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At least 19 records

An approach for spent nuclear fuel containment integrity verification using gas tagging

Verification of containment integrity is required for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) managed by the commercial nuclear industry and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), especially after extended storage. Certain SNF storage systems, such as the DOE road-ready dry storage system, hold several packaged containments within a welded over-canister. These packaged containments are called Department of Energy Standard Canisters (DOESCs). DOESC leakage identification is challenging because their containment boundary cannot be accessed for testing and their contents (i.e., SNF and fill gas) are often similar. There are concerns that this could result in costly characterization and repackaging operations of DOE road-ready dry storage systems if compromised DOESCs are suspected. Here, to address these concerns, this paper presents an approach for applying a gas tagging process using xenon to uniquely identify compromised inaccessible containments following extended storage. The containments considered for this application are seven DOESCs, each packaged within a single over-canister. Two different SNF loading configurations from the Advanced Test Reactor and Fort Saint Vrain nuclear power plant are considered. These configurations are used to represent research reactor aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel (ASNF) and TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) SNF types. Results for this application show that for ASNF and TRISO type fuels for which the selected fuels are representative, the volume of taggant required at loading is determined primarily by the lower detection limit and leak rate of taggant from a compromised DOESC, rather than the amount of fission-generated xenon in the loaded fuel. While the application presented is suited for larger leaks, smaller leaks could be detected by modifying certain design parameters. This gas tagging approach can also be applied to other DOE containments and advanced reactor SNF storage systems.

07 - ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Infrared spectroscopy of RG–Co + (H 2 O) complexes (RG = Ar, Ne, He): The role of rare gas “tag” atoms

RG n –Co + (H 2 O) cation complexes (RG = Ar, Ne, He) are generated in a supersonic expansion by pulsed laser vaporization. Here, complexes are mass-selected using a time-of-flight spectrometer and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy, measuring the respective mass channels corresponding to the elimination of the rare gas “tag” atom. Spectral patterns and theory indicate that the structures of the ions with a single rare gas atom have this bound to the cobalt cation opposite the water moiety in a near-C 2v arrangement. The O–H stretch vibrations of the complex are shifted compared to those of water because of the metal cation charge-transfer interaction; these frequencies also vary systematically with the rare gas atom attached. The efficiencies of photodissociation also vary with the rare gas atoms because of their widely different binding energies to the cobalt cation. The spectrum of the argon complex could only be measured when at least three argon atoms were attached. In the case of the helium complex, the low binding energy allows the spectra to be measured for the low-frequency H–O–H scissors bending mode and for the O–D stretches of the deuterated analog. The partially resolved rotational structure for the antisymmetric O–H and O–D stretches reveals the temperature of these complexes (6 K) and establishes the electronic ground state. The helium complex has the same 3 B 1 ground state as the tag-free complex studied previously by Metz and co-workers (2013), but the A rotational constant is contaminated by vibrational averaging from the bending motion of the helium.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Dynamics of Ions on Phased Radio-frequency Carpets in High Pressure Gases and Application for Barium Tagging in Xenon Gas Time Projection Chambers

Radio-frequency (RF) carpets with ultra-fine pitches are examined for ion transport in gases at atmospheric pressures and above. We develop new analytic and computational methods for modeling RF ion transport at densities where dynamics are strongly influenced by buffer gas collisions. An analytic description of levitating and sweeping forces from phased arrays is obtained, then thermodynamic and kinetic principles are used to calculate ion loss rates in the presence of collisions. This methodology is validated against detailed microscopic SIMION simulations. We then explore a parameter space of special interest for neutrinoless double beta decay experiments: transport of barium ions in xenon at pressures from 1 to 10 bar. Our computations account for molecular ion formation and pressure dependent mobility as well as finite temperature effects. We discuss the challenges associated with achieving suitable operating conditions, which lie beyond the capabilities of existing devices, using presently available or near-future manufacturing techniques.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Specifications of FIPD Fission Gas Release Data

