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Overview of the instrument control and data reduction software in the Sandia data acquisition system at the Nevada Test Site

Boyer, W.B.

Sandia National Laboratories has developed a sophisticated custom digital data acquisition system to record data from a wide variety of experiments conducted on nuclear weapons effects tests at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Software is a critical part of this data acquisition system. In particular software has been developed to support an instrumentation/experiment setup database, interactive and automated instrument control, remote data readout and processing, plotting, interactive data analysis, and automated calibration. Some software is also used as firmware in custom subsystems incorporating embedded microprocessors. The software operations are distributed across the nearly 40 computer nodes that comprise the NTS Wide Area Computer Network. This report is an overview of the software developed to support this data acquisition system. The report also provides a brief description of the computer network and the various recording systems used.

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Surftherm: A program to analyze thermochemical and kinetic data in gas-phase and surface chemical reaction mechanisms

Coltrin, Michael E.

This report documents the Surftherm program that analyzes transport coefficient, thermochemical- and kinetic rate information in complex gas-phase and surface chemical reaction mechanisms. The program is designed for use with the Chemkin (gas-phase chemistry) and Surface Chemkin (heterogeneous chemistry) programs. It was developed as a ``chemist`s companion`` in using the Chemkin packages with complex chemical reaction mechanisms. It presents in tabular form detailed information about the temperature and pressure dependence of chemical reaction rate constants and their reverse rate constants, reaction equilibrium constants, reaction thermochemistry, chemical species thermochemistry and transport properties. This report serves as a user`s manual for use of the program, explaining the required input and the output.

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Stability evaluation of the Markel Mine at Weeks Island, Louisiana

Hoffman, Edward L.

A three dimensional (3D) finite element analysis of the Markel Mine located on Weeks Island was performed to: (1) evaluate the stability of the mine and (2) determine the effect of mine failure on the nearby Morton Salt mine and SPR facilities. The first part of the stability evaluation investigates the effect of pillar failure on mine stability. These simulations revealed that tensile stresses and dilatant damage develop in the overlying salt as a result of pillar loss. These tensile stresses extend to the salt/overburden interface only for the case where all 45 of the pillars are assumed to fail. Tensile stresses would likely cause microfracturing of the salt, resulting in a flow path for groundwater from the overlying aquifer to enter the mine. The dilatant damage bridges between the mine and the overburden in the case where 15 or more pillars are removed from the model. Dilatant damage is attributed to microfracturing or changes in the pore structure of the salt and could also result in a flow path for groundwater to enter the mine. The second part of the Markel Mine evaluation investigates the stability of the pillars with respect to three failure mechanisms: tensile failure, compressive failure, and creep rupture. A 3D slabbing pillar model of the Markel mine was developed to investigate progressive failure of the pillars and the effect of slabbing on mine stability. Based on a strain-limiting creep rupture criterion, pillar failure is predicted to be extensive at present. The associated loss of pillar strength should be equivalent to removing all pillars from the model as was done in the first part of this stability analysis, resulting in the possibility of ground water intrusion. Since creep rupture is not a well understood phenomenon, further development and validation of this criterion is recommended.

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Evaluation of population density and distribution criteria in nuclear power plant siting

Young, Mary L.

The NRC has proposed revisions to 10 CFR 100 which include the codification of nuclear reactor site population density limits to 500 people per square mile, at the siting stage, averaged over any radial distance out to 30 miles, and 1,000 people per square mile within the 40-year lifetime of a nuclear plant. This study examined whether there are less restrictive alternative population density and/or distribution criteria which would provide equivalent or better protection to human health in the unlikely event of a nuclear accident. This study did not attempt to directly address the issue of actual population density limits because there are no US risk standards established for the evaluation of population density limits. Calculations were performed using source terms for both a current generation light water reactor (LWR) and an advanced light water reactor (ALWR) design. The results of this study suggest that measures which address the distribution of the population density, including emergency response conditions, could result in lower average individual risks to the public than the proposed guidelines that require controlling average population density. Studies also indicate that an exclusion zone size, determined by emergency response conditions and reactor design (power level and safety features), would better serve to protect public health than a rigid standard applied to all sites.

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US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power

Narath, A.

The President of Sandia National Laboratories, Albert Narath, made this presentation to the congressional subcommittee on February 3, 1994. In it he outlines the convergence of the defense and civilian technology bases, technology leadership, the government/industry relationship in science and technology, historical laboratory effectiveness, Sandia`s evolution to a multiprogram laboratory, Sandia`s energy programs today, planning for a changing operating environment, Sandia`s strategy for enhancing industrial competitiveness, R&D partnerships, technology deployment, entrepreneurial initiatives, and current DOE planning efforts. Appendices contain information on technology transfer initiatives in the fields of high-performance computing, materials and processes for manufacturing, energy and environment, microelectronics and photonics and advanced manufacturing. Also included are customer response highlights, information on dual-use research centers and user facilities, examples of technology transfer achievements, major accomplishments of 1993, and questions and answers from the subcommittee.

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Study of the effects of humidity on the W80 MC3268/3269 trajectory-sensing signal generators during stockpile laboratory testing

Alsbrooks, T.H.

