SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Sample Return”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2011

Small-Footprint Lidar Estimations of Sagebrush Canopy Characteristics

Separating lidar returns for use in determining canopy height and shape in low-height vegetation is difficult because the vegetation canopy return is often close to the ground return in time and space. In addition, height underestimation is likely exacerbated in sparsely vegetated shrub ecosystems. This study compares lidar point-cloud data to sagebrush canopy characteristics measured in the field. It was determined that cumulative prediction error could account for as much as 35.6% of the average height and 37.4% of the average canopy area of shrubs sampled. When scaling from the individual shrub scale to coarser scales, prediction error averaged over a number of shrubs decreases as observation numbers increase. High density (in this case an average of 9.46 returns per m2), small footprint lidar (in this case a footprint diameter of 18 cm at nadir) may provide sufficient accuracy for characterizing sagebrush structure and cover and estimating biomass across landscapes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Detection of small drizzle droplets in a large cloud chamber using ultrahigh-resolution radar

Abstract. A large convection–cloud chamber has the potential to produce drizzle-sized droplets, thus offering a new opportunity to investigate aerosol–cloud–drizzle interactions at a fundamental level under controlled environmental conditions. One key measurement requirement is the development of methods to detect the low-concentration drizzle drops in such a large cloud chamber. In particular, remote sensing methods may overcome some limitations of in situ methods. Here, the potential of an ultrahigh-resolution radar to detect the radar return signal of a small drizzle droplet against the cloud droplet background signal is investigated. It is found that using a small sampling volume is critical to drizzle detection in a cloud chamber to allow a drizzle drop in the radar sampling volume to dominate over the background cloud droplet signal. For instance, a radar volume of 1 cubic centimeter (cm3) would enable the detection of drizzle embryos with diameter larger than 40 µm. However, the probability of drizzle sampling also decreases as the sample volume reduces, leading to a longer observation time. Thus, the selection of radar volume should consider both the signal power and the drizzle occurrence probability. Finally, observations from the Pi Convection–Cloud Chamber are used to demonstrate the single-drizzle-particle detection concept using small radar volume. The results presented in this study also suggest new applications of ultrahigh-resolution cloud radar for atmospheric sensing.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

GOM2: Prospecting, Drilling and Sampling Coarse-Grained Hydrate Reservoirs in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico

The UT-GOM2-1 Hydrate Pressure Coring Expedition will drill two holes in Green Canyon Block 955 in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico to pressure core and wireline log a coarse-grained methane hydrate reservoir. We will take ten, 10 ft, pressure cores in each well. The cores will be imaged and logged under pressure. Samples will be degassed to interpret hydrate concentration. Microbiological and porewater analyses will be performed. 20 3 ft pressure cores will be returned to shore for analysis. The log and core data will provide a foundation for scientific exploration by the greater hydrate research community.

Flemings, Peter↗

DOE OSTI2023

Investigating Marine Environmental Degradation of Additive Manufacturing Materials for Renewable Energy Applications: Preprint

Marine renewable energy is a relatively young industry where there is a great need for rapid prototyping in design-build-test campaigns to quickly mature groundbreaking technologies. Additive manufacturing has an important role to play in the industry; however, little information is available to marine energy developers to help inform them on which additive manufacturing materials are appropriate for harsh marine environments. This paper presents an initial study on the mechanical characterization of polymeric additive manufacturing materials and the degradation effects of marine environments. Ultem 9085, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, and chopped carbon-filled nylon, as well as continuous carbon and glass fiber-reinforced nylon were chosen for this study. Samples were manufactured to perform a variety of tension, shear, and compression mechanical characterization tests on the materials. Half of the samples were conditioned in Pacific Ocean water for approximately 6 months at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Marine Sciences Laboratory before being returned for mechanical characterization. The mechanical testing results showed that the Ultem 9085 and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate materials experienced little to no degradation in stiffness or strength after exposure to the marine environment. On the other hand, the nylon-based materials suffered significant stiffness and strength degradation (over 50% in some cases) after environmental conditioning. Ultimately, these data sets should serve as starting points to allow marine renewable energy developers to make informed additive manufacturing material choices for their prototype deployments.

