This program consists of a design study and component development for an experimental 50-kWp photovoltaic concentrator system to supply power to the San Ramon substation of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The photovoltaic system is optimized to produce peaking power to relieve the air conditioning load on the PG and E system during summer afternoons; and would therefore displace oil-fired power generation capacity. No electrical storage is required. The experiment would use GaAs concentrator cells with point-focus fresnel lenses operating at 400X, in independent tracking arrays of 440 cells each, generating 3.8 kWp. Fourteen arrays, each 9 feet by 33 feet, are connected electrically in series to generate the 50 kWp. The high conversion efficiency possible with GaAs concentrator cells results in a projected annual average system efficiency (AC electric power output to sunlight input) of better than 15%. The capability of GaAs cells for high temperature operation made possible the design of a total energy option, whereby thermal power from selected arrays could be used to heat and cool the control center for the installation. System design and analysis, fabrication and installation, environmental assessment, and cost projections are described in detail. (WHK)

Actinide cross section data at thermonuclear neutron energies are needed for the calculation of ICF pellet center burnup of fission reactor waste, viz. 14 MeV neutron fission of the very long-lived actinides that pose storage problems. A major advantage of pellet center burnup is safety: only milligrams of highly toxic and active material need to be present in the fusion chamber, whereas blanket burnup requires the continued presence of tons of actinides in a small volume. The actinide data tables required for Monte Carlo calculations of the burnup of /sup 241/Am and /sup 243/Am are discussed in connection with typical burnup reactor fusion and fission spectra. 2 figures.

The prinicpal effort during this contract period was directed toward preparing for on-line radiochemical experiments at LAMPF directed toward studying rare processes such as (..pi../sup -/, ..pi../sup +/), (n, ..delta../sup + +/) and (..mu../sup -/, e/sup +/) in /sup 88/Sr. Chemical scavenging techniques to remove interfering products were shown to be effective without significantly affecting the sensitivity of the detection system. Sensitivities of less than 0.1 ..mu..b for the first two processes appear achievable. Detailed statistical analysis of last years' experiments is leading to new limits, about an order of magnitude lower than already reported, on the formation of polyneutrons, reinforcing the conclusion that such species are not particle stable. 100/sup -/GeV ..pi../sup -/ studies of copper spallation are revealing no dramatic differences between spallation with pions and that with protons. Essentially, this report consists of a collection of abstract-like summaries.

A Parabolic Dish-Electric Transport concept for dispersed solar thermal generation is considered. In this concept the power generated by 15 kWe Solar Generation Units is electrically collected in a large plant. Various approaches are possible for the conversion of mechanical shaft output of the heat engines to electricity. This study focuses on the Application of Field Modulated Generation System (FMGS) for that purpose. Initially the state-of-the-art of FMGS is presented, and the application of FMGS to dispersed solar thermal electric generation is investigated. This is followed by the definition of the control and monitoring requirements for solar generation system. Then comparison is made between FMGS approach and other options. Finally, the technology developmental needs are identified.

This paper applies present observational and analytic knowledge on effects of plasma beam interaction wth the magnetosphere to the plasmasphere contamination problem of the argon ion engine exhaust expected to be deposited in the magnetosphere during the construction phase of the Satellite Power System. Effects of plasmasphere, ionosphere, and radiation belt modifications are discussed.

Studies were conducted to assess the technical and economic merits and limitations of advanced solar-geothermal hybrid electric power plant concepts. Geothermal resource characteristics and technologies were reviewed to determine the best possible ways of combining solar and geothermal technologies into a hybrid operation. Potential hybrid system concepts are defined and their performance, resource usage, and economics are assessed relative to the individual solar and geothermal resource development techniques. Key results are presented.

