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At least 901 records · Page 50

Saltstone 4QCY11 TCLP Results

The Saltstone Production Facility (SPF) receives waste from Tank 50H for treatment. In the fourth quarter of the 2011 calendar year (4QCY11), Tank 50H accepted transfers of approximately 10 kgal from the Effluent Treatment Project (ETP), approximately 4 kgal from 211H, approximately 573 kgal from the Actinide Removal Process/Modular Caustic Side Solvent Extraction Unit (ARP/MCU) Decontaminated Salt Solution Hold Tank (DSS-HT), and approximately 5 kgal from other sources. The Saltstone Grout Sampling plan provides the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) with the chemical and physical characterization strategy for the salt solution which is to be disposed of in the Z-Area Solid Waste Landfill (SWLF). During operation, samples were collected from Tank 50H and grout samples prepared to determine the non-hazardous nature of the grout to meet the requirements of the South Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (SCHWMR) R.61-79.261.24(b) and R.61-79.268.48(a). Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was asked to prepare saltstone from samples of Tank 50H obtained Oct. 12, 2011 during 4QCY11 to determine the non-hazardous nature of the grout. The samples were cured and shipped to Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Group-Radioisotope and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (B&W TSG-RACL) to perform the Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and subsequent extract analysis on saltstone samples for the analytes required for the quarterly analysis saltstone sample. In addition to the eight toxic metals - arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, selenium and silver - analytes included the underlying hazardous constituents (UHC) antimony, beryllium, nickel, and thallium which could not be eliminated from analysis by process knowledge. B&W TSG-RACL provided subsamples to GEL Laboratories, LLC for analysis for the UHCs benzene, phenols and total and amenable cyanide.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Multiple Flux-tube Solar Wind Model

We present a new model, MULTI-VP, which computes the three-dimensional structure of the solar wind and includes the chromosphere, the transition region, and the corona and low heliosphere. MULTI-VP calculates a large ensemble of wind profiles flowing along open magnetic field lines that sample the entire three-dimensional atmosphere or, alternatively, a given region of interest. The radial domain starts from the photosphere and typically extends to about 30 R{sub ⊙}. The elementary uni-dimensional wind solutions are based on a mature numerical scheme that was adapted in order to accept any flux-tube geometry. We discuss here the first results obtained with this model. We use Potential Field Source-surface extrapolations of magnetograms from the Wilcox Solar Observatory to determine the structure of the background magnetic field. Our results support the hypothesis that the geometry of the magnetic flux-tubes in the lower corona controls the distribution of slow and fast wind flows. The inverse correlation between density and speed far away from the Sun is a global effect resulting from small readjustments of the flux-tube cross-sections in the high corona (necessary to achieve global pressure balance and a uniform open flux distribution). In comparison to current global MHD models, MULTI-VP performs much faster and does not suffer from spurious cross-field diffusion effects. We show that MULTI-VP has the capability to predict correctly the dynamical and thermal properties of the background solar wind (wind speed, density, temperature, magnetic field amplitude, and other derived quantities) and to approach real-time operation requirements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A program for contouring randomly spaced data

A description is given of a digital computer program which prepares contour plots of three dimensional data. The contouring technique uses a triangulation procedure. As presently configured, the program can accept up to 56,000 randomly spaced data points, although the required computer resources may be prohibitive. However, with relatively minor internal modifications, the program can handle essentially unlimited amounts of data. Up to 20 contouring intervals can be selected and contoured with either polygonal lines or smooth curves. Sample cases are illustrated. A general description of the main program and primary level subroutines is included to permit simple modifications of the program.

Hamm, R. W.↗

Preliminary investigation of parameter sensitivities for atmospheric entry and aerobraking at Mars

The proposed manned Mars mission will need to be as weight efficient as possible. A way of lowering the weight of the vehicle by using aeroassist braking instead of retro-rockets to slow a craft once it reaches its destination is discussed. The two vehicles studied are a small vehicle similar in size to the Mars Rover Sample Return (MRSR) vehicle and a larger vehicle similar in size to a six-person Manned Mars Mission (MMM) vehicle. Simulated entries were made using various coefficients of lift (C sub L), coefficients of drag (C sub D), and lift-to-drag ratios (L/D). A range of acceptable flight path angles with their corresponding bank angle profiles was found for each case studied. These ranges were then compared, and the results are reported here. The sensitivity of velocity and acceleration to changes in flight path angle and bank angle is also included to indicate potential problem areas for guidance and navigation system design.

