GeothermEx, Inc. was asked by Earth Power Corporation in October 1977 to perform a photogeologic study of the Baltazor and McGee geothermal prospects, northern Humboldt County, Nevada and southern Harney County, Oregon (figure 1), as a means of evaluating the geothermal reservoir and heat source at these prospects. Work began in October and was completed in December 1977. It included a brief field reconnaissance, to clarify particular points. This report summarizes findings and offers interpretations of structural features, stratigraphy, recent tectonic events, and subsurface conditions.

A common and persistent problem in modern instrumentation is the observation and recording of small signal waveforms that are removed from ground by very high voltages. Examples of this are the instrumentation of neutral particle injectors used in controlled thermonuclear research and the construction of safety breaks for air core toroidal devices. To overcome this problem a very high voltage isolation amplifier was designed. It employs analog-to-digital conversion with serial data transmission on a fiber optic cable.

This status report includes brief reports on measurements and calculations of quantities for nuclear data applications and data for reactor safety. Separate abstracts were prepared for those items with a significant amount of data. (RWR)

Estimations are made for X-ray generation from the accelerator column of various neutral beam injectors. For the case of deuterium beam operation where 2.5-MeV D-D neutrons pose a serious health physics concern, neutron and tritium production rates from beam targets are calculated for different beam energies. Biological doses from these radiations and shielding requirements are discussed.

Anion exchange distributions of 58 elements have been measured from 0.1-8.7M HBr and from 0.1-7.4M HI onto three strong-base resins, 8 and 4% cross-linked and macroporous. Data were obtained by 16- to 18-h dynamic batch contacts. Anion exchange in these media is compared to that in HCl. The effect of resin cross-linkage is considerably greater in HI media than in HBr and HCl media. Examples are presented of potentially useful separations using HBr and HI media alone and in combination with HCl.

A nuclear data library was created for medium-energy-neutron-transport calculations. The 60-group library includes P/sub 5/ cross sections in standard LASL format for H, B, C, N, O, Si, Fe, and W. The 60-group structure was chosen from a sensitivity analysis of a thick iron shield calculated with a 50-MeV deuteron-on-beryllium neutron source spectrum and a 121-group cross-section set. The library combines processed ENDF/B-IV cross-section data below 20 MeV and higher-energy cross-section parameters calculated with the intranuclear-cascade and evaporation model. A 6-group version of the library is used in the design of a shield-collimator unit for fast-neutron radiotherapy. While the shield is specific for the 50-MeV d/sup +/--Be neutron source presently used in cancer therapy at Texas A and M University, the cross sections and methods developed are applicable to the problems of medium-energy-neutron shielding in general. 28 figures, 21 tables, 132 references.

Separate abstracts were prepared for 68 sections of this report that discuss the health hazards associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, fossil fuel cycle, oil shale processing, and biomagnetic effects associated with fusion. A list is included of 52 publications during the time period covered by this report.

From introduction: The purpose of this report is to describe low-flow characteristics of streams in the lower Wisconsin River basin where streamflow data have been collected and to present equations for estimating low-flow characteristics and ungaged sites.

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Charge exchange within accelerating grids in neutral beam systems produces parasitic beam components which degrade the performance of the systems. These components also change the plasma confinement properties at the target. This note discusses parasitic beams produced in three types of grid systems: (1) TFTR/MFTF sources, (2) accel-decel grids for low energy beams, and (3) the JSC negative ion system.

In accordance with ASME Code, Section III requirements, all analyses of Class I components must be independently reviewed. Since the LOFT blowdown loop piping up through the blowdown valve is a Class I piping system, the thermal analyses are reviewed. The Thermal Analysis Branch comments to this review are also included. It is the opinion of the Thermal Analysis Branch that these comments satisfy all of the reviewers questions and that the analyses should stand as is, without additional considerations in meeting the ASME Code requirements and ANC Specification 60139.

