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At least 613 records · Page 34

The propagation of UH-nuclei

A propagation model based on either a leaky box or a slab pathlength distribution and using the currently accepted nuclear parameters has been constructed for the charge range from 26 to 83. The predictions of this model have been examined to identify characteristic features in the observed charge spectrum capable of discriminating between various possible source compositions and different pathlength distributions.

Brewster, N. R.↗

Angular Distribution of Dimuons from Drell-Yan Production in p+Fe Interactions at 120 GeV Beam Energy

In the E906/SeaQuest Fermilab experiment, we report a measurement of the angular distributions by measuring the angular parameters $\lambda$, $\mu$, and $\nu$ of Drell-Yan dimuons produced using a 120 GeV proton beam incident on an iron target. The angular distribution in the naive Drell-Yan model does not show any $\cos2\phi$ dependency, where $\phi$ denotes the azimuthal angle of dimuons in the Collins-Soper frame. However, pion-induced Drell-Yan experiments, such as NA10 and E615, have observed a significant dependence on $\cos2\phi$. The Boer–Mulders function, a transverse momentum-dependent distribution function, represents the correlation between the transverse spin and the transverse momentum of the quark. A non-zero Boer-Mulders function or an improved higher-order Drell-Yan model considering QCD effects can produce a $\cos 2\phi$ modulation in the Drell-Yan angular distribution. To measure the angular distributions, we have used an event mixing method to construct the combin atorial background, which was then subtracted from the data to isolate the Drell-Yan signal. Following this, we corrected the detector, trigger, and reconstruction efficiencies using a doubly-iterative Bayesian Unfolding method. This iterative unfolding technique improves the response matrix based on the results of the previous unfolding step, ensuring robust convergence without exaggeration of uncertainties. The angular distributions of the dimuons were measured over the invariant mass range $5.0 < M_{\mu^+ \mu^-} < 8.0$ $GeV/c^2$, with dimuon transverse momentum $P_T < 2$ GeV/c and Feynman-x $-0.18 < x_F < 0.9$. The measured angular distributions are then compared with the QCD calculations for $p + \text{Fe}$ interactions, and proton-induced angular distribution measurements from other experiments. We have observed weak $\cos 2\phi$ modulations as a function of $P_T$. For $P_T > 1.0 \, \text{GeV}/c$, the predicted NNLO perturbative QCD value of $\nu$ is larger than what we have me asured at E906/SeaQuest. Moreover, we have not observed a strong dependence of $\nu$ on the kinematic variables, such as dimuon mass $M_{\mu^+ \mu^-}$ and Bjorken-$x$. The spin alignment of the virtual photon, $\lambda$, measured from the SeaQuest Drell-Yan $p+\text{Fe}$ data, is found to be strongly dependent on $P_T$, decreasing as $P_T$ increases. $\lambda$ also holds to the upper bound condition $\lambda < 1.0$ within the statistical uncertainty, showing a trend similar to that predicted by NNLO perturbative QCD. However, for $1.0 < P_T < 2.0 \, \text{GeV}/c$, the extracted $\lambda$ value from SeaQuest is smaller than that predicted by perturbative QCD at NNLO.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Higher order cumulants of net baryon-number distributions at non-zero μ

Using recent results on higher order cumulants of conserved charge fluctuations from lattice QCD, we construct mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, hyper-skewness and hyper-kurtosis of net-baryon number distributions for small baryon chemical potentials μ B . For the strangeness neutral case ( μ S = 0) at fixed ratio of electric charge to baryon number density ( n Q n B = 0.4 ), which is appropriate for a comparison with heavy ion collisions, we present results for κ B σ 2 B , S B σ 3 B / M B , κ H B σ 4 B and S H B σ 5 B / M B on the crossover line for the chiral transition, T pc ( μ B ). Furthermore, continuum extrapolations for this pseudo-critical transition line have recently been reported by HotQCD up to baryon chemical potentials μ B ≃ 300 MeV [A. Bazavov, et al., Chiral crossover in QCD at zero and non-zero chemical potentials, Phys. Lett. B 795 (2019) 15–21. arXiv:1812.08235 .]. These cumulant ratios are of direct relevance for comparisons with corresponding ratios measured by STAR in the BES-I and II runs at beam energies s NN ≥ 20 GeV . In particular, we point out that recent high statistics results on skewness and kurtosis of net-baryon number distributions obtained by STAR at s NN = 54.4 GeV put strong constraints on freeze-out parameters and are consistent with predictions from thermal QCD.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The next generation Virgo cluster survey. VIII. The spatial distribution of globular clusters in the Virgo cluster

