The fabrication and testing phase of the program to develop a shingle-type solar cell module is well underway. Six modules are currently being subjected to a qualification testing program which consists of both thermal cycling and humidity exposures followed by a mechanical integrity test to simulate wind loads. Fabrication of the remainder of the 50 deliverable modules is proceeding.

The cyclone incinerator was operated throughout the past quarter, generating additional data on system characteristics, equipment life expectancies, and by-product generation. Several changes in the incinerator system are in various stages of completion. The lid assembly, secondary chamber, and expansion unit for the new exhaust equipment are nearly ready for installation. A new heat exchanger has been installed in the scrubber system. An ash handling system has been designed for possible future addition to the system. Continuing studies will determine the best delivery mechanism for continuously feeding the cyclone incinerator. Preliminary investigations are being conducted to select an independent system to treat incinerator scrubber solution for recycling and to remove salts and sludge for disposal. Metal samples of two possible materials for incinerator construction were examined for corrosion degradation suffered at the incinerator exhaust outlet. Controlled experiments were conducted on the pressed ash-cement pellet matrix to define compressive strength, mechanical stability, density, and effect of curing environment (wet cure and dry cure). Leachability studies were initiated on pressed sludge/cement matrix in distilled water at ambient temperature. Compressive strengths of sludge/cement pressed matrix samples were investigated. Physical and chemical attributes of incinerated ash were evaluated in relationship to the ash/cement matrix.

Eight mullite bodies of varied compositions and microstructures have been prepared and are being characterized. These compositions will be submersed in molten silicon to study the impurity and surface effects. These various mullite materials will be analyzed for use as substrates for Honeywell Contract No. 954356, silicon on ceramic program and for use as a container of molten silicon. Low cost processing methods are being developed and evaluated for manufacturing large mullite sheets and mullite containers. At present, a state-of-the-art roll compaction process has shown promising initial results for substrates. However, these 0.5mm x 10cm x 1m are extremely fragile. Slip casting or iso pressing are anticipated for containers.

Several nonlinear effects which limit Brillouin and Raman scatter of intense light in large underdense plasmas are examined. After briefly considering ion trapping and harmonic generation, we focus on the self-consistent ion heating which occurs as an integral part of the Brillouin scattering process. In the long-term nonlinear state, the ion wave amplitude is determined by damping on the heated ion tail which self-consistently forms. A simple model of the scatter is presented and compared with particle simulations. A similar model is also applied to Raman scatter and compared with simulations. Our calculations emphasize that modest tails on the electron distribution function can significantly limit instabilities involving electron plasma waves.

Experimental values for the kerma per unit fluence at the neutron energy, E/sub n/ = 15 MeV, have been determined for graphite, Mg, and Fe. Ion chambers of small size with walls of these materials were employed, and were filled with a variety of gases--N/sub 2/, CO/sub 2/, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe. A calibrated neutron source was employed, allowing a straightforward determination of the kerma per unit fluence.

Consider the problem of testing goodness-of-fit to a specified location-scale family when evidence is to be combined from several independent samples, from populations with possibly different location and scale parameters. The procedure studied is that of computing standardized residuals from each sample and then combining these into one set to be treated essentially as though they came from one sample. It is shown that the limiting distribution of any location-scale invariant goodness-of-fit statistic so applied is precisely the same as for the corresponding one-sample problem. 13 references.

On the basis of time-integrated emittance measurements, several different types of field emitter diodes were characterized at 1 to 3 kA, 1 MeV. These measurements were part of the design effort for the injector system of a linear induction accelerator, to be used as a flash x-ray source at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. The experimental parameters were the cathode type, the anode mesh texture, the diode spacing and voltage, and the level of collimation of the emerging beam. Experimental results are presented that show that over a wide range, the emittance was proportional to the level of collimation. For any one diode, with the spacing left fixed, the emittance was found to be essentially independent of the diode voltage and current. Differential focusing of different energy beam components affects most strongly the peripheral components of the beam, and strong collimation was found to minimize the effects of momentum spread on the emittance. The lowest emittances (30 to 40 mr-cm at 400 A) were obtained with a foil-type cathode in a ball-over-plane configuration, using an etched tungsten mesh anode, and collimating the beam to one quarter of the total current.

Energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis can be used for quantitative on-line monitoring of the product concentrations in single- or dual-element process streams in a reprocessing plant. The 122-keV gamma ray from /sup 57/Co is used to excite the K x-rays of uranium and/or plutonium in nitric acid solution streams. A collimated HPGe detector is used to measure the excited x-ray intensities. Net solution radioactivity may be measured by eclipsing the exciting radiation, or by measuring it simultaneously with a second detector. The technique is nondestructive and noninvasive, and is easily adapted directly to pipes containing the solution of interest. The dynamic range of the technique extends from below 1 to 500 g/l. Measurement times depend on concentration, but better than 1% counting statistics can be obtained in 100 s for 400 g/l concentrations, and in 1000 s for as little as 10 g/l. Calibration accuracies of 0.3% or better over the entire dynamic range can be achieved easily using carefully prepared standards. Computer-based analysis equipment allows concentration changes in flowing streams to be dynamically monitored. Changes in acid normality of the stream will affect the concentration determined, hence it must also be determined by measuring the intensity of a transmitted /sup …

Progress is reported on the following: well conditions; perforating and cementing; temperature-depth plot; slotted liner, well head and auxiliary equipment; well testing and analysis program; well monitoring during standby; environmental assessment; time schedule; and budgets. (MHR)

Gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements have been made on mixed uranium and plutonium oxides in sealed containers to determine the uranium and plutonium enrichment and isotopics. Experimental results obtained using two different methods were in good agreement with the known contents. The first method is applicable to thick samples of freshly reprocessed mixed oxide and determines isotopic abundances from measured absolute gamma-ray intensities. Measurement times depend on plutonium enrichment, but for mixed oxide enriched to 12% in plutonium, the fissionable content can be determined to better than 0.5% in 2 h. The second approach utilizes intensity ratios of selected pairs of gamma-rays to determine plutonium enrichment and uranium and plutonium isotopes. This method requires at least 12 h to determine the plutonium enrichment to an accuracy of 0.5%. However, it cannot be applied until the /sup 238/U daughter activities in the mixed oxide reach equilibrium, which requires at least 5 months after separation. Preliminary conclusions drawn from these two noninvasive and nondestructive measurement techniques, and recommendations for future experiments are discussed.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the corrosion behavior of a high strength steel (ASTM A416-74 grade 270), typical of those used as tensioning tendons in prestressed concrete pressure vessels, in several corrosive environments and to demonstrate the protection afforded by coating the steel with either of two commercial petroleum-base greases or Portland Cement grout. In addition, the few reported incidents of prestressing steel failures in concrete pressure vessels used for containment of nuclear reactors are reviewed. The susceptibility of the steel to stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement and its general corrosion rate were determined in several salt solutions. Wires coated with the greases and grout were soaked for long periods in the same solutions and changes in their mechanical properties were subsequently determined. All three coatings appeared to give essentially complete protection but small flaws in the grease coatings were detrimental; flaws or cracks less than 1 mm wide in the grout were without effect.

A filter fluorescer experiment has been installed and operated on the Argus laser system of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. X-ray spectra have been measured between 20 and 116 keV from laser produced plasmas. Three spectral cuts were made in this region (20 to 29, 47 to 61 and 80 to 116 keV) with an additional channel providing a measure of the high energy response (> 116 keV) of the third channel. We have measured x-ray spectra from laser shots of 600 to 900 J in 1 ns with intensities of 3 x 10/sup 14/ to 3 x 10/sup 15/ W/cm/sup 2/ incident on Au disks.

The TMX Supermodel is an attempt to synthesize all presently known experimental observations and theoretical scaling laws concerning particle and energy losses into a comprehensive zero-dimensional description of plasma confinement in the center cell and plugs of TMX. A list of important loss processes and physical effects included in the present state of evolution of the supermodel is given.

Using a pair of lasers near 6000 A, the J = 6 ground state is excited to a J = 6 intermediate level and then to a J = 5 upper state. Non-resonant fluorescences from both excited states are separately detected. Results of a set of model calculations are tabulated. Level 3 average populations are always very small, since the system decays rapidly into inaccessible metastable states. This means that chemistry experiments are difficult. The differences between parallel and perpendicular polarization are modest. The fluorescence dips converge to a value near 50%. The level 3 populations do not approach a common value. This means that the most reliable experimental measurement does not determine the level populations. The most striking changes appear in the last two, most exact, models. The difference between the models is that one includes, for the first time, the linear frequency chirp produced by the fanlike spread of the focussed laser beams. This seemingly innocuous change halves the population left in the ground state. It appears that analogues of adiabatic passage and adiabatic rapid passage respectively are being observed.

The FRS is a pool structure and enclosing building constructed in 1966 for storing spent nuclear fuel. The enclosing building was not analyzed. The pool structure's responses to operating loads, seismic excitation, and an accidentally dropped cask were determined. Locations in the FRS pool were identified where structural strength would be exceeded in the event of an earthquake of 0.2 g maximum ground acceleration or an accident in which a cask dropped from the maximum height of the crane hook used to maneuver it. 25 figures, 4 tables.

The Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) for the LOFT reactor may need to be disabled for modifications or repairs of hardware or instrumentation or for component testing during periods when the reactor system is hot and pressurized, or it may be desirable to enable the ECCS to be disabled without the necessity of cooling down and depressurizing the reactor. LTR 113-47 has shown that the LOFT ECCS can be safely bypassed or disabled when the total core power does not exceed 25 kW. A modified policy involves disabling the automatic actuation of the LOFT ECCS, but still retaining the manual activation capability. Disabling of the automatic actuation can be safely utilized, without subjecting the fuel cladding to unacceptable temperatures, when the LOFT power decays to 70 kW; this power level permits a maximum delay of 20 minutes following a LOCA for the manual actuation of ECCS.

The laboratory cyclone incinerator, which started operation in January, 1978, has been developed to study the effects of burning feed containing radionuclides other than /sup 238/Pu. These isotopes must be removed from the off-gas during incineration. Preliminary data from early runs show that the combustion efficiency of the incinerator can still be improved. Controlled experiments were conducted on the pressed ash-cement pellet matrix to define compressive strength, mechanical stability, density, and effect of curing environment (wet cure and dry cure). Leachability studies were initiated on pressed sludge/cement matrix in distilled water at ambient temperature. Compressive strengths of sludge/cement pressed matrix samples were investigated. Physical and chemical attributes of incinerated ash were evaluated in relationship to the ash/cement matrix. 7 figs., 6 tables.

Lawrence Livermore Laboratory is conducting a safeguards program for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The goal of the Material Control Project of this program is to evaluate material control and accounting (MCA) methods in plants that handle special nuclear material (SNM). To this end we designed and implemented the dynamic chemical plant simulation program DYNSYL. This program can be used to generate process data or to provide estimates of process performance; it simulates both steady-state and dynamic behavior. The MCA methods that may have to be evaluated range from sophisticated on-line material trackers such as Kalman filter estimators, to relatively simple material balance procedures. This report describes the overall structure of DYNSYL and includes some example problems. The code is still in the experimental stage and revision is continuing.

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.

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.

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.