Least squares analyses of calorimetric measurements made at Mound Laboratory on two tritide compounds over a period of 18 y were performed to determine the half-life of tritium. A half-life of 12.3232 +- 0.0043 mean solar years was obtained.

This report summarizes our current effort and ideas toward the development of a model for the planetary boundary layer using the finite element technique. As an initial step, the finite element methodology is applied to simpler version of the boundary layer equations given by the two-dimensional, constant-property, incompressible conservation equations (Navier-Stokes equations). Solution procedures for both the steady-state and transient equations are discussed. For the transient problem, a variable time-step, trapezoid-rule algorithm with dynamic time-truncation error control is presented. The resulting system of nonlinear algebraic equations is solved by a Newton iteration procedure with a frontal solution scheme used for the linear set of equations. The need to develop a suitable linear equation solver, with respect to minimization of computer storage and execution costs, particularly for large (three-dimensional) finite element problems, is also discussed.

A loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) in a boiling-water-reactor (BWR) power plant has never occurred. However, because this type of accident could be particularly severe, it is used as a principal theoretical basis for design. A series of consistent, versatile, and accurate air-water tests that simulate LOCA conditions has been completed on a /sup 1///sub 5/-scale Mark I BWR pressure-suppression system. Results from these tests are used to quantify the vertical-loading function and to study the associated fluid dynamics phenomena. Detailed histories of vertical loads on the wetwell are shown. In particular, variation of hydrodynamic-generated vertical loads with changes in drywell-pressurization rate, downcomer submergence, and the vent-line loss coefficient are established. Initial drywell overpressure, which partially preclears the downcomers of water, substantially reduces the peak vertical loads. Scaling relationships, developed from dimensional analysis and verified by bench-top experiments, allow the /sup 1///sub 5/-scale results to be applied to a full-scale BWR power plant. This analysis leads to dimensionless groupings that are invariant. These groupings show that, if water is used as the working fluid, the magnitude of the forces in a scaled facility is reduced by the cube of the scale factor and occurs in a time reduced by the square root …

A theory of exploding pusher laser pusher targets is compared to results of LASNEX calculations and to Livermore experiments. A scaling relationship is described which predicts the optimum target/pulse combinations as a function of the laser power.

Consideration is given to the stability of negative ion beams which are neutralized through ionization of a background gas. Two types of instabilities are examined. First, beam-plasma instabilities are analyzed with the dispersion relation showing that they are unimportant if the beam velocity is less than the electron thermal velocity. Second, results of a computer simulation on the flow of a cylindrical beam and the resulting background plasma show that when the background neutral gas density is less than or approximately equal to a critical density as instability occurs. This critical density is the density that would be needed to space-charge neutralize the beam if the positive ions were not retarded by the beam. An approximate dispersion relation indicates that the nature of the instability is a transverse positive-ion acoustic wave which couples to the beam.

We propose to study the utilization of high-temperature (approximately 2000-2500K) process heat from fusion reactors for large-scale chemical process applications. Of particular interest is the decomposition reaction, CO/sub 2/ ..-->.. CO + /sup 1///sub 2/O/sub 2/, which at 2500K should yield approximately 60 percent conversion to CO if O/sub 2/ is partially removed through an oxide membrane. Hydrogen can be derived from CO at lower temperatures by reacting CO with steam, and C can also be derived from CO by a disproportionation into C and CO/sub 2/ at approximately 1000K. These chemicals, CO, H/sub 2/, and C, form the basis for a multitude of non-electrical energy applications in the areas of transportation, industrial processes, and residential and commercial uses. In addition to the CO/sub 2/ decomposition process, we propose to explore a variety of ideas and evaluate them for scientific and economic merit. A follow-on research and development program will be proposed if the ideas prove promising.

A number of mechanical and electrical measurements were made on joints in typical conductors for the proposed mirror fusion test facility (MFTF) and high field test facility (HFTF). For such measurements, a commercially available cold-pressure-welding machine was used. For joints in the MFTF conductor, which has a large proportion of superconductor, joint strength approached conductor strength. For the HFTF conductor, where the Cu-to-superconductor ratio is 4.33/1, the joint is stronger than the conductor. Electrically, the joints were not superconducting.. While the resistance is higher than might be achieved by other forms of joining, we feel that the cold-weld joint has the advantages of simplicity, speed, reliability, and reproducibility. This makes the method attractive for MFTF, where resistance losses will be small compared with the total 4 K refrigeration requirements.