additive manufacturing↗

DOE OSTI2025

Prospects for silvicultural enhancement of fire resistance in mesic westside forests of the Pacific Northwest

Increasing wildfire activity in mesic, temperate Pacific Northwest forests west of the Cascade Range crest has stimulated interest in understanding whether alternative forest management practices could reduce risk of stand-replacing fire. To explore how management can enhance fire resistance in these forests and assess tradeoffs among resistance enhancement, carbon sequestration and storage, and economic returns, we conducted 40-year simulations of stand development with BioSum, a framework for conducting landscape analysis with the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), utilizing a statistically representative and spatially balanced sample of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots. Simulation outcomes under business-as-usual silviculture were contrasted with fire-aware silviculture, and treatment optimization logic was developed and applied to represent landscape-scale outcomes under business-as-usual and fire-focused management scenarios. Simulation results indicate that fire-aware prescriptions and fire-focused management can meaningfully enhance stand- and landscape-scale fire resistance of westside forests under less than extreme fire weather, but at the cost of lower economic returns and reduced net carbon storage and sequestration over the 40-year analysis window. Shifting from business-as-usual regeneration harvests with short rotations to fire-aware, episodic selection harvest improved fire resistance the most, especially in young privately-owned forests, and with only modest tradeoffs in carbon and economic outcomes. While fire-aware treatments generally reduced net present value from forest operations over business-as-usual, most treatments still generated positive net present value and could be implemented without subsidy. Fire-aware prescriptions that removed and utilized non-merchantable harvest residues instead of burning them, via either pile or broadcast burning, partially mitigated carbon emissions associated with fire-aware treatments, with about the same improvement in fire resistance. Given the currently limited institutional and financial capacity to implement fire resistance enhancing treatments at scale, the insights from this analysis may aid managers seeking to elevate fire resistance to prioritize where and how to manage.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

DOE OSTI2022

The Financial Performance of Family versus Non-Family Firms Operating in Nautical Tourism

This article analyses the financial performance of family versus non-family firms operating in nautical tourism, in 2015–2019. The sample of 39 Portuguese companies was collected from the SABI database. We use a regression of financial performance, measured by three alternative proxies: return on assets, return on equity and operating profit margin, on liquidity, leverage, turnover of assets, asset structure, company size and age. The regressions are performed across Nuts II regions on mainland and across types of firms (family and non-family). The results uncover several patterns. First, family firms are larger and older, make higher investments and therefore are less liquid. Second, liquidity, leverage and investment in tangible assets impact negatively and significantly the corporate financial performance, while the turnover of assets, size and age impacts positively and significantly. Third, the sign of the impacts depends on the measure of performance. Finally, firms in the Northern region show superior performance, which can be explained by the higher share of family firms. These findings can serve as a roadmap for managers when selecting strategies to improve performance. Additionally, they will contribute to the understanding of tourism destination dynamics and competitiveness.

Santos, Eleonora (ORCID:0000000346930804)↗

DOE OSTI2017

UT-GOM2-1 Hydrate Pressure Coring Expedition Prospectus

The UT-GOM2-1 Hydrate Pressure Coring Expedition will drill two holes in Green Canyon Block 955 in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico to pressure core and wireline log a coarse-grained methane hydrate reservoir. We will take ten, 10 ft, pressure cores in each well. The cores will be imaged and logged under pressure. Samples will be degassed to interpret hydrate concentration. Microbiological and pore water analyses will be performed. 20 3 ft pressure cores will be returned to shore for analysis. The log and core data will provide a foundation for scientific exploration by the greater hydrate research community

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2018

Enhanced configurational sampling with hybrid non-equilibrium molecular dynamics–Monte Carlo propagator

Molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories based on classical equations of motion can be used to sample the configurational space of complex molecular systems. However, brute-force MD often converges slowly due to the ruggedness of the underlying potential energy surface. Several schemes have been proposed to address this problem by effectively smoothing the potential energy surface. However, in order to recover the proper Boltzmann equilibrium probability distribution, these approaches must then rely on statistical reweighting techniques or generate the simulations within a Hamiltonian tempering replica-exchange scheme. The present work puts forth a novel hybrid sampling propagator combining Metropolis-Hastings Monte Carlo (MC) with proposed moves generated by non-equilibrium MD (neMD). This hybrid neMD-MC propagator comprises three elementary elements: (i) an atomic system is dynamically propagated for some period of time using standard equilibrium MD on the correct potential energy surface; (ii) the system is then propagated for a brief period of time during what is referred to as a “boosting phase,” via a time-dependent Hamiltonian that is evolved toward the perturbed potential energy surface and then back to the correct potential energy surface; (iii) the resulting configuration at the end of the neMD trajectory is then accepted or rejected according to a Metropolis criterion before returning to step 1. A symmetric two-end momentum reversal prescription is used at the end of the neMD trajectories to guarantee that the hybrid neMD-MC sampling propagator obeys microscopic detailed balance and rigorously yields the equilibrium Boltzmann distribution. The hybrid neMD-MC sampling propagator is designed and implemented to enhance the sampling by relying on the accelerated MD and solute tempering schemes. It is also combined with the adaptive biased force sampling algorithm to examine. Illustrative tests with specific biomolecular systems indicate that the method can yield a significant speedup.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2017

Results of the International Energy Agency Round Robin on Fast Pyrolysis Bio-oil Production

An international round robin study of the production of fast pyrolysis bio-oil was undertaken. Fifteen institutions in six countries contributed. Three biomass samples were distributed to the laboratories for processing in fast pyrolysis reactors. Samples of the bio-oil produced were transported to a central analytical laboratory for analysis. The round robin was focused on validating the pyrolysis community understanding of production of fast pyrolysis bio-oil by providing a common feedstock for bio-oil preparation. The round robin included: •distribution of 3 feedstock samples from a common source to each participating laboratory; •preparation of fast pyrolysis bio-oil in each laboratory with the 3 feedstocks provided; •return of the 3 bio-oil products (minimum 500 ml) with operational description to a central analytical laboratory for bio-oil property determination. The analyses of interest were: density, viscosity, dissolved water, filterable solids, CHN, S, trace element analysis, ash, total acid number, pyrolytic lignin, and accelerated aging of bio-oil. In addition, an effort was made to compare the bio-oil components to the products of analytical pyrolysis through GC/MS analysis. The results showed that clear differences can occur in fast pyrolysis bio-oil properties by applying different reactor technologies or configurations. The comparison to analytical pyrolysis method suggested that Py-GC/MS could serve as a rapid screening method for bio-oil composition when produced in fluid-bed reactors. Furthermore, hot vapor filtration generally resulted in the most favorable bio-oil product, with respect to water, solids, viscosity, and total acid number. These results can be helpful in understanding the variation in bio-oil production methods and their effects on bio-oil product composition.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2018

Gas Generation Testing of Spherical Resorcinol-Formaldehyde (sRF) Resin

This report describes gas generation testing of the spherical resorcinol-formaldehyde (sRF) resin that was conducted to support the technology maturation of the LAWPS facility. The current safety basis for the LAWPS facility is based primarily on two studies that had limited or inconclusive data sets. The two studies indicated a 40% increase in hydrogen generation rate of water (as predicted by the Hu model) with sRF resin over water alone. However, the previous studies did not test the range of conditions (process fluids and temperatures) that are expected in the LAWPS facility. Additionally, the previous studies did not obtain replicate test results or comparable liquid-only control samples. All of the testing described in this report, conducted with water, 0.45M nitric acid, and waste simulants with and without sRF resin, returned hydrogen generation rates that are within the current safety basis for the facility of 1.4 times the Hu model output for water.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Analysis of solid uranium particulates on cotton swipes with an automated microextraction-ICP-MS system

