Publications

Spent pressurized-water reactor (PWR) and boiling-water reactor (BWR) fuel rods from three reactors were examined by hot cell periscope, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and scanning electron micrography. In the case of fuel from the Quad Cities reactor, it was possible to develop a complete particle size distribution. It was found to be log-normal, with a median geometric diameter of 3 μm and a standard deviation of 1.87 μm.

The effects of pressure on the energetics and kinetics of electron emission and capture processes by several important deep levels in Si are discussed. The results yield the first quantitative measures of the breathing mode lattice relaxations accompanying these processes. © 1990, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Facilities are now coming under Agency safeguards which have large amounts of nuclear material and/or nuclear material which is very difficult to access for reverification. Containment and Surveillance (C/S) technologies may be used to assist in resolution of this problem. This study examines the concept of redundant and independent C/S Systems, and discusses how these systems could be used to lower the need for remeasurement of materials which are difficult to access, or materials included in very large inventories. This paper dose not address increasing levels of C/S measures to protect different types of materials. However, the paper does discuss how redundant and independent C/S Systems will improve the reliability of safeguards information. Equipment which may be used in such systems, and examples of potential systems, are presented. Decisions on how much C/S equipment is enough for a given facility, or type of material, must be made by the inspectorate. 6 refs., 4 figs.

A Level III probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) has been performed for N Reactor, a Department of Energy (DOE) production reactor located on the Hanford reservation in Washington. The objectives of the PRA are to assess the risks to the public and the Hanford site workers posed by the operation of N Reactor, to compare those risks to proposed DOE safety goals, and to identify changes to the plant that could reduce the risk. The scope of the PRA is comprehensive, excluding only sabotage and operation errors of commission. State-of-the-art methodology is employed based largely on the methods developed by Sandia for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in support of the NUREG-1150 study of five commercial nuclear power plants. The structure of the probabilistic models allowed complex interactions and dependencies between systems to be explicitly considered. Latin Hypercube sampling techniques were used to develop uncertainty distributions for the risks associated with postulated core damage events initiated by fire, seismic, and internal events as well as the overall combined risk. The combined risk results show that N Reactor meets the primary DOE safety goals and compared favorably to the plants considered in the NUREG-1150 analysis. 36 figs., 81 tabs.

This report discusses the performance of commercial amorphous silicon modules used in photovoltaic power systems from 1985 through 1989. Topics discussed include initial degradation, reliability, durability, and effects of temperature and solar irradiance on peak power and energy production. 6 refs., 18 figs.

This report is the outcome of a study of the technical and procedural requirements which would need to be met if the Agency and facility operators were to agree that under certain circumstances the operator could remove or apply on Agency seal in the absence of an inspector. In the FRG and USA Support Programmes respectively an electronic seal (VACOSS) and a CCTV system (MIVS) have been developed. Through a joint project, an interface has been demonstrated which enables the seal data to be superimposed upon the surveillance data. This interface is briefly described in the appendix. A proposed application for this integrated system is to allow facility operators to carry-out some of the seal procedures normally performed by an inspector, thereby reducing the need for inspector presence at certain crucial times.

Thermal battery functional test data are stored in an HP3000 minicomputer operated by the Power Sources Department. A program was written to read data from a battery data base, compute simple statistics (mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and K-factor), print out the results, and store the data in a file for subsequent plotting. A separate program was written to plot the data. The programs were written in the Pascal programming language. 1 tab.

This document describes the Nuclear Weapons Complex (NWC) detached'' CIM file header. The file header concept is defined and its form and content are specified. Guidelines for the use of file headers by the CIM community in the NWC are also included. This document is the result of the combined efforts of the Lead Laboratory and the NWC File Header Subgroup. It has evolved through a process of cooperation and compromise and represents a consensus view of the NWC.

