This report discusses the charge-coupled device camera and other plasma diagnostic equipment used to measure plasma density and other plasma properties. (LSP)

We have made a detailed study of the care that must be taken to correctly measure OH radical concentrations in flames. A large part of these studies has concerned collisional quenching of hydride radical species (OH, NH, and NH{sub 2}), in particular the dependence upon rotational level and collision velocity (temperature). The results on OH and NH have shown unique and interesting behavior from the viewpoint of fundamental molecular dynamics, pointing to quenching often governed by collisions on an anisotropic, attractive surface, whereas NH{sub 2} quenching appears to depend on state-mixing considerations, not dynamic control. This state-specific behavior of these small, theoretically tractable hydrides has direct ramifications for quantitative flame diagnostics. Our other effort in the diagnostic area has been repeated but unsuccessful searches for laser induced fluorescence in the vinyl radical.

In this paper, we present a broad comparison of studies for a selected set of parameters for different nuclear reactor types including the next generation. This serves as an overview of key parameters which provide a semi-quantitative decision basis for selecting nuclear strategies. Out of a number of advanced reactor designs of the LWR type, gas cooled type, and FBR type, currently on the drawing board, the Advanced Light Water Reactors (ALWR) seem to have some edge over other types of the next generation of reactors for the near-term application. This is based on a number of attributes related to the benefit of the vast operating experience with LWRs coupled with an estimated low risk profile, economics of scale, degree of utilization of passive systems, simplification in the plant design and layout, modular fabrication and manufacturing. 32 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.

This project revolves around understanding the fundamental processes involved in the catalytic removal of harmful oxygenated organics present in coal liquids. We are modelling the complex type of sulfided Mo catalyst proposed for these reactions with simple single crystal surfaces. These display a controlled range and number of reaction sites and can be extensively characterized by surface science techniques. We then investigate the reaction pathways for representative simple oxygenates upon these surfaces.

The purpose of the present program is to develop soluble analogs of surface confined catalysts that can be impregnated directly into the coal structure at low temperatures. This approach should avoid problems related to surface area dependence, a two phase (surface-liquid) reaction system and, mass transport limitations.

Plans are to close Tank 17, a type IV waste tank in the F-area Tank Farm, by filling it with pumpable backfills. Most of the waste was removed from the tank in the late 1980s, and the remainder of the waste was removed in a short spray washing campaign that began on 11 April 1997. More details on the planned closure can be found in the Closure Plan for the High-Level Waste (HLW) Tanks and the specific closure module for Tank 17. To show that closure of the tank is environmentally sound, a performance evaluation has been performed for Tank 17. The performance evaluation projected the concentration of contaminants at various locations and times after closure. This report documents the basis for the inventories of contaminants that were used in the Tank 17 performance evaluation.

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Research programs from the National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research (NIPER) are briefly described. Topics include enhanced recovery, studies on reservoir rock, microbial EOR, development of analytical techniques for petroleum analysis, and imaging techniques applied to fluids study in porous media. (CBS)

A cross section from a Ta crucible used in numerous Molten Salt Extraction (MSE) runs was submitted to metallography to determine the soundness of the crucible wall, type of Pu attack, depth of wall penetration by the Pu and general microstructure. The crucible contained molten Pu and Am, with CaCl{sub 2}, KCl and PuCl{sub 3} salts ran at temperatures of 750{degree}C to 900{degree}C for approximately 10 to 12 hours. This report documents the findings of this study.

Research continues on the role of purine degradation in methane biosynthesis and energy production in Methanococcus vannielii. This report summarizes current progress of the research. Topics include: A survey of other methanogens for the purine degradation pathway; isolate and characterize the enzyme and products of formiminoglycine cleavage; ascertain the fate of glycine from the formiminoglycine cleavage; elucidate the route of incorporation of the formyl moiety of formiminoglycine into methane biosynthesis; determine the percent methane and amino acid synthesis from purine degradation; and related studies on xanthine dehydrogenase and pyrimidine degradation of M. Vannielii. (SM)

The overall objectives of this program are to investigate potential technologies for the conversion of coal-derived synthesis gas to oxygenated fuels, hydrocarbon fuels, fuel intermediates, and octane enhancers, and to demonstrate the most promising technologies at DOE's LaPorte, Texas, Slurry Phase Alternative Fuels development Unit (AFDU). The program will initially involve a continuation of the work performed under the Liquid Phase Methanol Program but will later draw upon information and technologies generated in current and future DOE-funded contracts, as well as test commercially available catalysts. 1 fig., 3 tabs.

