Key findings from the Illinois Powerplant Productivity Improvement Study are: (1) the historic performance (equivalent availability) of large generating units in Illinois is below national average performance; (2) cost-effective opportunities to improve performance exist, and utilities pursue many of these; (3) there are no strong regulatory disincentives to the undertaking of productivity improvement projects, but no strong incentives either; (4) current utility practices, procedures, and management philosophy toward improved productivity are being strengthened; (5) areas in which immediate attention is warranted include application of reliability engineering tools to the analysis of powerplant availability and more vigorous pursuit of opportunities for performance improvements; (6) DOE systematic methodology for analysis of productivity improvement projects was demonstrated at three units and found to be useful; (7) the potential for improved productivity was estimated to be of the order of 2% in planned and forced outage rates; (8) if a 5% improvement were to be attained, cumulative (through 1990) constant-dollar benefits would be approximately $500 million; (9) formula regulatory incentive mechanisms are presently in a developmental or experimental phase, but adoption by the State of Illinois does not appear warranted at this time; and (10) the Illinois Commerce Commission can encourage improved productivity by …

Computer simulation of the three-dimensional temperature history in a multipass filled weldment was attempted by modifying a transient heat transfer code, HEATING5. The model includes temperature-dependent physical parameters, radiation and convection heat losses, turbulent and laminar convection in the molten pool, and variable arc velocity, intensity, and weld geometry. The model requires approximately 28 CPU min to simulate one second of welding. 15 figures, 8 tables.

This final report summarizes the effort and presents the results of a Phase II fabrication effort to build an industrial prototype of the LBL developed high energy neutral beam source. The effort was primarily concentrated on incorporating hard vacuum dielectric seals and a ceramic high voltage accelerator insulator. Several other design changes were incorporated for cost, reliability or life improvements to include: (1) accelerator grid locating dowel pins to aid final alignment, (2) plasma source to accelerator captive fasteners to aid filament replacement during source maintenance, (3) molybdenum cooling tubes on all accelerator grids, (4) additional fasteners in the plasma generator to facilitate hard seals, (5) modified suppressor grid rails and holders to simplify final grid alignment, (6) adjusting screws on exit grid rail holders to simplify final grid alignment, (7) addition of adjusting screws to the grid end pieces to simplify alignment, and (8) addition of accelerator hat shims to allow two different grid positioning locations.

Objective is to determine the fracture toughness of A533B-1 steel by computer modeling Charpy V-notch tests. A computer model of ductile fracture was developed that predicts fracture initiation. The model contains a set of material-dependent parameters obtained by computer simulations of small specimen tests. The computer calculations give detailed stress and strain histories up to the time of fracture, which are used to determine the model parameter values. The calibrated fracture model, that correctly predicts fracture initiation (and initiation energy) in the Charpy specimen, may then be used to simulate tests of accepted fracture-toughness specimens and hence obtain fracture toughness. The model parameters were calibrated to predict fracture in four different test specimens: two different notched-tension specimens, a simple tension specimen, and a precracked compact-tension specimen. The model was then used in a computer simulation of the Charpy V-notch specimen to initiate and advance a flat fracture. Results were compared with interrupted Charpy tests. Calibration of the model for two additional heat treatments of A533B-1 steel is in progress.

The Environmental Science Division at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has in use a system of absolute Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Basically, absolute INAA is dependent upon the absolute measurement of the disintegration rates of the nuclides produced by neutron capture. From such disintegration rate data, the amount of the target element present in the irradiated sample is calculated by dividing the observed disintegration rate for each nuclide by the expected value for the disintegration rate per microgram of the target element that produced the nuclide. In absolute INAA, the expected value for disintegration rate per microgram is calculated from nuclear parameters and from measured values of both thermal and epithermal neutron fluxes which were present during irradiation. Absolute INAA does not depend on the concurrent irradiation of elemental standards but does depend on the values for thermal and epithermal neutron capture cross-sections for the target nuclides. A description of the analytical method is presented.

The first on-line operation of the Princeton electron spectrometer was achieved and its capability for fast life time measurements demonstrated. The first operation of the heavy ion source was achieved and beams of 75 meV /sup 12/C/sup +4/ ions and 37 MeV /sup 6/Li/sup +2/ ions demonstrated. The capability of the isotope separator to provide pure mass separated samples of radioisotopes is being utilized for three different applications. The very weak electron capture branch of 19-s krypton 81m to bromine 81 was studied. This transition probability is of crucial importance for a possible solar neutrino detection method based on natural bromine. Lead 202 has been prepared and mass separated for optical hyperfine spectroscopic studies. The isotope shift shift which measures the second moment, < r/sup 2/ >, of the nuclear charge indicates the more neutron deficient lead isotopes are becoming increasingly soft toward nuclear deformation.

