This report presents the results of work performed from January 1, 1979 through March 31, 1979 on the Advanced Gas Cooled Nuclear Reactor Materials Evaluation and Development Program. The objectives of this program are to evaluate candidate alloys for Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) Nuclear Process Heat (NPH) and Direct Cycle Helium Turbine (DCHT) applications, in terms of the effect of simulated reactor primary coolant (helium containing small amounts of various other gases), high temperatures, and long time exposures, on the mechanical properties and structural and surface stability of selected candidate alloys. Work covered in this report includes the activities associated with the creep-rupture testing of the test materials for the purpose of verifying the stresses selected for the screening creep test program, and the status of the simulated reactor helium supply system, testing equipment, and gas chemistry analysis instrumentation and equipment.

A calculation has been made of the spatial distribution of NE102 scintillation light produced by recoil protons from collimated 14-MeV neutron illumination. Results were then averaged over offset circles of various radii, thus determining the fraction of the total scintillation light created inside cylindrical scintillators for uniform neutron illumination over the front face of the scintillator. The results are useful in sensitivity considerations for neutron-imaging camera design.

A survey of the literature on carbonate scaling is presented as it affects geothermal fluid systems. The geothermal brine, as the fluid is called, contains a number of chemical constituents which have leached into it from the reservoir rock. As the hot fluid is withdrawn through wells, a flow of steam, water, or a mixture of steam and water, results. If the well flows at a high enough rate, some brine will flash to steam because of the pressure drop, resulting in the steam/water flow mixture. The chemical composition of the brines is tabulated as the composition of the components in the water system before flashing and the composition of the non-condensible gases after flashing. Total dissolved solids vary from that of ordinary well water to concentrated solutions as high as 40% by weight. Calcium is a major cationic constituent, and biocarbonate an important anionic constituent of the brine. Prevention/treatment techniques, specific site experimental results, and computer models are presented.

Clastic dikes are planar features, commonly wedge shaped in cross section, with their apices mostly downward. They are filled with clastic sediments from clay to gravel in size. Three days were spent in the Pasco Basin examining clastic dikes in 10 localities. It was clear from the field observations, summarized in the text, that the features called clastic dikes are multigenetic. Previously proposed theories of origin of the initial fractures, involving earthquakes, desiccation, deep frost cracking, thermal contraction cracking of permafrost, and upward injection of groundwater are not considered primary modes of formation of most initial cracks observed. However, the mechanism of cracking is not yet fully understood. The bulk of material filling most observed fractures came from above during aperiodic and repeated widening and concurrent filling (under an aqueous environment). No evidence for horizontal compression of the dikes or their margins was observed, as from thermal changes or wetting and drying. A loading hypothesis from catastrophic scabland floods is outlined as a possible cause for many typical clastic dikes.

The relativistic multigroup diffusion equations describing superthermal electron transport in laser fusion plasmas were derived in an earlier UCRL. A successful numerical scheme based on these equations which is now being used to model laser fusion experiments is described.

A mechanical model for the emplacement pipe system is developed. The model is then employed to determine the force applied to the surface collar of the emplacement pipe, the pipe-stemming load, and the stress along the emplacement pipe as a function of stemming height. These results are presented as integrals and a method for their numerical integration is given.

This geothermal heating system has five pumps providing heated water for: grain dryer, shop, employee's home, mobile homes, hospital barn, open feed lot sheds, and make up water pump. Included are the following: progress and cost schedules and work plan, acceptance statements, environmental baseline monitoring, construction contract with exhibits, and specifications. The specifications include: invitation to bid, instructions to bidders, bid form, band and forms, form of agreement, general conditions, and supplemental conditions, as well as specifications. The specifications cover: general requirements, site work, concrete, metals, wood, thermal and moisture protection, mechanical systems, and electrical systems. (MHR)

A retrofit solar water-heating system has been operating for the past two years in a three-story apartment building at Drexel University. The system employs two conventional collector banks (9 PPG collectors) mounted at the latitude angle for Philadelphia of 40 deg from the horizontal and two double-exposure collectors (DEC's) mounted vertically in mirrored enclosures. The relative performance of the conventional and double-exposure collectors has been monitored with an instrumentation system which was developed and installed in the basement of the apartment building. The DEC units have been found to provide from two to four times as much useful heat output per panel area than the PPG collectors. The higher relative performance values occur on clear winter days whereas lower relative performance values are found on clear summer days and generally overcast days. A cost analysis for a DEC unit relative to a conventional collector has also been performed. In the Philadelphia area the DEC units with their mirror enclosures would cost approximately 1.7 times as much per panel area as conventional collectors. Since the DEC units provide two to four times as much useful heat output, they are a cost-effective choice for flat or gently sloping roofs for which they …

In addition to consultations with interested organizations, data are presented for air depolarized cathode performance in caustic half cells and hydrogen depolarization of anodes for the electrowinning of zinc. Investigation with air depolarized Pt cathodes in caustic half cells include: progress of the one year old RA19 type air diffusion cathode; data involving incorporation of a Hg/HgO reference electrode into the standard hardware; studies investigating cathode loading vs. cell performance; continued evaluation of thin, porous, conducting substrates; and cathode performance as a function of electrolyte concentration. In the area of zinc electrowinning, short term tests (4 hours) with pure hydrogen feeds have been carried out under various cell operating conditions. In addition, tests with CO-containing hydrogen have been initiated utilizing different levels of carbon monoxide poison. A preliminary Economic Evaluation for Electric Energy savings versus hydrogen costs is presented.

