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An automated, flow-through ultrasonic lysis module that is capable of disrupting bacterial spores to increase the DNA available for biodetection is described. The system uses a flow-through chamber that allows for direct injection of the sample without the need for a chemical or enzymatic pretreatment step to disrupt the spore coat before lysis. Lysis of Bacillus subtilis spores, a benign simulant of Bacillus anthracis, is achieved by flowing the sample through a tube whose axis is parallel to the faces of two transducers that deliver 10 W cm−2 to the surface of the tube at 1.4-MHz frequency. Increases in amplifiable DNA were assessed by real-time PCR analysis that showed at least a 25-fold increase in amplifiable DNA after ultrasonic treatment with glass beads, compared with controls with no ultrasonic power applied. The ultrasonic system and integrated fluidics are designed as a module that could be incorporated into multistep, automated sample treatment and detection systems for pathogens.

A power flow scheme applicable to probe-type ultrasound reactors is presented, that has been deduced from both theoretical estimates and experimental measurements employing a thermal insulated vessel. Under typical conditions for water at 1 atm pressure, 77% of the electrical power is converted into mechanical motion of the probe, that in turn is dissipated to both acoustic power (∼12%) and cavitational heating (∼88%). Approximately 92% of the mechanical power of the probe was converted into heat, with the remaining power presumably converted into audible acoustic and/or mechanical motion. In a second type of experiment performed here, heterogeneous catalysis experiments have been performed at 298 K in an isothermal (i.e., jacketed) reaction vessel comparing chemistry in conventional (e.g., thermal) versus ultrasound-assisted systems. Both product state distribution and reaction rate measurements have been performed for the hydrogenation (using hydrogen gas) of aqueous 3-buten-1-ol solutions employing Pd-black powder. Products from the heterogeneous catalysis include isomerization to cis - and trans -2-buten-1-ol, as well as hydrogenation to 1-butanol. A reaction scheme involving surface-bound alkyl-radical species, consistent with previous published work, is proposed to explain product formation. Based on the observed differences in cis - to trans -2-buten-1-ol ratios in conventional versus ultrasound experiments, employing untreated and prereduced catalysts, it has been determined that ultrasound creates catalyst site(s) enhancing the cis -to- trans 2-buten-1-ol ratio from 0.25 to 0.55. In addition, comparing the total isomerization to hydrogenation ratio ( cis - plus trans -2-buten-1-ol to 1-butanol ratio), for ultrasound-assisted and conventional catalysis, reveal a ∼5-fold enhancement in isomerization relative to the more energetically favored hydrogenation due to the application of ultrasound. Finally, the product formation rates for 1-butanol, as well as isomerization plus hydrogenation, revealed that conventional and ultrasound experiments showed both a nonlinear dependence with applied ultrasound power and no differences between untreated and prereduced catalysts. The observed reaction rate enhancements were 1:36:183 for the conventional, 90 W ultrasound, and 190 W ultrasound experiments, respectively.

Piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) and zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering for use in ultrasonic transducers in the 100- to 300-MHz regime. Pulse-echo ultrasonic transducers are being developed to image subsurface microstructure in metal and non-metal (ceramic) materials and components. A Krimholtz, Leedom, Matthaei (KLM) model was used to aid in the design of the ultrasonic transducer. Design criteria included piezoelectric material properties and thickness, electrode material and thickness, substrate dielectric properties, active area diameter and bandwidth and sensitivity requirements. The preliminary designs consisted of Ni/AlN/Ni and Ni/ZnO/Ni on BK-7 glass and fused silica substrates. AlN was chosen because of its a high longitudinal wave velocity of 10 700 m/s and high dielectric strength of 20 MV/cm. Strongly oriented (002) AlN and ZnO coatings, up to 50 μm thick, were deposited onto transducer substrates. Transducers with strongly oriented (002) crystal orientation displayed the highest longitudinal/shear (L/S) wave ratio of 19.6 dB. Crystalline structure was found to depend primarily on substrate temperature, substrate placement, and substrate material. Substrate temperatures ranged between 100 and 400°C. Strongly (002) oriented AlN films were deposited at substrate temperatures as low as 100°C. The L/S ratio decreased with the onset of the (103) and other crystal orientations, which resulted from off-normal adatom flux incidence during deposition. Near normal incidence flux angles were needed to obtain the (002) crystal orientation. Substoichiometric ZnO films were obtained at substrate temperatures below 300°C. The transducers operated at frequencies between 50 and 100 MHz, with performance very close to that of the design.

