Because characteristics of rock layers and problems in drilling must be studied before radioactive waste can be safely contained, an evaluation was made of methods for correlating alluvial deposits at Yucca Flat of the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Although correlation of Tertiary volcanic tuff beds at the NTS has been successfully achieved, correlation of stratigraphic zones in the overlying alluvium has posed technical difficulties. We have evaluated several methods for correlating alluvial deposits from drillholes, including electric resistivity logs (E logs), visual examination of sidewall samples and comparison of their carbonate (CO/sub 2/) content, downhole stereo photography for identifying debris flow deposits, caliche age-dating, and specific yield and permeability measurements of deposits. For predicting the thickness of zones having similar physical properties in the alluvium, E log measurements were found to be the most useful of these methods.

Separate abstracts were prepared for 3 of the included sections. (MOW)

Progress is reported in the evaluation of the performance of a water jet drill in a stressed rock, particularly in drilling at hole diameters in excess of one inch. Drilling tests are being carried out in a barrier pillar in a layer of coarse, lead-bearing sandstone. Problems encountered in the test drilling are discussed. (JGB)

This report provides a bibliography of resources related to the electoral college divided by resource type.

This document describes the radiological improvement program (RIP) to be undertaken by Rockwell Hanford Operations during calendar year 1978. Actions taken in each facility to reduce exposure and to implement the Company's policy to conduct operations in a manner that assures radiation exposures to employees are maintained at the lowest levels reasonably achievable.

The objective of this program was: to evaluate for photovoltaic applications the use of the compound parabolic concentrator design as a field collector--in conjunction with a primary focusing concentrator. The primary focusing concentrator may be a parabolic reflector, an array of Fresnel mirrors, a Fresnel lens, or some other type; Select several candidate configurations of such compound systems (focusing concentrators/CPC field collectors); Perform an analytic evaluation of the technical performance of these systems; and identify the most promising configurations and perform a cost effectiveness study pertinent to coupling CPC concentrators to solar cells. (WDM)

Analytical research and development work is reported on multielement analysis, time-resolved spectroscopy, fluorescence analysis, ionization potential of NP, excited state chemistry, polarized x ray sources, potentiometric titration of Na, determination of TATB in DMSO, determination of nitrobenzene in TATB, analysis of explosive composites, mass spectrometer automation, mass spectra calculation, solids formation in geothermal brine, water quality laboratory automation, aerosol coagulation, and multiple-gas analyzers. (JRD)

The program objective is to evolve and define an accessory drive system that will minimize system power consumption of driven accessories on an internal combustion engine in a passenger automobile. The initial three program phases established concept feasibility, determined potential fuel savings, and selected a drive system design for concept mechanization. During this quarter the major program accomplishments were: selection of candidate belt-drive concepts; completion of Phase III baseline vehicle drive systems physical and operational envelopes; completion of analysis for a mechanically controlled direct-operated belt drive with input programming; and completion of design layout and analysis for a hydromechanically controlled, servo-operated belt drive with output-speed sensing. (LLL)

The results of tests performed to evaluate the performance of selected high-speed flywheel bearings and shaft seals are reported, and work performed on the development of a high-speed composite flywheel rotor is described. The overall program objective is to develop a composite flywheel system for primary energy storage in a flywheel powered vehicle. These initial tests were intended to evaluate the performance of full-size composite rotor elements, high-speed bearings and shaft seals for that system under conditions simulating as closely as possible those anticipated in a finished vehicle. Performance of the angular contact ball bearings is reported to be satisfactory at all speeds; a simplified lubrication system is recommended for second generation hardware. Performance of the ferrofluidic shaft seals is reported to be marginal, as they failed to hold a hard vacuum at the maximum design speed. Several concepts for improved seals are offered for second generation hardware. The test objectives for the high-speed composite flywheel rotor were not achieved due to dynamic instability problems with the test hardware. Recommendations are offered for the design of second generation hardware, and a scope of activities is proposed for the second phase of this program.

