Engineering Commons^™

Developing A Sensing System For The Measurement Of Oxygen Concentration In Liquid Pb-Bi Eutectic: Quarterly Progress Report (Jan. 01 – March. 31, 2005), Yingtao Jiang, Bingmei Fu

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

We performed data analysis on the data collected from LANL test loop. One student was been hired to perform the data analysis. A new proposal is submitted to TRP program. We have one paper accepted for publication in International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, and another paper accepted for oral presentation by IEEE International Symposium of Circuits and Systems for the track Chemical Sensors. A manuscript regarding to the RGA analysis for the calibration of oxygen sensor is on the way.

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design: Quarterly Progress Report January 1-March 31, 2005, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) and Transmutation Research Program-University Participation Program (TRP-UPP) supported by Department of Energy of the United States have been developing many important technologies for the transmutation of nuclear waste to address long-term disposal issues. While successfully embedding AMUSE module into a dedicated System Engineering Model (TRPSEMPro), developed by the Nevada Center for Advanced Computational Methods (NCACM) at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), ANL is interested in further simulating the Light Water Reactor (LWR) Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (SFTF) combining commercial process simulation and analysis packages and core calculation of …

Capacitance-Voltage Study On The Effects Of Low Energy Electron Radiation On Al0.27Ga0.73N/Gan High Electron Mobility Transistor, Thomas D. Jarzen

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of radiation on semiconductors are extremely important to the Department of Defense since the majority of the defense informational, navigational and communications systems are now satellite-based. Due to the high radiation tolerance of gallium nitride and a plethora of high temperature, high power and high frequency applications, the prospect that gallium nitride based devices will become key components in a multitude of military satellite-based systems is highly probable. AlGaN/GaN HEMTs were irradiated at low temperature (~80 K) by 0.45 – 0.8 MeV electrons up to fluences of 1×10¹⁵ e-/cm². Following irradiation, low temperature capacitance-voltage measurements …

Manufacture And Testing Of An Activation Foil Package For Use In Afids, Warren E. Kimmel

Theses and Dissertations

This study used simulation and experiment to design and test foil packets for use in the Activation Foil Integrated Detection System (AFIDS). The initial plan to activate foil packets outside with the pulse reactor at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) was not possible due to WSMR not having safety approval to take the reactor outside. As an alternative, the concept of using liquid nitrous oxide inside a reactor to simulate large volumes of air was investigated. Simulation using the Standardized Computer Analyses for Licensing Evaluation (SCALE) program was used to select ten foils to be included in the foil packet. …

Feasibility Analysis Of A Compton Spectrometer System For Identification Of Special Nuclear Material, Chad C. Schools

Theses and Dissertations

Current operational needs require the deployment of radiation detection equipment with the ability to accurately and reliably identify special nuclear materials and their byproducts without dependence on cryogenics. This requires a resolution of 0.5% or less over a range of 200 to 700 keV. The feasibility of a Compton spectrometer to achieve this resolution is examined. The Compton spectrometer system used consists of two detectors. The Compton scatter event occurs in a CdTe detector where the Compton electron energy is collected. Gamma rays scattered out of the CdTe at an angle determined by a conical collimator, are collected in a …

Afci Quarterly Input – Unlv January Through March, 2005, Harry Reid Center For Environmental Studies. Nuclear Science And Technology Division

Transmutation Research Program Reports (TRP)

Quarterly report highlighting research projects and activities of the Transmutation Research Program at the Nuclear Science & Technology Division, Harry Reid Research Center.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas supports the AFCI through research and development of technologies for economic and environmentally sound refinement of spent nuclear fuel. The UNLV program has four components: infrastructure, international collaboration, student-based research, and management and program support.