This report documents the study that was performed from October 1993 through June 1994 to determine the effects of humidity on the W80 MC3268/3269 Trajectory-Sensing Signal Generators (TSSGs) during the test bed build and laboratory test processes. Mason and Hanger, Silas Mason Co., performs the disassembly and inspections along with the test bed build processes at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The laboratory testing of the TSSGs is performed at Sandia`s Weapons Evaluation Test Laboratory (WETL), located at the Pantex Plant. This report summarizes the historical sequence of events, the engineering analyses and decisions, and the future plans for controlling the ingress of moisture into the TSSGS during laboratory testing.

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The application of non-destructive techniques to the testing of a wind turbine blade

Sutherland, Herbert J.

NonDestructive Testing (NDT), also called NonDestructive Evaluation (NDE), is commonly used to monitor structures before, during, and after testing. This paper reports on the use of two NDT techniques to monitor the behavior of a typical wind turbine blade during a quasi-static test-to-failure. The two NDT techniques used were acoustic emission and coherent optical. The former monitors the acoustic energy produced by the blade as it is loaded. The latter uses electron shearography to measure the differences in surface displacements between two load states. Typical results are presented to demonstrate the ability of these two techniques to locate and monitor both high damage regions and flaws in the blade structure. Furthermore, this experiment highlights the limitations in the techniques that must be addressed before one or both can be transferred, with a high probability of success, to the inspection and monitoring of turbine blades during the manufacturing process and under normal operating conditions.

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The interconnection of photovoltaic power systems with the utility grid: An overview for utility engineers

Wills, R.H.

Utility-interactive (UI) photovoltaic power systems mounted on residences and commercial buildings are likely to become a small, but important source of electric generation in the next century. This is a new concept in utility power production--a change from large-scale central generation to small-scale dispersed generation. As such, it requires a re-examination of many existing standards and practices to enable the technology to develop and emerge into the marketplace. Much work has been done over the last 20 years to identify and solve the potential problems associated with dispersed power generation systems. This report gives an overview of these issues and also provides a guide to applicable codes, standards and other related documents. The main conclusion that can be drawn from this work is that there are no major technical barriers to the implementation of dispersed PV generating systems. While more technical research is needed in some specific areas, the remaining barriers are fundamentally price and policy.

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Structural stability of the Weeks Island oil repository

Preece, Dale S.

A 3-D finite element analysis was performed to evaluate the stability of the SPR upper and lower oil storage levels at Weeks Island. The mechanical analysis predicted stresses and strains from which pillar stability was inferred using a fracture criterion developed from previous testing of Weeks Island salt. This analysis simulated the sequential mining of the two levels and subsequent oil fill of the mine. The predicted subsidence rates compare well to those measured over the past few years. Predicted failure mechanisms agree with observations made at the time the mine was being modified for oil storage. The modeling technique employed here treats an infinite array of pillars and is a reasonable representation of the behavior at the center of the mine. This analysis predicts that the lower level pillars, at the center of the mine, have fractured and their stability at this time is questionable. Localized pillar fracturing is predicted and implies that the mine is entering a phase of continual time dependent deterioration. Continued and expanded monitoring of the facility and development of methods to assess and predict its behavior are more important now than ever.

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Reconfigurable optical switches with monolithic electrical-to-optical interfaces

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

Zolper, I.C.

Vertical-cavity surfaeeniitting lasers (VCSELs) can be integrated with heterojunction phototransistors (HPTs)and heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) on the same wafer to form high speed optical and optoelectronic switches,respectively, that can be optically or electrically addressed. This permits the direct communcication and transmission ofdata between distributed electronic processors through an optical switching network. The experimental demonstration of anintegrated optoelectronic HBT/VCSEL switch combining a GaAs/A1GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) with aVCSEL is described below, using the same epilayer structure upon which binary HPT/VCSEL optical switches are alsobuilt. The monolithic }IBT/VCSEL switch has high current gain, low power dissipation, and a high optical to electricalconversion efficiency. Its modulation response has been measured and modeled.

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Reactor-pumped laser experimental results

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

Hebner, Gregory A.

Reactor pumped lasers have the potential to be scaled to multi-megawatt power levels with long run times. In proposed designs, the laser will be capable of output powers of several megawatts of power for run times of several hours. Such a laser would have many diverse applications such as material processing, space debris removal and power beaming to geosynchronous satellites or the moon. However, before such systems can be designed, fundamental laser parameters such as small signal gain, saturation intensity and efficiency must be determined over a wide operational parameter space. We have recently measured fundamental laser parameters for a selection of nuclear pumped visible and near IR laser transitions in atomic neon, argon and xenon. An overview of the results of this investigation will be presented.

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A massively parallel algorithm for grand canonical Monte Carlo computer simulation with the short-ranged Lennard-Jones potential

Heffelfinger, Grant S.

We present a new massively parallel decomposition for grand canonical Monte Carlo computer simulation (GCMC) suitable for short ranged fluids. Our spatial algorithm relies on the fact that for short-ranged fluids, molecules separated by a greater distance than the reach of the potential act independently, thus different processors can work concurrently in regions of the same system which are sufficiently far apart. Several parallelization issues unique to GCMC are addressed such as the handling of the three different types of Monte Carlo move used in GCMC: the displacement of a molecule, the creation of a molecule, and the destruction of a molecule. The decomposition is shown to scale with system size, making it especially useful for systems where the physical problem dictates the system size, for example, fluid behavior in mesopores.

