Publications

This document describes an automated, data acquisition system designed to test the performance of remote badge readers. These readers interrogate badges by transmitting and receiving energy. The performance of such readers is statistical and can be affected by geometrical and environmental variables. Characterization of performance, therefore, requires multiple measurements while the known variables are controlled. Automation makes this a practical task.

The contribution of essential service water (ESW) system failure to core damage frequency has long been a concern of the NRC. The objective of this study is to assess the safety significance of the loss of ESW systems in LWRs relative to core damage frequency (CDF) and perform a limited value/impact analysis of potential modifications to solve ESW vulnerabilities using a prototypical (pilot) plant. Previous studies indicate that service water systems contribute from < 1% to 65% of the total internal CDF. For the pilot plant analyzed, common ESW vulnerabilities are failure of standby service water pumps to start, backflow through check valves for cross-tied pumps, and failure of normally closed isolation valves in diesel generator cooling loops to open on demand. For the potential modifications evaluated for the pilot plant, the results showed that they could reduce the CDF by as much as 33 percent. However, the dollars per person REM measures resulting from various groups of these modifications significantly exceeded the current criteria of $1000. The results, since they only apply to the prot plant, are not typical of all LWRs. Due to the importance of service water to CDF and the plant specific nature of ESW systems, there could be plants for which there would be cost-effective modifications. Additional analysis would be required to identify them.

The low field (E{congruent}2kV/cm) Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) is a voltage regulation device. This report describes a technique for performing DC characteristic measurements on a MOV. The varistor is in the feedback loop of a high voltage operational amplifier. A current source forces a staircase current waveform through a MOV. An operational amplifier provides the required applied voltage to maintain the desired values of current through the varistor. The current values change at a maximum rate of 33.3 readings per second and a high speed voltmeter measures the varistor voltage. The maximum available current and voltage at present are 5 mA and 10 kV respectively. Examples of its use are with data from the MC3596 and XMC4317.

The performance Assessment (PA) Department of Sandia National Laboratories annually compares the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) with the Environmental Protection Agency`s Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Management and Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level and Transuranic Radioactive Wastes, 40 CFR 191. To assist the analyst in these comparisons the PA Department developed CAMCON, the Compliance Assessment Methodology Controller, which creates an analysis system out of the diverse computer modeling codes needed for this interdisciplinary comparison. This reference manual describes the use of most of the codes in the CAMCON system that an analyst may use when performing the PA comparisons. Although some of the codes included in CAMCON have their own user`s guide, this manual summarizes these guides as well to provide the user with one comprehensive document of the codes within the CAMCON system.

Site-characterization, data interpretation, and modeling efforts have been conducted for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a US Department of Energy facility, in southeastern New Mexico as part of the evaluation of the suitability of the bedded salt of the Salado Formation for isolation of defense transuranic wastes. The Culebra Dolomite Member of the Rustler Formation is the most transmissive and laterally continuous hydrogeologic unit above the Salado Formation and is considered to be the principal offsite pathway for radionuclide transport in the subsurface, should a breach of the repository occur. The potential importance of this offsite pathway has motivated the design and implementation of tests to characterize the solute-transport properties of the Culebra dolomite. On a regional scale, long-term pumping tests have been performed and analyzed to provide information concerning the broad hydrologic flow characteristics of the Culebra dolomite. At the local (or hydropad) scale, conservative (i.e., nonreactive) tracer tests have been performed to characterize the solute-transport properties of the Culebra dolomite. The tracer-test interpretations presented in this report were performed by INTERA Inc. under contract to SNL. The tracer tests and their interpretation provide data for use in performance-assessment calculations of site suitability for waste isolation. In particular, transport parameters determined from these tests are used as input for offsite solute-transport simulations.

This volume presents the methodology and results of the internal event accident sequence analysis of the LaSalle Unit II nuclear power plant performed as part of the Level III Probabilistic Risk Assessment being performed by Sandia national laboratories for the Nuclear Regulatory commission. This report describes the new techniques developed to solve the very large and logically complicated fault trees developed in the modeling of the LaSalle systems, for evaluating the large number of cut sets in the accident sequences, for the application of recovery actions to these cut sets, and for the evaluation of the effects of containment failure on the systems and the resolution of core vulnerable accident sequences.

An essential part of the license application for a geologic repository will be the demonstration of compliance with the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The performance assessments that produce the demonstration must rely on models of various levels of detail. The most detailed of these models are needed for understanding thoroughly the complex physical and chemical processes affecting the behavior of the system. For studying the behavior of major components of the system, less detailed models are often useful. For predicting the behavior of the total system, models of a third kind may be needed. These models must cover all the important processes that contribute to the behavior of the system, because they must estimate the behavior under all significant conditions for 10,000 years. In addition, however, computer codes that embody these models must calculate very rapidly because of the EPA standard`s requirement for probabilistic estimates, which will be produced by sampling thousands of times from probability distributions of parameters. For this reason, the total-system models must be less complex than the detailed-process and subsystem models. The total-system performance is evaluated through modeling of the following components: Radionuclide release from the engineered-barrier system. Fluid flow in the geologic units. Radionuclide transport to the accessible environment. Radionuclide release to the accessible environment and dose to man.

A sensor-based intelligent control system is described that utilizes a multiple degree-of-freedom robotic system for the automated remote manipulation and precision docking of large payloads such as waste canisters. Computer vision and ultrasonic proximity sensing are used to control the automated precision docking of a large object with a passive target cavity. Real-time sensor processing and model-based analysis are used to control payload position to a precision of {plus_minus} 0.5 millimeter.

Historical and projected inventories of spent fuel from commercial light-water nuclear reactors exhibit diverse decay characteristics and ages. This report summarizes a preliminary reexamination of a method for determining equivalent thermal loads for the range of spent fuel expected at a potential underground repository. The method, known at the Equivalent Energy Density (EED) concept, bases its equivalence criteria on the assumption that a given waste will produce worst-case thermomechanical effects equal to worst-case thermomechanical effects produced by a baseline waste, provided that the thermal energy deposited in the host rock over a specified deposition period is the same for both waste descriptions. To test this assumption, temperature histories at representative locations within the host rock were calculated using layouts defined by the EED concept and four deposition periods (20, 50, 100, and 300 years). It was found that the peak temperatures at near-field locations were best matched by the shorter deposition periods of 20 and 50 years. However, due to the sensitivity of the near-field environment to short-term canister-to-canister interactions, caution,should be used when choosing a near-field deposition period. At the location chosen to represent the far-field, a 300-year deposition period provided reasonable correspondence of peak temperature responses for all waste descriptions examined.

LLUVIA-II is a program designed for the efficient solution of two- dimensional transient flow of liquid water through partially saturated, porous media. The code solves Richards equation using the method-of-lines procedure. This document describes the solution procedure employed, input data structure, output, and code verification.

Short communication.

A complete edge-weighted directed graph on vertices 1,2,...,n that assigns cost c(i,j) to the edge (i,j) is called Monge if its edge costs form a Monge array, i.e., for all i < k and j < l, c[i, j]+c[k,l]{le} < c[i,l]+c[k,j]. One reason Monge graphs are interesting is that shortest paths can be computed quite quickly in such graphs. In particular, Wilber showed that the shortest path from vertex 1 to vertex n of a Monge graph can be computed in O(n) time, and Aggarwal, Klawe, Moran, Shor, and Wilber showed that the shortest d-edge 1-to-n path (i.e., the shortest path among all 1-to-n paths with exactly d edges) can be computed in O(dn) time. This paper`s contribution is a new algorithm for the latter problem. Assuming 0 {le} c[i,j] {le} U and c[i,j + 1] + c[i + 1,j] {minus} c[i,j] {minus} c[i + 1, j + 1] {ge} L > 0 for all i and j, our algorithm runs in O(n(1 + 1g(U/L))) time. Thus, when d {much_gt} 1 + 1g(U/L), our algorithm represents a significant improvement over Aggarwal et al.`s O(dn)-time algorithm. We also present several applications of our algorithm; they include length-limited Huffman coding, finding the maximum-perimeter d-gon inscribed in a given convex n-gon, and a digital-signal-compression problem.

