ML20091F253

Penn State Radiation Science & Engineering Ctr Thirty-Six Annual Progress Rept for Jul 1990 to June 1991

ML20091F253
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Site:	Pennsylvania State University
Issue date:	06/30/1991
From:	Flinchbaugh T, Voth M PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV., UNIVERSITY PARK, PA
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• PENN STATE IIREAZEALE REACTOR Annual Operating Report, FY 90 91 PSBR Technical Specifications 6.6.1 License R-2, Docket No. 50-5 Reactor Utilization The Penn State Ilreazeale Reactor (PSBR)is a TRIGA Mark 111 facility capable of 1 MW steady state operation, and 2000 MW peak power pulsing operation. Utilization of the reactor and its associated facilities falls into three major categones:

EDUCATION utilization is primarily in the fonn oflaboratory classes conducted for graduate and undergraduate students and numerous high school science groups. These classes vary from neutron activation analysis of an unknown sample to the calibration of a reactor control rod. In addition, an average of 2000 visitors tour the PSBR facility each year.

RESEARCH accounts for a large portion of reactor time which involves Radionuclear Applications, Neutron Radiograpy, a myriad of researth programs by faculty and graduate students throughout the University, and various applications by the industrial sector.

TRAINING programs for Reactor Operators and Reactor Supervisors are continuously offered and an: tailored to meet the needs of the participants.

Individuals taking part in these programs fall into such categories as power plant operating personnel, graduate students, and foreign trainees.

The PSBR facility operates on an 8 AM - 5 PM shift, five days a week, with an

occasional 8 AM - 8 PM or 8 AM - 12 Midnight shift to accommodate reactor operator training programs or research projects.

! Summary of Reactor Operating Experience l Technical Specifications reauirement 6.6.1.a.

Between July 1,1990 and June 30,1991, the PSBR was critical for 521 hours0.00603 days <br />0.145 hours <br />8.614418e-4 weeks <br />1.982405e-4 months <br /> or 2,1 hrs / shift subcritical for 334 hours0.00387 days <br />0.0928 hours <br />5.522487e-4 weeks <br />1.27087e-4 months <br /> or 1.3 hrs / shift used while shutdown for 459 hours0.00531 days <br />0.128 hours <br />7.589286e-4 weeks <br />1.746495e-4 months <br /> or 1.9 hrs / shift -

Total usuage 1314 hours0.0152 days <br />0.365 hours <br />0.00217 weeks <br />4.99977e-4 months <br /> - or 5.3 hrs / shift The n: actor was pulsed a total of 111 times with the following reactivities:

less than $2.00 33

$2.00 to $2.50 78 greater than $2.50 0 l

l The square wave mode of operation was used 74 times to power levels between 100 and 500 KW. __

Total energy produced during this report period was 318 MWH with a consumption of 16 grams of U-235.

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Unscheduled Shutdowns Technical Snecifications reouin ment 6.6.1.b.

The 8 un 11anned scrams during the July 1,1990 to June 30,1991 period are describea below.

July 13,1990 - A linear power scram occurred during an attempted 200 KW squan:

wave operation. The operator initiated the square wave from a steady state power of 1(X) watts without first turning the range switch to 300 KW. Thus, the automatic control system engaged prematurely. When the operator belatedly upranged the power switch, the automatic system sensed a large power difference between the demand power and actual power and withdrew mg rod; since there is no period information to the auto system in square wave mode the power increased at a faster than normal rate. The operator initiated a manual scram concurrent with the system linear scram.

July 31,1990 - A linear power scram occurred when a student in a nuclear engineering mactor operations course turned the range switch the wrong way.

August 23,1990 - The operator manually scrammed the reactor upon receiving a pneumatic transfer system radiation alarm during a rabbit run. The RM 14 radiation monitor that monitors the radiation in the system's surge volume was set on too sensitive a range (x10 instead of x100). A notice was placed on the monitor to remind operators of the proper setting. The procedun: for using the pneumatic transfer system was also modified to reflect the x100 requirement.

October 15,1990 - An unplanned power failure to the reactor building caused a mactor scram from 1 MW.

January 16,1991 - A linear power scram occurred when an operator trainee turned the range switch the wrong way while increasing power.

January 31,1991 - A reactor period scram occurred when the operator turned the period switch to the test position instead of the calibrate position. A previous operator had not returned the test potentiometer to the zero position. The source was being moved during a nuclear engineering mactor operations course to check '

for criticality as a training excemise; the operator was attempting to momentarily defeat the period scram while a person on the bridge mmoved the source fmm the Core.

April 15,1991 - A linear power scram occurred during a square wave attempt. The operator failed to upscale the reactor power range switch befom firing the transient rod to attempt the squam wave.

May 23,1991 - An unplanned power failure to the reactor building caused a reactor scram from 1 MW.

Major Maintenance With Safety Significance Technical Soecifications reauirement 6.6.1.c.

No major preventative or corrective maintenance operations with safety significance have been performed during this report period.

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Major Changes Reportable Under 10 CFR 50.59 Technical Specifications reauirement 6.6.1.d.

Facility Changes September 21,1990 - The light beam alarm in the reactor beam hole lab was climinated. The purpose of this alarm was to alen the reactor operator if someone entered the neutron beam area without the operator's pennission. A new system was installed featuring a normally locked beam gate to control access to the neutron beam area. 03ening this beam gate when any one of the seven beam hole doors is open, gives a :ocal alann and also an alann to the reactor operator. In addition, opening an outside access door to the beam hole lab monitored area would also trigger the same alarm to the reactor operator (this door is normally bolted and locked from the inside),

November 19,1990 - An existing six foot section of six inch pipe in the primary side of the reactor heat exchanger was cut at two locations and a section was removed; flanges wem welded on the pipe at the cuts to accommodate a magnetic flow sensor that has its own set of flanges. The Dow sensor was installed to provide infonnation for a new heat balance method to determine the reactor's thermal power. A flanged spool piece has been fabricated to replace the flow sensor if it has to be removed for some reason.

March 6,1991 - A four foot section of bolted flanged six inch pipe was removed from the primary side of the reactor heat exchanger to install a well coupling to accommodate a temperature probe. -The pipe section was then returned to the 3revious kration. The temperature probe is used to provide infonnation for a new leat balance method to determine the reactor's thennal power.

March 25,1991 - Infran d motion detectors were installed to replace ultrasonic motion detectors in the fuel storage room to meet changes in the facility's modified Physical Security Plan.

Procedures All procedurcs are reviewed as a minimum biennially, and on an as needed basis.

Changes during the year were numerous and no attempt will be made to list them.

A current copy of all facility procedures will be mad, diable on request Since none of the procedure changes were a result of Tech specs changes, none of the procedure changes are considered major.

New Tests and Experiments None having safety significance.

Radioactive Effluents Released Technical Snecifications reauirement 6.6.1.e.

Liquid There were no liquid effluent releases under the reactor license for the report period.

Liquid from the regeneration of the reactor demineralizer is evaporated and the distillate recycled for pool water makeup. The evaporator concentrate is dried and the solid salt residue is disposed ot in the same manner as other solid radioactive waste at the University.

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liquid radioactive waste from the radioisotope laboratories at the PSBR is under the University byproduct materials license and is transferred to the llealth Physics Office for disposal with the waste from other campus laboratories. Liquid waste disposal techniques include storage for decay, release to the sanitary sewer as per 10 CFR 20, and solidification for shipment to licensed disposal sites.

Gaseous The only gaseous effluent is Ar-41, which is released from disolved air in the reactor pool water, dry irradiation tubes, and air leakage from the pneumatic sample transfer systems.

The amount of Ar-41 released from the reactor poolis very dependent upon the operating power level and the length of time at power. The release per MWil is highest for extended high ywer runs and lowest for intermittent low power runs.

The concentration of Ar-41 in the reactor bay and the bay exhaust was measured by the llealth Physics staff during the summer of 1986. Measurements were made for conditions oflow and high power runs simulating typical operating cycles. Based on these measurements, an annual release of between 236 mci and 714 mci of Ar.

41 is calculated for July 1,1990 to June 30,1991, resulting in an average concentration at the bmiding exhaust between 15% and 44% of the MPC for unrestricted areas. These values represent the extremes, with the actual release being between the two values. The maximum fenceline dose using only dilution by the Im/s wind into the lee of the building is on the order of 0.2 % to 0.6 % of the unrestricted area MPC.

During the report period, several irradiation tubes were used at high enough power levels and for long enough runs to produce significant amounts of Ar-41. The calculated annual pmduction was 69 mci.-- Since this production occurred in a stagnant volume of air confined by close fitting shield plugs, most of the Ar-41 derayed in place before being mleased to the reactor bay. The reported releases from dissolved air in the reactor pool are based on measurements made, in part, when a dry irradiation tube was in use at high power levels; the Ar-41 releases from the tubes me part of rather than in addition to the release figures quoted in the previous paragraph.

The use of the pneumatic tnmsfer systems was minimal during this period and any .

Ar-41 releases would be insignificant since they operate with CO-2 and Nitrogen as fill gases.

Environmental Surveys Technical Snecifications reauirement 6.6.1.f.

The only environmental surveys performed were the mutine TLD gamma-ray dose measurements at the facility fenceline and at control points in msidential areas several miles away. This reporting year's measurements tabulated below represent the July 6,1990 to June 30,1991 period. A comparison of the North, West, East, ane South fenceline measurements with the control measurements at Houserville (1 mile away) and Bellefonte (10 miles away) show the differences to be similar to those in the past.

1st Otr 2nd Otr 3rd Otr 4th Otr Total i Fence North 21.46 14.69 19.95 -16.49 72.59 l Fence West 18.96 '15,06 19.40 15.85 69.27 L Fence East 23.90 14.05- 20.93 16.92 75.80 Fence South 18.67 -13.83 19.26 16.38 68.14 Control-Bellefonte 22.44 14.35 20.28- 16.56 73.63 Control-Houserville - 14.48 12.97 15.07 .13.15 55.67 l'

5 Personnel Exposures Technical Snecifications readrement 6.6.1.c.

No reactor personnel or visifors received dose equivalents in excess of 25% of the permissible limits under 10 CFR 20.

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PENNSTATE sre E

RADIATION SCIENCE AND i

ENGINEERING CENTER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING THIRTY-SIXTH ANNL AL PROGRESS REPORT AUGUST 1991 CONTRACT DE-ACO7-761DO1570 SUBCONTRACT C88-101857 U.Ed. ENG 92-30

1 THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT PENN STATE RADIATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CENTER July 1,1990 to June 30,1991 l-Submitted to: ,

United States Department of Energy and The Pennsylvania State University.

By: ,

Marcus H. Voth (Director)

Terry L Flinchbaugh (Editor)

Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center Depanment of Nuclear Engineering.

' The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802 August 1991 Contract DE AC07-761D01570 Subcontract C88-101857

- U.Ed.ENG 92-30 l .-

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and em characteristics not related to ability, performance,ployment without regard to personal or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or vetemn status. Direct all affumative action inquiries to the Affirmative University Action Park, PA Office, The Pennsylvania State University,201 Willard Building, 16802-2801.

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TAllLE OF CONTENTS Pat P R E FA CE M . H . V o th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

1. I NTRO D U CTIO N - M . H . V oth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 II . PE R S O N N EL - T. L. Fli nch bau g h .... ... . .. . . . .. . ... .. .. . .. . . .. ... ... . .. .. . . . . . .... .. . . . . 3 111. REACTOR OPERATIONS - T. L. Flinchbau gh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 IV. G AMMA IRR ADI ATION FACILITY - C. C. Davison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1I V. EDUCATION AND TRAINING - T. L. Flinchbaugh, C. C. Davison .... ............ 13 V1. N EUTRON B EAM LA BOR ATORY - D. E. Hughes ..................................... 19 VII. RADIONUCLEAR APPLICATIONS LABORATORY D. C. Raupach ..... ....... 21 Vill. LOW LEVEL RADIATION MONITORING LABORATORY - H. Boyle ............. 23 IX. ANGULAR CORRELATIONS LABORATORY - G. L. Catchen ..................... 25 X. NUCLEAR MATERIALS ENGINEERING LABORATORY - M. P. Manahan ..... 27 XI. RADIATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CENTER RESEARCH UTILIZATION - T. L. Flinc hbaugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 A. Penn State University Research Utilizing the Facilities of the Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center ........................ 31 B. Other Universities' and Industrial Research Utilizing the Facilitiew 0- Penn State Radiation Science and Engineeting Center........................................................................ 56 APPENDIX A. Faculty, Staff, Students, and Industries Utilizing the Facilities of the Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center - T. L.

Fli n c h b a u gh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 APPENDIX B. Forrnal G roup Tours - L. D. Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 iii l

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. i TAllLES Table Page 1

Personnel...................................................................................., 4 2 Reaetor Operation Data

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Reactor U tilization Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 ...................

4 Cobalt-60 U tilization Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ..............,

5 College and High S ch ool G roups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 ............

1 FIGURES Figun-g 1

Orga nizat io n Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 IV

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l PREFACE Administrative responsibility for the Radiation Science and Engineering Center (RSEC) resides in the Department of Nuclear Engineering in the College of Engineering. Overall responsibility for the reactor license resides with the Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. 'Ihe reactor and associated laboratories are available to all Penn State colleges for education and research programs. In addition, the facility is made available to assist other educationalinstitutions, government agencies and industries having common and compatible needs

$ and objectives, providing services that are essential in meeting research, development, education and training needs.

The Thirty-sixth Annual Progress Report (July 1990 through June 1991) of the operation of The Pennsylvania State University Radiation Science and Engineering Center is submitted in accordance with the requirements of Contract DE-AC07-76ID01570 between the United States Department of Energy and EG&G Idaho, Incorporated, and their Subcontract C88-101857 with The Pennsylvania State University. This report also provides the University administra: ion with a summary of the utilization of the facility for the past year.

Numerous individuals are to be recognized and thanked for their contributions to this report, especially Terry Flinchbaugh who edited the report. The contribution of Lisa Large for its typing is recognized and appreciated. Special thanks are extended to those responsible for the individual sections as listed in the Table of Contents and to the individual facility users whose research summaries are compiled in Section XI.

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I. INTPODUCTION The Radiation Science and Engineering Center (RSEC) sustained its trconi of providing educational and research sup 3 ort for a broad spectrum of users. In aMition, ma,)or new achievements included the fo lowing:

• Fabrication of tk new digital computer based reactor control system was completed, the system was delb ered and site tested and a license amendment request was filed with the Nuclear Re ;ulatoiy Commission. Advanced control theory research commenced using the new control system.

• The RSEC staff was awarded a three year National Science Foundation : rant of

$212,063, for a program for high cchool science teachers entitled, "Nuc car Concepts and Technological issues institute and Educational Outreach Program." Matching funds were provided by indusuy sponsors.

• The RSEC staff was awarded a $39,123 Department of Energy grant for reactor radiation monitoring instrumentation and new gamma spectroscopy equipment.

• Instructional laboratory equipment was upgraded through the addition of computer equipment and new lomzation chambers. Funding was provided by student surcharge money ($4,228) and the Ben Franklin Partnership Program ($47,000).

• The Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) Laboratory at the RSEC was expanded by the addition of a second complete PAC spectrometer, new computer equipment and a Mussbauer spectrometer.

• The RSEC "Qt 4dity Assurance Prograni for Analysis, Examination and Testing of Components or Systems," was effectively implemented for the first time.

• The RSEC staff hosted the annual meeting of the Test, Researth and Training Reactor management and an NRC seminar for Non Power Reactors

• A brochure was prepared with specification sheets for the various RSEC facilities and equipment.

