The objectives of this program are to evaluate candidate alloys for Very High Temperature Reactor Nuclear Process Heat (NPH) and Direct Cycle Helium Turbine (DCHT) applications, in terms of the affect 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. A second objective is to select and recommend materials for future test facilities and more extensive qualification programs. Work covered includes the activities associated with the procurement of the materials for the screening test program and information from vendor certification for the materials received for the nuclear process heat candidate alloys. The design modifications to the helium purification system and the construction status of the simulated reactor helium supply system, testing equipment, and analysis instrumentation and equipment are discussed. Finally, the status and details of the data management are presented.

This study examines and analyzes several classes of incidents in which decision makers are confronted with adversaries. The classes are analogous to adversaries in a material control system in a nuclear facility. Both internal threats (bank frauds and embezzlements) and external threats (aircraft hijackings and hostage-type terrorist events were analyzed. (DLC)

The major unresolved problem in the nuclear industry is the ultimate disposition of the waste products of light water reactors. The study demonstrates the feasibility of designing a very hard spectrum actinide burner reactor (ABR). A 1100 MW/sub t/ ABR design fueled entirely with actinides reprocessed from light water reactor (LWR) wastes is proposed as both an ultimate disposal mechanism for actinides and a means of concurrently producing usable power. Actinides from discharged ABR fuel are recycled to the ABR while fission products are routed to a permanent repository. As an integral part of a large energy park, each such ABR would dispose of the waste actinides from 2 LWRs.

Important advances have been made in five technical areas during this quarter: topological investigations of film materials and cells, characterization of current transport and collection in Cu/sub 2/S/CdS cells, preparation and application of small area film cells, correlation of photoresponse image and structural features in film cells and means of preparing (CdZn)S alloy films. The use of potassium cyanide etching of Cu/sub 2/S layers on polycrystalline CdS films defined areas 1 to 5 ..mu..m across with the latter covering 30 to 50% of the surfaces studied. Large grains may strongly reduce short circuit current levels. Laser scanned photocurrent response of tapered Cu/sub 2/S layers on single crystal CdS has been refined to directly treat photocurrent-transmission data, allowing more firm estimates of lifetime, surface recombination velocity and heterojunction collection efficiency. Delineation of small area film cells has been done successfully using photolithographic methods. As used, these methods have no deleterious influence on cell behavior. With arrays of small cells on a single substrate it was possible to establish that increased junction opposing current (lower V/sub OC/) results from longer immersions in CuCl during Cu/sub 2/S formation. Patterns of high response in laser-scanned photocurrent images have been correlated with SEM images of …

Dissolution parameters (in various reagents) of americium-241 and plutonium-239 oxide mixtures, uranium-233 oxide, neptunium-237 oxide, curium-244, thorium-232 oxide, and plutonium dioxide were determined. The reagents used were various concentrations of NHO/sub 3/-HF-H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/,HNO/sub 3/-(NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/Ce(NO/sub 3/)/sub 6/, HNO/sub 3/-HF, and HNO/sub 3/. Both simulated contaminated HEPA filter media and actual glovebox filter media from spent filters were used. The maximum decontamination factor achieved was 833 using a six-stage dissolution process. Also, plutonium dioxide was fused with sodium carbonate at various elevated temperatures, and a dissolution percentage was determined.

The air in certain work areas at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant is monitored for selected radionuclides to assure safety from toxic effects to personnel in the area. Some of the radionuclides that are determined are shown with their Radiation Protection Standard (RPS) values by means of a table. The RPS is the maximum average airborne contamination to which personnel may be exposed for one week without respiratory protection and is expressed as disintegrations per minute (dpm) per cubic meter (m/sup 3/) of air. It is desirable to make reliable measurements at a level which is 10% of the RPS to ensure that the detection limits are well below the RPS. Thorium, neptunium, plutonium, and uranium all have alpha emitting isotopes and it is their alpha activity which is measured. Results are tabulated.

A major milestone was completed in the Oceans Engineering area with the successful deployment of the Test Farm. All systems were installed by 29 September 1978, and a detailed systems checkout is now underway prior to a full start-up of the Test Farm. Compatibility of the Test Farm with the planned transport and attachment procedures of the Macrocystis pyrifera plants has been completed and planting will begin on the full structure during the month of October. Success was also achieved in the Inoculum Development phase of the program with the production of two methane enrichments, one grown on an acetate medium and the other on a mixed acid substrate. These will be used in future mixed inoculum digester studies as an attempt to significantly decrease detention time.

Using surface traces, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy, Ti-, Co-, Ni-, and Fe-base alloys were evaluated for erosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) after exposure at about 104{sup 0}C to the nozzle exhaust from acidified geothermal brine. Examples of erosion, SCC, and corrosion are shown. Results are evaluated in terms of synergism between erosion, corrosion, and stress. Repassivation kinetics might play a key role in the formation and growth of erosion cavities. Of the materials tested, the Ti-base alloys appear to have the best combination of resistance to SCC and erosion/corrosion in high-salinity, highly mineralized, acidified, two-phase nozzle exhaust.

