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DOE OSTI2016

U.S. SOCOM Grand Challenge #3: NREL Technical Roadmap for a Man-Portable Power Supply System for TALOS

The purpose of this report is to propose a technical roadmap for power supply technology to power the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS), an armored, powered exoskeleton currently in development for U.S. Special Operations Command operators. TALOS' power supply system must meet size targets similar to the size of a large backpack while providing significant electrical power for an entire mission cycle without resupply. This report proposes a staged development path based on three fundamental technical approaches.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2021

Using a Customized Portable Deepwater Portable Electrofisher to Assess Larval Lamprey Populations in Irrigation Canals

Larval lamprey densities were quantified at two large-scale water diversions facilities located on the Yakima River near the city of Yakima, Washington. Water diversions are very common in the Yakima River Basin and provide water to irrigate a diverse range of valuable cropland. Out-migrating larval Pacific Lamprey are vulnerable to entrainment through fish protection screens during the withdrawal period and desiccation or predation during dewatering at the end of the season. In order to determine the impact to lamprey populations which inhabit these regions a portable deepwater electroshocking system was utilized to determine lamprey densities which could otherwise not be determined due to water depth. Surveys were conducted in the fall during the dewatering period in 2015 and 2017 and larval lamprey densities ranged from 0.8 to 8.8 fish m-2 at the Sunnyside Diversion Facility to 4.2 to 6.5 fish m-2 at the Wapato Diversion Facility. The estimates for the total lamprey numbers at each of the region using a portable deepwater electrofishing platform (PDEP) was very similar to those estimates using backpack electrofishing post-dewatering; the PDEP method was 12- 36% higher where comparisons were available. During 2017, the estimated lamprey entrainment at the Sunnyside Diversion increased by 484% from August to November. Lamprey lengths were also determined and ranged from 50 to 130 mm. Our results indicate that the use of the deepwater shocking system was very safe and effective at determining larval lamprey densities at hard to sample regions which are present near irrigation facilities.

larval lamprey, electrofishing, water diversion↗

DOE OSTI2023

Natural attenuation of uranium in a fluvial Wetland: Importance of hydrology and speciation

A nuclear fuel fabrication facility released 43,500 kg of uranium into a riparian wetland located on the Savannah River Site between 1955 and 1988. Studies were undertaken to evaluate hydrological and geochemical processes influencing uranium accumulation in the wetland. Gamma-radiation-mapping surveys were conducted by systematically walking over the contaminated wetland with backpacks equipped with global positioning systems and NaI gamma detectors. Based on maps compiled from >700,000 gamma spectra and eight sediment uranium depth profiles, it was determined that 94% of the released uranium remained in the wetland. The uranium in the wetland is concentrated in five multi-hectare areas along the stream, accounting for ~11% of the land area adjacent to the stream. While land type (upland or wetland) and topography provided a reasonable first approximation of where much of the uranium was deposited, hydrological watershed modeling revealed that the stream velocity was especially slow through many of the hot spots. Here, using autoradiography combined with SEM/EDX measurements of contaminated sediments, surprisingly few hot particles were detected. Instead, uranium was evenly distributed throughout the sampled sediment, suggesting that dissolved uranium had bound to sediment particles that became suspended and later deposited in low energy (low flow velocity) portions of the stream. EXAFS suggested that U atoms were present as individual ions in disordered complexes within the sediment. Furthermore, linear combination analyses suggested that the predominant component of the U(VI) was adsorbed to sediment minerals (~70%) and a minor component (~30%) was associated with organic matter phases. Furthermore, these studies show that wetlands can be extraordinarily effective at binding and retaining uranium, thereby providing a natural barrier to the transport of uranium out of a watershed. However, significant anthropogenic or climatic changes to wetlands, such as those associated with flooding, forest fires, or land use, may disrupt the complex hydrological and biogeochemical balance necessary to maintain long-term immobilization of uranium.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2023

