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Jimenez, Stephen Rudy

Publications and source records attributed to Jimenez, Stephen Rudy.

Gamma ray analysis of the K2 containers

The K2 containers contain PuO2 with 238 Pu being the most abundant isotope of all plutonium isotopes. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the light element impurities in the PuO2. These light elements can interact with the alpha particles from plutonium decay to release gamma rays, protons, and neutrons through the reactions (α,α’), (α,p), and (α,n) respectively. The gamma rays released by the interactions can be measured and compared with the gamma rays released by the plutonium. The ratios of the gamma rays from the interactions and the plutonium gamma rays allow for the determination of the impurities in the items. The elements that can be detected are Lithium (Z=3), Beryllium (Z=4), Boron (Z=5), Fluorine (Z=9), Sodium (Z=11), Magnesium (Z=12), Aluminum (Z=13), Silicon (Z=14), Phosphorous (Z=15), Chlorine (Z=17), and Potassium (Z=19).

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Corrosion Testing Proposal -1: Assessment of the Corrosion of Stainless Steel Subjected to an Aqueous Solution of Hydrochloric Acid

This corrosion-test proposal outlines the methods to promote rapid pitting corrosion on various pitting resistant stainless steels under controlled conditions. This study can be performed in-whole or in- part as the Corrosion Working Group (CWG) leadership of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) deems pertinent. This proposal is in response to CWG’s need to understand the mechanisms and the possible detrimental failure of the 316L SAVY (an acronym that represents the first initial of the four co-developers, Stone, Anderson, Veirs, Yarbro) 4000 container design currently in service. This detrimental failure evolved from a question that the CWG arrived to by consensus as “What is the critical pit depth that would comprise the design wall-strength of the SAVY-4000?”

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Corrosion Research Survey: Corrosion-Surface Roughness Correlation on Carbon and Stainless Steels

Concerning the SAVY 4000 container LANL inspection acceptance of Ra (surface roughness) and its correlation to subsequent surface corrosion, a problem statement has been identified. The problem statement is as follows: When the 316L container has been subjected to accommodating materials producing high wattage, along with materials that eventually produce HCL (hydrochloric acid) will a higher or lower Ra on the inner surface of the SAVY 4000 container influence the rate or the amount of corrosion? In an effort to address this concern, a literature review covering more fundamental studies that examine the influence of roughness on corrosion in metals are surveyed. The scope is kept relevant to the less dynamic storage conditions that a SAVY container may be exposed to.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