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At least 613 records · Page 34

Generic Fortran Containers (GFC)

The Fortran language does not provide a standard library that implements generic containers, like linked lists, trees, dictionaries, etc. The GFC software provides an implementation of generic Fortran containers natively written in Fortran 2003/2008 language. The following containers are either already implemented or planned: Stack (done), Linked list (done), Tree (done), Dictionary (done), Queue (planned), Priority queue (planned).

Liakh, Dmitry↗

InverseBench: Inverse design benchmark suite that contains inverse problems from science and engineering (InverseBench) v0.0.1

A software package that contains three inverse design blackbox problems to investigate the efficiency and accuracy of inverse design machine learning models. The software contains highly accurate forward machine learning models that can be used to assess the inverse predictions. The package also contains separate test data for each problem. The inverse design problems that are in the package are: airfoil inverse design, scalar boundary reconstruction and photonic surfaces inverse design.

Grbcic, Luka [Lawrence Berkeley National Laborator↗

Mechanical properties and permeability of hydrogen isotopes through CrNi35WTiAl alloy, containing radiogenic helium

The long-term contact of structural materials (SM) with tritium-containing media makes their properties in terms of kinetic permeability of hydrogen isotopes change. This change is the consequence of the defect formation in SM due to the result of {sup 3}He build-up generated by the radioactive decay of tritium dissolved in SM. This paper presents the experimental results concerning the permeability of hydrogen isotopes through CrNi35WTiAl alloy containing {sup 3}He and the impact of the presence of {sup 3}He and H on its mechanical properties. Tensile tests of cylindrical samples containing various concentrations of {sup 3}He (90, 230 and 560 appm) have been performed in inert and hydrogen atmospheres. The build-up of {sup 3}He has been made using the 'helium trick' technique. The maximal decrease in the plastic characteristics of the CrNi35WTiAl alloy occurs in samples with the highest {sup 3}He (560 appm) content at 873 K. The permeability of deuterium through the CrNi35WTiAl alloy in the initial state and that with 560 appm of {sup 3}He content was explored. The presence of this {sup 3}He concentration has shown an increase in deuterium permeability, evidently due to structural changes in the material under the impact of radiogenic helium.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Final Report: Part 1. In-Place Filter Testing Instrument for Nuclear Material Containers. Part 2. Canister Filter Test Standards for Aerosol Capture Rates.

A portable instrument has been developed to assess the functionality of filter sand o-rings on nuclear material storage canisters, without requiring removal of the canister lid. Additionally, a set of fifteen filter standards were procured for verifying aerosol leakage and pressure drop measurements in the Los Alamos Filter Test System. The US Department of Energy uses several thousand canisters for storing nuclear material in different chemical and physical forms. Specialized filters are installed into canister lids to allow gases to escape, and to maintain an internal ambient pressure while containing radioactive contaminants. Diagnosing the condition of container filters and canister integrity is important to ensure worker and public safety and for determining the handling requirements of legacy apparatus. This report describes the In-Place-Filter-Tester, the Instrument Development Plan and the Instrument Operating Method that were developed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory to determine the “as found” condition of unopened storage canisters. The Instrument Operating Method provides instructions for future evaluations of as-found canisters packaged with nuclear material. Customized stainless steel canister interfaces were developed for pressure-port access and to apply a suction clamping force for the interface. These are compatible with selected Hagan-style and SAVY-4000 storage canisters that were purchased from NFT (Nuclear Filter Technology, Golden, CO). Two instruments were developed for this effort: an initial Los Alamos POC (Proof-of-Concept) unit and the final Los Alamos IPFT system. The Los Alamos POC was used to create the Instrument Development Plan: (1) to determine the air flow and pressure characteristics associated with canister filter clogging, and (2) to test simulated configurations that mimicked canister leakage paths. The canister leakage scenarios included quantifying: (A) air leakage due to foreign material (i.e. dust and hair) fouling of o-rings, (B) leakage through simulated cracks in o-rings, and (C) air leakage due to inadequately tightened canister lids. The Los Alamos POC instrument determined pertinent air flow and pressure quantities, and this knowledge was used to specify a customized Isaac® (Z axis, Salt Lake City, UT) leak test module. The final Los Alamos IPFT (incorporating the Isaac® leak test module) was used to repeat the tests in the Instrument Development Plan (with simulated filter clogging tests and canister leak pathway tests). The Los Alamos IPFT instrument is capable of determining filter clogging and leak rate conditions, without requiring removal of the container lid. The IPFT measures pressure decay rate from 1.7E-03 in WC/sec to 1.7E-01 in WC/sec. On the same unit scale, helium leak testing of canisters has a range from 5.7E-07 in WC/sec to 1.9E-03 in WC/sec. For a 5-quart storage canister, the IPFT measures equivalent leak flow rates from 0.03 to 3.0 cc/sec. The IPFT does not provide the same sensitivity as helium leak testing, but is able to gauge the assembled condition of as-found and in-situ canisters.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Hazards Associated with Legacy Nitrate Salt Waste Drums Managed under the Container Isolation Plan

