Neutron flux and gamma dose measurement in the BNCT irradiation facility at the TRIGA reactor of the University of Pavia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bortolussi, S.; Protti, N.; Ferrari, M.; Postuma, I.; Fatemi, S.; Prata, M.; Ballarini, F.; Carante, M. P.; Farias, R.; González, S. J.; Marrale, M.; Gallo, S.; Bartolotta, A.; Iacoviello, G.; Nigg, D.; Altieri, S.

2018-01-01

University of Pavia is equipped with a TRIGA Mark II research nuclear reactor, operating at a maximum steady state power of 250 kW. It has been used for many years to support Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) research. An irradiation facility was constructed inside the thermal column of the reactor to produce a sufficient thermal neutron flux with low epithermal and fast neutron components, and low gamma dose. In this irradiation position, the liver of two patients affected by hepatic metastases from colon carcinoma were irradiated after borated drug administration. The facility is currently used for cell cultures and small animal irradiation. Measurements campaigns have been carried out, aimed at characterizing the neutron spectrum and the gamma dose component. The neutron spectrum has been measured by means of multifoil neutron activation spectrometry and a least squares unfolding algorithm; gamma dose was measured using alanine dosimeters. Results show that in a reference position the thermal neutron flux is (1.20 ± 0.03) ×1010 cm-2 s-1 when the reactor is working at the maximum power of 250 kW, with the epithermal and fast components, respectively, 2 and 3 orders of magnitude lower than the thermal component. The ratio of the gamma dose with respect to the thermal neutron fluence is 1.2 ×10-13 Gy/(n/cm2).

Epithermal neutron beam for BNCT research at Washington State University

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venhuizen, J.R.; Nigg, D.W.; Wheeler, F.J.

1999-09-01

Veterinary radiation oncology researchers at the Washington State University (WSU) School of Veterinary Medicine have made major contributions to the understanding of the in-vivo radiobiology of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) over the years. Recent attention has been focused on the development of a more convenient and cost-effective local epithermal-neutron beam facility for BNCT research and boronated pharmaceutical screening in large-animal models at WSU. The design of such a facility, to be installed in the thermal column region of the TRIGA research reactor at WSU, was performed in a collaborative effort of SWU and the Idaho National Engineering and Environmentalmore » Laboratory. Construction is now underway.« less

Conceptual design of BNCT facility based on the TRR medical room

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golshanian, M.; Rajabi, A. A.; Kasesaz, Y.

2017-10-01

This paper presents a conceptual design of the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) facility based on the medical room of Tehran Research Reactor (TRR). The medical room is located behind the east wall of the reactor pool. The designed beam line is an in-pool Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) which is considered between the reactor core and the medical room wall. The final designed BSA can provide 2.96× 109 n/cm2ṡs epithermal neutron flux at the irradiation position with acceptable beam contamination to use as a clinical BNCT.

Epithermal neutron formation for boron neutron capture therapy by adiabatic resonance crossing concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khorshidi, A.; Ghafoori-Fard, H.; Sadeghi, M.

2014-05-01

Low-energy protons from the cyclotron in the range of 15-30 MeV and low current have been simulated on beryllium (Be) target with a lead moderator around the target. This research was accomplished to design an epithermal neutron beam for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) using the moderated neutron on the average produced from 9Be target via (p, xn) reaction in Adiabatic Resonance Crossing (ARC) concept. Generation of neutron to proton ratio, energy distribution, flux and dose components in head phantom have been simulated by MCNP5 code. The reflector and collimator were designed in prevention and collimation of derivation neutrons from proton bombarding. The scalp-skull-brain phantom consisting of bone and brain equivalent material has been simulated in order to evaluate the dosimetric effect on the brain. Results of this analysis demonstrated while the proton energy decreased, the dose factor altered according to filters thickness. The maximum epithermal flux revealed using fluental, Fe and bismuth (Bi) filters with thicknesses of 9.4, 3 and 2 cm, respectively and also the epithermal to thermal neutron flux ratio was 103.85. The potential of the ARC method to replace or complement the current reactor-based supply sources of BNCT purposes.

INEL BNCT Research Program annual report, 1992

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venhuizen, J.R.

1993-05-01

This report is a summary of the progress and research produced for the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Research Program for calendar year 1992. Contributions from all the principal investigators about their individual projects are included, specifically, chemistry (pituitary tumor targeting compounds, boron drug development including liposomes, lipoproteins, and carboranylalanine derivatives), pharmacology (murine screenings, toxicity testing, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis of biological samples), physics (radiation dosimetry software, neutron beam and filter design, neutron beam measurement dosimetry), and radiation biology (small and large animal models tissue studies and efficacy studies). Information on the potentialmore » toxicity of borocaptate sodium and boronophenylalanine is presented, results of 21 spontaneous-tumor-bearing dogs that have been treated with BNCT at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Medical Research Reactor (BMRR) are discussed, and predictions for an epithermal-neutron beam at the Georgia Tech Research Reactor (GTRR) are shown. Cellular-level boron detection and localization by secondary ion mass spectrometry, sputter-initiated resonance ionization spectroscopy, low atomization resonance ionization spectroscopy, and alpha track are presented. Boron detection by ICP-AES is discussed in detail. Several boron carrying drugs exhibiting good tumor uptake are described. Significant progress in the potential of treating pituitary tumors with BNCT is presented. Measurement of the epithermal-neutron flux at BNL and comparison to predictions are shown. Calculations comparing the GTRR and BMRR epithermal-neutron beams are also presented. Individual progress reports described herein are separately abstracted and indexed for the database.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jaffke, Patrick John

This acts as a short note on the effects of varying the value of the endpoints of the thermal, epithermal, and fast flux groups. As expected, varying these endpoints can alter the value of the cross-section for a given nuclide. This effect is quantified in this note for an important nuclide in reactor simulations, 238U. Uranium-238 is responsible for the production of Plutonium in most reactors, making it critical to understand all of the 238U capture modes leading to Plutonium. We explicitly quantify the reaction rates for 238U that are altered when we use a given research reactor fluxmore » and vary the endpoint definitions of said flux as well as the reactor position.« less

Impact of Fission Neutron Energies on Reactor Antineutrino Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermanek, Keith; Littlejohn, Bryce; Gustafson, Ian

2017-09-01

Recent measurements of the reactor antineutrino spectra (Double Chooz, Reno, and Daya Bay) have shown a discrepancy in the 5-7 MeV region when compared to current theoretical models (Vogel and Huber-Mueller). There are numerous theories pertaining to this antineutrino anomaly, including theories that point to new physics beyond the standard model. In the paper ``Possible Origins and Implications of the Shoulder in Reactor Neutrino Spectra'' by A. Hayes et al., explanations for this anomaly are suggested. One theory is that there are interactions from fast and epithermal incident neutrons which are significant enough to create more events in the 5-7 MeV by a noticeable amount. In our research, we used the Oklo software network created by Dan Dwyer. This generates ab initio antineutrino and beta decay spectra based on standard fission yield databases ENDF, JENDL, JEFF, and the beta decay transition database ENSDF-6. Utilizing these databases as inputs, we show with reasonable assumptions one can prove contributions of fast and epithermal neutrons is less than 3% in the 5-7 MeV region. We also discovered rare isotopes are present in beta decay chains but not well measured and have no corresponding database information, and studied its effect onto the spectrum.

Performance of Self-developing Radiography Films in LVR-15's Neutron Beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soltes, Jaroslav; Viererbl, Ladislav; Klupak, Vit; Vins, Miroslav; Michalcova, Bozena

In the search for a suitable detector for demonstration neutron radiography measurements on the zero-power VR-1 training reactor at the Czech Technical University in Prague, some options were considered. Due to the reactor's low power and spatial limitations, an easy and practical solution had to be found. Self-developing films represent a flexible detection tool in x-ray imaging. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate their potential for neutron detection. For this purpose, bare and converter covered films were studied in the thermal and epithermal neutron beams at the LVR-15 research reactor in Rez, Czech Republic.

The Effect of p53 Status of Tumor Cells on Radiosensitivity of Irradiated Tumors With Carbon-Ion Beams Compared With γ-Rays or Reactor Neutron Beams.

PubMed

Masunaga, Shin-Ichiro; Uzawa, Akiko; Hirayama, Ryoichi; Matsumoto, Yoshitaka; Sakurai, Yoshinori; Tanaka, Hiroki; Tano, Keizo; Sanada, Yu; Suzuki, Minoru; Maruhashi, Akira; Ono, Koji

2015-08-01

The aim of the study was to clarify the effect of p53 status of tumor cells on radiosensitivity of solid tumors following accelerated carbon-ion beam irradiation compared with γ-rays or reactor neutron beams, referring to the response of intratumor quiescent (Q) cells. Human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells transfected with mutant TP53 (SAS/mp53) or with neo vector (SAS/neo) were injected subcutaneously into hind legs of nude mice. Tumor-bearing mice received 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) continuously to label all intratumor proliferating (P) cells. They received γ-rays or accelerated carbon-ion beams at a high or reduced dose-rate. Other tumor-bearing mice received reactor thermal or epithermal neutrons at a reduced dose-rate. Immediately or 9 hours after the high dose-rate irradiation (HDRI), or immediately after the reduced dose-rate irradiation (RDRI), the tumor cells were isolated and incubated with a cytokinesis blocker, and the micronucleus (MN) frequency in cells without BrdU labeling (Q cells) was determined using immunofluorescence staining for BrdU. The difference in radiosensitivity between the total (P + Q) and Q cells after γ-ray irradiation was markedly reduced with reactor neutron beams or carbon-ion beams, especially with a higher linear energy transfer (LET) value. Following γ-ray irradiation, SAS/neo tumor cells, especially intratumor Q cells, showed a marked reduction in sensitivity due to the recovery from radiation-induced damage, compared with the total or Q cells within SAS/mp53 tumors that showed little repair capacity. In both total and Q cells within both SAS/neo and SAS/mp53 tumors, carbon-ion beam irradiation, especially with a higher LET, showed little recovery capacity through leaving an interval between HDRI and the assay or decreasing the dose-rate. The recovery from radiation-induced damage after γ-ray irradiation was a p53-dependent event, but little recovery was found after carbon-ion beam irradiation. With RDRI, the radiosensitivity to reactor thermal and epithermal neutron beams was slightly higher than that to carbon-ion beams. For tumor control, including intratumor Q-cell control, accelerated carbon-ion beams, especially with a higher LET, and reactor thermal and epithermal neutron beams were very useful for suppressing the recovery from radiation-induced damage irrespective of p53 status of tumor cells.

The Effect of p53 Status of Tumor Cells on Radiosensitivity of Irradiated Tumors With Carbon-Ion Beams Compared With γ-Rays or Reactor Neutron Beams

PubMed Central

Masunaga, Shin-ichiro; Uzawa, Akiko; Hirayama, Ryoichi; Matsumoto, Yoshitaka; Sakurai, Yoshinori; Tanaka, Hiroki; Tano, Keizo; Sanada, Yu; Suzuki, Minoru; Maruhashi, Akira; Ono, Koji

2015-01-01

Background The aim of the study was to clarify the effect of p53 status of tumor cells on radiosensitivity of solid tumors following accelerated carbon-ion beam irradiation compared with γ-rays or reactor neutron beams, referring to the response of intratumor quiescent (Q) cells. Methods Human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells transfected with mutant TP53 (SAS/mp53) or with neo vector (SAS/neo) were injected subcutaneously into hind legs of nude mice. Tumor-bearing mice received 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) continuously to label all intratumor proliferating (P) cells. They received γ-rays or accelerated carbon-ion beams at a high or reduced dose-rate. Other tumor-bearing mice received reactor thermal or epithermal neutrons at a reduced dose-rate. Immediately or 9 hours after the high dose-rate irradiation (HDRI), or immediately after the reduced dose-rate irradiation (RDRI), the tumor cells were isolated and incubated with a cytokinesis blocker, and the micronucleus (MN) frequency in cells without BrdU labeling (Q cells) was determined using immunofluorescence staining for BrdU. Results The difference in radiosensitivity between the total (P + Q) and Q cells after γ-ray irradiation was markedly reduced with reactor neutron beams or carbon-ion beams, especially with a higher linear energy transfer (LET) value. Following γ-ray irradiation, SAS/neo tumor cells, especially intratumor Q cells, showed a marked reduction in sensitivity due to the recovery from radiation-induced damage, compared with the total or Q cells within SAS/mp53 tumors that showed little repair capacity. In both total and Q cells within both SAS/neo and SAS/mp53 tumors, carbon-ion beam irradiation, especially with a higher LET, showed little recovery capacity through leaving an interval between HDRI and the assay or decreasing the dose-rate. The recovery from radiation-induced damage after γ-ray irradiation was a p53-dependent event, but little recovery was found after carbon-ion beam irradiation. With RDRI, the radiosensitivity to reactor thermal and epithermal neutron beams was slightly higher than that to carbon-ion beams. Conclusion For tumor control, including intratumor Q-cell control, accelerated carbon-ion beams, especially with a higher LET, and reactor thermal and epithermal neutron beams were very useful for suppressing the recovery from radiation-induced damage irrespective of p53 status of tumor cells. PMID:28983338

Radiobiologic significance of response of intratumor quiescent cells in vivo to accelerated carbon ion beams compared with gamma-rays and reactor neutron beams.

PubMed

Masunaga, Shin-Ichiro; Ando, Koichi; Uzawa, Akiko; Hirayama, Ryoichi; Furusawa, Yoshiya; Koike, Sachiko; Sakurai, Yoshinori; Nagata, Kenji; Suzuki, Minoru; Kashino, Genro; Kinashi, Yuko; Tanaka, Hiroki; Maruhashi, Akira; Ono, Koji

2008-01-01

To clarify the radiosensitivity of intratumor quiescent cells in vivo to accelerated carbon ion beams and reactor neutron beams. Squamous cell carcinoma VII tumor-bearing mice were continuously given 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine to label all intratumor proliferating cells. Next, they received accelerated carbon ion or gamma-ray high-dose-rate (HDR) or reduced-dose-rate (RDR) irradiation. Other tumor-bearing mice received reactor thermal or epithermal neutrons with RDR irradiation. Immediately after HDR and RDR irradiation or 12 h after HDR irradiation, the response of quiescent cells was assessed in terms of the micronucleus frequency using immunofluorescence staining for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. The response of the total (proliferating plus quiescent) tumor cells was determined from the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine nontreated tumors. The difference in radiosensitivity between the total and quiescent cell populations after gamma-ray irradiation was markedly reduced with reactor neutron beams or accelerated carbon ion beams, especially with a greater linear energy transfer (LET) value. Clearer repair in quiescent cells than in total cells through delayed assay or a decrease in the dose rate with gamma-ray irradiation was efficiently inhibited with carbon ion beams, especially with a greater LET. With RDR irradiation, the radiosensitivity to accelerated carbon ion beams with a greater LET was almost similar to that to reactor thermal and epithermal neutron beams. In terms of tumor cell-killing effect as a whole, including quiescent cells, accelerated carbon ion beams, especially with greater LET values, are very useful for suppressing the dependency on the heterogeneity within solid tumors, as well as depositing the radiation dose precisely.

Preliminary study of MAGAT polymer gel dosimetry for boron-neutron capture therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashi, Shin-ichiro; Sakurai, Yoshinori; Uchida, Ryohei; Suzuki, Minoru; Usui, Shuji; Tominaga, Takahiro

2015-01-01

MAGAT gel dosimeter with boron is irradiated in Heavy Water Neutron Irradiation Facility (HWNIF) of Kyoto University Research Reactor (KUR). The cylindrical gel phantoms are exposed to neutron beams of three different energy spectra (thermal neutron rich, epithermal and fast neutron rich and the mixed modes) in air. Preliminary results corresponding to depth-dose responses are obtained as the transverse relaxation rate (R2=1/T2) from magnetic resonance imaging data. As the results MAGAT gel dosimeter has the higher sensitivity on thermal neutron than on epi-thermal and fast neutron, and the gel with boron showed an enhancement and a change in the depth-R2 response explicitly. From these results, it is suggested that MAGAT gel dosimeter can be an effective tool in BNCT dosimetry.

Design of an epithermal column for BNCT based on D D fusion neutron facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durisi, E.; Zanini, A.; Manfredotti, C.; Palamara, F.; Sarotto, M.; Visca, L.; Nastasi, U.

2007-05-01

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is currently performed on patients at nuclear reactors. At the same time the international BNCT community is engaged in the development of alternative facilities for in-hospital treatments. This paper investigates the potential of a novel high-output D-D neutron generator, developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (CA, USA), for BNCT. The simulation code MCNP-4C is used to realize an accurate study of the epithermal column in view of the treatment of deep tumours. Different materials and Beam Shaping Assemblies (BSA) are investigated and an optimized configuration is proposed. The neutron beam quality is defined by the standard free beam parameters, calculated averaging over the collimator aperture. The results are discussed and compared with the performances of other facilities.

Evaluation of the effective dose during BNCT at TRR thermal column epithermal facility.

PubMed

Jarahi, Hossein; Kasesaz, Yaser; Saleh-Koutahi, Seyed Mohsen

2016-04-01

An epithermal neutron beam has been designed for Boron neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) at the thermal column of Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) recently. In this paper the whole body effective dose, as well as the equivalent doses of several organs have been calculated in this facility using MCNP4C Monte Carlo code. The effective dose has been calculated by using the absorbed doses determined for each individual organ, taking into account the radiation and tissue weighting factors. The ICRP 110 whole body male phantom has been used as a patient model. It was found that the effective dose during BNCT of a brain tumor is equal to 0.90Sv. This effective dose may induce a 4% secondary cancer risk. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nuclear instrumentation in VENUS-F

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagemans, J.; Borms, L.; Kochetkov, A.; Krása, A.; Van Grieken, C.; Vittiglio, G.

2018-01-01

VENUS-F is a fast zero power reactor with 30 wt% U fuel and Pb/Bi as a coolant simulator. Depending on the experimental configuration, various neutron spectra (fast, epithermal, and thermal islands) are present. This paper gives a review of the nuclear instrumentation that is applied for reactor control and in a large variety of physics experiments. Activation foils and fission chambers are used to measure spatial neutron flux profiles, spectrum indices, reactivity effects (with positive period and compensation method or the MSM method) and kinetic parameters (with the Rossi-alpha method). Fission chamber calibrations are performed in the standard irradiation fields of the BR1 reactor (prompt fission neutron spectrum and Maxwellian thermal neutron spectrum).

Characterization of low power research reactor neutrons for the validation of k(0)-INAA standardization based on k(0)-IAEA software.

PubMed

Baidoo, I K; Nyarko, B J B; Akaho, E H K; Dampare, S B; Sogbadji, R B M; Poku, L O

2013-09-01

Channel Bsite2 of Ghana research reactor-1 has been characterized for k0-INAA application. Cadmium ratio and bare multi-monitor were used to determine flux parameters using 0.1%Au-Al, Fe, and Zr wire as flux monitors. The parameters determined were 18.36±1.91, 0.0479±0.012, 5.12×10(11)±0.42×10(11) ncm(-2)s(-1), 2.74×10(10)±0.14×10(10) ncm(-2)s(-1), 7.73×10(10)±0.16×10(10) ncm(-2)s(-1) and 16.75±1.58, -0.034±0.0028, 4.28×10(11)±1.71×10(11) ncm(-2)s(-1), 2.55×10(10)±0.15×10(10) ncm(-2)s(-1) respectively for thermal-to-epithermal flux ratio, alpha, thermal neutron, epithermal neutron and fast neutron flux using cadmium ratio and multi-monitor method accordingly. The k0-INAA performance assessment based on z-score distributions showed most results within |z|<2. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microdosimetric intercomparison of BNCT beams at BNL and MIT.

PubMed

Burmeister, Jay; Riley, Kent; Coderre, Jeffrey A; Harling, Otto K; Ma, Ruimei; Wielopolski, Lucian; Kota, Chandrasekhar; Maughan, Richard L

2003-08-01

Microdosimetric measurements have been performed at the clinical beam intensities in two epithermal neutron beams, the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor and the M67 beam at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor, which have been used to treat patients with Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). These measurements offer an independent assessment of the dosimetry used at these two facilities, as well as provide information about the radiation quality not obtainable from conventional macrodosimetric techniques. Moreover, they provide a direct measurement of the absorbed dose resulting from the BNC reaction. BNC absorbed doses measured within this study are approximately 15% lower than those estimated using foil activation at both MIT and BNL. Finally, an intercomparison of the characteristics and radiation quality of these two clinical beams is presented. The techniques described here allow an accurate quantitative comparison of the physical absorbed dose as well as a measure of the biological effectiveness of the absorbed dose delivered by different epithermal beams. No statistically significant differences were observed in the predicted RBEs of these two beams. The methodology presented here can help to facilitate the effective sharing of clinical results in an effort to demonstrate the clinical utility of BNCT.

Modified Laser and Thermos cell calculations on microcomputers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shapiro, A.; Huria, H.C.

1987-01-01

In the course of designing and operating nuclear reactors, many fuel pin cell calculations are required to obtain homogenized cell cross sections as a function of burnup. In the interest of convenience and cost, it would be very desirable to be able to make such calculations on microcomputers. In addition, such a microcomputer code would be very helpful for educational course work in reactor computations. To establish the feasibility of making detailed cell calculations on a microcomputer, a mainframe cell code was compiled and run on a microcomputer. The computer code Laser, originally written in Fortran IV for the IBM-7090more » class of mainframe computers, is a cylindrical, one-dimensional, multigroup lattice cell program that includes burnup. It is based on the MUFT code for epithermal and fast group calculations, and Thermos for the thermal calculations. There are 50 fast and epithermal groups and 35 thermal groups. Resonances are calculated assuming a homogeneous system and then corrected for self-shielding, Dancoff, and Doppler by self-shielding factors. The Laser code was converted to run on a microcomputer. In addition, the Thermos portion of Laser was extracted and compiled separately to have available a stand alone thermal code.« less

The alanine detector in BNCT dosimetry: Dose response in thermal and epithermal neutron fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmitz, T., E-mail: schmito@uni-mainz.de; Bassler, N.; Blaickner, M.

Purpose: The response of alanine solid state dosimeters to ionizing radiation strongly depends on particle type and energy. Due to nuclear interactions, neutron fields usually also consist of secondary particles such as photons and protons of diverse energies. Various experiments have been carried out in three different neutron beams to explore the alanine dose response behavior and to validate model predictions. Additionally, application in medical neutron fields for boron neutron capture therapy is discussed. Methods: Alanine detectors have been irradiated in the thermal neutron field of the research reactor TRIGA Mainz, Germany, in five experimental conditions, generating different secondary particlemore » spectra. Further irradiations have been made in the epithermal neutron beams at the research reactors FiR 1 in Helsinki, Finland, and Tsing Hua open pool reactor in HsinChu, Taiwan ROC. Readout has been performed with electron spin resonance spectrometry with reference to an absorbed dose standard in a {sup 60}Co gamma ray beam. Absorbed doses and dose components have been calculated using the Monte Carlo codes FLUKA and MCNP. The relative effectiveness (RE), linking absorbed dose and detector response, has been calculated using the Hansen and Olsen alanine response model. Results: The measured dose response of the alanine detector in the different experiments has been evaluated and compared to model predictions. Therefore, a relative effectiveness has been calculated for each dose component, accounting for its dependence on particle type and energy. Agreement within 5% between model and measurement has been achieved for most irradiated detectors. Significant differences have been observed in response behavior between thermal and epithermal neutron fields, especially regarding dose composition and depth dose curves. The calculated dose components could be verified with the experimental results in the different primary and secondary particle fields. Conclusions: The alanine detector can be used without difficulty in neutron fields. The response has been understood with the model used which includes the relative effectiveness. Results and the corresponding discussion lead to the conclusion that application in neutron fields for medical purpose is limited by its sensitivity but that it is a useful tool as supplement to other detectors and verification of neutron source descriptions.« less

Shape-Independent Model of Monitor Neutron Activation Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusuf, Siaka Ojo

The technique of monitor neutron activation analysis has been improved by developing a shape-independent model to solve the problem of the treatment of the epithermal reaction contribution to the reaction rate in reactor neutron activation analysis. It is a form of facility characterization in which differential approximations to neither the neutron flux distribution as a function of energy nor the reaction cross section as a function of energy are necessary. The model predicts a linear relationship when the k-factors (ratios of reaction rates of two nuclides at a given irradiation position) for element x, k _{c} (x), is plotted against the k-factor for the monitor, k_{c} (m). The slope of this line, B(x,c,m) is measured for each element x to provide the calibration of the irradiation facility for monitor activation analysis. In this thesis, scandium was chosen as the comparator and antimony as the epithermal monitor. B(x, Sc, Sb) has been accurately measured for a number of nuclides in three different reactors. The measurement was done by irradiating filter papers containing binary mixture of the elements x and the flux monitor Sc at the various irradiation positions in these three reactors. The experiment was designed in such a way that systematic errors due to mass ratios and efficiency ratios cancel out. Also, rate related errors and backgrounds were kept at negligible values. The results show that B(x,c,m) depends not only on x, c, and m, but also on the type of moderator used for the reactor. We want this new approach to be adopted at all laboratories where routine analysis of multi-element samples are done with the monitor method since the choices of c and m are flexible.

Filtered epithermal quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams at research reactor facilities.

PubMed

Mansy, M S; Bashter, I I; El-Mesiry, M S; Habib, N; Adib, M

2015-03-01

Filtered neutron techniques were applied to produce quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range of 1.5-133keV at research reactors. A simulation study was performed to characterize the filter components and transmitted beam lines. The filtered beams were characterized in terms of the optimal thickness of the main and additive components. The filtered neutron beams had high purity and intensity, with low contamination from the accompanying thermal emission, fast neutrons and γ-rays. A computer code named "QMNB" was developed in the "MATLAB" programming language to perform the required calculations. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In-phantom two-dimensional thermal neutron distribution for intraoperative boron neutron capture therapy of brain tumours

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, T.; Matsumura, A.; Yamamoto, K.; Kumada, H.; Shibata, Y.; Nose, T.

2002-07-01

The aim of this study was to determine the in-phantom thermal neutron distribution derived from neutron beams for intraoperative boron neutron capture therapy (IOBNCT). Gold activation wires arranged in a cylindrical water phantom with (void-in-phantom) or without (standard phantom) a cylinder styrene form placed inside were irradiated by using the epithermal beam (ENB) and the mixed thermal-epithermal beam (TNB-1) at the Japan Research Reactor No 4. With ENB, we observed a flattened distribution of thermal neutron flux and a significantly enhanced thermal flux delivery at a depth compared with the results of using TNB-1. The thermal neutron distribution derived from both the ENB and TNB-1 was significantly improved in the void-in-phantom, and a double high dose area was formed lateral to the void. The flattened distribution in the circumference of the void was observed with the combination of ENB and the void-in-phantom. The measurement data suggest that the ENB may provide a clinical advantage in the form of an enhanced and flattened dose delivery to the marginal tissue of a post-operative cavity in which a residual and/or microscopically infiltrating tumour often occurs. The combination of the epithermal neutron beam and IOBNCT will improve the clinical results of BNCT for brain tumours.

Simultaneous determination of 76As, 122Sb and 153Sm in Chinese medicinal herbs by epithermal neutron activation analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Chien-Yi

2009-01-01

Optimal conditions for the simultaneous determination of As, Sb and Sm in Chinese medicinal herbs using epithermal neutron activation analysis were investigated. The minimum detectable concentrations of 76As, 122Sb and 153Sm in lichen and medicinal herbs depended on the weight of the irradiated sample, and irradiation and decay durations. Optimal conditions were obtained by wrapping the irradiated target with 3.2 mm borated polyethylene neutron filters, which were adopted to screen the original reactor fission neutrons and to reduce the background activities of 38Cl, 24Na and 42K. Twelve medicinal herbs, commonly consumed by Taiwanese children as a diuretic treatment, were analysed since trace elements, such as As and Sb, in these herbs may be toxic when consumed in sufficiently large quantities over a long period. Various amounts of medicinal herbs, standardised powder, lichen and tomato leaves were weighed, packed into polyethylene bags, irradiated and counted under different conditions. The results indicated that about 350 mg of lichen irradiated for 24 h and counted for 20 min following a 30-60 h decay period was optimal for irradiation in a 10(11)n/cm s epithermal neutron flux. The implications of the content of the studied elements in Chinese medicinal herbs are discussed.

Nuclear design of a vapor core reactor for space nuclear propulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dugan, Edward T.; Watanabe, Yoichi; Kuras, Stephen A.; Maya, Isaac; Diaz, Nils J.

1993-01-01

Neutronic analysis methodology and results are presented for the nuclear design of a vapor core reactor for space nuclear propulsion. The Nuclear Vapor Thermal Reactor (NVTR) Rocket Engine uses modified NERVA geometry and systems which the solid fuel replaced by uranium tetrafluoride vapor. The NVTR is an intermediate term gas core thermal rocket engine with specific impulse in the range of 1000-1200 seconds; a thrust of 75,000 lbs for a hydrogen flow rate of 30 kg/s; average core exit temperatures of 3100 K to 3400 K; and reactor thermal powers of 1400 to 1800 MW. Initial calculations were performed on epithermal NVTRs using ZrC fuel elements. Studies are now directed at thermal NVTRs that use fuel elements made of C-C composite. The large ZrC-moderated reactors resulted in thrust-to-weight ratios of only 1 to 2; the compact C-C composite systems yield thrust-to-weight ratios of 3 to 5.

Compton suppression method and epithermal NAA in the determination of nutrients and heavy metals in Nigerian food and beverages.

PubMed

Ahmed, Y A; Landsberger, S; O'Kelly, D J; Braisted, J; Gabdo, H; Ewa, I O B; Umar, I M; Funtua, I I

2010-10-01

We used in this study Compton suppression method and epithermal neutron activation analysis to determine the concentration of nutrients and heavy metals in Nigerian food and beverages. The work was performed at the University of Texas TRIGA Reactor by short, medium, and long irradiation protocols, using thermal flux of 1.4x10(12)n cm(-2)s(-1) and epithermal flux of 1.4x10(11)n cm(-2)s(-1). Application of Compton suppression method has reduced interferences from Compton scattered photons thereby allowing easy evaluation of Na, Cl, Ca, Cu, Mn, Mg, Co, Cr, Rb, Fe, and Se. The epithermal NAA method has enabled determination of Cd, As, Ba, Sr, Br, I, and V with little turn-around time. Quality Control and Quality Assurance of the method was tested by analyzing four Standard Reference Materials (non-fat powdered milk, apple leaves, citrus leaves, and peach leaves) obtained from National Institute for Standards and Technology. Our results show that sorghum, millet, and maize have high values of Zn, Mn, Fe, low values of Cd, As, and Se. Powdered milks, rice, beans, and soybeans were found to have moderate amounts of all the elements. Tobacco recorded high content of Cd, Mn, and As, whereas tea, tsobo leaves, Baobab leaves, and okro seed have more As values than others. However, biscuits, macaroni, spaghetti, and noodles show lower concentrations of all the elements. The distribution of these nutrients and heavy metals in these food and beverages shows the need to fortify biscuits and pastas with micro and macro-nutrients and reduce the use of tobacco, tea, tsobo leaves, Baobab leaves, and Okro seed to avoid intake of heavy elements. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wheeler, F.; Wessol, D.; Atkinson, C.

During the past few years, murine and large animal research, as well as human studies have provided data to the point where human clinical trials have been initiated at the BMRR using BPA-F for gliomas and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor (MITR) using BPA for melanomas of the extremeties. It is expected that glioma trials using BSH will proceed soon at the Petten High Flux Reactor (HFR) in the Netherlands. The first human glioma epithermal boron neutron capture therapy application was performed at the BMRR in the fall of 1994. This was a collaborative effort by BNL, Bethmore » Israel Manhattan hospital, and INEL. The INEL planning system was chosen to perform dose predictions for this application.« less

124Sb-Be photo-neutron source for BNCT: Is it possible?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golshanian, Mohadeseh; Rajabi, Ali Akbar; Kasesaz, Yaser

2016-11-01

In this research a computational feasibility study has been done on the use of 124SbBe photo-neutron source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) using MCNPX Monte Carlo code. For this purpose, a special beam shaping assembly has been designed to provide an appropriate epithermal neutron beam suitable for BNCT. The final result shows that using 150 kCi of 124Sb, the epithermal neutron flux at the designed beam exit is 0.23×109 (n/cm2 s). In-phantom dose analysis indicates that treatment time for a brain tumor is about 40 min which is a reasonable time. This high activity 124Sb could be achieved using three 50 kCi rods of 124Sb which can be produced in a research reactor. It is clear, that as this activity is several hundred times the activity of a typical cobalt radiotherapy source, issues related to handling, safety and security must be addressed.

IER-297 CED-2: Final Design for Thermal/Epithermal eXperiments with Jemima Plates with Polyethylene and Hafnium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nelson, A. J.; Percher, C. M.; Zywiec, W. J.

This report presents the final design (CED-2) for IER-297, and focuses on 15 critical configurations using highly enriched uranium (HEU) Jemima plates moderated by polyethylene with and without hafnium diluent. The goal of the U.S. Nuclear Criticality Safety Program’s Thermal/Epithermal eXperiments (TEX) is to design and conduct new critical experiments to address high priority nuclear data needs from the nuclear criticality safety and nuclear data communities, with special emphasis on intermediate energy (0.625 eV – 100 keV) assemblies that can be easily modified to include various high priority diluent materials. The TEX (IER 184) CED-1 Report [1], completed in 2012,more » demonstrated the feasibility of meeting the TEX goals with two existing NCSP fissile assets, plutonium Zero Power Physics Reactor (ZPPR) plates and highly enriched uranium (HEU) Jemima plates. The first set of TEX experiments will focus on using the plutonium ZPPR plates with polyethylene moderator and tantalum diluents.« less

Systematic effects on cross section data derived from reaction rates in reactor spectra and a re-analysis of 241Am reactor activation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Žerovnik, Gašper; Schillebeeckx, Peter; Becker, Björn; Fiorito, Luca; Harada, Hideo; Kopecky, Stefan; Radulović, Vladimir; Sano, Tadafumi

2018-01-01

Methodologies to derive cross section data from spectrum integrated reaction rates were studied. The Westcott convention and some of its approximations were considered. Mostly measurements without and with transmission filter are combined to determine the reaction cross section at thermal energy together with the resonance integral. The accuracy of the results strongly depends on the assumptions that are made about the neutron energy distribution, which is mostly parameterised as a sum of a thermal and an epi-thermal component. Resonance integrals derived from such data can be strongly biased and should only be used in case no other data are available. The cross section at thermal energy can be biased for reaction cross sections which are dominated by low energy resonances. The amplitude of the effect is related to the lower energy limit that is used for the epi-thermal component of the neutron energy distribution. It is less affected by the assumptions on the shape of the energy distribution. When the energy dependence of the cross section is known and information about the neutron energy distribution is available, a method to correct for a bias on the cross section at thermal energy is proposed. Reactor activation measurements to determine the thermal 241Am(n, γ) cross section reported in the literature were reviewed. In case enough information was available, the results were corrected to account for possible biases and included in a least squares fit. These data combined with results of time-of-flight measurements give a capture cross section 720 (14) b for 241Am(n, γ) at thermal energy.

INEEL BNCT research program. Annual report, January 1, 1996--December 31, 1996

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venhuizen, J.R.

1997-04-01

This report is a summary of the progress and research produced for the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Research Program for calendar year 1996. Contributions from the individual investigators about their projects are included, specifically, physics: treatment planning software, real-time neutron beam measurement dosimetry, measurement of the Finnish research reactor epithermal neutron spectrum, BNCT accelerator technology; and chemistry: analysis of biological samples and preparation of {sup 10}B enriched decaborane.

S/sub n/ analysis of the TRX metal lattices with ENDF/B version III data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wheeler, F.J.; Pearlstein, S.

1975-03-01

Two critical assemblies, designated as thermal-reactor benchmarks TRX-1 and TRX-2 for ENDF/B data testing, were analyzed using the one-dimensional S/sub n/-theory code SCAMP. The two assemblies were simple lattices of aluminum-clad, uranium-metal fuel rods in triangular arrays with D$sub 2$O as moderator and reflector. The fuel was low-enriched (1.3 percent $sup 235$U), 0.387-inch in diameter and had an active height of 48 inches. The volume ratio of water to uranium was 2.35 for the TRX-1 lattice and 4.02 for TRX-2. Full-core S/sub n/ calculations based on Version III data were performed for these assemblies and the results obtained were comparedmore » with the measured values of the multiplication factors, the ratio of epithermal-to-thermal neutron capture in $sup 238$U, the ratio of epithermal-to-thermal fission in $sup 235$U, the ratio of $sup 238$U fission to $sup 235$U fission, and the ratio of capture in $sup 238$U to fission in $sup 235$U. Reaction rates were obtained from a central region of the full- core problems. Multigroup cross sections for the reactor calculation were obtained from S/sub n/ cell calculations with resonance self-shielding calculated using the RABBLE treatment. The results of the analyses are generally consistent with results obtained by other investigators. (auth)« less

An update on the clinical trial of BNCT at the BMRR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ma, R.; Capala, J.; Chanana, A.D.

1999-09-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was proposed more than six decades ago. It is a binary treatment modality that requires selective delivery of a {sup 10}B-labeled compound to a tumor and slow neutron irradiation of the tumor-bearing tissues. In order to improve the penetration of the neutron beam, an epithermal neutron beam was developed at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR). This epithermal neutron beam can deliver relatively high thermal neutron fluence at depth without severe skin damage. Boronophenylalanine-fructose (BPA-F), a nontoxic boron carrier, was found to preferentially accumulate in tumor cells following intravenous infusion in patients with GBM. Inmore » preclinical BNCT studies in rats bearing 9L gliosarcoma, BPA-mediated BNCT was shown to be more efficacious than photon irradiation. In 1994, improvements in the neutron beam and in the understanding of the radiobiology of BPA-mediated BNCT led to the initiation of BNCT trials for human GBM at BMRR using BPA-F and epithermal neutrons. The primary objective of the phase I/II clinical trial of BPA-mediated BNCT at BMRR is to evaluate the safety of the BPA-F-mediated BNCT using epithermal neutrons in patients with GBM at a series of escalating BNCT doses. An incidental objective is to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of BNCT at each dose level. For each dose escalation group, the average brain dose (ABD) is escalated, as well as the minimum tumor dose. In summary, the BNCT procedure employed in the phase I/II clinical trial of BPA-F-mediated BNCT for GBM at BNL was found to be safe in all patients. The palliation afforded by a single session of BNCT compares favorably with palliation provided by fractionated photon therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. If no evidence of radiation-induced brain toxicity is found in the current protocol, BNCT radiation dose will be further escalated.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harker, Y.D.

On August 3-4, 1994, an INEL team made measurements related to a real-time monitoring system for use on the epithermal beam facility at the BMRR. BNL has installed two fission chambers in front of the beam collimator, which are to monitor the beam coming from the reactor. These two monitors are located with one just above the 16-cm dia. front aperture and the other is just below. The fission chambers contain depleted uranium, but because of the small amount of U-235 present, they respond to thermal and near thermal neutrons rather than fast neutrons. This feature combined with their relativelymore » small size (0.6 cm dia x 4 cm long) makes them very good monitors in the BMRR epithermal neutron beam. The INEL team worked with H.B. Lui (BNL) in performing initial tests of these monitors and established the settings to achieve stable operation. The main purpose of the measurement studies was to establish a basis for a monitoring method that tracks the dose the patient is receiving rather than the neutron fluence being delivered down the beam line.« less

MAGIC polymer gel for dosimetric verification in boron neutron capture therapy

PubMed Central

Heikkinen, Sami; Kotiluoto, Petri; Serén, Tom; Seppälä, Tiina; Auterinen, Iiro; Savolainen, Sauli

2007-01-01

Radiation‐sensitive polymer gels are among the most promising three‐dimensional dose verification tools developed to date. We tested the normoxic polymer gel dosimeter known by the acronym MAGIC (methacrylic and ascorbic acid in gelatin initiated by copper) to evaluate its use in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) dosimetry. We irradiated a large cylindrical gel phantom (diameter: 10 cm; length: 20 cm) in the epithermal neutron beam of the Finnish BNCT facility at the FiR 1 nuclear reactor. Neutron irradiation was simulated with a Monte Carlo radiation transport code MCNP. To compare dose–response, gel samples from the same production batch were also irradiated with 6 MV photons from a medical linear accelerator. Irradiated gel phantoms then underwent magnetic resonance imaging to determine their R2 relaxation rate maps. The measured and normalized dose distribution in the epithermal neutron beam was compared with the dose distribution calculated by computer simulation. The results support the feasibility of using MAGIC gel in BNCT dosimetry. PACS numbers: 87.53.Qc, 87.53.Wz, 87.66.Ff PMID:17592463

Accelerator driven neutron source design via beryllium target and 208Pb moderator for boron neutron capture therapy in alternative treatment strategy by Monte Carlo method.

PubMed

Khorshidi, Abdollah

2017-01-01

The reactor has increased its area of application into medicine especially boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT); however, accelerator-driven neutron sources can be used for therapy purposes. The present study aimed to discuss an alternative method in BNCT functions by a small cyclotron with low current protons based on Karaj cyclotron in Iran. An epithermal neutron spectrum generator was simulated with 30 MeV proton energy for BNCT purposes. A low current of 300 μA of the proton beam in spallation target concept via 9Be target was accomplished to model neutron spectrum using 208Pb moderator around the target. The graphite reflector and dual layer collimator were planned to prevent and collimate the neutrons produced from proton interactions. Neutron yield per proton, energy distribution, flux, and dose components in the simulated head phantom were estimated by MCNPX code. The neutron beam quality was investigated by diverse filters thicknesses. The maximum epithermal flux transpired using Fluental, Fe, Li, and Bi filters with thicknesses of 7.4, 3, 0.5, and 4 cm, respectively; as well as the epithermal to thermal neutron flux ratio was 161. Results demonstrated that the induced neutrons from a low energy and low current proton may be effective in tumor therapy using 208Pb moderator with average lethargy and also graphite reflector with low absorption cross section to keep the generated neutrons. Combination of spallation-based BNCT and proton therapy can be especially effective, if a high beam intensity cyclotron becomes available.

Multipurpose epithermal neutron beam on new research station at MARIA research reactor in Swierk-Poland

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gryzinski, M.A.; Maciak, M.

MARIA reactor is an open-pool research reactor what gives the chance to install uranium fission converter on the periphery of the core. It could be installed far enough not to induce reactivity of the core but close enough to produce high flux of fast neutrons. Special design of the converter is now under construction. It is planned to set the research stand based on such uranium converter in the near future: in 2015 MARIA reactor infrastructure should be ready (preparation started in 2013), in 2016 the neutron beam starts and in 2017 opening the stand for material and biological researchmore » or for medical training concerning BNCT. Unused for many years, horizontal channel number H2 at MARIA research rector in Poland, is going to be prepared as a part of unique stand. The characteristics of the neutron beam will be significant advantage of the facility. High flux of neutrons at the level of 2x10{sup 9} cm{sup -2}s{sup -1} will be obtainable by uranium neutron converter located 90 cm far from the reactor core fuel elements (still inside reactor core basket between so called core reflectors). Due to reaction of core neutrons with converter U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} material it will produce high flux of fast neutrons. After conversion neutrons will be collimated and moderated in the channel by special set of filters and moderators. At the end of H2 channel i.e. at the entrance to the research room neutron energy will be in the epithermal energy range with neutron intensity at least at the level required for BNCT (2x10{sup 9} cm{sup -2}s{sup -1}). For other purposes density of the neutron flux could be smaller. The possibility to change type and amount of installed filters/moderators which enables getting different properties of the beam (neutron energy spectrum, neutron-gamma ratio and beam profile and shape) is taken into account. H2 channel is located in separate room which is adjacent to two other empty rooms under the preparation for research laboratories (200 m2). It is planned to create fully equipped complex facility possible to perform various experiments on the intensive neutron beam. Epithermal neutron beam enables development across the full spectrum of materials research for example shielding concrete tests or electronic devices construction improvement. Due to recent reports on the construction of the accelerator for the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) it has the opportunity to become useful and successful method in the fight against brain and other types of cancers not treated with well known medical methods. In Europe there is no such epithermal neutron source which could be used throughout the year for training and research for scientist working on BNCT what makes the stand unique in Europe. Also our research group which specializes in mixed radiation dosimetry around nuclear and medical facilities would be able to carry out research on new detectors and methods of measurements for radiological protection and in-beam (therapeutic) dosimetry. Another group of scientists from National Centre for Nuclear Research, where MARIA research reactor is located, is involved in research of gamma detector systems. There is an idea to develop Prompt-gamma Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (Pg- SPECT). This method could be used as imaging system for compounds emitting gamma rays after nuclear reaction with thermal neutrons e.g. for boron concentration in BNCT. Inside the room, where H2 channel is located, there is another horizontal channel - H1 which is also unused. Simultaneously with the construction of the H2 stand it will be possible to create special pneumatic horizontal mail inside the H1 channel for irradiation material samples in the vicinity of the core i.e. in the distal part of the H1 channel. It might expand the scope of research at the planned neutron station. Secondly it is planned to equip both stands with moveable positioning system, video system and facilities to perform animal experiments (anaesthesia, vital signs control, imaging devices, positioning). These all above make constructed station unique in the world (uranium fission converter-based beam) and the only one of such intense neutron beam in the Europe. Moreover implementation of the station would allow the development of research on a number of issues for researchers from all over the Europe. One of very important advantages of the station is undisturbed exploitation of the reactor and other vertical and horizontal channels. MARIA reactor operates 6000 hours per year and that amount of time will be achievable for research on the neutron station. It have to be underlined that new neutron station will work parallel to all another ventures. (authors)« less

Neutron medical treatment of tumours — a survey of facilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, F. M.; Loeper-Kabasakal, B.; Breitkreutz, H.

2012-03-01

Neutron therapy has two branches: Fast Neutron Therapy (FNT) and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). The mean neutron energies used for FNT range from 2 MeV to 25 MeV whereas the maximum energy for BNCT is about 10 keV. Neutron generators for FNT have been cyclotrons, accelerators and reactors, whereas BNCT is so far bound to reactors. Both therapies use the effects of high-LET radiation (secondary recoil protons and alpha particles, respectively) and can attack otherwise radioresistant tumours, however, with the hazard of adverse effects for irradiated healthy tissue. FNT has been administered to about 30,000 patients world-wide. From formerly 40 facilities, only eight are operational or stand-by today. The reasons for this development have been, on the one hand, related to technical and economical conditions; on the other hand, strong side effects and insufficient proof of clinical results in the early years as well as increasing competition with new clinical methods have reduced patient numbers. In fact, strict observations of indications, appropriate therapy-planning including low-LET radiation, and consequent treatment of side effects have lead to remarkable results in the meantime. BNCT initially was developed for the treatment of extremely aggressive forms of brain tumour, taking advantage of the action of the blood-brain-barrier which allows for a boronated compound to be selectively enriched in tumour cells. Meanwhile, also malignant melanoma (MM) and Head-and-Neck (H&T) tumours are treated because of their relative radioresistance. At present, epithermal beams with sufficient flux are available only at two facilities. Existing research reactors were indispensable in the development of BNCT, but are to be replaced by hospital-based epithermal neutron sources. Clinical results indicate significantly increased survival times, but the number of patients ever treated is still below 1,000. 3D-dose calculation systems have been developed at several facilities and guarantee a high safety for both therapies, FNT and BNCT.

Calculations of the thermal and fast neutron fluxes in the Syrian miniature neutron source reactor using the MCNP-4C code.

PubMed

Khattab, K; Sulieman, I

2009-04-01

The MCNP-4C code, based on the probabilistic approach, was used to model the 3D configuration of the core of the Syrian miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR). The continuous energy neutron cross sections from the ENDF/B-VI library were used to calculate the thermal and fast neutron fluxes in the inner and outer irradiation sites of MNSR. The thermal fluxes in the MNSR inner irradiation sites were also measured experimentally by the multiple foil activation method ((197)Au (n, gamma) (198)Au and (59)Co (n, gamma) (60)Co). The foils were irradiated simultaneously in each of the five MNSR inner irradiation sites to measure the thermal neutron flux and the epithermal index in each site. The calculated and measured results agree well.

Correlated Observations of Epithermal Neutrons and Polar Illumination for Orbital Neutron Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, T. P.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Droege, G.; Evans, L. G.; Garvin, J.; Harshman, K.; Malakhov, A.; Livengood, T.;

Determination of the thermal and epithermal neutron sensitivities of an LBO chamber.

PubMed

Endo, Satoru; Sato, Hitoshi; Shimazaki, Takuto; Nakajima, Erika; Kotani, Kei; Suda, Mitsuru; Hamano, Tsuyoshi; Kajimoto, Tsuyoshi; Tanaka, Kenichi; Hoshi, Masaharu

2017-08-01

An LBO (Li 2 B 4 O 7 ) walled ionization chamber was designed to monitor the epithermal neutron fluence in boron neutron capture therapy clinical irradiation. The thermal and epithermal neutron sensitivities of the device were evaluated using accelerator neutrons from the 9 Be(d, n) reaction at a deuteron energy of 4 MeV (4 MeV d-Be neutrons). The response of the chamber in terms of the electric charge induced in the LBO chamber was compared with the thermal and epithermal neutron fluences measured using the gold-foil activation method. The thermal and epithermal neutron sensitivities obtained were expressed in units of pC cm 2 , i.e., from the chamber response divided by neutron fluence (cm -2 ). The measured LBO chamber sensitivities were 2.23 × 10 -7  ± 0.34 × 10 -7 (pC cm 2 ) for thermal neutrons and 2.00 × 10 -5  ± 0.12 × 10 -5 (pC cm 2 ) for epithermal neutrons. This shows that the LBO chamber is sufficiently sensitive to epithermal neutrons to be useful for epithermal neutron monitoring in BNCT irradiation.

Performance verification of an epithermal neutron flux monitor using accelerator-based BNCT neutron sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, X.; Murata, I.; Wang, T.

2017-09-01

The performance of an epithermal neutron flux monitor developed for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is verified by Monte Carlo simulations using accelerator-based neutron sources (ABNSs). The results indicate that the developed epithermal neutron flux monitor works well and it can be efficiently used in practical applications to measure the epithermal neutron fluxes of ABNSs in a high accuracy.

High conduction neutron absorber to simulate fast reactor environment in an existing test reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Donna Post Guillen; Larry R. Greenwood; James R. Parry

2014-06-22

A new metal matrix composite material has been developed to serve as a thermal neutron absorber for testing fast reactor fuels and materials in an existing pressurized water reactor. The performance of this material was evaluated by placing neutron fluence monitors within shrouded and unshrouded holders and irradiating for up to four cycles. The monitor wires were analyzed by gamma and X-ray spectrometry to determine the activities of the activation products. Adjusted neutron fluences were calculated and grouped into three bins—thermal, epithermal, and fast—to evaluate the spectral shift created by the new material. A comparison of shrouded and unshrouded fluencemore » monitors shows a thermal fluence decrease of ~11 % for the shielded monitors. Radioisotope activity and mass for each of the major activation products is given to provide insight into the evolution of thermal absorption cross-section during irradiation. The thermal neutron absorption capability of the composite material appears to diminish at total neutron fluence levels of ~8 × 1025 n/m2. Calculated values for dpa in excess of 2.0 were obtained for two common structural materials (iron and nickel) of interest for future fast flux experiments.« less

High Conduction Neutron Absorber to Simulate Fast Reactor Environment in an Existing Test Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guillen, Donna; Greenwood, Lawrence R.; Parry, James

2014-06-22

A need was determined for a thermal neutron absorbing material that could be cooled in a gas reactor environment without using large amounts of a coolant that would thermalize the neutron flux. A new neutron absorbing material was developed that provided high conduction so a small amount of water would be sufficient for cooling thereby thermalizing the flux as little as possible. An irradiation experiment was performed to assess the effects of radiation and the performance of a new neutron absorbing material. Neutron fluence monitors were placed inside specially fabricated holders within a set of drop-in capsules and irradiated formore » up to four cycles in the Advanced Test Reactor. Following irradiation, the neutron fluence monitor wires were analyzed by gamma and x-ray spectrometry to determine the activities of the activation products. The adjusted neutron fluences were calculated and grouped into three bins – thermal, epithermal and fast to evaluate the spectral shift created by the new material. Fluence monitors were evaluated after four different irradiation periods to evaluate the effects of burn-up in the absorbing material. Additionally, activities of the three highest activity isotopes present in the specimens are given.« less

Neutron dose estimation in a zero power nuclear reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Triviño, S.; Vedelago, J.; Cantargi, F.; Keil, W.; Figueroa, R.; Mattea, F.; Chautemps, A.; Santibañez, M.; Valente, M.

2016-10-01

This work presents the characterization and contribution of neutron and gamma components to the absorbed dose in a zero power nuclear reactor. A dosimetric method based on Fricke gel was implemented to evaluate the separation between dose components in the mixed field. The validation of this proposed method was performed by means of direct measurements of neutron flux in different positions using Au and Mg-Ni activation foils. Monte Carlo simulations were conversely performed using the MCNP main code with a dedicated subroutine to incorporate the exact complete geometry of the nuclear reactor facility. Once nuclear fuel elements were defined, the simulations computed the different contributions to the absorbed dose in specific positions inside the core. Thermal/epithermal contributions of absorbed dose were assessed by means of Fricke gel dosimetry using different isotopic compositions aimed at modifying the sensitivity of the dosimeter for specific dose components. Clear distinctions between gamma and neutron capture dose were obtained. Both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results provided reliable estimations about neutron flux rate as well as dose rate during the reactor operation. Simulations and experimental results are in good agreement in every positions measured and simulated in the core.

Geochemical characteristics of igneous rocks associated with epithermal mineral deposits—A review

USGS Publications Warehouse

du Bray, Edward A.

2017-01-01

Newly synthesized data indicate that the geochemistry of igneous rocks associated with epithermal mineral deposits varies extensively and continuously from subalkaline basaltic to rhyolitic compositions. Trace element and isotopic data for these rocks are consistent with subduction-related magmatism and suggest that the primary source magmas were generated by partial melting of the mantle-wedge above subducting oceanic slabs. Broad geochemical and petrographic diversity of individual igneous rock units associated with epithermal deposits indicate that the associated magmas evolved by open-system processes. Following migration to shallow crustal reservoirs, these magmas evolved by assimilation, recharge, and partial homogenization; these processes contribute to arc magmatism worldwide.Although epithermal deposits with the largest Au and Ag production are associated with felsic to intermediate composition igneous rocks, demonstrable relationships between magmas having any particular composition and epithermal deposit genesis are completely absent because the composition of igneous rock units associated with epithermal deposits ranges from basalt to rhyolite. Consequently, igneous rock compositions do not constitute effective exploration criteria with respect to identification of terranes prospective for epithermal deposit formation. However, the close spatial and temporal association of igneous rocks and epithermal deposits does suggest a mutual genetic relationship. Igneous systems likely contribute heat and some of the fluids and metals involved in epithermal deposit formation. Accordingly, deposit formation requires optimization of source metal contents, appropriate fluid compositions and characteristics, structural features conducive to hydrothermal fluid flow and confinement, and receptive host rocks, but not magmas with special compositional characteristics.

Prompt gamma and neutron detection in BNCT utilizing a CdTe detector.

PubMed

Winkler, Alexander; Koivunoro, Hanna; Reijonen, Vappu; Auterinen, Iiro; Savolainen, Sauli

2015-12-01

In this work, a novel sensor technology based on CdTe detectors was tested for prompt gamma and neutron detection using boronated targets in (epi)thermal neutron beam at FiR1 research reactor in Espoo, Finland. Dedicated neutron filter structures were omitted to enable simultaneous measurement of both gamma and neutron radiation at low reactor power (2.5 kW). Spectra were collected and analyzed in four different setups in order to study the feasibility of the detector to measure 478 keV prompt gamma photons released from the neutron capture reaction of boron-10. The detector proved to have the required sensitivity to detect and separate the signals from both boron neutron and cadmium neutron capture reactions, which makes it a promising candidate for monitoring the spatial and temporal development of in vivo boron distribution in boron neutron capture therapy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relative fission product yield determination in the USGS TRIGA Mark I reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koehl, Michael A.

Fission product yield data sets are one of the most important and fundamental compilations of basic information in the nuclear industry. This data has a wide range of applications which include nuclear fuel burnup and nonproliferation safeguards. Relative fission yields constitute a major fraction of the reported yield data and reduce the number of required absolute measurements. Radiochemical separations of fission products reduce interferences, facilitate the measurement of low level radionuclides, and are instrumental in the analysis of low-yielding symmetrical fission products. It is especially useful in the measurement of the valley nuclides and those on the extreme wings of the mass yield curve, including lanthanides, where absolute yields have high errors. This overall project was conducted in three stages: characterization of the neutron flux in irradiation positions within the U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Mark I Reactor (GSTR), determining the mass attenuation coefficients of precipitates used in radiochemical separations, and measuring the relative fission products in the GSTR. Using the Westcott convention, the Westcott flux, modified spectral index, neutron temperature, and gold-based cadmium ratios were determined for various sampling positions in the USGS TRIGA Mark I reactor. The differential neutron energy spectrum measurement was obtained using the computer iterative code SAND-II-SNL. The mass attenuation coefficients for molecular precipitates were determined through experiment and compared to results using the EGS5 Monte Carlo computer code. Difficulties associated with sufficient production of fission product isotopes in research reactors limits the ability to complete a direct, experimental assessment of mass attenuation coefficients for these isotopes. Experimental attenuation coefficients of radioisotopes produced through neutron activation agree well with the EGS5 calculated results. This suggests mass attenuation coefficients of molecular precipitates can be approximated using EGS5, especially in the instance of radioisotopes produced predominantly through uranium fission. Relative fission product yields were determined for three sampling positions in the USGS TRIGA Mark I reactor through radiochemical analysis. The relative mass yield distribution for valley nuclides decreases with epithermal neutrons compared to thermal neutrons. Additionally, a proportionality constant which related the measured beta activity of a fission product to the number of fissions that occur in a sample of irradiated uranium was determined for the detector used in this study and used to determine the thermal and epithermal flux. These values agree well with a previous study which used activation foils to determine the flux. The results of this project clearly demonstrate that R-values can be measured in the GSTR.

Design of boron carbide-shielded irradiation channel of the outer irradiation channel of the Ghana Research Reactor-1 using MCNP.

PubMed

Abrefah, R G; Sogbadji, R B M; Ampomah-Amoako, E; Birikorang, S A; Odoi, H C; Nyarko, B J B

2011-01-01

The MCNP model for the Ghana Research Reactor-1 was redesigned to incorporate a boron carbide-shielded irradiation channel in one of the outer irradiation channels. Extensive investigations were made before arriving at the final design of only one boron carbide covered outer irradiation channel; as all the other designs that were considered did not give desirable results of neutronic performance. The concept of redesigning a new MCNP model, which has a boron carbide-shielded channel is to equip the Ghana Research Reactor-1 with the means of performing efficient epithermal neutron activation analysis. After the simulation, a comparison of the results from the original MCNP model for the Ghana Research Reactor-1 and the new redesigned model of the boron carbide shielded channel was made. The final effective criticality of the original MCNP model for the GHARR-1 was recorded as 1.00402 while that of the new boron carbide designed model was recorded as 1.00282. Also, a final prompt neutron lifetime of 1.5245 × 10(-4)s was recorded for the new boron carbide designed model while a value of 1.5571 × 10(-7)s was recorded for the original MCNP design of the GHARR-1. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relationship of epithermal gold deposits to large-scale fractures in northern Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ponce, D.A.; Glen, J.M.G.

2002-01-01

Geophysical maps of northern Nevada reveal at least three and possibly six large-scale arcuate features, one of which corresponds to the northern Nevada rift that possibly extends more than 1,000 km from the Oregon- Idaho border to southern Nevada. These features may reflect deep discontinuities within the earth's crust, possibly related to the impact of the Yellowstone hot spot. Because mid-Miocene epithermal gold deposits have been shown to correlate with the northern Nevada rift, we investigate the association of other epithermal gold deposits to other similar arcuate features in northern Nevada. Mid-Miocene and younger epithermal gold- silver deposits also occur along two prominent aeromagnetic anomalies west of the northern Nevada rift. Here, we speculate that mid-Miocene deposits formed along deep fractures in association with mid-Miocene rift- related magmatism and that younger deposits preferentially followed these preexisting features. Statistical analysis of the proximity of epithermal gold deposits to these features suggests that epithermal gold deposits in northern Nevada are spatially associated with large-scale crustal features interpreted from geophysical data.

Advanced energy-resolving imaging detectors for applications at pulsed neutron sources

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feller, Bruce; White, Brian

NOVA Scientific herein reports results from the DOE SBIR Phase IIB project. We continue to move forward to enhance the effectiveness of very high spatial and timing resolution MCP position-sensitive detectors into the epithermal or “above-thermal” neutron energy range – where NOVA’s neutron-sensitive NeuViewTM MCPs are already widely acknowledged as highly effective for cold and thermal neutron energies. As a result of these developments, these increasingly accepted neutron detection devices will be better able to perform energy-resolved neutron detection and imaging at the growing number of highly advanced pulsed neutron sources internationally, detecting individual neutrons with a spatial resolution ofmore » down to ~25 µm, and able to uniquely provide simultaneous ultrafast timing resolution of ~100 ns, for cold, thermal, and now into the epithermal range. The pulsed structure of the new and more powerful neutron beams, enables measurement of neutron energies through the time-of-flight (TOF) method. Moreover, these recent new pulsed sources have increasingly made available intense fluxes of epithermal neutrons - something previously unavailable with reactor-based neutron sources. The unique capability of MCP detectors to measure the energy of each detected neutron provides a capability to conduct experiments across a very broad neutron energy range simultaneously – encompassing cold up into the epithermal range of energies. Simultaneous detection of multiple Bragg edges, for example, can enable highly useful measurements in crystallographic structure, strain, phase, texture, and compositional distribution. Enhancement of the MCP epithermal neutron response resulting from this program, combined with an earlier and separate DOE-funded SBIR/STTR program to commercialize larger area (>100 cm 2) format cold and thermal neutron-sensitive MCP imaging detectors, has potential utility in being employed as large array detectors, replacing what is currently used in large neutron scattering facilities. Moreover, a current Phase II STTR (with Oak Ridge Lab) to substantially improve gamma ray discrimination in MCP neutron detectors, will provide further synergies as well. Work at DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory and its Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) group, guided by NOVA in a ‘Work-For-Others’ arrangement, has continued to aid progress in this Phase IIB SBIR program – helping enhance the sensitivity of NOVA’s MCP cold and thermal neutron detectors deeper into the epithermal neutron energy range. Using atomic layer deposition (ALD), we have continued to refine the application of submicron oxide films of neutron absorbing elements along the inner microchannel walls of the detector. Also in Phase IIB, we continued an ongoing scientific collaboration in neutron testing and full characterization of ongoing improvements to the MCP detectors, working with the neutron facilities (SNS/HFIR) and staff of the Detector Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Moreover, our recent marketing studies suggest that successful commercialization of neutron-sensitive MCP detectors, will require that we provide a ‘user-friendly, turnkey’ detector system. Major progress has been made in our commercial offering of the MCP neutron detector approach, both in ‘demountable’ UHV flange-based as well as in vacuum-sealed or hermetically encapsulated devices. Both of these formats offer as a readout method, a proximity mounted delay line anode (DLA) readout capable of ultrafast event time-tagging.« less

Lunar prospector epithermal neutrons from impact craters and landing sites: Implications for surface maturity and hydrogen distribution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, J. R.; Feldman, W.C.; Lawrence, D.J.; Maurice, S.; Swindle, T.D.; Lucey, P.G.

2002-01-01

Initial studies of neutron spectrometer data returned by Lunar Prospector concentrated on the discovery of enhanced hydrogen abundances near both lunar poles. However, the nonpolar data exhibit intriguing patterns that appear spatially correlated with surface features such as young impact craters (e.g., Tycho). Such immature crater materials may have low hydrogen contents because of their relative lack of exposure to solar wind-implanted volatiles. We tested this hypothesis by comparing epithermal* neutron counts (i.e., epithermal -0.057 ?? thermal neutrons) for Copernican-age craters classified as relatively young, intermediate, and old (as determined by previous studies of Clementine optical maturity variations). The epithermal* counts of the crater and continuous ejecta regions suggest that the youngest impact materials are relatively devoid of hydrogen in the upper 1 m of regolith. We also show that the mean hydrogen contents measured in Apollo and Luna landing site samples are only moderately well correlated to the epithermal* neutron counts at the landing sites, likely owing to the effects of rare earth elements. These results suggest that further work is required to define better how hydrogen distribution can be revealed by epithermal neutrons in order to understand more fully the nature and sources (e.g., solar wind, meteorite impacts) of volatiles in the lunar regolith.

A feasibility study of a deuterium-deuterium neutron generator-based boron neutron capture therapy system for treatment of brain tumors.

PubMed

Hsieh, Mindy; Liu, Yingzi; Mostafaei, Farshad; Poulson, Jean M; Nie, Linda H

2017-02-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary treatment modality that uses high LET particles to achieve tumor cell killing. Deuterium-deuterium (DD) compact neutron generators have advantages over nuclear reactors and large accelerators as the BNCT neutron source, such as their compact size, low cost, and relatively easy installation. The purpose of this study is to design a beam shaping assembly (BSA) for a DD neutron generator and assess the potential of a DD-based BNCT system using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The MC model consisted of a head phantom, a DD neutron source, and a BSA. The head phantom had tally cylinders along the centerline for computing neutron and photon fluences and calculating the dose as a function of depth. The head phantom was placed at 4 cm from the BSA. The neutron source was modeled to resemble the source of our current DD neutron generator. A BSA was designed to moderate and shape the 2.45-MeV DD neutrons to the epithermal (0.5 eV to 10 keV) range. The BSA had multiple components, including moderator, reflector, collimator, and filter. Various materials and configurations were tested for each component. Each BSA layout was assessed in terms of the in-air and in-phantom parameters. The maximum brain dose was limited to 12.5 Gray-Equivalent (Gy-Eq) and the skin dose to 18 Gy-Eq. The optimized BSA configuration included 30 cm of lead for reflector, 45 cm of LiF, and 10 cm of MgF 2 for moderator, 10 cm of lead for collimator, and 0.1 mm of cadmium for thermal neutron filter. Epithermal flux at the beam aperture was 1.0 × 10 5  n epi /cm 2 -s; thermal-to-epithermal neutron ratio was 0.05; fast neutron dose per epithermal was 5.5 × 10 -13  Gy-cm 2 /φ epi , and photon dose per epithermal was 2.4 × 10 -13  Gy-cm 2 /φ epi . The AD, AR, and the advantage depth dose rate were 12.1 cm, 3.7, and 3.2 × 10 -3  cGy-Eq/min, respectively. The maximum skin dose was 0.56 Gy-Eq. The DD neutron yield that is needed to irradiate in reasonable time was 4.9 × 10 13  n/s. Results demonstrated that a DD-based BNCT system could be designed to produce neutron beams that have acceptable in-air and in-phantom characteristics. The parameter values were comparable to those of existing BNCT facilities. Continuing efforts are ongoing to improve the DD neutron yield. © 2016 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Evidence for the Sequestration of Hydrogen-Bearing Volatiles Towards the Moons Southern Pole-Facing Slopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, T. P.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Bodnarik, J.; Droege, G.; Evans, L. G.; Golovin, D.; Hamara, D.; Harshman, K.;

Physics of epi-thermal boron neutron capture therapy (epi-thermal BNCT).

PubMed

Seki, Ryoichi; Wakisaka, Yushi; Morimoto, Nami; Takashina, Masaaki; Koizumi, Masahiko; Toki, Hiroshi; Fukuda, Mitsuhiro

2017-12-01

The physics of epi-thermal neutrons in the human body is discussed in the effort to clarify the nature of the unique radiologic properties of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). This discussion leads to the computational method of Monte Carlo simulation in BNCT. The method is discussed through two examples based on model phantoms. The physics is kept at an introductory level in the discussion in this tutorial review.

Air Pollution Studies in Opole Region, Poland, using the Moss Biomonitoring and INAA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Korzekwa, S.; Pankratova, Yu. S.; Frontasyeva, M.V.

Biomonitoring of heavy metal atmospheric deposition with terrestrial moss is a well established technique for environmental studies. Moss samples of Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi have been collected around the city of Opole. A total of 34 elements including heavy metals and rare earths have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) using epithermal neutrons at the IBR-2 reactor of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. We observe pronounced contamination of the sampled area with pollutants such as As, Sb, V, Ni, Mo, etc. at levels similar to those in the neighboring industrial regions. These results evidences long-range atmosphericmore » transport of pollutants along with the influence of local pollution sources.« less

Correlation of LEND and Diviner Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, Tim; Boynton, William; Mitrofanov, Igor; Sagdeev, Raold; Bennet, Kristen; Starr, Richard; Evans, Larry; Paige, Dave; Sanin, Anton; Litvak, Max;

Experimental demonstration of a compact epithermal neutron source based on a high power laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirfayzi, S. R.; Alejo, A.; Ahmed, H.; Raspino, D.; Ansell, S.; Wilson, L. A.; Armstrong, C.; Butler, N. M. H.; Clarke, R. J.; Higginson, A.; Kelleher, J.; Murphy, C. D.; Notley, M.; Rusby, D. R.; Schooneveld, E.; Borghesi, M.; McKenna, P.; Rhodes, N. J.; Neely, D.; Brenner, C. M.; Kar, S.

2017-07-01

Epithermal neutrons from pulsed-spallation sources have revolutionised neutron science allowing scientists to acquire new insight into the structure and properties of matter. Here, we demonstrate that laser driven fast (˜MeV) neutrons can be efficiently moderated to epithermal energies with intrinsically short burst durations. In a proof-of-principle experiment using a 100 TW laser, a significant epithermal neutron flux of the order of 105 n/sr/pulse in the energy range of 0.5-300 eV was measured, produced by a compact moderator deployed downstream of the laser-driven fast neutron source. The moderator used in the campaign was specifically designed, by the help of MCNPX simulations, for an efficient and directional moderation of the fast neutron spectrum produced by a laser driven source.

Correlation of Lunar South Polar Epithermal Neutron Maps: Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector and Lunar Prospector Neutron Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, Timothy P.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Boynton, W. V.; Sagdeev, R.; Trombka, J. I.; Starr, R. D.; Evans, L. G.; Litvak, M. L.; Chin, G.; Garvin, J.;

Two-Dimensional Neutronic and Fuel Cycle Analysis of the Transatomic Power Molten Salt Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Betzler, Benjamin R.; Powers, Jeffrey J.; Worrall, Andrew

2017-01-15

This status report presents the results from the first phase of the collaboration between Transatomic Power Corporation (TAP) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to provide neutronic and fuel cycle analysis of the TAP core design through the Department of Energy Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear, Nuclear Energy Voucher program. The TAP design is a molten salt reactor using movable moderator rods to shift the neutron spectrum in the core from mostly epithermal at beginning of life to thermal at end of life. Additional developments in the ChemTriton modeling and simulation tool provide the critical moderator-to-fuel ratio searches andmore » time-dependent parameters necessary to simulate the continuously changing physics in this complex system. Results from simulations with these tools show agreement with TAP-calculated performance metrics for core lifetime, discharge burnup, and salt volume fraction, verifying the viability of reducing actinide waste production with this design. Additional analyses of time step sizes, mass feed rates and enrichments, and isotopic removals provide additional information to make informed design decisions. This work further demonstrates capabilities of ORNL modeling and simulation tools for analysis of molten salt reactor designs and strongly positions this effort for the upcoming three-dimensional core analysis.« less

Accelerator based epithermal neutron source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taskaev, S. Yu.

2015-11-01

We review the current status of the development of accelerator sources of epithermal neutrons for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a promising method of malignant tumor treatment. Particular attention is given to the source of epithermal neutrons on the basis of a new type of charged particle accelerator: tandem accelerator with vacuum insulation and lithium neutron-producing target. It is also shown that the accelerator with specialized targets makes it possible to generate fast and monoenergetic neutrons, resonance and monoenergetic gamma-rays, alpha-particles, and positrons.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Malignant Brain Tumors

PubMed Central

MIYATAKE, Shin-Ichi; KAWABATA, Shinji; HIRAMATSU, Ryo; KUROIWA, Toshihiko; SUZUKI, Minoru; KONDO, Natsuko; ONO, Koji

2016-01-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a biochemically targeted radiotherapy based on the nuclear capture and fission reactions that occur when non-radioactive boron-10, which is a constituent of natural elemental boron, is irradiated with low energy thermal neutrons to yield high linear energy transfer alpha particles and recoiling lithium-7 nuclei. Therefore, BNCT enables the application of a high dose of particle radiation selectively to tumor cells in which boron-10 compound has been accumulated. We applied BNCT using nuclear reactors for 167 cases of malignant brain tumors, including recurrent malignant gliomas, newly diagnosed malignant gliomas, and recurrent high-grade meningiomas from January 2002 to May 2014. Here, we review the principle and history of BNCT. In addition, we introduce fluoride-18-labeled boronophenylalanine positron emission tomography and the clinical results of BNCT for the above-mentioned malignant brain tumors. Finally, we discuss the recent development of accelerators producing epithermal neutron beams. This development could provide an alternative to the current use of specially modified nuclear reactors as a neutron source, and could allow BNCT to be performed in a hospital setting. PMID:27250576

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Malignant Brain Tumors.

PubMed

Miyatake, Shin-Ichi; Kawabata, Shinji; Hiramatsu, Ryo; Kuroiwa, Toshihiko; Suzuki, Minoru; Kondo, Natsuko; Ono, Koji

2016-07-15

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a biochemically targeted radiotherapy based on the nuclear capture and fission reactions that occur when non-radioactive boron-10, which is a constituent of natural elemental boron, is irradiated with low energy thermal neutrons to yield high linear energy transfer alpha particles and recoiling lithium-7 nuclei. Therefore, BNCT enables the application of a high dose of particle radiation selectively to tumor cells in which boron-10 compound has been accumulated. We applied BNCT using nuclear reactors for 167 cases of malignant brain tumors, including recurrent malignant gliomas, newly diagnosed malignant gliomas, and recurrent high-grade meningiomas from January 2002 to May 2014. Here, we review the principle and history of BNCT. In addition, we introduce fluoride-18-labeled boronophenylalanine positron emission tomography and the clinical results of BNCT for the above-mentioned malignant brain tumors. Finally, we discuss the recent development of accelerators producing epithermal neutron beams. This development could provide an alternative to the current use of specially modified nuclear reactors as a neutron source, and could allow BNCT to be performed in a hospital setting.

Calculations to Support On-line Neutron Spectrum Adjustment by Measurements with Miniature Fission Chambers in the JSI TRIGA Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaiba, Tanja; Radulović, Vladimir; Žerovnik, Gašper; Snoj, Luka; Fourmentel, Damien; Barbot, LoÏc; Destouches, Christophe AE(; )

2018-01-01

Preliminary calculations were performed with the aim to establish optimal experimental conditions for the measurement campaign within the collaboration between the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) and Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA Cadarache). The goal of the project is to additionally characterize the neutron spectruminside the JSI TRIGA reactor core with focus on the measurement epi-thermal and fast part of the spectrum. Measurements will be performed with fission chambers containing different fissile materials (235U, 237Np and 242Pu) covered with thermal neutron filters (Cd and Gd). The changes in the detected signal and neutron flux spectrum with and without transmission filter were studied. Additional effort was put into evaluation of the effect of the filter geometry (e.g. opening on the top end of the filter) on the detector signal. After the analysis of the scoping calculations it was concluded to position the experiment in the outside core ring inside one of the empty fuel element positions.

Epithermal Neutron Evidence for a Diurnal Surface Hydration Process in the Moon's High Latitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, T. P.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Parsons, A.; Starr, R. D.; Evans, L. G.; Sanin, A.; Litvak, M.; Livengood, T.

2015-01-01

We report evidence from epithermal neutron flux observations that show that the Moon's high latitude surfaces are being actively hydrated, dehydrated and rehydrated in a diurnal cycle. The near-surface hydration is indicated by an enhanced suppression of the lunar epithermal neutron leakage flux on the dayside of the dawn terminator on poleward-facing slopes (PFS). At 0600 to 0800 local-time, hydrogen concentrations within the upper 1 meter of PFS are observed to be maximized relative to equivalent equator-facing slopes (EFS). During the lunar day surface hydrogen concentrations diminish towards dusk and then rebuild overnight. Surface hydration is determined by differential comparison of the averaged EFS to PFS epithermal neutron count rates above +/- 75 deg latitude. At dawn the contrast bias towards PFS is consistent with at least 15 to 25 parts-per-million (ppm) hydrogen that dissipates by dusk. We review several lines of evidence derived from temperature and epithermal neutron data by a correlated analysis of observations from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's (LRO) Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) that were mapped as a function of lunar local-time, Lunar Observing Laser Altimeter (LOLA) topography and Diviner (DLRE) surface temperature.

Instrumental activation analysis of coal and fly ash with thermal and epithermal neutrons and short-lived nuclides

USGS Publications Warehouse

Steinnes, E.; Rowe, J.J.

1976-01-01

Instrumental neutron activation analysis is applied to the determination of about 25 elements in coals and fly ash by means of nuclides with half-lives of less than 48 h ; thermal and epithermal irradiations are used. The results indicate that epithermal activation is preferable for twelve of the elements (Ga, As, Br, Sr, In, Cs, Ba, La, Sm, Ho, W and U). Data for SRM 1632 (coal) and SRM 1633 (fly ash) compare favorably with the results obtained by other investigators. ?? 1976.

Geochemical and modal data for igneous rocks associated with epithermal mineral deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

du Bray, Edward A.

2014-01-01

The purposes of this report are to (1) present available geochemical and modal data for igneous rocks associated with epithermal mineral deposits and (2) to make those data widely and readily available for subsequent, more in-depth consideration and interpretation. Epithermal precious and base-metal deposits are commonly associated with subduction-related calc-alkaline to alkaline arc magmatism as well as back-arc continental rift magmatism. These deposits form in association with compositionally diverse extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks. Temperature and depth regimes prevailing during deposit formation are highly variable. The deposits form from hydrothermal fluids that range from acidic to near-neutral pH, and they occur in a variety of structural settings. The disparate temperature, pressure, fluid chemistry, and structural controls have resulted in deposits with wide ranging characteristics. Economic geologists have employed these characteristics to develop classification schemes for epithermal deposits and to constrain the important genetic processes responsible for their formation.

Polar Maps of Thermal and Epithermal Neutrons

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-05-28

Observations by NASA Mars Odyssey spacecraft show views of the polar regions of Mars in thermal neutrons top and epithermal neutrons bottom. In these maps, deep blue indicates a low amount of neutrons and red indicates a high amount.

Assessment of the Neutronic and Fuel Cycle Performance of the Transatomic Power Molten Salt Reactor Design

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Robertson, Sean; Dewan, Leslie; Massie, Mark

This report presents results from a collaboration between Transatomic Power Corporation (TAP) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to provide neutronic and fuel cycle analysis of the TAP core design through the Department of Energy Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) Nuclear Energy Voucher program. The TAP concept is a molten salt reactor using configurable zirconium hydride moderator rod assemblies to shift the neutron spectrum in the core from mostly epithermal at beginning of life to thermal at end of life. Additional developments in the ChemTriton modeling and simulation tool provide the critical moderator-to-fuel ratio searches and time-dependent parametersmore » necessary to simulate the continuously changing physics in this complex system. The implementation of continuous-energy Monte Carlo transport and depletion tools in ChemTriton provide for full-core three-dimensional modeling and simulation. Results from simulations with these tools show agreement with TAP-calculated performance metrics for core lifetime, discharge burnup, and salt volume fraction, verifying the viability of reducing actinide waste production with this concept. Additional analyses of mass feed rates and enrichments, isotopic removals, tritium generation, core power distribution, core vessel helium generation, moderator rod heat deposition, and reactivity coeffcients provide additional information to make informed design decisions. This work demonstrates capabilities of ORNL modeling and simulation tools for neutronic and fuel cycle analysis of molten salt reactor concepts.« less

Deployment history and design considerations for space reactor power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Genk, Mohamed S.

