Progress is reported on biomedical studies using cyclotron-produced /sup 18/F, /sup 15/O, /sup 11/C, /sup 13/N, /sup 52/Fe, /sup 38/K, /sup 206/Bi, /sup 73/Se, /sup 53/Co, and /sup 43/K. The following research projects are described: tumor detection and diagnosis; neurological studies; radiopharmaceutical development; /sup 38/K as an indicator of blood flow to the myocardium; dosimetry for internally deposited isotopes in animals and man; cyclotron development; positron tomographic imaging with the TOKIM System; and review of positron emission transaxial tomograph instruments. (HLW)

This report presents results obtained from the commercial LMFBR Steam Generator Design Comparison Study from 1 October 1977 through 30 September 1978 relative to selecting the preferred steam generator design for a commercial-size plant using a Benson, Sulzer, or saturated steam cycle. The primary emphasis was placed on identifying potential problem areas in each design for each steam cycle. The study indicates the hockey stick design as the preferred concept for each steam cycle.

Work accomplished between July 1974 and October 1978 in a program directed toward the design and development of a continuously variable ratio transmission (CVT) for an automotive vehicle is reported. The following major accomplishments were achieved: the laboratory and mathematical projections establishing the viability of the program and the predicted attainment of the primary goal of fuel economy were verified; the proposed Concept Demonstration prototype hydromechanical transmission (HMT) was completed from design to operation; the HMT was thoroughly tested in the laboratory and on the road and its in-vehicle performance was verified by independent testing laboratories; and design of a second generation Pre-Production HMT has proceeded to the point of confirming the practicality of the automotive HMT size and weight; most of the necessary information has been generated which could permit its production cost/competitiveness to be evaluated. (LCL)

The objective of the study is to develop an improved understanding of the nuclear energy center (NEC) concept and to identify research and development needed to evaluate the concept fully. A specific context was selected for the study--the Hanford site. Thus, the study primarily addresses the HNEC concept, but the findings are extrapolated to generic NECs where possible. The major emphasis in the HNEC study was to explore potential technical and environmental problems in a specific context and in sufficient detail to evaluate potential problems and propose practical solutions. The areas of concern are typical of those considered in preparing environmental and safety analysis reports, including: topics dealing with engineering choices (e.g., site selection, heat sink management, electrical transmission, and reliability of generation); environmental matters (e.g., terrestrial and radiological effects); socioeconomic factors (e.g., community impacts); and licensing considerations.

Information is reported on five projects in progress at the Mechanical Engineering Department at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. These projects involve: two-transducer test bed for ultrasonic imaging; warhead in-service status estimator; water quality studies for Imperial Valley Geothermal resource development; mirror fusion-fission hybrids; and impact tests of B77 for measuring dynamic buckling of titanium after body. (LCL)

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This progress report reviews issues and local area practice relative to the disposal of small quantity laboratory solid and chemical wastes from the PETC site. Research efforts to date have been in two major directions, a) solid and hazardous waste problems relative to PETC, and b) solid and hazardous waste problems relative to coal gasification and liquefaction conversion processes. It is intended that bench scale coal conversion processes located at PETC be considered as small but typical models for residuals sample generation. A literature search activity has begun in order to develop a data bank of coal conversion residual characterizations, and identify other centers of hazardous waste handling research expertise.

Progress is summarized in LMFBR safety studies related to the characterization of sodium fires and fission products. Included are sections on high temperature-concentration aerosols, large-scale molten fuel tests, characterization of released sodium particles, and risk analysis. (DG)

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The status of government sponsored projects undertaken to increase gas production from low-permeability gas sands of the western United States during August 1978 is summarized. Background information is given in the September 1977 Status Report, NVO/0655-100. One of the largest massive Hydraulic Fracture (MHF) treatment to date was performed on Gas Producing Enterprises Well No. CIGE 2-29. C.H. Atkinson, Western Gas Sands Project (WGSP) Manager and D.C. Bleakly, CER Corporation were observers. Oriented coring operations on the Mitchell Energy well, Muse-Duke No. 1 were observed by Atkinson and Bleakly near Mexia, Texas. The Fourth Annual Department of Energy Symposium on Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery and Improved Drilling Methods was held on August 29-31, 1978 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The USGS continued geological and geophysical studies in the four primary study areas. Low-level oblique photography of Tertiary and Cretaceous rocks exposed in the Rock Springs Uplift area was completed, and core from the J.C. Paine well in Montana was sampled for petrograhic analysis. Bartlesville Energy Technology Center continued work on the improved pressure coring system and anticipates completion of the project by September 30, 1978. Preliminary work began on the Parametric Analysis of MHF Test Data, an Engineering Study of Western …

