December 2021 Operational Highlights
Brief highlights are given from the National Security Research Center (NSRC), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
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Research and Development Project Management, Course Number 42501 [Slides]
Projects are the primary method for making a change. Projects are the life-blood for sustaining the institution. Project success and failures cast a reputation over LANL for a long period of time.
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Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Three Early Lab Love Stories
This Valentine’s Day revel in several remarkable relationships that occurred leading up to and during the Manhattan Project, the United States government’s effort to build the atomic bomb and help end World War II. Further details of the lives and work of early Lab staff can be found in the legacy collections housed at the National Security Research Center, LANL’s classified library and curator of unclassified legacy items.
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Actinide Analytical Chemistry Overview: ICP Trace Element Analysis (Including U, Np) [Slides]
Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) at LANL has a full set of analytical chemistry capabilities to support the production mission. AAC uses the Pu Metal Standards Exchange Program to validate and verify that the data quality objectives are met for Pu Sustainment. This presentation describes: analytical chemistry techniques used to address requirements, analytical sample flow, and process overview.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Recommended Practices for Managing Induced Seismicity Risk Associated with Geologic Carbon Storage
The geologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is one method to help reduce or eliminate atmospheric CO 2 emissions. The sequestered CO 2 is originally captured from the atmosphere or from a stationary industrial source and subsequently injected into a deep subsurface porous rock formation. To facilitate the successful deployment of field scale carbon storage projects, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is developing tools and protocols for defensible, science-based frameworks to quantify and mitigate risks associated with the long-term storage of CO 2 . This protocol specifically addresses the risk of induced seismicity due to injection in a geologic carbon storage (GCS) site. This integrated and risk-based protocol is a product of the U.S. DOE Fossil Energy’s National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP), a multi-year collaborative research effort of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). These recommended practices describe a set of 7 steps to evaluate, manage, communicate, and mitigate the risk of induced seismicity at GCS sites. The base methodology of the recommended practices follows a framework similar to the $\textit{Protocol for Addressing Induced Seismicity Associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems}$ (Majer et al., 2012), developed for the Geothermal Technology Office of the U.S. DOE. These recommended practices present a framework to systematically assess the induced seismicity risk and quantify the associated uncertainties. These recommendations are based on current research and are sufficiently general to allow for modification and application to a variety of different types of sites. The substance of the recommended practices contained herein includes both technical and non-technical issues, and covers all operational stages of the GCS project lifecycle. They start at the preliminary risk assessment phase, continue through site assessment and characterization, include best practice communication and seismic monitoring plan methodologies, discuss the evaluation and mitigation of seismic hazard and risk, and closes with an exploration of operational management plans, which conclude when the induced seismicity risk abates back to background level. The focus of these recommendations is on actively managing the risks associated with induced seismicity by developing an actionable risk management plan that starts at the project proposal stage and continues through site closure through an iterative assessment and improvement process. The audience of this document is expected to include all interested stakeholders (e.g., operators, project developers, regulators, and the general public) and is expressly written to be accessible to this broad range of partners. This document is intended to disseminate knowledge gained through recent advances in the science of induced seismicity hazard and risk assessments, to provide updates based on recent experience gained by similar corollary injection-induced seismicity cases, and most importantly to establish a uniform framework to carry out a successful induced seismicity risk management plan for carbon storage projects in the future. These recommendations do not directly address any domestic or international regulations or standards. A complementary NRAP report makes recommendations for the assessment and management of environmental subsurface risks associated with unwanted fluid migration at GCS sites (Thomas et al., 2021) and should be referred to in order to address those additional GCS site risks
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233 U(n,γ) measurements in the Unresolved and Fast Regime at LANSCE [Slides]
Experimental 233 U(n,γ) cross section data in the literature are scarce and were measured decades ago. A new report suggests that a simultaneous measurement with capture would be useful, for 233 U fission is around one order of magnitude more likely than capture. Good discrimination between gammas coming from capture and fission is required. New measurements performed at LANL combine NEUANCE and DANCE.
