Topics covered include: hydrogen production by thermochemical decomposition; safeguards research; and solar power for industrial process heat. Separate abstracts were prepared for each section. (LK)

Atmospheric spray cooling systems are alternatives to cooling ponds and cooling towers for rejecting condenser heat of steam-electric power plants. This study concerns the flow of the atmospheric wind over the confining banks of the system, and concentrates on the effects of bank height and geometry on the profiles of wind velocity and turbulent diffusivity incident to the sprays and the possibility of flow separation which may substantially degrade thermal performance. The literature of flow over similar geometries is reviewed. A wind-tunnel study was performed on a scale reduced 90 : 1 wherein both 1 : 3 and right-angle banks of two bank heights were analyzed. The full-scale equivalent bank heights were 2.3 m (7.5 ft) and 6.8 m (22 ft). Measurements were also taken with sprays modeled with wire mesh of equivalent aerodynamic blockage. The atmospheric boundary layer was approximately simulated through the use of a counter wall jet, screens and artificial aerodynamic surface roughness. The resultant profiles of wind velocity, Reynolds turbulent stress and turbulence kinetic energy are presented and compared. The Reynolds stress and turbulence kinetic energy are indicative of the level of turbulent diffusivity, important in atmospheric dispersion of heat and humidity. Field measurements were also …

None

The disk organization package used with the Ames Laboratory Experimental Control System developed for a Digital Equipment Company's PDP-15 computer is described. The directory and data set structure are described. Algorithms are given for the individual routines in the package. 4 figures.

An elaboration of the ISABELLE concept as the model for a high energy, high luminosity proton-proton facility is given. Its place in the total high energy physics program is discussed. Certain features of the ISABELLE design which have not been consolidated, in particular injection and modes of beam operation, are considered. A new scheme is reviewed, one which could provide quick beam turn-on after construction, one in which there is a high probability of reaching and perhaps even exceeding the design objectives, one which should provide comparatively more flexible and reliable operation for physics, and finally one whose presence opens up a window to a much higher energy region. The new system involves the use of a physically separate current accumulator, allowing, therefore, the optimal utilization of the superconducting structures. The fact that an obvious addition to the complex will permit pp collisions in the 4 TeV center-of-mass energy region, which corresponds to an equivalent lab energy of approximately 10/sup 16/ eV, i.e., cosmic ray energies, prompts the added structure to be referred to as the COSMICTRON. The facility operated in the ''new'' manner proposed is considered to be ''the best ISABELLE that can be built.''

Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction have been used to examine structural aspects of phases along the BeSiN/sub 2/-Be/sub 3/N/sub 2/ tie line of the Be-Si-O-N system. Electron diffraction experiments are found to substantiate previous x-ray evidence for the derived structures of BeSiN/sub 2/, ..beta.. Be/sub 3/N/sub 2/, ..cap alpha.. Be/sub 3/N/sub 2/ and the presence of a number of long period superstructures at intermediate compositions. Real space observations using direct fringe and structure imaging techniques have been made and are in agreement with the 15R polytype structure derived from x-ray diffraction data. In addition, these observations indicate that beryllium atoms are preferentially sited in cubic stacked layers, allowing the polytype structures to be described as a coherent intergrowth of layers of the BeSiN/sub 2/ and ..beta.. Be/sub 3/N/sub 2/ structure. Further observations made on a non stoichiometric BeSiN/sub 2/ sample suggests that alternatively the polytypes may be described in terms of a regularly faulted BeSiN/sub 2/ structure. Each fault changes the coordination of tetrahedral sites from base sharing to edge sharing in the fault, allowing excess beryllium atoms to be accommodated in the close packed nitrogen lattice. For larger deviations from the BeSiN/sub 2/ stoichiometric composition a higher density of …

