suite of assessment tools to help The GLOBE Program's staff, scientists, and research project judges understand the diversity of student research projects. GLOBE can use these tools to identify and respond to areas of need; for instance, the descriptive framework illustrates the potential for further education and training resources related to data analysis, interpretation of data, and credibility of scientific claims. This presentation will share the novel utilization of network analysis techniques to holistically assess and react to student research contributions.

Ann Martin↗
NASA NTRS2018

Improved Pyrotechnic Shock Scaling Method Based on Shock Response Spectrum and Statistical Energy Analysis

It has been more than forty years since the pyrotechnic shock scaling method was introduced. The scaling method estimates the attenuation of the Shock Response Spectrum (SRS) based on the distance from the source, structural configurations, types of structural joints and interfaces, and intervening structure [1]. The method has been successfully used in the spacecraft community countless times and still is frequently used to develop pyrotechnic shock requirements at various levels of assembly of a spacecraft. However, since the method was derived empirically from a limited set of shock test data [2], the aerospace community has been looking for an alternative approach. In this paper, a computational scaling method based on Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) is re-visited. SEA is traditionally used as a method for investigating the diffusion of acoustic and vibratory energies of a system at steady-state [3]. Previously, an approach using the SRS as an acceleration constraint condition to the SEA model was introduced to estimate the attenuation from a shock source [4,5]. In the current investigation, additional examples are provided to further validate the approach. In addition, responses in the time domain are produced by the Local Modal Phase Reconstruction (LMPR) approach which was recently introduced to the community [6].

Fernandez, Juan P.↗
NASA NTRS2024

High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking (HDTN) Software Requirements Analysis

This document serves as a detailed analysis of the main networking protocols implemented by HDTN. Sources of the protocol specifications include Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comments (RFC) and Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standards. The focus of this report is to derive software requirements suitable for NASA Procedural Requirements 7150.2D Class B compliance, including requirements traceability and software verification and validation, from the source specifications. This analysis will be incorporated into the finalized HDTN Software Requirements Specification (SRS) but does not encompass the full scope of the HDTN SRS. Requirements in this document are considered draft. The complete requirements will include bundle application requirements, interface requirements, computer resource requirements, software quality factors, and additional requirements as determined by the project. This document is publicly released to the greater community to receive feedback and foster collaboration opportunities.

Rachel Dudukovich↗
DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 45: Savannah River National Laboratory Advancing the EM Mission Through Technology

This panel focused on Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) activities and addressed: 1) Initial development work that SRNL performed to develop the technologies and processes, as well as design the equipment for the DOE EM HLW tank waste treatment and soil and groundwater mission, 2) Implemented technology and process improvements to the EM systems, and 3) Current technologies being evaluated for future implementation to improve throughput and reduce cost/schedule. Panelists with presentations: Advancing the EM Mission: SRNL Technology Approach (Connie Herman); Nuclear Materials Management (William Bates); Adjust, Adapt, Attest, and Adjudicate (Bruce Wiersma); SRNL Research and Development for Technological Advancements in the Liquid Waste Mission at SRS (Frank Pennebaker); EM TD Applies Solutions at SRS (Andrew Fellinger); Remediation of Complex Groundwater Plumes: Three Decades of Cleanup Success (Carol Eddy-Dilek)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Cesium Removal and Hydraulic Performance Comparisons of CST Ion Exchange Media Batches in Support of the Tank Closure Cesium Removal Project - 20522

Three batches of Crystalline Silicotitanate (CST) ion exchange media have been evaluated for cesium removal efficiency from a Savannah River Site (SRS) High Level Waste (HLW) supernate simulant in support of the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) Project, which involves at-tank column waste treatment. Results will be utilized to select the CST media batch to be added to the next TCCR unit columns. Two of the CST media samples were recent production batches and the third was an archived batch studied extensively at SRS nearly two decades ago. The archived CST batch had a significantly smaller average particle diameter than more recent batches. Small-scale (∼23 mL), side-by-side column tests were conducted at 35 deg. C with each of the CST batches using the same simulant at flow rates near 1.2 mL/min (3.0-3.4 CST bed volumes/hr). The cesium ion exchange column performance results were lower than expected for all three CST batches, but the data indicated that 30% more simulant volume and 40% more equivalent CST bed volumes of solution can be processed with the older CST batch prior to reaching the 50% cesium breakthrough point than can be processed with the newer CST batches. Hydraulic evaluations of the CST columns were also conducted in simulant at 24 deg. C to determine the impact of the different particle size distributions and associated bed porosities on frictional pressure drop under dynamic flow conditions. Higher differential pressure drops were observed with the archived CST batch relative to recent production batches, due to the smaller particle size distribution and the packing characteristics of the archived batch. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sulfonamide and Sulfonamido-phenol Ligands for Extraction of f-Elements from Alkaline High-Level Waste