Here, an automated microextraction method coupled to an inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was developed for the direct analysis of solid uranium particulates on the surface of cotton swipes. The microextraction probe extracts particulates from the sample surface, in a flowing solvent, and directs the removed analyte to an ICP-MS for isotopic determination. The automated system utilizes a mechanical XY stage that is software controlled with the capability of saving and returning to specific locations and a camera focused to the swipe surface for optimal viewing of the extracted locations (i.e., material present). Here, particulates (n = 135) were extracted and measured by ICP-MS, including 35 depleted uranyl nitrate hexahydrate (UN) (used for mass bias corrections), 50 uranyl fluoride (UO 2 F 2 ), and 50 uranyl acetate (UAc) particulates. Blank extractions were performed on the cotton swipes between triplicate sample analyses. Between each swipe extraction, the probe was sent between two wells containing 10% and 5% HNO 3 to clean the probe head and to eliminate any analyte carryover between particulates. The measured 235 U/ 238 U and 234 U/ 238 U isotope ratios for the UO 2 F 2 particulates were 0.00725(8) and 0.000054(4), a percent relative difference (% RD) of –0.041% and –1.7% from the reference isotope ratios determined in-lab through multi-collector ICP-MS analysis of dissolved aliquots of the U material. The UAc samples had a measured 235 U/ 238 U isotope ratio of 0.00206(7), a –0.96% relative difference from the reference value of 0.00208(1). The 234 U/ 238 U and 236 U/ 238 U isotope ratios were 0.000008(1) and 0.000031(4), –5.1% RD and –4.3% RD, respectively. The automated sample stage enabled seamless and rapid particle analysis, leading to a significant increase in throughput versus what was previously possible. Additionally, the saved location capability reduced user sampling error as sampling locations were easily stored and recalled. Analysis of U particles on the swipe surface – including blanks, mass bias, and triplicate extractions – was completed in less than an hour without any sample preparation necessary.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2021

Peripheral Blood Transcript Signatures after Internal 131 I-mIBG Therapy in Relapsed and Refractory Neuroblastoma Patients Identifies Early and Late Biomarkers of Internal 131 I Exposures

131 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ( 131 I-mIBG) is a targeted radiation therapy developed for the treatment of advanced neuroblastoma. We have previously shown that this patient cohort can be used to predict absorbed dose associated with early 131 I exposure, 72 h after treatment. We now expand these studies to identify gene expression differences associated with 131 I-mIBG exposure 15 days after treatment. Total RNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes was isolated from 288 whole blood samples representing 59 relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma patients before and after 131 I-mIBG treatment. We found that several transcripts predictive of early exposure returned to baseline levels by day 15, however, selected transcripts did not return to baseline. At 72 h, all 17 selected pathway-specific transcripts were differentially expressed. Transcripts CDKN1A (P < 0.000001), FDXR (P < 0.000001), DDB2 (P < 0.000001), and BBC3 (P < 0.000001) showed the highest up-regulation at 72 h after 131 I-mIBG exposure, with mean log2 fold changes of 2.55, 2.93, 1.86 and 1.85, respectively. At day 15 after 131I-mIBG, 11 of the 17 selected transcripts were differentially expressed, with XPC, STAT5B, PRKDC, MDM2, POLH, IGF1R, and SGK1 displaying significant up-regulation at 72 h and significant down-regulation at day 15. Interestingly, transcripts FDXR (P = 0.01), DDB2 (P = 0.03), BCL2 (P = 0.003), and SESN1 (P < 0.0003) maintained differential expression 15 days after 131 I-mIBG treatment. These results suggest that transcript levels for DNA repair, apoptosis, and ionizing radiation-induced cellular stress are still changing by 15 days after 131 I-mIBG treatment. Our studies showcase the use of biodosimetry gene expression panels as predictive biomarkers following early (72 h) and late (15 days) internal 131 I exposure. Our findings also demonstrate the utility of our transcript panel to differentiate exposed from non-exposed individuals up to 15 days after exposure from internal 131 I.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

DOE OSTI2023

Temperature-induced densification in compressed basaltic glass revealed by in-situ ultrasonic measurements