Modifications to the forced-flow chromatograph include a flow-through pH monitor to continuously monitor the pH of the final effluent and an active low-pass filter to eliminate noise in the spectrophotometric detector. All separations are performed using partially sulfonated XAD-2 as the ion exchanger. Elution of calcium and magnesium is accomplished using ammonium chloride and ethylenediammonium chloride solutions. Calcium and magnesium are detected by means of Arsenazo I and PAR-ZnEDTA color-forming reagents. Other metal ions are detected by means of PAR and Chromazurol S color-forming reagents. Calcium and magnesium distribution coefficients on partially sulfonated XAD-2 as functions of ammonium chloride and ethylenediammonium chloride concentration are given together with distribution coefficients of other metal ions. Methods for the selective elution of interfering metal ions prior to the elution of calcium and magnesium are described. Beryllium and aluminum are selectively eluted with sulfosalicylic acid. Those elements forming anionic chloride complexes are selectively eluted with HCl-acetone. Nickel is selectively eluted with HCl-acetone-dimethylglyoxime. Synthetic samples containing calcium and magnesium, both alone and in combination with alkali metals, strontium, barium, beryllium, aluminum, transition metals, and rare earths, are analyzed. Hard water samples are analyzed for calcium and magnesium and the results compared to those obtained by …

The study presented here was motivated by a perceived potential need to incorporate phase changes into the analysis of pressure drawdown and recovery data. It is hoped that this will allow for an increased understanding of the processes occurring in geothermal systems where steam and liquid water are thought to coexist. 1 ref., 3 figs.

The objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing high-efficiency (15% or greater) thin-film GaAs solar cells with costs suitable for terrestrial solar electric power generation. The approach is that of growing GaAs by organio-metallic chemical vapor deposition on recrystallized germanium (Ge) films previously deposited on metal substrates and fabricating AMOS (Antireflecting Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) solar cells on the GaAs. Previously it had been determined that a water vapor-grown native oxide (temperature = 25/sup 0/C) was the most useful native oxide for AMOS cells. A new chemical surface preparation prior to oxide growth led to more uniform oxides and reduced interface contamination, yielding lower reverse saturation current densities, a near-unity diode ideality factor, and better reproducibility. Substituting silver (Ag) for gold metallization showed no change in starting cell efficiency, but did greatly improve high temperature stability of the AMOS solar cell. A new study was completed on antireflection coatings on AMOS GaAs solar cells, taking into account the spectral response of the cell and nature of the solar spectra, and the results submitted for publication. XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) studies had found earlier that the more efficient native oxides had primarily As/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and Ga/sub 2/O/sub 3/ with little GaAsO/sub 4/. …

The analytical procedure described in this document is a tentative method for the determination of uranium isotopes in soil and air samples. It is being collaboratively tested according to an interagency agreement. Data from the collaborative test will be examined and information on the precision and accuracy of the method will be obtained.

The results from a geologic investigation of the Virgin River Valley salt deposits, Clark County, southeastern Nevada, to examine their suitability for further study and consideration in connection with the possible storage of radioactive waste material are given. The results indicate that (1) approximately one-half of the salt body underlies the Overton Arm of Lake Mead and that the dry land portion of the salt body that has a thickness of 1,000 feet or more covers an area of about four and one-half square miles; (2) current tectonic activity in the area of the salt deposits is believed to be confined to seismic events associated with crustal adjustments following the filling of Lake Mead; (3) detailed information on the hydrology of the salt deposit area is not available at present but it is reported that a groundwater study by the U.S. Geological Survey is now in progress; (4) there is no evidence of exploitable minerals in the salt deposit area other than evaporites such as salt, gypsum, and possibly sand and gravel; (5) the salt deposit area is located inside the Lake Mead Recreation Area, outlined on the accompanying Location Plat, and several Federal, State, and Local agencies share regulatory …

This paper describes an experiment to estimate random and systematic errors in determining the effective specific power of plutonium. Precisons and accuracies comparable to coulometric assay were demonstrated for a wide range of plutonium isotopic compositions. Thus, calorimetric assay can provide an effective method for plutonium assay of materials in the nuclear fuel cycle.

