We report measurements of the absolute and relative abundances, differential energy spectra, and spectral indices for cosmic-ray nuclei from Li to Fe for 2 to 150 GeV/nucleon. These measurements were made using a balloon-borne superconducting magnetic spectrometer with scintillators and optical spark chambers. The abundances of Li, Be, and B for rigidities below 10 GV/c are consistent with an energy-independent mean interstellar pathlength of 4 1/2 {+-} 1/2 g cm{sup -2} for all propagation models. The abundances of all elements above 10 GV/c are consistent with an interstellar pathlength decreasing with rigidity as R{sup -n} with an index n = 0.6{sub -0.3}{sup +0.4}. All differential source spectra can be fitted by power laws in total energy per nucleon with the same spectral index, which is between 2.5 and 2.6 depending on n. If n is near 0.5 (as for simple diffusion), the source index is 2.54 {+-} 0.03. Relative abundances at the sources are thus energy-independent, and have ratios to solar abundances as a function of first ionization potential which indicate a source temperature between 10{sup 4} and 5 x 10{sup 4} K depending on the equilibrium nature of the injection environment.

Fabrication of experimental breeder reactor fuel pellets by the common cold-press-and-sinter technique for irradiation testing in EBR-II is discussed. Fuel types include mixed thoria-plutonia, UO/sub 2/ enriched with 22 weight percent /sup 233/U in U, UO/sub 2/ enriched with thirty-four weight percent /sup 235/U in U, and mixed urania-plutonia.

The objectives of the research reported is to develop and analyze new concepts for absorption cycles to improve the performance or reduce the cost of a 3-ton absorption chiller that can be used with solar collected heat. New refrigerant-absorbent pairs are investigated, as are additives to currently used refrigerant-absorbent pairs. Results are given of a literature search on those topics. An initial screening is reported to check the values of the heats of mixing of candidate refrigerants and adsorbents, and also to screen several candidate absorbents against water as a refrigerant. A modified apparatus and procedures for measurement of refrigerant-absorbent solubilities are described. Pressure-temperature-composition data for the R-22/E-181 pair were measured. Based on theory and the information found in the literature, a set of criteria and guidelines was developed that gives the desirable properties of the refrigerants, absorbents, and pairs. (LEW)

Some common instruments found in the chemistry laboratory have analog chart recorder output as their primary data readout media. Data reduction from this medium is slow and relatively inaccurate. This paper describes how to interface a single LSI-11 microcomputer to PERKIN-ELMER models 603 and 303 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers.

The goal of TVA's Availability Improvement Program for its fossil-fueled power plants is to increase plant availability from 79 to 83%, to reduce the forced outage rate from 10 to 7%, and to reduce the equivalent outage rate related to forced deratings from 6 to 2%. As background for this program historical data on plant availabilities, trends toward improved availability, factors which contribute to current reliability, and ongoing programs to improve fossil-fueled plant reliability are discussed. (LCL)

A state-of-the-art battery survey and data verification process were conducted with battery manufacturers and organizations involved in battery technology research and development. This report addresses those major battery technologies which were identified as either being developed or explored as potential candidates for major energy storage applications in electric utilities or transportation as well as for future operations with solar or wind energy systems. Near- and far-term battery systems, current data and opinions, and developments in both US and foreign battery technology for utility load leveling and electric vehicles are discussed. Background information and the scope of the report are given first. Then basic data for each battery type are summarized; a general discussion of other potential battery systems is also included. A comparative summary of battery cost and performance is presented; actual battery capabilities are discussed relative to the general requirements of electric utility load leveling and transportation applications. The current status of the scarce materials and environmental and safety problems related to battery technology is presented. The overall status of the current R and D programs and expected progress toward commercialization are discussed; the roles of competing technologies in two major markets for battery technology are addressed. General observations, …

A computer program called BPROP7 was written to enable the user to obtain conveniently the thermodynamic properties of brine and water vapor in combination, given at least three of nine parameters. The parameters included in this program are two types of salt content, temperature, pressure, enthalpy, entropy, density or specific volume, quality, and amount of superheat.

This document contains information used in the certification and verification of the Calmac Flat Plate Collector. Contained are such items as test procedures and results, information on materials used, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manuals, and other information pertaining to the verification and certification.