Photovoltaic device innovation for a solar future

Photovoltaics (PV), also known as solar cells, are now found everywhere - in utility plants; on roofs of homes and commercial buildings; on platforms at sea; in agricultural fields; on vehicles, buildings, drones, and backpacks; and, in their longest running application, providing power in space. Continuous device innovation has led to increased efficiency and improved reliability for multiple PV technologies. Confronted with an urgent need to deploy PV at multiterawatt (TW) scale over the next two decades to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, PV device innovation takes on new urgency and impact. This perspective reviews recent progress in device design and performance for PV technologies that are currently in commercial production at greater than 1 GW/year or enabling significant space-based power generation - Si, CdTe, CIGS, and multijunction III-V - and looks ahead to the next 5 years. In conclusion, we also identify device-related topics requiring cross-cutting research and innovation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

PRex: An Experiment to Investigate Detection of Near-field Particulate Deposition from a Simulated Underground Nuclear Weapons Test Vent

An experiment to release radioactive particles representative of small-scale venting from an underground nuclear test was conducted to gather data in support of treaty capability development activities. For this experiment, a CO2-driven “air cannon” was used to release lanthanum-140 at ambient temperatures. The radioisotope 140La was chosen as a representative fission fragment with a short half-life and prominent gamma-ray emissions; the choice was also influenced by the successful production and use of 140La with low levels of radioactive contaminants in the Defence Research and Development Canada Field Trials. The source was created through activation of high-purity lanthanum oxide at the TRIGA research reactor of Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Witness plates and air samplers were laid out in an irregular grid covering the area for which the plume was anticipated to deposit based on climatological wind records. A vehicle-mounted spectrometer, and handheld and backpack instruments ranging from polyvinyl toluene to high purity germanium, were used to survey the plume. Additionally, three soil sampling techniques were investigated. The relative sensitivity and utility of sampling and survey methods are discussed in the context of On-Site Inspection.

atmospheric dispersion↗

DOE OSTI2012

Radon in Soil Gas Above Bedrock Fracture Sets at the Shepley’s Hill Superfund Site

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) recently provided technical support for ongoing environmental remediation activities at the Shepley’s Hill remediation site near Devens, MA (Figure 1). The technical support was requested as follow-on work to an initial screening level radiation survey conducted in 2008. The purpose of the original study was to assess the efficacy of the INL-developed Backpack Sodium Iodide System (BaSIS) for detecting elevated areas of natural radioactivity due to the decay of radon-222 gases emanating from the underlying fracture sets. Although the results from the initial study were mixed, the BaSIS radiation surveys did confirm that exposed bedrock outcrops have higher natural radioactivity than the surficial soils, thus a high potential for detecting elevated levels of radon and/or radon daughter products. (INL 2009) The short count times associated with the BaSIS measurements limited the ability of the system to respond to elevated levels of radioactivity from a subsurface source, in this instance radon gas emanating from fracture sets. Thus, it was postulated that a different methodology be employed to directly detect the radon in the soil gases. The CR-39 particle track detectors were investigated through an extensive literature and technology search. The relatively long deployment or “detection” time of several days, as well as the sensitivity of the measurement and robustness of the detectors made the CR-39 technology promising for deployment at the Shepley’s Hill site.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2013

Feasibility and Demonstration of a Cloud-Based RIID Analysis System (Annual Report)

A significant limitation in the operational utility of handheld and backpack radioisotope identifiers (RIIDs) is the ability of their onboard algorithms to accurately and reliably identify the isotopic sources of the measured gamma-ray energy spectrum and thereby separate threat from benign or background sources. Improved algorithms exist but are not implemented on RIIDs due to insufficient computational power or classification, export controls, or other sensitivities. They also have limited ability to use additional contextual information in making a threat no-threat assessment. A possible solution is to move the spectral analysis computations to an external device whose capabilities can be greatly enhanced and whose algorithms can be kept secure. A Cloud-based analysis system can provide this capability. Cloud computing is becoming ubiquitous and affords the national security community an opportunity for tremendous leverage of private sector developments. The goal of this project is to determine if operational performance of RIIDs can be improved by applying these developments in a way that meets the needs of the national security community.