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Single event mirroring and sense amplifier designs for enhanced SE tolerance of DRAMs

Gulati, K.; Massengill, L.W.

This paper investigates the applicability of existing SRAM SEU hardening techniques to conventional CMOS cross-coupled sense amplifiers used in DRAM structures. We propose a novel SEU mirroring concept and implementation for hardening DRAMs to bitline hits. Simulations indicate a 24-fold improvement in critical charge during the sensing state using a 10K T-Resistor scheme and a 28-fold improvement during the highly susceptible high impedance state using 2pF dynamic capacitance coupling.

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A proposed SEU tolerant DRAM cell

Agrawal, G.R.

A novel DRAM cell technology consisting of an access transistor and a bootstrapped storage capacitor with an integrated breakdown diode is proposed. This design offers considerable resistance to single event cell hits. The information change packet is shielded from an SE hit by placing the vulnerable node in a self-compensating standby state. The proposed cell is comparable in size to a conventional DRAM cell, but simulations show an improvement in critical charge of two orders of magnitude.

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Cardinality bounds for triangulations with bounded minimum angle

Mitchell, Scott A.

We consider bounding the cardinality of an arbitrary triangulation with smallest angle {alpha}. We show that if the local feature size (i.e. distance between disjoint vertices or edges) of the triangulation is within a constant factor of the local feature size of the input, then N < O(1/{alpha})M, where N is the cardinality of the triangulation and M is the cardinality of any other triangulation with smallest angle at least {alpha}. Previous results had an O(1/{alpha}{sup 1/{alpha}}) dependence. Our O(1/{alpha}) dependence is tight for input with a large length to height ratio, in which triangles may be oriented along the long dimension.

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Visual Servoing: A technology in search of an application

Feddema, John T.

Considerable research has been performed on Robotic Visual Servoing (RVS) over the past decade. Using real-time visual feedback, researchers have demonstrated that robotic systems can pick up moving parts, insert bolts, apply sealant, and guide vehicles. With the rapid improvements being made in computing and image processing hardware, one would expect that every robot manufacturer would have a RVS option by the end of the 1990s. So why aren`t the Fanucs, ABBs, Adepts, and Motomans of the world investing heavily in RVS? I would suggest four seasons: cost, complexity, reliability, and lack of demand. Solutions to the first three are approaching the point where RVS could be commercially available; however, the lack of demand is keeping RVS from becoming a reality in the near future. A new set of applications is needed to focus near term RVS development. These must be applications which currently do not have solutions. Once developed and working in one application area, the technology is more likely to quickly spread to other areas. DOE has several applications that are looking for technological solutions, such as agile weapons production, weapons disassembly, decontamination and dismantlement of nuclear facilities, and hazardous waste remediation. This paper will examine a few of these areas and suggest directions for application-driven visual servoing research.

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Status report on the NCSL Intrinsic/Derived Standards Committee

Pettit, Richard B.

The history and present status of the NCSL intrinsic/Derived Standards Committee is presented, including a review of the current published Recommended Intrinsic/Derived Standard Practices (RISPs) and the four Working Groups that are in the process of developing new RISPs. One of the documents under development is a Reference Catalogue that documents important information associated with over forty intrinsic/derived standards. The generic information on each standard in the Catalogue, as well as its Table of contents, are presented.

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Laser drilling of printed wiring boards: Final report on work sponsored by Sandia LDRD program

Arzigian, James S.

Traditionally, electrical connections- between layers of a printed wiring board are formed by mechanically drilling holes through all layers and then plating the resulting structure to provide electrical connections between the layers. The mechanical drilling process is very capital- and labor-intensive and is often a bottleneck in board production. The goal of this program was the development of laser drilling as an alternative to mechanical drilling. Cost advantages and the ability to produce smaller holes were both of interest. Although it had initially been intended to develop all processes at Sandia, suitable emerging processes and materials were identified in industry during the course of the work. Because of these industry efforts, it was decided to terminate the LDRD efforts after the first year of work and to pursue collaborative development efforts with industrial partners. A laser drilling facility is currently being developed at Sandia to pursue this work further.

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Containment removal from solid waste by supercritical carbon dioxide

Adkins, Carol L.J.

Large quantities of solid wastes such as rags, kimwipes, swabs, coveralls, gloves, etc., contaminated with oils, greases and hazardous solvents are generated by industry and the government. If the hazardous components (offs, greases and solvents) could be segregated from the much larger bulk of non-hazardous material, then these solid materials could potentially be handled as sanitary waste, at a significant cost savings. AlliedSignal KCP, a typical DOE manufacturing site, spent several hundred thousand dollars in CY92 for disposal of contaminated solid wastes. Similarly, Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, also spent several hundred thousand dollars in CY91 for disposal of rags. Under the Department of Energy (DOE)/United States Air Force (USAF) Memorandum of Understanding, the objective of this joint AlliedSignal KCP/Sandia National Laboratories project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO{sub 2}) to segregate hazardous oils, greases, and organic solvents from non-hazardous solid waste such as rags, wipes, swabs, coveralls, gloves, etc. Supercritical carbon dioxide possesses many of the characteristics desired in an ``environmentally acceptable`` solvent system. It is nontoxic, inexpensive, and recyclable. Carbon dioxide possesses a moderate critical temperature (31{degrees}C) and pressure (1071 psi). At 37{degrees}C and pressures greater than 2000 psi, the density is greater than 0.8 g/cc. Contaminants dissolved in the supercritical CO{sub 2} solvent are separated out by expansion of the fluid to a subcritical pressure where CO{sub 2} is a gas and the dissolved materials precipitate out (usually as a liquid or solid). The gaseous CO{sub 2} can then be recompressed and recycled.

