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Significant progress has been made in several areas over the past year. Quantitative measurements evaluating organic sensitizers and ctalysts have been carried out. An exciting new transition metal senitizer has been discovered. A comprehensive evaluation of the characteristics of polystyrene based heterogeneous sensitizers and catalysts has been made. Recently we have successfully synthesized the first glass functionalized photosensitizers. This new class of heterogeneous supports offers several attractive features.

This report describes circumstances involved in the alleged 91.2 grams of plutonium released to the 216-Z-19 Ditch from the 231-Z facility. The following areas were reviewed: 231-Z liquid waste data collected by Battelle-Northwest and Rockwell Hanford Operations (Rockwell); the sampling methods used by Battelle and Rockwell; and operating conditions in the 231-Z and 234-5Z Buildings at the time of the alleged release.

The Structured Assessment Approach was applied to material control and accounting systems at facilities that process Special Nuclear Material. Four groups of analytical techniques were developed for four general adversory types. Probabilistic algorithms were developed and compared with existing algorithms. 20 figures. (DLC)

A code to simulate material transport through porous media was developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This code has been modified and adapted for use at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. This manual, in conjunction with report ORNL-4928, explains the input, output, and execution of the code on the Octopus Computer Network.

Advanced technologies applicable to solar thermal electric power systems in the 1990--2000 time-frame are delineated for power applications that fulfill a wide spectrum of small power needs with primary emphasis on power ratings <10 MWe. Techno-economic projections of power system characteristics (energy and capital costs as a function of capacity factor) are made based on development of identified promising technologies. The key characteristic of advanced technology systems is an efficient low-cost solar energy collection while achieving high temperatures for efficient energy conversion. Two-axis tracking systems such as the central receiver or power tower concept and distributed parabolic dish receivers possess this characteristic. For these two basic concepts, advanced technologies including, e.g., conversion systems such as Stirling engines, Brayton/Rankine combined cycles and storage/transport concepts encompassing liquid metals, and reversible-reaction chemical systems are considered. In addition to techno-economic aspects, technologies are also judged in terms of factors such as developmental risk, relative reliability, and probability of success. Improvements accruing to projected advanced technology systems are measured with respect to current (or pre-1985) steam-Rankine systems, as represented by the central receiver pilot plant being constructed near Barstow, California. These improvements, for both central receivers and parabolic dish systems, indicate that pursuit of advanced …

Chapters are devoted to the following: introduction and general description; summary safety analysis; site characteristics; principal design criteria; repository design; operations systems; management of onsite generated waste; radiation protection; accident safety analysis; conduct of operations; operating controls and limits; and quality assurance.

A neutron-detection system has been assembled to provide both spatial and energy information from the neutrons produced in advanced fusion experiments. Techniques described are applicable to experiments where the neutron pulse is on the order of one-second duration. The system gives spatial resolution of about 1 cm at distances of 1 to 2 m and energy resolution of 0.6 MeV at 14 MeV. In all cases, pulse-shape discrimination is used to distinguish neutrons from gamma rays.

The results of a program designed to develop a laser heated plasma sample for atomic physics studies in the 30 to 100 eV range of electron temperature and the 3 x 10/sup 17/ to 10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/ range in electron density are presented. The approach used was discussed in detail in Mathematical Sciences Northwest, Inc., (MSNW) Proposal 1660, that is, the laser breakdown mode of heating in a slow solenoid. An extensive rework of the plasma sample facility was done in order to use this mode of heating. Specifically, a new solenoid magnet was constructed to allow higher field operation and the plasma chamber was modified to allow the use of puff filling orifices and small bore tube liners. The vacuum system and focussing optics were changed to allow the use of an on-axis Cassagranian system capable of focussing the laser radiation to a nearly diffraction limited spot as is necessary when heating through a small aperture. The 10 liter CO/sub 2/ laser optics were charged to an unstable oscillator configuration and additional windows were provided into the optical cavity for alignment purposes.