The experimental efforts focused on both the development of a large aperture 2 MeV, 1A Cs/sup +/ ion beams and also a 750 kV, 60 mA Xe/sup +/ ion beams. A conceptual design and cost procedure for heavy-ion induction linacs are considered. Theoretical activities are reported on beam transport, final focusing, parameter studies, and comparison of instability theory with simulation results. (MOW)

In response to a widely expressed need to examine the impact of the federal regulatory system on the rate of geothermal power development, the Department of Energy-Division of Geothermal Energy (DGE) has established a Streamlining Task Force in cooperation with appropriate federal agencies. The intent is to find a way of speeding development by modification of existing laws or regulations or by better understanding and mechanization of the existing ones. The initial focus was on the leasing and development of federal lands. How do the existing processes work? Would changes produce positive results in a variety of cases? These are questions which must be considered in a national streamlining process. This report presents case studies of federal leasing actions on seven diverse locations in the western region. Characteristics of existing high geothermal potential areas are quite diverse; geography, environment, industry interest and the attitudes and activities of the responsible federal land management agencies and the interested public vary widely. Included are descriptions of post and current activities in leasing exploration and development and discussions of the probable future direction of activities based on current plans. Implications of these plans are presented. The case studies were based on field interviews with …

Conceptual design studies of the target chamber defined the general configuration and dimensions of the chamber and the inlet plenum, orifice plate, and nozzle plate concepts required to generate the desired lithium jet fall. Preliminary studies were performed of the target chamber interfaces with the liquid lithium supply system, the laser system, the pellet injection system, and the target chamber mounting and support system. Target chamber environmental effects resulting from typical thermonuclear burns were evaluated. The outlet region of the target chamber was outlined conceptually, and preliminary design considerations were given to the annular graphite reflector regions of the target chamber and the associated liquid lithium coolant passages. (MOW)

Abstract: "The Environmental Working Level Monitor (EWLM) is an instrument used to automatically monitor airborne Rn-daughter concentrations and the Working Level (WL). It is an ac powered, microprocessor-based instrument with an external inverter provided for dc operation if desired. The microprocessor's control processor unit (CPU) controls the actuation of the detector assembly and processes its output signals to yield the measurements in the proper units. The detectors are fully automated and require no manual operations once the instrument is programmed. They detect and separate the alpha emitters of RaA and RaC' as well as detecting the beta emitters of RaB and RaC. The resultant pulses from these detected radioisotopes are transmitted to the CPU. The programmed microprocessor performs the mathematical manipulations necessary to output accurate Rn-daughter concentrations and the WL. A special subroutine within the system program enables the EWLM to run a calibration procedure on command which yields calibration data. This data can then be processed in a separate program on most computers capable of BASIC programming. This calibration program results in the derivation of coefficients and beta efficiencies which provides the calibrated coefficients and beta efficiencies required by the main system program to assure proper calibration of the …

Work devoted to assessment of Eastern gas shales is reported. It is noted that although the Late Devonian-age dark shales of the Eastern Interior Basins are thought to be uniformly gassy, organic geochemical studies in the Appalachian and Illinois Basins show that the gas is not uniformly distributed and that most of the gas is probably sourced and largely retained in thin, organic-rich zones that were deposited in restricted marine environments. As the Devonian-age basins filled, the environments of deposition of the Appalachian Basin and Illinois Basin became nonmarine more and more northerly and northwestwardly, respectively. Heavy hydrocarbon-to-organic carbon ratios show that the organic matter associated with the restricted marine environments is different in the two basins. During virtually the entire period in question, the Appalachian Basin had a direct connection; the Illinois Basin was somewhat isolated by the already developing Cincinnati Arch on the east and the Kankakee or Wabash Arch on the north. However, the differences in organic matter noted in this study suggest a northwest connection of the Illinois Basin to a different ocean mass than that which supplied marine waters to the Appalachian Basin. As a fossil fuel resource, certain facies within the dark Devonian-age shale …

A general overview of geothermal energy is presented. The current usage, geological origin, and environmental effects of geothermal development are summarized with emphasis on the numerous facets of the resource that may be singled out by interested individuals for further study. The conclusion is made that total geothermal development will be but a small percentage of the U.S. energy requirement, but that geothermal energy is and will be regionally significant as an energy resource.

