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At least 1,135 records · Page 63

Radiological Soil Sorting Considerations and Applications - 19363

A number of methods are available for soil sorting, specifically sorting of radiological materials. These methods have been applied from the Feasibility Study stage of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) in pilot study operations to full scale operations in the post Record of Decision stages at Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) sites. This application of sorting at multiple sites and under many different conditions has provided the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with many challenges and lessons learned. Mechanical soil sorting has had varying degrees of success and many factors have been evaluated. Some factors include the type of material that is best suited for sorting, contaminant distribution, and pre-screening of materials. Community acceptance is another non-technical issue that can be key in applying sorting to a FUSRAP cleanup. This paper will discuss multiple types of radiological soil sorting to include reversing belt conveyor, segmented gate, and manual as well as technical considerations and the factors impacting each type. Additionally, how and when soil sorting is applied to FUSRAP operations is discussed. The FUSRAP is conducted in accordance with CERCLA and the impacts to how sorting is applied in terms of considering it treatment under CERCLA will also be discussed. This paper and presentation will be useful for any project considering using radiological soil sorting. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Millimeter-wave passive ultra-compact imaging technology for synthetic vision & mobile platforms

Substantial technical progress was made on all of the three high-risk subsystems of this program. The subsystems include dielectric antenna, G-band receiver, and electro-optic image processor. Progress is approximately on-schedule for both the receiver and the electro-optic processor development, while greater than anticipated challenges have been discovered in the dielectric antenna development. Much of the information in this report was covered in greater detail in the One-Year Review Meeting held at TTC on 22 February 1996. The performance goals of the dielectric antenna project are: Scan Angle -- 20 deg. desired; Loss -- 6 dB end to end (3 dB average); Frequency -- 206-218 GHz (6% bandwidth); Beam width -- 0.25 deg.; and Length -- 12 inches. The scan angle requirement was chosen to satisfy the needs of aircraft pilots. This requirement, coupled with the presently limited bandwidth processors (1 GHz state-of-the-art and 12 GHz in development in this program) forces the antenna to be dielectric (high scan angle air-filled waveguide-based antennas would be too lossy and their performance would vary too much as a function of frequency). A high dielectric constant (e.g., 10) was initially chosen for the dielectric material. This choice lead to the following fabrication challenges: total thickness variation (TTV) tolerance is 1 micrometer; coupler spacing tolerance is 1 micrometer; width tolerance is larger, but unknown, and the surfaces must have mirror finish. Also of importance is the difficulty in obtaining raw materials that satisfy the overall length requirement of 12 inches while simultaneously satisfying the above specifications.

Olsen, Randall↗

Potential for Transport of Cesium as Bio-colloids in a High Ionic Strength System