Liquid sodium is used as the coolant in some fast spectrum nuclear reactors. This material is optically opaque. To facilitate operations and maintenance activities, an ultrasonic under-sodium viewing system has been developed. In the USA, the technology was successfully demonstrated in the 1970s and, over the intervening 30+ years, the capability was lost. This paper reports materials challenges encountered in developing both single-element and linear phased-array 2-MHz transducers that must operate at temperatures up to 260°C. The critical issues are fundamentally material selection: the ability of a transducer to be immersed into liquid sodium and function at 260°C, to achieve wetting and transmission of ultrasound into the sodium, and to be able to be removed and re-used.

In-service inspection of liquid metal (sodium) fast reactors requires the use of ultrasonic transducers capable of operating at high temperatures (>200°C), high gamma radiation fields, and the chemically reactive liquid sodium environment. In the early- to mid-1970s, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission supported development of high-temperature, submersible single-element transducers, used for scanning and under-sodium imaging in the Fast Flux Test Facility and the Clinch River Breeder Reactor. Current work is building on this technology to develop the next generation of high-temperature linear ultrasonic transducer arrays for under-sodium viewing and in-service inspections.

This current report is a summary of information obtained in the "Information Capture" task of the U.S. DOE-funded "Under Sodium Viewing (USV) Project." The goal of the multi-year USV project is to design, build, and demonstrate a state-of-the-art prototype ultrasonic viewing system tailored for periodic reactor core in-service monitoring and maintenance inspections. The study seeks to optimize system parameters, improve performance, and re-establish this key technology area which will be required to support any new U.S. liquid-metal cooled fast reactors.

AREVA NC Inc. (AREVA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AW-103. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the AREVA ultrasonic examinations. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary and secondary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AW-103 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks that might be present in the wall of the primary tank and the wall of the secondary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-Plan-27202 (Jensen 2005) and summarized on page 1 of this document, are to be reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on electronic media and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the AREVA ultrasonic examinations.more » The results of the examination of Tank 241-AW-103 have been evaluated by PNNL personnel. The primary tank ultrasonic examination consisted of two vertical 15-in.-wide scan paths over the entire height of the tank, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of four vertical welds and one horizontal weld from Riser 29 and two vertical 15-in.-wide scan paths over the entire height of the tank from Riser 28. Additionally, two vertical 15-in.-wide scan paths over the entire height of the secondary tank from Riser 28 were performed. The examinations were performed to detect any wall thinning, pitting, or cracking in the primary tank wall.« less

Multibubble standing wave patterns can be generated from a flat piezoceramic transducer element radiating into water. By adding a second transducer positioned at 90 degrees from the transducer generating the standing wave, a 3-dimensional volume of stable single bubbles can be established. Further, the addition of the second transducer stabilizes the bubble pattern so that individual bubbles may be studied. The size of the bubbles and the separation of the standing waves depend on the frequency of operation. Two transducers, operating at frequencies above 500 kHz, provided the most graphic results for the configuration used in this study. At these frequencies stable bubbles exhibit a bright sonoluminescence pattern. Whereas stable SBSL is well-known, stable MBSL has not been previously reported. This paper includes discussions of the acoustic responses, standing wave patterns, and pictorial results of the separation of individual bubble sonoluminescence in a multibubble sonoluminescence environment.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AN-103. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COEGMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA) under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill) has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AN-101. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the COGEMs ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AN-104. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic nondestructive examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-102. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AP-102 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks that might be present in the wall of the primary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-22571 (Jensen 2004) and summarized on page 1 of this document, are reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on disk and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic nondestructive examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-104. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary and secondary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AP-104 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning that might be present in the wall of the primary tank in the upper knuckle region, and any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks in the wall of the secondary tank in the lower knuckle region. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-22571 (Jensen 2004) and summarized on page 1 of this document, are reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on disk and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic nondestructive examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-106. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AP-106 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks that might be present in the wall of the primary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-22571 (Jensen 2004) and summarized on page 1 of this document, are reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on disk and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic nondestructive examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-104. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AP-104 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks that might be present in the wall of the primary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-17750 (Jensen 2003) and summarized on page 1 of this document, are reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on disk and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic nondestructive examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-SY-101. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-SY-101 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks that might be present in the wall of the primary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-17750 (Jensen 2003) and summarized on page 1 of this document, are reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on disk and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

AREVA NC Inc. (AREVA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AZ-101. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the AREVA ultrasonic examinations. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AZ-101 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks that might be present in the wall of the primary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-Plan-27202 (Jensen 2005) and summarized on page 1 of this document, are to be reported to CH2M HILL and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M HILL, all data is to be recorded on electronic media and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the AREVA ultrasonic examinations. The results of the examination of Tank 241-AZ-101 have been evaluated by PNNL personnel. The ultrasonic examination consisted of two vertical 15-in.-wide scan paths over the entire height of the tank and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of five vertical welds and one horizontal weld from Riser 89. The examination also included two vertical 15-in.-wide scan paths over the entire height of the tank from Riser 90. The examination was performed to detect any wall thinning, pitting, or cracking in the primary tank wall.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-103. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s)that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COEGMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-105. PNNL is responsible for preparing a reports(s) that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of the knuckle region of Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-101 utilizing the Remotely Operated Nondestructive Examination (RONDE) system (also known as the SAFT/TSAFT system). PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of the knuckle region of Double-Shell Tank 241-AW-102 utilizing the Remotely Operated Nondestructive Examination (RONDE) system. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the knuckle region of the primary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AW-102 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any circumferentially oriented cracks that might be present in the knuckle area of the primary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-7869, are reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on disk and paper copies of all measurements are provided t o PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