Wright, Michael C.↗

DOE OSTI2014

Particle Release Experiment (PRex) (Final Report)

An experiment to release radioactive particles representative of small-scale venting from an underground nuclear test was conducted to gather data in support of treaty verification and monitoring activities. For this experiment, a CO 2 -driven “air cannon” was used to release La-140 at ambient temperatures. Lanthanum-140 was chosen to represent the fission fragments because of its short half-life and prominent gamma-ray emissions; the choice was also influenced by the successful production and use of La-140 with low levels of radioactive contaminants in a Defence Research and Development Canada Field Trial. The source was created through activation of high-purity natural lanthanum oxide at the reactor of Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Multiple varieties of witness plates and air samplers were laid in an irregular grid covering the area over which the plume was modeled to deposit. Aerial survey, a NaI(Tl) mobile spectrometer, and handheld and backpack instruments ranging from polyvinyl toluene to high-purity germanium were used to survey the plume. Additionally, three varieties of soil sampling were investigated. The relative sensitivity and utility of sampling and survey methods are discussed in the context of On-Site Inspection. The measurements and samples show a high degree of correlation and form a valuable set of test data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Safeguards Technology Development Program 3rd Quarter FY 2018 Report June 30, 2018 GPS-Free Navigation in Buildings

This is an evaluation of candidate navigation solutions for GPS free inspection tools that can be used in tours of large building interiors. In principle, COTS portable inertial motion unit (IMU) sensors with satisfactory accuracy, SWAP (size, weight, power), low error, and bias drift can provide sufficiently accurate dead reckoning navigation in a large building in the absence of GPS. To explore this assumption, the capabilities of representative IMU navigation sensors to meet these requirements will be evaluated and field tested, starting with a market survey. To test the candidate COTS IMUs drawn from the market survey, we will design and fabricate a person-portable backpack for testing. We will provide a mobile power supply and data collection port. Then, we will test the IMUs on interior building tours at LLNL, finally carrying out an analysis of these sensors’ performance using LLNL’s navigation codes.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2018

Safeguards Technology Development Program 4th Quarter FY 2018 Report September 30, 2018

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2019

Experimental Validation of MCNP Models for PINS Shadow Shield Mockups

MCNP has been regarded as an indispensable tool in development of radiation detection systems, and it is cost effective, thanks to advances in computing power, to simulate various conceptual designs without even fabricating them. Development of various PINS systems have also benefited from MCNP modeling and simulation. MCNP models of PINS systems have been frequently used to understand detector responses and to fill the gap in experimental data. Recently, a backpack version PINS system was announced to be developed. When the neutron generator and the HPGe detector are built by external vendors, the shadow shield is the component to be designed to maximize the performance while meeting the sponsor’s requirements. In order to utilize MCNP modeling and simulation to find the best specification of the shadow shield, a campaign of PINS lab measurements with a few shadow shield mockups has been conducted to validate MCNP simulation results. This study is intended to validate MCNP simulations and models in preparation of another more extensive simulation study. Validation of neutron flux is also discussed later in this report even though neutron counts were not measured experimentally.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2013

Indoor Localization Algorithms for an Ambulatory Human Operated 3D Mobile Mapping System

Indoor localization and mapping is an important problem with many applications such as emergency response, architectural modeling, and historical preservation. In this paper, we develop an automatic, off-line pipeline for metrically accurate, GPS-denied, indoor 3D mobile mapping using a human-mounted backpack system consisting of a variety of sensors. There are three novel contributions in our proposed mapping approach. First, we present an algorithm which automatically detects loop closure constraints from an occupancy grid map. In doing so, we ensure that constraints are detected only in locations that are well conditioned for scan matching. Secondly, we address the problem of scan matching with poor initial condition by presenting an outlier-resistant, genetic scan matching algorithm that accurately matches scans despite a poor initial condition. Third, we present two metrics based on the amount and complexity of overlapping geometry in order to vet the estimated loop closure constraints. By doing so, we automatically prevent erroneous loop closures from degrading the accuracy of the reconstructed trajectory. The proposed algorithms are experimentally verified using both controlled and real-world data. The end-to-end system performance is evaluated using 100 surveyed control points in an office environment and obtains a mean accuracy of 10 cm. Experimental results are also shown on three additional datasets from real world environments including a 1500 meter trajectory in a warehouse sized retail shopping center.