This report documents the lightning threat warning system at the Tonopah Test Range and the technology it uses. The report outlines each of the system's individual components and the information each contributes.

Three seals constructed of compressed crushed salt blocks have been successfully emplaced vertically down in three 97-cm (38.2-in.) diameter boreholes drilled from the repository horizon of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. All three seals are designed to allow fluid flow measurements and two of the seals are heavily instrumented with pressure and hole closure gages. The seals are providing structural and fluid flow data useful for evaluating predictive models and long-term crushed salt seal performance. Results to date, 1100 to 1450 days after seal emplacement, indicate the current average densities of the seals to be about 85% of intact rock salt. Relative densities have increased about 2% since emplacement. The results to date are consistent with previous laboratory and modeling studies of crushed salt behavior. This report provides information necessary for evaluating these data including as-built test configurations, construction histories, and instrumentation descriptions. Seal and instrumentation installation techniques are also described.

The ECM Newsletter is published at Sandia National Laboratories to disseminate information obtained from research and development programs and demonstration, testing, and evaluation projects at research facilities on environmentally conscious manufacturing processes. This issue covers the topics of Life Cycle Assessment, etching processes for Kovar, cleaning of plutonium surfaces, non- chromate conversion coatings for aluminum,, and circuit board manufacturing.

The Mixed-Waste Landfill Integrated Demonstration (MWLID) has been assigned to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) by the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Development. The mission of the MWLID is to assess, implement and transfer technologies and systems that lead to quicker, safer, and more efficient remediation of buried chemical and mixed-waste sites. The MWLID focus is on two landfills at SNL in Albuquerque, New Mexico: The Chemical Waste Landfill (CWL) and the Mixed-Waste Landfill (MWL). These landfills received chemical, radioactive and mixed wastes from various SNL nuclear research programs. A characterization system has been designed for the definition of the extent and concentration of contamination. This system includes historical records, directional drilling, and emplacement membrane, sensors, geophysics, sampling strategy, and on site sample analysis. In the remediation task, in-situ remediation systems are being designed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOC`s) and heavy metals from soils. The VOC remediation includes vacuum extraction with electrical and radio-frequency heating. For heavy metal contamination, electrokinetic processes are being considered. The MWLID utilizes a phased, parallel approach. Initial testing is performed at an uncontaminated site adjacent to the CWL. Once characterization is underway at the CWL, lessons learned can be directly transferred to the more challenging problem of radioactive waste in the MWL. The MWL characterization can proceed in parallel with the remediation work at CWL. The technologies and systems demonstrated in the MWLID are to be evaluated based on their performance and cost in the real remediation environment of the landfills.

The structural, electrical and magnetic properties are compared for three superconducting Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O thin films prepared by different deposition and sintering protocols. One film containing a mixture of Tl{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} and Tl{sub 2}Cu{sub 1}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}O{sub y} structural phases has the best superconducting properties. Deposition of a Tl-free Ca-Ba-Cu-O precursor film followed by sintering in Tl-O vapor may be the preferred protocol to obtain a single structural phase.

Here at Sandia, I design new weapon components using PRO-ENGINEER and find that not only am I responsible for the initial design, but that I must be able to justify that design and show that I have analyzed the design for stress, considering thermal, static, and dynamic conditions. I must be able to create models at a reasonable cost using stereolithography. I must be able to create vivid graphic arts presentations for managements approval, if I want the design to be accepted. I must be able to communicate my design to the production people for comment. These problems, plus others must be done in a timely manner with a minimum of paper involved, and less money than ever before. Therefore, Rapid Prototyping takes on an more important stature than originally proposed, and I would like to show you a rapid prototyping process using PRO-ENGINEER as the fundamental base from which to operate.

A previous paper showed that for condensed phase explosives, the C-J density of the detonation product gases correlates to the initial density of the unreacted explosive by a simple power function. This paper extends that correlation to the very low density region which includes detonation of suspended particles of explosives in air as well as gas phase detonations. Extending this correlation of experimental data by an additional three orders of magnitude caused a slight change in the empirical constants of the correlation.

Short communication.

We have used a combination of methods to probe the structure and kinetics of electron beam induced damage in a monolayer of PF{sub 3} on Ru(001). This is a particularly rich system, in which molecularly adsorbed PF{sub 3} is reduced to PF{sub 2}, PF and P by electron bombardment. The concentrations and kinetics of damage by 550 eV electrons are measured as a function of surface temperature (100 to 300 K) and PF{sub 3} coverage using soft x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (SXPS) excited by synchrotron radiation. Structures of fragments and ion desorption kinetics are measured using electron stimulated desorption ion angular distribution (ESDIAD). Evidence is seen for quenching of Desorption induced by electronic transitions (DIET) processes via intermolecular interactions at high coverages. Damage rates and product distributions vary with temperature, due to a competition between DIET and thermal kinetic processes.

This bulletin presents fabrication methods helpful to industry. This issue contains articles on the use of computers in fast casting, techniques for optimizing encapsulation, high quality electroformed parts, improved welding with detection of contaminants, and special machine guards for enhanced safety. (GHH)

Probabilistic risk assessment studies are being extended to include a wider spectrum of reactor plants than was considered in NUREG-1150. There is a need for computationally simple models of direct containment heating (DCH) that could be used for screening studies aimed at identifying potentially significant contributors to overall risk. The two-cell kinetic model developed here is an extension of the two-cell equilibrium model developed previously, which captured a major mitigating feature due to containment compartmentalization. This extension of the equilibrium model represents additional mitigating features resulting from two kinetic competitions: time-of-flight limitations to debris/gas heat transfer and debris oxidation, and the noncoherence or reactor coolant system blowdown with debris residence in the atmosphere. Predictions of containment pressurization and hydrogen production are compared to experiment data taken in the Surtsey facility located at Sandia National Laboratories.

Epitaxial films of Ba{sub 2}YCu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} (BYCO) as thin as 250 {Angstrom} and with J{sub c}`s approaching those of the best in situ grown films can be formed by co-evaporating BaF{sub 2}, Y, and Cu followed by a two-stage anneal. High quality films of these thicknesses become possible if low oxygen partial pressure [p(O{sub 2}) = 4.3 Torr] is used during the high temperature portion of the anneal (T{sub a}). The BYCO melt line is the upper limit for T{sub a}. The use of low p(O{sub 2}) shifts the window for stable BYCO film growth to lower temperature, which allows the formation of smooth films with greater microstructural disorder than is found in films grown in p(O{sub 2}) = 740 Torr at higher T{sub a}. The best films annealed in p(O{sub 2}) = 4.3 Torr have J{sub c} values a factor of four higher than do comparable films annealed in p(O{sub 2}) = 740 Torr. The relationship between the T{sub a} required to grow films with the strongest pinning force and p(O{sub 2}) is log [p(O{sub 2})] {proportional_to} T{sub a}{minus}{sup 1a} independent of growth method (in situ or ex situ) over a range of five orders of magnitude of p(O{sub 2}).

We have used 2.0-{mu}sec microwave pulses at a frequency of 2.856 GHz to rapidly heat thin amorphous yttrium-barium-copper-oxide (YBCO) films deposited onto silicon substrates. The samples were irradiated inside a WR-284 waveguide by single-pass TE{sub 10} pulses in a traveling wave geometry. X-ray diffractometry studies show that an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition occurs for incident pulse powers exceeding about 6 MW, in which case the amorphous YBCO layer is converted to Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5}. Microscopy of the irradiated film reveals that the phase transition is brought about by melting of the YBCO precursor film and crystallization of the molten layer upon solidification. Time-resolved in situ experiments of the microwave reflectivity (R) and transmissivity (T) show that there is an abrupt change in R for microwave pulse powers exceeding the melt threshold, so that measurements of R and T can be used to monitor the onset of surface melting.