Video inspections in the annulus of Hanford double-shell waste storage tank 241-AY-101 in 2001 and earlier showed rust over large areas of the primary and secondary tank walls. These observations led to extensive on-destructive inspections and analyses to determine the extent and severity of the corrosion and correction of several operational deficiencies that contributed to the problem. PNNL has performed an independent review of the accumulated evidence from these efforts to determine whether unacceptable conditions were corrected and the current condition of the tank meets or exceeds technical and operational requirements. The findings of this review are the subject of this report. The conclusion is that AY-101 is fit for service without restriction subject to several recommendations for further inspections and analyses.

COGEMA Engineering Corporation (COGEMA), under a contract from CH2M Hill Hanford Group (CH2M Hill), has performed an ultrasonic examination of selected portions of Double-Shell Tank 241-AN-105. The purpose of this examination was to provide information that could be used to evaluate the integrity of the wall of the primary tank. The requirements for the ultrasonic examination of Tank 241-AN-105 were to detect, characterize (identify, size, and locate), and record measurements made of any wall thinning, pitting, or cracks that might be present in the wall of the primary tank. Any measurements that exceed the requirements set forth in the Engineering Task Plan (ETP), RPP-8867, are reported to CH2M Hill and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for further evaluation. Under the contract with CH2M Hill, all data is to be recorded on disk and paper copies of all measurements are provided to PNNL for third-party evaluation. PNNL is responsible for preparing a report(s) that describes the results of the COGEMA ultrasonic examinations.

Expert workshops were held in Richland in May 2001 to review the Hanford Double-Shell Tank Integrity Project and make recommendations to extend the life of Hanford's double-shell waste tanks. The workshop scope was limited to corrosion of the primary tank liner, and the main areas for review were waste chemistry control, tank inspection, and corrosion monitoring. Participants were corrosion experts from Hanford, Savannah River Site, Brookhaven National Lab., Pacific Northwest National Lab., and several consultants. This report describes the current state of the three areas of the program, the final recommendations of the workshop, and the rationale for their selection.

A multibubble standing wave pattern can be generated from an acoustic wave reflected from a flat surface. By adding a second transducer at 90 deg from the transducer generating the standing wave, a three‐dimensional volume of stable single bubbles can be established. Further, the addition of the second transducer operating at the same frequency stabilizes the bubble pattern so that individual bubbles may be studied. The size of the bubbles and the separation of the standing waves depend on the frequency of operation. Two transducers, operating at frequency of 630 kHz, provided the most consistent results for the configuration used in this study. The bubbles exhibit bright sonoluminescence. Spectral measurements are in progress. Effect of the shape of the configuration will be discussed along with the standing wave patterns, spectral data, and pictorial results of separation of individual bubble sonoluminescence in a multibubble sonoluminescence environment.

Single bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL), multi‐bubble sonoluminescence (MBSL), multi‐bubble sonochemiluminescence (MBSCL) and other high power ultrasound cavitation and noncavitating ultrasound process stream interaction phenomena are known to produce a wide range of both physical and chemical effects that depend upon the system and operating conditions employed. Three interacting regimes are under investigation (a) high power and high frequency (including noncavitating systems), (b) single bubble resonance/sonoluminescence and (c) multi‐bubble high power sonochemical processing. In all cases these involve various reactors, including possible schemes for continuous material feeding and processing for selected chemical, nonaqueous fluids and biological research and industrial applications. High power sonochemical and noncavitating ultrasound processing applications and a review of literature pertaining to the potential of high power processing, including fusion are discussed. Work includes the investigation of acoustic fields in reactors, characterization of sonoluminescence spectra, the investigation of system parameters to control maximum bubble temperature and pressure, and acoustic energy partition into light and acoustic emission/shock waves. Effects of various chemical systems on multi‐bubble luminescence are being investigated and will be reported. Work to date has emphasized the evaluation of both single and multi‐bubble sonoluminescence, spectral measurements, acoustic emission measurements and the observation of a continuous bubble feed phenomenon.

Previous work by this group has produced cross-sectional pictures of the interior construction of normal and pathological living tissues, by the use of pulsed ultrahigh frequency sound. This new me...