2009-05-01

The history of the deployment of nuclear reactors in Earth orbits is reviewed with emphases on lessons learned and the operation and safety experiences. The former Soviet Union's "BUK" power systems, with SiGe thermoelectric conversion and fast neutron energy spectrum reactors, powered a total of 31 Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellites (RORSATs) from 1970 to 1988 in 260 km orbit. Two of the former Soviet Union's TOPAZ reactors, with in-core thermionic conversion and epithermal neutron energy spectrum, powered two Cosmos missions launched in 1987 in ˜800 km orbit. The US' SNAP-10A system, with SiGe energy conversion and a thermal neutron energy spectrum reactor, was launched in 1965 in 1300 km orbit. The three reactor systems used liquid NaK-78 coolant, stainless steel structure and highly enriched uranium fuel (90-96 wt%) and operated at a reactor exit temperature of 833-973 K. The BUK reactors used U-Mo fuel rods, TOPAZ used UO 2 fuel rods and four ZrH moderator disks, and the SNAP-10A used moderated U-ZrH fuel rods. These low power space reactor systems were designed for short missions (˜0.5 kW e and ˜1 year for SNAP-10A, <3.0 kW e and <6 months for BUK, and ˜5.5 kW e and up to 1 year for TOPAZ). The deactivated BUK reactors at the end of mission, which varied in duration from a few hours to ˜4.5 months, were boosted into ˜800 km storage orbit with a decay life of more than 600 year. The ejection of the last 16 BUK reactor fuel cores caused significant contamination of Earth orbits with NaK droplets that varied in sizes from a few microns to 5 cm. Power systems to enhance or enable future interplanetary exploration, in-situ resources utilization on Mars and the Moon, and civilian missions in 1000-3000 km orbits would generate significantly more power of 10's to 100's kW e for 5-10 years, or even longer. A number of design options to enhance the operation reliability and safety of these high power space reactor power systems are presented and discussed.

The Vertical Distribution of Buried Volatiles at the Moon revealed by Thermal and Epithermal Neutron Fluxes from LEND Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chin, G.; Sagdeev, R.; Su, J. J.; Murray, J.; Livengood, T. A.

2015-12-01

Determining the quantity and vertical distribution of volatile species on and below the surface of planetary bodies is vital to understand the primordial chemical inventory and subsequent evolution of planets. Volatiles may provide resources to support future human exploration. This is particularly true for the Moon, which is well observed by many methods from ground-based, lunar orbit, and in situ, and is an accessible destination or way station for human exploration. We present Geant4 models of relative fluxes of Fast, Epithermal, and Thermal neutron emission generated in a planetary regolith by galactic cosmic rays to reveal the first 1-2 meters vertical structure of embedded hydrogen or water. Varying ratios of Thermal versus Epithermal, low-energy-Epithermal versus high-energy-Epithermal, and Thermal versus Fast neutron emissions are diagnostics of the depth in which hydrogen/water layers are buried within the top 1-2 meters of the regolith. In addition, we apply model calculations to Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) thermal and epithermal data, acquired on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), in specific regions of the Moon to retrieve the vertical distribution of buried ice from the remote sensing information. GEANT4 is a set of particle physics transport simulation codes that exploits object-oriented software methods to deliver a comprehensive and flexible toolkit that is modular and extensible, based on a free open-source development model. GEANT4 has become a standard tool to simulate applications as diverse as particle telescope and detector response, space radiation shielding and optimization, total ionizing dose in spacecraft components, and biological effects of radiation.

SU-F-T-183: Design of a Beam Shaping Assembly of a Compact DD-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hsieh, M; Liu, Y; Nie, L

Purpose: To design a beam shaping assembly (BSA) to shape the 2.45-MeV neutrons produced by a deuterium-deuterium (DD) neutron generator and to optimize the beam output for boron neutron capture therapy of brain tumors Methods: MCNP is used for this simulation study. The simulation model consists of a neutron surface source that resembles an actual DD source and is surrounded by a BSA. The neutron source emits 2.45-MeV neutrons isotropically. The BSA is composed of a moderator, reflector, collimator and filter. Various types of materials and geometries are tested for each component to optimize the neutron output. Neutron characteristics aremore » measured with an 2×2×2-cm{sup 3} air-equivalent cylinder at the beam exit. The ideal BSA is determined by evaluating the in-air parameters, which include epithermal neutron per source neutron, fast neutron dose per epithermal neutron, and photon dose per epithermal neutron. The parameter values are compared to those recommended by the IAEA. Results: The ideal materials for reflector and thermal neutron filter were lead and cadmium, respectively. The thickness for reflector was 43 cm and for filter was 0.5 mm. At present, the best-performing moderator has 25 cm of AlF{sub 3} and 5 cm of MgF{sub 2}. This layout creates a neutron spectrum that has a peak at approximately 10 keV and produces 1.35E-4 epithermal neutrons per source neutron per cm{sup 2}. Additional neutron characteristics, fast neutrons per epithermal neutron and photon per epithermal neutron, are still under investigation. Conclusion: Working is ongoing to optimize the final layout of the BSA. The neutron spectrum at the beam exit window of the final configuration will have the maximum number of epithermal neutrons and limited photon and fast neutron contaminations within the recommended values by IAEA. Future studies will also include phantom experiments to validate the simulation results.« less

Intelligent uranium fission converter for neutron production on the periphery of the nuclear reactor core (MARIA reactor in Swierk - Poland)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gryzinski, M.A.; Wielgosz, M.

The multipurpose, high flux research reactor MARIA in Otwock - Swierk is an open-pool type, water and beryllium moderated and graphite reflected. There are two not occupied experimental H1 and H2 horizontal channels with complex of empty rooms beside them. Making use of these two channels is not in conflict with other research or commercial employing channels. They can work simultaneously, moreover commercial channels covers the cost of reactor working. Such conditions give beneficial possibility of creating epithermal neutron stand for researches in various field at the horizontal channel H2 of MARIA reactor (co-organization of research at H1 channel ismore » additionally planned). At the front of experimental channels the neutron flux is strongly thermalized - neutrons with energies above 0.625 eV constitute only ∼2% of the total flux. This thermalized neutron flux will be used to achieve high flux of epithermal neutrons at the level of 2x10{sup 9} n cm{sup -2}s{sup -1} by uranium neutron converter (fast neutron production - conversion of reactor core thermal neutrons to fast neutrons - and then filtering, moderating and finally cutting of unwanted gamma radiation). The intelligent converter will be placed in the reactor pool, near the front of the H2 channel. It will replace one graphite block at the periphery of MARIA graphite reflector. The converter will consist of 20 fuel elements - low enriched uranium plates. A fuel plate will be a part which will measure 110 mm wide by 380 mm long and will consist of a thin layer of uranium sealed between two aluminium plates. These plates, once assembled, form the fuel element used in converter. The plates will be positioned vertically. There are several important requirements which should be taken into account at the converter design stage: -maximum efficiency of the converter for neutrons conversion, -cooling of the converter need to be integrated with the cooling circuit of the reactor pool and if needed equipped with self-cooling system (enhanced comparing to the cooling properties inherent with regular rector pool water flows), -proper cooling conditions can be ensured by an appropriate water flow, so the resistance to flow has to be optimised, -the requirement of the minimum resistance to water flow leads to the openwork design of the fuel element separator, which, on the other hand, has to be strong enough to ensure the needed strength for mechanical load due to the fuel weight and forces associated with the water flow, -the possibility of changing beam and flux qualities by rotating the converter or repositioning the converter plates by moving or replacing with another materials. In order to minimize the neutron activation of the fuel in the converter, the possibility was predicted to remove the converter and to replace it with an aluminium dummy for the time when the beam at the channel H2 is not used. This means that both, the converter and the dummy, have to be easily removable from the converter socket. There has to be also the place in the water pool, near the research stand or in technological pool, where the converter can be safely stored (this place have to be proper for operation with plates i.e. changing amount of plates). Thermal and neutron load of the fuel plates in the converter will be inhomogeneous. In order to equalize these loads, the converter should be designed in such way that it would be possible to change the order of fuel plates. Moreover replacing the amount of the plates gives the opportunity to obtain different fluxes of neutrons (quantitatively and qualitatively i.e. energetically). The project of the converter is based on Monte Carlo calculation concerning neutron production and on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) i.e. modelling of converter for thermodynamical aspects. (authors)« less

Characteristics and application of spherical-type activation detectors in neutron spectrum measurements at a boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Heng-Xiao; Chen, Wei-Lin; Liu, Yuan-Hao; Sheu, Rong-Jiun

2016-03-01

A set of spherical-type activation detectors was developed aiming to provide better determination of the neutron spectrum at the Tsing Hua Open-pool Reactor (THOR) BNCT facility. An activation foil embedded in a specially designed spherical holder exhibits three advantages: (1) minimizing the effect of neutron angular dependence, (2) creating response functions with broadened coverage of neutron energies by introducing additional moderators or absorbers to the central activation foil, and (3) reducing irradiation time because of improved detection efficiencies to epithermal neutron beam. This paper presents the design concept and the calculated response functions of new detectors. Theoretical and experimental demonstrations of the performance of the detectors are provided through comparisons of the unfolded neutron spectra determined using this method and conventional multiple-foil activation techniques.

The MCNP Simulation of a PGNAA System at TRR-1/M1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangaroon, S.; Ratanatongchai, W.; Picha, R.; Khaweerat, S.; Channuie, J.

2017-06-01

The prompt-gamma neutron activation analysis system (PGNAA) has been installed at Thai Research Reactor-1/Modified 1 (TRR-1/M1) since 1999. The purpose of the system is for elemental and isotopic analyses. The system mainly consists of a series of the moderator and collimator, neutron and gamma-ray shielding and the HPGe detector. In this work, the condition of the system is carried out based on the Monte Carlo method using Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code and the experiment. The flux ratios (Φthermal/Φepithermal and Φthermal/Φfast) and thermal neutron flux have been obtained. The simulated prompt gamma rays of the Portland cement sample have been carried out. The simulation provides significant contribution in upgrading the PGNAA station to be available in various applications.

Method of assaying uranium with prompt fission and thermal neutron borehole logging adjusted by borehole physical characteristics. [Patient application

DOEpatents

Barnard, R.W.; Jensen, D.H.

1980-11-05

Uranium formations are assayed by prompt fission neutron logging techniques. The uranium in the formation is proportional to the ratio of epithermal counts to thermal or epithermal dieaway. Various calibration factors enhance the accuracy of the measurement.

Renovation of epithermal neutron beam for BNCT at THOR.

PubMed

Liu, Y-W H; Huang, T T; Jiang, S H; Liu, H M

2004-11-01

Heading for possible use for clinical trial, THOR (Tsing Hua Open-pool Reactor) at Taiwan was shutdown for renovation of a new epithermal neutron beam in January 2003. In November 2003, concrete cutting was finished for closer distance from core and larger treatment room. This article presents the design base that the construction of the new beam is based on. The filter/moderator design along the beam is Cd(0.1cm)+Al(10 cm)+FLUENTAL (16 cm)+Al(10 cm)+FLUENTAL(24 cm)+Void(18 cm)+Cd(0.1cm)+Bi(10 cm) with 6 cm Pb as reflector. Following the filter/moderator is an 88 cm long, 6 cm thick Bi-lined collimator with Li(2)CO(3)-PE at the end. The collimator is surrounded by Li(2)CO(3)-PE and Pb. The calculated beam parameters under 2 MW at the beam exit is phi(epi) = 3.4 x 10(9) n/cm(2)/s, Df/phi(epi) = 2.8 x 10(-11) cGy cm(2)/n, Dgamma/phi(epi) = 1.3 x 10(-11) cGy cm(2)/n, and J+/phi = 0.8. For a phantom placed 10 cm from beam exit, MCNP calculation shows that the advantage depth is 8.9 cm, and advantage ratio is 5.6 if boron concentration in tumor and normal tissue are assumed to be 65 and 18 ppm. The maximum dose rate for normal tissue is 50 cGy/min. The maximum therapeutic ratio is 6. The construction of the beam is scheduled to be finished by the end of April 2004.

Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis of the Asian Herbal Plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baljinnyam, N.; Jugder, B.; Norov, N.; Frontasyeva, M. V.; Ostrovnaya, T. M.; Pavlov, S. S.

2011-06-01

Asian medicinal herbs Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) are widely used in folk and Ayurvedic medicine for healing and preventing some diseases. The modern medical science has proved that the Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) possesses the following functions: reducing blood press, dispelling cancer cell, coronary artery's expanding and bacteriostating and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) is recommended against headache, toothache, skin diseases, vomiting and sometimes it is taken for treatment of diabetes. Species of Chrysanthemums were collected in the north-eastern and central Mongolia, and the Red Sandalwood powder was imported from India. Samples of Chrysanthemums (branches, flowers and leaves) (0.5 g) and red sandalwood powder (0.5 g) were subjected to the multi-element instrumental neutron activation analysis using epithermal neutrons (ENAA) at the IBR-2 reactor, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) JINR, Dubna. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Hf, Ta, W, Sb, Au, Hg, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb, Th, U, Lu) were determined. For the first time such a large group of elements was determined in the herbal plants used in Mongolia. The quality control of the analytical results was provided by using certified reference material Bowen Cabbage. The results obtained are compared to the "Reference plant» data (B. Markert, 1992) and interpreted in terms of excess of such elements as Se, Cr, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mo, and rare earth elements.

Study on optimization of multiionization-chamber system for BNCT.

PubMed

Fujii, T; Tanaka, H; Maruhashi, A; Ono, K; Sakurai, Y

2011-12-01

In order to monitor stability of doses from the four components such as thermal, epi-thermal, fast neutron and gamma-ray during BNCT irradiation, we are developing a multiionization-chamber system. This system is consisted of four kinds of ionization chamber, which have specific sensitivity for each component, respectively. Since a suitable structure for each chamber depends on the energy spectrum of the irradiation field, the optimization study of the chamber structures for the epi-thermal neutron beam of cyclotron-based epi-thermal neutron source (C-BENS) was performed by using a Monte Carlo simulation code "PHITS" and suitable chamber-structures were determined. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of silicon in biological and botanical reference materials by epithermal INAA and Compton suppression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landsberger, S.; Peshev, S.; Becker, D. A.

1994-12-01

Silicon determination in sixteen botanical and biological standard reference materials is described using the 29Si(n, p) 29Al reaction through instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis and Compton suppression gamma-ray spectroscopy. By simultaneous utilization of both cadmium and boron epithermal filters along with anticoincidence gamma-counting, detection limits as low as 12 ppm were obtained for certain matrices, much lower than previously reported values for this type of analysis. The method is applicable to many botanical and biological matrices and is attractive with its interference free, purely instrumental nature, compared with methods using the 28Si(n, p) 28Al reaction or chemical separation techniques.

Determination of 30 elements in coal and fly ash by thermal and epithermal neutron-activation analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rowe, J.J.; Steinnes, E.

1977-01-01

Thirty elements are determined in coal and fly ash by instrumental neutron-activation analysis using both thermal and epithermal irradiation. Gamma-ray spectra were recorded 7 and 20 days after the irradiations. The procedure is applicable to the routine analysis of coals and fly ash. Epithermal irradiation was found preferable for the determination of Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, Sm, Tb, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U, whereas thermal irradiation was best for Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Yb and Lu. Results for SRM 1632 (coal) and SRM 1633 (fly ash) agree with those of other investigators. ?? 1977.

Ore deposits and epithermal evidences associated with intra-magmatic faults at Aïn El Araâr-Oued Belif ring structure (NW of Tunisia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aissa, Wiem Ben; Aissa, Lassaâd Ben; Amara, Abdesslem Ben Haj; Tlig, Said; Alouani, Rabah

2017-03-01

Hydrothermal ore deposits at Aïn El Araâr-Oued Belif location are classified as epithermal deposits type. The ore bodies are hosted by upper Turonian (8-9 M.y) volcanic rhyodacitic complex. Polymetallic sulfide orebodies are mainly concentrated within intra-magmatic faults. Petrographic, XRD, and TEM-STEM investigations revealed that ore minerals are essentially, arsenopyrite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, hematite, goethite and magnetite with Au, Ag and Pt trace metals. Gangue minerals are mainly adularia, quartz, sericite, alunite, tridymite, chlorite, phlogopite and smectite. Epithermal alteration is well zoned with four successive characteristic zones: (1) zone of quartz-adularia-sericite and rare alunite; (2) zone of kaolinite and plagioclase albitization; (3) intermediate zone of illite-sericite; (4) sapropelic alteration type zone of chlorite-smectite and rare illite. This can be interpreted as a telescoping of two different acidity epithermal phases; low sulfidation (adularia-sericite) and high sulfidation (quartz-alunite), separated in time or due to a gradual increase of fluids acidity and oxicity within the same mineralization phase. Brecciated macroscopic facies with fragments hosting quartz-adularia-sericite minerals (low-sulfidation phase) without alunite, support the last hypothesis. Geodynamic context and mineral alteration patterns are closely similar to those of Maria Josefa gold mine at SE of Spain which exhibit a volcanic-hosted epithermal ore deposit in a similar vein system, within rhyolitic ignimbrites, altered to an argillic assemblage (illite-sericite abundant and subordinate kaolinite) that grades outwards into propylitic alteration (Sanger-von Oepen et al. (1990)). Mineralogical and lithologic study undertaken in the volcanic host rock at Aïn El Araâr-Oued Belif reveals a typical epithermal low-sulfidation and high-sulfidation ore deposits with dominance of low-sulfidation. Host rocks in these systems range from silicic to intermediate for adularia-sericite type (low sulfidation) to rhyodacite for quartz-alunite type (high sulfidation).

Investigating a cyclotron HM-30 based neutron source for BNCT of deep-seated tumors by using shifting method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suharyana; Riyatun; Octaviana, E. F.

2016-11-01

We have successfully proposed a simulation of a neutron beam-shaping assembly using MCNPX Code. This simulation study deals with designing a compact, optimized, and geometrically simple beam shaping assembly for a neutron source based on a proton cyclotron for BNCT purpose. Shifting method was applied in order to lower the fast neutron energy to the epithermal energy range by choosing appropriate materials. Based on a set of MCNPX simulations, it has been found that the best materials for beam shaping assembly are 3 cm Ni layered with 7 cm Pb as the reflector and 13 cm AlF3 the moderator. Our proposed beam shaping assembly configuration satisfies 2 of 5 of the IAEA criteria, namely the epithermal neutron flux 1.25 × 109 n.cm-2 s-1 and the gamma dose over the epithermal neutron flux is 0.18×10 -13 Gy.cm 2 n -1. However, the ratio of the fast neutron dose rate over neutron epithermal flux is still too high. We recommended that the shifting method must be accompanied by the filter method to reduce the fast neutron flux.

Geology of epithermal silver-gold bulk-mining targets, bodie district, Mono County, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hollister, V.F.; Silberman, M.L.

1995-01-01

The Bodie mining district in Mono County, California, is zoned with a core polymetallic-quartz vein system and silver- and gold-bearing quartz-adularia veins north and south of the core. The veins formed as a result of repeated normal faulting during doming shortly after extrusion of felsic flows and tuffs, and the magmatic-hydrothermal event seems to span at least 2 Ma. Epithermal mineralization accompanied repeated movement of the normal faults, resulting in vein development in the planes of the faults. The veins occur in a very large area of argillic alteration. Individual mineralized structures commonly formed new fracture planes during separate fault movements, with resulting broad zones of veinlets growing in the walls of the major vein-faults. The veinlet swarms have been found to constitute a target estimated at 75,000,000 tons, averaging 0.037 ounce gold per ton. The target is amenable to bulkmining exploitation. The epithermal mineralogy is simple, with electrum being the most important precious metal mineral. The host veins are typical low-sulfide banded epithermal quartz and adularia structures that filled voids created by the faulting. Historical data show that beneficiation of the simple vein mineralogy is very efficient. ?? 1995 Oxford University Press.

Application of epithermal neutron activation in multielement analysis of silicate rocks employing both coaxial Ge(Li) and low energy photon detector systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baedecker, P.A.; Rowe, J.J.; Steinnes, E.

1977-01-01

The instrumental activation analysis of silicate rocks using epithermal neutrons has been studied using both high resolution coaxial Ge(Li) detectors and low energy photon detectors, and applied to the determination of 23 elements in eight new U.S.G.S. standard rocks. The analytical use X-ray peaks associated with electron capture or internal conversion processes has been evaluated. Of 28 elements which can be considered to be determinable by instrumental means, the epithermal activation approach is capable of giving improved sensitivity and precision in 16 cases, over the normal INAA procedure. In eleven cases the use of the low energy photon detector is thought to show advantages over convertional coaxial Ge(Li) spectroscopy. ?? 1977 Akade??miai Kiado??.

Crater Age and Hydrogen Content in Lunar Regolith from LEND Neutron Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanin, Anton; Starr, Richard; Litvak, Maxim; Petro, Noah; Mitrofanov, Igor

2017-04-01

We are presenting an analysis of Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) epithermal neutron count rates for a large set of mid-latitude craters. Epithermal neutron count rates for crater interiors measured by the LEND Sensor for Epithermal Neutrons (SETN) were compared to crater exteriors for 322 craters. An increase in relative count rate at about 9-sigma confidence level was found, consistent with a lower hydrogen content. A smaller subset of 31 craters, all located near three Copernican era craters, Jackson, Tycho, and Necho, also shows a significant increase in Optical Maturity parameter implying an immature regolith. The increase in SETN count rate for these craters is greater than the increase for the full set of craters by more than a factor of two.

A feasibility study of the Tehran research reactor as a neutron source for BNCT.

PubMed

Kasesaz, Yaser; Khalafi, Hossein; Rahmani, Faezeh; Ezati, Arsalan; Keyvani, Mehdi; Hossnirokh, Ashkan; Shamami, Mehrdad Azizi; Monshizadeh, Mahdi

2014-08-01

Investigation on the use of the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) as a neutron source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has been performed by calculating and measuring energy spectrum and the spatial distribution of neutrons in all external irradiation facilities, including six beam tubes, thermal column, and the medical room. Activation methods with multiple foils and a copper wire have been used for the mentioned measurements. The results show that (1) the small diameter and long length beam tubes cannot provide sufficient neutron flux for BNCT; (2) in order to use the medical room, the TRR core should be placed in the open pool position, in this situation the distance between the core and patient position is about 400 cm, so neutron flux cannot be sufficient for BNCT; and (3) the best facility which can be adapted for BNCT application is the thermal column, if all graphite blocks can be removed. The epithermal and fast neutron flux at the beginning of this empty column are 4.12×10(9) and 1.21×10(9) n/cm(2)/s, respectively, which can provide an appropriate neutron beam for BNCT by designing and constructing a proper Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) structure. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Studies on the properties of an epithermal-neutron hydrogen analyzer.

PubMed

Papp, A; Csikai, J

2010-09-01

Systematic investigations have proved the advantages of the Epithermal Neutron Analyzer (ETNA) for bulk hydrogen analysis as compared to the thermal neutron techniques. Results can contribute, for example, to the design and construction of instruments needed for the detection and identification of plastic anti-personnel landmines, explosives hidden in airline baggage and cargo containers via hydrogen contents as an indicator of their presence.

A new indicator mineral methodology based on a generic Bi-Pb-Te-S mineral inclusion signature in detrital gold from porphyry and low/intermediate sulfidation epithermal environments in Yukon Territory, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chapman, R. J.; Allan, M. M.; Mortensen, J. K.; Wrighton, T. M.; Grimshaw, M. R.

2017-12-01

Porphyry-epithermal and orogenic gold are two of the most important styles of gold-bearing mineralization within orogenic belts. Populations of detrital gold resulting from bulk erosion of such regions may exhibit a compositional continuum wherein Ag, Cu, and Hg in the gold alloy may vary across the full range exhibited by natural gold. This paper describes a new methodology whereby orogenic and porphyry-epithermal gold may be distinguished according to the mineralogy of microscopic inclusions observed within detrital gold particles. A total of 1459 gold grains from hypogene, eluvial, and placer environments around calc-alkaline porphyry deposits in Yukon (Nucleus-Revenue, Casino, Sonora Gulch, and Cyprus-Klaza) have been characterized in terms of their alloy compositions (Au, Ag, Cu, and Hg) and their inclusion mineralogy. Despite differences in the evolution of the different magmatic hydrothermal systems, the gold exhibits a clear Bi-Pb-Te-S mineralogy in the inclusion suite, a signature which is either extremely weak or (most commonly) absent in both Yukon orogenic gold and gold from orogenic settings worldwide. Generic systematic compositional changes in ore mineralogy previously identified across the porphyry-epithermal transition have been identified in the corresponding inclusion suites observed in samples from Yukon. However, the Bi-Te association repeatedly observed in gold from the porphyry mineralization persists into the epithermal environment. Ranges of P-T-X conditions are replicated in the geological environments which define generic styles of mineralization. These parameters influence both gold alloy composition and ore mineralogy, of which inclusion suites are a manifestation. Consequently, we propose that this methodology approach can underpin a widely applicable indicator methodology based on detrital gold.

The origin of Ag-Au-S-Se minerals in adularia-sericite epithermal deposits: constraints from the Broken Hills deposit, Hauraki Goldfield, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cocker, Helen A.; Mauk, Jeffrey L.; Rabone, Stuart D. C.

2013-02-01

The 7.1 Ma Broken Hills adularia-sericite Au-Ag deposit is currently the only producing rhyolite-hosted epithermal deposit in the Hauraki Goldfield of New Zealand. The opaque minerals include pyrite, electrum, acanthite (Ag2S), sphalerite, and galena, which are common in other adularia-sericite epithermal deposits in the Hauraki Goldfield and elsewhere worldwide. Broken Hills ores also contain the less common minerals aguilarite (Ag4SeS), naumannite (Ag2Se), petrovskaite (AuAgS), uytenbogaardtite (Ag3AuS2), fischesserite (Ag3AuSe2), an unnamed silver chloride (Ag2Cl), and unnamed Ag ± Au minerals. Uytenbogaardtite and petrovskaite occur with high-fineness electrum. Broken Hills is the only deposit in the Hauraki Goldfield where uytenbogaardtite and petrovskaite have been identified, and these phases appear to have formed predominantly from unmixing of a precursor high-temperature phase under hypogene conditions. Supergene minerals include covellite, chalcocite, Au-rich electrum, barite, and a variety of iron oxyhydroxide minerals. Uytenbogaardtite can form under supergene and hypogene conditions, and textural relationships between uytenbogaardtite and associated high-fineness electrum may be similar in both conditions. Distinguishing the likely environment of formation rests principally on identification of other supergene minerals and documenting their relationships with uytenbogaardtite. The presence of aguilarite, naumannite, petrovskaite, and fischesserite at Broken Hills reflects a Se-rich mineral assemblage. In the Hauraki Goldfield and the western Great Basin, USA, Se-rich minerals are more abundant in provinces that are characterized by bimodal rhyolite-andesite volcanism, but in other epithermal provinces worldwide, the controls on the occurrences of Se-bearing minerals remain poorly constrained, in spite of the unusually high grades associated with many Se-rich epithermal deposits.

Performance characteristics of the MIT fission converter based epithermal neutron beam.

PubMed

Riley, K J; Binns, P J; Harling, O K

2003-04-07

A pre-clinical characterization of the first fission converter based epithermal neutron beam (FCB) designed for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has been performed. Calculated design parameters describing the physical performance of the aluminium and Teflon filtered beam were confirmed from neutron fluence and absorbed dose rate measurements performed with activation foils and paired ionization chambers. The facility currently provides an epithermal neutron flux of 4.6 x 10(9) n cm(-2) s(-1) in-air at the patient position that makes it the most intense BNCT source in the world. This epithermal neutron flux is accompanied by very low specific photon and fast neutron absorbed doses of 3.5 +/- 0.5 and 1.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(-13) Gy cm2, respectively. A therapeutic dose rate of 1.7 RBE Gy min(-1) is achievable at the advantage depth of 97 mm when boronated phenylalanine (BPA) is used as the delivery agent, giving an average therapeutic ratio of 5.7. In clinical trials of normal tissue tolerance when using the FCB, the effective prescribed dose is due principally to neutron interactions with the nonselectively absorbed BPA present in brain. If an advanced compound is considered, the dose to brain would instead be predominately from the photon kerma induced by thermal neutron capture in hydrogen and advantage parameters of 0.88 Gy min(-1), 121 mm and 10.8 would be realized for the therapeutic dose rate, advantage depth and therapeutic ratio, respectively. This study confirms the success of a new approach to producing a high intensity, high purity epithermal neutron source that attains near optimal physical performance and which is well suited to exploit the next generation of boron delivery agents.

Sensitivity studies of beam directionality, beam size, and neutron spectrum for a fission converter-based epithermal neutron beam for boron neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Sakamoto, S; Kiger, W S; Harling, O K

1999-09-01

Sensitivity studies of epithermal neutron beam performance in boron neutron capture therapy are presented for realistic neutron beams with varying filter/moderator and collimator/delimiter designs to examine the relative importance of neutron beam spectrum, directionality, and size. Figures of merit for in-air and in-phantom beam performance are calculated via the Monte Carlo technique for different well-optimized designs of a fission converter-based epithermal neutron beam with head phantoms as the irradiation target. It is shown that increasing J/phi, a measure of beam directionality, does not always lead to corresponding monotonic improvements in beam performance. Due to the relatively low significance, for most configurations, of its effect on in-phantom performance and the large intensity losses required to produce beams with very high J/phi, beam directionality should not be considered an important figure of merit in epithermal neutron beam design except in terms of its consequences on patient positioning and collateral dose. Hardening the epithermal beam spectrum, while maintaining the specific fast neutron dose well below the inherent hydrogen capture dose, improves beam penetration and advantage depth and, as a desirable by-product, significantly increases beam intensity. Beam figures of merit are shown to be strongly dependent on beam size relative to target size. Beam designs with J/phi approximately 0.65-0.7, specific fast neutron doses of 2-2.6x10(-13) Gy cm2/n and beam sizes equal to or larger than the size of the head target produced the deepest useful penetration, highest therapeutic ratios, and highest intensities.

Epithermal gold-siver deposits in the western United States: time-space products of evolving plutonic, volcanic and tectonic environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Berger, Byron R.; Bonham, Harold F.

1990-01-01

The western United States has been the locus of considerable subaerial volcanic and plutonic igneous activity since the mid-Mesozoic. After the destruction of the Jurassic-Cretaceous magmatic arc-trench system, subduction was re-established in the Late Mesozoic with low-angle underthrusting of the oceanic plate beneath western North America. This resulted in crustal shortening during the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary and removal of the mantle lithosphere west of the Rocky Mountains. Commencing in the Eocene, flat subduction ceased, the volcanic arc began to re-establish itself along the continental margin, and the hingeline along the steepening subducting plate migrated from east to west. The crust east of the migrating hingeline was exposed to hot asthenosphere, and widespread tectonics and volcanic activity resulted. Hydrothermal activity accompanied the volcanism resulting in numerous epithermal gold-silver deposits. The temporal and spatial distributions of epithermal deposits in the region are therefore systematic and can be subdivided into discrete time intervals which are related to widespread changes in magmatic activity. Time intervals selected for discussion are Pre-Cenozoic, 66-55 Ma, 54-43 Ma, 42-34 Ma, 33-24 Ma, 23-17 Ma, and <17 Ma. Many of these intervals contain both sedimentary-rock and two varieties of volcanic-rock hosted deposits (adularia-sericite and alunite-kaolinite ± pyrophyllite). Continental rifting is important to the formation of deposits, and, within any given region, it is at the initiation of deep rifting that alunite-kaolinite ± pyrophyllite type epithermal deposits are formed. Adularia-sericite type deposits are most common, being related to all compositions and styles of volcanic activity. Therefore, the volcano-tectonic context of the western United States provides a unified framework in which to understand and explore for epithermal type deposits.

Detector for imaging and dosimetry of laser-driven epithermal neutrons by alpha conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirfayzi, S. R.; Alejo, A.; Ahmed, H.; Wilson, L. A.; Ansell, S.; Armstrong, C.; Butler, N. M. H.; Clarke, R. J.; Higginson, A.; Notley, M.; Raspino, D.; Rusby, D. R.; Borghesi, M.; Rhodes, N. J.; McKenna, P.; Neely, D.; Brenner, C. M.; Kar, S.

2016-10-01

An epithermal neutron imager based on detecting alpha particles created via boron neutron capture mechanism is discussed. The diagnostic mainly consists of a mm thick Boron Nitride (BN) sheet (as an alpha converter) in contact with a non-borated cellulose nitride film (LR115 type-II) detector. While the BN absorbs the neutrons in the thermal and epithermal ranges, the fast neutrons register insignificantly on the detector due to their low neutron capture and recoil cross-sections. The use of solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD), unlike image plates, micro-channel plates and scintillators, provide safeguard from the x-rays, gamma-rays and electrons. The diagnostic was tested on a proof-of-principle basis, in front of a laser driven source of moderated neutrons, which suggests the potential of using this diagnostic (BN+SSNTD) for dosimetry and imaging applications.

Analysis of Mars Mid-Latitude Lobate Debris Aprons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dougherty, Ian; McClanahan, Tim

2010-02-01

In 2008, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiters Shallow Subsurface Radar Detector detected radar evidence of ice in mountainside formations known as lobate debris aprons (LDA) in the mid-latitude regions of Mars. Using the accumulation of 7 years of neutron maps from Mars Odyssey Orbiters high energy neutron detector (HEND), we search for evidence of an increase in epithermal neutrons in these same lobe-like structures. This pattern of neutron flux is indicative of the presence of water ice. Through t-means and f-variance testing, we compare the amount of epithermal neutrons in the LDAs with the amount of epithermal neutrons in the surrounding background regions which we assume to be dry. Our preliminary results indicate that the presence of water ice is highly probable in the aforementioned LDAs. Our research will help validate the previous study which has been performed on the LDAs, as well as provide potential targets for future exploration of water on Mars. )

Analysis of Mars Mid-Latitude Lobate Debris Aprons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dougherty, Ian; McClanahan, Tim

2010-03-01

In 2008, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiters Shallow Subsurface Radar Detector detected radar evidence of ice in mountainside formations known as lobate debris aprons (LDA) in the mid-latitude regions of Mars. Using the accumulation of 7 years of neutron maps from Mars Odyssey Orbiters high energy neutron detector (HEND), we search for evidence of an increase in epithermal neutrons in these same lobe-like structures. This pattern of neutron flux is indicative of the presence of water ice. Through t-means and f-variance testing, we compare the amount of epithermal neutrons in the LDAs with the amount of epithermal neutrons in the surrounding background regions which we assume to be dry. Our preliminary results indicate that the presence of water ice is highly probable in the aforementioned LDAs. Our research will help validate the previous study which has been performed on the LDAs, as well as provide potential targets for future exploration of water on Mars.

Classification of mineral deposits into types using mineralogy with a probabilistic neural network

USGS Publications Warehouse

Singer, Donald A.; Kouda, Ryoichi

1997-01-01

In order to determine whether it is desirable to quantify mineral-deposit models further, a test of the ability of a probabilistic neural network to classify deposits into types based on mineralogy was conducted. Presence or absence of ore and alteration mineralogy in well-typed deposits were used to train the network. To reduce the number of minerals considered, the analyzed data were restricted to minerals present in at least 20% of at least one deposit type. An advantage of this restriction is that single or rare occurrences of minerals did not dominate the results. Probabilistic neural networks can provide mathematically sound confidence measures based on Bayes theorem and are relatively insensitive to outliers. Founded on Parzen density estimation, they require no assumptions about distributions of random variables used for classification, even handling multimodal distributions. They train quickly and work as well as, or better than, multiple-layer feedforward networks. Tests were performed with a probabilistic neural network employing a Gaussian kernel and separate sigma weights for each class and each variable. The training set was reduced to the presence or absence of 58 reported minerals in eight deposit types. The training set included: 49 Cyprus massive sulfide deposits; 200 kuroko massive sulfide deposits; 59 Comstock epithermal vein gold districts; 17 quartzalunite epithermal gold deposits; 25 Creede epithermal gold deposits; 28 sedimentary-exhalative zinc-lead deposits; 28 Sado epithermal vein gold deposits; and 100 porphyry copper deposits. The most common training problem was the error of classifying about 27% of Cyprus-type deposits in the training set as kuroko. In independent tests with deposits not used in the training set, 88% of 224 kuroko massive sulfide deposits were classed correctly, 92% of 25 porphyry copper deposits, 78% of 9 Comstock epithermal gold-silver districts, and 83% of six quartzalunite epithermal gold deposits were classed correctly. Across all deposit types, 88% of deposits in the validation dataset were correctly classed. Misclassifications were most common if a deposit was characterized by only a few minerals, e.g., pyrite, chalcopyrite,and sphalerite. The success rate jumped to 98% correctly classed deposits when just two rock types were added. Such a high success rate of the probabilistic neural network suggests that not only should this preliminary test be expanded to include other deposit types, but that other deposit features should be added.

Mineralogical, stable isotope, and fluid inclusion studies of spatially related porphyry Cu and epithermal Au-Te mineralization, Fakos Peninsula, Limnos Island, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fornadel, Andrew P.; Voudouris, Panagiotis Ch.; Spry, Paul G.; Melfos, Vasilios

2012-05-01

The Fakos porphyry Cu and epithermal Au-Te deposit, Limnos Island, Greece, is hosted in a ~20 Ma quartz monzonite and shoshonitic subvolcanic rocks that intruded middle Eocene to lower Miocene sedimentary basement rocks. Metallic mineralization formed in three stages in quartz and quartz-calcite veins. Early porphyry-style (Stage 1) metallic minerals consist of pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, bornite, sphalerite, molybdenite, and iron oxides, which are surrounded by halos of potassic and propylitic alteration. Stage 2 mineralization is composed mostly of quartz-tourmaline veins associated with sericitic alteration and disseminated pyrite and molybdenite, whereas Stage 3, epithermal-style mineralization is characterized by polymetallic veins containing pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, enargite, bournonite, tetrahedrite-tennantite, hessite, petzite, altaite, an unknown cervelleite-like Ag-telluride, native Au, and Au-Ag alloy. Stage 3 veins are spatially associated with sericitic and argillic alteration. Fluid inclusions in quartz from Stage 1 (porphyry-style) mineralization contain five types of inclusions. Type I, liquid-vapor inclusions, which homogenize at temperatures ranging from 189.5°C to 403.3°C have salinities of 14.8 to 19.9 wt. % NaCl equiv. Type II, liquid-vapor-NaCl, Type III liquid-vapor-NaCl-XCl2 (where XCl is an unknown chloride phase, likely CaCl2), and Type IV, liquid-vapor-hematite ± NaCl homogenize to the liquid phase by liquid-vapor homogenization or by daughter crystal dissolution at temperatures of 209.3 to 740.5 °C, 267.6 to 780.8 °C, and 357.9 to 684.2 °C, respectively, and, Type V, vapor-rich inclusions. Stage 2 veins are devoid of interpretable fluid inclusions. Quartz from Stage 3 (epithermal-style) veins contains two types of fluid inclusions, Type I, liquid-vapor inclusions that homogenize to the liquid phase (191.6 to 310.0 °C) with salinities of 1.40 to 9.73 wt. % NaCl equiv., and Type II, vapor-rich inclusions. Mixing of magmatic fluids with meteoric water in the epithermal environment is responsible for the dilution of the ore fluids that formed Stage 3 veins. Eutectic melting temperatures of -35.4 to -24.3 °C for Type I inclusions hosted in both porphyry- and epithermal-style veins suggest the presence of CaCl2, MgCl2, and/or FeCl2 in the magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. Sulfur isotope values of pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and molybdenite range from δ34S = -6.82 to -0.82 per mil and overlap for porphyry and epithermal sulfides, which suggests a common sulfur source for the two styles of mineralization. The source of sulfur in the system was likely the Fakos quartz monzonite for which the isotopically light sulfur isotope values are the result of changes in oxidation state during sulfide deposition (i.e., boiling) and/or disproportionation of sulfur-rich magmatic volatiles upon cooling. It is less likely that sulfur in the sulfides was derived from the reduction of seawater sulfate or leaching of sulfides from sedimentary rocks given the absence of primary sulfides in sedimentary rocks in the vicinity of the deposit. Late-stage barite (δ34S = 10.5 per mil) is inferred to have formed during mixing of seawater with magmatic ore fluids. Petrological, mineralogical, fluid inclusion, and sulfur isotope data indicate that the metallic mineralization at Fakos Peninsula represents an early porphyry system that is transitional to a later high- to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal gold system. This style of mineralization is similar to porphyry-epithermal metallic mineralization found elsewhere in northeastern Greece (e.g., Pagoni Rachi, St. Demetrios, St. Barbara, Perama Hill, Mavrokoryfi, and Pefka).

Geologic datasets for weights-of-evidence analysis in northeast Washington: 2. Mineral databases

USGS Publications Warehouse

Boleneus, D.E.

1999-01-01

Digital mineral databases are necessary to carry out weights-of-evidence modeling of mineral resources for epithermal gold and carbonate-hosted lead-zinc deposits in northeast Washington. This report describes spreadsheet tables consisting of: 1) training sites for epithermal gold, 2) placer gold sites, 3) training sites for carbonate-hosted lead-zinc, and 4) small lead-zinc mines and prospects. A fifth table provides location data about sites in the four tables.

Geochemistry and exploration criteria for epithermal cinnabar and stibnite vein deposits in the Kuskokwim River region, southwestern Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gray, J.E.; Goldfarb, R.J.; Detra, D.E.; Slaughter, K.E.

1991-01-01

Cinnabar- and stibnite-bearing epithermal vein deposits are found throughout the Kuskokwim River region of southwestern Alaska. A geochemical orientation survey was carried out around several of these epithermal lodes to obtain information for planning regional geochemical surveys and to develop procedures which maximize the anomaly: threshold contrast of the deposits. Stream sediment, heavy-mineral concentrate, stream water, and vegetation samples were collected in drainages surrounding the Red Devil, Cinnabar Creek, White Mountain, Rhyolite, and Mountain Top deposits. Three sediment size fractions; nonmagnetic, paramagnetic and magnetic splits of the concentrate samples; stream waters; and the vegetation samples were analyzed for multi-element suites by a number of different chemical procedures. Nonmagnetic, heavy-mineral concentrates were also examined microscopically to identify their mineralogy. Results confirm Hg, Sb and As concentrations in minus-80-mesh stream sediments as effective pathfinder elements in exploration for epithermal cinnabar and stibnite deposits. Coarser-grained sediments are much less effective in the exploration for these deposits. Concentrations greater than 3 ppm Hg, 1 ppm Sb, and 15 ppm As in the minus-80-mesh stream sediment, regardless of the host lithology, are indicative of upstream cinnabar-stibnite deposits. Gold, Ag and base metals in the stream sediments are ineffective pathfinders for this epithermal deposit type. Collection of heavy-mineral concentrates provides little advantage in the exploration for these mineral deposits. Antimony and As dispersion patterns downstream from mineralized areas are generally more restricted in the concentrates than those in the stream sediments. Anomalous placer cinnabar observed in the concentrates has a similar spatial distribution pattern as anomalous Hg and Sb in corresponding sediments. Stream waters are less effective than the stream sediments or heavy-mineral concentrates, and vegetation is an ineffective geochemical sample medium in exploration for this deposit type. ?? 1991.

Noble gas data from Goldfield and Tonopah epithermal Au-Ag deposits, ancestral Cascades Arc, USA: Evidence for a primitive mantle volatile source

USGS Publications Warehouse

Manning, Andrew H.; Hofstra, Albert H.

2017-01-01

The He, Ne, and Ar isotopic composition of fluid inclusions in ore and gangue minerals were analyzed to determine the source of volatiles in the high-grade Goldfield and Tonopah epithermal Au-Ag deposits in southwestern Nevada, USA. Ar and Ne are mainly atmospheric, whereas He has only a minor atmospheric component. Corrected 3He/4He ratios (with atmospheric He removed) range widely from 0.05 to 35.8 times the air 3He/4He ratio (RA), with a median of 1.43 RA. Forty-one percent of measured 3He/4He ratios are ≥4 RA, corresponding to ≥50% mantle He assuming a mantle ratio of 8 RA. These results suggest that mafic magmas were part of the magmatic-hydrothermal system underlying Goldfield and Tonopah, and that associated mantle-sourced volatiles may have played a role in ore formation. The three highest corrected 3He/4He ratios of 17.0, 23.7, and 35.8 RAindicate a primitive mantle He source and are the highest yet reported for any epithermal-porphyry system and for the Cascades arc region. Compiled 3He/4He measurements from epithermal-porphyry systems in subduction-related magmatic arcs around the world (n = 209) display a statistically significant correlation between 3He/4He and Au-Ag grade. The correlation suggests that conditions which promote higher fluid inclusion 3He/4He ratios (abundance of mantle volatiles and focused upward volatile transport) have some relation to conditions that promote higher Au-Ag grades (focused flow of metal-bearing fluids and efficient chemical traps). Results of this and previous investigations of He isotopes in epithermal-porphyry systems are consistent with the hypothesis posed in recent studies that mafic magmas serve an important function in the formation of these deposits.

Critical elements in Carlin, epithermal, and orogenic gold deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldfarb, Richard J.; Hofstra, Albert H.; Simmons, Stuart F.

2016-01-01

Carlin, epithermal, and orogenic gold deposits, today mined almost exclusively for their gold content, have similar suites of anomalous trace elements that reflect similar low-salinity ore fluids and thermal conditions of metal transport and deposition. Many of these trace elements are commonly referred to as critical or near-critical elements or metals and have been locally recovered, although typically in small amounts, by historic mining activities. These elements include As, Bi, Hg, In, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, and W. Most of these elements are now solely recovered as by-products from the milling of large-tonnage, base metal-rich ore deposits, such as porphyry and volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits.A combination of dominance of the world market by a single country for a single commodity and a growing demand for many of the critical to near-critical elements could lead to future recovery of such elements from select epithermal, orogenic, or Carlin-type gold deposits. Antimony continues to be recovered from some orogenic gold deposits and tellurium could potentially be a primary commodity from some such deposits. Tellurium and indium in sphalerite-rich ores have been recovered in the past and could be future commodities recovered from epithermal ores. Carlin-type gold deposits in Nevada are enriched in and may be a future source for As, Hg, Sb, and/or Tl. Some of the Devonian carbonaceous host rocks in the Carlin districts are sufficiently enriched in many trace elements, including Hg, Se, and V, such that they also could become resources. Thallium may be locally enriched to economic levels in Carlin-type deposits and it has been produced from Carlin-like deposits elsewhere in the world (e.g., Alsar, southern Macedonia; Lanmuchang, Guizhou province, China). Mercury continues to be recovered from shallow-level epithermal deposits, as well as a by-product of many Carlin-type deposits where refractory ore is roasted to oxidize carbon and pyrite, and mercury is then captured in air pollution control devices.

Neutron Imaging at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Application to Biological Research

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bilheux, Hassina Z; Cekanova, Maria; Bilheux, Jean-Christophe

2014-01-01

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) has recently installed a neutron imaging beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) cold guide hall. The CG-1D beamline supports a broad range of user research spanning from engineering to material research, energy storage, additive manufacturing, vehicle technologies, archaeology, biology, and plant physiology. The beamline performance (spatial resolution, field of view, etc.) and its utilization for biological research are presented. The NScD is also considering a proposal to build the VENUS imaging beamline (beam port 10) at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). Unlike CG-1D which provides cold neutrons, VENUS willmore » offer a broad range of neutron wavelengths, from epithermal to cold, and enhanced contrast mechanisms. This new capability will also enable the imaging of thicker biological samples than is currently available at CG-1D. A brief overview of the VENUS capability for biological research is discussed.« less

A novel design of beam shaping assembly to use D-T neutron generator for BNCT.

PubMed

Kasesaz, Yaser; Karimi, Marjan

2016-12-01

In order to use 14.1MeV neutrons produced by d-T neutron generators, two special and novel Beam Shaping Assemblies (BSA), including multi-layer and hexagonal lattice have been suggested and the effect of them has been investigated by MCNP4C Monte Carlo code. The results show that the proposed BSA can provide the qualified epithermal neutron beam for BNCT. The final epithermal neutron flux is about 6e9 n/cm2.s. The final proposed BSA has some different advantages: 1) it consists of usual and well-known materials (Pb, Al, Fluental and Cd); 2) it has a simple geometry; 3) it does not need any additional gamma filter; 4) it can provide high flux of epithermal neutrons. As this type of neutron source is under development in the world, it seems that they can be used clinically in a hospital considering the proposed BSA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Observation of distorted Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of epithermal ions in LHD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ida, K.; Kobayashi, T.; Yoshinuma, M.; Akiyama, T.; Tokuzawa, T.; Tsuchiya, H.; Itoh, K.; LHD Experiment Group

2017-12-01

A distorted Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of epithermal ions is observed associated with the collapse of energetic ions triggered by the tongue shaped deformation. The tongue shaped deformation is characterized by the plasma displacement localized in the toroidal, poloidal, and radial directions at the non-rational magnetic flux surface in toroidal plasma. Moment analysis of the ion velocity distribution measured with charge exchange spectroscopy is studied in order to investigate the impact of tongue event on ion distribution. A clear non-zero skewness (3rd moment) and kurtosis (4th moment -3) of ion velocity distribution in the epithermal region (within three times of thermal velocity) is observed after the tongue event. This observation indicates the clear evidence of the distortion of ion velocity distribution from Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. This distortion from Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution is observed in one-third of plasma minor radius region near the plasma edge and disappears in the ion-ion collision time scale.

Medusae Fossae-Elysium Region, Mars: Depression in the HEND/Odyssey Map of Mars Epithermal Neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ivanov, M. A.; Litvak, M. L.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Boynton, W.; Saunders, R. S.

2003-01-01

The first data from the Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS) onboard Mars Odyssey spacecraft showed that the low neutron fluxes characterize both subpolar regions of Mars. The low neutron fluxes mean the presence of hydrogen-rich soils and have been interpreted as an indication on abundant water ice in these areas. The equatorial region of Mars (equatorward of approx. 50 deg) is characterized by higher fluxes of both epithermal (0.4 eV-100 keV, come from depth 1-2 m) and fast (3.4-7.3 MeV, come from depth 0.2-0.3 m) neutrons meaning that this area is mostly dry. The pattern of distribution of the neutron fluxes is in a good agreement with the theoretical predictions on the stability of ground ice on present Mars. The actual distribution of the ice, however, depends on variations of thermal inertia of soils and albedo of the surface. The flux of the epithermal neutrons detected by the HEND instrument, which is part of GRS, has two noticeable depressions in the equatorial region, one in Arabia Terra and another in the Medusae Fossae-Elysium region (MFER). Here we present the initial results of analysis of characteristics of the neutron fluxes and regional geological setting of the epithermal neutron depression in this area. The main goal of our study was to put some constraints on the time of the anomaly formation and to assess possible form of hydrogen (ground ice vs. chemically bound water) there.

Monte Carlo based protocol for cell survival and tumour control probability in BNCT.

PubMed

Ye, S J

1999-02-01

A mathematical model to calculate the theoretical cell survival probability (nominally, the cell survival fraction) is developed to evaluate preclinical treatment conditions for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). A treatment condition is characterized by the neutron beam spectra, single or bilateral exposure, and the choice of boron carrier drug (boronophenylalanine (BPA) or boron sulfhydryl hydride (BSH)). The cell survival probability defined from Poisson statistics is expressed with the cell-killing yield, the 10B(n,alpha)7Li reaction density, and the tolerable neutron fluence. The radiation transport calculation from the neutron source to tumours is carried out using Monte Carlo methods: (i) reactor-based BNCT facility modelling to yield the neutron beam library at an irradiation port; (ii) dosimetry to limit the neutron fluence below a tolerance dose (10.5 Gy-Eq); (iii) calculation of the 10B(n,alpha)7Li reaction density in tumours. A shallow surface tumour could be effectively treated by single exposure producing an average cell survival probability of 10(-3)-10(-5) for probable ranges of the cell-killing yield for the two drugs, while a deep tumour will require bilateral exposure to achieve comparable cell kills at depth. With very pure epithermal beams eliminating thermal, low epithermal and fast neutrons, the cell survival can be decreased by factors of 2-10 compared with the unmodified neutron spectrum. A dominant effect of cell-killing yield on tumour cell survival demonstrates the importance of choice of boron carrier drug. However, these calculations do not indicate an unambiguous preference for one drug, due to the large overlap of tumour cell survival in the probable ranges of the cell-killing yield for the two drugs. The cell survival value averaged over a bulky tumour volume is used to predict the overall BNCT therapeutic efficacy, using a simple model of tumour control probability (TCP).

Effects of high thermal and high fast fluences on the mechanical properties of type 6061 aluminum in the HFBR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weeks, J.R.; Czajkowski, C.J.; Tichler, P.R.

The High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is an epithermal, externally moderated (by D/sub 2/O) facility designed to produce neutron beams for research. Type 6061 T-6 aluminum was used for the beam tubes, pressure vessel, fuel cladding, and most other components in the high flux area. The HFBR has operated since 1965. The epithermal, external moderation of the HFBR means that materials irradiated in different areas of the facility receive widely different flux spectra. Thus, specimens from a control rod drive follower tube (CRDF) have received 1.5 /times/ 10/sup 22/ n/cm/sup 2/ (E > 0.1 MeV)more » and 3.2 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ thermal fluence, while those from a vertical thimble flow shroud received 1.9 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ (E > 0.1 MeV) and 1.0 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ thermal. These numbers correspond to fast to thermal fluence ratios ranging from 0.05 to 1.9. Irradiations are occurring at approximately 333/degree/K. The data indicate that the increase in tensile strength and decrease in ductility result primarily from the thermal fluence, i.e., the transmutation of aluminum to silicon. These effects appear to be saturating at fluences above approximately 1.8 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ thermal at values of 90,000 psi (6700 Kg/mm/sup 2/) and 9%, respectively. The specimens receiving the highest fluence ratios appear to have less increase in tensile strength and less decrease in ductility than specimens with a lower fast to thermal fluence ratio and the same thermal fluence, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of the high energy neutrons in preventing formation of silicon crystallites. 7 refs., 11 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Diverse subaerial and sublacustrine hot spring settings of the Cerro Negro epithermal system (Jurassic, Deseado Massif), Patagonia, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guido, Diego M.; Campbell, Kathleen A.

2012-06-01

The Late Jurassic (~ 150 Ma) Cerro Negro volcanic-epithermal-geothermal system (~ 15 km2 area), Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina, includes two inferred volcanic emission centers characterized by rhyolitic domes linked along NW-SE regional faults that are associated with deeper level Au/Ag mineralization to the NW, and with shallow epithermal quartz veins and mainly travertine surface hot spring manifestations to the SE. Some travertines are silica-replaced, and siliceous and mixed silica-carbonate geothermal deposits also are found. Five hot spring-related facies associations were mapped in detail, which show morphological and textural similarities to Pleistocene-Recent geothermal deposits at Yellowstone National Park (U.S.A.), the Kenya Rift Valley, and elsewhere. They are interpreted to represent subaerial travertine fissure ridge/mound deposits (low-flow spring discharge) and apron terraces (high-flow spring discharge), as well as mixed silica-carbonate lake margin and shallow lake terrace vent-conduit tubes, stromatolitic mounds, and volcano-shaped cones. The nearly 200 mapped fossil vent-associated deposits at Cerro Negro are on a geographical and numerical scale comparable with subaerial and sublacustrine hydrothermal vents at Mammoth Hot Springs, and affiliated with Yellowstone Lake, respectively. Overall, the Cerro Negro geothermal system yields paleoenvironmentally significant textural details of variable quality, owing to both the differential preservation potential of particular subaerial versus subaqueous facies, as well as to the timing and extent of carbonate diagenesis and silica replacement of some deposits. For example, the western fault associated with the Eureka epithermal quartz vein facilitated early silicification of the travertine deposits in the SE volcanic emission center, thereby preserving high-quality, microbial macro- and micro-textures of this silica-replaced "pseudosinter." Cerro Negro provides an opportunity to reconstruct paleogeographic, paleohydrologic and paleoenvironmental associations in a well-exposed, extensive and diverse fossil geothermal system. This Late Jurassic hydrothermal deposit will likely contribute to a better understanding of the impact of depositional and post-depositional history on the development and long-term preservation potential of Lagerstätte in epithermal settings and, more generally, in extreme environments of the geological record.

Deep-Subterranean Microbial Habitats in the Hishikari Epithermal Gold Mine: Active Thermophilic Microbial Communities and Endolithic Ancient Microbial Relicts.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirayama, H.; Takai, K.; Inagaki, F.; Horikoshi, K.

2001-12-01

Deep subterranean microbial community structures in an epithermal gold-silver deposit, Hishikari gold mine, southern part of Kyusyu Japan, were evaluated through the combined use of enrichment culture methods and culture-independent molecular surveys. The geologic setting of the Hishikari deposit is composed of three lithologies; basement oceanic sediments of the Cretaceous Shimanto Supergroup, Quaternary andesites, and auriferous quartz vein. We studied the drilled core rock of these, and the geothermal hot waters from the basement aquifers collected by means of the dewatering system located at the deepest level in the mining sites. Culture-independent molecular phylogenetic analyses of PCR-amplified ribosomal DNA (rDNA) recovered from drilled cores suggested that the deep-sea oceanic microbial communities were present as ancient indigenous relicts confined in the Shimanto basement. On the other hand, genetic signals of active thermophilic microbial communities, mainly consisting of thermophilic hydrogen-oxidizer within Aquificales, thermophilic methanotroph within g-Proteobacteria and yet-uncultivated bacterium OPB37 within b-Proteobacteria, were detected with these of oceanic relicts from the subterranean geothermal hot aquifers (temp. 70-100ºC). Successful cultivation and FISH analyses strongly supported that these thermophilic lithotrophic microorganisms could be exactly active and they grew using geochemically produced hydrogen and methane gasses as nutrients. Based on these results, the deep-subsurface biosphere occurring in the Hishikari epithermal gold mine was delineated as endolithic ancient microbial relicts and modern habitats raising active lithotrophic thermophiles associated with the geological and geochemical features of the epithermal gold deposit.

Fast, epithermal and thermal photoneutron dosimetry in air and in tissue equivalent phantom for a high-energy X-ray medical accelerator.

PubMed

Sohrabi, Mehdi; Hakimi, Amir

2018-02-01

Photoneutron (PN) dosimetry in fast, epithermal and thermal energy ranges originated from the beam and albedo neutrons in high-energy X-ray medical accelerators is highly important from scientific, technical, radiation protection and medical physics points of view. Detailed dose equivalents in the fast, epithermal and thermal PN energy ranges in air up to 2m as well as at 35 positions from the central axis of 12 cross sections of the phantom at different depths were determined in 18MV X-ray beams of a Siemens ONCOR accelerator. A novel dosimetry method based on polycarbonate track dosimeters (PCTD)/ 10 B (with/without cadmium cover) was used to determine and separate different PN dose equivalents in air and in a multilayer polyethylene phantom. Dose equivalent distributions of PNs, as originated from the main beam and/or albedo PNs, on cross-plane, in-plane and diagonal axes in 10cm×10cm fields are reported. PN dose equivalent distributions on the 3 axes have their maxima at the isocenter. Epithermal and thermal PN depth dose equivalent distributions in the phantom for different positions studied peak at ∼3cm depth. The neutron dosimeters used for the first time in such studies are highly effective for separating dose equivalents of PNs in the studied energy ranges (beam and/or albedo). The PN dose equivalent data matrix made available in this paper is highly essential for detailed patient dosimetry in general and for estimating secondary cancer risks in particular. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Flux trap effect study in a sub-critical neutron assembly using activation methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Routsonis, K.; Stoulos, S.; Clouvas, A.; Catsaros, N.; Varvayianni, M.; Manolopoulou, M.

2016-09-01

The neutron flux trap effect was experimentally studied in the subcritical assembly of the Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, using delayed gamma neutron activation analysis. Measurements were taken within the natural uranium fuel grid, in vertical levels symmetrical to the Am-Be neutron source, before and after the removal of fuel elements, permitting likewise a basic study of the vertical flux profile. Three identical flux traps of diamond shape were created by removing four fuel rods for each one. Two (n, γ) reactions and one (n, p) threshold reaction were selected for thermal, epithermal and fast flux study. Results of thermal and epithermal flux obtained through the 197Au (n, γ) 198Au and 186W (n, γ) 187W reactions, with and without Cd covers, to differentiate between the two flux regions. The 58Ni (n, p) 58Co reaction was used for the fast flux determination. An interpolation technique based on local procedures was applied to fit the cross sections data and the neutron flux spectrum. End results show a maximum thermal flux increase of 105% at the source level, pointing to a high potential to increase in the available thermal flux for future experiments. The increase in thermal flux is not accompanied by a comparable decrease in epithermal or fast flux, since thermal flux gain is higher than epithermal and fast neutron flux loss. So, the neutron reflection is mainly responsible for the thermal neutron increase, contributing to 89% at the central axial position.

Global Map of Epithermal Neutrons

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-05-28

Observations by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft show a global view of Mars in intermediate-energy, or epithermal, neutrons. Soil enriched by hydrogen is indicated by the deep blue colors on the map, which show a low intensity of epithermal neutrons. Progressively smaller amounts of hydrogen are shown in the colors light blue, green, yellow and red. The deep blue areas in the polar regions are believed to contain up to 50 percent water ice in the upper one meter (three feet) of the soil. Hydrogen in the far north is hidden at this time beneath a layer of carbon dioxide frost (dry ice). Light blue regions near the equator contain slightly enhanced near-surface hydrogen, which is most likely chemically or physically bound because water ice is not stable near the equator. The view shown here is a map of measurements made during the first three months of mapping using the neutron spectrometer instrument, part of the gamma ray spectrometer instrument suite. The central meridian in this projection is zero degrees longitude. Topographic features are superimposed on the map for geographic reference. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03800

Monte Carlo calculation for the development of a BNCT neutron source (1eV-10KeV) using MCNP code.

PubMed

El Moussaoui, F; El Bardouni, T; Azahra, M; Kamili, A; Boukhal, H

2008-09-01

Different materials have been studied in order to produce the epithermal neutron beam between 1eV and 10KeV, which are extensively used to irradiate patients with brain tumors such as GBM. For this purpose, we have studied three different neutrons moderators (H(2)O, D(2)O and BeO) and their combinations, four reflectors (Al(2)O(3), C, Bi, and Pb) and two filters (Cd and Bi). Results of calculation showed that the best obtained assembly configuration corresponds to the combination of the three moderators H(2)O, BeO and D(2)O jointly to Al(2)O(3) reflector and two filter Cd+Bi optimize the spectrum of the epithermal neutron at 72%, and minimize the thermal neutron to 4% and thus it can be used to treat the deep tumor brain. The calculations have been performed by means of the Monte Carlo N (particle code MCNP 5C). Our results strongly encourage further studying of irradiation of the head with epithermal neutron fields.

BINP accelerator based epithermal neutron source.

PubMed

Aleynik, V; Burdakov, A; Davydenko, V; Ivanov, A; Kanygin, V; Kuznetsov, A; Makarov, A; Sorokin, I; Taskaev, S

2011-12-01

Innovative facility for neutron capture therapy has been built at BINP. This facility is based on compact vacuum insulation tandem accelerator designed to produce proton current up to 10 mA. Epithermal neutrons are proposed to be generated by 1.915-2.5 MeV protons bombarding a lithium target using (7)Li(p,n)(7)Be threshold reaction. In the article, diagnostic techniques for proton beam and neutrons developed are described, results of experiments on proton beam transport and neutron generation are shown, discussed, and plans are presented. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The improvement of the energy resolution in epi-thermal neutron region of Bonner sphere using boric acid water solution moderator.

PubMed

Ueda, H; Tanaka, H; Sakurai, Y

2015-10-01

Bonner sphere is useful to evaluate the neutron spectrum in detail. We are improving the energy resolution in epi-thermal neutron region of Bonner sphere, using boric acid water solution as a moderator. Its response function peak is narrower than that for polyethylene moderator and the improvement of the resolution is expected. The resolutions between polyethylene moderator and boric acid water solution moderator were compared by simulation calculation. Also the influence in the uncertainty of Bonner sphere configuration to spectrum estimation was simulated. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fluid evolution in a volcanic-hosted epithermal carbonate-base metal-gold vein system: Alto de la Blenda, Farallón Negro, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Márquez-Zavalía, M. Florencia; Heinrich, Christoph A.

2016-10-01

Alto de la Blenda is a ˜6.6-Ma intermediate-sulphidation epithermal vein system in the Farallón Negro Volcanic Complex, which also hosts the 7.1-Ma porphyry-Cu-Au deposit of Bajo de la Alumbrera. The epithermal vein system is characterised by a large extent and continuity (2 km × 400 m open to depth × 6 m maximum width) and an average gold grade of ˜8 g/t. The vein is best developed within an intrusion of a fine-grained equigranular monzonite, interpreted as the central conduit of a stratovolcano whose extrusive activity ended prior to porphyry-Cu-Au emplacement at Bajo de la Alumbrera, which is in turn cut by minor epithermal veins. The Alto de la Blenda vein consists predominantly of variably Mn-rich carbonates and quartz, with a few percent of pyrite, sphalerite, galena and other sulphide and sulphosalt minerals. Four phases of vein opening, hydrothermal mineralisation and repeated brecciation can be correlated between different vein segments. Stages 2 and 3 contain the greatest fraction of sulphide and gold. They are separated by the emplacement of a polymictic breccia containing clasts of quartz feldspar porphyry as well as basement rocks. Fluid inclusions in quartz related to stages 2 to 4 are liquid rich with 2-4 wt% NaCl(eq). They homogenise between 160 and 300 °C, with very consistent values within each assemblage. Vapour inclusions are practically absent in the epithermal vein. Quartz fragments in the polymictic breccia contain inclusions of intermediate to vapour-like density and similar low salinity (˜3 wt% NaCl(eq)), besides rare brine inclusions containing halite. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses of epithermal inclusions indicate high concentrations of K, Fe, As, Sb, Cs, and Pb that significantly vary within and through subsequent vein stages. Careful consideration of detection limits for individual inclusions shows high gold concentrations of ˜0.5 to 3 ppm dissolved in the ore fluid, which contains variably high sulphur concentrations in excess over Fe and other chalcophile metals. Compositional variations are interpreted to reflect cooling and contraction of lower-density magmatic fluids at depth, like those preserved in porphyry clasts that were mechanically transported up by the polymictic breccia. Ore mineral precipitation from the magmatic fluid occurred by further cooling and possibly minor mixing with surface-derived water, leading to sulphide saturation, de-sulphidation of the magmatic fluid and consequent gold precipitation. The absence of flash boiling and/or reduction by carbonaceous host rocks has led to relatively modest but constant gold grades in the carbonate-base metal-gold veins of Alto de la Blenda.

Characteristics of hydrothermal alteration mineralogy and geochemistry of igneous rocks from the epithermal Co-O mine and district, Eastern Mindanao (Philippines)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonntag, Iris; Hagemann, Steffen

2010-05-01

Detailed petrographic as well as hyperspectral analyses using PIMA (Portable Infrared Mineral Analyser) and geochemical (major, trace and rare earth elements) studies were conducted on samples of the epithermal, low sulfidation Co-O mine (47,869 ounces gold produced in 2009 with an average grade of 13.3 g/t gold) and district in Eastern Mindanao (Philippines). The aims of the study were to unravel the petrogenetic origin of the various volcanic (host rocks) and intrusive rocks (potential fluid driver) as well as their relationship and influence on the hydrothermal alteration zoning and fluid chemistry. The auriferous veins at the Co-O mine were formed during two hydrothermal stages associated with the district wide D1 and D2 deformation events. Gold in stage 1 quartz veins is in equilibrium with galena and sphalerite, whereas in stage 2 it is associated with pyrite. Auriferous quartz veins of stage 1 reflect temperatures below 250° C or strong variations in pH and fO2 at higher temperatures, due to potential involvement of acidic gas or meteoric water. Cathodoluminescense studies revealed strong zonation of quartz associated with Au, presumably related to changes in the Al content, which is influenced by the pH. Plumose textures indicate times of rapid deposition, whereas saccharoidal quartz grains are related to potential calcite replacement. The geology of the Co-O mine and district is dominated by Miocene volcanic rocks (basic to intermediate flows and pyroclastics units), which are partly covered by Pliocene volcanic rocks and late Oligocene to Miocene limestones. The Miocene units are intruded by diorite (presumably Miocene in age). The epithermal mineralization event may be related to diorite intrusions. The geochemistry of all igneous rocks in the district is defined by a sub-alkaline affinity and is low to medium K in composition. Most units are related to a Miocene subduction zone with westward subduction, whereas the younger Pliocene rocks are related to the currently active east dipping subduction zone. At the Co-O mine the proximal hydrothermal alteration zone is defined by phyllic to argillic alteration displayed in sericitized to carbonated feldspar, quartz and chloritized amphiboles surrounded by a distal alteration halo displaying propylitic alteration. The alteration geochemistry of these hydrothermal altered rocks is defined by an increase in K2O and Na2O and decrease in Al2O3. However, adularia usually associated with hydrothermal alteration in low epithermal Au quartz veins, has so far not been described, which points to a K-poor magma system. PIMA hydrothermal alteration studies indicate the dominant presence of smectite rather than white mica, which supports the involvement of a K-poor hydrothermal fluid. The epithermal Co-O mine and district displays low to medium potassic magma series and a hydrothermal alteration mineralogy that is K-poor. However, the Co-O mine hosts significant amounts of epithermal gold mineralization. The recognition of poor K melts and hydrothermal alteration mineralogy associated with distinct low-sulfidation epithermal gold mineralization has important implication for exploration in the Co-O district and, potentially, also in other areas in the Philippines and worldwide.

INEL BNCT Research Program Annual Report 1993

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venhuizen, J.R.

1994-08-01

This report is a summary of the progress and research produced for the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Research Program for calendar year 1993. Contributions from all the principal investigators are included, covering chemistry (pituitary tumor studies, boron drug development including liposomes, lipoproteins, and carboranylalanine derivatives), pharmacology (murine screenings, toxicity testing, boron drug analysis), physics (radiation dosimetry software, neutron beam and filter design, neutron beam measurement dosimetry), and radiation biology (tissue and efficacy studies of small and large animal models). Information on the potential toxicity of borocaptate sodium and boronophenylalanine is presented. Results of 21 spontaneous-tumor-bearing dogsmore » that have been treated with boron neutron capture therapy at the Brookhaven National Laboratory are updated. Boron-containing drug purity verification is discussed in some detail. Advances in magnetic resonance imaging of boron in vivo are discussed. Several boron-carrying drugs exhibiting good tumor uptake are described. Significant progress in the potential of treating pituitary tumors is presented. Measurement of the epithermal-neutron flux of the Petten (The Netherlands) High Flux Reactor beam (HFB11B), and comparison to predictions are shown.« less

Colloidal and physical transport textures exhibited by electrum and naumannite in bonanza epithermal veins from western USA, and their significance

USGS Publications Warehouse

Saunders, James A.; Vikre, Peter G.; Unger, Derick L.; Beasley, Lee

2010-01-01

It is reasonably clear that disequilibrium or “far-from equilibrium” conditions lead to the formation of silica colloids and their deposition in many epithermal deposits. This implies ore-forming solutions had elevated concentrations of dissolved silica, well in excess of amorphous silica saturation. We have previously demonstrated that such colloidal silica particles were deposited in epithermal veins as silica gels and opal, which may later progress along a path to crystallize into more thermodynamically favored (less-soluble) silica phases such as quartz and chalcedony. Also, in some deposits, amorphous silica is co-deposited with precious-metal minerals, such as electrum in the banded super-bonanza ores of the Sleeper deposit (NV). Ore-mineral textures from some western USA bonanza epithermal ores indicate that two precious-metal phases (electrum and naumannite, Ag2Se) form colloidal particles that are transported by ore-forming fluids and are deposited either by aggregation (by sticking to other precious metal-particles) to make dendrites, or are deposited on the “lee” side of protrusion along vein walls (or perhaps by both processes). We can infer by analogy to silica that this also implies that ore-forming solutions contained elevated (supersaturated) dissolved concentrations of both gold and silver that formed colloidal particles under disequilibrium (often chaotic) conditions. Thus physical transport and deposition textures seem to indicate the presence of strongly precious-metal-enriched ore forming fluids, which led to (not surprisingly) the bonanza grades of these remarkable ores. What causes such a precious-metal-rich solution is debatable, but that is the subject of our continued investigations.

Compact, inexpensive, epithermal neutron source for BNCT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swenson, D. A.

1999-06-10

A new rf-focused linac structure, designed specifically to increase the acceleration efficiency and reduce the cost of linac structures in the few-MeV range, may win the role as the optimum accelerator-based epithermal neutron source for the BNCT application. This new linac structure resembles a drift tube linac (DTL) with radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) focusing incorporated into each 'drift tube,' hence the name R lowbar f F lowbar ocused D lowbar TL, or RFD. It promises superior acceleration properties, focusing properties, and CW capabilities. We have a proposal under consideration for the development of an epithermal neutron source, based on themore » 2.5-MeV RFD linac system with an average current of 10 mA, having the following components: an ion source, a short low-energy transport system, a short RFQ linac section, an RFD linac section, an rf power system, a high-energy beam transport system, a proton beam target, and a neutron beam moderator system. We propose to develop a solid lithium target for this application in the form of a thin lithium layer on the inner surface of a truncated aluminum cone, cooled by the heavy water moderator, where the proton beam is expanded to a diameter of 3 cm and scanned along a circular path, striking the lithium layer at the cone's half-angle of 30 degrees. We propose to develop a moderator assembly designed to transmit a large fraction of the source neutrons from the target to the patient treatment port, while shifting the neutron energies to an appropriate epithermal energy spectrum and minimizing the gamma-ray dose. The status of this proposal and these plans are presented.« less

The lunar neutron energy spectrum inferred from the isotope compositions of rare-earth elements and hafnium in Apollo samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albalat, Emmanuelle; Blichert-Toft, Janne; Telouk, Philippe; Albarède, Francis

2015-11-01

The isotopic abundances of Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, and Hf have been measured in nine lunar samples by MC-ICP-MS. The data were corrected for both instrumental mass bias and natural isotope fractionation. We used the data to calculate the total flux and energy spectrum of the neutrons absorbed by the rocks. We write the constitutive equations of the isotopic changes for these elements induced by neutrons and solve the inverse problem by computing local energy averages. Resonant absorption peaks can be used as convenient kernels to define the spectrum of epithermal neutrons. We find that 149Sm and 157Gd anomalies correlate with neutron flux density for E < 0.015 eV (r2 > 0.98) and E ≈ 0.13 eV (r2 > 0.85), while no significant correlation exists between the ratio of these anomalies and the epithermal/thermal flux ratio at any value of energy. Neutron flux density variations can be used to trace the proportions of neutrons scattered out of the samples. The spectrum in the thermal region follows the expected E - 1 / 2 dependence but with 'notches' corresponding to neutron absorption. A major notch at the lowest end of the epithermal neutron spectrum (0.2-0.8 eV) is possibly due to absorption of neutrons by 151Eu, 167Er, and 149Sm. In general, we find a rather good correlation between the neutron flux density at specific energies and the exposure age, which suggests a mean residence time of the samples at the surface of the regolith of 2-300 Ma. Another correlation of epithermal neutrons with sample wt% FeO + TiO2 is consistent with orbital reflectance observations.

Epithermal neutron beams from the 7 Li(p,n) reaction near the threshold for neutron capture therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Porras, I.; Praena, J.; Arias de Saavedra, F.; Pedrosa, M.; Esquinas, P.; L. Jiménez-Bonilla, P.

2016-11-01

Two applications for neutron capture therapy of epithermal neutron beams calculated from the 7Li ( p , n reaction are discussed. In particular, i) for a proton beam of 1920 keV of a 30 mA, a neutron beam of adequate features for BNCT is found at an angle of 80° from the forward direction; and ii) for a proton beam of 1910 keV, a neutron beam is obtained at the forward direction suitable for performing radiobiology experiments for the determination of the biological weighting factors of the fast dose component in neutron capture therapy.

The Inelastic Instrument suite at the SNS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Granroth, Garrett E; Abernathy, Douglas L; Ehlers, Georg

2008-01-01

Abstract The instruments in the extensive suite of spectrometers at the SNS are in various stages of installation and commissioning. The Back Scattering Spectrometer (BASIS) is installed and is in commissioning. It's near backscattering analyzer crystals provide the 3 eV resolution as expected. BASIS will enter the user program in the fall of 2007. The ARCS wide angular-range thermal to epithermal neutron spectrometer will come on line in the fall of 2007 followed shortly by the Cold Neutron Chopper Spectrometer. These two direct geometry instruments provide moderate resolution and the ability to trade resolution for flux. In addition both instrumentsmore » have detector coverage out to 140o to provide a large Q range. The SEQUOIA spectrometer, complete in 2008, is the direct geometry instrument that will provide fine resolution in the thermal to epithermal range. The Spin-Echo spectrometer, to be completed on a similar time scale, will provide the finest energy resolution worldwide. The HYSPEC spectrometer, available no later than 2011, will provide polarized capabilities and optimized flux in the thermal energy range. Finally, the Vision chemical spectrometer will use crystal analyzers to study energy transfers into the epithermal range« less

Hyperspectral remote sensing applied to mineral exploration in southern Peru: A multiple data integration approach in the Chapi Chiara gold prospect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrino, Thais Andressa; Crósta, Alvaro Penteado; Toledo, Catarina Labouré Bemfica; Silva, Adalene Moreira

2018-02-01

Remote sensing is a strategic key tool for mineral exploration, due to its capacity of detecting hydrothermal alteration minerals or alteration mineral zones associated with different types of mineralization systems. A case study of an epithermal system located in southern Peru is presented, aimed at the characterization of mineral assemblies for discriminating potential high sulfidation epithermal targets, using hyperspectral imagery integrated with petrography, XRD and magnetic data. HyMap images were processed using the Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering (MTMF) technique for producing alteration map in the Chapi Chiara epithermal gold prospect. Extensive areas marked by advanced argillic alteration (alunite-kaolinite-dickite ± topaz) were mapped in detail, as well as limited argillic (illite-smectite) and propylitic (chlorite spectral domain) alteration. The magmatic-hydrothermal processes responsible for the formation of hypogene minerals were also related to the destruction of ferrimagnetic minerals (e.g., magnetite) of host rocks such as andesite, and the remobilization/formation of paramagnetic Fe-Ti oxides (e.g., rutile, anatase). The large alteration zones of advanced argillic alteration are controlled by structures related to a regional NW-SE trend, and also by local NE-SW and ENE-WSW ones.

Accelerator-based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and method

DOEpatents

Yoon, W.Y.; Jones, J.L.; Nigg, D.W.; Harker, Y.D.