At Sandia National Laboratories data engineering is the application of both the art and science aspects of engineering principles to the acquisition and storage of product-related test and traceability data and to the transformation of this data into useful information through data retrieval and analysis processes. This report describes the application of data engineering to the data systems that have been developed in support of production agency built or procured product. The production agencies that are addresses in this report include Mason Hanger, Amarillo, TX; GEND, Largo, FL, Allied Signal, KCD, Kansas City, MO; and Mount, Miamisburg, OH. Also discussed is the Weapon Evaluation Test Laboratory (7264)/Amarillo. The scope of the data engineering program for each production agency (or test facility) is presented along with the interfaces and constraints. The present contractors' data system is described and system limitations and future plans are discussed. 7 refs., 38 figs.

BUCKL is an inexpensive x-ray deposition computer code which considers one-dimensional transport and accounts for two-dimensional effects in a buckling approximation. This manual contains input instructions and sample input.

A variety of geomechanical analyses are presented that support the WIPP project. The scale of the analyses ranged through laboratory experiments, small-scale in-situ tests, large-scale in-situ tests, underground rooms, shafts and shaft keys, and multi-room panels. The structural behavior of underground rooms, shafts, and experiments was investigated using the finite element method. Both two and three dimensional analyses simulated the time-dependent behavior of the salt host rock. Two different constitutive models were used to represent the creeping motion of the salt. The investigations aided in experimental planning, code validation, and assessing excavation responses for safety and performance assessment. This report compiles ten different structural analyses which assess the performance of excavations and experiments located at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, NM. Chapter 2 discusses the constitutive models used to represent the salt behavior. Each of Chapters 3 through 12 presents an analysis. Chapter 13 concludes the report. 36 refs., 48 figs., 17 tabs.

An interactive computerized and automated system to provide environmental control for atmospheric corrosion experiments has been added to the FACT, as well as computerized data acquisition for sample weighing. The FACT allows control of corrosive gas concentrations to simulate industrial atmospheric conditions and requires constant manual adjustment to provide a stable test environment. Because constant manual adjustment is impractical, we have automated this facility to achieve the desired stability. This system incorporates an IBM PC AT using Keithley's Series 500 hardware and Quick500 software development environment to calibrate gas analyzers, and to monitor exposure time, test chamber temperature, and gas concentrations. A second PC has been connected to a Mettler M3 microbalance through an IEEE-488 interface communicating under Lotus Measure. Weighings with a sensitivity of 1 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} gram are transferred directly into a Lotus 123 spreadsheet where the data can then be easily manipulated and plotted. Under computer control, the FACT can now run unattended for more than a week and maintain much better control over gas concentrations (200 {plus minus} 5 ppb and 10 {plus minus} 0.5 ppb for NO{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O and H{sub 2}S, respectively) than was possible with manual control (100 {plus minus} 25 ppb for either gas), after initial stabilization. 9 figs.

The Linear Explosive Shaped Charge Analysis (LESCA) code is used to analytically model and optimize the design of a linear shaped charge (LSC). A variety of LSCs are initially modeled with the LESCA code, and the predicted jet penetration versus standoff data are compared to experimental data. The LSCs varied in explosive loading size form 600 to 10,500 grains per foot. The LSC liner material for this study was cooper. The variables optimized in this study included the LSC apex angle, liner thickness, explosive width, and explosive width, and explosive height. 8 ref., 24 figs.

The PCP PHEMTO-CHEM 100 ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) exhibits a number of characteristics that affect its performance for the quanititative and qualitative analysis of explosives in solution and in the gas phase. These characteristics, as well as modifications to the system that will either eliminate, or reduce, the extent of some problems associated with these characteristics, are described. Also described are other aspects of the operation and performance of this system. 9 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.

