The reliability analysis of the Fast Flux Test Facility reactor shutdown system was reevaluated. Failure information based on five years of plant operating experience was used to verify original reliability numbers or to establish new ones. Also, system modifications made subsequent to performance of the original analysis were incorporated into the reevaluation. Reliability calculations and sensitivity analyses were performed using a commercially available spreadsheet on a personal computer. The spreadsheet was configured so that future failures could be tracked and compared with expected failures. A number of recommendations resulted from the reevaluation including both increased and decreased surveillance intervals. All recommendations were based on meeting or exceeding existing reliability goals. Considerable cost savings will be incurred upon implementation of the recommendations.

A brief review is given of selected topics in the electromagnetic structure of nucleons and nuclei, including nucleon form factors from both quantum chromodynamics and electron scattering data, measurements of the deuteron and triton form factors, quasi-elastic scattering, and the EMC effect. 47 refs., 13 figs. (LEW)

This report presents the first evaluations of 5 algorithms for converting global horizontal and direct normal solar irradiance components to global irradiance on tilted surfaces using measurements from the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (SRRL) at SERI. High resolution (15-min) measurements from 8 thermopile radiometers oriented vertically in the 4 cardinal directions were available for a 169-day period ending 31 December 1984. Concurrent measurements of global horizontal and direct normal solar irradiance components were also used. The pyranometers used were intercompared on horizontal, north-facing, and south-facing vertical orientations. The conversion algorithms each attempt to account for the very complex atmospheric interactions with incoming solar radiation. The sky and ground radiance contributions to tilted surface are assumed to be isotropic, anisotropic, or a combination of the two depending on the algorithm. Results from the analysis of measurements on vertical surfaces for 22 July through 4 September indicate a general overestimate (18% to 46.5%) of solar irradiance on north-facing surfaces by all 5 of the algorithms. The best agreement with measured data was demonstrated for south-facing surfaces where all but one algorithm were within the present measurement by as much as 23% of the observed 15-min data.

The first in-depth investigation of surface modification of materials by continuous, high-flux argon plasma bombardment under simultaneous erosion and redeposition conditions have been carried out for copper and 304 stainless steel using the PISCES facility. The plasma bombardment conditions are: incident ion flux range from 10/sup 17/ to 10/sup 19/ ions sec/sup -1/cm/sup -2/, total ion fluence is controlled between 10/sup 19/ and 10/sup 22/ ions cm/sup -2/, electron temperature range from 5 to 15 eV, and plasma density range from 10/sup 11/ to 10/sup 13/cm/sup -3/. The incident ion energy is 100 eV. The sample temperature is between 300 and 700K. Under redeposition dominated conditions, the material erosion rate due to the plasma bombardment is significantly smaller (by a factor up to 10) than that can be expected from the classical ion beam sputtering yield data. It is found that surface morphologies of redeposited materials strongly depend on the plasma bombardment condition. The effect of impurities on surface morphology is elucidated in detail. First-order modelings are implemented to interpret the reduced erosion rate and the surface evolution. Also, fusion related surface properties of redeposited materials such as hydrogen reemission and plasma driven permeation have been characterized.

The extent of predation on juvenile salmonids in John Day Reservoir was determined. Salmonids were the single most important food item by weight for northern squawfish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) in the restricted zones at McNary tailrace and John Day forebay during all sampling periods. Salmonids accounted for 18.1% of the weight in the diet of walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) in 1984 which was at least twice that found in previous years. In smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) salmonids contributed little to their diet whereas for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fish accounted for 64.1% of the weight in their diet with salmonids responsible for approximately half of this weight. An intensive search of the fisheries literature was conducted to review various fish capture and control techniques which might have potential as predation control measures for the major predators of juvenile salmonids in the Columbia River system. Most prey protection measures were judged to have high potential and direct predator control measures were judged to have moderate or low potential.