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a deep geologic repository for long-term disposal of transuranic, radioactive waste that is a byproduct from the nation's nuclear defense program. Most likely release scenario → human intrusion (potentially through drilling) (US DOE 1995; 1996). Brine may proceed through the Rustler formation (the most transmissive layer) (Perkins et al., 1999). There is a need to investigate halophilic microbes including their mobility in the Rustler formation and the potential for enhancing transport of cesium as a bio-colloid. Objectives: To quantify the change in mobility of Cs by interaction with microbes (Chromohalobacter) that may be present near Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. What is Chromohalobacter?: a halophilic microbe, isolated from near the WIPP site, able to thrive in the high salt concentrations relevant to the repository. Does the microbe growth phase effect uptake of Cs? Experiments conducted with actively growing and stationary phase Chromohalobacter. Uptake may differ if Cs{sup +} is mistaken for K{sup +} in an actively growing (Log) phase versus stationary phase microbes (not actively reproducing). Materials: 1'' Teflon column packed with 1 gram of dolomite [355-500 μm, CaMg(CO{sub 3}){sub 2}] connected to a syringe pump and fraction collector via Teflon tubing. Chromohalobacter (100 million cells/mL) and dolomite collected near the WIPP. Synthetic brine - 15% NaCl (w/v ∼2.78 M) + 3 mM NaHCO{sub 3}. Methodology: Negative Control 5,000 ppb Cs initially injected into mini-columns with brine. Injection solution was then switched to only brine. Cs Experiments with Stationary Phase Chromo: Set 1: Viable stationary Chromo injected into minicolumns after reaction with 200 ppb Cs. Injection solution was then switched to only brine (without Cs or microbes). Set 2: Stressed stationary Chromo initially injected into mini-columns after reaction with 200 ppb Cs. Then, switched to brine only. Cs Experiments with Log phase Chromo: Set 1: Chromo injected into mini-columns after reaction with 5,000 ppb Cs. Injection then switched to only brine (without Cs or microbes). Set 2: Chromo grown with 5,000 ppb Cs and spiked with additional Cs before injection into columns. Preliminary Conclusions: Cs was not taken up or mobilized by Chromohalobacter in the actively growing or stationary phases or under stressed conditions. Competition may have occurred between Cs and K{sup +} at lower ionic strength, significantly greater concentrations of K{sup +} were present. Results suggest that Chromohalobacter can selectively uptake K{sup +} in the presence of Cs{sup +}. Future Research: K{sup +} and Cs{sup +} uptake will be monitored at high ionic strength in K{sup +} depleted media to consider uptake of Cs in the absence of K.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Integrated Application of Active Controls (IAAC) technology to an advanced subsonic transport project-longitudinal handling qualities study of a relaxed-stability airplane

The results of a piloted simulation of longitudinal handling qualities of an airplane with relaxed static stability are described. This task was performed under the Integrated Application of Active Controls (IAAC) Technology Project within the NASA Energy Efficient Transport Program. A representative medium range transport airplane, the Boeing Model 757, was simulated. Evaluations were made of the unaugmented airplane and of the airplane with an Essential Pitch Augmented Stability (PAS) System and with a Primary PAS System at various center of gravity (cg) conditions. Level 2 pilot ratings were attained with cg locations aft to about 57% mean aerodynamic chord (MAC) or 6% aft of the neutral point for unaugmented landing approach. For Mach = 0.80, unaugmented cruise Level 2 ratings were attained to 47% MAC or 5% forward of the maneuver point. The augmented airplane model provided handling qualities close to or within the Level 1 boundary at all cg locations for both Essential and Primary PAS. Analyses of the test conditions when compared with existing handling qualities criteria based on classical unaugmented airplane characteristics agreed well with the pilot ratings. The unaugmented results are comparable to those reported by both the Douglas Aircraft Company and Lockheed California Company from simulation investigations of transport configurations with roughly similar dimensional and mass characteristics.

Source record↗

The application of digital computers to near-real-time processing of flutter test data

Procedures used in monitoring, analyzing, and displaying flight and ground flutter test data are presented. These procedures include three digital computer programs developed to process structural response data in near real time. Qualitative and quantitative modal stability data are derived from time history response data resulting from rapid sinusoidal frequency sweep forcing functions, tuned-mode quick stops, and pilot induced control pulses. The techniques have been applied to both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, during flight, whirl tower rotor systems tests, and wind tunnel flutter model tests. An hydraulically driven oscillatory aerodynamic vane excitation system utilized during the flight flutter test programs accomplished during Lockheed L-1011 and S-3A development is described.