• One RSEC staff member received a Reactor Operator license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Along with all these enhancements in facilities, programs and operations, the staff assisted researchers, instructors and students in many routine experiments, laboratory classes and service irradi,4Gons. Pre college education was also prominent in RSEC programming, as evidenced by the many tour group, field trips / work shops and teaching sessions conducted by the staff. The RSEC staff is to be commended for working diligently during the past year in accomplishing a new threshold of productivity and professional development.

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, 4 11 PERSONNEL

%e position of Deputy Director was climinated when Ira hichlaster retired at the end of the previous fiscal year. llis duties were assumed by Terry Flinchbaugh in his ex 3anded role as hinnager of Operations and Train!ng and Dan Ilughes m his new position as h' anager of Engineering Senices Joseph Bonner resigned his position as Research Assistant on August 15,1990.

Robert Gould was hired as a project assistant on September 4,1990. Patrick Boyle was hired as a reactor supervisor / nuclear education specialist on Novcmber 1,1990.

Rebecca Batschelet resigned her position as environmental analyst in the Low level Radiation hionitoring Lab (LLRhtL)on August 10,1990. liermina Boyle, who had worked in the lab in a wage payroll position for 7 weeks, assumed the environmental analyst position effective September 4,1990.-

Bonnie Ford trsigned her position as supenisor of the LLRhtL on September 23,199().

hiichael McClain assumed the supen>isor position on October 1,1990 and resigncd on hiarch 19, 1991.

liermina Boyle moved from the analyst to supenisor position in the LLRhtL on hiarch 19, 1991. Julie Goodfellow, who had worked in the LLRhtL for five weeks in a wage payroll position, assumed the analyst position on April 15,1991.

Thiery Daubensp:ck, who had worked at the LLRhtL on a part time basis during the Spring 1991 semester, began work in a full time wage payroll position on hiay 13. Other LLRhiL wage payroll and work study help during the year was provided by Calvin Sleppy, Ed Rentanen, lia Cheung and Brett Kellerman.

Jennifer Wellar resigned as secretary and receptionist on Noven.ber 24,1990. Lisa Large worked as a wage payroll sectrisry from December 3,1990 to January 2,1991 when she assumed the secretary and treeptionist position. Kim Contin was hired on April 3,1991 as a wage payroll secretary.

Reactor work study and wage payroll positions were filled by Richard Brown,Diery Daubenspeck, John Dehtarco, Steve hiaderas, Steve Nornhold, Jeff Nugent and Ken Sahadewan.

t On January 1,1991, the following changes occurred in the membership of the Penn State Reactor Safeguards Committee. Jerry Blakeslee (Assistant Superintendent of Plant, Pennsylvania Power and Light) resigned from the committee after seven years of service, the last four as chairman. Fan-bill Cheung (Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering) and Masoud Feiz (Assistant Professor of General Engineering) both resigned from the committee after each serving a three year term. Joining the committee for their fir.t three year terms are Pat Loftus (hianager, Product Licensing at Westinghouse), Ed Figard (Supervisor of Maintenance at Penns, Ivania Power and Light) and Dan li ughes (Research Assistant). Ward Diethorn (Professor of Nuclear Engineering) who had joined the committee in 1989 to fill out a vacant unexpired term, accepted an a?pointment for a three year term. Committee member Gordon Robinson (Associate Professor of b uclear Engineering) assumed the chairmanship on January 1,1991, On January 1,1991, Frank Ruddy (Senior Scientist, Westinghouse) replaced John Bartko (Advisory Scientist retired, Westinghouse) on the Penn State 1. sers Advisory Committee.

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TAllLE I Personnel Faculty and Staff Iide R. Batschelet (resigned) Environmental Analyst

• • J. J. Bonner (resigned) Researth Assistant

11. M. Boyle

• P. G. Boyle Supervisor. Low level Radiation Monitoring Lab Reactor Su servisor/ Nuclear Education Specialist

• *M. E. Bryan Electronic Designer / Reactor Supervisor G. L. Catchen Associate Professor

• *C. C. Davison Reactor Supervisor / Nuclear Education Specialist

• *T. L. Flinchbaugh Operations and Training Manager B. C. Ford (resigned) Supervisor. Iow level Radiat on Monitoring Lab L. E. Frye Administrative Assistant J. E. Goodfellow Environmental Analyst R. Gould Project Assistant

• *E. llannold Reactor Operator Intem

• • D. E. Ilughes Research Assistant /Managerof Engineering Services W. A. Jester Professor M. T. McClain (resigned)

• *D. C. Raupach Supervisor, low Level Radiation Monitoring Lab

• K. E. Rudy Reactor Supervisor / Reactor Utilization Specialist

• E. J. Sipos Operational Support Services Supervisor Reactor Operator Intem

• D. S. Vonada Electmnic Designer

• *M.11. Voth Associate Professor /Dirretor

• Licensed Operator

• Licensed Senior Operator Clerical Staff K. M. Contin Secretary - wage payroll S. K. Ripka Facility Secretary L. D. Large Secretary and Receptionist J. L. Wellar (resigned) Secretary and Receptionist Ischnical Service Staff J. E. Armstrong Maintenance Worker R. L. Eaken Experimental and Maintenance Mechanic Student Work Study or Wage Payroll R, Brown S. Nornhold H. Cheung J. Nugent T. Daubenspeck E. Rentanen J. DeMarco K. Sahadewan B. Kellerman C. Sleppy S. Madaras i

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Penn State Reactor Safeguards Committee

• J. A. Blakeslee Chairman, Assistant Superintendent of Plant Pennsylvania Power and Light Susquehanna Steam Electdc Station i *F. B. Cheung Associate Pmfessor, hiechanical Engineering, Penn State W. S. Diethorn Professor, Nuclear Engineering, Penn State

E. W. Figard Supervisor of Maintenance, Pennsylvania Power and Light Susquehanna Steam Electric Station  !

• M. Felz Assistant Professor, General Engineering, Penn State R. W. Granlund llcalth Physicist, Intercollege Research Programs and Facilities, Penn State D. E. Hughes Research Assistant, Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center P. Loftus Manager, Pmduct Licensing, Westinghouse A. Ray Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Penn State G. E. Robinson Chainnan, Associate Professor, Nuclear Engineering, Penn State M. J. Slobodien Radiological Controls Director, General Public Utilities P.E.Sokol Associate Professor, Physics, Penn State M. H. Voth Ex officio, Director, Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center

• served through 1 January 1991 Penn State Users Adviscw Committee

• J.Banko Advisory Scientist, Westinghouse S. Carpenter National Institute of Science end Technology (NIST)

J. M. Cimbala Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Penn State E. H, Klevans Department Head and Professor, Nuclear EngineerW, Penn State W. A. Jester Professor, Nuclear Engineering, Penn State A. A. Heim Director, Industrial Research Office, Penn State R. O. Mumma Professor, Entomology, Penn State L. J. Pilbne Professor, Physics, Penn State F. H. Ruddy Senior Scientist, Westinghouse A. W. Rose Professor, Geochemistry, Penn State J. R. Thorx Simulation Management Director, General Public Utilities M. H. Voti Ex officio, Director, Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center

' served through January 1,1991 l

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III. REACTOR OPERATIONS Research reactor operation began at Penn State in 1955. In December of 1965 the original core, which operated at a maximum power level of 200 KW, was replaced by a more advanced TRIGA core, capable of operation at 1000 KW. The present core may also be operated in a pulse fashion in which the power level is suddenly increased from less than 1 KW to up to 2000 KW for short (milliseconds) perials of time. TRIGA stands for Training, Research, Isotope Production, built by General Atomic Company.

Utilization of the PSHR falls into three major categories:

Educational utilization is primarily in the form of laboratory classes conducted fer graduate and undergraduate degree candidates, and numerous high school science groups. These clawes will vary from the irradiation and analysis of a sample to the calibration of a reactor contml rod.

Research accounts for a large ponion of reactor time which involves Radionuclear Applications, Neutron Radiography, a myriad of research programs by faculty and graduate students throughout the University, and various applications by the industrial sector.

Intining programs for Reactor Operators and Reactor Supervisors are offered and can be tailored to meet the needs of the panicipants. Individuals takmg part in these programs fallinto such categories as PSilR reactor staff and power plant operating personnel.

The PSBR core, containing about 7.5 pounds of Uranium 235,in a non weapons fonn,is operated at a depth of approximately 18 feet in a pool of demineralized water. The water provides the needed shielding and cooling for the operation of the reactor, it is relatively simple to expose a sample by merely positioning it in the vicinity of the reactor at a point where it will receive the desired radiation dose. A variety of fixtures and jigs are available for such positioning. Various containers and irradiation tubes can be used to keep samples dry. Three pneumatic transfer systems with different neutron levels offer additional possibiliues.

In normal steac'y state operation at 1000 kilowatts, the thennal neutron flux available varies from approximately 1 x 1013 n/cm2/sec at the edge of the core to approximately 3 x 1013 n/cm2/sec in the central region of the core.

When using the pulse mode of operation, the peak flux for a maximum pulse is approxirrutely 6 x 1016 n/cm2/sec with a pulse width of 15 msec at 1/2 maximum.

Support facilities include a machine shop, electronic shop, laboratory space and fume hoodt STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Tables 2 and 3 list Reactor Operation Data and Reactor Utilization Data Shift Averages, respectively, for the past three years. In table 2, the Critical time is a summation of the hours the reactor was operatmg at some power level. The Suberitical time is the total hours that the reactor key and console instrumentation were on and under observation,less the Critical time. Suberitical time reflects experiment set up time and time spent approaching reactor criticality. Fuel movement hours reflect the fact that there were minimal fuel movements made this year.

The Number of Pulses reflects demands of undergraduate labs, researchers and reactor operator training groups. Square waves are used primarily for demonstration purposes for public groups touring the facility, researchers and reactor operator training programs, a

7

The number of Scrams Planned as Part of Experiments reflects experimenter needs. One of the Unplanned Scrums Resulting from Personnel Action was by a student in the NucE 444 course, Nucleas Reactor Operations Laboratory, one was by a staff operator trainee and three were by 2

licensed staff operators. it should be pointed out that a scram shuts down the reactor before a safety limit is reached, ne unplanned scrams resulting from Abnormal System Operation were due to electrical failure and system operational problems.

Table 3, Pan A. Reactor Usage, indicates llours Critical and flours Suberitical, and also llours Shutdown such as for instruction or experimental setup. Occasionally a component failure prohibits reactor operation. The necessary trpair time is included in Reactor Usage as Reactor Not Available to reflect total reactor utilization on a shift basis.

Part B gives a breakdown of the Type of Usage in llours. The Nuclear Engineering De 3artment anNor the Reactor Facility receives compensation for Industrial Research and Service, and for Industrial Trainina Programs. University Research and Service includes both funded and non funded irscarch, for Penn State and other universities. The Instruction and Training category includes all formal university classes involving the reactor, experiments for other university and high school groups, demonstrations for tour groups and in house reactor operator training.

Pan C statistics, Users / Experimenters, reflect the number of userr, samples and experimenters per shift. Part D shows the number of eight hour shifts for each year.

INSPECTIONS AND AUDITS During October of 1990. Penn State faculty member Samuel 11. levine (Nuclear Engineering)

• conducted an audit of the PSBR to fulfill a requirement of the Penn State Reactor Safeguards Committee chaner. The reactor staff has implemented changes suggested by that repon, all of which exceed NRC requirements.

During January of 1991, a NRC routine ins xction was conducted of activities authorized by the materials license 37 00185 05 for the Cobalt 40 facility. A violation (senior operator on occasion insened and removed samples for venical tube irmdiation without wearing a finger ring dosimeter) was cited. Corrective action has been taken by the tractor staff to prevent recurTence.

No other violations were observed.

During February of 1991, a NRC routine inspection was conducted of activities authorized by the R 2 reactor license and the SNM 95 special nuclear materials license. A licensee-identified violation of a technical specification of License R 2 (licensed operator briefly stepping outside of the control room with the reactor not secured) was irviewed. No other violations werr observed.

He reactor staff has implemented changes suggested by the audit which exceed NRC requurments.

8

TAllLE 2 Reactor Operation Data July 1,1988. June 30,1991 88 89 112:. 5 1 20du A. Ilours of Reactor Operation

1. Qitical 566 507 521

2. Suberitical 416 305 334

3. Fuel Movement 28 0 5 B. Number of Pulses 222 97 111 C. Number of Square Waves 108 70 74 D. Energy Release (MWil) 233 331 318 E. Grams U 235 Consumed 12 17 16 F. Scrams

1. Planned as Part of Experiments 42 23 36

2. Unplanned Resulting From a) Personnel Action 6 4 5 b) Abnonnal System Operation 3 3 3 9

TAllLE 3 Reactor Utilization Data Shift Averages July 1.1988 June 30,1991 BfkB2 89-90 90-91 A. Reactor Usap

1. liours Cntical 2.2 2.1 2.1

2. Ilours Suberitical 1.7 1.3 1.3

3. Hours Shutdown 2.4 1.6 1.9

4. Reactor Not Avallable DJ LLO DJ TOTAL 110URS PER SillIT 6.4 5.0 5.3 B. Type of Usage llours

1. Industrial Research and Service 0.9 1.1 0.8

2. University Research and Service 2.2 1.8 2.1

3. Instruction and Training 1.7 0.9 1.2

4. Industrial Training Programs 0.1 0.1 0.1

5. Calibration and Maintenance 1.5 1.2 1.1 C. Users /Expenments

1. Number of Users 3.3 2.4 2.4

2. Pneumatic Transfer Samples 1.2 1.3 0.5

3. Total Number of Samples 4.3 3.6 2.5

4. Sample llours 2 2.6 2.2 D. Number of 8 Ilour Shifts 251 240 247 l

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I V. GdMMA IRRADIATION FACILITY The University,in March of 1965, purchased 23,600 curies of Cobalt 60 in the form of stainless steel clad source rods to provide a pure source of gamma rays. In November of 1971, the University obtained from the Natick Laboratories,63,537 curies of Cobalt-60 in the form of aluminum clad source rods. These source rods have decayed through several half lives, leaving a July 1,1991 approximate total of 5,600 curies.

In this facility, the sources are stored and used in a mol _16 feet by 10 feet, filled with 16 feet of demineralized water. The water provides a shield w.1ich is readily worked through and allows great flexibility in using the sources. Due to the number of rods and size of the pool, it is possible to set up several irradiators at a time to vary the size of the sample that can be irmdiated, or vary the dose rate. Experiments in a dry environment are possible by use of either a venical tube or by a diving bell type apparatus.

The Cobalt-60 facility is designed with a large amount of working space around the pool and has two laboratory rooms equipped with work benches and the usual utilities.

Maximum exposure rates of 205 KR/Hr in a 3" ID tube and 119 KR/Hr in a 6" ID tube are available as of July 1,1991.

Effons continue to obtain 17,000 curies of Cobalt 60 in the form of 15 source rods from Battelle National Labs. The sources will be donated to Penn State. One of th- current storage casks was modified and a third storage cask was built to accommodate dry storage of the additional Sources.

Table 4 compares the past three years' utilization of the Cobalt 60 facility in terms of time, numbers, and daily averages.