Chemical segregation of alloying elements, can be a severe problem in complex alloys. Many problems have been experienced with developing fabrication processes for JBK-75 and it is suggested that these difficulties may be related in part to the degree of chemical heterogeneity that exists in the alloy. Early testing and qualification of the alloy was made on relatively homogeneous samples, which came from small diameter ingots. In large size ingots used for production, it is more difficult to achieve a uniform distribution of alloying elements in the product; resulting in greater variability of alloy properties which are difficult to explain. Extensive microprobe measurements were made on samples of JBK-75 bar stock from several different production size ingots. It was found that segregation of titanium is a common occurrence. Titanium banding can be controlled by ingot melting rate and homogenization of ingot or intermediate product. A model for titanium diffusion shows that homogenizing at the ingot stage is ineffectual with respect to the spacing measured. However, homogenizing 20.3-cm diameter intermediate product, where band spacing is reduced, will significantly reduce segregation. The effect of segregation on tensile properties is discussed. Segregation may have a significant influence on forgeability of JBK-75. Forgeability tests …

To confirm the potentially greater thermodynamic efficiency of hydrogasification, a study was made of carbon conversion and resulting thermal efficiency of methane production via hydrogasification as compared to gasification/methanation. The alternative systems were first compared on an ideal process basis. This approach neglects limitations imposed by the thermodynamics and kinetics of the various chemical reactions and indicates maximum potential conversion of coal to methane. These results were then compared with similar data for commercial plant designs developed for each of the processes that take into account system inefficiencies and thermodynamic restraints. Ideally, carbon conversions of 20 to 30% higher than given by gasification/methanation can be achieved by hydrogasification, resulting in 20 to 30% higher thermal efficiencies. Unfortunately, the full extent of this advantage is not realized because the carbon-hydrogen-methane reaction equilibrium is not favorable to high methane concentrations at the high temperatures required for gasification of coal in a single stage process. This limitation is overcome by the use of a large excess of hydrogen, which favors increased carbon conversion within the required gasification temperature range but reduces thermal efficiency. A comparison of both the cold gas (methane production only) and overall (methane plus byproducts) thermal efficiencies for the conceptual …

A survey to identify numerical control postprocessors available at Department of Energy facilities is reported. The data are presented in the body of the report under the postprocessor identification. Information supplied includes the vendor name and address, the N/C and postprocessor languages, the machine tools and control unit supported, the computers used, and the identification of the DOE installation. The body of the report is followed by five indexes permitting users to refer to the postprocessor data by product number, DOE installation, machine tool, control unit, or computer. (RWR)

This detailed report on Lawrence Livermore Laboratory's control program to minimize beryllium levels in Laboratory workplaces includes an outline of beryllium surface, soil, and air levels and an 11-y summary of sampling results from two high-use, high-explosive test firing bunkers. These sampling data and other studies demonstrate that the beryllium control program is funcioning effectively.

The sphere-cylinder method of using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to measure the magnetic susceptibility of diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials has been generalized to the disk-cylinder method. A two-fold increase in sensitivity was obtained. Accuracies of 0.1% of the diamagnetism of water should be readily obtainable.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, John L. Hill, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether certain materials constitute oil field equipment for purposes of article 911b, section 1(i), V.T.C.S.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, John L. Hill, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether counties may purchase Nonassessable Reciprocal Interinsurance Contracts.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, John L. Hill, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether has magistrate who conducts a detention hearing in accordance with section 51.04 Family Code, must be a licensed attorney.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, John L. Hill, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Authority of Board of Park Commissioners and Commissions Court to regulate roads and rivers in bordering parks.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Mark White, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether V.T.C.S. article 3912k applies to the county judge.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Mark White, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether article 4413(29aa), V.T.C.S., applies to persons appointed to fill vacated office of sheriff.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Mark White, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Filing of a death certificate attached to an affadavit of heirship with the county clerk.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Crawford Martin, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Should the Secretary of State administratively reinstate, under Article 12.17, Title 122A, Tax-Gen., V. C. S., a trust company formed under Article 1302, subsection 49, or Article 1303(b), V. C. S., without proof that the corporation has compiled with Article 1513a, V. C. S., and especially whether the corporation is authorized to have and does have a fully paid-is capital of not less than $500,000.00?

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Crawford Martin, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Date to be used in prorating and collecting ad valorem taxes due under Article 7151, Section 2, V. C. S., as amended.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Crawford Martin, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether a private club permittee located in a dry area, which private club also holds a beverage cartage permit, may purchase beer from a beer distributor of the type provided for in Article 667-3, (b), (c), and (d), V.P.C., at the premises of such distributor and transport such beer to its own premises.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Crawford Martin, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether the inclusion of a presidential preferential question on the official primary election ballots of the political parties in Tarrant County would result in invalidation of the official ballots as to the other races on the ballot.