We report on a large-scale study of the distribution of globular clusters (GCs) throughout the Virgo cluster, based on photometry from the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey (NGVS), a large imaging survey covering Virgo's primary subclusters (Virgo A = M87 and Virgo B = M49) out to their virial radii. Using the g{sub o}{sup ′}, (g' – i') {sub o} color-magnitude diagram of unresolved and marginally resolved sources within the NGVS, we have constructed two-dimensional maps of the (irregular) GC distribution over 100 deg{sup 2} to a depth of g{sub o}{sup ′} = 24. We present the clearest evidence to date showing the difference in concentration between red and blue GCs over the full extent of the cluster, where the red (more metal-rich) GCs are largely located around the massive early-type galaxies in Virgo, while the blue (metal-poor) GCs have a much more extended spatial distribution with significant populations still present beyond 83' (∼215 kpc) along the major axes of both M49 and M87. A comparison of our GC maps to the diffuse light in the outermost regions of M49 and M87 show remarkable agreement in the shape, ellipticity, and boxiness of both luminous systems. We also find evidence for spatial enhancements of GCs surrounding M87 that may be indicative of recent interactions or an ongoing merger history. We compare the GC map to that of the locations of Virgo galaxies and the X-ray intracluster gas, and find generally good agreement between these various baryonic structures. We calculate the Virgo cluster contains a total population of N {sub GC} = 67, 300 ± 14, 400, of which 35% are located in M87 and M49 alone. For the first time, we compute a cluster-wide specific frequency S {sub N,} {sub CL} = 2.8 ± 0.7, after correcting for Virgo's diffuse light. We also find a GC-to-baryonic mass fraction ε {sub b} = 5.7 ± 1.1 × 10{sup –4} and a GC-to-total cluster mass formation efficiency ε {sub t} = 2.9 ± 0.5 × 10{sup –5}, the latter values slightly lower than but consistent with those derived for individual galactic halos. Taken as a whole, our results show that the production of the complex structures in the unrelaxed Virgo cluster core (including the production of the diffuse intracluster light) is an ongoing and continuing process.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Quark sivers function at small x: spin-dependent odderon and the sub-eikonal evolution

We apply the formalism developed earlier for studying transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) at small Bjorken x to construct the small- x asymptotics of the quark Sivers function. First, we explicitly construct the complete fundamental “polarized Wilson line” operator to sub-sub-eikonal order: this object can be used to study a variety of quark TMDs at small x . We then express the quark Sivers function in terms of dipole scattering amplitudes containing various components of the “polarized Wilson line” and show that the dominant (eikonal) term which contributes to the quark Sivers function at small x is the spin-dependent odderon, confirming the re- cent results of Dong, Zheng and Zhou. Our conclusion is also similar to the case of the gluon Sivers function derived by Boer, Echevarria, Mulders and Zhou. We also analyze the sub-eikonal corrections to the quark Sivers function using the constructed “polarized Wilson line” operator. We derive new small- x evolution equations re-summing double-logarithmic powers of α s ln 2 (1 /x ) with α s the strong coupling constant. We solve the corresponding novel evolution equations in the large- N c limit, obtaining a sub-eikonal correction to the spin-dependent odderon contribution. We conclude that the quark Sivers function at small x receives contributions from two terms and is given by ${f}_{1T}^{\perp q}\left(x,{k}_T^2\right)={C}_O\left(x,{k}_T^2\right)\frac{1}{x}+{C}_1\left({k}_T^2\right){\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)}^0+\cdots$ with the function C O ( x, ${k}_T^2$) varying slowly with x and the ellipsis denoting the subasymptotic and sub-sub-eikonal (order- x ) corrections.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Second-order statistical bootstrap for the uncertainty quantification of time-temperature-superposition analysis