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TAllLE 4 Cobn!!40 Utilitation Data July 1,1988 June 30,1991 SM2 89-90 90 91 A. Time involved (Hours)

1. Set Up Time 336 358 215

2. Total Sample flours 6.795 11,692 14,277 B. Numbers involved

1. Samples Run 1,343 1,433 756

2. Different Experimenters 42 23 30

3. Configurations Used 3 3 3 C. Per Day Averages

1. Experimenters 1.31 1.95 0.8

2. Samples 5.39 5.76 3.04 l

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V. EDUCATION AND TRAINING During the past year, the Penn State RSEC was used for a variety of educational services; in-house training, utility training programs, fonnallaboratory courses and many continuing education programs and tours. '

s Staff member Patrick Boyle prepared for an NRC operator examination during the year, lie passed his NRC exam in April and receivsd his operator's license in May. d in house reactor operator trqualification consisted of an oral examination on abnonnal and emergency procedures given by D. C. Raupach and an operating test given by C. C. Davison.

A three day Reactor Stan.Up Experience Program was offered for Boston Edison Company for ten people in January 1991. l'he Senior Reactor Operators on the RSEC staff, hi. E. liryan, C. C. Davison, D. E. Ilughes, T. L. Flinchbaugh, E. Ilannold and D. C Raupach, provided the console instniction in the program and the coordination of the program was done by T. L.

Flinchbaugh. M.11. Voth provided two lectures for the program.

The fifth session of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for Agricultural Sciences was held at penn State's University Park c impus during the summer of 1990. Sixty four high school scholars participated in the five week program v.hich began on July 1,1990. The Governor's School for Agricultural Sciences includes introduction and experience in many different agricultural disciplines. There are several pans of the pro; ram which are considered " core courses". He core courses are fundamental instruction given to a.1 participants. " Radioisotope Applications in Agricultural Researth" is one of the cort courses in the program. This course was conducted at Penn State's RSEC by Candace Davison and Ken Sahadewan of the RSEC staff, and Mike Zarger, a NUCE graduate student, who is also a Pennsylvania certified physics teacher. De students performed a series of experiments focusing on the fundamentals of radiation interaction and principles of radioisotope applications. These experiments included a demonstration of a cloud chamber, penetrating ability of alpha. beta and gamma radiation; half life calculation and gamma ray spectroscopy, ne importance of statistics in taking data and other applications of radioactive materials in research were discussed. The students were also given a tour of the reactor facility.

The Nuclear Concepts and Technological issues Institute (NCTil) was conducted from July 9 -

August 3,1990 at the University Park campus. The Nuclear Concepts program was designed to prepare secondary science educators to teach the basics of nuclear science, radiation and applications and is offered as a special topics course in nuclear engineering (NUCE 497B). He program was developed in 1970 and has been conducted every summer since that time. Eighteen secondary science teachers frorn six different states (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts and Alaska), and Korea participated in the program.

Sup Energy, port for the program included funding of nearly $10,000 from the U.S. D arivate industry sponsorship. Full sponsorship of participants was proviced by Baltimore Gas and 31ectric Company, Cleveland Illuminating Company (Perny Nuclear Power Plant), Duquesne Light Com 3any, Edison Electric Institute, Korea Atomic Industrial Forum, Limerick Community Education hogram (through the Philadel)hia Electric Company), New York State Electric and Gas Company, Penelec, Rochester Gas and E ectric Corporation and Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He American Nuclear Society, Bellefonte School District, Boston Edison Company and GPU Nuclear Corporation provided panial support for teachers. Materials were obtained frorr, the U.S. Department of Energy, USCEA, ANS and other sources. General Electric Company donated a full size Chart of the Nuclides to each participant.

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'The institute was coonlinated by Candace Davison and was conducted through Penn State's Condnuing Education Ofuce. Joseph Bonner, Research Assistant, provided the main instmetion.

Other instmetion was pmvided b ' Nuclear Engineering department personnel and Rodger Granlund, pmvided ex University llealth Ph sicist. Guest speakers from government, research and industry penise for the techn cal and issues sessions. Guest speakers included hin. Ginger King from the U.S. Depanment of Energy, Of0cc of Civilian Radioactive Waste Disposal and hianagement, his. Lon lloward frorn the West Valley Demonstration Project, hir. John Schreiber retirro Imm the U.S. D.O.E. and fonnerly with the Shippingpoit Decommissioning Project und hit. Jack Devine from GPU Nuclear Corporation.

Lanoratory experimente are an important as hands-on experience with radioacdve materials.pect of the institute as the teachers are able to have The laboratories were conducted at the RSEC under the direction of the RSEC and llealth Physics personnel with assistance from Guy Anderson, a chemistry teacher from the Bald Eagle Area School District. The laboratory experiments and demonstrations included: characteristics ofionidn3 radiation, radionuclide handling, neutrun r,ctivation of Indium, complex decay of Silver 1: O and Silver 108, neutron radiography and the approach to critical experiment. Discussion and problem solving sessions along with a field tri) to a radiation pncessing facility, liershey hiedical Center and Three hiite Island wert includet in the schedule.

Evaluations from the panicipants were very positive concerning the course. As in previous institutes, the panicipants in NCril were encouraged to return with their students for a day of experiments at the RSEC, The University Reactor Sharing Pmgram is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The purpose of this program is to increase the availability of the university nuclear reactor facilities to non reactor owning colleges and universities. The main objectives of the Univenity Reactor Sharing program are to surngthen nuclear science and engineering instruction and to provide research opportunities for other educational institutions including universities, colleges, junior colleges, technical schools and high schools.

Experiments were conducted at the RSEC for Bucknell, Junlata and Wilkes College. Bucknell Univerrity and Clarion University used the RSEC for research projects.

A total of 424 students and teachers from 19 high schools and 3 colleges came to the RSEC for experiments and instruction (see Table 5). Candace Davison and Steve Wukitch were the main instructors for the program. Other instruction and technical assistance for experiments were pmvided by Dale Raupach, Dan llughes and Ken Sahadewan, ne RSEC staff and facilities provided educational opportunities along with a tour for student and teacher workshops, many of which were conducted as part of a larger program on through Penn State Continuing Education Programs. The student programs included: the hodak BEST (Business, Science, Engineering and Technology) program, the Secondary Saturday Science Academy, the SEE the Future prognun and the Upward Bound program for minority and "at risk" students, Thiny seven teachers from the 11anisburg area exoeriments as part of the course "Bxploring the Nuclear Option".

Birty four teacherspanicipated from the in a full day of Enter (through2000 ECSEpmyam and twenty six teachers and guidance counselors from the RENEW progtum

-) received instruction and toured the facility to leam more about nuclear energy and te ated carects.

In addition to the full or half day programs with experiments, educational tours were conducted for students, teachers and the general pu

, stic. All groups, including the tractor sharing groups, who toured the facility are listed in Appendix B. The RSEC operating staff and Nuclear Engmeeting Department conducted 77 tours for 2,055 penons.

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l ne RSEC was used by several Nuclear Engineering and other courses during the year.

Srmester Course IMUMWJ: Students llours Summer 1990 SciEd 497 Exploring the Nuclear Option C. C. Davison 20 4 Summer 1990 NucE 497B. Nuclear Concepts C. C. Davison 18 4 Summer 1990 NucE 444 Nuclear Reactor Operations J. J. Bonner 9 22 l Summer 1990 Fomi Science 313 Process Plant Product R. B. Beelman 27 2 l Fall 1990 NucE 401 Introductior. to Nuclear S.11. Levine 25 3 Engineering _

Fall 1990 Nucil451 Reactor Physics E. S. Kenney 18 37 W. A. Jester Fall 1990 Physics 457 Experimental Physics P. E. Sokol 2 7 Spring 1991 NucE 450 Rndiation Detection and G. L. Catchen 14 12 hicasurement W. A. Jester Spring 1991 NucE 444 Nuclear Reactor Operations D.E.Ilughes 8 24 Spring 1991 NucE 505. Reactor instrumentation and E. S. Kenney 6 3 Control Spring 1991 - Entomology 456 Insect Pest hianagement A. Ilower 5 2 Spring 1991 Ehich 440 Nondestructive Evaluauon of C. E. Bakis 25 i Flows Spring 1991 NucE 445 Nuclear Digital Instmmemation E. S. Kenney 16 90 Spring 1991 Physics 599 S cial Topics P.E.Sokol 6 15 Summer 1991 SciEd 497 Ex loring the Nuclear Option C. C. Davison 17 4 Zenon lepaciuk, a prior Intemational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Fellow in the Nuclear Engineering Depanment, returned from his native Poland in Febmary 1991 under IAEA ponsorship to assist in the installation of a new control system for the Penn State TRIGA reactor.

The AECL Technologies / Gamma hietrics system features a state of the art digital control,

,rotection and monitoring system with an integral analog system for safety functions, hir.

Apaciuk attended training classes for Penn State licensed reactor operators and assisted in pre-installation operational checkout of the system, gaining familiarity with the hardware and software design. lie participated in exxriments to evaluate the system control performance and conducted expenments with Penn State faculty in automati c control theory, in December of 1990 and January of 1991, a total of 38 University Police Services personnel were given training and retraining sessions by C. C. Davison at the RoEC to ensure familiarity with tie facilities and to meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements.

Assisting the reactor operating staff and continuing education staff in carrying our the above mentioned educational programs were several other staff members. S. K. Ripka, J. L. Wellar, L.

Large and K. Contin provided secretarial services, D. S. Vonada and hl. E. Bryan provided electmnic design and maintenance services and K. E. Rudy, R. L Eaken and J. E. Armstrong pmykied mechanical maintenance services.

During the past year, the RSEC operating staff has maintained reactor operator competence and

safe facility operation through training and requalification, and shared the many man years of operaung experience with operator trainees from utilities. The RSEC and continuing education l staffs have disseminated knowledge directly to the general public through tours and indirectly l through pmgrams such as Nuclear Concepts for high school teachers, hiany educational opportumties have been provided to students in university courses both nuclear and non-nuclear.

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TAllLE 5 University Reactor Sharing Program College and liigh School Groups 19901991 Acadernic Year nose who came to the RSEC for experiments received instruction on the basics of radiation and nuclear energy and received a tour of the facility. All but one group conducted the Approach to Critical Experiment with the tractor. Most groups also did one of the other experiments listed below.

Gamma Ray Spectroscopy Neutron Activation and Complex Decay of Silver Barium 137m Decay or Silver Decay Neutron Activation Analysis Relative Stopping Powers for u, p and yin Air, Aluminum and Lead Number of Med School and Teachn Students & Teachen October 1 Greensburg liigh School 11 Cherylliarper Eric Eisaman 17 Antietam lhgh School 42 lielen Luckenbach November 13 Punxsutawnef High School 13 William Stuchell 13 Daniel Boone liigh School 15 Larry Tobias, J. Lenhart January 18 Jersey Shore liigh School 20 James Allen 25 Bucknell Univenity 5 J. Den Austin February 1 State College liigh School 14 Carolyn liolt, David Dillon 25 State College liigh School 33 Mrs. Hershey 27 State College High School 17

' Dave Klindienst l March 1 State College 32 i Todd McPherson

( 12 Redland liigh School 20 Robert Light , Elaine Foster 13 Bellefonte lii School 19 Craig Munne 1, Walt Young 21 Twin Valley High School 28 l Douglas Mountz 27 N. Bedford liigh School 8 Michelle Claar-April 3 Marion Centerliigh School 7 John Petrosky 9 Wilkes College 2 11- Suffern High School 10 12 Howard Tokosh, Robert Neff 16

TAllLE 5 University Reactor Sharing 1%, gram )

College and liigh School Groups 1990-1991 Academic Year i

(Continued)

Number of hionth School and Teachgr Students & Teachers 15 Cowanesque liigh School 31 Ed Stuart, Georgia McCutcheon 18 Carmichaels liigh School 12 Pat Gibson 23 Loyalsock liigh School 14 John German 25 juniata College $

Norm Siems 26 St. Mary's liigh School 24 William Scilingo .

26 Ridgway liigh School 12 Ernest Koos May 3 Chartiers liouston liigh School 12 11elen Wicker 8 Wanen Arealiigh School 18 Dan Gifnn l

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i j VI. NEUTRON IIEAM LAllOltATORY l

l The Neutron Beam Laboratory (NBL)is one of the experimental facilities that is a part of the RSEC. A well collimated beam of neutrons, thermalized by a D 20 thermal column, is passed into the NBL for use in non destructive testing and evaluation. Work now being done utilizes a Real Time Neutmn Image Intensifier, by Precise Optics, Inc., for real time radiography. De beam is

. also being used for static neutron radiography and neutron attenuation studies, and flash l

radiography utiliting pulsing. There is also equipment available to digitize the real time radiography images for image processing.  !

The NBL was established panially with funds from the U.S. Depanment of Energy with rnatching funds from the University. The Neutron Beam Labomtory at The Pennsylvania State University RSEC was c>tablished to:

1. Educate students and the public on an important use of neutrons fmm a research reactor,

2. Establish a demonstration center," Neutrons in Action," to show that their use is benc" ' ' 'o mankind, and

3. Expm the use of neutron radiography in research, both as a tool for improving the development of U.S. industrial products and to develop new infonnation in other fields of science and engineering.

Unfonunately, there has not been any funded research conducted in the last year utilizing the beam lab. Ilowever, we have had some funded service work utilizing the beam to measure neutron attenuation of boroflex materials that have seen service in fuel storage pools. We continue to have interest from people looking for solutions to their problems but no large projects have resulted, During the Fall and Spring 1991 semester, Dr. Sokol of the Physics Department conducted a graduate laboratory project utilizing the neutron beam. The experiment used a chopper to measure the neutron energy spectrum of the beam. Dr. Sokol plans to further develop thir expenment and i others for future laboratory instruction.

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VII, RADIONUCIEAR APPLICATIONS LAllORATORY Personnelof the Radionuclear Applications Laboratory provide consulting and technical assistance to those University research personnel who wish to utilize some type of radionuclear technique in their research. The majority of these research prujects involve some son of neutron activation procedure, but the staff is qualified to provide services in radioactive tnicer techniques, radiation gauging, rad!ation processing and in the production of radioisotopes for laboratory, radionuclear medicine and industrial use.

Analyses of samples were performed for Penn State students and faculty members who had samples which needed to be analyzed and did not have time to learn to do their own analyses. In addition to these, laboratory personnel have worked closely with Dr. Ralph Mumma of the Penn State University and Dr. Donald Lisk of Cornell University in conducting research on the trace elements in fly ash. This project has been completed.

A new cooperative research project has been initiated which will involve the neutron activation analy>Mf samples to be received from the Western Pennsylvania 1lospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Quentin liartwig of Clarion University of Pennsylvania will be assisting with this project.

A ?roject which involved the neutron activation analysis of samples supplied by Stephen O.

Warfe , Curator, Archaeology, of The State Museum of ,'ennsylvania has been comp t The samples irradiated were from pottery pieces found at a sue near Lancaster, Pennsylvama.

Approximately 161 irradiations of semiconductors were made during the last year for several .

electronic companies. Laboratory personnel prepared each group of samples for irradiation, provided fast neutron dosimetry, detennined the radioisotopes produc .d m the devices, packaged and shipped the devices back to the companies, in addition to semic( iductors, many analyses were performed for other industrial customers.