The primary objective of this project is to provide design criteria for a volume reduction system to treat combustible solids and liquids generated in the nuclear fuel cycle. Progress has been made in each of the major areas of interest. Primary emphasis has been in the design and purchasing of equipment for liquid feed mechanisms and in evaluating technology available for compaction of empty waste containers. Contacts have been made with several commercial firms involved in various areas of the nuclear industry such as fuel reprocessing, handling and transportation, architectural engineering, and electric power. Firms in all these areas have expressed a strong general interest in the Cyclone Incinerator. Details will be made available as commitments are made. Efforts are being made with each of these firms to characterize their wastes and determine volumes involved.

Activities at MRC associated with the Milliwatt Generator Heat Source efforts over the period Jan. 16, 1977 to April 15, 1977 are presented. Topics include: pressure burst capsule capsule evaluations, Tantalum/ SPR {sup 2}PuO{sub 2} compatibility, moisture content of plutonia. capsule impact and evaluations, Pre-TMS activities.

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the relative merit of using calorimetry for shipper-receiver (S-R) exchanges of Pu. In particular, this evaluation concentrates on the accountability and the diversion detection aspects of calorimetry. Three different modes of use were considered: (1) calorimetry alone, that is S-R exchanges based on power (wattage) measurements; (2) calorimetry plus chemical assay, similar to the present weight plus chemical assay system, and (3) calorimetry plus gamma-ray spectrometry, a totally nondestructive Pu assay method. The relative merit of ball three applications was judged using the present methods as a base case. Some of the factors considered were random and systematic errors, timeliness, costs (both operating and capital) and reliability.

The objective of Phase II of this program is to investigate the effects of various processes, metal contaminants, and contaminant-process interactions on the performance of terrestrial silicon solar cells so that purity requirements for a solar grade silicon can be delineated. The program approach consists in (1) the growth of doubly and multiply-doped silicon single crystals containing a baseline boron or phosphorus dopant and specific impurities which produce deep levels in the forbidden band gap, (2) assessment of these crystals by a battery of chemical, microstructural, electrical and solar cell tests, (3) correlation of the impurity kind and level with crystal quality and device performance, (4) delineation of the role of impurities and processing on subsequent silicon solar cell performance, and (5) determination of the combined effects of impurities and growth rate on the crystal quality and cell performance of silicon produced by both the dendritic web and Czochralski methods. The central thrust of activities this quarter was in three areas: the crystal growth of impurity-bearing ingots with different base doping types and concentrations; evaluation of the solar cell performance of n-base and p-base devices; and refinement of techniques for the analysis of solar cells subjected to various contaminants and …

This report describes the work performed during FY 1977 for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Protection Factors (efficiency) provided by 25 NIOSH approved supplied-air respirators were determined while the devices were worn by a panel of anthropometrically selected test subjects. The major recommendation was that demand-type respirators should neither be used nor approved.

This report is an in-depth review and analysis of particulate control technologies applicable to coal-fired utility boilers. Sources and characteristics of fly ash, applicable emission regulations, and measurement techniques are also discussed. Available control technologies (electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, and wet scrubbers) are described in detail. In each case, the theory of operation, factors affecting performance, representative installations, costs, and secondary environmental impacts are analyzed. Techniques under development for improving the performance or extending the capabilities of existing technologies are described. Advanced alternative technologies now in the research stage are also evaluated.

This report details the current status of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) in conventional coal-fired power plants in the U.S. Sepecifications and features are listed for all commercial FGD installations now in operation or being constructed in this country. The FGD operational experience in each plant is summarized and evaluations are made of process, equipment, and operational performance. FGD in other countries, mainly Japan and West Germany, is reviewed for applicability in the U.S. Federal and state air quality control standards are described and their prime influence on FGD development and plant installation is noted. The rising importance of coal is discussed and some limitations on low-sulfur coal are included. Other potential approaches to desulfurization, such as fluidized-bed combustion, are discussed as far as relevant to FGD. Limestone and lime slurry processes greatly predominate among existing and planned FGD installations in the U.S. However, soluble SO/sub 2/ sorbants are noted as entering use for both throwaway and recoverable SO/sub 2/ products. It is recognized that recovery processes offer attractive long-term prospects in terms of resources and of apparent cost of operation. However, they remain very limited, both in number of processes and in level of development. The report shows that sustained …