This paper reports the phase-one results of a planned longitudinal study of the incidence of entrepreneurship among inventors who were employees of national laboratories. A survey of 192 inventors employed by national laboratories and 24 ex-employee inventors who became entrepreneurs provided data for comparison of situational and attitudinal variables. Significant differences in attitudes (as measured by the Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation Scale) were found between inventors who have not become entrepreneurs and those who have. The differences in perceptions of situational variables between the two groups was significant for only two of the seven dimensions tested.

In order to resolve questions regarding the source of the extended linear viscosity-concentration regime in rod-like systems the distribution of orientations in confined systems has to be determined and related to changes in viscosity. In this work we describe our experimental and computer simulation studies on systems of neutrally buoyant suspensions of rod-like particles confined by the walls of a cylindrical container.

Recent results from light ion fusion experiments on the Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator (PBFA II) are reported. Intense proton beams have been used to drive two different types of targets. In the thermal source targets, the proton beam heated a low-density foam. The specific power deposition of the proton beam in the foam exceeded 100 TW/gm. In the spherical hydrodynamic targets, the proton beam heated a thin-walled deuterium gas-filled target directly, producing a radial convergence of the deuterium of about 6. In order to increase the specific power deposition in the target, we are developing focused lithium beams. A preformed lithium ion source has been produced using a two-step laser evaporation and ionization approach. This preformed source provides the basis for experiments being planned to reduce the divergence of the lithium beam, a critical step in demonstrating the feasibility of light ion fusion.

The first major round of target experiments driven by intense light ion beams was conducted during August and September 1991. In these experiments, intense proton beams were used to drive two different types of targets. We attempted to obtain information on the two separable issues of ion deposition and implosion hydrodynamics. Ion deposition was studied using a low density hydrocarbon foam contained within a cylindrical gold shell. Implosion hydrodynamics was studied using an ion driven exploding pusher configuration in which the ion beam heated the shell directly, exploding it both outward and inward. One of the main objectives of the experiments was to determine the extent to which we could diagnose the ion deposition and the subsequent behavior of the targets. The diagnostics included time-integrated and time-resolved x-ray pinhole cameras, time-integrated and time-resolved grazing incidence x-ray spectrometers, an 11-channel filtered x-ray diode (XRD) array, an 11-channel PIN diode array, an energy-resolved 1-dimensional imaging x-ray streak camera, a transmission grating spectrometer, an elliptical crystal x-ray spectrograph, and a bolometer. Intense beam diagnostics included an ion movie camera and an off-axis 1D slit imaging magnetic spectrograph for obtaining Rutherford-scattered ion images, momenta, and ion power densities.

An improved technology to extract VOCs from the unsaturated zone has developed into a cooperative Environmental Restoration and Technology Development effort. This cooperation is important because the timing of an innovative technology demonstration is critical to the transfer of that technology into an ER remedial action decision. The Mixed-Waste Landfill Integrated Demonstration (MWLID) Program will be demonstrating a Thermal Enhanced Vapor Extraction System that will improve existing vacuum vapor extraction technology by applying in-situ soil heating. Combined demonstrations of vacuum vapor extraction and both powerline frequency and radiofrequency soil heating technologies began in FY92.

SAFSIM (System Analysis Flow SIMulator) is a FORTRAN computer program that provides engineering simulations of user-specified flow networks at the system level. It includes fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and reactor dynamics capabilities. SAFSIM provides sufficient versatility to allow the simulation of almost any flow system, from a backyard sprinkler system to a clustered nuclear reactor propulsion system. In addition to versatility, speed and robustness are primary goals of SAFSIM. The current capabilities of SAFSIM are summarized, and some illustrative example results are presented.

Lost circulation is the loss of drilling fluid from the wellbore to fractures or pores in the rock formation. In geothermal drilling, lost circulation is often a serious problem that contributes greatly to the cost of the average geothermal well. The Lost Circulation Technology Development Program is sponsored at Sandia National Laboratories by the US Department of Energy. The goal of the program is to reduce lost circulation costs by 30--50% through the development of mitigation and characterization technology. This paper describes the technical progress made in this program during the period April 1991--March 1992. 8 refs.

The US Department of Energy`s Office of Technology Development (OTD) has sponsored the development of the Generic Intelligent System Controller (GISC) for application to remote system control. Of primary interest to the OTD is the development of technologies which result in faster, safer, and cheaper cleanup of hazardous waste sites than possible using conventional approaches. The objective of the GISC development project is to support these goals by developing a modular robotics control approach which reduces the time and cost of development by allowing reuse of control system software and uses computer models to improve the safety of remote site cleanup while reducing the time and life cycle costs.

Stimulated reactions on Pt(111) surfaces containing coadsorbates have been probed using laser resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy of the neutral products. In particular, the electron stimulated dissociation products of NO{sub 2}(a) coadsorbed with up to 0.75 ML of atomic O on Pt(111) has been studied. The coadsorbed O causes a large enhancement of the specific dissociation yield, a narrowing of the NO translational energy, a reduction of the NO internal energy, and the release of the O dissociation fragment into the gas phase. Reactive scattering between coadsorbates has also been studied. Specifically, NO{sub 2}(d) production has been observed during electron-beam irradiation of NO coadsorbed with O{sub 2} on Pt(1211). The NO{sub 2}(d) was indirectly observed as NO({upsilon}=5) and O({sup 3}P{sub J}) gas phase photodissociation fragments. We assign NO{sub 2} production to an electron-stimulated surface reaction involving a collision between energetic O atoms and adsorbed NO.

Heat-Pipe reflux receivers have been identified as a desirable interface to couple a Stirling engine with a parabolic dish solar concentrator. The reflux receiver provides power uniformly and nearly isothermally to the engine heater heads while de-coupling the heater head design from the solar absorber surface design. Therefore, the heat pipe reflux receiver allows the receiver and heater head to be independently thermally optimized, leading to high receiver thermal transport efficiency. Dynatherm Corporation designed and fabricated a screen-wick heat-pipe receiver for possible application to the Cummins Power Generation, Inc. first-generation 4 kW{sub e} free-piston dish-Stirling system, which required up to 30 kW{sub t}. The receiver features a composite absorber wick and a homogeneous sponge-wick on the aft dome to provide sodium to the absorber during hot restarts. The screen wick is attached to the absorber dome by spot welds. Refluxing troughs collect the condensate in a cylindrical condenser and return it directly to the absorber surface. The receiver was fabricated and lamp tested to 16 kW{sub t} throughput by Dynatherm. The receiver has been tested on Sandia`s 60 kW{sub t} solar furnace to a throughput power of 27.5 kW{sub t} and vapor space temperature up to 780{degrees}C. Infrared thermography was used to monitor the entire absorber dome for impending dryout while the receiver was tested. The receiver was started using solar input, without the assistance of electrical pre-heaters. The power was extracted with a gas-gap cold-water calorimeter to simulate the operation of a Stirling engine. The receiver design, thermal performance analysis, flux distribution analysis, test results, and post-test analysis are presented. 11 refs.

Nuclear thermal propulsion systems are envisioned as a fast and efficient form of transportation for the exploration of space. Several nuclear reactor concepts have been proposed. This document discusses SAFSIM (System Analysis Flow SIMulator) which is an engineering computer program that allows the fluid mechanic, heat transfer, and reactor dynamic simulation of the entire propulsion system. SAFSIM currently contains three basic physics modules: (1) fluid mechanics, (2) heat transfer, and (3) reactor dynamics. All three modules are coupled to allow the prediction of system performance. The analyst can employ any or all of the physics modules as the problem dictates.

A summary of the plans to test a prestressed concrete containment vessel (PCCV) model to failure is provided in this paper. The test will be conducted as a part of a joint research program between the Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (NUPEC), the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The containment model will be a scaled representation of a PCCV for a pressurized water reactor (PWR). During the test, the model will be slowly pressurized internally until failure of the containment pressure boundary occurs. The objectives of the test are to measure the failure pressure, to observe the mode of failure, and to record the containment structural response up to failure. Pre- and posttest analyses will be conducted to forecast and evaluate the test results. Based on these results, a validated method for evaluating the structural behavior of an actual PWR PCCV will be developed. The concepts to design the PCCV model are also described in the paper.

