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The objective of the Vee-Trough/Vacuum Tube Collector (VTVTC) Project was to prove the usefulness of vee-trough concentrators in improving the efficiency and reducing the cost of collectors assembled from evacuated tube receivers. The VTVTC was analyzed rigorously and various mathematical models were developed to calculate the optical performance of the vee-trough concentrator and the thermal performance of the evacuated tube receiver. A test bed was constructed to verify the mathematical analyses and compare reflectors made out of glass, Alzak and aluminized FEP Teflon. Tests were run at temperatures ranging from 95 to 180/sup 0/C during the months of April, May, June, July and August 1977. Vee-trough collector efficiencies of 35 to 40% were observed at an operating temperature of about 175/sup 0/C. Test results compared well with the calculated values. Test data covering a complete day are presented for selected dates throughout the test season. Predicted daily useful heat collection and efficiency values are presented for a year's duration at operation temperatures ranging from 65 to 230/sup 0/C. Estimated collector costs and resulting thermal energy costs are presented. Analytical and experimental results are discussed along with a complete economic evaulation. Recommendations for the continuation of the project are presented.

The concept design for a small (less than 10 MWe) solar thermal electric generating plant was completed using projected 1985 technology. The systems requirements were defined and specified. The components, including an engineering prototype for one 15 kWe module of the generating plant, were conceptually designed. Significant features of the small solar thermal power plant were identified as the following: (1) 15-kWe Stirling-cycle engine/alternator with constant power output; (2) 10-meter point-focusing paraboloidal concentrator with cantilevered cellular glass reflecting panels; (3) primary heat pipe with 800/sup 0/C output solar cavity receiver; (4) secondary heat pipe with molten salt thermal energy storage unit; (5) electric energy transport system; and (6) advanced battery energy storage capability. The present emphasis for achieving cost reduction goals centers on improving conversion efficiency and reducing the cost of key components.

Seismic monitoring of the northern section of the Imperial Valley region in Southern California has been underway since 1973, in order to study in detail the relationship between geothermal areas and earthquakes. A description of the 22-station network and a list of preliminary data on earthquakes recorded by the network from January 1977 through March 1977 are presented.

Seismic monitoring of the northern section of the Imperial Valley region in southern California has been underway since 1973. A description of the 22-station network and a list of preliminary data on earthquakes recorded by the network from April 1977 through June 1977 are presented. (JGB)

A test bed for experimental evaluation of a fixed solar collector which combines an evacuated glass tube solar receiver with a flat plate/black chrome plated copper absorber and an asymmetric veetrough concentrator was designed and constructed. Earlier predictions of thermal performance were compared with test data acquired for a bare vacuum tube receiver; and receiver tubes with Alzak aluminum, aluminized FEP Teflon film laminated sheet metal and second surface ordinary mirror reflectors. Test results and system economics as well as objectives of an ongoing program to obtain long-term performance data are discussed.

A preliminary description is given of Project SAGE, the solar assisted gas energy (SAGE) water heating system currently being tested and evaluated in Southern California. A statement of the goals and objectives of the SAGE water heating program, a general description of the project in addition to system performance data, evaluations and economic analyses of the various pilot studies, and field test installations are presented.

The purpose of this report is to recommend a reasonable program of brine chemistry research that will result in the development of methods for predicting and controlling scale deposition, and in guidelines for the selection of corrosion-resistant construction materials. First, background information, which is necessary for the understanding of the problems of scaling and corrosion in the Salton Sea KGRA, is presented through a review of the history of geothermal exploration and development in the Salton Sea. Second, literature relevant to the geochemistry of the Salton Sea field is reviewed and important results are emphasized. Third, current research efforts directed toward actual power plant construction are summarized and evaluated. Fourth, research which has been proposed but is not currently funded is discussed. Fifth, because silica scaling has been the most troublesome problem in the past, the basic chemistry of silica and its relationship to scaling is discussed. Sixth, recommendations for future research are made in which a fundamental engineering approach is emphasized. In this approach, experiments would be conducted on actual process equipment and detailed chemical analyses would be performed on site in well-equipped field laboratories. 88 references.

The Low-Cost Silicon Solar Array Project (LSSA) was established to greatly reduce the price of solar arrays by the improvement of manufacturing technology, by adaptation of mass production techniques, and by helping achievement of user acceptance. The Project's approach includes the development of technology, its transfer by industry to commercial practice, the evaluation of the economics involved, and the stimulation of market growth. The activities and progress of the LSSA Project during its first year are described in this document which covers all Project activities, with primary emphasis on the technical plans and accomplishments. The development of manufacturing technology is now and will continue to be performed principally by industries and universities. To date, 24 contractors are working on new silicon-refinement processes, silicon-sheet-growth techniques, encapsulants, and automated-assembly studies. Nine more contractors have been selected to perform additional technology investigations and their contracts are being negotiated. Additional contracts will be issued in the future as promising ideas appear. (WDM)

This methodology calculates the electric energy busbar cost from a utility-owned solar electric system. This approach is applicable to both publicly- and privately-owned utilities. Busbar cost represents the minimum price per unit of energy consistent with producing system-resultant revenues equal to the sum of system-resultant costs. This equality is expressed in present value terms, where the discount rate used reflects the rate of return required on invested capital. Major input variables describe the output capabilities and capital cost of the energy system, the cash flows required for system operation and maintenance, and the financial structure and tax environment of the utility.