1999-05-11

A source for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) comprises a body of photoneutron emitter that includes heavy water and is closely surrounded in heat-imparting relationship by target material; one or more electron linear accelerators for supplying electron radiation having energy of substantially 2 to 10 MeV and for impinging such radiation on the target material, whereby photoneutrons are produced and heat is absorbed from the target material by the body of photoneutron emitter. The heavy water is circulated through a cooling arrangement to remove heat. A tank, desirably cylindrical or spherical, contains the heavy water, and a desired number of the electron accelerators circumferentially surround the tank and the target material as preferably made up of thin plates of metallic tungsten. Neutrons generated within the tank are passed through a surrounding region containing neutron filtering and moderating materials and through neutron delimiting structure to produce a beam or beams of epithermal neutrons normally having a minimum flux intensity level of 1.0{times}10{sup 9} neutrons per square centimeter per second. Such beam or beams of epithermal neutrons are passed through gamma ray attenuating material to provide the required epithermal neutrons for BNCT use. 3 figs.

Accelerator-based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and method

DOEpatents

Yoon, Woo Y.; Jones, James L.; Nigg, David W.; Harker, Yale D.

1999-01-01

A source for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) comprises a body of photoneutron emitter that includes heavy water and is closely surrounded in heat-imparting relationship by target material; one or more electron linear accelerators for supplying electron radiation having energy of substantially 2 to 10 MeV and for impinging such radiation on the target material, whereby photoneutrons are produced and heat is absorbed from the target material by the body of photoneutron emitter. The heavy water is circulated through a cooling arrangement to remove heat. A tank, desirably cylindrical or spherical, contains the heavy water, and a desired number of the electron accelerators circumferentially surround the tank and the target material as preferably made up of thin plates of metallic tungsten. Neutrons generated within the tank are passed through a surrounding region containing neutron filtering and moderating materials and through neutron delimiting structure to produce a beam or beams of epithermal neutrons normally having a minimum flux intensity level of 1.0.times.10.sup.9 neutrons per square centimeter per second. Such beam or beams of epithermal neutrons are passed through gamma ray attenuating material to provide the required epithermal neutrons for BNCT use.

Azimuthal Structure of the Sand Erg that Encircles the North Polar Water-Ice Cap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teodoro, L. A.; Elphic, R. C.; Eke, V. R.; Feldman, W. C.; Maurice, S.; Pathare, A.

2011-12-01

The sand erg that completely encircles the perennial water-ice cap that covers the Martian north geographic pole displays considerable azimuthal structure as seen in visible and near-IR images. Much of this structure is associated with the terminations of the many steep troughs that cut spiral the approximately 3 km thick polar ice cap. Other contributions come from the katabatic winds that spill over steep-sided edges of the cap, such as what bounds the largest set of dunes that comprise Olympia Undae. During the spring and summer months when these winds initiate from the higher altitudes that contain sublimating CO2 ice, which is very cold and dry, heat adiabatically when they compress as they lose altitude. These winds should then remove H2O moisture from the uppermost layer of the sand dunes that are directly in their path. Two likely locations where this desiccation may occur preferentially is at the termination of Chasma Boreale and the ice cap at Olympia Undae. We will search for this effect by sharpening the spatial structure of the epithermal neutron counting rates measured at northern high latitudes using the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer (MONS). The epithermal range of neutron energies is nearly uniquely sensitive to the hydrogen content of surface soils, which should likely be in the form of H2O/OH molecules/radicals. We therefore convert epithermal counting rates in terms of Water-Equivalent-Hydrogen, WEH. However, MONS counting-rate data have a FWHM of ~550 km., which is sufficiently broad to prevent a close association of WEH variability with images of geological features. In this study, we reduce spurious features in the instrument smeared neutron counting rates through deconvolution. We choose the PIXON numerical deconvolution technique for this purpose. This technique uses a statistical approach (Pina 2001, Eke 2001), which is capable of removing spurious features in the data in the presence of noise. We have previously carried out a detailed study of the martian polar regions applying such a methodology to Martian epithermal neutrons (e.g. Teodoro 2010, 2011). In the present study, we will apply this technique to the recent reanalysis of MONS epithermal data (Maurice et al., 2011), which is marked by significantly lower statistical and systematic uncertainties that have plagued older versions of these data.

P-T composition and evolution of paleofluids in the Paleoproterozoic Mag Hill IOCG system, Contact Lake belt, Northwest Territories, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Somarin, A. Karimzadeh; Mumin, A. Hamid

2014-02-01

The Echo Bay stratovolcano complex and Contact Lake Belt of the Great Bear Magmatic Zone, Northwest Territories, host a series of coalescing Paleoproterozoic hydrothermal systems that affected an area of several hundred square kilometers. They were caused by intrusion of synvolcanic diorite-monzodioritic plutons into andesitic host rocks, producing several characteristic hydrothermal assemblages. They include early and proximal albite, magnetite-actinolite-apatite, and potassic (K-feldspar) alteration, followed by more distal hematite, phyllic (quartz-sericite-pyrite), and propylitic (chlorite-epidote-carbonate±sericite±albite±quartz) alteration, and finally by late-stage polymetallic epithermal veins. These alteration types are characteristic of iron oxide copper-gold deposits, however, with distal and lower-temperature assemblages similar to porphyry Cu systems. Magnetite-actinolite-apatite alteration formed from high temperature (up to 560 °C) fluids with average salinity of 12.8 wt% NaCl equivalent. The prograde propylitic and phyllic alteration stages are associated with fluids with temperatures varying from 80 to 430 °C and a wide salinity range (0.5-45.6 wt% NaCl equivalent). Similarly, wide fluid temperature (104-450 °C) and salinity (4.2-46.1 wt% NaCl equivalent) ranges are recorded for the phyllic alteration. This was followed by Cu-Ag-U-Zn-Co-Pb sulfarsenide mineralization in late-stage epithermal veins formed at shallow depths and temperatures from 270 °C to as low as 105 °C. The polymetallic veins precipitated from high salinity (mean 30 wt% NaCl equivalent) dense fluids (1.14 g/cm3) with a vapor pressure of 3.8 bars, typical of epithermal conditions. Fluid inclusion evidence indicates that mixed fluids with evolving physicochemical properties were responsible for the formation of the alteration assemblages and mineralization at Mag Hill. An early high temperature, moderate salinity, and magmatic fluid was subsequently modified variably by boiling, mixing with cooler low-salinity meteoric water, and simple cooling. The evidence is consistent with emplacement of the source plutons and stocks into an epithermal environment within ~1 km of surface. This generated near-surface high-temperature alteration in a dynamic hydrothermal system that collapsed (telescoped) resulting in widespread evidence of boiling and epithermal mineralization superimposed on earlier stages of alteration.

Compendium of energy-dependent sensitivity profiles for the TRX-2 thermal lattice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tomlinson, E.T.; Lucius, J.L.; Drischler, J.D.

1978-03-01

Energy-dependent sensitivity profiles for five responses calculated for the TRX-2 thermal lattice with the ORNL sensitivity code system FORSS are presented here both in graphical form and in SENPRO format. The responses are the multiplication factor, k/sub eff/; the ratio of epithermal-to-thermal captures in /sup 238/U, /sup 28/rho; the ratio of epithermal-to-thermal fissions in /sup 235/U, /sup 25/delta; the ratio of fissions in /sup 238/U to fissions in /sup 235/U, /sup 28/delta; and the ratio of captures in /sup 238/U to fissions in /sup 235/U, CR. A summary table of the total sensitivities is also presented.

Stable isotope study of fluid inclusions in fluorite from Idaho: implications for continental climates during the Eocene

USGS Publications Warehouse

Seal, R.R.; Rye, R.O.

1993-01-01

Isotopic studies of fluid inclusions from meteoric water-dominated epithermal ore deposits offer a unique opportunity to study paleoclimates because the fluids can provide direct samples of ancient waters. Fluorite-hosted fluid inclusions from the Eocene (51-50 Ma) epithermal deposits of the Bayhorse mining district, have low salinities and low to moderate homogenization temperatures indicating meteoric origins for the fluids. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data on inclusion fluids are almost identical to those of modern meteoric waters in the area. The equivalence of the isotope composition of the Eocene inclusion fluids and modern meteoric waters indicates that the Eocene climatic conditions were similar to those today. -from Authors

Optimization of beam shaping assembly based on D-T neutron generator and dose evaluation for BNCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naeem, Hamza; Chen, Chaobin; Zheng, Huaqing; Song, Jing

2017-04-01

The feasibility of developing an epithermal neutron beam for a boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) facility based on a high intensity D-T fusion neutron generator (HINEG) and using the Monte Carlo code SuperMC (Super Monte Carlo simulation program for nuclear and radiation process) is proposed in this study. The Monte Carlo code SuperMC is used to determine and optimize the final configuration of the beam shaping assembly (BSA). The optimal BSA design in a cylindrical geometry which consists of a natural uranium sphere (14 cm) as a neutron multiplier, AlF3 and TiF3 as moderators (20 cm each), Cd (1 mm) as a thermal neutron filter, Bi (5 cm) as a gamma shield, and Pb as a reflector and collimator to guide neutrons towards the exit window. The epithermal neutron beam flux of the proposed model is 5.73 × 109 n/cm2s, and other dosimetric parameters for the BNCT reported by IAEA-TECDOC-1223 have been verified. The phantom dose analysis shows that the designed BSA is accurate, efficient and suitable for BNCT applications. Thus, the Monte Carlo code SuperMC is concluded to be capable of simulating the BSA and the dose calculation for BNCT, and high epithermal flux can be achieved using proposed BSA.

Occurrence and significance of stalactites within the epithermal deposits at Creede, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Campbell, W.R.; Barton, P.B.

1996-01-01

In addition to the common and abundant features in karst terranes, stalactites involving a wide variety of minerals have also been found in other settings, including epigenetic mineral deposits, but these are almost always associated with supergene stages. Here we describe a different mode of occurrence from the Creede epithermal ore deposits, in Colorado, wherein stalactites of silica, sphalerite, galena, or pyrite formed in a vapor-dominated setting, below the paleo-water table, and except possibly for pyrite, as part of the hypogene mineralization. Axial cavities may, or may not, be present. No stalagmites have been recognized. The stalactites are small, from a few millimeters to a few centimeters long and a few millimeters in outer diameter. They represent only a small fraction of one percent of the total mineralization, and are covered by later crystals. Their growth orientation usually is unobservable; however, the parallel arrangement of all stalactites in a given specimen, consistency with indicators of gravitational settling, and the common presence of axial structures make the stalactitic interpretation almost unavoidable. In contrast with common carbonate stalactites, the growth mechanism for the sulfide and silica stalactites requires extensive evaporation. Stalactitic forms have also been reported from other deposits, mostly epithermal or Mississippi-Valley-type occurrences, but we caution that stalactite-like features can form by alternative processes.

Comparison of Image Restoration Methods for Lunar Epithermal Neutron Emission Mapping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, T. P.; Ivatury, V.; Milikh, G.; Nandikotkur, G.; Puetter, R. C.; Sagdeev, R. Z.; Usikov, D.; Mitrofanov, I. G.

2009-01-01

Orbital measurements of neutrons by the Lunar Exploring Neutron Detector (LEND) onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter are being used to quantify the spatial distribution of near surface hydrogen (H). Inferred H concentration maps have low signal-to-noise (SN) and image restoration (IR) techniques are being studied to enhance results. A single-blind. two-phase study is described in which four teams of researchers independently developed image restoration techniques optimized for LEND data. Synthetic lunar epithermal neutron emission maps were derived from LEND simulations. These data were used as ground truth to determine the relative quantitative performance of the IR methods vs. a default denoising (smoothing) technique. We review and used factors influencing orbital remote sensing of neutrons emitted from the lunar surface to develop a database of synthetic "true" maps for performance evaluation. A prior independent training phase was implemented for each technique to assure methods were optimized before the blind trial. Method performance was determined using several regional root-mean-square error metrics specific to epithermal signals of interest. Results indicate unbiased IR methods realize only small signal gains in most of the tested metrics. This suggests other physically based modeling assumptions are required to produce appreciable signal gains in similar low SN IR applications.

Development of An Epi-thermal Neutron Field for Fundamental Researches for BNCT with A DT Neutron Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osawa, Yuta; Imoto, Shoichi; Kusaka, Sachie; Sato, Fuminobu; Tanoshita, Masahiro; Murata, Isao

2017-09-01

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is known to be a new promising cancer therapy suppressing influence against normal cells. In Japan, Accelerator Based Neutron Sources (ABNS) are being developed for BNCT. For the spread of ABNS based BNCT, we should characterize the neutron field beforehand. For this purpose, we have been developing a low-energy neutron spectrometer based on 3He position sensitive proportional counter. In this study, a new intense epi-thermal neutron field was developed with a DT neutron source for verification of validity of the spectrometer. After the development, the neutron field characteristics were experimentally evaluated by using activation foils. As a result, we confirmed that an epi-thermal neutron field was successfully developed suppressing fast neutrons substantially. Thereafter, the neutron spectrometer was verified experimentally. In the verification, although a measured detection depth distribution agreed well with the calculated distribution by MCNP, the unfolded spectrum was significantly different from the calculated neutron spectrum due to contribution of the side neutron incidence. Therefore, we designed a new neutron collimator consisting of a polyethylene pre-collimator and boron carbide neutron absorber and confirmed numerically that it could suppress the side incident neutrons and shape the neutron flux to be like a pencil beam.

Age and tectonomagmatic setting of the Eocene Çöpler-Kabataş magmatic complex and porphyry-epithermal Au deposit, East Central Anatolia, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

İmer, Ali; Richards, Jeremy P.; Creaser, Robert A.

2013-06-01

The Çöpler epithermal Au deposit and related subeconomic porphyry Cu-Au deposit is hosted by the middle Eocene Çöpler-Kabataş magmatic complex in central eastern Anatolia. The intrusive rocks of the complex were emplaced into Late Paleozoic-Mesozoic metamorphosed sedimentary basement rocks near the northeastern margin of the Tauride-Anatolide Block. Igneous biotite from two samples of the magmatic complex yielded 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 43.75 ± 0.26 Ma and 44.19 ± 0.23, whereas igneous hornblende from a third sample yielded a plateau age of 44.13 ± 0.38. These ages closely overlap with 40Ar/39Ar ages of hydrothermal sericite (44.44 ± 0.28 Ma) and biotite (43.84 ± 0.26 Ma), and Re-Os ages from two molybdenite samples (44.6 ± 0.2 and 43.9 ± 0.2 Ma) suggesting a short-lived (<1 my) magmatic and hydrothermal history at Çöpler. No suitable minerals were found that could be used to date the epithermal system, but it is inferred to be close in age to the precursor porphyry system. The Çöpler-Kabataş intrusive rocks show I-type calc-alkaline affinities. Their normalized trace element patterns show enrichments in large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements and relative depletions in middle and heavy rare earth elements, resembling magmas generated in convergent margins. However, given its distance from the coeval Eocene Maden-Helete volcanic arc, the complex is interpreted to be formed in a back-arc setting, in response to Paleocene slab roll-back and upper-plate extension. The tectonomagmatic environment of porphyry-epithermal mineralization at Çöpler is comparable to some other isolated back-arc porphyry systems such as Bajo de la Alumbrera (Argentina) or Bingham Canyon (USA).

Neutron kinetics in moderators and SNM detection through epithermal-neutron-induced fissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gozani, Tsahi; King, Michael J.

2016-01-01

Extension of the well-established Differential Die Away Analysis (DDAA) into a faster time domain, where more penetrating epithermal neutrons induce fissions, is proposed and demonstrated via simulations and experiments. In the proposed method the fissions stimulated by thermal, epithermal and even higher-energy neutrons are measured after injection of a narrow pulse of high-energy 14 MeV (d,T) or 2.5 MeV (d,D) source neutrons, appropriately moderated. The ability to measure these fissions stems from the inherent correlation of neutron energy and time ("E-T" correlation) during the process of slowing down of high-energy source neutrons in common moderating materials such as hydrogenous compounds (e.g., polyethylene), heavy water, beryllium and graphite. The kinetic behavior following injection of a delta-function-shaped pulse (in time) of 14 MeV neutrons into such moderators is studied employing MCNPX simulations and, when applicable, some simple "one-group" models. These calculations served as a guide for the design of a source moderator which was used in experiments. Qualitative relationships between slowing-down time after the pulse and the prevailing neutron energy are discussed. A laboratory system consisting of a 14 MeV neutron generator, a polyethylene-reflected Be moderator, a liquid scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) and a two-parameter E-T data acquisition system was set up to measure prompt neutron and delayed gamma-ray fission signatures in a 19.5% enriched LEU sample. The measured time behavior of thermal and epithermal neutron fission signals agreed well with the detailed simulations. The laboratory system can readily be redesigned and deployed as a mobile inspection system for SNM in, e.g., cars and vans. A strong pulsed neutron generator with narrow pulse (<75 ns) at a reasonably high pulse frequency could make the high-energy neutron induced fission modality a realizable SNM detection technique.

Variability of Seasonal CO2 Ice Caps on Mars for Mars Years 26 through 29

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feldman, W. C.; Maurice, S.; Prettyman, T. H.

2011-12-01

We have developed an improved thermal, epithermal, and fast neutron counting-rate time series data of the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer (MONS), optimized to greatly reduce both statistical and systematic uncertainties. This new data set was applied to study temporal and spatial distributions of the growth, decay, and maximum amount of precipitated CO2 ice during Martian years (MY) 26, 27, 28, and 29. For this study, we concentrate on the epithermal counting rate detected using the down-looking prism (P1) of MONS, and a combination of the epithermal and thermal counting rate detected by the forward-looking sensor (P2) of MONS. Although the energy range of neutrons detected by P2 covers both the thermal and epithermal range, it is heavily weighted to the thermal range. We find that the variance of the maximum epithermal counting rate is remarkably small over both north and south seasonal caps, varying by less than 3% over the four-year period. In contrast, although the maximum P2 counting rate over both poles is sensibly the same within error bars (about 2%) during the first three years, it drops by 18% over the north pole and 8% over the south pole during MY 29. The most-likely explanation of this drop is that abundances of the non-condensable gases N2 and Ar, are unusually enhanced during MY 29. Movies were also made of maps of the growth and decay of P2 counting rates summed over the first three years of these data. Careful inspection shows that both the growth and decay in the north were cylindrically symmetric, centered near the geographic north pole. In contrast, both the growth and decay of CO2 buildup in the south were skewed off the geographic pole to the center of the CO2 residual cap, and contained a small, but definitely distinct ring-like annular enhancement centered at a latitude of about 83.5° S spread over a longitude range that extends between about -35° and +35° E. This arc runs parallel to, and overlays, the very steep drop in altitude from the top of the south-polar CO2/water-ice residual cap at about +4.2 km to the surrounding plains at about +2.5 km. Algorithms developed previously to convert counting rates to CO2 and noncondensable gas column abundance will be applied to interpret the data.

Geology and geochemistry of Summitville, Colorado: an epithermal acid sulfate deposit in a volcanic dome

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gray, J.E.; Coolbaugh, M.F.

1994-01-01

Geologic studies during recent open-pit mining at Summitville, Colorado, have provided new information on an epithermal acid sulfate Au-Ag-Cu deposit formed in a volcanic dome. Geologic mapping, geochemical studies of whole-rock samples from blast holes, and geologic and geochemical traverse studies refine the details of the evolution of the Summitville deposit. Six distinct events followed emplacement of the quartz latite volcanic dome and define the development of the Summitville deposit: 1) an early stage of acid sulfate alteration, 2) subsequent Cu sulfide and gold mineralization, 3) widespread hydrothermal brecciation, 4) volumetrically minor, base metal sulfide-bearing barite veining, 5) volumetrically minor, kaolinite matrix brecciation, and finally, 6) supergene oxidation. -from Authors

A QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF LUNAR ORBITAL NEUTRON DATA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eke, V. R.; Teodoro, L. F. A.; Lawrence, D. J.

2012-03-01

Data from the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) Collimated Sensors for Epithermal Neutrons (CSETN) are used in conjunction with a model based on results from the Lunar Prospector (LP) mission to quantify the extent of the background in the LEND CSETN. A simple likelihood analysis implies that at least 90% of the lunar component of the LEND CSETN flux results from high-energy epithermal (HEE) neutrons passing through the walls of the collimator. Thus, the effective FWHM of the LEND CSETN field of view is comparable to that of the omni-directional LP Neutron Spectrometer. The resulting map of HEE neutrons offersmore » the opportunity to probe the hydrogen abundance at low latitudes and to provide constraints on the distribution of lunar water.« less

Detection of spallation neutrons and protons using the (nat)Cd activation technique in transmutation experiments at Dubna.

PubMed

Manolopoulou, M; Stoulos, S; Fragopoulou, M; Brandt, R; Westmeier, W; Krivopustov, M; Sosnin, A; Zamani, M

2006-07-01

Various spallation sources have been used to transmute long-lived radioactive waste, mostly making use of the wide energy neutron fluence. In addition to neutrons, a large number of protons and gamma rays are also emitted from these sources. In this paper (nat)Cd is proved to be a useful activation detector for determining both thermal-epithermal neutron as well as secondary proton fluences. The fluences measured with (nat)Cd compared with other experimental data and calculations of DCM-DEM code were found to be in reasonable agreement. An accumulation of thermal-epithermal neutrons around the center of the target (i.e. after approx. 10 cm) and of secondary protons towards the end of the target is observed.

Treatment Planning for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrera, María S.; González, Sara J.; Minsky, Daniel M.; Kreiner, Andrés J.

2010-08-01

Glioblastoma multiforme and metastatic melanoma are frequent brain tumors in adults and presently still incurable diseases. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a promising alternative for this kind of pathologies. Accelerators have been proposed for BNCT as a way to circumvent the problem of siting reactors in hospitals and for their relative simplicity and lower cost among other advantages. Considerable effort is going into the development of accelerator-based BNCT neutron sources in Argentina. Epithermal neutron beams will be produced through appropriate proton-induced nuclear reactions and optimized beam shaping assemblies. Using these sources, computational dose distributions were evaluated in a real patient with diagnosed glioblastoma treated with BNCT. The simulated irradiation was delivered in order to optimize dose to the tumors within the normal tissue constraints. Using Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations, dose distributions were generated for brain, skin and tumor. Also, the dosimetry was studied by computing cumulative dose-volume histograms for volumes of interest. The results suggest acceptable skin average dose and a significant dose delivered to tumor with low average whole brain dose for irradiation times less than 60 minutes, indicating a good performance of an accelerator-based BNCT treatment.

Treatment Planning for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herrera, Maria S.; Gonzalez, Sara J.; Minsky, Daniel M.

2010-08-04

Glioblastoma multiforme and metastatic melanoma are frequent brain tumors in adults and presently still incurable diseases. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a promising alternative for this kind of pathologies. Accelerators have been proposed for BNCT as a way to circumvent the problem of siting reactors in hospitals and for their relative simplicity and lower cost among other advantages. Considerable effort is going into the development of accelerator-based BNCT neutron sources in Argentina. Epithermal neutron beams will be produced through appropriate proton-induced nuclear reactions and optimized beam shaping assemblies. Using these sources, computational dose distributions were evaluated in a realmore » patient with diagnosed glioblastoma treated with BNCT. The simulated irradiation was delivered in order to optimize dose to the tumors within the normal tissue constraints. Using Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations, dose distributions were generated for brain, skin and tumor. Also, the dosimetry was studied by computing cumulative dose-volume histograms for volumes of interest. The results suggest acceptable skin average dose and a significant dose delivered to tumor with low average whole brain dose for irradiation times less than 60 minutes, indicating a good performance of an accelerator-based BNCT treatment.« less

INTEGRAL REACTION RATES AND NEUTRON ENERGY SPECTRA IN A WELL MODERATED REACTOR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Connolly, J.W.; Rose, A.; Wall, T.

1963-04-01

Cadmium ratio measurements in the internal reflector of MOATA were made with gold, indium, tungsten, manganese, molybdenum, and copper detectors. These measurements were analyzed on the assumption that the neutron spectrum consists of a Maxwellian distribution to which is smoothly joined a 1/E slowing down spectrum, the cross sections being averaged according to the methods of Westcott. A search through recent literature suggests that the s factors for gold and indium listed by Westcott are in error. If this is accepted, then it appears that the measured epithermal spectrum is closely 1/E in form for neutron energies between 1 andmore » 600 ev. The corrections to be applied when foils of finite thickness are used in cadmium ratio measuremerts are discussed, and the spectrum derived from these measurements was used to calculate reaction rate ratios of copper: indium and copper: gold alloy foils. These ratios were compared with measured values. Values of the effective resonance integral of Pt/sup 198/ wire detectors were measured, and from these values an estimate was made of the infinitely dilute resonance integral of this isotope. (auth)« less

COMPLETE DETERMINATION OF POLARIZATION FOR A HIGH-ENERGY DEUTERON BEAM (thesis)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Button, J

1959-05-01

please delete the no. 17076<>13:017077The P/sub 1/ multigroup code was written for the IBM-704 in order to determine the accuracy of the few- group diffusion scheme with various imposed conditions and also to provide an alternate computational method when this scheme fails to be sufficiently accurate. The code solves for the spatially dependent multigroup flux, taking into account such nuclear phenomena is slowing down of neutrons resulting from elastic and inelastic scattering, the removal of neutrons resulting from epithermal capture and fission resonances, and the regeneration of fist neutrons resulting from fissioning which may occur in any of as manymore » as 80 fast multigroups or in the one thermal group. The code will accept as input a physical description of the reactor (that is: slab, cylindrical, or spherical geometry, number of points and regions, composition description group dependent boundary condition, transverse buckling, and mesh sizes) and a prepared library of nuclear properties of all the isotopes in each composition. The code will produce as output multigroup fluxes, currents, and isotopic slowing-down densities, in addition to pointwise and regionwise few-group macroscopic cross sections. (auth)« less

Measurements of the thermal neutron flux for an accelerator-based photoneutron source.

PubMed

Taheri, Ali; Pazirandeh, Ali

2016-12-01

To have access to an appropriate neutron source is one of the most demanding requirements for neutron studies. This is important specially in laboratory and clinical applications, which need more compact and accessible sources. The most known neutron sources are fission reactors and natural isotopes, but there is an increasing interest for using accelerator based neutron sources because of their advantages. In this paper, we shall present a photo-neutron source prototype which is designed and fabricated to be used for different neutron researches including in-laboratory neutron activation analysis and neutron imaging, and also preliminary studies in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Series of experimental tests were conducted to examine the intensity and quality of the neutron field produced by this source. Monte-Carlo simulations were also utilized to provide more detailed evaluation of the neutron spectrum, and determine the accuracy of the experiments. The experiments demonstrated a thermal neutron flux in the order of 10 7 (n/cm 2 .s), while simulations affirmed this flux and showed a neutron spectrum with a sharp peak at thermal energy region. According to the results, about 60 % of produced neutrons are in the range of thermal to epithermal neutrons.

Characterization of bauxite residue (red mud) for 235U, 238U, 232Th and 40K using neutron activation analysis and the radiation dose levels as modeled by MCNP.

PubMed

Landsberger, S; Sharp, A; Wang, S; Pontikes, Y; Tkaczyk, A H

2017-07-01

This study employs thermal and epithermal neutron activation analysis (NAA) to quantitatively and specifically determine absorption dose rates to various body parts from uranium, thorium and potassium. Specifically, a case study of bauxite residue (red mud) from an industrial facility was used to demonstrate the feasibility of the NAA approach for radiological safety assessment, using small sample sizes to ascertain the activities of 235 U, 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K. This proof-of-concept was shown to produce reliable results and a similar approach could be used for quantitative assessment of other samples with possible radiological significance. 238 U and 232 Th were determined by epithermal and thermal neutron activation analysis, respectively. 235 U was determined based on the known isotopic ratio of 238 U/ 235 U. 40 K was also determined using epithermal neutron activation analysis to measure total potassium content and then subtracting its isotopic contribution. Furthermore, the work demonstrates the application of Monte Carlo Neutral-Particle (MCNP) simulations to estimate the radiation dose from large quantities of red mud, to assure the safety of humans and the surrounding environment. Phantoms were employed to observe the dose distribution throughout the human body demonstrating radiation effects on each individual organ. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Odyssey/NS

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-12-10

These two views of Mars were made with data taken by the neutron spectrometer component of NASA Mars Odyssey spacecraft and show epithermal neutron flux, which is sensitive to the amount of hydrogen present.

Sensitivity analysis of TRX-2 lattice parameters with emphasis on epithermal /sup 238/U capture. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tomlinson, E.T.; deSaussure, G.; Weisbin, C.R.

1977-03-01

The main purpose of the study is the determination of the sensitivity of TRX-2 thermal lattice performance parameters to nuclear cross section data, particularly the epithermal resonance capture cross section of /sup 238/U. An energy-dependent sensitivity profile was generated for each of the performance parameters, to the most important cross sections of the various isotopes in the lattice. Uncertainties in the calculated values of the performance parameters due to estimated uncertainties in the basic nuclear data, deduced in this study, were shown to be small compared to the uncertainties in the measured values of the performance parameter and compared tomore » differences among calculations based upon the same data but with different methodologies.« less

Global Maps of Lunar Neutron Fluxes from the LEND Instrument

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Litvak, M. L.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Sanin, A.; Malakhov, A.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Droege, G.; Evans, L. G.; Garvin, J.; Golovin, D. V.;

Crater Age and Hydrogen Content in Lunar Regolith from LEND Neutron Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Starr, Richard D.; Litvak, Maxim L.; Petro, Noah E.; Mitrofanov, Igor G.; Boynton, William V.; Chin, Gordon; Livengood, Timothy A.; McClanahan, Timothy P.; Sanin, Anton B.; Sagdeev, Roald Z.;

Preliminary mineralogical data on epithermal ore veins associated with Rosia Poieni porphyry copper deposit, Apuseni Mountains, Romania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iatan, E. L.; Popescu, Gh. C.

2012-04-01

Rosia Poieni is the largest porphyry copper (±Au±Mo) deposits associated with Neogene magmatic rocks from the South Apuseni Mountains, being located approximately 8 km northeast of the town of Abrud. During a recent examination of some epithermal mineralized veins, crosscutting the porphyry mineralization from the Roşia Poieni deposit, two species of tellurides and one tellurosulfide minerals were identified. The studied samples were collected from the + 1045 m level, SW side of the open pit and are represented by epithermal veins, crosscutting the porphyry copper mineralized body. The thickness of the veins is almost 4 cm. Following reflected-polarized light microscopy to identify the ore-mineral assemblages, the polished sections were studied with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with a back-scattered electron (BSE) detector to study fine-sized minerals. Quantitative compositional data were determined using a Cameca SX 50 electron microprobe (EMP). Based on optical microscopy, SEM and EMPA three mineral associations have been separated inside the epithermal vein, from the margins to the centre: 1. quartz+tennantite-tetrahedrite+goldfieldite+pyrite+sphalerite; 2. quartz+pyrite+tellurobismutite; 3. chalcopyrite+hessite+vivianite. Goldfieldite occurs in anhedral grains and it is associated with tennantite-tetrahedrite and quartz. The electron microprobe analysis gave a variable content in Te between 13.28-13.39 wt.%, 43.34 wt.% Cu, 0.1 wt. % Fe, 0.2 wt.% Zn, 14.68 wt.% As, 4.35 wt.% Sb and 24.84 wt.% S. The calculated formula for the goldfieldite is Cu11.8Te1.8(Sb,As)4S13.4. The EPM analyses on tetrahedrite-tennantite revealed a low content in Te (0.02-0.03 wt.%) and 42.23 wt.% Cu, 2.67 wt.% Fe, 7.34 wt.% Zn, 0.04 wt.% Sb, 19.28 wt.% As and 28.4 wt.% S. The calculated formula is Cu9.8(Fe,Zn)2.4(Sb,As,Te)3.8S13. The variable ratio of the Te content may reflect a variable content of Te in the hydrothermal fluids from which the tellurian tetrahedrite precipitated. Hessite lies close to the grain boundary between the calchopyrite grains, which is associated with vivianite. Electron microprobe analysis gave 57.73 wt.% Ag and 42.27 wt.% Te with calculated stoichiometric formula Ag1.9Te1.1 . Tellurobismuthite it forms irregular grains and it is associated with quartz and pyrite. Electron microprobe analysis gave 57.20 wt.% Bi and 42.80 wt.% Te with calculated stoichiometric formula Bi2.2Te2.8. Based on the mineral assemblages separated inside the ore vein and on the ratio of the Te content for the different identified tellurium bearing minerals, we can conclude that the Te content of the fluids from which they precipitated, increased from the margins to the centre of the vein. In summary, this study of specimens from Rosia Poieni porphyry copper deposit, has resulted in the recognition of some tellurium-bearing minerals, not reported by previous workers. These minerals are represented by tellurobismutite, hessite and goldfieldite and they are associated with epithermal vein mineralization (pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, quartz, vivianite). The presence of tellurium indicates the transition between porphyry-style mineralization to epithermal vein mineralization. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the strategic grant POSDRU/89/1.5/S58852, Project "Postdoctoral program for training scientific researches" co-financed by the European Social Found within the Sectorial Operational Program Human Resources Development 2007-2013".

Assessment method for epithermal gold deposits in Northeast Washington State using weights-of-evidence GIS modeling

USGS Publications Warehouse

Boleneus, D.E.; Raines, G.L.; Causey, J.D.; Bookstrom, A.A.; Frost, T.P.; Hyndman, P.C.

2001-01-01

The weights-of-evidence analysis, a quantitative mineral resource mapping tool, is used to delineate favorable areas for epithermal gold deposits and to predict future exploration activity of the mineral industry for similar deposits in a four-county area (222 x 277 km), including the Okanogan and Colville National Forests of northeastern Washington. Modeling is applied in six steps: (1) building a spatial digital database, (2) extracting predictive evidence for a particular deposit, based on an exploration model, (3) calculating relative weights for each predictive map, (4) combining the geologic evidence maps to predict the location of undiscovered mineral resources and (5) measuring the intensity of recent exploration activity by use of mining claims on federal lands, and (6) combining mineral resource and exploration activity into an assessment model of future mining activity. The analysis is accomplished on a personal computer using ArcView GIS platform with Spatial Analyst and Weights-of-Evidence software. In accord with the descriptive model for epithermal gold deposits, digital geologic evidential themes assembled include lithologic map units, thrust faults, normal faults, and igneous dikes. Similarly, geochemical evidential themes include placer gold deposits and gold and silver analyses from stream sediment (silt) samples from National Forest lands. Fifty mines, prospects, or occurrences of epithermal gold deposits, the training set, define the appropriate a really-associated terrane. The areal (or spatial) correlation of each evidential theme with the training set yield predictor theme maps for lithology, placer sites and normal faults. The weights-of-evidence analysis disqualified the thrust fault, dike, and gold and silver silt analyses evidential themes because they lacked spatial correlation with the training set. The decision to accept or reject evidential themes as predictors is assisted by considering probabilistic data consisting of weights and contrast values calculated for themes according to areal correlation with the training sites. Predictor themes having acceptable weights and contrast values are combined into a preliminary model to predict the locations of undiscovered epithermal gold deposits. This model facilitates ranking of tracts as non-permissive, permissive or favorable categories based on exclusionary, passive, and active criteria through evaluation of probabilistic data provided by interaction of predictor themes. The method is very similar to the visual inspection method of drawing conclusions from anomalies on a manually overlain system of maps. This method serves as a model for future mineral assessment procedures because of its objective nature. To develop a model to predict future exploration activity, the locations of lode mining claims were summarized for 1980, 1985, 1990, and 1996. Land parcels containing historic claims were identified either as those with mining claims present in 1980 or valid claims present in 1985. Current claim parcels were identified as those containing valid lode claims in either 1990 or 1996. A consistent parcel contains both historic and current claims. The epithermal gold and mining claim activity models were combined into an assessment (or mineral resource-activity) model to assist in land use decisions by providing a prediction of mineral exploration activity on federal land in the next decade. Ranks in the assessment model are: (1) no activity, (2) low activity, (3) low to moderate activity, (4) moderate activity and (5) high activity.

Chemical composition and varieties of fahlore-group minerals from Oligocene mineralization in the Rhodope area, Southern Bulgaria and Northern Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Repstock, Alexander; Voudouris, Panagiotis; Zeug, Manuela; Melfos, Vasilios; Zhai, Mingguo; Li, Hongzhong; Kartal, Tamara; Matuszczak, Julia

2016-02-01

Fahlore-group minerals in Oligocene magmatic-hydrothermal deposits from the central and eastern Rhodope area, Bulgaria and Greece (e.g. porphyry-epithermal systems at Pagoni Rachi, Maronia and Kassiteres-Sapes, polymetallic epithermal high- and intermediate-sulfidation veins at Kirki, Perama Hill, Mavrokoryfi, Pefka, Zvezdel-Pcheloyad and Madzharovo, skarn-carbonate replacement deposits at Laki, Davidkovo, Madan, Enyovche and intrusion-related deposits at Kimmeria), cover the whole range of the tetrahedrite-tennantite solid solution series and are dominated by zincian and ferroan varieties reflecting deposition from Zn-(and Fe)-rich fluids. The majority of the studied fahlores are "normal" fully-substituted with Cu (+Ag) close to 10 apfu. However, high-sulfidation epithermal deposits in Greece contain "Cu-excess" tetrahedrite-tennantite; those with extreme high Cu-excess > Fe + Zn occur in transitional high- to intermediate-sulfidation systems, whereas low "Cu-excess" tetrahedrite-tennantite with Zn > Cu-excess + Fe and Fe > Cu-excess + Zn are part of tellurides-bearing intermediate-sulfidation assemblages. The epithermal St. Demetrios and Pefka deposits display the most Cu-rich tetrahedrites (11.039 apfu Cu) and tennantite (11.784 apfu Cu) worldwide. Although Ag substitutes for Cu in the structure of Ag-rich tetrahedrite in several deposits, freibergite with 6.800 apfu Ag occurs only at Mavrokoryfi; in particular, the cadmian freibergite at Mavrokoryfi is the second finding of this variety worldwide. Tellurium-bearing fahlore varieties occur in association with enargite/luzonite and native gold in high-sulfidation ore assemblages. Tetravalent tellurium substitutes for trivalent As and Sb in goldfieldite and Te-rich tennantite and tetrahedrite at Mavrokoryfi, Perama Hill, St. Demetrios and Pefka deposits. Goldfieldite at Mavrokoryfi and Perama Hill is remarkably Te-rich (up to 3.766 apfu and 3.711 apfu Te, respectively), with total metal content of 10.591 apfu and are the closest natural occurrence to the theoretical synthetic endmember Cu10Te4S13. The telluride-bearing fahlores in several epithermal deposits in Greece do not represent decomposition products of early goldfieldite. They are possibly the result of a new influx of Te-rich magmatic volatiles in the system. Decreasing Te (and Cu)-content in tetrahedrite-tennantite solid solution series reflects an evolution from initial high-T, high-sulfidation, oxidizing conditions, towards lower-T and lower-sulfidation, more reduced conditions with time. Fahlores, although they are minor constituents in the studied mineralization types, are carriers of Ag (and Au in goldfieldite) and may be used as an exploration tool, since they are closely associated with either native gold, gold-silver tellurides or Ag-sulfosalts.

Global Neutron View

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-03-01

In this image taken by NASA Mars Odyssey spacecraft during its first week of mapping, soil enriched in hydrogen is indicated by the deep blue colors, which show a low intensity of epithermal neutrons.

Limits on the Abundance and Burial Depth of Lunar Polar Ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, Richard C.; Paige, David A.; Siegler, Matthew A.; Vasavada, Ashwin R.; Teodoro, Luis A.; Eke, Vincent R.

2012-01-01

The Diviner imaging radiometer experiment aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has revealed that surface temperatures in parts of the lunar polar regions are among the lowest in the solar system. Moreover, modeling of these Diviner data using realistic thermal conductivity profiles for lunar regolith and topography-based illumination has been done, with surprising results. Large expanses of circum-polar terrain appear to have near-subsurface temperatures well below 110K, despite receiving episodic low-angle solar illumination [Paige et al., 2010]. These subsurface cold traps could provide areally extensive reservoirs of volatiles. Here we examine the limits to abundance and burial depth of putative volatiles, based on the signature they would create for orbital thermal and epithermal neutrons. Epithermals alone are not sufficient to break the abundance-depth ambiguity, while thermal neutrons provide an independent constraint on the problem. The subsurface cold traps are so large that even modest abundances, well below that inferred from LCROSS observations, would produce readily detectable signatures in the Lunar Prospector neutron spectrometer data [Colaprete et al., 2010]. Specifically, we forward-model the thermal and epithermal neutron leakage flux that would be observed for various ice concentrations, given the depth at which ice stability begins. The LCROSS results point to a water-equivalent hydrogen abundance (WEH) in excess of 10 wt%, when all hydrogenous species are added together (except for H2, detected by LAMP on LRO [Gladstone et al., 2010]). When such an ice abundance is placed in a layer below the stability depth of Paige et al., the epithermal and thermal neutron leakage fluxes are vastly reduced and very much at odds with orbital observations. So clearly an environment that is conducive to cold trapping is necessary but not sufficient for the presence of volatiles such as water. We present the limits on the abundances that are indeed consistent with orbital data. At the LCROSS impact site itself, the data are consistent with very high ice abundances at 50-100 cm depth. However, radar results rule out these high abundances.

Gold grade of epithermal gold ore at Lamuntet, Brang Rea, West Sumbawa District, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ernawati, Rika; Idrus, Arifudin; TBMP, Himawan

2017-06-01

Lamuntet is one of gold ore mining area carried out by the Artisanal Small scale Gold Mining (ASGM) located in West Sumbawa, Indonesia. Most of the miners at this area are not the local miners but also those from other regions. Mineralization of this area is strong identified as low sulfidation epithermal system. There are two blocks of this mining location, namely, Ngelampar block with an area of 0.164 km2 and Song block with an area of 0.067 km2. This study was focused on Ngelampar block. The characteristic of epithermal system is the existence of quartz vein with comb, vuggy, and sugary texture. The aim of this research was to analyze the gold grade and other metals, such as Cu, Ag, Pb, As, Zn, and Hg. The research methods included literature study from previous researches, field work, laboratory work, and interpretation. The literature study was performed on previous researches with similar study area. The field work comprised of direct observation and sampling. Fieldwork was done for a week to obtain gold ore/vein. Sixteen samples were analyzed to obtain the grade of ore/metal. The Hg laboratory analysis was then performed on the six samples with the highest gold grade. Laboratory works were conducted at Intertek Jakarta by using Fire Assay (FA) for gold grade and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) for Cu, Ag, Pb, As, Zn, and Hg. Results of the analysis showed the range of Au was grade (0.1 ppm - 27.8 ppm), Cu was 26 ppm -1740 ppm, Pb was 101 ppm- >4000 ppm, Zn of 73 ppm- >10,000 ppm, Ag of 3 ppm -185 ppm, As was 150 ppm-6530 ppm, and Hg of 0.08 ppm - 1.89 ppm. L1 and L15 had high grade for all values (Au, Ag, Zn, Cu, As, and Hg). Gold mineralization was formed as electrum because of Ag content is higher than 20%. Associated minerals of the samples in the study area were galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, and chalcopyrite which showed the characteristic of rich base metal of Pb, Zn, and Cu at LS epithermal.

Polar Maps of Thermal and Epithermal Neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Observations by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft show views of the polar regions of Mars in thermal neutrons (top) and epithermal neutrons (bottom). In these maps, deep blue indicates a low amount of neutrons, and red indicates a high amount. Thermal neutrons are sensitive to the presence of hydrogen and the presence of carbon dioxide, in this case 'dry ice' frost. The red area in the upper right map indicates that about one meter (three feet) of carbon dioxide frost covers the surface around the north pole, as it does every Mars winter in the polar regions. An enhancement of thermal neutrons close to the south pole, seen as a light green color on the upper left map, indicates the presence of residual carbon dioxide in the south polar cap, even though the annual frost dissipated from that region during southern summer. Soil enriched with hydrogen is indicated by the deep blue colors on the epithermal maps (bottom), showing a low intensity of epithermal neutrons. The deep blue areas in the polar regions are believed to contain up to 50 percent water ice in the upper one meter (three feet) of the soil. The views shown here are of measurements made during the first three months of mapping using the neutron spectrometer instrument, part of the gamma ray spectrometer instrument suite. Topographic features are superimposed on the map for geographic reference.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. Investigators at Arizona State University in Tempe, the University of Arizona in Tucson, and NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, operate the science instruments. The gamma-ray spectrometer was provided by the University of Arizona in collaboration with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, which provided the high-energy neutron detector, and the Los Alamos National Laboratories, New Mexico, which provided the neutron spectrometer. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Intermediate sulfidation type base metal mineralization at Aliabad-Khanchy, Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic belt, NW Iran

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kouhestani, Hossein; Mokhtari, Mir Ali Asghar; Chang, Zhaoshan; Johnson, Craig A.

2018-01-01

The Aliabad-Khanchy epithermal base metal deposit is located in the Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic belt (THMB) of northwest Iran. The mineralization occurs as Cu-bearing brecciated quartz veins hosted by Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation. Ore formation can be divided into five stages, with most ore minerals, such as pyrite and chalcopyrite being formed in the early stages. The main wall-rock alteration is silicification, and chlorite, argillic and propylitic alteration. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusion assemblages show that the ore-forming fluids have eutectic temperatures between −30 and −52 °C, trapping temperatures of 150–290 °C, and salinities of 6.6–12.4 wt% NaCl equiv. These data demonstrate that the ore-forming fluids were medium- to high-temperature, medium- to low-salinity, and low-density H2O–NaCl–CaCl2 fluids. Calculated δ18O values indicate that ore-forming hydrothermal fluids had δ18Owater ranging from +3.6‰ to +0.8‰, confirming that the ore–fluid system evolved from dominantly magmatic to dominantly meteoric. The calculated 34SH2S values range from −8.1‰ to −5.0‰, consistent with derivation of the sulfur from either magma or possibly from local volcanic wall-rock. Combined, the fluid inclusion and stable isotope data indicate that the Aliabad-Khanchy deposit formed from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. After rising to a depth of between 790 and 500 m, the fluid boiled and subsequent hydraulic fracturing may have led to inflow and/or mixing of early magmatic fluids with circulating groundwater causing deposition of base metals due to dilution and/or cooling. The Aliabad-Khanchy deposit is interpreted as an intermediate-sulfidation style of epithermal mineralization. Our data suggest that the mineralization at Aliabad-Khanchy and other epithermal deposits of the THMB formed by hydrothermal activity related to shallow late Eocene magmatism. The altered Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, especially at the intersection of subvolcanic stocks with faults were the most favorable sites for epithermal ore bodies in the THMB.

Recent upgrades and new scientific infrastructure of MARIA research reactor, Otwock-Swierk, Poland

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

The MARIA reactor is open-pool type, water and beryllium moderated. It has two independent primary cooling systems: fuel and pool cooling system. Each fuel assembly is cooled down separately in pressurized channels with individual performances characterization. The fuel assemblies consist of five layers of bent plates or six concentric tubes. Currently it is one of the most powerful research reactors in Europe with operation availability at least up to 2030. Its nominal thermal power is 30 MW. It is characterized by high neutron flux density: up to 3x10{sup 14} n cm{sup -2} s{sup -1} in case of thermal neutrons, andmore » up to 2x10{sup 13} n cm{sup -2} s{sup -1} in case of fast neutrons. The reactor is operated for ca. 4000 h per year. The reactor facility is equipped with fully equipped three hot cells with shielding up to 10{sup 15} Bq. Adjacent to the reactor facility, the radio-pharmaceutics plant (POLATOM) and Material Research Laboratory are located. They are equipped with a number of hot cells with instrumentation. The transport system of radioactive materials from reactor facility to Material Research Laboratory is available. During 2014 the MARIA reactor has been operated with three different types of fuel the same time: previous 36% enriched fuel, and two types of new LEU fuels. In the meantime, molybdenum irradiation programme has been developed. Maria is a multifunctional research tool, with a notable application in production of radioisotopes, radio-pharmaceutics manufacturing (ca. 600 TBq/y), {sup 99}Mo for medical scintigraphy (ca. 6000 TBq/y), neutron transmutation doping of silicon single crystals, wide scientific research based on neutron beams utilization. From the beginning MARIA reactor was intended for loop and fuel testing research activities. Currently it is used mostly as material testing and irradiation facility and for that reason it has wide experimental capabilities. There are eight horizontal irradiation channels from among whom six of them are equipped with instrumentation for condensed matter physics research: - H3 - spectrometer and diffractometer with double monochromator; - H4 - small angle scattering spectrometer; - H5 - polarized neutrons spectrometer; - H6, H7 - two 3-axial crystal neutron spectrometers; - H8 - neutron radiography stand. For two horizontal channels are ongoing exploitation programs: - H2 - station with epithermal neutron beam produced in uranium converter is being developed. Intelligent converter will be installed on the periphery of reactor core. The intensity of the beam will be at the level 2x10{sup 9} n cm{sup -2}s{sup -1} what makes the beam unique in the Europe. - H1 - special pneumatic horizontal mail is being developed for irradiation material samples in the vicinity of the core i.e. in the distal part of the H1 channel. The number of neutron irradiation facilities in MARIA reactor is increasing every year. Numerous of thermal neutron irradiation channels including fast hydraulic rabbit system and large size channels for fast neutron irradiation are used routinely. Recently new in-pile facility with ITER-like neutron energy spectrum for 14 MeV neutron irradiation has been constructed. Taking into account its performance and ability of almost incessant operation the facility appears as one of the most powerful 14 MeV neutron sources. The facility shall be used for material research connected with thermonuclear devices (ITER) and 4. generation nuclear reactors. The system of independent fuels channels used in MARIA reactor appear to be very flexible and very convenient to be used as irradiation channels for uranium targets for {sup 99}Mo production. Currently, MARIA reactor supplies ca. 18% world production of {sup 99}Mo. The MARIA reactor research activities are still extended. The current scientific projects are connected e.g. with silicon neutron transmutation doping, in-pile gamma heating measurements, French calculation codes implementation (TRIPOLI4, APOLLO2). The horizontal neutron beams utilization is also developed. The MARIA reactor, due to its primary application connected with loop and fuel testing, is very convenient for testing the nuclear instrumentation, control and measurement systems.« less

MCNP simulation of the dose distribution in liver cancer treatment for BNC therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krstic, Dragana; Jovanovic, Zoran; Markovic, Vladimir; Nikezic, Dragoslav; Urosevic, Vlade

2014-10-01

The Boron Neutron Capture Therapy ( BNCT) is based on selective uptake of boron in tumour tissue compared to the surrounding normal tissue. Infusion of compounds with boron is followed by irradiation with neutrons. Neutron capture on 10B, which gives rise to an alpha particle and recoiled 7Li ion, enables the therapeutic dose to be delivered to tumour tissue while healthy tissue can be spared. Here, therapeutic abilities of BNCT were studied for possible treatment of liver cancer using thermal and epithermal neutron beam. For neutron transport MCNP software was used and doses in organs of interest in ORNL phantom were evaluated. Phantom organs were filled with voxels in order to obtain depth-dose distributions in them. The result suggests that BNCT using an epithermal neutron beam could be applied for liver cancer treatment.

Neutron beam optimization based on a 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction for treatment of deep-seated brain tumors by BNCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zahra Ahmadi, Ganjeh; S. Farhad, Masoudi

2014-10-01

Neutron beam optimization for accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is investigated using a 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction. Design and optimization have been carried out for the target, cooling system, moderator, filter, reflector, and collimator to achieve a high flux of epithermal neutron and satisfy the IAEA criteria. Also, the performance of the designed beam in tissue is assessed by using a simulated Snyder head phantom. The results show that the optimization of the collimator and reflector is critical to finding the best neutron beam based on the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction. Our designed beam has 2.49×109n/cm2s epithermal neutron flux and is suitable for BNCT of deep-seated brain tumors.

Seasonal CO2 Observations on North and South of Mars as Seen by HEND (Mars Odyssey) and MOLA (MGS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Litvak, M. L.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Smith, D. E.; Zuber, M. T.; Boynton, W.; Saunders, R. S.; Drake, D.

2003-01-01

The first year of neutron mapping measurements from the Mars Odyssey spacecraft are presented based on observations from the High Energy Neutron Detector (HEND). The HEND instrument is a part of GRS suite responsible for registration of epithermal and fast neutrons originating in the Mars subsurface layer. The gamma ray and neutron spectrometers measure the scattering of fast neutrons from the Martian surface, which is caused by bombardment of primary cosmic rays and is strongly sensitive to the presence of hydrogen atoms. Even several percent subsurface hydrogen significantly depresses the flux of epithermal and fast neutrons. The recent Mars Odyssey observations detected a considerable amount of hydrogen, almost certainly corresponding to water ice, in the shallow near surface of the southern and northern hemispheres of Mars.

Paleostress and fluid-pressure regimes inferred from the orientations of Hishikari low sulfidation epithermal gold veins in southern Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faye, Guillaume D.; Yamaji, Atsushi; Yonezu, Kotaro; Tindell, Thomas; Watanabe, Koichiro

2018-05-01

The orientation distribution of dilational fractures is affected by the state of stress around the fractures and by the pressure of the fluid that opened the fractures. Thus, the distribution can be inverted to determine not only the stress but also the pressure condition at the time of vein formation. However, epithermal ore veins that we observe today are the results of a great number of intermittent upwelling of overpressured fluids with different pressures. Here, we define driving pressure index (DPI) as the representative non-dimensionalized fluid pressure for the fluids. We collected the orientations of ∼1000 ore veins in the Hishikari gold mine, which were deposited at around 1 Ma, in southern Kyushu, Japan. It was found that the majority of the veins were deposited under an extensional stress with a NW-SE-trending σ3-axis and a northeasterly-inclined σ1-axis with relatively high stress ratio. The representative driving pressure ratio was ∼0.2. Data sets obtained at different depths in the mine indicated a positive correlation of representative driving pressure ratios with the depths. The correlation suggests repeated formation and break of pressure seals during the mineralization. Our compilation of the Pliocene-Quaternary stress regimes in southern Kyushu, including the result of the present study, suggests that epithermal gold mineralization was associated with distributed extensional deformations in southern Kyushu, and strain localization into an intra-arc rift seems to have terminated the mineralization.

HEND Maps of Epithermal Neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Observations by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft show a global view of Mars in intermediate-energy, or epithermal, neutrons. These maps are based on data acquired by the high-energy neutron detector, one of the instruments in the gamma ray spectrometer suite. Soil enriched by hydrogen is indicated by the purple and deep blue colors on the maps, which show a low intensity of epithermal neutrons. Progressively smaller amounts of hydrogen are shown in the colors light blue, green, yellow and red. Hydrogen in the far north is hidden at this time beneath a layer of carbon dioxide frost (dry ice). These observations were acquired during the first two months of mapping operations. Contours of topography are superimposed on these maps for geographic reference.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. Investigators at Arizona State University in Tempe, the University of Arizona in Tucson, and NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, operate the science instruments. The gamma-ray spectrometer was provided by the University of Arizona in collaboration with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, which provided the high-energy neutron detector, and the Los Alamos National Laboratories, New Mexico, which provided the neutron spectrometer. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Improvement effect on the depth-dose distribution by CSF drainage and air infusion of a tumour-removed cavity in boron neutron capture therapy for malignant brain tumours

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakurai, Yoshinori; Ono, Koji; Miyatake, Shin-ichi; Maruhashi, Akira

2006-03-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) without craniotomy for malignant brain tumours was started using an epi-thermal neutron beam at the Kyoto University Reactor in June 2002. We have tried some techniques to overcome the treatable-depth limit in BNCT. One of the effective techniques is void formation utilizing a tumour-removed cavity. The tumorous part is removed by craniotomy about 1 week before a BNCT treatment in our protocol. Just before the BNCT irradiation, the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) in the tumour-removed cavity is drained out, air is infused to the cavity and then the void is made. This void improves the neutron penetration, and the thermal neutron flux at depth increases. The phantom experiments and survey simulations modelling the CSF drainage and air infusion of the tumour-removed cavity were performed for the size and shape of the void. The advantage of the CSF drainage and air infusion is confirmed for the improvement in the depth-dose distribution. From the parametric surveys, it was confirmed that the cavity volume had good correlation with the improvement effect, and the larger effect was expected as the cavity volume was larger.

Improvement effect on the depth-dose distribution by CSF drainage and air infusion of a tumour-removed cavity in boron neutron capture therapy for malignant brain tumours.

PubMed

Sakurai, Yoshinori; Ono, Koji; Miyatake, Shin-Ichi; Maruhashi, Akira

2006-03-07

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) without craniotomy for malignant brain tumours was started using an epi-thermal neutron beam at the Kyoto University Reactor in June 2002. We have tried some techniques to overcome the treatable-depth limit in BNCT. One of the effective techniques is void formation utilizing a tumour-removed cavity. The tumorous part is removed by craniotomy about 1 week before a BNCT treatment in our protocol. Just before the BNCT irradiation, the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) in the tumour-removed cavity is drained out, air is infused to the cavity and then the void is made. This void improves the neutron penetration, and the thermal neutron flux at depth increases. The phantom experiments and survey simulations modelling the CSF drainage and air infusion of the tumour-removed cavity were performed for the size and shape of the void. The advantage of the CSF drainage and air infusion is confirmed for the improvement in the depth-dose distribution. From the parametric surveys, it was confirmed that the cavity volume had good correlation with the improvement effect, and the larger effect was expected as the cavity volume was larger.

Evaluation of radioactivity in the bodies of mice induced by neutron exposure from an epi-thermal neutron source of an accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy system

PubMed Central

NAKAMURA, Satoshi; IMAMICHI, Shoji; MASUMOTO, Kazuyoshi; ITO, Masashi; WAKITA, Akihisa; OKAMOTO, Hiroyuki; NISHIOKA, Shie; IIJIMA, Kotaro; KOBAYASHI, Kazuma; ABE, Yoshihisa; IGAKI, Hiroshi; KURITA, Kazuyoshi; NISHIO, Teiji; MASUTANI, Mitsuko; ITAMI, Jun

2017-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the residual radioactivity in mice induced by neutron irradiation with an accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system using a solid Li target. The radionuclides and their activities were evaluated using a high-purity germanium (HP-Ge) detector. The saturated radioactivity of the irradiated mouse was estimated to assess the radiation protection needs for using the accelerator-based BNCT system. 24Na, 38Cl, 80mBr, 82Br, 56Mn, and 42K were identified, and their saturated radioactivities were (1.4 ± 0.1) × 102, (2.2 ± 0.1) × 101, (3.4 ± 0.4) × 102, 2.8 ± 0.1, 8.0 ± 0.1, and (3.8 ± 0.1) × 101 Bq/g/mA, respectively. The 24Na activation rate at a given neutron fluence was found to be consistent with the value reported from nuclear-reactor-based BNCT experiments. The induced activity of each nuclide can be estimated by entering the saturated activity of each nuclide, sample mass, irradiation time, and proton current into the derived activation equation in our accelerator-based BNCT system. PMID:29225308

Evaluation of radioactivity in the bodies of mice induced by neutron exposure from an epi-thermal neutron source of an accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy system.

PubMed

Nakamura, Satoshi; Imamichi, Shoji; Masumoto, Kazuyoshi; Ito, Masashi; Wakita, Akihisa; Okamoto, Hiroyuki; Nishioka, Shie; Iijima, Kotaro; Kobayashi, Kazuma; Abe, Yoshihisa; Igaki, Hiroshi; Kurita, Kazuyoshi; Nishio, Teiji; Masutani, Mitsuko; Itami, Jun

2017-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the residual radioactivity in mice induced by neutron irradiation with an accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system using a solid Li target. The radionuclides and their activities were evaluated using a high-purity germanium (HP-Ge) detector. The saturated radioactivity of the irradiated mouse was estimated to assess the radiation protection needs for using the accelerator-based BNCT system. 24 Na, 38 Cl, 80m Br, 82 Br, 56 Mn, and 42 K were identified, and their saturated radioactivities were (1.4 ± 0.1) × 10 2 , (2.2 ± 0.1) × 10 1 , (3.4 ± 0.4) × 10 2 , 2.8 ± 0.1, 8.0 ± 0.1, and (3.8 ± 0.1) × 10 1 Bq/g/mA, respectively. The 24 Na activation rate at a given neutron fluence was found to be consistent with the value reported from nuclear-reactor-based BNCT experiments. The induced activity of each nuclide can be estimated by entering the saturated activity of each nuclide, sample mass, irradiation time, and proton current into the derived activation equation in our accelerator-based BNCT system.

A Project of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy System based on a Proton Linac Neutron Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiyanagi, Yoshikai; Asano, Kenji; Arakawa, Akihiro; Fukuchi, Shin; Hiraga, Fujio; Kimura, Kenju; Kobayashi, Hitoshi; Kubota, Michio; Kumada, Hiroaki; Matsumoto, Hiroshi; Matsumoto, Akira; Sakae, Takeji; Saitoh, Kimiaki; Shibata, Tokushi; Yoshioka, Masakazu

At present, the clinical trials of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) are being performed at research reactor facilities. However, an accelerator based BNCT has a merit that it can be built in a hospital. So, we just launched a development project for the BNCT based on an accelerator in order to establish and to spread the BNCT as an effective therapy in the near future. In the project, a compact proton linac installed in a hospital will be applied as a neutron source, and energy of the proton beam is planned to be less than about 10 MeV to reduce the radioactivity. The BNCT requires epithermal neutron beam with an intensity of around 1x109 (n/cm2/sec) to deliver the therapeutic dose to a deeper region in a body and to complete the irradiation within an hour. From this condition, the current of the proton beam required is estimated to be a few mA on average. Enormous heat deposition in the target is a big issue. We are aiming at total optimization of the accelerator based BNCT from the linac to the irradiation position. Here, the outline of the project is introduced and the moderator design is presented.

Neutron activation determination of iridium, gold, platinum, and silver in geologic samples

USGS Publications Warehouse

Millard, H.T.

1987-01-01

Low-level methods for the determination of iridium and other noble metals have become increasingly important in recent years due to interest in locating abundance anomalies associated with the Cretaceous and Tertiary (K-T) boundary. Typical iridium anomalies are in the range of 1 to 100 ??g/kg (ppb). Thus methods with detection limits near 0.1 ??g/kg should be adequate to detect K-T boundary anomalies. Radiochemical neutron activation analysis methods continue to be required although instrumental neutron activation analysis techniques employing elaborate gamma-counters are under development. In the procedure developed in this study samples irradiated in the epithermal neutron facility of the U. S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (Denver, Colorado) are treated with a mini-fire assay technique. The iridium, gold, and silver are collected in a 1-gram metallic lead button. Primary contaminants at this stage are arsenic and antimony. These can be removed by heating the button with a mixture of sodium perioxide and sodium hydroxide. The resulting 0.2-gram lead bead is counted in a Compton suppression spectrometer. Carrier yields are determined by reirradiation of the lead beads. This procedure has been applied to the U.S.G.S. Standard Rock PCC-1 and samples from K-T boundary sites in the Western Interior of North America. ?? 1987 Akade??miai Kiado??.

Boron neutron capture therapy of malignant brain tumors at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joel, D.D.; Coderre, J.A.; Chanana, A.D.

1996-12-31

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a bimodal form of radiation therapy for cancer. The first component of this treatment is the preferential localization of the stable isotope {sup 10}B in tumor cells by targeting with boronated compounds. The tumor and surrounding tissue is then irradiated with a neutron beam resulting in thermal neutron/{sup 10}B reactions ({sup 10}B(n,{alpha}){sup 7}Li) resulting in the production of localized high LET radiation from alpha and {sup 7}Li particles. These products of the neutron capture reaction are very damaging to cells, but of short range so that the majority of the ionizing energy released ismore » microscopically confined to the vicinity of the boron-containing compound. In principal it should be possible with BNCT to selectively destroy small nests or even single cancer cells located within normal tissue. It follows that the major improvements in this form of radiation therapy are going to come largely from the development of boron compounds with greater tumor selectivity, although there will certainly be advances made in neutron beam quality as well as the possible development of alternative sources of neutron beams, particularly accelerator-based epithermal neutron beams.« less

Gold deposits of the Carolina Slate Belt, southeastern United States--Age and origin of the major gold producers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Foley, Nora K.; Ayuso, Robert A.

2012-01-01

Gold- and iron sulfide-bearing deposits of the southeastern United States have distinctive mineralogical and geochemical features that provide a basis for constructing models of ore genesis for exploration and assessment of gold resources. The largest (historic) deposits, in approximate million ounces of gold (Moz Au), include those in the Haile (~ 4.2 Moz Au), Ridgeway (~1.5 Moz Au), Brewer (~0.25 Moz Au), and Barite Hill (0.6 Moz Au) mines. Host rocks are Late Proterozoic to early Paleozoic (~553 million years old) metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks of the Carolina Slate Belt that share a geologic affinity with the classic Avalonian tectonic zone. The inferred syngenetic and epithermal-subvolcanic quartz-porphyry settings occur stratigraphically between sequences of metavolcanic rocks of the Persimmon Fork and Uwharrie Formations and overlying volcanic and epiclastic rocks of the Tillery and Richtex Formations (and regional equivalents). The Carolina Slate Belt is highly prospective for many types of gold ore hosted within quartz-sericite-pyrite altered volcanic rocks, juvenile metasedimentary rocks, and in associated shear zones. For example, sheared and deformed auriferous volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits at Barite Hill, South Carolina, and in the Gold Hill trend, North Carolina, are hosted primarily by laminated mudstone and felsic volcanic to volcaniclastic rocks. The high-sulfidation epithermal style of gold mineralization at Brewer and low-sulfidation gold ores of the Champion pit at Haile occur in breccias associated with subvolcanic quartz porphyry and within crystal-rich tuffs, ash flows, and subvolcanic rhyolite. The Ridgeway and Haile deposits are primarily epithermal replacements and feeder zones within (now) metamorphosed crystal-rich tuffs, volcaniclastic sediments, and siltstones originally deposited in a marine volcanic-arc basinal setting. Recent discoveries in the region include (1) extensions of known deposits, such as at Haile where drilling has identified an extensive gold-rich feeder system; and (2) newly discovered prospects like the porphyry-style gold-copper-molybdenum occurrence reported at Deep River, N.C. Gold ores at Ridgeway and Haile represent the low-sulfidation, disseminated, shallow subaqueous tuffaceous equivalents of intrusion-related high-sulfidation ores such as those at Brewer. Haile also has mineralogical features that support a stockwork disseminated model of pyrite-gold-sericite mineralization in which a significant amount of ore was deposited in sediments at or near the surface. The potential is high for gold-rich ore at depth in the funnel-shaped feeder zones that likely underlie such surface variants of high sulfidation–low sulfidation epithermal systems and for new discoveries of similar deposits in areas undercover. Exploration strategies for large-scale gold-mineralizing systems applied to rocks of the Carolina Slate Belt, and by extension, the Carolinian-Avalonian tectonic zone of North America, benefit from applying subvolcanic and basinal epithermal models for gold mineralization.

Geochronology of the Sleeper deposit, Humboldt County, Nevada: epithermal gold-silver mineralization following emplacement of a silicic flow-dome complex

USGS Publications Warehouse

Conrad, J.E.; McKee, E.H.; Rytuba, J.J.; Nash, J.T.; Utterback, W.C.

1993-01-01

The high-grade gold-silver deposits at the Sleeper mine are low sulfidation, quartz-adularia-type epithermal deposits, formed during the final stages of igneous hydrothermal activity of a small middle Miocene silicic flow-dome complex in north-central Nevada. There were multiple pulses of alteration and mineralization but all occurred within a period of less than 2 m.y. Later supergene alteration formed opal and alunite about 5.4 Ma but produced no Au or Ag mineralization other than some remobilization to produce locally rich pockets of secondary Au and Ag enrichment and is unrelated to the older magmatic hydrothermal system. The Sleeper deposit in the northern part of the Great Basin is genetically related to bimodal volcanism that followed a long period of arc-related andesitic volcanism in the same general region. -from Authors

Northern and Southern Permafrost Regions on Mars with High Content of Water Ice: Similarities and Differences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitrofanov, I. G.; Litvak, M. L.; Kozyrev, A. S.; Sanin, A. B.; Tretyakov, V. I.; Kuzmin, R. O.; Boynton, W. V.; Hamara, D. K.; Shinohara, C.; Saunders, R. S.

2004-01-01

The measurements by neutron detectors on Odyssey have revealed two large poleward regions with large depression of flux of epithermal and high energy neutrons. The flux of neutrons from Mars is known to be produced by the bombardment of the surface layer by galactic cosmic rays. The leakage flux of epithermal and fast neutrons has regional variation by a factor of 10 over the surface of Mars. These variations are mainly produced by variations of hydrogen content in the shallow subsurface. On Mars hydrogen is associated with water. Therefore, the Northern and Southern depressions of neutron emission could be identified as permafrost regions with very high content of water ice. These regions are much larger than the residual polar caps, and could contain the major fraction of subsurface water ice. Here we present the results of HEND neutron data deconvolution for these regions and describe the similarities and differences between them.

4-D Model of CO2 Deposition at North and South of Mars from HEND/Odyssey and MOLA/MGS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Litvak, M. L.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Kozyrev, A. S.; Sanin, A. B.; Tretyakov, V.; Smith, D. E.; Zuber, M. T.; Boynton, W. V.; Hamara, D. K.; Shinohara, C.

2003-01-01

The first 1.5 year of neutron mapping measurements onboard Mars Odyssey spacecraft are presented based on High Energy Neutron Detector (HEND) observations. HEND instrument is a part of GRS suite responsible for registration of epithermal and fast neutrons originating in Mars subsurface layer. The scattering of fast neutrons in Mars surface caused by primary cosmic rays is strongly sensitive to presence of hydrogen atoms. Even several percents of subsurface water significantly depress epithermal and fast neutron flux. It turns orbit neutron spectroscopy into one of most efficient methods for finding distribution of subsurface water. The Mars Odyssey observations revealed huge water- ice regions above 60N and 60S latitudes. It was founded that distribution of subsurface water has layered structure at these regions. It is thought that more than 50% wt water ice covered by relatively dry layer with different thickness.

Monte Carlo analysis of TRX lattices with ENDF/B version 3 data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hardy, J. Jr.

1975-03-01

Four TRX water-moderated lattices of slightly enriched uranium rods have been reanalyzed with consistent ENDF/B Version 3 data by means of the full-range Monte Carlo program RECAP. The following measured lattice parameters were studied: ratio of epithermal-to-thermal $sup 238$U capture, ratio of epithermal- to-thermal $sup 235$U fissions, ration of $sup 238$U captures to $sup 235$U fissions, ratio of $sup 238$U fissions to $sup 235$U fissions, and multiplication factor. In addition to the base calculations, some studies were done to find sensitivity of the TRX lattice parameters to selected variations of cross section data. Finally, additional experimental evidence is afforded bymore » effective $sup 238$U capture integrals for isolated rods. Shielded capture integrals were calculated for $sup 238$U metal and oxide rods. These are compared with other measurements. (auth)« less

How metalliferous brines line Mexican epithermal veins with silver

PubMed Central

Wilkinson, Jamie J.; Simmons, Stuart F.; Stoffell, Barry

2013-01-01

We determined the composition of ~30-m.y.-old solutions extracted from fluid inclusions in one of the world's largest and richest silver ore deposits at Fresnillo, Mexico. Silver concentrations average 14 ppm and have a maximum of 27 ppm. The highest silver, lead and zinc concentrations correlate with salinity, consistent with transport by chloro-complexes and confirming the importance of brines in ore formation. The temporal distribution of these fluids within the veins suggests mineralization occurred episodically when they were injected into a fracture system dominated by low salinity, metal-poor fluids. Mass balance shows that a modest volume of brine, most likely of magmatic origin, is sufficient to supply the metal found in large Mexican silver deposits. The results suggest that ancient epithermal ore-forming events may involve fluid packets not captured in modern geothermal sampling and that giant ore deposits can form rapidly from small volumes of metal-rich fluid. PMID:23792776

Feasibility study of using laser-generated neutron beam for BNCT.

PubMed

Kasesaz, Y; Rahmani, F; Khalafi, H

2015-09-01

The feasibility of using a laser-accelerated proton beam to produce a neutron source, via (p,n) reaction, for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) applications has been studied by MCNPX Monte Carlo code. After optimization of the target material and its thickness, a Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) has been designed and optimized to provide appropriate neutron beam according to the recommended criteria by International Atomic Energy Agency. It was found that the considered laser-accelerated proton beam can provide epithermal neutron flux of ∼2×10(6) n/cm(2) shot. To achieve an appropriate epithermal neutron flux for BNCT treatment, the laser must operate at repetition rates of 1 kHz, which is rather ambitious at this moment. But it can be used in some BNCT researches field such as biological research. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of bromine, chlorine and iodine in environmental aqueous samples by epithermal neutron activation analysis and Compton suppression

USGS Publications Warehouse

Landsberger, S.; O'Kelly, D. J.; Braisted, J.; Panno, S.

2006-01-01

Halides, particularly Br- and Cl-, have been used as indicators of potential sources of Na+ and Cl- in surface water and groundwater with limited success. Contamination of groundwater and surface water by Na+ and Cl- is a common occurrence in growing urban areas and adversely affects municipal and private water supplies in Illinois and other states, as well as vegetation in environmentally sensitive areas. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) can be effectively used to determine these halogens, but often the elevated concentrations of sodium and chlorine in water samples can give rise to very high detection limits for bromine and iodine due to elevated backgrounds from the activation process. We present a detailed analytical scheme to determine Cl, Br and I in aqueous samples with widely varying Na and Cl concentrations using epithermal NAA in conjunction with Compton suppression. ?? 2006 Akade??miai Kiado??.

The specific purpose Monte Carlo code McENL for simulating the response of epithermal neutron lifetime well logging tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prettyman, T. H.; Gardner, R. P.; Verghese, K.

1993-08-01

A new specific purpose Monte Carlo code called McENL for modeling the time response of epithermal neutron lifetime tools is described. The weight windows technique, employing splitting and Russian roulette, is used with an automated importance function based on the solution of an adjoint diffusion model to improve the code efficiency. Complete composition and density correlated sampling is also included in the code, and can be used to study the effect on tool response of small variations in the formation, borehole, or logging tool composition and density. An illustration of the latter application is given for the density of a thermal neutron filter. McENL was benchmarked against test-pit data for the Mobil pulsed neutron porosity tool and was found to be very accurate. Results of the experimental validation and details of code performance are presented.

Design and Analysis of Thorium-fueled Reduced Moderation Boiling Water Reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorman, Phillip Michael

The Resource-renewable Boiling Water Reactors (RBWRs) are a set of light water reactors (LWRs) proposed by Hitachi which use a triangular lattice and high void fraction to incinerate fuel with an epithermal spectrum, which is highly atypical of LWRs. The RBWRs operate on a closed fuel cycle, which is impossible with a typical thermal spectrum reactor, in order to accomplish missions normally reserved for sodium fast reactors (SFRs)--either fuel self-sufficiency or waste incineration. The RBWRs also axially segregate the fuel into alternating fissile "seed" regions and fertile "blanket" regions in order to enhance breeding and leakage probability upon coolant voiding. This dissertation focuses on thorium design variants of the RBWR: the self-sufficient RBWR-SS and the RBWR-TR, which consumes reprocessed transuranic (TRU) waste from PWR used nuclear fuel. These designs were based off of the Hitachi-designed RBWR-AC and the RBWR-TB2, respectively, which use depleted uranium (DU) as the primary fertile fuel. The DU-fueled RBWRs use a pair of axially segregated seed sections in order to achieve a negative void coefficient; however, several concerns were raised with this multi-seed approach, including difficulty with controlling the reactor and unacceptably high axial power peaking. Since thorium-uranium fuel tends to have much more negative void feedback than uranium-plutonium fuels, the thorium RBWRs were designed to use a single elongated seed to avoid these issues. A series of parametric studies were performed in order to find the design space for the thorium RBWRs, and optimize the designs while meeting the required safety constraints. The RBWR-SS was optimized to maximize the discharge burnup, while the RBWR-TR was optimized to maximize the TRU transmutation rate. These parametric studies were performed on an assembly level model using the MocDown simulator, which calculates an equilibrium fuel composition with a specified reprocessing scheme. A full core model was then created for each design, using the Serpent/PARCS 3-D core simulator, and the full core performance was assessed. The RBWR-SS benefited from a harder spectrum than the RBWR-TR; a hard spectrum promotes breeding and increases the discharge burnup, but reduces the TRU transmutation rate. This led the RBWR-SS to have a very tight lattice, which has a lot of experimental uncertainty in the thermal hydraulic correlations. Two different RBWR-SS designs were created assuming different thermal hydraulic assumptions: the RBWR-SSH used the same assumptions as Hitachi used for the RBWR-AC, while the RBWR-SSM used more conservative correlations recommended by collaborators at MIT. However, the void feedback of the pure Th-fed system was too strongly negative, even with a single elongated seed. Therefore, instead of using just thorium, the self-sustaining designs were fed with a mix of between 30% and 50% DU and the rest thorium in order to keep the void feedback as close to zero as possible. This was not necessary for the RBWR-TR, as the external TRU feed fulfilled a similar role. Unfortunately, it was found that the RBWR-SSM could not sustain a critical cycle without either significantly downgrading the power or supplying an external feed of fissile material. While the RBWR-SSH and the RBWR-TR could reach similar burnups and transmutation rates to their DU-fueled counterparts as designed by Hitachi, the thorium designs were unable to simultaneously have negative void feedback and sufficient shutdown margin to shut down the core. The multi-seed approach of the Hitachi designs allowed their reactors to have much lower magnitudes of Doppler feedback than the single-seed designs, which helps them to have sufficient shutdown margin. It is expected that thorium-fueled RBWRs designed to have multiple seeds would permit adequate shutdown margin, although care would need to be taken in order to avoid running into the same issues as the DU fueled RBWRs. Alternatively, it may be possible to increase the amount of boron in the control blades by changing the assembly and core design. Nonetheless, the uncertainties in the multiplication factor due to nuclear data and void fraction uncertainty were assessed for the RBWR-SSH and the RBWR-TR, as well as for the RBWR-TB2. In addition, the uncertainty associated with the change in reactor states (such as the reactivity insertion in flooding the core) due to nuclear data uncertainties was quantified. The thorium RBWRs have much larger uncertainty of their DU-fueled counterparts as designed by Hitachi, as the fission cross section of 233U has very large uncertainty in the epithermal energy range. The uncertainty in the multiplication factor at reference conditions was about 1350 pcm for the RBWR-SSH, while it was about 900 pcm for the RBWR-TR. The uncertainty in the void coefficient of reactivity for both reactors is between 8 and 10 pcm/% void, which is on the same order of magnitude as the full core value. Finally, since sharp linear heat rate spikes were observed in the RBWR-TB2 simulation, the RBWR-TB2 unit cell was simulated using a much finer mesh than is possible using deterministic codes. It was found that the thermal neutrons reflecting back from the reflectors and the blankets were causing extreme spikes in the power density near the axial boundaries of the seeds, which were artificially smoothed out when using coarser meshes. It is anticipated that these spikes will cause melting in both seeds in the RBWR-TB2, unless design changes--such as reducing the enrichment level near the axial boundaries of the seeds--are made.

HEND Maps of Fast Neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Observations by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft show a global view of Mars in high-energy, or fast, neutrons. These maps are based on data acquired by the high-energy neutron detector, one of the instruments in the gamma ray spectrometer suite. Fast neutrons, like epithermal neutrons, are sensitive to the presence of hydrogen. Unlike epithermal neutrons, however, they are not affected by the presence of carbon dioxide, which at the time of these observations covered the north polar area as 'dry ice' frost. The low flux of fast neutrons (blue and purple colors) in the north polar region suggests an abundance of hydrogen in the soil comparable to that determined in the south from the flux of epithermal neutrons. These observations were acquired during the first two months of mapping operations. Contours of topography are superimposed on these maps for geographic reference.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. Investigators at Arizona State University in Tempe, the University of Arizona in Tucson, and NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, operate the science instruments. The gamma-ray spectrometer was provided by the University of Arizona in collaboration with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, which provided the high-energy neutron detector, and the Los Alamos National Laboratories, New Mexico, which provided the neutron spectrometer. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Thermal and epithermal neutron fluence rate gradient measurements by PADC detectors in LINAC radiotherapy treatments-field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barrera, M. T.; Barros, H.; Pino, F.; Dávila, J.; Sajo-Bohus, L.

