Unconventional Nuclear Warfare Defense (UNWD) containment and mitigation subtask.

Abstract

The objective of this subtask of the Unconventional Nuclear Warfare Design project was to demonstrate mitigation technologies for radiological material dispersal and to assist planners with incorporation of the technologies into a concept of operations.The High Consequence Assessment and Technology department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has studied aqueous foam's ability to mitigate the effects of an explosively disseminated radiological dispersal device (RDD). These benefits include particle capture of respirable radiological particles, attenuation of blast overpressure, and reduction of plume buoyancy. To better convey the aqueous foam attributes, SNL conducted a study using the Explosive Release Atmospheric Dispersion model, comparing the effects of a mitigated and unmitigated explosive RDD release. Results from this study compared health effects and land contamination between the two scenarios in terms of distances of effect, population exposure, and remediation costs.Incorporating aqueous foam technology, SNL created a conceptual design for a stationary containment area to be located at a facility entrance with equipment that could minimize the effects from the detonation of a vehicle transported RDD. The containment design was evaluated against several criteria, including mitigation ability (both respirable and large fragment particle capture as well as blast overpressure suppression), speed of implementation, cost, simplicity, and required space. A mock-up of the conceptual idea was constructed at SNL's 9920 explosive test site to demonstrate the containment design.-4- AcknowledgmentPaul Johnson, Mark Naro, and Weldon Teague from Sandia National Laboratories were an integral part of the development team. Without their hard work, we would not have had the mock-ups necessary to demonstrate our design ideas.

Blast Suppression Foam, Aqueous Gel Blocks, and their Effect on Subsequent Analysis of Forensic Evidence*

“…Decontamination of the site may be exceedingly costly and lengthy (1,2,4–6). Simulations comparing unmitigated and mitigated release of 10 kg of weapons‐grade plutonium, requiring mitigation of 9 km 2 of land v. only the immediate area, respectively, reflected a remediation cost differential of approximately a 100‐fold (7). In any case, the threat is real and dispersion of even a small amount of radioactive material by a “dirty bomb” would aptly serve the terrorist goals of inciting widespread fear and panic of the public, with long‐enduring negative economic effects (2,4,8–10).…”

“…In the mid-1980s, Sandia National Laboratories developed aqueous foams to address requirements for blast pressure reduction, fireball mitigation, particulate containment, and buoyant cloud suppression for response to an undetonated chemical, biological, or radiological dispersion device (7,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Such foams have been shown to capture more than 99% of the airborne particles that may be inhaled when released by the detonation of a RDD (7).…”

“…Conventional firefighting foams are unsuitable for this application. Their low shear strength precludes piling the foam, and the foam rapidly dissipates due to draining (7,13,16,17). Sandia engineered AFC-380 to hold water in the bubble matrix so that the foam remains stable for several hours (7,(11)(12)(13).…”

“…Their low shear strength precludes piling the foam, and the foam rapidly dissipates due to draining (7,13,16,17). Sandia engineered AFC-380 to hold water in the bubble matrix so that the foam remains stable for several hours (7,(11)(12)(13). The concentrate is mixed on site with water to a final concentration of 6% using a portable inline eductor that is common to nearly all fire departments for foam generation (17,18).…”

The use of fixatives for response to a radiation dispersal devise attack – a review of the current (2009) state-of-the-art

“…Foam is capable of capturing more than 99% of the airborne particles that may be inhaled when released by the detonation of a RDD device (Went, 2005). Foam may be used to fix contamination inside ducts, pipes, and other process equipment prior to size reduction.…”