Laboratory personnel continue to supply su?pon for the operation of the RSEC doing analysis of water, air monitor filters and various types of other samples. During the last year, both thermal and fast neutron dosimetry measurements were made for all the regularly used irradiation facilities.-

The xenon gas filled gamma detector system has been used on a regular basis for determining the gamma dose received by semiconductors while being irradiated. The GeLi detector multichannel analyzer system which was installed near the reactor poolside continues to be utilized in assisting with release of irradiated samples from the pool,-

During the past year another end window gas flow proponional counter system was set up and calibrated for the counting of sulfur pellets. Sulfur pellets are used to determine the fast neutron-dosimetry for semi conductor irradiations. The system was calibrated using a Phosphorus a 32 -

standard which had been purchased from the National Institute of Science and Technology.-

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Vill. LOW L'EVEI RADIATION MONITORING LAllORATORY

'Ihe staff of the low Level Radiation hionitoring L.iboratory (LLRhtL) ?rovides analytical and environmental monitoring services to community water suppliers, private la x>ratories, utilities and researchers at the University.

The LLRhtL was established in 1979 to assist the water supply companies of Pennsylvania in meeting their Safe Drinking Water Act trquirements. It is currently cenified by the Pennsylvania Depanment of Environmental Resources (PA DER) to perform gross al 1ha, gross beta, radium-226 and radium 228 analyses on drinking water. 'Ihe LLRhiL is also a PA DER certified radon 1

labomtory capable of analyzing charcoal canisters.

One requirement for maintaining PA DER certincation is participation in the U.S.

Envimnmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Envimnmental Radioactivity Laboratory Intercomparison Studies Program and the U.S. EPA National Radon hicasurement Proficiency Program. 'Ihese pmgrams involve the analysis of numemus blind samples which have been spiked with the radionuclides for which the laboratory is cenified. Results from these analyses are then submitted for comparison with all other panicipating laboratories.

hiost of the work performed at the LLRhtL involves the analysis of water samples for natural radiation (gross alpha, radiurn 226, radium 228 and radon) and the analysis of charcoal canisters for airborne radon. Other analytical capabilities of the laboratory include strontium 89, strontium-90, radon and tritium analysis of water samples and garnma ray spectroscopy analysis of various sample media. The laboratory can also provide environmental monitoring services and spiked sample pre 1aration services to utilities, and conduct researth both independent and in cooperation with other University researchers.

A spiked sample program was established in 1985 for Pennsylvania Power and Light Company (PP&L). This program is used to ensure analytical cuality control of both the sending and receiving laboratories. Using various types of sample mecia, the LLRh1L prepares samples of known isotopic concentration, analyzes them, and then splits them in half, shipping them to PP&L's REh1P QC Laboratory in Allentown and Controls for Environmental Pollution Inc. In Santa Fe, New hiexico. Thermoluminescent dosimeters are also processed quanerly for PP&L.

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IX. Tile ANGULAR CORRELATIONS LAllORATORY The Angular Contlations Laboratory has been in operation for approximately 5 years. De laboratory, which is located in Room 116 and Room 4 of the RSEC,is under the direction of Professor Gary L. Catchen. The laboratory contains two spectrometers for rnaking Penurbed Angular Correlation (PAC) measurements. One apparatus, which has been in operation for five years, rueasures eight coincidences concurrently usmg cesium fluoride detectors. A second i spectrometer was acc;uired this year, and it measures four coincidences concurrently using barium fluoride detectors. Tie detectors and electronics provide a nominal tirne resolution of 1 nsec FWilM which places Se measurements at the state-of the art in the field of Perturbed Angular Correlation Spectroscopy.

Currently, Penn State has a unique :rsearch program that uses PAC Spectroscopy to characterize technologically imponant electrical and optical materials. This program represents the synthesis of ideas fmm two traditionally vuy different branches of chemistry, materials chemistry and nuclear chemist y. Although the scientific questions are gennane to the field of materials chemistry, the PAC technique and its associated theoretical basis have been part of the fields of nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry for several decades. Two federal agencies, the National Science Foundanon and the Office of Naval Research, are sponsoring this progmm.

The PAC technique is based on substituting a radioactive probe atom such as either illin or ,

18111finto a specific site in a chemical system. Because these atoms have special nuclear propenies, the nuclear (electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole) moments of these atoms can mteract with the electric field gradients (efgs) and hyperfine magnetic fields produced by the extranuelear environment.

Sutic nuclear electric quadru ? ole interactions can provide a measure of the surngth and symmetry of the crystal field in tie vicinity of the probe nucleus. In the case of static interactions, the vibrational rnouon of the atoms in the lattice is very rapid relative to the PAC timescale, i.e.,

0.1500 nsec. As a result, the measured efg appears to arise from the time averaged positions of the atoms, and the sharpness of the spectral lines reflects this " motional narrowing" effect. In contrast to static interactions, time-varyinc interactions arise when the efg fluctuates during the intermediate state lifetime. These interactions can provide infonnation about defect and ionic transport. The effect of the efg fluctuating in either strength or direction, which can be caused, for example, by ions " hopping" in and out of lattice sites, is to destroy the orientation of the intermediate state. Experimentally, this loss of orientation appears as the attenuation or " smearing.

i out" of the angular correlation. And, often a correspondence can be made between the rate of l attenuation and frequency of the motion that produced the attenuation.

Magnetic hyperfine interactions, which can be measured in ferTomagnetic and paramagnetic bulk and thin film rcaterials, are used to study the effects of defects and lattice distortions in metal and semiconducting structures that have nominal cubic symmetry, ne general approach is to measure the magnetic hyperfine interaction in a material with few defects. The cubic symmetry requires that the electric quadrupole interaction vanishes. When either defects or distortions are aroduced, a quadrupole interacuon arises that attenuates the usually well defined magnetic unteractions. Thus, the analysis of this attenuation can provide information, for example, about the type of defect that produced the quadrupole interaction.

Curn nt Activities During the last year, the PAC technique has been used to investigate phase transitions and local ordering in ferroelectric perovskites such as lead titanate and barium titanate. These compounds and other related materials are widely used as dielectric materials for capacitors, piezoelectric 25

._ ,__ ~. ,

u t:ansducer materials, and thin film elements for random access memories. Static nuclear c

undrupole interactior. measured in these materials have provided new information about cisplacive (paraelectr.c to-ferroelectric) phase transitions such as the critical behavior of the (titanium-site) electric Deld gradient at temperatums near the transition temperature. Time varying interactions, which pniduce nuclear spin relaxation, have provided information about order-i >

disorder cifects associtted with the phase transit on such as the mte of titanium ion jumping between off-center sites in the lattice. This investigntion has produced some unique evidence that supports an order-disorder model of the paraciectric to-ferroelectric phase transiuons in these structures. This evidence along with other supporting measurenents indicates that the established displacive (soft-mode) model is at best incomplete and perhaps wrong. The Office of Naval Research has supponed this work via a research grant.

! Planned Activities The curent plans are to continue the research on the ferroelectric materials. This work will have several parallel thrusts in panicular, since few of the ABO3 rovskites have been investigated, similar measurements need to be performed en KNb , KTa03, and similar materials.

The objectives an to extend the scope of the data base and to evaluate the effects of different B-ion i valences. A particular interesting and technologically imp.3nant family of ferroelectrics is the relaxor type, of which Pb(Sco.5Ta 0.5)03 i s an example. They have unusual electrical properties, and these addition, t 3roperties are thought to be caused by local disorder in the B-ion composition. In iese relaxor fencelectrics can be prepared so that they have conventional ferToelectric electrical properties. This feature means that parallel measurements can be made on relaxor-prepared and conventionally-prepared samples that have the same stoichiometry. The experimental objective is to compare linebroa- dening effects that can be related to relaxor disorder. This comparison could delineate whether the disorcer is either a static or a dynamic effect. In another project, experiments will be performed on materials such as BaTiO 3 that can be prepared in a reduced, oxygen deficient form. These materials have quite different electrical propenies than their stoichiometric counterpans as they ar wnductive. Under the proper conditions of temperature and oxygen pa;tial pressure, oxygen vacmy i vn rates would be measured. This information could lead to daveloping a good model for uefect transport in ti ese materials. Moreover, since defect kinetics are not well understood but are thought to be responsible for many technical pmblems, such a model could have a positive impact on the elect <onics industry.

Another imponant area of research in electronic rnaterials is the characterlattion of chemical interactions on molecular-beam-epitaxy (MBE) produced surfaces. In prmeiple, the PAC technique can measure the strength and symmetry of the chemical bonding of the Illin probe atom on MBE-proded surfaces of gallium arsenide and other Ill V .'terials. Currently, electmn scattering is t% oredominant technique that is used to evaluate the morphology of MBE produced Ill-V surfaces. But, these measurements do not provide any detailed, microscopic information about for example, the effects of step edges and kinks on the chemical bonding ofimpinging atoms on these surfaces. The PAC technique, which would use the IllIn probe, could be used to measure these effects. Moreover, during the last decade, a German group has shown that PAC measumments on Cu and Culn surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum are feasible and that the measurements do provide information about chemical bonding on MBE produced surfaces. A-project of this type requires a collaboration between an expert in MBE-produced surfaces and an expen in PAC spectroscopy. Penn State has such an expert; namely, Professor David L. Miller of the Department of Electrical Engineering. The Center for Electronics Matetials and Processing (of the College of Engineering) has a large state-of the-art Varian MBE machine. But, to dope the MBEgraduced surfaces, a small, dedicated ultrahigh vacuum chamber needs to be added to the existing MBE system to prevent contamination of the main system. Recently, the National Science Foundation has funded this project and work is underway.

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X. NUCLEAR MATERIALS ENGINEERING LABORATORY During the past year, the hot cell renovation was completed. The upgrades and changes made to the cells include: painting the cell interior with radionuclide diffusion barrier paint, manipulator servicing, creation of a cell-to-cell transfer port for moving specimens between cells, and fabrication of an in-cell shielded container for storage of high activity specimens. The new Instron 8500 mechanical test load frame has been installed inside the mechamcal pmperty test cell, in addition to the changes associated with the hot cells, several new pieces of materials research equipment have been added to the NMEL. An optional measuring microscope with resolution of 0.00005 in. was purchased. The microscope will be used in the near term to measure creep in low melting cutectic alloy melt wires from nuclear pressure vessel surveillance capsules. An annealing fumace was purchased for creep experimentation and for use in sensitizing stainless steel for corrosion research. An electric potential system was also purchased for measuring crack extension in borated stainless steel fracture toughness specimens. The positron annihilation equipment has been set up and calibrated. Positron annihilation spectroscopy is being used to study radiation .

damage in pressure vessel steels. Discussion of the various research projects conducted in the Nuclear Materials Engineering Laboratory can be found in Chapter XI.

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- XI. RADINTIO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CENTER RESEARCH - UTILIZATION Research continues to be the major focus of the RSEC. A wide variety of tescarth projects are currently in progress as indicated on the following pages. The University oriented researth projects are arranged alphabetically by depanment in Section A. Theses, publications, papers and reports follow the research description to which they pertain, in addition, Section B lists other miiversity and industrial research utilizing the facility.

The reportin;; of research information to the editor of this report is at the option of the '

researcher, and (1erefore the research 3rojects in secnons A and B are only representative of the research at the facility. The projects c escribed involved 2 talks,8 papers,7 publications,5 masters' theses,12 doctoral theses, one bachelor's thesis and one senior honor's thesis. The examples cited are not to be construed as publications or announcements of research. The publication of research utilizing the RSEC is the prerogative of the researcher.

Appendix A lists all university, industrial and other users of RSEC facilities, including those listed in sections A and B. Names of personnel are arranged alphabetically under their department -

and college or under their company or other affiliation. During the past year,56 faculty and staff-members,39 graduate students and 12 undergraduate students have used the facility for research.

This represents a usage by 19 departments or sections in 5 colleges of the University. In addition, 51 individuals from 33 industries, research organizations or other universities used the RSEC :

facilities.

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I A. PENN STATE RESEARCH UTILIZING THE FACILITIES OF THE RADIATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CENTER Acronomy Decanment BIORESTORATION OF PYRIDINE COMPOUNDS POLLUTED SUBSURFACE SEDIMENT

Participants:

J. M. Bollag Zeev Ronen Services Provided:' Gamma Irradiation The success of soilinoculation with pollutant-degrading bacteria is very often limited by .

competition with soil native microflora. The pollutant degrading organism very often fails to degrade the target compound because of this competition.

4 In order to test the extent of competition between the introduced bacteria and native microflora, soil samples were sterilized by gamma irradiation (5 MegaRads).

The activity of the introduced bacteria in the sterile soil was higher than in non sterile soil. Tht:s, competition is very likely a factor that controls the success ofinoculation for enhanced i degradation.

DoctoralThesis:

"Biorestoration of Pyridine Compounds Polluted Subsurface Sediment," Ronen, _

Zeev, Department of Agronomy, J. M. Bollag, advisor. (In progress)

Chemistry Demtriment GAS PERMEABILITY OF POLY (ARYLOXYPilOSPilAZENES)-

Participants:

H. R. Allcock W. D. Coggio  ;

C. J. Nelson i Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation The gas permeabnities of poly (aryloxyphosphazenes) with the general structure

[NP(R)2(OC6H5)2.xln where x 5 2 and R = OC6 H4SiMe3, OC 6H4SiMe2 Ph, OC6H4SiMcPh2, OC6H4Br and OCH 2CF 3were investigated. In addition, metal containing polymers with -

structures [N33 P (OCH2 CF3 )4L-C5H4)2Feln and [N33 P (OCH CF2 )i,9(FeCp(CO)2)o.1}n 3 were synthesized and gas permention studies carried out.

The permeability of films of these polymers to 02 , N2, CO2, He and CH4was studied and selectivity ratios established. The effects of crosslinking on both the permeation and selectivity-values for films of the sily! derivatized polymers were also investigated. The change in -

permeability and selectivity as a function of side group, gas pressun:, molecular weight and glass tmnsition temperatures (Tg) is discussed.

31 ,

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r Chemistry Department LAMINATION OF ORGANIC POLYMER SURFACES WITH POLY (ORGANOPHOSPHA7,ENES) '

Participants:

H. R. Allock R. J. Fitzpatrick K. B. Visscher Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation l

The field of biomaterials is one of the fastest growing branches of science today. In ortier to be an acceptable biomaterial, a complex must be: compatible with tissue surfaces, non toxic and non carcinogenic, chemically inert and stable and must possess an adequate mechanical strength. Some common biomaterials include polymers-such as Teflon and Nylon, metals-such as Titanium alloys and ceramics-such as Aluminum oxides and silicates. Each type of biomaterial has its advantages and disadvantages-such as degradation and low biocompatibthty.

Poly (organophosphazenes), however, break down to non toxic compounds such as phosphates and ammonia upon Gtcomposition and have, in the past, found many applications as biomaterials.

It is the goal of this pmject to develop a method of faminating common, established, biomaterials (organic polymcrs) with blocompatible poly (organophosphazenes) r.nd to covalently link the materials at their surface interfaces byWo gamma radiation induced crosslinking. In this way, the well established biomedical properties of organic hydrophille properties of poly (organophosphazenes) polymers are combined with the no Poly (organophosphazenes) may be prepared by the thermal ring opening expansion of - '

hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene. Following polymerization, the chlorine atoms may be replaced ^

via nucleophilic substitution with alkoxy, aryloxy or amino substituents.

These laminated materials will be characterized using solid state NMR and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and contact angle measurements to show the phosphazene polymer coating the organic polymer afterirradiation.

These materials will be tested for blocompatibility, blood compatibility and gas permeability.

Chemistry Deoartment -

INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS OF POL.Y (ORGANOPHOSPHAZENES) AND ORGANIC. POLYMERS.

Participants:

. H. R. Allcock -

1. Manners

' K. B. Visscher Services Provided: Gamma irradiation

- The purpose of this research is to prepare Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPN) of . ..

poly (organophosphazenes) and organic polymers. These materials may be used as biomaterials

-which combme a hydrophobic organic polymer dispersed in a crosslinked hydrophilic phosphazene polymer matnx.