2015-07-01

LINAC VARIAN 2100 is where energetic electrons produce Bremsstrahlung radiation, with energies above the nucleon binding energy (E≈5.5MeV). This radiation induce (γ,n) and (e,e'n) reactions mainly in the natural tungsten target material (its total photoneutron cross section is about 4000 mb in a energy range from 9-17 MeV). These reactions may occur also in other components of the system (e.g. multi leaf collimator). During radiation treatment the human body may receive an additional dose inside and outside the treated volume produced by the mentioned nuclear reactions. We measured the neutron density at the treatment table using nuclear track detectors (PADC-NTD). These covered by a boron-converter are employed, including a cadmium filter, to determine the ratio between two groups of neutron energy, i.e. thermal and epithermal. The PADC-NTD detectors were exposed to the radiation field at the iso-center during regular operation of the accelerator. Neutron are determined indirectly by the converting reaction 10B(n,α)7Li the emerging charged particle leave their kinetic energy in the PADC forming a latent nuclear track, enlarged by chemical etching (6N, NaOH, 70°C). Track density provides information on the neutron density through calibration coefficient (˜1.6 104 neutrons /track) obtained by a californium source. We report the estimation of the thermal and epithermal neutron field and its gradient for photoneutrons produced in radiotherapy treatments with 18 MV linear accelerators. It was obsered that photoneutron production have higher rate at the iso-center.

Measurements of SNAC2 area dosimeters placed in different configurations around the PROSPERO reactor and comparison with TRIPOLI-4 calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rousseau, G.; Chambru, L.; Authier, N.

2015-07-01

In the context of criticality accident alarm system tests, several experiments were carried out in 2013 on the PROSPERO reactor to study the response to neutron and gamma of different devices and dosimeters, particularly on the SNAC2 dosimeter. This article presents the results of this criticality dosimeter in different configurations, and compares the experimental measurements with the results of calculation performed with the TRIPOLI-4 Monte-Carlo Neutral Particles transport code. PROSPERO is a metallic critical assembly managed by the Criticality, Neutron Science and Measurement Department located at the French CEA Research Center of Valduc. The core, surrounded by a reflector ofmore » depleted uranium, is composed of 2 horizontal cylindrical blocks made of a highly enriched uranium alloy which can be placed in contact, and of 4 depleted uranium control rods which allow the reactor to be driven. This reactor, placed in a cell 10 m x 8 m x 6 m high, with 1.4-meter-thick concrete walls, is used as a fast neutron spectrum source and is operated at stable power level in delayed critical state, which can vary from 3 mW to 3 kW. PROSPERO is extensively used for electronic hardening or to study the effect of the neutrons on various materials. The SNAC2 criticality dosimeter is a zone dosimeter allowing the off line measurement of criticality accident neutron doses. This dosimeter consists of the pile up of seven activation foils embedded into a 23 mm diameter x 21 mm height cadmium container. The activation measurement of each foil, using a gamma spectroscopy technique, gives information about the neutron reaction rates. The SNAC2 software allows the spectrum unfolding from these values, taking into account the hypothesis of a particular spectrum shape, in three components: a Maxwell spectrum component for the thermal range, a 1/E component for the epithermal range, and a Watt spectrum component for the high energy range. Moreover, from the neutron spectrum, the SNAC software can calculate the neutron fluence integrated by the dosimeter and the neutron dose. During the 3 weeks measurement campaign many radioprotection devices were used. To modify the spectrum seen by these devices, several shields of various thicknesses made of concrete or polyethylene, with or without cadmium covers, were placed in the PROSPERO cell. These devices allow the study of criticality accident spectra in several environments: from metal to pseudo liquid. The fluxes measured by the SNAC2 devices were compared with TRIPOLI-4 calculations. (authors)« less

Raman spectroscopic study of alunite occurrences in the Sapes porphyry-epithermal deposit, NE Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papazotos, Panagiotis; Perraki, Maria; Voudouris, Panagiotis; Skliros, Vasilios

2017-04-01

The Sapes area, Northeastern Greece, represent a deeply eroded Oligocene volcanic edifice built up of post-collisional intermediate-to-acidic intrusives and their volcanic equivalents. The area hosts a telescoped porphyry-epithermal system and associated high-sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag-Cu-Bi-Te mineralization within advanced argillic alteration lithocaps (Voudouris, 2014). Alunite is a common mineralogical constituent among the advanced argillic alteration assemblages and it is a hydrated aluminium potassium sulfate mineral with a general formula KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6. The objective of this work is to study the alunites samples in the Sapes porphyry-epithermal deposit by means of Raman spectroscopy, as it has been shown to be a useful tool in studying the alunite structure, either natural or synthetic (Frost et al., 2006; Maubec et al., 2012). Raman spectra were excited employing a 532 nm laser at a resolution of 2 cm-1 in the range of 100-4000 cm-1. Raman spectra exhibit distinguished bands at 162 cm-1, attributed to translational mode of cations and or librational and translational modes of SO42-, at 235 cm-1 suggesting framework deformations including the SO42- entities as a whole or attributed to OH/O hydrogen bond stretching mode, a weak band at 385 cm-1 may corresponding to Al-OH stretching vibrations, a moderate band at 564 cm-1 assigned to Al-O and OH deformation modes, bands at 484 and 653 cm-1 respectively due to v2(SO42-) and v4(SO42-) bending modes, a very strong vibration at 1025 cm-1 that is ascribed to the v1 stretching vibration of the SO42- bands located at 1080 and 1186 cm-1 due to v3(SO42-) stretching modes and finally two bands at 3480 cm-1 and 3502 cm-1 that are assigned to the OH stretching vibrations (Breitinger et al., 1997; Frost et al., 2006; Maubec et al., 2012 and references therein). A Raman and FTIR spectroscopic future work will focus on the comparative study among the alunites occurrences in Greece (Sapes, Limnos, Lesvos and Milos), so as to identify the differences and similarities in their structural and chemical features reflecting the geological, geochemical and depositional environment. References Breitinger D., Krieglstein R., Bogner A., Schwab R., Pimpl T, Mohr, J., Schukow H. (1997). Vibrational spectra of synthetic minerals of the alunite and crandallite type. Journal of Molecular Structure, 408/409, 287-290 Frost R., Wills R., Weier M., Maertens W., Kloprogge J. (2006). A Raman spectroscopic study of alunites. Journal of Molecular Structure, 785, 123-132. Maubec N., Lahfid A., Lerouge C., Wille G., Michel K. (2012). Characterization of alunite supergroup minerals by Raman spectroscopy. Spectrochim. Acta A, 96, 925-939. Voudouris P. (2014). Hydrothermal corundum, topaz, diaspore and alunite supergroup minerals in the advanced argillic alteration lithocap of the Kassiteres-Sapes porphyry-epithermal system, western Thrace, Greece. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, 191/2, 117-136.

Estimating Background and Lunar Contribution to Neutrons Detected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) Instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livengood, T. A.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Chin, G.; Boynton, W. V.; Evans, L. G.; Litvak, M. L.; McClanahan, T. P.; Sagdeev, R.; Sanin, A. B.; Starr, R. D.; Su, J. J.

2014-12-01

The fraction of hydrogen-bearing species embedded in planetary regolith can be determined from the ratio between measured epithermal neutron leakage flux and the flux measured from similar dry regolith. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft is equipped with the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) instrument to measure embedded hydrogen in the Moon's polar regions and elsewhere. We have investigated the relative contribution of lunar and non-lunar (spacecraft-sourced) neutrons by modeling maps of the measured count rate from three of the LEND detector systems using linear combinations of maps compiled from the Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer (LPNS) and the LEND detectors, demonstrating that the two systems are compatible and enabling reference signal to be inferred to enable detecting hydrogen and hydrogen-bearing volatiles. The pole-to-equator contrast ratio in epithermal neutrons indicates that the average concentration of hydrogen in the Moon's polar regolith above 80° north or south latitude is ~110 ppmw, or 0.10±0.01 wt% water-equivalent hydrogen. Above 88° north or south, the concentration increases to ~140 ppmw, or 0.13±0.02 wt% water-equivalent hydrogen. Nearly identical suppression of neutron flux at both the north and south poles, despite differences in topography and distribution of permanently-shadowed regions, supports the contention that hydrogen is broadly distributed in the polar regions and increasingly concentrated approaching the poles. Similarity in the degree of neutron suppression in low-energy and high-energy epithermal neutrons suggests that the hydrogen fraction is relatively uniform with depth down to ~1 m; the neutron leakage flux is insensitive to greater depth.

Thermal and epithermal neutron fluence rate gradient measurements by PADC detectors in LINAC radiotherapy treatments-field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barrera, M. T., E-mail: mariate9590@gmail.com; Barros, H.; Pino, F.

2015-07-23

LINAC VARIAN 2100 is where energetic electrons produce Bremsstrahlung radiation, with energies above the nucleon binding energy (E≈5.5MeV). This radiation induce (γ,n) and (e,e’n) reactions mainly in the natural tungsten target material (its total photoneutron cross section is about 4000 mb in a energy range from 9-17 MeV). These reactions may occur also in other components of the system (e.g. multi leaf collimator). During radiation treatment the human body may receive an additional dose inside and outside the treated volume produced by the mentioned nuclear reactions. We measured the neutron density at the treatment table using nuclear track detectors (PADC-NTD). Thesemore » covered by a boron-converter are employed, including a cadmium filter, to determine the ratio between two groups of neutron energy, i.e. thermal and epithermal. The PADC-NTD detectors were exposed to the radiation field at the iso-center during regular operation of the accelerator. Neutron are determined indirectly by the converting reaction {sup 10}B(n,α){sup 7}Li the emerging charged particle leave their kinetic energy in the PADC forming a latent nuclear track, enlarged by chemical etching (6N, NaOH, 70°C). Track density provides information on the neutron density through calibration coefficient (∼1.6 10{sup 4} neutrons /track) obtained by a californium source. We report the estimation of the thermal and epithermal neutron field and its gradient for photoneutrons produced in radiotherapy treatments with 18 MV linear accelerators. It was obsered that photoneutron production have higher rate at the iso-center.« less

Computational assessment of deep-seated tumor treatment capability of the 9Be(d,n)10B reaction for accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT).

PubMed

Capoulat, M E; Minsky, D M; Kreiner, A J

2014-03-01

The 9Be(d,n)10B reaction was studied as an epithermal neutron source for brain tumor treatment through Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). In BNCT, neutrons are classified according to their energies as thermal (<0.5 eV), epithermal (from 0.5 eV to 10 keV) or fast (>10 keV). For deep-seated tumors epithermal neutrons are needed. Since a fraction of the neutrons produced by this reaction are quite fast (up to 5-6 MeV, even for low-bombarding energies), an efficient beam shaping design is required. This task was carried out (1) by selecting the combinations of bombarding energy and target thickness that minimize the highest-energy neutron production; and (2) by the appropriate choice of the Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) geometry, for each of the combinations found in (1). The BSA geometry was determined as the configuration that maximized the dose deliverable to the tumor in a 1 h treatment, within the constraints imposed by the healthy tissue dose adopted tolerance. Doses were calculated through the MCNP code. The highest dose deliverable to the tumor was found for an 8 μm target and a deuteron beam of 1.45 MeV. Tumor weighted doses ≥40 Gy can be delivered up to about 5 cm in depth, with a maximum value of 51 Gy at a depth of about 2 cm. This dose performance can be improved by relaxing the treatment time constraint and splitting the treatment into two 1-h sessions. These good treatment capabilities strengthen the prospects for a potential use of this reaction in BNCT. Copyright © 2013 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Global Map of Epithermal Neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Observations by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft show a global view of Mars in intermediate-energy, or epithermal, neutrons. Soil enriched by hydrogen is indicated by the deep blue colors on the map, which show a low intensity of epithermal neutrons. Progressively smaller amounts of hydrogen are shown in the colors light blue, green, yellow and red. The deep blue areas in the polar regions are believed to contain up to 50 percent water ice in the upper one meter (three feet) of the soil. Hydrogen in the far north is hidden at this time beneath a layer of carbon dioxide frost (dry ice). Light blue regions near the equator contain slightly enhanced near-surface hydrogen, which is most likely chemically or physically bound because water ice is not stable near the equator. The view shown here is a map of measurements made during the first three months of mapping using the neutron spectrometer instrument, part of the gamma ray spectrometer instrument suite. The central meridian in this projection is zero degrees longitude. Topographic features are superimposed on the map for geographic reference.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. Investigators at Arizona State University in Tempe, the University of Arizona in Tucson, and NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, operate the science instruments. The gamma-ray spectrometer was provided by the University of Arizona in collaboration with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, which provided the high-energy neutron detector, and the Los Alamos National Laboratories, New Mexico, which provided the neutron spectrometer. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

First Evidence of Epithermal Gold Occurrences in the SE Afar Rift, Republic of Djibouti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, Nima; Fouquet, Yves; Caminiti, Antoine Marie; Le Gall, Bernard; Rolet, Joel; Bohn, Marcel; Etoubleau, Joel; Delacourt, Christophe; Jalludin, Mohamed

2010-05-01

The Republic of Djibouti, located at the SE part of the Afar volcanic Triangle, is characterized by intense tectonic and bimodal volcanic activity, and is emplaced over an earlier magmatic rift system, as old as 25-30 Ma. Each magmatic event is accompanied by hydrothermal activity. Few works have been so far published on hydrothermal mineralization in the Afar area. Mineralization generally occur as veins and are mainly associated with acidic volcanic intrusions along the fractures at the edges of grabens established during the last 4 Ma. Eighty samples from hydrothermal quartz ± carbonate veins and breccias were studied on 9 different sites representative of 4 main volcanic events ranging in age from early Miocene up to Present. Gold was found in excess of 200 ppb in 30% of the samples. Mineralogical analyses based on optical reflected light microscopy, X-Ray diffractometry, X-Ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and electron microprobe, led us to identify two types of gold mineralization (i) native gold, electrum, hessite and sulfides (chalcopyrite, pyrite, bornite, ± sphalerite, and galena) in massive quartz breccias and banded chalcedony, (ii) gold, electrum, hematite, magnetite, trace minerals (argentite) and adularia in banded chalcedony. Another group without gold is characterized by quartz, pyrite ± goethite. Secondary minerals are characterized by goethite, native silver and native copper. Arsenic is enriched in pyrite in samples with a high gold content. The bimodal volcanism, the occurrence of adularia, the native gold and electrum in banded silica veins, are classically observed in neutral epithermal systems. The discovery of this type of mineralization in a recent-active continental rift system supplies new insights about hydrothermal processes associated with volcanic activity in a spreading context. Keywords: Republic of Djibouti, Afar Triangle, Hydrothermal, Epithermal system, Gold

Geochemistry and statistical analyses of porphyry system and epithermal veins at Hizehjan in northwestern Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radmard, Kaikhosrov; Zamanian, Hassan; Hosseinzadeh, Mohamad Reza; Khalaji, Ahmad Ahmadi

2017-12-01

Situated about 130 km northeast of Tabriz (northwest Iran), the Mazra'eh Shadi deposit is in the Arasbaran metallogenic belt (AAB). Intrusion of subvolcanic rocks, such as quartz monzodiorite-diorite porphyry, into Eocene volcanic and volcano-sedimentary units led to mineralisation and alteration. Mineralisation can be subdivided into a porphyry system and Au-bearing quartz veins within andesite and trachyandesite which is controlled by fault distribution. Rock samples from quartz veins show maximum values of Au (17100 ppb), Pb (21100 ppm), Ag (9.43ppm), Cu (611ppm) and Zn (333 ppm). Au is strongly correlated with Ag, Zn and Pb. In the Au-bearing quartz veins, factor group 1 indicates a strong correlation between Au, Pb, Ag, Zn and W. Factor group 2 indicates a correlation between Cu, Te, Sb and Zn, while factor group 3 comprises Mo and As. Based on Spearman correlation coefficients, Sb and Te can be very good indicator minerals for Au, Ag and Pb epithermal mineralisation in the study area. The zoning pattern shows clearly that base metals, such as Cu, Pb, Zn and Mo, occur at the deepest levels, whereas Au and Ag are found at higher elevations than base metals in boreholes in northern Mazra'eh Shadi. This observation contrasts with the typical zoning pattern caused by boiling in epithermal veins. At Mazra'eh Shadi, quartz veins containing co-existing liquid-rich and vapour-rich inclusions, as strong evidence of boiling during hydrothermal evolution, have relatively high Au grades (up to 813 ppb). In the quartz veins, Au is strongly correlated with Ag, and these elements are in the same group with Fe and S. Mineralisation of Au and Ag is a result of pyrite precipitation, boiling of hydrothermal fluids and a pH decrease.

Tracking the multi-stage exhumation history of the western Chinese Tianshan by Apatite Fission Track (AFT) dating - Implications for the preservation of epithermal deposits in ancient orogenic belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yannan; Cai, Keda

2017-04-01

The western Chinese Tianshan, located in the southern domain of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), was originally constructed by multiple accretion-collision processes in the Paleozoic, and was superimposed by complex intracontinental tectonic evolution in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Understanding the timing and mechanism of the latter geological processes is critical to unravel the preservation conditions of the epithermal deposits in the western Chinese Tianshan. This work presents new apatite fission track (AFT) data for three mountain ranges of the western Chinese Tianshan to track their exhumation history. Our AFT data gave a wide range of ages from 76.8 ± 5.5 Ma to 182.3 ± 9.9 Ma, and the mean confined fission track lengths are between 9.8 ± 0.5 μm and 12.3 ± 0.2 μm. The new data, in combination with the thermal history modeling，enable us to attribute the exhumation history to three primary stages, including Early Permian (300-280 Ma), Late Triassic-Early Cretaceous (230-130 Ma), and Late Oligocene-Early Miocene (30-20 Ma). The first stage may be caused by the terrane accretion-collision in the late Paleozoic. The second stage was likely related to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean during the Mesozoic. The last one is regarded as the result of the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasia Plate in the Cenozoic. The extraordinary exhumation processes of these three major mountain ranges might have been responsible for sediment supply to the corresponding intra-mountain basins in the western Chinese Tianshan, and the particularly mountain-basin coupling evolution is ascribed to an essential condition for the preservation of epithermal deposits in ancient orogenic belt.

Mineralogy, structural control and age of the Incachule Sb epithermal veins, the Cerro Aguas Calientes collapse caldera, Central Puna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salado Paz, Natalia; Petrinovic, Iván; Do Campo, Margarita; Brod, José Affonso; Nieto, Fernando; da Silva Souza, Valmir; Wemmer, Klauss; Payrola, Patricio; Ventura, Roberto

2018-03-01

The Incachule Sb epithermal veins is located near to the N-E rim of the Cerro Aguas Calientes collapse caldera (17.5-10.8 Ma), in the geologic province of Puna, Salta- Argentina. It is hosted in Miocene felsic volcanic rocks with continental arc signature. The district includes twelve vein systems with mineralization of Sb occurring in hydrothermal breccias and stockwork. The veins are composed of quartz-sulfide with pyrite, stibnite and arsenopyrite. All around the veins, wall rocks are variably altered to clay minerals and sulfates in an area of around 2.5 km wide by more than 7 km long. The hydrothermal alterations recognized are: silicic, phyllic and argillic. The veins are characterized by high contents of Sb, As, and Tl and intermediate contents of Pb-Zn-Cu, and traces of Ag and Au. Homogenization and ice-melting temperatures of fluid inclusions vary from 125 °C to 189 °C and -2.4 °C to -0.8 °C. The isotopic data indicated a range of δ34S -3.04‰ to +0.72‰ consistent with a magmatic source for sulfur. We present the firsts K-Ar ages for hydrothermal illite/smectite mixed layers (I/SR1, 60% illite layers) and illite that constrain the age of the ore deposit (8.5-6.7 ± 0.2 Ma). The data shown here, let characterized the Incachule district as a shallow low sulfidation epithermal system hosted in a collapse caldera. Our data also indicate that mineralization is structurally controlled by a fault system related to the 10.3 Ma collapse of Aguas Calientes caldera. The interpreted local stress field is consistent with the regional one.

Clinical trials for treating recurrent head and neck cancer with boron neutron capture therapy using the Tsing-Hua Open Pool Reactor.

PubMed

Wang, Ling-Wei; Liu, Yen-Wan Hsueh; Chou, Fong-In; Jiang, Shiang-Huei

2018-06-19

Head and neck (HN) cancer is an endemic disease in Taiwan, China. Locally recurrent HN cancer after full-dose irradiation poses a therapeutic challenge, and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) may be a solution that could provide durable local control with tolerable toxicity. The Tsing-Hua Open Pool Reactor (THOR) at National Tsing-Hua University in Hsin-Chu, provides a high-quality epithermal neutron source for basic and clinical BNCT research. Our first clinical trial, entitled "A phase I/II trial of boron neutron capture therapy for recurrent head and neck cancer at THOR", was carried out between 2010 and 2013. A total of 17 patients with 23 recurrent HN tumors who had received high-dose photon irradiation were enrolled in the study. The fructose complex of L-boronophenylalanine was used as a boron carrier, and a two-fraction BNCT treatment regimen at 28-day intervals was used for each patient. Toxicity was acceptable, and although the response rate was high (12/17), re-recurrence within or near the radiation site was common. To obtain better local control, another clinical trial entitled "A phase I/II trial of boron neutron capture therapy combined with image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT) for locally recurrent HN cancer" was initiated in 2014. The first administration of BNCT was performed according to our previous protocol, and IG-IMRT was initiated 28 days after BNCT. As of May 2017, seven patients have been treated with this combination. The treatment-related toxicity was similar to that previously observed with two BNCT applications. Three patients had a complete response, but locoregional recurrence was the major cause of failure despite initially good responses. Future clinical trials combining BNCT with other local or systemic treatments will be carried out for recurrent HN cancer patients at THOR.

Northern and Southern Permafrost Regions on Mars with High Content of Water Ice: Similarities and Differences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitrofanov, I. G.; Litvak, M. L.; Kozyrev, A. S.; Sanin, A. B.; Tretyakov, V. I.; Kuzmin, R. O.; Boynton, W. V.; Hamara, D. K.; Shinohara, C.; Saunders, R. S.

2004-01-01

The measurements by neutron detectors on Odyssey have revealed two large poleward regions with large depression of flux of epithermal and high energy neutrons [1-3]. The flux of neutrons from Mars is known to be produced by the bombardment of the surface layer by galactic cosmic rays. The leakage flux of epithermal and fast neutrons has regional variation by a factor of 10 over the surface of Mars (e.g. see [3- 5]). These variations are mainly produced by variations of hydrogen content in the shallow subsurface. On Mars hydrogen is associated with water. Therefore, the Northern and Southern depressions of neutron emission could be identified as permafrost regions with very high content of water ice [1-5]. These regions are much larger than the residual polar caps, and could contain the major fraction of subsurface water ice. Here we present the results of HEND neutron data deconvolution for these regions and describe the similarities and differences between them.

Liquid Li based neutron source for BNCT and science application.

PubMed

Horiike, H; Murata, I; Iida, T; Yoshihashi, S; Hoashi, E; Kato, I; Hashimoto, N; Kuri, S; Oshiro, S

2015-12-01

Liquid lithium (Li) is a candidate material for a target of intense neutron source, heat transfer medium in space engines and charges stripper. For a medical application of BNCT, epithermal neutrons with least energetic neutrons and γ-ray are required so as to avoid unnecessary doses to a patient. This is enabled by lithium target irradiated by protons at 2.5 MeV range, with utilizing the threshold reaction of (7)Li(p,n)(7)Be at 1.88 MeV. In the system, protons at 2.5 MeV penetrate into Li layer by 0.25 mm with dissipating heat load near the surface. To handle it, thin film flow of high velocity is important for stable operation. For the proton accelerator, electrostatic type of the Schnkel or the tandem is planned to be employed. Neutrons generated at 0.6 MeV are gently moderated to epithermal energy while suppressing accompanying γ-ray minimum by the dedicated moderator assembly. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An occurrence model for the national assessment of volcanogenic beryllium deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Foley, Nora K.; Seal, Robert R.; Piatak, Nadine M.; Hetland, Brianna

2010-01-01

The general occurrence model summarized here is intended to provide a descriptive basis for the identification and assessment of undiscovered beryllium deposits of a type and style similar to those found at Spor Mountain, Juab County, Utah. The assessment model is restricted in its application in order to provide a coherent basis for assessing the probability of the occurrence of similar economic deposits using the current U.S. Geological Survey methodology. The model is intended to be used to identify tracts of land where volcanogenic epithermal replacement-type beryllium deposits hosted by metaluminous to peraluminous rhyolite are most likely to occur. Only a limited number of deposits or districts of this type are known, and only the ores of the Spor Mountain district have been studied in detail. The model highlights those distinctive aspects and features of volcanogenic epithermal beryllium deposits that pertain to the development of assessment criteria and puts forward a baseline analysis of the geoenvironmental consequences of mining deposits of this type.

Bulk Insolation Models as Predictors for Locations for High Lunar Hydrogen Concentrations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcclanahan, T. P.; Mitrofanov, I.G.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Starr, R. D.; Evans, L. G.; Sanin, A.; Livengood, T.; Sagdeev, R.; Milikh, G.

2013-01-01

In this study we consider the bulk effects of surface illumination on topography (insolation) and the possible thermodynamic effects on the Moon's hydrogen budget. Insolation is important as one of the dominant loss processes governing distributions of hydrogen volatiles on the Earth, Mars and most recently Mercury. We evaluated three types of high latitude > 65 deg., illumination models that were derived from the Lunar Observing Laser Altimetry (LOLA) digital elevation models (DEM)'s. These models reflect varying accounts of solar flux interactions with the Moon's near-surface. We correlate these models with orbital collimated epithermal neutron measurements made by the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND). LEND's measurements derive the Moon's spatial distributions of hydrogen concentration. To perform this analysis we transformed the topographic model into an insolation model described by two variables as each pixels 1) slope and 2) slope angular orientation with respect to the pole. We then decomposed the illumination models and epithermal maps as a function of the insolation model and correlate the datasets.

Neutron die-away experiment for remote analysis of the surface of the moon and the planets, phase 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mills, W. R.; Allen, L. S.

1972-01-01

Continuing work on the two die-away measurements proposed to be made in the combined pulsed neutron experiment (CPNE) for analysis of lunar and planetary surfaces is described. This report documents research done during Phase 3. A general exposition of data analysis by the least-squares method and the related problem of the prediction of variance is given. A data analysis procedure for epithermal die-away data has been formulated. In order to facilitate the analysis, the number of independent material variables has been reduced to two: the hydrogen density and an effective oxygen density, the latter being determined uniquely from the nonhydrogeneous elemental composition. Justification for this reduction in the number of variables is based on a set of 27 new theoretical calculations. Work is described related to experimental calibration of the epithermal die-away measurement. An interim data analysis technique based solely on theoretical calculations seems to be adequate and will be used for future CPNE field tests.

An attempt to reproduce high burn-up structure by ion irradiation of SIMFUEL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranov, V. G.; Lunev, A. V.; Reutov, V. F.; Tenishev, A. V.; Isaenkova, M. G.; Khlunov, A. V.

2014-09-01

Experiments in IC-100 and U-400 cyclotrons were conducted with SIMFUEL pellets (11.47 wt.% of fission products simulators) to reproduce some aspects of the long-term irradiation conditions in epithermal reactors. Pellets were irradiated with Xe16+, Xe24+ and He+ at energies ranging from 20 keV (He+) to 320 keV (Xe16+) and 1-90 MeV (Xe24+). Some samples were subsequently annealed to obtain larger grain sizes and to study defects recovery. The major microstructural changes consisted in grain sub-division observed on SEM and AFM images and change in composition registered by EPMA (pellets irradiated with 1-90 MeV Xe24+ ions at fluence of 5 × 1015 cm-2). Lattice distortion and increase in dislocation density is also noted according to X-ray data. At low energies and high fluences formation of bubbles (20 keV He+ at 5.5 × 1017 cm-2) was observed. Grain sub-division exhibits full coverage of the grain body and preservation of former grain boundaries. The size of sub-grains depends on local dislocation density and changes from 200 nm to 400 nm along the irradiated surface. Beneath it the size ranges from 150 to 600 nm. Sub-grains are not observed in samples irradiated by low-energy ions even at high dislocation densities.

Method of assaying uranium with prompt fission and thermal neutron borehole logging adjusted by borehole physical characteristics

DOEpatents

Barnard, Ralston W.; Jensen, Dal H.

1982-01-01

Uranium formations are assayed by prompt fission neutron logging techniques. The uranium in the formation is proportional to the ratio of epithermal counts to thermal or eqithermal dieaway. Various calibration factors enhance the accuracy of the measurement.

Genesis of Middle Miocene Yellowstone hotspot-related bonanza epithermal Au-Ag deposits, Northern Great Basin, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, J. A.; Unger, D. L.; Kamenov, G. D.; Fayek, M.; Hames, W. E.; Utterback, W. C.

2008-09-01

Epithermal deposits with bonanza Au-Ag veins in the northern Great Basin (NGB) are spatially and temporally associated with Middle Miocene bimodal volcanism that was related to a mantle plume that has now migrated to the Yellowstone National Park area. The Au-Ag deposits formed between 16.5 and 14 Ma, but exhibit different mineralogical compositions, the latter due to the nature of the country rocks hosting the deposits. Where host rocks were primarily of meta-sedimentary or granitic origin, adularia-rich gold mineralization formed. Where glassy rhyolitic country rocks host veins, colloidal silica textures and precious metal-colloid aggregation textures resulted. Where basalts are the country rocks, clay-rich mineralization (with silica minerals, adularia, and carbonate) developed. Oxygen isotope data from quartz (originally amorphous silica and gels) from super-high-grade banded ores from the Sleeper deposit show that ore-forming solutions had δ 18O values up to 10‰ heavier than mid-Miocene meteoric water. The geochemical signature of the ores (including their Se-rich nature) is interpreted here to reflect a mantle source for the “epithermal suite” elements (Au, Ag, Se, Te, As, Sb, Hg) and that signature is preserved to shallow crustal levels because of the similar volatility and aqueous geochemical behavior of the “epithermal suite” elements. A mantle source for the gold in the deposits is further supported by the Pb isotopic signature of the gold ores. Apparently the host rocks control the mineralization style and gangue mineralogy of ores. However, all deposits are considered to have derived precious metals and metalloids from mafic magmas related to the initial emergence of the Yellowstone hotspot. Basalt-derived volatiles and metal(loid)s are inferred to have been absorbed by meteoric-water-dominated geothermal systems heated by shallow rhyolitic magma chambers. Episodic discharge of volatiles and metal(loid)s from deep basaltic magmas mixed with heated meteoric water to create precious metal ore-forming fluids. Colloidal nanoparticles of Au-Ag alloy (electrum), naumannite (Ag2Se), silica, and adularia, likely nucleated at depth, traveled upward, and deposited where they grew large enough to aggregate along vein walls. Silica and gold colloids have been reported in hot springs from Yellowstone National Park, suggesting that such processes may continue to some extent to the present. However, it is possible that the initial development of the mantle plume led to a major but short-lived “distillation” process which led to the mid-Miocene bonanza ore-forming event.

Re-Os evidence used to link regional mineralization process to the Chesapeake Bag Bolig's impact in the northeastern United States.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-10-01

Re-Os isotope measurements of sulfide minerals from 10 occurrences that span a radial distance of over 200 Km : serve to geochemically link epithermal mineralization in Pennsylvania to an Eocene event. The most likely geologic : event that could have...

Hydrothermal Evolution of the Giant Cenozoic Kadjaran porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, Tethyan metallogenic belt, Armenia, Lesser Caucasus: mineral paragenetic, cathodoluminescence and fluid inclusion constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hovakimyan, Samvel; Moritz, Robert; Tayan, Rodrik; Rezeau, Hervé

2016-04-01

The Lesser Caucasus belongs to the Central segment of the Tethyan metallogenic belt and it is a key area to understand the metallogenic evolution between the Western & Central parts of the Tethyan belt and its extension into Iran. Zangezur is the most important mineral district in the southernmost Lesser Caucasus. It is a component of the South Armenian block, and it was generated during the convergence and collision of the southern margin of the Eurasian plate and the northern margin of the Arabian plate, and terranes of Gondwana origin (Moritz et al., in press). The Zangezur ore district consists of the Tertiary Meghri-Ordubad composite pluton, which is characterized by a long-lasting Eocene to Pliocene magmatic, tectonic and metallogenic evolution. It hosts major porphyries Cu-Mo and epithermal Au - polymetallic deposits and occurrences, including the giant world class Kadjaran porphyry Cu-Mo deposit (2244 Mt reserves, 0.3% Cu, 0.05% Mo and 0.02 g/t Au). The Kadjaran deposit is hosted by a monzonite intrusion (31.83±0.02Ma; Moritz et al., in press). Detailed field studies of the porphyry stockwork and veins of the different mineralization stages, their crosscutting and displacement relationships and the age relationship between different paragenetic mineral associations were the criteria for distinction of the main stages of porphyry mineralization at the Kadjaran deposit. The economic stages being: quartz- molybdenite, quartz-molybdenite-chalcopyrite, and quartz-chalcopyrite. The main paragenetic association of the Kadjaran porphyry deposit includes pyrite, molybdenite, chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, pyrrhotite, covellite, sphalerite, and galena. Recent field observations in the Kadjaran open pit revealed the presence of epithermal veins with late vuggy silica and advanced argillic alteration in the north-eastern and eastern parts of the deposit. They are distributed as separate veins and have also been recognized in re-opened porphyry veins and in stockwork. One of them is the east-west-oriented 6th vein zone in the northern part of the deposit, which contains quartz-molybdenite veins and late quartz-galena-sphalerite veins. This is interpreted as a telescoping between porphyry and epithermal environments. It is supported by microscopic studies of mineral paragenesis, which reveal the presence of enargite and tennantite-tetrahedrite, luzonite, sphalerite, and galena, generally in a gangue of quartz, followed by a late carbonate and gypsum stage. On-going fluid inclusion studies are being carried out on quartz samples from the different mineralization stages. Five types of fluid inclusions were distinguished according to their nature, bubble size, and daughter mineral content: vapor-rich, aqueous-carbonic, brine, polyphase brine and liquid-rich inclusions. Cathodoluminescence images from the porphyry veins reveal four generations of quartz. Molybdenite and chalcopyrite are associated with two different dark luminescent quartz generations, which contain typical brine, aqueous-carbonic and vapour-rich H2O fluid inclusions, with some of them coexisting locally as boiling assemblages. Epithermal veins are mainly characterized by liquid-rich H2O fluid inclusions. Microthermometric studies of fluid inclusions reveal a major difference in homogenisation temperatures between the early quartz-molybdenite- chalcopyrite stage (Thtotal between 3600 and 4250C) and the late quartz-galena-sphalerite vein stage (Thtotal 300-2700C), which is attributed to the transition from a porphyry to an epithermal environment in the Kadjaran deposit.

Evaluation of Weights of Evidence to Predict Epithermal-Gold Deposits in the Great Basin of the Western United States

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raines, Gary L.

1999-12-15

The weights-of-evidence method provides a simple approach to the integration of diverse geologic information. The application addressed is to construct a model that predicts the locations of epithermal-gold mineral deposits in the Great Basin of the western United States. Weights of evidence is a data-driven method requiring known deposits and occurrences that are used as training sites in the evaluated area. Four hundred and fifteen known hot spring gold-silver, Comstock vein, hot spring mercury, epithermal manganese, and volcanogenic uranium deposits and occurrences in Nevada were used to define an area of 327.4 km{sup 2} as training sites to develop themore » model. The model consists of nine weighted-map patterns that are combined to produce a favorability map predicting the distribution of epithermal-gold deposits. Using a measure of the association of training sites with predictor features (or patterns), the patterns can be ranked from best to worst predictors. Based on proximity analysis, the strongest predictor is the area within 8 km of volcanic rocks younger than 43 Ma. Being close to volcanic rocks is not highly weighted, but being far from volcanic rocks causes a strong negative weight. These weights suggest that proximity to volcanic rocks define where deposits do not occur. The second best pattern is the area within 1 km of hydrothermally altered areas. The next best pattern is the area within 1 km of known placer-gold sites. The proximity analysis for gold placers weights this pattern as useful when close to known placer sites, but unimportant where placers do not exist. The remaining patterns are significantly weaker predictors. In order of decreasing correlation, they are: proximity to volcanic vents, proximity to east-west to northwest faults, elevated airborne radiometric uranium, proximity to northwest to west and north-northwest linear features, elevated aeromagnetics, and anomalous geochemistry. This ordering of the patterns is a function of the quality, applicability, and use of the data. The nine-pattern favorability map can be evaluated by comparison with the USGS National Assessment for hot spring gold-silver deposits. The Spearman's ranked correlation coefficient between the favorability and the National Assessment permissive tracts is 0.5. Tabulations of the areas of agreement and disagreement between the two maps show 74% agreement for the Great Basin. The posterior probabilities for 51 significant deposits in the Great Basin, both used and not used in the model, show the following: 26 classified as favorable; 25 classified as permissive; and 1, Florida Canyon, classified as nonpermissive.The Florida Canyon deposit has a low favorability because there are no volcanic rocks near the deposit on the Nevada geologic map used. The largest areas of disagreement are caused by the USGS National Assessment team concluding that volcanic rocks older than 27 Ma in Nevada are not permissive, which was not assumed in this model. The weights-of-evidence model is evaluated as reasonable and delineates permissive areas for epithermal deposits comparable to expert's delineation. The weights-of-evidence model has the additional characteristics that it is well defined, reproducible, objective, and provides a quantitative measure of confidence.« less

Epithermal mineralization controlled by synextensional magmatism in the Guazapares Mining District of the Sierra Madre Occidental silicic large igneous province, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, Bryan P.; Busby, Cathy J.

2015-03-01

We show here that epithermal mineralization in the Guazapares Mining District is closely related to extensional deformation and magmatism during the mid-Cenozoic ignimbrite flare-up of the Sierra Madre Occidental silicic large igneous province, Mexico. Three Late Oligocene-Early Miocene synextensional formations are identified by detailed volcanic lithofacies mapping in the study area: (1) ca. 27.5 Ma Parajes formation, composed of silicic outflow ignimbrite sheets; (2) ca. 27-24.5 Ma Témoris formation, consisting primarily of locally erupted mafic-intermediate composition lavas and interbedded fluvial and debris flow deposits; (3) ca. 24.5-23 Ma Sierra Guazapares formation, composed of silicic vent to proximal ignimbrites, lavas, subvolcanic intrusions, and volcaniclastic deposits. Epithermal low-to intermediate-sulfidation, gold-silver-lead-zinc vein and breccia mineralization appears to be associated with emplacement of Sierra Guazapares formation rhyolite plugs and is favored where pre-to-synvolcanic extensional structures are in close association with these hypabyssal intrusions. Several resource areas in the Guazapares Mining District are located along the easternmost strands of the Guazapares Fault Zone, a NNW-trending normal fault system that hosts most of the epithermal mineralization in the mining district. This study describes the geology that underlies three of these areas, which are, from north to south: (1) The Monte Cristo resource area, which is underlain primarily by Sierra Guazapares formation rhyolite dome collapse breccia, lapilli-tuffs, and fluvially reworked tuffs that interfinger with lacustrine sedimentary rocks in a synvolcanic half-graben bounded by the Sangre de Cristo Fault. Deposition in the hanging wall of this half-graben was concurrent with the development of a rhyolite lava dome-hypabyssal intrusion complex in the footwall; mineralization is concentrated in the high-silica rhyolite intrusions in the footwall and along the syndepositional fault and adjacent hanging wall graben fill. (2) The San Antonio resource area, underlain by interstratified mafic-intermediate lavas and fluvial sandstone of the Témoris formation, faulted and tilted by two en echelon NW-trending normal faults with opposing dip-directions. Mineralization occurs along subvertical structures in the accommodation zone between these faults. There are no silicic intrusions at the surface within the San Antonio resource area, but they outcrop ˜0.5 km to the east, where they are intruded along the La Palmera Fault, and are located ˜120 m-depth in the subsurface. (3) The La Unión resource area, which is underlain by mineralized andesite lavas and lapilli-tuffs of the Témoris Formation. Adjacent to the La Unión resource area is Cerro Salitrera, one of the largest silicic intrusions in the area. The plug that forms Cerro Salitrera was intruded along the La Palmera Fault, and was not recognized as an intrusion prior to our work. We show here that epithermal mineralization is Late Oligocene to Miocene-age and hosted in extensional structures, younger than Laramide (Cretaceous-Eocene) ages of mineralization inferred from unpublished mining reports for the region. We further infer that mineralization was directly related to the emplacement of silicic intrusions of the Sierra Guazapares formation, when the mid-Cenozoic ignimbrite flare-up of the Sierra Madre Occidental swept westward into the study area about 24.5-23 Ma ago.

An evaluation on the design of beam shaping assembly based on the D-T reaction for BNCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asnal, M.; Liamsuwan, T.; Onjun, T.

2015-05-01

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) can be achieved by using a compact neutron generator such as a compact D-T neutron source, in which neutron energy must be in the epithermal energy range with sufficient flux. For these requirements, a Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) is needed. In this paper, three BSA designs based on the D-T reaction for BNCT are discussed. It is found that the BSA configuration designed by Rasouli et al. satisfies all of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criteria. It consists of 14 cm uranium as multiplier, 23 cm TiF3 and 36 cm Fluental as moderator, 4 cm Fe as fast neutron filter, 1 mm Li as thermal neutron filter, 2.6 cm Bi as gamma ray filter, and Pb as collimator and reflector. It is also found that use of specific filters is important for removing the fast and thermal neutrons and gamma contamination. Moreover, an appropriate neutron source plays a key role in providing a proper epithermal flux.

Estimation of Orbital Neutron Detector Spatial Resolution by Systematic Shifting of Differential Topographic Masks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, T. P.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Livengood, T.; Starr, R. D.; Evans, L. G.; Mazarico, E.; Smith, D. E.

2012-01-01

We present a method and preliminary results related to determining the spatial resolution of orbital neutron detectors using epithermal maps and differential topographic masks. Our technique is similar to coded aperture imaging methods for optimizing photonic signals in telescopes [I]. In that approach photon masks with known spatial patterns in a telescope aperature are used to systematically restrict incoming photons which minimizes interference and enhances photon signal to noise. Three orbital neutron detector systems with different stated spatial resolutions are evaluated. The differing spatial resolutions arise due different orbital altitudes and the use of neutron collimation techniques. 1) The uncollimated Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer (LPNS) system has spatial resolution of 45km FWHM from approx. 30km altitude mission phase [2]. The Lunar Rennaissance Orbiter (LRO) Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) with two detectors at 50km altitude evaluated here: 2) the collimated 10km FWHM spatial resolution detector CSETN and 3) LEND's collimated Sensor for Epithermal Neutrons (SETN). Thus providing two orbital altitudes to study factors of: uncollimated vs collimated and two average altitudes for their effect on fields-of-view.

Martian neutron leakage spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drake, D. M.; Feldman, W. C.; Jakosky, B. M.

1988-06-01

A high-energy nucleon-meson transport code is used to calculate energy spectra of Martian leakage neutrons. Four calculations are used to simulate a uniform surface layer containing various amounts of water, different burial depths of a 50 percent water layer underneath a 1 percent water layer, changing atmospheric pressure, and a thick carbon dioxide ice sheet overlying a "dirty" water ice sheet. Calculated spectra at energies less than about 1000 eV were fitted by a superposition of thermal and epithermal functions having four free parameters, two of which (thermal and epithermal amplitudes) were found to vary systematically and to specify uniquely the configuration in each of the series. Parameter variations depend on the composition of the assumed surface layers through the average atomic mass and the macroscopic scattering and absorption cross sections. It is concluded that measurements of leakage neutron spectra should allow determination of the hydrogen content of surface layers buried to depths up to about 100 g/sq. cm and determination of the thickness of a polar dry ice cap up to a thickness of about 250 g/sq. cm.

Investigation of epi-thermal shape-parameter needed for precision analysis of activation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elmaghraby, Elsayed K.

2017-06-01

The present work aims to expose factors that alter the isotope's effective resonance energy and its resonance integral in order to have consistency between the experimental observation of integral experiments and the prediction of the reaction rate. The investigation is based on disclosing the interference among resonances in Breit-Wigner and Reich-Moore representations to make the investigation of the statistical nature of resonances possible. The shape-parameter influence on the isotope's behavior in epi-thermal neutron field was investigated in the range from -0.1 to 0.1. Evaluated resonance data given in Evaluated Nuclear Data Files (ENDF/B VII.1) and temperature-dependent cross-sections of Point2015 are used. Only resolved resonances are considered in the present assessment. Tabulated values of resonance integrals and effective resonance energies with their moments are given for the majority of ENDF's isotopes. The reported data can be used, directly, to compute the integral parameters for any value of shape-parameter without the need to use numerical software tools. Correlations among effective resonance energy, experimental level spacing and resonance integral are discussed.

A method for moisture measurement in porous media based on epithermal neutron scattering.

PubMed

El Abd, A

2015-11-01

A method for moisture measurement in porous media was proposed. A wide beam of epithermal neutrons was obtained from a Pu-Be neutron source immersed in a cylinder made of paraffin wax. (3)He detectors (four or six) arranged in the backward direction of the incident beam were used to record scattered neutrons from investigated samples. Experiments of water absorption into clay and silicate bricks, and a sand column were investigated by neutron scattering. While the samples were absorbing water, scattered neutrons were recorded from fixed positions along the water flow direction. It was observed that, at these positions scattered neutrons increase as the water uptake increases. Obtained results are discussed in terms of the theory of macroscopic flow in porous media. It was shown that, the water absorption processes were Fickian and non Fickian in the sand column and brick samples, respectively. The advantages of applying the proposed method to study fast as well as slow flow processes in porous media are discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A development and integration of database code-system with a compilation of comparator, k0 and absolute methods for INAA using microsoft access

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoh, Siew Sin; Rapie, Nurul Nadiah; Lim, Edwin Suh Wen; Tan, Chun Yuan; Yavar, Alireza; Sarmani, Sukiman; Majid, Amran Ab.; Khoo, Kok Siong

2013-05-01

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) is often used to determine and calculate the elemental concentrations of a sample at The National University of Malaysia (UKM) typically in Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology. The objective of this study was to develop a database code-system based on Microsoft Access 2010 which could help the INAA users to choose either comparator method, k0-method or absolute method for calculating the elemental concentrations of a sample. This study also integrated k0data, Com-INAA, k0Concent, k0-Westcott and Abs-INAA to execute and complete the ECC-UKM database code-system. After the integration, a study was conducted to test the effectiveness of the ECC-UKM database code-system by comparing the concentrations between the experiments and the code-systems. 'Triple Bare Monitor' Zr-Au and Cr-Mo-Au were used in k0Concent, k0-Westcott and Abs-INAA code-systems as monitors to determine the thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (f). Calculations involved in determining the concentration were net peak area (Np), measurement time (tm), irradiation time (tirr), k-factor (k), thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (f), parameters of the neutron flux distribution epithermal (α) and detection efficiency (ɛp). For Com-INAA code-system, certified reference material IAEA-375 Soil was used to calculate the concentrations of elements in a sample. Other CRM and SRM were also used in this database codesystem. Later, a verification process to examine the effectiveness of the Abs-INAA code-system was carried out by comparing the sample concentrations between the code-system and the experiment. The results of the experimental concentration values of ECC-UKM database code-system were performed with good accuracy.

An Early Permian epithermal gold system in the Tulasu Basin in North Xinjiang, NW China: Constraints from in situ oxygen-sulfur isotopes and geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Leilei; Wan, Bo; Deng, Chen; Cai, Keda; Xiao, Wenjiao

2018-03-01

The Axi and Jingxi-Yelmand gold deposits, being the largest gold deposits in the Chinese North Tianshan, NW China, are located ca. l0 km apart in the Tulasu Basin, and are hosted by the Late Devonian - Early Carboniferous Dahalajunshan Formation. In situ LA-ICP-MS titanium analyses on quartz from the Axi and Jingxi-Yelmand deposits are broadly identical. Accordingly, the calculated ore-forming temperatures by Ti-in-quartz thermometer give average temperatures of 279 °C and 294 °C, respectively. Results of in situ SIMS analyses of oxygen and sulfur isotopes on quartz and pyrite from these two deposits are similar. Temperature-corrected fluids of the Axi deposit have δ18O values of 2.6-8.1‰ and δ34S values of 0.8-2.4‰, whereas the fluids of the Jingxi-Yelmand deposit have δ18O of 6.4-8.9‰ and δ34S of -0.4 to 4.0‰. The oxygen and sulfur isotopes from the two deposits indicate a magmatic origin. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages of Aqialehe Formation sandstone provided a lower limit for the mineralization timing of the Axi deposit (288 Ma). In situ SIMS U-Pb analyses on entrapped zircon (297 Ma) and newly recognized 284.5 Ma columnar rhyolite implies that the Jingxi-Yelmand deposit formed in the Early Permian. Based on the magmatic affinity of the ore fluids, similar age and ore-formation temperatures, we propose that the Axi and Jingxi-Yelmand deposits comprise an epithermal gold system, which was driven by the same Permian magma in the Tulasu Basin. The ore geological features together with our new results indicate that the Axi and Jingxi-Yelmand deposits are intermediate and high sulfidation type epithermal deposits, respectively.

Mineral deposits and Cu-Zn-As dispersion-contamination in stream sediments from the semiarid Coquimbo Region, Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oyarzun, R.; Oyarzún, J.; Lillo, J.; Maturana, H.; Higueras, P.

2007-10-01

This paper presents Cu-Zn-As geochemical data from stream sediment surveys carried out in the three main watersheds of the Coquimbo Region of Chile. This mountainous semiarid realm occupies an area of 40,656 km2 between 29° and 32°S. Given that the area has a long historical record of mining activities, important environmental disturbances were expected. However, despite the detection of three major geochemical anomalies for Cu, Zn, or As, only one can be unmistakably linked to the development of mining-metal recovery procedures (Andacollo-Panulcillo). An investigation of the other two anomalies (Elqui and Hurtado) reveals three major causes that fully or partially account for them: (1) the type of ore deposit and associated hydrothermal alteration; (2) the regional structural setting (intensity of fracturing); and (3) climate-landscape. Cu-Au-As epithermal deposits/prospects along the so-called El Indio belt are here regarded as the sources of both the Elqui and Hurtado anomalies. The strong advanced argillic alteration present in some of the epithermal deposits/prospects of the El Indio belt may have induced the loss of the buffering capacity of rocks, and therefore favoured metal dispersion during later oxidation-leaching of sulphides. This applies to the Elqui and Hurtado anomalies. Conversely, given that the potassic, propylitic and phyllic alterations do not affect the buffering capacity of rocks, only minor metal dispersion is observed in relation to the Los Pelambres porphyry copper deposit. Besides, the epithermal belt is located within a highly fractured Andean domain (3,000-4,000 m of altitude), which may have conditioned the fast unroofing of ore deposits, contributed to enhanced circulation of meteoric waters, and eventually, to strong oxidation, and leaching of metals. Metal dispersion is aggravated during rainy years in response to strong El Niño episodes.

Mineral potential tracts for orogenic, Carlin-like, and epithermal gold deposits in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, (phase V, deliverable 69): Chapter H in Second projet de renforcement institutionnel du secteur minier de la République Islamique de Mauritanie (PRISM-II)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldfarb, Richard J.; Marsh, Erin; Anderson, Eric D.; Horton, John D.; Finn, Carol A.; Beaudoin, Georges

2015-01-01

A preliminary evaluation of these gold data can be used to develop broad, firstorder tracts defining favorable and permissive areas for gold resources; detailed metamorphic and structural maps are required for more detailed future tract definition. Such a first-order assessment can, nonetheless, broadly identify four tracts of gold resource potential. Three of these are favorable for discovery of new orogenic gold deposits. One tract, although not favorable, is nevertheless permissive for discovery of epithermal gold deposits. Tract 1 is defined by favorable medium metamorphic grade greenstone belts within vast areas of unfavorable high metamorphic grade, Mesoarchean and Paleoproterozoic granite-gneiss basement of the Rgueïbat Shield. Faults >200 km in length following the general strike of the greenstone belts; lineament intersections with both exposed and buried parts of greenstone belts within 500 m of the surface, as defined by aeromagnetic data (Finn and Anderson, 2015); and areas of banded iron formation (BIF) in the belts are particularly favorable areas for hosting gold resources in orogenic gold deposits within and along the margins of the greenstone belts. Tracts 2 and 3, also for orogenic gold, reflect the favorable Proterozoic-Cambrian metamorphic rocks of the Northern and Southern Mauritanides, with >200-km-long faults following the general strike of the range, and areas underlain by ultramafic and BIF rocks being particularly favorable. Outcrops of Triassic-Jurassic igneous rocks along the margins of the Taoudeni Basin define tract 4, which is permissive for epithermal gold deposits. Although extensive data are lacking for the area, carbonate units along the northern side of the Taoudeni Basin could be considered permissive host rocks for Carlin-type mineralization, but the deep-water carbonate lithologies are typically not favorable for such. 

Monte Carlo simulation of energy absorbed in phenolic ESR dosimeters added with gadolinium exposed to thermal, epithermal and fast neutrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longo, A.; Collura, G.; Gallo, S.; Bartolotta, A.; Marrale, M.

2017-11-01

In this work analyses of the energy released per unit mass in phenolic compound exposed to neutron beams were performed with the aim of predicting the increase in dose achievable by addition of gadolinium (Gd) inside the pellets. In particular, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were carried out for IRGANOX® 1076 phenolic compound irradiated with neutron beams with different energy spectra at various depths inside a water phantom. The addition of gadolinium increases sensitivity of phenolic ESR (electron spin resonance) dosimeters to neutrons thanks to the high gadolinium cross section for neutron capture and to the large number of secondary particles (mainly Auger and internal conversion electrons) which are able to release energy inside the sensitive material layers. For small depths in water phantom and low energy neutron spectra the increase in dose due to gadolinium is large (more than a factor 50). The enhancement is smaller in case of epithermal neutron beam, whereas the increase in dose for fast neutrons is less than 50%. In order to have a comparison with other ESR dosimeters the energy released per unit mass in phenolic compound was compared with that calculated in alanine pellets. For thermal neutron beams the energy released in phenolic compound with gadolinium is comparable to that released in alanine for small depths in phantom, whereas it is larger than in alanine for large depths. In case of epithermal and fast neutron beams the energy released in phenolic compound is larger than in alanine samples because the elastic scattering with hydrogen nuclei is more probable for high neutron energies and this phenolic compound is characterized by an higher number of 1H nuclei than alanine. All results here found suggest that these phenolic pellets could be fruitfully used for dosimetric applications in Neutron Capture Therapy.

Exploration of Volatile Resources on the Moon with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livengood, T. A.; Boynton, W. V.; Sanin, A.; Chin, G.; Litvak, M.; McClanahan, T. P.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Sagdeev, R.

2013-12-01

The Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is tasked with evaluating the quantity of hydrogen-bearing species within the upper meter of lunar regolith; investigating the presence and distribution of possible water-ice deposits in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the poles; and determining the neutron contribution to total radiation dose at 50 km altitude above the Moon. To fulfill these goals, LEND has been mapping the distribution of thermal and epithermal neutron leakage flux since LRO entered its mapping orbit in September 2009. LRO moved to an elliptical orbit in December 2011, with 30 km periselene over the south pole and aposelene above the north pole. During the commissioning phase of the mission, July-September 2009, LEND obtained preliminary mapping of hydrogen/water deposits near the south pole that contributed to site-selection for the LCROSS impact. Global maps of neutron leakage flux measured with LEND show regional variation in thermal (energy < 0.015 eV) and fast (>0.5 MeV) neutrons, and map epithermal neutron flux globally. Spatial resolution of the collimated detector is consistent with the design value of 5 km radius for half the detected lunar epithermal neutrons, with the remainder spatially diffuse. Statistically significant neutron-suppressed regions (NSRs) are not closely related to polar PSRs. Outside of the NSRs, hydrogen content increases directly with latitude at both poles. Thermal volatilization of water deposits may be responsible for increasing H concentrations nearer the poles because it is minimized at the low surface temperature of the poles. Significant neutron suppression regions (NSRs) relative to neighboring regions have been found in three large PSRs, Shoemaker and Cabeus in the south and Rozhdestvensky U in the north. Some small PSRs display excess neutron emission compared to the sunlit vicinity. On average, PSRs other than these three do not contain significantly more hydrogen than sunlit areas around them at the same latitude. Correlation between neutron suppression measured by LEND and illumination models for the Moon's polar regions suggests that insolation at the poles is an important factor in locally modulating hydrogen concentrations so that the highest concentrations of hydrogen appear to be on poleward-facing vs. equator-facing slopes. Epithermal neutron flux is slightly suppressed near the dawn terminator at near-equatorial latitude, with least suppression in local lunar mid-afternoon, implying a mobile population of hydrogen-bearing volatiles near the terminator that resides transiently in the regolith. The observed pattern supports hypothesized mineral hydration at the terminator in the form of H2O/OH.

The Tuscarora Au-Ag district: Eocene volcanic-hosted epithermal deposits in the Carlin gold region, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Castor, S.B.; Boden, D.R.; Henry, C.D.; Cline, J.S.; Hofstra, A.H.; McIntosh, W.C.; Tosdal, R.M.; Wooden, J.P.

2003-01-01

The Tuscarora mining district contains the oldest and the only productive Eocene epithermal deposits in Nevada. The district is a particularly clear example of association of low-sulfidation deposits with igneous activity and structure, and it is unusual in that it consists of two adjoining but physically and chemically distinct types of low-sulfidation deposits. Moreover, Tuscarora deposits are of interest because they formed contemporaneously with nearby, giant Carlin-type gold deposits. The Tuscarora deposits formed within the 39.9 to 39.3 Ma Tuscarora volcanic field, along and just outside the southeastern margin of the caldera-like Mount Blitzen volcanic center. Both deposit types formed at 39.3 Ma, contemporaneous with the only major intrusive activity in the volcanic field. No deposits are known to have formed during any of the intense volcanic phases of the field. Intrusions were the apparent heat source, and structures related to the Mount Blitzen center were conduits for hydrothermal circulation. The ore-forming fluids interacted dominantly with Eocene igneous rocks. The two deposit types occur in a northern silver-rich zone that is characterized by relatively high Ag/Au ratios (110-150), narrow alteration zones, and quartz and carbonate veins developed mostly in intrusive dacite, and in a southern gold-rich zone that is typified by relatively low Ag/Au ratios (4-14), more widespread alteration, and quartz-fissure and stockwork veins commonly developed in tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. The deposit types have similar fluid inclusion and Pb and S isotope characteristics but different geochemical signatures. Quartz veins from both zones have similar thermal and paragenetic histories and contain fluid inclusions that indicate that fluids cooled from between 260?? and 230??C to less than 200??C. Fluid boiling may have contributed to precious-metal deposition. Veins in both zones have relatively high As and Sb and low Bi, Te, and W. The silver zone has high Ca, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cd, Tl, and Se. The gold zone has high Hg and Mo. A few samples from an area of overlap between the two zones share chemical characteristics of both deposit types. The deposit types could represent a single zoned or evolving system in which hydrothermal fluids rose along structures within the silver zone, preferentially deposited Ag and base metals, and then spread into the gold zone. Alternatively, the deposit types could represent two distinct but temporally indistinguishable hydrothermal cells that only narrowly overlapped spatially. As noted in previous studies, the hydrothermal fluids that generated the Tuscarora and other epithermal deposits could have evolved from Carlin-type fluids by boiling and mixing with meteoric water. If so, the Tuscarora deposit may represent epithermal conditions above Carlin-type deposits, and Carlin-type deposits may lie beneath the district.

Evolution of the Bucium Rodu and Frasin magmatic-hydrothermal system, Metaliferi Mountains, Romania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iatan, Elena Luisa; Berbeleac, Ion; Visan, Madalina; Minut, Adrian; Nadasan, Laurentiu

2013-04-01

The Miocene Bucium Rodu and Frasin maar-diatreme structures and related Au-Ag epithermal low sulfidation with passing to mesothermal mineralizations are located in the Bucium-Rosia Montana-Baia de Aries metallogenetic district, within so called the "Golden Quatrilaterum", in the northeastern part of the Metaliferi Mountains. These structures are situated at about 5 km southeast from Rosia Montana, the largest European Au-Ag deposit. The total reserves for Bucium Rodu-Frasin are estimated at 43.3 Mt with average contents of 1.3 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag. The Miocene geological evolution of Bucium Rodu and Frasin magmatic-hydrothermal system took place in closely relationships with tectonic, magmatic and metallogenetic activity from Bucium-Rosia Montana-Baia de Aries district in general, and adjacent areas, in special. The hydrothermal alteration is pervasive; adularia followed by phyllic, carbonatization and silicification alterations, usually show a close relationship with the mineralizations. Propylitic alteration occurs dominantly towards the depth; argillic alteration shows a local character. The mineralization occurs in veins, breccias, stockworks and disseminations and is hosted within two volcanic structures emplaced into a sequence of Cretaceous sediments in closely genetically relations with the Miocene phreatomagmatic fracturing and brecciation events. Within Rodu maar-diatreme structure the mineralizations follow especially the contact between the diatreme and Cretaceous flysch. The vein sets with low, moderately and near vertical dippings, cover 400x400m with N-S trend. The most important mineralization style is represented by veins, accompanied by hydrothermal breccias and disseminations. The veins spatial distribution relives as "en echelon" tension veins. They carry gold, minor base metal sulphides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite). Gangue is represented by carbonates (calcite, dolomite, ankerite, siderite, rhodochrosite) and quartz. In contrast, in Frasin maar-diatreme structure, the mineralizations are focused especially along the northeastern contact between the andesite dome and polimictic breccias. Stockwork is the main style of mineralization and consists of pyrite, small amounts of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, arsenopyrite and gold within a gangue of quartz and carbonates similar to Rodu mineralizations. The ore minerals deposition from hydrothermal fluids have pulsated character with a three stage evolution and mineral assemblages: 1) magnetite (hematite) - pyrite (marcasite) - quartz in the first stage, epithermal low sulfidation with passing to mesothermal; 2) arsenopyrite (Au) - (-base metal sulfides) - quartz, "Chinga" (pyrite (Au)-quartz-adularia) - carbonates (calcite, aragonite, dolomite, ankerite, ± rhodochrosite ± kutnahorite) - quartz - adularia in the second stage, epithermal low sulfidation and 3) pyrite - marcasite - carbonates - quartz, (Au) - carbonates (dominant rhodochrosite) - quartz - adularia and alabandite - rhodochrosite - quartz in the third stage, epithermal low sulfidation. The mineralizing hydrothermal fluids had near neutral pH with the gold transported probably as a bisulfide complex; boiling seems to be the main way of gold precipitation.

Hadron Therapy in Latin America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kreiner, A. J.; Bergueiro, J.; Burlon, A. A.; Di Paolo, H.; Castell, W.; Thatar Vento, V.; Levinas, P.; Cartelli, D.; Kesque, J. M.; Valda, A. A.; Ilardo, J. C.; Baldo, M.; Erhardt, J.; Debray, M. E.; Somacal, H. R.; Minsky, D. M.; Estrada, L.; Hazarabedian, A.; Johann, F.; Suarez Sandin, J. C.; Igarzabal, M.; Huck, H.; Repetto, M.; Obligado, M.; Lell, J.; Padulo, J.; Herrera, M.; Gonzalez, S. R.; Capoulat, M. E.; Davidson, J.; Davidson, M.

2010-08-01

The use of proton and heavy ion beams for radiotherapy is a well established cancer treatment modality in the first world, which is becoming increasingly widespread, due to its clear advantages over conventional photon-based treatments. This strategy is suitable when the tumor is spatially well localized. Also the use of neutrons has tradition. Here Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) stands out, though on a much smaller scale, being a promising alternative for tumors which are diffuse and infiltrating. On this sector, so far only nuclear reactors have been used as neutron sources. In this paper we briefly describe the situation in Latin America and in particular we discuss the present status of an ongoing project to develop a folded Tandem-ElectroStatic-Quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator for Accelerator-Based (AB)-Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) at the Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina. The project goal is a machine capable of delivering 30 mA of 2.4 MeV protons to be used in conjunction with a neutron production target based on the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction. These are the specifications needed to produce sufficiently intense and clean epithermal neutron beams to perform BNCT for deep-seated tumors in less than an hour. The machine being currently designed and constructed is a folded TESQ with a terminal at 0.6 MV as a smaller scale prototype. Since the concept is modular the same structure will be used for the 1.2 MV final accelerator.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baljinnyam, N.; Frontasyeva, M. V.; Ostrovnaya, T. M.

Asian medicinal herbs Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) are widely used in folk and Ayurvedic medicine for healing and preventing some diseases. The modern medical science has proved that the Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) possesses the following functions: reducing blood press, dispelling cancer cell, coronary artery's expanding and bacteriostating and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) is recommended against headache, toothache, skin diseases, vomiting and sometimes it is taken for treatment of diabetes. Species of Chrysanthemums were collected in the north-eastern and central Mongolia, and the Red Sandalwood powder was imported from India. Samples of Chrysanthemums (branches, flowersmore » and leaves)(0.5 g) and red sandalwood powder (0.5 g) were subjected to the multi-element instrumental neutron activation analysis using epithermal neutrons (ENAA) at the IBR-2 reactor, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) JINR, Dubna. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Hf, Ta, W, Sb, Au, Hg, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb, Th, U, Lu) were determined. For the first time such a large group of elements was determined in the herbal plants used in Mongolia. The quality control of the analytical results was provided by using certified reference material Bowen Cabbage. The results obtained are compared to the ''Reference plant? data (B. Markert, 1992) and interpreted in terms of excess of such elements as Se, Cr, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mo, and rare earth elements.« less

Fluid inclusion chemistry of adularia-sericite epithermal Au-Ag deposits of the southern Hauraki Goldfield, New Zealand

USGS Publications Warehouse

Simpson, Mark P.; Strmic Palinkas, Sabina; Mauk, Jeffrey L.; Bodnar, Robert J.

2015-01-01

LA-ICP-MS analyses show that in some cases different fluid inclusion assemblages (FIAs) within a single sample trapped fluids with variable chemistries. These differences likely reflect modification of a single parent fluid through mineral dissolution and precipitation, water/rock interactions, boiling and vapor loss, conductive cooling, and mixing.

Mineral resource of the month: gold

USGS Publications Warehouse

George, Micheal W.

2009-01-01

The article presents information on the valuable mineral called gold. It states that early civilizations valued gold because of its scarcity, durability and characteristics yellow color. By the late 20th century, gold was used as an industrial metal because of its unique physicochemical properties. The U.S. has several productive deposits of gold, including placer, gold-quartz lode, epithermal and Carlin-type gold deposits.

Ore mineralogy and textural zonation in the world-class epithermal Waihi Vein System, Hauraki Goldfield

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mauk, Jeffrey L.; Skinner, Erin G; Fyfe, Sarah J; Menzies, Andrew H; Lowers, Heather A.; Koenig, Alan E.

2016-01-01

The Waihi district in the Hauraki Goldfield of New Zealand contains adularia-sericite epithermal gold-silver veins that have produced more than 7.7 Moz gold. The outermost veins of the district (Martha, Favona, Moonlight, and Cowshed) contain abundant colloform, cherty, and black quartz fill textures, with minor crustiform and massive quartz. The central veins (Amaranth, Trio, and Union) contain predominantly massive and crustiform textures, and these veins are also commonly coarser grained than outermost veins. Pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, electrum, and acanthite occur in both outermost and central veins; base metal sulfide minerals typically increase in abundance in deeper samples. Antimony-, arsenic-, and selenium-bearing minerals are most abundant in the Favona and Moonlight veins, whereas base metal sulfide minerals are more abundant in the central veins at Correnso. Throughout the Waihi vein system, electrum is by far the most widespread, abundant, and significant gold-bearing mineral, but LA-ICP-MS analyses show that arsenian pyrite also contains some gold. Mineralogical and textural data are consistent with the central veins forming at a deeper structural level, or from hydrothermal fluids with different chemistry, or both.

Evaluation of Color and Color Infrared Photography from the Goldfield Mining District, Esmerelda and Nye Countries, Nevada

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ashley, R. P.

1970-01-01

The determination of geological features characteristic of the Goldfield epithermal ore deposits is considered and which of them can be identified from color and color infrared aerial photography. The Goldfield mining district in the western part of the Basin and Range Province is the area of study, located in desert terrain of relatively low relief.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schwartz, C.; Gavin, P.

This report describes research performed at the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in which a large animal model was developed and used to study the effects of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) on normal and neoplastic canine brain tissue. The studies were performed using borocaptate sodium (BSH) and epithermal neutrons and had two major foci: biodistribution of BSH in animals with spontaneously occurring brain tumors; and effects of BNCT in normal and neoplastic brain tissue.

A Hybrid Method for Calculating TiO2 Concentrations Using Clementine UVVIS Data, and Verified with Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillis, J. J.; Jolliff, B. L.; Elphic, R. C.; Maurice, S.; Feldman, W. C.; Lawrence, D. J.

2001-01-01

We present a new algorithm for extracting TiO2 concentrations from Clementine UVVIS data, which accounts for soil darkness and UV/VIS ratio. The accuracy of these TiO2 estimates are examined with Lunar Prospector thermal/epithermal neutron flux data. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Jurassic hot spring deposits of the Deseado Massif (Patagonia, Argentina): Characteristics and controls on regional distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guido, Diego M.; Campbell, Kathleen A.

2011-06-01

The Deseado Massif, Santa Cruz Province, Argentinean Patagonia, hosts numerous Middle to Late Jurassic age geothermal and epithermal features represented by siliceous and calcareous chemical precipitates from hot springs (sinters and travertines, respectively), hydrothermal breccias, quartz veins, and widespread hydrothermal silicification. They indicate pauses in explosive volcanic activity, marking the final stages in the evolution of an extensive Jurassic (ca. 178-151 Ma) volcanic complex set in a diffuse extensional back-arc setting heralding the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Published paleo-hot spring sites for the Deseado Massif, plus additional sites identified during our recent field studies, reveal a total of 23 locations, five of which were studied in detail to determine their geologic and facies associations. They show structural, lithologic, textural and biotic similarities with Miocene to Recent hot spring systems from the Taupo and Coromandel volcanic zones, New Zealand, as well as with modern examples from Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A. These comparisons aid in the definition of facies assemblages for Deseado Massif deposits - proximal, middle apron and distal siliceous sinter and travertine terraces and mounds, with preservation of many types of stromatolitic fabrics - that likely were controlled by formation temperature, pH, hydrodynamics and fluid compositions. Locally the mapped hot spring deposits largely occur in association with reworked volcaniclastic lacustrine and/or fluvial sediments, silicic to intermediate lava domes, and hydrothermal mineralization, all of which are related to local and regional structural lineaments. Moreover, the numerous geothermal and significant epithermal (those with published minable resources) deposits of the Deseado Massif geological province mostly occur in four regional NNW and WNW hydrothermal-structural belts (Northwestern, Northern, Central, and Southern), defined here by alignment of five or more hot spring deposits and confirmed as structurally controlled by aeromagnetic data. The Northern and Northwestern belts, in particular, concentrate most of the geothermal and epithermal occurrences. Hence, Jurassic hydrothermal fluid flow was strongly influenced by the most dominant and long-active geological boundaries in the region, the outer limits of the Deseado Massif 'horst' itself.

Supergene oxidation of epithermal gold-silver mineralization in the Deseado massif, Patagonia, Argentina: response to subduction of the Chile Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sillitoe, Richard H.

2018-06-01

Radiometric ages for supergene alunite and jarosite effectively date the oxidation of former concentrations of pyrite and any associated sulfide minerals. These K-bearing sulfate minerals, formed under low-pH conditions, are uncommon supergene products in low-sulfidation epithermal deposits because of the general paucity of pyrite for acid generation. For this reason, the age of supergene oxidation—locally to depths of 200 m or more—in the epithermal Au-Ag deposits of the Deseado massif, located in the extra-Andean foreland of Patagonia, southern Argentina, has remained unknown. Although, theoretically, the oxidation could have taken place anytime between the Late Jurassic, when the Au-Ag mineralization formed, and Pleistocene, K-Ar ages for alunite and jarosite from two widely separated and unusually pyritic, Ag-bearing hydrothermal breccias (Lejano and Libanesa) show it to have been mid-Miocene, 13.8 ± 1.8 Ma. This is the time when the Deseado massif underwent appreciable regional-scale tectonic uplift and valley incision, following 140 myr during which the region was topographically subdued and the site of either fluvio-lacustrine or shallow-marine sedimentation. The uplift, combined with increasing aridity due to the orographic rain shadow caused by growth of the Patagonian Andes to the west and enhanced by global cooling, would have depressed regional groundwater tables, thereby promoting the supergene sulfide oxidation. The mid-Miocene uplift appears to have been triggered by development of a slab tear and slab window beneath the Deseado massif during early stages of subduction of the Chile oceanic-ridge spreading center at the Pacific margin. Supergene sulfide oxidation in both the Deseado massif and Atacama Desert of northern Chile was the result of Cenozoic uplift during progressive aridification, although the causes of these phenomena were radically different. However, when the supergene oxidation was taking place in the Deseado massif, up to 30 myr of supergene activity in the Atacama Desert were coming to an end because of the onset of hyperaridity.

Examining the canopy interception at a forest field site using cosmic-ray neutron detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreasen, M.; Looms, M.; Christiansen, J. R.; Sonnenborg, T. O.; Stisen, S.; Jensen, K. H.

2017-12-01

Canopy interception, the amount of precipitation captured by the surface of plants and trees, is a key component of the water cycle as it constrains the water flux to the ground below vegetation. Forests have especially high interception capacities and therefore the interception loss often forms a considerable part of the total evapotranspiration. The canopy interception capacity is dependent on the size and structure of the vegetation, and the interception loss can vary substantial in time and space. Measuring the canopy interception loss directly is challenging and current methodologies only represent small areas and rely on indirect approaches. Improving methods to estimate canopy interception loss directly will forward the basic understanding of how vegetation structure interacts with the water cycle and hence prediction of evapotranspiration. The intensity of low-energy neutrons produced by cosmic-rays, measured above the ground surface, is sensitive to the hydrogen content in the upper decimeters of the ground and hence the soil moisture content from a radius of hundreds of meters in the horizontal direction. In order to advance the cosmic-ray neutron (CRN) soil moisture method and extend the application of the CRN method more research has recently focused on the signal of other hydrogen pools on the neutron intensity (e.g., vegetation and canopy interception). A recent study, based on neutron transport modeling, found that the ground level thermal neutron intensity (energy < 1 eV), and as a consequence also the thermal-to-epithermal neutron (T/E) ratio (epithermal energy > 1 eV), increased with increasing canopy interception. In this study, we test whether CRN measurements can be used to provide a direct measure of the canopy interception. Four sets of CR2000/B systems were installed below the canopy in an oak forest stand in Denmark. Each system holds a bare (primarily measuring thermal neutrons) and a moderated detector (primarily measuring epithermal neutrons). The measured T/E ratios are compared to independent canopy interception measurements, obtained from throughfall and precipitation measurements. Furthermore, T/E ratios are related to measurements from leaf wetness sensors, CRN soil moisture estimates, and the biomass density in the canopy derived from a mobile terrestrial laser scanner.

First Self-Consistent, Two-Layer Model of Near-Surface Water-Equivalent-Hydrogen on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feldman, W. C.; Pathare, A.; Prettyman, T. H.; Maurice, S.

2015-12-01

This study uses 9.5 years of Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer (MONS) data [1]. We have used the epithermal and fast neutron count rates to determine the water-equivalent-hydrogen (WEH) content of an upper layer, Wup, having thickness D. The "crossover" technique we utilized is an improvement over previous work [2,3]. We then used Monte Carlo simulated grids of epithermal and thermal count rates spanning Wup = 1% to 15% [4] to determine the WEH content, Wdn, of a semi-infinite lower layer buried at depth, D. We also advance upon previous work by using improved deconvolution methods to reduce spatial blurring in fast and epithermal maps [5]. The resultant count-rates were digitized into a 2°x2°cylindrical grid for all WEH computations. Two sets of WEH maps will be shown. The first uses the one-layer model developed initially by Feldman et al. [6]. Comparison of the undeconvolved and deconvolved versions clearly illustrates the improvement obtained by deconvolution. We will also present the full two layer maps of Wup, Wdn, and D for the deconvolved data sets, which show: 1) contrary to our previous preliminary mapping [3], the fresh icy mid-latitude craters identified by [7] are NOT exclusively found in regions with average Wdn values that exceed the pore-filling threshold for regolith ice; 2) a maximum Wdn of about 80% by weight at the Phoenix site; 3) an isolated Wdn maximum just east of Gale crater that is centered on Aeolis Mensae; 4) a resolved Wdn maximum that overlays the Orsen Wells crater on Xanthe Terra; 5) Wdn local maxima that hug the western flanks of Olympus Mons and Elysium Mons, and 6) several Wdn maxima that cover Arabia Terra. We will present and interpret regional maps of all of these features. Refs: [1] Maurice et al. JGR, 2011; [2] Feldman et al. JGR, 2011; [3] Pathare et al. 8th Mars Conf., 2014; [4] Prettyman et al. JGR, 2004 [5] Prettyman et al. JGR, 2009; [6] Feldman et al. JGR, 2004; [7] Dundas et al. JGR, 2014.

Characterization of neutron flux spectra in the irradiation sites of a 37 GBq 241Am-Be isotopic source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yücel, Haluk; Budak, Mustafa Guray; Karadag, Mustafa; Yüksel, Alptuğ Özer

2014-11-01

For the applicability of instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique, an irradiation unit with a 37 GBq 241Am-Be neutron source was installed at Institute of Nuclear Sciences of Ankara University. Design and configuration properties of the irradiation unit are described. It has two different sample irradiation positions, one is called site #1 having a pneumatic sample transfer system and the other is site #2 having a location for manual use. In order to characterize neutron flux spectra in the irradiation sites, the measurement results were obtained for thermal (Vth) and epithermal neutron fluxes (Vepi), thermal to epithermal flux ratio (f) and epithermal spectrum shaping factors (α) by employing cadmium ratios of gold (Au) and molybdenum (Mo) monitors. The activities produced in these foils were measured by using a p-type, 44.8% relative efficiency HPGe well detector. For the measured γ-rays, self-absorption and true coincidence summing effects were taken into account. Additionally, thermal neutron self-shielding and resonance neutron self-shielding effects were taken into account in the measured results. For characterization of site #1, the required parameters were found to be Vth = (2.11 ± 0.05) × 103 n cm-2 s-1, Vepi = (3.32 ± 0.17) × 101 n cm-2 s-1, f = 63.6 ± 1.5, α = 0.045 ± 0.009, respectively. Similarly, those parameters were measured in site #2 as Vth = (1.49 ± 0.04) × 103 n cm-2 s-1, Vepi = (2.93 ± 0.15) × 101 n cm-2 s-1, f = 50.9 ± 1.3 and α = 0.038 ± 0.008. The results for f-values indicate that good thermalization of fast neutrons on the order of 98% was achieved in both sample irradiation sites. This is because an optimum combination of water and paraffin moderator is used in the present configuration. In addition, the shielding requirements are met by using natural boron oxide powder (5.5 cm) and boron loaded paraffin layers against neutrons, and a 15 cm thick lead bricks against gamma-rays from source and its surrounding materials.