Neutron Multiplicity Measurements For The Afci Program Quarterly Progress Report January-March 2005, Denis Beller

Transmutation Sciences Physics (TRP)

The U.S. Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) is a program to develop economic and environmental methods to reduce the impact of waste from commercial nuclear fuel cycles. One concept for near-complete destruction of waste isotopes from used nuclear fuel is accelerator driven transmutation. High-power accelerators would be used to produce high-energy charged particles, which then collide with heavy metal targets to create a cascade of neutrons. These neutrons then cause a nuclear chain reaction in subcritical systems. Fission neutrons then transmute fissile waste isotopes as well as other problematic isotopes such as technetium-99 and iodine-129. To design these systems, complex …

Reactor Physics Studies For The Afci Race Project: Reactor-Accelerator Coupling Experiments Project: Quarterly Progress Report January-March 2005, Denis Beller

Transmutation Sciences Physics (TRP)

In the RACE Project of the U.S. Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI), a series of accelerator driven subcritical systems (ADSS) experiments is being conducted at the Idaho State University’s Idaho Accelerator Center (ISU-IAC), at will be conducted at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, and at the Texas A&M University. In these experiments we will use electron accelerators to induce bremsstrahlung photon-neutron reactions in heavy-metal targets; this source of about 10¹² to 10¹³ n/s will then initiate fission reactions in the subcritical systems. These systems will include a compact, transportable assembly at ISU and TRIGA reactors at …

Fundamental Chemistry Of U And Pu In The Tbp-Dodecane-Nitric Acid System: Quaterly Report January - March, 2005, Kenneth Czerwinski, Cynthia-May Gong, Amber Wright

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The speciation of hexavalent U and tetravalent Pu will be examined in the TBP-dodecane-nitric acid systems. This topic is chosen based on data needs for separation modeling identified by the AFCI. Emphasis will be placed on studying the influence of nitrate and acetohydroxamic acid on U and Pu speciation as well as conditions where a third phase forms in the organic phase. The organic phase will be 30% TBP in dodecane. Equal volumes of aqueous and organic phase will be used. The speciation of the actinides in the aqueous and organic phase will be determined by a number of different …

Dissolution, Reactor, And Environmental Behavior Of Zro2-Mgo Inert Fuel Matrix: Quarterly Report, January 2005 To March 2005, Earl Wolfram, Thomas Hartmann, Kenneth Czerwinski

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

This project will examine inert matrix fuels containing ZrO₂ and MgO as the inert matrix, with the relative amount of MgO varied from 30% to 70% in ZrO₂. Reactor physics calculations will be used to examine suitable quantities of burnable poisons from the candidate elements Gd, Er, or Hf with reactor grade Pu providing the fissile component, with up to 10% of ²³⁹Pu. Ceramics will be synthesized and characterized based on the reactor physics results. The solubility the fuel ceramics, in reactor conditions, reprocessing conditions, and repository conditions, will be investigated in a manner to provide …

Classification Of Battlespace Detonations From Temporally Resolved Mutli-Band Imagery And Mid-Infrared Spectra, Anthony N. Dills

Theses and Dissertations

The classification of battlespace detonations, specifically the determination of munitions type and size using temporal and spectral features, has been studied using near-infrared (NIR) and multi-color visible wavelength imagers. Key features from the time dependence of fireball size are identified for discriminating various types and sizes of detonation flashes. The five classes include three weights of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and two weights of an enhanced mixture, all of which are uncased and detonated with 10% C4. Using Fisher linear discriminant techniques, features are projected onto a line such that the projected points are maximally clustered for the different classes of detonations. …

Development Of 2-Dimensional Cloud Rise Model To Analyze Initial Nuclear Cloud Rise, Karson A. Sandman

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to create a two-dimensional cloud rise model that could be used instead of the current one-dimensional cloud rise model in the Defense Land Fallout Intepretive Code (DELFIC) option of the Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC). The model includes numerical analysis of partial differential equations involving pressure, potential temperature, horizontal and vertical winds, and specific humidity. The 2-D model developed provides a much more detailed definition of the physical properties within the mushroom cloud than the 1-D DELFIC option. This is particularly useful in fallout studies on particle formation, fractionation, and particle location within …

A Comparison Of Hazard Predication And Assessment Capability (Hpac) Software Dose-Rate Contour Plots To A Sample Of Local Fallout Data From Test Detonations In The Continental United States, 1945-1962, Richard W. Chancellor