All fission gas release data stored in the Fuels Irradiation & Physics Database (FIPD) was originally measured using the Gas Assay, Sample and Recharge (GASR) System in the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF). It is therefore called GASR data in FIPD. During the measurement of a sample, such as an irradiated EBR-II fuel element/capsule, a pinhole-sized region near the top of the element plenum was melted by a laser. Plenum gas then expanded into a calibrated volume (note: in this document, “sample” and “capsule/element” are used interchangeably consistent with GASR documents in FIPD). The pressure rise in the volume was recorded. Helium backfilling and expansion was then performed to determine the sample (e.g., fuel element plenum) volume using Boyle’s Law and assuming ideal gas behavior at constant temperature. With the plenum volume and the recorded pressure rise, the sample (e.g., fuel element plenum) pressure was derived with assumption of ideal gas law behavior. The plenum volume and pressure as well as the cladding temperature during the measurement were collected (GASR data in FIPD). Other records associated with the fission gas release data include: raw GASR data records including volumes and post-puncture pressures of seal head/sealing head and manifold, calibration data, backfilling gas pressure data, and the data analysis records. A sample(s) of the fission gas released from the plenum was collected by the GASR system into sample bottles. The chemical and isotopic composition of the gas sample was analyzed separately from GASR data, and will be discussed in a separate specification. The plenum volume, pressure, and cladding temperature during the measurement are typically utilized to determine the number of moles of gas in the plenum. This quantity is often compared to the number of moles of gas generated by fission events. However, calculating these values and their associated uncertainty is beyond the scope of this document, as it necessitates additional assumptions. The most important document to understand the FIPD fission gas data is the GASR operational manual (title: Gas Assay, Sample and Recharge System (GASR) operation and maintenance manual, HFEF/N OMM 4381, DOC. NO. W0018-0032-ES-00). This manual provides: (1) description of the GASR and the functions of each component (laser drilling, welding, seal head/sealing head, manifold, vacuum system, sample system, purge and gas tag system, etc.); (2) step-by-step guidance on calibrations, operations, and measurements; and (3) maintenance procedures and other details relating to the structure and operation of the GASR. Note that the original GASR operated until 2020. A new GASR with the same design and measurement methodology was installed in 2021. The specifications of the GASR presented on the HFEF website at this time are consistent with the ones given in the operational manual. The methods to calculate the plenum volume and pressures were not included in the operational manual, but were recorded in the legacy data analysis files. Details of the methods are given in Chapter 3.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Reconstructing neutrinoless double beta decay event kinematics in a xenon gas detector with vertex tagging

If neutrinoless double beta decay is discovered, the next natural step would be understanding the lepton number violating physics responsible for it. Several alternatives exist beyond the exchange of light neutrinos. Some of these mechanisms can be distinguished by measuring phase-space observables, namely the opening angle cos θ among the two decay electrons, and the electron energy spectra, T 1 and T 2 . In this work, we study the statistical accuracy and precision in measuring these kinematic observables in a future xenon gas detector with the added capability to precisely locate the decay vertex. For realistic detector conditions (a gas pressure of 10 bar and spatial resolution of 4 mm), we find that the average $\overline{cos θ}$ and $\overline{T_1}$ values can be reconstructed with a precision of 0.19 and 110 keV, respectively, assuming that only 10 neutrinoless double beta decay events are detected.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Demonstration of Capture, Cooling, Tagging, and Spectroscopic Characterization of UV Photoproduct Ions in a Cryogenic Ion Trap: Application to 266 nm Photofragment Ions from Rhodamine 6G

We demonstrate a method to determine the structures of the primary photodissociation products from a cryogenically cooled parent ion. In this approach, a target ion is cooled by a pulse of buffer gas and tagged in a 20 K Paul trap. The cold ion is then photodissociated by pulsed (~5 ns) UV laser excitation, and the ionic products are trapped, cooled, and tagged by introduction of a second buffer gas pulse in the same trap. The tagged fragments are then ejected into a triple focusing, UV/vis/IR time-of-flight photofragmentation mass spectrometer which yields vibrational and electronic spectra of the mass-selected photofragments. Furthermore, these methods are demonstrated by application to the 266 nm photodissociation of the Rhodamine 6G cation to yield the R575 fragment ion based on loss of ethene as well as to a weaker secondary fragment arising from loss of m/z 43.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Velocity Measurements in Channel Gas Flows in the Slip Regime by means of Molecular Tagging Velocimetry

Direct measurements of the slip velocity in rarefied gas flows produced by local thermodynamic non-equilibrium at the wall represent crucial information for the validation of existing theoretical and numerical models. In this work, molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) by direct phosphorescence is applied to argon and helium flows at low pressures in a 1-mm deep channel. MTV has provided accurate measurements of the molecular displacement of the gas at average pressures of the order of 1 kPa. To the best of our knowledge, this work reports the very first flow visualizations of a gas in a confined domain and in the slip flow regime, with Knudsen numbers up to 0.014. MTV is cross-validated with mass flowrate measurements by the constant volume technique. The two diagnostic methods are applied simultaneously, and the measurements in terms of average velocity at the test section are in good agreement. Moreover, preliminary results of the slip velocity at the wall are computed from the MTV data by means of a reconstruction method