32

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By definition, an IPN is', "a combination of two polymers in network form, at least one of which is synthesized and/or crosslinked in the immediate presence of the other. An IPN can be distinguished from simple polymer blends, blocks and grafts in two ways: (1) An IPN swells, but does not dissolve in solvents, and (2) creep ano flow are suppressed." Therefore, it is necessary to use poly (organophosphazenes) that can be easily crosslinked and swelled in aqueous environments for the first polymer matrix. One such materialis

[NP(OCH2CH2OCH2CH20CH3)2]n. This hydrophilic poly (organophosphazene) has been shown to cmsslink readily under MCo gamma radiation and this radical cmsslinking allows for swelling in organic solvents as well as aqueous media.

Poly (organophosphazenes) are prepared from the thermal ring opening polymerization of hexachlomcylotriphosphazene. Once polymerized, the reactive chlorines may be replaced with alkoxides, aryloxides, primary or secondary amines to obtain stable polymers with properties dependent on the side group.

, IPN's are prepared by first crosslinking [NP(OCH2CH20CH2CH2OCH3)2]n by exposing it to 3 MegaRads 60Co gamma radiation. The crosslinked polymer is then swollen in a organic monomer such as methyl methacrylate, styrene or acrylonitrile. The swollen, crosslinked polymer / monomer matrix is then sealed, under vacuum, and irradiated for 2 MegaRads #Co gamma radiation.

IPN's may be characterized in the same manner as polymer blends. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) determines the thermal transitions of the individual components. IR and solution NMR spectroscopy trace characteristic functional groups in these polymers and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) enables one to see individual polymer domains within the material.

Thus far, samples of crosslinked [NP(OCH2CH20CH2CH20CH3)2]n have been swelled in methyl methacrylate, stymne, acrylonitrile and divinyl benzene. These samples have been irradiated for 2 MegaRads and will be characterized usmg the aforementioned methods.

The materials prepared in these investigations should exhibit a combination of ilie properties of the staning materials-a hydrophobic portion dispersed in a hydrophilic matrix. The ideal biomaterial would be composed of each of these types of components-the hyd Opnilic portion would allow partial solubility in aqueous media while the hydrophobic ponions would prevent complete dissolution in aqueous media. Once prepared, these comp!.:xes could b: used as materials for heart valves, sutures, artificial veins, membranes, drug delivery systems and many other uses.

Chemistry Denartment POLY (ORGANOPHOSPHAZENES) WITH POLYALKYLETHER SIDE GROUPS:

A STUDY OF THEIR WATER SOLUBILITY AND THE SWELLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR HYDROGELS

Participants:

H. R. Allcock M. L. Turner R. J. Fitzpatrick S. R. Pucher Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation Five different poly (alkyl ether)phosphazenes were synthesized in order ta study their water solubility behavior as well as their corresponding hydrogels. They are:

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Poly [di(methoxyethoxy)phosphazene), poly [di(aminoethoxyethoxy)phosphazene],

poly [di(methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene], poly [di(ethoxyethoxyethoxy) phosphazene) and poly [di(butoxy etioxyethoxy)phosphazene), it was observed that as the temperature of the aqueous solutions of these polymers increased each of the macromolecules precipitated from solution at a specific temperatum. This effect was independent of both the polymer concentration in solution and the pH of the aqueous media. However, poly [di(aminoethoxyethoxy)phosphazene) was full soluble at all polymer concentration  !

Hydrogels of these polymers were prepared by s ecting them to gamma radiation (1 MegaRads, 5 MegaRads and 10 MegaRads). The crosslinked yphosphazenes behaved in a similar fashion to their soluble counterparts. As the tem xrature o e aqueous media increased, the hydrogel became opaque and lost mass (losing imiibed water weight). The weight loss percentage was independent of both the pH of the aqueous media and the radiation dose received. There was no sigmficant decomposition of the polymers nor was there any loss of integrity of the hydrogels through several heating and cochng cycles. Also, this solubility phenomenon was inherent to water and was not observed in other common organic solvents. An explanation of the low critical solubility temperature of the poly (alkyl cJw)phosphazenes is provided as well as potential applications of the hydrogels.

Chemistry Department POLYMER BLENDS OF POLY (ORGANOPHOSPilAZENES) WITII POLY (ORGANOPHOSPIIAZENES) AND ALSO WITli ORGANIC POLYMERS

Participants:

H. R. Allcock K. B. Visscher Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation The purpose of this research is to prepare polymer blends composed of poly (organophosphazenes)/ poly (organophosphazenes) and poly (organophosphazenes)/ organic polymers. These alloys will be tested as biomaterials.

Polymer blends may occur in a single phase (miscible blends) or multi-phase (immiscible blends) system. Both types of materials have great industrial application and their degire of miscibility may be detemuned by FT-IR, which determ:nes intermolecular interactions; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), which allows one to look at the individual domains within the system; and Differential Scaning Calorimetry (DSC), which shows the thermal transitions of the material.

The ideal polymer blend biomaterial would be composed of both a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic component the hydrophilic portion allows partial solubility in aqueous media, and the hydrophobic portion prevents complete dissolution in aqueous media.

We have investigated the blending properties of the following poly (organophosphazenes):

[NP(HNCH3)2]n

[NP(OCH2CH20CH2CH20CH3)2}n Hydrophilic

[NP(OCH20CF3)2]n Hydrophobic

[NP(OC6H5)2]n

[NP(OC6H5-CO2CH2CH2CH3)2]n 34 l

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The following organic 'polymeh wem blended with poly (organophosphazenes):

Poly (vinyl alcohol)

Poly (ethylene oxide) Hydrophilic -

Poly (acylic acid)

Poly (vinyl chloride)

Poly (styrene) Hydrophobic Poly (methyl methacrylate)

Poly (4-vinyl pyridine)

These polymers represent a cross section of hydrophobic and hydrophilic poly (organophosphazenes) and organic polymers. The intermolecular interactions between components (hydrogen bondmg etc.) helps to induce miscibility in the material.

Blends of every combination of the afommentioned polymers were prepared in many different concentrations. Thus far DSC data shows [NP(HNCH3)2]n to blend miscible with

[NP(OCH2CH20CH2CH20CH3)2}n, poly (vinyl chloride), poly (styrene), poly (methyl methacrylate), poly (4-vinyl pyridine) and poly (ethylene oxide)-all due to favorable hydrogen bonded mteractions between the components.

s

- Along the same lines [NP(OCH2CH2OCH2CH20CH3)2}n forms miscible blends with .

poly (vinyl alchol.ol) and poly (acrylic acid).

These materials may be crosslinked with 60Co gamma irradiation to increase their strength and durability. Ultimately, these polymer alloys will be tested for biocompatability and gas permeability.

DoctoralTheses: (Resulting from previous five research projects)

" Combinations of Poly (organophosphazenes) and Organic Polymers." Visscher, K.

B., Chemistry, H. R. Allcock, advisor. (In progress)

" Synthesis and Investigation of Novel Cyclic and Polymeric Phosphazenes,"

Dember, A. A.,1991, Chemistry, H. R. Allcock, advisor.

"Polyphosphazenes: Synthesis and Property Modification," Nelson, C. J.,

Chemistry, H. R. Allcock, advisor. (In progress)

" Synthesis and Investigation of Poly (organophosphazenes) To Be Used as Biomaterials," Pucher, S. R., Chemistry, H. R. Allcock, advisor (In progress)

, 35

Chemistry Decartment ' ~

7 L1 QUADRUPOLAR SPECTRUM OF LI ACETATE 2110 2

Participants:

L. M. Jackman D. Cizmeciyan A. J. Benesi Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation We are interested in measuring the quadrupole coupling constant oflithium acetate dihydrate using solid state 7Li NMR spectroscopy. We know that the Quad upole Coupling Constant (QCC)is actually 154.6 kHz from a single crystal. ' A study was done by BliAT et. al., at the Indian Institute of Science,1 and using the same compound we keep getting a QCC of ~ 80 kHz. It is thought that this difference could arise because of the i t relaxation time of 7the Li nucleus (which is very long: hours), it was suggested in the paper to irradiate the sample for 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> with a 2(X)0 Ci y-ray source to decrease the ti of 7Li.

At first sight our QCC is still around 80 kHz, but more investigation needs to be done to be able to explain the results.

IS. V. Bhat, A C. Padmanabhan, R. Srinivasan; Acn Cryst. /1974).B30,846.

Food Science Denanment IRRADIATION OF TURKEY SKIN TO KILL NATL"tAL MICROFLORA

Participants:

Morris Mast S. Poores Jeong-Weon Kim Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation In this study, irradiation was used for preparation of skin samples. To get sterile skin samples, several dosages were tried and a minimum dosage of 0.5 MegaRads was determined best for use in later studies.

DoctoralThesis:

1 "Effect of Three Defeathering Systems on the Morphology of Turkey Skin as Related to Attachment of Salmonella tvohimurium," Kim, Jeong-Weon, Food Science, Dr. S. Poores, advisor. (In progress)

Paper:

"Infuence of Three Defeatliering Systems on Morphology of Turkey Skin as Related to the Adhesion of Salmonella typhimurium," Kim, J. W., M. G. Mast and S. Poores, Oral Presentation June 2,1991. at Annual Conference of IFT (Institute of Food Technologists) on Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, $66,198 36 o

Geosciences Departmerit FE ISOTOPIC ABUNDANCES USING NEUTRON ACTIVATION

Participants:

Lee R. Kump Gregg Bluth Services Provided: Neutron imtdiation and Laboratory Space We are developing new techniques to measure the relative abundances of the stable iron isotopes using NAA. Thus far we have been able to demonstrate significant and replicable differences in the 54 pep 8Fe ratio among high purity materials. Presently we are refining our prepurification steps to improve the precision of the measurement of natural, geologic materials. We will perf am a survey of natural abundances, and then begin a study of the isotopic fractionat% mechanisms.

The initial study will focus on microbial iron reduction in saltmarsh sedin,ents.

Sponsor: National Science Foundation, $13,406 Geosciences Denartment PETROLOGY & GEOCilEMISTRY OF Tile ROCKY BOY STOCK,3EARPAW MOUNTAINS, MONTANA

Participants:

David Eggler Steve Shank Lee Kump Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation The origin of alkaline and subalkaline magmas in central Montana is unclear. There are three possible sources for the magmas; subcontinental lithosphere, asthenosphere and the subducting Farallon Plate: However, the relative contributions, if any, of each possible component is poorly constrained. To help clarify this question, a suite of unusual potassic alkaline rocks from the Rocky Boy Stock in the Bearpaw Mountains in north-central Montana is being studied. The three mssible sources are cha icterized by distinct trace element signatures. The subcontinental ithosphere beneath centra' Montana is distinguished by high Ba and extreme enrichment in the -

light rare-earth elements. La, Ce and Nd. The asthenosphere is characterized by high concentrations of Ta, Ti and Nb. In cor"mt, subduction-related magmas are distinguished by strong depletions in Ta, Ti and Nb, br scriched in Cs, Th and Rb. The trace-element data determined by INAA will aid in the i@ ;. carief: af the source (s) of the magmas, and will provide constmints on the relative proportion denvec from each possible source.-

DoctoralThesis:

p Petrology and Geochemistry of the Rocky Boy Stock, Bearpaw Mountains, l

Montana, Shank, S., Geosciences, D. Eggler, advisor. (In progress)

Sponsor: National Science Foundation 1

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Horticulture IRRADIATION OF COLOR POINSETTIA ACCESSIONS

Participants:

Richard Craig Andrew Riseman Serv;ces Provided: Gamma inadiation Tried to induce color mutants in commercial poinsettia cultivars. Currently evaluating material; will flower plants in December.

Metals Science & Encineerinc_

NON DESTRUCTIVE REACTOR MATERIALS EMBRITTLEMENT MONITORING FOR PLANT LIFE EXTENSION (PLEX) APPLICATIONS.

Participants:

M. P. Manahan Paula D. Freyer Services Provided: Hot Cell Lab, Radiation Counters and Electronics Shop Reactor pressure vessels and core internals are neutron irradiated during operation and consequently are subject to radiadon induced embrittlement it is therefore highly desirable for future end-of-license (EOL) extension planning to be able to monitor the material degradation and to accurately model the embrittlement process at critical locations on a regular tasis.

This research program is in the process of investigating the effects of neutrun irradiation on ferritic reactor component steels using positron annihilanon spectroscopy. Positron annihilation techniques have proven useful as a non-destructive probe for studying microstructural defects such as microvoids and precipitates in solids. For life extension purposes, detection and quantitication of microvoid densities is essential to the characterization of the steel embrittlement.-

The positron annihilation system is used to measure the microvoid density in neutron irradiated pressure vessel steel using a free-volume micro arobe (FVM). A FVM is capable of extremely sensitive detection of minute changes in the mo ecular free volume of a meterial. The key to the FVM is the very precise measurement of positron lifetime in the material ofinterest. The technique is so sensitive to electron density that localized changes, such as the introduction of microvoids due to neutron bombardment, can be readily detected. This data, along with other microstructural measurements (light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)) will be used to develop physically-based models which can predict material behavior such as strength, ductility and fracture toughness.

To date, much of the microstmetural characterization of the unirradiated steel has been completed and work continues on the irradiated steel. TEM has been used to investigate the various phases -

and precipitates present in the unirradiated steel and electron diffraction patterns are currently being analyzed in order to identify these phases. SEM has been used to study the fracture surfaces of both the unirradiated and irradiated material The positron lifetime measurements have also been completed and data deconvolution has been initiated.

Master's Thesis:

"Non-Destructive Reactor Materials Embrittlement Monitoring for Plant Life Extension (PLEX) Applications," Freyer, Paula D., Metals Science & Engineering, M. P. Manahan, advisor. (In progress) 38

Talks:

"Non-Destructive Reactor Materials Embrittlement Monitoring for Plant Life Extension (PLEX) Applications," Freyer, Paula D., Oraduate Seminar Series, Metals Science & Engmeering Department,1991.

"Non Destructive Reactor Materials Embrittlement Monitoring for Pknt Life Extension (PLEX) Applications," Freyer, Paula D., Cooperation Research Program, 1 Metals Science & Engineering Department,1991 Nuclear Encineerinc_ -

CIIANGES IN MECllANICAL PROPERTY OF BORATED STAINLESS STEEL IRRADIATED WITil NEUTRONS

Participants:

A. Baratta M. Manahan J.He S. E. Soliman K. Rudy Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation, Radiation Counters, Machine Shop' Flux Monitoring rnd Electronics Shop _

Borated stainless steel is utilized by the nuclear power industry in the shipment and storage of spent fuel. The boron in the stainless steelis used as a neutron absorber to prevent inadvertent criticality. Neutrons from the fuel are absorbed by the boron-10 isotope in an (n,a) reaction.

This project examines the effect of neutron irradiation on the mechanical properties of this material.  !

The principle concerns are the embrittlement caused by fast neutron induced damage and the helium production from the boron 10 maction.

Presently, a variety of samples were irradiated to diffemnt fluences. Some of these have undergone mechanical testmg and microscopic examination.- Cunent emphasis is on the properties of borated stainless steel which has been fabricated into spent fuel storage channels. Also, work is underway to evaluate the Kie fracture toughness of the material, Masters Thesis:

" Fracture Toughness of Borated Stainless Steel," He, J.,. Nuclear Engineering, Mc P. Manahan, advisor. (In progress)

Publication:

Neutron Effects of Borated Stainless Steel," Sollmon, S.E;, D.' L. Youchison,' A. J. Baratta l and T. A. Balliette, Nuclear Technologies (to be published 1992).

