ML20137H054
| ML20137H054 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000128 |
| Issue date: | 12/31/1996 |
| From: | Okelly S TEXAS A&M UNIV., COLLEGE STATION, TX |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| 97-0067, 97-67, NUDOCS 9704020042 | |
| Download: ML20137H054 (42) | |
Text
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.' . + i TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIM ENT STATION
- TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
, COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77843-3575 1 f
, M J l i i NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER 409/845-7551 4
31 March 1997 -
97-0067 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 j Attn: Document Control Desk
SUBJECT:
Annual Report
REFERENCE:
NRC Facility Licnese R-83, Docket 50-128 i
Dear Sir:
Attached you will find the 1996 Annual Report for the Texas A&M l University System Nuclear Science Center. If you have any i questions or comments please contact me at 409/845-7551.
Sincerely, c j J/ \
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Sean O'K ly Assistan ector SOK/sjm
Attachment:
1996 Annual Report xc: 12110/ Central File 9704020042 961231 PDR ADOCK 05000128l R PDR '
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i Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Report Facility Operating License R-83 1
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77843-3575 l
l March 1997 .
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g Nuclear Science Center i 1996 Annual Report Facility Operating License R-83 I
F.E. Box 89 l College Station, Texas 77843-3575 i
March 1997 I
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Report I Contents 1.0 Introduction 4 1.1 . Nuclear Science Center Staff 5 2.0 Reactor Utilizationfor 19951996 5 2.1 Research Enhancement Program 7
'2.1.1 Introduction 7 2.1.2 Research Projects Supported 7 2.2 TAMU Academic Support Program 17 2.2.1 Intmduction 17 2.3 DOE Umversity Reactor Shario; Program 17
/ 2.3.1 Introduction 17 2.3.2 Research Pmjects Supported 17 2.4 Commercial Activities 28 3.0 Facility and Procedure Changes 29 3.1 Facility Modifications 29 3.2 Experiment Modifications 29 4.0 Reactor Maintenance and Surveillance 29 4.1 Scheduled Maintenance 29 4.2 Emergency Planning and Review 30 4.3 Unscheduled Shutdowns 30 4.4 Reportable Occurrences 30 5.0 Health Physics Surveillance 32 5.1 Radioactive Shipments 32 5.2 Personnel Monitoring 32 5.3 Facility Monitoring 32 5.4 Particulate Effluent Monitoring 33 5.5 Gaseous Effluent Monitoring 34 l.
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport 5.6 Liquid Effluent Monitoring 35 6.0 Emironmental Monitoring 35 6.1 Emironment Survey Samples 36
/ 6.2 Site Boundary Monitoring 37 7.0 Radioactive Waste Shipments 38 8.0 Reactor Safety Board 39 r
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Report
- 1. 0 Introduction The Nuclear Science Center is operated by the Texas Engineering Experiment Station as a service to the Texas A&M University System and the state of Texas. The Nuclear Science Center (NSC) is a multi-disciplinary research and education center supporting basic and applied research in all nuclear related fields of science and engineering as well as providing educational opportunities for students in those fields. The NSC also provides services to commercial ventures requiring radiation or isotope production services.
This annual repon has been prepared by the NSC staff to satisfy the reporting requirements ofTechnical Specification 6.6.1 of the facility operating license R-83 and of the Department of Energy University Reactor Fuel Assistance Program subcontract No.
C87-101594 (DE-AC07-76ER02426). The facility license currently extends to March 2003.
Several new research initiatives were begun in 1996 by the staff at the NSC and the TAMUS faculty. The NSC received equipment donated from Texas Instruments, Inc. to support a semiconductor characterization program Neutron Activation Analysis of silicon wafers will be performed for detection of extremely low levels of surface and bulk impurities. Gamma polymerization is being evaluated for application to the conservation of archaeological artifacts. The shutdown reactor has been used as the experimental gamma radiation source for cross-linking of polymer saturated anifacts. In addition, the NSC has submitted a license amendment to the NRC to upgrade the TRIGA reactor to 1.5 MW.
A program to upgrade and improve the existing Reactor Console was brought to completion in 1996. The NSC has completed installation and testing ofnew Pulsing and Logarithmic Reactor Instruments. The Rod Control System was convened to DC stepping motors for improved reliability and the Rod Position Irxlication was converted to a more accurate counting system.
The NSC acquired adjacent propenies as part of an expansion ofits research programs. l The effective site area has doubled in size and an additional laboratory building is now I available to support future radiobiology research initiatives.
There were no changes to the NSC Operating License, the Emergency Plan or the Security Plan during this reporting period.
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% AnnualReport
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1.1 Nuclear Science Center Staff l
i The staff at the Nuclear Science Center is divided into four primary work groups:
Operat i ons, Health Physics, Maintenance and Administration. Personnel directly involved
- with the operation and maintenance of the reactor are NRC-licensed operators. The NSC i
- is committed to its educational responsibilities and many of the staff are part or full-time l students at Texas A&M University. .
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2.0 Reactor Utilization for 1996 lI The Nuclear Science Center reactor has been in operation since 1962. The reactor is a 1 i Megawatt MTR converted to TRIGA fuei The TRIGA fuelis high-enrichment uranium (HEU) with 70% enrichment, but will be converted to 20% enriched fuel when DOE funds become available. Core VIII-A is the current core configuration and has been used since March 1986. The NSC reactor is pulse operational and is pulsed to approximately 1100 MW for nuclear engineering laboratories and staff training.
The NSC reactor operated for 2159 hours0.025 days <br />0.6 hours <br />0.00357 weeks <br />8.214995e-4 months <br /> in 1996 with a total integrated power of 88.3 f MW-Days. There were 754 irradiations and services performed at the NSC during the reporting period. The NSC provided services to TAMUS departments, other universities, research centers and secondary schools in and outside the state of Texas. Ten i depanments at TAMU and 6 other universities used the reactor regularly in 1996. The NSC reactor had 95 % availability in 1996.
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualRepon Reactor Utilization Summary 1995-1996 i Days of Reactor Operation 236 Integrated Power 88.3 Number ofHours at Steady-State 2158.7 Number of Pulses 27 Number of Reactor Irradiations 754 Beam Port / Thermal Column Experiment Hours 1250.6 Hours Irradiation Cell Use 14.1 Number of Visitors 2756 Annual Reactor Utilization 2700 g3f3 I 2500 -
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport 2.1 Research Enhancement Program -
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2.1.1 Introduction The 70th Texas Legislature established the Research Enhancement Program (REP) in l 1987 to " encourage and provide for research conducted by faculty members". The REP replaced the former " Organized Research" program.
The TAMU Office of the Vice President for Research administers the REP funds. REP funds are generally allocated to the NSC early in the fiscal year. TAMUS faculty that desire to use the many irradiation services at the NSC reactor must formally apply at the NSC to rece:ve local funding for each individual project. This proposal method is flexible and significantly reduces a project's start-up time.
Funds for reactor services were made available to the individual departments as follows; l Animal Science / Dr. Ellis $ 1,780.50 Anthropology / Dr. Shafer S 6,984.94 Chemical Engineering / Dr. Flumerfelt S0.0 ChemicalEngineering/Dr. Appleby $ 1,108.50 Chemistry / Dr. James $ 821.00 Chemistry / Dr. Schweikert $ 3,104.17 Nuclear Engineering / Dr. Wagner $ 1,659.18 Ocean Drilling Program / Dr. Allan $ 923.50 Oceanography / Dr. Boothe $ 2,6%.76 Oceanography / Dr. Slowey $ 334.25 Physics / Dr. Ross $ 943.95 Soil and Crop Science / Dr. Drees $ 1643.25 Total $ 22,000.00 Due to the significant reduction in REP funds from past years, there were insufficient funds to complete or start several projects. The NSC management requested and received conditional support from the TEES administration to allow selected research projects to !
continue without the use of REP funds. The supplemental support that was granted for !
the past fiscal year was intended to be on a one-time basis and future support would likely require formal proposals to the TEES administration.
Projects Requiring TEES Supplemental Support Chemical Engineering / Dr. Flumerfelt $ 5,830.75 Nuclear Engineering / Dr. Wagner $ 2,%9.10 Soil and Crop Science / Dr. Drees $ 2,200.00 Total Supplement $ 10,999.85 2.1.2 Research Projects Supported 7
j . Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport l l
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, t j Development and Evaluation of Recoil-Nucleus Time-of-Flight Neutron Depth 4
Profiling (TOF NDP) 4 ,
Emile A. Schweikert, John F. Welch Jr., W. Ricky Ferrell !
Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis, Department of Chemistry !
- Objective of research is the development of a new method of analysis, recoil-nucleus
. TOFNDP. NSC provided support in the construction of TOF spectrometer for use with I radioactive charged particle emitter. Po-210, an alpha emitter, will be used as a model for i nuclides undergoing (n, charged panicle) reactions for the purpose ofinstrumental ,
development. The Po-210 will be used in two spectrometers. NSC personnel produced i the Po-210 source by the activation of a Bismuth target.
Paper presented at 1995 Fall Meeting ofMaterials Research Society:
Characteri:ation ofBismuth Deposits andkeV1mplants Using Recoil-nucleus Time-of- !
flight Neutron Depth Profiling amiPlasma Desorption Mass Spectrometry Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol.180, No. 2 (1994) l New Approachesfor Neutron Depth Profiling Submitted Paper:
An Old-New Toolfor Nuclear Analysis: Time-of-Flight Spectrometry
. Polymerization of Silicon Oils Using Gamma Radiation for Artifact Conservation Donny L. Hamilton, C. Wayne Smith, R. Paul Gidden Nautical Archaeology Program (Department of Anthropology), Department of Nuclear Engineering A series of experiments were designed to develop a set of working parameters for using a variety of molecular weights of polymer silicones for the purpose of bulking and stabilizing waterlogged archaeological materials.- Once these parameters are established, additional ,
l experimentation will be conducted to address issues of types of cross-link bonds, process reversibility and scission. !
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k Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport Cr-Spinelin Depleted Basalts from the Lau Basin Backarc: Petrogenetic History from Mg-Fe Crystal-Liquid Exchange i
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James F. Allan i
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' Texas A&M Ocean Drilling Program, Department of Geology Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientspc Results, Vo1.135 4
j Cr-spinels in cores drilled during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 135 exhibit wide variation in composition and morphology that reflect complex petrogenetic histories. These Cr-spinels are found within basaltic lava flows that erupted in north-trending sub-basins a within the Lau Basin backarc. Cr-spinels from Sites 834 and 836 occur as euhedral
- groundmass grains and inclusions in plagioclase, and range up to 300 mm in size. These
- Cr-spinels are similar in composition, morphology and mode of occurrence to Cr-spinels fcund within depleted, N-type mid-ocean-ridge basalts (N-MORB), reflecting similar l crystallization conditions and host lava composition to N-MORB. )
Cr-spinel-bearing rock samples were analyzed to provide a compostional framework for
. - the mineralogical studies. Due to the rarity of glassy material in the core and restrictions on glass sampling, only whole-rock powders were available for major and trace element i
- j. analysis. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was performed on powder samples and !
! compared to shipboard X-ray fluorescence. Samples were run in duplicate, with 2-hr !
counts obtained at 7-12 days,28-33 days, and 4 months using lead-shielded Ortec coaxial i intrinsic germanium detectors at Texas A&M Center for Chemical Characterization and !
Analysis. j l
l l Petrologic Evolution of Lau Basin Sites 834 through 839
! James W. Hawkins and James F. Allan l Geological Research Division. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla CA !
l Texas A&M Ocean Drilling Program, Department of Geology 1
Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientifc Results, Vol.135 i
i Ocean Drilling Program Leg 135 provided igneous rock cores from six sites drilled on a transect across the Lau Basin between the Lau Ridge remnant arc and the modern spreading ridges of the Central and Eastern Lau Spreading Centers. The drill cores
- saepted crust from the earliest stage of backarc extension (latest Miocene time, about 6
( Ma), and younger crust (late Pliocene, about 3.8-2 Ma, and Middle Pleistocene, about 0.64-0.8 Ma). Nearly all of the igneous samples are from tholeitic basalt flows; many of i them are interbedded with arc-composition volcaniclasic sediments.
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i l Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center . 1996 AnnualReport i
. A major focus of study for Leg 135 was the long-standing problem of the petrologic / tectonic controls on backare magmatism and the relationship between coeval
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arc and backarc magmatism. Understanding these processes has implications to the nature of mantle sources for magmas and to magmatic processes in arc, backarc and forearc l settings. It also can give insight to the nature of tectonic processes that form these wide zones of crustal extension at convergent intraoceanic plate margins.
- Instrumental neutron activation analysis was performed on bulk-rock powders split from samples analyzed by shipboard XRF These bulk-rock samples give a fairly reliable indication of magma evolution.
Data Reporf: Trace Element Geochemistry of Leg 142 Basalts by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis James F. Allan Texas A&M Ocean Drilling Program and Department of Geology Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, Vol.142 During Leg 142, two units of moderately evolved basalt were recovered from the East Pacific Rise axis at 9 30'N. Instrumental neutron activation analysis of seven samples from these units shows them to be light rare-earth-element (REE)-depleted, normal mid- .
ocean ridge basalt, with (La/Sm)w of 0.52-0.56, flat chondrite-normalized medium-to- !
heavy rare earth patterns, and slight negative europium anomalies. Unit 2 contains slightly higher amounts of RE and Hf and lower amounts of Cr than Unit 1, with both units similar in composition to the most-evolved samples previously collected from this section of the )
ridge crest.
Drilling and coring at mid-ocean ridge spreading centers has been a long-standing goal in j the earth science community. Site 864 located on the East Pacific Rise (EPR),
represented the initial attempt in a long-range plan to core the entire crustal section at the EPR. The principle scientific goal of Leg 142 was to core 100 m into the uppermost crust of this fast-spreading center (1lem/ year). Sample counting was performed at Texas A&M i Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis.
Petrology of Selected Leg 147 Basaltic Lavas and Dikes James F. Allan, Trevor Falloon, Rolf Pedersen, B. Shankar Lakkapragada, James Natland, John Malpas Texas A&M Ocean Drilling Program and Department of Geology University of Tasmania Department of Geology, Tasmania, Australia 10
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport
- University of Bergen Geological Institute, Bergen, Norway
- University of Miami Rosenthiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, FL
[ Memorial University ofNewfoundland Depanment of Earth Sciences, St. John's NF Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, Vol.147 Sites 894 and 895 of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 147 recovered a variety of basaltic material from the Hess Deep intrarift ridge, including cores of dikes that cut gabbroic and peridotitic wall rock and fragments of pillowed, surficial laval flows. The site 894 basalts are more depleted than EPR N-MORB in incompatible elements, with extreme depletions in both the light rare canh elements (LREE) and Ta and Nb. The intrusive relations, l mineralogy, and geochemistry of these samples support an off-axis origin of these samples during opening of the Hess Deep The Site 895 basalts, sampled from both dikes and pillowed flows, are aphyric, more evolved and less depleted in LREE, Ta and Nb than the Site 894 samples. Unlike the Site 894 samples, these characteristics allow derivation from a mantle similar in composition to that underlying the EPR. Intrusive relations and geochemical characteristics support a mixed origin for the Site 895 samples, with some originating at or near the EPR crest, and .
others representing volcanism associated with Hess Deep opening. l 4
INAA was performed at the Texas A&M TRIGA reactor with counting performed at I Texas A&M CCCA. l Trace Element Analysis of Prehistoric Ceramics from the American Southwest and )
Mesoamerica Harry J. Shafer, Dennis James Department of Anthropology, TAMU Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis The research is to identify geographic loci of ceramic production in the prehistoric southwest and in Belize. The 94-95 research emphasized the American Southwest, specifically the production of Mimbres black-on-white pottery in the Mimbres and Gila River drainages. This phase raised a number of new questions regarding ceramic production and additional samples were selected and examined. Additional samples are now being prepared for a final analysis of Southwestern pottery and a new project will begin on ceramic craft specialization among the lowland Maya. The Maya study will examine a Late-Terminal Classic Period polychrome ware from sites in northern Belize. l This will be a very important contribution to the study of Maya ceramics and will be a pioneering effon to identify craft specialization through trace analysis.
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% AnnualReport Interregional Networks in the Classic Mimbres Period: The Ceramic Evidence Robbie L. Brewington, Dennis James Department of Anthropology, TAMU Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis Paper presented at the 60th Meeting of the Society ofAmerican Archeology, Minneapolois,1995.
Previous research indicates that Mimbres decorated ceramics exhibit spatial variation--
specific designs were more commonly used in some areas than others. This finding suggests that Mimbres pottery was locally produced and used. At the same time, however, there is a consistent patterning in design that allows us to recognize Mimbres pottery wherever it occurs. A social mechanism that might be responsible for this patterning is participation is a shared symbolic system.