At the request of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), operated by Battelle Memorial Institute for the Department of Energy, conducted a brief study to identify the incremental cost for implementing the US/IAEA safeguards treaty agreement. The purpose of the study was to develop an estimate of the cost impact to eligible NRC licensees for complying with the proposed Part 75 of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 75), the rule which will implement the treaty. The study was conducted using cost estimates from several eligible licensees who will be affected by the agreement and from cost analyses by PNL staff. A survey instrument was developed and sent to 25 NRC licensees, some of whom had more than one licensed facility. Their responses were obtained primarily by telephone after they had reviewed the survey insttument and a list of assumptions. The primary information received from the licensees was the incremental cost to their particular facility in the form of manpower, dollars or both. In summary, the one-time cost to all eligible NRC licensees to implement 10 CFR 75 is estimated by PNL to range from $1.9 to $7.2 millions. The annual cost to …

Welds in austenitic stainless steel pipes are notoriously difficult to nondestructively examine using conventional ultrasonic and eddy current methods. Survace irregularities and microscopic variations in magnetic permeability cause false eddy current signal variations. Ultrasonic methods have been developed which use computer processing of the data to overcome some of the problems. Electro-thermal nondestructive testing shows promise for detecting flaws that are difficult to detect using other NDT methods. Results of a project completed to develop and demonstrate the potential of an electro-thermal method for nondestructively testing stainless steel pipe welds are presented. Electro-thermal NDT uses a brief pulse of electrical current injected into the pipe. Defects at any depth within the weld cause small differences in surface electrical current distribution. These cause short-lived transient temperature differences on the pipe's surface that are mapped using an infrared scanning camera. Localized microstructural differences and normal surface roughness in the welds have little effect on the surface temperatures.

During the Erie internal alternate fuel review in 1976, the ERDA RFP for small scale demonstration plants was released and Erie responded. The basis of the contract proposal included design, construction and operation of a Demonstration Plant, which could be expanded to a full-sized industrial plant. The government specifically required the ability to handle Eastern, high-caking, high-sulfur coal. Erie's proposal was to utilize low-caking, low-sulfur coals with the Eastern coals optional. Phase I activity included selection of a gasifier and bids were solicited in October 1977. Babcock Contractors, Inc. was selected in February 1978, based on price and technical evaluation of the gasifiers. Some delay was experienced in selection activity due to late bids and clarification of bid proposals. Prior to selection activities, Erie, McKee and DOE participated in a gasifier inspection trip, visiting 11 plants in South Africa, Italy and Czechoslovakia. The operations, maintenance and designs included by the solicited vendors were evaluated and compared with site observations. Knowledge gained from the trip was used to evaluate the gasifiers and initiated various trade-off studies to resolve questionable areas. As design work progressed, delays were incurred with subcontractors due to late funding, delayed contractual approvals and disputes arising from DOE …

Recent theories in statistical mechanics and intermolecular forces are used to explain the shock-wave data of inert gases, diatomic molecules, and hydrocarbons.

The inertia and friction-welding processes were evaluated for joining aluminum alloy 1100-H14 and Type 316 vacuum-induction melted, vacuum-arc remelted (VIM VAR) stainless steel. While both processes consistently produced joints in which the strength exceeded the strength of the aluminum base metal, 100 percent bonding was not reliably achieved with inertia welding. The deficiency points out the need for development of nondestructive testing techniques for this type of joint. Additionally, solid-state volume diffusion did not appear to be a satisfactory explanation for the inertia and friction-welding bonding mechanism.

The core safety analyses and reactivity control analyses that have been done to support safe operation of the LOFT reactor in the LOCE pre-blowdown (or pre-LOCE) operating mode (Operating Mode 8) for the L2-3 nuclear loss of coolant experiment are presented. Safety analyses done to support LOFT operation in other operating modes (Modes 5, 6, and 7) with changes in operating conditions or assumptions due to requirements for safe operation of the L2-3 test (changes from conditions or assumptions for previous safety analyses for those operating modes) are also presented. The analyses discussed herein do not include analyses for potential loss of coolant accidents, or for accidents during the LOCE blowdown mode (Mode 9), or for potential radiation releases during LOCE operation.

