This project evaluated the technical feasibility of converting energy from the wind with a novel “wind fin” approach. This patent-pending technology has three major components: (1) a mast, (2) a vertical, hinged wind structure or fin, and (3) a power takeoff system. The wing structure responds to the wind with an oscillating motion, generating power. The overall project goal was to determine the basic technical feasibility of the wind fin technology. Specific objectives were the following: (1) to determine the wind energy-conversion performance of the wind fin and the degree to which its performance could be enhanced through basic design improvements; (2) to determine how best to design the wind fin system to survive extreme winds; (3) to determine the cost-effectiveness of the best wind fin designs compared to state-of-the-art wind turbines; and (4) to develop conclusions about the overall technical feasibility of the wind fin system. Project work involved extensive computer modeling, wind-tunnel testing with small models, and testing of bench-scale models in a wind tunnel and outdoors in the wind. This project determined that the wind fin approach is technically feasible and likely to be commercially viable. Project results suggest that this new technology has the potential to …

The Winter Fuels Report is intended to provide concise, timely information to the industry, the press, policy makers, consumers, analysts, and State and local governments on the following topics: distillate fuel oil net production, imports and stocks on a US level and for all Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD) and product supplied on a US level; propane net production, imports and stocks on a US level and for PADD`s 1, 2, and 3; natural gas supply and disposition and underground storage for the US and consumption for all PADD`s; as well as selected National average prices. Residential and wholesale pricing data for heating oil and propane for those States participating in the joint Energy Information Administration (EIA)/State Heating Oil and Propane Program; crude oil and petroleum price comparisons for the US and selected cities; and a 6--10 Day, 30-day, and 90-Day outlook for temperature and precipitation and US total heating degree-days by city.

The report is to provide concise, timely information to the industry, the press, policymakers, consumers, analysts, and state and local governments on the following topics: distillate fuel oil net production, imports and stocks for all Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADDs) and product supplied on a US level; propane net production, imports and stocks for PADD I, II, and III;natural gas supply and disposition and underground storage for the United States and consumption for all PADDs; residential and wholesale pricing data for propane and heating oil for those states participating in the joint Energy Information Administration (EIA)/State Heating Oil and Propane Program; crude oil and petroleum price comparisons for the United States and selected cities; and US total heating degree-days by city.

A wire grid beam splitter for use in high-power microwave diagnostics is discussed. The principle application considered here is the Microwave Tokamak Experiment (140 GHz ECH using 35 ns FEL pulses of about 3 GW peak power, single pulse, with future upgrade to 250 GHz, 8 GW, 50 ns, and 5 kHz repetition rate). The theory of wire grids of infinite extent and excited by a uniform plane wave is extended to consider grids of finite extent and excited by field having a Gaussian distribution. Design criteria based on the numerical simulations for the grid to be used in MTX are included along with other appropriate engineering recommendations. 8 refs., 27 figs., 2 tabs.

This Hanford-General Electric Report to the Working Committee details activities in fuel element fabrication, canning, and testing during this reporting period.

The purpose and method employed in-house to quickly ascertain instrument-coupled working performance of focused search-unit piezoelectric materials of similar physical characteristics is illustrated by comparative presentation of data obtained for lithium sulfate and lead metaniobate "units" utilizing a custom built 725 Immerscope.

Previous segregation and repackaging operations involving removal of N-fuel elements resulted in fuel elements being stuck and unable to be removed from their canisters. This workplan describes the methods of development for slitting the walls of the three different types of canisters. Slitting the canister walls will allow the canister to expand and permit any stuck fuel elements to be removed from the canister. The Engineering Testing Laboratory (ETL) will develop and test a prototype canister slitter; evaluate existing slitter for usage or re-design; develop fabrication and assembly drawings; provide design calculations as required; and fabricate the canister slitter.

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Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was requested to develop an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry method for elemental characterization of the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) pretreated low activity waste (LAW) stream to the LAW Vitrification Plant. The WTP is evaluating the potential for using XRF as a rapid turnaround technique to support LAW product compliance and glass former batching. The overall objective of this task was to develop XRF analytical methods that provide the rapid turnaround time (<8 hours) requested by the WTP, while providing sufficient accuracy and precision to determine waste composition variations. For Phase 1a, SRNL (1) evaluated, selected, and procured an XRF instrument for WTP installation, (2) investigated three XRF sample methods for preparing the LAW sub-sample for XRF analysis, and (3) initiated scoping studies on AN-105 (Envelope A) simulant to determine the instrument's capability, limitations, and optimum operating parameters. After preliminary method development on simulants and the completion of Phase 1a activities, SRNL received approval from WTP to begin Phase 1b activities with the objective of optimizing the XRF methodology. Three XRF sample methods used for preparing the LAW sub-sample for XRF analysis were studied: direct liquid analysis, dried spot, and fused glass. …