The JPL life testing program for solar cell arrays is described. The testing sites include one at JPL, one at Table Mountain in the San Bernardino Mountains, one in the desert at Goldstone near Barstow, California, and one at the Coast Guard Facility at Point Vicente on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The test stands and data acquisition systems are described, and test results are presented and discussed. (WHK)

In high explosives machining the three major concerns are safety, reliability, and ease of operation. With these three concerns as our main goals, LLL's EE and ME departments worked together to modify a LeBlond precision lathe for high explosives machining. The result is a unique, remote-controlled lathe which has extensive mechanical and electronics modifications. The lathe has been operating safely and successfully at Site 300's HE Test Facility since April 1978.

Activities in programs to conduct polymer-waterflood studies are reported. During the period a study was conducted of the Burbank-Bartlesville sand reservoir, located in the north half of the Stanley Stringer Field, Osage County, Oklahoma. Progress in the overall program is summarized in a chart. (JRD)

The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory is currently constructing a new linear induction accelerator with a higher beam current than the Astron accelerator. The new accelerator, called the Experimental Test Accelerator (ETA) will be a 5-MeV, 10-kA accelerator with a pulse width of 50-ns. Like the Astron, the principle of magnetic induction is used to obtain a linear accelerator. The modular accelerating cavities form essentially a 1:1 transformer and the change in flux in the ferrite core induces an axial electric field for the acceleration of electrons. Since the total energy storage for the ETA is much greater than the requirement for Astron, the power system, the capacitor bank and the modulator charging system all had to be modified to provide an overall regulation of .1%. This strict regulation of the charging voltage is necessary for pulse-to-pulse repeatability.

Solar cells fabricated from HEM cast silicon have yielded up to 15% conversion efficiencies. This has been achieved in spite of using unpurified graphite parts in the HEM furnace and without optimization of material or cell processing parameters. Molybdenum retainers have prevented SiC formation and reduced carbon content by 50%. The oxygen content of vacuum cast HEM silicon is lower than typical Czochralski grown silicon. Impregnation of 45 ..mu..m diamonds into 7.5 ..mu..m copper sheath has shown distortion of the copper layer. However, 12.5 ..mu..m and 15 ..mu..m copper sheath can be impregnated with 45 ..mu..m diamonds to a high concentration. Electroless nickel plating of wires impregnated only in the cutting edge has shown nickel concentration around the diamonds. This has the possibility of reducing kerf. The high speed slicer fabricated can achieve higher speed and longer stroke with vibration isolation. This machine will be used for slicing 3'' and 4'' diameter workpieces.

The feasibility of implementing bias-humidity development testing to determine if field-like failure modes would result is demonstrated. Variables resulting in degradation were separated so causative variables could be identified. The studies were done on silicon solar cell modules from different manufacturers. Following each of the ten-day bias-humidity tests, the modules were examined, photographed, and tested. Limited bias-related changes were observed. (LEW)

Comparison of the 1978 projections of the Reliability Councils with those made the previous year indicates three major changes in electric utility planning: (1) a reduction in total capacity additions for the 10-year planning period, (2) a significant decrease in nuclear additions, and (3) a shift from oil and gas to coal as a source of primary energy. Nuclear capacity continues to far overshadow fossil-fuel capacity in the unit-size range 1000 MW and up, with the reverse true for unit sizes less than 1000 MW. Although the total 10-year new-unit capacity drops from 326,624 MW (1977 to 1986) to 308,017 (1978 to 1987), new capacity planned that would use coal as a primary energy source increases from 136,763 MW to 146,206 MW. Nuclear capacity, in terms of total new units projected for the two 10-year periods, decreases from 130,532 MW to 116,177 MW, and capacity with oil as the primary source drops from 32,837 MW to 21,072 MW. For 1977 to 1986, no capacity was planned with oil as a primary source and coal as an alternate fuel but for 1978 to 1987, 1220 MW of such capacity is projected. Therefore, the total new capacity projected that could use coal …

