Acoustic emission monitoring augments other nondestructive testing methods and is sometimes applicable when other tests cannot be applied. This is, in part, due to the high sensitivity of acoustic emission monitoring. Acoustic emission monitoring is only sensitive to active flaw-growth, however, and will not detect a flaw in equilibrium. This paper describes the application of acoustic emission monitoring to nuclear reactor fuel pin end closure welds and other weldments of the reactor piping.

Sodium fluoride (NaF) traps in the PGDP purge cascade presently use NaF pellets to remove residual UF{sub 6} from the gas stream. These pellets are procured from ORGDP which converts sodium bifluoride pellets to NaF by thermal decomposition. Discussions of the possibility of no longer producing pellets at ORGDP, due to oven corrosion problems, led to a pilot plant test at PGDP. This test was designed to examine the feasibility of producing the NaF pellets at PGDP in the event that an alternative source of supply became necessary. Satisfactory pellets were produced without difficulty; however, it was determined that the conversion process could not be readily carried out in the existing NaF traps. Construction of a separate facility with provisions to handle the large quantities of hydrogen fluoride (HF) released during the process would be required to produce pellets at the rate needed. 1 fig., 2 tabs.

The results of Task I, mission analysis and performance specifications, for the Near-Term Hybrid Vehicle (NTHV) development program are presented. The items researched included trip characteristics, market potential, life-cycle cost and performance specifications of NTHV's. (LCL)

Energy conservation education must reach millions of Americans in order to see any real and immediate decrease in energy consumption. Since our society gets much of its information from the media, this seems like a most effective vehicle for disseminating energy conservation information to the American Public. Radio is listened to by the vast majority of Americans each day of their lives. Radio as a communications medium is an extremely cost effective method of mass communication and education, and is perceived as a personal medium which has great potential to affect a change in the daily energy consumption habits of the public. Call-in radio programs centering around energy conservation are an effective method of presenting informative, energy education programming that provide instantaneous access for listener/consumer participation. The linking of available telephone and radio technology (via call-in radio shows) allows people all over the US, including remote rural areas, access to the latest energy conservation information and renewable energy technolgy.

This report summarizes our study of the price elasticity of demand for home appliances, including refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers. In the context of increasingly stringent appliance standards, we are interested in what kind of impact the increased manufacturing costs caused by higher efficiency requirements will have on appliance sales. We begin with a review of existing economics literature describing the impact of economic variables on the sale of durable goods.We then describe the market for home appliances and changes in this market over the past 20 years, performing regression analysis on the shipments of home appliances and relevant economic variables including changes to operating cost and household income. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the demand for home appliances is price inelastic.

The vacuum system of the X-Ray Vacuum Transport System (XVTS) for the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray Transport, Optics and Diagnostics (XTOD) system has been analyzed and configured by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's New Technologies Engineering Division (NTED) as requested by the SLAC/LCLS program. The preliminary system layout, detailed analyses and suggested selection of the vacuum components for the XTOD tunnel section are presented in the preliminary design report [1]. This document briefly reviews the preliminary design and provides engineering specifications for the system, which can be used as 'design to' specifications for the final design. Also included are the requirements of plans for procurement, mechanical integration, schedule and the cost estimates.

Among the possible terrorist activities that might threaten national security is the release of an airborne pathogen such as anthrax. Because the potential damage to human health could be severe, experts consider 1 minute to be an operationally useful time limit for identifying the pathogen and taking action. Many commercial systems can identify airborne pathogenic microbes, but they take days or, at best, hours to produce results. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other U.S. government agencies are interested in finding a faster approach. To answer this national need, a Livermore team, led by scientist Eric Gard, has developed the bioaerosol mass spectrometry (BAMS) system--the only instrument that can detect and identify spores at low concentrations in less than 1 minute. BAMS can successfully distinguish between two related but different spore species. It can also sort out a single spore from thousands of other particles--biological and nonbiological--with no false positives. The BAMS team won a 2005 R&D 100 Award for developing the system. Livermore's Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program funded the biomedical aspects of the BAMS project, and the Department of Defense's Technical Support Working Group and Defense Advanced Research Project Agency funded the biodefense efforts. Developing …