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Corrosion Analysis of 121103072 (SAVY-4000)

A surveillance feedlist for fiscal year (FY) 2022 was developed with the intent to target containers with contents known to generate corrosive gasses. One SAVY-4000 (hereafter “SAVY”) container with a serial number 121103072 was selected due to the reasonable wattage and known molten salt extraction (MSE) material corrosive behavior. The material was measured at 3.08 W with approximately 200 g of material placed inside of the SAVY for 6.07 years. The inner packaging configuration included a ¼ Qt stainless steel slip top inner container and a sPVC bag-out bag enclosing the inner container. Visual observations of the container during retrieval revealed several concerning features on the exterior of the container, notably on the lid. Fig. 1 shows the container lid along with an inset image further magnifying the features of interest. The corroded tamper indicating device (TID) wire and the corroded radioactive material tag wire indicated that corrosive gas species for steel were produced during storage. Although the TID wire and rad tag wire are not the same composition as the SAVY body and lid, these are often used as an indicator of potential corrosion inside of the SAVY container. The oxide residing inside of the filter holes and significant buildup around one hole provided further evidence supporting the presence of corrosive species inside of the container.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Natural and Anthropogenically Influenced Isoprene Oxidation in Southeastern United States and Central Amazon

Anthropogenic emissions alter secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation chemistry from naturally emitted isoprene. Here, we use correlations of tracers and tracer ratios to provide new perspectives on sulfate, NO x , and particle acidity influencing isoprene-derived SOA in two isoprene-rich forested environments representing clean to polluted conditions-wet and dry seasons in central Amazonia and Southeastern U.S. summer. We used a semivolatile thermal desorption aerosol gas chromatograph (SV-TAG) and filter samplers to measure SOA tracers indicative of isoprene/HO 2 (2-methyltetrols, C5-alkene triols, 2-methyltetrol organosulfates) and isoprene/NO x (2-methylglyceric acid, 2-methylglyceric acid organosulfate) pathways. Summed concentrations of these tracers correlated with particulate sulfate spanning three orders of magnitude, suggesting that 1 μg m -3 reduction in sulfate corresponds with at least ~0.5 μg m -3 reduction in isoprene-derived SOA. We also find that isoprene/NO x pathway SOA mass primarily comprises organosulfates, ~97% in the Amazon and ~55% in Southeastern United States. We infer under natural conditions in high isoprene emission regions that preindustrial aerosol sulfate was almost exclusively isoprene-derived organosulfates, which are traditionally thought of as representative of an anthropogenic influence. We further report the first field observations showing that particle acidity correlates positively with 2-methylglyceric acid partitioning to the gas phase and negatively with the ratio of 2-methyltetrols to C 5 -alkene triols.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Characterizing PM 2.5 Emissions and Temporal Evolution of Organic Composition from Incense Burning in a California Residence

The chemical composition of incense-generated organic aerosol in residential indoor air has received limited attention in Western literature. In this study, we conducted incense burning experiments in a single-family California residence during vacancy. Here, we report the chemical composition of organic fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), associated emission factors (EFs), and gas-particle phase partitioning for indoor semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Speciated organic PM 2.5 measurements were made using two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-HR-ToF-MS) and semivolatile thermal desorption aerosol gas chromatography (SV-TAG). Organic PM 2.5 EFs ranged from 7 to 31 mg g –1 for burned incense and were largely comprised of polar and oxygenated species, with high abundance of biomass-burning tracers such as levoglucosan. Differences in PM 2.5 EFs and chemical profiles were observed in relation to the type of incense burned. Nine indoor SVOCs considered to originate from sources other than incense combustion were enhanced during incense events. Time-resolved concentrations of these SVOCs correlated well with PM 2.5 mass (R 2 > 0.75), suggesting that low-volatility SVOCs such as bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and butyl benzyl phthalate partitioned to incense-generated PM 2.5 . Both direct emissions and enhanced partitioning of low-volatility indoor SVOCs to incense-generated PM 2.5 can influence inhalation exposures during and after indoor incense use.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Advancing Molecular Level Understanding of Aerosol Processes in the Amazon and Integration with Modeling (Final Report)