We studied the feasibility of computerized automation of the Analytical Laboratories Section at NASA's Lewis Research Center. Since that laboratory's duties are not routine, we set our automation goals with that in mind. We selected four instruments as the most likely automation candidates: an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, an emission spectrometer, an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and an x-ray diffraction unit. Our study describes two options for computer automation: a time-shared central computer and a system with microcomputers for each instrument connected to a central computer. A third option, presented for future planning, expands the microcomputer version. We determine costs and benefits for each option. We conclude that the microcomputer version best fits the goals and duties of the laboratory and that such an automated system is needed to meet the laboratory's future requirements.

This program has the objective of determining the relationships between the shale characteristics, hydrocarbon gas contents, and well location, and thereby provide a sound basis for (1) assessing the productive capacity of the Eastern Devonian Gas Shale deposits and (2) guiding research, development, and demonstration projects to enhance the recovery of natural gas from the shale deposits. The Y-1 well in Allegany County, New York was sampled in September 1978. 412 samples were collected from the Allegany County, New York well. Characterization data on Y-1 (EGSP New York No. 1), Allegany County, New York well is reported and discussed. Analysis of the hydrocarbon gases in Y-1 samples indicates that the longer chain hydrocarbon gases (ethane, propane, butane) in these shales are significantly higher than in previous wells. The carbon contents of the Y-1 (Allegany County, New York) well, on the other hand, are somewhat lower than predicted from the hydrocarbon gas contents. There is still a positive relationship between the carbon and hydrocarbon gas contents, however. A similar relationship is also apparent between the sulfur and hydrocarbon gas contents. No unusual trends are observed in the porosity values, and a reasonable agreement exists between the measured Hg-intrusion values and those …

The characterization data obtained during the period October through December 1978 are described. One well in Allegany County, New York, was sampled in September 1978. A total of 412 samples were collected from the Allegany County, New York well (165 for Battelle and 247 for other DOE/MERC contractors). Two other wells, namely in Wetzel County, West Virginia and Johnson County, Kentucky, were cored during the last quarter of 1978. A total of 109 samples were obtained from the Wetzel County, West Virginia well (46 samples for Battelle and 63 samples for other DOE/MERC contractors). The samples were obtained from depths of 6100 to 6635 feet. Characterization data on I-2 (EGSP Ind. No. 2), Clark County, Indiana, and Y-1 (EGSP New York No. 1), Allegany County, New York wells are reported and discussed. Analysis of the hydrocarbon gases in Y-1 samples indicates that the longer chain hydrocarbon gases (ethane, propane, butane) in these shales are significantly higher than in the previous wells studied. The Indiana well (I-2) shows surprisingly high carbon contents compared with the hydrocarbon gas contents. The carbon contents of the Y-1 (Allegany County, New York) well, on the other hand, are somewhat lower than would be predicted from …

Various characterization tasks were performed on 54 cored shale samples from Johnson County, Kentucky. Core samples were obtained from depths of 967 to 1510 feet. A total of 126 samples were canned for several DOE contractors, including Battelle Columbus. Free gas analyses indicate the presence of significant quantities of higher chain hydrocarbon gases in the K-4 shales. Hydrocarbon gas release rates and kinetic studies indicate that diffusion coefficients are inversely proportional to the square root of the molecular weight of diffusing species. Although wide scatter is observed in the chemical and physical characterization data, good correlations exist between the hydrocarbon gas contents and various laboratory characterization values (physical and chemical). A number of one-to-one relationships are pointed out and discussed. Lithologically, inorganic portions of K-4 shales are composed predominantly of quartz and illite with small quantities of pyrite and various carbonate minerals.

Core sampling, hydrocarbon gas contents, chemical and physical characterization data are presented. Core samples from these two Illinois basin wells were obtained in July and August 1977. Thirty-one and twenty-three samples were obtained from N-1 and N-2 wells, respectively, amounting to total core length of 940 feet. Shales from Illinois basin wells (such as N-1 and N-2) are characterized by very low hydrocarbon gas contents. In fact, the N-1 and N-2 wells exhibited the lowest hydrocarbon gas contents among all the wells thus far analyzed. The chemical analysis of these shales also indicates rather low carbon and hydrogen contents, supporting the hydrocarbon gas release data. One significant aspect of the physical characterization data is high porosity associated with low bulk densities. N-1 and N-2 shales exhibit the highest pore volume of any shales from either basin (Appliachian and Illinois). Lithology of these shales does not significantly differ from those of other locations. These shales exhibit relatively low carbonates.