Designing molecules in which the vectorial motions of charges can be controlled has been of significant research interest in the recent past. Covalent linear arrays of chromophores or other molecular assemblies such as liquid crystals, zeolites, polymers, peptides, and amphiphiles have all been used as components for this purpose. Significant amount of this effort also involved the use of dendrimers as the molecular architecture. The structural feature in which multiple functionalities are present in the periphery that decreases gradually as one moves towards the core renders dendrimers obvious candidates for light harvesting antenna. Most of the efforts reported in the literature are directed towards energy funneling from a chromophore in the periphery to another chromophore at the core of the dendrimer. There are relatively few reports that utilize the dendritic architecture for photoinduced charge separation, an important step in designing materials for photovoltaics. These reports focus mostly on conjugated molecular backbones. Since non-conjugated dendrimer backbones provide the possibility of independently tuning the electronic characteristics of the chromophore and the charge transfer unit and therefore carry out a systematic structure-property relationship study, we have designed and synthesized dendrimers.

The focus of the review was to evaluate the LLNS Contractor Assurance System (CAS) system description document and implementation plan. The team reviewed the description document and the near and long term strategy improvement plans for the defined enhancements to the LLNS CAS. Review emphasis was placed on the CAS functional elements of Assessments, Issues Management, and Performance Measures, as well as the related CAS attributes of Requirements, Policies and Procedures, Risk Methodology, and Continuous Improvement. The approach taken by the team was to review the pertinent LLNL CAS documents, interview key CAS Process Owners, and interview selected line managers. The reviews were conducted in such a manner to achieve an understanding of the overall objective of the CAS and the processes within; and the soundness of the improvement plans for each of the elements/related attributes. The team then identified suggested recommendations for consideration as the overall implementation process for improvements move forward. The team appreciates the work that went into the development of the CAS Implementation Plan. It provided a meaningful starting place for this AIM team as it included sufficient information to quickly gain an understanding of the current LANS CAS processes and improvement initiatives. The team found …

This feasibility study investigates additional improvements/extensions to the LLNL Renewables Website. Currently, the Renewables Website focuses on wind energy in California. Future enhancements will include other renewable energy sources. The extensions described below are focused along two separate yet related avenues: (1) Forecasting wildfire risk in the regions of California where new development may occur, as a part of the 'Million Solar Roofs' program. (2) Gaining a better understanding of the ecological components and potential of biofuels from forests in California. These two avenues are further described in the report. Following is a technical description of the Center for Fire Research and Outreach computing and web service capabilities.

Designing molecules in which the vectorial motions of charges can be controlled has been of significant research interest in the recent past. Covalent linear arrays of chromophores or other molecular assemblies such as liquid crystals, zeolites, polymers, peptides, and amphiphiles have all been used as components for this purpose. Significant amount of this effort also involved the use of dendrimers as the molecular architecture. The structural feature in which multiple functionalities are present in the periphery that decreases gradually as one moves towards the core renders dendrimers obvious candidates for light harvesting antenna. Most of the efforts reported in the literature are directed towards energy funneling from a chromophore in the periphery to another chromophore at the core of the dendrimer. There are relatively few reports that utilize the dendritic architecture for photoinduced charge separation, an important step in designing materials for photovoltaics. These reports focus mostly on conjugated molecular backbones. Since non-conjugated dendrimer backbones provide the possibility of independently tuning the electronic characteristics of the chromophore and the charge transfer unit and therefore carry out a systematic structure-property relationship study, we have designed and synthesized dendrimers