The Amazon forest is being converted to urban and agricultural uses through land clearing including large scale burning. It is also the dominant source of biogenic hydrocarbons globally, which can chemically transform in the atmosphere to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Most aerosols (solid or liquid particles suspended in air) are organic and formed through secondary chemical processes. This means that SOA chemical composition and their physical properties can impact cloud formation, the hydrologic cycle, and radiative balance in this region. The 2014 GoAmazon field campaign at the DOE/ARM facility at T3 afforded study of chemical transformations in the region downwind of Manaus. Local biogenic hydrocarbons emissions are high, and their chemical oxidation can be studied with varying degrees of influence by the urban plume. We collected aerosol filter samples and made time-resolved molecular level measurements by deploying a sequential filter sampler and a Semi-Volatile Thermal desorption Aerosol Gas Chromatograph (SV-TAG) during Jan-Mar 2014 (wet season) and Aug-Oct 2014 (dry season).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Fluorescence imaging of individual ions and molecules in pressurized noble gases for barium tagging in 136Xe

Abstract The imaging of individual Ba 2+ ions in high pressure xenon gas is one possible way to attain background-free sensitivity to neutrinoless double beta decay and hence establish the Majorana nature of the neutrino. In this paper we demonstrate selective single Ba 2+ ion imaging inside a high-pressure xenon gas environment. Ba 2+ ions chelated with molecular chemosensors are resolved at the gas-solid interface using a diffraction-limited imaging system with scan area of 1 × 1 cm 2 located inside 10 bar of xenon gas. This form of microscopy represents key ingredient in the development of barium tagging for neutrinoless double beta decay searches in 136 Xe. This also provides a new tool for studying the photophysics of fluorescent molecules and chemosensors at the solid-gas interface to enable bottom-up design of catalysts and sensors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Structural modification of fentanyls for their retrospective identification by gas chromatographic analysis using chloroformate chemistry

Abstract The one-step breakdown and derivatization of a panel of nine fentanyls to yield uniquely tagged products that can be detected by Electron Ionization Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (EI-GC-MS) is presented. The method involves the treatment of the synthetic opioids with 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl chloride (TrocCl) at 60 °C for 3 h in dichloromethane and furnishes two products from one fentanyl molecule that can be used to retrospectively identify the original opioid. Parameters that were studied and fully optimized for the method included temperature, solvent, nature of scavenging base and reaction time. One of the two resulting products from the reaction bears the trichloroethoxycarbonyl (Troc) tag attached to the norfentanyl portion of the original opioid and greatly aids in the opioid detection and identification process. The methodology has been applied to the chemical modification of a panel of nine fentanyls and in all cases the molecular ion peak for the Troc-norfentanyl product bearing the distinctive trichloroethyl isotopic signature can be clearly observed. The method’s LLOD was determined to be 10 ng/mL while its LLOQ was found to be 20 ng/mL. This methodology represents the first application of chloroformates in the chemical modification of this class of synthetic opioids that are notoriously inert to common derivatization strategies available for GC–MS analysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Identification of excited states in Bi 188 and Po 188

The neutron-deficient 188 Bi and 188 Po isotopes have been studied by γ-ray spectroscopy using the recoil-decay tagging technique with the Argonne Gas-Filled Analyzer. A new 0.25(5)-μs isomeric state and a prompt cascade formed by 319-, 366-, and 462-keV γ rays have been established on top of the (10¯) α -decaying isomer in 188 Bi. The first excited (2 + ) state in 188 Po was identified, its excitation energy of 242(2) keV continues the nearly constant trend for the first 2 + states in 190, 192,194 Po. Here, the state is most likely a member of a prolate rotational band built on the ground state, albeit mixing with other coexisting configurations cannot be excluded. The new results obtained in the present work provide new information to shape coexistence in bismuth and polonium isotopes near the neutron midshell at N = 104 . In this mass region, a reduction in the prompt γ-ray yield obtained with recoil decay tagging was observed for a few nuclides, and the possible reasons are presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Rolling Behavior of Surface Tagged Aluminum 6061 using Photoluminescent Oxides

Physical tagging of nuclear fuel is potentially one way of tracking throughout the fuel lifecycle. The process of tagging can take many forms, but one promising method is to embed a small amount of photoluminescent particles in the surface of a material which are not detectable under normal illumination but are readily visible under excitation by ultraviolet light. The goal of this project was to explore the potential to tag simulated nuclear fuel cladding with small ceramic particles, via laser beam welding or gas tungsten arc welding, and measure the photoluminescent response. Surface tagging using this method has demonstrated viability and detectability throughout this project; work in FY24 focused on the survivability of these tags through subsequent deformation processing similar to what taggants in a fuel manufacturing environment would be subjected to. This work demonstrated that particles are readily visible in the as-welded state (i.e., before subsequent rolling treatment to represent mechanical processing of a fuel material), but visibility is reduced as the deformation is induced. Despite the reduction in photoluminescence, the taggants are still visible after rolling processes are performed, making this surface tagging technique a promising candidate for nuclear fuel cladding tagging. This work demonstrated, though, that targeted optimization work would be necessary to develop a robust taggant depending on the fidelity and luminescent properties required.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