The LOFT Emergency Core Coolant Piping Thermal Analysis was checked to insure that the calculations made would conservatively satisfy the requirements in the LOFT technical specifications. Some of the boundary conditions used have not been shown to be conservative and require review and possible re-analysis. One of the thermal models used could not be clearly related to a specific part of the piping geometry and requires further explanation. The remainder of the models, the use of the SIMIR code and the other boundary conditions appear conservative and reflect normal thermal analysis methodology and practice. However, the use of constant, rather than temperature varying, thermal properties for some materials may introduce a slight error in these analyses.

The only significant effect of the National Energy Plan (NEP) on solid waste management in electric utilities will be to shift the regional distribution of impacts. Nationally, NEP may result in an increase of ash by 1 percent, and a decrease in the scrubber sludge disposal area requirement by up to 10 percent. Using current technology for fixation of scrubber sludge, ultimate disposal by landfill, and subsequent revegetation, utilities can provide environmentally acceptable methods of scrubber sludge disposal at a small fraction of the total cost of FGD system installation and operation. A significant fraction of coal using industries will use FGD systems that produce liquid effluents rather than sludge residuals, with discharge to municipal sewage systems or to water bodies. This will increase dissolved solids concentrations in the receiving waters, but at concentrations that are not expected to be of environmental concern except in the arid regions of the west. Because of the significant cost of sludge transportation, industries that have inadequate land for on-site disposal may incur significant cost penalities for sludge disposal, in addition to facing opposition at the local level to the use of regional or municipal disposal facilities. In contrast to the utility sector, the …

The stress analysis is presented for the proposed loop seal modification to the LOFT Steam Generator Main Feed Piping. THE SAP IV finite element computer program was used to analyze normal, upset, emergency, and faulted conditions. Results of the analysis indicate that the modified main feed piping system will satisfy all structural adequacy criteria specified in Subarticle NC-3650 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Results also show that the isolation snubber configuration, specified in LTR 115-11, will also be adequate for the piping configuration analyzed.

The environmental control technology proposed in the various oil shale projects which are under development are examined. The technologies for control of air pollution, water pollution, and for the disposal, stabilization, and vegetation of the processed shale were thoroughly investigated. Although some difficulties may be encountered in any of these undertakings, it seems clear that the air and water pollution problems can be solved to meet any applicable standard. There are no published national standards against which to judge the stabilization and vegetation of the processed shale. However, based on the goal of producing an environmentally and aesthetically acceptable finished processed shale pile, it seems probable that this can be accomplished. It is concluded that the environmental control technology is available to meet all current legal requirements. This was not the case before Colorado changed their applicable Air Pollution regulations in August of 1977; the previous ones for the oil shale region were sufficiently stringent to have caused a problem for the current stage of oil shale development. Similarly, the federal air-quality, non-deterioration regulations could be interpreted in the future in ways which would be difficult for the oil shale industry to comply with. The Utah water-quality, non-deterioration regulations could …

This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to provide the environmental input into the Division of Geothermal Energy's decisions to expand the geothermal well testing activities to include sites in the Frio Formation of Texas and Louisiana. It is proposed that drilling rigs be leased before they are removed from sites in the formation where drilling for gas or oil exploration has been unsuccessful and that the rigs be used to complete the drilling into the geopressured zone for resource exploration. This EA addresses, on a regional basis, the expected activities, affected environment, and the possible impacts in a broad sense as they apply to the Gulf Coast well testing activity of the Geothermal Energy Geopressure Subprogram of the Department of Energy. Along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast (Plate 1 and Overlay, Atlas) water at high temperatures and high pressures is trapped within Gulf basin sediments. The water is confined within or below essentially impermeable shale sequences and carries most or all of the overburden pressure. Such zones are referred to as geopressured strata. These fluids and sediments are heated to abnormally high temperatures (up to 260 C) and may provide potential reservoirs for economical production of geothermal energy. …