Other research indicates that Mimbres ceramics were widely distributed-which would blur the distinctiveness oflocal design variation. Whether the regional homogeneity of Mimbres ceramic design resulted from distnbution of vessels or a shared iconographic system, or both, the result is hetrogeneity in design at the local level and homogeneity at a regionallevel.
Neutron Activation Analysis was performed at the NSC and CCCA in order to establish distribution patterns for the 130- year Mimbres Classic Period from 1000 A.D. to 1130 A.D.
Compositional Analysis of American Southwestern Ceramics by Neutron Activation Analysis W.D. James, R.L. Brewington, H.J. Shafer TAMU Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis, Department of Anthropology JournalofRadioanalyticalandNuclear Chemistry, Vol.192, No.1(1995) 109-116 Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to perform compositional analysis on more than 200 potsherds from prehistoric ceramic pottery collected in or near the Mimbres Valley in New Mexico. Statistical evaluation of the data was used to identify samples of similar origin. Results indicate that at least two stes within the Mimbres heartland and one in the Upper Gilla Valley existed for the praduction of the characteristic Classic Mimbres pottery.
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport Application of Neutron Activation Analysis Techniques to TAMU Research Problems at CCCA W.D. James TAMU Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis REP funds were used for method development in NAA and to apply these techniques to wide range of problems. Often, CCCA funds were used to perform exploratory work for campus researchers. The following is a list of non-CCCA projects:
Dr. James Haw, Department of Chemistry
. Determination oftransition metalconcentrations in zeolite. Three separate ctudent research projects on this related material were performed during this year.
Eleven separate NAA projects were performed during the year.
Graduate students: David Murray, Mike Krawitz and Timothy Howard.
Dr. Abraham Clearfield, Department ofChemistry Determination ofelemental components ofpillared clay samples. These are aluminum oxide rich clays, one being saponite containing about 15% zirconium.
Dr. Kevin Burgess, Department of Chemistry Searchfor adsorb ~d markers on microbeads. Potential is for the development of a method of track.ng individual beads in chemical reactions.
Dr. limothy Phillips, Veterinary Anatomy andPublic Health Multi-element trace analysis ofammonium-eschanged montmorillonite clays under investigation as possible natural ion exchange materials.
Graduate student: Kent Washburn Dr. GeraldBratton andDr. Raymond Tarpley, Veterinary Anatomy andPublic Health Multi-element determination oftrace construents in whale liver and blubber.
Potential for adding the method to a suite of techniques used in an existing survey program for marine environmental measurements.
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport Texas A&M Upiversity Trace Element Research Laboratory Department of Oceanography P.N. Boothe, BJ. Presley, Robert Taylor The Trace Element Research Laboratory (TERL) is considered to be one of the premier inorganic environmental chemistry laboratories in the United States. TERL has an international reputation, camed through numerous blind intercalibration exercises and documented project performances, for consistently producing the highest quality trace element data for any type of environmental sample. TERL specializes in low detection level measurements of trace metals in environmental samples (including water, wastewater, sediment and biota) conducted under a comprehensive quality assurance /
quality control program.
The following is a list of TERL projects performed using REP funds, but many of the TERL projects are extemally funded.
Intercalibrations TERL participates in national and international intercalibration exercises each year. .
- 1. U.S. GeologicalSurwy. Evaluation Program for Standard Reference Water Samples. TERL placed founh among the 137 laboratories participating. NAA was used to confirm the analysis of several elements in the unknown sediment sample.
- 2. NationalResearch Council ofCanada and U.S. NationalInstitute of Standards and Technology. Annual NOAA National Status and Trends Trace Element Intercalibration Exercise. TERL received honors and a long-term proficiency award for superior ratings in Exercise #8 in 1994.
- 3. Quality Assurance ofInformationforMarine EnvironmentalMonitoring.
in Europe (QUASIMEME). TERL is the only U.S. laboratory participating in this European Community sponsored low detection level intercalibration exercise for tissue and sediment. In the latest round, TERL received the highest possible rating for both matrices.
Quality Assurance Program Neutron Activation Analysis is performed as an independent check of other methods of analysis. This helps to identify and correct problems with other TERL spectroscopy-based methods. NAA is also used to do an annual method detection limit study on sediment and tissue samples.
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1 TGxas A&M University Syst3m Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport i
Methods Development -
- TERL is constantly developing new methods or applications for NAA in research. This i ; past year considerable effort went into developing and refining NAA methods for marine tissue ~ analysis. These new methods were applied to a externally funded NOAA National
- Status and Trends program. The methods developed are now routinely used in
- determining Ag, As, Cr, Fe, Sb, Se, and Zn concentrations in bivalve tissue for the NS&T 1 program.
i j Exploratory Research
' REP funds allowed TERL to support small unfunded research studies and to expand
. funded projects. For example, the Minerals Management Service Gulf Offshore j Operations Monitoring Experiment (GOOMEX) was a large study aimed at investigating j the chronic impacts of offshore petroleum development and production in the Gulf of i Mexico. This project involved a large amount of funded NAA analyses of marine
- sediment for BA, Cr, Fe, Sb, and Zn. There was no funding to analyze sub-surface
{ sediments. REP funds were used to analyze selected sediment core material. This
( approach added a new historical perspective to the study and was critical to the
! interpretation of the sediment 6.t. . i I !
j- 1 ll Direct U-Th Dating of Marine Sediments from the Two Most Recent Interglacial j Periods l Dr. Niall'C. Slowey I
! Department ofOceanography j i TAMU l i .
Dr. Gideon M. Henderson Lamont-Doherty Eaith Observatory l Columbia University ;
i Dr. William B. Curry Department of Geology and Geophysics
' Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution l
Knowing the age of marine sediments is necessary to determine the timing of events and rates of processes in the marine realm, and the relationships among marine and other climatically sensitive records. Establishment of an accurate chronology for Pleistocene marine sediments beyond the range of radiocarbon dating has therefore been a goal of 230 :
paleoceanographers for decades. Since early attempts based upon excess Th and 23:p, were beset with problems. The research program resulted in the first precisely-dated i 15
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport marine-oxygen-isotope record of the last two interglacials. Results indicate dates of 120-127 ka for the last interglacial and 189-190 ka for the late Stage 7 interglacial. These dates are in accord with the theory of orbitally forced climate fluctuations and demonstrate the potential of our direct-dating approach for developing an absolute chronlogy for the Pleistocene marine-oxygen isotope record.
Transmutation doping ofIII-V Semiconductors for NMR Spectroscopy l
} Dr Joseph H. Ross, Jr.
TAMU Physics Department Transmutation doping oflII-V semiconductors was performed to better understand the NMR shifts in these materials and for trace analysis (using NAA) ofIn-Ga alloys. ;
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l l' Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Report 2.2 Texas A&M University Academic Support Program 2.2.1 Introduction i
Texas A&M University provides funding for at the reactor for such academic activities as nuclear engineering laboratories, neutron activation analysis demonstrations and laboratories, graduate student thesis research and undergraduate research projects. The program has been very successful and is crucial for many graduate students whose chosen research uses *he NSC reactor in some way, but is not supported by any research grant. 1 l
l The NSC's reputation as a multi-disciplinary institution is reflected in the wide range of the academic users from the university.
2.3 Reactor Sharing Program 2.3.1 Introduction The University Reactor Sharing Program provides funds for reactor experimentation to those institutions that do not normally have access to a research reactor. The Nuclear l Science Center (NSC) has participated in the program since 1980 with great success. j During the 1995-1996 contract year, eleven research institutions utilized the NSC with the support of the Reactor Sharing Program. Additionally, the funding provided reactor tours and " hands-on" projects to many secondary schools.
The research projects supported by the program range from geological dating to higher current superconducting magnets. The funding gave small colleges and universities the opportunity to use the NSC for teaching courses in nuclear processes; specifically neutron
- activation analysis and gamma spectroscopy. The Reactor Sharing Program supported the construction of a Fast Neutron Flux Irradiator for users at New Mexico Institute of
! Mining and Technology and the University of Houston. This device has been i characterized and has been found to have near optimum neutron fluxes for Ar"/Ar" dating.
- Funding this year was significantly reduced from previous years and several researchers
- were unable to complete research projects before all available funds were expended.
