Results for “SAFETY DEVICE” — Page 16

DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-169: A Periodic Quality Assurance Program for a Spot-Scanning Proton Treatment Facility

Purpose: To develop daily and monthly quality assurance (QA) programs in support of a new spot-scanning proton treatment facility using a combination of commercial and custom equipment and software. Emphasis was placed on efficiency and evaluation of key quality parameters. Methods: The daily QA program was developed to test output, spot size and position, proton beam energy, and image guidance using the Sun Nuclear Corporation rf-DQA™3 device and Atlas QA software. The program utilizes standard Atlas linear accelerator tests repurposed for proton measurements and a custom jig for indexing the device to the treatment couch. The monthly QA program was designed to test mechanical performance, image quality, radiation quality, isocenter coincidence, and safety features. Many of these tests are similar to linear accelerator QA counterparts, but many require customized test design and equipment. Coincidence of imaging, laser marker, mechanical, and radiation isocenters, for instance, is verified using a custom film-based device devised and manufactured at our facility. Proton spot size and position as a function of energy are verified using a custom spot pattern incident on film and analysis software developed in-house. More details concerning the equipment and software developed for monthly QA are included in the supporting document. Thresholds for daily and monthly tests were established via perturbation analysis, early experience, and/or proton system specifications and associated acceptance test results. Results: The periodic QA program described here has been in effect for approximately 9 months and has proven efficient and sensitive to sub-clinical variations in treatment delivery characteristics. Conclusion: Tools and professional guidelines for periodic proton system QA are not as well developed as their photon and electron counterparts. The program described here efficiently evaluates key quality parameters and, while specific to the needs of our facility, could be readily adapted to other proton centers.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2012

A study of improved MHR 50/100 toward a higher level of inherent safety

A new concept of the Mitsubishi small-sized High temperature gas-cooled modular Reactors (MHR-50/100) had been developed and published in papers. The study results of the first design concept show that the MHR-50/100 can achieve the inherent safety level set as a design target in case of water ingress during steam generator tube rupture accident. And more specifically, the reactor was shown to remain stable during long-term station black out (SBO) with protection of only passive devices during a depressurization accident and with additional motion of steam dump system during a water ingress accident. Recently greater requirements for safety of future nuclear plants including the MHR-50/100 have been expected. This study has thus made a key design improvement for the MHR-50/100 in order to secure the inherent safety aspect without reliance on active steam dump system in case of a water ingress accident. The innovative technologies listed below have been created and investigated to achieve the improved MHR-50/100 design; (1) Design improvement of steam generator, (2) Heat balance optimization of steam cycle, (3) Control system design of differential pressure between primary helium gas and water/steam, (4) Study on operation procedure during a water ingress accident. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2013

Safety and security of radioactive sources in industrial radiography in Bangladesh

Malicious use of radioactive sources can involve dispersal of that material through an explosive device. There has been recognition of the threat posed by the potential malicious misuse of NDT radioactive source by terrorists. The dispersal of radioactive material using conventional explosives, referred to as a 'dirty bomb', could create considerable panic, disruption and area access denial in an urban environment. However, as it is still a relatively new topic among regulators, users, and transport and storage operators worldwide, international assistance and cooperation in developing the necessary regulatory and security infrastructure is required. The most important action in reducing the risk of radiological terrorism is to increase the security of radioactive sources. This paper presents safety and security considerations for the transport and site storage of the industrial radiography sources as per national regulations entitled 'Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control Rules-1997'.The main emphasis was put on the stages of some safety and security actions in order to prevent theft, sabotage or other malicious acts during the transport of the packages. As a conclusion it must be mentioned that both safety and security considerations are very important aspects that must be taking in account for the transport and site storage of radioactive sources used in the practice of industrial radiography. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Earthquake response of head-mounted equipment in advanced nuclear reactors