Progress is reported in the design of the 50 MT/year experimental facility for the preparation of high-purity silicon by the zinc vapor reduction of silicon tetrachloride in a fluidized bed of seed particles to form a free-flowing granular product. Progress is reported in the design of the silicon tetrachloride purification facility, the zinc/ZnCl/sub 2/ by-product condenser and also non-conventional items, the fluidized bed, zinc feed system, zinc vaporizer, and electrolytic cell.

Load-deflection responses were determined experimentally for sixteen 152.4-mm (6-in.) (nominal) commercial carbon steel pipe elbows and four 152.4-mm (6-in.) stainless steel elbows. Each specimen was loaded with an external force of sufficient magnitude to produce predominantly plastic response. The influences of bend radius and wall thickness were studied, as well as the effect of internal prssure on load-deflection behavior. Comparisons of results from stainless steel and from carbon steel elbows indicate differences in responses attributable to material differences. The results were interpreted in terms of limit analysis concepts, and collapse loads were determined. Trends given by the collapse loads are identified and discussed.

The neutron-induced fission cross section for /sup 242m/Am(152y) was measured at the Livermore 100-MeV electron linac in the neutron energy range of 0.01 eV to 20 MeV. Fission fragments were detected using a hemispherical fission chamber. The neutron flux was measured below 10 keV using lithium glass scintillators. Above 10 keV, the /sup 242m/Am fission cross section was measured relative to the /sup 235/U fission cross section. Below 20 eV, the data were fit with a sum of single-level Breit-Wigner resonances. Results for the distribution of fission widths, the average fission width, and the average level spacing are presented. The fission cross section in the 100 MeV range is compared with previous measurements. 11 references.

Infrared nondestructive testing (NDT) methods are described that have a good potential for providing valuable data concerning solar cell or panel characteristics without requiring contact with the photovoltaic device. Preliminary tests with cells and panels were conducted and the infrared NDT results are presented and discussed. (MHR)

A study was made of the methods available to transfer heat from the collector to the water storage tank in water heating systems. In counterflow heat exchangers used in double loop water heating systems, it was found to be more important to use a high water flowrate than a high heat transfer fluid flowrate. It was earlier thought to be best to have matched WC/sub p/ (mass flowrate-specific heat) products in the loops. It was shown in this study that the water WC/sub p/ product should be about twice as large as that of the heat transfer fluid. It was found that neither the heat exchanger type nor the size was very critical, so that very simple criteria were adequate in determining optimum heat exchanger size. It was found that there is a definite system size below which one should use a traced tank or a coil in a tank. Equations and optimization criteria were developed for traced tanks or tanks with coils. At present, there is no quantitative understanding of liquid to liquid (direct contact) heat exchangers, though they are clearly quite effective. Draindown systems are discussed, and several appendices are included on heat transfer and other characteristics of …

Three high-pressure flow microreactors and two batch autoclave reactors have been used to study the reaction networks and kinetics of (1) catalytic hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and methyl-substituted dibenzothiophenes, and (2) catalytic hydrodenitrogenation of quinoline, methyl-substituted quinolines, acridine, benzacridines, dibenzacridine, and carbazole. The catalysts were commercial, sulfided CoO-MoO/sub 3//..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, NiO-MoO/sub 3//..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, and NiO-WO/sub 3//..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/. The results of the experiments are described. (LTN)

Three high-pressure flow microreactors and two batch autoclave reactors have been used to study the reaction networks and kinetics of: (1) catalytic hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and methyl-substituted dibenzothiophenes; and (2) catalytic hydrodenitrogenation of quinoline, methyl-substituted quinolines, acridine and carbazole. The catalysts were commercial, sulfided CoO-MoO/sub 3//..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, NiO-MoO/sub 3//..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, and NiO-WO/sub 3//..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/. At the typical conditions of 300/sup 0/C and 104 atm, dibenzothiophene reacts to give H/sub 2/S and biphenyl in high yield, but there is some hydrogenation preceding desulfurization. Methyl-substituted dibenzothiophenes react similarly, and each reaction is first-order in the sulfur-containing compound. Two methyl groups near the sulfur atom (in the 4 and 6 positions) reduce the reactivity tenfold, whereas methyl groups in positions further removed from the sulfur atom increase reactivity about twofold. The results are consistent with steric and inductive effects influencing adsorption. The data indicate competitive adsorption among the sulfur-containing compounds. In quinoline hydrodenitrogenation, both rings are saturated before the C-N bond is broken. Similarly, in acridine conversion a large amount of hydrogenation precedes nitrogen removal. Breaking of the carbon-nitrogen bond is evidently one of the slower reactions in the network. The Ni-Mo catalyst is about twice as active as the …