Nuclear Encineering PERTURBED ANGULAR CORRELATION STUDIES OF NON DOPED AND Ca-DOPED BARIUM TITANATE

Participants:

Gary L Catchen James M. Adams Roben L. Rasera Services Provided: Neutron irradiation and Angular Correlations Lab To explore the range of phenomena that could be measured via nuclear electric quadrupole interactions in ferroelectric ternary metal oxides, Penarbed Angular Correlation (PAC) measurements were made on Ca doped barium titanate at laboratory and elevated temperatures, and on non-doped barium titanate at cryogenic temperatures.

Ca-doped and non-doped polycrystalline samples of barium titanate were pre sared using the resin-intennediate process. *lhe Ca-doping was perfonned according to the fonnu. a (Bai.sCax )(Ti i .

y Cay)O 3 .y, in which 0 $ x s 0.05 and 0 s y s 0.05. In addition, all of the sam?les were doped with approximately 0.1 at. percent of Hf, which substituted into the Ti sites anc carried the 181Hf/1"ITa PAC probe radioactivity. The interactions measured on the Ca dope explained by a simple random substitution model, in which the effects of Ca-dopm,d g are attributed samples to substitution of Ca2+ lons into the Ba-sites that are nearest to the probe sites. Out of this series of experiments, one result is panicularly noteworthy. Parnelectric ABO 3 perovskites such as SrTiO3, BaHf0 and 3 BaTiO3 (above Te) should show no penurbations, because their structurrs have nominal cubic symmetry that should cause the efgs at the 3 sites to vanish, instead these compounds show weak low frequency penurbations that traditionally have been attributed to the effects of O vacancies. The low frequency penurbation that the 2 at. percent-Ca doped sample showed in the paraelectric phase was approximately twice as strong as the corrusponding weak .

perturbation that the non-doped sample showed over the same temperature range. This result s'.rongly suggests that O vacancies do not cause these featureless penurbations observed in these paraelectric phases. Instead these weak penurbations may arise from the effects of anharmonic, multiple-minima potentials at the Ti site. The interactions measured at cryogenic temperatures on non doped barium titanate show an anomalous temperature dependence in the orthohombic phase and the absence of a static interaction in the rhombohedral phase. the penurbation functions -

measured in the rhombohedral phase over the temperature range from 10 K to 150 K show exponential decay, which is the experimental signature of a time-varying interaction. The rate of this decay decreases as temperature increases. This trend suggests that a heretofore unknown .

i nucle tr-spin-relaxation mechanism s operative at low temperatures.

Publication:

"Penurbed Angular Correlation Studies of Ferroelectrics," Catchen, G. L. and R. L.

Rasera, Ferroelectrics (in press).

Pape.r:

" Perturbed Angular Correlation Studies of Ferroelectrics." Catchen, G. L and R. L.

Rasera, presented at the workshop on Fundamental Experiments in Ferroelectrics, Williamsburg, VA, February 3-5,1991 (invited paper) 40

Nuclear Engineering EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION OF NUCLEAR QUADRUPOLE INTERACTIONS IN A Uf, DOPED NiAl ALLOY Panicipants: Gary L. Catchen Donald A. Koss Services Provided. Neutron Irradiation and Angular Correlations Lab A structural material that we investigated is one member of the family of NixAl y alloys. This panicular alloy offers the potential to provide a high strength-to-weight ratio, but currently this particular family of alloys lacks ductihty. It is far too brittle to make any structural components out of. The ductility of this alloy depends on the concentration of dopants such as lif, for example, as well as on the panicular defect structure of a specific alby. We made the preliminary measurements on a sample of NiAl doped with 0.1 atomi; percent of Hf. We found that the 181Hf/181Ta probe can be used to measure nuclear quadrupole interactions in this alloy. The measured interacuons indicate that the lattice is disordued, but considerably more work is needed to arrive at more dermitive conclusions.

Nuclear Encineering TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF Tile Ti SITE ELECTRIC. FIELD GRADIENT IN TITANITE, CaTiSiOs

Participants:

Gary L. Catchen Clive A. Randall David M. Spaar Stephen J. Wukitch James M. Adams Roben L. Rasera Senices Provided: Neutmn Irradiation and Angular Correlations Lab Perturbed-Angular-Correlation (PAC) spectroscopy was used to measure nuclear-electric-quadrupole interactions at the Ti sites in ceramic samples of titanite. The primary objective was to l

measure the effects of the antiferroelectric-to-paraelectric transition, which occurs at appmximately 500 K, on the electric-field gradients (efg) at the Ti site. The samples were doped with 2 and 0.5 at. % of Hf that carried the 181Hf a 181Ta PAC pmbes. Measurements were made over a

temperature range from 10 to 980 K. Over the temperature range near the transition, the efg

parameters Vu and a showed no significant inflections. Over the entire temperature range, as l temperatures increased, Vu decreased appruximately linearly and h remained relatively constant.

l Using the point-charge model, the absence of any discernable effect of the transition on the measured values of Vu and a could be attributed to the direction and symmetry of the Ti-ion displacemen" elative to the Ti site efg axes.

Publication:

" Temperature Dependence of the Ti Site Electric-Field Gradient in Titanite CaTiSiO 5," Catchen, G. L., C. A. Randall and R. L. Rasera, submitted to the Physical Review B, Angust 1991.

41

Ngelent Engineering ORDER. DISORDER EFFECTS IN TIIE PHASE TRANSITIONS OF LINbO3 and LITaO3 MEASURED BY PERTURHED ANGULAR CORRELATION SPECTROSCOPY

Participants:

Gary L. Catchen David M. Spaar Services Provided: Neutmn Irradiation and Angular Correlations Lab Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) spectroscopy was used to measure nuclear-electric .

quadrupole interactions at the Li sites.in two isostructural, ferroelectric ternary-metal-oxides,

[

LiNbO 3and LiTaO These 3 compounds'were prepared as ceramics doped with approximately 0.01 at. % Hf that carried tim radioactive 181Hf 4181Ta PAC probes. PAC measurements were  ;

made over a temperature range from 295 K to - 1100 K which included the ferroelectric-to-paraelectric transition for LiTaO 3, Because the transition temperature Tc for LiNbO 3exceeded the -

accessible temperature range of the available apparatus, the investigation focused mainly on the features of the LiTaO3 transition. In particular, the measured perturbation functions show well. -

defined, high frequency, static interactions m.e are characterized by extensive linebroadening at temperatures well below Teand by significantly less linebroadening at temperatures above Te. At temperatures above Tc, the electric field-gradient (efg) asymmetry parameter a is close to zero; but at temperatures well below Tc, a is significantly larger than zero. This result is not expected, -

because the axial symmetry at the Li site associated with the diffraction-derived structure implies that h should _ vanish at temperatures both below and above Te, The observed n' temperature dependance is explained using an order-disorder model. This model suggests that Li Frenkel pair defects (and to some extend group V antisite defects) occupy normally vacant metal sites and break

.the axial symmetry associated _with the Li site. At temperatures below Tc, the efg component Vu increases as temperature increases. Distonion of the probeicontaining oxygen octahedron that ;

increases with temperature could produce this change in Vu. Over the same temperature range, the spontaneous polarization -lecteases. Fct this reason, Vu may not be strongly coupled to the order parameter for the transition. However, the anomalous temperature dependence of a suggests.that a may be coupled to the order parameter.

~

Paper:

" Unusual Linebroadening Tempemture Dependence Associated wid Nuclear Quadrupole Interactions in LINbO3 and LiTaO3 ." Catchen, G. L., D. M. Spaar arid Ic D. Wilhams,93rd Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Ceramic Society-Cincinnati, OH, April 28-May 2,1991, PublicationF

" Order-Disorder Effects in the Phase Transitions of LINbO 3 and LiTaO 3 Measured .

by Perturbed-Angular-Corielation Spectrosc6py," Catchen G. L. and D. M. Spaar, submitted to the Phys. Rev. B, June 1991.

Sponsor: Office of Naval Research ' $45,000i  ;

L 42 l

Nuclear Engineering CIIARACTERIZATION OF SEVERAL FERROELASTIC, RARE.EARCll NIOBATE CERAMICS USING PERTURBED ANGULAR CORRELATION SPECTROSCOPY

Participants:

Gary L, Catchen David M. Spaar Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation and Angular Correlations Lab Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) Spectroscopy was used to measum nuclear electric quadrupole interactions in several polycrystalline, ferroelastic, rarc-earth niobate ceramics. The study focused on NdNbO4 and GdNbO4, although some measurements were made on YbNbO4 and CeNbO4. The resin intermediate method was used to prepare the samples. The 181Hf/181Ta probe was substituted into primurily the niobium sites at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.1 atomic percent ofIlf. The resulting samples were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction and for the most part were found to be phase pure.

The samples were measured from 77 K to 1160 K, which included the monoclinic to-tetragonal phase transition temperatures. The measurements on samples that were doped at 1 ,

xrcent did not yield perturbation functions that could be characterized by unique parameters.

However, the measurements on the samples doped at 0.1 percent did yield well-defined interactions. These perturbation functions yielded electric field gradients (efgs) and asymmetry parameters that showed anomalous minima and maxima, respectively. This variation indicated that the structural change of the compounds was consistent with second-order phase transitions. Most of the 181Hf/181Ta probes substituted into either defective or non-defective Nb sites. Because the number of probes at non-defeedve sites increased with temperature, oxygen vacancy migration away from the probe sites may have occurred.

The results of these experiments show that the 181Hf/181Ta probe can be used successfully to study the efgs at chemically dissimilar lattice sites in temary metal oxides containing Nb.-

Master's Thesis:

" Characterization of Several Ferroelastic, Rare-Eanh-Niobate Ceramics Using Perturbed' Angular Correlation Spectroscopy," Spaar, D. M.,1991, Nuclear Engineering G. L. Catchen, advisor.

Publication:

" Highly Asymmetric Electric Field Gradients at the Nb. Sites in Ferroelastic GdNbO4:

and NdNbO4," Catchen, G. L., I. D. Williams, D. M. Spaar, S. J. Wukitch and J. M.

- Adams, Physical Review B .43., pp. I138-1141,1991.

Paper:

" Highly Asymmetric Electric Field Gradients at the Nb Site in Ferroclastic GdNbO4 and NdNbO4," Catchen, G. L., I. D. Williams, D.' M. Spaar, S. J Wukitch and J. M.

Adams,93rd Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Ceramic Society, Cincinnati,OH, April 28-May.2,1991.

43

i Nuclear Engineering ANALYSIS OF THE FERROELECTRIC PEROVSKITE POTASSIUM NIOBATE BY PERTURBED ANGULAR CORRELATION SPECTROSCOPY Panicipants: Gary L. Catchen Stephen J. Wukitch Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation and Angular Contlations Lab Penurbed-Angular-Correlation (PAC) spectroscopy was performed on the ferroelectric perovskite potassium niobate, KNbO 3, using the 181Hf/181Ta probe. The samples prepared by the adapted resin intermediate process were doped with 0.1 at. % of Hf that carried the 181Hf/183Ta probe.

Phase pure KNbO3 ceramic samples were produced using this method, but significant precautions had to be taken to prevent the samples from reacting with water and carbon dioxide, Nuclear-electric-quadrupole interactions were measured from 295 K to 769 K, and the interactions were assumed to be measured at the Nb-sites. The electric field gradients associated with the KNbO 3 phase transitions were expected to be similar to those observed in barium titanate, BaTiO3 .

However, the measurements yielded some results that were inconsistent with this expectation. The paraclectric cubic phase of KNbO3 gave an experimental perturbation function that differed significantly from those measured by others on the cubic phase of BaTiO3. But, the measurements on the onhorhombic stmeture yielded a relatively constant EFG in magnitude, which was similar to those observed by others on the two low temperature phases of BaTiO3. The measurements on the onhorhombic structure were characterized by the anticipated large asymmetry values.

Measurements on the tetragonal and cubic structures, however, revealed significant asymmetry values that within experimental error were expected to be zero. The temperature dependence of the line broadening parameter, S, was also found to be anomalous. The measurements on ti e high temperature phases should have showed small S-values, but the measurements on these tetragonal and cubic phases showed large S-values. Future PAC measurements of KNbO3 , which would inclu3 several experimental refinements, could possibly produce more detailed insight on the fundamental nature of crystal defects and structural phase transformations in this material Bachelor's Thesis:

" Analysis of the Fenoelectric Perovskite Potassium Niobate by Penurbed Angular Conelation Spectroscopy," Wukitch, S. J.,1990, Nuclear Engineering, G. L. Catchen, advisor.

Nuclear Encineerine TRITIUM CONTAMINATION OF METALS Panicipants: W. S. Diethom A. R. Dulloo Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation, Radiation Counters, Laboratory Space, Machine Shop, Isotope Production and Electronics Shop d

^

44

Tritum contamination of equipment creates problems in waste control, radiological safety and tritium accountability at large tritium-processing facilities in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to investigate tritium distribution and desorption kinetics at elevated temperatures in materials of interest to the tritium processing industry.

Doctoral Thesis:

"An Experimental Study of the Distribution of Recoil-and Diffusion-charged Tritium in Metals," Dulloo, A. R., Nuclear Engineering, W, Diethorn, advisor. (in progress)

Paper:

" Radioassay Techniques in the Study of Tritium Contamination of Metals," Dulloo, A. R, ANS Student Conference (PSU), Spring 1990.

Sponsor: Mound Laboratory, third year Nuclear Encineerine TRIGA REACTOR OPTIMAL CONTROL

Participants:

Robert Edwards James Turso Dan Hughes Mac Bryan Services Provided: Laboratory Space, Electronics Shop, Reactor Instrumentation and Staff Support A Bailey Network 90 Distributed Control System is being used to implement advanced control strategies on the TRIGA. The secondary control rod drive (SCR) which travels in the central l thimble, has been connected to a Bailey multifunction controller. In addition to the standad l control functions of the multifunction controller, the capability to program additional controller algorithums via the "C' programming language is also available Using the point kinetics equations (along with the appropriate TRIGA parameters) and thermal hydraulic theory (for fuel temperature calculations), a simulation has been developed using ACSL (Advanced Continuous Simulation Language). This in turn was used to develop and implement an optimal control strategy, state feedback assisted control, on the TRIGA. State Feedback Assisted l

Control (SFAC) consists of a state feedback controller (with the feedback gains " optimally" determined to give a desired fuel temperature response) sending a remote setpoint to a " classical,"

proportional controller. This arrangement is essentially a classical contro!'er cascaded cff of an optimal controller.

l The experimental setup, consisting of the secondary control rod drive motor and SCR, was developed by the reactor facility staff.

The experiment consists of a reactor operator bringing the TRIGA up to 700 kw. At this power, with the SCR fully withdrawn from the core, reactor control is given to the Bailey system. A step change in demand (a negative 50 kw step) is introduced. The reactor response (i.e. power, modified demand sent from the optimal controller, fuel temperature, etc.) is observec and recorded.

45

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _. . .~. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . . _ _ _

At present, two experiments have been run with increasingly better'results." Several changes have been made to the controller accordingly. A third experiment is scheduled.

Paper:

" Experience with Developing a Real-World Advanced Control and Diagnostic Testbed Using a University Research Reactor," Turso, J., R. Edwards, D. Hughes and M. Bryan, to be presented at the ANS AI91 conference, September 1991, Jackson, Wyoming.