At present, there are 29 drums of nitrate waste salts (oxidizers with potentially acidic liquid bearing RCRA characteristics D001 and D002) that are awaiting processing, specifically to eliminate these characteristics and to allow for ultimate disposition at WIPP. As a result of the Feb. 14th, 2014 drum breach at WIPP, and the subsequent identification of the breached drum as a product ofLANL TRU waste disposition on May 15th, 2014, these 29 containers were moved into the Perrnacon in Dome 231 at TA-54 Area G, as part of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) approved container isolation plan. The plan is designed to mitigate hazards associated with the nitrate salt bearing waste stream. The purpose of this document is to articulate the hazards associated with un-remediated nitrate salts while in storage at LANL. These hazards are distinctly different from the Swheat-remediated nitrate salt bearing drums, and this document is intended to support the request to remove the un-remediated drums from management under the container isolation plan. Plans to remediate and/or treat both of these waste types are being developed separately, and are beyond the scope of this document.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Generation, Detection and characterization of Gas-Phase Transition Metal containing Molecules

The objective of this project was to generate, detect, and characterize small, gas-phase, metal containing molecules. In addition to being relevant to high temperature chemical environments (e.g. plasmas and combustion), gas-phase experiments on metal containing molecules serve as the most direct link to a molecular-level theoretical model for catalysis. Catalysis (i.e. the addition of a small about of recoverable material to control the rate and direction of a chemical reaction) is critical to the petroleum and pharmaceutical industries as well as environmental remediation. Currently, the majority of catalytic materials are based on very expensive metals such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), iridium (Ir,) rhenium (Re), and rhodium (Rh). For example, the catalyst used for converting linear hydrocarbon molecules (e.g. hexane) to cyclic molecules (e.g. cyclohexane) is a mixture of Pt and Re suspended on alumina. It enables straight chain alkanes to be converted into branched-chain alkanes, cyclohexanes and aromatic hydrocarbons which are used, amongst other things, to enhance the octane number of petrol. A second example is the heterogeneous catalysis used in automobile exhaust systems to: a) decrease nitrogen oxide; b) reduce carbon monoxide; and c) oxidize unburned hydrocarbons. The exhaust is vented through a high-surface area chamber lined with Pt, Pd, and Rh. For example, the carbon monoxide is catalytically converted to carbon dioxide by reaction with oxygen. The research results from this work have been published in readily accessible journals1-28. The ground and excited electronic state properties of small metal containing molecules that we determine were: a) electronic state distributions and lifetimes, b) vibrational frequencies, c) bond lengths and angles, d) hyperfine interactions, e) permanent electric dipole moments, mel, and f) magnetic dipoles, μ m . In general terms, μ el , gives insight into the charge distribution and mm into the number and nature of the unpaired electrons. Analysis of the hyperfine interactions (i.e. Fermi-contact, nuclear electric quadrupole, etc.) is particularly insightful because it results from the interaction of nuclei with non-zero spin and the chemically important valence electrons. The bulk of the spectroscopic techniques used in these studies exploit the sensitivity of laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. The spectroscopic schemes employed include: a) cw and pulsed laser field-free(FF) excitation and dispersed LIF (DLIF); b) optical Stark; c) optical Zeeman; d) pump/probe microwave double resonance (PPMODR); e) fluorescence lifetimes, and f) resonant and non-resonant two-photon ionization TOF mass spectrometry. Vibrational spacing, force constants and electronic states distributions are derived from the analysis of pulsed dye laser excitation and DLIF spectra. Geometric structure (bond lengths and angles) and hyperfine parameters are derived from the analysis of cw-laser LIF and PPMODR spectra. Permanent electric dipole moments, mel,, and magnetic dipole moments, mm, are derived from the analysis of optical Stark and Zeeman spectra, respectively. Transition moments are derived from the analysis of radiative lifetimes. A supersonic molecular beam sample of these ephemeral molecules is generated by skimming the products of either a laser ablation/reaction source or a d.c. discharge source.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Selection of 3013 Containers for Field Surveillance. Fiscal Year 2016 Update