This program was initiated in September 1976, with the objective and scope of determining the relationships between the shale characteristics, hydrocarbon gas contents, and well location, and thereby provide a sound basis for (1) assessing the productive capacity of the Eastern Devonian Gas Shale deposits, and (2) guiding research, development and demonstration projects to enhance the recovery of natural gas from the shale deposits. Included in the scope of the program are a number of elemental tasks as a part of the Resource Inventory and Shale Characterization subprojects of DOE's Eastern Gas Shales Project designed to provide large quantities of support data for current and possibly future needs of the Project.

An evaluation of three coal feeder concepts (lockhopper, Fuller Kinyon screw and Foster Miller pocket feeder) for use in the ICGG first stage gasifier was made. For the sake of consistency, all feed concepts were evaluated on the same basis, that is, feeding a nominal 100 Tons per hour (TPH) against a back pressure of 50 psig. Also, all feed systems were assumed to have similar atmospheric storage hoppers and final injection systems. Accordingly, no further consideration of these support systems was made. This survey was accomplished by reviewing the literature, interviewing vendors, contacting applicable facilities and performing necessary original analysis. The emphasis of the survey was on the test and industrial experience of each system. The results of this survey which are summarized on Table I show that the lockhopper system still should be considered as the baseline system because it is a proven system with extensive operating experience. On the other hand, if definitive tests can prove conclusively that the Fuller Kinyon screw pump will deliver coal against 50 psig back pressure with acceptable efficiencies and coal particle attrition characteristics, it would be the preferred system because it is the lowest cost and easiest to maintain. The Foster …

The Cool Pool is a passive cooling system consisting of a shaded, evaporating roof pond which thermosiphons cool water into water-filled, metal columns (culvert pipes) located within the building living space. The water in the roof pond is cooled by evaporation, convection and radiation. Because the water in the pool and downcomer is colder and denser than the water in the column a pressure difference is created and the cold water flows from the pool, through the downcomer and into the bottom of the column. The warm column water rises and flows through a connecting pipe into the pool. It is then cooled and the cycle repeats itself. The system requires no pumps. The water column absorbs heat from the building interior primarily by convection and radiation. Since the column is radiating at a significantly lower temperature than the interior walls it plays a double role in human comfort. Not only does it cool the air by convection but it provides a heat sink to which people can radiate. Since thermal radiation is important to the cooling of people, the cold water column contributes substantially to their feelings of comfort. Research on the Cool Pool system includes the following major …

Progress in small-scale fire suppression tests and spray maximization tests related to sodium fires in the Clinch River Breeder Reactor is reported.

To aid future hydrogen fusion researchers, I have correlated the measured physical and chemical properties of the hydrogens below 30/sup 0/K. I have further estimated these properties for deuterium--deuterium tritide--tritium (D/sub 2/--DT--T/sub 2/) fusion fuel. My resulting synthesis offers a timely view and review of cryogenic hydrogen properties, plus some hydrogen data to room temperature. My general thrust is for workers new to the field, although my discussion of the scientific background of the material would suit specialists.

Analytical procedures were refined for the Structural Assessment Approach for assessing the Material Control and Accounting systems at facilities that contain special nuclear material. Requirements were established for an efficient, feasible algorithm to be used in evaluating system performance measures that involve the probability of detection. Algorithm requirements to calculate the probability of detection for a given type of adversary and the target set are described.

The purpose of this program is to demonstrate and quantify the amount of fuel that can be saved if the Spectral Fuel Conservation System (SFCS) developed by the Environmental Data Corporation (EDC) is installed in coal-fired industrial boilers. Of central importance to the program are the selection of an appropriate test site and the preparation and methodical application of a comprehensive test strategy. Consequently, the sections dealing with these topics in the proposal have been considerably expanded in this program plan to include as much preparatory thinking as is possible at this early stage. The remainder of this document is essentially an update version of the technical portion of the proposal. No change in the schedule is anticipated.