Results are reported of a study for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide a general understanding of pressure transient (water hammer) propagation in pressurized water reactor (PWR) steam generator feedwater piping systems. A typical feedwater network is defined, and pressure transient initiation is discussed, as well as the plausible pulse shapes reported. The analysis is performed by using the computer codes PTA and WHAM. Forces are calculated at elbows and valves by using momentum principles. The effects of pipe yielding, pipe wall friction, and elbow and value losses are included. Pipe yielding and elbow/valve effects are found to be important, and pressure magnitudes and forces are substantially reduced when these effects are included in the analysis. Typical pressure and force time histories are also given.

A particularly simple problem exhibiting stochasticity is the motion of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field and a single wave. Detailed studies of this wave-particle interaction show the following features. An electrostatic wave propagating obliquely to the magnetic field causes stochastic motion if the wave amplitude exceeds a certain threshold. The overlap of cyclotron resonances then destroys a constant of the motion, allowing strong particle acceleration. A wave of large enough amplitude would thus suffer severe damping and lead to rapid heating of a particle distribution. The stochastic motion resembles a diffusion process even though the wave spectrum contains only a single wave. The motion of ions in a nonuniform magnetic field and a single electrostatic wave is treated in our study of a possible saturation mechanism of the dissipative trapped-ion instability in a tokamak. A theory involving the overlap of bounce resonances predicts the main features found in the numerical integration of the equations of motion. Ions in a layer near the trapped-circulating boundary move stochastically. This motion leads to nonlinear stabilization mechanisms which are described qualitatively.

Illustrations for the review on materials design and selection are presented. They include the mechanical engineering, the electrochemistry task, and information coordination. No text is presented. (MHR)

Preliminary results of engineering, economic, and geographic analysis of the use of low-temperature geothermal heat for the commercial drying of grains, grasses, fruits, vegetables and livestock products in the United States are reported. Alfalfa (lucerne) dehydration was chosen for detailed process and cost study. Six different geothermal heat exchanger/dryer configurations were examined. A conveyor type that could utilize geothermal hot water for its entire heat requirement proved to be the most economical. A capital cost estimate for an all-geothermal alfalfa dehydration plant near the Heber Known Geothermal Resource Area in the Imperial Valley, California was prepared. The combined cost for heat exchangers and dryer is about $1.6 million. Output is about 11 metric tons per hour. Acreage, production and dollar value data for 22 dryable crops were compiled for the areas surrounding identified hydrothermal resources in 11 western states. The potential magnitude of fossil fuel use that could be replaced by geothermal heat for drying these crops will be estimated.

The following topics are discussed: route of administration; carrier effects and complexed or ionic tracers; membrane permeability, extracellular and intracellular concentrations; enzyme and hormonal stimulation or depression and the metabolic state; neoplasia and transport; and carrier for radiopharmaceutical binding to membrane or protein sites. Some radioisotopes considered are /sup 99m/Tc, /sup 65/Zn, /sup 62/Zn, /sup 14/C and /sup 111/In. (HLW)

The tests conducted on the /sup 1///sub 5/-scale BWR Mark I pressure suppression test facility simulate the three-dimensional transient conditions that are encountered in a wetwell pressure suppression system during a hypothetical loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). Specifically, the nitrogen (N/sub 2/)-driven air clearing phase tests discussed were performed to obtain the air/water-induced dynamic vertical load function and to determine the response of a 90/sup 0/ sector of a 360/sup 0/ torus structure.

Space charge neutralization of ion beams results from plasma generated by the beam. The two dimensional flow of plasma to walls surrounding a beam is analyzed to provide spatial distributions. Negative ion beams receive particular attention; the results are applied to electron control in beams subject to post-acceleration.

The distribution of geothermal resources in relation to the location of population centers in the U.S. is considered. Capital aspects of district heating systems are discussed. Estimates are given of distribution network capital investment as a function of population in service area. Swedish and Icelandic cost experience is taken into consideration. The need for more specific assessment of the potential for direct use of geothermal energy is cited. (JGB)

Several contemporary proton-recoil detectors are described and compared. These detectors have been used for neutron-spectrum measurements over various portions of the 10-keV-to-20-MeV energy range. Several factors which limit the accuracy of the results are compared quantitatively. General suggestions are given for setting and using standard cross sections and for future developments using the n,p scattering reaction.