2.3.2 Summary of Projects Supported by Reactor Sharing Program
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l "Ar/"Ar Geochronology at New Mexico Geochronology Research Laboratory New Mexico Tech Dr. Matthew Heizler Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Dr. Bill ,
McIntosh 17 1,
i Texas A&M University System Nuclear Scknce Center 19% AnnualReport !
10 Graduate Students participated and 3 Undergraduate Students l 20 presentations at professional meetings 3 dissertations and 7 theses in progress 4
4 "Ar/"Ar Geochronology at University of Houston University of Houston, Department of Geosciences Dr. Peter Copeland j Dr. Terry Spell ;
- 1 Graduate Student and 1 Undergraduate Student participated 3 Presentations and 1 Thesis were the result of the work performed Thesis title: i "Magnetostratigraphy and *ArPAr Analysis of the Siwalik Group, Dhansar Khola, !
Southern Nepal: Constraining Timing of Uphft in the Greater Himalaya" A Description of the
- ArfAr Dating Technique I The conventional K-Ar dating technique involves the radioactive decay (half-life 1.25 Ga) of naturally occurring "K to "Ar. This decay scheme is the most commonly used dating technique exploited by the geological community because of the ubiquitous occurrence of K in most geologic materials and because it is applicable to all time-scales relevant to the earth and solar system. A major drawback to the K-Ar method is the requirement to make two absolute measurements on very chemically distinct species. "Ar is measured on one aliquot using isotope dilution techniques and rare gas mass spectrometry and "K is commonly measured using flame photometry on a second aliquot. These methods limit the precision of the dating technique to - 1% and also provide no means to test some of the underlying assumptions required to calculate an apparent age.
In the middle 1960's it was recognized that irradiation of K bearing samples with fast neutrons measuring K withcould facilitate non-naturally the reaction occurring ' A This led"K(n,p)"r.Ar and thus to the dating technique potentially prov referred to as "Ar/"Ar ratio dating and has numerous advantsges over the conventional K-Ar method; such as:
- 1. A single analysis is conducted on one aliquot of sample thereby reducing the sample size and eliminating sample inhomogeneity.
- 2. Analytical error incurred in determining absolute abundances is reduced by measuring only isotopic ratios. This also eliminates the need to know the exact weight of the sample.
- 3. The addition of an argon spike is not necessary.
- 4. The sample does not need to be completely fused, but rather can be incrementally heated.
- 5. The "Ar/"Ar ratio (age) can be measured for each fraction of argon released and this allows for the interrogation of an age spectrum.
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f Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport The age of a sample as determined with the "Ar/"Ar method requires comparison of the measured "Ar/"Ar ratio with that of a standard of known age. Also, several isotopes of
. other elements (Ca, K, Cl, Ar) produce argon isotopes during the irradiation procedure and require a correction.
Neutron Activation Analysis of Aerosols from Antarctica Volcanoes New Mexico Tech, Department of Geoscience Dr. Philip Kyle 1 Gradunte Student Thesis: " Emission andDispersion of Gaseous 5, Fand Clfrom Mt.
Erebus, Antarctica" Mt. Erebus, Antarctica, provides a unique laboratory to study degassing behavior of a stable alkaline body. Sixty-four samples of the gas plume emitted from Erebus were collected on filter packs during the 1992,1993 and 1994 Austral summers. . Filter packs consisted of a 2 mm Teflon particulate filter followed by two 'LiOH-impregnated Whatman 41 filters. Filter packs were contiected to a small vacuum pump at a site on the crater rim.
Filter samples were analyzed for Cl, In, and Na using neutron activation analysis. A method of detecting Cl and F using rapid counting techniques was performed by the experimenter during a week-long stay at Texas A&M .
Model predictions as well as trace element data from atmospheric and snow sampling clearly show that measurable amounts ofErebus gases can reach the South Pole. Based on current levels of activity and the absence of a mechanism responsible for transferring significant amounts of SO2and Cl to the stratosphere it is unlikely that gases from Erebus play a major role in ozone depletion above Antarctica.
Effects of Shearing on Trace Element Mobility New Mexico Tech Dr. Kent C. Condie Department of Geoscience With increasing degree of deformation and retrogression of a granitold in the Brevard shear zone in North Carolina, Ca and LOI (H 2O) are enriched, and Si, Mg, K, Na, Ba, Sr, Ta, Cs, and Th are depleted at the ultramylonite boundary. Al, Ti, Fe, P, Sc, Rb, REE, Hf, Cr, and U, however, remain unchanged. A volume loss of 44% is calculated for the Brevard ultramylonite relative to an Al-Ti-Fe isocon. The increase in Ca and LOI is related to a large increase in retrograde epidote and muscovite in the ultramylonites, the
. decreases in K, Na, Si, Ba, and Sr reflect the destruction of feldspars, and the decrease in Mg, the destruction of biotite during mylonitization. In an amphibolite facies fault zone 19
l Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport 4
separating gray and pink granitic gneisses in the Hope Valley shear zone in New England,
! compositional similarity suggest the ultramylonite is composed chiefly of the pink
. gneisses. Utilizing and Al-Ti-Fe isocon for the pink gneisses, Sc, Cr, Hf, Ta, U, Th and
. M-HREE are relatively unchanged, Si, LOI, D, Mg, Rb, Cs, and Ba are enriched , and Ca,
! Na, P, Sr and LREE are lost during deformation. In contrast to the Brevard mylonite, the l Hope Valley mylonite' appears to have increased in volume by about 70%. )
i i Among the element ratios most resistant to change during mylonitization in the Brevard i shear zone are La/Yb, Hf/fa and Hf/Yb. However, until more trace eleinent data are available from other shear zones, these ratios should not be used alone to identify 3-
> protoliths of deformed rocks. !
I
! Mobilization of Major and Trace Elements During Progressive Weathering of a l Granodiorite in Colorado (Published in January 1995, Geochimica et Cosmochimica i l
d Acts, v. 59) : i
!. l l New Mexico Tech Dr. Kent C. Condie 1 l Department of Geoscience 1
i A weathering profile on the Boulder granodiorite in northern Colorado provides an
- opportunity to trace the behavior of REE from parent rock, through a weathering proSle, j into unconforming overlying Permian sediments. With progressive upward weathering of j the granodiorite, Na20, CaO, SiO2,Ta/Hf, Coffh, Zr/Hf, La/Sc, Zr/Y and Laffh decrease, ,
- Al 2O3 and Fe2O3T increase; and TiO2, MgO,K20, P203, Rb, Zr, Sc, Cr, Co, Hr, Nb, Ta, !
Y, Th, U, REE (rare earth elements), Ti/Nb, and Zr/Nb increase to maximum values and then eitherlevel offor decrease.
j l L(light)REE enrichment is less in the weathering profile than in the parent granodiorite and although the parent does not have an Eu anomaly (or only a slight positive anomaly),
all samples from the weathering profile and overlying sediments have significant negative Eu anomalies. This observation is especially important in that it shows conclusively that a negative Eu anomaly can be produced during chemical weathering of granitoids. We suggest these Eu anomalies are due to relative enrichraent of the other REE and partial loss of Eu during the breakdown of plagioclase. The Boulder weathering profile also has a very minor negative Ce anomaly that is within error of a Ce anomaly in the parent. In the unweathered parent, >50% of the REE are contained in sphene, and in the case of La, also in allanite. From 10 to 20% of the REE are contained in apatite and biotite, and from 7-10% of the H(heavy)REE are in zircon. With exception of Eu, for which feldspars contribute about 8%, negligible amounts of REE occur in feldspars. In weathered ;
samples, >75% of the REE are contained in clay minerals. The crossover between sphene and clay control of REE occurs over a distance of I r, near the contact with fresh rock.
Except for their small negative Eu anomalies, the clay minerals have REE patterns very similar to those of the parent rock.
1 20 ' l
1996 AnnualRepon I
- Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center l'
Isocon plots suggest apparent enrichments of many elements in the Boulder weathering profile result from losses of Na, Ca, and Si during plagioclase weathering. In addition, 1 variable amounts of Sr, Eu, Ta, Nb, P, and Ba were lost during weathering. Although
{
Th/U, Zr/Y, Th/Sc, Zr/Hr, Lu/Hf, and Ti/Zr may have been transferred relatively .