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Policies for implementing network firewalls

Brown, C.D.

Corporate networks are frequently protected by {open_quotes}firewalls{close_quotes} or gateway systems that control access to/from other networks, e.g., the Internet, in order to reduce the network`s vulnerability to hackers and other unauthorized access. Firewalls typically limit access to particular network nodes and application protocols, and they often perform special authentication and authorization functions. One of the difficult issues associated with network firewalls is determining which applications should be permitted through the firewall. For example, many networks permit the exchange of electronic mail with the outside but do not permit file access to be initiated by outside users, as this might allow outside users to access sensitive data or to surreptitiously modify data or programs (e.g., to intall Trojan Horse software). However, if access through firewalls is severely restricted, legitimate network users may find it difficult or impossible to collaborate with outside users and to share data. Some of the most serious issues regarding firewalls involve setting policies for firewalls with the goal of achieving an acceptable balance between the need for greater functionality and the associated risks. Two common firewall implementation techniques, screening routers and application gateways, are discussed below, followed by some common policies implemented by network firewalls.

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Math and science illiteracy: Social and economic impacts

Williams, J.D.

Today`s highly competitive global economy is being driven by increasingly rapid technological development. This paper explores the problems of math and science illiteracy in the United States and the potential impact on our economic survival in this environment during the next century. Established educational methods that reward task performance, emphasize passive lecture, and fail to demonstrate relevance to real life are partly to blame. Social norms, stereotypes, and race and gender bias also have an impact. To address this crisis, we need to question the philosophy of an educational system that values task over concept. Many schools have already initiated programs at all grade levels to make math and science learning more relevant, stimulating, and fun. Teaching methods that integrate math and science learning with teamwork, social context, and other academic subjects promote the development of higher-order thinking skills and help students see math and science as necessary skills.

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Flow visualization for Lagrangian particle methods

Glass, Micheal W.

In particle methods, each particle represents a finite region over which there is a distribution of the field quantity of interest. The field value at any point is calculated by summing the distribution functions for all the particles. This summation procedure does not require the use of any connectivities to generate continuous fields. Various AVS modules and networks have been developed that enable us to visualize the results from particle methods. This will be demonstrated by visualizing a numerical simulation of a rising, chaotic bubble. In this fluid dynamics simulation, each particle represents a region with a specified vorticity distribution.

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Fatigue case study and loading spectra for wind turbines

Sutherland, Herbert J.

The paper discusses two aspects of Sandia`s Wind Energy Program. The first section of the paper presents a case study of fatigue in wind turbines. This case study was prepared for the American Society of Testing Material`s (ASTM) Standard Technical Publication (STP) on fatigue education. Using the LIFE2 code, the student is lead through the process of cumulative damage summation for wind turbines and typical data are used to demonstrate the range of life estimates that will result from typical parameter variations. The second section summarizes the results from a workshop held by Sandia and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to discuss fatigue life prediction methodologies. This section summarizes the workshop discussions on the use of statistical modeling to deduce the shape and magnitude of the low-probability-of-occurrence, high-stress tail of the load distribution on a wind turbine during normal operation.

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The mixed waste landfill integrated demonstration

Burford, T.D.

The Mixed Waste Landfill Integrated Demonstration (MWLID) focuses on ``in-situ`` characterization, monitoring, remediation, and containment of landfills in arid environments that contain hazardous and mixed waste. The MWLID mission is to assess, demonstrate, and transfer technologies and systems that lead to faster, better, cheaper, and safer cleanup. Most important, the demonstrated technologies will be evaluated against the baseline of conventional technologies and systems. The comparison will include the cost, efficiency, risk, and feasibility of using these innovative technologies at other sites.

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On-sun test results from second-generation and advanced-concepts alkali-metal pool-boiler receivers

Moreno, James B.

Two 75-kW{sub t} alkali-metal pool-boiler solar receivers have been successfully tested at Sandia National Laboratories` National Solar Thermal Test Facility. The first one, Sandia`s `` second-generation pool-boiler receiver,`` was designed to address commercialization issues identified during post-test assessment of Sandia`s first-generation pool-boiler receiver. It was constructed from Haynes alloy 230 and contained the alkali-metal alloy NaK-78. The absorber`s wetted side had a brazed-on powder-metal coating to stabilize boiling. This receiver was evaluated for boiling stability, hot- and warm-restart behavior, and thermal efficiency. Boiling was stable under all conditions. All of the hot restarts were successful. Mild transient hot spots observed during some hot restarts were eliminated by the addition of 1/3 torr of xenon to the vapor space. All of the warm restarts were also successful. The heat-transfer crisis that damaged the first receiver did not recur. Thermal efficiency was 92.3% at 750{degrees}C with 69.6 kW{sub t} solar input. The second receiver tested, Sandia`s ``advanced-concepts receiver,`` was a replica of the first-generation receiver except that the cavities, which were electric-discharge-machined in the absorber for boiling stability, were eliminated. This step was motivated by bench-scale test results that showed that boiling stability improved with increased heated-surface area, tilt of the heated surface from vertical, and added xenon. The bench-scale results suggested that stable boiling might be possible without heated-surface modification in a 75-kW{sub t} receiver. Boiling in the advanced-concepts receiver with 1/3 torr of xenon added has been stable under all conditions, confirming the bench-scale tests.