Hurley, S. R.↗

Mars Exploration: Mission and System Analysis of the Split Sprint Mission

The information presented in this report provides detailed mission and system analysis of the Split Sprint Mission to Mars. These data were generated from September 1987 through July 1988 and involved numerous individuals within Program Development. This mission derives its name from the fact that the total mission payload is split between two vehicles, a cargo vehicle, and a piloted vehicle. The cargo vehicle carries the Mars lander and propellant for the piloted vehicle return to Earth. Then approximately 1 1/2 years later, the piloted vehicle carries the crew on a higher energy "sprint” trajectory to Mars. The advantages of the Split Sprint Mission is that the payload for the piloted vehicle is minimized and the crew would be in space for only 14 months. Mission and system data are presented for a Sprint Mission in the year 2004. Many important aspects of the mission were studied in detail. These include orbital lighting and lifetime analysis, Mars parking orbit selection, Earth departure window analysis, lander descent and ascent performance, vehicle aerobraking requirements, mission orbital maneuvers, and many other analyses listed in the Table of Contents. Emphasis was placed on vehicle performance analysis which ranged from recovery of the Earth departure stages to aerocapture of the Earth Return Capsule. There is also a section describing the computer programs that were used for this study. These programs provide many useful tools for future studies of manned planetary missions. This introductory section will give an overall view of the Split Sprint Mission and describe the orbital operations and vehicles that were studied.

Mars Architecture Team↗

Role of Meteorology in Flights of a Solar-Powered Airplane

In the summer of 2001, the Helios prototype solar-powered uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) [a lightweight, remotely piloted airplane] was deployed to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), at Kauai, Hawaii, in an attempt to fly to altitudes above 100,000 ft (30.48 km). The goal of flying a UAV to such high altitudes has been designated a level-I milestone of the NASA Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. In support of this goal, meteorologists from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center were sent to PMRF, as part of the flight crew, to provide current and forecast weather information to the pilots, mission directors, and planners. Information of this kind is needed to optimize flight conditions for peak aircraft performance and to enable avoidance of weather conditions that could adversely affect safety. In general, the primary weather data of concern for ground and flight operations are wind speeds (see Figure 1). Because of its long wing span [247 ft (.75 m)] and low weight [1,500 to 1,600 lb (about 680 to 726 kg)], the Helios airplane is sensitive to wind speeds exceeding 7 kn (3.6 m/s) at the surface. Also, clouds are of concern because they can block sunlight needed to energize an array of solar photovoltaic cells that provide power to the airplane. Vertical wind shear is very closely monitored in order to prevent damage or loss of control due to turbulence.

Donohue, Casey↗

ResStock Communities LEAP Pilot Residential Housing Analysis - Detailed Methodology

This methodology document supports residential building analysis for some communities receiving technical assistance through the Department of Energy Communities LEAP (Local Energy Action Program). Communities LEAP supports community-wide economic and environmental benefits through technical assistance.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

3-D Highway in the Sky

If it were 50 years ago, NASA's contribution to rock and roll could have been more than just the all-astronaut rock band, Max Q, composed of six NASA astronauts, all of whom have flown aboard the Space Shuttle. If it were 50 years ago, a new NASA spinoff technology, Synthetic Vision, would likely have been able to prevent the fateful, small plane crash that killed rock and roll legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper on that stormy night in 1959. Synthetic Vision is a new cockpit display system that helps pilots fly through bad weather, and it has incredible life-saving potential. In 1997, the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security created NASA s Aviation Safety and Security Program (AvSSP) with the aim of sounding the depths of NASA s cutting-edge aviation advances and history of successes. The AvSSP decided to use NASA technology to cut the rate of fatal aviation accidents that occur because of lowered visibility and spatial disorientation, common problems that arise in poor weather conditions, in the dark, or with inexperienced pilots.

Source record↗

Treatment of Activated Carbon, PVC, and Other Wastes using the THOR process - Pilot Plant Test Summary - 17399