Final design is more than 85 percent complete on the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility, the facility for post-irradiation examination of the fuels and materials tests irradiated in the FFTF and for fuel process development, experimental test pin fabrication and supporting storage, assay, and analytical chemistry functions. The overall facility is generally described with specific information given on some of the design features. Construction has been initiated and more than 10% of the construction contracts have been awarded on a fixed price basis.

The use of a biphase turbine system to recover waste heat from diesel engines was examined and found to have many favorable attributes. Among these were low rpm, high torque, low heat exchanger cost, and simplicity. Several candidate working fluid combinations were tested at temperatures of interest. The contact heat exchanger concept was substantiated by large scale experiment. The program includes subscale tests of key hardware components of a biphase turbine bottoming system. These are the two-phase nozzle, two-phase turbine, and direct contact heat exchanger. A comprehensive cost analysis was completed. A three-year program leading to a full-size system field demonstration has been planned. Progress in the first year of this program and the effort started on the second year program are reported.

The research involved formulation of commercially available materials and synthesis of new elastomers. Formulation studies at JPL and elsewhere produced a material having about 250-350 psi tensile strength and 30 to 80% elongation at 260/sup 0/C for at least 24 hours in simulated brine. The relationship between these laboratory test results and sealing performance in actual or simulated test conditions is not entirely clear; however, it is believed that no conventional formation or casing packer design is likely to perform well using these materials. The synthetic effort focused on high temperature block copolymers and development of curable polystyrene. Procedures were worked out for synthesizing these new materials. Initial results with heat-cured unfilled polystyrene gum at 260/sup 0/C indicated a tensile strength of about 50 psi. Cast films of the first sample of polyphenyl quinoxaline-polystyrene block copolymer, which has a graft-block structure consisting of a polystyrene chain with pendant polyphenyl quinoxaline groups, showed elastomeric behavior in the required temperature range. Its tensile strength and elongation at 260/sup 0/C were 220 to 350 psi and 18 to 36%, respectively. All of these materials also showed satisfactory hydrolytic stability. A procedure for the synthesis of a linear block copolymer of this type has …

Following DOE's RFP for District Heating and Cooling Through Power Plant Retrofit, Detroit Edison and the City of Detroit decided to respond, even though it would mean redirection and a delay in their plan that was already under study. The analysis reported here proceeded in six steps. The first step was to identify the service area under the constraint that it be within the City of Detroit and in close proximity to the candidate plant. With the basic service area to be considered established, the load within the service area was defined for the five categories of end-users chosen: general residential, major residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial. Parallel to all tasks and continuing throughout the phase, a definition of institutional requirements - including regulatory, legal, and licensing aspects of a district heating and cooling project - was carried out to determine the ability of Detroit Edison to own and operate such a project and to define the limitations or problems that may be encountered in the project. The capacity of the retrofitted power plant to supply heating and cooling was determined as a basis for sizing the distribution systems and for determining which end-user loads could be served. The distribution …

An analysis was performed investigating the potential of retrofitting Detroit Edison's Conners Creek power plant to supply district heating and cooling to an area surrounding the plant and within the City of Detroit. A detailed analysis was made of the types and ages of the buildings in the service area as a basis for establishing loads. The analysis of the power plant established possible modifications to the turbines to serve the load in the area. Based upon the service area data and plant retrofit schemes, a distribution system was developed incrementally over a 20-y period. An economic analysis of the system was performed to provide cash flows and payback periods for a variety of energy costs, system costs, and escalation rates to determine the economic viability of the system analyzed. The legal and regulatory requirements required of the district heating and cooling system owner in Michigan were also analyzed to determine what conditions must be met to own and operate the system.

This appendix presents tabulated data used for evaluating the feasibility of retrofitting thermal power plants in the Detroit area so as to provide heat for a district heating system. (LCL)