1 unchanged from granodiorite parent to the bulk weathering profile, most other element ratios and REE distributions were significantly changed during weathering. This l observation implies that caution needs to be exercised when using REE patterns and element ratios to trace sediment provenance. ;
1 The fact that most element ratios and REE distributions also differ between Fountain
' sediments and the bulk weathering profile may be related to one or a combination of four factors, listed in order of probable decreasing importance: contribution ofother sources -
to the Fountain sediments, sorting of minerals during sediment deposition, remobilization of elements during deagenesis, and leaching of elements by water flow through the upper meter of the weathering profile.
Study of Optimum Use of Columnar Pinning Centers in High T, Superconductom Institute of Beam and Particle Dynamics Dr. Roy Weinstein i University ofHouston Dr. Yanm Ren )
Dr. Jay Liu J 3 Graduate Students,7 Undergraduate Students and 1 Pre-College Student were involved with this research
-l 4 Publications,2 Presentations, and 1 MS thesis resulted from this work i Previous work: I "Efects ofHigh Energy irradiation ofMT Y123 on Ja, Trapped Field, Creep, and the ,
H Irreversibility Line " R. Weinstein, J. Liu, Y. Ren, I-G Chen, V. Obot, R.P. Sawh, C.
Foster, A. Crapo. Presented at International Workshop on Superconductivity, Kyoto, Japan, June 1994.
The Institute of Beam and Particle Dynamics (IBPD) continued to explore a unique type of pinning center in the high temperature superconductor (HTS), YBa2Cu3Ord(Y123).
Pinning centers are regions of poor or zero superconductivity. These regions permit the presence of magnetic field, despite the Meissner Effect, and are essential to achieve high currents. The pinning centers explored are created by the fission fragments of normal thermal fission of U . The uranium (235 and some 238) was added to and dispersed within the HTS. The fission fragments create a columnar damage region about 20mm long, and 50 Angstroms in diameter. These short columns are homogeneously distributed in the HTS, and are randomly oriented. It is desirable to know the effects of these centers on current density (J.), critical temperature (T ), trapped field (Bi) and other variables.
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- Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport
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4 l
- Columnar defects are theoretically superior to pinning centers formed directly by proton !
or neutron interactions. These latter defects are very nearly point damage centers. The i results of the research this past year was that the J. of Y123 was increased by a factor of i 4, and exhibited an optimum value. j An Assessment of the Viability of Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence for the Analysis of Metals in Contaminated Soils A K-series Trachyte to Rhyolite Eruptive Center, Davis Mountain Volcanic Field, Texas Neutron Activation Analysis at the Sul Ross State University Analytical Laboratory Sul Ross State University Analytical Laboratory Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk -
Department of Geology and Chemistry ;
Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas j 3 Graduate Students were involved in this work and 22 Undergraduates Sul Ross State University actively used the NSC reactor to provide neutron activation of rock samples for graduate and undergraduate research projects. This past year, the radiation detection and counting equipment was out of commission at Sul Ross; therefore, !
the NSC counted the radioactive . samples at the facility and sent the results to Sul Ross for ]
further analysis. l l
l Fission Track Thermochronology Fission Track Thermochronology Dr. Mark Cloos
, Department of Geological Sciences Dr. Sharon Mosher University ofTexas at Austin Dr. Earle McBride 4 Graduate Students from UT and I from University ofKansas i
Publications resulting from this work:
Boettcher, S.S, and Milliken, K.L.,1994, " Mesozoic-Cenozoic Unroofing of the Southern Appalachian Basin: Evidencefrom Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology", Journal of Geology, v.102, in press.
22
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Repon ,
Specific projectsin progress:
"lmessigation ofMesozoic Shortening and Cretaceous-Tertiary Erumation in the Maria Foldand Thrust Belt Southern UnitedStates Cordillera"(Ph.D. dissertation research for Stefan S. Boettcher)
" Tertiary Emplacement ofthe Irian Ophioloite Belt and Unroofing of the Derwo- ;
Roufaer Metamorphic Belt, Irian Jaya, Indonesia " (Ph.D. researchfor RichardJ.
Weiland) j "Three-dimensional distribution ofheat-producing elements in the southern Basin and ,
Range, USA " (Ph.D. researchfor Richard A. Ketcham)
" Annealing ofFission Tracks in Apatite over Geologic Timescales: Investigation of the influence ofComposition"
" Burial and Unroofing History ofMiddle Pennsylvanian Sandstonesfrom the Applachian basin in Kentucky and Virginia" l
" Thermal Histories ofPiggy-Back and ForelandBasins in the North Apennies, Italy, j Derivedfrom Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology"
" Investigation of Uranium Distribution in Apatitefission Track Age Standards" ;
l
" Timing and Thermal Characteristics ofSevier Belt Thrust Faulting andSynorogenic j
. Sedimentation in the Pavant and Canyon Ranges, Central Utah " (Jonathan K. Linn, }
University ofKansas) .}
Methodology Fission track analysis is a geochronological method that utilizes the spontaneous fission of U-238 in uranium rich minerals such as apatite, zircon, and sphene. The spontaneous fissioning of uranium in these minerals produces two highly ionized fission fragments ;
whose passage through the crystal lattice leaves a linear trail of atomic defects referred to I as fission tracks. The preferential etching of these tens of angstroms-wide trails of defects with respect to the bulk crystal enlarges the tracks allowing their lengths and density to be measured under a high powered (1000X-1500X) petrographic microscope.
I Apatite is the most common mineral used in fission track thermochronology because more i
is known about the annealing characteristics of fission tracks in apatite than in sphene and zircon. In apatite, fission tracks are rapidly destroyed by annealing at temperatures above
~125 C. Because the spontaneous fission occurs at a statistically constant rate, the density of fission tracks in a mineral is a function of uranium concentration and fission track age. Fission track age is detined as the elapsed time during which tracks accumulated in the mineral. Determination of fission track ages in apatite, zircon, and sphene involves measuring: (1) the density of spontaneous (fossil) fission tracks; (2) the 23
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Repon l l
l density ofinduced fission tracks in a mica external detector that is placed on top of the I i apatite grain mount and irradiated with thermal neutrons; (3) the density ofinduced fission tracks in a standard glass (neutron fluence); and a zeta factor (z) determined from the ,
density of fission tracks in a suitable standard. These variables, combined with the total decay constant (lo) for 2nU and the age of a standard, are used to calculate the age of the l material. The irradiation of the grain mounts is performed with thermal neutrons in the
. NSC reactor Heavy-Water Irradiator.
Annealing of fission tracks refers to those processes that result in the repair oflattice defects such that the trail of defects is shortened or eliminated. Temperature is a dominant factor in fission track annealing in apatite. Fission track length distributions record information on the rate at which the rocks passed through the zone of partial annealing of 4
fission tracks (50 C-125 C). As fission tracks form continuously through time with an ini,tial length of-16mm, the final distribution of etchable fission track lengths in apatite contains a record of temperature variation with time below ~125 C.
1 In summary, fission track analysis involves both the measurement of fission track ages and track lengths. The age is a minimum estimate of the timing of the most recent cooling event in the mineral. The track length distribution provides additional information about the cooling history of a sample such as cooling rate, post-cooling thermal pulses, or post-cooling geothermal gradients. a i I Neutron Activation Analysis Program at the University of Texas at El Paso
" Geochemistry of Quaternary Lavasfrom the Chyulu Hills, Eastern Kenya" Department of Geological Sciences Dr. Elizabeth Anthony
- University c' Texas at El Paso Michelle Barnes John Carney Peter Omenda Mines and Geological Dept. John Omenge Nairobi, Kenya Submitted to the South-Central Geological Society of America Meeting, Lincoln, Nebraska, April 27-28,1995
- Samples were collected from lavas representing seven different stratigraphic or emptive units in the Chyulu Hills of eastern Kenya. This volcanic field is very young, with the most recent activity thought to be with
- n the last thousand years, and is on the castern
- flank of the African Rift. Previous studies have shown that the lavas are olivine-phyric, l nepheline-normative and enriched in the light rare earth elements.
24
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport The purpose of the study was to use the field knowledge of the stratigraphic position of the various units in order to understand whether crystal fractionation is an important process in this volcanic field and if so, what minerals are responsible for the geochemical trends observed. Samples were analyzed using neutron activation analysis and inductively-coupled plasma spectroscopy for the major elements. Preliminary analyses indicate that l although most of the lavas are not primitive in terms of their Mg number and thus have I undergone some crystal fractionation, they are not related to each other by fractionation I but rather represent separate magmatic pulses.