The transient transmission of laser activity cavity materials has been measured when they are subjected to 20 ms, fat, and nominal $3 nuclear radiation pulses from Sandia National Laboratories ACRR reactor. Infrasil and 7940 fused silica, and AR and high reflectance coatings have been transient tested at 1.06, 1.73, and 2.03 microns for gamma doses ranging from 0.3 to 0.65 Mrad and neutron fluences ranging from 4.0 to 1.5 10{sup 14} n/cm{sup 2}. pulse widths range from 12 to 250 ms. Transient absorption in 7940 silica and the AR coatings is less than the noise for the conditions of this experiment. At the wavelengths listed above the upper bound for the absorption coefficient of 17940 is 0.00158 cm{sup {minus}1} for single pulse operation. The reflectivity of the HR coating does not change when it is irradiated. Infrasil has both a transient and a permanent induced absorption when it is subjected to radiation. For single pulse operation the absorption coefficients at 1.06, 1.73, and 2.03 microns are 0.0115, 0.0026, and 0.0039 cm{sup {minus}1}, respectively.

The Naval Surface Weapons Laboratory has constructed a small electrical subsystem for the purpose of evaluating electrical upset from various electromagnetic sources. The subsystem consists of three boxes, two of which are intended to be illuminated by electromagnetic waves. The two illuminated boxes are connected by two unshielded cable bundles. The goal of the Navy test series is to expose the subsystem to electromagnetic illumination from several different types of excitation, document upset levels, and compare the results. Before its arrival at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) the system was illuminated in a mode stirred chamber and in an anechoic chamber. This effort was a continuation of that test program. The Sandia tests involved the test methodology referred to as bulk current injection (BCI). Because this is a poorly-shielded, multiple-aperture system, the method was not expected to compare closely to the other test methods. The test results show that. The BCI test methodology is a useful test technique for a subset of limited aperture systems; the methodology will produce incorrect answers when used improperly on complex systems; the methodology can produce accurate answers on simple systems with a well-controlled electromagnetic topology. This is a preliminary study and the results should be interpreted carefully.

This report describes how small threaded fasteners should be used in threaded connections. Considerable test experience gives many insights into how small threaded fasteners should be used. The test evidence is summarized in this report. The test methods and procedures are described for tension tests to determine strength and ductility. Small threaded fasteners have been used successfully for many years in Sandia applications. Problems have been encountered in manufacturing parts using three fasteners. This report addresses these manufacturing problems and offers recommendations in five areas: (1) design and layout of threaded connections, (2) required depths for tapped holes, (3) characteristics of mating (clamped) surfaces, (4) tensile strength testing procedures and lengths of engagement needed to achieve the full tensile strength of these small fasteners, and (5) installation procedures. 15 refs.

This document serves as the proceedings for the annual project review meeting held by Sandia National Laboratories` Photovoltaic Technology and Photovoltaic Evaluation Departments. It contains information supplied by organizations making presentations at the meeting, which was held July 14--15, 1992 at the Sheraton Old Town Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Overview sessions covered the Department of Energy (DOE) program, including those at Sandia and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and non-DOE programs, including the EPRI concentrator collector program, The Japanese crystalline silicon program, and some concentrating photovoltaic activities in Europe. Additional sessions included papers on Sandia`s Photovoltaic Device Fabrication Laboratory`s collaborative research, cell processing research, the activities of the participants in the Concentrator Initiative Program, and photovoltaic technology evaluation at Sandia and NREL.

Laser ablation studies of copper oxide using fiber optics to deliver the radiation have been made. A tapered fiber with a 600 micron input and a 200 micron output is used. For continuous operation the damage threshold at the input end is observed to be 2.5 mJ. The Dektak traces indicate the output beem is spatially uniform.

The purification of pyrite (FeS{sub 2}) used in Li-alloy/FeS{sub 2} thermal batteries by the physical process of flotation was evaluated for reduction of the quartz impurity. The process was compared to the standard process of leaching with concentrated hydrofluoric acid. Flotation was an attractive alternative because it avoided many of the safety and environmental concerns posed by the use of concentrated HF. The effects of particle size and initial purity of the pyrite feed material upon the final purity and yield of the product concentrate were examined for batch sizes from 3.5 kg to 921 kg. Feed materials as coarse as 8 mm and as fine as -325 mesh were treated; the coarse pyrite was ground wet in a rod mill or dry in a vibratory mill to -230 mesh prior to flotation. Both the HF-leached and the flotation-treated pyrite were leached with HCI (1:1 v/v) to remove acid-soluble impurities. The flotation-purified pyrite concentrates were formulated into catholytes; their electrochemical performance was evaluated in both single cells and 5-cell batteries for comparison to data generated under the same discharge conditions for catholytes formulated with HF/HCI-purified pyrite.

Diethyltoluenediamine (DETDA) (Ethyl Corp.'s Ethacure 100) was evaluated as a curing agent to replace methylenedianiline (MDA) (Shell's Agent Z), which is a suspected carcinogen. Shell Z and Ethacure 100 are used to cure Epon 828 epoxy resin for encapsulation of headers for thermal batteries at Sandia. The physical properties of the alumina-filled epoxies cured with Shell Z and Ethacure 100 were characterized to determine if the material strengths were comparable. The study also included epoxies that were aged at 130{degrees}C for one month, to simulate storage at 40{degrees}C for 25 years. Properties that were measured included tensile strength, elastic modulus, shear strength, butt tensile strength, and elongation. The. specific heats of the alumina-filled epoxies were measured for use in thermal-modeling programs for thermal batteries. Batteries built with the Ethacure 100-cured epoxy encapsulation were aged for up to one year at 74{degrees}C and were subjected to severe (1,800 g/50 ms) lateral shock to test the adhesion to the stainless steel header.

Preliminary experiments on the transmission properties of optical fibers exposed to nuclear radiations has been performed. Three wavelengths, 400, 1730 and 2030 nm, were observed for silica fibers. The long term goal of this effort is to develop a method using fiber optics to determine transmission and reflection properties of laser cavity components while being exposed to nuclear radiations. 5 refs.

The aqueous concentration of a radionuclide is one factor that determines the rate at which the radionuclide might be transported away from a nuclear waste repository should a repository breach occur. This study documents research examining the solubility of plutonium in a brine composition of interest for performance assessment for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southeastern New Mexico. Solutions starting with five different forms of plutonium, Pu(III), Pu(IV), Pu(IV)-polymer, Pu(V), and Pu(VI), were allowed to equilibrate in a brine with composition similar to that measured from the Culebra Member of the Rustler Formation in the Air Intake Shaft to the WIPP. Nearsteady-state conditions were reached within a year of reaction time. The resulting concentrations represent an upper bound on the amount of plutonium that can remain dissolved in solution under the experimental conditions (e.g., exclusive of colloids) and can thus be transported with the aqueous phase.

The Integral Effects Test (IET) series was designed to investigate the effects of subcompartment structures on direct containment heating (DCH). Scale models of the Zion reactor pressure vessel (RPV), cavity, instrument tunnel, and subcompartment structures were constructed in the Surtsey Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratories. The RPV was modelled with a melt generator that consisted of a steel pressure barrier, a cast MgO crucible, and a thin steel inner liner. The melt generator/crucible had a hemispherical bottom head containing a graphite limiter plate with a 4 cm exit hole to simulate the ablated hole in the RPV bottom head that would be formed by tube ejection in a high pressure melt ejection (HPME) accident. The reactor cavity model contained an amount of water (3.48 kg) that was scaled to condensate levels in the Zion plant. Iron oxide, aluminum, chromium thermite (43 kg) was used to simulate molten corium. The driving gas was 440 g{center dot}moles of steam at an initial absolute pressure of 7.1 MPa in IET-1 and 477 g{center dot}moles of steam at an initial pressure of 6.3 MPa in IET-1R. Steam blowdown entrained debris into the Sorts vessel resulting in a peak pressure increase in Sorts of 98 kPa in IET-1 and 110 kPa in IET-1R. The total debris mass ejected into the Sorts vessel was 43.0 kg in IET-1, compared to 36.2 kg in IET-1R. The Sorts vessel had been previously inerted with N{sub 2}. The total quantity of hydrogen produced by steam/metal reactions was 223 g{center dot}moles in IET-1 and 252 g{center dot}moles in IET-1R.