Effort was concentrated during the past quarter to define the extent of biological control necessary to achieve high production rates of methane. Although sustained production rates in excess of 100 cc/hr were consistently obtained in the previous quarter, the fermentation activity decreased with respect to productivity. All efforts during the past quarter proved ineffective in arresting the decline in productivity. Methane production now averaging 20 cc/hr is no better than productivity previously obtained on ozonated SSL with no supplemental methyl alcohol addition being added. Although it is still evident that supplemental methyl alcohol enhances methane production, the rate is now below the satisfactory or expected level. The fundamental conclusion one must draw from this quarter's results is that methane fermentation of simple oxygenated molecules is more efficient and produces a richer off-gas in terms of energy content than the same fermentation conducted on low molecular weight fragments obtained by the ozonation of SSL.

Approximately 80 x 10/sup 12/ Btu/y of thermal energy are contained in molten slags produced by the elemental phosphorus industry, the iron and steel industry, the copper industry, and wet-bottom coal-fired boilers. This study evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of recovering this wasted energy; the impact of slag waste-heat recovery on the industries in question; and the steps necessary to commercialize applicable heat recovery technology. The study considered two approaches to recovering thermal energy from phosphorus slag: the float chamber and the contact tower. Based on these approaches, nine energy recovery options for converting the energy in slag into other usable forms of energy were conceptualized and economically evaluated. All nine options are considered tecnically feasible and environmentally sound. The economics of the nine options are based on 33.9 kg/s (269,000 lb/h) of slag throughput and vary with both the energy from produced and the realizable total credits for different energy forms. Slag by-product credit is generally needed to make heat recovery economically attractive. Slag waste-heat recovery offers considerable potential for energy savings in the elemental phosphorus, iron and steel, and copper industries. Additional studies are recommended to determine if sufficient by-product credits can be obtained to justify …

Primary objectives of this study are to investigate alternative design concepts of thermal coupling of thermionic energy converters (TECs) to the steam cycle and the mechanical and electrical aspects of integrating TEC design into the steam power station. The specific tasks include: (1) evaluate design concepts of TEC topping of solvent refined liquified coal-fired steam power plants, with main emphasis devoted to thermal, mechanical, and electrical design aspects. (2) Develop preliminary conceptual design of a modular TEC assembly. (3) Develop preliminary cost estimates of the design modification to a liquified coal-fired steam power plant with TEC topping. (4) Provide support to Thermo Electron Corporation in planning TEC hardware testing. Results are presented in detail.

Results are presented on the design and testing of a pressurized gas blown spark gap switch capable of high repetition rates in a burst mode of operation. The switch parameters which have been achieved are as follows: 220-kV, 42-kA, a five pulse burst at 1-kHz, 12-ns risetime, 2-ns jitter at a pulse width of 50-ns.

On November 18, 1977, after four years of experimentation, innovation, and construction, the Shiva High Energy Laser facility produced 10.2 kJ of focusable laser energy delivered in a 0.95 ns pulse. The Shiva laser, with its computer control system and delta amplifiers, demonstrated its versatility on May 18, 1978, when the first 20-beam target shot with delta amplifiers focused 26 TW on a target and produced a yield of 7.5 x 10/sup 9/ neutrons.

On 1 August 1975 under Department of Energy Contract EN-77-C-02-4299, Sundstrand Energy Systems commenced development of a Kilowatt Isotope Power System (KIPS) directed toward satisfying the higher power requirements of satellites of the 1980s and beyond. The KIPS is a /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ fueled organic Rankine cycle turbine power system which will provide design output power in the range of 500 to 2000 W/sub (e)/ with a minimum of system changes. The principal objectives of the Phase 1 development effort were to: conceptually design a flight system; design a Ground Demonstration System (GDS) that is prototypic of the flight system in order to prove the feasibility of the flight system design; fabricate and assemble the GDS; and performance and endurance test the GDS using electric heaters in lieu of the isotope heat source. Results of the work performed under the Phase 1 contract to 1 July 1978 are presented.