Two coal liquid products derived from the same Kentucky hvAb coal have been separated into toluene-insoluble, asphaltene, and pentane-soluble heavy oil fractions. Viscosity and calorimetric studies are reported of the interaction between heavy oil and asphaltene(A) and its acid/neutral(AA) and base(BA) components in solvent benzene. The increase in viscosity and molar enthalpy of interaction, {Delta}H{sup 0}, in the order BA>A>AA, correlate well with the proton magnetic resonance downfield chemical shift of the OH signal of o-phenylphenol, as a function of added asphaltene (A, AA, BA) concentration in solvent CS{sub 2}· The results suggest that when asphaltene .and heavy oil are present together, hydrogen-bonding involving largely phenolic OH, is one of the mechanisms by which asphaltene-heavy oil interactions are achieved and, in part, is responsible for the viscosity increase of coal liquids.

Abstract: Results of a reconnaissance geochemical survey of the Sherman Quadrangle, Texas; Oklahoma are reported. Field and laboratory data are presented for 718 groundwater and 715 stream sediment samples. Statistical and areal distributions of uranium and possible uranium related variables are displayed. A generalized geologic map of the survey area is provided, and pertinent geologic factors which may be of significance in evaluating the potential for uranium mineralization are briefly discussed.

Data collected as part of the hydrogeological and stream sediment reconnaissance for the Sherman NTMS quadrangle including laboratory data on well water and stream sediments as well as field data.

Field and laboratory data are presented for 718 groundwater and 715 stream sediment samples. Statistical and areal distributions of uranium and possible uranium-related variables are displayed. A generalized geologic map of the survey area is provided, and pertinent geologic factors which may be of significance in evaluating the potential for uranium mineralization are briefly discussed. Groundwater data indicate that uranium concentrations above the 85th percentile are predominant in the Trinity Group (Lower Cretaceous), and the Taylor and Navarro Groups (Upper Cretaceous). Values of uranium above the 85th percentile also occur in the Permian units located in the northwestern section of the survey area. Several trends delineating saline water are discernable, the most notable of which occur in sections of the Woodbine Formation and the Permian units. Less distinguishing saline trends occur in many of the Upper Cretaceous formations. Stream sediment data indicate that uranium concentrations above the 85th percentile occur in sections of the Fredericksburg Group parallel to the contact with the Washita Group, in the Eagle Ford Formation, and in the Taylor Group. High values of uranium in the Fredericksburg Group appear to be associated with carbonates and marine clays. High values of uranium in the Eagle Ford Formation …

A manual, prepared to guide personnel in operating and maintaining the Janus glass laser system, is presented. System components are described in detail. Step-by-step procedures are presented for firing the laser and for performing routine maintenance and calibration procedures.

Chemical kinetic modeling studies of vibrational-photochemical isotope enrichment have been performed on two systems: Model (I), H/sup 79/Br(H/sup 81/Br) + Cl/sub 2/ and, Model (II), H/sup 37/Cl(H/sup 35/Cl) + Br. Pulsed laser excitation was modeled to the first excited vibrational level of H/sup 79/Br in Model I and the first and second excited vibrational levels of both HCl isotopes in Model II. These are prototype systems of exoergic (Model I) and endoergic (Model II) reactions. The effects on enrichment of varying the external parameters (pressure, laser intensity) and the internal parameters (rate constants for V-V exchange and excited-state reactions) were examined. Studies of these prototype systems indicate that a favorable reaction for enrichment, with isotopically-specific excitation and a significantly accelerated vibrationally-excited-state reaction should have the following properties: the reaction from v = 0 should be only moderately exoergic, and the most favorable coreactant should be a polyatomic species, such as alkyl radical. Direct excitation of the reacting vibrational level is at least an order of magnitude more favorable for enrichment than is population by energy transfer. Enrichment of the minor isotope by these processes is more effective than is major isotope enrichment. Within limits, increased laser intensity is beneficial. However, …

The sensitivity of mechanical and hydraulic snubber parameters to system displacements, stresses, and forces are analyzed. Acceleration threshold, clearance, and friction are evaluated for mechanical snubbers while hydraulic snubber investigations include lock velocity, bleed rate, unlock loading, clearance, and friction. The back-up structure is influential for both types of snubbers and although not a snubber parameter, per se, is treated like a parameter. Forcing functions are utilized, and include both harmonic and time history seismic inputs to the mathematical models. Mathematical models are used to simulate snubber characteristics. Special mathematical techniques are developed for economical use in piping programs. Acceptable parameter ranges are established, based on criteria for the various mechanical and hydraulic snubber characteristics.