Abstract Acoustic velocities of a model basalt glass (64 mol% CaMgSi2O6 + 36 mol% CaAl2Si2O8) were measured along different pressure-temperature (P-T) paths. One set of experiments involved isothermal compression-decompression cycles, performed at temperatures of 300, 641, 823, and 1006 K and pressures up to 12.2 GPa. The other set of experiments involved constant-load heating-cooling cycles at temperatures up to 823 K and pressures up to 7.5 GPa. Both sets of experiments were performed in a multi-anvil apparatus using a synchrotron-based ultrasonic technique. Our results show that the glass compressed isothermally at 300 K (cold-compression) displays anomalously decreasing compressional (VP) and shear (VS) wave velocities with increasing pressure until ~8 GPa. Beyond 8 GPa, both VP and VS start to increase sharply with pressure and irreversible densification of the glass occurred, producing large hysteresis loops of velocities upon decompression. However, for the glass compressed isothermally at increasingly higher temperatures (hot-compression), the velocity minima gradually shift to lower pressures. At temperature close to the glass transition temperature Tg, the velocity minima disappear completely, displaying a monotonic increase of velocities during compression and higher VP and VS during decompression. In addition, constant-load heating-cooling experiments show that velocities generally decrease slightly with increasing temperature, but start to increase once heated above a threshold temperature (~650 K). During cooling the velocities increase almost linearly with decreasing temperature, resulting in higher velocities (~1.5–2.5% higher) when returned to 300 K. This implies that a temperature-induced densification may have occurred in the glass at high pressures. Raman spectra on recovered samples show that the hot-compressed and high-P heated glasses contain distinctly densified and depolymerized structural signatures compared to the initial glass and the cold-compressed glass below the velocity transition pressure PT (~8 GPa). Such densification may be attributed to the breaking of bridging oxygen bonds and compaction in the intermediate-range structure. Our results demonstrate that temperature can facilitate glass densification at high pressures and point out the importance of P-T history in understanding the elastic properties of silicate glasses. Comparison with melt velocity suggests that hot-compressed glasses may better resemble the pressure dependence of velocity of silicate melts than cold-compressed glasses, but still show significantly higher velocities than melts. If the abnormal acoustic behaviors of cold-compressed glasses were used to constrain melt fractions in the mantle low-velocity regions, the melt fractions needed to explain a given velocity reduction would be significantly underestimated at high pressures.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

DOE OSTI2020

Co-notch and independent windowing to mitigate interference in SAR-based imagery

Various technologies for mitigating distortion in coherent image products generated from SAR data are described herein. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) datasets generated based upon SAR returns from first and second passes of a SAR platform over a scene are received. The SAR datasets can be co-notched at matching sample indices to improve coherence of SAR images generated from the datasets. Windowed SAR data is generated by applying independent windows to subsets of each of the datasets to reduce sidelobe levels of their image impulse responses. Coherent image products are generated based upon the windowed SAR data, wherein an image quality of the coherent image products is improved as compared to coherent image products generated based upon the SAR datasets.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Investigating Marine Environmental Degradation of Additive Manufacturing Materials for Renewable Energy Applications

Marine renewable energy is a relatively young industry where there is a great need for rapid prototyping in design-build-test campaigns to quickly mature groundbreaking technologies. Additive manufacturing has an important role to play in the industry; however, little information is available to marine energy developers to help inform them on which additive manufacturing materials are appropriate for highly loaded structures in harsh marine environments. This paper presents an initial study on the mechanical characterization of polymeric additive manufacturing materials and the degradation effects due to the marine environment. Ultem 9085, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, and chopped carbon-filled nylon, as well as continuous carbon and glass fiber-reinforced nylon were chosen for this study. Samples were manufactured to perform a variety of tension, shear, and compression mechanical characterization tests on the materials. Half of the samples were conditioned in Pacific Ocean water for approximately 6 months at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory before being returned for mechanical characterization. The mechanical testing results showed that the Ultem 9085 and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate materials experienced little to no degradation in stiffness or strength after exposure to the marine environment. On the other hand, the nylon-based materials suffered significant stiffness and strength degradation (over 50% in some cases) after environmental conditioning. Ultimately, these data sets should serve as starting points to allow marine renewable energy developers to make informed additive manufacturing material choices for their prototype deployments.