This report discusses the purpose and requirements that were established for the data logger at the 34-m diameter, research- oriented vertical axis wind turbine, the Test Bed, which Sandia National Laboratories built at Bushland, Texas. The data logger is a minicomputer-based system that collects data from 35 channels, displays the collected data, and records them on a hard disc. Both the hardware and software that make up the data logger are also described, and the operator's instructions and the operating system commands and procedure files are appended. The data logger is used to obtain long-term data to characterize the wind at the site of the turbine, record the performance data of the control system, obtain a continuous record of events at the test sire, consolidate displays for the test engineer, and provide a display of current information for visitors to the site. 7 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.

Analytical equations for barrel-tamped explosively accelerated flyer plates are used to generate graphical solutions to flyer problems. Given the problem geometrical dimensions, explosive weight, detonation velocity, explosive exponent, barrel-tamping weight, and flyer weight, the graphical representation of the calculated data allows for a fast approximation of the final or maximum flyer plate velocity. Graphically obtained flyer velocities are compared to experimentally published data. The graphical solution for flyer velocity is particularly useful when a computer is not available. The graphical representation of the various barrel-tamped flyer parameters results in a parametric study which illustrates the effect on final flyer velocity in varying parameters. The graphical analysis scheme can be used with any explosive, tamper and flyer materials. 15 refs., 12 figs., 4 tabs.

This report presents the results of numerical modeling of the electron beam generation, transport, and conditioning in the Sandia accelerators RADLAC, IBEX, and RLA for the year 1989. The codes used were the particle code MAGIC, the trajectory code TRAJ, and some preliminary work with the 3-D code Quicksilver. The results are mostly in the areas of injector design, beam propagation in IFR channels and B{sub {Theta}} cells, and emittance measurements. The energy range of these electron beams is from 1 MeV to 20 MeV. 16 refs., 42 figs.

Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) codes can, in principle, be used to determine the electromagnetic response of complex scatterers. However, the extent to which structural details can be accommodated is limited by computer resources and one's ability to specify necessary parameters. By embedding into the FDTD code alternative numerical methods that solve the aspects of the problem which are not practical, or possible, for the FDTD code to handle, power and flexibility can be added. This report investigates three such hybrid schemes. Topics include: (1) embedding a transient multiconductor/circuit-analysis code so that coupling down to the component level can be directly computed; (2) the effectiveness of using a multiconductor transmission-line code to analyze shielded multiwire cables in FDTD calculations; and (3) the effectiveness of using two-- and three-- dimensional aperture transfer functions to model narrow apertures in FDTD formulations. These topics were selected because of their immediate need in system assessments. Experimental measurements and/or alternative solution methods are used to verify the hybrid approaches. 56 figs.

In past five years, Department 1510 has developed a state-of-the-art Aerosol Dynamics Laboratory (ADL). This report documents the current instrumentation and capabilities that exist in this laboratory. The ADL was developed from a variety of sources, with a primary contribution from Department 1510's Independent Research and Development program in aerosol dynamics. Current capabilities of the ADL include: (1) generation of calibration-quality monodisperse particles with diameters between 0.005 to 100 {mu}m, (2) real-time measurement of particle size distributions for particle diameters between 0.01 and 100 {mu}m, (3) in situ, real-time measurement of particle size distributions for particle diameters between 0.3 and 100 {mu}m, and (4) real-time measurement of particle charge distributions for particle diameters between 0.01 and 1.0 {mu}m. 14 refs., 5 figs.

Analyses related to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and preliminary performance assessment studies have suggested that alteration of the method of waste emplacement in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) may be necessary in order to satisfy waste storage regulations. Good engineering practice also dictates consideration of changes which are useful for better containment of waste. This report presents a preliminary evaluation of various engineered modifications that might be considered. The report is based on work that has been ongoing at Sandia National Laboratories since FY88, before formation of the present Engineering Alternative Task Force by the Department of Energy WIPP Project Office. The engineered modifications under consideration are described and characterized in the first part of the report according to: the objective that would be addressed by their application; their level of complexity; and some of the presently understood limitations and uncertainties of their use. Results of studies conducted to date to examine the feasibility of some of the modification concepts are presented, with emphasis on the effects of waste supercompaction.'' 21 refs., 14 figs., 5 tabs.

