The scope of this project was to develop and apply analytical techniques for the characterization of coal conversion products. Solvent-refined coal served as the coal-derived material for the duration of the study. The investigation has focused primarily in the areas of separations and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Highlights of the twenty-eight month study are listed and followed by a brief synopsis of the major findings.

It has been difficult to obtain stable experimental slurries of coal or solvent-refined coal for testing in diesel engines. Attempts to burn the 40 percent by weight raw coal-fuel oil slurry were hampered from the outset. First the transfer pump would not deliver the slurry to the injection pump. This problem was overcome by raising the slurry storage tank to increase the positive head on the pump inlet. With the engine running on the slurry blow-by of gases into the crank case increased considerably; the engine ran erratically; and when operating under its own power produced approximately 20 percent of what was expected. Thus, the test was ended after one hour of operation instead of ten hours as was the case with the 20 and 32 percent slurries. The immediate loss of power is thought to be a result of poor penetration, dispersion, and atomization of the injected fuel. A request to revise the scope of the work so that an investigation of this power loss can replace the work required to operate on the 40 percent slurries has been submitted. Inspection of this test engine indicates wear occurs at an excessive rate, although thermodynamic changes are not drastic with …

This test program was undertaken to further the understanding of vortex shedding patterns to be experienced by the OTEC Cold Water pipe. The present series of tests was planned to incorporate improvements in design of the previously used test model and data gathering capability in order to achieve certain results which the previous program was unable to achieve. Specifically, three goals were envisioned: (1) determination of eddy shedding correlation lengths as a function of upstream shear. Improved endplate design and larger aspect ratio were the chief steps taken toward attaining this objective. (2) Determination of minimum shear level producing cellular shedding patterns. A wider range of upstream velocity shears was to be tested than in any previous study. (3) Detailed analysis of the effect of roughness on shedding patterns. A very smooth cylinder was to be tested under the same conditions as a roughened cylinder, and the two sets of results compared. Two weeks of wind tunnel testing were scheduled to perform the tests. The first week was allotted to the roughened cylinder, and the second week was devoted to examining the smooth cylinder. The experimental setup and procedures are described, and results are presented and discussed. (WHK)

Sputtered films have been formed with two improved composite (Si + CdAs/sub 2/) targets. Near stoichiometric and mechanically continuous CdSiAs/sub 2/ films have been formed on metal substrates. Films of this type will be used over the next reporting period for heterojunction formation. Evaporation studies related to CdAs/sub 2/ have been completed. Stoichiometric CdAs/sub 2/ films could not be formed by means of single-source evaporation of CdAs/sub 2/ bulk. Hence, this dual source approach (Si + CdAs/sub 2/) does not appear feasible with the techniques used thus far. Electron beam microprobe elemental analysis has been improved by changing from a GaAs standard to one of SiAs. The latter standard is more directly applicable to the compounds being measured. Accuracy of elemental composition measurements by means of the microprobe are estimated to be about +- 0.1 atomic percent. A CdS/CdSiAs/sub 2/ junction was formed on bulk CdSiAs/sub 2/. This junction gives a good diode curve (no shunting or series resistance problems), although very poor photovoltaic response. Heterojunction formation and gridding procedure have been established.

Near stoichiometric bulk polycrystalline CdSiAs/sub 2/ has been synthesized by two techniques: (1) direct fusion of the elements and (2) direct fusion of the binaries SiAs, Cd/sub 3/As/sub 2/ and CdAs/sub 2/. The latter technique resulted in denser ternary material with good homogeneity. The above binaries melt congruently and were also formed by direct fusion. Sputtered ternary films were formed using a bulk CdSiAs/sub 2/ target, and a composite target of CdAs/sub 2/ discs in a Si plate. Composition of the CdSiAS/sub 2/ target changed with sputtering time. Amorphous films deposited from that target were heat treated, and became crystalline and near stoichiometric but with poor mechanical properties. It appears that films deposited from the composite target (Si + CdAs/sub 2/) can be adjusted to stoichiometry by means of sputtering power and target geometry. As deposited, these films also were amorphous. With respect to evaporated films, the study of thermal decomposition of CdSiAs/sub 2/ in vacuum was completed. The decomposition is preferential toward Cd between 570/sup 0/ and 710/sup 0/C, and toward As in the 710 to 1010/sup 0/C range. It is concluded that evaporation of the ternary is not a suitable method for forming CdSiAs/sub 2/ films. Plans for …

This bibliography contains more than 1400 references dealing with field and laboratory research on potential toxicities and disturbances known or postulated to be caused by pollutants found in coal mine effluents. The first of the three sections into which the bibliography is divided contains a select list of published bibliographies and literature reviews. In the second section are references on mine drainage studies, general references on environmental pollutants, and references dealing with two or more specific parameters. The third section includes references for 40 parameters under individual parameter headings. The multi parameter references in the second section are therefore also listed in the third section under individual headings. An author index is also provided.

