The results are presented of a comprehensive systems study which assessed the engineering and economic feasibilities of the production of methanol from biomass utilizing existing technology. The three major components of the biomass to methanol system assessed are the availability of biomass feedstocks, the thermochemical conversion of biomass to methanol fuels, and the distribution and markets for methanol fuels. The results of this study show that methanol fuel can be produced from biomass using commercially available technology in the near term, and could be produced economically in significant quantities in the mid-to-late 1980's when advanced technology is available.

Detailed information is presented on the following: feasibility of biomass feedstocks for methanol production, biomass availability and costs, potential demand for methanol from biomass, comparison of potential methanol demand and supply, and market penetration assessment. (MHR)

Lockheed Ocean Systems with IMODCO prepared these preliminary designs for OTEC Stationkeeping Subsystems (SKSS) under contract to NOAA in support of the Department of Energy OTEC program. The results of Tasks III, V, and VI are presented in this design report. The report consists of five sections: introduction, preliminary designs for the multiple anchor leg (MAL) and tension anchor leg (TAL), costs and schedule, and conclusions. Extensive appendixes provide detailed descriptions of design methodology and include backup calculations and data to support the results presented. The objective of this effort is to complete the preliminary designs for the barge-MAL and Spar-TAL SKSS. A set of drawings is provided for each which show arrangements, configuration, component details, engineering description, and deployment plan. Loads analysis, performance assessment, and sensitivity to requirements are presented, together with the methodology employed to analyze the systems and to derive the results presented. Life cycle costs and schedule are prepared and compared on a common basis. Finally, recommendations for the Commercial Plant SKSS are presented for both platform types.

A coordinated research program in inverse problems was concluded. The program evolved from formulation to analytical solution to implemented computer algorithms. There were two main lines of research in this program: a velocity inversion method, with application to seismic exploration, and a physical optics inverse scattering method for reflector mapping, with application to nondestructive evaluation. In each case, computer algorithms based on the theoretical results were tested on real or testbed data from the area of the cited application. Research goals of both a theoretical and practical nature were achieved. 34 figures.

This Phase II Study of small solar power systems (SSPS) has been structured to determine conditions under which SSPS can be cost-effective sources of electric power in the US in the period 1985 to 2015. An extensive data base, which provides a discrete identification of all utility and industrial electric generating units up to and including 10 MW/sub e/ in rated capacity, has been prepared. This data base defines the market for which comparative evaluations are made of SSPS and alternative fossil-fueled power plants. The market penetration of SSPS is determined and the effect of economic incentives on accelerating the penetration is evaluated. The solar electric power system is evaluated as either a complete replacement for existing conventional electric power systems or as a repowering installation for boilers supplying steam to turbine-driven generators. The cost data used in the market penetration analysis are for a central receiver-type of small solar theral power system. While the market penetration discussed herein is for this type of SSPS, the sensitivity data in the report can be used to determine the market penetration of other types of solar thermal power systems (e.g., point focus distributed receiver) with different system costs.

Financial data from the analysis of investment strategies of US oil companies and the depth of their present and future investments in nonpetroleum energy sources are tabulated in these appendices. The nonpetroleum energy sources included in the study are: coal, oil shale, geothermal, and solar.

A comprehensive engineering system study was conducted to assess various thermochemical processes suitable for converting biomass to methanol. A summary of the conversion process study results is presented here, delineating the technical and economic feasibilities of producing methanol fuel from biomass utilizing the currently available technologies. (MHR)

The history and major accomplishments of the Effective Mass Spectrometer (EMS) are described. In the eight years since the EMS turned on, 21 experiments have been completed by groups from nine institutions in 32 months of operation. Over 400 million triggers have been recorded on magnetic tape, resulting in 29 journal publications to date. A list of experimental proposals for the EMS and a sampling of results are presented. 12 figures, 4 tables.

The purpose of this report is to analyze the investment strategies of US oil companies and the depth of their present and future investments in nonpetroleum energy sources. For purposes of this study, the nonpetroleum energy sources to be discussed are coal, uranium/nuclear, synthetics from coal, oil shale, geothermal, and solar. To gather necessary subjective data, the authors interviewed the managements of more than forty companies, the majority of which are directly involved in the production of various forms of energy. Others are substantial energy users. Interviews were also held with various federal and state regulatory agencies, with federal legislative groups, and with representatives of industry associations. These interviews were not intended to be a survey; their purpose was rather to explore the perceptions of petroleum company managements concerning nonpetroleum energy sources and the reasons for their company's participation, or lack of participation, in the development of these resources. Quantitative data came from reports prepared by federal investigative and regulatory agencies, from testimony given before investigative and regulatory bodies, from public company reports (annual reports, quarterly reports, 10-K's, 8-K's, registration statements, press releases, etc.), from industry, research and investment organizations, from universities, and from a variety of publications.