Alkaline High Level Waste (HLW) has been accumulated at Hanford and Savannah River Sites as a result of reprocessing for nuclear weapons production during the cold war. A large volume (∼100 MGal) has been accumulated in carbon steel tanks at Savannah River (SRS) and Hanford. The tank waste contains three separate phases generated when NaOH was added to previously acidic Purex raffinates: 1-2 Supernatant liquid, salt-cake, and sludge. The sludge consists mainly of insoluble hydroxides of transition metals while the supernate and salt-cake contain caustic-soluble materials, including salts of highly radioactive fission products Cs(I) and Sr(II). Current treatment of alkaline HLW in SRS includes: i) The Actinide Removal Process (ARP), which is based on sorption of {sup 90}Sr and Actinides (An) on monosodium titanate (MST), also known as 'alpha-strike' process, followed by ii) Caustic Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX),4 which is used for the extraction of {sup 137}Cs by modified calixarenes in a hydrocarbon diluent. Residual actinides in some tanks are removed after CSSX by an additional ARP process commonly referred to as 'alpha-finishing'. Despite the success of ARP for Sr and An removal, as it is a sorption process, it represents the kinetic bottleneck of integrated salt waste processing. Hence potential introduction of additional organic ligands for actinide extraction (in a modified CSSX process) could simplify the overall integrated process, making it more efficient and economical, with less titanate needed and shorter sorption time, as some of the actinide component would be removed during CSSX. In this study tri-sulfonamide and o-sulfonamido-phenol (mono-sulfonamide) ligands have been studied as extractants for Sm(III), which is being used as an Am(III) surrogate. Our prior studies in the group using a tri-sulfonamide (iPr-tsa-B) showed favorable extraction for Sm(III) nitrate salts from alkaline solutions. Mono-sulfonamides possess similar orientation of binding sites to pyrocatechols, which have been found to be good ligands for Am(III) binding and extraction from alkaline media. Tri-sulfonamide of the type iPr-tsa-B6 (1 mM in CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} solution) was studied for Ln{sup 3+} extraction using Sm(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}.6H{sub 2}0 (10 and 25 μM) in alkaline solution of NaOH (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 mM) / 0.1 M NaNO{sub 3}. Stripping of the organic phase was done using 0.1 M HNO{sub 3} and quantification of Sm{sup 3+} was done using ICP-OES at 359.3 nm. The need to improve stability of the complex led to synthesis of compounds with N-donor site closer to the central benzene ring to facilitate cation-π interactions. Synthesis of tri-sulfonamide type A: a) Chloromethyl methyl ether, SnCl{sub 4}, CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2}, 0 deg. C, N{sub 2}, 4 h, 57%; b) NaN{sub 3}, reflux in H{sub 2}O/acetone for 22 h, 80%; c) PPh{sub 3}, THF/H{sub 2}O, 22 h, 79%; d) p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, Et{sub 3}N, 1,2-DCE, 22 h. Extraction: Sm(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}.6H{sub 2}O (2 mM) in 5 ml of aqueous NaOH (pH 10.5 - 14) + 6 ml of CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} solution of msa (20 mole equiv.) were rotated on a wheel (60 rpm; 20 h). Stripping: 5 ml of 0.1 M HNO{sub 3} + CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} solution of msa (after extraction, centrifugation and filtration) was rotated on the wheel (60 rpm; 20 h). Sm{sup 3+} was quantified using UV-Visible spectrophotometry.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Large Volume Airborne Contamination Monitoring To Support Nuclear Processes' Deactivation and Decommissioning