An overview of the research projects in the Chemical Research group will be given. The work involves actinide waste and processing chemistry, separations chemistry, radiation studies, and calorimetry and thermodynamics. Details will be given of the actinide separations research, including work with macroreticular anion exchangers and bidentate organophosphorus extractants.

Transuranium elements have been introduced to the environment by a variety of ways including fallout from weapons testing, leakage from nuclear power reactors, waste effluent from nuclear fuel processing and leakage of radioactive waste from ocean dump sites. Several methods of curium detection and analysis in samples from marine ecosystems are contrasted and discussed in this paper.

A study to develop, evaluate, and fabricate mullite for use in molten silicon containers and silicon sheet substrates for the Low-Cost Silicon Solar Array Project is described. Compositional variations in Mullite formulations have been found to lower the thermal expansion of Mullite. Increased glass phase has been found to lower thermal expansion of fired Mullite bodies. Attempts to lower the thermal expansion to that of Silicon are underway. Sessile drop experiments on a series of composition and firing variations of Mullite produced a drastic change in some of the materials after a 10 hour exposure time. At 5 and 20 minutes nothing unusual was noted. Mullite substrates 100 cm x 10 cm x 0.1 cm were fabricated and fired successfully. Slots and holes have been fabricated in smaller 3.75 x 5.0 cm substrates. Crucibles from the standard Mullite formulation have been fabricated both dense and porous. Cost projections have been made for large quantities of substrates.

The exposure of noncellulosic ultrafiltration membranes to a radioactive environment simulating up to 24 months of exposure to a beta dose of 10 ..mu..Ci/cm/sup 3/ and a gamma dose of 10/sup -5/ ..mu..Ci/cm/sup 3/ did not show any conclusive evidence of membrane degradation. Viscosity measurements for control membranes and irradiated membranes indicate no changes in polymer molecular weight were caused by the radiation exposure. This, in turn, suggests no physical or mechanical degradation took place. A continuous run on the ultrafiltration pilot plant was completed. The run lasted 33.5 hr; during this period, the flux declined from 4 gal/min to 0.8 gal/min while rejection of alpha activity increased slightly. A total of 20,000 gal were processed through the ultrafiltration system. The small laboratory column tests were continued with uranium-233 and americium-241. Several new resins were being evaluated along with the same type of resin as used before with uranium-233 and plutonium-238. Tests were continued with the 2-in. Engineering Columns using ultrafiltration product spiked with uranium-233.

Diffusion welding is shown to be a feasible method for joining composites of niobium-titanium superconductor alloy filaments in a pure copper matrix. Good results were repeatedly obtained using 15/sup 0/ scarf joints welded with externally heated tooling and simple uniaxial compression loading in a conventional hydraulic press. Weld cycles of less than one hour total elapsed time were readily attainable. Through proper closed-die design, it was possible to increase welding pressure sufficiently to use relatively low temperatures to coincide with the optimum aging heat treatment of the superconductor alloy. This temperature limitation is important to retain optimal superconductor properties. Confirming measurements of critical current density of welded joints at 4.2/sup 0/K are in progress. In the welded joints made under optimum conditions, there is bonding of all constituents, including superconductor filaments. Weld tooling which effectively contains the relatively fluid matrix, and resists deformation during repeated weld cycles, is essential to the successful application of the diffusion welding process to these composites.

Sandia Laboratories of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has developed an advanced plutonium storage system. The system provides protection for and accountability of material in storage and controls personnel access to storage areas. This storage system has been installed and operationally demonstrated at the Rockwell Hanford Operations Z-Plant facility. All demonstration transactions were performed by Z-Plant personnel. The demonstration was carried out to evaluate the system operation using special nuclear material in an operational environment. This document is the evaluation report of the operational demonstration.

A summary of the current Evaporative Removal of Sodium (ERNA) activities at the Energy Systems Group is presented. Also included is a review of earlier work on sodium evaporation. As a result of this work it was concluded that the ERNA process was extremely successful and worthy of future consideration as a recognized process for reactor components. Also included in the report is a Preliminary Outline Specification for a large facility to remove sodium from full size CRBR fuel rod assemblies.