The Quaternary Western Potrillo Volcanic Field, Southern Rio Grande Rifit:
"ArfAr Geochronology and Geochemistry i l
Geological Sciences Wendi J. Williams j University ofTexas at El Paso Joesph G. Miller ;
Elizabeth Y. Anthony i I
Los Alamos National Laboratory Jane Poths l l
Geochronology Laboratory William C. McIntosh l New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology ;
1 The petrogenetic history of the Quaternary Potrillo volcanic field, located in the southern j Rio Grande rift, has been explored. 'He surface exposure dating provides refined )
temporal constraints for major and trace-element geochemical modeling. The eruption 4 history in the central and eastern parts of this field is from 140 ka t 20 ka, with episodes at approximately 20 ka intervals. Except for maare-related products, the dominantly basanitic magmas resulted from low pressure, olivine crystal fractionation. With over two hundred cones and flows, the western part of the Potrillo volcanic field is an order of 1 magnitude greater in volume than the central and eastern complexes combined.
Geochronologic and pa'comagnetic surveys suggest the West Potrillo Mountains record a much longer eruption history that the remainder of the field. There is a series of reversed polarity flows present. Due to the older nature of this western alignment, current geochronology studies emphasize high precision "Ar/"Ar dating methods.
Apatite Fission-Track Thermochronology of Southern Rocky Mountain-Rio Grande Rift- Western High Plains Provinces New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Shari A.Kelley l New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources Charles E. Chapin 25 i
_ Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport Apatite fission-track (AFT) thermochronology has been a useful tool in evaluating the i j tectonic and topographic evolution of the Southern Rocky Mountains, Rio Grande Rift,
] and western High Plains provinces. AFT data from the Front Range and Wet Mountains
- document that little differential up A has occurred in the late Cenozoic between the i 4 Southern Rocky Mountains and the .d h Plains in Colorado, except the southern end of the Wet Mountains. AFT iesults support a model whereby the central portion of the Front
1 Range was upliRed vertically and the eastern and western flanks of the range were thrust laterally during early Laramide compression. Only about 1 km of denudation occurred in the central Front Range during early Laramide deformation, while approximately 2.5 km l
- of material was removed during late Laramide deformation and the development of the Rocky Mountain erosion surface.
- Fission-track Data Indicates the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma Were Recently ,
i Uplifted (Presented at Fall 1995 Meeting of the Geological Society of America) '
Department of Geoscience Jennifer E. Winkler -
University ofTexas at Dallas Robert J. Stern ,
l Department of Geological Science Shari A.Kelley Southern Methodist University at Dallas The Wichita Mountains are associated 'vith a series of basement-involved upliRs and l
. associated basins within the foreland of the Ouachita orogen. The exhumation timing of the Wichita Mountains is a matter of debate. Originally, erosional surfaces found on the .
granitic rocks of the Wichita Mountains were thought to be Permian age wave cut benches. New interpretations suggest that the grante platforms are Pliocene pediment :
surfaces.
It was found by AFT analysis that the Wichatia Mountains were uplifted in the late -l Paleozoic, during the Ouachita Orogeny, then weathered and eroded. Du_ ring Mesozoic time, these rocks were probably covered with sediments. As a result of burial to 1-2km depth, the temperature of the rocks was elevated to 60'-90 C into a partial annealing zone and the fission track lengths were shortened. Beginning in the Late Cretaceous to Early Eocene time, the Mesozoic rocks were uplifted and eroded. Uplift continues through Present time with brief episodic periods of tectonic stability. Modeling of thermal histories reemphasizes uplift beginning in the Late Cretaceous to Early Eocene time and continu;ng to Present time.
Evidence for Post-Laramide Displacement on the Picuris-Pecos Fault Department of Geosciences Shari A. Kelley New Mexico Tech !
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l i-Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% Annual Report i
The middle to late Cenozoic uplift history of the Santa Fe Range portion of the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains is anomalous with respect to other mountain ranges bordering the northern Rio Grande rift. Recent models that describe rift flank development call upon j significant isostatic uplift of mountain blocks adjacent to the side of asymmetric half-grabens bounded by master faults with large displacement. Mountain ranges on the hinged side of half-grabens tend to have lower relief. The development of the Sandia Mountains on the east side of the east-tilted northern Albuquerque Basin is a gwd example of the i relationship between half-graben structure and the evolution of topographic relief. It has l been determined that the Santa Fe Range does not follow the expected trend.
Apatite fission-track (AFT) dating gives ages of 50 to 70 Ma determined from an age- )
elevation traverse on Santa Fe Baldy are among the oldest AFT ages found in mountain ranges bordering the northern Rio Grande rift. It is suggested that the modern topographic reliefin this area developed in the late Cenozoic.
' In this investigation, AFT thermochronology is used to determine relative offset across the ;
fault near the south end of the Santa Fe Range. AFT thermochronology has proven to be j very useful in deciphering the cooling histories of mountain ranges in the Southern Rocky !
Mountains. Based on this prelimina:y study, the Picuris-Pecos fault has accommodated some of the middle to late Cenozoic uplift and westward tilting of the Santa Fe Range.
The relative displacement across the fault is only about 400 m in the vicinity of Glorieta Baldy, but the amount of offset may vary along the strike of the fault. Other major faults within the Santa Fe Range, such as the Garcia Ranch-Borrego fault, may also be important in the evolution oflate Cenozoic reliefin this range.
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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport 21 Commercial Activity and External Research !
i The NSC provides services to a variety of users who have their own funding. A majority l of the commercial activities are related to isotope production of radioactive tracers for -
support of the Texas petroleum and chemical industries. Another commercial activity uses the converted Thermal Column Area for the production of micropore filters that are now i being used in ultra-pure water systems in the semiconductor industry. A significant I amount ofresearch at the reactor is funded by outside research grants. )
The NSC has many years of experience in the production of radioisotopes and has i developed several customer-specific methods for radioactive sample handling. The i production ofradioisotopes generally involves handling high-activity radioactive materials ;
during unloading, therefore the staff take all possible precautions to minimize their exposures during the transfer of materials to the shipping shields. )
Company or Institution Advanced Isotope Technologies Arco Exploration and Production Technology i Cardinal Survey Company Donelick Analytical Frac-Mate Ltd.
ICI Tracerco IsoTag Specialist Incorp.
Los Alamos National Lab -
Lockheed Engineering M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Methodist Hospital, Houston New Mexico Tech Osmonics/Poretics Corporation Protechnics/Spectratek Inc.
Texas Instruments Inc.
TN Technologies Tracer Services Ltd.
Trt-Tec Sam Houston State University University of Houston Zimmerman BCS 28 l
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Texas A&M Uniwrsity System Nuclear Science Center 19% Annual Report j
j 3.0 Facility and Procedure Changes In accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.59, changes to the facility and '
)
procedures were reviewed and documented. During this reporting period there were no changes that required additional safety analysis or changes to the Technical Specifications.
The following changes and experiments were implemented as not representing an unreviewed safety question and not increasing the probability cf an accident previously analyzed in the Safety Analysis Report (SAR). No procedures contained in the SAR were !
changed. l l
3.1 Facility Modifications l
There were no new 10 CFR 50.59 reviewed modifications during this reporting period.
Minor changes to existing approved modifications were made following formal staff review. 1 i
3.2 Experiment Authorizations There were no new experiments approved by the Reactor Safety Board during this reporting period. All experiments performed were modifications of existing approved !
experiments and were reviewed in NSC staff meetings.
1 4.0 Reactor Maintenance and Surveillance I l
4.1 Scheduled Maintenance '
Calibrations were performed on the Fuel Element Temperature Channel, Area Radiation Monitors and the Linear, Log, and Safety Power Channels as required by the Technical Specifications. All suiveillances required by the reactor license were performed.
~
Control rod worth, and scram time measurements were performed in Sep: ember. The total rod worth was found to be S16.70. The most reactive control rod is Shim Safety #4 with a worth of 5 4.95. Shutdown margin was determined to be $ 3.53 and core excess ,
was measured as 5 6.40. Scram times on all rods were less than 1.2 seconds.
- A calorimetric calibration was performed following each maintenance period. Fuel )
inspections were performed as required by the Technical Specification with no abnormalities noted.
The cold critical reactivity worth for each reactor experiment was measured prior to full experiment approval. The most reactive fixed experiment has been found to be the Fast Flux Pneumatic Receiver (-51.44) with the high negative worth caused by high boron loading.
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Texas AAM Unnersity System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Report
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4.2 Emergency Planning and Review The Facility Security Plan and Emergency Plan were review by the NSC staff on 12 January 1996 and by the RSB on 17 January 1996. All required external audits were completed during the reporting period.
