Task 3 of Contract AT03-76SF78003 consists of the following programs: fuel rod chemistry and thermodynamics; fuel rod engineering; fuel irradiations testing and analysis; reference structural materials. The four parts are closely interrelated and in combination are aimed at providing a sound basis for the design and performance evaluation of LMFBR mixed oxide fuel rods.

When residential units are analyzed in human factor terms, it is apparent that the consumption level feedback (typically a bill, calculated once a month, over all appliances) is inadequate to give the resident useful information about his energy consuming actions. The present study tested the hypothesis that providing immediate feedback to homeowners concerning their daily rate of electric usage would be effective in reducing electric consumption. In the studied homes, central air-conditioning is the largest single source of electric power consumption during the summer. Accordingly, it was possible to predict the household's expected electric consumption in terms of the average daily outdoor temperature. Predicted electric consumption was derived from a previous month's modeling period during which a regression line was fitted to predict consumption from average daily temperature, for each home. Feedback was expressed as a percentage of actual consumption over predicted consumption. Feedback was displayed to homeowners four times a week for approximately one month. The results confirmed the prediction. Before feedback began, the feedback and control groups were consuming electricity at approximately equal rates. During the feedback period, the feedback group used 10.5 percent less electricity. The effectiveness of the feedback procedure was explained in terms of its …

The following subjects are covered: a general description of the project and environment, system thermal performance, system economic analysis, and subsystem performance. (MHR)

The design and operating criteria to be used in the Advanced Thermal Energy Storage Study are described. The storage system operating requirements and design standards are outlined and the corresponding power plant interface requirements are given. Each of the three alternative high temperature thermal energy storage systems (phase change, thermochemical, and sensible heat) is described. The approach and criteria to be used in developing energy cost numbers are described, and the systems requirements data and the requirements perturbations to be used in the trade studies are summarized. All of the requirements data to be used are compiled. (LEW)

Discussion is presented under the following section headings: background and some technical characteristics of geothermal resources; geology and geohydrology, geophysics, and, conclusions regarding availability of geothermal energy for nonelectric uses; agricultural assessment of Lake County, site assessment for potential agricultural development, analysis of potential agricultural applications, special application of low cost geothermal energy to algae harvesting, development of an integrated agribusiness, geothermal complex in Lake County, analysis of individual enterprises, and, recommendations for subsequent work; demographic characteristics, economic condition and perspective of Lake County, economic impact of geothermal in Lake County, social and economic factors related to geothermal resource development, socioeconomic impact of nonelectric uses of geothermal energy, and, identification of direct heat applications of geothermal energy for Lake County based on selected interviews; cost estimate procedure, example, justification of procedure, and, typical costs and conclusions; and, recommended prefeasibility and feasibility studies related to construction of facilities for nonelectric applications of geothermal resource utilization. (JGB)

This report has a two-fold objective: (1) to identify major energy-related environmental concerns, needs, and problem areas, and (2) to show the relationship of the planned FY 1978 research program of the ERDA Assistant Administrator of Environment and Safety (AES) to those environmental issues. The document is organized into sections addressing each major energy form. Each section identifies environmental issues of an energy form and indicates the level of planned FY 78 AES research addressing each issue, thus delineating the links between environmental research and the needs of energy research, development, and demonstration (RD and D).

An investigation was conducted to determine the influence of variables in controlling the size and repeatability of grinding burrs to minimize burr-removal costs and improve the quality and reliability of parts for small precision mechanisms. Each of the three types of burrs produced by surface-grinding a rectangular block responds differently to changes in cutting conditions. Reducing the downfeed rate generally produces shorter burrs. Although the size of the abrasive grain affected the thickness of one of the burrs, thickness was relatively unaffected by the variables studied. The thickest burrs occurred on low-carbon steel.

The technical theory of bending of circular plates under axisymmetric lateral loads is formulated in terms of Hart's state-variable equations. Then the method is applied to plates with simply supported and clamped edges through a standard algorithm. All the analytical results obtained compare qualitatively with those reported in the literature. The influence of the state variable called ''hardness'' is clearly demonstrated. Thus the analysis and the results provide a basis for acceptance of the model applied to structural components in a multiaxial state of stress.

