The report is presented under the following section headings: introduction; conclusions and recommendations; legislative activity in 1973; United Nations Geothermal Conference; International Geothermal Conference--1975; National Conference on Geothermal Energy, May 10--11, Palm Springs, Calif.; Imperial Valley field trip and joint interim hearing October 16--17, 1973 (Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife on Senate Bill 577 in San Diego); hearing of the Subcommittee on Geothermal Resources and the Senate Committee on Public Utilities and Corporations, Nov. 12, 1973 in San Francisco (public access to steam at The Geysers); hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife on the continued availability of natural gas and other sources of energy, Nov. 15, 1973, in Martinez, Calif; and Appendix. (JGB)

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Report containing articles, manuscripts, and tabulations of recorded spectra created by the Spectroscopic Laboratory of the University of Chicago.

An analysis of the grapple drive stem temperature during operation of the IVTM (In-Vessel Transfer Machine) indicates that the maximum stem wall temperature at the seals will be 270/sup 0/F when the system is at dynamic thermal equilibrium. If the transfer operation is initiated with the grapple drive stem initially at thermal equilibrium in the lowered position, a pre-cooling step will be required if the maximum temperature of the grapple drive stem wall at the seals is to be limited to 300/sup 0/F.

The hazards of nuclear power plants and the related nuclear industries are reviewed.

The objectives of this program are to: (1) conduct static and dynamic tests to demonstrate or determine the mechanical performance of full-size (cross section) FFTF fuel transfer machine and reactor vessel head seals intended for use in a sodium vapor - inert gas environment, (2) develop and demonstrate these FFTF seals or new seal configurations to provide acceptable fission product and cover gas retention capabilities at LMFBR Demonstration Plant operating environmental conditions other than radiation, and (3) develop improved seals and seal technology for the LMFBR demonstration plants to support the national objective to reduce all atmospheric contaminations to low levels. Reciprocating and rotary dynamic testing of seals generated considerable new test data concerning the leakage, compression set, and wear characteristics of various seal types and materials under specific conditions of compression, temperature, lubrication, travel, and surface finish. Both short-term (information tests) and longer-term (demonstration tests) are being conducted.

From introduction: This study considered the region comprising the Upper Mississippi and Lower Missouri River basins and to assess the contributions to the radiation potentially received by the populace from airborne radionuclides originating in adjacent areas, an "air envelope" zone, some 200 miles wide.

This report provides a history of the power level at which single pass reactors at the Hanford facility operated over the period Jan 1945 to Jan 1973. The reactors listed are B, C, D, DR, F, H, KE, KW, and N. A set of notes attached explain how power levels were changed, often above original nameplate power ratings, by design or regulatory changes.

A method for geothermal gas collection for chemical and isotopic gas analysis is described. The CO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/S are absorbed in a NaOH solution and the residual gas collected in a bottle. The method can be used for sampling gases from hot springs, fumaroles, steam wells, hot water wells, etc. (WHK)

Progress is reported for a program to demonstrate by 1976 an experimental gas turbine-powered automobile which meets the 1976 Federal Emission Standards and which is competitive in fuel economy, performance, reliability, and potential manufacturing cost with the conventional piston engine-powered, standard size American automobile. Procurement and assembly of parts for seven engines plus spares is basically on schedule, although some areas are requiring intensive follow-up. A partial engine (including regenerators) was assembled for shipment to Solar. It will be incorporated into their combustor test rig, where it will provide both pre-heat and a proper physical environment for their combustor evaluation and development. Of the two test cells being refurbished for use on this program, one was completed and the other is underway. Two engines loaned to start the program were checked out, qualified, and delivered. Vehicle installation design is nearly complete. The cars were ordered. Vehicle engineering to provide hydraulic power boost braking, heating and air conditioning, and transmission is underway. Procurement arrangements for basic body and chassis changes were completed. In support to the Government, an engine characterization was prepared and assistance given in developing a combustor test procedure. Work was initiated on developing a control system for a …

Studies were conducted on species composition, population densities, and standing crop biomass of small songbirds in mixed palouse-shrubsteppe habitats of the Arid Lands Ecology (ALE) reservation. Results of field studies conducted during late 1972 and 1973 are presented, as well as results of 1972 IBP population studies. An appendix is included to show territory mappings from which plot-based population density estimates were derived. (HLW)

As part of a brief reconnaissance of southeastern Oregon, temperatures were measured in five wells in the Harney Basin during May of 1972. The results are presented together with a summary of temperature gradients previously published by Bowen (1972) and one well measured by C. E. Van Ostrand. The location of the wells and the average temperature gradient in /sup 0/C/km and the temperature profiles measured by the U.S. Geological Survey are presented graphically. The wells vary in depth up to 420 meters.

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A procedure is described to subdue the noise made by the LN2 control valve on a Statham Temperature Chamber.

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If strong interactions are described by nonabelian gauge theories, detailed predictions are obtained for the q/sup 2/ dependence at fixed omega of the difference of the structure functions of the proton and neutron. (auth)

From international summer school on grain boundaries; Montreal, Canada (2 Jul 1973). A review of the techniques used to study the chemistry of near grain boundary regions is given. The traditional techniques of radiography, chemical etching, and microprobe are discussed and their limitations are pointed out. New techniques are presented such as ion scattering spectrometry, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, ion backscattering spectrometry, and Auger electron spectroscopy. The success of these new techniques indicates that they will prove most useful. (auth)

During the period covered by this program (1962-1971). extensive studies of the material parameters and mechanisms controlling critical currents, flux creep and inreversiblity in hand superconducting materials were carried out. Quantitative theories of the pinning and creep processes were developed and tested extensively using equipment and methods developed locally. The role of the superconducting surface sheath was explored in detail and somewhat similar phenomena were found to operate there. The superconducting quantum interferrometry developed for the creep studies proved to be an extremely valuable tool in the study of quantum fluctuations in one-dimensional superconductors. Inltial attempts to study the flux structure by low temperature electron microscopy proved non-productive but later studies using the Bitter pattern technique of Trauble and Essmann were of value fn the study of the flux structure transitions in thin films. Development of instrumentation based on superconducting technology such as a femtovoltmeter and practicable point contact flux detectons also arose under the program. A list of publications is appended. ( auth)