The objective of this research is to demonstrate on a laboratory scale the technical feasibility of the direct microbial conversion of pretreated wood to ethanol. During the first year of this contract, we investigated the feasibility of biologically delignifying wood with C. pruinosum and directly fermenting the pretreated wood to ethanol with a mixed culture. Bench-top fermentations of a thermophilic bacillus growing on glucose and of a mixed culture of thermophilic sporocytophaga (US) and a thermophilic bacillus growing on microcrystalline and amorphous cellulose were evaluated for growth and ethanol production. In the mixed culture fermentation of amorphous and microcrystalline cellulose, the specific rate of substrate depletion was calculated to be 0.087 hr/sup -1/ and 0.0346 hr/sup -1/, respectively. However, defining the growth requirements of C. pruinosum and sporocytophaga (US) proved more difficult than originally anticipated. In order to achieve the program objectives within the contract period, a revised research plan was developed based upon chemical pretreatment and the direct fermentation of pretreated hardwood to ethanol. In place of the biological delignification pretreatment step, we have substituted a chemically supplemented steam pretreatment step to partially delignify wood and to enhance its accessibility to microbial utilization. Clostridium thermocellum, which ferments cellulose directly …

Extensive studies have been made of the structural details of Cu/sub 2/S films on evaporated polycrystalline CdS layers. Examinations of free standing films reveal Cu/sub 2/S penetration along grain boundaries of at least 5 ..mu..m on unetched CdS films and of 10 ..mu..m or more on etched films. Preliminary structural comparisons have been made on films yielding low (< 3%) and higher efficiency (approx. > 5%) cells. Minority carrier diffusion length values of about 0.3 ..mu..m have been obtained from photocurrent response to a laser spot scanned along a Cu/sub 2/S layer of graded thickness. Doubling the time of exposure to a 200/sup 0/C nitrogen ambient used in forming the Cu/sub 2/S layer does not significantly change the diffusion length. Anomalously high values of diffusion length (approx. > 1 ..mu..m) are indicated for a region associated with a crack in the CdS. Compositional profiling of Cu, S and Cd by ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) have yielded generally similar results for Cu/sub 2/S films prepared on single crystal CdS substrates. Somewhat greater detail appears in certain of the profiles obtained with ISS which is attributed to less influence of depth averaging than in the AES case.

The purpose of this experimental program was to determine the quasistatic and creep deformation properties of salt from the Jefferson Island mine, by means of laboratory tests on cylindrical specimens, for use infinite-element modeling analyses of the room-and-pillar geometry.

Details on two versions of a computerized model for the transportation system of the NRC Physical Protection Project are presented. The Version I model permits scheduling of all types of transport units associated with a truck fleet, including truck trailers, truck tractors, escort vehicles and crews. A fixed-fleet itinerary construction process is used in which iterations on fleet size are required until the service requirements are satisfied. The Version II model adds an aircraft mode capability and provides for a more efficient non-fixed-fleet itinerary generation process. Test results using both versions are included.

A 1976 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union permits a local seismic network to be deployed at the site of a peaceful nuclear explosion to monitor the event. Criteria for the design and selection of the data-acquisition equipment for such a network are provided. Constraints imposed by the protocol of the treaty, the environment, and the expected properties of seismic signals (based on experiences at the Nevada Test Site) are discussed. Conclusions are drawn about the desired operating mode. Criteria for a general seismic instrumentation system are described.

The sensitivities of district heating costs to various design parameters are explored. Some recent studies evaluating the economics of district heating are briefly summarized. The bases and methods for the cost and design sensitivity studies are outlined. Cost and design relationships are examined. These relationships are developed as part of a design study for a city with a population of 175,000. Use of a specific city as a basis for these studies shows the importance of site specific factors in the development of the best district heating design for the city. The problems of utilizing the delivered water are briefly reviewed. Some alternatives system designs are compared in terms of economics, energy efficiency, and their potential for widespread application. (MHR)

An improved dual-laser flow cytometric system for quantitative analysis and sorting of mammalian cells has been developed using a low-power argon and high-power krypton laser as illumination sources, thus permitting the excitation of fluorescent dyes having absorption regions ranging from the ultraviolet to infrared. Cells stained in liquid suspension with fluorescent dyes enter a flow chamber where they intersect two spatially separated laser beams. Separate pairs of quartz beam-shaping optics focus each beam onto the cell stream. Electro-optical sensors measure fluorescence and light scatter from cells that are processed electronically and displayed as frequency distribution histograms. Cells also can be electronically separated and microscopically identified. The ease and versatility of operation designed into this system represent a marked technological improvement for dual-laser excited flow systems. Details of this instrument are described along with illustrative examples of cells stained with mithramycin and rhodamine and analyzed for DNA content, total protein, and nuclear and cytoplasmic diameter.