All the data reported previously have been reevaluated to determine the quantitative reaction network for dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization at about 100 atm and 300/sup 0/C. This network shows the high selectivity of the catalyst for simple hydrodesulfurization (biphenyl + H/sub 2/S formation). When methyl groups are present in the 4 and 6 positions of dibenzothiophene, the primary hydrogenation reaction is approximately as fast as the primary hydrodesulfurization reaction. Ni and Mo or Ni and W used instead of Co and Mo in the catalyst, or H/sub 2/S in the reactant mixture, also favor hydrogenation relative to hydrodesulfurization. Previous results have been evaluated in light of the recent literature to provide a new interpretation of the reaction mechanism of catalytic hydrodesulfurization on surfaces of sulfided Co-Mo/Al/sub 2/0/sub 3/. It has often been assumed that catalytic hydrodesulfurization of thiophene and related compounds proceeds via a one-point end-on adsorption involving bonding of the sulfur atom with Mo ions at an anion vacancy on the catalyst surface. This interpretation is inadequate, failing to account for deuterium-exchange results, the reactivities of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene, and the small steric effects of methyl substituents affecting the adsorption and reaction of compounds in the thiophene, benzothiophene, and dibenzothiophene families …

We discuss the statics and dynamics of large scale nuclear collective motion, with special emphasis on very-heavy-ion reactions. Compound-nucleus cross sections are calculated by use of the criterion that the dynamical trajectory for the fusing system must pass inside the fission saddle point in a multidimensional space in order to form a compound nucleus. In an effort to understand whether nuclear dissipation is dominated by two-body collisions or by the interaction of particles with the mean field generated by the remaining particles, we compare the predictions of various macroscopic approaches with those of time-dependent mean-field (Hartree-Fock) theories.

Progress is reported on the following: the firewood demand survey, the firewood suppliers survey; firewood management assistance; and marketing mechanism analysis. (MHR)

Progress in the development of LMFBR breeding blanket design parameters is reported under the following headings: an improved Dancoff factor prescription and breed/burn blanket management.

The status of negative ion based neutral beam systems is reviewed. Methods of generating the negative ions of the hydrogen isotopes and the handling and acceleration of these ions are considered. The status of plans for stripping the ions and for constructing beam systems are included.

The Geothermal Development Program at Lawrence Livermore Lboratory has produced several novel expanders for liquids of low to medium temperatures (approx. 180/sup 0/C). A unique radial outflow reaction turbine (RORT) has been developed and laboratory-tested; results indicate that 50% engine efficiency is achievable. This work has led to a new concept called the velocity pump reaction turbine (VPRT), which could significantly increase the gross engine efficiency of the RORT, VPRT and its modifications are a unique family of turbines created specifically for expanding liquids to produce shaft work at potential engine efficiencies of up to 70%. Such devices, if used between the two separation stages of a double-flash system, could increase the overall power output by 15 to 20%, reducing power costs by at least 10% for about a 3% increase in capital costs. Geothermal applications are discussed with emphasis on geopressured resources. Also, these machines are suitable for utilizing solar heated fluids and waste heat sources from industrial processes.

CCTV-MTI (closed circuit television--moving target indicator) monitors represent typical components of access control systems, as for example in a material control and accounting (MC and A) safeguards system. This report describes a performance model for a CCTV-MTI monitor. The performance of a human in an MTI role is a separate problem and is not addressed here. This work was done in conjunction with the NRC sponsored LLL assessment procedure for MC and A systems which is presently under development. We develop a noise model for a generic camera system and a model for the detection mechanism for a postulated MTI design. These models are then translated into an overall performance model. Measures of performance are probabilities of detection and false alarm as a function of intruder-induced grey level changes in the protected area. Sensor responsivity, lens F-number, source illumination and spectral response were treated as design parameters. Some specific results are illustrated for a postulated design employing a camera with a Si-target vidicon. Reflectance or light level changes in excess of 10% due to an intruder will be detected with a very high probability for the portion of the visible spectrum with wavelengths above 500 nm. The resulting false alarm …

Core samples of coal and rock were obtained from the HQ-1 environmental test well at the Pricetown I, Underground Coal Gasification Test Site. A comprehensive analytical program was performed to characterize the coal samples. The rocks associated with the coals are composed of clay size material containing low amounts of organic matter and hydrocarbon gas relative to the coal seams. The fine grained sediment above and below the coal seams appear to be an effective gas seal. The coals were encountered in two intervals of 1 foot and 6 feet thickness separated by 2 feet of shale. The coals are classified as high volatile A or B bituminous based on vitrinite reflectance, fixed carbon, and calorific value. Coal maceral analysis shows that the coal is heterogeneous in petrographic properties. The vitrinite group is the predominant maceral constituent. Fusinite, semi-fusinite, massive micrinite, and sporinite are present in varying amounts. The distribution of porous fusinite layers within the coal seams may be important in the reverse linkage stage of the gasification process. The coal in the bottom seam contains an average of 45.6 standard cubic feet of free methane per ton of coal. This methane may assist in initiating the gasification process. …

Changes in ozone and other minor constituents resulting from eleven year variations in the solar flux between 180 and 300 nm reported by Heath and Thekaekara (8) are presented. Results were computed using a one-dimensional time dependent model that allows for all major feedbacks and time delays which may result from changing photolysis rates in the O/sub x/--NO/sub x/--HO/sub x/--ClO/sub x/ system. Since the 1950's the chlorine content of the stratosphere has been increasing. The effect of this increase on ozone variability during the last two solar cycles is analyzed. Expected variations in O/sub 3/ resulting from changes in the uv flux are compared to available measurements of total O/sub 3/.