First observation of a shape isomer and a low-lying strongly-coupled prolate band in neutron-deficient semi-magic 187 Pb

Prompt and delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient, semi-magic isotope 187Pb has been performed using the recoil-decay and isomer-decay tagging techniques at the Argonne Gas-Filled Analyzer. A new 5.15(15)-mu s isomeric state at only 308 keV above the spherical 3/2 - ground state is identified and classified as a shape isomer. A strongly-coupled band is observed on top of the isomer, which is nearly identical to the one built on the prolate 7/2 - [514] Nilsson state in the isotone 185 Hg. Based on this similarity and on the result of the potential-energy surface calculations, the new isomer in 187 Pb is proposed to originate from the same configuration. The retarded character of the 308-keV (7/2( - )→ 3/2$_{gs}^{-}$ transition with a deduced B(E2) = 5.6(2) x 10 -4 W.u. can be well explained by the significant difference between the prolate parent and spherical daughter configurations, leading to the shape isomerism. The excitation energy of the isomer is surprisingly low, being roughly half of the excitation energies of the known 0 + intruder bandheads in the neighboring 186,188 Pb isotopes. The combined results of the present work and the previous alpha-decay and laser spectroscopy studies present evidence for triple shape coexistence at low energy in the negative-parity configurations of 187 Pb, which is well reproduced by the potential-energy surface calculations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Demonstration of Selective Single-Barium Ion Detection with Dry Diazacrown Ether Naphthalimide Turn-on Chemosensors

Single-molecule fluorescence imaging (SMFI) of gas-phase ions has been proposed for “barium tagging,” a burgeoning area of research in particle physics to detect individual barium daughter ions. This has potential to significantly enhance the sensitivity of searches for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) that is obscured by background radiation events. The chemistry required to make such sensitive detection of Ba 2+ by SMFI in dry Xe gas at solid interfaces has implications for solid-phase detection methods but has not been demonstrated. Here, we synthesized simple, robust, and effective Ba 2+ -selective chemosensors capable of function within ultrapure high-pressure 136 Xe gas. Turn-on fluorescent naphthalimide-(di)azacrown ether chemosensors were Ba 2+ -selective and achieved SMFI in a polyacrylamide matrix. Here, fluorescence and NMR experiments supported a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism for turn-on sensing. Ba 2+ selectivity was achieved with computational calculations correctly predicting the fluorescence responses of sensors to barium, mercury, and potassium ions. With these molecules, dry-phase single-Ba 2+ ion imaging with turn-on fluorescence was realized using an oil-free microscopy technique for the first time—a significant advance toward single-Ba 2+ ion detection within large volumes of 136 Xe, plausibly enabling a background-independent technique to search for the hypothetical process of 0νββ.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A Conceptual Design for a Mobile Application to Support Infield Inventory Activities

This paper introduces an inventory assistant being developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) that we believe will empower users to perform inventory activities at nuclear facilities more accurately, reliably, and quickly. Inventory activities at nuclear facilities are often conducted using pen and paper, which can be time-consuming, tedious, and susceptible to reading or transcription errors. The proposed inventory assistant would replace the paper-based process used by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, nuclear facility operators, or verification monitors to complete an inventory of nuclear and non-nuclear items. In general, the inventory assistant would ingest an inventory list, distribute assigned items from the inventory list to one or more mobile devices, enable inventory teams to record their observations in the field, and then enable an inventory lead to integrate and reconcile the observations to produce a final report. The assistant consists of two software components—one for the inventory teams to record observations in the field (In-Field Observations App [IFOA]) and one for the inventory lead to reconcile the inventory list with observations (Distribution, Integration, and Reconciliation Application [DIRA]). This paper introduces the overall workflow of the inventory assistant and describes the IFOA user experience in more detail. To demonstrate the concept, the authors present a use case of IAEA inspectors conducting item counting and tag checking activities of UF6 cylinders at a gas centrifuge enrichment plant with a large number of UF6 cylinders (e.g., thousands). These activities can currently require 30–40 person-days of inspection to complete. Based on experiences during an exercised performed at the IAEA by the ORNL team in 2016, we believe an inventory assistant could allow the IAEA to complete item counting and tag checking using the global identifier or the operator’s barcode in 8–10 person-days of inspection. We would expect other users (e.g., facility operators or verification monitors) to also benefit from significant time savings.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