Time-temperature superposition (TTS), which for decades has been a powerful method for long-term prediction from accelerated aging data, involves rigid-shifting isotherms in logarithmic time to produce a single master prediction curve. For simple thermo-rheological properties that accurately follow the TTS principle, the shifts can be easily determined, even manually by the eye. However, for many properties of interest, where the principle is obeyed only approximately, or the data is noisy, it is imperative to develop objective shifting techniques along with reliable uncertainty bounds. This work analyzes in detail the method of arclength-minimization as an unsupervised algorithm to determining optimum shifts and demonstrates that the method is nearly unbiased for all practical datasets with a variety of noise distributions. Moreover, if averaged over with-replacement (bootstrap) resamples, the predicted shifts follow a normal distribution, a fact that can be used to construct confidence interval for the master curve through a second-order bootstrap procedure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

CO 2 storage in the Paluxy formation at the Kemper County CO 2 storage complex: Pore network properties and simulated reactive permeability evolution

The Paluxy formation is being considered as a prospective CO 2 reservoir at the Kemper County CO 2 Storage Complex. Herein, the pore and pore-throat size distributions and connectivity of the Paluxy formation is evaluated through analysis of 3D X-ray Computed Tomography images. In spite of resolution limitations that constrain the pore-throat sizes detectable by imaging, the permeability contributing pore-throats are successfully characterized through 3D imaging analysis. Image-obtained pore and pore-throat size distributions and pore connectivity are then utilized to construct pore network models and simulate permeability. After CO 2 is injected, it will dissolve into formation brine and create conditions favorable for dissolution of primary minerals and precipitation of secondary minerals. These reactions will alter the porosity and permeability of the system to varying degrees depending on the spatial location of reactions. In this research, the possible porosity-permeability evolution is simulated using pore network models considering mineral reactions occurring uniformly and non-uniformly throughout the network. For a given change in porosity, there is a large range of possible permeability outcomes. Depending on the extent and spatial location of mineral reactions, permeability may decrease by more than one order of magnitude as minerals precipitate. During dissolution, simulated permeability increases as much as 500%.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Thermo-mechanical assessment of full SiC/SiC composite cladding for LWR applications with sensitivity analysis

SiC/SiC composites are considered among leading candidates for accident tolerant fuel cladding in light water reactors. However, when SiC-based materials are exposed to neutron irradiation, they experience significant changes in dimensions and physical properties. Under a large heat flux application (i.e. fuel cladding), the non-uniform changes in the dimensions and physical properties will lead to build-up of stresses in the structure over the course of time. To ensure reliable and safe operation of such a structure it is important to assess its thermo-mechanical performance under in-reactor conditions of irradiation and elevated temperature. In this work, the foundation for 3D thermo-mechanical analysis of SiC/SiC cladding is put in place and a set of analyses with simplified boundary conditions has been performed. The analyses were carried out with two different codes that were benchmarked against one another and prior results in the literature. A constitutive model is constructed and solved numerically to predict the stress distribution and variation in the cladding under normal operating conditions. The dependence of dimensions and physical properties variation with irradiation and temperature has been incorporated. These robust models may now be modified to take into account the axial and circumferential variation in neutron and heat flux to fully account for 3D effects. Here, the results from the simple analyses show the development of high tensile stresses especially in the circumferential and axial directions at the inner region of the cladding. Based on the results obtained, design guidelines are recommended. For lack of certainty in or tailor-ability for the physical and mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composite material a sensitivity analysis is conducted. The analysis results establish a precedence order of the properties based on the extent to which these properties influence the temperature and the stresses.

Accident tolerant fuel↗

Optimizing and Exploring Untapped Micro-Hydro Hybrid Systems: a Multi-Objective Approach for Crystal Lake as a Large-Scale Energy Storage Solution