The purpose of this study is to investigate transient pressure loads form hydrogen combustion. Specifically, this study relates pressure loads to variations in mixture and initial conditions, mixture heterogeneities, ignition location, and variations in geometry. This study has shown that initial conditions and variations in mixture have a large effect upon the adiabatic isochoric complete combustion, detonation, and reflected detonation pressures. An inert gas layer between a detonable gas mixture and surface can give rise to reflected pressures higher than in the homogeneous case. A deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) event near a surface gives rise to higher reflected pressures, and lower impulses, than if the DDT occurred far from the surface. Edges and corners focus detonation waves, which increases both pressures and impulses over those seen from a normally reflected detonation. The loads at points behind an obstacle is less than the load that would be seen if the obstacle were not there.

The Transportation Systems Center at Sandia Laboratory performs research, development, and implementation of technologies that enhance the safe movement of people, goods, and information. Our focus is on systems engineering. However, we realize that to understand the puzzle, you must also understand the pieces. This brochure describes some of the activities currently underway at the Center and presents the breadth and depth of our capabilities. Please contact the noted, individuals for more, information.

The mission of our Center is to enhance the security, prosperity and well-being of our citizens by the application of a security systems approach incorporating the concepts of protection-in-depth, balance, and cost-effective protection. We will build upon the expertise gained through decades of providing security for the DOE nuclear weapons complex and DoD nuclear weapons storage facilities and solve security problems of national importance. Our mission will be accomplished while: Enhancing our ability to fulfill our role as the lead DOE Laboratory in physical security R D; enhancing our ability to fulfill our role in nuclear weapons surety; enhancing our ability to respond to security requests from other federal, state,, and local agencies; and providing taxpayers a substantial return on investment, both directly in cost savings and indirectly in leveraged benefits. A brief description of research on security systems is described.

The 34-meter Test Bed is a research-oriented, variable-speed vertical-axis wind turbine located at the USDA Agricultural Research Station in Bushland, Texas. Sandia National Laboratories designed and built this machine to perform research in structural dynamics, aerodynamics, and fatigue. Testing to determine its performance in various wind conditions and rotation rates has been ongoing for over three years. This report documents a broad range of test data and includes comparisons to analytical results.

Mechanical properties of the tuffaceous rocks within Yucca Mountain are needed for near and far-field modeling of the potential nuclear waste repository. If the mechanical properties are significantly anisotropic (i.e., direction-dependent), a more complex model is required. Relevant data from tuffs tested in earlier studies indicate that elastic and strength properties are anisotropic. This scoping study confirms the elastic anisotropy and concludes some tuffs are transversely isotropic. An approach for sampling and testing the rock to determine the magnitude of the anisotropy is proposed.

This report describes an assessment of the long-term performance of a repository system that contains deeply buried highly radioactive waste; the system is assumed to be located at the potential site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The study includes an identification of features, events, and processes that might affect the potential repository, a construction of scenarios based on this identification, a selection of models describing these scenarios (including abstraction of appropriate models from detailed models), a selection of probability distributions for the parameters in the models, a stochastic calculation of radionuclide releases for the scenarios, and a derivation of complementary cumulative distribution functions (CCDFs) for the releases. Releases and CCDFs are calculated for four categories of scenarios: aqueous flow (modeling primarily the existing conditions at the site, with allowances for climate change), gaseous flow, basaltic igneous activity, and human intrusion. The study shows that models of complex processes can be abstracted into more simplified representations that preserve the understanding of the processes and produce results consistent with those of more complex models.

This report discusses methods for making synthetic fuels from various kinds of wastes. Basic chemistry of synthesis gas creation and conversion is covered. Potentially productive wastes discussed are landfill natural gas, agricultural wastes, municipal wastes, industrial wastes, biomass, and tires. (VC)

Accurate alignment and focus of mirror facets are critical for the integration of concentrators and receivers in many of the low-cost stretched-membrane concentrators currently under development. In this report, the theoretical development of computer software that traces light rays from a source to a facet of a point-focusing solar concentrator and then to a target is given. Examples of approaches for the alignment of faceted point-focusing solar concentrators, which make use of targets generated by this computer program, are also presented.

This review of ongoing research at Sandia National Laboratory in the areas of nuclear weapons development and testing, arms control. As a multiprogram laboratory, their core competencies make special contributions in other areas of national importance. Work on US DOE programs is presented on the following subjects: robots; computers: arms control; nuclear weapons reliability; fusion research; solar energy; semiconductor detectors; radioactive waste management; nuclear explosion detection; and others. The laboratories strategic plan and other management methods are outlined. (GHH)

The efficient operation of a Stirling engine requires the application of a high heat flux to the relatively small area occupied by the heater head tubes. Previous attempts to couple solar energy to Stirling engines generally involved directly illuminating the heater head tubes with concentrated sunlight. In this study, operation of a 75-kW{sub t} sodium reflux pool-boiler solar receiver has been demonstrated and its performance characterized on Sandia's nominal 75-kW{sub t} parabolic-dish concentrator, using a cold-water gas-gap calorimeter to simulate Stirling engine operation. The pool boiler (and more generally liquid-metal reflux receivers) supplies heat to the engine in the form of latent heat released from condensation of the metal vapor on the heater head tubes. The advantages of the pool boiler include uniform tube temperature, leading to longer life and higher temperature available to the engine, and decoupling of the design of the solar absorber from the engine heater head. The two-phase system allows high input thermal flux, reducing the receiver size and losses, therefore improving system efficiency. The receiver thermal efficiency was about 90% when operated at full power and 800{degree}C. Stable sodium boiling was promoted by the addition of 35 equally spaced artificial cavities in the wetted absorber surface. High incipient boiling superheats following cloud transients were suppressed passively by the addition of small amounts of xenon gas to the receiver volume. Stable boiling without excessive incipient boiling superheats was observed under all operating conditions. The receiver developed a leak during performance evaluation, terminating the testing after accumulating about 50 hours on sun. The receiver design is reported here along with test results including transient operations, steady-state performance evaluation, operation at various temperatures, infrared thermography, x-ray studies of the boiling behavior, and a postmortem analysis.

This report describes a hardware implementation of a fast fourier transform (FFT) based real time data compression system. The system is currently configured to compress and analyze airborne vehicle vibration data but it can be utilized for compressing any one- dimensional data stream. The algorithm uses a two-stage process to compress successive stationary time periods of input data. The first stage compresses data by transforming continuous blocks of 2048 points to the frequency domain using Welch's method. The second stage provides further compression by logarithmically averaging adjacent frequency bins of the transformed signal. These compression techniques result in a bandwidth savings from 8:1 to 64:1 per channel compared to strictly analog or digital transmission techniques. The complete technique as well as the hardware used to implement it is described in detail in this report.

We have developed a controlled environment system in which to perform wetting experiments to analyze the effects of various atmospheres, both inert and reducing, on solder processing. This system consists of a custom designed vacuum chamber, an apparatus for heating specimens and a video system for data acquisition. The system design allows for rapid changes to various processing atmospheres. Specimens can be heated to soldering temperature from room temperature rapidly. The temperature is regulated by a controller which gives a maximum heating rate of 23{degrees}C/second while minimizing the amount of overshoot, thereby quickly a stabilized temperature. A video system is used to acquire the data in the form of both numerical data and real-time video images. The video system allows multiple views of the wetting process to be captured and simultaneously records time and temperature information. The recorded information is suitable for digital analysis. The controlled atmosphere soldering system has been used to perform experiments that examine the effect of inert and acid vapor atmospheres on solder wetting behavior.