Corso, N↗

DOE OSTI2014

Feasibility and Demonstration of a Cloud-Based RIID Analysis System

A significant limitation in the operational utility of handheld and backpack radioisotope identifiers (RIIDs) is the inability of their onboard algorithms to accurately and reliably identify the isotopic sources of the measured gamma-ray energy spectrum. A possible solution is to move the spectral analysis computations to an external device, the cloud, where significantly greater capabilities are available. The implementation and demonstration of a prototype cloud-based RIID analysis system have shown this type of system to be feasible with currently available communication and computational technology. A system study has shown that the potential user community could derive significant benefits from an appropriately implemented cloud-based analysis system and has identified the design and operational characteristics required by the users and stakeholders for such a system. A general description of the hardware and software necessary to implement reliable cloud-based analysis, the value of the cloud expressed by the user community, and the aspects of the cloud implemented in the demonstrations are discussed.

Wright, Michael C↗

DOE OSTI2017

Drones in Automation - Secured Unmanned Aerial Systems

Factories, refineries, utilities (water/wastewater, electric) and related industrial sites are complex systems and structures with inspection and maintenance procedures required for optimal operation and regulatory compliance. As a specific example, consider just the bulk electric power system which is comprised of more than 200,000 miles of highvoltage transmission lines, thousands of generation plants and millions of digital controls. More than 1,800 entities own and operate portions of the grid system, with thousands more involved in the operation of distribution networks across North America. The interconnected and interdependent nature of the bulk power system requires a consistent and systematic application of risk mitigation across the entire grid system to be truly effective. Similar situations are found throughout automation where frequently an aging infrastructure is in place too. Consider, for example, the situation present in a refinery or chemical processing setting with the requirement for leak detection inspection of pipes, interconnects and systems stretching across the plant. The current practices and challenges relating just to this task - leak detection and repair (LDAR) – of detecting any fugitive emissions present and documenting all measurements thereby meeting air compliance regulations are typically “handled” by a small army of individuals with handheld or backpack-sized detectors who crawl through piping racks conducting measurements at each flange. Such work is performed in difficult conditions (temperature, humidity, physically challenging) with frequently a high level of employee turnover. Finaly, enter low cost sensors and mobile platforms – in other words unmanned aerial systems (UASs, or drones) with enhanced sensing capabilities.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2020

Radiation Signature Training Device Gamma Equivalent Spheres

Radiation signature training device sources are a continuation of a previous effort to produce a highly enriched uranium equivalent sphere. The original research was designed and motivated to produce a Department of Transportation special form source that emulated the passive gamma signature of a solid metal highly enriched uranium sphere. In addition, the mass reduction (i.e., of the 235 U) minimized logistical costs (security, criticality safety, radiological safety and transportation requirements). Radiation signature training device sources expand on the original concept, redesigning the encapsulation in a modular fashion that allows a variety of loadings. The result is a reconfigurable special nuclear material source set that can vary greatly in the magnitude of the gamma flux and the isotopic distribution. Use of the source to test a variety of standards (N42.34-2015, N42.38-2015, N42.43-2015, N42.53-2018, N42.48-2018, DHS-TCS Backpack Based Radiation Detection Systems, DHS-TCS Handheld Instruments Used for the Detection and Identification of Radionuclides, DHS-TCS Vehicle Mounted Mobile Systems) will be discussed.