A version of the High Energy Astronomical Observatory (HEAO) magnetic spectrometer which is updated for the space shuttle sortie mode is described. A stripped-down experiment is considered with a magnetic spectrometer alone, even though any real space shuttle magnetic spectrometer experiment would almost certainly include other detectors. Problems relating specifically to superconducting magnetic spectrometers are studied. In particular, almost all of the support provided for this contract was spent in investigating new cryostat parameters appropriate to the shuttle weight and duration constraints. It was found that the size and weight of the cryostat, for a two-month lifetime, can be substantially reduced from that contemplated for HEAO. Moreover, with the reduced documentation requirements contemplated for the space shuttle, a considerable cost savings relative to HEAO can be realized. Since a superconducting magnetic spectrometer has considerable magnetic fringe field, methods for shielding sensitive electronic and mechanical components of other experiments, or the space shuttle itself, from the effects of the field, are considered. Experiments placed further away than the immediately neighboring pallet will see a magnetic field only slightly greater than the Earth's. Since even the neighboring pallet's components see a field of less than 100 gauss, magnetic shielding can be accomplished …

A fluidized-bed incineration facility has been designed for installation at the Rocky Flats Plant. The purpose is 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. Title II engineering is complete and construction work has begun.

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Heating and cooling systems that use hybrid solar energy collectors (combination photovoltaic-thermal) have the potential for considerable energy savings, particularly when the system includes a heat pump. Economic evaluations show that photovoltaic systems are potentially most economical, but results depend critically on future collector costs as well as energy prices. Results are based on a specially developed computer program that predicted the total auxiliary energy required for five different solar heating/cooling systems. Performance calculations for a modeled residence and small office building were made using meteorological data from four geographic locations. Annual system costs were also calculated.

Four normalized carbon steels made in different ways (Si-killed, Al-killed, REM-treated, and electroslag refined) were studied to determine the role of differing fine inclusions on the early stages of hydrogen attack (HA). Hydrogen exposures were made at 450/sup 0/C (6.5 MPa) and 375/sup 0/C (7.6 MPa). The first stage of HA is shown to be the development of a closely spaced (1-2 ..mu..m) array of small bubbles over the ferrite/pearlite, or occasionally the ferrite/ferrite boundaries. These grew together to form tears, primarily in the rolling plane, leading to more rapid expansion normal to this plane. The planes of separation followed high solute layers in banded steel but only rarely did the fracture surfaces follow inclusions. At 450/sup 0/C REM-treated steel was attacked the fastest and the Al-killed steel took two to four times as long for attack.

Many of the present laser fusion diagnostics are recorded on either ultrafast streak cameras or on oscilloscopes. For those experiments in which a large volume of data is accumulated, direct computer processing of the information becomes important. We describe an approach which uses a RCA 52501 back-thinned CCD sensor to obtain direct electron readouts for both the streak camera and the CRT. Performance of the 100 GHz streak camera and the 4 GHz CRT are presented. Design parameters and computer interfacing for both systems are described in detail.

The purpose of this report is to present various programmatic options for the Buildings and Community Systems (BCS) to use in utilizing a building design competition as a mechanism to promote the widescale adoption of energy conservation in new buildings design. The general program requirements were that: (1) the design competition focus on the multi-family low-rise residential market; (2) the design competition would result in the construction of a building or buildings under a Federally-assisted housing program; (3) the competition would be among competitors who are professional architects, designers, and/or developers; (4) the design competition would generate a high degree of public and professional awareness of conservation options in building design; and (5) the competition would be based on the use of a common standard of judgement (e.g., Btu's per square foot). The purpose of the initial phase of this study has been: (1) to assess the feasibility of developing a design competition that can meet the general requirements; (2) to identify potential program options for the competition; and (3) to develop a preliminary structural framework for it. This paper reports the study approach and the preliminary findings. (MCW)

The purpose of the report is to show the flow path and flow measurement device arrangements in the LOFT core inlet and outlet regions. The assembly composites are diagrammed in detail and are useful in understanding the flow distributions upstream and downstream of the core region.

The results are presented of stress analysis and evaluation of the drag-disc turbine transducer (DTT) shroud and cover welds used in the Loss-of-Fluid Test (LOFT) facility. The analysis concerns LOFT DTTs currently installed and/or planned for use in future experiments by LOFT Experimental Measurements Branch personnel. Thermal/hydraulic conditions for Experiments L1-5 and L2-4 (for all nuclear tests) were used to predict the loads experienced by the various shroud and cover welds. The results of this analysis include minimum fatigue life for all subject welds, and Applied Mechanics Branch recommendations for improving the structural integrity of critically stressed welds.