Lee, Mary C.↗

The fragmentation of 510 MeV/nucleon iron-56 in polyethylene. II. Comparisons between data and a model

The results of a Monte Carlo model for calculating fragment fluences and LET spectra are compared to data taken with 600 MeV/nucleon iron ions incident on an accelerator beamline configured for irradiation of biological samples, with no target and with 2, 5 and 8 cm of polyethylene. The model uses a multi-generation nuclear fragmentation code, coupled with a formulation of ionization energy loss based on the Bethe-Bloch equation. In the region where the data are reliable and the experimental acceptance is well understood, many of the features of the experimental spectra are well replicated by the model. To obtain good agreement with the experimental data, the model must allow for at least two generations of fragment production in the target.

NASA Discipline Number 99-99↗

Faster Array Training and Rapid Analysis for a Sensor Array Intended for an Event Monitor in Air

Environmental monitoring, in particular, air monitoring, is a critical need for human space flight. Both monitoring and life support systems have needs for closed loop process feedback and quality control for environmental factors. Monitoring protects the air environment and water supply for the astronaut crew and different sensors help ensure that the habitat falls within acceptable limits, and that the life support system is functioning properly and efficiently. The longer the flight duration and the farther the destination, the more critical it becomes to have carefully monitored and automated control systems for life support. There is an acknowledged need for an event monitor which samples the air continuously and provides near real-time information on changes in the air. Past experiments with the JPL ENose have demonstrated a lifetime of the sensor array, with the software, of around 18 months. We are working on a sensor array and new algorithms that will incorporate transient sensor responses in the analysis. Preliminary work has already showed more rapid quantification and identification of analytes and the potential for faster training time of the array. We will look at some of the factors that contribute to demonstrating faster training time for the array. Faster training will decrease the integrated sensor exposure to training analytes, which will also help extend sensor lifetime.

sensing array↗

Unleashing the Power of Industrial Big Data through Scalable Manual Labeling

Big Data plays a central role in the remarkable results achieved by Machine Learning (ML) and especially Deep Learning (DL) in the recent years. However, the difficulty in obtaining a reasonable amount of labeled samples limits ML/DL application in various domains, including industrial equipment and system monitoring. In this paper the need for methods that turn manual labeling into a scalable process is highlighted. A real world problem is analyzed for which weak supervision methods, successfully employed in other domains, did not produce acceptable results. An alternative approach based on clustering ensembles is described and tested, achieving good performance.

Paes Leao, Bruno↗

Phase II Study of Concomitant Thalidomide During Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose: Thalidomide has been demonstrated to possess antitumor activity in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the combined treatment of thalidomide with radiotherapy (RT) is associated with acceptable toxicity and an improved clinical outcome in HCC patients. Methods and Materials: A total of 24 patients were enrolled to receive RT combined with thalidomide. A total dose of 50 Gy was delivered in 2-Gy fractions within 5 weeks. Thalidomide was administered 100 mg twice daily starting 3 days before RT until the development of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after treatment to measure the levels of angiogenic factors and cytokines. The results of patients receiving the combined therapy were compared with those from 18 HCC patients receiving RT only. Results: No significant difference in the clinical parameters was noted between the two groups, except for the baseline interleukin-6 level, which was greater in the concomitant group (p = .05). The most common toxicities related to thalidomide use were skin rash (54.2%), somnolence (37.5%), and constipation (33.3%). No significant differences were seen in the response rate (55.6% vs. 58.3%, p = .48), median progression-free survival (182 {+-} 48.9 vs. 148 {+-} 6.2 days, p = .15), or median overall survival (258 {+-} 45.6 vs. 241 {+-} 38.6, p = .16) between those who received concomitant therapy and those who received RT alone. Thalidomide suppressed the serum basic fibroblast growth factor level significantly during RT (p = .03) and, to a lesser extent, the interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} levels. After adjusting for other potential prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis, only the baseline interleukin-6 level and stem cell-derived factor-1 during RT independently predicted the progression-free survival. A decreased serum stem cell-derived factor-1 level 1 month after RT completion was a significant predictor of the overall survival of HCC patients receiving RT. Conclusions: Despite the acceptable toxicity, thalidomide provided no additional benefit for HCC patients undergoing RT.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Biogeochemistry of DMS in Surface Waters