In this technical note, mass-spring-dashpot, also referred to as equivalent lumped parameter, models are employed to model the soil-foundation interaction of two typical floor segments from the 7-GeV APS experiment hall. Equivalent lumped parameter models have the advantage of being easy to apply and of readily allowing for parameter studies. Analysis requires knowledge of certain properties of the soil including density, shear wave velocity, and Poisson's ratio, as well as knowledge of the degree of homogeneity of the underlying soil stratum. These data for the APS site were determined by a geotechnical investigation. A soil profile and pertinent data, obtained from crosshole seismic testing, are given. Natural frequencies and damping are calculated for the vertical, sliding, rocking, and coupled rocking/sliding modes of vibration. Subsequently, various corrections to account for modeling deficiencies'' are considered and their influences evaluated. The equivalent lumped parameter models were developed for machine foundations which, compared with the APS foundation, are smaller in plan dimension. Therefore, the applicability of these models in the analysis of the dynamic characteristics of the APS foundation must be established. The modeling is evaluated by applying the equivalent lumped parameter models in the analysis of large foundations for which test data exists. …

The potential for generation of toxic gases from lead-acid batteries has long been recognized. Prior to the current interest in electric vehicles, there were no studies specificaly oriented to toxic gas release from traction batteries, however. As the Department of Energy Demonstration Project (in the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Program) progresses, available data from past studies and parallel health effects programs must be digested into guidance to the drivers and maintenance personnel, tailored to their contact with electric vehicles. The basic aspects of lead-acid battery operation, vehicle use, and health effects of stibine and arsine to provide electric vehicle users with the information behind the judgment that vehicle operation and testing may proceed are presented. Specifically, it is concluded that stibine generation or arsine generation at rapid enough rates to induce acute toxic response is not at all likely. Procedures to guard against low-level exposure until more definitive data on ambient concentrations of the gases are collected are presented for both charging the batteries and driving the vehicles. A research plan to collect additional quantitative data from electric traction batteries is presented.

This report presents current data on production, consumption, stocks, imports, exports, and prices of the principal energy commodities in the United States. Also included are data on international production of crude oil, consumption of petroleum products, petroleum stocks, and production of electricity from nuclear-powered facilities.

The results are presented of work performed on the Advanced Gas-Cooled Nuclear Reactor Materials Evaluation and Development Program. The objectives of this program are to evaluate candidate alloys for Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) Nuclear Process Heat (NPH) and Direct Cycle Helium Turbine (DCHT) applications, in terms of the effect of simulated reactor primary coolant (helium containing small amounts of various other gases), high temperatures, and long time exposures, on the mechanical properties and structural and surface stability of selected candidate alloys. A second objective is to select and recommend materials for future test facilities and more extensive qualification programs. Work covered in this report includes the activities associated with the status of the simulated reactor helium supply system, testing equipment, and gas chemistry analysis instrumentation and equipment. The status of the data management system is presented. In addition, the progress in the screening test program is described.

The laser system in the Laser Demonstration Facility is mounted on an array of 108 support columns. This milestone report describes the design, analyses, testing, fabrication, installation, and performance characteristics of these supports.

In order to transport high current, single bunch beams to the SLC positron source for spring 1986 testing, it will be necessary to augment the strength of available focusing in sectors 11 through 19. We have decided to replace the sector doublet type QB quadrupoles with stronger type QE magnets. In conjunction with new Vax controlled power supplies, this sector 11 through 19 doublet lattice can be run at optimal settings for beam energies of several GeV up to the full SLC energy of 32 GeV by sector 19. Installation of the temporary stronger focusing is planned for summer 1985; full SLC FODO array focusing is scheduled for the following summer. This note presents the intermediate solution for sectors 11 through 19. In addition, the sector 10 quadrupole strengths required for matching beams into the doublet array are given. 1 figure, 4 tables.

Work on the AFR spent fuel storage program is focused on developing design and licensing information for the model facility. To date, the design effort is proceeding on schedule. A subcontract for soils and structural design of the fuel transfers canal is ready for DOE review. Proposals for high-density rack design to bring the model facility up to a nominal 1750 MTU capacity have been received and are being reviewed internally. This subcontract should be available for DOE review in early February. A security subcontract has been awarded to International Energy Associates Limited and the preliminary design effort is underway. Licensing activities are progressing satisfactorily. Review of the governing local, state, and federal regulations has been completed. Format and schedule for the safety analysis report and the environmental report have been established.