Nuclear Encineerine NEUTRON ATTENUATION MEASUREMENTS OF BOROFLEX Panicipants: D. Hughes D. Kline

. D. Vonada

, K. Linquist Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation, Neutron Instrumentation and Beam Lab The purpose of this project was to measure the neutron attenuation of boroflex coupons that have been taken from fue l storage racks. It was a ? art of a larger project to assure the integrity of the .

boroflex which maintained the low Keff of t ne storage pool. The attenuation measurements were made by using a fission chamber instrument to compare the incident beam with the transmitted -

beam.

Sponsor: Northeast Technology Corporation .$2500 Nuclear Encineerine TESTING OF-A CONCEPT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF!

AIRBORNE CARBON 14 - AND TRITIUM ACTIVITY RELEASED FROM '

NUCLEAR-POWER PLANTS

Participants:

William A. Jester Khalid M. Alam Services Provided: hborau ry Space and Machine Shop -

This research project is based upon the collection of carbon dioxide and water vapor from air.

- Later on, the species mentioned above are desorbed by heating. The activities of carbon-14 and '

tritium contained in the species collected are determined using liquid scintillation counting.

The system was built in the facility machine shop and calibrated in the laboratory. The experiments were performed in a hood with the exhaust fan turned on.- A typical experiment involved the .

absorption of 111 nCi of carbon-14 and 16 nCi of tritiated water on approximately 100 g of- _ _ .

molecular sieves. Later on the sieves were heated to 825 F. Desorbed tritiated water was collected 46 ,

L

___=_ _ _ - , . _ _ .-

in a biodegradable orginic scintillator, ecoscint. Carbon-14 was collected in a mixture of CO2 -

absorder (carbamate) and the organic scintillator. Currently, the system is in the final stages of -

completion.

DoctoralThesis:

" Development of Carbon-14 and Tritium Gaseous Effluent Sampler for Nuclear Power Plants," Alam, K. M., Nuclear Engineering, W. A. Jester, advisor. (In progress)

Sponsor: FERMI $15,000 Pennsylvania Power and Light $25,000 Nuclear Engineering STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF FISSION PRODUCT TELLURIUM ON TIIE IODINE SOURCE TERM UNDER SEVERE LIGIIT WATER REACTOR ACCIDENT CONDITIONS Panicipants: William A. Jester Byung soolee Services Provided: Radiation Counters, Laboratory Space and Isotope Production To study the effect of fission product tellurium on the species of radiolodine and its release rate.

An experiment was conducted using tellurium compound which was neutron-activated in the TRIGA reactor. Some typical reactor containment surface materials,i.e., paint and stainless steel strips, were used to deposit tellurium compounds, which were dissolved and then the resulting airborne radiciodine species were sampled while the tellurium was decaying on the surfaces. Then iodine filters were gamma counted by a GeLi detector system for quantitative analysis.

Nuclear Eneineerine DEVELOPMENT OF A SOURCE HOLDER AND CONVERSION TABLES FOR USE WITH EBERLINE RO 2'S TO ALLOW THE MEASUREMENT OF THE SKIN DOSE: RATES FROM BETA-GAMMA SO!JRCES -

Participants:

William A. Jester Samuel H. Levine Manho Chung Tzyy-Jye Lin-Services Provided: . Radiation Counters, Laboratory Space, Machine Shop, Isotope -

Production and LowlevelMom,tonng -

In this project, technic ues are being developed to determine skin dose rates from beta-gamma -

sources using an Eber ine RO-2 ion chamber. A program called E13RO2 has been modified from the ZEBRA code (a Monte Carlo program developed by Martin J. Berger) for use in computing the -

beta dose from an RO-2 measurement. The E13RO2 program is a two dimensional program; written in Turbo Basic and can be run on an IBM compatible microcomputer. It calculates the energy deposited in the detector air volume and computes beta skin dose rates as a function of 47

source type, source strength, source diameter, source-detector distances anil shield between source and chamber. To fit the RO-2, the geometrical factors of that detector have been taken into consideration.

A table is being developed to evaluate the skin dose fmm RO 2 outputs as a function of the measured dose ratio, wbich is the ratio of outputs obtained without and with a gradient shield of 7 mg/cm2 mass thickness, various source radii and source-detector distances.

A source holder for the RO-2 chamber has been designed and finished to hold any kind of beta-gamma source at a fixed source-detector distance. The holder has been used to measure man different sources to generate the conversion tables in cooperation with the E13RO2 program.y Initial measurements using MCo, STI and 90Sr/90Y sources under different conditions show good agreement with E13RO2 calculations.

Sponsor: Pennsylvania Power & Light Company l

l Nuclear Encineering BETA DOSIMETRY PROJECT Panicipants: William A. Jester Samuel H. Levine Manho Chung Services Provided:

Radiation Counters, Laboratory Space, Machine Sho), Isotope Production, Low Level Monitoring and Electronics S iop The purpose of the research is to develop improved ways to compute and measure the beta skin dose. The one-dimensional Monte Carlo electron transport code, ZEBRA, was converted to Eltran2 and Eltrans f or use on the Macintosh or any IBM compatible microcomputer. Of the various types of detectors, the semiconductor detector was chosen, because it has small size and high sensmvity. Especially, a low leakage current ion implanted silicon detector was selected for this research. To cover a wide range of dose rate, both the pulse and current mode operations of -

the silicon detector were used, with an overlap of one order of magnitude in the measurable dose rate ranges in the two modes. By using a shield of 7 mg/cm2 on the silicon detector, dose gradient measurements were performed. Based on this research, a 4 been constructed, including an A/D convertor and a micro;p+ .nype beta skin dose monitor i has to calculate the skin dose, it covers more than five orders ut magnitude in the measurable b dose rate ranges. The prototype device has been field tested at the TMI nuclear plant site with hot particles and various other radioactive sources.

Doctom! Thesis:

"Research and Development of a Beta Skin Dose Monitor Using Silicon Detectors,"

Chung, M., Nuclear Engineering, W. A. Jester and S. FL Levine, abisors. (In progress)-

48

)'

I

l l

Publication:

" Development of a Beta Skin Dose Monitor Using a Silicon Detector," Chung, M.,

W. A. Jester and S. H. Levine, IEEE Transitions on Nuclear Science 38, No. 4 (accepted), August 1991. ,

1 Sponsor: FERMI $22,326.00 Duquesne Light Company $25,000.00 GPU Nuclear Corporanon $15,000.00 Nuclear Encineering PIPE WALL THINNING NDT USING X RAY SCATTER

Participants:

Edward S. Kenney X.Xu Services Provided: Hot Cell Lab, Laboratory S, pace, Machine Shop and Isotope Production Pipe wall thinning is a serious problem in the secondary system of PWR's. Accidents have killed several workers when pipes exploded. This project seeks to demonstrate an NDT tool for measuring pipe wall thickness using gamma ray scatter. Progress to date includes Monte Carlo simulations and experiments using Cs 137 gamma rays and lower energies. The simulation work has led to construction of a proto-type gauge using Ir 192 gamma rays DoctoralThesis:

"A High Speed Wide-Apenure Compton Scatter Imaging Technique - A Computational Study with Application to Pipe Wall Thinning," Lee, Houlung,1991, Nuclear Engineering, E S. Kenney, advisor.

Sponsor: FERMI $25,000 Nucle 1r Engiers CHANGES EFFECTED IN WOOD AND WOOD PULP BY IRRADIATION

Participants:

D, Kline l D. Vonada l D. Raupach Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation and Laboratory Space Pennsylvania has an exceptionally large hardwood timber industry. Wood usage somewhat exceeds the use of synthetic polymers, and it is the subject of a significant research effort. At PSU-much of the research is carried out at the Forest Resources Lab.

l Irradiation of wood and pulp has been carried out at the PSBR 'as an adjunct for research to try to understand physical property changes and to explore methods by which the properties can be modified and enhanced.

49

?

Nuclear Engineering PROPERTIES OF Tile NEUTRON ABSORBER MATERIAL BORAFLEX

Participants:

D. Kline D. Vonada D. Raupach Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation and Laboratory Space Boraflex is a composite polymer of polysiloxanes with a B4C-filler used in maximum density storage of fuel elements to control the reactivity. Boraflex performance has deteriorated after some years of use, but somewhat before the anticipated service hfe of the high-density.

Data from the literature conceming polydimethylsiloxane were evaluated a few years ago, and Borallex coupon monitoring is currently being carried out at storage pool sites. It is also of academic interest to study some of the properties of the polymer using the nuclear teactor (PSBR),

and other facilities.

It is hoped that resul'ts can be obtained to explain certain aspects of the. changes in properties, and that they can be used by utilities throughout Pennsylvania and the United States in estimating '

and/or extending the service life of the B4C filled polymer system.

An additional phase involves ascertaining property cha'iges ofin-service Boraflex. About once per year a surveillance coupon from a storage pool is sent to PSU and evaluated for radiation-induced changes. Fractions of deteriorated Boraflex with a substantial irradiation history are also 4 monitored for possible post-irradiation deterioration in water baths held at controlled conditions.

Nuclear Engineering .

THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON EUTECTIC METAL ALLOYS USED AS TEMPERATURE MONITORS

Participants:

. M. P, Manahan Ha Cheung Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation, Hot Cell Lab, Radiation Counters, Laboratory Space, Machine Shop, Flux Monitoring and Electronics Shop - ~ 1 Eutectic Metal Ahoys are used today to monitor the temperature in pressure vessel surveillance capsules in nuclear power plants. It has been seen that these monitors indicate incorrect -

temperatures with increasing fluence.

This project was to see whether neutron irradiation on these materials would cause the false indicanons.

The monitors indicate the temperature by melting. Since neutron bombardment enhaces v;.uzmcy.

motion and these materials are alloys,it is conceivable that the imputity atoms may come out of-solution leaving in the general mass, a different composition. Hence, this would change the melting temperature of the alloys.

50

Senior Honor's Thesis':

"The Effects of Radiation on Eutectic Metal Alloys Used as Temperature Monitors,"

Cheung, Ha,1991, Engineering Science and Mechanics, M. P. Manahan, advisor.

Paper:

"The Effects of Radiation on Eutectic Metal Alloys Used as Temperature Monitors,"

Cheung, Ha, talk at the student ANS Regional Conference, University of Florida, March 1991.

Nuclear Encineering MECilANICAL PROPERTIES OF BORATED STAINLESS STEEL USED IN SPENT FUEL RACK ASSEMBLIES"

! Participates: M. P. Manahan Jianhui He Anthony Baratta Services Provided: Neutron Irradiation, Hot Cell Lab, Radiation Counters, Machine Shop, Low Level Monitoring and Electronics Shop This purpose of the project is to perform experiment test and analysis of mechanical properties of several series of borated stainless steels manufactured by Carpenter Technology Corporation, with the specimens in both unirradiated and irradiated conditions. The main a )plicanon of these steels is '

to make channel box to store spent fuel rack assemblies. It is a concern t1at neutron irradiation may embrittle the material. This study wi? , ;monstrate the effect and make corresponding recommendations for the intended app': cation.

Currently, tensile properties of unitradiated specimens have been investigated. Sections of life-size channel boxes have been compressed and studied. Most of the planned irradiation of tensile samples, compact tension samples and channel box sections have been performed. The _-

experimental part of the project is about halfway done.

Sponsor: Carpenter Technology Nuclear Engineering

-NINE MILE POINT UNIT I STRESS CORROSION-CRACKING SENSOR POST.

IRRADIATION EXAMINATION

Participants:

M. P. Manahan T. K. Yeh Services Provided: Hot Cell Lab, Machine Shop and Electronics Shop The stress corrosion monitors made by GE from Nine Mile Point Unit I nuclear power plant will be shipped to PSU and investigated in the hot cell labora:ory._ The main objective is to _ find the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) characteristics of the irradiated 304 stainless steel. ' Both non.

51 l

destracuve and destructive testings will te perfonned. The theory c'mploye'd in this project is 11.

Tada's stress intensity solution for double cantilever beam (DCB).

hiaster's Thesis:

"Nine Mile Point Unit i Stress Corrosion Cracking Sensor Postirmdiation Exar.); nation," Yeh T. K., Nuclear Engineering, bl. P. Manahan, advisor. (In progress)

Sponsor: Niagara Mohewk Ivwer Corporati n N'iclear Eneineerine FACTORS AFFEC'l WG SILVER AND CERIUP.1 RETENTION IN llURN AND NORMAL SKIN

Participants:

Dale Raupach Quentin Hanwig Harvey Slater Services Provided: Neutron irradiation and Radiation Counters Despite extensive treatment, some severely bumed patients die of multiple organ failure, the exact cause of which is still uncertain. Sir.ce the Cerium Silver sultadiazine is beneficial, investigation into the location of the silver and .crium in tissue would significantly improve the undetitanding of the manner in which these and other elementa exhibit their antibiotic /antitoxic effects.

Neutron activation potentially stands as an ideal technic for assessing the quantities of silver, cerium and other elements in dMferent tissues. Preliminary analyses are being conducted on excised samples of Silvadene cream tre::ted bom tissues, some of which have had cerium added post excision.

Nuclear Engineering AUTOMATED TRIGA REACTOR TilERMAL POWER CAllllRATION TECilNIQUE FOR TIIE

Participants:

M. H. Voth K. Sahadt.wan D. Hughes M. aryan Services Provided: Neutron Irrad;ation, Laboratory Space, Machine Shop and Electronics Shop Thennal power calibrations are routinely performed at the Penn State TRIG A reactor to establish a teproducible relationship between actt,al and indicated power after change.s in core loading, instrument repositioning and burnup.

The new calibration technique will improve upon the accuracy, sensitivity and reprouw ility of the present method. Three different techniques wen: evaluated, 52

_ _ _ _ . . . ^- ~

In the chosen technique', the co're is isolated and the p .sl temperature is kept constant by controlling the flow through the heat exchanger. By keeping the pool temperature constant, heat losses due to cormection and conduction are minimized and kept nearly constant.

4

• wo Temiinal IC temperature transducers are connected to a Data Translation A/D card and 15

adings are monitored. The mass flow rate through the primary side of the heat exchanger is measured by a Magnetic Flow Sensor, in an ideal environment, the heat rejected by the ;1 eat exchanger plus the calculated heat loss terms will equal heat generated by tne core.

Sensitivity studies using theoretical assumptions show that out of all possible sources of error, including losses through the pool wall, losses due to evaporation and uncertainties in measurements, flow rate and temperature readings have the biggest effect on the final result. The Magnetic Flow Sensor readings are accurate toi 0.5% of reading plus 10.5% of full scale and the temperature transducers are sensitive toi 0.01'C.

This technique is conveniently reproducible and we have proven that it is more accurate than the present metbod. It is being incorporated as one of the Reactor Operating Procedures (Checks and Calibrations Procedure 2).

Master's Thesis:

" Automated hermal Power Calibration Technique foi the TRIG A Reactor,"

Sahadewan K., Nuclear Engineering, M. H. Voth, advisor. (in progress)

Paper:

" Automated Thermal Power Calibration Technique for the TRIGA Reactor,"

Sahadewan K., M.11. Voth, D. Hughn and M. Bryan, American Nuclear Society Eastem Regional Student Conference Transactions, University of Florida, March 1991.