The seismic response of safety-related equipment mounted on the head of an advanced reactor, including pumps, control rod drive mechanisms, and reactor monitoring devices, will affect the design and layout of many advanced reactors. High earthquake-induced accelerations in such equipment may challenge their seismic qualification and trigger the need for additional support framing on the reactor head. Base isolation is a design solution that can drastically reduce seismic demands on equipment. This article describes a set of earthquake-simulator experiments conducted on a scale-model of a base-isolated reactor vessel including four representations of head-mounted equipment, with frequencies spanning from 4.5 to 27 Hz. Dynamic responses of the head-mounted equipment, including displacements, accelerations, and strains, were measured in the experiments for three support conditions: conventional, and seismically isolated using single concave Friction Pendulum (SFP) bearings and triple Friction Pendulum (TFP) bearings. Seismic isolation was effective at reducing equipment responses (accelerations, displacements, and strains) with respect to those in the conventionally supported vessel across a range of seismic inputs. Companion numerical studies highlight the accuracy to be expected in the calculation of different response quantities for lightly damped equipment. The importance of characterizing damping in head-mounted, safety-related equipment through physical experiments to support design and risk assessment is made clear through the numerical simulations.

Engineering↗

DOE OSTI2016

MO-A-BRC-00: TG167: Clinical Recommendations for Innovative Brachytherapy Devices and Applicators

Although a multicenter, Phase III, prospective, randomized trial is the gold standard for evidence-based medicine, it is rarely used to evaluate innovative radiotherapy devices because of many practical and ethical reasons. It is usually sufficient to compare the dose distributions and dose rates for determining equivalence of the innovative device to an existing one. Thus, quantitative evaluation of the dosimetric characteristics of an innovative brachytherapy device or application is a critical part in which physicists are actively involved. The physicist’s role, along with physician colleagues, in this process is highlighted for innovative products or applications and includes evaluation of 1) dosimetric considerations for clinical implementation (including calibrations, dose calculations, and radiobiological aspects) to comply with existing societal dosimetric prerequisites for sources in routine clinical use, 2) risks and benefits from regulatory and safety perspectives, and 3) resource assessment and preparedness. Further, calibration methods should be traceable to a primary standards dosimetry laboratory such as NIST in the U.S. or to other primary standards dosimetry laboratory located elsewhere. Clinical users should follow standards as approved by their country’s regulatory agencies that approved such a brachytherapy device. Integration of this system into the medical source calibration infrastructure of secondary standard dosimetry laboratories such as the ADCLs is encouraged before a source is introduced into widespread routine clinical use. The AAPM and GEC-ESTRO have developed guidelines for the safe and consistent application of brachytherapy using innovative brachytherapy devices and applications. The current report covers regulatory approvals, calibration, dose calculations, radiobiological issues, and overall safety concerns that should be addressed during the commissioning stage preceding clinical use. These guidelines are based on review of requirements of the U.S. NRC, FDA, Department of Transportation, International Electrotechnical Commission Medical Electrical Equipment Standard 60601, European Commission for CE Marking, and institutional review boards and radiation safety committees. Learning Objectives: Understand the necessary dosimetric considerations for clinical implementation (including calibrations, dose calculations, and radiobiological aspects) to comply with existing societal dosimetric prerequisites for sources in routine clinical use. Evaluate risks and benefits from regulatory and safety perspectives. Identify necessary resources and create a plan for clinical introduction of innovative brachytherapy device or applications. Consultant for Theragenics Corp.; R. Nath, Consultant to Theragenics Corp.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