The potential for future widespread use of photovoltaic systems for the generation of electric power was the motivation for the establishment, in January 1975, of the Photovoltaic Conversion Program by ERDA's Division of Solar Energy. The Program's activities are planned to develop and to promote the use of photovoltaic systems to such an extent that the private sector will produce and utilize cost-competitive photovoltaic systems. As part of the ERDA Program, the Low-Cost Silicon Solar Array Project (LSSA) was established in January 1975. The activities and progress of the LSSA Project during the months of October, November, and December 1976 are described. The Project objective is to develop the national capability to produce low-cost, long-life photovoltaic arrays at a rate greater than 500 megawatts per year and a price of less than $500 per kilowatt peak by 1986. The array performance goals include an efficiency greater than 10% and an operating lifetime in excess of 20 years. The approach is to reduce the cost of solar cell arrays by improving solar array manufacturing technology and by increasing solar array production capacity and quantity. Forty-seven contracts have been awarded to date, to industrial firms and university and independent laboratories for experimental …

The proposed Salton Sea Geothermal Power Pilot Plant Program comprises two phases. The objective of Phase 1 is to develop the technology for power generation from high-temperature, high-salinity geothermal brines existing in the Salton Sea known geothermal resources area. Phase 1 work will result in the following: (a) Completion of a preliminary design and cost estimate for a pilot geothermal brine utilization facility. (b) Design and construction of an Area Resource Test Facility (ARTF) in which developmental geothermal utilization concepts can be tested and evaluated. Program efforts will be divided into four sub-programs; Power Generation, Mineral Extraction, Reservoir Production, and the Area Resources Test Facility. The Power Generation Subprogram will include testing of scale and corrosion control methods, and critical power cycle components; power cycle selection based on an optimization of technical, environmental and economic analyses of candidate cycles; preliminary design of a pilot geothermal-electric generating station to be constructed in Phase 2 of this program. The Mineral Extraction Subprogram will involve the following: selection of an optimum mineral recovery process; recommendation of a brine clean-up process for well injection enhancement; engineering, construction and operation of mineral recovery and brine clean-up facilities; analysis of facility operating results from environmental, economical …

Series of twenty-six photographs of components at the Aerojet-General Corporation, including entire constructions taken out-of-doors, assembly segments, and individual components. Many of the images are close-ups of specific pieces to show detail; few of the images are labeled, although some have captions or visible tags with part numbers.

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Research is reported for the combined groups consisting of the Accelerator Division and the Magnetic Fusion Energy Group. Major topics reported include accelerator operations, magnetic fusion energy, and advanced accelerator development. (GHT)

The Accelerator Division was formed as a separate division of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in 1973. Originally called Physics II Division, it acquired its present title when Andrew M. Sessler was designated Director of the Laboratory in November 1973. Under the leadership of Associate Director Edward J. Lofgren the major activities of the Division comprise operation of the Bevalac, for high-energy and heavy-ion physics, and Advanced Accelerator Research and Development. In addition, there is a small amount of research activity with heavy ions by some members of the Division. Heavy ions were first accelerated in the Bevatron in 1971. In the period under review here a large effort was devoted to construction of the Bevalac project, in which the SuperHILAC is used as a source of energetic heavy ions that are transported down the intervening hillside by a focusing transfer line, and injected into the Bevatron for final acceleration to an energy of 2.6 GeV/nucleon. This facility is unique in the world as a source of relativistic heavy ions and has opened up a new and rich field of research that has commanded worldwide interest. Joint studies with the staff of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center on a positron-electron colliding …

The Bevatron/Bevalac is operated, maintained, and continually improved as a national research facility for studies in nuclear science and in biology and medicine. Recent modifications have brought the 21-year-old synchrotron to the threshold of tremendously exciting new studies as the world's most powerful heavy-ion accelerator. In its Bevalac configuration, the machine capitalizes on the coupling of the SuperHILAC to the Bevatron via a 175-meter beam line. The SuperHILAC acts as an injector to provide the Bevatron with high-intensity beams of ions as heavy as argon. At the same time, the SuperHILAC is capable of delivering heavy-ion beams to its own group of experimenters through a computer-linked, time-share system of operation. Research efforts using the Bevalac have included a broad spectrum of nuclear science and cosmic-ray-simulation experiments, as well as intensive studies in biology and medicine aimed principally at diagnostic techniques and preclinical therapy studies for some forms of cancer.

Accelerator operations of the Bevatron/Bevalac, the SuperHILAC, and the 184-Inch Synchrocyclotron are described. The PEP storage ring is described. The superconducting accelerator (ESCAR) construction is reported, and experiments in heavy ion fusion are described. (GHT)

This report is a descriptive summary of the Application of Some Robust Statistical Procedures to Air Pollution Data in the San Francisco Bay Area