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k

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Physics Department TilERMAL NEUTRON DIFFRACTION

Participants:

P.Sokol Mei Pang Fang M. Guzzo B. Sexton F. Lany M. Polashenski Services Provi.ied: Dermal Neutron Beam (1x. m Lab)

Ris experiment is part of the Physics Department undert,.. % ate / graduate laboratory and is intended to introduce the students to the basic piinciples of neboon scattering and to time-of flight techniques. The experiment currently uses a beam of thermal neutrons from the neutrun radiography beam line. The a )paratus consists of a Fermi chopper, to ctrate a pulsed beam, a 3He

. proportional counter, an IBM PC with multichannel analyzer card and associated electronics.

53 b

With this apparatus the students cany out two experiments:

L Measurement of the vek) city distribution of thennal neutrons from the reactor using time-of-flight technique.

2. Observation ofIlragg scattering from a polycrystalline alummlum sample.

'lhe current setup is mther crude, consisting of a single detector and a simple drive system for the chopper, Funds provided by the NSF through the Instrumentation for Laborutory Improvement program will be used to upgrade the chopper drive electronics, add more detectors and increase the shielding for the apparatus.

Sponsor: NSF Instrumentation for Laboratory Irnprovement $20,000

'" ant Puholocv

!!! OLOGY, M*/COTOXICOLOGY AND TAXONOMY OF FUSARIUM SPECIES

Participants:

Paul E. Nelson Jean Juba Lois V. Klotz Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation Fusarium species were ischited fram soil samples and soil debris obtainea at altitu<ies of 1400, 1100,800,500,250 and 0 m in the Republic of Transkei. Nineteen species of Fusarium were isolated representing sections Eupionnotes, SoorotrichieL, Disco'of, Gibbosum, Anhrosooriella, Liseola, Elecans, Martiella and Lateritium. Fusarium Oxysporum, E. couiseti, E. itmittc. lum, E.

nygamai and E. iolani were isolated most frequently and E oxvsoomm was the precominant species isolated from all samples. Other s merismoides, E. lateritium, E culmorum,pecies recivered were E. chlamvdospon13, E.

E. gom pactum, E. diam;ni, E, gaae,11. proliferatum, E.

moniliforme, E. graminernrum, E. sambucinum, E, napifonne and three unknown populations.

All species were grown on irradiated carnation leaf agar for identification. 'Ising Simpson's index, the diversity indices calculat:d for Fusarium species from debris and soil from each sampling site indicate that overall debris was a greater source of species diversity than soil.

Diversity indices calculated for each altitude sample and each isolation technique showed that the sea level site yielded the most diverse population, e

Publication:

" Fusarium Species isolated From Soil Samples Collected r' Differrnt Altitudes in the Transkei, southern Africa," Jeschke, N., P. E. Nelron and W. F. O. Marasas.

, Mycologia,82, pp. 727 733,1990.

54

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Solid State Science PROCESSING EFFECTS ON 1r1C COMPOSITE TilERMISTORS Panicipants: Dr. Robert E. Newnham Dr. James P. Runt Robert J. Sullivan Services Provided: Gamma Irradiation The samples irradiated wert V2 Orpolystyrene composite positive temperature coefficient of resistance OrFC) thermistors, in these composites the V 2O3 is dispersed throughout the polystyrene matrix. A PTC thermistor is a device which shows a large increase ($.8 orders)in resistance over a narrow temperature range (DT=20 C). The mechanism believed to be responsible for this anomaly in composite l'rC thermistors is the expansion of the polymer matrix pulhng the conductive particles apan. Gamma radiation induces crosslinking in the polystyrrne matrix which decreases the thennal expansion. '1he grrater the gamma dose the greater the resulting crosslink density and the less the thennal expansion of the polymer. As expected, the samples showed a

, decrease in the change in resistance with increasing gamma radiation. This decirase was attributed to the decrease in thennal expansion of the composite also seen with increasing mdiation dose.

Doctoral Thesis:

" Processing Effects on IrfC Composite Thennistors," Sullivan, Robert J., Solid State Science, Robert E. Newnham, advisor. (in progress)

Sponsor: Keystone Carbon Company Ben Franklin Grant 55

II . OTilER UNIVERSITIES' AND INDUSTRIA[, RESEARCII UTILIZING TIIE FACILITIES OF Tile RADIATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CENTER University or Industry Tvoo of Use Bettis Labs Neutron Radiography Bucknell University Cobalt Irradiation Bums Unit, Westpenn Hospital Neutron Activation Analyses CarpenterTechnolo,:y Neutron Radiography Clarion University, 3iology Depanment Neutrun Activation Analyses Clarion University, School of Nursing Neutron Activation Analyses Comell Univenity Neutron Activation Analyses Emanco, Inc. Neutron Activation Asalyses E Systems Semiconductor Irradiation Fairway Laboratories Envimnmental Analyses t GEC-Marconi Semiconductor Irradiation General Public Utilities Californium Source Neutron Activation Analyses GeochemicalTesting Environmental Analyses liarris Semiconductor Semiconductor Irradiation Henry's Plant Farm Cobalt Irradiation lioneywell Semiconductor Irradiation Kearfott, Inc.

Semiconductor Irradiation Merck, Sharpe and Dohme Neutron Irradiation-Microbac Labs Environmental Analyses National Sanitation Foundation Environmental Analyses Niagara Mohawk Neutron Radiography Nonheast Technology Corporation Neuuun Radiography _

P. R.-Hoffman Materials Processing Corp. Cobalt Irradiation Pennsylvania Power and Light Company Environmental Analyses Philadelphia Electric Company Neutron Activation Analyses .

Plessey-Marconi Semicciductor Irradiation Q. C. Inc. - Environmental Analyses Raytheon SemiconductorIrradiation Seewald Laboratories Envimnmental Analyses State Museum of Pennsylvania Tm Tech Neutron Activation Analyses Isotopes for Tracer Studies U.S. Department of Agriculture (Northeast Neutron Activation Analyses

Watershed)

West nn Hospital, Burns Unit Neutron Activation Analyses Wrig t Lab Environmental Analyses 56 1 '

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APPENDIX A Personnel utilizing the facilities of the Penn State RSEC.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Agronomy Ilollag, Jean Marc Ronen, Zeev Professor Graduate Student Entomology llower, A.

Professor Food Science Beelman, Robert 11. Mast, Morris Professor Professor Kim,Jeong Weon Poores, S.

Graduate Student Assistant Professor IJnrticulture Craig, Richard Riseman, Andmw Professor G,aduce 5tudent Northeast Watershed Research Centet Barta, Susan Schnabel, Ron liydrologist Soil Scientist n

Plant Pathology Juba . lean Nelson, Paul E.

Staff Professor Klotz, Lois V.

Senior Research Aide 57

COLLEGE OF EARTil AND MINERAL SCIIINCE$

Gemcinico Blu;h, Gregg Rose, Arthur W.

Graduate Student Professor Eggler, Dave Shank, Steve Professor Graduate Student Greeman, Daniel J. Washington, John W.

Graduate Student Graduat: Student Kump, Lee Associate Professor Metals Science and Engineering Freyer, Paula. Koss, Donald A Graduate Student Professor COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Engineerine Science and Mechanics Bakis, Charles Heinsohn, R. J.

Assistant Professor Professor Bradford, Mark Krick, John Undergraduate Student Undergraduate Student Gabrys, Jon Lenahan, Patrick M.

Undergraduate Student Associaw. .'rofessor Industrial Engineering Poeth, Dean Graduate Student hiechanical Engineering Cimbala, John M, Sathianathan, Dhushy Assistant Professor Graduate Student s

Nuclear Engineering Adams, James M. Kline, Donald Graduate Student Professor Emeritus 58

Alam, Khalid Lee, Byung-soo Graduate Student Graduate Student flamtta, Anthony hl. Lin, Tryy Jye Professor Graduate Student Bonner, Joseph J. Levine, Samuel li.

Research Assistant Professor Boyle, Pat Lu, Shanlai Reactor Operator Graduate Student Bryan, hiac E. Manahan, hiichael P.

Electmnic Designer Associate Professor Catchen, Gary L Raupach, Dale C.

Associate Professor Reactor Supenisor Cheung,1la Rudy, Kenneth Undergraduate Student Operational Support Services Supenisor Chung, Manho Sahadewan, Ken Graduate Student Graduate Student 4

Davison, Candace Sipos, Rick Project Assistant Reactor Operator Intem Diethorn, Ward Soliman, Sahed E.

Professor Post Doctoral Dulloo, Abdul Spaar, David Graduate Student Graduate Student F,dwards, Bob Turso, James Assistant Professor Graduate Student Flinchbaugh, Teny L Vonada, Douglas S.

Operations & Training Manager Electronic Designer Ford, Bonnie C. Voth, Marcus 11.

Supervisor, LLRML Associate Ihofessor, Director RSEC Gould, Robert Williams, James Project Assistant Graduate Student Ilannold, Eric Wukitch, Stephen J.

Reactor Opemtor Intern Undergraduate Student He, Jianhui Xu,X.

Graduate Student Graduate Student 59

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llollinger, Edward Yeii,Tsung Kuang Undergmduate Student Graduate Student llughes, Danie! Zarger, hiichael Researth Assistant Graduate Student Jester, William A.

Professor Kenney, Edward S.

Professor COLLEGE OF LlllERAL ARTS Anthropology Sheehy, James J.

Graduate Studen, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Diology E Thomas, Gene Assistant Professor Chemistry Alicock, liarry R. Jackman, Lloyd ht.

Professor Professor Ambrosio, Archel hianners, I.

Graduate Student Post Doctoral Assistant Benesi, A. J. Nelson, Connie Lectmer Graduate Student Coggio, W. D. Pucher, Shawn Graduate Student Graduate Student Cizmecian, Deniz Silverburg, Eric Graduate Student Graduate Student Dember, Alexa Turner, bl. L.

Graduate Student Post Doctoral Assistant Fitzpatrick, Richard Visscher, Karen Graduate Student Graduate Student 60

L'hx1ics Cuno, h1 ark A. Polashenski, hiike Undergraduate Undergraduate Student Fosmire, hiichael Rank, Douglas Undergmduate Student Undergmduate Student Lany,F. Rosen, Nicholas Undergraduate Student Graduate Student Mei Pang Fang Sexton, D.

Graduate Student Undergraduate Student Pilione, Lawrence J. Sokol, Paul Profersor Assistant Professor INTERCOLLEGIATE RESEARCil PROGRAh1S AND FACILITIES 11ealth Physics Boeldt, Eric 11ollenbach, Donald 11.

Associate ficalth Physicist llealth Physics Assistant Granlund, R. W.

University 11ealth Physicist INTERDISCIPLINARY f

Materials Researth Lab Randall, Clive ResearcF. A.ssociate Solid State Science Newnham, Robert E. Sullivan, Roben Professor, Chairman SSS Graduate Student Runt, James P.

Associate Professor INDUSTRIES Bettis Labs 1

Glickstein, Stan 61

Boston Edison Cenmany Green, William Sheiser, Alan Carnter Technology llalliett, Thomas E Systems. ECI Division Dobson, Robert Uber, Craig Miller, Darryl Fairway Laboratories Markel, William L. Jr.

Geochemical Testing flergstresser, Tim liarris Semitenductor Merges, John F, Uenry s Plant Farm Nash, Jim lioneywell Collins, Dennis Lintz, John liildebrand, K. Parish, J.

11offman, lee Schuck, C1rl Kearfott Breen, Lany Walendenski, W.

Brinkman, J.

Merck. Shane and Dohme Wurtz, Edwin 62

National Sanitation Foundation Miller, Michael P.

Northeast Technolocy Corooration Lindquist, Kenneth O.

Pennsylvania Power and 1.icht 11i11, William A.

Philadelohia Electric Comoany D'Angelo, Phil Plesrev-Marconi Munaugh, Stephen P. R. Iloffman Materials Processine Corocration Casey, Ken Kingshorough, Lee O. C. Inc.

Stacer, Nancy Raytheon Berdos, P. L. Mulford, S.

Black, B. W. Poretsky, S.

Callahan, K. P.ussell, R.

Christo, S. Shaw, R.

Enriquez, G. J. Schulz, P.

Johnson, B. Stransky, D. F.

Johnson, R. B.

Seewald Laboratories Chianelli, Roben E.

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Tro. Tech Boothe, Mike Landry, Jeff Flanagan, Mike Eestpenn ikugual. Burns Unit Slater,liarvey UNIVERSITIES liartwig, Quentin Tonzetich, John Associate Professor Associate Professor, Biology Clarion University Bucknell University Strorn, Daniel J. Rasera, Robert L.

Professor of Health Physics Professor of Physict University of Pittsburgli University of Maryland MISCELLANEOUS Various Cobalt-60 irradiations for high school classes' research projects.

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APPENDIX 11

> $011M AL TOUll GItOUPS

.lUI,Y 1990 NUMilElt OF

_ LUNE 1991 M NAME OF TOUR GROUP PAllTICIPANTS July 12 Kodak Best Program 26 13 Soviet liigh School Students 31 16 Alumni Tour 42 27 See the Future 27 30 Enter 2000 34 August 5 Penntap 5 8 GPU Nuclear 20 20 incoming Nuclear Engineering Students 10 30 Dr. Beelman's Class 27 September 7 PSU Alumni (Vlaminck Family) 8 14 M13E Lab (Electrical Engineering) 6 0;tober 1 Greensburg High School 11 {

3 PSU Faculty Tour 6 3 PSU Astronomy Club 9 8 Peach Bottom Prof. Engr. Society 2 8 University Scholars Program 11 12 TRTR

{

14 17 Antietam liigh School 42 20 Open llouse - Parents' Weekend 152 20 Museum Tour 29 23 College of Engineering 5 24 Warriors Mark Elementary 19 25 College of Engineering 14 25 Physics Society 6 26 Williamson liigh School 39 31 Materials Science 101 95 November i EG 50 Class 6 5 Junior Science Symposium 15 13 Punxsutawney High School 13 13 Daniel Boone liigh School 15 15 E&MS Interest House 15 December 18 Police Services Retraining 20 January 2 Police Services Retraining 18 16 State College High School 25 18 Jersey Shore High School 20 25 Bucknell University 5 29 Ligonier Valley Junior High School 115 Febmary 1 State College liigh School 14 7 Junior Museum - K. Sokol 15 65

APPENDIX 11 FORM AL TOUlt GItOUPS- -

(Continued)

JULY 1990

. LUNE 1991 NUhlilER OF

[M NAME OF TOUR GROUP PARTICIPANTS February 14 Entomology Class Cobalt-60 5 18 ETP Group 4 21 Society of Agricultural Engineers 13 23 Engineering Openliouse 343 25 State College liigh School 33 26 Bradford liigh School 37 27 State College liigh School 17 March 1 State College Todd hicPherson 32 12 Redland liigh School 20 13 Bellefonte liigh School 19 21 Twin Valley liigh School 28 27 N. Bedford liigh School 8 Apnl 3 Marion Center liigh School 7 9 Wilkes College 2 11 Suffern liigh School (April 12 continued) 10 15 Physical Plant 9 15 Cowanesque High School 31 16 Physical Plant 12 16 Secondary Saturday Science Academy 15 16 STS Interest flouse 15 17 Science Education 30 18 Carmichaelsliigh School

" 12 19 Women in Engineering 6 19 Cambria lleights 79 23 Loyalsock liigh School 14 25 juniata College 5 26 St. Mary's liigh School 24 2G Ridgway liigh School 12 May 3 Chartiers liouston fligh School 12 8 Warren Area liigh School 18 18 199. Graduation Open liouse 60 23 Organization FactoM Workshop 32 June 19 GPU Nuclear Concepts 17 24 liigh School Group 9 i? RENEW (ECSEL) 26 28 Upward Bound.

45 29 Girl Scouts - Troop 45 8 66

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