Feedback-assisted extension of the tokamak operating space to low safety factor

Recent DIII-D and RFX-mod experiments have demonstrated stable tokamak operation at very low values of the edge safety factor q(a) near and below 2. The onset of n = 1 resistive wall mode (RWM) kink instabilities leads to a disruptive stability limit, encountered at q(a) = 2 (limiter plasmas) and q{sub 95} = 2 (divertor plasmas). However, passively stable operation can be attained for q(a) and q{sub 95} values as low as 2.2. RWM damping in the q(a) = 2 regime was measured using active MHD spectroscopy. Although consistent with theoretical predictions, the amplitude of the damped response does not increase significantly as the q(a) = 2 limit is approached, in contrast with damping measurements made approaching the pressure-driven RWM limit. Applying proportional gain magnetic feedback control of the n = 1 modes has resulted in stabilized operation with q{sub 95} values reaching as low as 1.9 in DIII-D and q(a) reaching 1.55 in RFX-mod. In addition to being consistent with the q(a) = 2 external kink mode stability limit, the unstable modes have growth rates on the order of the characteristic wall eddy-current decay timescale in both devices, and a dominant m = 2 poloidal structure that is consistent with ideal MHD predictions. The experiments contribute to validating MHD stability theory and demonstrate that a key tokamak stability limit can be overcome with feedback.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

MO-A-BRC-02: TG167 Report - Detailed Description

Although a multicenter, Phase III, prospective, randomized trial is the gold standard for evidence-based medicine, it is rarely used to evaluate innovative radiotherapy devices because of many practical and ethical reasons. It is usually sufficient to compare the dose distributions and dose rates for determining equivalence of the innovative device to an existing one. Thus, quantitative evaluation of the dosimetric characteristics of an innovative brachytherapy device or application is a critical part in which physicists are actively involved. The physicist’s role, along with physician colleagues, in this process is highlighted for innovative products or applications and includes evaluation of 1) dosimetric considerations for clinical implementation (including calibrations, dose calculations, and radiobiological aspects) to comply with existing societal dosimetric prerequisites for sources in routine clinical use, 2) risks and benefits from regulatory and safety perspectives, and 3) resource assessment and preparedness. Further, calibration methods should be traceable to a primary standards dosimetry laboratory such as NIST in the U.S. or to other primary standards dosimetry laboratory located elsewhere. Clinical users should follow standards as approved by their country’s regulatory agencies that approved such a brachytherapy device. Integration of this system into the medical source calibration infrastructure of secondary standard dosimetry laboratories such as the ADCLs is encouraged before a source is introduced into widespread routine clinical use. The AAPM and GEC-ESTRO have developed guidelines for the safe and consistent application of brachytherapy using innovative brachytherapy devices and applications. The current report covers regulatory approvals, calibration, dose calculations, radiobiological issues, and overall safety concerns that should be addressed during the commissioning stage preceding clinical use. These guidelines are based on review of requirements of the U.S. NRC, FDA, Department of Transportation, International Electrotechnical Commission Medical Electrical Equipment Standard 60601, European Commission for CE Marking, and institutional review boards and radiation safety committees. Learning Objectives: Understand the necessary dosimetric considerations for clinical implementation (including calibrations, dose calculations, and radiobiological aspects) to comply with existing societal dosimetric prerequisites for sources in routine clinical use. Evaluate risks and benefits from regulatory and safety perspectives. Identify necessary resources and create a plan for clinical introduction of innovative brachytherapy device or applications. Consultant for Theragenics Corp.; R. Nath, Consultant to Theragenics Corp.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