Atmospheric deposition of rare earth elements in Albania studied by the moss biomonitoring technique, neutron activation analysis and GIS technology.

PubMed

Allajbeu, Sh; Yushin, N S; Qarri, F; Duliu, O G; Lazo, P; Frontasyeva, M V

2016-07-01

Rare earth elements (REEs) are typically conservative elements that are scarcely derived from anthropogenic sources. The mobilization of REEs in the environment requires the monitoring of these elements in environmental matrices, in which they are present at trace level. The determination of 11 REEs in carpet-forming moss species (Hypnum cupressiforme) collected from 44 sampling sites over the whole territory of the country were done by using epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) at IBR-2 fast pulsed reactor in Dubna. This paper is focused on REEs (lanthanides) and Sc. Fe as typical consistent element and Th that appeared good correlations between the elements of lanthanides are included in this paper. Th, Sc, and REEs were never previously determined in the air deposition of Albania. Descriptive statistics were used for data treatment using MINITAB 17 software package. The median values of the elements under investigation were compared with those of the neighboring countries such as Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia, as well as Norway which is selected as a clean area. Geographical distribution maps of the elements over the sampled territory were constructed using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Geochemical behavior of REEs in moss samples has been studied by using the ternary diagram of Sc-La-Th, Spider diagrams and multivariate analysis. It was revealed that the accumulation of REEs in current mosses is associated with the wind-blowing metal-enriched soils that is pointed out as the main emitting factor of the elements under investigation.

Characterisation of an accelerator-based neutron source for BNCT versus beam energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agosteo, S.; Curzio, G.; d'Errico, F.; Nath, R.; Tinti, R.

2002-01-01

Neutron capture in 10B produces energetic alpha particles that have a high linear energy transfer in tissue. This results in higher cell killing and a higher relative biological effectiveness compared to photons. Using suitably designed boron compounds which preferentially localize in cancerous cells instead of healthy tissues, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has the potential of providing a higher tumor cure rate within minimal toxicity to normal tissues. This clinical approach requires a thermal neutron source, generally a nuclear reactor, with a fluence rate sufficient to deliver tumorcidal doses within a reasonable treatment time (minutes). Thermal neutrons do not penetrate deeply in tissue, therefore BNCT is limited to lesions which are either superficial or otherwise accessible. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of an accelerator-based thermal neutron source for the BNCT of skin melanomas. The source was designed via MCNP Monte Carlo simulations of the thermalization of a fast neutron beam, generated by 7 MeV deuterons impinging on a thick target of beryllium. The neutron field was characterized at several deuteron energies (3.0-6.5 MeV) in an experimental structure installed at the Van De Graaff accelerator of the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, in Italy. Thermal and epithermal neutron fluences were measured with activation techniques and fast neutron spectra were determined with superheated drop detectors (SDD). These neutron spectrometry and dosimetry studies indicated that the fast neutron dose is unacceptably high in the current design. Modifications to the current design to overcome this problem are presented.

Neutron generator for BNCT based on high current ECR ion source with gyrotron plasma heating.

PubMed

Skalyga, V; Izotov, I; Golubev, S; Razin, S; Sidorov, A; Maslennikova, A; Volovecky, A; Kalvas, T; Koivisto, H; Tarvainen, O

2015-12-01

BNCT development nowadays is constrained by a progress in neutron sources design. Creation of a cheap and compact intense neutron source would significantly simplify trial treatments avoiding use of expensive and complicated nuclear reactors and accelerators. D-D or D-T neutron generator is one of alternative types of such sources for. A so-called high current quasi-gasdynamic ECR ion source with plasma heating by millimeter wave gyrotron radiation is suggested to be used in a scheme of D-D neutron generator in the present work. Ion source of that type was developed in the Institute of Applied Physics of Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia). It can produce deuteron ion beams with current density up to 700-800 mA/cm(2). Generation of the neutron flux with density at the level of 7-8·10(10) s(-1) cm(-2) at the target surface could be obtained in case of TiD2 target bombardment with deuteron beam accelerated to 100 keV. Estimations show that it is enough for formation of epithermal neutron flux with density higher than 10(9) s(-1) cm(-2) suitable for BNCT. Important advantage of described approach is absence of Tritium in the scheme. First experiments performed in pulsed regime with 300 mA, 45 kV deuteron beam directed to D2O target demonstrated 10(9) s(-1) neutron flux. This value corresponds to theoretical estimations and proofs prospects of neutron generator development based on high current quasi-gasdynamic ECR ion source. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Petrologic, tectonic, and metallogenic evolution of the southern segment of the ancestral Cascades magmatic arc, California and Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

du Bray, Edward A.; John, David A.; Cousens, Brian L.

2013-01-01

Although rocks in the two arc segments have similar metal abundances, they are metallogenically distinct. Small porphyry copper deposits are characteristic of the northern segment whereas significant epithermal precious metal deposits are most commonly associated with the southern segment. These metallogenic differences are also fundamentally linked to the tectonic settings and crustal regimes within which these two arc segments evolved.

Response to comment on "Hydrogen mapping of the lunar South Pole using the LRO neutron detector experiment LEND".

PubMed

Mitrofanov, I G; Boynton, W V; Litvak, M L; Sanin, A B; Starr, R D

2011-11-25

Critical comments from Lawrence et al. are considered on the capability of the collimated neutron telescope Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) for mapping lunar epithermal neutrons, as presented in our paper. We present two different analyses to show that our previous estimated count rates are valid and support the conclusions of that paper.

No Significant Endothelial Apoptosis in the Radiation-Induced Gastrointestinal Syndrome

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schuller, Bradley W.; Rogers, Arlin B.; Cormier, Kathleen S.

2007-05-01

Purpose: This report addresses the incidence of vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in the mouse small intestine in relation to the radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) syndrome. Methods and Materials: Nonanesthetized mice received whole-body irradiation at doses above and below the threshold for death from the GI syndrome with 250 kVp X-rays, {sup 137}Cs gamma rays, epithermal neutrons alone, or a unique approach for selective vascular irradiation using epithermal neutrons in combination with boronated liposomes that are restricted to the blood. Both terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining for apoptosis and dual-fluorescence staining for apoptosis and endothelial cells were carriedmore » out in jejunal cross-sections at 4 h postirradiation. Results: Most apoptotic cells were in the crypt epithelium. The number of TUNEL-positive nuclei per villus was low (1.62 {+-} 0.03, mean {+-} SEM) for all irradiation modalities and showed no dose-response as a function of blood vessel dose, even as the dose crossed the threshold for death from the GI syndrome. Dual-fluorescence staining for apoptosis and endothelial cells verified the TUNEL results and identified the apoptotic nuclei in the villi as CD45-positive leukocytes. Conclusion: These data do not support the hypothesis that vascular endothelial cell apoptosis is the cause of the GI syndrome.« less

Fluid inclusion and stable isotopes studies of epithermal gold-bearing veins in the SE Afar Rift (Djibouti)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, N.; Boiron, M. C.; Grassineau, N.; Fouquet, Y.; Le Gall, B.; Mohamed, J.

2015-12-01

The Afar rift results from the interaction of a number of actively-propagating tectono-magmatic axes. Recent field investigations in the SE Afar rift have emphasized the importance of hydrothermal system in rift-related volcanic complexes. Mineralization occur as gold-silver bearing veins and are associated with felsic volcanism. Late carbonate veins barren of sulfides and gold are common. The morphologies and textures of quartz show crustiform colloform banding, massive and breccias. Microthermometric measurements were made on quartz-hosted two phases (liquid + vapor) inclusions; mean homogenization temperature range from 150°C to 340°C and ice-melting temperatures range from -0.2° to 1.6°C indicating that inclusion solutions are dilute and contain 0.35 to 2.7 equivalent wt. % NaCl. Furthermore, δ18O and δ13C values from calcite range from 3.7 to 26.6 ‰ and -7.5 to 0.3‰, respectively. The presence of platy calcite and adularia indicate that boiling condition existed. This study shows that precious-metal deposition mainly occurred from hydrothermal fluids at 200°C at around 300 and 450 m below the present-day surface in a typical low-sulphidation epithermal environment.

Accelerator-based epithermal neutron sources for boron neutron capture therapy of brain tumors.

PubMed

Blue, Thomas E; Yanch, Jacquelyn C

2003-01-01

This paper reviews the development of low-energy light ion accelerator-based neutron sources (ABNSs) for the treatment of brain tumors through an intact scalp and skull using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). A major advantage of an ABNS for BNCT over reactor-based neutron sources is the potential for siting within a hospital. Consequently, light-ion accelerators that are injectors to larger machines in high-energy physics facilities are not considered. An ABNS for BNCT is composed of: (1) the accelerator hardware for producing a high current charged particle beam, (2) an appropriate neutron-producing target and target heat removal system (HRS), and (3) a moderator/reflector assembly to render the flux energy spectrum of neutrons produced in the target suitable for patient irradiation. As a consequence of the efforts of researchers throughout the world, progress has been made on the design, manufacture, and testing of these three major components. Although an ABNS facility has not yet been built that has optimally assembled these three components, the feasibility of clinically useful ABNSs has been clearly established. Both electrostatic and radio frequency linear accelerators of reasonable cost (approximately 1.5 M dollars) appear to be capable of producing charged particle beams, with combinations of accelerated particle energy (a few MeV) and beam currents (approximately 10 mA) that are suitable for a hospital-based ABNS for BNCT. The specific accelerator performance requirements depend upon the charged particle reaction by which neutrons are produced in the target and the clinical requirements for neutron field quality and intensity. The accelerator performance requirements are more demanding for beryllium than for lithium as a target. However, beryllium targets are more easily cooled. The accelerator performance requirements are also more demanding for greater neutron field quality and intensity. Target HRSs that are based on submerged-jet impingement and the use of microchannels have emerged as viable target cooling options. Neutron fields for reactor-based neutron sources provide an obvious basis of comparison for ABNS field quality. This paper compares Monte Carlo calculations of neutron field quality for an ABNS and an idealized standard reactor neutron field (ISRNF). The comparison shows that with lithium as a target, an ABNS can create a neutron field with a field quality that is significantly better (by a factor of approximately 1.2, as judged by the relative biological effectiveness (RBE)-dose that can be delivered to a tumor at a depth of 6cm) than that for the ISRNF. Also, for a beam current of 10 mA, the treatment time is calculated to be reasonable (approximately 30 min) for the boron concentrations that have been assumed.

Mineralogy, alteration patterns, geochemistry, and fluid properties of the Ag-Au epithermal deposit Nová Baňa, Slovakia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majzlan, Juraj; Berkh, Khulan; Kiefer, Stefan; Koděra, Peter; Fallick, Anthony E.; Chovan, Martin; Bakos, František; Biroň, Adrián; Ferenc, Štefan; Lexa, Jaroslav

2018-02-01

In this contribution, we report new data on mineralogy, alteration patterns, geochemistry, fluid properties and source of fluids for the deposit Nová Baňa, one of the smaller epithermal deposits in the Middle Miocene Štiavnica andesite stratovolcano (Western Carpathians, Slovakia). Ore veins and the associated rocks were studied in samples from outcrops and old mines, grab samples, and bore holes from the central part of the deposit (ore structures Althandel, Jozef, Jakub, Vavrinec), northern part (Freischurf), SE part (Gupňa) and SW part (Šibeničný vrch). Pervasive hydrothermal alteration transformed the rock-forming minerals into a mixture of adularia and fine-grained quartz, with lesser amount of pyrite, Ti oxides and Fe oxides. This assemblage was further altered to omnipresent interstratified illite/smectite that was used in this study as a geothermometer, corroborating the results from the fluid inclusion work. Ore minerals comprise predominantly pyrite, sphalerite, galena but all sulfides are relatively sparse in the samples studied. Minerals of precious metals are electrum, Ag-tetrahedrite, acanthite, members of the polybasite-pearceite and pyrargyrite-proustite solid solution, and rare miargyrite, Hg-Ag tetrahedrite, and diaphorite. In the central part, we have found also some stibnite. In the SE part of the deposit, acanthite, uytenbogaardtite, and petrovskaite occur and seem to be related to supergene enrichment of the ores. In bulk ore samples, Zn usually dominates over Pb and Cu. The average Ag:Au ratio for the entire deposit is 64:1. The concentrations of precious metals in the grab samples reach maxima of 50 ppm Au and 570 ppm Ag in the SE part and 116 ppm Au and 1110 ppm Ag in the central part of the deposit. Fluid inclusions show signs of trapping of a heterogeneous fluid. In the central, northern and SE parts of the deposit, homogenization temperatures of 190-260 °C and consistently low salinities of <5 wt% NaCl eq were recorded. In the SW part, primary fluid inclusions gave homogenization temperatures of 160-180 °C and similar low salinities. The secondary inclusions, however, show salinities up to 24 wt% NaCl eq., interpreted as fluid boiling almost to dryness. Isotopic composition of quartz and clay minerals is recalculated to fluid composition of -5.6 to -0.6 ‰ δ18Ofluid and -80 to -36 ‰ δDfluid, indicating mixed character of hydrothermal fluids falling between the compositions of magmatic and meteoric waters, with predominance of meteoric waters. Assuming hydrostatic pressure in the fluids, the measured data suggest paleodepths of ore formation of 50-170 m in the SW part of the ore deposit, 130-420 m in the SE and N parts, and a range of 120-470 m for the central part. These observations, comparison with other epithermal deposits in the Central Slovak volcanic field, and additional data from published literature show that Nová Baňa is a low- to intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposit, genetically associated to late rhyolitic volcanic activity in this area.

Morphology, origin and infrared microthermometry of fluid inclusions in pyrite from the Radka epithermal copper deposit, Srednogorie zone, Bulgaria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouzmanov, Kalin; Bailly, Laurent; Ramboz, Claire; Rouer, Olivier; Bény, Jean-Michel

2002-08-01

Pyrite samples from the Radka epithermal, replacement type, volcanic rock-hosted copper deposit, Bulgaria, have been studied using near-infrared (IR) microscopy. Two generations of pyrite based on their textures, composition and behaviour in IR light can be distinguished. Electron microprobe analyses, X-ray elemental mapping and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to study the relationship between crystal zoning, trace element contents and IR transmittance of pyrite. The observed crystal zoning is related to variable arsenic contents in massive fine-grained and colloform pyrite from the early pyrite-quartz assemblage, and cobalt contents in pyrite crystals from the late quartz-pyrite vein assemblage. There is a negative correlation between trace element content and IR transmittance of pyrite. The IR transparency of pyrite is thus a sensitive indicator of changes in trace element concentrations. Fluid inclusions have only been found in the second pyrite generation. Scanning electron microscopy observations on open fluid inclusion cavities permitted the crystallographic features of vacuoles to be determined. A characteristic feature of primary fluid inclusions in pyrite is a negative crystal habit, shaped mainly by {100}, {111} and {210}. This complicated polyhedral morphology is the reason for the observed opacity of some isometric primary inclusions. Secondary fluid inclusion morphology depends on the nature of the surface of the healed fracture. Recognition of the primary or secondary origin of fluid inclusions is enhanced by using crystallographically oriented sections. Microthermometric measurements of primary inclusions indicate that the second pyrite generation was deposited at maximum P-T conditions of 400 °C and 430 bar and from a fluid of low bulk salinity (3.5-4.6 wt%), possibly KCl-dominant. There are large ranges for homogenisation temperatures in secondary inclusions because of necking-down processes. Decrepitation features of some of pyrite-hosted inclusions and of all inclusions in associated quartz indicate reheating of the veins to 500-550 °C. The late cobalt-rich quartz-pyrite vein assemblage in the Radka deposit may be the shallow manifestation of deeper and genetically related porphyry copper mineralisation. This is a common observation of many intermediate- to high-sulfidation epithermal replacement-type ore bodies in this ore district and possibly the Cretaceous Banat-Srednogorie metallogenic belt in general.

First neutron generation in the BINP accelerator based neutron source.

PubMed

Bayanov, B; Burdakov, A; Chudaev, V; Ivanov, A; Konstantinov, S; Kuznetsov, A; Makarov, A; Malyshkin, G; Mekler, K; Sorokin, I; Sulyaev, Yu; Taskaev, S

2009-07-01

Pilot innovative facility for neutron capture therapy was built at Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk. This facility is based on a compact vacuum insulation tandem accelerator designed to produce proton current up to 10 mA. Epithermal neutrons are proposed to be generated by 1.915 MeV protons bombarding a lithium target using (7)Li(p,n)(7)Be threshold reaction. The results of the first experiments on neutron generation are reported and discussed.

Design of the next generation target at Lujan center, LANSCE.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ferres, Laurent

2016-07-27

This is a presentation given at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) on the design of the next generation target at Lujan center, LANSCE. The motivation for this design is to enable new nuclear physics experiments (defense program applications (DANCE)) that are currently limited by neutron intensity or energy resolution available at LANSCE. The target is being redesigned so that the Flight Paths in the upper tier provide a higher intensity in the epithermal and medium energy ranges.

Neutron response of GafChromic® EBT2 film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsiao, Ming-Chen; Liu, Yuan-Hao; Chen, Wei-Lin; Jiang, Shiang-Huei

2013-03-01

Neutron and gamma-ray mixed field dosimetry remains one of the most challenging topics in radiation dosimetry studies. However, the requirement for accurate mixed field dosimetry is increasing because of the considerable interest in high-energy radiotherapy machines, medical ion beams and BNCT epithermal neutron beams. Therefore, this study investigated the GafChromic® EBT2 film. The linearity, reproducibility, energy dependence and homogeneity of the film were tested in a 60Co medical beam, 6-MV LINAC and 10-MV LINAC. The linearity and self-developing effect of the film irradiated in an epithermal neutron beam were also examined. These basic detector characteristics showed that EBT2 film can be effectively applied in mixed field dosimetry. A general detector response model was developed to determine the neutron relative effectiveness (RE) values. The RE value of fast neutrons varies with neutron spectra. By contrast, the RE value of thermal neutrons was determined as a constant; it is only 32.5% in relation to gamma rays. No synergy effect was observed in this study. The lithium-6 capture reaction dominates the neutron response in the thermal neutron energy range, and the recoil hydrogen dose becomes the dominant component in the fast neutron energy region. Based on this study, the application of the EBT2 film in the neutron and gamma-ray mixed field is feasible.

Wavelength feature mapping as a proxy to mineral chemistry for investigating geologic systems: An example from the Rodalquilar epithermal system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Meer, Freek; Kopačková, Veronika; Koucká, Lucie; van der Werff, Harald M. A.; van Ruitenbeek, Frank J. A.; Bakker, Wim H.

2018-02-01

The final product of a geologic remote sensing data analysis using multi spectral and hyperspectral images is a mineral (abundance) map. Multispectral data, such as ASTER, Landsat, SPOT, Sentinel-2, typically allow to determine qualitative estimates of what minerals are in a pixel, while hyperspectral data allow to quantify this. As input to most image classification or spectral processing approach, endmembers are required. An alternative approach to classification is to derive absorption feature characteristics such as the wavelength position of the deepest absorption, depth of the absorption and symmetry of the absorption feature from hyperspectral data. Two approaches are presented, tested and compared in this paper: the 'Wavelength Mapper' and the 'QuanTools'. Although these algorithms use a different mathematical solution to derive absorption feature wavelength and depth, and use different image post-processing, the results are consistent, comparable and reproducible. The wavelength images can be directly linked to mineral type and abundance, but more importantly also to mineral chemical composition and subtle changes thereof. This in turn allows to interpret hyperspectral data in terms of mineral chemistry changes which is a proxy to pressure-temperature of formation of minerals. We show the case of the Rodalquilar epithermal system of the southern Spanish Gabo de Gata volcanic area using HyMAP airborne hyperspectral images.

The Chahnaly low sulfidation epithermal gold deposit, western Makran volcanic arc, southeastern Iran

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sholeh, Ali; Rastad, Ebrahim; Huston, David L.; Gemmell, J. Bruce; Taylor, Ryan D.

2016-01-01

The Chahnaly Au deposit formed during the early stages of magmatism. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb geochronology of host andesite and 40Ar/39Ar dating of two samples of gold-associated adularia show that the ore-stage adularia (19.83 ± 0.10 and 19.2 ± 0.5 Ma) is younger, by as much as 1.5 million years, than the volcanic host rock (20.32 ± 0.4 Ma). Therefore, either hydrothermal activity continued well after volcanism or a second magmatic event rejuvenated hydrothermal activity. This second magmatic event may be related to eruption of porphyritic andesite at ~20.32 ± 0.40 Ma, which is within error of ~19.83 ± 0.10 Ma adularia. The new LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb host rock and vein adularia 40Ar/39Ar ages suggest that early Miocene magmatism and mineralization in the Bazman area is of a similar age to that of the Saindak porphyry and Tanjeel porphyry center of the giant Reko Diq deposit. This confirms the existence of early Miocene arc magmatism and mineralization along the Iranian part of the Makran volcanic arc. Ore, alteration mineralogy, and alteration patterns indicate that the Chahnaly deposit is a typical low-sulfidation epithermal Au deposit, located in a poorly explored part of the Makran volcanic arc in Iran.                   

Praseodymium-142 glass seeds for the brachytherapy of prostate cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Jae Won

A beta-emitting glass seed was proposed for the brachytherapy treatment of prostate cancer. Criteria for seed design were derived and several beta-emitting nuclides were examined for suitability. 142Pr was selected as the isotope of choice. Seeds 0.08 cm in diameter and 0.9 cm long were manufactured for testing. The seeds were activated in the Texas A&M University research reactor. The activity produced was as expected when considering the meta-stable state and epi-thermal neutron flux. The MCNP5 Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the quantitative dosimetric parameters suggested in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) TG-43/60. The Monte Carlo calculation results were compared with those from a dose point kernel code. The dose profiles agree well with each other. The gamma dose of 142Pr was evaluated. The gamma dose is 0.3 Gy at 1.0 cm with initial activity of 5.95 mCi and is insignificant to other organs. Measurements were performed to assess the 2-dimensional axial dose distributions using Gafchromic radiochromic film. The radiochromic film was calibrated using an X-ray machine calibrated against a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable ion chamber. A calibration curve was derived using a least squares fit of a second order polynomial. The measured dose distribution agrees well with results from the Monte Carlo simulation. The dose was 130.8 Gy at 6 mm from the seed center with initial activity of 5.95 mCi. AAPM TG-43/60 parameters were determined. The reference dose rate for 2 mm and 6 mm were 0.67 and 0.02 cGy/s/mCi, respectively. The geometry function, radial dose function and anisotropy function were generated.

Influence of Neutron Sources and 10B Concentration on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Shallow and Deeper Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

PubMed

Yu, Haiyan; Tang, Xiaobin; Shu, Diyun; Liu, Yuanhao; Geng, Changran; Gong, Chunhui; Hang, Shuang; Chen, Da

2017-03-01

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a radiotherapy that combines biological targeting and high Linear Energy Transfer (LET). It is considered a potential therapeutic approach for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It could avoid the inaccurate treatment caused by the lung motion during radiotherapy, because the dose deposition mainly depends on the boron localization and neutron source. Thus, B concentration and neutron sources are both principal factors of BNCT, and they play significant roles in the curative effect of BNCT for different cases. The purpose was to explore the feasibility of BNCT treatment for NSCLC with either of two neutron sources (the epithermal reactor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology named "MIT source" and the accelerator neutron source designed in Argentina named "MEC source") and various boron concentrations. Shallow and deeper lung tumors were defined in the Chinese hybrid radiation phantom, and the Monte Carlo method was used to calculate the dose to tumors and healthy organs. The MEC source was more appropriate to treat the shallow tumor (depth of 6 cm) with a shorter treatment time. However, the MIT source was more suitable for deep lung tumor (depth of 9 cm) treatment, as the MEC source is more likely to exceed the skin dose limit. Thus, a neutron source consisting of more fast neutrons is not necessarily suitable for deep treatment of lung tumors. Theoretical distribution of B in tumors and organs at risk (especially skin) was obtained to meet the treatable requirement of BNCT, which may provide the references to identify the feasibility of BNCT for the treatment of lung cancer using these two neutron sources in future clinical applications.

ACTION OF A COMPLEX RADIATION FLUX ON ERYTHROCYTE PHOSPHOMONOESTERASE (in Rumanian)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Buruiana, L.M.; Hadarag, El.; Dema, A.

To study the effect of radiation on the enzyme, erythrocytes were irradiated in the reactor of the Institute of Atomic Physics of the Romanian Academy of Sciences, Bucharest, in which the intensity of the various radiation components is: thermal neutrons 2.3 x 10/sup 7//cm/sup 2//sec, epithermal neutrons 7.1 x 10/sup 5//cm/sup 2//sec, fast neutrons 4.0 x 10/sup 7//cm/sup 2// sec, and gamma radiation 0.06 r/sec. In general, irradiation lowered the enzyme activity of solutions of the enzyme from horse erythrocytes, this reduction depending on the duration of irradiation and the initial enzyme activity. Kinetics of the nonirradiated and irradiated enzymemore » with respect to its substrate, alpha -glycerophosphate, were studied at various temperatures and substrate concentrations, according to the formulations of Lineweaver and Burk and the Michaelis constant (K/sub m/) was determined. The value of K/sub m/ was 0.0294 and 0.10 mole/l after 30 and 60 min irradiation, respectively, in contrast to 0.04 mole/l for the native enzyme. The corresponding hydrolysis rates at a substrate concentration of 0.50 g/100 ml were 0.036, 0.025, and 0.045, as g P per 100 ml erythrocytes at 37 deg C. Impairment of quality of the enzyme during irradiation was shown by the progressive increase in activation energy, which rose from 8955 cal/mole in native enzyme to 11500 and 11666 cal/mole in solutions of enzyme irradiated for 15 and 30 min, respectively. Although the above data apply to the equine enzyme only, similar changes in kinetics were observed following irradiation of the enzyme in bovine erythrocytes. (BBB)« less

Petrology, geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology of magmatic rocks from the high-sulfidation epithermal Au-Cu Chelopech deposit, Srednogorie zone, Bulgaria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chambefort, Isabelle; Moritz, Robert; von Quadt, Albrecht

2007-10-01

The Chelopech deposit is one of the largest European gold deposits and is located 60 km east of Sofia, within the northern part of the Panagyurishte mineral district. It lies within the Banat-Srednegorie metallogenic belt, which extends from Romania through Serbia to Bulgaria. The magmatic rocks define a typical calc-alkaline suite. The magmatic rocks surrounding the Chelopech deposit have been affected by propylitic, quartz-sericite, and advanced argillic alteration, but the igneous textures have been preserved. Alteration processes have resulted in leaching of Na2O, CaO, P2O5, and Sr and enrichment in K2O and Rb. Trace element variation diagrams are typical of subduction-related volcanism, with negative anomalies in high field strength elements (HFSE) and light element, lithophile elements. HFSE and rare earth elements were relatively immobile during the hydrothermal alteration related to ore formation. Based on immobile element classification diagrams, the magmatic rocks are andesitic to dacitic in compositions. Single zircon grains, from three different magmatic rocks spanning the time of the Chelopech magmatism, were dated by high-precision U-Pb geochronology. Zircons of an altered andesitic body, which has been thrust over the deposit, yield a concordant 206Pb/238U age of 92.21 ± 0.21 Ma. This age is interpreted as the crystallization age and the maximum age for magmatism at Chelopech. Zircon analyses of a dacitic dome-like body, which crops out to the north of the Chelopech deposit, give a mean 206Pb/238U age of 91.95 ± 0.28 Ma. Zircons of the andesitic hypabyssal body hosting the high-sulfidation mineralization and overprinted by hydrothermal alteration give a concordant 206Pb/238U age of 91.45 ± 0.15 Ma. This age is interpreted as the intrusion age of the andesite and as the maximum age of the Chelopech epithermal high-sulfidation deposit. 176Hf/177Hf isotope ratios of zircons from the Chelopech magmatic rocks, together with published data on the Chelopech area and the about 92-Ma-old Elatsite porphyry-Cu deposit, suggest two different magma sources in the Chelopech-Elatsite magmatic area. Magmatic rocks associated with the Elatsite porphyry-Cu deposit and the dacitic dome-like body north of Chelopech are characterized by zircons with ɛHfT90 values of ˜5, which suggest an important input of mantle-derived magma. Some zircons display lower ɛHfT90 values, as low as -6, and correlate with increasing 206Pb/238U ages up to about 350 Ma, suggesting assimilation of basement rocks during magmatism. In contrast, zircon grains in andesitic rocks from Chelopech are characterized by homogeneous 176Hf/177Hf isotope ratios with ɛHfT90 values of ˜1 and suggest a homogeneous mixed crust-mantle magma source. We conclude that the Elatsite porphyry-Cu and the Chelopech high-sulfidation epithermal deposits were formed within a very short time span and could be partly contemporaneous. However, they are related to two distinct upper crustal magmatic reservoirs, and they cannot be considered as a genetically paired porphyry-Cu and high-sulfidation epithermal related to a single magmatic-hydrothermal system centered on the same intrusion.

The Resource Prospector Neutron Spectrometer System: RP's Bloodhound

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, Richard C.; Fritzler, E.; Mobilia, J.; Kou, A.

2017-01-01

The primary goal of the Resource Prospector Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) is to locate and characterize hydrogen-bearing volatile deposits, especially subsurface ice, that may exist at the lunar poles. A key objective is to detect water-equivalent hydrogen concentrations of 0.5 wt% or greater while on a moving rover. A second objective is to determine approximate burial depth of enhanced hydrogen-bearing materials up to 1 meter below otherwise dry regolith. The instrument will be carried aboard a landed mobility system at the lunar poles. The instrument operates by measuring the changes in the leakage flux of low energy neutrons out of the regolith. These neutrons are produced by galactic cosmic rays, which are so energetic that they shatter the nuclei in surface materials. The neutrons interact with other nuclei and lose energy, becoming thermalized in the process. Hydrogen is most efficient at thermalizing neutrons owing to protons' similar mass - statistically, neutrons lose half their energy per collision with protons. With hydrogen in the soil, leakage fluxes of neutrons in the 0.5 eV to 500 keV energy range are reduced. A concentration of only1-2 wt% water-equivalent hydrogen results in a decrease in epithermal leakage flux of a factor of two. The leakage flux of thermal neutrons, from 0 to 0.5 eV in energy, can either increase or decrease depending on the hydrogen abundance and stratigraphy. As with the highly successful Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer, the RP NSS detects both thermal and epithermal neutrons by using two helium-3 gas proportional counters, one covered by cadmium and the other uncovered. The former detects only epithermal neutrons with energies above approximately 0.5 eV, the latter detects both thermal (less than 0.5 eV) and epithermal energies (greater than 0.5 eV). When a neutron enters the detector tube and interacts with a helium-3 nucleus, the resulting reaction produces an energetic proton and triton that ionize the gas. The resulting electrons are accelerated toward a high-voltage anode and cascade, amplifying the net charge, which is collected at the anode. The number of electrons produced is proportional to the energy that the triton and proton deposit in the gas. A charge sensitive pre-amplifier converts the total charge to a step voltage output. A shaper amplifier then shapes this step into a uni-polar waveform with peaking time appropriate for the detection depending on the event rate. The integrated shaped waveform, representing the deposited triton/proton energy, is then measured. A histogram, or pulse height analysis, is performed to record the main capture peak and wall effect pulses. A threshold for detection is also required to limit the low amplitude counting rate such as noise floor. The system electronics consists of 2 modules - the Sensor Module (SM) front-end and the Data Processing Module (DPM) back-end circuits. SM is designed as a light-weight and low power front-end housing the two helium-3 proportional counter detectors, preamp and HVPS. It is mounted external to the rover body to detect the thermalized neutron flux with a minimum of host background. The DPM is located inside the rover; it digitizes the SM signals, performs pulse height analysis and accumulates the count rate for each spectral channel. The DPM controls high voltage and thresholding, and sends the science data to the host craft via an RS422 serial asynchronous protocol. The payload host provides all thermal management and control for the SM and DPM.

Structural controls on Eocene to Pliocene tectonic and metallogenic evolution of the southernmost Lesser Caucasus, Armenia: paleostress field reconstruction and fault-slip analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hovakimyan, Samvel; Moritz, Robert; Tayan, Rodrik

2017-04-01

The Cenozoic evolution of the central segment of the Tethyan belt is dominated by oblique convergence and final collision of Gondwana-derived terranes and the Arabian plate with Eurasia, which created a favorable setting for the formation of the highly mineralized Meghri-Ordubad pluton in the southernmost Lesser Caucasus. Regional strike-slip faults played an important role in the control of the porphyry Cu-Mo and epithermal systems hosted by the Meghri-Ordubad pluton. In this contribution we discuss the paleostress and the kinematic environment of the major strike-slip and oblique-slip ore-controlling faults throughout the Eocene subduction to Mio-Pliocene post-collisional tectonic evolution of the Meghri-Ordubad pluton based on detailed structural field mapping of the ore districts, stereonet compilation of ore-bearing fractures and vein orientations in the major porphyry and epithermal deposits, and the paleostress reconstructions. Paleostress reconstructions indicate that during the Eocene and Early Oligocene, the main paleostress axe orientations reveal a dominant NE-SW-oriented compression, which is compatible with the subduction geometry of the Neotethys along Eurasia. This tectonic setting was favorable for dextral displacements along the two major, regional NNW-oriented Khustup-Giratakh and Salvard-Ordubad strike-slip faults. This resulted in the formation of a NS-oriented transrotational basin, known as the Central magma and ore- controlling zone (Tayan, 1998). It caused a horizontal clockwise rotation of blocks. The EW-oriented faults separating the blocks formed as en-échelon antithetic faults (Voghji, Meghrasar, Bughakyar and Meghriget-Cav faults). The Central zone consists of a network of EW-oriented sinistral and NS-oriented subparallel strike-slip faults (Tashtun, Spetry, Tey, Meghriget and Terterasar faults). They are active since the Eocene and were reactivated during the entire tectonic evolution of the pluton, but with different behaviors. During the Eocene, dextral displacement along the NS-oriented strike-slip faults were favorable for the opening of NE-oriented en-échelon normal faults. The NS-oriented faults, in particular at their intersection with EW- and NE-oriented faults, were important ore-controlling structures for the emplacement of major porphyry Cu-Mo (Dastakert, Aygedzor and Agarak) and epithermal (Tey-Lichkvaz and Terterasar) deposits. In summary, we conclude that from the Eocene to the Oligocene the dominant structural system consisted essentially in dextral strike-slip tectonics along the major NS-oriented faults. During the Oligocene to Miocene, NS-oriented compression and EW-oriented extension predominated, which is consistent with the collisional and post-collisional geodynamic evolution of the study area. This setting resulted in renewed dextral displacement along the NS-oriented ore-controlling faults, and sinistral displacement along the EW-oriented antithetic faults. This setting created the favorable geometry for opening NS- EW- and NE-oriented extension fractures, and the adequate conditions for the emplacement of vein-, stockwork-type porphyry deposits, including the giant Kadjaran deposit. During the Lower Miocene to Pliocene there was a rotation in the main regional stress components according to progressive regional evolution. Paleostress reconstructions indicate a change in compression from NS during the Miocene to NNW during the Pliocene. The Tashtun transcurrent fault had an oblique-slip behavior. It formed a negative flower structure with a sinistral strike-slip component, which resulted in the development of a pull-apart basin and the formation of the Lichk porphyry-epithermal system.

Magmatism and Epithermal Gold-Silver Deposits of the Southern Ancestral Cascade Arc, Western Nevada and Eastern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

John, David A.; du Bray, Edward A.; Henry, Christopher D.; Vikre, Peter

2015-01-01

Many epithermal gold-silver deposits are temporally and spatially associated with late Oligocene to Pliocene magmatism of the southern ancestral Cascade arc in western Nevada and eastern California. These deposits, which include both quartz-adularia (low- and intermediate-sulfidation; Comstock Lode, Tonopah, Bodie) and quartz-alunite (high-sulfidation; Goldfield, Paradise Peak) types, were major producers of gold and silver. Ancestral Cascade arc magmatism preceded that of the modern High Cascades arc and reflects subduction of the Farallon plate beneath North America. Ancestral arc magmatism began about 45 Ma, continued until about 3 Ma, and extended from near the Canada-United States border in Washington southward to about 250 km southeast of Reno, Nevada. The ancestral arc was split into northern and southern segments across an inferred tear in the subducting slab between Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak in northern California. The southern segment extends between 42°N in northern California and 37°N in western Nevada and was active from about 30 to 3 Ma. It is bounded on the east by the northeast edge of the Walker Lane. Ancestral arc volcanism represents an abrupt change in composition and style of magmatism relative to that in central Nevada. Large volume, caldera-forming, silicic ignimbrites associated with the 37 to 19 Ma ignimbrite flareup are dominant in central Nevada, whereas volcanic centers of the ancestral arc in western Nevada consist of andesitic stratovolcanoes and dacitic to rhyolitic lava domes that mostly formed between 25 and 4 Ma. Both ancestral arc and ignimbrite flareup magmatism resulted from rollback of the shallowly dipping slab that began about 45 Ma in northeast Nevada and migrated south-southwest with time. Most southern segment ancestral arc rocks have oxidized, high potassium, calc-alkaline compositions with silica contents ranging continuously from about 55 to 77 wt%. Most lavas are porphyritic and contain coarse plagioclase ± hornblende, biotite, and pyroxene phenocrysts. Seven epithermal gold-silver deposits with >1 Moz gold production, several large elemental sulfur deposits, and many large areas (10s to >100 km2) of hydrothermally altered rocks are present in the southern ancestral arc, especially south of latitude 40°N. These deposits are principally hosted by intermediate to silicic lava dome complexes; only a few deposits are associated with mafic- to intermediate-composition stratovolcanoes. Large deposits are most abundant and well developed in volcanic fields whose evolution spanned millions of years. Most deposits are hundreds of thousands to several million years younger than their host rocks, although some quartz-alunite deposits are essentially coeval with their host rocks. Variable composition and thickness of crustal basement is the primary control on mineralization along the length of the southern ancestral arc; most deposits and large alteration zones are localized in basement rock terranes with a strong continental affinity, either along the edge of the North American craton (Goldfield, Tonopah) or in an accreted terrane with continental affinities (Walker Lake terrane; Aurora, Bodie, Comstock Lode, Paradise Peak). Epithermal deposits and quartz-alunite alteration zones are scarce to absent in the northern part of the ancestral arc above an accreted island arc (Black Rock terrane) or unknown basement rocks (Modoc Plateau). Walker Lane structures and areas that underwent large magnitude extension during the Late Cenozoic (areas with Oligocene-early Miocene volcanic rocks dipping >40°) do not provide regional control on mineralization. Instead, these features may have served as local-scale conduits for mineralizing fluids.

Reconciling LCROSS and Orbital Neutron Water Abundance Estimates in Cabeus Crater

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, Richard; Teodoro, Luis F.; Eke, Vincent R.; Paige, David A.; Siegler, Matthew A.; Colaprete, Anthony

2011-01-01

The Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer (LPNS) first revealed Cabeus crater (84.9 deg S, 35.5degW) as having the highest inferred hydrogen on the Moon. Because of the broad LPNS footprint (approximately 40 km FWHM), the apparent peak water-equivalent hydrogen (WEH) concentration is only approximately 0.25 wt%, but could be much higher in smaller areas than the spectrometer footprint. Earlier image reconstruction work suggested that areas within permanent shadow have abundances approximately 1 wt% WEH. However, the LCROSS impact yielded total water estimates, ice plus vapor, of between 3 and 10 wt%. The large disagreement between LCROSS and apparent orbital values imply that either the ice is buried, by perhaps as much as 50 to 100 cm; or the ice distribution within Cabeus is spatially inhomogeneous, or both. Modeling reveals that the areal extent of a "shallow permafrost zone" is far greater than the area of permanent shadow. Ice can be virtually stable for billions of years within a few tens of centimeters of the surface in these areas. However, the LCROSS impact took place in an area of permanent shadow. If stably-trapped volatiles can be found in locales that receive occasional, oblique sunlight, landed missions may target these sites and eventual resource exploitation may be done more easily. Are orbital neutron data consistent with areally-extensive, volatile-rich cold traps? Orbital epithermal neutron data over the northern half of Cabeus (near the LCROSS impact site) are consistent with 0.2 wt% WEH or less in the "permafrost zone" near the crater. On the other hand, pixon reconstructions that confine the hydrogen enhancements to permanent shadow result in higher abundance estimates -- around 1 wt% if homogeneously mixed. But if the PSR abundance is increased to 10 wt%, consistent with the sum of all H-bearing compounds seen by LCROSS, a much larger-than-observed reduction in neutron count rate would be seen from orbit. It is likely that volatiles are inhomogeneously distributed, due to both impact processes and emplacement history. Two possibilities may bring consistency to the orbital and LCROSS measurements. Inhomogeneous lateral distribution: Consider the extreme case of a bimodal distribution within the crater -- dry and wet. In this case the epithermal leakage flux seen from orbit is a mixture of two different values, weighted according to fractional areas. Two possible outcomes, depending on whether the inferred leakage flux for the PSR or "permafrost" areas are considered. In the first case, approximately 40% of the PSR may be "wet", the remainder dry (and LCROSS was slightly lucky). However, if the whole area of permafrost is considered, then as little as 20% of the area will be as "wet" as the LCROSS results (and LCROSS was quite lucky). Inhomogeneous depth distribution: The leakage flux of thermal and epithermal neutrons depends on depth of burial of an icy layer beneath dry ferroan anorthosite soil (FAn). For the Cabeus PSR, the pixon reconstruction values for the epithermal flux allows a range of abundance and burial depth, while that of the thermal+epi detector constrains this range. (Uncertainties in iron abundance in the FAn can have significant impact on thermal neutron leakage flux estimates.) Between 20% and 40% of the Cabeus floor may be "wet", or alternatively a 5-10 wt% "wet" layer exists between 50 and 100 cm beneath a layer of dry regolith within the PSR. But volatile abundances of 5 wt% or more, distributed uniformly and homogeneously throughout the Cabeus PSR do not agree with orbital measurements

Methods to Collect, Compile, and Analyze Observed Short-lived Fission Product Gamma Data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Finn, Erin C.; Metz, Lori A.; Payne, Rosara F.

2011-09-29

A unique set of fission product gamma spectra was collected at short times (4 minutes to 1 week) on various fissionable materials. Gamma spectra were collected from the neutron-induced fission of uranium, neptunium, and plutonium isotopes at thermal, epithermal, fission spectrum, and 14-MeV neutron energies. This report describes the experimental methods used to produce and collect the gamma data, defines the experimental parameters for each method, and demonstrates the consistency of the measurements.

Self-ordering and complexity in epizonal mineral deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Henley, Richard W.; Berger, Byron R.

2000-01-01

Giant deposits are relatively rare and develop where efficient metal deposition is spatially focused by repetitive brittle failure in active fault arrays. Some brief case histories are provided for epithermal, replacement, and porphyry mineralization. These highlight how rock competency contrasts and feedback between processes, rather than any single component of a hydrothermal system, govern the size of individual deposits. In turn, the recognition of the probabilistic nature of mineralization provides a firmer foundation through which exploration investment and risk management decisions can be made.

Bulk hydrogen abundances in the lunar highlands: Measurements from orbital neutron data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawrence, David J.; Peplowski, Patrick N.; Plescia, Jeffrey B.; Greenhagen, Benjamin T.; Maurice, Sylvestre; Prettyman, Thomas H.

2015-07-01

The first map of bulk hydrogen concentrations in the lunar highlands region is reported. This map is derived using data from the Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer (LP-NS). We resolve prior ambiguities in the interpretation of LP-NS data with respect to non-polar hydrogen concentrations by comparing the LP-NS data with maps of the 750 nm albedo reflectance, optical maturity, and the wavelength position of the thermal infrared Christiansen Feature. The best explanation for the variations of LP-NS epithermal neutron data in the lunar highlands is variable amounts of solar-wind-implanted hydrogen. The average hydrogen concentration across the lunar highlands and away from the lunar poles is 65 ppm. The highest hydrogen values range from 120 ppm to just over 150 ppm. These values are consistent with the range of hydrogen concentrations from soils and regolith breccias at the Apollo 16 highlands landing site. Based on a moderate-to-strong correlation of epithermal neutrons and orbit-based measures of surface maturity, the map of highlands hydrogen concentration represents a new global maturity index that can be used for studies of the lunar soil maturation process. We interpret these hydrogen concentrations to represent a bulk soil property related to the long-term impact of the space environment on the lunar surface. Consequently, the derived hydrogen concentrations are not likely related to the surficial enhancements (top tens to hundreds of microns) or local time variations of OH/H2O measured with spectral reflectance data.

Alteration Minerals Extraction Using Airborne Hyperspectral Data Casi and Sasi in Wuyi Metallogenic Belt, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Z.; Zheng, J.

2018-04-01

Hydrothermal alteration is an important content in the study of epithermal deposit, and its deep part is often accompanied by porphyry mineralization. The objective of research is to mapping the alteration minerals for mineral exploration using mixture tuned matched filtering (MTMF) approach based on airborne hyperspectral data CASI and SASI in Wuyi metallogenic belt, China, which has complex geological structure and excellent mineralization conditions and high regional forest coverage rate. Gold mineralization is closely related to the Yanshan period epithermal intrusive rocks, and often exists in external contact zone of allgovite, monzomite porphyrite, granite porphyry, quarz porphyry, et al.. The main mineral alteration types include silicification (quartz), sericitization (sericite, illite), pyritization (pyrite), chloritization (chlorite), and partial calcitization (calcite). The alteration minerals extraction based on integrated CASI_SASI reflectance data were processed by MTMF algorithm with the input imagery which was pre-processed by MNF and the input endmember spectra measured by SVC spectrometer to performs MF and add an infeasibility image. The MTMF results provide an estimate to mineral subpixel fractions leading to the abundances of alteration minerals at each pixel and alteration minerals distribution. The accuracy of alteration mineral extraction refers to the extent which it agrees with a set of reference data measured in the field reconnaissance. So the CASI_SASI airborne hyperspectral image provides the efficient way to map the detailed alteration minerals distribution for mineral exploration in high forest coverage area.

Thallium pollution in China: A geo-environmental perspective.

PubMed

Xiao, Tangfu; Yang, Fei; Li, Shehong; Zheng, Baoshan; Ning, Zengping

2012-04-01

It is well known that thallium (Tl) is a non-essential and toxic metal to human health, but less is known about the geo-environmentally-induced Tl pollution and its associated health impacts. High concentrations of Tl that are primarily associated with the epithermal metallogenesis of sulfide minerals have the potential of producing Tl pollution in the environment, which has been recognized as an emerging pollutant in China. This paper aims to review the research progress in China on Tl pollution in terms of the source, mobility, transportation pathway, and health exposure of Tl and to address the environmental concerns on Tl pollution in a geo-environmental perspective. Tl associated with the epithermal metallogenesis of sulfide minerals has been documented to disperse readily and accumulate through the geo-environmental processes of soil enrichment, water transportation and food crop growth beyond a mineralized zone. The enrichments of Tl in local soil, water, and crops may result in Tl pollution and consequent adverse health effects, e.g. chronic Tl poisoning. Investigation of the baseline Tl in the geo-environment, proper land use and health-related environmental planning and regulation are critical to prevent the Tl pollution. Examination of the human urinary Tl concentration is a quick approach to identify exposure of Tl pollution to humans. The experiences of Tl pollution in China can provide important lessons for many other regions in the world with similar geo-environmental contexts because of the high mobility and toxicity of Tl. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of El Dorado epithermal gold deposit, El Sauce district, central-northern Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrillo-Rosúa, J.; Morales-Ruano, S.; Morata, D.; Boyce, A. J.; Belmar, M.; Fallick, A. E.; Fenoll Hach-Alí, P.

2008-03-01

The El Dorado Au-Cu deposit is located in an extensive intra-caldera zone of hydrothermal alteration affecting Upper Cretaceous andesites of the Los Elquinos Formation at La Serena (≈ 29°47'S Lat., 70°43'W Long., Chile). Quartz-sulfide veins of economic potential are hosted by N25W and N20E fault structures associated with quartz-illite alteration (+supergene kaolinite). The main ore minerals in the deposit are pyrite, chalcopyrite ± fahlore (As/(As + Sb): 0.06-0.98), with electrum, sphalerite, galena, bournonite-seligmanite (As/(As + Sb): 0.21-0.31), marcasite, pyrrhotite being accessory phases. Electrum, with an Ag content between 32 and 37 at.%, occurs interstitial to pyrite aggregates or along pyrite fractures. Pyrite commonly exhibits chemical zonation with some zones up to 1.96 at.% As. Electron probe microanalyses of pyrite indicate that As-rich zones do not exhibit detectable Au values. Fluid inclusion microthermometry shows homogenization temperatures between 130 and 352 °C and salinities between 1.6 and 6.9 wt.% NaCl eq. Isotope data for quartz, ankerite and phyllosilicates and estimated temperatures show that δ18O and δD for the hydrothermal fluids were between 3 and 10‰ and between -95 and -75‰, respectively. These results suggest the mineralizing fluids were a mixture of meteoric and magmatic waters. An epithermal intermediate-sulfidation model is proposed for the formation of the El Dorado deposit.

Comparison between the fluid characteristics of the Rodalquilar and two neighbouring epithermal gold deposits in Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sänger-von Oepen, P.; Friedrich, G.; Kisters, A.

1990-12-01

The operating Rodalquilar gold deposit and the abandoned Triunfo and Maria Josefa gold mines are located within the Sierra del Cabo de Gata volcanic field some 40 km east of Almeria in SE Spain. While the gold mineralization at Rodalquilar is mainly controlled by caldera-tectonics, vein structures at Triunfo and Maria Josefa are not. Wall-rock alteration at Triunfo and Maria Josefa is characterized by argillic alteration (illite/sericite, kaolinite). The alteration zonation around the gold-mineralized vein structures at Rodalquilar ranges from advanced argillic alteration (porous quartz, alunite, pyrophyllite, dickite) over argillic alteration into a regionally developed propylitization. Fluid inclusion studies from all three mines indicate that gold was deposited from low-salinity fluids (2 5 wt.% NaCl equivalent) between 170° and 250 °C. However, the hydrothermal system at Rodalquilar was fed by a second fluid source. High-salinity, halite and/or sylvite-bearing, liquid-rich, and vapour-dominated, CO2-bearing fluid inclusions are assumed to be of magmatic origin. High sulfidation ore mineral assemblages at depth (covellite, enargite, tennantite) and part of the advanced argillic alteration can be related to these fluids. Thus, part of those features which attribute the Rodalquilar gold deposit to the acid-sulfate or high sulfidation type of epithermal gold deposits, stem from magmatically derived fluids which are typical for a porphyry environment, whereas gold mineralization at all three localities is associated with low-salinity fluids, probably of marine origin.

Constraints on Hf and Zr mobility in high-sulfidation epithermal systems: formation of kosnarite, KZr2(PO4)3, in the Chaquicocha gold deposit, Yanacocha district, Peru

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deditius, Artur P.; Utsunomiya, Satoshi; Sanchez-Alfaro, Pablo; Reich, Martin; Ewing, Rodney C.; Kesler, Stephen E.

2015-04-01

We report the first occurrence of Hf-rich kosnarite [K(Hf,Zr)2(PO4)3], space group R- 3c, Z = 6, in the giant Chaquicocha high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit in the Yanacocha mining district, Peru. Kosnarite crystals are small (<100 μm) and occur in 2-3-mm-thick veins that cut intensively silicified rocks. The paragenesis includes a first stage of As-free pyrite and quartz (plus gratonite and rutile), followed by trace metal-rich pyrite [(Fe,As,Pb,Au)S2] and secondary Fe sulfates. Kosnarite is associated with quartz and is clearly late within the paragenetic sequence. Electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) of kosnarite show relatively high concentrations of HfO2 and Rb2O (7.61 and 1.05 wt.%, respectively). The re-calculated chemical formulas of kosnarite vary from KΣ1.00(Zr1.93Na0.01Hf0.01Mn0.01)Σ1.96(P3.04O4)Σ3 to (K0.92Rb0.05Na0.03)Σ1.00(Zr1.81Hf0.19)Σ2.00 [(P2.98Si0.02As0.01)Σ3.01O4]Σ3, where Hf and Rb are most likely incorporated according to a coupled substitution of Hf4+ + Rb+ ⇔ Zr4+ + K+. Back-scattered electron (BSE) images and elemental mapping of kosnarite reveal that Hf and Rb are enriched in 2-10-μm-wide oscillatory and/or sector zones. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) observations of such zones reveal a pattern of alternating, 5-50-nm-thick, Hf-rich and Zr-rich nanozones. These high-resolution observations indicate that the incorporation of Hf does not appear to cause significant distortion in the kosnarite structure. Semiquantitative TEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) analyses of the nano-layers show up to 22 wt.% of HfO2, which corresponds to 31 mol% of the hypothetical, KHf2(PO4)3, end-member. The presence of kosnarite in the advanced argillic alteration zone at Yanacocha is indicative of Hf and Zr mobility under highly acidic conditions and points towards an unforeseen role of phosphates as sinks of Zr and Hf in high-sulfidation epithermal environments. Finally, potentially new geochronological applications of highly insoluble vein kosnarite, including Rb-Sr dating, may provide further age constraints in pervasively altered areas where other isotopic systems might have been reset.

The geochemistry of host arc volcanic rocks to the Co-O epithermal gold deposit, Eastern Mindanao, Philippines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonntag, Iris; Kerrich, Robert; Hagemann, Steffen G.

2011-12-01

Mindanao is the second largest island of the Philippines and is located in the southern part of the archipelago. It comprises the suture zone between the Eurasian and the Philippine plate, which is displayed in the Philippine Mobile Belt. Eastern Mindanao is part of the Philippine Mobile Belt and outcropping rocks are mainly Eocene to Pliocene in age related to episodes of arc volcanism alternating with sedimentation. New high-precision elemental analysis of the Oligocene magma series, hosting the Co-O epithermal Au deposit, which represents an arc segment in the central part of Eastern Mindanao, revealed dominantly calc-alkaline rocks ranging in composition between basalt and dacites. Major element trends (MgO vs. TiO2 and Fe2O3) are comparable to other magmas in Central and Eastern Mindanao as well as other SW Pacific Islands such as Borneo. Rare earth and trace element distribution patterns display typical island arc signatures highlighted by the conjunction of LILE-enrichment with troughs at Nb, Ta, and Ti. Ratios of Zr/Nb in basalts vary between 17 and 39, signifying a depleted subarc mantle wedge comparable to the range of MORB, and other Indonesian island arc basalts. In basalts, Nb/Ta and Zr/Sm ratios are 12-37 and 14-27 respectively indicative of deep melts of rutile-eclogite subducted slab, as well as fluids, infiltrating the mantle wedge source of basalts. Moderate large ion lithophile element contents and low Th/La and Th/Ce ratios suggest no significant slab-derived components such as sediment or crustal fragments. The comparatively low Ce and Yb values in basalts, but also andesites and dacites, are consistent with a thin arc crust related to an intraoceanic convergent margin setting. This is further supported by Nb contents in basalts that range between 1 and 3 ppm and are within the range of modern oceanic convergent margin basalts. The range of HREE fractionation signifies that basaltic melts separated at deeper levels of the subarc wedge, possibly between the forearc and arc axis, followed by a calc-alkaline convergent margin magma suite involving shallower crustal AFC near the central arc sector. The analysed Oligocene arc segment is related to a potentially steep to intermediate dipping subduction zone in an extensional to neutral geotectonic regime. The large subduction accretion complex of the Philippine Mobile Belt provides an ideal setting for significant metal deposits during its entire evolution. This is evidenced in the Eastern Mindanao Ridge, which hosts substantial porphyry Cu and epithermal Au deposits.

Tellurium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldfarb, Richard J.; Berger, Byron R.; George, Micheal W.; Seal, Robert R.; Schulz, Klaus J.; DeYoung,, John H.; Seal, Robert R.; Bradley, Dwight C.

2017-12-19

Tellurium (Te) is a very rare element that averages only 3 parts per billion in Earth’s upper crust. It shows a close association with gold and may be present in orebodies of most gold deposit types at levels of tens to hundreds of parts per million. In large-tonnage mineral deposits, such as porphyry copper and seafloor volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, sulfide minerals may contain hundreds of parts per million tellurium, although the orebodies likely have overall concentrations of 0.1 to 1.0 parts per million tellurium. Tellurium is presently recovered as a primary ore from only two districts in the world; these are the gold-tellurium epithermal vein deposits located adjacent to one another at Dashuigou and Majiagou (Sichuan Province) in southwestern China, and the epithermal-like mineralization at the Kankberg deposit in the Skellefteå VMS district of Västerbotten County, Sweden. Combined, these two groups of deposits account for about 15 percent (about 70 metric tons) of the annual global production of between 450 and 470 metric tons of tellurium. Most of the world’s tellurium, however, is produced as a byproduct of the mining of porphyry copper deposits. These deposits typically yield concentrations of 1 to 4 percent tellurium in the anode slimes recovered during copper refining. Present production of tellurium from the United States is solely from the anode slimes at ASARCO LLC’s copper refinery in Amarillo, Texas, and may total about 50 metric tons per year. The main uses of tellurium are in photovoltaic solar cells and as an additive to copper, lead, and steel alloys in various types of machinery. The environmental data available regarding the mining of tellurium are limited; most concerns to date have focused on the more-abundant metals present in the large-tonnage deposits from which tellurium is recovered as a byproduct. Global reserves of tellurium are estimated to be 24,000 metric tons, based on the amount of tellurium likely contained in global copper reserves and on a 50 percent recovery rate from refinery anode slimes during the commonly used electrolytic process, also known as solvent extraction-electrolytic refining. If the more economical solvent-leach process—a process that does not recover tellurium—is increasingly used in the future to recover lower grades of copper from porphyry and other large-tonnage deposits, then additional high-grade tellurium-rich gold deposits may become new primary sources for tellurium, particularly epithermal vein deposits associated with alkaline magmatism.

Tandem-ESQ for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kreiner, A. J.; Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnologia, Universidad de Gral San Martin; CONICET,

2007-02-12

A folded tandem, with 1.25 MV terminal voltage, combined with an ElectroStatic Quadrupole (ESQ) chain is being proposed as a machine for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT). The machine is shown to be capable of accelerating a 30 mA proton beam to 2.5 MeV. These are the specifications needed to produce sufficiently intense and clean epithermal neutron beams, based on the on the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction, to perform BNCT treatment for deep seated tumors in less than an hour.

Arabia and Memnonia Equatorial Regions with High Content of Water: Data from HEND/Odyssey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitrofaov, I. G.; Litvak, M. L.; Kozyrev, A. S.; Sanin, A. B.; Tretyakov, V. I.; Boynton, W. V.; Hamara, D. K.; Shinohara, C.; Saunders, R. S.

2004-01-01

After one martian year of neutron mapping measurements by the High Energy Neutron Detector (HEND) onboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, a map of the planet was produced showing the summer season in each hemisphere when winter deposition of CO2 on the surface is absent. The data for northern and southern poleward water-rich regions are presented. Here we discuss the HEND results for two equatorial regions, Arabia and Memnonia, which were found to be associated with a rather strong depression of epithermal and high energy neutrons.

Thermomechanical treatment of alloys

DOEpatents

Bates, John F.; Brager, Howard R.; Paxton, Michael M.

1983-01-01

An article of an alloy of AISI 316 stainless steel is reduced in size to predetermined dimensions by cold working in repeated steps. Before the last reduction step the article is annealed by heating within a temperature range, specifically between 1010.degree. C. and 1038.degree. C. for a time interval between 90 and 60 seconds depending on the actual temperature. By this treatment the swelling under neutron bombardment by epithermal neutrons is reduced while substantial recrystallization does not occur in actual use for a time interval of at least of the order of 5000 hours.

High Spatial Resolution Studies of Epithermal Neutron Emission from the Lunar Poles: Constraints on Hydrogen Mobility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boynton, W. V.; Droege, G. F.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; McClanahan, T. P.; Sanin, A. B.; Litvak, M. L.; Schaffner, M.; Chin, G.; Evans, L. G.; Garvin, J. B.;

Using Neutron Spectroscopy to Constrain the Composition and Provenance of Phobos and Deimos

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, Richard C.

2015-01-01

The origin of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos is obscure and enigmatic. Hypotheses include the capture of asteroids originally from the outer main belt or beyond, residual material left over from Mars' formation, and accreted ejecta from a large impact on Mars, among others. Measurements of reflectance spectra indicate a similarity to dark, red D-type asteroids, but could indicate a highly space-weathered veneer. Here we suggest a way of constraining the near-surface composition of the two moons, for comparison to known meteoritic compositions. Neutron spectroscopy, particularly the thermal and epithermal neutron flux, distinguishes clearly between various classes of meteorites and varying hydrogen (water) abundances. Perhaps most surprising of all, a rendezvous with Phobos or Deimos is not necessary to achieve this. A low-cost mission based on the LADEE spacecraft design in an eccentric orbit around Mars can encounter Phobos every 2 weeks. As few as five flyby encounters at speeds of 2.3 kilometers per second and closest-approach distance of 3 kilometers provide sufficient data to distinguish between ordinary chondrite, water-bearing carbonaceous chondrite, ureilite, Mars surface, and aubrite compositions. A one-Earth year mission design includes many more flybys at lower speeds and closer approach distances, as well as similar multiple flybys at Deimos in the second mission phase, as described in the Phobos And Deimos Mars Environment (PADME) mission concept. This presentation will describe the expected thermal and epithermal neutron fluxes based on MCNP6 (Monte Carlo N (i.e. Neutron)-Particle transport code (version 6) simulations of different meteorite compositions and their uncertainties.

Non-destructive determination of uranium, thorium and 40K in tobacco and their implication on radiation dose levels to the human body.

PubMed

Landsberger, S; Lara, R; Landsberger, S G

2015-11-01

The naturally occurring radionuclides of (235)U, (238)U and (232)Th and their daughter products are a potential major source of anthropogenic radiation to tobacco smokers. Often overlooked is the presence of (40)K in tobacco and its implication to radiation dose accumulation in the human body. In this study, these three radiation sources have been determined in four typical US cigarettes using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The NAA reactions of (238)U(n,γ)(239)U, (232)Th(n,γ)(233)Th and (41)K(n,γ)(42)K were used to determine (235)U, (238)U and (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. The activity of (238)U can easily be determined by epithermal NAA of the (238)U(n,γ)(239)U reaction, and the activity of (235, 234)U can easily be deduced. Using isotopic ratios, the activity due to (40)K was found by the determined concentrations of (41)K (also by epithermal neutrons) in the bulk material. Each gram of total potassium yields 30 Bq of (40)K. The annual effective dose for smokers using 20 cigarettes per day was calculate to be 14.6, 137 and 9 μSv y(-1) for (238,235,) (234)U, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. These values are significantly lower that the dose received from (210)Po except for (232)Th. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

First evidence of epithermal gold occurrences in the SE Afar Rift, Republic of Djibouti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, N.; Fouquet, Y.; Le Gall, B.; Caminiti, A. M.; Rolet, J.; Bohn, M.; Etoubleau, J.; Delacourt, C.; Jalludin, M.

2012-06-01

The geology of the Republic of Djibouti, in the SE Afar Triangle, is characterized by intense tectonic and bimodal volcanic activity that began as early as 25-30 Ma. Each magmatic event was accompanied by hydrothermal activity. Mineralization generally occurs as gold-silver bearing chalcedony veins and is associated with felsic volcanism. Eighty samples from mineralized hydrothermal chalcedony, quartz ± carbonate veins and breccias were studied from ten sites representing four major volcanic events that range in age from early Miocene to the present. The most recent veins are controlled by fractures at the edges of grabens established during the last 4 Myr. Gold in excess of 200 ppb is present in 30% of the samples, with values up to 16 ppm. Mineralogical compositions allowed us to identify different types of mineralization corresponding to different depths in the hydrothermal system: (1) surface and subsurface mineralization characterized by carbonate chimneys, gypsum, silica cap and quartz ± carbonate veins that are depleted in metals and Au; (2) shallow banded chalcedony ± adularia veins related to boiling that contain up to 16 ppm Au, occurring as native gold and electrum with pyrite, and tetradymite; (3) quartz veins with sulfides, and (4) epidote alteration in the deepest hydrothermal zones. Samples in which pyrite is enriched in As tend to have a high Au content. The association with bimodal volcanism, the occurrence of adularia and the native Au and electrum in banded chalcedony veins are typical of epithermal systems and confirm that this type of mineralization can occur in a young intracontinental rift system.

Energy resolution of pulsed neutron beam provided by the ANNRI beamline at the J-PARC/MLF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kino, K.; Furusaka, M.; Hiraga, F.; Kamiyama, T.; Kiyanagi, Y.; Furutaka, K.; Goko, S.; Hara, K. Y.; Harada, H.; Harada, M.; Hirose, K.; Kai, T.; Kimura, A.; Kin, T.; Kitatani, F.; Koizumi, M.; Maekawa, F.; Meigo, S.; Nakamura, S.; Ooi, M.; Ohta, M.; Oshima, M.; Toh, Y.; Igashira, M.; Katabuchi, T.; Mizumoto, M.; Hori, J.

2014-02-01

We studied the energy resolution of the pulsed neutron beam of the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex/Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (J-PARC/MLF). A simulation in the energy region from 0.7 meV to 1 MeV was performed and measurements were made at thermal (0.76-62 meV) and epithermal energies (4.8-410 eV). The neutron energy resolution of ANNRI determined by the time-of-flight technique depends on the time structure of the neutron pulse. We obtained the neutron energy resolution as a function of the neutron energy by the simulation in the two operation modes of the neutron source: double- and single-bunch modes. In double-bunch mode, the resolution deteriorates above about 10 eV because the time structure of the neutron pulse splits into two peaks. The time structures at 13 energy points from measurements in the thermal energy region agree with those of the simulation. In the epithermal energy region, the time structures at 17 energy points were obtained from measurements and agree with those of the simulation. The FWHM values of the time structures by the simulation and measurements were found to be almost consistent. In the single-bunch mode, the energy resolution is better than about 1% between 1 meV and 10 keV at a neutron source operation of 17.5 kW. These results confirm the energy resolution of the pulsed neutron beam produced by the ANNRI beamline.

Impact of the High Flux Isotope Reactor HEU to LEU Fuel Conversion on Cold Source Nuclear Heat Generation Rates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chandler, David

2014-03-01

Under the sponsorship of the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration, staff members at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have been conducting studies to determine whether the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) can be converted from high enriched uranium (HEU) fuel to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. As part of these ongoing studies, an assessment of the impact that the HEU to LEU fuel conversion has on the nuclear heat generation rates in regions of the HFIR cold source system and its moderator vessel was performed and is documented in this report. Silicon production rates in the coldmore » source aluminum regions and few-group neutron fluxes in the cold source moderator were also estimated. Neutronics calculations were performed with the Monte Carlo N-Particle code to determine the nuclear heat generation rates in regions of the HFIR cold source and its vessel for the HEU core operating at a full reactor power (FP) of 85 MW(t) and the reference LEU core operating at an FP of 100 MW(t). Calculations were performed with beginning-of-cycle (BOC) and end-of-cycle (EOC) conditions to bound typical irradiation conditions. Average specific BOC heat generation rates of 12.76 and 12.92 W/g, respectively, were calculated for the hemispherical region of the cold source liquid hydrogen (LH2) for the HEU and LEU cores, and EOC heat generation rates of 13.25 and 12.86 W/g, respectively, were calculated for the HEU and LEU cores. Thus, the greatest heat generation rates were calculated for the EOC HEU core, and it is concluded that the conversion from HEU to LEU fuel and the resulting increase of FP from 85 MW to 100 MW will not impact the ability of the heat removal equipment to remove the heat deposited in the cold source system. Silicon production rates in the cold source aluminum regions are estimated to be about 12.0% greater at BOC and 2.7% greater at EOC for the LEU core in comparison to the HEU core. Silicon is aluminum s major transmutation product and affects mechanical properties of aluminum including density, neutron irradiation hardening, swelling, and loss of ductility. Because slightly greater quantities of silicon will be produced in the cold source moderator vessel for the LEU core, these effects will be slightly greater for the LEU core than for the HEU core. Three-group (thermal, epithermal, and fast) neutron flux results tallied in the cold source LH2 hemisphere show greater values for the LEU core under both BOC and EOC conditions. The thermal neutron flux in the LH2 hemisphere for the LEU core is about 12.4% greater at BOC and 2.7% greater at EOC than for the HEU core. Therefore, cold neutron scattering will not be adversely affected and the 4 12 neutrons conveyed to the cold neutron guide hall for research applications will be enhanced.« less

Development of Metallic Fuels for Actinide Transmutation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hayes, Steven Lowe; Fielding, Randall Sidney; Benson, Michael Timothy

Research and development activities on metallic fuels are focused on their potential use for actinide transmutation in future sodium fast reactors. As part of this application, there is also a need for a near zero-loss fabrication process and a desire to demonstrate a multifold increase in burnup potential. The incorporation of Am and Np into the traditional U-20Pu-10Zr metallic fuel alloy was demonstrated in the US during the Integral Fast Reactor Program of the 1980’s and early 1990’s. However, the conventional counter gravity injection casting method performed under vacuum, previously used to fabricate these metallic fuel alloys, was not optimizedmore » for mitigating loss of the volatile Am constituent in the casting charge; as a result, approximately 40% of the Am casting charge failed to be incorporated into the as-cast fuel alloys. Fabrication development efforts of the past few years have pursued an optimized bottom-pour casting method to increase utilization of the melted charge to near 100%, and a differential pressure casting approach, performed under an argon overpressure, has been demonstrated to result in essentially no loss of Am due to volatilization during fabrication. In short, a path toward zero-loss fabrication of metallic fuels including minor actinides has been shown to be feasible. Irradiation testing of advanced metallic fuel alloys in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) has been underway since 2003. Testing in the ATR is performed inside of cadmium-shrouded positions to remove >99% of the thermal flux incident on the test fuels, resulting in an epi-thermal driven fuel test that is free from gross flux depression and producing an essentially prototypic radial temperature profile inside the fuel rodlets. To date, three irradiation test series (AFC-1,2,3) have been completed. Over 20 different metallic fuel alloys have been tested to burnups as high as 30% with constituent compositions of Pu up to 30%, Am up to 12%, Np up to 10%, and Zr between 10 and 60%. In general, the performance of all of these substantially disparate metallic fuel alloys has been observed to be excellent, and their irradiation behaviors are generally consistent with historic norms for metallic fuels without minor actinide additions and having lower Pu or Zr contents. Future work is being undertaken with a view toward increasing the burnup potential of metallic fuels even more. Design innovations under investigation include: 1) lowering the fuel smear density in order to accommodate more swelling, 2) annular fuel geometry to eliminate the need for a sodium bond, 3) minor alloy additions to stabilize lanthanide fission products inside the fuel and prevent their transport to the cladding where they can participate in fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI), and 4) coatings/liners on the cladding inner surface to mitigate FCCI and enable higher temperature operation. This paper will present the current state of development of metallic fuels for actinide transmutation in the US. Highlights will include recent results from metallic fuel casting experiments, experiments to identify alloy additions to immobilize lanthanide fission products, and postirradiation examinations of annular metallic fuels at low burnup.« less

Study of solids by use of nonthermalized positrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nielsen, Bent; Lynn, K. G.; Chen, Yen-C.

1986-10-01

We have measured the energy distribution of positrons reemitted from the surfaces of solids after being implanted at low energy. It is shown that this provides a unique possibility to study energy losses of a charged particle down to near-thermal energy. Such measurements are used to estimate the positron thermalization time in Al. A dramatic change in this energy distribution was observed after oxidation of the Al surface. We attribute this to the band gap of the oxide. Trapping of epithermal positrons with a remarkably high cross section was observed for both Al and Cu.

Study on detecting spatial distribution of neutrons and gamma rays using a multi-imaging plate system.

PubMed

Tanaka, Kenichi; Sakurai, Yoshinori; Endo, Satoru; Takada, Jun

2014-06-01

In order to measure the spatial distributions of neutrons and gamma rays separately using the imaging plate, the requirement for the converter to enhance specific component was investigated with the PHITS code. Consequently, enhancing fast neutrons using recoil protons from epoxy resin was not effective due to high sensitivity of the imaging plate to gamma rays. However, the converter of epoxy resin doped with (10)B was found to have potential for thermal and epithermal neutrons, and graphite for gamma rays. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mineral resources and resource potential map of the Pyramid Peak Roadless Area, Riverside County, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Calzia, J.P.

1988-01-01

Geologic and geochemical data indicate that the study area has high resource potential for marble, and moderate resource potential for epithermal gold deposits and tungsten skarns. The Desert Divide Group and the Palm Canyon Complex contain large resources of marble quarried for Portland cement and for construction applications. Gold occurs in quartz veins and pegmatites in the Desert Divide Group and the Penrod Quartz Monzonite. Skarns in the Desert Divide Group contain scheelite and anomalous concentrations of arsenic and beryllium. Thin layers of tremolite asbestos along low-angle thrust faults occur outside of the study area.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Benites, J.; Alumno del Posgrado en CBAP, Universidad Autonoma de Nayarit, Carretera Tepic-Compostela km9. C.P. 63780. Xalisco-Nayarit-Mexico; Vega-Carrillo, H. R.

Neutron spectra and the ambient dose equivalent were calculated inside the bunker of a 15 MV Varian linac model CLINAC iX. Calculations were carried out using Monte Carlo methods. Neutron spectra in the vicinity of isocentre show the presence of evaporation and knock-on neutrons produced by the source term, while epithermal and thermal neutron remain constant regardless the distance respect to isocentre, due to room return. Along the maze neutron spectra becomes softer as the detector moves along the maze. The ambient dose equivalent is decreased but do not follow the 1/r{sup 2} rule due to changes in the neutronmore » spectra.« less

Application of activation methods on the Dubna experimental transmutation set-ups.

PubMed

Stoulos, S; Fragopoulou, M; Adloff, J C; Debeauvais, M; Brandt, R; Westmeier, W; Krivopustov, M; Sosnin, A; Papastefanou, C; Zamani, M; Manolopoulou, M

2003-02-01

High spallation neutron fluxes were produced by irradiating massive heavy targets with proton beams in the GeV range. The experiments were performed at the Dubna High Energy Laboratory using the nuclotron accelerator. Two different experimental set-ups were used to produce neutron spectra convenient for transmutation of radioactive waste by (n,x) reactions. By a theoretical analysis neutron spectra can be reproduced from activation measurements. Thermal-epithermal and fast-super-fast neutron fluxes were estimated using the 197Au, 238U (n,gamma) and (n,2n) reactions, respectively. Depleted uranium transmutation rates were also studied in both experiments.

Osmium isotope constraints on ore metal recycling in subduction zones

PubMed

McInnes; McBride; Evans; Lambert; Andrew

1999-10-15

Veined peridotite xenoliths from the mantle beneath the giant Ladolam gold deposit on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea, are 2 to 800 times more enriched in copper, gold, platinum, and palladium than surrounding depleted arc mantle. Gold ores have osmium isotope compositions similar to those of the underlying subduction-modified mantle peridotite source region, indicating that the primary origin of the metals was the mantle. Because the mantle is relatively depleted in gold, copper, and palladium, tectonic processes that enhance the advective transport and concentration of these fluid soluble metals may be a prerequisite for generating porphyry-epithermal copper-gold deposits.

Modelisation and distribution of neutron flux in radium-beryllium source (226Ra-Be)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Didi, Abdessamad; Dadouch, Ahmed; Jai, Otman

2017-09-01

Using the Monte Carlo N-Particle code (MCNP-6), to analyze the thermal, epithermal and fast neutron fluxes, of 3 millicuries of radium-beryllium, for determine the qualitative and quantitative of many materials, using method of neutron activation analysis. Radium-beryllium source of neutron is established to practical work and research in nuclear field. The main objective of this work was to enable us harness the profile flux of radium-beryllium irradiation, this theoretical study permits to discuss the design of the optimal irradiation and performance for increased the facility research and education of nuclear physics.

Refinement of the evaluation of the role of CO2 in modifying estimates of the pressure of epithermal mineralization

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barton, P.B.; Chou, I.-Ming

1993-01-01

Pressure is the most important of the intensive parameters for relating epirthemal mineralization to the geologic setting. This paper describes the limitations on pressure (and therefore depth) of mineralization that may reasonably be derived from simple observations on the behaviour of fluid inclusions. It is based on the reasonable model that mineralization occurs from a hydrostatically pressured NaCl-CO2-H2O fluid, consistent with the probability that H2O and CO2 are the only gases contributing significantly to the total pressure. -from Authors

Pulsed source of ultra low-energy muons at RIKEN-RAL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakule, Pavel; Matsuda, Yasuyuki; Iwasaki, Masahiko; Miyake, Yasuhiro; Nagamine, Kanetada; Ikedo, Yutaka; Shimomura, Koichiro; Strasser, Patrick

2006-03-01

At RIKEN-RAL muon facility of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK) we have produced a pulsed LE-μ + beam with pulse duration of only 10 ns and performed μSR experiments to demonstrate the capability to measure high spin precession frequency signals. The yield of pulsed LE-μ + has been steadily improving over the past 3 years and currently rates of up to 20 μ + per second are observed at the sample position. The overall cooling efficiency from the surface muon beam is now comparable to moderating the muon beam to epithermal energies in simple van der Waals bound solids.

Mock-up experiment at Birmingham University for BNCT project of Osaka University--Neutron flux measurement with gold foil.

PubMed

Tamaki, S; Sakai, M; Yoshihashi, S; Manabe, M; Zushi, N; Murata, I; Hoashi, E; Kato, I; Kuri, S; Oshiro, S; Nagasaki, M; Horiike, H

2015-12-01

Mock-up experiment for development of accelerator based neutron source for Osaka University BNCT project was carried out at Birmingham University, UK. In this paper, spatial distribution of neutron flux intensity was evaluated by foil activation method. Validity of the design code system was confirmed by comparing measured gold foil activities with calculations. As a result, it was found that the epi-thermal neutron beam was well collimated by our neutron moderator assembly. Also, the design accuracy was evaluated to have less than 20% error. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Self-Ordering and Complexity in Epizonal Mineral Deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henley, Richard W.; Berger, Byron R.

Epizonal base and precious metal deposits makeup a range of familiar deposit styles including porphyry copper-gold, epithermal veins and stockworks, carbonate-replacement deposits, and polymetallic volcanic rock-hosted (VHMS) deposits. They occur along convergent plate margins and are invariably associated directly with active faults and volcanism. They are complex in form, variable in their characteristics at all scales, and highly localized in the earth's crust. More than a century of detailed research has provided an extensive base of observational data characterizing these deposits, from their regional setting to the fluid and isotope chemistry of mineral deposition. This has led to a broad understanding of the large-scale hydrothermal systems within which they form. Low salinity vapor, released by magma crystallization and dispersed into vigorously convecting groundwater systems, is recognized as a principal source of metals and the gases that control redox conditions within systems. The temperature and pressure of the ambient fluid anywhere within these systems is close to its vapor-liquid phase boundary, and mineral deposition is a consequence of short timescale perturbations generated by localized release of crustal stress. However, a review of occurrence data raises questions about ore formation that are not addressed by traditional genetic models. For example, what are the origins of banding in epithermal veins, and what controls the frequency of oscillatory lamination? What controls where the phenomenon of mineralization occurs, and why are some porphyry deposits, for example, so much larger than others? The distinctive, self-organized characteristics of epizonal deposits are shown to be the result of repetitive coupling of fracture dilation consequent on brittle failure, phase separation ("boiling"), and heat transfer between fluid and host rock. Process coupling substantially increases solute concentrations and triggers fast, far-from-equilibrium depositional processes. Since these coupled processes lead to localized transient changes in fluid characteristics, paragenetic, isotope, and fluid inclusion data relate to conditions at the site of deposition and only indirectly to the characteristics of the larger-scale hydrothermal system and its longer-term behavior. The metal concentrations (i.e. grade) of deposits and their internal variation is directly related to the geometry of the fracture array at the deposit scale, whereas finer-scale oscillatory fabrics in ores may be a result of molecular scale processes. Giant deposits are relatively rare and develop where efficient metal deposition is spatially focused by repetitive brittle failure in active fault arrays. Some brief case histories are provided for epithermal, replacement, and porphyry mineralization. These highlight how rock competency contrasts and feedback between processes, rather than any single component of a hydrothermal system, govern the size of individual deposits. In turn, the recognition of the probabilistic nature of mineralization provides a firmer foundation through which exploration investment and risk management decisions can be made.