This update is the eighth in a series of reports that document the binning and sample selection of 3013 containers for the Field Surveillance program as part of the Integrated Surveillance Program. This report documents changes made to both the container binning assignments and the sample selection approach. Binning changes documented in this update are a result of changes to the prompt gamma calibration curves and the reassignment of a small number of Hanford items from the Pressure bin to the Pressure and Corrosion (P&C) bin. Field Surveillance sample selection changes are primarily a result of focusing future destructive examinations (DEs) on the potential for stress corrosion cracking in higher moisture containers in the P&C bin. The decision to focus the Field Surveillance program on higher moisture items is based on findings from both the Shelf-life testing program and DEs.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Better Understanding of Protein Structure and Function by the Synthesis and Incorporation of Selenium- and Tellurium Containing Tryptophan Analogs

Unnatural heavy metal-containing amino acid analogs have shown to be very important in the analysis of protein structure, using methods such as X-ray crystallography, mass spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Synthesis and incorporation of selenium-containing methionine analogs has already been shown in the literature however with some drawbacks due to toxicity to host organisms. Thus synthesis of heavy metal tryptophan analogs should prove to be more effective since the amino acid tryptophan is naturally less abundant in many proteins. For example, bioincorporation of β-seleno[3,2-b]pyrrolyl-L-alanine ([4,5]SeTrp) and β-selenolo[2,3-b]pyrrolyl-L-alanine ([6,7]SeTrp) has been shown in the following proteins without structural or catalytic perturbations: human annexin V, barstar, and dihydrofolate reductase. The reported synthesis of these Se-containing analogs is currently not efficient for commercial purposes. Thus a more efficient, concise, high-yield synthesis of selenotryptophan, as well as the corresponding, tellurotryptophan, will be necessary for wide spread use of these unnatural amino acid analogs. This research will highlight our progress towards a synthetic route of both [6,7]SeTrp and [6,7]TeTrp, which ultimately will be used to study the effect on the catalytic activity of Lignin Peroxidase (LiP).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Secondary Containment Design for the LLNL B801 Diala Oil Tank

Design is to add an extension to the secondary containment of tank T1-A3 at building 801. Piping from the inner tank penetrates the secondary containment tank below the liquid level of the primary tank. To meet Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation 40 CFR 120.7 the single wall piping needs to be provided with secondary containment. Steel Tank Institute (STI) conference publication states: §112.3(d)(1)(iii) –SPCC Plan requirements- Systems shall be designed in accordance with good engineering practice, including consideration of applicable industry standards and that procedures for required inspections and testing have been established. Section 112.7(a)(2) allows for deviations from specific rule requirements, provided the Owner/operator responsible to select, document and implement alternate measure and a PE certifies the SPCC Plan in accordance with good engineering practices, including consideration of industry standards

42 ENGINEERING↗

Laser confocal microscope for analysis of 3013 inner container closure weld region

As part of the protocol to investigate the corrosion in the inner container closure weld region (ICCWR) a laser confocal microscope (LCM) was used to perform close visual examination of the surface and measurements of corrosion features on the surface. However, initial analysis of selected destructively evaluated (DE) containers using the LCM revealed several challenges for acquiring, processing and interpreting the data. These challenges include topography of the ICCWR sample, surface features, and the amount of surface area for collecting data at high magnification conditions. In FY17, the LCM parameters were investigated to identify the appropriate parameter values for data acquisition and identification of regions of interest. Using these parameter values, selected DE containers were analyzed to determine the extent of the ICCWR to be examined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Sandia/NM Available Mock Warhead Container Inventory