MO-A-BRC-01: TG167 Report - Introduction

Although a multicenter, Phase III, prospective, randomized trial is the gold standard for evidence-based medicine, it is rarely used to evaluate innovative radiotherapy devices because of many practical and ethical reasons. It is usually sufficient to compare the dose distributions and dose rates for determining equivalence of the innovative device to an existing one. Thus, quantitative evaluation of the dosimetric characteristics of an innovative brachytherapy device or application is a critical part in which physicists are actively involved. The physicist’s role, along with physician colleagues, in this process is highlighted for innovative products or applications and includes evaluation of 1) dosimetric considerations for clinical implementation (including calibrations, dose calculations, and radiobiological aspects) to comply with existing societal dosimetric prerequisites for sources in routine clinical use, 2) risks and benefits from regulatory and safety perspectives, and 3) resource assessment and preparedness. Further, calibration methods should be traceable to a primary standards dosimetry laboratory such as NIST in the U.S. or to other primary standards dosimetry laboratory located elsewhere. Clinical users should follow standards as approved by their country’s regulatory agencies that approved such a brachytherapy device. Integration of this system into the medical source calibration infrastructure of secondary standard dosimetry laboratories such as the ADCLs is encouraged before a source is introduced into widespread routine clinical use. The AAPM and GEC-ESTRO have developed guidelines for the safe and consistent application of brachytherapy using innovative brachytherapy devices and applications. The current report covers regulatory approvals, calibration, dose calculations, radiobiological issues, and overall safety concerns that should be addressed during the commissioning stage preceding clinical use. These guidelines are based on review of requirements of the U.S. NRC, FDA, Department of Transportation, International Electrotechnical Commission Medical Electrical Equipment Standard 60601, European Commission for CE Marking, and institutional review boards and radiation safety committees. Learning Objectives: Understand the necessary dosimetric considerations for clinical implementation (including calibrations, dose calculations, and radiobiological aspects) to comply with existing societal dosimetric prerequisites for sources in routine clinical use. Evaluate risks and benefits from regulatory and safety perspectives. Identify necessary resources and create a plan for clinical introduction of innovative brachytherapy device or applications. Consultant for Theragenics Corp.; R. Nath, Consultant to Theragenics Corp.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Development of high-availability ATCA/PCIe data acquisition instrumentation

Latest Fusion energy experiments envision a quasi-continuous operation regime. In consequence, the largest experimental devices, currently in development, specify high-availability (HA) requirements for the whole plant infrastructure. HA features enable the whole facility to perform seamlessly in the case of failure of any of its components, coping with the increasing duration of plasma discharges (steady-state) and assuring safety of equipment, people, environment and investment. IPFN developed a control and data acquisition system, aiming for fast control of advanced Fusion devices, which is thus required to provide such HA features. The system is based on in-house developed Advanced Telecommunication Computing Architecture (ATCA) instrumentation modules - IO blades and data switch blades, establishing a PCIe network on the ATCA shelf's back-plane. The data switch communicates to an external host computer through a PCIe data network. At the hardware management level, the system architecture takes advantage of ATCA native redundancy and hot swap specifications to implement fail-over substitution of IO or data switch blades. A redundant host scheme is also supported by the ATCA/PCIe platform. At the software level, PCIe provides implementation of hot plug services, which translate the hardware changes to the corresponding software/operating system devices. The paper presents how the ATCA and PCIe based system can be setup to perform with the desired degree of HA, thus being suitable for advanced Fusion control and data acquisition systems. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Absolute Efficiency Characterization of Neutron Detectors within Radioisotope Identification Devices [Slides]

Some Radioisotope Identification Devices (RIIDs) have a low efficiency neutron detector that can provide a neutron singles counting rate along with the primary gamma spectra that can be used to identify a radioisotope. When we know absolute efficiency, other characteristics of a radioisotope can be estimated such as mass or source strength when accompanied by the identity of the isotope and other observable variables. This study focuses on characterizing and comparing the absolute neutron efficiencies of some commonly used RIIDs: the ORTEC Detective X, ORTEC RADEAGLET-R, and FLIR IDentifinder 2.

Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)↗

DOE OSTI2020

Intercalated water in aqueous batteries

The unprecedentedly growing demand for energy storage devices in recent years calls for diversified chemistries with unique advantages. When it comes to safety and cost, aqueous battery systems have attracted tremendous attention. Being a universal solvent, water can solvate the cations with rather high dehydration energy due to the hydrogen bonding environment, relatively small size and high polarity. Such properties make solvent co-intercalation, which is seen in a few of the non-aqueous systems, more likely to happen in aqueous batteries. Hydrated cations show drastically different behaviors from naked cations during intercalation/de-intercalation processes and hence enable many reactions that are otherwise difficult to proceed. This review summarizes the roles of co-intercalated water in aqueous batteries from how water molecules coordinate with cations to examples of water-mediated reactions in different types of host materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2019