A high-brightness, electron-based source of polarized photons and neutrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spencer, J. E.

1999-06-01

A compact and comparatively inexpensive system that is practical for universities is described based on a low-energy, electron storage ring with at least one undulator based oscillator to store photons. If the oscillator cavity length is relativistically corrected to be an harmonic of the ring circumference (LC=βLRn/nB with nB the number of bunches), higher-energy, secondary photons from Compton backscattering may become significant. Then, besides synchrotron radiation from the ring dipoles and damping wigglers as well as undulator photons, there are frequency upshifted Compton photons and photoneutrons from low Q-value targets such as Beryllium (Qn=-1.66) or Deuterium (Qn=-2.22 MeV). For 100 MeV electron bunches, an adjustable-phase, planar, helical undulator can be made to produce circularly polarized UV photons having a fundamental ɛγ1=11.1 eV. If these photons are stored in a multimode, hole-coupled resonator they produce a Compton endpoint energy up to ɛγ2=1.7 MeV. When incident on a Be conversion target these secondary photons make unmoderated, epithermal neutrons having mean energy ɛn=24.8±6.8 keV from the two-body reaction Be9+γ→n+Be8(→2α)with negligible, residual radioactivity. The system is shown in Fig. 1. When the target is unpolarized, one expects neutron rates of 1011 epithermal n/s for 1015 Comptons/s and a circulating current of 1 A with polarizations PRHC(n⃗)=-0.5, PLHC(n⃗)=0.5, both with reduced flux, and PLin(n⃗)=0. With a 1 cm thick cylindrical tungsten sheath surrounding the Be to attenuate scattered photons exiting at 90° to the incident photons, there is a peak neutron flux of ≈109 epithermal n/s/cm2 cylindrically symmetric around the surface. No attempt was made to optimize this because there is still no accepted treatment protocol (dose rates or preferred neutron energy distribution). Although these factors depend on the individual case, several thousand BNCT treatments per year appear feasible. A potential clinical advantage of this system is that it also provides the photon beams required for analogs of NCT such as photon activation therapy PAT. Other medical applications, depending on electron energy, include real-time production of radioactive nuclides (both proton and neutron rich) e.g. tracers for PET scans useful for measuring boron uptake rate and distribution prior to treatment. While the primary electron energy depends on the application, higher energies are more versatile and technically simpler. Certain innovations that make such a system feasible are discussed.

The Marianas-San Marcos vein system: characteristics of a shallow low sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag deposit in the Cerro Negro district, Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidal, Conrado Permuy; Guido, Diego M.; Jovic, Sebastián M.; Bodnar, Robert J.; Moncada, Daniel; Melgarejo, Joan Carles; Hames, Willis

2016-08-01

The Cerro Negro district, within the Argentinian Deseado Massif province, has become one of the most significant recent epithermal discoveries, with estimated reserves plus resources of ˜6.7 Moz Au equivalent. The Marianas-San Marcos vein system contains about 70 % of the Au-Ag resources in the district. Mineralization consists of Upper Jurassic (155 Ma) epithermal Au- and Ag-rich veins of low to intermediate sulfidation style, hosted in and genetically related to Jurassic intermediate composition volcanic rocks (159-156 Ma). Veins have a complex infill history, represented by ten stages with clear crosscutting relationships that can be summarized in four main episodes: a low volume, metal-rich initial episode (E1), an extended banded quartz episode with minor mineralization (E2), a barren waning stage episode (E3), and a silver-rich late tectonic-hydrothermal episode (E4). The first three episodes are interpreted to have formed at the same time and probably from fluids of similar composition: a 290-230 °C fluid dominated by meteoric and volcanic waters (-3‰ to -0‰ δ18Owater), with <3 % NaCl equivalent salinity and with a magmatic source of sulfur (-1 to -2 ‰ δ34Swater). Metal was mainly precipitated at the beginning of vein formation (episode 1) due to a combination of boiling at ˜600 to 800 m below the paleowater table, and associated mixing/cooling processes, as evidenced by sulfide-rich bands showing crustiform-colloform quartz, adularia, and chlorite-smectite banding. During episodes 2 and 3, metal contents progressively decrease during continuing boiling conditions, and veins were filled by quartz and calcite during waning stages of the hydrothermal system, and the influx of bicarbonate waters (-6 to -8.5 ‰ δ18Owater). Hydrothermal alteration is characterized by proximal illite, adularia, and silica zone with chlorite and minor epidote, intermediate interlayered illite-smectite and a distal chlorite halo. This assemblage is in agreement with measured fluid inclusion temperatures. A striking aspect of the Marianas-San Marcos vein system is that the high-grade/high-temperature veins are partially covered by breccia and volcaniclastic deposits of acidic composition, and are spatially associated with hot spring-related deposits and an advanced argillic alteration blanket. A telescoped model is therefore proposed for the Marianas-San Marcos area, where deeper veins were uplifted and eroded, and then partially covered by non-explosive, post-mineral rhyolitic domes and reworked volcaniclastic deposits, together with shallow geothermal features. The last tectonic-hydrothermal mineralization episode (E4), interpreted to have formed at lower temperatures, could be related to this late tectonic and hydrothermal activity.

A high gain energy amplifier operated with fast neutrons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rubbia, C.

1995-10-01

The basic concept and the main practical considerations of an Energy Amplifier (EA) have been exhaustively described elsewhere. Here the concept of the EA is further explored and additional schemes are described which offer a higher gain, a larger maximum power density and an extended burn-up. All these benefits stem from the use of fast neutrons, instead of thermal or epithermal ones, which was the case in the original study. The higher gain is due both to a more efficient high energy target configuration and to a larger, practical value of the multiplication factor. The higher power density results frommore » the higher permissible neutron flux, which in turn is related to the reduced rate of {sup 233}Pa neutron captures (which, as is well known, suppress the formation of the fissile {sup 233}U fuel) and the much smaller k variations after switch-off due to {sup 233}Pa decays for a given burn-up rate. Finally a longer integrated burn-up is made possible by reduced capture rate by fission fragments of fast neutrons. In practice a 20 MW proton beam (20 mA @ 1 GeV) accelerated by a cyclotron will suffice to operate a compact EA at the level of {approx} 1 GW{sub e}. The integrated fuel burn-up can be extended in excess of 100 GW d/ton, limited by the mechanical survival of the fuel elements. Radio-Toxicity accumulated at the end of the cycle is found to be largely inferior to the one of an ordinary Reactor for the same energy produced. Schemes are proposed which make a {open_quotes}melt-down{close_quotes} virtually impossible. The conversion ratio, namely the rate of production of {sup 233}U relative to consumption is generally larger than unity, which permits production of fuel for other uses. Alternatively the neutron excess can be used to transform unwanted {open_quotes}ashes{close_quotes} into more acceptable elements.« less

Epithermal uranium deposits in a volcanogenic context: the example of Nopal 1 deposit, Sierra de Pena Blanca, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calas, G.; Angiboust, S.; Fayek, M.; Camacho, A.; Allard, T.; Agrinier, P.

2009-12-01

The Peña Blanca molybdenum-uranium field (Chihuahua, Mexico) exhibits over 100 airborne anomalies hosted in tertiary ignimbritic ash-flow tuffs (44 Ma) overlying the Pozos conglomerate and a sequence of Cretaceous carbonate rocks. Uranium occurrences are associated with breccia zones at the intersection of two or more fault systems. Periodic reactivation of these structures associated with Basin and Range and Rio Grande tectonic events resulted in the mobilization of U and other elements by meteoric fluids heated by geothermal activity. Trace element geochemistry (U, Th, REE) provides evidence for local mobilization of uranium under oxidizing conditions. In addition, O- and H-isotope geochemistry of kaolinite, smectite, opal and calcite suggests that argillic alteration proceeded at shallow depth with meteoric water at 25-75 °C. Focussed along breccia zones, fluids precipitated several generations of pyrite and uraninite together with kaolinite, as in the Nopal 1 mine, indicating that mineralization and hydrothermal alteration of volcanic tuffs are contemporaneous. Low δ34S values (~ -24.5 ‰) of pyrites intimately associated with uraninite suggest that the reducing conditions at the origin of the U-mineralization arise from biological activity. Later, the uplift of Sierra Pena Blanca resulted in oxidation and remobilization of uranium, as confirmed by the spatial distribution of radiation-induced defect centers in kaolinites. These data show that tectonism and biogenic reducing conditions can play a major role in the formation and remobilization of uranium in epithermal deposits. By comparison with the other uranium deposits at Sierra Pena Blanca and nearby Sierra de Gomez, Nopal 1 deposit is one of the few deposits having retained a reduced uranium mineralization.

Visualizing trace element distribution in quartz using cathodoluminescence, electron microprobe, and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rusk, Brian; Koenig, Alan; Lowers, Heather

2011-01-01

Cathodoluminescent (CL) textures in quartz reveal successive histories of the physical and chemical fluctuations that accompany crystal growth. Such CL textures reflect trace element concentration variations that can be mapped by electron microprobe or laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Trace element maps in hydrothermal quartz from four different ore deposit types (Carlin-type Au, epithermal Ag, porphyry-Cu, and MVT Pb-Zn) reveal correlations among trace elements and between trace element concentrations and CL textures. The distributions of trace elements reflect variations in the physical and chemical conditions of quartz precipitation. These maps show that Al is the most abundant trace element in hydrothermal quartz. In crystals grown at temperatures below 300 °C, Al concentrations may vary by up to two orders of magnitude between adjacent growth zones, with no evidence for diffusion. The monovalent cations Li, Na, and K, where detectable, always correlate with Al, with Li being the most abundant of the three. In most samples, Al is more abundant than the combined total of the monovalent cations; however, in the MVT sample, molar Al/Li ratios are ~0.8. Antimony is present in concentrations up to ~120 ppm in epithermal quartz (~200–300 °C), but is not detectable in MVT, Carlin, or porphyry-Cu quartz. Concentrations of Sb do not correlate consistently with those of other trace elements or with CL textures. Titanium is only abundant enough to be mapped in quartz from porphyry-type ore deposits that precipitate at temperatures above ~400 °C. In such quartz, Ti concentration correlates positively with CL intensity, suggesting a causative relationship. In contrast, in quartz from other deposit types, there is no consistent correlation between concentrations of any trace element and CL intensity fluctuations.

To the Application of LiDAR to Detect the Geological Structures in Sulphurets Property, British Columbia, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koohzare, A.; Rezaeian, M.; McIntosh, A.

2009-05-01

The Kerr Sulphurets property in North Western British Columbia has been explored primarily as a placer gold holding since the 1880s; and, potentially includes one of Canada's largest gold deposits (e.g. the Mitchell Zone). The Sulphurets camp has been classified by Taylor in 2007 as a prominent global epithermal high-sulphidation subtype with 10 million tonnes of ore (reserves + production) containing approximately 10 g/t gold. The geological and geophysical observations of this deposit indicate intrusion- related mineralized veins which are known to overlap as the result of structural complexities. Faulting predates mineralization and alteration and dramatically dominates the location of the mineralization for this porphyry- epithermal high-sulphidation deposit (Britton and Alldrick 1988, British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 1992; Margolis, 1993). However, the surface trace of these structures and lineaments within the site is obscured by vegetation, glacial cover and steep topographic relief. We used high resolution LiDAR airborne bare-earth sensing (vegetative data deleted) in an effort to detect the surface geological features and lineaments in the Kerr Sulphurets site. The LiDAR flight was designed to acquire high density data with 2 points per square meter using a 150 kHz multipulse system. High resolution LiDAR data provides a level of detail not achievable by other digital terrain modelling techniques, whether extracted from aerial photography, low-resolution topographic contour maps, 10-30 meter USGS, or SRTM digital elevation models. LiDAR bare-earth data spectacularly revealed hidden geological structures within the property district, which in turn assisted in identifying the high potential zones for mineralization in Sulphurets.

Development of Monte Carlo based real-time treatment planning system with fast calculation algorithm for boron neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Takada, Kenta; Kumada, Hiroaki; Liem, Peng Hong; Sakurai, Hideyuki; Sakae, Takeji

2016-12-01

We simulated the effect of patient displacement on organ doses in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). In addition, we developed a faster calculation algorithm (NCT high-speed) to simulate irradiation more efficiently. We simulated dose evaluation for the standard irradiation position (reference position) using a head phantom. Cases were assumed where the patient body is shifted in lateral directions compared to the reference position, as well as in the direction away from the irradiation aperture. For three groups of neutron (thermal, epithermal, and fast), flux distribution using NCT high-speed with a voxelized homogeneous phantom was calculated. The three groups of neutron fluxes were calculated for the same conditions with Monte Carlo code. These calculated results were compared. In the evaluations of body movements, there were no significant differences even with shifting up to 9mm in the lateral directions. However, the dose decreased by about 10% with shifts of 9mm in a direction away from the irradiation aperture. When comparing both calculations in the phantom surface up to 3cm, the maximum differences between the fluxes calculated by NCT high-speed with those calculated by Monte Carlo code for thermal neutrons and epithermal neutrons were 10% and 18%, respectively. The time required for NCT high-speed code was about 1/10th compared to Monte Carlo calculation. In the evaluation, the longitudinal displacement has a considerable effect on the organ doses. We also achieved faster calculation of depth distribution of thermal neutron flux using NCT high-speed calculation code. Copyright © 2016 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mineral potential tracts for orogenic, Carlin-like, and epithermal gold deposits in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, (phase V, deliverable 68): Chapter H1 in Second projet de renforcement institutionnel du secteur minier de la République Islamique de Mauritanie (PRISM-II)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldfarb, Richard J.; Marsh, Erin; Horton, John D.

2012-01-01

This report contains the USGS results of the PRISM-II Mauritania Minerals Project and is presented in cooperation with the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The Report is composed of separate chapters consisting of multidisciplinary interpretive reports with accompanying plates on the geology, structure, geochronology, geophysics, hydrogeology, geochemistry, remote sensing (Landsat TM and ASTER), and SRTM and ASTER digital elevation models of Mauritania. The syntheses of these multidisciplinary data formed the basis for additional chapters containing interpretive reports on 12 different commodities and deposit types known to occur in Mauritania, accompanied by countrywide mineral resource potential maps of each commodity/deposit type. The commodities and deposit types represented include: (1) Ni, Cu, PGE, and Cr deposits hosted in ultramafic rocks; (2) orogenic, Carlin-like, and epithermal gold deposits; (3) polymetallic Pb-Zn-Cu vein deposits; (4) sediment-hosted Pb-Zn-Ag deposits of the SEDEX and Mississippi Valley-type; (5) sediment-hosted copper deposits; ( 6) volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; (7) iron oxide copper-gold deposits; (8) uranium deposits; (9) Algoma-, Superior-, and oolitic-type iron deposits; (10) shoreline Ti-Zr placer deposits; (11) incompatible element deposits hosted in pegmatites, alkaline rocks, and carbonatites, and; (12) industrial mineral deposits. Additional chapters include the Mauritanian National Mineral Deposits Database are accompanied by an explanatory text and the Mauritania Minerals Project GIS that contains all of the interpretive layers created by USGS scientists. Raw data not in the public domain may be obtained from the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Insights into the genesis of the epithermal Au-Ag mineralization at Rio Blanco in the Cordillera Occidental of southwestern Ecuador: Constraints from U-Pb and Ar/Ar geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bineli Betsi, Thierry; Ponce, Miguel; Chiaradia, Massimo; Ulianov, Alex; Camacho, Alfredo

2017-12-01

The genesis of the Au-Ag mineralization at Rio Blanco in the Cordillera Occidental (Western Cordillera) of southwest of Ecuador is here constrained. This was done by investigating the temporal and by inference the genetic relationship between the Au-Ag mineralization and the spatially associated magmatic host rocks using zircon U-Pb [chemical abrasion (CA) IDTIMS and laser ablation (LA) ICPMS] and adularia 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Whereas volcanics hosting the Au-Au mineralization range in age from 37.35 ± 0.30 to 33.09 ± 0.20 Ma (Late Eocene-Early Oligocene), the spatially associated intrusions are of at least two discontinuous phases of magmatism and these include: (i) Late Eocene intrusions that range in age from 35.77 ± 0.19 to 36.03 ± 0.19 Ma, and; (ii) Miocene intrusions of 15.58 ± 0.04 Ma. The 40Ar/39Ar age of adularia from a Bonanza Au (334 g/t)-Ag (2060 g/t)-bearing epithermal vein is bracketed between 14.3 and 14.9 Ma. The temporal relationship between adularia and by inference mineralization and the spatially associated rocks therefore rules out any temporal link between the Late Eocene-Early Oligocene Rio Blanco Formation, but rather favors a possible genetic relationship between the Rio Blanco Au-Ag mineralization and the Miocene intrusions. The determined Rio Blanco Au-Ag mineralization age is consistent with the established Oligocene-Miocene period of ore deposits in Ecuador and coincides with the extensional tectonic event, which developed intramontane basins in southern Ecuador.

Mineralogy of the epithermal precious and base metal deposit Banská Hodruša at the Rozália Mine (Slovakia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubač, Alexander; Chovan, Martin; Koděra, Peter; Kyle, J. Richard; Žitňan, Peter; Lexa, Jaroslav; Vojtko, Rastislav

2018-03-01

The Au-Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu epithermal deposit Banská Hodruša of intermediate-sulphidation type is located in the Middle Miocene Štiavnica stratovolcano on the inner side of the Carpathian arc in Slovakia. This deposit represents an unusual subhorizontal multi-stage vein system, related to processes of underground cauldron subsidence and exhumation of a subvolcanic granodiorite pluton. Veins are developed on a low-angle normal shear zone, possibly representing a detachment zone in andesitic wall rocks that formed during emplacement and exhumation of the granodiorite pluton. The deposit consists of two parts, separated by a thick sill of quartz-diorite porphyry. The eastern part is currently mined, and the western part has already been depleted. The Banská Hodruša mineralization was formed during four stages: (1) low-grade silicified breccia at subhorizontal structures at the base of the deposit; (2) stockwork of steep veins with rhodonite-rhodochrosite, quartz-sulphide-carbonate and quartz-gold assemblages; (3) thin quartz-gold veins with medium dip in tension cracks inside the shear zone and complementary detachment hosted quartz-base metals-gold veins; (4) Post-ore veins. Gold and electrum (920-730) occur as intergrowths with base metal sulphides or hosted in quartz and carbonates, accompanied by Au-Ag tellurides (hessite, petzite). Rare Te-polybasite and Cu-cervelleite result from re-equilibration of early Te-bearing minerals during cooling. Sulphide minerals include low Fe sphalerite ( 1.25 wt%), galena, chalcopyrite, and pyrite. The wall rock alteration is represented mostly by adularia, illite, chlorite, quartz, calcite and pyrite. Precipitation of gold, Au-Ag tellurides, Mn-bearing minerals and adularia resulted from boiling of fluids due to hydraulic fracturing, as well as opening of dilatational structures within the shear zone.

Genetic environment of germanium-bearing gold-silver vein ores from the Wolyu mine, Republic of Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yun, Seong-Taek; So, Chil-Sup; Choi, Sang-Hoon; Shelton, Kevin L.; Koo, Ja-Hak

1993-04-01

The Wolyu mine is one of the largest vein-type gold-silver-bearing epithermal systems in the Youngdong district and is the first gold-silver deposit in Korea found to contain significant germanium, in the form of argyrodite (Ag8GeS6). Mineralized veins (78.9 ± 1.2 Ma) crosscutting Late Cretaceous hostrock tuff and quartz porphyry (81.5 ± 1.8 Ma) consist of three stages of quartz and carbonates, the first of which contains pyrite, basemetal sulfides and Au-Ag-minerals. Stage I Au-Ag-Ge-mineralized veins show a systematic variation of mineral assemblage with time: (1) quartz + pyrite; (2) quartz + pyrite + sphalerite + electrum + argentite; (3) carbonate + quartz + sphalerite + electrum + argentite; (4) carbonate + native silver + argentite + Ag-sulfosalts + argyrodite + sphalerite. Calculated values of temperature and sulfur activity are: assemblage (1), 360-280°C and 10-7-10-10; (2), 280-210°C and 10-10-10-14; (3), 210-180°C and 10-14-10-16; (4), 180-155°C and 10-17-10-18. These data, the frequent association of gold with sulfides, and the abundance of pyrite in alteration zones indicate that decreasing sulfur activity and cooling were important in triggering gold deposition. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of ore fluids display a systematic variation with increasing time. Within the main Ag-Au-Ge mineralization, δD and δ 18O values decrease with the transition from quartz to carbonate deposition (from -78 and -2.8% to -90 and -8.7%., respectively), indicating increasing involvement (mixing) of less evolved meteoric water which resulted in progressive cooling and dilution of ore fluids in the shallow (≈ 370 600 m) Wolyu epithermal system.

Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pour, Amin Beiranvand; Hashim, Mazlan

2014-08-01

The application of optical remote sensing data for geological mapping is difficult in the tropical environment. The persistent cloud coverage, dominated vegetation in the landscape and limited bedrock exposures are constraints imposed by the tropical climate. Structural geology investigations that are searching for epithermal or polymetallic vein-type ore deposits can be developed using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing data in tropical/sub-tropical regions. The Bau gold mining district in the State of Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo has been selected for this study. The Bau is a gold field similar to Carlin style gold deposits, but gold mineralization at Bau is much more structurally controlled. Geological analyses coupled with the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) remote sensing data were used to detect structural elements associated with gold mineralization. The PALSAR data were used to perform lithological-structural mapping of mineralized zones in the study area and surrounding terrain. Structural elements were detected along the SSW to NNE trend of the Tuban fault zone and Tai Parit fault that corresponds to the areas of occurrence of the gold mineralization in the Bau Limestone. Most of quartz-gold bearing veins occur in high-angle faults, fractures and joints within massive units of the Bau Limestone. The results show that four deformation events (D1-D4) in the structures of the Bau district and structurally controlled gold mineralization indicators, including faults, joints and fractures are detectable using PALSAR data at both regional and district scales. The approach used in this study can be more broadly applicable to provide preliminary information for exploration potentially interesting areas of epithermal or polymetallic vein-type mineralization using the PALSAR data in the tropical/sub-tropical regions.

Characteristics of some silver-, and base metal-bearing, epithermal deposits of Mexico and Peru

USGS Publications Warehouse

Foley, Nora K.

1984-01-01

Although many characteristics of the geology and geochemistry of this type of deposit were considered, the most important criterion for choosing these deposits was that they have substantial quantities of precious- and base-metal mineralization. Additional criteria for selecting the deposits were that they be hosted primarily by calc-alkaline volcanic rocks of intermediate to silicic composition and that they be younger than Tertiary in age. Many deposits in Mexico and Peru and other parts of Central and South America were excluded because the literature describing the districts is not readily available. Furthermore, many districts have not been examined in detail or the information available is of limited geological scope. The four districts that are compiled in this report were chosen because they are described in abundant literature dating from early mining reports on the general geology and mineralogy to very recent data on detailed geochemical and mineralogical studies. They were chosen as being fairly typical, classic examples of near-surface, low-temperature vein deposits as described by Lindgren (1928) in his treatise on ore deposits (Mineral deposits, McGraw-Hill, 1049 p.). These deposits are similar in aspects of their geology and geochemistry to many of the famous, epithermal silver mining districts in Colorado and Nevada including Creede, Colorado, Tonapah, Nevada, and the Sunnyside Mine of the Eureka district, Colorado, and, in the special case of Julcani, to Summitville, Colorado, and Goldfield, Nevada. The characteristics that distinguish them include overall size, production and alteration assemblage. The information documented in each summary will be used in a forthcoming series of papers on the comparative anatomy of precious and base metal deposits in North and South America.

Comparative anatomy of epithermal precious- and base-metal districts hosted by volcanic rocks: A talk presented at the GAC/MSC/GGU Joint Annual Meeting, May 11-13, 1983, Victoria, British Columbia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Heald-Wetlaufer, Pamela; Hayba, Daniel O.; Foley, Nora K.; Goss, J.A.

1983-01-01

In order to distinguish dissimilar from similar features of epithermal districts, lithotectonic, mineralogical and geochemical traits are compiled for 15 such districts. The districts occur in structurally complex settings associated with silicic to intermediate volcanics. Affiliation with subduction environments on a continental scale and caldera settings on a regional scale is common but is not demonstrable for all districts. Most deposits formed near the end of major volcanism, but some formed considerably later. Paleodepth to the top of the ore is 300-600m for most districts, although Au-rich districts appear to be shallower. The lateral extent of the ore zone is highly variable and far exceeds the limited vertical range (300-800m). Most ore was deposited from dominantly meteoric fluids ranging in temperature from 220°-290°C. Salinities ranged from 0-13 wt% NaCl equiv., and typical values were 1-3 wt%. Although noted for eight deposits, boiling is clearly associated with precious-metal deposition in only two deposits. Four districts, typified by Goldfield, Nev., are characterized by a highly sulfidized mineral assemblage, advanced argillic alteration, and ore deposition closely following emplacement of the host rock. The remaining eleven districts highlight a second, discrete type of deposit. They contain adularia, exhibit sericitic ± argillic alteration, and were mineralized significantly after emplacement of the host rock. The latter category includes two subgroups: Ag- and base-metal-rich deposits (e.g., Creede, Colo.), and Au-rich, base-metal-poor deposits (e.g., Round Mtn., Nev.).

Precious metal-bearing epithermal deposits in western Patagonia (NE Lago Fontana region), Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanfranchini, Mabel Elena; Etcheverry, Ricardo Oscar; de Barrio, Raúl Ernesto; Recio Hernández, Clemente

2013-04-01

Precious metal-bearing quartz veins occur at the northeastern sector of the Lago Fontana region in southwestern Argentina, within the context of the Andean continental magmatic arc environment. The deposits and their associated alteration zones are spatially related to a Cretaceous calc-alkaline magmatism represented by silicic dikes and hypabyssal intrusions, and hosted by a Late Jurassic to Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence. The veins and related veinlets crop out discontinuously, in general terms in a NW-SE belt. The primary vein mineral assemblage is composed mostly of pyrite ± galena ± chalcopyrite > hematite ± arsenopyrite in silica gangue minerals. Chemical analyses of grab samples from selected quartz veins show as much as 5.7 ppm Au and 224 ppm Ag, as well as elevated Pb, Cu, and Zn. Hydrothermal fluids caused an innermost silicification and adularia-sericite alteration assemblage, and an external propylitic halo. Sulfur isotope values measured for sulfides (δSS from -1.90 to +1.56‰), and oxygen and hydrogen isotopes measured on quartz crystals and extracted primary fluid inclusion waters (δOO = -2.85 to +5.40‰; δDO = -106.0 to -103.4‰) indicate that mineralization probably formed from magmatic fluids, which were mixed with meteoric waters. Also, fluid inclusion data from quartz veins point out that these fluids had low salinity (1.7-4.2 wt% NaCl equiv.), and temperatures of homogenization between 180 and 325 °C. Mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical features for mineralized surface exposures indicate a typical adularia-sericite, low sulfidation epithermal system in the Lago Fontana area that represents a promising target for further exploration programs.

[Possibilities of boron neutron capture therapy in the treatment of malignant brain tumors].

PubMed

Kanygin, V V; Kichigin, A I; Gubanova, N V; Taskaev, S Yu

2015-01-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) that is of the highest attractiveness due to its selective action directly on malignant tumor cells is a promising approach to treating cancers. Clinical interest in BNCT focuses in neuro-oncology on therapy for gliomas, glioblastoma in particular, and BNCT may be used in brain metastatic involvement. This needs an epithermal neutron source that complies with the requirements for BNCT, as well as a 10B-containing agent that will selectively accumulate in tumor tissue. The introduction of BNCT into clinical practice to treat patients with glial tumors will be able to enhance therapeutic efficiency.

Experiments to increase the parameters of the vacuum insulation tandem accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasatov, D. A.; Kolesnikov, J. A.; Koshkarev, A. M.; Kuznetsov, A. S.; Makarov, A. N.; Sokolova, E. O.; Sorokin, I. N.; Sycheva, T. V.; Taskaev, S. Yu.; Shchudlo, I. M.

2016-12-01

An epithermal neutron source that is based on a vacuum insulation tandem accelerator (VITA) and lithium target was created in the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics for the development of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). A stationary proton beam with 2 MeV energy and 1.6 mA current has been obtained. To carry out BNCT, it is necessary to increase the beam parameters up to 2.3 MeV and 3 mA. Ways to increase the parameters of the proton beam have been proposed and discussed in this paper. The results of the experiments are presented.

Water detection at the moon, Mars and comets with a combined neutron gamma ray instrument

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Metzger, Albert E.; Haines, Eldon L.

1991-01-01

Measuring the fluxes of thermal and epithermal neutrons at a planetary object in conjunction with gamma-ray spectroscopic observations will provide information about the chemical composition of the surface which is less model dependent than the gamma ray measurements by themselves. Researchers devised a passive neutron detector for this purpose. An experimental model was designed and built. Three variables provided the basis for a set of experiments: thickness of the Sm and B layers, the presence or absence of the ACS, and the position of the source relative to the PND's cylindrical axis. Experimental results are given.

Assay of the Martian Regolith with Neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drake, Darrell M.; Reedy, R.; Jakowsky, B.; Clark, B.; Squyres, S.

1998-01-01

Different aspects of assaying Martian regolith using neutrons have been investigated. The epithermal portion of moderated neutrons spectra is dramatically effected by the presence of hydrogen (usually in the form of water). A simple analytic formula has been derived to describe the amplitude of this portion of the neutron spectrum as a function of water concentration. Several demonstration experiments have been performed and modeled with a Monte Carlo code. Results of these experiments generally agreed with the calculations to within 20%. In addition to He-3 detectors, lithium-glass scintillators and U-238 fission ion chambers were investigated to determine their applicability to space experiments.

Production of thorium-229 using helium nuclei

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mirzadeh, Saed; Garland, Marc Alan

A method for producing .sup.229Th includes the steps of providing .sup.226Ra as a target material, and bombarding the target material with alpha particles, helium-3, or neutrons to form .sup.229Th. When neutrons are used, the neutrons preferably include an epithermal neutron flux of at least 1.times.10.sup.13 n s.sup.-1cm.sup.-2. .sup.228Ra can also be bombarded with thermal and/or energetic neutrons to result in a neutron capture reaction to form .sup.229Th. Using .sup.230Th as a target material, .sup.229Th can be formed using neutron, gamma ray, proton or deuteron bombardment.

HYSPEC : A CRYSTAL TIME OF FLIGHT HYBRID SPECTROMETER FOR THE SPALLATION NEUTRON SOURCE.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

SHAPIRO,S.M.; ZALIZNYAK,I.A.

2002-12-30

This document lays out a proposal by the Instrument Development Team (IDT) composed of scientists from leading Universities and National Laboratories to design and build a conceptually new high-flux inelastic neutron spectrometer at the pulsed Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge. This instrument is intended to supply users of the SNS and scientific community, of which the IDT is an integral part, with a platform for ground-breaking investigations of the low-energy atomic-scale dynamical properties of crystalline solids. It is also planned that the proposed instrument will be equipped with a polarization analysis capability, therefore becoming the first polarized beammore » inelastic spectrometer in the SNS instrument suite, and the first successful polarized beam inelastic instrument at a pulsed spallation source worldwide. The proposed instrument is designed primarily for inelastic and elastic neutron spectroscopy of single crystals. In fact, the most informative neutron scattering studies of the dynamical properties of solids nearly always require single crystal samples, and they are almost invariably flux-limited. In addition, in measurements with polarization analysis the available flux is reduced through selection of the particular neutron polarization, which puts even more stringent limits on the feasibility of a particular experiment. To date, these investigations have mostly been carried out on crystal spectrometers at high-flux reactors, which usually employ focusing Bragg optics to concentrate the neutron beam on a typically small sample. Construction at Oak Ridge of the high-luminosity spallation neutron source, which will provide intense pulsed neutron beams with time-averaged fluxes equal to those at medium-flux reactors, opens entirely new opportunities for single crystal neutron spectroscopy. Drawing upon experience acquired during decades of studies with both crystal and time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometers, the IDT has developed a conceptual design for a focused-beam, hybrid time-of-flight instrument with a crystal monochromator for the SNS called HYSPEC (an acronym for hybrid spectrometer). The proposed instrument has a potential to collect data more than an order of magnitude faster than existing steady-source spectrometers over a wide range of energy transfer ({h_bar}{omega}) and momentum transfer (Q) space, and will transform the way that data in elastic and inelastic single-crystal spectroscopy are collected. HYSPEC is optimized to provide the highest neutron flux on sample in the thermal and epithermal neutron energy ranges at a good-to-moderate energy resolution. By providing a flux on sample several times higher than other inelastic instruments currently planned for the SNS, the proposed instrument will indeed allow unique ground-breaking measurements, and will ultimately make polarized beam studies at a pulsed spallation source a realistic possibility.« less

Evidence for de-sulfidation to form native electrum in the Fire Creek epithermal gold-silver deposit, north-central Nevada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez, J.; Day, J. M.; Cook, G. W.

2012-12-01

The Fire Creek property is a newly developed and previously unstudied epithermal Au-Ag deposit located in the Northern Shoshone range of north central Nevada. The mineralization occurs within and above en echelon N-NW trending basaltic dykes that are hosted within a co-genetic and bimodal suite of mid-Miocene basalts and andesites formed in association with the Yellowstone hotspot-track. Previous studies of Au-Ag mineralization in the Great Basin have focused primarily on extensively mined and/or low-grade deposits. Therefore, the ability for unrestricted sampling of a major Au-Ag deposit early in its exploration and development represents an opportunity for refined understanding of epithermal ore genesis processes. New petrology reveals at least two distinct pulses of mineralization that in relative order of timing are: 1) S-rich veins which are associated with initial host-rock alteration; 2) quartz- and/or calcite-rich veins which vary from fine-grained to lath-like quartz crystals with large calcite crystals in vein centers. Native electrum occurs only within the second phase of mineralization and typically occurs within quartz and adjacent to cross-cut first-phase S-rich veins. In places the electrum appears to replace or form overgrowths around existing sulfide phases. High levels of gold and silver are found in both the first (0.8 g Au/tonne) and second-phase pulses (37 g Au/tonne). Fire Creek shares many similarities with its northern neighbor, the Mule Canyon Au-Ag deposit, with high Fe sulfide contents for some of the ores, altered wall-rocks and the presence of narrow and discontinuous gold-bearing siliceous veins. Like Fire Creek, Mule Canyon possesses two distinct mineralizing phases, a sulfide rich and a late stage calcite/silica assemblage. The first pulse appears to be identical in both locations with a variation of disseminated to euhedral iron-sulfides and associated intense alteration of host rock. However, Fire Creek differs from Mule Canyon in that the second phase of mineralization shows spatial and petrographic association with coarser silica and carbon phases. Conversely associations of electrum in Mule Canyon are typically with chalcedony or opal veins and hydrothermal breccia matrices (John et al. Econ. Geol. 98, 425-463, 2003). Opal and chalcedony phases do not appear within fracture-filled veins in Fire Creek, but occur as cap rocks on the surface. These associations are likely driven by impingement of basaltic dikes into ground waters in both the Fire Creek and Mule Canyon deposits. However, in the case of Fire Creek, our study demonstrates that there is a clear spatial dependence between the electrum, primary S-rich mineralized veins and phases of coarse carbonate and silica. We postulate that this occurs through increased brecciation and sub-surface boiling of hydrothermal fluids leading to de-sulfidation and a marked change in alteration and mineral assemblage.

Neutrons and gamma-rays spectroscopy of Mercury surface: global mapping from ESA MPO-BepiColombo spacecraft by MGNS instrument.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozyrev, A. S.; Gurvits, L. I.; Litvak, M. L.; Malakhov, A. A.; Mokrousov, M. I.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Rogozhin, A. A.; Sanin, A. B.; Owens, A.; Schvetsov, V. N.

2009-04-01

For analyse chemistry composition of Mercury subsurface we will apply method of as-called remote sensing of neutrons. This method can be use for study celestial body of Solar system without thick atmospheres, like Moon, Mars, Phobos, Mercury etc. by the analysis of induced nuclear gamma-rays and neutron emission. These gamma-rays and neutrons are produced by energetic galactic cosmic rays colliding with nuclei of regolith within a 1-2 meter layer of subsurface. Mercury Planetary Orbiter of BepiColombo mission includes the nuclear instrument MGNS (Mercury Gamma-rays and Neutrons Spectrometers), which consists of gamma-rays spectrometer for detection of gamma-ray lines and neutron spectrometer for measurement of the neutron leakage flux. To test know theoretical models of Mercury composition, MGNS will provide the data for the set of gamma-ray lines, which are necessary and sufficient to discriminate between the models. Neutron data are known to be very sensitive for the presence of hydrogen within heavy soil-constituting elements. Mapping measurements of epithermal neutrons and 2.2 MeV line will allow us to study the content of hydrogen over the surface of Mercury and to test the presence of water ice deposits in the cold traps of permanently shadowed polar craters of this planet. There are also three natural radioactive elements, K, Th and U, which contents in the soil of a celestial body characterizes the physical condition of its formation in the proto-planetary cloud. The data from gamma-spectrometer will allow to compare the origin of Mercury with evolution of Earth, Moon and Mars. Three sensors for thermal and epithermal neutrons are made with similar 3He proportional counters, but have different polyethylene enclosures and cadmium shielding for different sensitivity of thermal and epithermal neutrons at different energy ranges. The fourth neutron sensor for high energy neutrons 1-10 MeV contains the scintillation crystal of stylbene with cylindrical shape of size Ø30Ã-40 cm. The gamma-rays spectrometer contains scintillation crystal of LaBr3 for detection of gamma-ray photons with very high spectral resolution of 3 % at 662 keV. The total mass of MGNS instrument is 5.2 kg; it consumes 4.0 W of power and provides about 9.0 Mb of telemetry data per day. At present, the nuclear instrument MGNS is under development for implementation on the MPO of BepiColombo mission, as the contribution of Federal Space Agency of Russia to this ESA project. In comparison of gamma-rays spectrometer onboard NASA's Messenger interplanetary probe, whitch will provide mapping data for northern hemisphere of the planet only because of elliptical orbit, the MGNS onboard MPO will provide global mapping of the planet with similar coverage of southern and northern hemispheres of the Mercury.

The Stypsi-Megala Therma porphyry-epithermal mineralization, Lesvos Island, Greece: new mineralogical and geochemical data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Periferakis, Argyrios; Voudouris, Panagiotis; Melfos, Vasilios; Mavrogonatos, Constantinos; Alfieris, Dimitrios

2017-04-01

Lesvos Island is located at the NE part of the Aegean Sea and mostly comprises post-collisional Miocene volcanic rocks of shoshonitic to calc-alkaline geochemical affinities. In the northern part of the Island, the Stypsi Cu-Mo±Au porphyry prospect, part of the Stypsi caldera, is hosted within hydrothermally altered intrusives and volcanics [1]. Porphyry-style mineralization is developed in a microgranite porphyry that has intruded basaltic trachyandesitic lavas. Propylitic alteration occurs distal to the mineralization, whereas sodic-calcic alteration related to quartz-actinolite veinlets, and a phyllic overprint associated with a dense stockwork of banded black quartz±carbonate veinlets, characterizes the core of the system. Alunite-kaolinite advanced argillic alteration occurs at higher topographic levels and represents a barren lithocap to the porphyry mineralization. Intermediate-sulfidation (IS) milky quartz-carbonate veins overprint the porphyry mineralization along a NNE-trending fault that extends further northwards to Megala Therma, where it hosts IS base metal-rich Ag-Au mineralization [2]. New mineralogical data from the Megala Therma deposit suggest Ag-famatinite, Te-polybasite and Ag-tetrahedrite as the main carriers of Ag in the mineralization. Porphyry-style ores at Stypsi consist of magnetite postdated by pyrite and then by chalcopyrite, molybdenite, sphalerite, galena and bismuthinite within the black quartz stockworks or disseminated in the wallrock [1]. The dark coloration of quartz in the veinlets is due to abundant vapor-rich fluid inclusions. Quartz is granular and fine-grained and locally elongated perpendicular to the vein walls. Botryoidal textures are continuous through quartz grains, suggesting quartz recrystallization from a silica gel, a feature already described by [3] from banded quartz veinlets in porphyry Au deposits at Maricunga, Chile. Bulk ore analyses from porphyry-style mineralization at Stypsi displayed similar geochemical anomalies to those previously reported by [1] but also provide additional information in a series of elements: Cu (up to 843 ppm), Mo (up to 76 ppm), Au (up to 120 ppb), Pb (up to 339ppm), Zn (up to 815ppm), Se (up to 10ppm), Te (up to 4 ppm), Bi (up to 4 ppm) and Sn (up to 23 ppm). The Lesvos Island may be interpreted as the westward extension of the Eocene-Miocene Biga peninsula Cu-Au porphyry belt, with potential for future discoveries of Cu-Mo±Au deposits in the Aegean area. [1] Voudouris P, Alfieris D (2005) New porphyry-Cu±Mo occurrences in northeastern Aegean/Greece: Ore mineralogy and transition to epithermal environment. In: Mao J, Bierlein FP (eds) Mineral deposit research: Meeting the global challenge. Springer Verlag, 473-476; [2] Kontis E, Kelepertsis AE, Skounakis S (1994) Geochemistry and alteration facies associated with epithermal precious metal mineralization in an active geothermal system, northern Lesvos, Greece. Min Deposita, 29:430-433; [3] Muntean JL, Einaudi MT (2000) Porphyry Gold Deposits of the Refugio District, Maricunga Belt, Northern Chile. Econ. Geology, 95, 1445-1472.

Miocene and early Pliocene epithermal gold-silver deposits in the northern Great Basin, western United States: Characteristics, distribution, and relationship to Magmatism

USGS Publications Warehouse

John, D.A.

2001-01-01

Numerous important Miocene and early Pliocene epithermal Au-Ag deposits are present in the northern Great Basin. Most deposits are spatially and temporally related to two magmatic assemblages: bimodal basalt-rhyolite and western andesite. These magmatic assemblages are petrogenetic suites that reflect variations in tectonic environment of magma generation. The bimodal assemblage is a K-rich tholeiitic series formed during continental rifting. Rocks in the bimodal assemblage consist mostly of basalt to andesite and rhyolite compositions that generally contain anhydrous and reduced mineral assemblages (e.g., quartz + fayalite rhyolites). Eruptive forms include mafic lava flows, dikes, cinder and/or spatter cones, shield volcanoes, silicic flows, domes, and ash-flow calderas. Fe-Ti oxide barometry indicates oxygen fugacities between the magnetite-wustite and fayalite-magnetite-quartz oxygen buffers for this magmatic assemblage. The western andesite assemblage is a high K calc-alkaline series that formed a continental-margin are related to subduction of oceanic crust beneath the western coast of North America. In the northern Great Basin, most of the western andesite assemblage was erupted in the Walker Lane belt, a zone of transtension and strike-slip faulting. The western andesite assemblage consists of stratovolcanoes, dome fields, and subvolcanic plutons, mostly of andesite and dacite composition. Biotite and hornblende phenocrysts are abundant in these rocks. Oxygen fugacities of the western andesite assemblage magmas were between the nickel-nickel oxide and hematite-magnetite buffers, about two to four orders of magnitude greater than magmas of the bimodal assemblage. Numerous low-sulfidation Au-Ag deposits in the bimodal assemblage include deposits in the Midas (Ken Snyder), Sleeper, DeLamar, Mule Canyon, Buckhorn, National, Hog Ranch, Ivanhoe, and Jarbidge districts; high-sulfidation gold and porphyry copper-gold deposits are absent. Both high- and low-sulfidation gold-silver and porphyry copper-gold deposits are affiliated with the western andesite assemblage and include the Comstock Lode, Tonopah, Goldfield, Aurora, Bodie, Paradise Peak, and Rawhide deposits. Low-sulfidation Au-Ag deposits in the bimodal assemblage formed under relatively low oxygen and sulfur fugacities and have generally low total base metal (Cu + Pb + Zn) contents, low Ag/Au ratios, and notably high selenide mineral contents compared to temporally equivalent low-sulfidation deposits in the western andesite assemblage. Petrologic studies suggest that these differences may reflect variations in the magmatic-tectonic settings of the associated magmatic assemblages-deposits in the western andesite assemblage formed from oxidized, water-rich, subduction-related calc-alkaline magmas, whereas deposits in the bimodal assemblage were associated with reduced, water-poor tholeiitic magmas derived from the lithospheric mantle during continental extension. The contrasting types and characteristics of epithermal deposits and their affinities with associated igneous rocks suggest that a genetic relationship is present between these Au-Ag deposits and their temporally associated magmatism, although available data do not prove this relationship for most low-sulfidation deposits.

The partitioning behavior of silver in a vapor brine rhyolite melt assemblage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simon, Adam C.; Pettke, Thomas; Candela, Philip A.; Piccoli, Philip M.

2008-03-01

The partitioning of silver in a sulfur-free rhyolite melt-vapor-brine assemblage has been quantified at 800 °C, pressures of 100 and 140 MPa and f≈NNO (nickel-nickel oxide). Silver solubility (±2 σ) in rhyolite increases 5-fold from 105 ± 21 to 675 ± 98 μg/g as pressure increases from 100 to 140 MPa. Nernst-type partition coefficients (DAgi,j±2σ) describing the mass transfer of silver at 100 MPa between vapor and melt, brine and melt and vapor and brine are 32 ± 30, 1151 ± 238 and 0.026 ± 0.004, respectively. At 140 MPa, values for DAgi,j(±2σ) for vapor and melt, brine and melt, and vapor and brine are 32 ± 10, 413 ± 172 and 0.06 ± 0.03, respectively. Apparent equilibrium constant values (±2 σ) describing the exchange of silver and sodium between vapor and melt, KAg,Nav/m, at 100 and 140 MPa are 105 ± 68 and 14 ± 6. The average values (±2 σ) for silver and sodium exchange between brine and melt, KAg,Nab/m, at 100 and 140 MPa are 313 ± 288 and 65 ± 12. These data indicate that the mass transfer of silver from rhyolite melt to an exsolved volatile phase(s) is enhanced at 100 MPa relative to 140 MPa, suggesting that decompression increases the silver ore-generative potential of an evolving silicate magma. Model calculations using the new data suggest that the evolution of low-density, aqueous fluid (i.e., vapor) may be responsible for the the silver tonnage of many porphyry-type and perhaps epithermal-type ore deposits. For example, Halter et al. (Halter W. E., Pettke T. and Heinrich C. A. (2002) The origin of Cu/Au ratios in porphyry-type ore deposits. Science296, 1842-1844) used detailed silicate and sulfide melt inclusion and vapor and brine fluid inclusions analyses to estimate a melt volume on the order of 15 km 3 to satisfy the copper budget at the Bajo de la Alumbrera copper-, gold-, silver-ore deposit. Using their melt volume estimate with the data presented here, model calculations for a 15-km 3 felsic melt, saturated with pyrrhotite and magnetite, suggest that a low-salinity magmatic vapor may scavenge on the order of 7 × 10 12 g of silver from the melt. This quantity of silver exceeds the discovered 2 × 10 9 g of Ag at Alumbrera. Calculated tonnages for numerous other deposits yield similar results. The excess silver in the vapor, remaining after porphyry formation, is then available to precipitate at lower PTconditions in the stratigraphically higher epithermal environment. These data suggest that silver, and perhaps other ore metals, in the porphyry-epithermal continuum may be derived solely from the time-integrated flux of dominantly low-salinity vapor exsolved from a series of sequential magma batches.

Condensed-matter research at the Los Alamos pulsed neutron source (WNR)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eckert, J.

1982-01-01

The experimental program at the WNR in condensed matter research at present is aimed principally at utilizing the high epithermal neutron flux available at a spallation neutron source. Interesting new results have been obtained in several areas including hydrogen vibrations in metals, chemical vibrational spectroscopy and the structure of liquids. For example, extensive vibrational spectra were obtained of hydrogen in Nb which could be described in terms of a three-dimensional localized anharmonic oscillator, deuterium substitution methods were used to determine the variation with 0-0 distance of the hydrogen bending mode frequency in extremely short intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and model-independent partialmore » structure factors were determined for liquid water.« less

The impact of heavy metals from environmental tobacco smoke on indoor air quality as determined by Compton suppression neutron activation analysis.

PubMed

Landsberger, S; Wu, D

1995-12-01

The method of instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) has been improved for air filter samples in the determination of low level heavy metals in indoor air. By using the techniques of epithermal neutron irradiation in conjunction with Compton suppression, the detection limits of cadmium, arsenic and antimony measurements have been dramatically reduced to 2 ng for Cd, 0.2 ng for As, and 0.03 ng for Sb. The determination of these heavy metals in particulate material generated from cigarette smoking in indoor environments has been conducted. Other elements, Br, Cl, Na, K, Zn were also found at elevated levels.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amaro, C.R.

This report describes animal dosimetry studies and phantom measurements. During 1994, 12 dogs were irradiated at BMRR as part of a 4 fraction dose tolerance study. The animals were first infused with BSH and irradiated daily for 4 consecutive days. BNL irradiated 2 beagles as part of their dose tolerance study using BPA fructose. In addition, a dog at WSU was irradiated at BMRR after an infusion of BPA fructose. During 1994, the INEL BNCT dosimetry team measured neutron flux and gamma dose profiles in two phantoms exposed to the epithermal neutron beam at the BMRR. These measurements were performedmore » as a preparatory step to the commencement of human clinical trials in progress at the BMRR.« less

Beam shaping assembly of a D-T neutron source for BNCT and its dosimetry simulation in deeply-seated tumor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faghihi, F.; Khalili, S.

2013-08-01

This article involves two aims for BNCT. First case includes a beam shaping assembly estimation for a D-T neutron source to find epi-thermal neutrons which are the goal in the BNCT. Second issue is the percent depth dose calculation in the adult Snyder head phantom. Monte-Carlo simulations and verification of a suggested beam shaping assembly (including internal neutron multiplier, moderator, filter, external neutron multiplier, collimator, and reflector dimensions) for thermalizing a D-T neutron source as well as increasing neutron flux are carried out and our results are given herein. Finally, we have simulated its corresponding doses for treatment planning of a deeply-seated tumor.

Chalcopyrite disease in sphalerite: pathology and epidemiology.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barton, P.B.; Bethke, P.M.

1987-01-01

This descriptive paper identifies three widely occurring textures designated as 'watermelon', 'dusting' and 'bimodal' that characterize the replacement of original Fe-bearing sphalerite by an aggregate of chalcopyrite and low-Fe sphalerite as an integral part of the mineralization process. Replacement probably predominates over alternative modes of origin for small chalcopyrite blebs in sphalerite from most vein and sea-floor massive sulphide deposits that formed in the 200-400oC temperature range and that have not been subsequently subjected to higher T. Sphalerite from the epithermal Ag-Pb-Zn deposit at Creede, Colorado, displays a rich variety of features ("bead chains') that are primary crystal dislocations decorated by exsolved chalcopyrite.-J.A.Z.

Comparison of Hansen--Roach and ENDF/B-IV cross sections for $sup 233$U criticality calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McNeany, S. R.; Jenkins, J. D.

A comparison is made between criticality calculations performed using ENDF/B-IV cross sections and the 16-group Hansen-- Roach library at ORNL. The area investigated is homogeneous systems of highly enriched $sup 233$U in simple geometries. Calculations are compared with experimental data for a wide range of H/$sup 233$U ratios. Results show that calculations of k/sub eff/ made with the Hansen--Roach cross sections agree within 1.5 percent for the experiments considered. Results using ENDF/B-IV cross sections were in good agreement for well-thermalized systems, but discrepancies up to 7 percent in k/sub eff/ were observed in fast and epithermal systems. (auth)

Neutron and positron techniques for fluid transfer system analysis and remote temperature and stress measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stewart, P. A. E.

1987-05-01

Present and projected applications of penetrating radiation techniques to gas turbine research and development are considered. Approaches discussed include the visualization and measurement of metal component movement using high energy X-rays, the measurement of metal temperatures using epithermal neutrons, the measurement of metal stresses using thermal neutron diffraction, and the visualization and measurement of oil and fuel systems using either cold neutron radiography or emitting isotope tomography. By selecting the radiation appropriate to the problem, the desired data can be probed for and obtained through imaging or signal acquisition, and the necessary information can then be extracted with digital image processing or knowledge based image manipulation and pattern recognition.

Phanerozoic continental growth and gold metallogeny of Asia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldfarb, Richard J.; Taylor, Ryan D.; Collins, Gregory S.; Goryachev, Nicolay A.; Orlandini, Omero Felipe

2014-01-01

The Asian continent formed during the past 800 m.y. during late Neoproterozoic through Jurassic closure of the Tethyan ocean basins, followed by late Mesozoic circum-Pacific and Cenozoic Himalayan orogenies. The oldest gold deposits in Asia reflect accretionary events along the margins of the Siberia, Kazakhstan, North China, Tarim–Karakum, South China, and Indochina Precambrian blocks while they were isolated within the Paleotethys and surrounding Panthalassa Oceans. Orogenic gold deposits are associated with large-scale, terrane-bounding fault systems and broad areas of deformation that existed along many of the active margins of the Precambrian blocks. Deposits typically formed during regional transpressional to transtensional events immediately after to as much as 100 m.y. subsequent to the onset of accretion or collision. Major orogenic gold provinces associated with this growth of the Asian continental mass include: (1) the ca. 750 Ma Yenisei Ridge, ca. 500 Ma East Sayan, and ca. 450–350 Ma Patom provinces along the southern margins of the Siberia craton; (2) the 450 Ma Charsk belt of north-central Kazakhstan; (3) the 310–280 Ma Kalba belt of NE Kazakhstan, extending into adjacent NW Xinjiang, along the Siberia–Kazakhstan suture; (4) the ca. 300–280 Ma deposits within the Central Asian southern and middle Tien Shan (e.g., Kumtor, Zarmitan, Muruntau), marking the closure of the Turkestan Ocean between Kazakhstan and the Tarim–Karakum block; (5) the ca. 190–125 Ma Transbaikal deposits along the site of Permian to Late Jurassic diachronous closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean between Siberia and Mongolia/North China; (6) the probable Late Silurian–Early Devonian Jiagnan belt formed along the margin of Gondwana at the site of collision between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks; (7) Triassic deposits of the Paleozoic Qilian Shan and West Qinling orogens along the SW margin of the North China block developed during collision of South China; and (8) Jurassic(?) ores on the margins of the Subumusu block in Myanmar and Malaysia. Circum-Pacific tectonism led to major orogenic gold province formation along the length of the eastern side of Asia between ca. 135 and 120 Ma, although such deposits are slightly older in South Korea and slightly younger in the Amur region of the Russian Southeast. Deformation related to collision of the Kolyma–Omolon microcontinent with the Pacific margin of the Siberia craton led to formation of 136–125 Ma ores of the Yana–Kolyma belt (Natalka, Sarylakh) and 125–119 Ma ores of the South Verkhoyansk synclinorium (Nezhdaninskoe). Giant ca. 125 Ma gold provinces developed in the Late Archean uplifted basement of the decratonized North China block, within its NE edge and into adjacent North Korea, in the Jiaodong Peninsula, and in the Qinling Mountains. The oldest gold-bearing magmatic–hydrothermal deposits of Asia include the ca. 485 Ma Duobaoshan porphyry within a part of the Tuva–Mongol arc, ca. 355 Ma low-sulfidation epithermal deposits (Kubaka) of the Omolon terrane accreted to eastern Russia, and porphyries (Bozshakol, Taldy Bulak) within Ordovican to Early Devonian oceanic arcs formed off the Kazakhstan microcontinent. The Late Devonian to Carboniferous was marked by widespread gold-rich porphyry development along the margins of the closing Ob–Zaisan, Junggar–Balkhash, and Turkestan basins (Amalyk, Oyu Tolgoi); most were formed in continental arcs, although the giant Oyu Tolgoi porphyry was part of a near-shore oceanic arc. Permian subduction-related deformation along the east side of the Indochina block led to ca. 300 Ma gold-bearing skarn and disseminated gold ore formation in the Truong Son fold belt of Laos, and along the west side to ca. 250 Ma gold-bearing skarns and epithermal deposits in the Loei fold belt of Laos and Thailand. In the Mesozoic Transbaikal region, extension along the basin margins subsequent to Mongol–Okhotsk closure was associated with ca. 150–125 Ma formation of important auriferous epithermal (Balei), skarn (Bystray), and porphyry (Kultuminskoe) deposits. In northeastern Russia, Early Cretaceous Pacific margin subduction and Late Cretaceous extension were associated with epithermal gold-deposit formation in the Uda–Murgal (Julietta) and Okhotsk–Chukotka (Dukat, Kupol) volcanic belts, respectively. In southeastern Russia, latest Cretaceous to Oligocene extension correlates with other low-sulfidation epithermal ores that formed in the East Sikhote–Alin volcanic belt. Other extensional events, likely related to changing plate dynamics along the Pacific margin of Asia, relate to epithermal–skarn–porphyry districts that formed at ca. 125–85 Ma in northeastmost China and ca. 105–90 Ma in the Coast Volcanic belt of SE China. The onset of strike slip along a part of the southeastern Pacific margin appears to correlate with the giant 148–135 Ma gold-rich porphyry–skarn province of the lower and middle Yangtze River. It is still controversial as to whether true Carlin-like gold deposits exist in Asia. Those deposits that most closely resemble the Nevada (USA) ores are those in the Permo-Triassic Youjiang basin of SW China and NE Vietnam, and are probably Late Triassic in age, although this is not certain. Other Carlin-like deposits have been suggested to exist in the Sepon basin of Laos and in the Mongol–Okhotsk region (Kuranakh) of Transbaikal.

Cross Calibration of Omnidirectional Orbital Neutron Detectors of Lunar Prospector (LP) and Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) by Monte Carlo Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, J.; SU, J. J.; Sagdeev, R.; Chin, G.

2014-12-01

Introduction:Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have been used to investigate neutron production and leakage from the lunar surface to assess the composition of the lunar soil [1-3]. Orbital measurements of lunar neutron flux have been made by the Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer (LPNS)[4] of the Lunar Prospector mission and the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND)[5] of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. While both are cylindrical helium-3 detectors, LEND's SETN (Sensor EpiThermal Neutrons) instrument is shorter, with double the helium-3 pressure than that of LPNS. The two instruments therefore have different angular sensitivities and neutron detection efficiencies. Furthermore, the Lunar Prospector's spin-stabilized design makes its detection efficiency latitude-dependent, while the SETN instrument faces permanently downward toward the lunar surface. We use the GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation code[6] to investigate the leakage lunar neutron energy spectrum, which follows a power law of the form E-0.9 in the epithermal energy range, and the signals detected by LPNS and SETN in the LP and LRO mission epochs, respectively. Using the lunar neutron flux reconstructed for LPNS epoch, we calculate the signal that would have been observed by SETN at that time. The subsequent deviation from the actual signal observed during the LEND epoch is due to the significantly higher intensity of Galactic Cosmic Rays during the anomalous Solar Minimum of 2009-2010. References: [1] W. C. Feldman, et al., (1998) Science Vol. 281 no. 5382 pp. 1496-1500. [2] Gasnault, O., et al.,(2000) J. Geophys. Res., 105(E2), 4263-4271. [3] Little, R. C., et al. (2003), J. Geophys. Res., 108(E5), 5046. [4]W. C. Feldman, et al., (1999) Nucl. Inst. And Method in Phys. Res. A 422, [5] M. L. Litvak, et al., (2012) J.Geophys. Res. 117, E00H32 [6] J. Allison, et al, (2006) IEEE Trans. on Nucl Sci, Vol 53, No 1.

The Totumo mud volcano and its near-shore marine sedimentological setting (North Colombia) - From sedimentary volcanism to epithermal mineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dill, H. G.; Kaufhold, S.

2018-04-01

The Holocene mud volcano exposed at Totumo (younger than 4150 ± 50 yr BP) lines up together with some other landforms of its kind along the Caribbean Coast in northern Colombia. It currently vents a mud of the silicate-phosphate-bearing sulfur-sodium chloride type. The mud volcanoes evolved in an active continental margin setting of the South American Cordillera with high seismicity and affected by pervasive neotectonic structural disturbances. During the Neogene and Quaternary linear terrigenous shoreline sediments alternating with delta deposits evolved on this mobile crustal segment between the Andes and ancient Precambrian cratons. Meso- to microtidal sedimentary settings during transgression and progradation created meta- to instable sedimentary and petrophysical conditions (e.g. overpressure and gas-bearing bubble sands), favorable for the formation of mud volcanoes, whose lithofacies is subdivided into (1) footwall facies (detritus from metabasic, -pelitic source rocks), (2) mud volcano plus lateral facies (material from deep-seated hydrothermal sources, hydrocarbon plays, and brine reflux from the sea), (3) hanging wall facies, sand characterized by a strong longshore drift. The sedimentary volcanism in the area is characterized by different temperatures of formation: (1) pre-stage (<100 °C) and (2) recent stage (≈25 °C). Heavy (pyroxene, amphibole, epidote-clinozoisite, Fe-Ti silicates and oxides, garnet, alumosilicates, tourmaline, zircon, barite, Fe sulfides and -sulfates), light (Ca sulfates, calcite, quartz, feldspar) and clay minerals (kaolinite, mica, pyrophyllite, chlorite, vermiculite) are efficient tools to determine the source of mud, to subdivide the mud volcano system as to its facies and describe its physical-chemical regime as to the temperature of formation, pH and Eh values. The mud volcano system of Totumo bridges the gap between sedimentary "volcanism" and epithermal hot spring deposits of intermediate to high sulfidation and forms a useful "guide" to hydrocarbon accumulation.

Fluid inclusion studies on the mineralized quartz-rich hydrothermal breccias and quartz veins of the Kay Tanda epithermal gold deposit, Lobo, Batangas, Philippines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frias, S. M. P.; Takahashi, R.; Imai, A.; Blamey, N.

2017-12-01

The Kay Tanda epithermal deposit in Lobo, Batangas, Philippines is mainly hosted in quartz-rich hydrothermal breccia and quartz veins. These contain varying gold grades with some reaching bonanza gold grades as high as 200 ppm Au. They also contain varying amounts of base metal sulfides such as sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and pyrite whose abundances increase with depth. Petrographic analysis of the samples revealed different quartz textures such as colloform textures in quartz veins at shallow levels and feathery, flamboyant and mosaic textures in the matrix of hydrothermal breccias at deeper levels. These textures are indicative of boiling conditions. To elucidate the fluid conditions, fluid source, composition and processes during the formation of the deposit, fluid inclusion microthermometry, quantitative fluid inclusion gas analysis and laser Raman spectroscopy were conducted. Doubly polished thin wafers prepared from the quartz veins and quartz crystals in the matrix of hydrothermal breccias. Microthermometric analysis of primary fluid inclusions included measurements of the freezing temperature Tf, the temperature of ice melting Tm, and the homogenization temperature of the fluid phase by disappearance of vapor Th. Liquid-to-vapor (L-V) ratios are variable, thus, liquid-rich liquid-vapor inclusions and vapor-rich liquid-vapor inclusions coexist in some samples. The sizes of the primary fluid inclusions may reach 100 micrometers. The homogenization temperatures range 200 °C to 380 °C, with the mode around 250 °C to 280 °C. Salinities range from 2 to 7 wt% NaCl equivalent, with the mode around 4 to 5 wt% NaCl equivalent. Trends of the distribution of fluid inclusion populations based on their homogenization temperature and salinity suggest boiling which is consistent with the variable liquid to vapor ratios, i.e. coexistence of liquid-rich inclusions and vapor-rich inclusions.

A Monte Carlo model system for core analysis and epithermal neutron beam design at the Washington State University Radiation Center

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Burns, T.D. Jr.

1996-05-01

The Monte Carlo Model System (MCMS) for the Washington State University (WSU) Radiation Center provides a means through which core criticality and power distributions can be calculated, as well as providing a method for neutron and photon transport necessary for BNCT epithermal neutron beam design. The computational code used in this Model System is MCNP4A. The geometric capability of this Monte Carlo code allows the WSU system to be modeled very accurately. A working knowledge of the MCNP4A neutron transport code increases the flexibility of the Model System and is recommended, however, the eigenvalue/power density problems can be run withmore » little direct knowledge of MCNP4A. Neutron and photon particle transport require more experience with the MCNP4A code. The Model System consists of two coupled subsystems; the Core Analysis and Source Plane Generator Model (CASP), and the BeamPort Shell Particle Transport Model (BSPT). The CASP Model incorporates the S({alpha}, {beta}) thermal treatment, and is run as a criticality problem yielding, the system eigenvalue (k{sub eff}), the core power distribution, and an implicit surface source for subsequent particle transport in the BSPT Model. The BSPT Model uses the source plane generated by a CASP run to transport particles through the thermal column beamport. The user can create filter arrangements in the beamport and then calculate characteristics necessary for assessing the BNCT potential of the given filter want. Examples of the characteristics to be calculated are: neutron fluxes, neutron currents, fast neutron KERMAs and gamma KERMAs. The MCMS is a useful tool for the WSU system. Those unfamiliar with the MCNP4A code can use the MCMS transparently for core analysis, while more experienced users will find the particle transport capabilities very powerful for BNCT filter design.« less

The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF): Overview, research programs and future plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mardor, Israel; Aviv, Ofer; Avrigeanu, Marilena; Berkovits, Dan; Dahan, Adi; Dickel, Timo; Eliyahu, Ilan; Gai, Moshe; Gavish-Segev, Inbal; Halfon, Shlomi; Hass, Michael; Hirsh, Tsviki; Kaiser, Boaz; Kijel, Daniel; Kreisel, Arik; Mishnayot, Yonatan; Mukul, Ish; Ohayon, Ben; Paul, Michael; Perry, Amichay; Rahangdale, Hitesh; Rodnizki, Jacob; Ron, Guy; Sasson-Zukran, Revital; Shor, Asher; Silverman, Ido; Tessler, Moshe; Vaintraub, Sergey; Weissman, Leo

2018-05-01

The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) is under construction in the Soreq Nuclear Research Center at Yavne, Israel. When completed at the beginning of the next decade, SARAF will be a user facility for basic and applied nuclear physics, based on a 40 MeV, 5 mA CW proton/deuteron superconducting linear accelerator. Phase I of SARAF (SARAF-I, 4 MeV, 2 mA CW protons, 5 MeV 1 mA CW deuterons) is already in operation, generating scientific results in several fields of interest. The main ongoing program at SARAF-I is the production of 30 keV neutrons and measurement of Maxwellian Averaged Cross Sections (MACS), important for the astrophysical s-process. The world leading Maxwellian epithermal neutron yield at SARAF-I (5 × 10^{10} epithermal neutrons/s), generated by a novel Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT), enables improved precision of known MACSs, and new measurements of low-abundance and radioactive isotopes. Research plans for SARAF-II span several disciplines: precision studies of beyond-Standard-Model effects by trapping light exotic radioisotopes, such as 6He, 8Li and 18, 19, 23Ne, in unprecedented amounts (including meaningful studies already at SARAF-I); extended nuclear astrophysics research with higher energy neutrons, including generation and studies of exotic neutron-rich isotopes relevant to the rapid (r-) process; nuclear structure of exotic isotopes; high energy neutron cross sections for basic nuclear physics and material science research, including neutron induced radiation damage; neutron based imaging and therapy; and novel radiopharmaceuticals development and production. In this paper we present a technical overview of SARAF-I and II, including a description of the accelerator and its irradiation targets; a survey of existing research programs at SARAF-I; and the research potential at the completed facility (SARAF-II).

Mineral types of hydrothermal alteration zones in the Dukat ore field and their relationships to leucogranite and epithermal gold-silver ore, northeastern Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filimonova, L. G.; Trubkin, N. V.; Chugaev, A. V.

2014-05-01

The paper considers the localization of potassic and propylitic hydrothermal alteration zones in the domal volcanic-plutonic structure controlling the position of the Dukat ore field with the eponymous unique epithermal Au-Ag deposit. Comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical data on rocks and minerals in hydrothermal alteration zones and associated intrusions have shown that quartz-jarosite-sericite, quartz-pyrite-sericite, and quartz-adularia-chlorite alterations were formed with the participation of fluid flows related to a fingerlike projection of a high-K leucogranite porphyry intrusion with large phenocrysts. These hydrothermal alterations developed in the rifted graben under conditions of divergent plate boundaries, whereas quartz-clinozoisite-calcite, epidote-chlorite, and garnet-calcite-chlorite alterations were linked to K-Na leucogranite intrusive bodies and developed under conditions of convergent plate boundaries reactivated as a result of formation of the marginal Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanic belt. Phase separation and coagulation of specific portions of ascending fluids resulted in the formation and stabilization of small-sized particles of native silver and other ore components, which enabled involvement in flows of secondary geothermal solutions and ore-forming fluids. The Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions of rocks and minerals from the hydrothermal alteration zones, associated intrusions, and economic orebodies at the Dukat deposit indicate that their components have been derived from the juvenile continental crust, which was altered in pre-Cretaceous periods of endogenic activity. The components of gangue minerals of potassic and propylitic hydrothertmal alterations and associated intrusions have been taken from deep sources differing in 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd at similar U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios. Chalcophile lead in products of hydrothermal activity and melanocratic inclusions in leucogranite has been taken from regions with elevated U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios.

Environment of ore deposition in the Creede mining district, San Juan Mountains, Colorado: Part VI. Maximum duration for mineralization of the OH vein

USGS Publications Warehouse

Campbell, W.R.; Barton, P.B.

2005-01-01

The rate at which ore deposits form is one of the least well established parameters in all of economic geology. However, increased detail in sampling, improved technology of dating, and sophistication in modeling are reducing the uncertainties and establishing that ore formation, at least for the porphyry copper-skarn-epithermal base and precious metals deposit package, may take place in surprisingly brief intervals. This contribution applies another approach to examine the duration of mineralization. The degree to which compositional gradients within single crystals has flattened through solid-state diffusion offers a measure of the thermal dose (that is temperature combined with time) that the crystals have been subjected to since deposition. Here we examine the steepness of gradients in iron content within individual single sphalerite crystals from the epithermal silver-lead-zinc deposit in the OH vein at Creede, Colorado. Two initial textures are considered: growth-banded crystals and compositionally contrasting overgrowths that succeed crosscutting dissolution or fractured surfaces. The model used estimates the maximum possible time by assuming a perfectly sharp original compositional step, and it asks how long it would take at a known temperature for the gradient measured today to have formed. Applying the experimentally determined diffusion rates of Mizuta (1988a) to compositional gradients (ranging from 0.4-2.2 mol % FeS/??m) measured by the electron microprobe in 2-??m steps on banded sphalerite formed early in the paragenetic history yields a maximum duration of less than ???10,000 yr. Sphalerite from a solution unconformity in a position midway through the paragenetic sequence is indistinguishable from instantaneous deposition, supporting the conclusion of rapid ore formation. While this formation interval seems very brief, it is consistent with less well constrained estimates using entirely different criteria. ?? 2005 Society of Economic Geologists, Inc.

Constraints of C-O-S isotope compositions and the origin of the Ünlüpınar volcanic-hosted epithermal Pb-Zn ± Au deposit, Gümüşhane, NE Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akaryali, Enver; Akbulut, Kübra

2016-03-01

The Eastern Pontide Orogenic Belt (EPOB) constitutes one of the best examples of the metallogenic provinces in on the Alpine-Himalayan belt. This study focuses on the genesis of the Ünlüpınar Pb-Zn ± Au deposit in the southern part of the Eastern Pontide Orogenic Belt. The main lithological units in the study area are the Early Carboniferous Kurtoğlu Metamorphic Complex the Late Carboniferous Köse Granitoid and the Early-Middle Jurassic Şenköy Formation. The studied deposit is hosted by the Şenköy Formation, which consists predominantly of basaltic-andesitic rocks and associated pyroclastic rocks that are calc-alkaline in composition. Silicic, sulfidic, argillic, chloritic, hematitic, carbonate and limonite are the most obvious alteration types observed in the deposit site. Ore microscopy studies exhibit that the mineral paragenesis in deposits includes pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, gold, quartz and calcite. Electron microprobe analyses conducted on sphalerite indicate that the Zn/Cd ratio varies between 84 and 204, and these ratios point at a hydrothermal deposit related to granitic magmas. Fluid inclusion studies in calcite and quartz show that the homogenization temperature of the studied deposit ranges between 90-160 °C and 120-330 °C respectively. The values of sulfur isotope analysis of pyrite, sphalerite and galena minerals vary between 1.6‰ and 5.7‰, and the results of oxygen and carbon isotope analysis range between 8.4‰ and 18‰ and -5‰ and -3.6‰, respectively. The average formation temperature of the ore was calculated as 264 °C with a sulfur isotope geothermometer. All of the data indicate that the Ünlüpınar deposit is an epithermal vein-type mineralization that was formed depending on the granitic magmatism.

The Maturely, Immature Orientale Impact Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cahill, J. T.; Lawrence, D. J.; Stickle, A. M.; Delen, O.; Patterson, G.; Greenhagen, B. T.

2015-12-01

Lunar surface maturity is consistently examined using the NIR optical maturity parameter (OMAT) [1]. However, the NIR only provides a perspective of the upper microns of the lunar surface. Recent studies of Lunar Prospector (LP) and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data sets are now demonstrating additional measures of maturity with sensitivities to greater depths (~2 m) in the regolith. These include thermal infrared, S-band radar, and epithermal neutron data sets [2-4]. Interestingly, each of these parameters is directly comparable to OMAT despite each measuring slightly different aspects of the regolith. This is demonstrated by Lawrence et al. [3] where LP-measured non-polar highlands epithermal neutrons trend well with albedo, OMAT, and the Christensen Feature (CF). Lawrence et al. [3] used these data to derive and map highlands hydrogen (H) which is dominantly a function of H-implantation. With this in mind, areas of enriched-H are mature, while areas of depleted H are immature. Surface roughness as measured by S-band radar [4], also provides a measure of maturity. In this case, the circular polarization ratio (CPR) is high when rough and immature, and low when smooth and mature. Knowing this, one can recognize areas in the non-polar lunar highlands that show contradictory measures of maturity. For example, while many lunar localities show consistently immature albedo, OMAT, CF, CPR, and H concentrations (e.g., Tycho), others do not. Orientale basin is the most prominent example, shown to have immature CPR, CF, and H concentrations despite a relatively mature albedo and OMAT values as well as an old age determination (~3.8 Ga). To better understand how the lunar regolith is weathering in the upper 1-2 m of regolith with time we examine the Orientale basin relative to other highlands regions. [1] Lucey et al. (2000) JGR, 105, 20377; [2] Lucey et al. (2013) LPSC, 44, 2890; [3] Lawrence et al. (2015) Icarus, j.icarus.2015.01.005; [4] Neish et al. (2013) JGR, 118, 2247.

Mineralized breccia clasts: a window into hidden porphyry-type mineralization underlying the epithermal polymetallic deposit of Cerro de Pasco (Peru)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rottier, Bertrand; Kouzmanov, Kalin; Casanova, Vincent; Bouvier, Anne-Sophie; Baumgartner, Lukas P.; Wälle, Markus; Fontboté, Lluís

2018-01-01

Cerro de Pasco (Peru) is known for its large epithermal polymetallic (Zn-Pb-Ag-Cu-Bi) mineralization emplaced at shallow level, a few hundred meters below the paleo-surface, at the border of a large diatreme-dome complex. Porphyry-style veins crosscutting hornfels and magmatic rock clasts are found in the diatreme breccia and in quartz-monzonite porphyry dikes. Such mineralized veins in clasts allow investigation of high-temperature porphyry-style mineralization developed in the deep portions of magmatic-hydrothermal systems. Quartz in porphyry-style veins contains silicate melt inclusions as well as fluid and solid mineral inclusions. Two types of high-temperature (> 600 °C) quartz-molybdenite-(chalcopyrite)-(pyrite) veins are found in the clasts. Early, thin (1-2 mm), and sinuous HT1 veins are crosscut by slightly thicker (up to 2 cm) and more regular HT2 veins. The HT1 vein quartz hosts CO2- and sulfur-rich high-density vapor inclusions. Two subtypes of the HT1 veins have been defined, based on the nature of mineral inclusions hosted in quartz: (i) HT1bt veins with inclusions of K-feldspar, biotite, rutile, and minor titanite and (ii) HT1px veins with inclusions of actinolite, augite, titanite, apatite, and minor rutile. Using an emplacement depth of the veins of between 2 and 3 km (500 to 800 bar), derived from the diatreme breccia architecture and the supposed erosion preceding the diatreme formation, multiple mineral thermobarometers are applied. The data indicate that HT1 veins were formed at temperatures > 700 °C. HT2 veins host assemblages of polyphase brine inclusions, generally coexisting with low-density vapor-rich inclusions, trapped at temperatures around 600 °C. Rhyolitic silicate melt inclusions found in both HT1 and HT2 veins represent melt droplets transported by the ascending hydrothermal fluids. LA-ICP-MS analyses reveal a chemical evolution coherent with the crystallization of an evolved rhyolitic melt. Quartz from both HT1 and HT2 veins also contains secondary, low-temperature ( 300 °C) brine and aqueous fluid inclusions that record the cooling of the system. Both vein types are locally crosscut and/or reopened by a pre-diatreme polymetallic event consisting of pyrite, sphalerite with "chalcopyrite disease," galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite-tennantite, and minor quartz. LA-ICP-MS analyses of mineral and high-temperature fluid inclusions hosted in HT1 and HT2 veins and in situ secondary-ion mass spectrometry oxygen isotope analyses of vein quartz indicate a magmatic signature for the mineralizing fluids with no major meteoric water input and allow reconstruction of the source and chemical evolution of fluids that formed these porphyry-style veins as snapshots of the early and deep mineralizations at Cerro de Pasco. This detailed study of the porphyry-type mineralization hosted in clasts offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct the late magmatic and early hydrothermal evolutions of porphyry mineralization underlying the world-class Cerro de Pasco epithermal polymetallic (Zn-Pb-Ag-Cu-Bi) deposit.

Geology of the Ivanhoe Hg-Au district, northern Nevada: Influence of Miocene volcanism, lakes, and active faulting on epithermal mineralization

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wallace, A.R.