When the Morton Salt Mine in Weeks Island, Louisiana was converted into a strategic Petroleum Reserve oil reservoir, massive concrete bulkheads were installed to seal the access shafts against oil or water leakage. Recent inspection of these bulkheads has raised questions about their ability to perform satisfactorily in the event of a catastrophic water leak into the mine. Calculations are reported here which examine the response of the five bulkheads to a worst-case scenario of flooding by brine from the surface into the oil reservoir below the bulkheads. These calculations show that, under conservative analysis assumptions, factors of safety under such a load for the bulkheads sealing the service shaft and the two raisebores are close to 1. The Markel incline and production shaft bulkheads exhibit safety factors in excess of 2 and 3, respectively. 10 refs., 24 figs., 3 tabs.

A seismic signal processing procedure is designed so that its performance is optimized for a specific seismic array looking for explosions at a specific teleseismic location. In this report we first describe the processing procedure, which essentially estimates beamformer signal power as a function of time in a specified frequency band. Then we calibrate the procedure for the Norwegian Regional Seismic array (NRSA) in terms of equivalent body magnitude'' (emb) level versus signal power using US Department of Interior/Geological Survey (USGS) epicenter data from documented explosions at the USSR Semipalatinsk test area in Eastern Kazakh. Finally, we test the performance of the procedure on actual NRSA data and estimate that explosions above approximately mb 4.0 at Semipalatinsk correspond with an event rate in the emb signal on the order of one to ten events per hour. We conclude that, to detect and analyze events around the clock at levels below mb 4.0, an automatic event locator must be used to process the output of the procedure described here. 8 refs., 19 figs., 1 tab.

This interim report provides results of the molten salt pump and valve loop testing, lessons learned, and recommendations based on the test results to date. The molten salt pump and valve test loop is intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of full-scale hot and cold salt pumps and valves. The pump and valve testing consists of two pumped loops, one to simulate the hot side of the receiver (565{degree}C, referred to as the hot loop) and one for the cold side (285{degree}C, referred to as the cold loop). Each loop contains a pump and six representative valves scaled for a 60-MW{sub e} commercial solar power plant using molten salt heat transport fluid. The test loop is part of the Molten Salt Subsystem/Component Test Experiment (MSS/CTE), which is being conducted to reduce the technical risk of building and operating commercial solar central receiver plants. The project, managed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) with Babcock and Wilcox (B W) as the prime contractor, is cost shared by DOE and six contractors. The hot loop has operated over 2400 hours in the fully automatic sequence mode. The last 500 hours have been through continuous 24-hour, 7-day operation. The hot pump operation hours simulate over 2 years of pump cycles. The cold loop has operated 12 hours in the manual mode; this is because of problems caused in the manufacturing of the pump and motor. 9 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

Sandia National Laboratories operates the Primary Standards Laboratory (PSL) for the Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office (DOE/AL). This report summarizes metrology activities that received emphasis in the second half of 1989 and provides information pertinent to the operation of the DOE/AL system-wide Standards and Calibration Program. 7 refs.

The technology that led to very large-scale integrated circuits on silicon chips also provides a basis for new microsensors that are small, inexpensive, low power, rugged, and reliable. Two examples of microsensors Sandia is developing that take advantage of this technology are the microelectronic chemical-sensor array and the radiation-sensing field-effect transistor (RADFET). Increasingly, the technology of chemical sensing needs new microsensor concepts. Applications in this area include environmental monitoring, criminal investigations, and state-of-health monitoring, both for equipment and living things. Chemical microsensors can satisfy sensing needs in the industrial, consumer, aerospace, and defense sectors. The microelectronic chemical-sensor array (Figure 1) may address some of these applications. We have fabricated six separate chemical gas-sensing areas on the microelectronic chemical-sensor array. By using different catalytic metals on the gate areas of the diodes, we can selectively sense several gases. 14 refs., 12 figs.