Our objectives during this quarter was to complete studies on the kinetics of methanol synthesis reaction in the slurry reactor with long periods of on stream studies, start experimentation in the trickle bed reactor assembly, investigate simulation studies using the piston-exchange (PE) and piston-dispersion-exchange (PDE) models, and introduce water gas shift reaction as the second reaction in our simulation studies.

Results are reported on adsorption of water vapor on reservoir rocks, physics of injection of water into vapor-dominated geothermal reservoirs, earth-tide effects on downhole pressures, injection optimization at the Geysers, effects of salinity in adsorption experiments, interpreting multiwell pressure data from Ohaaki, and estimation of adsorption parameters from transient experiments.

Phase transformation and cracking during RT aging of charged, high-purity Fe18Cr12Ni alloy and commerical 304 ss were examined; results show that [epsilon]* (hcp) hydride formed on Fe18Cr12Ni upon charging, and it decomposed rapidly to form first [epsilon] and then [alpha]' martensite. Morphology of fracture surfaces of Fe18Cr12Ni produced by corrosion fatigue in NaCl solutions and in hydrogen was found to be identical. Effort was made to examine the approaches and methodologies used in service life predictions and reliability analyses.

It is the purpose of the NRAD to provide an analysis of the range of potential consequences of accidents which have been identified that are associated with the launching and deployment of the Galileo mission spacecraft. The specific consequences analyzed are those associated with the possible release of radioactive material (fuel) of the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs). They are in terms of radiation doses to people and areas of deposition of radioactive material. These consequence analyses can be used in several ways. One way is to identify the potential range of consequences which might have to be dealt with if there were to be an accident with a release of fuel, so as to assure that, given such an accident, the health and safety of the public will be reasonably protected. Another use of the information, in conjunction with accident and release probabilities, is to estimate the risks associated with the mission. That is, most space launches occur without incident. Given an accident, the most probable result relative to the RTGs is complete containment of the radioactive material. Only a small fraction of accidents might result in a release of fuel and subsequent radiological consequences. The combination of probability with …

The principal objective of this research is to determine the role host petroleum-derived oils (1000[degrees]F+), as well as that of catalytically treated host oils, play when used as liquefaction solvents in coprocessing with coal. The host oils will be extensively characterized and then pretreated in a number of ways which involve catalytic reactions such as hydrogenation, hydrocracking, isomerization, and dehydrogenation. The pretreated oils will then be characterized. The effects of the host oil on coprocessing with coal will be compared to those obtained using catalytically modified heavy oils. When appropriate, model compounds will be used to study specific reactions brought about by the pretreatments. Highly dispersed iron catalysts modified by the addition of small amounts of other metals will be used to modify the chemical composition of the host oils. To date, five different pretreatment reactions have been carried out on the Amoco oil. Table 1 list some properties of this oil. Details of the reaction conditions used are given in Table 2. An objective of the pretreatment reactions is to increase hydrogen content without too significant a breakdown (cracking) of the hydrocarbon structures. Severe cracking could produce a light hydrocarbon solvent which may not be suitable for coprocessing because …

This Engineering Task Plan (ETP) describes the design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of the mobile video camera systems. The color video camera systems will be used to observe and record the activities within the vapor space of a tank on a limited exposure basis. The units will be fully mobile and designed for operation in the single-shell flammable gas producing tanks. The objective of this tank is to provide two mobile camera systems for use in flammable gas producing single-shell tanks (SSTs) for the Flammable Gas Tank Safety Program. The camera systems will provide observation, video recording, and monitoring of the activities that occur in the vapor space of applied tanks. The camera systems will be designed to be totally mobile, capable of deployment up to 6.1 meters into a 4 inch (minimum) riser.