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A more exact analysis of Sandia Laser Tracker data

Phipps, Gary S.

The Sandia Laser Tracker (LT) systems illuminate a cooperative target with a diverged Argon-ion laser beam and track the resulting bright target using a servo-controlled turning mirror. Raw data is digitally recorded in real time and analyzed later when more time is available. The recorded data consists of azimuth and elevation of the tracking mirror, tracking error signals, and range to the target. If the target is tracked perfectly, the error signals will always be zero. The data reduction for this simplified, zero-error condition can be accomplished with very few lines of code. To date, all data reduction for LTI has been done using this zero-error assumption. The more general data reduction problem using the tracking error signals is a much more involved calculation and is referred to as ``using the error foldback routine.`` Detailed theory and vector analysis behind the data reduction and error decoupling algorithms used in the LT systems are described. Errors and corrections to the original document uncovered in over ten years of use are also noted and corrected.

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Preparation of silica or alumina pillared crystalline titanates

Lott, Stephen E.

Layered crystalline titanates (CT) [Anthony and Dosch, US Patent 5 177 045 (1993)] are pillared with tetraethyl orthosilicate, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and aluminum acetylacetonate to prepare porous and high surface area supports for sulfided NiMo catalyst. Tetra-ethyl orthosilicate or aluminum acetylacetonate intercalated CT are prepared by stepwise intercalation. First, the basal distance is increased by n-alkylammonium ions prior to intercalation with inorganic compounds. However, an aqueous solution of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane could directly pillar CT without first swelling the titanate with n-alkylamine. The catalytic activities for hydrogenation of pyrene of sulfided NiMo supported silica or alumina pillared CT were higher than those of commercial catalysts (Shell324 and Amocat1C). The silicon and aluminum contents of the pillared CT, used as supports, have a considerable effect on the catalytic activities and physical properties of the supports.

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The development of laser ignited deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) detonators and pyrotechnic actuators

Merson, John A.

The use of laser ignited explosive components has been recognized as a safety enhancement over existing electrical explosive devices (EEDs). Sandia has been pursuing the development of optical ordnance for many years with recent emphasis on developing optical deflagration-to-detonation (DDT) detonators and pyrotechnic actuators. These low energy optical ordnance devices can be ignited with either a semiconductor diode laser, laser diode arrays or a solid state rod laser. By using a semiconductor laser diode, the safety improvement can be made without sacrificing performance since the input energy required for the laser diode and the explosive output are similar to existing electrical systems. The use of higher powered laser diode arrays or rod lasers may have advantages in fast DDT applications or lossy optical environments such as long fiber applications and applications with numerous optical connectors. Recent results from our continued study of optical ignition of explosive and pyrotechnic materials are presented. These areas of investigation can be separated into three different margin categories: (1) the margin relative to intended inputs ( i.e. powder performance as a function of laser input variation), (2) the margin relative to anticipated environments (i.e. powder performance as a function of thermal environment variation), and (3) the margin relative to unintended environments (i.e. responses to abnormal environments or safety).

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Processing solid propellants for recycling

Whinnery, L.L.; Griffiths, S.K.; Handrock, J.L.; Lipkin, J.

Rapid evolution in the structure of military forces worldwide is resulting in the retirement of numerous weapon systems. Many of these systems include rocket motors containing highly energetic propellants based on hazardous nitrocellulose/nitroglycerin (NC/NG) mixtures. Even as the surplus quantities of such material increases, however, current disposal methods -- principally open burning and open detonation (OB/OD) -- are coming under close scrutiny from environmental regulators. Environmentally conscious alternatives to disposal of propellant and explosives are thus receiving renewed interest. Recycle and reuse alternatives to OB/OD appear particularly attractive because some of the energetic materials in the inventories of surplus weapon systems represent potentially valuable resources to the commercial explosives and chemical industries. The ability to reclaim such resources is therefore likely to be a key requirement of any successful technology of the future in rocket motor demilitarization. This document consists of view graphs from the poster session.

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A fully coupled thermal, chemical, mechanical cookoff model

Hobbs, Michael L.

Cookoff modeling of confined energetic materials involves the coupling of thermal, chemical and mechanical effects. In the past, modeling has focussed on the prediction of thermal runaway with little regard to the effects of mechanical behavior of the energetic material. To address the mechanical response of the energetic material, a constitutive submodel has been developed which can be incorporated into thermal-chemical-mechanical analysis. This work presents development of this submodel and its incorporation into a fully coupled one-dimensional, thermal-chemical-mechanical computer code to simulate thermal initiation of energetic materials. Model predictions include temperature, chemical species, stress, strain, solid/gas pressure, solid/gas density, yield function, and gas volume fraction. Sample results from a scaled aluminum tube filled with RDX exposed to a constant temperature bath at 500 K will be displayed. The micromechanical submodel is based on bubble mechanics which describes nucleation, decomposition, and elastic/plastic mechanical behavior. This constitutive material description requires input of temperatures and reacted fraction of the energetic material as provided by the reactive heat flow code, XCHEM, and the mechanical response is predicted using a quasistatic mechanics code, SANTOS. A parametric sensitivity analysis indicates that a small degree of decomposition causes significant pressurization of the energetic material, which implies that cookoff modeling must consider the strong interaction between thermal-chemistry and mechanics. This document consists of view graphs from the poster session.

