The Geothermal research Program of the US Department of Energy (DOE) has as one of its goals to reduce the cost of drilling geothermal wells by 25 percent. To attain this goal, DOE continuously evaluates new technologies to determine their potential in contributing to the Program. One such technology is artifical intelligence (AI), a branch of computer science that, in recent years, has begun to impact the marketplace in a number of fields. Expert systems techniques can (and in some cases, already have) been applied to develop computer-based ''advisors'' to assist drilling personnel in areas such as designing mud systems, casing plans, and cement programs, optimizing drill bit selection and bottom hole asssembly (BHA) design, and alleviating lost circulation, stuck pipe, fishing, and cement problems. Intelligent machines with sensor and/or robotic directly linked to AI systems, have potential applications in areas of bit control, rig hydraulics, pipe handling, and pipe inspection. Using a well costing spreadsheet, the potential savings that could be attributed to each of these systems was calculated for three base cases: a dry steam well at The Geysers, a medium-depth Imerial Valley well, and a deep Imperial Valley well. Based on the average potential savings to be …

Proposed and approved funding budget for Nolan County, Texas for the the year 1987-1988.

Rocky Flats is looking for an optimum method for surface treating 304L stainless steel to increase its resistance to tritium permeation. Selected surface treatments were applied to 304L samples. One set of samples was shipped to the Rockwell Corporate Science Center for alternate characterization analysis. Another set was sent to Los Alamos National Laboratory for tritium exposure and ion beam spectrographic analysis. The Science Center performed the following analyses: ellipsometry, contact potential, photoelectron emission, surface energy, surface activation, cathodic polarization, electrochemical impedance, and open-circuit potential. Excellent correlation was found between type of treatment and surface activation and electrochemical impedance. Results of the Science Center tests correlated well with actual tritium permeation measurements made at Los Alamos. 8 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.

We have developed a numerical algorithm, HUBBERT, to simulate the hydrodynamics of a propagating vertical, rectangular fracture in an elastic porous medium. Based on the IFD method, this algorithm assumes fracture geometry to be prescribed. The breakdown and the creation of the incipient fracture is carried out according to the Hubbert-Willis theory. The propagation of the fracture is based on the criterion provided by Griffith, based on energy considerations. The deformation properties of the open fracture are based on simple elasticity solutions. The fracture is assumed to have an elliptical shape to a distance equal to the fracture height, beyond which the shape is assumed to be parallel plate. A consequence of Griffith's criterion is that the fracture must propagate in discrete steps. The parametric studies carried out suggest that for a clear understanding of the hydrodynamics of the hydraulic fracture many hitherto unrecognized parameters must be better understood. Among these parameters one might mention, efficiency, aperture of the newly formed fracture, stiffness of the newly formed fracture, relation between fracture aperture and permeability, and well bore compliance. The results of the studies indicate that the patterns of pressure transients and the magnitudes of fracture length appear to conform to …

Theoretical discussions of the propagation of pulses of laser radiation through atomic or molecular vapor rely on a number of traditional approximations for idealizing the radiation and the molecules, and for quantifying their mutual interaction by various equations of propagation (for the radiation) and excitation (for the molecules). In treating short-pulse phenomena it is essential to consider coherent excitation phenomena of the sort that is manifest in Rabi oscillations of atomic or molecular populations. Such processes are not adequately treated by rate equations for excitation nor by rate equations for radiation. As part of a more comprehensive treatment of the coupled equations that describe propagation of short pulses, this memo presents background discussion of the equations that describe the field. This memo discusses the origin, in Maxwell's equations, of the wave equation used in the description of pulse propagation. It notes the separation into lamellar and solenoidal (or longitudinal and transverse) and positive and negative frequency parts. It mentions the possibility of separating the polarization field into linear and nonlinear parts, in order to define a susceptibility or index of refraction and, from these, a phase and group velocity. The memo discusses various ways of characterizing the polarization characteristics of …

This report discusses the warming up of the stainless steel inner vessel of the CC Cryostat back to room temperature after it has been cooled down by liquid nitrogen. It considers the sufficiency of a standard magnet warm-up 12KW heater in delivering enough heat to warm the Crypstat in a couple of days. The concept of sufficiency will be answered by the following questions, and by an experimental test that was made of the heater in question.