Dimethylsulfide (DMS) is important in influencing the formation of aerosols in the troposphere over large areas of the world's oceans. Understanding the dynamics of aerosols is important to understanding the earth's radiation balance. In evaluating the factors controlling DMS in the troposphere it is vital to understand the dynamics of DMS in the surface ocean. The biogeochemical processes controlling DMS concentration in seawater are myriad; modeling and theoretical estimation are problematic. At the beginning of this project we believed that we were on the verge of simplifying the ship-track measurement of DMS, and we proposed to deploy such a system to develop a database relating high frequency DMS measurements to biological and physicochemical and optical properties of surface water that can be quantified by remote sensing techniques. We designed a system to measure DMS concomitantly with other basic chemical and biological data in a flow-through system. The project was collaborative between Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR). The project on which we are reporting was budgeted for only one year with a one year no-cost extension. At WHOI our effort was directed towards designing traps which would be used to concentrate DMS from seawater and allow storage for subsequent analysis. At that time, GC systems were too large for easy long-term deployment on a research vessel like R/V Weatherbird, so we focused on simplifying the shipboard sampling procedure. Initial studies of sample recovery with high levels of DMS suggested that Carboxen 1000, a relatively new carbon molecular sieve, could be used as a stable storage medium. The affinity of Carboxen for DMS is several orders of magnitude higher than gold wool (another adsorbent used for DMS collection) on a weight or volume basis. Furthermore, Carboxen's affinity for DMS is also far less susceptible to humidity than gold wool. Unfortunately, further experiments with low level DMS indicated that recovery of DMS after storage was not quantitative. The material has proven to be completely acceptable for short term storage and has been incorporated into a micro-GC system. Since working on this project, we have collaborated with RVM Scientific in Santa Barbara in the design and construction of small portable micro-GC's that will make feasible at-sea measurement in moving ships, making rapid gas analysis and quantification feasible in a ship-track mode. Throughout this period at both WHOI and BBSR, we continued to analyze field data to understand that patterns of time and space variability in DMS and the processes that govern it. These insights will be crucial to determining the specifications for our automated sampling program. The data from this, the longest continuous sampling program for ocean DMS, provided insights into year to year and short-term variability.

Dacey, J. W. H.↗

Measurement of B 0 , B s 0 , B + and Λ b 0 production asymmetries in 7 and 8 TeV proton–proton collisions

The B 0 , B s 0 , B + and Λ b 0 hadron production asymmetries are measured using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb –1 , collected by the LHCb experiment in proton–proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The measurements are performed as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity of the b hadrons within the LHCb detector acceptance. The overall production asymmetries, integrated over transverse momentum and rapidity, are also determined.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurement of jet substructure in boosted $t\overline{t}$ events with the ATLAS detector using 140 fb -1 of 13 TeV $pp$ collisions

Measurements of the substructure of top-quark jets are presented, using 140 fb -1 of 13 TeV pp collision data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Top-quark jets reconstructed with the anti-k t algorithm with a radius parameter R = 1.0 are selected in top-quark pair ($t\overline{t}$) events where one top quark decays semileptonically and the other hadronically, or where both top quarks decay hadronically. The top-quark jets are required to have transverse momentum p T > 350 GeV, yielding large samples of data events with jet p T values between 350 and 600 GeV. One- and two-dimensional differential cross sections for eight substructure variables, defined using only the charged components of the jets, are measured in a particle-level phase space by correcting for the smearing and acceptance effects induced by the detector. The differential cross sections are compared with the predictions of several Monte Carlo simulations in which top-quark pair-production quantum chromodynamic matrix-element calculations at next-to-leading-order precision in the strong coupling constant α S are passed to leading-order parton shower and hadronization generators. The Monte Carlo predictions for measures of the broadness, and also the two-body structure, of the top-quark jets are found to be in good agreement with the measurements, while variables sensitive to the three-body structure of the top-quark jets exhibit some tension with the measured distributions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Evaluation of the 0.65 Weight Percent Sulfate Solubility Limit for Sludge Batch 10 Based on November 2022 Projections

The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) is currently preparing to initiate processing of Sludge Batch 10 (SB10), which is comprised of material from Tanks 11H, 13H, 15H, 26F, 40H (heel only), and Alternate Feed Stock-2 and Sodium Reactor Experiment material from H-Canyon. Frit 473 was recommended for sludge-only (SO) and coupled processing with the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) based on previous assessments of SB10 projections with the DWPF Product Composition Control System glass property models and their associated Measurement Acceptance Region constraints. Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) subsequently pursued Wash Cycle Y to further reduce the total sulfur in the sludge batch and increase processing flexibility at DWPF. In October 2022, SRMC System Planning provided an updated SB10 Tank 40H blend baseline projection based on the Tank 51 confirmation sample results. Due to the reduced Na concentration relative to previous SB10 projections, two additional projections based on the addition of 7,000 gallons of caustic were provided in November 2022.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Plutonium-238 Loadout Calorimeter Return To Service