This presentation will provide an overview of the first pilot plant study to be conducted for the Japanese Nuclear Market by Kobelco Studsvik Company (A new Joint Venture Company between Studsvik AB and Kobe Steel Ltd.). The test program was scheduled for October 2016, and it was designed to evaluate the treatment of activated carbon, PVC, and other waste types using Studsvik's THOR Process. This new study is being conducted to identify key design parameters required for application of the THOR process in the Japanese Waste Market and to confirm the effectiveness of the THOR technology in meeting the requirements for final waste acceptance. The findings of this pilot plant test will assist in the development of a revised THOR process in Japan that will treat not only spent ion exchange resins but other organic materials generated by Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) during normal operations and D and D activities. The information shared by this new pilot plant study will provide the audience with an understanding of the adaptability of the THOR process for treatment of various radioactive waste types and the results necessary to successful treat different types of carbon, plastic materials, and other waste types. In addition, it will share the lessons learned regarding how a pilot plant study should be planned and optimized to meet the specific requirements of the Japanese Nuclear waste market. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Handling Qualities Results of an Initial Geared Flap Tilt Wing Piloted Simulation

An exploratory simulation study of a novel approach to pitch control for a tilt wing aircraft was conducted in 1990 on the NASA-Ames Vertical Motion Simulator. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the handling qualities of both a conventional and a geared flap tilt wing control configuration. The geared flap is an innovative control concept which has the potential for reducing or eliminating the horizontal pitch control tail rotor or reaction jets required by prior tilt wing designs. The handling qualities results of the geared flap control configuration are presented in this paper and compared to the conventional (programmed flap) tilt wing control configuration. This paper also describes the geared flap concept, the tilt wing aircraft, the simulation model, the simulation facility and experiment setup, and the pilot evaluation tasks and procedures.

Guerrero, Lourdes M.↗

Alstom’s Limestone Chemical Looping Gasification Process for High Hydrogen Syngas Generation

Alstom Power Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (GE), is developing Limestone-based Chemical Looping (LCL™) Processes, utilizing limestone derived calcium sulfate as an oxygen carrier to transport oxygen from air to the fuel. The LCL™ process is a breakthrough technology with the potential to capture CO 2 and SO 2 from new and existing coal-fired power plants at reduced costs while maintaining high plant power generation efficiency. Chemical looping is a next generation advancement to oxy-combustion which would not require the significant investment in a cryogenic distillation type oxygen production plant. Instead of the energy-consuming oxygen plant, chemical looping uses a benign material to directly remove oxygen from the air and bring that oxygen into contact with the fuel. This "game changing" technology is the lowest cost-of-electricity technical approach that GE Power has identified to date for coal power with carbon capture. The technology has significantly lower capital costs compared to a conventional steam power plant with first generation carbon capture technologies. This new power plant concept is based on a hybrid combustion-gasification process utilizing high temperature chemical and thermal looping technology. In the air reactor, a solid oxygen carrier picks up oxygen from air through an oxidation reaction and leaves nitrogen behind. The hot oxygen-carrying solid carrier is then transported to a fuel reactor, where it releases oxygen. The released oxygen then converts the coal in the fuel reactor into combustion gases. The solid carrier is recycled back to the air reactor for regeneration completing the “chemical loop.” The regeneration step produces heat from which steam is produced for power generation while the process results in a concentrated carbon dioxide stream in which the carbon is captured for use or sequestration (CCUS). Limestone as a precursor for the oxygen carrier is abundant, benign, low cost, and is used in CFB and PC boilers for sulfur control. Challenges associated with this carrier include a complex reaction mechanism with possible side reactions leading to the release of SO 2 . The development of the Limestone Chemical Looping Gasification (LCL-G™) technology was co-funded by the Department of Energy under the DOE/NETL Cooperative Agreement No. DE- FE0023497, in parallel with the collaborative combustion (LCL-C™) program. In this report, the LCL-G™ experimental testing from the electrically-heated, once-through, 100 kW Pilot-Scale Test Facility (PSTF) is analysed and reviewed. The PSTF Oxidizer is a 50-foot tall, 100-mm diameter transport reactor, while the PSTF Reducer reactor is based upon a bubbling-bed design. The experimental data from four (4) test campaigns (denoted “Weeks”) are reviewed and discussed. The LCL-G™ (DE-FE0023497) project objectives for gasification are >90% carbon gasified in the Reducer and a H 2 :CO molar generation ratio of 2:1. These project performance metrics were not met by a single coal test, but they were individually approached in two separate tests.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Long-Term Monitoring & Stewardship at Los Alamos National Laboratory [Slides]