As part of the Solid Waste Storage Area (SWSA) 6 remedial investigation activities, surface seismic refraction surveys will be conducted to characterize the thickness of the soil/saprolite horizon (Boegly et al. 1985). The primary advantage of the seismic method is the ability to detect sudden changes in bedrock topography in regions with insufficient borehole data. The lateral resolution capability offered by the seismic refraction method is highly desirable to properly characterize the thickness of the soil/saprolite horizon. This progress report presents a project design for this activity and documents investigations that have been accomplished to complete this project. Data acquisition is expected to be completed during FY-87.

As part of the Solid Waste Storage Area (SWSA) 6 remedial investigation activities, surface seismic refraction surveys will be conducted to characterize the thickness of the soil/saprolite horizon (Boegly et al. 1985). The primary advantage of the seismic method is the ability to detect sudden changes in bedrock topography in regions with insufficient borehole data. The lateral resolution capability offered by the seismic refraction method is highly desirable to properly characterize the thickness of the soil/saprolite horizon. This progress report presents a project design for this activity and documents investigations that have been accomplished to complete this project. Data acquisition is expected to be completed during FY-87.

Weekly report of the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service on broiler chick numbers in Texas and compared with other states. It includes compiled statistics across six consecutive weeks, from the week ending May 16 to the week ending June 20, during 1986 and 1987 for broiler eggs set, chicks hatched, and chicks placed.

This report describes the progress in the Jupiter-III program during the time period of April through July, 1987.

This Safety Analysis Report for Packaging (SARP) satisfies the request of the US Department of Energy for a formal safety analysis of the shipping container identified as USA/9507/BLF, also called AL-M1, configuration 5. This report makes available to all potential users the technical information and the limits pertinent to the construction and use of the shipping containers. It includes discussions of structural integrity, thermal resistance, radiation shielding and radiological safety, nuclear criticality safety, and quality control. A complete physical and technical description of the package is presented. The package consists of an inner container centered within an insulated steel drum. The configuration-5 package contains tritiated water held on sorbent material. There are two other AL-M1 packages, designated configurations 1 and 3. These use the same insulated outer drum, but licensing of these containers will not be addressed in this SARP. Design and development considerations, the tests and evaluations required to prove the ability of the container to withstand normal transportation conditions, and the sequence of four hypothetical accident conditions (free drop, puncture, thermal, and water immersion) are discussed. Tables, graphs, dimensional sketches, photographs, technical references, loading and shipping procedures, Monsanto Research Corporation-Mound experience in using the containers, and a copy …

This revised Safety Analysis Report for Packaging (SARP) satisfies the requirement of the US Department of Energy (DOE) for an updated formal safety analysis of the two insulated drum shipping containers identified as USA/5790/BLF and USA/5791/BLF. The report makes available to all potential users the technical information and limits pertinent to the construction and use of the shipping containers. This SARP includes discussions of structural integrity, thermal resistance, radiation shielding and radiological safety, nuclear criticality safety, and quality control. Complete physical and technical descriptions of the packages are presented. Each package consists of a cylindrical steel inner container centered within an insulating steel drum assembly. The contents may be any radioactive materials that satisfy the requirements established in this SARP. A shipment of plutonium-238 in the form of a solid oxide is evaluated in this SARP as an example. Design and development considerations, the tests and evaluations required to prove the ability of the containers to withstand normal transportation conditions, and the sequence of four hypothetical accident conditions (free drop, puncture, thermal, and water immersion) are discussed. Tables, graphs, dimensional sketches, photographs, technical references, loading and shipping procedures, Mound Facility experience in using the containers, and copies of the DOE …

This report discusses the many difficult policy dilemmas associated with the AIDS epidemic, including past Congressional funding to support AIDS research and education efforts, strategies for controlling the spread of the AIDS virus, and methods and resources available for the care and treatment of persons with AIDS.

This report discusses payments for physicians services under Medicare that are made on the basis of a fee schedule.