Initial efforts in studies of the effects of fuel cell electrodes on energy savings in electrochemical processes have been directed toward assembling test hardware and evaluation of a new zinc plant feed. A complete chemical analysis of the feed is reported. Utilizing the 2'' x 2'' (active electrode area) hardware and techniques developed under Contract No. ET-78-C-02-4881, 6 h zinc electrowinning tests demonstrated a current efficiency of greater than 90% with an energy consumption of 0.54 to 0.55 kWh/lb of zinc. For these tests, 0.1 g/l gelatin was employed as an electrolyte additive and the resultant zinc plates were bright, smooth and compact.

FORTRAN-callable subroutines have been written to enable controller--controllee interaction on the LLL DECsystem-10. These subroutines have been used to construct a controller (XTCTMR) for a tandem-mirror physics code (CTCTMR). A description of the subroutines and their use is presented. Also, sample results are given.

The aperture function of a streaktube is derived. It defines the input spectrum as a function of time and space. It is found that the zeros of the aperture function depend inversely on aperture size and sweep time.

A program was initiated in April of this year to study the hydrogenation of silicon tetrachloride to trichlorosilane, 3 SiCl/sub 4/ + 2 H/sub 2/ + Si reversible 4 SiHCl/sub 3/. This contract is conducted as a complementary research and development program to supplement the engineering process development activities for the process-unit under Union Carbide Contract No. 954 334. Two parallel efforts are included in the submitted program plan. One is a process study to collect reaction kinetic data on the rate of the hydrogenation reaction as a function of various reaction parameters. The other is a basic research effort to study the reaction mechanism and to develop new catalysts to improve the reaction rate and the conversion of SiCl/sub 4/ to SiHCl/sub 3/. A laboratory stainless steel reactor is designed to operate at pressures up to 500 psig and reactor temperatures up to 600/sup 0/C. Construction o the hydrogenation apparatus has progressed according to the program plan. An in-line gas chromatograph is built onto the reactor assembly to provide accurate, instantaneous analysis of the reaction product mixture. The hydrogenation apparatus is also semi-automated so that it can be run continuously. This design feature is especially useful for prolonged reactions …

Field research at the Geysers Geothermal Area directed toward quantifying the deposition of trace elements known to be contained in the cooling tower drift is described briefly. Results from meteorological measurements, particle filtration, gas analysis of air, and a program of coordinated ecological measurements made at Unit 12 are listed. (MHR)

This interim report summarizes work done under the third of six tasks of an investigation of the relative utility and performance of nine consumer products covered by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Task III consisted of developing definitions and methods for quantifying utility and performance based on interviews of people within the energy efficiency standards program and reviews of Federal Register notices and public comments on the program. The definition of utility recommended for use in the standards program is: utility of a consumer product is a subjective measure, based on the consumer's perception, of a capability of the product to satisfy human needs. Energy efficiency and product performance as well as purely subjective factors can affect the consumer's perception of the product's utility. Utility can be measured using consumer surveys based on statistical methods. Performance is the objective measure of how well, with the expected level of consumer input, the product does its intended job. Measures of performance include capacity and quality. Capacity can be stated in terms of thermal flux (in units such as Btu/hour) and storage or working volume. Quality is a measure of the consistency (with time), uniformity (in space), or thoroughness with which the …

It is shown that a mixed ligand chelate (MLC) is superior to that of the primary chelate alone for the decorporation of monomeric plutonium. Thus, EDTA plus Tiron reduces the level of Pu in the skeleton to about 40% less than that of EDTA alone when treatment was begun two hrs post /sup 239/Pu. However, DTPA alone was still superior to EDTA/Tiron under the given experimental conditions. However, this appears to be due to the rapid metabolic destruction of secondary chelants such as Tiron and similar bi-dentate derivatives of catechol and salicylates. Investigations are under way to improve such MLC's by the use of metabolic inhibitors to increase the plasma concentrations and residence times of the secondary chelants. In addition, MLC's consisting of metabolically stable chelants are undergoing testing. Therapy of cadmium poisoned mice by single and mixed chelants is also under study. A molar ratio of EDTA to Cd of 1.6 reduces the mortality by half of female mice given 5 min (i.p.) post supralethal doses of CdCl/sub 2/, while a molar ratio of 4.7 for 2, 3-dimercaptopropanol-1-sulfonate (DMPS) is required. No protection is observed with penicillamine (PA) or salicylates (SA) alone. However, combinations of EDTA with both PA …

A preliminary feasibility study of solvent extraction methods has been completed for removing actinides from selected salt wastes likely to be produced during reactor fuel fabrication and reprocessing. The use of a two-step solvent extraction system, tributyl phosphate (TBP) followed by a bidentate organophosphorus extractant (DHDECMP), appears most efficient for removing actinides from salt waste. The TBP step would remove most of the plutonium and >99.99% of the uranium. The second step, using DHDECMP, would remove >99.91% of the americium, the remaining plutonium (>99.98%), and other actinides from the acidified salt waste.

Laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate methods for removing plutonium from insulation, glass leach heel, and sand and slag heel. The methods evaluated included hydrochloric acid leaching, nitric acid leaching, and a treatment consisting of a fusion step followed by acid leaching. Results indicate that a nitric acid leach is effective in lowering the plutonium concentration of these solid wastes to the desired limit, if multiple contacts are used. A hydrochloric acid leach was found to be superior to a nitric acid leach for removing plutonium from the residues.

The formulation of a study plan for assessing the impact of geothermal development in the Geysers-Calistoga KGRA upon the local aquatic ecosystem is described briefly. A program for chemically characterizing the various partitions of the streambed sediment is described. Current activities and cooperative efforts are mentioned. (MHR)

Work has progressed along two lines: obtaining of detailed occupation, industry, wage, and skill information; and obtaining of detailed materials and labor requirements (so-called direct requirements) for conservation and solar options. The latter is currently focused upon thermally tight single-family residences (vs. as-built). Both of these inputs will be used in conjunction with our input-output employment-energy model.

Research efforts on the southeast continental shelf currently describe the manner in which fluctuations in Gulf Stream motion influence biological and chemical processes. Current meter arrays are maintained in the Georgia Bight and in Onslow Bay to describe general circulation patterns and to identify forcing functions. biological studies describe processes affecting temporal and spatial variations on the shelf and have attempted to track the biological history of intruded Gulf Stream water masses. Chemical studies examine the influence of both physical and biological variables on the distribution and fate of trace elements. The current state of knowledge is reviewed, the hypotheses developed and are described, a rationale for testing these hypotheses is given. 1 figure, 1 table.

The management plan for the development and demonstration of a high-temperature industrial heat pump for milk drying is presented. Section 2 describes the overall objective, technical approach, and program scope for development and demonstration of a heat pump system for use in an existing milk drying operation. The high temperature industrial heat pump program organization, its relationships to higher-level AiResearch organizations, subcontractor relationships, and personnel responsibilities are discussed in Section 3. The program management and control functions and data management techniques are described in Section 4. The activity for each work breakdown structure is described in Section 5. The program schedule is schematically shown in Section 6 and cost management reports are described in Section 7.

It was the purpose of this project to broadly survey pathways of radionuclides in the coal fuel cycle, identifying critical questions and providing direction for subsequent, definitive studies of radionuclides in coal and the technological enhancement of concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides through use of this coal. Western coal was selected for study because of its prominence in the National Energy Plan. Specific objectives were to: investigate the fate of radionuclides in the coal fuel cycle and, where possible, delineate the scope of the potential environmental and human health problem associated with radionuclides in coal; compile and evaluate data for uranium-238, uranium-234, lead-210, polonium-210, and thorium-230 in coal; study the release, fate, and accumulation of radionuclides from a power plant burning Western coal; and assess the possible need for additional control technology or standards. Results indicate that concentration of radionuclides in coal from Western mines varies widely, both within and between mines similar to other minor and trace constituents. The concentration of radionuclides in Western coal being mined today is roughly comparable to that of Eastern coal and is slightly below the average for all U.S. coal. A radionuclide balance for a power plant indicated that over 80% of uranium-234, …

The structure and features of selected certification programs were evaluated, their operational characteristics determined, and primary program problems and successes identified. An initial review of 50 certification programs in the Federal, state, and private sectors was performed, followed by a detailed review of 8 of the programs (EPA New Product noise; EPA Automobile Emissions, AHAM Room Air Conditioners; ARI Unitary Air Conditioners/Heat Pump; NHTSA Automobile Tire Safety; California Applicance Standards; Underwriters Laboratories Product Safety; and Ford's Quality-Assurance Program for Suppliers). Flow charts are presented to illustrate each program's structure and major characteristics. Matrices are developed to list the operating and control features of each program. Analyses of the 8 selected programs were performed to the degree necessary to develop and propose 5 potential approaches to an appliance certification/enforcement program (minimal intervention, strong certification control, strong enforcement audit, balanced certification and enforcement and strong enforcement remedies and deterrents). The approaches are documented in Section 3. The evaluation framework is described in Section 4, while a review of final test procedures and related public testimony are given in Section 5. (MCW)