Catheter-Directed Fenestration for Branch Vessel Reconnection in Aortic Dissection Using a Novel Diamond-Tipped Chronic Total Occlusion Drilling Device: A Technical Report

Purpose: Aortic dissection is a complex condition with high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular treatments including percutaneous fenestration can be used to manage branch vessel ischaemia or risk of aortic rupture. A variety of techniques for aortic fenestration have been described. We describe the novel use of the TruePath Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) device for aortic intimal fenestration to achieve side branch reconnection. Materials and Methods: We present three cases of aortic dissection presenting with symptoms of aortic side branch occlusion and end organ malperfusion, treated with aortic fenestration using the TruePath CTO device via trans-brachial and trans-femoral approaches. Results: Technical success was achieved in all three cases. No complications were encountered. Flow was restored in compromised visceral branches. Branches remained patent on follow-up CT angiography over a minimum 2.5-year follow-up period. Conclusion: Percutaneous aortic fenestration techniques enable a minimally invasive approach to treat visceral branch malperfusion associated with aortic dissection. The TruePath CTO device improves the control of the fenestration procedure with the potential to improve efficacy and safety.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Achieving low-temperature hydrothermal relithiation by redox mediation for direct recycling of spent lithium-ion battery cathodes

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling is an urgent need to address the massive generation of spent LIBs from portable devices and electrical vehicles. However, the large-scale recycling is hampered by economic and safety issues associated with today's recycling processes. In this study, we demonstrate a safe and energy efficient direct regeneration process based on low-temperature hydrothermal relithiation (LTHR) at low pressure for spent LiNi x Co y Mn z O 2 (0 < x,y,z <1, x + y + z = 1, or NCM) cathode materials. A low concentration of low-cost redox mediator is employed to improve the relithiation kinetics of spent NCM materials, enabling full relithiation temperature to be reduced from 220 °C to 100 °C or below. Correspondingly, the pressure incurred in the relithiation process can be reduced from ~25 bar to 1 bar, offering significantly improved operation safety. Specifically, three NCM materials, including chemically delithiated NCM111, cycled (degraded) NCM111, and cycled NCM622, were successfully regenerated with complete recovery of composition, crystal structure, and electrochemical performance, achieving the same effectiveness as that achieved at high temperature process. Meanwhile, the total energy consumption of spent cell recycling and the greenhouse gas emission is also reduced. This work provides a facile and scalable way to more sustainable LIB recycling with high economic return, high operation safety and low cost.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Li 2 GeS 3 : Lithium Ionic Conductor with an Unprecedented Structural Type

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in electric vehicles, mobile electronic devices, and large-scale stationary energy storage systems. However, their liquid electrolytes present significant safety concerns due to their inherent flammability. To address this, the focus has shifted toward all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) utilizing inorganic solid electrolytes that promise enhanced safety. In this work, we report the discovery of a new crystal structural type of Li-ion conductor, Li 2 GeS 3 , with a unique structure, synthesized by a solid-state reaction from Li 2 S and GeS 2 . It was first reported in 2000 with an orthorhombic unit cell, but its detailed crystal structure remains veiled. Here, we have unveiled its structure for the first time, employing an ab initio structure determination technique from powder X-ray and time-of-flight neutron diffraction data. The compound has an unprecedented crystal structural type with a hexagonal $P6_1$ symmetry and a unit cell of α = 6.79364(4) Å and c = 17.90724(14) Å. Its structure is comprised of a distorted hexagonal close-packed arrangement of sulfur anions with three asymmetric metal atoms: Li1, Li2, and Ge are in tetrahedral cavities surrounded by sulfur atoms. The ionic conductivity of Li 2 GeS 3 was measured to be 1.63 × 10 –8 S cm –1 at 303 K and 2.45 × 10 –7 S cm –1 at 383 K. Bond valence energy landscape calculations revealed three-dimensional lithium diffusion pathways within the structure. This novel crystal structure in Li 2 GeS 3 holds the potential for developing high-performance ionic conductors through suitable chemical substitution and offers valuable insights into designing new ionic conductors for ASSBs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Crowdsourcing Felt Reports Using the MyShake Smartphone App