As a multiprogram engineering laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has major research and development responsibilities for nuclear weapons, arms control, energy, environment, and other areas of strategic importance to national security. To accomplish this diversified mission, analysts within the Engineering Sciences Directorate support the entire laboratory using finite element and finite difference solution schemes to solve problems in fluid dynamics (steady state and transient, compressible and incompressible), thermodynamics (heat transfer), hydrodynamics (impact physics, penetration mechanics), solid mechanics (structural/thermal analysis, fracture mechanics, ground subsidence, impact modeling) and structural dynamics. To assist these analysts in performing these analyses most efficiently, the Applied Visualization Group was formed and tasked to develop a ``production scientific visualization environment.`` In this paper, we characterize a visualization environment that has been designed and prototyped for a large community of scientists and engineers. The proposed environment makes use of a visualization server concept to provide effective, interactive visualization to the user`s desktop. Benefits of using the visualization server approach are discussed. Some thoughts regarding desirable features for visualization server hardware architectures are also addressed. A brief discussion of the software environment is included. The paper concludes by summarizing certain observations which we have made regarding the implementation of such visualization environments.

Aryl-, ethynyl- and alkyl-bridged polysilsesquioxanes were prepared by the hydrolysis and condensation of the respective bridged triethoxysilanes under both acidic and basic conditions. Gelation of the resulting sols can take place at concentrations as low as 0.02 M in tetrahydrofuran. The gels can be air dried to afford xerogels or extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide to give high surface area aerogels. The materials were characterized by solid state {sup 13}C and {sup 29}Si CP MAS NMR spectroscopies, gas sorption porosimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The bridged polysilsesquioxanes offer the opportunity to prepare hybrid organic-inorganic materials with properties unique from other siloxane network materials and silica gels.

This paper describes current research and development on miniaturized sensing systems for use during in situ characterization of nuclear waste storage tanks, buried waste sites, and decommissioned production facilities. Each miniaturized sensor system will consist of a suite of chemical, radiological, and physical properties sensors integrated into a compact package which will be mounted on the end of a robotic arm and/or vehicle. While the specific size of this remote sensor head and the types of sensors included will depend on site needs, the supporting generic computing system may be used for other waste characterization applications. This computing system will contain all necessary hardware and software to acquire, combine, interpret, display, and archive a wide range of sensor data. This paper describes the present status of the project, the lessons learned from the first prototype, and planned future designs of the next generation system. 7 refs.

One of the principal objectives of the International Technology Exchange Program (ITEP) is the exchange of waste management and environmental restoration (WM/ER) technologies between the US and other nations. The current emphasis of ITEP is the transfer of technologies to the US that could provide better, faster, cheaper, or safer solutions to the needs of the DOE complex. The 10 candidate technologies that have been identified thus far by ITEP are discussed. The highlights of preliminary evaluations of these technologies through a systems approach are also described. The technologies have been evaluated by a screening process to determine their applicability to the leading WM/ER needs of the DOE complex. The technologies have been qualitatively compared with the known or anticipated capabilities of domestic, base case technologies.

During inspections of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Waste Shaft in May 1990, patchy areas of apparently degraded concrete were observed on the inner surface of the shaft liner between approximately 810 feet and 900 feet below the surface. The apparent cause of this degradation is chemical reaction of the concrete with magnesium-bearing brine in the annulus between the concrete liner and the host rock. The greater thickness of the degraded layer below the joint may be related to the different chemical compositions that were determined by analyses of the paste portions of concrete samples from above and below the joint. The analytical results support a complex mechanistic explanation of concrete degradation observed behind the liner and in the joint: chemical weakening of the concrete paste; cracking by precipitation of solids in pores; and increased permeability due to calcium chloroaluminate formation. Additional sampling, analyses, and regular monitoring are worth considering to bound the vertical extent of Waste Shaft liner degradation, detect concrete liner degradation in other shafts, and measure any ongoing degradation that may be occurring.

This paper presents recent progress in using finite-difference analysis codes to simulate the responses of complex structures due to direct lightning. Significant advances have been made in interfacing a finite-difference code with commercial computer aided design tools, in suppressing a pervasive instability associated with the thin-wire algorithm for modeling conductors much smaller than a cell size, and in visualizing the results with color movies. Preliminary comparisons between the results of the finite-difference code and the results obtained during a recent rocket-triggered lightning test are also presented. 3 refs.

Computer modeling of the blasting process can aid in gaining an understanding of the physics controlling the process. The sequence of events in a blast occur so rapidly and in such a violent environment that measurements are still difficult to obtain. Computer modeling using a program such as DMC [Taylor and Preece, 1989a, 1989b] can provide insights into the physics of the rapid and violent events associated with a blast. DMC has been used to simulate crater blasting [Preece, 1990c] and the blasting of Oil Shale for modified in-situ retorting [Preece, 1990a, 1990b]. This paper will address the influence that damping has on the velocity distribution in the rock mass during the rock motion phase of a blast. Since velocity distribution is a controlling factor of muck pile shape, damping also contributes to muck pile shape.

The most recent RADLAC experiments studied propagation and hose stability of a high current beam propagating in the atmosphere, and confirmed the convective nature of the hose instability. The unique combination of high beam current and extremely small initial perturbation, allowed saturation of the hose instability to be observed for the first time. Data on high current propagation was needed because the current scaling is more complex than energy scaling. It was important to collect data at atmospheric pressure to insure that subtle air chemistry effects such as avalanche did not distort the experiment. With this philosophy, the results should be directly scaleable to applications at higher energy.

The possibility of long-term smoke emissions (from 1 to 3 years) from burning Kuwaiti oil wells has increased concerns regarding personnel exposure and acute and chronic health effects. This document, which is the result of work done in the spring of 1991, addresses those concerns. Part 1 of this document describes follow-on efforts to the pre-war modeling studies of the toxicological hazards to exposed Kuwaiti populations. Part 2 describes a pollutant monitoring program that could be carried out in the summer of 1991 to measure real-time exposure levels and to obtain more detailed information about the pollutant source terms and meteorological conditions that are necessary inputs to model computations.

This project was a collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories and the Harvey E. Yates Company (Heyco), Roswell, NM, conducted under the auspices of Department of Energy`s Oil Recovery Technology Partnership. The project applied Sandia perspectives on the effects of natural fractures, stress, and sedimentology for the stimulation and production of low permeability gas reservoirs to low permeability oil reservoirs, such as those typified by the Bone Spring sandstones of the Delaware Basin, southeast New Mexico. This report details the results and analyses obtained in 1990 from core, logs, stress, and other data taken from three additional development wells. An overall summary gives results from all five wells studied in this project in 1989--1990. Most of the results presented are believed to be new information for the Bone Spring sandstones.

Waveguide-to-microstrip transitions are extremely important components of mm-wave communication systems because it is the interface between the signal processing circuitry and the transmitted/received signal. This report describes the design procedure, construction detail, and measurement of both 3 and 4 step stepped ridge waveguide (RWG) transitions. Both transitions had > 10 dB return loss over the frequency band of interest (57--63 GHz) while insertion loss was less than 1 dB. Also, the transition lengths were at least half as long as traditional finline transitions while having superior performance. These shorter lengths were achieved by violating the ``small-step`` assumption usually used in RWG transition design. 7 refs.

The most costly problem routinely encountered in geothermal drilling is lost circulation, which occurs when drilling fluid is lost to the formation rather than circulating back to the surface. The successful and economical treatment of lost circulation requires the accurate measurement of drilling fluid flow rate both into and out of the well. This report documents the development of a meter for measuring drilling fluid outflow rates in the return line of a drilling rig. The meter employs a rolling counterbalanced float that rides on the surface of the fluid in the return line. The angle of the float pivot arm is sensed with a pendulum potentiometer, and the height of the float is calculated from this measurement. The float height is closely related to the fluid height and, therefore, the flow rate in the line. The prototype rolling float meter was extensively tested under laboratory conditions in the Wellbore Hydraulics Flow Facility; results from these tests were used in the design of the field prototype rolling float meter. The field prototype meter was tested under actual drilling conditions in August and September 1991 at the Long Valley Exploratory Well near Mammoth Lakes, Ca. In addition, the performance of several other commercially available inflow and outflow meters was evaluated in the field. The tested inflow meters included conventional pump stroke counters, rotary pump speed counters, magnetic flowmeters, and an ultrasonic Doppler flowmeter. On the return flow line, a standard paddlemeter, an acoustic level meter, and the prototype rolling float meter were evaluated for measuring drilling fluid outflow rates.