2003-01-01

The mercury-gold deposits of the Ivanhoe mining district in northern Nevada formed when middle Miocene rhyolitic volcanism and high-angle faulting disrupted a shallow lacustrine environment. Sinter and replacement mercury deposits formed at and near the paleosurface, and disseminated gold deposits and high-grade gold-silver veins formed beneath the hot spring deposits. The lacustrine environment provided abundant meteoric water; the rhyolites heated the water; and the faults, flow units, and lakebeds provided fluid pathways for the hydrothermal fluids. A shallow lake began to develop in the Ivanhoe area about 16.5 Ma. The lake progressively expanded and covered the entire area with fine-grained lacustrine sediments. Lacustrine sedimentation continued to at least 14.4 Ma, and periodic fluctuations in the size and extent of the lake may have been responses to both climate and nearby volcanism. The eruption of rhyolite and andesite flows and domes periodically disrupted the lacustrine environment and produced interfingered flows and lake sediments. The major pulse of rhyolitic volcanism took place between 15.16 ± 0.05 and 14.92 ± 0.05 Ma. High-angle faulting began in the basement about 15.2 Ma, penetrated to and disrupted the paleosurface after 15.10 ± 0.06 Ma, and largely ceased by 14.92 ± 0.05 Ma. Ground motion related to both faulting and volcanism created debris flows and soft-sediment deformation in the lakebeds. Mercury-gold mineralization was coeval with rhyolite volcanism and high-angle faulting, and it took place about 15.2 to 14.9 Ma. At and near the paleosurface, hydrothermal fluids migrated through tuffaceous sediments above relatively impermeable volcanic and Paleozoic units, creating chalcedonic, cinnabar-bearing replacement bodies and sinters. Disseminated gold was deposited in sedimentary and volcanic rocks beneath the mercury deposits, although the hydrologic path between the two ore types is unclear. Higher-grade gold-silver deposits formed in massive rhyolites and Paleozoic quartzites at deeper levels, and these mineralized zones possibly represent the feeder zones for the higher-level deposits. Fluctuations in the ground-water table locally produced hydrothermal oxidation of the near-surface mercury and disseminated gold deposits. The locus of mineralization shifted with time, moving south and east from its inception point in the west-central part of the district. Thus, although mineralization in the district took place during a span of 300,000 years, the duration of mineralization at any one place probably was much shorter. The low-sulfidation deposits of the Ivanhoe district formed at the same time and under similar conditions as those in the nearby Midas district, 15 km to the northwest, which includes the large, high-grade Ken Snyder gold-silver epithermal vein deposit. The exposures in the Ivanhoe district are interpreted to represent the near-surface example of the paleosurface that originally was present above the Midas mineralizing system. The resulting combined Ivanhoe-Midas model provides an exploration guide for epithermal deposits in similar geologic environments in northern Nevada.

Current status of boron neutron capture therapy of high grade gliomas and recurrent head and neck cancer.

PubMed

Barth, Rolf F; Vicente, M Graca H; Harling, Otto K; Kiger, W S; Riley, Kent J; Binns, Peter J; Wagner, Franz M; Suzuki, Minoru; Aihara, Teruhito; Kato, Itsuro; Kawabata, Shinji

2012-08-29

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a biochemically targeted radiotherapy based on the nuclear capture and fission reactions that occur when non-radioactive boron-10, which is a constituent of natural elemental boron, is irradiated with low energy thermal neutrons to yield high linear energy transfer alpha particles and recoiling lithium-7 nuclei. Clinical interest in BNCT has focused primarily on the treatment of high grade gliomas, recurrent cancers of the head and neck region and either primary or metastatic melanoma. Neutron sources for BNCT currently have been limited to specially modified nuclear reactors, which are or until the recent Japanese natural disaster, were available in Japan, United States, Finland and several other European countries, Argentina and Taiwan. Accelerators producing epithermal neutron beams also could be used for BNCT and these are being developed in several countries. It is anticipated that the first Japanese accelerator will be available for therapeutic use in 2013. The major hurdle for the design and synthesis of boron delivery agents has been the requirement for selective tumor targeting to achieve boron concentrations in the range of 20 μg/g. This would be sufficient to deliver therapeutic doses of radiation with minimal normal tissue toxicity. Two boron drugs have been used clinically, a dihydroxyboryl derivative of phenylalanine, referred to as boronophenylalanine or "BPA", and sodium borocaptate or "BSH" (Na2B12H11SH). In this report we will provide an overview of other boron delivery agents that currently are under evaluation, neutron sources in use or under development for BNCT, clinical dosimetry, treatment planning, and finally a summary of previous and on-going clinical studies for high grade gliomas and recurrent tumors of the head and neck region. Promising results have been obtained with both groups of patients but these outcomes must be more rigorously evaluated in larger, possibly randomized clinical trials. Finally, we will summarize the critical issues that must be addressed if BNCT is to become a more widely established clinical modality for the treatment of those malignancies for which there currently are no good treatment options.

Current status of boron neutron capture therapy of high grade gliomas and recurrent head and neck cancer

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a biochemically targeted radiotherapy based on the nuclear capture and fission reactions that occur when non-radioactive boron-10, which is a constituent of natural elemental boron, is irradiated with low energy thermal neutrons to yield high linear energy transfer alpha particles and recoiling lithium-7 nuclei. Clinical interest in BNCT has focused primarily on the treatment of high grade gliomas, recurrent cancers of the head and neck region and either primary or metastatic melanoma. Neutron sources for BNCT currently have been limited to specially modified nuclear reactors, which are or until the recent Japanese natural disaster, were available in Japan, the United States, Finland and several other European countries, Argentina and Taiwan. Accelerators producing epithermal neutron beams also could be used for BNCT and these are being developed in several countries. It is anticipated that the first Japanese accelerator will be available for therapeutic use in 2013. The major hurdle for the design and synthesis of boron delivery agents has been the requirement for selective tumor targeting to achieve boron concentrations in the range of 20 μg/g. This would be sufficient to deliver therapeutic doses of radiation with minimal normal tissue toxicity. Two boron drugs have been used clinically, a dihydroxyboryl derivative of phenylalanine, referred to as boronophenylalanine or “BPA”, and sodium borocaptate or “BSH” (Na2B12H11SH). In this report we will provide an overview of other boron delivery agents that currently are under evaluation, neutron sources in use or under development for BNCT, clinical dosimetry, treatment planning, and finally a summary of previous and on-going clinical studies for high grade gliomas and recurrent tumors of the head and neck region. Promising results have been obtained with both groups of patients but these outcomes must be more rigorously evaluated in larger, possibly randomized clinical trials. Finally, we will summarize the critical issues that must be addressed if BNCT is to become a more widely established clinical modality for the treatment of those malignancies for which there currently are no good treatment options. PMID:22929110

Compact Short-Pulsed Electron Linac Based Neutron Sources for Precise Nuclear Material Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uesaka, M.; Tagi, K.; Matsuyama, D.; Fujiwara, T.; Dobashi, K.; Yamamoto, M.; Harada, H.

2015-10-01

An X-band (11.424GHz) electron linac as a neutron source for nuclear data study for the melted fuel debris analysis and nuclear security in Fukushima is under development. Originally we developed the linac for Compton scattering X-ray source. Quantitative material analysis and forensics for nuclear security will start several years later after the safe settlement of the accident is established. For the purpose, we should now accumulate more precise nuclear data of U, Pu, etc., especially in epithermal (0.1-10 eV) neutrons. Therefore, we have decided to modify and install the linac in the core space of the experimental nuclear reactor "Yayoi" which is now under the decommission procedure. Due to the compactness of the X-band linac, an electron gun, accelerating tube and other components can be installed in a small space in the core. First we plan to perform the time-of-flight (TOF) transmission measurement for study of total cross sections of the nuclei for 0.1-10 eV energy neutrons. Therefore, if we adopt a TOF line of less than 10m, the o-pulse length of generated neutrons should be shorter than 100 ns. Electronenergy, o-pulse length, power, and neutron yield are ~30 MeV, 100 ns - 1 micros, ~0.4 kW, and ~1011 n/s (~103 n/cm2/s at samples), respectively. Optimization of the design of a neutron target (Ta, W, 238U), TOF line and neutron detector (Ce:LiCAF) of high sensitivity and fast response is underway. We are upgrading the electron gun and a buncher to realize higher current and beam power with a reasonable beam size in order to avoid damage of the neutron target. Although the neutron flux is limited in case of the X-band electron linac based source, we take advantage of its short pulse aspect and availability for nuclear data measurement with a short TOF system. First, we form a tentative configuration in the current experimental room for Compton scattering in 2014. Then, after the decommissioning has been finished, we move it to the "Yayoi" room and perform the operation and measurement.

Time-resolved neutron imaging at ANTARES cold neutron beamline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tremsin, A. S.; Dangendorf, V.; Tittelmeier, K.; Schillinger, B.; Schulz, M.; Lerche, M.; Feller, W. B.

2015-07-01

In non-destructive evaluation with X-rays light elements embedded in dense, heavy (or high-Z) matrices show little contrast and their structural details can hardly be revealed. Neutron radiography, on the other hand, provides a solution for those cases, in particular for hydrogenous materials, owing to the large neutron scattering cross section of hydrogen and uncorrelated dependency of neutron cross section on the atomic number. The majority of neutron imaging experiments at the present time is conducted with static objects mainly due to the limited flux intensity of neutron beamline facilities and sometimes due to the limitations of the detectors. However, some applications require the studies of dynamic phenomena and can now be conducted at several high intensity beamlines such as the recently rebuilt ANTARES beam line at the FRM-II reactor. In this paper we demonstrate the capabilities of time resolved imaging for repetitive processes, where different phases of the process can be imaged simultaneously and integrated over multiple cycles. A fast MCP/Timepix neutron counting detector was used to image the water distribution within a model steam engine operating at 10 Hz frequency. Within <10 minutes integration the amount of water was measured as a function of cycle time with a sub-mm spatial resolution, thereby demonstrating the capabilities of time-resolved neutron radiography for the future applications. The neutron spectrum of the ANTARES beamline as well as transmission spectra of a Fe sample were also measured with the Time Of Flight (TOF) technique in combination with a high resolution beam chopper. The energy resolution of our setup was found to be ~ 0.8% at 5 meV and ~ 1.7% at 25 meV. The background level (most likely gammas and epithermal/fast neutrons) of the ANTARES beamline was also measured in our experiments and found to be on the scale of 3% when no filters are installed in the beam. Online supplementary data available from stacks.iop.org/jinst/10/P07008/mmedia. The videos are given as supplementary material linked to the main article.

Ultra Low Level Environmental Neutron Measurements Using Superheated Droplet Detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fernandes, A.C.; Centro de Fisica Nuclear, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 2, 1649- 003 Lisboa; Felizardo, M.

2015-07-01

Through the application of superheated droplet detectors (SDDs), the SIMPLE project for the direct search for dark matter (DM) reached the most restrictive limits on the spin-dependent sector to date. The experiment is based on the detection of recoils following WIMP-nuclei interaction, mimicking those from neutron scattering. The thermodynamic operation conditions yield the SDDs intrinsically insensitive to radiations with linear energy transfer below ∼150 keVμm{sup -1} such as photons, electrons, muons and neutrons with energies below ∼40 keV. Underground facilities are increasingly employed for measurements in a low-level radiation background (DM search, gamma-spectroscopy, intrinsic soft-error rate measurements, etc.), where themore » rock overburden shields against cosmic radiation. In this environment the SDDs are sensitive only to α-particles and neutrons naturally emitted from the surrounding materials. Recently developed signal analysis techniques allow discrimination between neutron and α-induced signals. SDDs are therefore a promising instrument for low-level neutron and α measurements, namely environmental neutron measurements and α-contamination assays. In this work neutron measurements performed in the challenging conditions of the latest SIMPLE experiment (1500 mwe depth with 50-75 cm water shield) are reported. The results are compared with those obtained by detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the neutron background induced by {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th traces in the facility, shielding and detector materials. Calculations of the neutron energy distribution yield the following neutron fluence rates (in 10{sup -8} cm{sup -2}s{sup -1}): thermal (<0.5 eV): 2.5; epithermal (0.5 eV-100 keV): 2.2; fast (>1 MeV): 3.9. Signal rates were derived using standard cross sections and codes routinely employed in reactor dosimetry. The measured and calculated neutron count rates per unit of active mass were 0.15 ct/kgd and 0.33 ct/kg-d respectively. As the major signal contribution (98%) originates from radio-impurities in the detector container, alternative materials will be employed in future devices. Latest results regarding the improvement of the detector characterization accuracy towards its application in environmental neutron detection are in progress and will be described. (authors)« less

A study of gamma-ray and neutron radiation in the interaction of a 2 MeV proton beam with various materials.

PubMed

Kasatov, D; Makarov, A; Shchudlo, I; Taskaev, S

2015-12-01

Epithermal neutron source based on a tandem accelerator with vacuum insulation and lithium target has been proposed, developed and operated in Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics. The source is regarded as a prototype of a future compact device suitable for carrying out BNCT in oncology centers. In this work the measurements of gamma-ray and neutron radiation are presented for the interaction of a 2 MeV proton beam with various materials (Li, C, F, Al, V, Ti, Cu, Mo, stainless steel, and Ta). The obtained results enabled the optimization of the neutron-generating target and the high energy beam transportation path. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of the high-resolution satellite images for detection of fractures related to the ore deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cruz-Mondaca, M.; Soto-Pinto, C. A.; Arellano-Baeza, A. A.

2012-12-01

The Aster and GeoEye satellite high-resolution images were used to detect the structures related to the fracturing of the upper crust in the North of Chile. In particular, lineament analysis has been applied to detect the presence of epithermal fluids of low sulfurization associated with the Paleozoic ore deposits. These results have been compared with the location of the minerals altered by the presence of geothermal fluids detected using the spectral libraries. Later, the presence of fractures has been corroborated during recognition of fractures in situ and the geochemical analysis of samples of minerals altered by the presence of fluids. It was shown that the results obtained are relevant for the gold vein detection.

Field-induced reentrant magnetoelectric phase in LiNiPO 4

DOE PAGES

Toft-Petersen, Rasmus; Fogh, Ellen; Kihara, Takumi; ...

2017-02-21

Using pulsed magnetic fields up to 30 T we have measured the bulk magnetization and electrical polarization of LiNiPO 4 and have studied its magnetic structure by time-of-flight neutron Laue diffraction. Our data establish the existence of a reentrant magnetoelectric phase between 19 T and 21 T. We show that a magnetized version of the zero field commensurate structure explains the magnetoelectric response quantitatively. The stability of this structure suggests a field-dependent spin anisotropy. Above 21 T , a magnetoelectrically inactive, short-wavelength incommensurate structure is identified. Lastly, our results demonstrate the combination of pulsed fields with epithermal neutron Laue diffractionmore » as a powerful method to probe even complex phase diagrams in strong magnetic fields.« less

Simulation study of accelerator based quasi-mono-energetic epithermal neutron beams for BNCT.

PubMed

Adib, M; Habib, N; Bashter, I I; El-Mesiry, M S; Mansy, M S

2016-01-01

Filtered neutron techniques were applied to produce quasi-mono-energetic neutron beams in the energy range of 1.5-7.5 keV at the accelerator port using the generated neutron spectrum from a Li (p, n) Be reaction. A simulation study was performed to characterize the filter components and transmitted beam lines. The feature of the filtered beams is detailed in terms of optimal thickness of the primary and additive components. A computer code named "QMNB-AS" was developed to carry out the required calculations. The filtered neutron beams had high purity and intensity with low contamination from the accompanying thermal, fast neutrons and γ-rays. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Looking for water related environments on Mars: analysis of reflectance spectra for present and future exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Toffoli, B.; Carli, C.; Maturilli, A.; Sauro, F.; Massironi, M.; Helbert, J.

2017-09-01

Spectroscopic analyses of basalt epithermal alterations, clay minerals and samples representative of wet sedimentary environments in a broad wavelength range from the ultraviolet to the far-infrared provide new loads of information for present and future exploration of environments that could have been linked to water and gas emission. Specifically, methane emission centers on the Martian surface are high interest targets for Exo-Mars mission since they involve environments where life could have potentially arisen, grown and given a contribution to the degassing phenomenon. Such data will be applied to drive the analysis on remotely sensed hyperspectral images of Martian regions where surface expressions of water and sediments resurgences are recognisable, such as the mound fields detected in Utopia and Hellas basins and Vastitas Borealis.

Study of low energy neutron beam formation based on GEANT4 simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avagyan, R.; Avetisyan, R.; Ivanyan, V.; Kerobyan, I.

2017-07-01

The possibility of obtaining thermal/epithermal energy neutron beams using external protons from cyclotron C18/18 is studied based on GEANT4 simulations. This study will be the basis of the Beam Shaped Assembly (BSA) development for future Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Proton induced reactions on 9Be target are considered as a neutron source, and dependence of neutron yield on target thickness is investigated. The problem of reducing the ratio of gamma to neutron yields by inserting a lead sheet after the beryllium target is studied as well. By GEANT4 modeling the optimal thicknesses of 9Be target and lead absorber are determined and the design characteristics of beam shaping assembly, including the materials and thicknesses of reflector and moderator are considered.

Feasibility study on the use of uranium in photoneutron target and BSA optimization for Linac based BNCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahmani, Faezeh; Shahriari, Majid; Minoochehr, Abdolhamid; Nedaie, Hasan

2011-06-01

A hybrid photoneutron target including natural uranium has been studied for a 20 MeV linear electron accelerator (Linac) based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) facility. In this study the possibility of using uranium to increase the neutron intensity has been investigated by focusing on the time dependence behavior of the build-up and decay of the delayed gamma rays from fission fragments and activation products through photo-fission reactions in the BSA (Beam Shaping Assembly) configuration design. Delayed components of neutrons and photons were calculated. The obtained BSA parameters are in agreement with the IAEA recommendation and compared to the hybrid photoneutron target without U. The epithermal flux in the suggested design is 2.67E9 (n/cm 2s/mA).

Neutron Spectroscopy Can Constrain the Composition and Provenance of Phobos and Deimos

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, R. C.; Lee, P.; Zolensky, M. E.; Mittelfehldt, D. W.; Lim, L.; Colaprete, A.

2016-01-01

The origin of the martian moons Phobos and Deimos is obscure and enigmatic. Hypotheses include the capture of asteroids originally from the outer main belt or beyond, residual material left over from Mars' formation, and accreted ejecta from a large impact on Mars, among others. Measurements of reflectance spectra indicate a similarity to dark, red D-type asteroids, but could indicate a highly space-weathered veneer. Here we suggest a way of constraining the near-surface composition of the two moons, for comparison to known meteoritic compositions. Neutron spectroscopy, particularly the thermal and epithermal neutron flux, distinguishes clearly between various classes of meteorites and varying hydrogen (water) abundances. Perhaps most surprising of all, a rendezvous with Phobos or Deimos is not necessary to achieve this.

Neutron Spectroscopy Can Constrain the Composition and Provenance of Phobos and Deimos

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, R. C.; Lee, P.; Zolensky, M. E.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Lim, L. F.; Colaprete, A.

2016-01-01

The origin of the martian moons Phobos and Deimos is obscure and enigmatic. Hypotheses include the capture of small bodies originally from the outer main belt or beyond, residual material left over from Mars' formation, and accreted ejecta from a large impact on Mars, among others. Measurements of reflectance spectra indicate a similarity to low-albedo, red D-type asteroids, but could indicate a highly space-weathered veneer. Here we suggest a way of constraining the near-surface composition of the two moons, for comparison with known meteoritic compositions. Neutron spectroscopy, particularly the thermal and epithermal neutron flux, distinguishes clearly between various classes of meteorites and varying hydrogen (water) abundances. Perhaps most surprising of all, a rendezvous with Phobos or Deimos is not necessary to achieve this. Multiple flybys suffice.

Lunar Polar Cold Traps: Spatial Distribution and Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paige, David A.; Siegler, M.; Lawrence, D. J.

2006-09-01

We have developed a ray-tracing and radiosity model that can accurately calculate lunar surface and subsurface temperatures for arbitrary topography. Using available digital elevation models for the lunar north and south polar regions derived from Clementine laser altimeter and image data, as well as ground-based radar data, we have calculated lunar surface and subsurface temperatures at 2 km resolution that include full effects of indirect solar and infrared radiation due to topography. We compare our thermal model results with maps of epithermal neutron flux measured by Lunar Prospector. When we use the ray tracing and thermal model to account for the effects of temperature and topography on the neutron measurements, our results show that the majority of the moon's polar cold traps are not filled with water ice.

Gold deposit styles and placer gold characterisation in northern and east-central Madagascar

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pitfield, Peter E. J; Styles, Michael T.; Taylor, Cliff D.; Key, Roger M.; Bauer,; Ralison, A

2009-01-01

Microchemical characterisation of bedrock and placer gold grains from six gold districts within the Archaean domains and intervening Neoproterozoic Anaboriana-Manampotsy belt of northern and east-central Madagascar show few opaque inclusions (e.g pyrrhotite, Bi tellurides) but wide range of Ag contents (40wt%). Some districts exhibit multiple source populations of grains. The ‘greenstone belt’ terranes have an orogenic gold signature locally with an intrusion-related to epithermal overprint. Proterozoic metasediments with felsic to ultramafic bodies yield dominantly intrusion-related gold. A high proportion of secondary gold (<0.5wt% Ag) is related to recycling of paleoplacers and erosion of post-Gondwana planation surfaces and indicates that some mesothermal gold systems were already partially to wholly removed by erosion by the PermoTriassic.

The O H stretching band in ice Ih derived via eV neutron spectroscopy on VESUVIO using the new very low angle detector bank

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perelli-Cippo, E.; Gorini, G.; Tardocchi, M.; Andreani, C.; Pietropaolo, A.; Senesi, R.; Rhodes, N. J.; Schooneveld, E. M.

2006-06-01

Strong demand exists for an experimental facility enabling new experimental investigations on condensed matter systems based on epithermal neutron scattering at high energy and low momentum transfers. This need will be met by the very low angle detector (VLAD) bank, to be installed on the VESUVIO spectrometer at the ISIS spallation neutron source. The equipment will operate in the scattering angular range 1°<2θ<5°. Scattering measurements from a polycrystalline ice sample using a VLAD prototype demonstrates the effectiveness of the detection technique adopted for the construction of the full detector array. The resulting density of states in ice is 9±2 atoms/cell, in agreement with previous measurements.

ARSENIC MINERALS AS INDICATORS OF CONDITIONS OF GOLD DEPOSITION IN CARLIN-TYPE GOLD DEPOSITS.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rytuba, James J.

1984-01-01

Arsenic minerals commonly occurring in Carlin-type gold deposits include orpiment and realgar and, more rarely, native arsenic and arsenopyrite. Other arsenic-bearing phases present include arsenian pyrite and stibnite and a number of thallium and mercury sulfides. Under conditions of constant temperature and pressure, the relative stability of arsenic minerals is a function of sulfur activity. At high sulfur activity, orpiment is the stable phase. As sulfur activity is decreased, more sulfur-deficient arsenic phases become stable with the progressive formation of realgar, native arsenic, arsenopyrite, and finally, loellingite at very low sulfur activity. Three univariant equilibrium assemblages: orpiment plus realgar, realgar plus native arsenic and native arsenic plus arsenopyrite are useful indicators of sulfur activity and commonly occur in the epithermal environment.

Spatial databases of the Humboldt Basin mineral resource assessment, northern Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mihalasky, Mark J.; Moyer, Lorre A.

2004-01-01

This report describes the origin, generation, and format of tract map databases for deposit types that accompany the metallic mineral resource assessment for the Humboldt River Basin, northern Nevada, (Wallace and others, 2004, Chapter 2). The deposit types include pluton-related polymetallic, sedimentary rock-hosted Au-Ag, and epithermal Au-Ag. The tract maps constitute only part of the assessment, which also includes new research and data for northern Nevada, discussions on land classification, and interpretation of the assessment maps. The purpose of the assessment was to identify areas that may have a greater favorability for undiscovered metallic mineral deposits, provide analysis of the mineral-resource favorability, and present the assessment of the Humboldt River basin and adjacent areas in a digital format using a Geographic Information System (GIS).

Porphyry-copper ore shells form at stable pressure-temperature fronts within dynamic fluid plumes.

PubMed

Weis, P; Driesner, T; Heinrich, C A

2012-12-21

Porphyry-type ore deposits are major resources of copper and gold, precipitated from fluids expelled by crustal magma chambers. The metals are typically concentrated in confined ore shells within vertically extensive vein networks, formed through hydraulic fracturing of rock by ascending fluids. Numerical modeling shows that dynamic permeability responses to magmatic fluid expulsion can stabilize a front of metal precipitation at the boundary between lithostatically pressured up-flow of hot magmatic fluids and hydrostatically pressured convection of cooler meteoric fluids. The balance between focused heat advection and lateral cooling controls the most important economic characteristics, including size, shape, and ore grade. This self-sustaining process may extend to epithermal gold deposits, venting at active volcanoes, and regions with the potential for geothermal energy production.

Porphyry-Copper Ore Shells Form at Stable Pressure-Temperature Fronts Within Dynamic Fluid Plumes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weis, P.; Driesner, T.; Heinrich, C. A.

2012-12-01

Porphyry-type ore deposits are major resources of copper and gold, precipitated from fluids expelled by crustal magma chambers. The metals are typically concentrated in confined ore shells within vertically extensive vein networks, formed through hydraulic fracturing of rock by ascending fluids. Numerical modeling shows that dynamic permeability responses to magmatic fluid expulsion can stabilize a front of metal precipitation at the boundary between lithostatically pressured up-flow of hot magmatic fluids and hydrostatically pressured convection of cooler meteoric fluids. The balance between focused heat advection and lateral cooling controls the most important economic characteristics, including size, shape, and ore grade. This self-sustaining process may extend to epithermal gold deposits, venting at active volcanoes, and regions with the potential for geothermal energy production.

Investigation on the reflector/moderator geometry and its effect on the neutron beam design in BNCT.

PubMed

Kasesaz, Y; Rahmani, F; Khalafi, H

2015-12-01

In order to provide an appropriate neutron beam for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), a special Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) must be designed based on the neutron source specifications. A typical BSA includes moderator, reflector, collimator, thermal neutron filter, and gamma filter. In common BSA, the reflector is considered as a layer which covers the sides of the moderator materials. In this paper, new reflector/moderator geometries including multi-layer and hexagonal lattice have been suggested and the effect of them has been investigated by MCNP4C Monte Carlo code. It was found that the proposed configurations have a significant effect to improve the thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio which is an important neutron beam parameter. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MOUNT HOOD WILDERNESS AND ADJACENT AREAS, OREGON.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keith, T.E.C.; Causey, J.D.

1984-01-01

A mineral survey of the Mount Hood Wilderness, Oregon, was conducted. Geochemical data indicate two areas of substantiated mineral-resource potential containing weak epithermal mineralization: an area of the north side of Zigzag Mountain where vein-type lead-zinc-silver deposits occur and an area of the south side of Zigzag Mountain, where the upper part of a quartz diorite pluton has propylitic alteration associated with mineralization of copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc in discontinuous veins. Geothermal-resource potential for low- to intermediate-temperature (less than 248 degree F) hot-water systems in the wilderness is probable in these areas. Part of the wilderness is classified as a Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA), which is considered to have probable geothermal-resource potential, and two parts of the wilderness have been included in geothermal lease areas.

Analysis of data from LEND instrument on LRO: May water deposits be expected on poles of Mercury?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitrofanov, I.

2012-04-01

Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) of LRO measured the flux of epithermal neutrons with high spatial resolution ˜10 km for the amplitude of 50 km. The LEND data from the polar caps above 80° latitude were tested for the presence of local spots of epithermal Neutron Suppression Regions (NSRs), which have been identified with wa-ter ice permafrost. The model has been proposed, which explains the origin of water at lunar poles by chemical reactions between hydrogen of solar wind with oxygen of lunar regolith. The so-called solar water could be produced under the sunlit surface, and than migrate either at cold traps in he local vicinity from the irradiated spot of origin, or at cold subsur-face layer just below of the uppermost layer of origin. Similarly to the Moon, there are data of radio sensing of Mercury, which points out that this planet might have the water ice deposits at poles. Therefore, one may suspect that the main physics could also be similar at poles of the Moon and the Mercury: - if the water ice deposits are on the lunar poles, they should be at the Hermean poles as well; - if comets are not the main source for the water at lunar poles, they should not also be the main source for the polar water deposits on the Mercury. However, one should also take into account that the Moon and the Mercury have rather different physics of inter-action between the plasma of solar wind and the surface: - the Mercury have the dipole magnetic field, which is large enough to shield the equatorial belt of the planet from the direct interaction with the plasma of solar wind; - flux of solar wind and solar radiation at the orbit of Mercury are much larger than they are at the Earth orbit; - the average temperature of illuminated spots at Hermean poles is much larger than the temperature of illuminated spots at poles of the Moon. In addition to current neutron data from LRO, the data from MESSENGER should be studied for better under-standing of polar water ice deposits at the Moon and at the Mercury. Additional data will be provided by neutron mapping from the BeppiColombo spacecraft, which will map neutron albedo of bother Hermean poles (the MESSENGER maps only the southern hemisphere). First of all, one have to test that Mercury have extended suppression regions of epithermal neutrons around both poles, as the Moon has. If hydrogen at polar regolith is delivered by the solar wind, the polar suppression of Mercury should be rather different from one of the Moon, because Hermean magnetosphere should chanelize the plasma of solar wind plasma toward the poles. Second, one have to test the presence of local NSEs at the Hermean poles and to compare them with the lunar NSRs. If NSRs at both celestial bodies are associated with deposits of solar water, one could expect to find more water rich permafrost on the Mercury than on the Moon at areas with similarly cold surfaces, because at the same thermal conditions production rate of water molecules from the solar wind should be higher on Mercury than on the Moon.

Determining the Magnitude of Neutron and Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) Fluxes at the Moon using the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector during the Historic Space-Age Era of High GCR Flux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chin, G.; Sagdeev, R.; Boynton, W. V.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Milikh, G. M.; Su, J. J.; Livengood, T. A.; McClanahan, T. P.; Evans, L.; Starr, R. D.; litvak, M. L.; Sanin, A.

2013-12-01

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was launched June 18, 2009 during an historic space-age era of minimum solar activity [1]. The lack of solar sunspot activity signaled a complex set of heliospheric phenomena [2,3,4] that also gave rise to a period of unprecedentedly high Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) flux [5]. These events coincided with the primary mission of the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND, [6]), onboard LRO in a nominal 50-km circular orbit of the Moon [7]. Methods to calculate the emergent neutron albedo population using Monte Carlo techniques [8] rely on an estimate of the GCR flux and spectra calibrated at differing periods of solar activity [9,10,11]. Estimating the actual GCR flux at the Moon during the LEND's initial period of operation requires a correction using a model-dependent heliospheric transport modulation parameter [12] to adjust the GCR flux appropriate to this unique solar cycle. These corrections have inherent uncertainties depending on model details [13]. Precisely determining the absolute neutron and GCR fluxes is especially important in understanding the emergent lunar neutrons measured by LEND and subsequently in estimating the hydrogen/water content in the lunar regolith [6]. LEND is constructed with a set of neutron detectors to meet differing purposes [6]. Specifically there are two sets of detector systems that measure the flux of epithermal neutrons: a) the uncollimated Sensor for Epi-Thermal Neutrons (SETN) and b) the Collimated Sensor for Epi-Thermal Neutrons (CSETN). LEND SETN and CSETN observations form a complementary set of simultaneous measurements that determine the absolute scale of emergent lunar neutron flux in an unambiguous fashion and without the need for correcting to differing solar-cycle conditions. LEND measurements are combined with a detailed understanding of the sources of instrumental back-ground, and the performance of CSETN and SETN. This comparison allows us to calculate a constant scale factor that determines the absolute flux of neutrons at the Moon and then subsequently to deduce the proper scale of the GCR flux. References: [1] H. S. Ahluwakia and R. C. Ygbuhay (2010) Twelfth International Solar Wind Conference, 699-702. [2] F. B. McDonald et al. (2010) JRL, 37, L18101. [3] H. Moraal and P. H. Stoker (2010) JGR, 115, 12109-12118. [4] R. Kataoka et al. (2012) Space Weather, 10, 11001-11007. [4] C-L. Huang et al. (2009), JRL, 37, L09109-L09104. [5] R. A. Mewaldt et al. (2010) Ap. J Lett., 723, L1-L6. [6] I. G. Mitrofanov et al. (2010) Space Science Rev., 150, 283-207. [7] C. R. Tooley et al. (2010) Space Science Rev., 150, 23-62. [8] G. W. McKinney et al. (2006) JGR, 111, 6004-6018. [9] P. M. O'Neil (2010) IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., 57(6), 3148-3153. [10] American National Standards Institute Tech. Rep. ISO 15390 (2004). [11] I. G. Usokin et al. (2008) JGR, 110, A12108. [12] M. D. Looper et al. (2013) Space Weather, 11, 142-152. [13] A. I. Mrigakshi et al. (2012) JGR, 117, A08109-A08121.

Hydrologic models of modern and fossil geothermal systems in the Great Basin: Genetic implications for epithermal Au-Ag and Carlin-type gold deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Person, M.; Banerjee, A.; Hofstra, A.; Sweetkind, D.; Gao, Y.

2008-01-01

The Great Basin region in the western United States contains active geothermal systems, large epithermal Au-Ag deposits, and world-class Carlin-type gold deposits. Temperature profiles, fluid inclusion studies, and isotopic evidence suggest that modern and fossil hydrothermal systems associated with gold mineralization share many common features, including the absence of a clear magmatic fluid source, discharge areas restricted to fault zones, and remarkably high temperatures (>200 ??C) at shallow depths (200-1500 m). While the plumbing of these systems varies, geochemical and isotopic data collected at the Dixie Valley and Beowawe geothermal systems suggest that fluid circulation along fault zones was relatively deep (>5 km) and comprised of relatively unexchanged Pleistocene meteoric water with small (<2.5%) shifts from the meteoric water line (MWL). Many fossil ore-forming systems were also dominated by meteoric water, but usually exhibit ??18O fluid-rock interactions with larger shifts of 5???-20??? from the MWL. Here we present a suite of two-dimensional regional (100 km) and local (40-50 km) scale hydrologic models that we have used to study the plumbing of modern and Tertiary hydrothermal systems of the Great Basin. Geologically and geophysically consistent cross sections were used to generate somewhat idealized hydrogeologic models for these systems that include the most important faults, aquifers, and confining units in their approximate configurations. Multiple constraints were used, including enthalpy, ??18O, silica compositions of fluids and/or rocks, groundwater residence times, fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures, and apatite fission track anomalies. Our results suggest that these hydrothermal systems were driven by natural thermal convection along anisotropic, subvertical faults connected in many cases at depth by permeable aquifers within favorable lithostratigraphic horizons. Those with minimal fluid ?? 18O shifts are restricted to high-permeability fault zones and relatively small-scale (???5 km), single-pass flow systems (e.g., Beowawe). Those with intermediate to large isotopic shifts (e.g., epithermal and Carlin-type Au) had larger-scale (???15 km) loop convection cells with a greater component of flow through marine sedimentary rocks at lower water/rock ratios and greater endowments of gold. Enthalpy calculations constrain the duration of Carlin-type gold systems to probably <200 k.y. Shallow heat flow gradients and fluid silica concentrations suggest that the duration of the modern Beowawe system is <5 k.y. However, fluid flow at Beowawe during the Quaternary must have been episodic with a net duration of ???200 k.y. to account for the amount of silica in the sinter deposits. In the Carlin trend, fluid circulation extended down into Paleozoic siliciclastic rocks, which afforded more mixing with isotopically enriched higher enthalpy fluids. Computed fission track ages along the Carlin trend included the convective effects, and ranged between 91.6 and 35.3 Ma. Older fission track ages occurred in zones of groundwater recharge, and the younger ages occurred in discharge areas. This is largely consistent with fission track ages reported in recent studies. We found that either an amagmatic system with more permeable faults (10-11 m2) or a magmatic system with less permeable faults (10-13 m2) could account for the published isotopic and thermal data along the Carlin trend systems. Localized high heat flow beneath the Muleshoe fault was needed to match fl uid inclusion temperatures at Mule Canyon. However, both magmatic and amagmatic scenarios require the existence of deep, permeable faults to bring hot fluids to the near surface. ?? 2008 Geological Society of America.

Geology and metallogeny of the Ar Rayn terrane, eastern Arabian shield: Evolution of a Neoproterozoic continental-margin arc during assembly of Gondwana within the East African orogen

USGS Publications Warehouse

Doebrich, J.L.; Al-Jehani, A. M.; Siddiqui, A.A.; Hayes, T.S.; Wooden, J.L.; Johnson, P.R.

2007-01-01

The Neoproterozoic Ar Rayn terrane is exposed along the eastern margin of the Arabian shield. The terrane is bounded on the west by the Ad Dawadimi terrane across the Al Amar fault zone (AAF), and is nonconformably overlain on the east by Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. The terrane is composed of a magmatic arc complex and syn- to post-orogenic intrusions. The layered rocks of the arc, the Al Amar group (>689 Ma to ???625 Ma), consist of tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basaltic to rhyolitic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks with subordinate tuffaceous sedimentary rocks and carbonates, and are divided into an eastern and western sequence. Plutonic rocks of the terrane form three distinct lithogeochemical groups: (1) low-Al trondhjemite-tonalite-granodiorite (TTG) of arc affinity (632-616 Ma) in the western part of the terrane, (2) high-Al TTG/adakite of arc affinity (689-617 Ma) in the central and eastern part of the terrane, and (3) syn- to post-orogenic alkali granite (607-583 Ma). West-dipping subduction along a trench east of the terrane is inferred from high-Al TTG/adakite emplaced east of low-Al TTG. The Ar Rayn terrane contains significant resources in epithermal Au-Ag-Zn-Cu-barite, enigmatic stratiform volcanic-hosted Khnaiguiyah-type Zn-Cu-Fe-Mn, and orogenic Au vein deposits, and the potential for significant resources in Fe-oxide Cu-Au (IOCG), and porphyry Cu deposits. Khnaiguiyah-type deposits formed before or during early deformation of the Al Amar group eastern sequence. Epithermal and porphyry deposits formed proximal to volcanic centers in Al Amar group western sequence. IOCG deposits are largely structurally controlled and hosted by group-1 intrusions and Al Amar group volcanic rocks in the western part of the terrane. Orogenic gold veins are largely associated with north-striking faults, particularly in and near the AAF, and are presumably related to amalgamation of the Ar Rayn and Ad Dawadimi terranes. Geologic, structural, and metallogenic characteristics of the Ar Rayn terrane are analogous to the Andean continental margin of Chile, with opposite subduction polarity. The Ar Rayn terrane represents a continental margin arc that lay above a west-dipping subduction zone along a continental block represented by the Afif composite terrane. The concentration of epithermal, porphyry Cu and IOCG mineral systems, of central arc affiliation, along the AAF suggests that the AAF is not an ophiolitic suture zone, but originated as a major intra-arc fault that localized magmatism and mineralization. West-directed oblique subduction and ultimate collision with a land mass from the east (East Gondwana?) resulted in major transcurrent displacement along the AAF, bringing the eastern part of the arc terrane to its present exposed position, juxtaposed across the AAF against a back-arc basin assemblage represented by the Abt schist of the Ad Dawadimi terrane. Our findings indicate that arc formation and accretionary processes in the Arabian shield were still ongoing into the latest Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran), to about 620-600 Ma, and lead us to conclude that evolution of the Ar Rayn terrane (arc formation, accretion, syn- to postorogenic plutonism) defines a final stage of assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent along the northeastern margin of the East African orogen. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Examining risk in mineral exploration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Singer, Donald A.; Kouda, Ryoichi

1999-01-01

Successful mineral exploration strategy requires identification of some of the risk sources and considering them in the decision-making process so that controllable risk can be reduced. Risk is defined as chance of failure or loss. Exploration is an economic activity involving risk and uncertainty, so risk also must be defined in an economic context. Risk reduction can be addressed in three fundamental ways: (1) increasing the number of examinations; (2) increasing success probabilities; and (3) changing success probabilities per test by learning. These provide the framework for examining exploration risk. First, the number of prospects examined is increased, such as by joint venturing, thereby reducing chance of gambler's ruin. Second, success probability is increased by exploring for deposit types more likely to be economic, such as those with a high proportion of world-class deposits. For example, in looking for 100+ ton (>3 million oz) Au deposits, porphyry Cu-Au, or epithermal quartz alunite Au types require examining fewer deposits than Comstock epithermal vein and most other deposit types. For porphyry copper exploration, a strong positive relationship between area of sulfide minerals and deposits' contained Cu can be used to reduce exploration risk by only examining large sulfide systems. In some situations, success probabilities can be increased by examining certain geologic environments. Only 8% of kuroko massive sulfide deposits are world class, but success chances can be increased to about 15% by looking in settings containing sediments and rhyolitic rocks. It is possible to reduce risk of loss during mining by sequentially developing and expanding a mine—thus reducing capital exposed at early stages and reducing present value of risked capital. Because this strategy is easier to apply in some deposit types than in others, the strategy can affect deposit types sought. Third, risk is reduced by using prior information and by changing the independence of trials assumption, that is, by learning. Bayes' formula is used to change the probability of existence of the deposit sought on the basis of successive exploration stages. Perhaps the most important way to reduce exploration risk is to employ personnel with the appropriate experience and yet who are learning.

On-the-Fly Generation of Differential Resonance Scattering Probability Distribution Functions for Monte Carlo Codes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Davidson, Eva E.; Martin, William R.

Current Monte Carlo codes use one of three models: (1) the asymptotic scattering model, (2) the free gas scattering model, or (3) the S(α,β) model, depending on the neutron energy and the specific Monte Carlo code. This thesis addresses the consequences of using the free gas scattering model, which assumes that the neutron interacts with atoms in thermal motion in a monatomic gas in thermal equilibrium at material temperature, T. Most importantly, the free gas model assumes the scattering cross section is constant over the neutron energy range, which is usually a good approximation for light nuclei, but not formore » heavy nuclei where the scattering cross section may have several resonances in the epithermal region. Several researchers in the field have shown that the exact resonance scattering model is temperaturedependent, and neglecting the resonances in the lower epithermal range can under-predict resonance absorption due to the upscattering phenomenon mentioned above, leading to an over-prediction of keff by several hundred pcm. Existing methods to address this issue involve changing the neutron weights or implementing an extra rejection scheme in the free gas sampling scheme, and these all involve performing the collision analysis in the center-of-mass frame, followed by a conversion back to the laboratory frame to continue the random walk of the neutron. The goal of this paper was to develop a sampling methodology that (1) accounted for the energydependent scattering cross sections in the collision analysis and (2) was performed in the laboratory frame,avoiding the conversion to the center-of-mass frame. The energy dependence of the scattering cross section was modeled with even-ordered polynomials (2nd and 4th order) to approximate the scattering cross section in Blackshaw’s equations for the moments of the differential scattering PDFs. These moments were used to sample the outgoing neutron speed and angle in the laboratory frame on-the-fly during the random walk of the neutron. Results for criticality studies on fuel pin and fuel assembly calculations using methods developed in this dissertation showed very close comparison to results using the reference Dopplerbroadened rejection correction (DBRC) scheme.« less

The late Oligocene Cevizlidere Cu-Au-Mo deposit, Tunceli Province, eastern Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

İmer, Ali; Richards, Jeremy P.; Creaser, Robert A.; Spell, Terry L.

2015-02-01

The Cevizlidere deposit, located in the Tunceli Province of eastern Anatolia, is the largest porphyry Cu-Au-Mo system in Turkey. The deposit is spatially related to a composite stock, which was emplaced into Paleozoic limestones and Paleogene andesitic rocks to the southeast of the Munzur mountains, near the southwestern margin of the Ovacık pull-apart basin. The host plutonic rocks at Cevizlidere are porphyritic, medium-K calc-alkaline diorites and granodiorites. 40Ar/39Ar incremental step-heating analysis of two igneous biotite separates obtained from syn-mineral diorite porphyry yielded late Oligocene cooling ages of 25.49 ± 0.10 and 25.10 ± 0.14 Ma, whereas hydrothermal biotite yielded an age of 24.73 ± 0.08 Ma. Re-Os ages obtained from two molybdenite separates (24.90 ± 0.10 and 24.78 ± 0.10 Ma) indicate that porphyry-style alteration and mineralization developed shortly after magma emplacement. The whole-rock geochemical composition of the Cevizlidere porphyry intrusions is consistent with derivation from partial melting of the metasomatized supra-subduction zone mantle. However, based on regional tectonic reconstructions, Oligocene magmatic activity in this area appears to be related to a major kinematic reorganization that took place at around 25 Ma, during the switch from subduction to collisional tectonics in eastern Anatolia. This kinematic switch may be attributed to break-off of the Southern Neo-Tethys oceanic slab prior to the Arabia-Eurasia continent-continent collision (~12-10 Ma) following widespread middle Eocene (50-43 Ma) arc/back-arc magmatism. In this respect, the subduction-related tectonic setting of the late Oligocene Cevizlidere porphyry deposit is similar to that of the middle Eocene Çöpler epithermal Au deposit. The late timing of Cevizlidere with respect to the Southern Neo-Tethys subduction may be comparable to some early to late Miocene porphyry-epithermal systems that lie within the contiguous Urumieh-Dokhtar belt in central Iran. The later timing in Iran reflects the diachronous nature of the Eurasia-Afro-Arabia collision.

Regional Crustal Structures and Their Relationship to the Distribution of Ore Deposits in the Western United States, Based on Magnetic and Gravity Data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hildenbrand, T.G.; Berger, B.; Jachens, R.C.; Ludington, S.

2000-01-01

Upgraded gravity and magnetic databases and associated filtered-anomaly maps of western United States define regional crustal fractures or faults that may have guided the emplacement of plutonic rocks and large metallic ore deposits. Fractures, igneous intrusions, and hydrothermal circulation tend to be localized along boundaries of crustal blocks, with geophysical expressions that are enhanced here by wavelength filtering. In particular, we explore the utility of regional gravity and magnetic data to aid in understanding the distribution of large Mesozoic and Cenozoic ore deposits, primarily epithermal and porphyry precious and base metal deposits and sediment-hosted gold deposits in the western United States cordillera. On the broadest scale, most ore deposits lie within areas characterized by low magnetic properties. The Mesozoic Mother Lodge gold belt displays characteristic geophysical signatures (regional gravity high, regional low-to-moderate background magnetic field anomaly, and long curvilinear magnetic highs) that might serve as an exploration guide. Geophysical lineaments characterize the Idaho-Montana porphyry belt and the La Caridad-Mineral Park belt (from northern Mexico to western Arizona) and thus indicate a deep-seated control for these mineral belts. Large metal accumulations represented by the giant Bingham porphyry copper and the Butte polymetallic vein and porphyry copper systems lie at intersections of several geophysical lineaments. At a more local scale, geophysical data define deep-rooted faults and magmatic zones that correspond to patterns of epithermal precious metal deposits in western and northern Nevada. Of particular interest is an interpreted dense crustal block with a shape that resembles the elliptical deposit pattern partly formed by the Carlin trend and the Battle Mountain-Eureka mineral belt. We support previous studies, which on a local scale, conclude that structural elements work together to localize mineral deposits within regional zones or belts. This study of mineral deposits of the western United States demonstrates the ability of magnetic and gravity data to elucidate the regional geologic framework or structural setting and to contribute in locating favorable environments for hydrothermal mineralization.

Structural localization and origin of compartmentalized fluid flow, Comstock lode, Virginia City, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Berger, B.R.; Tingley, J.V.; Drew, L.J.

2003-01-01

Bonanza-grade orebodies in epithermal-style mineral deposits characteristically occur as discrete zones within spatially more extensive fault and/or fracture systems. Empirically, the segregation of such systems into compartments of higher and lower permeability appears to be a key process necessary for high-grade ore formation and, most commonly, it is such concentrations of metals that make an epithermal vein district world class. In the world-class silver- and gold-producing Comstock mining district, Nevada, several lines of evidence lead to the conclusion that the Comstock lode is localized in an extensional stepover between right-lateral fault zones. This evidence includes fault geometries, kinematic indicators of slip, the hydraulic connectivity of faults as demonstrated by veins and dikes along faults, and the opening of a normal-fault-bounded, asymmetric basin between two parallel and overlapping northwest-striking, lateral- to lateral-oblique-slip fault zones. During basin opening, thick, generally subeconomic, banded quartz-adularia veins were deposited in the normal fault zone, the Comstock fault, and along one of the bounding lateral fault zones, the Silver City fault. As deformation continued, the intrusion of dikes and small plugs into the hanging wall of the Comstock fault zone may have impeded the ability of the stepover to accommodate displacement on the bounding strike-slip faults through extension within the stepover. A transient period of transpressional deformation of the Comstock fault zone ensued, and the early-stage veins were deformed through boudinaging and hydraulic fragmentation, fault-motion inversion, and high- and low-angle axial rotations of segments of the fault planes and some fault-bounded wedges. This deformation led to the formation of spatially restricted compartments of high vertical permeability and hydraulic connectivity and low lateral hydraulic connectivity. Bonanza orebodies were formed in the compartmentalized zones of high permeability and hydraulic connectivity. As heat flow and related hydrothermal activitv waned along the Comstock fault zone, extension was reactivated in the stepover along the Occidental zone of normal faults east of the Comstock fault zone. Volcanic and related intrusive activity in this part of the stepover led to a new episode of hydrothermal activity and formation of the Occidental lodes.

Effects of chemical alteration on fracture mechanical properties in hydrothermal systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callahan, O. A.; Eichhubl, P.; Olson, J. E.

2015-12-01

Fault and fracture networks often control the distribution of fluids and heat in hydrothermal and epithermal systems, and in related geothermal and mineral resources. Additional chemical influences on conduit evolution are well documented, with dissolution and precipitation of mineral species potentially changing the permeability of fault-facture networks. Less well understood are the impacts of chemical alteration on the mechanical properties governing fracture growth and fracture network geometry. We use double-torsion (DT) load relaxation tests under ambient air conditions to measure the mode-I fracture toughness (KIC) and subcritical fracture growth index (SCI) of variably altered rock samples obtained from outcrop in Dixie Valley, NV. Samples from southern Dixie Valley include 1) weakly altered granite, characterized by minor sericite in plagioclase, albitization and vacuolization of feldspars, and incomplete replacement of biotite with chlorite, and 2) granite from an area of locally intense propylitic alteration with chlorite-calcite-hematite-epidote assemblages. We also evaluated samples of completely silicified gabbro obtained from the Dixie Comstock epithermal gold deposit. In the weakly altered granite KIC and SCI are 1.3 ±0.2 MPam1/2 (n=8) and 59 ±25 (n=29), respectively. In the propylitic assemblage KIC is reduced to 0.6 ±0.1 MPam1/2 (n=11), and the SCI increased to 75 ±36 (n = 33). In both cases, the altered materials have lower fracture toughness and higher SCI than is reported for common geomechanical standards such as Westerly Granite (KIC ~1.7 MPam1/2; SCI ~48). Preliminary analysis of the silicified gabbro shows a significant increase in fracture toughness, 3.6 ±0.4 MPam1/2 (n=2), and SCI, 102 ±45 (n=19), compared to published values for gabbro (2.9 MPam1/2 and SCI = 32). These results suggest that mineralogical and textural changes associated with different alteration assemblages may result in spatially variable rates of fracture initiation and growth in different parts of hydrothermal systems. Contrasting fracture mechanical properties between alteration assemblages may constitute a new mechanism of chemical-mechanical feedback that contributes to the localization of conduits in hydrothermal systems.

On-the-Fly Generation of Differential Resonance Scattering Probability Distribution Functions for Monte Carlo Codes

DOE PAGES

Davidson, Eva E.; Martin, William R.

2017-05-26

Current Monte Carlo codes use one of three models: (1) the asymptotic scattering model, (2) the free gas scattering model, or (3) the S(α,β) model, depending on the neutron energy and the specific Monte Carlo code. This thesis addresses the consequences of using the free gas scattering model, which assumes that the neutron interacts with atoms in thermal motion in a monatomic gas in thermal equilibrium at material temperature, T. Most importantly, the free gas model assumes the scattering cross section is constant over the neutron energy range, which is usually a good approximation for light nuclei, but not formore » heavy nuclei where the scattering cross section may have several resonances in the epithermal region. Several researchers in the field have shown that the exact resonance scattering model is temperaturedependent, and neglecting the resonances in the lower epithermal range can under-predict resonance absorption due to the upscattering phenomenon mentioned above, leading to an over-prediction of keff by several hundred pcm. Existing methods to address this issue involve changing the neutron weights or implementing an extra rejection scheme in the free gas sampling scheme, and these all involve performing the collision analysis in the center-of-mass frame, followed by a conversion back to the laboratory frame to continue the random walk of the neutron. The goal of this paper was to develop a sampling methodology that (1) accounted for the energydependent scattering cross sections in the collision analysis and (2) was performed in the laboratory frame,avoiding the conversion to the center-of-mass frame. The energy dependence of the scattering cross section was modeled with even-ordered polynomials (2nd and 4th order) to approximate the scattering cross section in Blackshaw’s equations for the moments of the differential scattering PDFs. These moments were used to sample the outgoing neutron speed and angle in the laboratory frame on-the-fly during the random walk of the neutron. Results for criticality studies on fuel pin and fuel assembly calculations using methods developed in this dissertation showed very close comparison to results using the reference Dopplerbroadened rejection correction (DBRC) scheme.« less

JPRS Report, Science & Technology, China: Energy.

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-03-30

breeder reactors should become...the primary type of reactors . In developing breeder reactors , we should follow the path of using metal fuel. Breeder reactors give us more time to...first reactor used for power generation was a fast reactor : the " Breeder 1" reactor at the Idaho National Reactor Test Center which was used to

Analysis on the emission and potential application of Cherenkov radiation in boron neutron capture therapy: A Monte Carlo simulation study.

PubMed

Shu, Di-Yun; Geng, Chang-Ran; Tang, Xiao-Bin; Gong, Chun-Hui; Shao, Wen-Cheng; Ai, Yao

2018-07-01

This paper was aimed to explore the physics of Cherenkov radiation and its potential application in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The Monte Carlo toolkit Geant4 was used to simulate the interaction between the epithermal neutron beam and the phantom containing boron-10. Results showed that Cherenkov photons can only be generated from secondary charged particles of gamma rays in BNCT, in which the 2.223 MeV prompt gamma rays are the main contributor. The number of Cherenkov photons per unit mass generated in the measurement region decreases linearly with the increase of boron concentration in both water and tissue phantom. The work presented the fundamental basis for applications of Cherenkov radiation in BNCT. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Attenuation of Neutron and Gamma Radiation by a Composite Material Based on Modified Titanium Hydride with a Varied Boron Content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yastrebinskii, R. N.

2018-04-01

The investigations on estimating the attenuation of capture gamma radiation by a composite neutron-shielding material based on modified titanium hydride and Portland cement with a varied amount of boron carbide are performed. The results of calculations demonstrate that an introduction of boron into this material enables significantly decreasing the thermal neutron flux density and hence the levels of capture gamma radiation. In particular, after introducing 1- 5 wt.% boron carbide into the material, the thermal neutron flux density on a 10 cm-thick layer is reduced by 11 to 176 factors, and the capture gamma dose rate - from 4 to 9 times, respectively. The difference in the degree of reduction in these functionals is attributed to the presence of capture gamma radiation in the epithermal region of the neutron spectrum.

The possible use of a spallation neutron source for neutron capture therapy with epithermal neutrons.

PubMed

Grusell, E; Condé, H; Larsson, B; Rönnqvist, T; Sornsuntisook, O; Crawford, J; Reist, H; Dahl, B; Sjöstrand, N G; Russel, G

1990-01-01

Spallation is induced in a heavy material by 72-MeV protons. The resulting neutrons can be characterized by an evaporation spectrum with a peak energy of less than 2 MeV. The neutrons are moderated in two steps: first in iron and then in carbon. Results from neutron fluence measurements in a perspex phantom placed close to the moderator are presented. Monte Carlo calculations of neutron fluence in a water phantom are also presented under some chosen configurations of spallation source and moderator. The calculations and measurements are in good agreement and show that, for proton currents of less than 0.5 mA, useful thermal-neutron fluences are attainable in the depth of the brain. However, the dose contribution from the unavoidable gamma background component has not been included in the present investigation.

Mesozoic magmatism and timing of epigenetic Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization in the western Fortymile mining district, east-central Alaska: Zircon U-Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Pb isotopes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dusel-Bacon, Cynthia; Aleinkoff, J.N.; Day, W.C.; Mortensen, J.K.

2015-01-01

Epigenetic Pb-Zn-Ag ± Cu prospects in the western Fortymile district are spatially associated with splays of the northeast-trending Kechumstuk sinistral-normal fault zone and with ca. 68-66 Ma felsic intrusions and dikes. The similarity between Pb isotope compositions of feldspars from the Late Cretaceous igneous bodies and sulfides from the epithermal prospects suggests a Late Cretaceous age for most of the mineralization. Fluid flow along the faults undoubtedly played a major role in mineralization. We interpret displacement on the northeast-trending faults to be a far-field effect of dextral translation along Late Cretaceous plate-scale boundaries and faults that were roughly parallel to the subsequently developed Denali and Tintina fault systems, which currently bound the region.

French comparison exercise with the rotating neutron spectrometer, 'ROSPEC'.

PubMed

Crovisier, P; Asselineau, B; Pelcot, G; Van-Ryckeghem, L; Cadiou, A; Truffert, H; Groetz, J E; Benmosbah, M

2005-01-01

The French laboratories in charge of 'neutron' dosimetry using the spectrometer 'ROSPEC', formed a working group in 2001. The participants began to study the behaviour of the instrument with a comparison exercise in broad energy neutron fields recommended by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and available at the LMDN in Cadarache. The complete version of the ROSPEC is made up of six spherical proportional counters fixed to a rotating platform. These counters cover different energy ranges which overlap each other to provide a link between the detectors, within the energy range from thermal neutrons to 4.5 MeV. The irradiation configurations chosen were ISO standard sources (252Cf, (252Cf+D2O)(/Cd), 241Am-Be) and the SIGMA facility. The results show that the 'thermal and epithermal' neutron fluence was widely overestimated by the spectrometer in all configurations.

Experimental substantiation of the possibility of developing selenium- and iodine-containing pharmaceuticals based on blue-green algae Spirulina platensis.

PubMed

Mosulishvili, L M; Kirkesali, E I; Belokobylsky, A I; Khizanishvili, A I; Frontasyeva, M V; Pavlov, S S; Gundorina, S F

2002-08-22

The great potential of using blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for the production of selenium- and iodine-containing pharmaceuticals is shown experimentally. The background levels of 31 major, minor and trace elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni (using (n,p) reaction), As, Br, Zn, Rb, Mo, Ag, Sb, I, Ba, Sm, Tb, Tm, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th) in S. platensis biomass were determined by means of epithermal neutron activation analysis. The dependence of selenium and iodine accumulation in spirulina biomass on a nutrient medium loading of the above elements was characterized. To demonstrate the possibilities of determining toxic element intake by spirulina biomass, mercury was selected. The technological parameters for production of iodinated treatment-and-prophylactic pills are developed.

Biofilm reactors for industrial bioconversion processes: employing potential of enhanced reaction rates

PubMed Central

Qureshi, Nasib; Annous, Bassam A; Ezeji, Thaddeus C; Karcher, Patrick; Maddox, Ian S

2005-01-01

This article describes the use of biofilm reactors for the production of various chemicals by fermentation and wastewater treatment. Biofilm formation is a natural process where microbial cells attach to the support (adsorbent) or form flocs/aggregates (also called granules) without use of chemicals and form thick layers of cells known as "biofilms." As a result of biofilm formation, cell densities in the reactor increase and cell concentrations as high as 74 gL-1 can be achieved. The reactor configurations can be as simple as a batch reactor, continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), packed bed reactor (PBR), fluidized bed reactor (FBR), airlift reactor (ALR), upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, or any other suitable configuration. In UASB granular biofilm particles are used. This article demonstrates that reactor productivities in these reactors have been superior to any other reactor types. This article describes production of ethanol, butanol, lactic acid, acetic acid/vinegar, succinic acid, and fumaric acid in addition to wastewater treatment in the biofilm reactors. As the title suggests, biofilm reactors have high potential to be employed in biotechnology/bioconversion industry for viable economic reasons. In this article, various reactor types have been compared for the above bioconversion processes. PMID:16122390

Halogens, Barium and Uranium in Mantle Fluid Inclusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villa, I. M.; Peverelli, V.; Oglialoro, E.; Pettke, D. T.; Frezzotti, M. L.

2016-12-01

Halogens are an underexplored geochemical marker. A way to measure halogens at ng/g levels is measuring Ar, Kr and Xe in irradiated samples [1,2]. We derive absolute halogen amounts from rare gas amounts via scapolite monitor SY [2]. Kr-Xe systematics also yield Ba and U concentrations. We combined irradiation with stepheating on carbonate-sulfate-rich fluid inclusions (FI)-bearing xe­no­liths from El Hierro, Canarias: spinel harzburgite XML-7 and spinel dunite XML-1 [3]. Three components are recognized in the rare gas release. (1) Atmospheric surface contamination occurs up to 1000 °C. (2) FI decrepitation by laboratory heating occurs above 1200 °C [4], corresponding to the release of 80,82Kr and 128Xe in the 1200 and 1400 °C steps. Br whole-rock concentrations are 3-8 ng/g; the molar Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios in the harzburgite FI, 9 E-4 resp. 2 E-4, are identical to those in the dunite FI. This sets the halogens in our FI apart from MORB [2]. Halogen-derived rare gases are closely associated to artificial 131Xe from Ba; Ba has a high affinity of for CO2-rich fluids. Daughter minerals in multiphase FI were identified by Raman micro­spectroscopy [4]. The calculated Ba concentrations are 2-6 µg/g. (3) The third component is U-derived 134,136Xe and 86Kr released in a spike at 1000 °C, decoupled from FI. This requires a different carrier than FI, e.g. Ti oxides. As U concentrations are 10-20 pg/g, the U-bearing phase needs to be below a ppm, invisible by petro­graphy. The 136Xe/134Xe ratio > 1 suggests retention of radio­genic Xe. However, analysis of an unirradiated sample detected no radiogenic Xe. It is likely that Xe-U produced in the core of the McMaster reactor (thermal, epithermal and fast neutrons) has a different isotopic composition from that in textbooks, as proposed by [2].[1] Jeffery & Reynolds (1961) J.Geophys. Res. 66, 3582 [2] Kendrick (2012) Chem. Geol. 292, 116 [3] Oglialoro et al (2015) AGU Fall Meeting abstract V21C-3046 [4] Roedder (1965) Am. Min. 50, 1746

The application of Westcott Formalism k0 NAA method to estimate short and medium lived elements in some Ghanaian herbal medicines complemented by AAS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayivor, J. E.; Okine, L. K. N.; Dampare, S. B.; Nyarko, B. J. B.; Debrah, S. K.

2012-04-01

The epithermal neutron shape factor, α of the inner and outer irradiation sites of the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) was determined obtaining results of 0.105 for the inner (Channel 1) Irradiation site and 0.020 for the outer (channel 6) irradiation site. The neutron temperatures for the inner and outer irradiation sites were 27 °C and 20 °C, respectively. The α values used in Westcott Formalism k0 INAA was applied to determine multi elements in 13 Ghanaian herbal medicines used by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM) for the management of various diseases complemented by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. They are namely Mist. Antiaris, Mist. Enterica, Mist. Morazia, Mist. Nibima, Mist. Modium, Mist. Ninger, Mist Sodenia, Mist. Tonica, Chardicca Powder, Fefe Powder, Olax Powder, Sirrapac powder and Lippia Tea. Concentrations of Al, As, Br, K, Cl, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na and V were determined by short and medium irradiations at a thermal neutron flux of 5×1011 ncm-2 s-1. Fe, Cr, Pb, Co, Ni, Sn, Ca, Ba, Li and Sb were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Ba, Cu, Li and V were present at trace levels whereas Al, Cl, Na, Ca were present at major levels. K, Br, Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Fe and Sb were also present at minor levels. Arsenic was not detected in all samples. Standard Reference material, IAEA-V-10 Hay Powder was simultaneously analysed with samples. The precision and accuracy of the method using real samples and standard reference materials were evaluated and within ±10% of the reported value. Multivariate analytical techniques, such as cluster analysis (Q-mode and R-mode CA) and principal component analysis (PCA)/factor analysis (FA), have been applied to evaluate the chemical variations in the herbal medicine dataset. All the 13 samples may be grouped into 2 statistically significant clusters (liquid based and powdered herbal medicines), reflecting the different chemical compositions. R-mode CA and PCA suggest common sources for Co, Mg, Fe, Ca, Cr, Ni, Sn, Li and Sb and Na, V, Cl, Mn, Al, Br and K. The PCA/FA identified 3 dominant factors as responsible for the data structure, explaining 84.5% of the total variance in the dataset.

JEFF-3.1, ENDF/B-VII and JENDL-3.3 Critical Assemblies Benchmarking With the Monte Carlo Code TRIPOLI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sublet, Jean-Christophe

2008-02-01

ENDF/B-VII.0, the first release of the ENDF/B-VII nuclear data library, was formally released in December 2006. Prior to this event the European JEFF-3.1 nuclear data library was distributed in April 2005, while the Japanese JENDL-3.3 library has been available since 2002. The recent releases of these neutron transport libraries and special purpose files, the updates of the processing tools and the significant progress in computer power and potency, allow today far better leaner Monte Carlo code and pointwise library integration leading to enhanced benchmarking studies. A TRIPOLI-4.4 critical assembly suite has been set up as a collection of 86 benchmarks taken principally from the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Benchmarks Experiments (2006 Edition). It contains cases for a variety of U and Pu fuels and systems, ranging from fast to deep thermal solutions and assemblies. It covers cases with a variety of moderators, reflectors, absorbers, spectra and geometries. The results presented show that while the most recent library ENDF/B-VII.0, which benefited from the timely development of JENDL-3.3 and JEFF-3.1, produces better overall results, it suggest clearly also that improvements are still needed. This is true in particular in Light Water Reactor applications for thermal and epithermal plutonium data for all libraries and fast uranium data for JEFF-3.1 and JENDL-3.3. It is also true to state that other domains, in which Monte Carlo code are been used, such as astrophysics, fusion, high-energy or medical, radiation transport in general benefit notably from such enhanced libraries. It is particularly noticeable in term of the number of isotopes, materials available, the overall quality of the data and the much broader energy range for which evaluated (as opposed to modeled) data are available, spanning from meV to hundreds of MeV. In pointing out the impact of the different nuclear data at the library but also the isotopic levels one could not help noticing the importance and difference of the compensating effects that result from their single usage. Library differences are still important but tend to diminish due to the ever increasing and beneficial worldwide collaboration in the field of nuclear data measurement and evaluations.

Control of reactor coolant flow path during reactor decay heat removal

DOEpatents

Hunsbedt, Anstein N.

1988-01-01

An improved reactor vessel auxiliary cooling system for a sodium cooled nuclear reactor is disclosed. The sodium cooled nuclear reactor is of the type having a reactor vessel liner separating the reactor hot pool on the upstream side of an intermediate heat exchanger and the reactor cold pool on the downstream side of the intermediate heat exchanger. The improvement includes a flow path across the reactor vessel liner flow gap which dissipates core heat across the reactor vessel and containment vessel responsive to a casualty including the loss of normal heat removal paths and associated shutdown of the main coolant liquid sodium pumps. In normal operation, the reactor vessel cold pool is inlet to the suction side of coolant liquid sodium pumps, these pumps being of the electromagnetic variety. The pumps discharge through the core into the reactor hot pool and then through an intermediate heat exchanger where the heat generated in the reactor core is discharged. Upon outlet from the heat exchanger, the sodium is returned to the reactor cold pool. The improvement includes placing a jet pump across the reactor vessel liner flow gap, pumping a small flow of liquid sodium from the lower pressure cold pool into the hot pool. The jet pump has a small high pressure driving stream diverted from the high pressure side of the reactor pumps. During normal operation, the jet pumps supplement the normal reactor pressure differential from the lower pressure cold pool to the hot pool. Upon the occurrence of a casualty involving loss of coolant pump pressure, and immediate cooling circuit is established by the back flow of sodium through the jet pumps from the reactor vessel hot pool to the reactor vessel cold pool. The cooling circuit includes flow into the reactor vessel liner flow gap immediate the reactor vessel wall and containment vessel where optimum and immediate discharge of residual reactor heat occurs.

Neutron fluxes in test reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Youinou, Gilles Jean-Michel

Communicate the fact that high-power water-cooled test reactors such as the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) or the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) cannot provide fast flux levels as high as sodium-cooled fast test reactors. The memo first presents some basics physics considerations about neutron fluxes in test reactors and then uses ATR, HFIR and JHR as an illustration of the performance of modern high-power water-cooled test reactors.

Reactor engineering support of operations at the Davis-Besse nuclear power station

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelley, D.B.

1995-12-31

Reactor engineering functions differ greatly from unit to unit; however, direct support of the reactor operators during reactor startups and operational transients is common to all units. This paper summarizes the support the reactor engineers provide the reactor operators during reactor startups and power changes through the use of automated computer programs at the Davis-Besse nuclear power station.

10 CFR 2.337 - Evidence at a hearing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... chapter by the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, or... the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, or Director... the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, or Director...

Nuclear Reactors. Revised.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hogerton, John F.

This publication is one of a series of information booklets for the general public published by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Among the topics discussed are: How Reactors Work; Reactor Design; Research, Teaching, and Materials Testing; Reactors (Research, Teaching and Materials); Production Reactors; Reactors for Electric Power…

10 CFR 2.337 - Evidence at a hearing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... chapter by the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, or... the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, or Director... the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, or Director...

Nuclear reactor construction with bottom supported reactor vessel

DOEpatents

Sharbaugh, John E.

1987-01-01

An improved liquid metal nuclear reactor construction has a reactor core and a generally cylindrical reactor vessel for holding a large pool of low pressure liquid metal coolant and housing the core within the pool. The reactor vessel has an open top end, a closed flat bottom end wall and a continuous cylindrical closed side wall interconnecting the top end and bottom end wall. The reactor also has a generally cylindrical concrete containment structure surrounding the reactor vessel and being formed by a cylindrical side wall spaced outwardly from the reactor vessel side wall and a flat base mat spaced below the reactor vessel bottom end wall. A central support pedestal is anchored to the containment structure base mat and extends upwardly therefrom to the reactor vessel and upwardly therefrom to the reactor core so as to support the bottom end wall of the reactor vessel and the lower end of the reactor core in spaced apart relationship above the containment structure base mat. Also, an annular reinforced support structure is disposed in the reactor vessel on the bottom end wall thereof and extends about the lower end of the core so as to support the periphery thereof. In addition, an annular support ring having a plurality of inward radially extending linear members is disposed between the containment structure base mat and the bottom end of the reactor vessel wall and is connected to and supports the reactor vessel at its bottom end on the containment structure base mat so as to allow the reactor vessel to expand radially but substantially prevent any lateral motions that might be imposed by the occurrence of a seismic event. The reactor construction also includes a bed of insulating material in sand-like granular form, preferably being high density magnesium oxide particles, disposed between the containment structure base mat and the bottom end wall of the reactor vessel and uniformly supporting the reactor vessel at its bottom end wall on the containment structure base mat so as to insulate the reactor vessel bottom end wall from the containment structure base mat and allow the reactor vessel bottom end wall to freely expand as it heats up while providing continuous support thereof. Further, a deck is supported upon the side wall of the containment structure above the top open end of the reactor vessel, and a plurality of serially connected extendible and retractable annular bellows extend between the deck and the top open end of the reactor vessel and flexibly and sealably interconnect the reactor vessel at its top end to the deck. An annular guide ring is disposed on the containment structure and extends between its side wall and the top open end of the reactor vessel for providing lateral support of the reactor vessel top open end by limiting imposition of lateral loads on the annular bellows by the occurrence of a lateral seismic event.

Request for Naval Reactors Comment on Proposed Prometheus Space Flight Nuclear Reactor High Tier Reactor Safety Requirements and for Naval Reactors Approval to Transmit These Requirements to JPL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

D. Kokkinos

2005-04-28

The purpose of this letter is to request Naval Reactors comments on the nuclear reactor high tier requirements for the PROMETHEUS space flight reactor design, pre-launch operations, launch, ascent, operation, and disposal, and to request Naval Reactors approval to transmit these requirements to Jet Propulsion Laboratory to ensure consistency between the reactor safety requirements and the spacecraft safety requirements. The proposed PROMETHEUS nuclear reactor high tier safety requirements are consistent with the long standing safety culture of the Naval Reactors Program and its commitment to protecting the health and safety of the public and the environment. In addition, the philosophymore » on which these requirements are based is consistent with the Nuclear Safety Policy Working Group recommendations on space nuclear propulsion safety (Reference 1), DOE Nuclear Safety Criteria and Specifications for Space Nuclear Reactors (Reference 2), the Nuclear Space Power Safety and Facility Guidelines Study of the Applied Physics Laboratory.« less

Heat transfer analysis of cylindrical anaerobic reactors with different sizes: a heat transfer model.

PubMed

Liu, Jiawei; Zhou, Xingqiu; Wu, Jiangdong; Gao, Wen; Qian, Xu

2017-10-01

The temperature is the essential factor that influences the efficiency of anaerobic reactors. During the operation of the anaerobic reactor, the fluctuations of ambient temperature can cause a change in the internal temperature of the reactor. Therefore, insulation and heating measures are often used to maintain anaerobic reactor's internal temperature. In this paper, a simplified heat transfer model was developed to study heat transfer between cylindrical anaerobic reactors and their surroundings. Three cylindrical reactors of different sizes were studied, and the internal relations between ambient temperature, thickness of insulation, and temperature fluctuations of the reactors were obtained at different reactor sizes. The model was calibrated by a sensitivity analysis, and the calibrated model was well able to predict reactor temperature. The Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient was used to assess the predictive power of heat transfer models. The Nash coefficients of the three reactors were 0.76, 0.60, and 0.45, respectively. The model can provide reference for the thermal insulation design of cylindrical anaerobic reactors.

Solvent refined coal reactor quench system

DOEpatents

Thorogood, Robert M.

1983-01-01

There is described an improved SRC reactor quench system using a condensed product which is recycled to the reactor and provides cooling by evaporation. In the process, the second and subsequent reactors of a series of reactors are cooled by the addition of a light oil fraction which provides cooling by evaporation in the reactor. The vaporized quench liquid is recondensed from the reactor outlet vapor stream.

Solvent refined coal reactor quench system

DOEpatents

Thorogood, R.M.

1983-11-08

There is described an improved SRC reactor quench system using a condensed product which is recycled to the reactor and provides cooling by evaporation. In the process, the second and subsequent reactors of a series of reactors are cooled by the addition of a light oil fraction which provides cooling by evaporation in the reactor. The vaporized quench liquid is recondensed from the reactor outlet vapor stream. 1 fig.

Nuclear reactor neutron shielding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Speaker, Daniel P; Neeley, Gary W; Inman, James B

A nuclear reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core comprising fissile material disposed in a lower portion of the reactor pressure vessel. The lower portion of the reactor pressure vessel is disposed in a reactor cavity. An annular neutron stop is located at an elevation above the uppermost elevation of the nuclear reactor core. The annular neutron stop comprises neutron absorbing material filling an annular gap between the reactor pressure vessel and the wall of the reactor cavity. The annular neutron stop may comprise an outer neutron stop ring attached to the wall of the reactormore » cavity, and an inner neutron stop ring attached to the reactor pressure vessel. An excore instrument guide tube penetrates through the annular neutron stop, and a neutron plug comprising neutron absorbing material is disposed in the tube at the penetration through the neutron stop.« less

Reactor pressure vessel head vents and methods of using the same

DOEpatents

Gels, John L; Keck, David J; Deaver, Gerald A

2014-10-28

Internal head vents are usable in nuclear reactors and include piping inside of the reactor pressure vessel with a vent in the reactor upper head. Piping extends downward from the upper head and passes outside of the reactor to permit the gas to escape or be forcibly vented outside of the reactor without external piping on the upper head. The piping may include upper and lowers section that removably mate where the upper head joins to the reactor pressure vessel. The removable mating may include a compressible bellows and corresponding funnel. The piping is fabricated of nuclear-reactor-safe materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and/or a Ni--Cr--Fe alloy. Methods install an internal head vent in a nuclear reactor by securing piping to an internal surface of an upper head of the nuclear reactor and/or securing piping to an internal surface of a reactor pressure vessel.

Proposed Advanced Reactor Adaptation of the Standard Review Plan NUREG-0800 Chapter 4 (Reactor) for Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors and Modular High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Belles, Randy; Poore, III, Willis P.; Brown, Nicholas R.

2017-03-01

This report proposes adaptation of the previous regulatory gap analysis in Chapter 4 (Reactor) of NUREG 0800, Standard Review Plan (SRP) for the Review of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants: LWR [Light Water Reactor] Edition. The proposed adaptation would result in a Chapter 4 review plan applicable to certain advanced reactors. This report addresses two technologies: the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) and the modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (mHTGR). SRP Chapter 4, which addresses reactor components, was selected for adaptation because of the possible significant differences in advanced non-light water reactor (non-LWR) technologies compared with the current LWR-basedmore » description in Chapter 4. SFR and mHTGR technologies were chosen for this gap analysis because of their diverse designs and the availability of significant historical design detail.« less

10 CFR 52.167 - Issuance of manufacturing license.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... proposed reactor(s) can be incorporated into a nuclear power plant and operated at sites having... design and manufacture the proposed nuclear power reactor(s); (5) The proposed inspections, tests... the construction of a nuclear power facility using the manufactured reactor(s). (2) A holder of a...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fairchild, R.G.; Bond, V.P.

The characteristics of dose distribution, beam alignment, and radiobiological advantages accorded to high LET radiation were reviewed and compared for various particle beam radiotherapeutic modalities (neutron, Auger electrons, p, ..pi../sup -/, He, C, Ne, and Ar ions). Merit factors were evaluated on the basis of effective dose to tumor relative to normal tissue, linear energy transfer (LET), and dose localization, at depths of 1, 4, and 10 cm. In general, it was found that neutron capture therapy using an epithermal neutron beam provided the best merit factors available for depths up to 8 cm. The position of fast neutron therapymore » on the Merit Factor Tables was consistently lower than that of other particle modalities, and above only /sup 60/Co. The largest body of clinical data exists for fast neutron therapy; results are considered by some to be encouraging. It then follows that if benefits with fast neutron therapy are real, additional gains are within reach with other modalities.« less

Stratigraphic development and hydrothermal activity in the central western Cascade Range, Oregon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cummings, M.L.; Bull, M.K.; Pollock, J.M.

1990-11-10

Two volcanic sequences bounded by erosional unconformities compose the stratigraphy of the North Santiam mining district, Western Cascade Range, Oregon. Diorite, grandodiorite, and leucocratic quartz porphyry dikes, stocks, and sills intrude the breccias, flows, and tuffs of a volcanic center in the older Sardine Formation. Tourmaline-bearing breccia pipes are associated with the porphyritic granodiorite intrusions. An erosional unconformity separates the Sardine Formation from the overlying Elk Lake formation. The alteration patterns in the two formations are consistent with the development of hydrothermal systems during the eruption of each formation. However, the development of the two hydrothermal systems is separated bymore » a period of erosion of the older volcanic pile. Early formation of mineralization that resembles porphyry copper deposits occurred within the Sardine Formation, and later, after eruption of the Elk Lake formation, epithermal veins and alteration developed along faults, fractures, and the margins of dikes in the Sardine Formation.« less

Le gisement Ag sbnd Hg de Zgounder (Jebel Siroua, Anti-Atlas, Maroc) : un épithermal néoprotérozoïque de type Imiter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcoux, Éric; Wadjinny, Ahmed

2005-12-01

The Zgounder ore deposit (Anti-Atlas, Morocco), is hosted in a PII-PIII Proterozoic volcanosedimentary series. Disseminated mineralization is dominated by mercuriferous native silver (2 to 30 wt.% Hg), with few silver sulfosalts (acanthite, pearceite), arsenopyrite and base-metal sulfides. Arsenic grade of arsenopyrite and homogenisation temperatures of fluid inclusions indicate initial conditions of high temperature (above 400 °C). Lead isotope compositions comfort a Late-Proterozoic age and a crustal origin for metals. Similarities are obvious with the neighbouring silver ore deposit of Imiter and lead to consider Zgounder as another example of Neoproterozoic epithermal deposit in the Anti-Atlas of Morocco, a region that appears more and more as a silver metallogenic province. To cite this article: É. Marcoux, A. Wadjinny, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).