The calorimeter in the transfer area in Building 7920 at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory is used to measure the amount of 238 Pu in the Plutonium Heat Source Oxide. The calorimetry measurement is taken after the oxide is packaged in an ORISC (Oak Ridge Inner Shipping Capsule)/FSO (Fuel Storage Outer) assembly before loading into the Containment Vessel and shipping container. The equipment is used in three specific configurations: zero measurement (nothing in the sample cup), FSO measurement (actual measurement of 238 Pu), and reference calibration measurement (using the reference FSO as a known heat source). System checks were performed in July 2023 in preparation for scheduled material loadout. During these checks, personnel discovered that the reference FSO had experienced an electrical short in the heater cable and was no longer functional. The calorimeter was in the reference calibration measurement configuration at this time. Facility management was notified when the damage was discovered. The data from the Yokogawa recorder were pulled and analyzed for a span of time between September 2022 and July 2023. An unusual spike was found in the sample cup temperature data that started on October 19, 2022, and ended on October 20, 2022. The sample cup reached a temperature of 191.1°C. The maximum allowable temperature for the calorimeter thermopile to reach is 220°C based on the manufacturer statement provided in Appendix B of this report [1]. The calorimeter thermopile and the sample cup thermocouple are physically close to each other; therefore, the data suggest that the calorimeter itself never saw a temperature in excess of 191.1°C. Physical damage present on the cable, tape, and insulation suggests that the temperature reached a higher value in some locations within the sample cup than the data shows. Because of this discrepancy, testing of the calorimeter was required to confirm that the calorimeter is functioning the same as it was before the electrical short. The intent of this report is to assess the functionality of the calorimeter and determine if it is acceptable to use for 238 Pu loadout material measurement. Testing showed that the calorimeter is functionally equivalent to the initial calibration that was performed in the summer of 2021, and thus, the calorimeter was cleared to be used for its intended purposes.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

An in-flight simulator investigation of roll and yaw control power requirements for STOL approach and landing: Development of capability and preliminary results

A six-degree-of-freedom variable-response research aircraft was used to determine the minimum lateral-directional control power required for desirable and acceptable levels of handling qualities for the STOL landing approach task in a variety of simulated atmospheric disturbance conditions for a range of lateral-directional response characteristics. Topics covered include the in-flight simulator, crosswind simulation, turbulence simulation, test configurations, and evaluation procedures. Conclusions based on a limited sampling of simulated STOL transport configurations flown to touchdown out of 6 deg, 75 kt MLS approaches, usually with a sidestep maneuver are discussed.

Ellis, D. R.↗

Optimization of Microphone Locations for Acoustic Liner Impedance Eduction

Two impedance eduction methods are explored for use with data acquired in the NASA Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube. The first is an indirect method based on the convected Helmholtz equation, and the second is a direct method based on the Kumaresan and Tufts algorithm. Synthesized no-flow data, with random jitter to represent measurement error, are used to evaluate a number of possible microphone locations. Statistical approaches are used to evaluate the suitability of each set of microphone locations. Given the computational resources required, small sample statistics are employed for the indirect method. Since the direct method is much less computationally intensive, a Monte Carlo approach is employed to gather its statistics. A comparison of results achieved with full and reduced sets of microphone locations is used to determine which sets of microphone locations are acceptable. For the indirect method, each array that includes microphones in all three regions (upstream and downstream hard wall sections, and liner test section) provides acceptable results, even when as few as eight microphones are employed. The best arrays employ microphones well away from the leading and trailing edges of the liner. The direct method is constrained to use microphones opposite the liner. Although a number of arrays are acceptable, the optimum set employs 14 microphones positioned well away from the leading and trailing edges of the liner. The selected sets of microphone locations are also evaluated with data measured for ceramic tubular and perforate-over-honeycomb liners at three flow conditions (Mach 0.0, 0.3, and 0.5). They compare favorably with results attained using all 53 microphone locations. Although different optimum microphone locations are selected for the two impedance eduction methods, there is significant overlap. Thus, the union of these two microphone arrays is preferred, as it supports usage of both methods. This array contains 3 microphones in the upstream hard wall section, 14 microphones opposite the liner, and 3 microphones in the downstream hard wall section.