Both domestic and international political feasibility studies are being conducted for sub-seabed disposal. (DLC)

Four different models of the migration process have been reviewed to determine their suitability as a working model. While there are several common factors in the models additional factors are included to account for several possible effects. The detail of each model leads to a certain degree of difficulty in applying the model to the problem at hand. One model predicts that inclusions smaller than 0.1 mm dimension probably will not migrate. The other models do not consider size as a factor. Thermal diffusion (Soret effect) is considered insignificant in three models, while in the fourth model it is added to the concentration diffusion term. The following conclusions are made: (1) Temperature is the most significant parameter in all models and must be known as a function of time, and distance from the canister. (2) All four models predict about the same migration velocity for a given set of conditions. For 100/sup 0/C and 1/sup 0/C/cm thermal gradient, the individual values are 3.0, 4.8, 5.6 and 6.4 mm/y. (3) The diffusion of ions through the brine inclusions is the rate controlling mechanism. (4) The difference between the thermal gradients in the liquid and in the solid should always be considered, …

When canisters containing radwastes are emplaced in a repository the heat produced by the decaying radwaste will cause moderate thermal gradients to develop which will cause the brine present in a halite medium (salt deposits) to accumulate around the canister. Four different models of the migration process have been reviewed to determine their suitability as a working model. One model predicts that inclusions smaller than 0.1 mm dimension probably will not migrate. The other models do not consider size as a factor. Thermal diffusion (Soret effect) is considered insignificant in three models, while in the fourth model it is added to the concentration diffusion term. The following conclusions can be made: Temperature is the most significant parameter in all models and must be known as a function of time, and distance from the canister. All four models predict about the same migration velocity for it is a given set of conditions; for 100/sup 0/C and 1/sup 0/C/cm thermal gradient, it is 3.0, 4.8, 5.6 and 6.4 mm/y. Diffusion of ions through the brine inclusions is the rate controlling mechanism. The difference between the thermal gradients in the liquid and in the solid should always be considered and is a function …

The solar fuels and chemicals study was limited to the examination of processes requiring temperatures in excess of 1000/sup 0/K since lower temperature processes had already been examined in studies concerned with the application of waste heat from nuclear power plants to industrial processes. In developing the carbon cycle processes, the primary activity included an extensive literature search and the thermodynamic evaluation of a number of candidate chemical cycles. Although both hydrogen and carbon closed- and open-loop chemical cycles were studied, it was concluded that the carbon cycles offered sufficient additional potential to warrant concentrating on them in subsequent work. The section on new ideas for transportable fuels presents the elements of a new concept for a carbon cycle recovery technique to produce transportable fuels. The elements discussed are sources of carbon dioxide, solar energy reduction of CO/sub 2/, potential carbon cycles, and use of carbon monoxide as fuel and feedstocks. Another section presents some new concepts for the use of high-temperature solar energy in the production of essential materials and for closed-loop chemical storage, as well as for the production of hydrogen as a fuel and open-loop applications. Potential problem areas pertinent to solar-derived fuels and chemicals have been …

Parts that are manufactured with diamond tools on precision machines typically exhibit high-quality surfaces and contours; however, most materials that are diamond turned easily are also relatively soft and damage easily. Therefore, a noncontact, rotary inspection machine was developed. This machine utilizes a focused beam from a laser interferometer to measure variations in the surfaces of the reflective, spherical test parts used to characterize precision machines. Digital output data from the laser display is converted to an analog signal which is available for additional processing to provide contour and/or surface texture information.

The interactive effects of elevated temperatures and nutrient enrichment on periphyton communities on glass slides were studied for one year in the Flowing Streams Laboratory, operated by Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) for the Department of Energy (Figure 1). Water from a South Carolina stream called Upper Three Runs, characterized by low pH and low nutrient concentrations and with intermittent swamp drainage, was used.

Coatings for laser fusion targets have been deposited in an inductively coupled discharge device by plasma polymerization. Two feed gases were used: perfluoro-2-butene, which produced a fluorocarbon coating (CF/sub 1/ /sub 3/) with a density of 1.8 g/cc, and trans-2-butene which produced a hydrocarbon coating (CH/sub 1/ /sub 3/) with a density of 1.0 g/cc. Uniform pin-hole free films have been deposited to a thickness of up to 30 ..mu..m of fluorocarbon and up to 110 ..mu..m of hydrocarbon. The effect of process variables on surface smoothness has been investigated. The basic defect in the coating has been found to result from shadowing by a small surface irregularity in an anisotropic coating flux.

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This document describes the proliferation resistance engineering concepts developed to counter the threat of proliferation of nuclear weapons in an International Fuel Service Center (IFSC). The basic elements of an International Fuel Service Center are described. Possible methods for resisting proliferation such as processing alternatives, close-coupling of facilities, process equipment layout, maintenance philosophy, process control, and process monitoring are discussed. Political and institutional issues in providing proliferation resistance for an International Fuel Service Center are analyzed. The conclusions drawn are (1) use-denial can provide time for international response in the event of a host nation takeover. Passive use-denial is more acceptable than active use-denial, and acceptability of active-denial concepts is highly dependent on sovereignty, energy dependence and economic considerations; (2) multinational presence can enhance proliferation resistance; and (3) use-denial must be nonprejudicial with balanced interests for governments and/or private corporations being served. Comparisons between an IFSC as a national facility, an IFSC with minimum multinational effect, and an IFSC with maximum multinational effect show incremental design costs to be less than 2% of total cost of the baseline non-PRE concept facility. The total equipment acquisition cost increment is estimated to be less than 2% of total baseline facility costs. Personnel …