MyShake is a free citizen science smartphone app that provides a range of features related to earthquakes. Features available globally include rapid postearthquake notifications, live maps of earthquake damage as reported by MyShake users, safety tips, and various educational features. The app also uses the accelerometer in the mobile device to detect earthquake shaking, and to record and submit waveforms to a central archive. In addition, MyShake delivers earthquake early warning alerts in California, Oregon, and Washington. Here, in this study, we compare the felt shaking reports provided by MyShake users in California with the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGSs) “Did You Feel It?” intensity reports. The MyShake app simply asks, “What strength of shaking did you feel?” and users report on a five-level scale. When the MyShake reports are averaged in spatial or time bins, we find strong correlation with the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale values reported by the USGS based on the DYFI surveys. The MyShake felt reports can therefore contribute to the creation of shaking intensity maps.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

Requirements Document for the Redesign of the DIM-based Diagnostics Transport and Handling System at the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

The National Ignition Facility (NIF, Figure 1) is the world’s leading user research facility for inertial confinement fusion. Diagnostic instruments that collect data from the experiment shots are transported around the facility using a series of disjointed, suboptimal transport and handling (T&H) subsystems that compromise user efficiency and ergonomics. Significant time savings and improvements to the diagnostic exchange process could be realized by designing a new transport and handling system that minimizes the hand-offs between T&H subsystems, reduces operator hassle and ergonomic strain, and improves the long-term maintainability of the system. In contrast to the current system – which employs several manually-operated carts and containers to transport the diagnostic, dock it to its destination, and install it – the new diagnostic transporter integrates the contamination container with the transport cart and provides a dynamic range of adjustability to interface with its destination. This single transporter has the requisite maneuverability, height adjustability, and fine adjustment capabilities without any rigging transactions to support contaminated diagnostic transport and handling at the alignment station and Equatorial and Polar DIMs. A remote-controlled user interface device allows operators a more hands-off experience that reduces ergonomic strain and improves safety. Assuming the cost is not prohibitive, diagnostic storage will be accomplished by simply stowing the transporter in its lowest position in the designated area of NIF. This concept for a new diagnostic transport and handling system would be better aligned with the core values of NIF: safety, quality, and reliability.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2011

How DARHT Works - the World's Most Powerful X-ray Machine

The Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory is an essential scientific tool that supports Stockpile Stewardship at the Laboratory. The World's most powerful x-ray machine, it's used to take high-speed images of mock nuclear devices - data that is used to confirm and modify advanced computer codes in assuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Tier 2 Safety Basis Document: Weapons and Complex Integration - Building 225

This Safety Basis Document (SBD) covers operations in the Weapons and Complex Integration (WCI) Building 225 (B225) facility. B225 is located in the southwestern quadrant of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and is operated and owned by WCI. This SBD satisfies the requirements of LLNL ES&H Manual Document 3.1, Nonnuclear Safety Basis Program (Ref. 2). B225 is classified as a Low Hazard Facility based on the inventory of radiological materials. Other hazards in B225: chemicals, radiation generating devices, and industrial hazards are managed at the Light Science and Industry (LSI) level. Biological and explosive hazards are not authorized in B225. There are four general Administrative Controls (ACs) identified as the B225 Operational Safety Requirements (OSRs). These administrative controls are deemed sufficient to ensure safe operations with respect to co-located workers and the public. Other safety features and administrative requirements are required by the LLNL ES&H Manual, including those to protect the facility workers and the environment, but these have not been selected as credited controls to protect the co-located workers or the public, which are the target populations of concern for the SBD.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