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The articles describe the electric gun, a versatile tool for studying initiation properties of explosives; microcomputers and computer networks; and the preferred parts concept, which may mean that metric conversion will pay for itself by elimination of duplication. Brief items also report on progress in geothermal programs, the lithium--water--air battery program, and uncertain conclusions in the study of ozone depletion. 6 figures. Separate abstracts are prepared for the individual articles for inclusion in the data base. (RWR)

Bonded dry-film lubricants were evaluated to select a suitable lubricant for use in electromechanical devices which must be highly reliable after extended periods of storage and exposure to extreme atmospheric conditions. Mechanism tolerances and clearances require that the bonded lubricants be applied in thin films from 0.0002 to 0.0005 inch in thickness and that they exhibit a low friction coefficient both at the light loads of ambient environments and the loads of high-g environments. A tribometer, needed to obtain friction data by several techniques from dry-film-lubricant samples at light and moderate loads, was developed, since a suitable instrument was not commercially available. Light-load friction and wear characteristics were determined for ten commercially available, bonded dry-film lubricants. Of the six lubricants originally evaluated, Electrofilm 4396 was judged to be the best of the group. A later preliminary study of four other lubricants revealed that Electrofilm 77S may be better than 4396 for use in the small precision electromechanical devices. After tests on the original six lubricants found 4396 to be superior, a factorial design experiment used it to find the interaction between such friction-influencing variables as substrate finish and hardness, mating-part finish and hardness, and film polishing. Light-load-coefficient and wear-life data …

The Raft River Geothermal Exploratory Hole No. 2 (RRGE-2) is the second exploratory hole drilled in the Raft River Valley location of the Idaho Geothermal R and D Project for the purpose of determining the existence of hot water in quantities suitable for commercial power generation and nonelectric applications. This well was drilled to a depth of 6,543 feet below ground level to obtain additional geological information for evaluation of the deep geothermal reservoir system. The drilling and completion of RRGE-2 are described. The daily drilling reports, drill bit records, casing records, and descriptions of the cementing, logging, coring and containment techniques employed during the drilling operation are included.

The formulation, development, and use of versatile oven systems for high temperature metal vaporization at temperatures in excess of 2000/sup 0/C are discussed. Refinements of an apparatus appropriate for the production and study of small metal aggregates M/sub n/(2 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 6) are discussed at length. Improvements in the argon ion and nitrogen pumped dye laser systems, and necessary additions for effective interfacing of these dye lasers to the aggregates apparatus are described. Internal calibration standards are discussed. Progress on the production of carbon vapor and the reaction of this vapor with metal atoms and metal dimers to form metal carbides is outlined. Metal sulfide chemistry is discussed. Several specific studies of the luminescence process are outlined. Included in these studies are completed work on aluminum oxidation. Studies of germanium and silicon oxidation are outlined, and new investigations of inorganic hydride oxidation are presented. The status of our efforts to form new and novel surfaces via aggregate deposition is outlined. Quantum chemical calculations on small metal aggregates are discussed. The first applications of dynamic laser induced fluorescence to the AlO molecule are presented.

Environmental monitoring data for the years 1973 and 1974 pertaining to the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station Unit 1, which began operation in early 1974, were analyzed by the most practical qualitative and quantitative methods. Terrestrial biotic resources were considered for this plant. The effects of the operation of Unit 1 on the local terrestrial organisms were found to be undetectable. Although the plant has not operated long enough to reveal long-term deleterious effects, the present indications do not lead to a concerned prediction that any are developing. The data acquired, method of analysis, and results obtained are presented in detail along with recommendations for improving monitoring techniques.

This report describes a feasibility study for computerized automation of the Annapolis Field Office (AFO) of EPA's Region III. The AFO laboratory provides analytical support for a number of EPA divisions; its primary function at present is analysis of water samples from rivers, estuaries, and the ocean in the Chesapeake Bay area. Automation of the AFO laboratory is found to be not only feasible but also highly desirable. An automation system is proposed which will give major improvements in analytical capacity, quality control, sample management, and reporting capabilities. This system is similar to the LLL-developed automation systems already installed at other EPA laboratories, with modifications specific to the needs of the AFO laboratory and the addition of sample file control. It is estimated that the initial cost of the system, nearly $300,000, would be recouped in about three years by virtue of the increased capacity and efficiency of operation.

Processes of reworking printed wiring assemblies (PWA) built with multilayer printed wiring boards (MLPWB) were investigated. Because of the MLPWBs added thickness and increased heat absorption potential, assemblies built with these boards are suspected of being more susceptible to damage during component removal than assemblies built with single-layer double-sided boards. There also have been questions raised about the effect that rework has on the internal connections of the MLPWBs. A review and limited evaluation of all known rework methods resulted in selecting ''solder wick'' and ''vacuum extraction'' as the two main rework methods for use in the evaluations. The Appendix defines and describes these rework techniques. Two different groups of units, intended to be representative of a wide range of proposed and presently used MLPWB-component configurations, were fabricated and then reworked by variations of these two techniques. Approximately 16,000 internal connections of MLPWBs were subjected to rework. No internal connections became open or degraded. In addition, 80 PTHs with internal connections were subjected to 10 cycles of rework to examine the effect of rework on MLPWB internal connections. Continuity of the internal connections was measured before and after all rework. Even though the rework did cause extensive external damage to …