Blessinger, Christopher S.↗

DOE OSTI2016

Challenges Conducting a Radiological Site Assessment at a Remote Uranium Mine - 16259

A radiological site assessment was performed as part of an environmental site assessment at a former uranium mine located in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The only access to the site was by helicopter, so the field program was a limited to only a few days. Radiological surveys were conducted to assess conditions for safety of the field crew as well as to provide overland survey of uranium at the site. Limited radiological data existed for this site and the objective was to collect as much data as possible during the short field program. ScanPlot{sup SM} gamma spectroscopy land survey system was utilized for the overland survey utilizing a backpack system. ScanPlotSM platform utilized spectroscopy grade sodium iodide detectors configured for optimal spatial coverage and radiation detection. Survey locations were recorded using an on-board global positioning system (GPS). The radiological spectral data from the radiation detectors is automatically logged and linked with the GPS coordinates to an on-board computer to create iso-contour figures using a color scale to represent radioactivity levels (ground concentration by radionuclide). The advantage of utilizing the ScanPlotSM system for this assessment is that the nature and extent of uranium is provided without having to collect and assay a large number of samples during a short period of time. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2016

Conducting Gamma Radiation Surveys on Municipal Roadways in Support of the Port Hope Area Initiative - 16602

The Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) is a community-based solution for the long-term management of historic low level radioactive waste (LLRW) resulting from 60 years of uranium and radium processing operations in the Town of Port Hope, Ontario. The project aims to remediate approximately 1.7 million cubic metres LLRW through the consolidation of waste within two Long-term Waste Management facilities to be constructed within the municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington. Within the Town of Port Hope, surveys are being conducted at approximately 5000 individual properties to confirm the presence of LLRW, delineate its extent and develop cost estimates for remediation. Identification of the presence of LLRW is based on multiple lines of evidence including reviews of historical information, gamma radiation surveys and sampling for four signature contaminants. Of the 5000 properties, a number are municipal rights of way, largely municipal roads, that may have been impacted through spillage of LLRW when it was historically transported through the community for disposal and/or through its use as construction backfill. This paper describes the completion of gamma radiation surveys on these municipal rights of way and the challenges that needed to be addressed working on travelled roadways in an active community. To maximize efficiency and minimize inconvenience to motorists the gamma surveys are conducted using a mobile platform that provides high resolution spectral gamma logging coupled to GPS for geo-spatial referencing. The system employs large volume, spectroscopy grade, sodium iodide detectors that permit the collection radiological spectra allowing for effective discrimination of gamma radiation signals emitted from naturally occurring background sources (e.g. potassium 40) from the gamma emissions associated with the specific contaminants of concern (e.g. Ra-226). The system can be deployed on any platform including a backpack. For the majority of the roadways surveyed a small, self-contained, road-legal trailer attached to a motorized tow vehicle (e.g. side-by-side UTV or small pick-up truck) is used as the survey platform. This accommodates the mounting of multiple detectors and allows the surveys to be conducted without the need for closing traffic lanes thus improving productivity and safety while minimizing inconvenience to motorists. Data quality objectives are readily achieved through the use of multiple passes over the same target area providing a geo-spatially rich dataset for post-processing and imaging. Topics covered in the paper include: the logistics of completing high quality gamma surveys on travelled roadways; health, safety and traffic considerations; community outreach and response; and a comparison of isotopically-speciated data vs total gamma readings evaluating the influence of background sources. The lessons learned will be applicable to anyone planning on conducting similar surveys in urban settings. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2019

Extra Robotic Legs for Bearing Equipment Loads During Emergency Response - 19532

The Extra Robotic Legs (XRL) system is a robotic augmentation worn by a human operator that consists of two articulated robot legs that help bear a heavy backpack payload and the operator's own weight. The design was driven by a need to increase the effectiveness of Department of Energy hazardous material emergency response personnel who are encumbered by their Personal Protective Equipment. A prototype was fabricated utilizing insights gained from force analyses and human-robot interaction safety requirements. A seamless hybrid control architecture was developed to allow the operator command over the pace of the stand-to-squat transition. Initial tests of balance control while performing squatting transitions indicate the feasibility of the XRL System. The legs will ultimately walk, climb stairs, crouch down, and crawl with the operator while eliminating all equipment loads on the operator. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