This paper discusses the imaging radar technology requirements for the Open Skies regime including the unresolved issues to be discussed at future Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC) meetings. Compliance with international rules on shared technology is addressed and some of the practical considerations for operational deployment of the radar imaging equipment in an Open Skies aircraft are presented. The Open Skies Treaty requirements and validation methodologies for imaging radars that have been agreed on and those that will require future OSCC review are discussed.

Supercritical fluid technology has been used in industry for the extraction and separation of materials in a number of applications such as food preparation and petroleum processing. Gel-derived microcellular polymer foam technology, developed at Sandia, requires the extraction of organic solvents from thermally-induced phase separated gels to yield microcellular foams. We have applied supercritical fluid extraction technology to these specialized materials by using supercritical carbon dioxide to extract a variety of organic solvents from gels to produce foams. Our supercritical extraction process will be described, as well as high pressure equipment that is used to perform the extractions. The results of gel extraction trails and qualitative supercritical carbon dioxide/solvent miscibility experiments will also be presented. We plan to pursue other related areas in this field, including supercritical fluid cleaning, quantitative solubility studies, and supercritical fluid chromatography.

This document contains five appendices documenting how Sandia implemented the DOE Conduct of Operations (5480.19) and DOE Quality Assurance (5700.6C) orders. It provides a mapping of the Sandia integrated requirements to the specific requirements of each Order and a mapping to Sandia`s approved program for implementing the Conduct of Operations Order.

Many problems in computer applications can in theory be solved by searching through a directed-acyclic graph (DAG). In practice, however, this approach has been hampered by our analytical inability to predict the search cost accurately without actually implementing and executing the program. To overcome this inability, a simple and quick heuristic procedure based on a stratified sampling approach is presented. In generalizes a tree sampling technique already shown to be useful in predicting the performance of tree-searching programs. With the addition of this DAG sampling procedure, we should be able to forecast the complexity and feasibility of alternative tree or DAG searching algorithms so that we may utilize our computational resources more effectively.

The purpose of this document is to present and detail the deliverables for the Tiger Team Action Plan, Finding MF-11, and milestones in the FY92 Performance Appraisal for Conduct of Operations from Sandia National Laboratories to DOE. The ``Proposal for Reporting Conduct of Operations & Quality Assurance Compliance to DOE`` describes what the deliverables shall be. Five major steps that result in the development of line practices are covered in this document. These line practices specify what Sandia will do to comply with the above DOE management orders. The five steps include: hazard classification; programmatic risk classification; management grouping; compliance plan; and corporate reporting.

An automatic attenuation/phase calibration system which simultaneously certifies attenuation and transmission angle through up to 100 dB of loss has been developed at Sandia National Laboratories. System hardware is commercially available while the software and the certification techniques constitute the development effort. The system is computer controlled and intended primarily for standards type measurements. 14 refs.

Sandia has developed a third-generation set of specifications for performance and reliability testing of photovoltaic concentrator modules. Several new requirements have been defined. The primary purpose of the tests is to screen new concentrator designs and new production runs for susceptibility to known failure mechanisms. Ultraviolet radiation testing of materials precedes receiver section and module performance and environmental tests. The specifications include the purpose, procedure, and requirements for each test. Recommendations for future improvements are presented.

A number of correlations describing the advent of gas blowthrough and the subsequent exit quality were collected and examined. A simple scaling analysis was applied to these correlations to identify important nondimensional groups, and the range of values for these dimensionless groups at nuclear power plant (NPP) and experimental scales were used to examine the applicability of the correlations at different scales. The performance of each of the correlations was also assessed over a typical parameter range for NPP and experimental conditions. The Gluck correlations for the onset of gas blowthrough is recommended for high pressure melt ejection analyses. AL new model is developed for predicting the two-phase flow quality following the onset of gas blowthrough. Uncertainty estimates for the blowthrough correlation and the flow quality correlation are quantified.

In December 1980, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) designated ``Seismic Qualification of Equipment in Operating Plants`` as an Unresolved Safety Issue (USI), A-46. The objective of USI A-46 is to develop alternative seismic qualification methods and acceptance criteria that can be used to assess the capability of mechanical and electrical equipment in operating nuclear power plants to perform the intended safety functions. A group of affected utilities formed the Seismic Qualification Utility Group (SQUG) to work with the NRC in developing a program methodology to enable resolution of the A-46 issue. To assist in developing a program methodology, SQUG and the NRC jointly selected and supported a five-member Senior Seismic Review and Advisory Panel (SSRAP) in June 1983 to make an independent assessment of whether certain classes of equipment in operating nuclear power plants in the United States have demonstrated sufficient ruggedness in past earthquakes so as to render an explicit seismic qualification unnecessary. SSRAP operated as an independent review body with all of its findings submitted concurrently to both SQUG and the NRC. During their period of involvement, SSRAP issued several draft reports on their conclusions. This document contains the final versions of these reports; namely, ``Use of Seismic Experience and Test Data to Show Ruggedness of Equipment in Nuclear Power Plants,`` dated February 1991 and ``Review Procedure to Assess Seismic Ruggedness of Cantilever Bracket Cable Tray Supports,`` dated March 1, 1991.

This paper presents a theoretical model to predict the curvature of a rectangular gel which is subjected to a pH gradient. The curvature is formulated as a function of volumetric strains. Experimental observations indicate a direct coupling between the electric field and the gel that induces an immediate volume collapse independent of pH gradients. Additional deformations occur later due to a pH gradient evolving through hydrolysis.

We have grown Zn{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}Te alloys by molecular beam epitaxy and characterized them using x-ray diffraction and low temperature magnetoluminescence. Zn{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}Te is a dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS) whose bandgap ranges from the green through the blue part of the spectrum and is therefore of interest for blue LEDs.

A camera with 3-ns time resolution -- and a continuous (> 100-ns) record length -- has been developed to image a 10{sup 12}-10{sup 13} W/cm{sup 2} ion beam for inertial-confinement-fusion experiments. A thin gold Rutherford-scattering foil placed in the path of the beam scatters ions into the camera. The foil is in a near-optimized scattering geometry and reduces the beam intensity seven orders of magnitude. The scattered ions are pinhole imaged onto a 2-D array of 39 p-i-n diode detectors. The output of each detector is recorded on a LeCroy 6880 transient-waveform digitizer. The waveforms are analyzed and combined to produce a 39-pixel movie which can be displayed on an image processor to provide, for example, time-resolved horizontal- and vertical-focusing information.

A survivable debris shield is necessary if very high levels of cleanliness are to be achieved on samples exposed to soft x rays from laboratory simulation sources. These samples, often of optical quality, require a low or zero debris environment in order to distinguish low levels of soft x-ray damage from debris-induced effects. We will describe the development of survivable debris shield technology on the Sandia National Laboratories` Saturn x-ray simulation facility, which permits ultraclean exposure over sample areas of 58 cm{sup 2} {at} {approximately}0.35 cal/cm{sup 2}, 5 cm{sup 2}{at} {approximately}0.8 cal/cm{sup 2}, cm{sup 2}, 2.8 cm{sup 2} {at} {approximately}1.2 cal/cm{sup 2}, and 0.8 cm{sup 2} {at} {approximately}1.5 cal/cm{sup 2} with 3-keV argon K-shell photons. These new fluence-area produce test capabilities represent an order-of-magnitude improvement in the state of the art (previously 0.25 cm{sup 2} {at} {approximately} 1 cal/cm{sup 2} or 1.0 cm{sup 2} {at} {approximately}0.35 cal/cm{sup 2}) for soft x-ray simulators.

Methods which report an ability to determine interstitial oxygen (O{sub i}) in heavily doped silicon include the short baseline (SBL) and the curved baseline (CBL) techniques. Both the SBL and CBL methods are similar with the exception of the calibration. We developed a FORTRAN software package to provide separate methods for calculating O{sub i}. The strength of the software is its ability to rapidly compare methods. We report on a comparison of calculation methods including the ASTM standard test F1188-88 which is used in a calibration, and the SBL and the CBL methods, which are used for the heavily doped silicon to provide reliable results. The O{sub i} values calculated for both virgin and thermally processed silicon are reported.