Theses and Dissertations

A comparison of Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC) software dose-rate contour plots to a sample of local nuclear fallout data from test detonations in the continental United States, 1945 - 1962, is performed. Fallout data from test detonations is obtained from "Compilation of Local Fallout Data from Test Detonations 1945- 1962 Extracted from DASA 1251, Volume I - Continental U.S. Tests." This report contains fallout plots and radiation contours for each test in the atmospheric nuclear test program conducted by the United States prior to 1963. These plots are compared with the plots resulting from Defense Threat Reduction Agency's …

Lethality Of Bacillus Anthracis Spores Due To Short Duration Heating Measured Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Kristina M. Goetz

Theses and Dissertations

There are a number of analytical and semi-empirical models that describe the behavior of particulate matter in the atmosphere. Many of these require modification for all types of weather, dry versus wet deposition, and overall effects can be quite non-linear. Rainfall (rate, drop size, etc.), snowfall (rate, flake size, etc.), humidity, pressure, temperature, and combination of these greatly affect particle settling and washout rates. To that end, a method for tracking released constituents using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) microphysics package is developed by modifying one of the hydrometeor categories (hail) in the microphysics package. The RAMS microphysics package …

Temperature Dependent Current-Voltage Measurements Of Neutron Irradiated Al0.27Ga0.73N/Gan Modulation Doped Field Effect Transistors, Troy A. Uhlman

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, the first ever neutron irradiation study of AlGaN/GaN MODFETs was conducted. Devices irradiated to a total 1 MeV Eq (Si) neutron fluence of 1.2x10¹⁶ n/sq cm demonstrated the temperature dependence of irradiation and annealing. Devices irradiated at 80 K exhibited significant persistent electrical degradation at only 5.4 rad (Si), whereas those irradiated at elevated temperatures exhibit transient increases in gate and drain current up to 400 krad (Si). I-V measurements indicate substantial radiation-induced increased gate and drain currents occur only at low-temperature irradiations. The introduction of a high-density of donor defects is hypothesized as the primary …

Surface Oxidation Study Of Uranium Dioxide Under Wet And Dry Conditions, Gary T. Brett

Theses and Dissertations

The surface oxidation of pressed uranium dioxide (UO₂) powder under controlled environmental conditions and the oxidation and reduction of pressed uranium trioxide (UO₃) powder are presented. This is a continuing research project in the investigation of the oxidation of UO₂ powder using Photoluminescence (PL) Spectroscopy. UO₂ particles exposed to the ambient atmosphere will oxidize into a number of chemical complexes (specifically hydrates, hydroxides, and carbonates). During certain of these oxidation processes, the uranium ion can lose two of its electrons and change from uranous (U^IV+) to uranyl (U^VI+). This research …

A Comparison Of The Heft Subsurface And Delfic Particle Size Distributions And Effects In Hpac, Eric T. Skaar

Theses and Dissertations

The Heft subsurface three component lognormal fallout particle size distribution is compared and contrasted with the single lognormal fallout particle size distribution used by the Defense Land Fallout Interpretive Code (DELFIC). Comparison of the two distributions is accomplished with results from the AFIT smear code and the Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC). The effect of the distributions is explored in HPAC for varying yield weapons, varying surfaces, precipitation conditions, varying wind effects and varying dose rate times. The results from the two distributions are quantitatively compared using the concepts of grounded source normalization constant and the rate at which …

Impact Of The Synthesis Process On Structure Properties For Afci Fuel Candidates, Thomas Hartmann, Kenneth Czerwinski

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

Transmutation work at Los Alamos National Laboratory is currently focused on mono-nitride ceramic fuel forms, and consists of closely coordinated “hot” actinide and “cold” inert and surrogate fuels work. Matrix and surrogate materials work involves three major components: (1) fuel matrix synthesis and fabrication, (2) fuel performance, and (3) fuel materials modeling. The synthesis and fabrication component supports basic material studies, as well as actinide fuel fabrication work through fuel fabrication process development. Fuel performance studies are examining the tolerance of nitride-type fuel to heavy irradiation damage. The fuel materials simulation work involves both atomistic and continuum scale modeling employing …