4.3 Unscheduled Shutdowns a
Thirteen unscheduled reactor shutdowns occurred during 1996. Seven shutdowns resulted from a loss of facility electrical power. The remaining causes are detailed below:
- 2. 3/25/96, Operator-initiated manual scram to extract a loose experiment from above the reactor.
- 3. 6/25/96, Rod Drop caused by movement of unused cables in Reactor cable trays.
- 4. 9/9/96, Fission chamber arcing required removal of power to Log Channel resulting in period scram.
5, 10/29/96, Temporary power to Log Channel was unplugged resulting in period scram.
- 6. 11/20/96, Noise spike during reactor pulse caused a Safety Channel High Power Trip.
4.4 Reportable Occurrences There was a single reportable occurrence in 1996.
4.4.1 Description of Event On 15 October 1996 at approxirnstely 3:51 PM a loss of facility power occurred causing a reactor scram. At 3:55 power had been restored and the Reactor Operator (RO) began the performance of the facility pre-startup checks. The duty health physicist was not present at the facility, therefore the Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) performed the Facility Air Monitor (FAM) alarm checks. This is allowed by our procedures. In general, the Health Physicist performs the checks if he or she is available. The FAM system will automatically shutdown the building exhaust fan when there is an alarm on the stack effluent particulate monitor as required by T.S. 3.4. A shutdown bypass is provided to prevent building ventilation shutdown during testing.
After performing the alarm checks the SRO went immediately to the control room for the reactor startup and forgot to remove the key from the bypass switch. There is a line item of the pre-startup checklist that states:
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i' i Texas A&M University Sy2em Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport
" Air monitors verified operable and key removed from reception room control panel."
4 The RO performing the pre-startup checklist failed to read the entire step and initialed for the completion of the step. The SRO and RO signed for completion of the pre-startup checklist prior to reactor startup.
i At about 10:00 PM that evening the on-duty SRO discovered the Shutdown Bypass Key was in the control panel in the reception room and in the bypassed position. The reactor
- had operated for six hours with the FAM automatic shutdown bypassed.
i
'4.4.2 Cause of Event i
The cause is considered to be a lack of attention to detail, excessive distractions to
{ operators, and personal desire to return the reactor to full power operations. The RO had j not routinely performed a reactor startup involving pre-startup checklist performance for
- several months. The RO was familiar with the procedure, but he did not fully read each
- checklist item. The SRO had rarely performed the FAM alarm checks because a Duty HP L was normally available.
During the power failure, several RO trainees were observing the RO. The on-duty RO used this as an opportunity to perform impromptu training and discussed the power failure
- with the trainees. This contributed to a lack of concentration to the pre-startup checklist he was performing.
l The SRO and RO wanted to retum the reactor to full power as soon as possible to turn l over to the oncoming shift. The SRO admitted that he felt he should have the reactor in j steady state conditions for the evening shift arriving by 5:00 PM. This was a professional
- courtesy and not based on operational commitments, but this self-imposed pressure contributed to the overall events. 1 1
4.4.3 Corrective Actions f
[ The pre-startup checklist had several individual instrument checks combined into single ;
- items. This allowed the operator to initial for partial completion of an item. The pre-
- startup checklist has been rewritten to separate and provide additional check boxes for these multiple checks. l i
l The FAM shutdown bypass switch is located remotely in the reception room for access
. during a facility emergency. The RO can not visually verify the key position (or if the key
- is removed) without leaving the control room. A warning light is now installed in the ;
control room to provide remote indication of the bypass feature.
4 31
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. Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport All licensed operators and trainees have been counseled on attention to detail, minimizing 4
-distractions in the control room during reactor operations and that there is never a reason
- _ - to feel pressed for time when performing their licensed duties.
1 l 5.0 Health Physics Surveillances A dedicated Health Physics group is maintained at the NSC reactor facility as an integral part of tl4e line organization. The Health Physics group at the NSC is responsible for chemical and physical safety concerns as well as radiological. The TAMU Safety Office provides additional support to the NSC Radiological Safety Office upon request.
5.1 Radioactive Shipments l I
The Health Physics's monitoring and technical support that was provided in 1996, assured I minimal, hazard exposure as well as state and federal regulation compliance during sample handling, shipment of radioactive material, and normal reactor operation. During 1996, I there were 384 radioactive material shipments of which 73 were sent to various ,
departments on the campus of Texas A&M.
5.2 Penonnel Monitoring I i'
Personnel Monitoring was provided to 27 NSC employees. All radiation expose to personnel was below the limit set forth in 10CFR20. Two individuals did receive greater l than 10% of the annual, maximum exposure, their exposuie was record as 530 mrem and '
500 mrem deep dose equivalent for the year. A total of 3.1 man-rem was recorded for 1996.
During 1996,2,756 visitors toured the Nuclear Science Center. Minimal exposures were measured with pocket ion chambers worn by these visitors and compared to the pocket ion chamber readings of their respective tour guides.
NSC employees who were exposed to radiation in amounts that could possibly allow them to exceed 10% of their annual dose wore TLDs and film badges that were provided by Landauer, an accredited supplier. Landauer also provided the analysis reports of the exposure received. l 5.3 Facility Monitoring Surveys of the Nuclear Science Center facilities were performed to assess radiological i hazards to NSC workers. Radiation levels and sources of radioactive contamination were frequently monitored. Approximately 350 smear samples were collected and evaluated )
each month. All accessible areas at the NSC are evaluated for contamination and radiation ;
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' Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% AnnualReport ;
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4 rnonthly. Areas where contamination is expected and access / egress controls are in place t
are evaluated on shorter intervals.
S 5.4 Particulate Emuent Monitoring Radioactive particulates were monitored at the base of the central exhaust stack and summarized on a monthly basis. The annual average release rate was 4.21 x 10'" Ci/cc, Total activity released for 1996 was 4.68 x 10 pCi.
The following table summarizes annual particulate effluent releases during 1996. -
i Quarter Month Average Diluted Exhaust Total Conc.*1 conc.*2 Volume *3 Release *4 l (pCi/cc) (pci/ec) (ee) (ci)
I January 5.60E-11 2.80E-13 1.01E+13 0.000566536 '
February 3.51E-11 1.76E-13 9.14E+12 0.000320732 ,
March 7.40E-12 3.70E-14 1.01E+13 0.000074486 t Average: 3.28E-11 1.64E-13 9.79E+12 0.000320711 Total: 2.90E+13 0.000716307 II April 4.24E-11 2.12E-13 9.79E+12 0.000415112 May 2.57E-11 1.29E-13 1.01E+13 0.000260000 ;
June 5.44E-11 2.72E-13 9.79E+12 0.000532596 Average: 4.08E-11 2.04E-13 9.90E+12 0.000402569 Total: 2.98E+13 0.001195165 III July 4.33E-11 2.17E-13 1.01E+13 0.000438054 August 3.74E-11 1.87E-13 1.01E+13 0.000378365 September 2.66E-11 1.33E-13 9.79E+12 0.000260424 Average: 3.58E-11 1.79E-13 1.00E+13 0.000358948 Total: 2.99E+13 0.000997736 ;
IV october 5.81E-11 2.91E-13 1.01E+13 0.000587781 November 5.29E-11 2.65E-13 9.79E+12 0.00051791 1 0.00066175 December 6.54E-11 3.27E-13 1.01E+13 Average: 5.88E-11 2.94E-13 1.00E+13 0.000589147 Total: 2.99E+13 0.001768808 Annual Average: 4.21E-11 2.10E-13 9.93E+12 0.000417844 4 Total released: 1.19E+14 0.004678016 33
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% AnnualReport l
- 5.5 Gaseous Emuents Monitoring
{' Argon-41 is the major gaseous effluent produced and released at the Nuclear Science )
Center. This effluent is monitored at the central exhaust stack. Total Argon-41 released l 4 l during 1996 was 27.23 Ci with an annual release rate of 1.08 x 10 pCi/cc.
The annual gaseous effluent data is summarized below: )
i Quarter Month Average Diluted Exhaust Total 1
. Cone.*1 Cone.*2 volume *3 Release *4 l
(pCi/cc) (pci/ce) (ee) (ci)
, I January 6.83E-08 3.52E-10 1.01E+13 0.690971558 February 2.30E-07 1.15E-09 9.14E+12 2.101665722 8
March 3.00E-07 1.50E-09 1.01E+13 3.035014164 ;
. Average: 1.99E-07 9.97E-10 9.79E+12 1.942550482 i Total: 2.90E+13 7.079230368 II April 1.56E-07 7.80E-10 9.79E+12 1.527297450 !