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The thermochemistry and reaction mechanisms in the decomposition of energetic materials

Melius, C.F.

The chemical processes involved in the decomposition of energetic materials have been investigated theoretically using quantum chemical methods to determine the thermochemistry and reaction pathways. The Bond-Additivity-Corrected Moller-Plesset 4th order perturbation theory method (BAC-MP4) has been used to determine heats of formation and free energies of reaction intermediates of decomposition. In addition, the BAC-MP4 method has been used to determine action pathways involving these intermediates. A theoretical method for calculating solvation energies has been developed to treat the non-idealities of high pressure and the condensed phase. The resulting chemical processes involving decomposition and ignition are presented for nitrate compounds, nitramines, and nitromethane.

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DDT modeling and shock compression experiments of porous or damaged energetic materials

Baer, M.R.; Anderson, M.U.; Graham, R.A.

In this presentation, we present modeling of DDT in porous energetic materials and experimental studies of a time-resolved, shock compression of highly porous inert and reactive materials. This combined theoretical and experimental studies explore the nature of the microscale processes of consolidation, deformation and reaction which are key features of the shock response of porous or damaged energetic materials. The theoretical modeling is based on the theory of mixtures in which multiphase mixtures are treated in complete nonequilibrium allowing for internal boundary effects associated mass/momentum and energy exchange between phases, relative flow, rate-dependent compaction behavior, multistage chemistry and interphase boundary effects. Numerous studies of low-velocity impacts using a high resolution adaptive finite element method are presented which replicate experimental observations. The incorporation of this model into multi-material hydrocode analysis will be discussed to address the effects of confinement and its influence on accelerated combustion behavior. The experimental studies will focus on the use of PVDF piezoelectric polymer stress-rate gauge to precisely measure the input and propagating shock stress response of porous materials. In addition to single constituent porous materials, such as granular HMX, we have resolved shock waves in porous composite intermetallic powders that confirm a dispersive wave nature which is highly morphologically and material dependent. This document consists of viewgraphs from the poster session.

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On the use of fuzzy logic assessment for high consequence implementation risk analysis

Cooper, James A.

``High consequence`` operations are systems, structures, and/or strategies for which it is crucial to provide assured protection against some potential catastrophe or catastrophes. The word ``catastrophe`` implies a significant loss of a resource (e.g., money, lives, health, environment, national security, etc.). The implementation of operations that are to be as catastrophe-free as possible must incorporate a very high level of protection. Unfortunately, real world limitations on available resources, mainly money and time, preclude absolute protection. For this reason, conventional ``risk analysis`` focuses on ``cost-effective`` protection, demonstrating through analysis that the benefits of any protective measures chosen outweigh their cost. This is a ``crisp`` one-parameter (usually monetary) comparison. A major problem with this approach, especially for high consequence operations, is that it may not be possible to accurately determine quantitative ``costs,`` and furthermore, the costs may not be accurately quantifiable. Similarly, it may not be possible to accurately determine or to quantify the benefits of protection in high consequence operations. These weaknesses are addressed in this paper by introducing multiple parameters instead of a single monetary measure both for costs of implementing protective measures and their benefits. In addition, a fuzzy-algebra comparison based on fuzzy number theory is introduced as a tool in providing cost/benefit tradeoff depiction, with the incorporation of measures of the uncertainty that necessarily exists in the input information. The result allows a more informative comparison to be made through use of fuzzy results, especially at the extreme bounds of the uncertainty.

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The Bayou Choctaw Oil Shipment Test

Bauer, Stephen J.

In early October of 1993, an oil shipment of about 1 million barrels was made from the Bayou Choctaw Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage facility to St. James Terminal. During the shipment, oil temperatures and soil temperatures along the pipeline were recorded. The field data were used to make estimations of soil thermal properties, thermal conductivity and specific heat. These data were also used to validate and calibrate a heat transfer code, OILPIP, which has been used to calculate pipeline cooling of oil during a drawdown.

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Portable Doppler interferometer system for shock diagnostics and high speed motion

Fleming, Kevin J.

VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector) is a system that uses the Doppler effect and is widely used for measuring the velocity of projectiles, detonations, flying plates, shock pressures (particle velocity) and other high speed/high acceleration motion. Other methods of measurement such as accelerometers and pressure gauges have disadvantages in that they are sensitive to radiation, electromagnetic pulses, and their mass can drastically alter the velocity of the projectile. VISAR uses single frequency-single mode laser fight focused onto a target of interest. Reflected fight from the target is collected and sent through a modified, unequal leg Michelson interferometer. In the interferometer the light is split into two components which travel through the legs of the interferometer cavity and are then recombined. When the light recombines, an interference pattern is created which can range from dark (destructive interference) to bright (constructive interference). When the target moves, the reflected laser light experiences a frequency shift (increase) with respect to the frequency from the target in a static condition. Since the Doppler shifted light is split and routed through an unequal leg interferometer cavity, there is a time lag of the light containing the Doppler information at the recombination point in the interferometer. The effect of the time lag is to create a sinusoidally changing interference pattern (commonly called fringes). Since the interferometer time delay, laser wavelength, and the speed of light are known, an accurate measurement of target velocity/acceleration may be measured by analyzing both the number of tinges and the speed of tinge generation (system accuracy is 3--4%).