Progress is reported in the following studies on analysis and evaluation of potential raw materials: preliminary pretreatment studies using wheat straw; extraction of wheat straw with alcohol and water at elevated temperatures; extraction of ground wood with alcohol and water at elevated temperatures; and, delignification of newsprint with ethylene glycol. Other research in progress includes studies on: utilization of hemicellulose sugars; process design and economics of hydrolysis processes and ethanol fermentation; and, pilot plant process development and design, including cell-recycle systems for cellulase production, continuous hydrolysis, countercurrent hydrolysis, and ethanol fermentation studies. (JGB)

A series of experiments was performed in which gamma-ray spectra were measured, using a Ge(Li) detector, for incident 7 to 26-MeV protons on the even-even vibrational nuclei /sup 56/Fe, /sup 62/Ni, /sup 64/Zn, /sup 108/Pd, /sup 110/Cd, /sup 114/Cd, /sup 116/Cd, /sup 116/Sn, /sup 120/Sn, and /sup 206/Pb, and for incident 14-MeV neutrons on natural Fe, Ni, Zn, Cd, Sn, and Pb. These measurements yielded gamma-ray cross sections from which it was inferred that almost all of the gamma cascades from (p,p') and (n,n') reactions passed down through the first 2/sup +/ levels. Consequently, the strength of the 2/sup +/ ..-->.. 0/sup +/ gamma transitions were found to be an indirect measure of the (p,p') or (n,n') cross sections. Several types of nuclear model calculations were performed and compared with experimental results. These calculations included coupled-channel calculations to reproduce the direct, collective excitation of the low-lying levels, and statistical plus pre-equilibrium model calculations to reproduce the (p,p') and the (n,n') cross sections for comparison with the 2/sup +/ ..-->.. 0/sup +/ gamma measurements. The agreement between calculation and experiment was generally good except at high energies, where pre-equilibrium processes dominate (i.e. around 26-MeV). Here discrepancies between calculations from the two …

Off-stoiciometry CdS coatings with resistivities of about 10..cap omega..-cm have been deposited by a cyclic reactive sputtering process where the H/sub 2/S injection is periodically switched on and off. Cells with CdS layer fabricated in this way have yielded efficiencies of about 0.6% with short circuit currents of about 3.5 mA/cm/sup 2/, open circuit voltages of about 0.43V, and fill factors of about 0.40. CdS resistivity control by In doping has been achieved both by diffusion from a pre-deposited In layer and by using an In-doped Cd sputtering target. Resistivities of about 30..cap omega..-cm are achieved in CdS coatings about 5 um thick deposited at 250/sup 0/C over 50 nm thick In layers. A Cd cathode doped with 1 atomic percent In has yielded CdS coatings with resistivities of about 0.1 ..cap omega..-cm at substrate temperatures in the 100 to 300/sup 0/C range. Cells fabricated from the 0.1 ..cap omega..-cm CdS with a 0.5 um undoped layer adjacent to the junction have yielded encouraging diode characteristics with a strong photovoltaic effect and will be used to an optimization study. Cu/sub x/S coatings deposited onto CdS under various conditions have been found to have the same properties as those deposited onto …

California law contains several vehicles for the implementation of geothermal planning. These mechanisms and their impact are examined. First, at the State level upon the California Energy Commission and the Division of Oil and Gas in the Department of Conservation. After some background on county planning in California, the unique situation in the counties of greatest geothermal potential is presented: Imperial County and the four Geysers counties as well as their joint powers agency. Conclusions and recommendations are included. (MHR)

This paper reports on a laboratory study of erosion-corrosion on aluminum surfaces in high temperature water. It is essentially a continuation of a similar previous study with refinement in testing procedure and the addition of electrochemical measurements to study the phenomenon. The electrochemical procedures are of intrinsic worth, because such measurements have never before been conducted with such an unusual cell geometry as imposed by the erosion-corrosion testing apparatus.

The study approach explored the hypothesis that regional banks can play an important role in disseminating energy conservation information to their commercial/industrial customers. The four phases of the study are described in detail. (MCW)

The SARP includes structural integrity, thermal resistance, radiation shielding and radiological safety, nuclear criticality safety, and quality control of three insulated drum shipping containers identified as USA/9507/BLF (ERDA-AL), also called AL-M1, configurations 1, 3, and 5. Complete physical and technical descriptions of the packages are presented. Each package consists of an inner container centered within an insulated steel drum. The contents are plutonium-239 and uranium-235 in configurations-1 and -3. The configuration-5 package is intended for shipment of up to 100,000 Ci of tritiated water immobilized on a sorbent such as molecular sieve. (TFD)