This report describes the work done by Science Applications International Corporation to study the effects of energetic particles on the microstability of a high temperature tokamak. The effects of an energetic population on ballooning modes in a large aspect ratio, shifted circular flux surface tokamak equilibrium are investigated with the newly developed gryokinetic numerical technique. The gryokinetic equations for the background ion and electron, as well as that of the energetic population are solved directly as an initial problem. The energetic particles are modeled with a slow-down distribution in energy. It is found that the ballooning mode stability of the plasma with an energetic species of increasing concentration does not differ much from an increase in the background plasma beta, except for possible energetic particle drift resonances. This result is encouraging to the idea that energetic particles such as alphas may be used to stabilize the ballooning modes in a fusion reactor.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we are studying above ground oil shale retorting and have developed the LLNL Hot-Recycled-Solid (HRS) process as a generic second-generation, rapid pyrolysis retorting system in which recycled shale is the solid heat carrier. In 1984--1987, we operated a 1 tonne-per-day HRS pilot plant to study retorting chemistry in an actual recirculation loop. In 1989 we upgraded our laboratory pilot plant to process 4 tonne-per-day of commercially sized shale, allowing us, for the first time, to study pyrolysis and combustion using the full particle size. With the new facility we are able to produce enough oil for detailed characterization studies, can evaluate environmental consequences, and begin answering the many bulk solid handling questions concerning scale-up of the HRS process. In this paper we report on operations of our laboratory (4TU) pilot plant and plans for a field test unit (FTU) at approximately 100 tonne-per-day scale to be sited in the western United States. 3 refs., 11 figs.

A total of 31 samples from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), including materials of aluminum, vanadium, and steel trunnions were analyzed by ultra-low-level gamma spectroscopy. The study quantified particle induced activations of {sup 22}Na, {sup 46}Sc, {sup 51}Cr, {sup 54}Mn, {sup 56}Co, {sup 57}Co, {sup 58}Co, and {sup 60}Co. The samples of trunnion sections exhibited increasing activity toward the outer end of the trunnion and decreasing activity toward its radial center. The trunnion sections did not include end pieces, which have been reported to collect noticeable {sup 7}Be on their leading surfaces. No significant {sup 7}Be was detected in the samples analyzed. The Underground Counting Facility at Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) was used in this work. The facility is 50 ft. underground, constructed with low-background shielding materials, and operated as a clean room. The most sensitive analyses were performed with a 90%-efficient HPGe gamma-ray detector, which is enclosed in a purged active/passive shield. Each sample was counted for one to six days in two orientations to yield more representative average activities for the sample. The non-standard geometries of the LDEF samples prompted the development of a novel calibration method, whereby the efficiency about the samples surfaces (measured with point …

A list of 491 analytical procedures to directly support waste and environmental analytical work is attached. The list is available from the author as a lotus or excel spreadsheet file.

The traveler visited the Joint Research Centre (JRC), Petten, The Netherlands, the Forschungszentrum GmbH (KFA), Juelich, Germany; and the Zentralinstitut fuer Kernforschung (ZfK), Rossendorf, Germany, during the period January 28 through February 9. At JRC, the analysis of the experiment HFR-B1 was discussed; a new schedule for issuance of the final data report was established. Other discussions at JRC concerned the capabilities of Petten to conduct two reactor experiments being proposed under the US/FRG cooperative program and the initial results of a proof test of Germany fuel spheres. At KFA, the main emphasis was on the disassembly of capsules 2 and 3 of the HFR-B1 experiment and agreement on the examinations and tests to be conducted with the disassembled components. The disassembly of capsule 3 was observed. Extensive discussions were conducted on the work, both experimental and analytical, being conducted in the Institut fuer Sicherheitsforschung und Reaktor Technologie. A major portion of the experimental work is being conducted at ZfK and a visit to this laboratory, sponosored by the KFA, was made on February 6 and 7. Cooperation with the US on the experimental and analytical work in the safety area was strongly emphasized. 1 tab.