Current D and D operations at Hanford have demonstrated a flaw in the current state of the art capability of defining airborne contamination boundaries - Airborne particulate emissions of Pu-239 from CM2H operations on the Hanford Pu Finishing Plant were detected well beyond areas controlled for airborne Pu, putting numerous workers at risk for radiological assimilations - Current air samplers and CAM systems were surveying insufficient volumes of air to accurately predict where respiratory protection was required - Hanford is located in a high radon environment, making air monitoring for alpha emitting actinides challenging in high alpha radon induced backgrounds. - Inexpensive HEPA based home and industrial air purifiers filter significantly higher volumes of air than commercially available continuous-air monitoring (CAM) systems. - Inexpensive models capable of filtered air volumes exceeding 1000 times that of a CAM. - Detector system can be built to detect x-rays generated from actinide decay. - Branching ratios of x-rays are 4 orders of magnitude more intense from Plutonium decay than its gamma emissions. - Detector system can be a low resolution systems, as x-ray region of interest is not terribly congested. - Detection systems evaluated will be designed based on slabs of NaI or pixelated NaI or CsI panels. - Simple graphical user interface software will be developed to operate the detection system. - Concept is to deploy some of these air-purifying systems in nonradiological areas around SRNL to confirm radon can be rejected with confidence. - Generate some filters contaminated with plutonium via electroplated Pu or lab generated simulated particles. - then deploy units in known airborne radiological environments to establish systems ability to accurately measure actinide based hot particles Lab analyses will follow up the system analyses to ensure hot particles were correctly identified. Analysis by Scintillation: - Application of scintillation media to the surface of the filters is being explored. - Evaluating slabs of ZnS(Ag), application of powdered ZnS(Cu) and spray on Perkin Elmer Enhance. - Scintillation events would then be digitized with a digital camera and quantified. - Comparing against sensitivity of a PMT or SiPD readout. - Currently evaluating a Thorlabs 8 Megapixel Monochrome Scientific CCD Camera, hermetically sealed cooled package with a wide angle lens. - Wide angle lens allows complete view of HEPA filter from 7 inches away. - Images taken of glow in the dark paint, as well as plutonium-induced fluorescence. - Plutonium was flamed mounted on a 1 inch diameter stainless steel planchet, covered with a layer of mylar and a section of scintillating ZnS obtained from Eljon. - Currently working on reducing signal-to-noise levels to boost sensitivity. - Dark box to hold contaminated or electroplated source covered filters under fabrication. Analysis by x-ray Spectroscopy: - Branching ratios for x-ray emissions from Plutonium isotopes are orders of magnitude more intense than gamma-ray emissions. - The nuclear databases are incomplete on the branching ratios of some of the isotopes. - Evaluating some custom built SrI2 x-ray spectrometers vs a conventional windowed NaI detector. - SrI2 detectors are carbon-composite-windowed 51 mm x 51 mm. - MCNP calculations to establish self absorbance of filter media on 17 keV x-ray. Radon Rejection: - Activated charcoal pre-filter acts as a Radon trap. - Adding a time lapse feature to camera to aid in radon rejection. SRS Plutonium Fuel Form D and D Operations: Currently deploying air sampler to D and D operation of Pu-238 facility at SRS to generate some field samples to analyze.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Look At Dissolved Organic Carbon In Streams and Its Effect On DGT Hg Collection

Savannah River Site (SRS) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) were both major material production sites for the U.S.'s nuclear program during the 20. century. Both sites discharged mercury (Hg) to streams. Oak Ridge streams have accumulated significant levels of Hg from early 'historical' discharges. Diffusive Gradient in Thin Films (DGT) samplers may be a labor and material saving method to monitor the Hg contamination of streams at both sites. Humic and Fulvic acids are released during the degradation of plant and animal residue. They are part of the Dissolved Organic Matter that colors the black water streams of the southern U.S.. Humic acid and Fulvic acids have a tendency to sequester heavy metals, like Hg, and may interfere with the reactions needed to draw the Hg through the thin films of the DGT samplers. Project Objective: Use a UV-Vis spectrophotometer to estimate the levels of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in the streams selected to test the effect of DOC on DGT samplers. Conclusion: UV-Vis is a convenient way to estimate the amount of DOC in streams and may be used to provide more context in DGT Hg sampling. efforts. Future Work: Analyze data from SRS and ORNL DGT samples; Compare the results of the DGT samplers with more traditional speciating methods from ORNL; Use a TOC Spectrophotometer to gain a more accurate picture of stream DOC.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