A Tektronix-31 (Tektronix Inc. Beaverton, Oregon) desk top calculator program, which is used as a backup to the PDP-8/I computer program, is described. The program yields interplanar (d) spacings and (2theta) angle values from measurements made on an x-ray diffraction film of a powdered sample of a crystalline material. Use of the calculator provides accurate computations in a relatively rapid time interval when the PDP-8/I is not functioning because of downtime for repairs, maintenance, etc.

Previous studies by Behrens have provided evidence of systematic behavior in neutron-induced fission cross sections in the incident neutron energy range 3 to 5 MeV. Recently measured fission cross-section ratios revealed this behavior. In this report, these measurements and those of others are used to illustrate the behavior of fission cross sections over the neutron energy range 0.1 MeV to 15 MeV. Similar trends are seen at 0.0253 eV, as revealed by thermal cross-section measurements. 12 figures.

A computer-assisted chemical modeling study of equilibria in flowing brine systems has been undertaken. Equilibria between liquid and volatile components of two-phase fluids have profound effects on such important phenomena as corrosion, scale formation, environmental quality, and the economics of energy extraction. The principal reactions considered are those involving volatiles naturally present in the fluid, including NH/sub 3/, H/sub 2/S and CO/sub 2/. A computer code is described which performs stepwise equilibrium computations at 1/sup 0/C intervals for a unit mass of fluid, between reservoir and reinjection temperatures. The data base used is the quality-temperature function for the brine, the chemical composition, and equilibrium constants for the solubility reactions of gases and dissociation of their aqueous species. Chemical changes that take place during cooling and expansion are illustrated by distribution diagrams. Although the computations were developed for application to the high-saline resource, they are not fluid or system-specific, and should be of general usefulness where a chemical composition and temperature history can be specified.

Concepts of the range of investigation of a borehole gravimeter are reviewed. It is shown that the maximum sensitivity to a mass point at a horizontal distance R from a borehole occurs at a vertical distance Z = R/..sqrt..2. Thus, the angle of maximum sensitivity is about 55/sup 0/ from the vertical. It is also shown that the absolute value of the gravitational effect decreases with increasing R. There are two maxima of the vertical gradient of gravity (at Z = 0 and at Z = ..sqrt../sup 3///sub 2/ R). The minimum distance required between gravimeter stations to obtain a usable measurement can be determined. The slab radius R for which the gravitational effect of a horizontal slab is equal to 45%, 90%, etc., of that of an infinite horizontal slab is a function of the measurement spacing. The closer the measurement spacing, the more information obtained.

Progress is reported in the following research areas: cesium fixation in aluminosilicates and supercalcine development; low sodium wastes and high sodium wastes. Phase relations in the appropriate (for supercalcine) portion of the Cs/sub 2/O-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/-SiO/sub 2/ system are being investigated. Several compatibility lines (tie lines) have been established on the phase diagram. Methods of preparing pure single phases of CsAlSiO/sub 4/ and CsAlSi/sub 2/O/sub 6/ (pollucite) are being developed. Compatibility studies continue to be the basis of supercalcine crystalline phase formation modeling. (LK)

Efforts this past quarter were directed toward the determination of dissolution parameters in various reagents of PuO/sub 2/, PuO/sub 2/-UO/sub 2/ solid solution, and AmO/sub 2/-PuO/sub 2/. The reagents used were various concentrations of HNO/sub 3/-HF-H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, HNO/sub 3/-HF, HNO/sub 3/-(NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/Ce(NO/sub 3/)/sub 6/, and HNO/sub 3/-H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/. In one series of tests, simulated contaminated HEPA filter media were used. This material was prepared by mixing shredded filter media with actinide oxides. In another series, actual HEPA glovebox filter media contaminated with PuO/sub 2/ were used. Fusion tests were also completed using simulated PuO/sub 2/ contaminated filter media. Both Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ and Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/-KNO/sub 3/ were investigated as possible fusion agents.

Reduced instrument responses are presented for Thermal-Hydraulic Test Facility (THTF) test 100, which is part of the ORNL Pressurized-Water-Reactor (PWR) Blowdown Heat Transfer Separate-Effects Program. The objective of the program is to investigate the thermal-hydraulic phenomenon governing the energy transfer and transport processes that occur during a loss-of-coolant accident in a PWR system. Test 100 was conducted to investigate the response of heater rod bundle 1 and instrumented spool pieces with flow homogenizing screens to a double-ended rupture with equal break areas at the test section inlet and outlet. The primary purpose of this report is to make the reduced instrument responses during test 100 available. The responses are presented in graphical form in engineering units and have been analyzed only to the extent necessary to assure reasonableness and consistency.

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