additive manufacturing↗

DOE OSTI2023

Investigating Marine Environmental Degradation Of Additive Manufacturing Materials For Renewable Energy Applications

Marine renewable energy is a relatively young industry where there is a great need for rapid prototyping in design-build-test campaigns to quickly mature ground-breaking technologies. Additive manufacturing has an important role to play in the industry; however, little information is available to marine energy developers to help inform them on which additive manufacturing materials are appropriate for harsh marine environments. This paper presents an initial study on the mechanical characterization of polymeric additive manufacturing materials and degradation effects due to the marine environment. Ultem 9085, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), and chopped carbon-filled Nylon, as well as continuous carbon and glass fiber reinforced Nylon were chosen for this study. Samples were manufactured to perform a variety of tension, shear, and compression mechanical characterization tests on the materials. Half of the samples were conditioned in Pacific Ocean water for approximately 6 months at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory before being returned for mechanical characterization. The mechanical testing results showed that the Ultem 9085 and ASA materials experienced little to no degradation in stiffness or strength after exposure to the marine environment. On the other hand, the Nylon-based materials suffered significant stiffness and strength degradation (over 50% in some cases) after environmental conditioning. Ultimately, these results should serve as starting points to allow marine renewable energy developers to make informed additive manufacturing material choices for their prototype deployments.

Murdy, Paul↗

DOE OSTI2016

Solvent hold tank sample results for MCU-16-53-55. January 2016 Monthly sample

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) received one set of Solvent Hold Tank (SHT) samples (MCU-16-53-54-55), pulled on 01/25/2016 for analysis. The samples were combined and analyzed for composition. Analysis of the composite sample MCU-16-53-54-55 indicated the Isopar™L, and MaxCalix are at nominal levels. The modifier and TiDG concentrations are 3% and 23 % below their nominal concentrations. This analysis confirms the addition of TiDG, MaxCalix, and modifier to the solvent on November 28, 2015. Based on the current monthly sample, the levels of TiDG, Isopar™L, MaxCalix, and modifier are sufficient for continuing operation but are expected to decrease with time. Periodic characterization and trimming additions to the solvent are recommended. No impurities above the 1000 ppm level were found in this solvent by the Semi-Volatile Organic Analysis (SVOA). No impurities were observed in the Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HNMR). However, the Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) method detected trace levels (a few ppm) of amides (a possible degradation product of TiDG). In addition, up to 21 ± 4 micrograms of mercury per gram of solvent (or 17.5 μg/mL) was detected in this sample. There appears to be a possible correlation between the mercury level and the TiDG concentration in the solvent. The current gamma level (9.16 E4 dpm/mL) confirmed that the gamma concentration has returned to previous level where the process operated normally and as expected. The laboratory will continue to monitor the quality of the solvent in particular for any new impurities or degradation of the solvent components.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2013

Dual-Remote Raman Technology for In-Situ Identification of Tank Waste

A new Raman spectroscopic system for in-situ identification of the composition of the solid nuclear tank waste is being developed by collaborative effort between Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and EIC, Inc. The recent advancements in the Raman technology allow probing the chemical composition of the tank waste without sample collection. In the newly tested configuration, the Raman probe is installed on the top of the tank riser and sends the incident laser beam to the bottom of the tank, 10 – 70 feet away. The returning light containing chemical information is collected by the Raman probe and transmits it via fiber optic cable to the spectrometer located outside the tank farm area. This dual remote technology significantly expands currently limited options for the safe rapid in-situ identification of the solid tank waste needed for the retrieval decisions. The developed Raman system was extensively tested for acceptability prior tank farm deployment. This testing included calibration of the system with the respect of the distance between the Raman probe and the sample, incident laser beam angle, and presence of the optical interferences. The Raman system was successfully deployed to C-111 tank at the US DOE Hanford site. As the result of this deployment, the composition of the hardpan at the bottom of C-111 tank was identified. Further development of the dual-remote Raman technology will provide a significant safety enhancement eliminating the potential of personnel radiation exposure associated with the grab sample collection and expands options of the rapid and cost-effective in-situ chemical analysis of the tank waste.

in-situ Hanford tank, Raman measurement↗