The Coal Project was able to make considerable progress in understanding the evolving energy situation in Asia and the future role of coal and Clean Coal Technologies. It is clear that there will be major growth in consumption of coal in Asia over the next two decades -- we estimate an increase of 1.2 billion metric tons. Second, all governments are concerned about the environmental impacts of increased coal use, however enforcement of regulations appears to be quite variable among Asian countries. There is general caution of the part of Asian utilities with respect to the introduction of CCT's. However, there appears to be potential for introduction of CCT's in a few countries by the turn of the century. It is important to emphasize that it will be a long term effort to succeed in getting CCT's introduced to Asia. The Coal Project recommends that the US CCT program be expanded to allow the early introduction of CCT's in a number of countries.

A detailed plasma spectroscopy postprocessor for H-, He-, and Li-like ions with 6 {le} Z {le} 26 has been constructed. The structure of the code and the physics contained within it will be described and a sample application given. 15 refs., 5 figs.

I have investigated trigger requirements for the intermediate tracking system of the SDC detector, using muons in the final states of some physics processes of interest and relevance to the program envisaged to be pursued at the SSC. The study is done at the physics event generator level with the PYTHIA package, augmented by a very simplistic simulation of the momentum measurement expected from the intermediate tracking system. For the range in pseudorapidity of {vert bar}{eta}{vert bar} = 1.7--2.5, I find a subdivision into four basic bins sufficient to ensure that the width of the transverse momentum trigger threshold will not be dominated by the lack of knowledge of the polar angle. In addition, the azimuthal resolution has be better than 1 mrad to allow transverse momentum thresholds from p{sub t}{approx}10 GeV/c up to and beyond p{sub t}=20 GeV/c to be implemented which are needed to accomplish the physics goals. 10 figs., 1 tab.

The effects of the longitudinal wall impedance instability in a heavy ion beam are of great interest for heavy ion fusion drivers. We are studying this instability using the R-Z thread of the WARP PIC code. We describe the code and our model of the impedance due to the accelerating modules of the induction LINAC as a resistive wall. We present computer simulations which illustrate this instability. 2 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Industrial Source Complex -- Short Term (ISCST) air dispersion model was used to examine potential atmospheric impacts of routine benzene and mercury emissions from the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), In-Tank Precipitation (ITP) facilities, and the Saltstone Facility. The highest model estimated 8-hour average ground-level benzene concentrations were found to occur in the immediate vicinity of the ITP filter/stripper building (241-96H). Subsequent model calculations were used to determine minimum stack release heights that would be necessary to achieve compliance with this workplace exposure standard for currently anticipated emission levels. The highest 24-hour average site boundary concentrations of benzene and mercury generally occurred to the north of S and H areas. Concentrations were well below the ambient concentration standards that have been identified for these substances in an air toxics policy proposed by the State of South Carolina. Estimates of annual average benzene concentrations for offsite locations were used to estimate the excess lifetime cancer risk. Assuming continuous 70-year exposure to the estimated annual benzene concentrations, the excess cancer risk to the maximum exposed individual was estimated to be 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}7}. Similar lifetime exposure summed over the surrounding population resulted in an estimated average …

A selection of opportunities for neutrino physics from a source generated from pions that decay in flight and at rest is described. The present source at LAMPF has a duty factor of about 6%; improvements in opportunities that emerge from a source using a pulse 0.25 {mu}sec long from a proton storage ring are also described. 7 refs., 9 figs.

Small nuclear power plants for space applications are evaluated according to their testability in this two part report. The first part introduces the issues involved in testing these power plants. Some of the concerns include oxygen embrittlement of critical components, the test environment, the effects of a vacuum environment on materials, the practically of racing an activated test chamber, and possible testing alternative the SEHPTR, king develop at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. 10 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

During the 1988--89 Tevatron Collider run the CDF detector has collected data for an integrated luminosity of 4.4 pb{sup {minus}1}. The sample has been used to search for the top quark in several topologies. Preliminary results show that a top mass below 89 GeV is excluded at the 95% confidence level, thus extending the limit of 77 GeV previously published by CDF. 14 refs., 8 figs.