Increasing electricity demand and concerns about climate change and fossil fuel consumption have highlighted the importance of renewable energy resources and storage systems. This paper proposes a method for exploring untapped pumped hydro storage potentials to accommodate intermittent renewable energy generation profiles. Hourly measured data from 2022 in Benzie County, Michigan, United States, were gathered for system sizing and a thorough, realistic analysis. By employing the multi-objective grey wolf optimization algorithm, we formulated optimal sizing and energy-management strategies for three different scenarios. Unlike similar studies, the 3rd with triple objective functions (OFs) scenario aims to maximize both reliability and ecological OFs while minimizing the cost OF. It has shown promising results with multiple solutions, considering economic, environmental, and reliability factors. A case study conducted in Crystal Lake, Michigan, revealed that although Crystal Lake would function only as a micro-hydro power facility, it is a promising and huge storage unit with a substantial storage capacity of around 14.9734GWh. The system investigated is significant in the USA due to its rapid deployment capabilities, minimal construction requirements, and ease of integration with the distribution grid. The fuzzy logic method was employed to identify the best non-dominant solution among the other solutions. Furthermore, these outcomes include a notably low levelized cost of energy at 0.046147$/kWh, a robust index of reliability of 99.705%, and a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions amounting to 7.9142×10 3 tons/year, when considering the triple OFs. The paper’s methodology provides valuable insights for regions aiming to utilize renewable energy from untapped storage sources.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Probing Conformational Evolution and Associated Dynamics of Mg(N(SO 2 CF 3 ) 2 ) 2 ·Dimethoxyethane Adduct Using Solid-State 19 F and 1 H NMR

Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) or TFSI is widely used as a counter anion in electrolyte design due to its structural flexibility and chemical stability. Here we studied the conformational variations and associated dynamics of TFSI in adduct of Mg(TFSI) 2 with dimethoxyethane (DME), a solvate crystalline material using solid-state 1 H and 19 F NMR. TFSI molecular motion in this solvate structure falls within the timescale of the 19 F NMR experiment, yielding spectroscopic signatures for unique TFSI conformers under the coordination environment of Mg 2+ cation. Within the temperature range of -5 to 82 °C, we observe nine distinct TFSI sites in both crystalline and disordered regions using 19 F NMR, reflecting complexity of structural and dynamics of TFS1 anions within solvate structure. The four distinguishable sites in the disordered region for the two CF 3 groups of the same TFSI molecule are identified using chemical shift analysis. The exchange rate constants from site to site are calculated through variable temperature 19 F NMR and two-dimensional (2D) exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) experiments, along with respective activation enthalpies using Eyring's formulation. The flip rate of CF 3 around the S-C bond is estimated as ~ 15 s -1 at 8 °C with ΔH ≠ ~ 22 kJ/mol, but the rotation of the entire TFSI is 4.8 s -1 at 8 °C with a significantly greater ΔH ≠ = 98 ± 10 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the slow conversion of trans to cis conformers at a lower temperature (T ≤ 1 °C) in the crystalline region is monitored, with a conversion rate of ~ 2 x 10 -5 s -1 at -5 °C. Density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations were performed to support further the assignment of experimental chemical shifts, and the activation energy E a = 21.1 kJ/mol obtained for the cis to trans transition is consistent with experimental values. The combined set of 19 F and 1 H under both one-dimensional (1D) and 2D NMR methods demonstrated here can be further used for examining electrode-electrolyte interfaces to probe the motions of various constituents that can enable detailed studies of interfacial processes and dynamics. Ultimately, such studies will aid in the design and discovery of interfacial constructs in which directed defect chemistry, chemical moiety distribution, and nanostructure are employed to drive efficient charge transport.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Spectroscopy of the fractal Hofstadter energy spectrum

Hofstadter’s butterfly, the predicted energy spectrum for non-interacting electrons confined to a two-dimensional lattice in a magnetic field, is one of the most remarkable fractal structures in nature. At rational ratios of magnetic flux quanta per lattice unit cell, this spectrum shows self-similar distributions of energy levels that reflect its recursive construction. For most materials, Hofstadter’s butterfly is predicted under experimental conditions that are unachievable using laboratory-scale magnetic fields. More recently, electrical transport studies have provided evidence for Hofstadter’s butterfly in materials engineered to have artificially large lattice constants, such as those with moiré superlattices. Yet, so far, direct spectroscopy of the fractal energy spectrum predicted by Hofstadter nearly 50 years ago has remained out of reach. Here, in this work, we use high-resolution scanning tunnelling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) to investigate the flat electronic bands in twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) near the predicted second magic angle, an ideal setting for spectroscopic studies of Hofstadter’s spectrum. Our study shows the fractionalization of flat moiré bands into discrete Hofstadter subbands and discerns experimental signatures of self-similarity of this spectrum. Moreover, our measurements uncover a spectrum that evolves dynamically with electron density, showing phenomena beyond that of Hofstadter’s original model owing to the combined effects of strong correlations, Coulomb interactions and the quantum degeneracy of electrons in TBG.