The real H1514 Shipping and Storage Container is an environmentally sealed and desiccated aluminum drum-type container designed to transport the W88/Mk5 Reentry Body Assembly. The H1514 is cylindrical except for a portion of its base, which is 36" square and 3" high and contains the forklift openings. Our mock H1514 retains the dimensions and shape of the real H1514 in a lighter form that is not sealed and does not have ports for desiccation.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Hydrogen Gas Concentration in Model 9979 Type AF Containers at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Between May 2016 and July 2017 Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) packaged sixty eight Model 9979 Type AF containers with solid, non -combustible low -level waste (LLW) in accordance with S-SARP -G-00006, R4, Safety Analysis Report for Packagings, Model 9979 Type AF Shipping Package. The LLW items were packed into inner metal containers (convenience cans). There are no additional materials inside convenience cans, and the material was controlled during loading to ensure each Model 9979 package has less than 350 grams (total) of U -235. All LANL packages include an insulation bag and top, and 5.7 kg of granular boron carbide. The minimum void volume fraction that is present in LANL containers is calculated to be 48%.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

A New Method to Contain Molten Corium in Catastrophic Nuclear Reactor Accidents

The catastrophic nuclear reactor accident at Fukushima damaged public confidence in nuclear energy and a demand for new engineered safety features that could mitigate or prevent radiation releases to the environment in the future. We have developed a novel use of sacrificial material (SM) to prevent the molten corium from breaching containment during accidents as well as a validated, novel, high-fidelity modeling capability to design and optimize the proposed concept. Some new reactor designs employ a core catcher and a SM, such as ceramic or concrete, to slow the molten corium and avoid the breach of the containment. However, existing reactors cannot easily be modified to include these SMs but could be modified to allow injectable cooling materials (current designs are limited to water). The SM proposed in this Laboratory Development Research and Development (LDRD) project is based on granular carbonate minerals that can be used in existing light water reactor plants. This new SM will induce an endothermic reaction to quickly freeze the corium in place, with minimal hydrogen explosion and maximum radionuclide retention. Because corium spreading is a complex process strongly influenced by coupled chemical reactions (with underlying containment material and especially with the proposed SM), decay heat and phase change. No existing tool is available for modeling such a complex process. This LDRD project focused on two research areas: experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of the novel SM concept, and modeling activities to determine the potential applications of the concept to actual nuclear plants. We have demonstrated small-scale to large-scaled experiments using lead oxide (Pb0) as surrogate for molten corium, which showed that the reaction of the SM with molten Pb0 results in a fast solidification of the melt and the formation of open pore structures in the solidified Pb0 because of CO 2 released from the carbonate decomposition.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Methane Activation on Cu Containing Zeolite Catalysts (Final Report)

In order to increase the value of the light alkane ethane found in shale gas, we investigated the transformation of ethane into ethylene and aromatic hydrocarbons using zinc-containing microporous catalysts. We investigated the kinetics of the reaction, and identified various active sites for the ethane dehydrogenation and aromatization. In addition, we investigated iron-containing zeolites, as catalysts for the addition of methyl groups to small olefins containing 2, 3 and 4 carbon molecules. We determined the reaction mechanism, the identity of the active site, and details of the reaction kinetics. We concluded that the use of iron zeolites is very promising to upgrade small olefins (2-4 carbon species) into larger olefins (4-7 carbon species) that are more valuable as fuels and as petrochemical products.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Review of Failure Modes Applicable to Prestressed Concrete Containments

Prestressed concrete containment structures are subject to performance loss primarily due to aging and degradation. Many nuclear power plants (NPPs) have extended operating licenses beyond the design life of 40 years and some are considering operation for up to 80 years. The focus of this review is to determine which modes of performance loss, or 'failure modes', are most applicable to prestressed concrete containment vessels (PCCVs) beyond the age of 40 years. A list of failure modes taken from Crystal River Nuclear Plant Special Inspection Report is analyzed for applicability to aging nuclear containment structures. Each failure mode is described and discussed in detail. A table is provided to highlight the severity of each failure mode. This page left blank

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Fire-Induced Pressure Response and Failure Characterization of PCV/SCV/3013 Containers - Phase 1

This report discusses the test series performed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to test the response of Primary Containment Vessels (PCVs) under a hypothetical fire scenario. The PCV is the innermost container in a 9975 shipping package (NRC, 2014). This test series was the first of three phases aiming to characterize the PCV/SCV/3013 system, and it will be referred to as Phase 1. The purpose of these tests was to characterize the response of the PCV wall when filled with a bounding payload and exposed to an ASTM-E1529 (ASTM, 2014) standard fire environment. In particular, the goal was to test a working hypothesis for these PCVs: that, during a scenario where the PCV is exposed to an ASTM-E1529 standard fire environment, the accumulated internal pressure (resulting from the expansion of gases and vaporization of moisture/plastics during heat exposure) relieves through the O-ring segment of the PCV before PCV wall failure (rupture). Bounding internal and external conditions were purposefully established for this Phase 1 testing in order to maximize pressurization in the container. Specifically, this Phase 1 test series is designed to determine the worst case thermal stress conditions by exposing five SRNS PCVs with identical payloads to the severe ASTM-E1529 fire conditions in five different configurations with increasing potential to result in a release of the internal contents (i.e. failure). All five tests were successfully executed, and the failure modes were characterized for each test. This report discusses the details of the five tests performed in this phase, their outcomes, and their implications.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