Microbial Fossils from Terrestrial Subsurface Hydrothermal Environments: Examples and Implications for Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hofmann, Beda A.; Farmer, Jack; Chang, Sherwood (Technical Monitor)

1997-01-01

The recognition of biological signatures in ancient epithermal deposits has special relevance for studies of early blaspheme evolution and in exploring for past life on Mars. Recently, proposals for the existence of an extensive subsurface blaspheme on Earth, dominated by chemoautotrophic microbial life, has gained prominence. However, reports of fossilized microbial remains, or biosedimentary structures (e.g. stromatolites) from the deposits of ancient subsurface systems, are rare. Microbial preservation is favoured where high population densities co-exist with rapid mineral precipitation. Near-surface epithetical systems with strong gradients in temperature and redox are good candidates for the abundant growth and fossilization of microorganisms, and are also favorable environments for the precipitation of ore minerals. Therefore, we might expect microbial remain, to be particularly well preserved in various kinds of hydrothermal and diagenetic mineral precipitates that formed below the upper temperature limit for life (approx. 120 C).

PRE-ORE POTASSIUM METASOMATISM, CREEDE MINING DISTRICT, COLORADO.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bethke, P.M.; Rye, R.O.; Barton, P.B.

1985-01-01

Rhyolitic welded-tuff wallrocks of the epithermal base and precious metal veins of the Creede district were pervasively altered by the addition of more than two billion metric tons of potassium some 1. 5-2 million years before mineralization. Sodium, calcium and magnesium were strongly depleted, yielding a nearly binary quartz plus potassium feldspar assemblage containing as much as 13 weight percent K//2O. This large-scale metasomatism, originally noted by Steven and Rattle (1965), took place progressively by initial alteration of plagioclase phenocrysts to orthoclase or microcline followed by alteration of the groundmass feldspar to orthoclase and gradual change of the sanidine phenocrysts to more Or-rich compositions. Oxygen isotope and chemical studies show that the metasomatism resulted from the interaction of the tuffs with deeply circulating heated ground water and suggest that the potassium metasomatism of rhyolitic rocks is the facies equivalent of propylitization of volcanic rocks of more basic composition.

Analysis of selected critical experiments using ENDF/B-IV and ENDF/B-V data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, U. N.; Rec, J. R.; Jonsson, A.

1981-10-01

Selected critical experiments - TRX 1 & 2 (U metal; BNL 1, 2, 3 (ThO2/U-233); and B & W TUPE 15B (ThO2/U-235) - were analyzed using ENDF/B-V data, and the results were compared to the measured parameters and to values obtained using ENDF/B-IV. Calculations were performed with DIT, an integral transport assembly design code. A heterogeneous cell calculation in 85 energy groups was performed for each configuration. Leakage was accounted for through B-1 calculation using the measured bucklings. Overall, ENDF/B-V data have been found to improve the agreement with experimental results with the exception of the TUPE 15B core. However, the changes in the capture cross sections of U-238 (epithermal) and Th-232 do not fully resolve the long-standing differences with the measurements.

Emission of positronium in a nanometric PMMA film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palacio, C. A.; De Baerdemaeker, J.; Van Thourhout, D.; Dauwe, C.

2008-10-01

Positron beam experiments have been performed for the first time on a self-supporting polymethyl metacrylate (PMMA) film of 310 nm-thick made by spin coating. The positronium (Ps) emission from the PMMA surface is studied as a function of the positron implantation energy by using Doppler profile spectroscopy and Compton-to-peak ratio analysis. When the sample and the Ge-detector are perpendicular to the positron beam, the emission of para-positronium ( p-Ps) is detected as a narrow central peak. By rotating the sample 45° with respect to the beam, the emission of p-Ps is detected as a blue-shifted fly-away peak. The bulk Ps fraction, the efficiency for the emission of Ps by picking up an electron from the surface, and the diffusion lengths of positrons (thermal and or epithermal), p-Ps and ortho-positronium ( o-Ps) are obtained.

A comparison of the COG and MCNP codes in computational neutron capture therapy modeling, Part II: gadolinium neutron capture therapy models and therapeutic effects.

PubMed

Wangerin, K; Culbertson, C N; Jevremovic, T

2005-08-01

The goal of this study was to evaluate the COG Monte Carlo radiation transport code, developed and tested by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, for gadolinium neutron capture therapy (GdNCT) related modeling. The validity of COG NCT model has been established for this model, and here the calculation was extended to analyze the effect of various gadolinium concentrations on dose distribution and cell-kill effect of the GdNCT modality and to determine the optimum therapeutic conditions for treating brain cancers. The computational results were compared with the widely used MCNP code. The differences between the COG and MCNP predictions were generally small and suggest that the COG code can be applied to similar research problems in NCT. Results for this study also showed that a concentration of 100 ppm gadolinium in the tumor was most beneficial when using an epithermal neutron beam.

Possible Mesozoic age of Ellenville Zn-Pb-Cu(Ag) deposit, Shawangunk Mountains, New York

USGS Publications Warehouse

Friedman, J.D.; Conrad, J.E.; McKee, E.H.; Mutschler, F.E.; Zartman, R.E.

1994-01-01

Ore textures, epithermal open-space filling of Permian structures of the Alleghanian orogeny, and largely postorogenic mineralization of the Ellenville, New York, composite Zn-Pb-Cu(Ag) vein system, provide permissive evidence for post-Permian mineralization. Isochron ages determined by 40Ar/39Ar laser-fusion techniques for K-bearing liquid inclusions in main-stage quartz from the Ellenville deposit additionally suggest a Mesozoic time of mineralization, associated with extensional formation of the Newark basin. The best 40Ar/39Ar total-fusion age range is 165 ?? 30 to 193 ?? 35 Ma. The Mesozoic 40Ar/39Ar age agrees with that of many other dated northern Appalachian Zn-Pb-Cu(Ag) deposits with near-matching lead isotope ratios, and adds new evidence of Jurassic tectonism and mineralization as an overprint to Late Paleozoic tectonism at least as far north as Ellenville (lat. 41??43???N). ?? 1994 Springer-Verlag.

DOE and JAEA Field Trial of the Single Chip Shift Register (SCSR)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Newell, Matthew R.

2016-03-23

Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL) has recently developed a new data acquisition system for multiplicity analysis of neutron detector pulse streams. This new technology, the Single Chip Shift Register (SCSR), places the entire data acquisition system along with the communications hardware onto a single chip. This greatly simplifies the instrument and reduces the size. The SCSR is designed to be mounted into the neutron detector head alongside the instrument amplifiers. The user’s computer connects via USB directly to the neutron detector eliminating the external data acquisition electronics entirely. JAEA, through the INSEP program, asked LANL to demonstrate the functionality ofmore » the SCSR in Tokai using the JAEA Epithermal Neutron Multiplicity Counter, ENMC. In late September of 2015 LANL traveled to Tokai to install, demonstrate and uninstall the SCSR in the ENMC. This report documents the results of that field trial.« less

Air Pollution Study in the Republic of Moldova Using Moss Biomonitoring Technique.

PubMed

Zinicovscaia, Inga; Hramco, Constantin; Duliu, Octavian G; Vergel, Konstantin; Culicov, Otilia A; Frontasyeva, Marina V; Duca, Gheorghe

2017-02-01

Moss biomonitoring using the species Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Pleurocarpous sp was applied to study air pollution in the Republic of Moldova. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Pb, Th, and U) were determined by instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry. Principal component analysis was used to identify and characterize different pollution sources. Geographical distribution maps were prepared to point out the regions most affected by air pollution and relate this to potential sources of contamination. Median values of the elements studied were compared with data from the European moss biomonitoring program. The cities of Chisinau and Balti were determined to experience particular environmental stress.

EPITHERMAL GOLD-SILVER MINERALIZATION RELATED TO VOLCANIC SUBSIDENCE IN THE CUSTER GRABEN, CUSTER COUNTY, IDAHO.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, Kathleen M.; McIntyre, David H.

1984-01-01

The Custer graben is a 13 by 32 km northeast-trending volcano-tectonic graben in the Challis volcanic field of central Idaho. Andesites, rhyolites, and associated pyroclastic rocks host vein and disseminated gold-silver deposits that are localized along discrete northeast- and northwest-trending fracture zones. Ore minerals in vein deposits are electrum, native gold and silver, chalcopyrite, and various sulfosalts in a gangue of pyrite and fine-grained quartz. At the Sunbeam Mine, near the center of the graben, vein and disseminated gold-silver mineralization occurred in hydrothermally altered rhyolite and pyroclastic rocks. The host rock has been pervasively silicified, and the feldspars altered to clay minerals. Analyses of surface and drill-core samples show that altered rocks are variably enriched in gold, silver, molybdenum, arsenic, zirconium, and selenium. Intense silicification is shown by SiO//2 values at high as 93%.

3D imaging of vapour and liquid inclusions from the Mole Granite, Australia, using helical fluorescence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cauzid, J.; Philippot, P.; Bleuet, P.; Simionovici, A.; Somogyi, A.; Golosio, B.

2007-08-01

World class Cu resources are concentrated in porphyry and epithermal ore deposits. Their formation remains partially understood, however, due to a lack of constraints on the partitioning properties of trace elements in general, and Cu in particular, between vapour and liquid phases evolved from boiling fluids at depth in the Earth's crust. Immiscible liquid and vapour fluid inclusions coexisting in a single quartz grain have been imaged in three dimensions by X-ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography (XFCT). Elemental spatial distributions confirm that Cu, and to a lesser extent As, partition into the vapour phase, whereas Mn, Fe, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb concentrate in the liquid inclusion. High resolution mapping of the vapour inclusions revealed that Cu is heterogeneously distributed at the scale of a single inclusion and is mostly concentrated as tiny daughter crystals.

Neutron capture therapies

DOEpatents

Yanch, Jacquelyn C.; Shefer, Ruth E.; Klinkowstein, Robert E.

1999-01-01

In one embodiment there is provided an application of the .sup.10 B(n,.alpha.).sup.7 Li nuclear reaction or other neutron capture reactions for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This application, called Boron Neutron Capture Synovectomy (BNCS), requires substantially altered demands on neutron beam design than for instance treatment of deep seated tumors. Considerations for neutron beam design for the treatment of arthritic joints via BNCS are provided for, and comparisons with the design requirements for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) of tumors are made. In addition, exemplary moderator/reflector assemblies are provided which produce intense, high-quality neutron beams based on (p,n) accelerator-based reactions. In another embodiment there is provided the use of deuteron-based charged particle reactions to be used as sources for epithermal or thermal neutron beams for neutron capture therapies. Many d,n reactions (e.g. using deuterium, tritium or beryllium targets) are very prolific at relatively low deuteron energies.

Geology and hydrothermal alteration at the Madh adh Dhahab epithermal precious-metal deposit, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Doebrich, J.L.; LeAnderson, J.P.

1984-01-01

Vein-related alteration consisting of quartz-sericite-pyrite, chloritic, argillic, and silicic halos was superimposed on broad zones of pervasive silicic, potassic, and argillic alteration that surrounds the rhyolite intrusive body. Quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration associated with the earliest stage of mineralization was followed by broad, pervasive, stratigraphically controlled potassic alteration. Subsequent mineralization was accompanied by quartz-sericitepyrite alteration and was followed by the main stage of mineralization that formed strong chloritic alteration halos. Development of broad zones and halos of argillic alteration also may have been related to the main stage of mineralization. Development of silicic halos was characteristic of the late stages of mineralization. Broad, pervasive propylitic alteration was then superimposed on all alteration types and represents cooling and inward encroachment of the hydrothermal system. All alteration, except the early silicic alteration is interpreted to have been related to circulating meteoric fluids heated by the rhyolite.

Active detection of shielded SNM with 60-keV neutrons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hagmann, C; Dietrich, D; Hall, J

2008-07-08

Fissile materials, e.g. {sup 235}U and {sup 239}Pu, can be detected non-invasively by active neutron interrogation. A unique characteristic of fissile material exposed to neutrons is the prompt emission of high-energy (fast) fission neutrons. One promising mode of operation subjects the object to a beam of medium-energy (epithermal) neutrons, generated by a proton beam impinging on a Li target. The emergence of fast secondary neutrons then clearly indicates the presence of fissile material. Our interrogation system comprises a low-dose 60-keV neutron generator (5 x 10{sup 6}/s), and a 1 m{sup 2} array of scintillators for fast neutron detection. Preliminary experimentalmore » results demonstrate the detectability of small quantities (370 g) of HEU shielded by steel (200 g/cm{sup 2}) or plywood (30 g/cm{sup 2}), with a typical measurement time of 1 min.« less

March 7, 1970 solar eclipse investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Accardo, C. A.

1972-01-01

Studies from rockets directed toward establishing the solar X-ray fluxes during the 7 March 1970 total eclipse over the North American continent are reported. A map of the eclipse path is presented. The measured absorption profiles for the residual X-rays are useful in establishing their contribution to the D and E region ionization during the eclipse. The studies were performed with two Nike-Apache payloads launched over Wallops Island, Virginia. In addition to three X-ray detectors in the 1 to 8A, 8 to 20A and 44 to 60A bands, there was included in the payloads two additional experiments. These were an electric field experiment and an epithermal photoelectron experiment. The X-ray instrumentation, payload description, flight circumstances and finally, the X-ray results obtained are described. The various computer codes employed for the purpose of reducing the telemetered data as well as the eclipse codes are included.

Feasibility of sealed D-T neutron generator as neutron source for liver BNCT and its beam shaping assembly.

PubMed

Liu, Zheng; Li, Gang; Liu, Linmao

2014-04-01

This paper involves the feasibility of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for liver tumor with four sealed neutron generators as neutron source. Two generators are placed on each side of the liver. The high energy of these emitted neutrons should be reduced by designing a beam shaping assembly (BSA) to make them useable for BNCT. However, the neutron flux decreases as neutrons pass through different materials of BSA. Therefore, it is essential to find ways to increase the neutron flux. In this paper, the feasibility of using low enrichment uranium as a neutron multiplier is investigated to increase the number of neutrons emitted from D-T neutron generators. The neutron spectrum related to our system has a proper epithermal flux, and the fast and thermal neutron fluxes comply with the IAEA recommended values. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel plant protection strategy for transient reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, Samit K.; Lipinski, Walter C.; Hanan, Nelson A.

A novel plant protection system designed for use in the TREAT Upgrade (TU) reactor is described. The TU reactor is designed for controlled transient operation in the testing of reactor fuel behavior under simulated reactor accident conditions. Safe operation of the reactor is of paramount importance and the Plant Protection System (PPS) had to be designed to exacting requirements. Researchers believe that the strategy developed for the TU has potential application to the multimegawatt space reactors and represents the state of the art in terrestrial transient reactor protection systems.

Process and apparatus for adding and removing particles from pressurized reactors

DOEpatents

Milligan, John D.

1983-01-01

A method for adding and removing fine particles from a pressurized reactor is provided, which comprises connecting the reactor to a container, sealing the container from the reactor, filling the container with particles and a liquid material compatible with the reactants, pressurizing the container to substantially the reactor pressure, removing the seal between the reactor and the container, permitting particles to fall into or out of the reactor, and resealing the container from the reactor. An apparatus for adding and removing particles is also disclosed.

Effects of imperfect mixing on low-density polyethylene reactor dynamics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Villa, C.M.; Dihora, J.O.; Ray, W.H.

1998-07-01

Earlier work considered the effect of feed conditions and controller configuration on the runaway behavior of LDPE autoclave reactors assuming a perfectly mixed reactor. This study provides additional insight on the dynamics of such reactors by using an imperfectly mixed reactor model and bifurcation analysis to show the changes in the stability region when there is imperfect macroscale mixing. The presence of imperfect mixing substantially increases the range of stable operation of the reactor and makes the process much easier to control than for a perfectly mixed reactor. The results of model analysis and simulations are used to identify somemore » of the conditions that lead to unstable reactor behavior and to suggest ways to avoid reactor runaway or reactor extinction during grade transitions and other process operation disturbances.« less

Startup of reactors for anoxic ammonium oxidation: experiences from the first full-scale anammox reactor in Rotterdam.

PubMed

van der Star, Wouter R L; Abma, Wiebe R; Blommers, Dennis; Mulder, Jan-Willem; Tokutomi, Takaaki; Strous, Marc; Picioreanu, Cristian; van Loosdrecht, Mark C M

2007-10-01

The first full-scale anammox reactor in the world was started in Rotterdam (NL). The reactor was scaled-up directly from laboratory-scale to full-scale and treats up to 750 kg-N/d. In the initial phase of the startup, anammox conversions could not be identified by traditional methods, but quantitative PCR proved to be a reliable indicator for growth of the anammox population, indicating an anammox doubling time of 10-12 days. The experience gained during this first startup in combination with the availability of seed sludge from this reactor, will lead to a faster startup of anammox reactors in the future. The anammox reactor type employed in Rotterdam was compared to other reactor types for the anammox process. Reactors with a high specific surface area like the granular sludge reactor employed in Rotterdam provide the highest volumetric loading rates. Mass transfer of nitrite into the biofilm is limiting the conversion of those reactor types that have a lower specific surface area. Now the first full-scale commercial anammox reactor is in operation, a consistent and descriptive nomenclature is suggested for reactors in which the anammox process is employed.

A small, 1400 K, reactor for Brayton space power systems.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lantz, E.; Mayo, W.

1972-01-01

An investigation was conducted to determine minimum dimensions and minimum weight obtainable in a design for a reactor using uranium-233 nitride or plutonium-239 nitride as fuel. Such a reactor had been considered by Krasner et al. (1971). Present space power status is discussed, together with questions of reactor design and power distribution in the reactor. The characteristics of various reactor types are compared, giving attention also to a zirconium hydride reactor.

Alternative approaches to fusion. [reactor design and reactor physics for Tokamak fusion reactors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, R. J.

1976-01-01

The limitations of the Tokamak fusion reactor concept are discussed and various other fusion reactor concepts are considered that employ the containment of thermonuclear plasmas by magnetic fields (i.e., stellarators). Progress made in the containment of plasmas in toroidal devices is reported. Reactor design concepts are illustrated. The possibility of using fusion reactors as a power source in interplanetary space travel and electric power plants is briefly examined.

10 CFR 50.46a - Acceptance criteria for reactor coolant system venting systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Acceptance criteria for reactor coolant system venting... criteria for reactor coolant system venting systems. Each nuclear power reactor must be provided with high point vents for the reactor coolant system, for the reactor vessel head, and for other systems required...

10 CFR 50.46a - Acceptance criteria for reactor coolant system venting systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Acceptance criteria for reactor coolant system venting... criteria for reactor coolant system venting systems. Each nuclear power reactor must be provided with high point vents for the reactor coolant system, for the reactor vessel head, and for other systems required...

KINETICS OF TREAT USED AS A TEST REACTOR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dickerman, C.E.; Johnson, R.D.; Gasidlo, J.

1962-05-01

An analysis is presented concerning the reactor kinetics of TREAT used as a pulsed, engineering test reactor for fast reactor fuel element studies. A description of the reactor performance is given for a wide range of conditions associated with its use as a test reactor. Supplemental information on meltdown experimentation is included. (J.R.D.)

Generating unstructured nuclear reactor core meshes in parallel

DOE PAGES

Jain, Rajeev; Tautges, Timothy J.

2014-10-24

Recent advances in supercomputers and parallel solver techniques have enabled users to run large simulations problems using millions of processors. Techniques for multiphysics nuclear reactor core simulations are under active development in several countries. Most of these techniques require large unstructured meshes that can be hard to generate in a standalone desktop computers because of high memory requirements, limited processing power, and other complexities. We have previously reported on a hierarchical lattice-based approach for generating reactor core meshes. Here, we describe efforts to exploit coarse-grained parallelism during reactor assembly and reactor core mesh generation processes. We highlight several reactor coremore » examples including a very high temperature reactor, a full-core model of the Korean MONJU reactor, a ¼ pressurized water reactor core, the fast reactor Experimental Breeder Reactor-II core with a XX09 assembly, and an advanced breeder test reactor core. The times required to generate large mesh models, along with speedups obtained from running these problems in parallel, are reported. A graphical user interface to the tools described here has also been developed.« less

Nuclear reactor having a polyhedral primary shield and removable vessel insulation

DOEpatents

Ekeroth, Douglas E.; Orr, Richard

1993-01-01

A nuclear reactor is provided having a generally cylindrical reactor vessel disposed within an opening in a primary shield. The opening in the primary shield is defined by a plurality of generally planar side walls forming a generally polyhedral-shaped opening. The reactor vessel is supported within the opening in the primary shield by reactor vessel supports which are in communication and aligned with central portions of some of the side walls. The reactor vessel is connected to the central portions of the reactor vessel supports. A thermal insulation polyhedron formed from a plurality of slidably insertable and removable generally planar insulation panels substantially surrounds at least a portion of the reactor vessel and is disposed between the reactor vessel and the side walls of the primary shield. The shape of the insulation polyhedron generally corresponds to the shape of the opening in the primary shield. Reactor monitoring instrumentation may be mounted in the corners of the opening in the primary shield between the side walls and the reactor vessel such that insulation is not disposed between the instrumentation and the reactor vessel.

Nuclear reactor having a polyhedral primary shield and removable vessel insulation

DOEpatents

Ekeroth, D.E.; Orr, R.

1993-12-07

A nuclear reactor is provided having a generally cylindrical reactor vessel disposed within an opening in a primary shield. The opening in the primary shield is defined by a plurality of generally planar side walls forming a generally polyhedral-shaped opening. The reactor vessel is supported within the opening in the primary shield by reactor vessel supports which are in communication and aligned with central portions of some of the side walls. The reactor vessel is connected to the central portions of the reactor vessel supports. A thermal insulation polyhedron formed from a plurality of slidably insertable and removable generally planar insulation panels substantially surrounds at least a portion of the reactor vessel and is disposed between the reactor vessel and the side walls of the primary shield. The shape of the insulation polyhedron generally corresponds to the shape of the opening in the primary shield. Reactor monitoring instrumentation may be mounted in the corners of the opening in the primary shield between the side walls and the reactor vessel such that insulation is not disposed between the instrumentation and the reactor vessel. 5 figures.

Boiling water neutronic reactor incorporating a process inherent safety design

DOEpatents

Forsberg, C.W.

1985-02-19

A boiling-water reactor core is positioned within a prestressed concrete reactor vessel of a size which will hold a supply of coolant water sufficient to submerge and cool the reactor core by boiling for a period of at least one week after shutdown. Separate volumes of hot, clean (nonborated) water for cooling during normal operation and cool highly borated water for emergency cooling and reactor shutdown are separated by an insulated wall during normal reactor operation with contact between the two water volumes being maintained at interfaces near the top and bottom ends of the reactor vessel. Means are provided for balancing the pressure of the two water volumes at the lower interface zone during normal operation to prevent entry of the cool borated water into the reactor core region, for detecting the onset of excessive power to coolant flow conditions in the reactor core and for detecting low water levels of reactor coolant. Cool borated water is permitted to flow into the reactor core when low reactor coolant levels or excessive power to coolant flow conditions are encountered.

Boiling water neutronic reactor incorporating a process inherent safety design

DOEpatents

Forsberg, Charles W.

1987-01-01

A boiling-water reactor core is positioned within a prestressed concrete reactor vessel of a size which will hold a supply of coolant water sufficient to submerge and cool the reactor core by boiling for a period of at least one week after shutdown. Separate volumes of hot, clean (non-borated) water for cooling during normal operation and cool highly borated water for emergency cooling and reactor shutdown are separated by an insulated wall during normal reactor operation with contact between the two water volumes being maintained at interfaces near the top and bottom ends of the reactor vessel. Means are provided for balancing the pressure of the two volumes at the lower interface zone during normal operation to prevent entry of the cool borated water into the reactor core region, for detecting the onset of excessive power to coolant flow conditions in the reactor core and for detecting low water levels of reactor coolant. Cool borated water is permitted to flow into the reactor core when low reactor coolant levels or excessive power to coolant flow conditions are encountered.

Summary of NR Program Prometheus Efforts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

J Ashcroft; C Eshelman

2006-02-08

The Naval Reactors Program led work on the development of a reactor plant system for the Prometheus space reactor program. The work centered on a 200 kWe electric reactor plant with a 15-20 year mission applicable to nuclear electric propulsion (NEP). After a review of all reactor and energy conversion alternatives, a direct gas Brayton reactor plant was selected for further development. The work performed subsequent to this selection included preliminary nuclear reactor and reactor plant design, development of instrumentation and control techniques, modeling reactor plant operational features, development and testing of core and plant material options, and development ofmore » an overall project plan. Prior to restructuring of the program, substantial progress had been made on defining reference plant operating conditions, defining reactor mechanical, thermal and nuclear performance, understanding the capabilities and uncertainties provided by material alternatives, and planning non-nuclear and nuclear system testing. The mission requirements for the envisioned NEP missions cannot be accommodated with existing reactor technologies. Therefore concurrent design, development and testing would be needed to deliver a functional reactor system. Fuel and material performance beyond the current state of the art is needed. There is very little national infrastructure available for fast reactor nuclear testing and associated materials development and testing. Surface mission requirements may be different enough to warrant different reactor design approaches and development of a generic multi-purpose reactor requires substantial sacrifice in performance capability for each mission.« less

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DIRECT-CYCLE NEUTRONIC REACTORS

DOEpatents

Reed, G.A.

1961-01-10

A control arrangement is offered for a boiling-water reactor. Boric acid is maintained in the water in the reactor and the amount in the reactor is controlled by continuously removing a portion of the water from the reactor, concentrating the boric acid by evaporating the water therefrom, returning a controlled amount of the acid to the reactor, and simultaneously controlling the water level by varying the rate of spent steam return to the reactor.

Control Means for Reactor

DOEpatents

Manley, J. H.

1961-06-27

An apparatus for controlling a nuclear reactor includes a tank just below the reactor, tubes extending from the tank into the reactor, and a thermally expansible liquid neutron absorbent material in the tank. The liquid in the tank is exposed to a beam of neutrons from the reactor which heats the liquid causing it to expand into the reactor when the neutron flux in the reactor rises above a predetermincd danger point. Boron triamine may be used for this purpose.

10 CFR 2.621 - Acceptance and docketing of application for early review of site suitability issues in a combined...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will inform the... Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will accept for... New Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, that they...

10 CFR 2.621 - Acceptance and docketing of application for early review of site suitability issues in a combined...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will inform the... Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will accept for... New Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, that they...

Low temperature pre-treatment of domestic sewage in an anaerobic hybrid or an anaerobic filter reactor.

PubMed

Elmitwalli, Tarek A; Sklyar, Vladimir; Zeeman, Grietje; Lettinga, Gatze

2002-05-01

The pre-treatment of domestic sewage for removal of suspended solids (SS) at a process temperature of 13 degrees C and an hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 h was investigated in an anaerobic filter (AF) and anaerobic hybrid (AH) reactor. The AF and the top of the AH reactor consisted of vertical sheets of reticulated polyurethane foam (RPF) with knobs. All biomass in the AF was only in attached form to avoid clogging and sludge washout. The AF reactor showed a significantly higher removal of total and suspended chemical oxygen demand (COD) than the AH reactor, respectively, 55% and 82% in the AF reactor and 34% and 53% in the AH reactor. Because the reactors were operated at a short HRT and low temperature, the hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis based on the influent COD were limited to, respectively, 12%, 21% and 23% for the AF reactor and 12%, 17% and 16% for the AH reactor. The excess sludge from the AH reactor was more stabilised and had a better settling capacity and dewaterability. However, the excess sludge from both the AH and AF reactors needed stabilisation. Therefore, the AF reactor is recommended for the pretreatment of domestic sewage at low temperatures.

Nuclear reactor cavity floor passive heat removal system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edwards, Tyler A.; Neeley, Gary W.; Inman, James B.

A nuclear reactor includes a reactor core disposed in a reactor pressure vessel. A radiological containment contains the nuclear reactor and includes a concrete floor located underneath the nuclear reactor. An ex vessel corium retention system includes flow channels embedded in the concrete floor located underneath the nuclear reactor, an inlet in fluid communication with first ends of the flow channels, and an outlet in fluid communication with second ends of the flow channels. In some embodiments the inlet is in fluid communication with the interior of the radiological containment at a first elevation and the outlet is in fluidmore » communication with the interior of the radiological containment at a second elevation higher than the first elevation. The radiological containment may include a reactor cavity containing a lower portion of the pressure vessel, wherein the concrete floor located underneath the nuclear reactor is the reactor cavity floor.« less

Methods and apparatuses for deoxygenating pyrolysis oil

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baird, Lance Awender; Brandvold, Timothy A.; Frey, Stanley Joseph

Methods and apparatuses are provided for deoxygenating pyrolysis oil. A method includes contacting a pyrolysis oil with a deoxygenation catalyst in a first reactor at deoxygenation conditions to produce a first reactor effluent. The first reactor effluent has a first oxygen concentration and a first hydrogen concentration, based on hydrocarbons in the first reactor effluent, and the first reactor effluent includes an aromatic compound. The first reactor effluent is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst in a second reactor at conditions that deoxygenate the first reactor effluent while preserving the aromatic compound to produce a second reactor effluent. The second reactormore » effluent has a second oxygen concentration lower than the first oxygen concentration and a second hydrogen concentration that is equal to or lower than the first hydrogen concentration, where the second oxygen concentration and the second hydrogen concentration are based on the hydrocarbons in the second reactor effluent.« less

Methanation assembly using multiple reactors

DOEpatents

Jahnke, Fred C.; Parab, Sanjay C.

2007-07-24

A methanation assembly for use with a water supply and a gas supply containing gas to be methanated in which a reactor assembly has a plurality of methanation reactors each for methanating gas input to the assembly and a gas delivery and cooling assembly adapted to deliver gas from the gas supply to each of said methanation reactors and to combine water from the water supply with the output of each methanation reactor being conveyed to a next methanation reactor and carry the mixture to such next methanation reactor.

When Do Commercial Reactors Permanently Shut Down?

EIA Publications

2011-01-01

For those wishing to obtain current data, the following resources are available: U.S. reactors, go to the Energy Information Administration's nuclear reactor shutdown list. (Note: As of April 30, 2010, the last U.S. reactor to permanently shut down was Big Rock Point in 1997.) Foreign Reactors, go to the Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) on the International Atomic Energy Agency's website.

10 CFR 140.11 - Amounts of financial protection for certain reactors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...,000,000 for each nuclear reactor he is authorized to operate at a thermal power level not exceeding ten kilowatts; (2) In the amount of $1,500,000 for each nuclear reactor he is authorized to operate at... amount of $2,500,000 for each nuclear reactor other than a testing reactor or a reactor licensed under...

10 CFR 2.603 - Acceptance and docketing of application for early review of site suitability issues in a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Office of New Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will... Office of New Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will... Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, that they are...

10 CFR 140.11 - Amounts of financial protection for certain reactors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...,000,000 for each nuclear reactor he is authorized to operate at a thermal power level not exceeding ten kilowatts; (2) In the amount of $1,500,000 for each nuclear reactor he is authorized to operate at... amount of $2,500,000 for each nuclear reactor other than a testing reactor or a reactor licensed under...

10 CFR 2.603 - Acceptance and docketing of application for early review of site suitability issues in a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Office of New Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will... Office of New Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, will... Reactors or the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as appropriate, that they are...

10 CFR 140.11 - Amounts of financial protection for certain reactors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...,000,000 for each nuclear reactor he is authorized to operate at a thermal power level not exceeding ten kilowatts; (2) In the amount of $1,500,000 for each nuclear reactor he is authorized to operate at... amount of $2,500,000 for each nuclear reactor other than a testing reactor or a reactor licensed under...

Determination of the Sensitivity of the Antineutrino Probe for Reactor Core Monitoring

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cormon, S.; Fallot, M., E-mail: fallot@subatech.in2p3.fr; Bui, V.-M.

This paper presents a feasibility study of the use of the detection of reactor-antineutrinos (ν{sup ¯}{sub e}) for non proliferation purpose. To proceed, we have started to study different reactor designs with our simulation tools. We use a package called MCNP Utility for Reactor Evolution (MURE), initially developed by CNRS/IN2P3 labs to study Generation IV reactors. The MURE package has been coupled to fission product beta decay nuclear databases for studying reactor antineutrino emission. This method is the only one able to predict the antineutrino emission from future reactor cores, which don't use the thermal fission of {sup 235}U, {supmore » 239}Pu and {sup 241}Pu. It is also the only way to include off-equilibrium effects, due to neutron captures and time evolution of the fission product concentrations during a reactor cycle. We will present here the first predictions of antineutrino energy spectra from innovative reactor designs (Generation IV reactors). We will then discuss a summary of our results of non-proliferation scenarios involving the latter reactor designs, taking into account reactor physics constraints.« less

Bioaugmentation of activated sludge towards 3-chloroaniline removal with a mixed bacterial population carrying a degradative plasmid.

PubMed

Bathe, Stephan; Schwarzenbeck, Norbert; Hausner, Martina

2009-06-01

A bioaugmentation approach combining several strategies was applied to achieve degradation of 3-chloroaniline (3CA) in semicontinuous activated sludge reactors. In a first step, a 3CA-degrading Comamonas testosteroni strain carrying the degradative plasmid pNB2 was added to a biofilm reactor, and complete 3CA degradation together with spread of the plasmid within the indigenous biofilm population was achieved. A second set of reactors was then bioaugmented with either a suspension of biofilm cells removed from the carrier material or with biofilm-containing carrier material. 3CA degradation was established rapidly in all bioaugmented reactors, followed by a slow adaptation of the non-bioaugmented control reactors. In response to variations in 3CA concentration, all reactors exhibited temporary performance breakdowns. Whereas duplicates of the control reactors deviated in their behaviour, the bioaugmented reactors appeared more reproducible in their performance and population dynamics. Finally, the carrier-bioaugmented reactors showed an improved performance in the presence of high 3CA influent concentrations over the suspension-bioaugmented reactors. In contrast, degradation in one control reactor failed completely, but was rapidly established in the remaining control reactor.

Helium isotope data from the Goldfield epithermal system, Nevada: Evidence for volatile input from a primitive mantle source during ore formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofstra, A. H.; Manning, A. H.

2013-12-01

Goldfield is the largest high sulfidation epithermal gold mining district in the United States with over 130 t of gold production and 23 sq. km. of argillic alteration (with alunite, pyrophyllite, or kaolinite). It formed at 20.0×0.5 Ma in an andesite to rhyolite volcanic field in the ancestral Cascades continental magmatic arc. Previous stable isotope studies of quartz, alunite, and sulfide minerals suggest that the gold ores formed in a magmatic vapor plume derived from a subjacent porphyry intrusion, which displaced and mixed with meteoric groundwater at shallow levels. The isotopic compositions of He, Ne, and Ar trapped in fluid inclusions in hydrothermal minerals (Cu-sulfides and sulfosalts, pyrite, quartz) were measured to further constrain volatile source and migration processes. Gases were released by thermal decrepitation at 300°C and analyzed using a high resolution static sector mass spectrometer. The isotopic compositions of Ne and Ar are typical of air-saturated water (ASW), indicating that the samples contain little nucleogenic Ne or radiogenic Ar derived from underlying old crustal sources. In contrast, He/Ne and He/Ar ratios are much greater than ASW, indicating that a component of He was produced in the subsurface. The wide range of He R/Ra values, 0.4 to 20, suggests that He was derived from both crustal and mantle sources. 4He/40Ar* and 4He/21Ne* systematics are characteristic of magma degassing. The highest R/Ra values (15-20) are well above those previously reported for modern volcanic rocks and geothermal fluids in subduction-related arcs. Such R/Ra values indicate a primitive mantle source, perhaps below the subducting slab. We hypothesize that the discharge of metal-laden fluids from the subjacent porphyry intrusion was influenced by the input of hot volatiles from mafic mantle-derived magmas. This scenario implies a magma column that remained open to the flux of volatiles over a considerable depth range, from the mantle to the shallow crust. This exceptional volatile plumbing system may be an important ingredient in the formation of large, high sulfidation gold deposits. The ascent of mantle-sourced volatiles may be related to the coeval transition from transpression to transtension within the western North American plate caused by microplate capture along the San Andreas transform.

The coupled geochemistry of Au and As in pyrite from hydrothermal ore deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deditius, Artur P.; Reich, Martin; Kesler, Stephen E.; Utsunomiya, Satoshi; Chryssoulis, Stephen L.; Walshe, John; Ewing, Rodney C.

2014-09-01

The ubiquity of Au-bearing arsenian pyrite in hydrothermal ore deposits suggests that the coupled geochemical behaviour of Au and As in this sulfide occurs under a wide range of physico-chemical conditions. Despite significant advances in the last 20 years, fundamental factors controlling Au and As ratios in pyrite from ore deposits remain poorly known. Here we explore these constraints using new and previously published EMPA, LA-ICP-MS, SIMS, and μ-PIXE analyses of As and Au in pyrite from Carlin-type Au, epithermal Au, porphyry Cu, Cu-Au, and orogenic Au deposits, volcanogenic massive sulfide (VHMS), Witwatersrand Au, iron oxide copper gold (IOCG), and coal deposits. Pyrite included in the data compilation formed under temperatures from ∼30 to ∼600 °C and in a wide variety of geological environments. The pyrite Au-As data form a wedge-shaped zone in compositional space, and the fact that most data points plot below the solid solubility limit defined by Reich et al. (2005) indicate that Au1+ is the dominant form of Au in arsenian pyrite and that Au-bearing ore fluids that deposit this sulfide are mostly undersaturated with respect to native Au. The analytical data also show that the solid solubility limit of Au in arsenian pyrite defined by an Au/As ratio of 0.02 is independent of the geochemical environment of pyrite formation and rather depends on the crystal-chemical properties of pyrite and post-depositional alteration. Compilation of Au-As concentrations and formation temperatures for pyrite indicates that Au and As solubility in pyrite is retrograde; Au and As contents decrease as a function of increasing temperature from ∼200 to ∼500 °C. Based on these results, two major Au-As trends for Au-bearing arsenian pyrite from ore deposits are defined. One trend is formed by pyrites from Carlin-type and orogenic Au deposits where compositions are largely controlled by fluid-rock interactions and/or can be highly perturbed by changes in temperature and alteration by hydrothermal fluids. The second trend consists of pyrites from porphyry Cu and epithermal Au deposits, which are characterised by compositions that preserve the Au/As signature of mineralizing magmatic-hydrothermal fluids, confirming the role of this sulfide in controlling metal ratios in ore systems.

Temporal and spatial distribution of alteration, mineralization and fluid inclusions in the transitional high-sulfidation epithermal-porphyry copper system at Red Mountain, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lecumberri-Sanchez, Pilar; Newton, M. Claiborne; Westman, Erik C.; Kamilli, Robert J.; Canby, Vertrees M.; Bodnar, Robert J.

2013-01-01

Red Mountain, Arizona, is a Laramide porphyry Cu system (PCD) that has experienced only a modest level of erosion compared to most other similar deposits in the southwestern United States. As a result, the upper portion of the magmatic–hydrothermal system, which represents the transition from shallower high-sulfidation epithermal mineralization to deeper porphyry Cu mineralization, is well preserved. Within the Red Mountain system, alteration, mineralization and fluid inclusion assemblages show a systematic distribution in both time and space. Early-potassic alteration (characterized by the minerals biotite and magnetite) is paragenetically earlier than late-potassic alteration (K-feldspar–anhydrite) and both are followed by later phyllic (sericite–pyrite) alteration. Advanced argillic alteration (pyrophyllite–alunite–other clay minerals) is thought to be coeval with or postdate phyllic alteration. Minerals characteristic of advanced argillic alteration are present in the near surface. Phyllic alteration extends to greater depths compared to advanced argillic alteration. Early-potassic and late-potassic alteration are only observed in the deepest part of the system. Considerable overlap of phyllic alteration with both early-potassic and late-potassic alteration zones is observed. The hypogene mineralization contains 0.4–1.2% Cu and is spatially and temporally related to the late-potassic alteration event. Molybdenum concentration is typically In the deepest part of the system, an early generation of low-to-moderate density and salinity liquid + vapor inclusions with opaque daughter minerals is followed in time by halite-bearing inclusions that also contain opaque daughter minerals indicating that an early intermediate-density magmatic fluid evolved to a high-density, high-salinity mineralizing fluid. The increase in density and salinity of fluids with time observed in the deeper parts of the system may be the result of immiscibility (“boiling”) of the earlier magmatic fluids or may reflect the compositional evolution of fluids that exsolved from the magma. Trails of inclusions consisting of only vapor-rich inclusions are common in the shallow parts of the system, and are associated with advanced argillic alteration, suggesting that intense boiling (“flashing”) occurred at (or below) this level. Fluid inclusion assemblages consisting of coexisting vapor-rich and halite-bearing inclusions are observed in samples extending from the surface to the upper part of the late-potassic zone, indicating that fluid immiscibility occurred within this depth interval.

Gold deposits in the Xiaoqinling-Xiong'ershan region, Qinling mountains, central China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mao, J.; Goldfarb, R.J.; Zhang, Z.; Xu, W.; Qiu, Yumin; Deng, J.

2002-01-01

The gold-rich Xiaoqinling-Xiong'ershan region in eastern Shaanxi and western Henan provinces, central China, lies about 30-50 km inland of the southern margin of the North China craton. More than 100 gold deposits and occurrences are concentrated in the Xiaoqinling (west), Xiaoshan (middle), and Xiong'ershan (east) areas. Late Archean gneiss of the Taihua Group, and Middle Proterozoic metavolcanic rocks of the Xiong'er Group are the main host rocks for the deposits. Mesozoic granitoids (ca. 178-104 Ma) are present in most gold districts, but deposits are typically hosted in the Precambrian basement rocks hundreds of meters to as far as 10 km from the intrusions and related hornfels zones. Deposits in the Xiaoqinling and Xiaoshan areas are best classified as orogenic gold deposits, with ores occurring in a number of distinct belts both in quartz veins and disseminated in altered metamorphic rocks. Alteration assemblages are dominated by quartz, sericite, pyrite, and carbonate minerals. The ore-forming fluids were low salinity, CO2-rich, and characterized by isotopically heavy ??18O. Four deposits (Dongchuang, Wenyu, Yangzhaiyu, and Dahu) in the Xiaoqinling area each contain resources of about 1 Moz Au. Some of the gold deposits in the Xiong'ershan area represent more shallowly emplaced tellurium-enriched orogenic systems, which include resources of approximately 1-1.5 Moz Au at Shanggong and Beiling (or Tantou). Others are epithermal deposits (e.g., Qiyugou and Dianfang) that are hosted in volcanic breccia pipes. Isotopic dates for all gold deposits, although often contradictory, generally cluster between 172-99 Ma and are coeval with emplacement of the post-kinematic granitoids. The gold deposits formed during a period of relaxation of far-field compressional stresses, clearly subsequent to the extensive Paleozoic-early Mesozoic accretion of are terranes and the Yangtze craton onto the southern margin of the North China craton. Hydrothermal and magmatic events occurred locally where extension-related Precambrian basement uplifting took place along the craton margin. Fluids for the orogenic gold deposits in the Xiaoqinling, Xiaoshan, and Xiong'ershan areas may have been released from evolving magmas or resulted from prograde metamorphic reactions within the uplift zones. Alternatively, for the epithermal gold deposits at shallower levels in the Xiong'ershan area, gold-transporting fluids were mainly exsolved from coeval magmas, although meteoric water was also involved in these hydrothermal systems.

Assessment of Laser-Driven Pulsed Neutron Sources for Poolside Neutron-based Advanced NDE – A Pathway to LANSCE-like Characterization at INL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roth, Markus; Vogel, Sven C.; Bourke, Mark Andrew M.

A variety of opportunities for characterization of fresh nuclear fuels using thermal (~25meV) and epithermal (~10eV) neutrons have been documented at Los Alamos National Laboratory. They include spatially resolved non-destructive characterization of features, isotopic enrichment, chemical heterogeneity and stoichiometry. The LANSCE spallation neutron source is well suited in neutron fluence and temporal characteristics for studies of fuels. However, recent advances in high power short pulse lasers suggest that compact neutron sources might, over the next decade, become viable at a price point that would permit their consideration for poolside characterization on site at irradiation facilities. In a laser-driven neutron sourcemore » the laser is used to accelerate deuterium ions into a beryllium target where neutrons are produced. At this time, the technology is new and their total neutron production is approximately four orders of magnitude less than a facility like LANSCE. However, recent measurements on a sub-optimized system demonstrated >10 10 neutrons in sub-nanosecond pulses in predominantly forward direction. The compactness of the target system compared to a spallation target may allow exchanging the target during a measurement to e.g. characterize a highly radioactive sample with thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons as well as hard X-rays, thus avoiding sample handling. At this time several groups are working on laser-driven neutron production and are advancing concepts for lasers, laser targets, and optimized neutron target/moderator systems. Advances in performance sufficient to enable poolside fuels characterization with LANSCE-like fluence on sample within a decade may be possible. This report describes the underlying physics and state-of-the-art of the laser-driven neutron production process from the perspective of the DOE/NE mission. It also discusses the development and understanding that will be necessary to provide customized capability for characterization of irradiated fuels. Potential operational advantages compared to a spallation neutron source include reduced shielding complexity, reduced energy requirements, and a production target free of fission products. Contributors to this report include experts in laser-driven neutron production (Roth, Fernandez), laser design (Haefner, Siders, Leemans), laser target design (Glenzer), spallation target/moderator design (Mocko), neutron instrumentation and characterization applications (Vogel, Bourke).« less

Microthermometry of enargite-hosted fluid inclusions from the Lepanto, Philippines, high-sulfidation Cu sbnd Au deposit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mancano, D. P.; Campbell, A. R.

1995-10-01

The spatial relation between porphyry and high-sulfidation epithermal deposits is particularly well revealed in the Mankayan mineral district of northern Luzon, Philippines, where the Lepanto high-sulfidation Cu sbnd Au deposit lies over and adjacent to the Far Southeast (FSE) porphyry Cu sbnd Au deposit. Consequently, a study was undertaken to characterize the fluids responsible for epithermal mineralization in this environment. The ore stage at Lepanto consists of enargite-luzonite (Cu 3AsS 4), pyrite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, and chalcopyrite. Infrared petrography of the enargite reveals variable transparency, with growth banding and twinning visible in euhedral specimens. Two phase (liquid > vapor) fluid inclusions occur as primary and secondary types ranging from <1 to 80 micrometers in length, with tabular, cylindrical, or oval shapes. Homogenization temperatures ( Th) of fluid inclusions in enargite were measured from within the lateral (3.0 km) and vertical (0.5 km) extent of the enargite mineralization. These values show a cooling trend toward the northwest, away from the area over the porphyry deposit, with average Th ranging from 285°C (proximal) to 166°C (distal). Ice melting temperatures ( Tm) were measured using a cycling technique, as ice was usually not visible in frozen inclusions. Apparent salinities range from 4.5 to 0.2 eq. wt% NaCl, with samples from the margins of the deposit showing a general decrease in apparent salinity with lower Th. Secondary fluid inclusions in quartz phenocrysts tend to have a higher average Th and lower apparent salinities compared to enargite-hosted inclusion fluids from the same locations. Several samples of pyrite are also transparent to IR radiation, and show internal features such as growth banding, and in one instance a two phase (liquid > vapor) fluid inclusion. This inclusion yielded a salinity of 1.2 eq. wt% NaCl. There is a large discrepancy in Th and apparent salinities between the enargite mineralization and the subjacent porphyry deposit despite contemporaneous formation, suggesting that the hot, (>500°C) hypersaline, magmatic brines associated with porphyry mineralization did not directly ascend to the elevation of the enargite deposit. However, absorbtion of magmatic vapors into overlying meteoric water may have created the mineralizing fluid of the Lepanto deposit. As this liquid moved to the northwest along the Lepanto fault, it was cooled and diluted by mixing with groundwater, resulting in enargite deposition.

A comparative study of thermophilic and mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and wheat straw: Process stability and microbial community structure shifts.

PubMed

Shi, Xuchuan; Guo, Xianglin; Zuo, Jiane; Wang, Yajiao; Zhang, Mengyu

2018-05-01

Renewable energy recovery from organic solid waste via anaerobic digestion is a promising way to provide sustainable energy supply and eliminate environmental pollution. However, poor efficiency and operational problems hinder its wide application of anaerobic digestion. The effects of two key parameters, i.e. temperature and substrate characteristics on process stability and microbial community structure were studied using two lab-scale anaerobic reactors under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions. Both the reactors were fed with food waste (FW) and wheat straw (WS). The organic loading rates (OLRs) were maintained at a constant level of 3 kg VS/(m 3 ·d). Five different FW:WS substrate ratios were utilized in different operational phases. The synergetic effects of co-digestion improved the stability and performance of the reactors. When FW was mono-digested, both reactors were unstable. The mesophilic reactor eventually failed due to volatile fatty acid accumulation. The thermophilic reactor had better performance compared to mesophilic one. The biogas production rate of the thermophilic reactor was 4.9-14.8% higher than that of mesophilic reactor throughout the experiment. The shifts in microbial community structures throughout the experiment in both thermophilic and mesophilic reactors were investigated. With increasing FW proportions, bacteria belonging to the phylum Thermotogae became predominant in the thermophilic reactor, while the phylum Bacteroidetes was predominant in the mesophilic reactor. The genus Methanosarcina was the predominant methanogen in the thermophilic reactor, while the genus Methanothrix remained predominant in the mesophilic reactor. The methanogenesis pathway shifted from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic when the mesophilic reactor experienced perturbations. Moreover, the population of lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms in the thermophilic reactor was higher than those in mesophilic reactor, which explained the better performance of the thermophilic reactor. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Coupled reactor kinetics and heat transfer model for heat pipe cooled reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, Steven A.; Houts, Michael

2001-02-01

Heat pipes are often proposed as cooling system components for small fission reactors. SAFE-300 and STAR-C are two reactor concepts that use heat pipes as an integral part of the cooling system. Heat pipes have been used in reactors to cool components within radiation tests (Deverall, 1973); however, no reactor has been built or tested that uses heat pipes solely as the primary cooling system. Heat pipe cooled reactors will likely require the development of a test reactor to determine the main differences in operational behavior from forced cooled reactors. The purpose of this paper is to describe the results of a systems code capable of modeling the coupling between the reactor kinetics and heat pipe controlled heat transport. Heat transport in heat pipe reactors is complex and highly system dependent. Nevertheless, in general terms it relies on heat flowing from the fuel pins through the heat pipe, to the heat exchanger, and then ultimately into the power conversion system and heat sink. A system model is described that is capable of modeling coupled reactor kinetics phenomena, heat transfer dynamics within the fuel pins, and the transient behavior of heat pipes (including the melting of the working fluid). This paper focuses primarily on the coupling effects caused by reactor feedback and compares the observations with forced cooled reactors. A number of reactor startup transients have been modeled, and issues such as power peaking, and power-to-flow mismatches, and loading transients were examined, including the possibility of heat flow from the heat exchanger back into the reactor. This system model is envisioned as a tool to be used for screening various heat pipe cooled reactor concepts, for designing and developing test facility requirements, for use in safety evaluations, and for developing test criteria for in-pile and out-of-pile test facilities. .

Technical Application of Nuclear Fission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denschlag, J. O.

The chapter is devoted to the practical application of the fission process, mainly in nuclear reactors. After a historical discussion covering the natural reactors at Oklo and the first attempts to build artificial reactors, the fundamental principles of chain reactions are discussed. In this context chain reactions with fast and thermal neutrons are covered as well as the process of neutron moderation. Criticality concepts (fission factor η, criticality factor k) are discussed as well as reactor kinetics and the role of delayed neutrons. Examples of specific nuclear reactor types are presented briefly: research reactors (TRIGA and ILL High Flux Reactor), and some reactor types used to drive nuclear power stations (pressurized water reactor [PWR], boiling water reactor [BWR], Reaktor Bolshoi Moshchnosti Kanalny [RBMK], fast breeder reactor [FBR]). The new concept of the accelerator-driven systems (ADS) is presented. The principle of fission weapons is outlined. Finally, the nuclear fuel cycle is briefly covered from mining, chemical isolation of the fuel and preparation of the fuel elements to reprocessing the spent fuel and conditioning for deposit in a final repository.

Optimally moderated nuclear fission reactor and fuel source therefor

DOEpatents

Ougouag, Abderrafi M [Idaho Falls, ID; Terry, William K [Shelley, ID; Gougar, Hans D [Idaho Falls, ID

2008-07-22

An improved nuclear fission reactor of the continuous fueling type involves determining an asymptotic equilibrium state for the nuclear fission reactor and providing the reactor with a moderator-to-fuel ratio that is optimally moderated for the asymptotic equilibrium state of the nuclear fission reactor; the fuel-to-moderator ratio allowing the nuclear fission reactor to be substantially continuously operated in an optimally moderated state.

Flow rate analysis of wastewater inside reactor tanks on tofu wastewater treatment plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mamat; Sintawardani, N.; Astuti, J. T.; Nilawati, D.; Wulan, D. R.; Muchlis; Sriwuryandari, L.; Sembiring, T.; Jern, N. W.

2017-03-01

The research aimed to analyse the flow rate of the wastewater inside reactor tanks which were placed a number of bamboo cutting. The resistance of wastewater flow inside reactor tanks might not be occurred and produce biogas fuel optimally. Wastewater from eleven tofu factories was treated by multi-stages anaerobic process to reduce its organic pollutant and produce biogas. Biogas plant has six reactor tanks of which its capacity for waste water and gas dome was 18 m3 and 4.5 m3, respectively. Wastewater was pumped from collecting ponds to reactors by either serial or parallel way. Maximum pump capacity, head, and electrical motor power was 5m3/h, 50m, and 0.75HP, consecutively. Maximum pressure of biogas inside the reactor tanks was 55 mbar higher than atmosphere pressure. A number of 1,400 pieces of cutting bamboo at 50-60 mm diameter and 100 mm length were used as bacteria growth media inside each reactor tank, covering around 14,287 m2 bamboo area, and cross section area of inner reactor was 4,9 m2. In each reactor, a 6 inches PVC pipe was installed vertically as channel. When channels inside reactor were opened, flow rate of wastewater was 6x10-1 L.sec-1. Contrary, when channels were closed on the upper part, wastewater flow inside the first reactor affected and increased gas dome. Initially, wastewater flowed into each reactor by a gravity mode with head difference between the second and third reactor was 15x10-2m. However, head loss at the second reactor was equal to the third reactor by 8,422 x 10-4m. As result, wastewater flow at the second and third reactors were stagnant. To overcome the problem pump in each reactor should be installed in serial mode. In order to reach the output from the first reactor and the others would be equal, and biogas space was not filled by wastewater, therefore biogas production will be optimum.

Operators in the Plum Brook Reactor Facility Control Room

NASA Image and Video Library

1970-03-21

Donald Rhodes, left, and Clyde Greer, right, monitor the operation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Plum Brook Reactor Facility from the control room. The 60-megawatt test reactor, NASA’s only reactor, was the eighth largest test reactor in the world. The facility was built by the Lewis Research Center in the late 1950s to study the effects of radiation on different materials that could be used to construct nuclear propulsion systems for aircraft or rockets. The reactor went critical for the first time in 1961. For the next two years, two operators were on duty 24 hours per day working on the fission process until the reactor reached its full-power level in 1963. Reactor Operators were responsible for monitoring and controlling the reactor systems. Once the reactor was running under normal operating conditions, the work was relatively uneventful. Normally the reactor was kept at a designated power level within certain limits. Occasionally the operators had to increase the power for a certain test. The shift supervisor and several different people would get together and discuss the change before boosting the power. All operators were required to maintain a Reactor Operator License from the Atomic Energy Commission. The license included six months of training, an eight-hour written exam, a four-hour walkaround, and testing on the reactor controls.

10 CFR 50.70 - Inspections.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation or Director, Office of New Reactors, as appropriate, provide... New Reactors, or the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. All furniture, supplies and... construction permit holder (nuclear power reactor only) shall ensure that the arrival and presence of an NRC...

10 CFR 50.70 - Inspections.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation or Director, Office of New Reactors, as appropriate, provide... New Reactors, or the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. All furniture, supplies and... construction permit holder (nuclear power reactor only) shall ensure that the arrival and presence of an NRC...

10 CFR 50.70 - Inspections.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation or Director, Office of New Reactors, as appropriate, provide... New Reactors, or the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. All furniture, supplies and... construction permit holder (nuclear power reactor only) shall ensure that the arrival and presence of an NRC...

10 CFR 50.70 - Inspections.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation or Director, Office of New Reactors, as appropriate, provide... New Reactors, or the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. All furniture, supplies and... construction permit holder (nuclear power reactor only) shall ensure that the arrival and presence of an NRC...

10 CFR 50.70 - Inspections.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation or Director, Office of New Reactors, as appropriate, provide... New Reactors, or the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. All furniture, supplies and... construction permit holder (nuclear power reactor only) shall ensure that the arrival and presence of an NRC...

10 CFR 2.101 - Filing of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Reactors, the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, the Director, Office of Nuclear Material... Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, Director, Office of Federal and State... be requested to: (i) Submit to the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office...

10 CFR 2.101 - Filing of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... Reactors, the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, the Director, Office of Nuclear Material... Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office of New Reactors, Director, Office of Federal and State... be requested to: (i) Submit to the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Director, Office...

Nature, diversity of deposit types and metallogenic relations of South China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zaw, K.; Peters, S.G.; Cromie, P.; Burrett, C.; Hou, Z.

2007-01-01

The South China Region is rich in mineral resources and has a wide diversity of deposit types. The region has undergone multiple tectonic and magmatic events and related metallogenic processes throughout the earth history. These tectonic and metallogenic processes were responsible for the formation of the diverse styles of base and precious metal deposits in South China making it one of the resource-rich regions in the world. During the Proterozoic, the South China Craton was characterised by rifting of continental margin before eruption of submarine volcanics and development of platform carbonate rocks, and the formation of VHMS, stratabound copper and MVT deposits. The Phanerozoic metallogeny of South China was related to opening and closing of the Tethyan Ocean involving multiple orogenies by subduction, back-arc rifting, arc-continent collision and post-collisional extension during the Indosinian (Triassic), Yanshanian (Jurassic to Cretaceous) and Himalayan (Tertiary) Orogenies. The Late Palaeozoic was a productive metallogenic period for South China resulting from break-up and rifting of Gondwana. Significant stratabound base and precious metal deposits were formed during the Devonian and Carboniferous (e.g., Fankou and Dabaoshan deposits). These Late Palaeozoic SEDEX-style deposits have been often overprinted by skarn systems associated with Yanshanian magmatism (e.g., Chengmenshan, Dongguashan and Qixiashan). A number of Late Palaeozoic to Early Mesozoic VHMS deposits also developed in the Sanjiang fold belt in the western part of South China (e.g., Laochang and Gacun). South China has significant sedimentary rock-hosted Carlin-like deposits, which occur in the Devonian- to Triassic-aged accretionary wedge or rift basins at the margin of the South China Craton. They are present in a region at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi Provinces called the 'Southern Golden Triangle', and are also present in NW Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi, in an area known as the 'Northern Golden Triangle' of China. These deposits are mostly epigenetic hydrothermal micron-disseminated gold deposits with associated As, Hg, Sb + Tl mineralisation similar to Carlin-type deposits in USA. The important deposits in the Southern Golden Triangle are Jinfeng (Lannigou), Zimudang, Getang, Yata and Banqi in Guizhou Province, and the Jinya and Gaolong deposits in Guangxi District. The most important deposits in the Northern Golden Triangle are the Dongbeizhai and Qiaoqiaoshang deposits. Many porphyry-related polymetallic copper-lead-zinc and gold skarn deposits occur in South China. These deposits are related to Indosinian (Triassic) and Yanshanian (Jurassic to Cretaceous) magmatism associated with collision of the South China and North China Cratons and westward subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate. Most of these deposits are distributed along the Lower to Middle Yangtze River metallogenic belt. The most significant deposits are Tonglushan, Jilongshan, Fengshandong, Shitouzui and Jiguanzui. Au-(Ag-Mo)-rich porphyry-related Cu-Fe skarn deposits are also present (Chengmenshan and Wushan in Jiangxi Province and Xinqiao, Mashan-Tianmashan, Shizishan and Huangshilaoshan in Anhui Province). The South China fold belt extending from Fujian to Zhejiang Provinces is characterised by well-developed Yanshanian intrusive to subvolcanic rocks associated with porphyry to epithermal type mineralisation and mesothermal vein deposits. The largest porphyry copper deposit in China, Dexing, occurs in Jiangxi Province and is hosted by Yanshanian granodiorite. The high-sulphidation epithermal system occurs at the Zijinshan district in Fujian Province and epithermal to mesothermal vein-type deposits are also found in the Zhejiang Province (e.g., Zhilingtou). Part of Shandong Province is located at the northern margin of the South China Craton and the province has unique world class granite-hosted orogenic gold deposits. Occurrences of Pt-Pd-Ni-Cu-Co are found in Permian

Lithologic controls on mineralization at the Lagunas Norte high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit, northern Peru

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cerpa, Luis M.; Bissig, Thomas; Kyser, Kurt; McEwan, Craig; Macassi, Arturo; Rios, Hugo W.

2013-06-01

The 13.1-Moz high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit of Lagunas Norte, Alto Chicama District, northern Peru, is hosted in weakly metamorphosed quartzites of the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Chimú Formation and in overlying Miocene volcanic rocks of dacitic to rhyolitic composition. The Dafne and Josefa diatremes crosscut the quartzites and are interpreted to be sources of the pyroclastic volcanic rocks. Hydrothermal activity was centered on the diatremes and four hydrothermal stages have been defined, three of which introduced Au ± Ag mineralization. The first hydrothermal stage is restricted to the quartzites of the Chimú Formation and is characterized by silice parda, a tan-colored aggregate of quartz-auriferous pyrite-rutile ± digenite infilling fractures and faults, partially replacing silty beds and forming cement of small hydraulic breccia bodies. The δ34S values for pyrite (1.7-2.2 ‰) and digenite (2.1 ‰) indicate a magmatic source for the sulfur. The second hydrothermal stage resulted in the emplacement of diatremes and the related volcanic rocks. The Dafne diatreme features a relatively impermeable core dominated by milled slate from the Chicama Formation, whereas the Josefa diatreme only contains Chimú Formation quartzite clasts. The third hydrothermal stage introduced the bulk of the mineralization and affected the volcanic rocks, the diatremes, and the Chimú Formation. In the volcanic rocks, classic high-sulfidation epithermal alteration zonation exhibiting vuggy quartz surrounded by a quartz-alunite and a quartz-alunite-kaolinite zone is observed. Company data suggest that gold is present in solid solution or micro inclusions in pyrite. In the quartzite, the alteration is subtle and is manifested by the presence of pyrophyllite or kaolinite in the silty beds, the former resulting from relatively high silica activities in the fluid. In the quartzite, gold mineralization is hosted in a fracture network filled with coarse alunite, auriferous pyrite, and enargite. Alteration and mineralization in the breccias were controlled by permeability, which depends on the type and composition of the matrix, cement, and clast abundance. Coarse alunite from the main mineralization stage in textural equilibrium with pyrite and enargite has δ34S values of 24.8-29.4 ‰ and {δ^{18 }}{{O}_{{S{{O}_4}}}} values of 6.8-13.9 ‰, consistent with H2S as the dominant sulfur species in the mostly magmatic fluid and constraining the fluid composition to low pH (0-2) and log fO2 of -28 to -30. Alunite-pyrite sulfur isotope thermometry records temperatures of 190-260 °C; the highest temperatures corresponding to samples from near the diatremes. Alunite of the third hydrothermal stage has been dated by 40Ar/39Ar at 17.0 ± 0.22 Ma. The fourth hydrothermal stage introduced only modest amounts of gold and is characterized by the presence of massive alunite-pyrite in fractures, whereas barite, drusy quartz, and native sulfur were deposited in the volcanic rocks. The {δ^{18 }}{{O}_{{S{{O}_4}}}} values of stage IV alunite vary between 11.5 and 11.7 ‰ and indicate that the fluid was magmatic, an interpretation also supported by the isotopic composition of barite (δ34S = 27.1 to 33.8 ‰ and {δ^{18 }}{{O}_{{S{{O}_4}}}} = 8.1 to 12.7 ‰). The Δ34Spy-alu isotope thermometry records temperatures of 210 to 280 °C with the highest values concentrated around the Josefa diatreme. The Lagunas Norte deposit was oxidized to a depth of about 80 m below the current surface making exploitation by heap leach methods viable.

Weld monitor and failure detector for nuclear reactor system

DOEpatents

Sutton, Jr., Harry G.

1987-01-01

Critical but inaccessible welds in a nuclear reactor system are monitored throughout the life of the reactor by providing small aperture means projecting completely through the reactor vessel wall and also through the weld or welds to be monitored. The aperture means is normally sealed from the atmosphere within the reactor. Any incipient failure or cracking of the weld will cause the environment contained within the reactor to pass into the aperture means and thence to the outer surface of the reactor vessel where its presence is readily detected.

Demonstration of Robustness and Integrated Operation of a Series-Bosch System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abney, Morgan B.; Mansell, Matthew J.; Stanley, Christine; Barnett, Bill; Junaedi, Christian; Vilekar, Saurabh A.; Ryan, Kent

2016-01-01

Manned missions beyond low Earth orbit will require highly robust, reliable, and maintainable life support systems that maximize recycling of water and oxygen. Bosch technology is one option to maximize oxygen recovery, in the form of water, from metabolically-produced carbon dioxide (CO2). A two stage approach to Bosch, called Series-Bosch, reduces metabolic CO2 with hydrogen (H2) to produce water and solid carbon using two reactors: a Reverse Water-Gas Shift (RWGS) reactor and a carbon formation (CF) reactor. Previous development efforts demonstrated the stand-alone performance of a NASA-designed RWGS reactor designed for robustness against carbon formation, two membrane separators intended to maximize single pass conversion of reactants, and a batch CF reactor with both transit and surface catalysts. In the past year, Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) developed and delivered a RWGS reactor for testing at NASA. The reactor design was based on their patented Microlith® technology and was first evaluated under a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) effort in 2010. The RWGS reactor was recently evaluated at NASA to compare its performance and operating conditions with NASA's RWGS reactor. The test results will be provided in this paper. Separately, in 2015, a semi-continuous CF reactor was designed and fabricated at NASA based on the results from batch CF reactor testing. The batch CF reactor and the semi-continuous CF reactor were individually integrated with an upstream RWGS reactor to demonstrate the system operation and to evaluate performance. Here, we compare the performance and robustness to carbon formation of both RWGS reactors. We report the results of the integrated operation of a Series-Bosch system and we discuss the technology readiness level.

Reactor water cleanup system

DOEpatents

Gluntz, Douglas M.; Taft, William E.

1994-01-01

A reactor water cleanup system includes a reactor pressure vessel containing a reactor core submerged in reactor water. First and second parallel cleanup trains are provided for extracting portions of the reactor water from the pressure vessel, cleaning the extracted water, and returning the cleaned water to the pressure vessel. Each of the cleanup trains includes a heat exchanger for cooling the reactor water, and a cleaner for cleaning the cooled reactor water. A return line is disposed between the cleaner and the pressure vessel for channeling the cleaned water thereto in a first mode of operation. A portion of the cooled water is bypassed around the cleaner during a second mode of operation and returned through the pressure vessel for shutdown cooling.

The role of nuclear reactors in space exploration and development

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lipinski, R.J.

2000-07-01

The United States has launched more than 20 radioisotopic thermoelectric generators (RTGs) into space over the past 30 yr but has launched only one nuclear reactor, and that was in 1965. Russia has launched more than 30 reactors. The RTGs use the heat of alpha decay of {sup 238}Pu for power and typically generate <1 kW of electricity. Apollo, Pioneer, Voyager, Viking, Galileo, Ulysses, and Cassini all used RTGs. Space reactors use the fission energy of {sup 235}U; typical designs are for 100 to 1000 kW of electricity. The only US space reactor launch (SNAP-10A) was a demonstration mission. Onemore » reason for the lack of space reactor use by the United States was the lack of space missions that required high power. But, another was the assumed negative publicity that would accompany a reactor launch. The net result is that all space reactor programs after 1970 were terminated before an operating space reactor could be developed, and they are now many years from recovering the ability to build them. Two major near-term needs for space reactors are the human exploration of Mars and advanced missions to and beyond the orbit of Jupiter. To help obtain public acceptance of space reactors, one must correct some of the misconceptions concerning space reactors and convey the following facts to the public and to decision makers: Space reactors are 1000 times smaller in power and size than a commercial power reactor. A space reactor at launch is only as radioactive as a pile of dirt 60 m (200 ft) across. A space reactor contains no plutonium at launch. It does not become significantly radioactive until it is turned on, and it will be engineered so that no launch accident can turn it on, even if that means fueling it after launch. The reactor will not be turned on until it is in a high stable orbit or even on an earth-escape trajectory for some missions. The benefits of space reactors are that they give humanity a stairway to the planets and perhaps the stars. They open a new frontier for their children and their grandchildren. They pave the way for all life on earth to move out into the solar system. At one time, humans built and flew space reactors; it is time to do so again.« less

Degradation of Acid Orange 7 Dye in Two Hybrid Plasma Discharge Reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yongjun; Lei, Lecheng; Zhang, Xingwang; Ding, Jiandong

2014-11-01

To get an optimized pulsed electrical plasma discharge reactor and to increase the energy utilization efficiency in the removal of pollutants, two hybrid plasma discharge reactors were designed and optimized. The reactors were compared via the discharge characteristics, energy transfer efficiency, the yields of the active species and the energy utilization in dye wastewater degradation. The results showed that under the same AC input power, the characteristics of the discharge waveform of the point-to-plate reactor were better. Under the same AC input power, the two reactors both had almost the same peak voltage of 22 kV. The peak current of the point-to-plate reactor was 146 A, while that of the wire-to-cylinder reactor was only 48.8 A. The peak powers of the point-to-plate reactor and the wire-to-cylinder reactor were 1.38 MW and 1.01 MW, respectively. The energy per pulse of the point-to-plate reactor was 0.2221 J, which was about 29.4% higher than that of the wire-to-cylinder reactor (0.1716 J). To remove 50% Acid Orange 7 (AO7), the energy utilizations of the point-to-plate reactor and the wire-to-cylinder reactor were 1.02 × 10-9 mol/L and 0.61 × 10-9 mol/L, respectively. In the point-to-plate reactor, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in pure water was 3.6 mmol/L after 40 min of discharge, which was higher than that of the wire-to-cylinder reactor (2.5 mmol/L). The concentration of liquid phase ozone in the point-to-plate reactor (5.7 × 10-2 mmol/L) was about 26.7% higher than that in the wire-to-cylinder reactor (4.5 × 10-2 mmol/L). The analysis results of the variance showed that the type of reactor and reaction time had significant impacts on the yields of the hydrogen peroxide and ozone. The main degradation intermediates of AO7 identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS) were acetic acid, maleic anhydride, p-benzoquinone, phenol, benzoic acid, phthalic anhydride, coumarin and 2-naphthol. Proposed degradation pathways were elucidated in light of the analyzed degradation products.

10 CFR 72.1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE General Provisions § 72.1 Purpose. The... receive, transfer, and possess power reactor spent fuel, power reactor-related Greater than Class C (GTCC... reactor spent fuel, high-level radioactive waste, power reactor-related GTCC waste, and other radioactive...

10 CFR 72.1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE General Provisions § 72.1 Purpose. The... receive, transfer, and possess power reactor spent fuel, power reactor-related Greater than Class C (GTCC... reactor spent fuel, high-level radioactive waste, power reactor-related GTCC waste, and other radioactive...

Unmixed fuel processors and methods for using the same

DOEpatents

Kulkarni, Parag Prakash; Cui, Zhe

2010-08-24

Disclosed herein are unmixed fuel processors and methods for using the same. In one embodiment, an unmixed fuel processor comprises: an oxidation reactor comprising an oxidation portion and a gasifier, a CO.sub.2 acceptor reactor, and a regeneration reactor. The oxidation portion comprises an air inlet, effluent outlet, and an oxygen transfer material. The gasifier comprises a solid hydrocarbon fuel inlet, a solids outlet, and a syngas outlet. The CO.sub.2 acceptor reactor comprises a water inlet, a hydrogen outlet, and a CO.sub.2 sorbent, and is configured to receive syngas from the gasifier. The regeneration reactor comprises a water inlet and a CO.sub.2 stream outlet. The regeneration reactor is configured to receive spent CO.sub.2 adsorption material from the gasification reactor and to return regenerated CO.sub.2 adsorption material to the gasification reactor, and configured to receive oxidized oxygen transfer material from the oxidation reactor and to return reduced oxygen transfer material to the oxidation reactor.

Thermionic switched self-actuating reactor shutdown system

DOEpatents

Barrus, Donald M.; Shires, Charles D.; Brummond, William A.

1989-01-01

A self-actuating reactor shutdown system incorporating a thermionic switched electromagnetic latch arrangement which is responsive to reactor neutron flux changes and to reactor coolant temperature changes. The system is self-actuating in that the sensing thermionic device acts directly to release (scram) the control rod (absorber) without reference or signal from the main reactor plant protective and control systems. To be responsive to both temperature and neutron flux effects, two detectors are used, one responsive to reactor coolant temperatures, and the other responsive to reactor neutron flux increase. The detectors are incorporated into a thermionic diode connected electrically with an electromagnetic mechanism which under normal reactor operating conditions holds the the control rod in its ready position (exterior of the reactor core). Upon reaching either a specified temperature or neutron flux, the thermionic diode functions to short-circuit the electromagnetic mechanism causing same to lose its holding power and release the control rod, which drops into the reactor core region under gravitational force.

Thermal insulating barrier and neutron shield providing integrated protection for a nuclear reactor vessel

DOEpatents

Schreiber, R.B.; Fero, A.H.; Sejvar, J.

1997-12-16

The reactor vessel of a nuclear reactor installation which is suspended from the cold leg nozzles in a reactor cavity is provided with a lower thermal insulating barrier spaced from the reactor vessel to form a chamber which can be flooded with cooling water through passive valving to directly cool the reactor vessel in the event of a severe accident. The passive valving also includes bistable vents at the upper end of the thermal insulating barrier for releasing steam. A removable, modular neutron shield extending around the upper end of the reactor cavity below the nozzles forms with the upwardly and outwardly tapered transition on the outer surface of the reactor vessel, a labyrinthine channel which reduces neutron streaming while providing a passage for the escape of steam during a severe accident, and for the cooling air which is circulated along the reactor cavity walls outside the thermal insulating barrier during normal operation of the reactor. 8 figs.

Thermal insulating barrier and neutron shield providing integrated protection for a nuclear reactor vessel

DOEpatents

Schreiber, Roger B.; Fero, Arnold H.; Sejvar, James

1997-01-01

The reactor vessel of a nuclear reactor installation which is suspended from the cold leg nozzles in a reactor cavity is provided with a lower thermal insulating barrier spaced from the reactor vessel to form a chamber which can be flooded with cooling water through passive valving to directly cool the reactor vessel in the event of a severe accident. The passive valving also includes bistable vents at the upper end of the thermal insulating barrier for releasing steam. A removable, modular neutron shield extending around the upper end of the reactor cavity below the nozzles forms with the upwardly and outwardly tapered transition on the outer surface of the reactor vessel, a labyrinthine channel which reduces neutron streaming while providing a passage for the escape of steam during a severe accident, and for the cooling air which is circulated along the reactor cavity walls outside the thermal insulating barrier during normal operation of the reactor.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Soldevilla, M.; Salmons, S.; Espinosa, B.

The new application BDDR (Reactor database) has been developed at CEA in order to manage nuclear reactors technological and operating data. This application is a knowledge management tool which meets several internal needs: -) to facilitate scenario studies for any set of reactors, e.g. non-proliferation assessments; -) to make core physics studies easier, whatever the reactor design (PWR-Pressurized Water Reactor-, BWR-Boiling Water Reactor-, MAGNOX- Magnesium Oxide reactor-, CANDU - CANada Deuterium Uranium-, FBR - Fast Breeder Reactor -, etc.); -) to preserve the technological data of all reactors (past and present, power generating or experimental, naval propulsion,...) in a uniquemore » repository. Within the application database are enclosed location data and operating history data as well as a tree-like structure containing numerous technological data. These data address all kinds of reactors features and components. A few neutronics data are also included (neutrons fluxes). The BDDR application is based on open-source technologies and thin client/server architecture. The software architecture has been made flexible enough to allow for any change. (authors)« less

Propellant actuated nuclear reactor steam depressurization valve

DOEpatents

Ehrke, Alan C.; Knepp, John B.; Skoda, George I.

1992-01-01

A nuclear fission reactor combined with a propellant actuated depressurization and/or water injection valve is disclosed. The depressurization valve releases pressure from a water cooled, steam producing nuclear reactor when required to insure the safety of the reactor. Depressurization of the reactor pressure vessel enables gravity feeding of supplementary coolant water through the water injection valve to the reactor pressure vessel to prevent damage to the fuel core.

NEUTRONIC REACTOR CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION

DOEpatents

West, J.M.; Weills, J.T.

1960-03-15

A method is given for operating a nuclear reactor having a negative coefficient of reactivity to compensate for the change in reactor reactivity due to the burn-up of the xenon peak following start-up of the reactor. When it is desired to start up the reactor within less than 72 hours after shutdown, the temperature of the reactor is lowered prior to start-up, and then gradually raised after start-up.

Thermal-hydraulic interfacing code modules for CANDU reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, W.S.; Gold, M.; Sills, H.

1997-07-01

The approach for CANDU reactor safety analysis in Ontario Hydro Nuclear (OHN) and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is presented. Reflecting the unique characteristics of CANDU reactors, the procedure of coupling the thermal-hydraulics, reactor physics and fuel channel/element codes in the safety analysis is described. The experience generated in the Canadian nuclear industry may be useful to other types of reactors in the areas of reactor safety analysis.

97. ARAIII. ML1 reactor has been moved into GCRE reactor ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

97. ARA-III. ML-1 reactor has been moved into GCRE reactor building (ARA-608) for examination of corrosion on its underside and repair. May 24, 1963. Ineel photo no. 63-3485. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Army Reactors Experimental Area, Scoville, Butte County, ID

NEUTRONIC REACTOR MANIPULATING DEVICE

DOEpatents

Ohlinger, L.A.

1962-08-01

A cable connecting a control rod in a reactor with a motor outside the reactor for moving the rod, and a helical conduit in the reactor wall, through which the cable passes are described. The helical shape of the conduit prevents the escape of certain harmful radiations from the reactor. (AEC)

40 CFR 63.1406 - Reactor batch process vent provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 11 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Reactor batch process vent provisions... § 63.1406 Reactor batch process vent provisions. (a) Emission standards. Owners or operators of reactor... reactor batch process vent located at a new affected source shall control organic HAP emissions by...

78 FR 73898 - Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-09

... Reactors AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Draft NUREG; request for comment. SUMMARY: The U.S..., Revision 10, ``Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors.'' DATES: Submit comments [email protected] . Both of the Office of New Reactors; or Timothy Kolb, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U...