The x-ray fluorescence laboratory (XRF) in the Analytical Development Directorate (ADD) of the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was requested to develop an x-ray fluorescence spectrometry method for elemental characterization of the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) pretreated low activity waste (LAW) stream to the LAW Vitrification Plant. The WTP is evaluating the potential for using XRF as a rapid turnaround technique to support LAW product compliance and glass former batching. The overall objective of this task was to develop an XRF analytical method that provides rapid turnaround time (<8 hours), while providing sufficient accuracy and precision to determine variations in waste.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the systematics of the microscopic magnetic order within a series of isostructural compounds and, at the same, to develop the relatively young experimental method of x-ray resonant exchange scattering (XRES). In this thesis, the author presents XRES studies of several rare-earth nickel borocarbides, RNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C. He shows that XRES, similar to the neutron techniques, allows the determination of the orientation of the magnetic moment by measuring the Q-dependence of the scattered intensity of magnetic Bragg reflections. As samples in this study, he chose the recently discovered family of rare-earth nickel borocarbides, RNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C, which display a wide variety of magnetic structures. Furthermore, in several of these materials, long range magnetic order coexists with superconductivity over some temperature range.

An x-ray scanner was designed and fabricated at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to provide high speed acquisition of x-ray images of sediment cores collected on the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204: Drilling Gas Hydrates On Hydrate Ridge, Cascadia Continental Margin. This report discusses the design and fabrication of the instrument, detailing novel features that help reduce the weight and increase the portability of the instrument. Sample x-ray images are included. The x-ray scanner was transferred to scientific drilling vessel, the JOIDES Resolution, by the resupply ship Mauna Loa, out of Coos Bay, Oregon on July 25. ODP technicians were trained in the instruments operation. The availability of the x-ray scanner at the drilling site allows real-time imaging of cores containing methane hydrate immediately after retrieval. Thus, imaging experiments on cores can yield information on the distribution and quantity of methane hydrates. Performing these measurements at the location of core collection eliminates the need for high pressures or low temperature core handling while the cores are stored and transported to a remote imaging laboratory.

The authors melted and cast an aluminum-uranium (Al-U) alloy by vacuum induction melting (VIM) prealloyed buttons made by arc melting. The resulting alloy casting displayed a large compositional gradient from top to bottom. The authors sampled the resulting casting for uranium to check homogeneity. The sampling revealed that the top of the casting contained 23.5 wt% uranium, and the bottom (an average of two samples) contained 42.4 wt% uranium. Although each button contained 36.5% uranium, these analyses show that the solidified casting was inhomogeneous. If the buttons were homogeneous, the segregation occurred during induction melting, and this method may not be feasible for making AL-U alloys. If the buttons were not homogeneous, perhaps arc melting the buttons more times would have helped. Bottom pouring the Al-U melt into a mold for faster cooling could also help prevent segregation.

Microwave energy was used successfully to consolidate small lots of uranium powder. Factors varied were max power, hold time, heating rate, gas pressure, batch composition, crucible material, insulation configuration. Results indicate that that the microwave consolidation process was rugged against all 7 factors for their respective parameters.

The purpose of this analysis is to systematically identify and evaluate hazards related to the design of the Yucca Mountain Project Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF) East-West Cross Drift. This analysis builds upon prior ESF System Safety Analyses and incorporates TS Main Drift scenarios, where applicable, into the East-West Drift scenarios. This System Safety Analysis (SSA) focuses on the personnel safety and health hazards associated with the engineered design of the East-West Drift. The analysis also evaluates other aspects of the East-West Drift, including purchased equipment (e.g., scientific mapping platform) or Systems/Structures/Components (SSCs) and out-of-tolerance conditions. In addition to recommending design mitigation features, the analysis identifies the potential need for procedures, training, or Job Safety Analyses (JSAs). The inclusion of this information in the SSA is intended to assist the organization(s) (e.g., constructor, Safety and Health, design) responsible for these aspects of the East-West Drift in evaluating personnel hazards and augment the information developed by these organizations. The SSA is an integral part of the systems engineering process, whereby safety is considered during planning, design, testing, and construction. A largely qualitative approach is used which incorporates operating experiences and recommendations from vendors, the constructor and the operating contractor. The risk assessment …

The initial vacuum pumping of the fully loaded cryostats immediately upon completing the minimum head welding necessary for the cryostat vacuum loading is important to (1) water removal, (2) high vapor pressure (micron level) outgassing, (3) helium mass spectrometer leak checking sensitivity, and (4) a less well understood concern for LAr background contamination. The CC pumping preparation and procedure that has been utilized is recorded here. Recommendations are incorporated in italics and in context to improve the EC vacuum preparations and pumping performance. The estimated pumping loads of large assemblies of (G10) water laden modules are calculated in EN 270. The predicted and experienced water pumping period was ca. 45 days. The cryopump specifically designed to serve this purpose is described in EN 291. These notes are recommended background reading for this work.