The current status and coordination of efforts related to the eighteen environmental studies identified for the Geysers-Calistoga KGRA are reported. (MHR)

None

The borehole WIPP-13 was drilled in the SW 1/4 section 17, T22S, R31E of eastern Eddy County during July and August, 1978, to investigate the nature of a resistivity anomaly. The stratigraphic section was normal, consisting of 13 feet of Quaternary deposits (including artificial fill for drill pad), 53 feet of the Triassic Santa Rosa Sandstone, 451 feet of Dewey Lake Red Beds, 269 feet of the Rustler Formation and 179 feet of the upper member of the Salado Formation. Consecutive cores were taken from 570 to 595, 656 to 729, and 827 to 878 feet. Cuttings were collected at 10-foot intervals throughout the rest of the hole. Geophysical logs were run to aid in interpretation of the stratigraphy. The WIPP is to demonstrate (through limited operations) disposal technology for transuranic (TRU) defense wastes. Eventual conversion of the facility to a repository for TRU defense wastes is anticipated. The WIPP will also provide research facilities for interactions between high-level waste and salt.

Wind Energy Information has been prepared to provide researchers, designers, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and users of wind energy conversion systems with easy access to technical information. This directory lists organizations and publications which have the main objective of promoting the use of wind energy conversion systems, some organizations that can respond to requests for information on wind energy or make referrals to other sources of information, and some publications that occasionally include information on wind energy. The bibliography contains references to information for both the neophyte and the expert.

The purpose of the Insolation Resource Assessment Program is to collect, standardize, certify, process,, and archive geophysical data for solar energy applications. The principal solar parameters to be measured are global, direct, diffuse and total radiation on an inclined surface. The measurement of the spectral distribution of solar radiation is also important to the development of several technologies. The aim of many of the completed, current, and planned projects presented in the IRAP Plan is to improve solar data collection methods and procedures and to refine solar radiation forecasting capabilities.

This report is organized as follows. Discussions are given of three of the most important data compression methods that have been developed and studied over the years: coding, transforms, and redundancy reduction. (A brief discussion of how to combine and synthesize these ideas, and others, into a system is given). Specific ideas for compressing MFTF diagnostics and control data are developed. Listings and instructions for using FORTRAN programs that were compiled on the Livermore MFTF computers during the course of the study are also given.

The authors continued seeking the source of electrons for the Calvin cycle in bundle sheath chloroplasts of C/sub 4/ plants using corn or spinach leaves that are free from mesophyll but still retain their photochemical activity. Results indicate that cross transfer of electrons between photosynthetic chains occurs both upstream with plastoquinone and downstream with cytochrome f. (PCS)

The endochronic viscoplasticity model is presented, and the criteria for general problem analyses are discussed. Two approaches are then developed for inclusion of this model in nonlinear finite element codes. One approach includes reformulating the stiffness matrix for solution by iteration, and the other approach does not. Also, the uniaxial tension problem is studied, and the problems encountered with the use of this model are stated. Finally, recommendations are presented to check the basic postulates used to develop this model.

WIPP 25 was drilled on the eastern edge of Nash Draw (SW 1/4, Sec. 15, T22S, R30E) in Eddy County, New Mexico, to determine subsurface stratigraphy and examine dissolution features above undisturbed salt in the Salado Formation. Determination of dissolution rates will refine previous estimates and provide short-term (geologically) rates for WIPP risk assessments. The borehole encountered, from top to bottom, Pleistocene sediments (17 ft with fill material for pad), Dewey Lake Red Beds (215 ft, Rustler Formation (333 ft, and 90 ft of the upper Salado Formation. A dissolution residue, 37 ft thick, is at the top of the Salado Formation overlying halite-rich beds. In addition to obtaining nearly continuous core from the surface to total depth (655 ft, geophysical logs were taken to measure acoustic velocities, density, radioactivity, and formation resistivity. An interpretive report on dissolution in Nash Draw will be based on combined borehole basin data, surface mapping, and laboratory analyses of Nash Draw rocks and fluids. The WIPP is to demonstrate (through limited operations) disposal technology for transuranic defense wastes and to then be converted to a repository. The WIPP will also provide research facilities for interactions between high-level waste and salt.

Progress to date in the development of a study of the application of the technologies of mechanical vapor recompression and falling film evaporators as applied to the beet sugar industry is reported. Progress is reported in the following areas: technical literature search and plant visitations of existing applications of VR/FFE.

Areas of research and development judged to be crucial for establishing a biotechnology of biomass processing are identified. Two general avenues are recommended for R and D: (1) in the near term, revival of the older fermentation technology and improvement of processing efficiencies; and (2) in the longer term, the development of novel biotechnological processes, such as for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals. Recommended R and D ranges from work in moleular genetics to biochemical engineering aspects of plant design. It is recommended that the R and D strategy be designed as an integration of three disciplines: biochemical engineering, microbial genetics, and biochemistry. Applcations of gene-transfer methodology and developments in continuous fermentation should be pursued. Currently, economic incentive for the use of biological conversion processes for producing fuels and chemical feedstocks from biomass is marginal. But as the imported fraction of US oil supply grows and hydrocarbon costs mount, the market is beginning to motivate a quest for substitutes. The commercial potential for biotechnology for establishing a renewable resources chemicals industry appears similar to the potential of the computer and microelectronics field several decades ago.