electronic properties and materials↗

2-D energy analyzer for low energy electrons

A 2-D electron energy analyzer is designed and constructed to measure the transverse and longitudinal energy distribution of low energy (<1 eV) electrons. The analyzer operates on the principle of adiabatic invariance and motion of low energy electrons in a strong longitudinal magnetic field. The operation of the analyzer is studied in detail and a design to optimize the energy resolution, signal to noise ratio, and physical size is presented. An energy resolution better than 6 meV has been demonstrated. Such an analyzer is a powerful tool to study the process of photoemission which limits the beam quality in modern accelerators.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Quantitative analysis of Indonesia’s reserves and energy security as an evaluation by the nation in facing global competition

Energy security has become a serious concern for all countries in the world and each country has its own definiton for measuring its energy security. The objective of this study was to measure energy security of Indonesia quantitatively by comparing it with other countries and provide some recommendations for enhancing the energy security. In this study, the database was developed from various sources and was cross-checked to confirm validity of the data. Then the parameters of energy security were defined, where all of data will be processed towards the selected parameters. These parameters (e.g. Primary Energy mix, TPES/capita, FEC/capita, Self Sufficiency, Refining capacity, Overseas Energy Resources, Resources diversification) are the standards used to produce an analysis or evaluation of national energy management. Energy balances for Indonesia and 10 selected countries (USA, Germany, Russia, England, Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and India) were presented from 2009 to 2013. With a base index of 1.0 for Indonesia, calculated energy security index capable of representing Indonesia energy security compared relatively to other countries were also presented and discussed in detail. In 2012, Indonesia security index is ranked 11 from 11 countries, while USA and South Korea are the highest with security index of 3.36 and 2.89, respectively. According to prediction for 2025, Indonesia energy security is ranked 10 from 11 countries with only Thailand has lower security index (0.98). This result shows that Indonesia energy security was vulnerable to crisis and must be improved. Therefore this study proposed some recommendations to improve Indonesia energy security. Indonesia need to increase oil production by constructing new refinery plants, developing infrastructure for energy distribution to reduce the potential of energy shortage and accelerating the utilization of renewable energy to reduce the excessive use of primary energy. From energy policy proposed in this study, Indonesia energy security for 2025 could be improved to ranked 8 of 11 countries, better than Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Resonances between high energy particles and ideal magnetohydrodynamic modes in tokamaks

Particle trajectory surfaces in an ideal magnetohydrodynamic high energy particle resonance are studied using kinetic Poincaré plots and through a calculation by perturbing near the resonance and finding canonical variables in the resonance, allowing the study of the distortion of the structure from that of a simple pendulum and to assist in the construction of models for the modification of particle distributions due to the modes. As a result, it is found that the narrow structure of an ideal mode eigenfunction can lead to a significant decrease in the resonance width compared to a case in which the eigenfunction does not vary within the resonant island.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Dose Rate Evaluation for the ES-3100 Package with HEU Content Using MCNP, ADVANTG, Monaco, and MAVRIC

Here, this paper presents a comparative study of dose rate calculations for the ES-3100 package with highly enriched uranium (HEU) content for different source configurations using computer codes: (1) MCNP; (2) Automated Variance Reduction Generator (ADVANTG)/MCNP; (3) Monaco; and (4) Monaco with Automated Variance Reduction using Importance Calculations (MAVRIC). The Model ES-3100 package was developed at the Y-12 National Security Complex for domestic and international transportation of Type B fissile radioactive material. In this study, six different source configurations (i.e., solid cylinder, cylindrical hemi-shell, cylindrical shell, rectangular plate, cylindrical rod, or cylindrical segment form) having 36 kg of HEU metal inside the package containment vessel (based on configurations in the ES-3100/HEU safety analysis report for packaging) are evaluated. Dose rates at the package surfaces and 1 m from the package surfaces are calculated for these different source configurations. MCNP and Monaco cases are run without any biasing options to accelerate the convergence. Consistent Adjoint Driven Importance Sampling (CADIS) and Forward-Weighted CADIS (FW-CADIS) methods developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are implemented in ADVANTG/MCNP and MAVRIC codes to accelerate the convergence. ADVANTG generates variance reduction parameters using Denovo code, and MCNP is used with the variance reduction parameters to accelerate the convergence. MAVRIC uses Denovo code to construct an importance map and a biased source distribution that are supplied to Monaco to accelerate the Monte Carlo simulation. The FW-CADIS option in ADVANTG and MAVRIC is used to accelerate the convergence in this study. The accelerated convergence cases (ADVANTG/MCNP and MAVRIC) are about 100 times faster with 100 times less particle simulation than those cases run without biasing options (analog MCNP and analog Monaco). Lastly, the MCNP, ADVANTG/MCNP, Monaco, and MAVRIC calculated dose rates at the package surfaces and at 1 m from the package surfaces for the different source configurations are compared and are found to be in general agreement.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The ages of A-stars. I. Interferometric observations and age estimates for stars in the Ursa major moving group