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Effects of two-phase flow on the deflagration of porous energetic materials

Margolis, Stephen B.

The combustion behavior of energetic materials (e.g., solid propellants) has long been of interest in the fields of propulsion and pyrotechnics. In many such applications, it is becoming increasingly clear that two-phase flow effects play an important role, especially since, during combustion, most homogeneous solid propellants develop thin multi-phase layers at their surfaces in which finite-rate exothermic reactions occur. In addition, there is a growing interest in the behavior of porous energetic solids, since even initially dense materials can develop significant void fractions if, at any time, they are exposed to abnormal thermal environments. The deflagration characteristics of such ``damaged`` materials may then differ significantly from those of the pristine material due, at least in part, to gas flow in the solid/gas preheat region. The presence of gas in the porous solid in turn results in a more pronounced two-phase effect in the multi-phase surface layer, such as in the liquid melt region of nitramine propellants, which thus tend to exhibit extensive bubbling in an exothermic foam layer. The present analysis is largely applicable to this latter class of propellants.

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Thermal decomposition reactions of HMX and RDX and their importance in predicting cookoff hazards

Behrens Jr., R.; Bulusu, S.

To develop robust models for predicting the response of munitions under abnormal conditions associated with cookoff, it is necessary to be able to accurately characterize the following: the time to ignition, the location of the ignition point within the munition, and the combustive behavior of the damaged energetic material after ignition. For, the response of the munition, as controlled by these parameters, will determine whether its response will be characterized by a relatively mild deflagration or whether it will be characterized by a more damaging detonation. Several of the underlying properties of the energetic materials used in munitions that must be understood in order to accurately characterize these parameters are the chemical and physical changes that occur in these energetic materials as they are heated. The chemical changes involve overcoming the forces that tend to stabilize these materials, such as binding within the crystal lattice or intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and their transformation to less stable forms, such as mixtures of gases with high energy content. The physical changes typically involve phase changes of the material. One significant phase change is the slow transformation of the energetic materials from the solid reactant to gas phase products. This transformation can lead initially to the formation of high pressure gas bubbles within the solid particles and ultimately to changes in the porosity and gas permeability of the energetic material formulation. The presence of these reactive gases within high pressure bubbles can lead to increased hot spot formation of the material if it is compressed. The increased porosity can lead to significant increases in the burn rates of these materials at high pressures.

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Equations of state for explosive detonation products: The PANDA model

Kerley, G.I.

This paper discusses a thermochemical model for calculating equations of state (EOS) for the detonation products of explosives. This model, which was first presented at the Eighth Detonation Symposium, is available in the PANDA code and is referred to here as ``the Panda model``. The basic features of the PANDA model are as follows. (1) Statistical-mechanical theories are used to construct EOS tables for each of the chemical species that are to be allowed in the detonation products. (2) The ideal mixing model is used to compute the thermodynamic functions for a mixture of these species, and the composition of the system is determined from assumption of chemical equilibrium. (3) For hydrocode calculations, the detonation product EOS are used in tabular form, together with a reactive burn model that allows description of shock-induced initiation and growth or failure as well as ideal detonation wave propagation. This model has been implemented in the three-dimensional Eulerian code, CTH.

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Blasting detonators incorporating semiconductor bridge technology

Bickes Jr., R.W.

The enormity of the coal mine and extraction industries in Russia and the obvious need in both Russia and the US for cost savings and enhanced safety in those industries suggests that joint studies and research would be of mutual benefit. The author suggests that mine sites and well platforms in Russia offer an excellent opportunity for the testing of Sandia`s precise time-delay semiconductor bridge detonators, with the potential for commercialization of the detonators for Russian and other world markets by both US and Russian companies. Sandia`s semiconductor bridge is generating interest among the blasting, mining and perforation industries. The semiconductor bridge is approximately 100 microns long, 380 microns wide and 2 microns thick. The input energy required for semiconductor bridge ignition is one-tenth the energy required for conventional bridgewire devices. Because semiconductor bridge processing is compatible with other microcircuit processing, timing and logic circuits can be incorporated onto the chip with the bridge. These circuits can provide for the precise timing demanded for cast effecting blasting. Indeed tests by Martin Marietta and computer studies by Sandia have shown that such precise timing provides for more uniform rock fragmentation, less fly rock, reduce4d ground shock, fewer ground contaminants and less dust. Cost studies have revealed that the use of precisely timed semiconductor bridges can provide a savings of $200,000 per site per year. In addition to Russia`s vast mineral resources, the Russian Mining Institute outside Moscow has had significant programs in rock fragmentation for many years. He anticipated that collaborative studies by the Institute and Sandia`s modellers would be a valuable resource for field studies.

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SPR-IIIM, A new design for improved performance and reliability coupled with reduced maintenance and personnel dose

Philbin, J.S.; Schmidt, T.R.; Tucker, C.W.