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DARHT : Enduring Lessons from a Technical Project in a National Laboratory Context [Slides]
The Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the world’s first flash x-ray facility able to take multiple high-resolution radiographs of the interior features of fast-moving dense objects during a single experiment. DARHT’s radiography and complimentary diagnostics makes it an important diagnostic tool in support of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)’s stewardship of the US nuclear deterrent. The project to construct DARHT ran from 1988 through 2003. Initial Operating Capability along a single axis began in 1999. A technical issue delayed Critical Decision 4 for the full dual-axis capability until 2008. DARHT was characterized by several directed changes resulting from an environmental impact study, changes to the global security context resulting from the end of underground nuclear testing, and rapid evolution of applicable technology. Conventional building and lab-space construction were part of the project, but the project was dominated by Special Facility Equipment that, together with the mission to support the nuclear weapons program, required the project to be completed by national laboratories. Although the project pre-dated implementation of DOE Order 413.3, several important lessons for national laboratory projects remain applicable today and will be discussed here, including projects appropriate for the national laboratory environment, scope stability, risk acceptance and mitigation, communication, and collaboration. Finally, considerations for DOE contractor project managers are offered based upon the DARHT experience.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
He-3 Based Neutron Detector, Basic Troubleshooting [Slides]
A slideshow depicting the proper tools, methods, and order in which to troubleshoot the He-3 based neutron detector at the LANL lab.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
January 2022 Operational Highlights
The Indexing Lab is now complete and includes classified and unclassified computers, safes and work stations. Staff capture metadata and catalog materials, including classified reports, directors’ correspondence and Rocky Flats materials to ensure the holdings are discoverable and retrievable. Access protocols were updated for products related to the LANL Annual Assessment in the Online Vault (OLV) classified repository. The Annual Assessment is a yearly analysis of the weapons systems in the nation’s nuclear stockpile. The Standardization Quality Assessment (SQA) for the Online Vault (OLV) classified repository was completed and contained no findings. Beta testing, or customer validation, began for the metrics database that generates metrics reports and visualizations from NSRC customer projects.
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Los Alamos National Laboratory Floodplain Assessment for the West Road Post and Cable Fencing Project
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is proposing to take action at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to install post and cable or in-kind barriers along West Road at selected locations near the Los Alamos County ice-skating rink in Los Alamos Canyon (Figure 1). The proposed project is intended to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety on West Road by reducing traffic hazards associated with unsafe roadside parking and reduce wildland fire hazards associated with vehicles driving and parking on vegetation. West Road crosses approximately 0.35 miles (mi.) (1,900 feet (ft.)) of the Los Alamos Canyon floodplain at the bottom of Los Alamos Canyon. Project activities within the floodplain include blocking access to the informal roadside parking along either side of West Road in Los Alamos Canyon.
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Environmental Brand Guidelines
The Environmental Brand Guidelines have been prepared by the CEA-CAS Visual Design team for use primarily by IFPROG, but they apply to all LANL employees ordering signage for new and existing buildings. By adhering to this guidance, you will be a responsible steward of the “One Lab, one voice” mentality and successfully implement the Lab’s brand on all of your communications.
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Profiling and Optimization [Slides]
Intended for Simulating Physics using Efficient and Effective code Development (SPEED) program. This is a LANL internal lecture series for computational science application developers.
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
Applied ML Needs in Uncrewed Aerial Systems [Slides]
We have an urgent need to optimize data analyses and UAS operations to better position its use in sensitive and high-consequence national security applications. LANL has a mature, robust, and multidisciplinary UAS deployment capability with proficiency in single and multi-modal data acquisition for signature detection.