Dissolution, Reactor, And Environmental Behavior Of Zro2-Mgo Inert Fuel Matrix: Neutronic Evaluation Of Zro2-Mgo Inert Fuels, E. Fridman, S. Kolesnikov, E. Shwageraus, A. Galperin

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

This report presents the results of the Task 3, defined in working program as: evaluation of burnable poison designs. Adopting the basic design of a standard PWR and Pu loadings required for 18-month cycle (results of Task 2), this part of the program is aimed to estimate performance of each BP design and BP material to address challenges of Fertile-Free Fuel (FFF) Concept. Finally, an optimal BP design will be developed and an overall feasibility of FFF concept will be determined. Basically, the main challenge encountered in neutronic design for a FFF core is to develop reactivity control system which …

Design Concepts And Process Analysis For Transmuter Fuel Manufacturing: Quarterly Progress Report #1, Jamil M. Renno, Georg F. Mauer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

A Hot Cell robotic assembly: Pick and place dynamic simulation, including feedback control with Matlab, was developed for dispersion fuel manufacture.

The deployment of remote manufacturing of transmuter fuel is a necessity for the transmutation applications. In the reporting period, a virtual hot cell for the manufacturing of dispersion fuel was designed using MSC.visualNastran^©, ProEngineer^© and MATLAB^©. Atypical events were successfully simulated. Relevant physical quantities arising during such events were monitored as well.

Effect Of Silicon Content On The Corrosion Resistance And Radiation-Induced Embrittlement Of Materials For Advanced Heavy Liquid Metal Nuclear Systems: Quarterly Progress Report (August 2004 – October 2004), Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this collaborative research project involving the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Idaho State University (ISU) is to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) content on the corrosion behavior and radiation-induced embrittlement of martensitic stainless steels having chemical compositions similar to that of the modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. Recent studies at LANL involving Alloy EP-823 of different Si content have demonstrated that increased Si content in this alloy may enhance the corrosion resistance in molten lead-bismutheutectic (LBE). Since very little data exists in the open literature on the beneficial effect of Si …

Use Of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy For Stress-Strain Measurements: Quarterly Progress Report (September 01 – November 30, 2004), Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Accomplishments:

● A technical paper titled “Residual Stress Characterization in Structural Materials by Destructive and Nondestructive Techniques” has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, ASM International, Ohio.

● The PAS method has been applied to develop calibration curves for line shape parameters (S and T) using unstressed and stressed (different magnitude) tensile specimens of martensitic stainless steels. These curves will enable the determination of residual stresses in plastically-deformed materials once the magnitude of S or T parameter is determined by the PAS technique.

● The tensile and welded specimens have been irradiated by low …

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities: Phase Iii, Third Quarterly Report, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia, William Culbreth

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This quarterly report provides an update to the last phase of the Modeling, Fabrication, and Optimization of Niobium Cavities in the no-cost extension period. Designing the experimental setup of secondary electron emission was well underway in early summer of 2003 when funding was made available for this portion the study. By March 2004, many of the components of the experimental study reached UNLV with some assembly accomplished. The first secondary electron emission (SEE) measurement was made from the surface of a Faraday cup in September 2004. In December of 2005, the software for the particle positioning detector was finally up …

Characteristics Of Water-Soluble Polythiophene: Tio2 Composite And Its Application In Photovoltaics, Qiquan Qiao, Lianyong Su, James Beck, James T. Mcleskey Jr.

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications

We have studied the characteristics of composites of an environmentally friendly water-soluble polythiophene sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethoxy-4-butylsulfonate] (PTEBS) and TiO2. We observed that the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of low molecular weight PTEBS is redshifted possibly due to the formation of aggregates. Cyclic voltammetry reveals the values of highest occupied molecular orbitals and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals for PTEBS. A factor of 7 in photoluminescence quenching indicates that the exciton dissociation and charge separation occur successfully at the PTEBS: TiO2 (1:1 by weight) interface. This enhances the possibility that the separated charges will reach the electrodes before recombining. Scanning electron micrograph images show …

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia, William Culbreth

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

One of the key technologies for the deployment of accelerator driven transmutation systems is the accelerator itself. Elliptical superconducting niobium cavities are used to increase the efficiency of the high-power accelerators needed to support the transmutation mission.