Separate abstracts and indexing were prepared for sections dealing with MSBR design and development; chemistry of fuel-salt and coolant-salt systems and analytical methods; materials development; fuel processing for molten-salt reactors; and salt production. (DG)

The major conclusions of the ERDA Artificial Heart Program Workshop are that the concept of a biologically compatible mechanical device which can totally replace the heart is sound, that such a device is needed as an alternative to cardiac transplantation and that its development is a realistic goal. The major recommendation of the committee is that an ERDA program with primary orientation toward development of a total heart replacement should continue, with assured funding about 50 percent higher than at present, for a minimum of 3 additional years at which time another major review should take place. To achieve better management of the program it is recommended that the present contract effort be reorganized under one prime contractor with responsibility for development and demonstration of the ERDA artificial heart system. The formation of a joint artificial heart advisory committee to improve coordination between ERDA and NHLI is also recommended. The committee suggests future policies and directions which it believes will lead to more effective use of funds available for specific aspects of the program. These include the nuclear heart source, engine, blood pump, biomaterials and overall system reliability. Possible future goals for the program are also proposed.

Analyses were made on 1974-1975 data pertaining to water quality and the use of biocides at the Duane Arnold Energy Center, which began operating in February 1975. The analyses showed no immediate deleterious effects due to plant operations. Although the plant has not been in operation long enough to reveal any long-term deleterious effects, present indications do not lead to a concerned prediction that any are developing. The data utilized, the methods of analysis, and the results obtained are presented in detail along with recommendations for improving the current monitoring techniques.

The organization of this thesis reflects the development of underwater radio tracking methodology for monitoring movements of freshwater fish. Equipment and techniques developed during this research are described in Part I and represent a cooperative effort between the author and the University of Minnesota's Cedar Creek engineering staff. In 1970, the equipment and techniques were tested and perfected during a study of largemouth bass movements in Mary Lake. The bass project provided an ideal situation to test the system. Since Mary Lake was small and the bass exhibited localized movements, the fish could be found easily; consequently, the performance of the system could be continually analyzed and problems could be quickly solved. The home range movements of the bass are described in Part II. After establishing the reliability and usefulness of the system, a much more difficult project was attempted. In 1971, a program was initiated to study the movements and behavior of steelhead in western Lake Superior. Results of this project (1971 to 1974) are presented in Part III.

Research conducted to develop a realistic model of Internal Centrifugal Zone Growth (ICZG) and to utilize the predictive capacities of this model to improve and extend present ICZG systems is reported. One-dimensional models for (hypothetical) infinitely large samples heated by long RF induction coils were previously developed and an S-curve instability phenomenon associated with spontaneous coupling of the RF field to materials whose electrical conductivity increases significantly with temperature was predicted. This model was extended to two dimensions to account for finite samples and coils. During the reporting period one-dimensional modeling was used in predicting additional instabilities (S shaped with a cusp) on melting which are ''piggy-back'' with the S-curve instabilities at lower temperatures. The low temperature S instability has been demonstrated for silicon; whereas, in cooperation with Oak Ridge, the predictive capacities of the modeling have been used to engineer around instabilities in the CrO/sub 3/-Mo systems and to extend ICZG to a number of other materials.

Self-broadened and foreign-gas (N/sub 2/ and O/sub 2/) broadened linewidths of H/sub 2/S at 300/sup 0/K for a wide range of quantum numbers J and K/sub a/, for both type A and type B bands, have been calculated using the Anderson-Tsao-Curnutte theory of line broadening. In the case of H/sub 2/S-H/sub 2/S collisions, dipole-dipole, dipole-quadrupole, quadrupole-dipole, and quadrupole-quadrupole interactions have been included. For H/sub 2/S-N/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/S-O/sub 2/ collisions, dipole-quadrupole and quadrupole-quadrupole interactions were taken into account. Computed values for self-broadened linewidths are in good agreement with the experimental results of Helminger and De Lucia. Air-broadened linewidths of H/sub 2/S at 200/sup 0/K have also been calculated, so that the temperature dependence can be established.

The discussion of hadron physics includes a few interesting unanswered questions concerning correlations in general, and then a new method is described for extracting dynamical information from the invariant mass dependence of inclusive correlation functions. (JFP)

A fabrication technology was developed to permit rapid and reliable fabrication of ferrite core assemblies that use small diameter copper wire. A method was devised for matching magnetic characteristics of ferrite cores using a computerized data system. 15 figures, 2 tables.