We have observed and spatially resolved a set of seven A-type stars in the nearby Ursa Major moving group with the Classic, CLIMB, and PAVO beam combiners on the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy Array. At least four of these stars have large rotational velocities (vsini ≳ 170 km s{sup −1}) and are expected to be oblate. These interferometric measurements, the stars’ observed photometric energy distributions, and vsini values are used to computationally construct model oblate stars from which stellar properties (inclination, rotational velocity, and the radius and effective temperature as a function of latitude, etc.) are determined. The results are compared with MESA stellar evolution models to determine masses and ages. The value of this new technique is that it enables the estimation of the fundamental properties of rapidly rotating stars without the need to fully image the star. It can thus be applied to stars with sizes comparable to the interferometric resolution limit as opposed to those that are several times larger than the limit. Under the assumption of coevality, the spread in ages can be used as a test of both the prescription presented here and the MESA evolutionary code for rapidly rotating stars. With our validated technique, we combine these age estimates and determine the age of the moving group to be 414 ± 23 Myr, which is consistent with, but much more precise than previous estimates.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Dynamics of ponderomotive ion acceleration in a laser-plasma channel

Analytical solution to the Cauchy problem for the kinetic equation describing the radial acceleration of ions under the action of the ponderomotive force of a laser beam undergoing guided propagation in transparent plasma is constructed. Spatial and temporal dependences of the ion distribution function and the integral ion characteristics, such as the density, average velocity, and energy spectrum, are obtained for an axisymmetric laser-plasma channel. The formation of a density peak near the channel boundary and the effect of ion flow breaking for a quasi-stationary laser beam are described analytically.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Dose Rate Evaluation for the ES-3100 Package with HEU Content Using MCNP, ADVANTG, Monaco, and MAVRIC

This paper presents a comparative study of dose rate calculations for the ES-3100 package with highly enriched uranium (HEU) content for different source configurations using computer codes: (1) MCNP; (2) Automated Variance Reduction Generator (ADVANTG)/MCNP; (3) Monaco; and (4) Monaco with Automated Variance Reduction using Importance Calculations (MAVRIC). The Model ES-3100 package was developed at the Y-12 National Security Complex for domestic and international transportation of Type B fissile radioactive material. In this study, six different source configurations (i.e., solid cylinder, cylindrical hemi-shell, cylindrical shell, rectangular plate, cylindrical rod, or cylindrical segment form) having 36 kg of HEU metal inside the package containment vessel (based on configurations in the ES-3100/HEU safety analysis report for packaging) are evaluated. Dose rates at the package surfaces and 1 m from the package surfaces are calculated for these different source configurations. MCNP and Monaco cases are run without any biasing options to accelerate the convergence. Consistent Adjoint Driven Importance Sampling (CADIS) and Forward-Weighted CADIS (FW-CADIS) methods developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are implemented in ADVANTG/MCNP and MAVRIC codes to accelerate the convergence. ADVANTG generates variance reduction parameters using Denovo code, and MCNP is used with the variance reduction parameters to accelerate the convergence. MAVRIC uses Denovo code to construct an importance map and a biased source distribution that are supplied to Monaco to accelerate the Monte Carlo simulation. The FW-CADIS option in ADVANTG and MAVRIC is used to accelerate the convergence in this study. The accelerated convergence cases (ADVANTG/MCNP and MAVRIC) are about 100 times faster with 100 times less particle simulation than those cases run without biasing options (analog MCNP and analog Monaco). The MCNP, ADVANTG/MCNP, Monaco, and MAVRIC calculated dose rates at the package surfaces and at 1 m from the package surfaces for the different source configurations are compared and are found to be in general agreement.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