Jones, M. G.↗

Informing Planetary Protection Policies for the Future Exploration of Ceres: State of Understanding after the Dawn Mission

We review the current state of understanding of Ceres as it relates to planetary protection policy for future landed missions, including for sample return, to the dwarf planet. The Dawn mission found Ceres to be an intriguing target for a mission, with evidence for the presence of regional, possibly extensive liquid at depth, and local expressions of recent and potentially ongoing activity. The Dawn mission also found a high abundance of carbon in the regolith, interpreted as a mix of carbonates and amorphous carbon, as well as locally high concentrations of organic matter. Key findings from this review are as follows: (1) outside of the region of Occator crater, Ceres shows no geological evidence for conduits from the surface to the interior; and (2) considering the biological potential of Ceres’ deep interior, a surface sample return mission should be considered Category V restricted, unless it can be demonstrated that evaporites sourced from Ceres’ deep brine region, and recently exposed in Occator crater, have not been scattered to the rest of Ceres’ surface; in that case, the probability of returning an unsterilized particle to an acceptably low value is to be determined by a future study. Key Words: Ceres—Planetary protection—Brines—Future missions.

Julie Castillo-Rogez↗

Improved Management of the Technical Interfaces Between the Hanford Tank Farm Operator and the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant - 13383

The Department of Energy (DOE) is constructing the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) at the Hanford site in Washington to treat and immobilize approximately 114 million gallons of high level radioactive waste (after all retrievals are accomplished). In order for the WTP to be designed and operated successfully, close coordination between the WTP engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, Bechtel National, Inc. and the tank farms operating contractor (TOC), Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC, is necessary. To develop optimal solutions for DOE and for the treatment of the waste, it is important to deal with the fact that two different prime contractors, with somewhat differing contracts, are tasked with retrieving and delivering the waste and for treating and immobilizing that waste. The WTP and the TOC have over the years cooperated to manage the technical interface. To manage what is becoming a much more complicated interface as the WTP design progresses and new technical issues have been identified, an organizational change was made by WTP and TOC in November of 2011. This organizational change created a co-located integrated project team (IPT) to deal with mutual and interface issues. The Technical Organization within the One System IPT includes employees from both TOC and WTP. This team has worked on a variety of technical issues of mutual interest and concern. Technical issues currently being addressed include: - The waste acceptance criteria; - Waste feed delivery and the associated data quality objectives (DQO); - Evaluation of the effects of performing a riser cut on a single shell tank on WTP operations; - The disposition of secondary waste from both TOC and WTP; - The close coordination of the TOC double shell tank mixing and sampling program and the Large Scale Integrated Test (LSIT) program for pulse jet mixers at WTP along with the associated responses to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) Recommendation 2010-2; - Development of a set of alternatives to the current baseline that involve aspects of direct feed, feed conditioning, and design changes. The One System Technical Organization has served WTP, TOC, and DOE well in managing and resolving issues at the interface. This paper describes the organizational structure used to improve the interface and several examples of technical interface issues that have been successfully addressed by the new organization. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Integrated Design Results for the MSR DAC-0.0 Mars Ascent Vehicle

The NASA Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign endeavors to return Martian regolith, rock, and atmospheric samples to Earth for scientific study. One of many significant challenges to overcome in the return of these samples lies in transporting them from the Martian surface to space. In order to surmount this challenge, the Campaign has conceptualized the need for a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) to perform this function and deliver Martian samples to orbit. There, the samples will be ejected and captured by a separate spacecraft for return to Earth. Many concepts for a MAV have existed in the past, but it has not been until now that an integrated, detailed design solution has been developed and analyzed. Preliminary assessments of the initial architecture examined multiple methods of propulsion. The team ultimately determined that a Two Stage to Orbit (TSTO) solid propulsion vehicle would provide the most effective performance and be the most technologically ready to support this mission. Following the decision to adopt a TSTO solid propelled vehicle, the first official Design Analysis Cycle, DAC-0.0, was performed in Spring 2020 to formally advance the fidelity of the vehicle to a maturity level acceptable for NASA Key Decision Point A (KDP-A). This paper describes the resultant MAV design concept developed as part of the DAC-0.0 study by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), in association with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The TSTO vehicle features two solid rocket motors, one powering each stage. Their thrust vectors are controlled with Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems consisting of independent electromechanical actuators acting on gimballed nozzles. The vehicle is designed to deliver up to 0.47kg of Martian samples to a Mars circular orbit of 343km at 27° inclination. Due to the unique environmental conditions that this vehicle is required to operate in, the subsystem design teams were compelled to develop creative and unorthodox designs to ensure a successful mission. The detailed design and analysis of these subsystems are discussed in this paper and include topics on the MAV Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC); structures and mechanisms; integrated vehicle thermal; avionics and flight software; a hydrazine-based Reaction Control System (RCS); aerosciences; and vehicle assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) considerations, among others. Following the conclusion of the MAV DAC-0.0, additional alternative architecture concepts were also studied to further reduce the mass of the overall system. The results of these studies will also be examined in this paper.

Darius Yaghoubi↗