Development and implementation of the Institutional Control Evaluation Project will include: Evaluate institutional surface water controls and infrastructure installed by LANL. Implement pilot project in the Los Alamos Canyon Watershed Spring, 2020. Initial evaluations will include canyon bottom controls with plan to expand program as funding allows. This will be a building block for successful Long-Term Monitoring and Stewardship (LTM&S) Program.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Experimental landings in a spoiler-equipped light aircraft.

This report presents the results of a flight test program to determine the effects on landings of wide variations in approach path angle and approach airspeed for different kinds of piloting technique. Over 400 landings were made at approach speeds from 60 to 120 mph and approach path angles from 3 to 18 deg. Several variations of pilot technique involving different operations of the throttle/spoiler control were investigated. It is shown that very large ranges of airspeed and approach path angle can be accommodated with rather moderate penalties in landing distance and difficulty. With the spoiler-equipped aircraft, the best approach speeds are considerably higher than would be usable without spoilers, and approach path angles can be used which are far beyond those normally possible without spoilers.

Seckel, E.↗

Flight evaluation of advanced flight control systems and cockpit displays for powered-lift STOL Aircraft

A flight research program was conducted to assess the improvements, in longitudinal path control during a STOL approach and landing, that can be achieved with manual and automatic control system concepts and cockpit displays with various degrees of complexity. NASA-Ames powered-lift Augmentor Wing Research Aircraft was used in the research program. Satisfactory flying qualities were demonstrated for selected stabilization and command augmentation systems and flight director combinations. The ability of the pilot to perform precise landings at low touchdown sink rates with a gentle flare maneuver was also achieved. The path-control improvement is considered to be applicable to other powered-lift aircraft configurations.

Franklin, J. A.↗

Preliminary summary of the ETF conceptual studies

Power plant studies have shown the attractiveness of MHD topped steam power plants for baseload utility applications. To realize these advantages, a three-phase development program was initiated. In the first phase, the engineering data and experience were developed for the design and construction of a pilot plant, the Engineering Test Facility (ETF). Results of the ETF studies are reviewed. These three parallel independent studies were conducted by industrial teams led by the AVCO Everett Research Laboratory, the General Electric Corporation, and the Westinghouse Corporation. A preliminary analysis and the status of the critical evaluation of these results are presented.

Seikel, G. R.↗

NASA flight management research

The NASA Flight Management Research Program is committed to better understanding the aircrew role and human-system interface requirements within the air transportation system. Tradition pilot roles have been supplemented by the flight management concept where crew members become decision makers and monitors of aircraft status. The aircrew is viewed as skilled human operators in a complex environment. In a systems context, work is under way to better understand the theoretical basis for human performance. Applied efforts are aimed at investigating current and future problems which crews face as flight managers. Research areas include control-display development and evaluation; procedures for effective crew-system interface; and alternative, nonvisual communication techniques. These areas are investigated in laboratory, part-task simulation and full mission simulation studies.

Laveson, J. I.↗

United Airlines LOFT training

Line oriented training is used in a broader, more generic sense that as a specific program under FAR 12.1409 and AC 120-35. A company policy was adopted more than twenty years ago requiring that all pilot checks and recurrent training be conducted with a full crew occupying the seats they occupy on the line. Permission was obtained to reschedule the hours for recurrent proficiency training to include one and one-half hours of LOFT flight. The number of emergencies and abnormal procedures which could be undertaken were considered and the introduction of an a occasional incapacitation revealed which person is the most difficult to replace on the widebodies. By using the LOFT concept, every training period can be structured like a typical line flight. The use of LOFT in simulator syllabus development and problems that need to be refined are discussed.

Cavanagh, D.↗