This report presents an experimental validation of the use of Bethe hole theory in the numerical modeling of apertures in structures with wires behind the apertures. Three configurations are examined in this study: thin, capped cylinders with the wire located along the cylinder center; apertures in a plane with a wire; and fat, capped cylinders with wire inside. Currently accepted methods that use the Bethe hole theory to model the aperture are used to model numerically the current on the wires. The numerically generated current data are compared with experimental results. This validation is performed for both electrically small and large apertures. 55 figures, 5 tables.

In designs for high gain targets for laser driven inertial confinement fusion, the deuterium-tritium fuel is at cryogenic temperatures. We are adapting cryogenic target fabrication techniques to the high power Shiva Laser Facility. The complex but compact cryogenic system which meets the Shiva laser requirements is described.

The work described was directed toward the demonstration of the practical feasibility of the Floating Substrate Process for the growth of silicon sheet. Supercooling of silicon--tin alloy melts was studied. Values as high as 78/sup 0/C at 1100/sup 0/C and 39/sup 0/C at 1200/sup 0/C were observed, corresponding to supersaturation parameter values 0.025 and 0.053 at 1050/sup 0/C and 1150/sup 0/C, respectively. The interaction of tin with silane gas streams was investigated over the temperature range 1000 to 1200/sup 0/C. Single-pass conversion efficiencies exceeding 30% were obtained. The growth habit of spontaneously-nucleated surface growth was determined to be consistent with dendritic and web growth from <111> singly-twinned triangular nucleii. Surface growth of interlocking silicon crystals, thin enough to follow the surface of the liquid and with growth velocity as high as 5 mm/min, was obtained. Large area single-crystal growth along the melt surface was not achieved. Small single-crystal surface growth was obtained which did not propagate beyond a few millimeters. The probable reason for the polycrystalline growth is the poisoning of the growth interface by impurities.

A fluidized-bed incineration facility has been designed for installation at the Rocky Flats Plant to develop and demonstrate the process for the combustion of transuranic waste. The unit capacity will be about 82 kg/hr of combustible waste. The combustion process will utilize in situ neutralization of acid gases generated in the process. The equipment design is based on data generated on a pilot scale unit and represents a scale-up factor of nine. Building modifications are complete and equipment installation has begun.

An ultraprecision machining capability is needed for the laser fusion program. For this work, a precision air-bearing spindle has been mounted horizontally on a modified vertical column of a Moore Number 3 measuring machine base located in a development laboratory at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. An open-loop control system previously installed on this machine was inadequate to meet the upcoming requirements since accuracy is limited to 0.5 ..mu..m by the errors in the machine's gears and leadscrew. A new controller was needed that could monitor the actual position of the machine and perform real-time error correction on the programmed tool path. It was necessary that this project: (1) attain an optimum tradeoff between hardware and software; (2) use a modular design for easy maintenance; (3) use a standard NC tape service; (4) drive the x and y axes with a positioning resolution of 5.08 nm and a feedback resolution of 10 nm; (5) drive the x and y axis motors at a velocity of 0.05 cm/sec in the contouring mode and 0.18 cm/sec in the positioning mode; (6) eliminate the possibility of tape-reader errors; and (7) allow editing of the part description data. The work that was done to …

MAGIC, a new one-dimensional particle code, simulates magneto-inductive phenomena in a cylindrically symmetric magnetized plasma. The physical model and the computational algorithm used for the code are described. A user's guide to and a listing of MAGIC are also included.

The structural distortion in PrCu/sub 2/ below the Jahn-Teller transition at T/sub D/ = 7.3 K was measured by neutron diffraction. The primary order parameter was found to be the e/sub zx/ strain of the orthorhombic unit cell. The coupling of this strain to the lowest two crystal field levels gave rise to the dominant quadrupole interaction between the Pr/sup +3/ ions. A dipole transition to the second excited crystal field level was also observed. The dispersion of this excitation shows that the exchange interaction is antiferromagnetic, consistent with the enhanced antiferromagnetic nuclear ordering reported below 52 mK.