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2021 Results for Avian Monitoring of Inorganic and Organic Element Concentrations in Passerine Eggs and Nestlings Collected from Technical Area 16 Burn Grounds, Technical Area 36 Minie, and Technical Area 39 Point 6 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (Rev. 2)
In 2021, non-viable avian eggs and one nestling were opportunistically collected at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) near open detonation sites located at Technical Area (TA) 16 burn grounds and TA-36 Minie. Similar to previous years, nestboxes were monitored at TA-39 Point 6, however, no avian samples were available for opportunistic collection. Samples were evaluated for inorganic elements (mostly metals), dioxins, and furans. One ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) egg sample was collected from TA-16 burn grounds. One ash-throated flycatcher and one mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) egg sample and one deceased western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) nestling sample were collected from TA-36 Minie. Concentrations of inorganic elements observed in this study were compared with the regional statistical reference level (RSRL) which is the upper-level bounds of background concentrations (mean + three standard deviations = 99% confidence interval). Several inorganic elements were not detected in avian eggs. Most inorganic elements detected were below the RSRL and all were the lowest observable adverse effect level (LOAEL), when available. The nestling collected from TA-36 did not contain detectable concentrations of dioxin or furan congeners. These data suggest that inorganic and organic element concentrations in eggs and nestlings are not of ecological concern. More data are needed to make a robust assessment and to evaluate trends over time.
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Supplemental Information Regarding the Application for Remediation of the Flanged Tritium Waste Containers at Los Alamos National Laboratory
This letter is in response to the October 18, 2021 letter from David Gray, Acting Regional Administrator, to Mr. Theodore Wyka, Manager of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos Field Office (NA-LA). That letter requested additional information regarding the Application for remediation of the Flanged Tritium Waste Containers (FTWCs) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Technical Area 54, Area G. The Emissions Management Plan for the FTWC Venting Project is attached.
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Use Attainability Analysis Aquatic Life Uses for Perennial Reach of Sandia Canyon [Slides]
The following information will be presented during the February 23, 2022 Accord Pueblos Technical Meeting. The purpose of the study is to determine if natural thermal conditions are preventing the attainment of Coldwater Aquatic Life Use in the perennial reach of the upper Sandia Canyon Assessment Unit (Sandia AU). The New Mexico Water Quality Standards allow for a change in the designated use if a Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) demonstrates that the use is not attainable due to one or more of six factors listed in 40 CFR 131.10(g), including naturally occurring pollutant concentrations. The Sandia AU is located in a perennial reach of upper Sandia Canyon between Sigma Canyon and NPDES Outfall 001. The classified Segment 20.6.4.126 NMAC comprises perennial waters within Los Alamos National Laboratory boundaries and includes the Sandia AU. Persistent surface flows originate from NPDES permitted effluent releases. These releases have occurred since the early 1950’s and continue today. The UAA examines several lines of evidence. NMED’s Air-Water Temperature Correlation (AWTC) model is used for identifying appropriate stream classifications and attainable aquatic life use subcategories. The model correlates between July average air temperatures (ATEMP) and maximum weekly average stream temperatures. Air temperatures are obtained from PRISM and LANL Meteorological Towers and used to derive ATEMP. Thermographs were placed in the Sandia AU to obtain measured stream temperatures during summer months when stream temperatures are the highest. Measured data is used with AWTC modeled data to determine if the Sandia AU is meeting its natural air temperature driven thermal condition.
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2020 ASER Supplemental Tables
This pdf contains the data tables that will be posted on the LANL external website as a supplement to the Los Alamos National Laboratory 2020 Annual Site Environmental Report for Chapters 4 and 7.
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Characterization of Tri-lab β-Tin (Sn)
This report documents details of the microstructure and mechanical properties of -tin (Sn), that is used in the Tri-lab (Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)) collaboration project on Multi-phase Tin Strength. We report microstructural features detailing the crystallographic texture and grain morphology of as-received -tin from electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD). Temperature and strain rate dependent mechanical behavior was investigated by multiple compression tests at temperatures of 200K to 400K and strain rates of 0.0001 /s to 100 /s. Tri-lab tin showed significant temperature and strain rate dependent strength with no significant plastic anisotropy. A sample to sample material variation was observed from duplicate compression tests and texture measurements. Compression data was used to calibrate model parameters for temperature and rate dependent strength models, Johnson-Cook (JC), Zerilli-Armstrong (ZA) and Preston-Tonks-Wallace (PTW) strength models.
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