This paper identifies some of the sources of resistance to change that face Sandia National Laboratories` management, and examines the mechanisms that are being used to minimize the effects of that resistance. The rapid and radical nature of many of the changes now being demanded of Sandia make them all the more likely to meet stiff resistance from within the organization. Sandia`s management has attempted to anticipate some of the sources of resistance to the changes planned for its operating procedures and has taken action to minimize their effects. Within this paper, particular attention is given to those individuals who will not only be most effected by, by may also be required to implement the changes. The change process at Sandia is currently ongoing. It is not complete. No claim is made that all of the changes that will be necessary at Sandia National Laboratories have been recognized, nor that all sources of resistance have been anticipated.

A production vacuum arc remelt (VAR) furnace was modified to enable direct viewing of the metal vapor arc and molten electrode tip during melting of 432 mm dia. alloy 718 electrodes into 508 mm dia. ingots. Diffuse and constricted arcing conditions were characterized using high speed cinematography, standard video format, and monochromatic imaging. Constricted arcing was observed while melting electrodes contaminated with oxide slag of the type used for refractory linings in vacuum induction furnaces. Monochromatic imaging was used in visualize the ion distribution in the arc plasma; these images clearly showed whether the arc operated in a diffuse or constricted model. Diffuse arc melting conditions were very similar to those previously reported in the literature for smaller laboratory sized melts.

In November of 1989, technology transfer became a mission for Sandia National Laboratories, (SNL), with the passage of the National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act. In order to address the specialized technology transfer needs of small businesses, SNL created and implemented the Technology-Based Regional Economic Development (TRED) program. The TRED model has two major components -- technology assistance (or teaming), and `` widget transfer.`` In the technology assistance component, SNL`s technology resources (expertise, services, and equipment) are made available to companies developing commercial products. In the ``widget transfer`` component, SNL`s intellectual property (patents, copyrights) is placed with private sector firms through various partnership intermediaries

This manual is intended to aid operators of the pressure controller in the Transducer Calibration Laboratory. We include discussions of automated control, data acquisition, and data analysis techniques that improve the quality and thoroughness of transducer pressure calibration procedures.

This memorandum is a synopsis of the description and operation of the equipment used and the events occurring during the calibration of an accelerometer on the 5000 g centrifuge.

Many MoS{sub 2} lubricant film formulations exhibit tribological performance degradation after extended storage in high humidity ambient environments. As a part of an extensive study of the effects of high humidity storage on a wide variety of MoS{sub 2} lubricant film formulations, the effects of high humidity storage on sputtered MoS{sub 2} films have been examined. The surface chemistries of a series of ten different commercially deposited MoS{sub 2} lubricant film formulations on 440C stainless steel have been examined before and after 1 month of storage at 98% relative humidity. While the films varied greatly in film chemistry prior to high humidity storage, many smaller differences were observed after high humidity storage. Addition of Ni to the films affects the film chemistry far more dramatically than the addition of AuPd or SbO{sub x}, facilitating oxidation of the MoS{sub 2} and enhancing formation of sulfate species. All of the films are adequately characterized by considering only MoS{sub 2} and MoO{sub 3} species, with the exception of the films co-sputtered with Ni and ion implanted with N{sup +}, where some MoO{sub 2} or MoS{sub 2-x}O{sub x} must also be present.

This bibliography contains 64 references concerning the management of business and industry. Books and articles are both cited. Methods for gathering and utilizing information are emphasized. (GHH)

A power MOSFET macro-model for use with the circuit simulator SPICE has been developed suitable for use over the temperature range of {minus}55 to 125{degrees}C. The model is comprised of a single parameter set with the temperature dependence accessed through the SPICE TEMP card. This report describes in detail the development of the model and the extraction algorithms used to obtain model parameters. The extraction algorithms are described in sufficient detail to allow for automated measurements which in turn allows for rapid and cost effective development of an accurate SPICE model for any power MOSFET. 22 refs.

The analytical procedures for establishing the fragment hazard zone for explosive test facilities are presented. Environment, safety and health regulations require that a hazard zone analysis be conducted for every explosive test facility. Analyses are presented for explosively driven missile fragment trajectories resultant from cased explosive configurations. Fragment trajectory parameter data are presented in graphical form for three different fragment materials (aluminum, steel and tantalum), initial velocities between 0.6mm/{mu}s (2000 ft/sec) to 4.3mm/{mu}s (14,000 ft/sec), and for various geometries. This trajectory information is used, as an example, to determine the safe distance or hazard zone for the Area 2 explosive test facility at Sandia National Laboratories.

The equations of motion of beam and channel particles are analyzed in the ion focused regime. Using the paraxial approximation and assuming only transverse electro-magnetostatic interactions between beam and channel particles for the equations of motion (the same equations solved in the BUCKSHOT code) are written in non-dimensional form and scaling relations are derived for propagation parameters, magnetic erosion, and evaporation. These relations are very useful in doing parameter studies with a limited number of computer simulations.

Methods of mechanical and thermal testing specifically directed toward evaluation of impact-limiting materials for radioactive material transportation containers are presented. Associated figures of merit and procedures for rank-ordering the materials are also developed. Based on testing and evaluation procedures developed herein, thermal and mechanical results are presented for high- and low-density aluminum honeycombs, polyurethane foams, and aluminum foams. On a minimum mass basis, the high-density aluminum honeycomb is found to be a superior impact energy absorber up to the point of lock up. On a minimum volume basis, the high-density polyurethane foam is far superior, however. Based on the thermal figures of merit, the high-density polyurethane foam was found to be the most favorable material.

The energy-absorbing capability of impact limiters is an important part of radioactive waste transportation system. This document presents the results of the Basic Impact Limiter Study (BILS). The objective of this design development program was to increase the energy-absorbing capabilities of an external impact limiter for both axial and off-axis response. The impact limiter that was evaluated was made of stainless steel and was a right circular cylinder. The evaluation included computer analysis complemented by static and dynamic testing of quater-scale and half-scale models. The design development, analysis, and testing were conducted at Sandia National Laboratories.

Analyses have shown that early rupture of the Mark-I boiling water reactor containment-by the direct action of core debris depends strongly on the time that core debris is superheated above its liquidus. The analyses of the duration of superheat in the core debris are compared to predictions obtained with the CORCON-MOD 3 computer code. The predicitons of this computer code as functions of the core debris mass, composition, and initial superheat are used to create a polynomial response surface. This response surface is used in a Monte Carlo analysis to produce probability distributions for the duration of superheat in core debris in the drywell of a Mark-I containment. It is concluded that to a high level of confidence (>90%) the duration of superheating predicted with the CORCON-MOD 3 code is less than what has been used in the analyses of the threats to the Mark-I containment liner. Based on these results, to the extent superheat duration dictates the threat to the liner, analyses in NUREG/CR-5423 would appear to overestimate the threat to the liner in comparison to threats estimated using the predictions of the duration of superheating obtained with CORCON-MOD 3.

A postnotification record is required for all Highway Route Controlled Quantities of radioactive materials that are shipped in the United States. These reports, which are required by 49 CFR 172.203(d), are compiled in the Radioactive Materials Routing Report (RAMRT) database at the US Department of Transportation (DOT). Sandia National Laboratories` has developed an expanded version of the RAMRT which is entitled the Radioactive Materials Postnotification (RAMPOST) database. This paper provides the summary detail on the following topics: major carriers of highway route controlled quantities, major US Department of Energy (DOE) shippers, major US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) shippers and a breakdown of the types of Highway Route Controlled Quantities that have been shipped for the time period 1985--1990.

We describe the design and operation of an optical fiber accelerometer intended for environments inhospitable to electronic components. An overview of the device is presented along with descriptions of the optical, electronic, and mechanical components. The performance of the current prototype is equivalent to state of the art piezoelectric accelerometers. Improvements to the current design are discussed.