One of the major sources of energy loss from a superconducting accelerator cavity is a process known as multiple impacting (or “multipacting”) of electrons. This phenomenon limits the maximum amount of energy and power that the niobium cavity can store. As a result, the maximum power available for accelerating the desired charge, as well as the overall performance of the accelerator is reduced. …

Corrosion Barrier Development For Lbe Corrosion Resistance: Quaterly Report, Biswajit Das

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

With the demonstration of formation of nanoporous alumina on steel and its good adhesion to substrate under thermal cycling, the next project task was to synthesize Chromium nanowires inside the alumina pores. During the previous quarter, a specialized sample holder was developed towards this goal. Various techniques for the deposition of Chromium were investigated and electro-deposition was determined to be the most suitable approach due to the large aspect ratio of the pores. A challenge in using electro-deposition for porous alumina is the potential sealing of the pores in aqueous solutions at higher temperatures. To avoid this problem, a search …

Dissolution, Reactor, And Environmental Behavior Of Zro2-Mgo Inert Fuel Matrix, Kenneth Czerwinski

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

This project examines inert fuels containing ZrO₂ and MgO as the inert matrix, with the relative amount of MgO varied from 30% to 70% in ZrO₂. Reactor physics calculations are used to examine suitable quantities of burnable poisons from the candidate elements Gd, Er, or Hf with reactor grade Pu providing the fissile component, with up to 10% of ²³⁹Pu. Ceramics are synthesized and characterized based on the reactor physics results. The solubility of the fuel ceramics, in reactor conditions, reprocessing conditions, and repository conditions, are investigated in a manner to provide thermodynamic data necessary for …

Water-Soluble Polythiophene∕Nanocrystalline Tio2 Solar Cells, Qiquan Qiao, James T. Mcleskey Jr.

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications

We report the characteristics of polymer∕nanocrystalline solar cells fabricated using an environmentally friendly water-soluble polythiophene and TiO2 in a bilayer configuration. The cells were made by dropping the polymer onto a TiO2nanocrystallinefilm and then repeatedly sweeping a clean glass rod across the polymer as it dried. The devices showed an open circuit voltage of 0.81 V, a short circuit current density of 0.35mA/cm2, a fill factor of 0.4, and an energy conversion efficiency of 0.13%. The water-soluble polythiophene showed significant photovoltaic behavior and the potential for use in solar cells.

University Of Nevada, Las Vegas Transmutation Research Program: Annual Report Academic Year 2004-2005, Anthony Hechanova, Kathy Lauckner

Transmutation Research Program Reports (TRP)

It is my pleasure to present the UNLV Transmutation Research Program’s fourth annual report that highlights the academic year 2004 – 2005. Supporting this document are the many technical reports and scientific papers that have been generated over the past three years.

In the fourth year of our program, we added 11 new research tasks and saw the conclusion of 8 of the initial 16 independent student research tasks started in 2001 and 2002. In all, the program has sponsored to their conclusion 28 M.S. and 2 Ph.D. degrees. The program supported 58 graduate students and 13 undergraduates in 6 …

Corrosion Of Steel By Lead Bismuth Eutectic, John Farley, Allen L. Johnson, Dale L. Perry

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

There is an active international interest in lead-bismuth eutectic and similar liquid lead systems because of the relevance to the transmutation of nuclear waste, fast reactors, and spallation neutron sources.

Materials in these systems must be able to tolerate high neutron fluxes, high temperatures, and chemical corrosion. For lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) systems, there is an additional challenge because the corrosive behaviors of materials in LBE are not well understood. Most of the available information on LBE systems has come from the Russians, who have over 80 reactor-years experience with LBE coolant in their Alpha-class submarine reactors. The Russians found …