3013 Inner Container Closure Weld Region (ICCWR) Characterization by Wide Area 3D Measurement System (WAMS) Analysis (FY21 Progress Report)

As part of the 3013 Surveillance Program, through-wall penetration from stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of the 3013 inner containers has been identified as the most credible condition for failure withing the 50- years lifetime. Chlorides contained in Pu-bearing material, together with intra-canister humidity levels, metallurgical conditions, and internal stresses have been found to produce corrosion in the Inner Container Closure Weld Region (ICCWR) of the 3013 canister system. A Laser Confocal Microscope (LCM) is used as part of the 3013 Surveillance Program protocol to identify the prevalence of corrosion and corrosionrelated cracking in the ICCWR2. With the LCM, a close visual examination is made of the ICCWR surface along with measurements of corrosion-related features. LCM inspections produce immense amounts of image data that is time intensive to analyze. There is also a 9-year backlog of images, with approximately 49 canisters that must be evaluated. To expedite data analysis and reduce the amount of generated data, a Wide Area 3D Measurement System (WAMS) microscope has been added to the examination protocol. Although WAMS is a lower resolution microscope, small features of interest can be still identified. The advantage of collecting data for the full circumference using the WAMS is that it can take about 1/16 of the time needed with the LCM. Both systems offer capabilities that combined can be utilized to expedite the examination of the ICCWR. The WAMS is an efficient system for screening and identification of corrosion features while the LCM can be utilized to obtain higher resolution images areas identified by the WAMS. This report explains and justifies the data collection methods used with the WAMS. It includes a summary of the data generated by WAMS in FY21. The goals set for data collection in FY21 were met. A total of twenty-two DE’s were imaged, and analysis was carried out on eleven samples. The analyzed samples showed large numbers of potential cracks and pits distributed throughout the surfaces. Lastly, to explain the advantages of the WAMS, its capabilities were compared to those of a simpler microscope. Micrographs of the samples imaged in FY21 and those analyzed are included in the appendices.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

The Center for Performance and Design of Nuclear Waste Forms and Containers (WastePD) Energy Frontier Research Center (Final Report)

The DOE Office of Environmental Management is responsible for high level nuclear waste that must be safely isolated from humans and the environment for extremely long periods. The waste forms and containers are made of glass, ceramics, and metals. Verified safe disposal requires understanding the fundamental mechanisms of waste form degradation and the design of new waste forms with improved performance, which comprise the goals of the Energy Frontier Research Center known as the Center for the Performance and Design of Nuclear Waste Forms and Containers, WastePD. WastePD was constructed to develop innovative approaches and solutions to those goals through the synergistic interactions of individuals who are experts in the degradation behavior, modeling, and design of glasses, ceramics and metal alloys. WastePD is the first center ever created to address this diverse group of materials in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The science goals are grouped into three common topics: corrosion mechanisms via advanced characterization, environmental impacts, and materials design. Synergistic interactions in these areas were a key component of WastePD. The fundamental understanding of the degradation mechanisms of the waste forms and containers as well as the development of new materials with improved properties will allow DOE to prevent environmental contamination and to explore totally new repository concepts. WastePD was operational from August 2016 through July 2022, but the DOE support was drastically reduced for the last two years. This final technical report covers the full period of performance. However, much of what was accomplished in the first four years is nicely summarized in a review paper published in 2021, which is appended to this report. Therefore, this final report focuses on the technical findings from the last two years of WastePD activities. Considerable progress was made in the areas of a) the environmental and compositional impacts on the corrosion of borosilicate and aluminosilicate glasses, b) the mechanism of glass corrosion and the structure and evolution of the surface alteration layer, c) the effects of environment and composition on the corrosion of pyrochlore, perovskite, hollandite, and other oxide ceramics, d) the corrosion mechanism of multi-principal element metallic alloys, and e) a new framework for understanding the pitting corrosion of metals.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