In a general high-beta guiding-center MHD equilibrium of an anisotropic minimum-B mirror-trapped plasma, stability is determined by the sign of the Kruskal-Oberman energy variation. The energy variation is given for near-marginally-stable line-localized perturbations, and within a positive factor. A brief theoretical discussion of various instabilities for different conditions is given. (MOW)

The conceptual design of a commercial LMFBR (Target Plant) and its NSSS capital cost have been developed in support of the United Engineers and Constructors Contract EN-78-C-02-4954 with the Department of Energy. The objective of this work is to provide the Department of Energy/Office of Program Planning and Analysis - Nuclear Energy Programs with periodic updates of technical, capital cost, fuel cycle cost, and operating and maintenance cost information. This effort supports Task 3B of the UE and C's Phase I Energy Economic Data Base (EEDB) Program. Past estimates of LMFBR capital costs have generally predicted that these costs would be higher than those of a comparably sized LWR, primarily due to the more demanding technology associated wih higher temperatures and the large number of engineered systems. The LMFBR, because of its low fuel cycle costs, can tolerate a capital cost premium relative to thermal reactors. The key issues, therefore, are: the allowable LMFBR cost premium, and the steps necessary to reduce the capital cost below the projected allowable cost premium for a safe and reliable plant.

The objective of this presentation is to: (1) present the physical motivation for fusion-fission hybrids, (2) outline design considerations for hybrid blankets, and (3) discuss the nuclear performance potential of hybrid blankets.

Development effort has been applied in these areas during the second quarter: effects of back surface field (BSF) region diffusions, application of anti-reflection coatings and photoresist layers to web silicon cells by dipping and cell separation by laser scribing. In addition, consideration has been given to selecting appropriate adhesives for encapsulation of completed modules. A review has been made of the properties of several organic materials as candidates for the adhesives in preparing modules with cell arrays encapsulated between sheets of glass. Room temperature curing materials have been chosen to eliminate the need for a costly and time consuming curing step.

Two approaches to enhancement of the Q (energy gain) factor of mirror systems are under study at Livermore. These include the Tandem Mirror and the Field Reversed Mirror. Both of these new ideas preserve features of conventional mirror systems as far as plasma-wall interactions are concerned. Specifically in both approaches field lines exit from the ends of the system and impinge on walls located at a distance from the confinement chamber. It is possible to predict some aspects of the plasma/surface interactions of TM and FRM systems from experience obtained in the Livermore 2XIIB experiment. In particular, as observed in 2XIIB, effective isolation of the plasma from thermal contact with the ends owing to the development of sheath-like regions is to be expected. Studies presently underway directed toward still further enhancing the decoupling of the plasma from the effects of plasma surface interactions at the walls will be discussed, with particular reference to the problem of minimizing the effects of refluxing secondary electrons produced by plasma impact on the end walls.

This report summarizes the economic and financial conditions pertaining to geothermal electric power plant utilization of geothermal fluids produced from the Roosevelt Hot springs area of Utah. The first year of electric power generation is scheduled to be 1982. The non-resource facilities will be called ''surface facilities'' and include the gathering system, the power plant, the substation, and the injection system.

For optimum performance in cell sorting, it is critical to assure proper timing in the charging of droplets to be deflected. A method for determining the transit delay time in cell sorters has been devised and applied to daily operation in the Los Alamos sorter systems. This delay monitor relies on detection of either scattered or absorbed light from cells in the fluid stream near the point of droplet breakoff.

Results are summarized of the combined efforts of the Division of Industrial Energy Conservation (INDUS) and independent reviewers to perform an evaluation of the existing and proposed INDUS energy conservation research, demonstration, and development projects. The purpose of the review was to obtain evaluations of the capital cost, energy savings, and operating costs for each project which would be used to upgrade the original proposal data currently in the threshold system. Section II contains the detailed summaries of the threshold evaluation data prepared by the members. Section III contains the risk analysis data submitted by the reviewers. (MCW)

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The procedures used and the results obtained during the evaluation test program on the Calmac Manufacturing Company, S.N.1, (Liquid) Solar Collector are presented. The flat-plate collector uses water as the working fluid. The absorber plate is aluminum with plastic tubes coated with Urethane black. The glazing consists of a single .040&#x27;&#x27; Fiberglas reinforced polyester (Kalwall). The collector weight is 78.5 pounds with overall external dimensions of approximately 50.3&#x27;&#x27; x 98.3&#x27;&#x27; x 3.8&#x27;&#x27;. The test program was conducted to obtain the following information: Thermal performance data under simulated conditions, structural behavior under static loading and the effects of long-term exposure to natural weathering. These tests were conducted using the MSFC Solar Simulator.