May 2.90E-07 1.45E-09 1.01E+13 2.933847025 June 3.83E-07 1.92E-09 9.79E+12 3.749711048
, Average: 2.76E-07 1.38E-09 9.90E+12 2.736951841 Total: 2.98E+13 9.420509915 III July 3.59E-07 1.80E-09 1.01E+13 3.631900283 4
August 8.83E-08 4.42E-10 1.01E+13 0.893305836 September 7.19E-08 3.60E-10 9.79E+12 0.703927479 i
Average: 1.73E-07 8. 65 E-10 1.00E+13 1.743044533 Total: 2.9915E+13 3.340277847 IV october 1.16E-07 5.80E-10 1.01E+13 1.173538810 November 2.09E-07 1.04E-09 9.79E+12 2.042828873 December 3.17E-07 1.59E-09 1.01E+13 3.207635653 Average 2.14E-07 1.07E-09 1.00E+13 2.141334445 Total: 2.99E+13 7.391798971 Annual Average: 2.16E-07 1.08E-09 9.93E+12 2.140970325 Total released: 1.19E+14 27.23181710 l
34
l E Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 AnnualReport i 1
l 5.6 Liquid Emuents Monitoring Radioactive Liquid effluents are maintained in collection tank.s prior to release from the confines of the Nuclear Science Center. Sample activity concentrations and isotope identifications were determined prior to each release. There were 28 releases in 1996, 5
totaling 7.28 x 10 liters, excluding dilution from the Nuclear Science Center. The total 4
radioactivity released that was 2.92 x 10 Ci with an avera'ge concentration of 2.25 x 10 Ci/cc. - Summaries of the release data are presented in the table below. Radioactivity concentrations for each isotope found were below the limits specified in 10CFR20, Appendix B.
MONTH Number of Amount Activity Concentration Releases Released Released Rs. leased (Liters) (ci) (pci/oc)
January 1 2.22E+04 4.58E-05 2.06E-06 February 5 1.47E+05 3.82E-04_ 2.60E-06 March 0 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 Quarter Total: 6 1.69E+05 4.28E-04 2.33E-06 April 3 8.73E+04 3.37E-04 3.87E-06 May 1 3.53E+04 6.78E-05 1.92E-06 June 2 4.23E+04 4.28E-05 1.01E-06 Quancr Total: 6 1.65E+05 4.48E-04 2.27E-06 July 3 6.59E+04 2.72E-04 4.12E-06 August 6 1.77E+05 8.84E-04 4.99E-06 !
September 2 4.76E+04 7.56E-04 1.59E-06 I Quaner Totals: 11 2.91E+05 1.91E-03 3.09E-06 october- 4 9.01E+04 1.15E-04 1.28E-06 November 0 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E-00 December 1 1.30E+04 1.94E-05 1.49E-06 Quaner Totals: 5 1.03E+05 1.34E-04 1.30E-06 Annual Totals: 28 7.28E+05 2.92E-03 2.25E-06 6.0 Environmental Monitoring In conjunction with representatives from the State ofTexas Department of Health, a quarterly environmental survey program is conducted to insure compliance with federal regulations. This program consists ofTLD monitors located at various locations on the NSC site and a background monitor located at the Brazos River, 5.25 miles west of the 35
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% AnnualReport site. The collection, analysis, and evaluation of soil, water, and milk samples are also included in the program.
6.1 Environmental Survey Samples The environmental survey samples were collected in accordance with the schedules of the cooperative surveillance program between the Texas State Department of Health and the Texas A&M University. These samples were analyzed using an intrinsic germanium detection system for isotopic identification at the NSC. A second set of samples is also analyzed by a Texas Department of Health lab for comparison to NSC results. Data collected from this analysis reflect the continued positive use ofntention facilities and sample analysis for laboratory effluents prior to their release.
Summaries of the emironmental survey program for 1996 are presented in the three tables below. Isotopic activity listed is as reported to, or as determined by, the NSC when data from the state was unavailable.
Water Samples 1996 Quarter Sample IAcation Concentration (pCi/ml)
Ist Brazos River < MDA ist NSC Creek < MDA 2nd Brazos River < MDA 2nd NSC Creek < MDA 3rd Brazos River < MDA 3rd NSC Creek < MDA 4th Brazos River < MDA 4th NSC Creek < MDA Milk Samples 1996 Quarter Sampic Location Concentration (pCl/ml) 4 ist TAMU Dairy 1.20 x 10 2nd TAMU Dairy < MDA 3rd TAMU Dairy < MDA 1.46 x 10*
4th TAMU Dairy Soil Samples 36
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% Annual Report 1996 Quarter Sample Location Concentration (pCi/g) ist NSC Soil 1.89 x 10
2nd NSC Soil 1.79 x 10~5 4
3rd NSC Soil 8.92 x 10 4
4th NSC Soil 1.41 x 10 6.2 Site Boundary Dose Rate The environm. ental survey program measures the integrated radiation exposures at the exclusion area boundaries. These measurements are made for periods of approximately 90 days, using TLDs. The dosimeters are provided and processed by Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control, Division of Environmental Programs. The state f background monitor (site # 14)is located at a point 5.25 miles west-southwest of the facility and generally at right angles to the prevailing southeasterly winds.
The highest exposure points were found to be at site #6 (198.0 mrem /yr) and site #18 (117 mrem /yr). These exposures are high and are due to the inadvertent temporary storage of waste outside of shielded storage. Occupancy factors still need to be used to determine permanent exposure to assign to these locations. The closest off-site point of extended occupancy is located just beyond the site boundary fence directly behind the site
- 10 monitoring location; the occupants of this area continue to receive only low levels of exposure.
To determine internal exposure to individuals outside the site area the EPA's approved code COMPLY was used. The exposures calculated were 0.3 mrem /yr. This exposure should be added to the site boundary TLD readings to obtain total dose.
1 r
37
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Report Site # Location Quarterly Exposure Rate Annual Exposure 1996 (mrem /91 days) (,,,,)
2 300 ft. W of reactor building, 18.2 9.9 10.2 10.1 48.0 near fence corner 3 250 ft W-SW of reactor 23.5 14.8 11.2 11.9 62.0 building, on SW chain link fence 4 200 ft NW of reactor building, 20.4 18.8 19.4 19.3 79.0 on chain link fenec, near butane tank.
5 225 ft NE of reactor building, 9.2 8.9 16.4 14.7 50.0 on fence N of drivewg 6 300 ft N-NE reactor building, 21.5 29.7 63.4 78.1 198.0 near fence corner 10 190 ft SE of reactor building, 7.2 5.9 6.1 6.4 26.0 near fence corner 11 300 ft NE of reactor building, 5.1 3.0 4.1 5.5 18.0 near fence corner 18 375 ft NE of reactor building 14.3 17.8 36.8 45.0 117.0 19 320 ft NE of reactor building i1.2 10.9 21.5 23.9 69.0 14 5.25 miles W-SW of reactor 16.0 17.0 17.0 18.0 68.0 building, st FM 60 bridge over Brazos River 7.0 Radioactive Waste Shipments During the 1996 year, there was no solid waste released from the NSC for disposal offsite.
f 38
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 19% AnnualReport 8.0 Reactor Safety Board The Reactor Safety Board is responsible to the licensee for providing an independent review and audit of the safety aspects of the NSCR. The RSB meets at least once a year
' to review audit reports, security and emergency plans, new experiments and modifications to the facility.
Membership (1996)
Chairman:
Dr. James Holste, Associate Director, TEES Members:
Dr. Marvin Adams, Professor, Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. Ted Parish, Professor Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. Robert Kenefick, Professor Physics Department Dr. Roger Koppa, Associate Professor, Industrial Engineering Department Dr. Earl Morris, Professor Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinic Dr. William Dennis James, Research Chemist Chemistry Department Ex-Officio Members:
Dr. Warren Reece, Director, Nuclear Science Center Mr. Sean O' Kelly, Assistant Director, Nuclear Science Center Mr. Chris Meyer, Interim Director, Radiological Safety Office 1
l 39 l
Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center 1996 Annual Report
(
Dr. John Poston, Professor and Head, Nuclear Engineering Departrnent
( Larry Krisanits, Senior Health Physicist Nuclear Science Center TEES:
Dr. Raymond Flumerfelt, Licensee
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