This report discusses the Sandia Pulse Reactor-IIIM (SPR-IIIM) is a modernized, improved version of the SPR-III burst reactor. Fast burst reactors are bare metal reactors that have very short neutron lifetimes (10--20 nanos) and pulse widths (50--100 {mu}s full width half maximum). The Sandia National Laboratories SPR reactors have been used to produce bursts of fast neutrons to simulate certain hostile weapon environments. Generations of weapon-related electronic components and subsystems have been tested for radiation vulnerability and hardness at the SPR Facility. The reactor consists of two right circular hollow cylinder core halves separated by about 3.5 inches when the reactor is shutdown (scrammed). To operate, the movable lower core half (safety block) is driven vertically upward until it makes contact with the stationary upper core half. Final reactivity is added by four external reflector elements, three are nickel control elements and one is an aluminum pulse element. The reflector elements travel up and down just beyond the outer diameter of the cylindrical reactor core and conform to the curvature of the outer vertical surface. The ``pulse`` element adds reactivity at a rate of $10/s. Experiments can be placed in the central cavity (usable space is 7.5-in. OD by 14.5-in. height). The integrated dose in the central cavity is 6{times}10{sup 14} n/cm{sup 2} on a nominal size burst (300{degrees}C{Delta}T). The dose at the closest approach outside the reactor is 1{times}10{sup 14} n/cm{sup 2}. The unmoderated neutron spectrum peaks at {approximately}350 keV.

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Display techniques for dynamic network data in transportation GIS

Ganter, John H.

Interest in the characteristics of urban street networks is increasing at the same time new monitoring technologies are delivering detailed traffic data. These emerging streams of data may lead to the dilemma that airborne remote sensing has faced: how to select and access the data, and what meaning is hidden in them? computer-assisted visualization techniques are needed to portray these dynamic data. Of equal importance are controls that let the user filter, symbolize, and replay the data to reveal patterns and trends over varying time spans. We discuss a prototype software system that addresses these requirements.

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Real-time SAW measurements of NVR in cleanroom and in microenvironment

Liang, A.Y.

Using a real-time, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensing instrument supplied by Femtometrics, we have measured organic contamination, or nonvolatile residues (NVR), in both a cleanroom and a microenvironment. To demonstrate the {open_quotes}real-time{close_quotes} NVR detectability and sensitivity of the SAW instrument, controlled contamination experiments with photoresist material were also conducted. In addition, two cleaning methods for removing contamination from used sensors have been evaluated. One technique uses the on-board temperature varying capability of the SAW instrument, while the other technique utilizes a uv-ozone cleaner for the sensor cleaning. Preliminary results from SAW measurements in the cleanroom and in a microenvironment and tests to evaluate sensor cleaning techniques are presented in this report. A concluding summary with an assessment of the current SAW instrument and potential future applications for this technology is also presented.

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The influence of VAR processes and parameters on white spot formation in Alloy 718

Damkroger, Brian K.

Significant progress has occurred lately regarding the classification, characterization, and formation of white spots during vacuum arc remelting (VAR). White spots have been generally split into three categories: discrete white spots, which are believed to be associated with undissolved material which has fallen in from the shelf, crown, or torus regions; dendritic white spots, usually associated with dendrite clusters having fallen from the electrode; and solidification white spots, believed to be caused by local perturbations in the solidifications conditions. Characteristics and proposed formation mechanisms of white spots are reviewed and discussed in context of physical processes occurring during VAR, such as fluid flow and arc behavior. Where possible, their formation mechanisms will be considered with respect to specific operating parameters. In order to more fully understand the formation of solidification white spots, an experimental program has been begun to characterize the solidification stability of Alloy 718 and variants with respect to changes in growth rate and thermal environment. A description of the experimental program and preliminary results are included.

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Analysis of anelastic flow and numerical treatment via finite elements

Martinez, Mario J.

In this report, we reconsider the various approximations made to the full equations of motion and energy transport for treating low-speed flows with significant temperature induced property variations. This entails assessment of the development of so-called anelastic for low-Mach number flows outside the range of validity of the Boussinesq equations. An integral part of this assessment is the development of a finite element-based numerical scheme for obtaining approximate numerical solutions to this class of problems. Several formulations were attempted and are compared.

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Impact testing of the H1224A shipping/storage container

Harding, David C.

H1224A weapons containers have been used for years by the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to transport and store W78 warhead midsections. Although designed to protect these midsections only in low-energy handling drop and impact accidents, a recent transportation risk assessment effort has identified a need to evaluate the container`s ability to protect weapons in higher-energy environments. Four impact tests were performed on H1224A containers with W78 Mod 6c mass mockup midsections inside, onto an essentially unyielding target. Dynamic acceleration and strain levels were recorded during the side-on and end-on impacts, each at 12.2 m/s (40 ft/s) and 38.1 m/s (125 ft/s). Measured peak accelerations experienced by the midsections during lower velocity impacts ranged from 250 to 600 Gs for the end-on impact and 350 to 600 Gs for the side-on impact. Measured peak accelerations of the midsections during the higher velocity impacts ranged from 3,000 to 10,000 Gs for the end-on impact and 8,000 to 10,000 Gs for the side-on impact. Deformations in the H1224A container ranged from minimal to severe buckling and weld tearing. At higher impact velocities, the H1224A container may not provide significant energy absorption for the re-entry vehicle midsection but can provide some confinement of potentially damaged components.

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Results 96351–96400 of 99,299
Results 96351–96400 of 99,299