The City of El Centro is proposing the development of a geothermal energy utility core field experiment to demonstrate the engineering and economic feasibility of utilizing moderate temperature geothermal heat, on a pilot scale, for space cooling, space heating, and domestic hot water. The proposed facility is located on part of a 2.48 acre (1 hectare) parcel owned in fee by the City in the southeastern sector of El Centro in Imperial County, California. Geothermal fluid at an anticipated temperature of about 250/sup 0/F (121/sup 0/C) will heat a secondary fluid (water) which will be utilized directly or processed through an absorption chiller, to provide space conditioning and water heating for the El Centro Community Center, a public recreational facility located approximately one-half mile north of the proposed well site. The geothermal production well will be drilled to 8500 feet (2590m) and an injection well to 4000 feet (1220m) at the industrially designated City property. Once all relevant permits are obtained it is estimated that site preparation, facility construction, the completion and testing of both wells would be finished in approximately 26 weeks. The environmental impacts are described.

The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) is one set of environmental legislation that might constrain the commercialization of coal conversion plants. This paper examines the potential impacts of TSCA on coal conversion using the Solvent-Refined Coal (SRC-II) process of coal liqudfaction as representative of emerging conversion technologies. The key element in any assessment of the impact of TSCA on the SRC-II coal liquefaction process is an assessment of the potential hazard to human health and the environment posed by the SRC-II products and by-products. Our analysis shows that many SRC-II products and by-products may be considered hazardous in that they are reported to contain appreciable amounts of naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, alkyl benezenes, and other aromatic hydrocarbon compounds. Table E-I illustrates some of the possible constraints that the implementation of TSCA might impose on the commercialization of SRC-II or other coal liquefaction processes. Although the table indicates that TSCA may place many constraints on the SRC-II process, these constraints will probably not pose a substantial hindrance to commercialization prospects. Detailed studies must be conducted to determine the actual economic impacts of TSCA implementation before an accurate assessment of the ultimate impact on SRC-II commercialization can be determined.

The purpose of this research was to analyze national television news coverage of nuclear power, coal power, and solar power issues to help gain an understanding about the information being presented about energy technologies that has been shaping public attitudes. ABC, CBS, and NBC news broadcasts from 1972 through 1977 were analyzed. A summary of the findings is presented.

The case study of the cogeneration operation at the Celanese Fibers Company plant (Celriver) at Rock Hill, South Carolina is described. The Celriver plant is described and how its onsite electric generation evolved to its current state and the cogeneration plant are discussed. An evaluation of the energy use and economics of the cogeneration operation are provided. The evaluation is performed by comparing the economics and energy use characteristics of onsite cogenerated electric power with those of electric utility provided power that would have been provided in the absence of onsite generation.

Liquid fuels can be produced from coal in a number of indirect and direct liquefaction processes. While indirect coal liquefaction has been proved commercially outside the United States, most attention in this country has focused on the direct liquefaction processes, which include the processes under examination in this report; namely, the Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS), the H-Coal, and the Solvent Refined Coal (SRC) II processes. The objectives of the study were to: compare the boiler fuels of direct coal liquefaction with residual fuel oil (No. 6 fuel oil) including physical characteristics and environmental hazards, such as carcinogenic characteristics and toxic hazard characteristics; determine whether a boiler fuel market would exist for the coal liquefaction products given their physical characteristics and potential environmental hazards; determine the advantages of utilizing methanol as a boiler fuel on a continuous basis in commercial boilers utilizing existing technology; identify the potential regional candidate markets for direct coal liquefaction products as liquid boiler fuels; determine the distributing and handling costs associated with marketing coal liquefaction products as liquid boiler fuels; determine the current regulatory issues associated with the marketing of coal liquefaction products as boiler fuels; and determine and evaluate other institutional issues associated with the …

The dynamics, structure, evolution, and genesis of the continents offer a major scientific challenge. At the same time, society faces many problems that require information about the continental crust for solution. A workshop on continental drilling for scientific purposes addressed the questions of how to maximize the scientific value of current and planned efforts of federal agencies and industry and how to supplement these efforts with holes drilled solely for scientific purpoes. Four panels addressed the scientific and associated societal problems relating to basement structures and deep continental basins, thermal regimes, mineral resources, and earthuqakes. These panels identified the main problems in each area that could be solved by information obtained from drill holes. A fifth panel considered needs for technological developments. The importance of a communications and coordinating mechanism to maximize the scientific results was noted. To this end, a Continental Scientific Drilling Program is outlined, including two advisory and guiding committees, one concerned with scientific objectives, the other with operations. (RWR)

The foregoing analysis indicates that the proposed geothermal field experiment could result in several adverse environmental effects. Such effects would lie primarily in the areas of air quality, noise, aesthetics, land use, and water consumption. However, for the most part, mitigating measures have been, or easily could be, included in project plans to reduce these adverse effects to insignificant levels. Those aspects of the project which are not completely amenable to mitigation by any reasonable means include air quality, noise, aesthetics, land use and water use.