Materials recovery and energy recovery from municipal solid waste, offering at least a partial solution to a city's solid waste management and disposal problem, are discussed. The most important barriers and issues which relate to energy and materials recovery from waste in urban areas are discussed. Energy recovery practices and processes, environmental issues, and municipal market economics are considered. (MCW)

An intensive theoretical program was launched to try to understand the conditions for safe propagation of intense beam currents in focussing systems, such as continuous and interrupted solenoid lens systems, and quadrupole strong-focussing systems. Analytic methods have led to significant advances in understanding of the new problems; with computational techniques a large amount of new information has been generated on space-charge-dominated transport phenomena; also, at this time a new LBL particle numerical simulation code is almost ready to give new results. Because the Bevalac is an operating heavy ion linac and synchrotron facility with an ongoing R and D effort and in expectation of imminent upgrading to bring it up to a uranium-ion capability, it was a natural choice to make an addition to these activities to examine low-..beta.. rf accelerating structures and ion sources suitable for HIF. An experimental program on intense beam propagation was briefly discussed. (MOW)

Progress in developing a microwave-vacuum system (MIVAC) for drying grain at a commercial grain handling and storage facility is reported. During this period the dryer was redesigned from 48 kW size to 12 kW, components were fabricated and assembled, and performance testing with corn drying was begun. (LCL)

Financial barriers which hinder the use and acceptance of solar technology in the building and industrial markets are identified. The barriers fall under three categories: risk, liquidity, and subsidy. Policy initiatives that can be used to overcome financing barriers which hinder the use of solar technology are briefly mentioned. These include direct lending programs operated by the government or by private banks and secondary financing organizations which provide liquidity and security to mortgage lenders. Policy options considered to accomplish the objectives of the initiatives and the evaluation of each option is presented. Options considered are: to modify existing governmental programs and institutions so that these institutions more effectively promote the use of solar energy; to create a new and separate institution to undertake a number of financing functions; and to create a direct federal loan program. The proposed functions of a Solar Development Bank are specifically examined. Information on functions and participants in the secondary mortgage market is discussed in the appendix. The text of a presidential speech on the technically feasible use of solar powered units is given. (MCW)

The objective of this research program is to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of producing solar-cell-quality sheet silicon by coating one surface of carbonized ceramic substrates with a thin layer of large-grain polycrystalline silicon from the melt. In the past year significant progress was made in all areas of the program. The physical and chemical properties of the standard mullite refractory used for the majority of the coating runs (McDanel MV20 and Coors S1SI) have been characterized. A number of experimental compositions have been identified and procured from Coors. Characterization of the standard compositions revealed that the thermal expansion of mullite depends on both relative amounts of glass phase and on the impurity level in the glass. Since the thermal expansion in mullite exceeds that of silicon, the silicon coating should be in a state of compression. This was confirmed by x-ray measurements. After modifying and cleaning the dip-coating facility, silicon on ceramic (SOC) solar cells were fabricated which demonstrate that the SOC process can produce silicon of solar cell quality. SOC cells having 1 cm/sup 2/ active areas demonstrated measured conversion efficiencies as high as 7.2 percent. Typical open-ciruit voltages (V/sub oc/) and short-circuit current densities (J/sub sc/) …

The paper discusses an information system which has been developed to monitor the social and economic impacts associated with the construction of twin nuclear reactors in Skagit County, Washington, by Puget Sound Power and Light Company. The monitoring system has been specifically designed to track the social and economic impacts of the Skagit Nuclear Project as they occur.

Candidate power conversion systems and criteria for comparing these systems are listed. The elements of each conceptual design and standard approaches to equipment design are described. The methods used to calculate heat and mass balances and the data used in the calculations are described. The method used in developing the economics of each system is described and factors such as construction wage rates common to all systems are included. Standard methods for developing the conceptual designs and corresponding economics are defined so that the results of each system study can be readily compared to those of the others. The candidate conversion systems are: multistage flash/binary; two stage flash with scrubbing; total flow; multistage flash/direct contact (Bechtel patented process); four stage flash/binary; binary with direct contact heat exchangers; hybrid-flash/binary; hybrid-flash/total flow; and flash/dual cycle binary. (MHR)

During the last year of operation the principal area of research has been ternary diffusion in solid solution alloys. Specific research projects deal with diffusion in the Cu--Ni--Zn and Fe--Ni--Al systems. Research activities in these areas are summarized.