Proposals to amend Appendix A of Part 440 of Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons are described. The proposals establish new specifications for the materials purchased for utilization in the weatherization of dwellings which qualify for assistance under Part 440. These proposed regulations prescribe the minimum requirements which must be met or exceeded by each type of material and the Federal standards to which they must conform. In addition, these regulations include installation requirements for each class of material installed at the request of the enduser. (MCW)

In response to a widely expressed need to examine the impact of the federal regulatory system on the rate of geothermal power development, the Department of Energy-Division of Geothermal Energy (DGE) has established a Streamlining Task Force in cooperation with appropriate federal agencies. The intent is to find a way of speeding development by modification of existing laws or regulations or by better understanding and mechanization of the existing ones. The initial focus was on the leasing and development of federal lands. How do the existing processes work? Would changes produce positive results in a variety of cases? These are questions which must be considered in a national streamlining process. This report presents case studies of federal leasing actions on seven diverse locations in the western region. Characteristics of existing high geothermal potential areas are quite diverse; geography, environment, industry interest and the attitudes and activities of the responsible federal land management agencies and the interested public vary widely. Included are descriptions of post and current activities in leasing exploration and development and discussions of the probable future direction of activities based on current plans. Implications of these plans are presented. The case studies were based on field interviews with …

The Kansas City Division of the Bendix Corp. is a manufacturing facility. It uses computer graphics to prepare formal drawings in a specified drawing system. Introduction of a system worked out with Sandia Laboratories resulted in reduced time for through-put, faster processing of changes, and steady (rather than increased) employment figures. The system has been in operation for 27 months. It cost about $300,000, and has been used on printed wiring boards, hybrid microcircuits, and test equipment schematics. This report consists primarily of slides, with little text as such. (RWR)

Conceptual design studies of the target chamber defined the general configuration and dimensions of the chamber and the inlet plenum, orifice plate, and nozzle plate concepts required to generate the desired lithium jet fall. Preliminary studies were performed of the target chamber interfaces with the liquid lithium supply system, the laser system, the pellet injection system, and the target chamber mounting and support system. Target chamber environmental effects resulting from typical thermonuclear burns were evaluated. The outlet region of the target chamber was outlined conceptually, and preliminary design considerations were given to the annular graphite reflector regions of the target chamber and the associated liquid lithium coolant passages. (MOW)

Progress on energy analysis of geothermal resources is reported. The power curve for a vapor dominated hydrothermal plant is shown. (MHR)

Work devoted to assessment of Eastern gas shales is reported. It is noted that although the Late Devonian-age dark shales of the Eastern Interior Basins are thought to be uniformly gassy, organic geochemical studies in the Appalachian and Illinois Basins show that the gas is not uniformly distributed and that most of the gas is probably sourced and largely retained in thin, organic-rich zones that were deposited in restricted marine environments. As the Devonian-age basins filled, the environments of deposition of the Appalachian Basin and Illinois Basin became nonmarine more and more northerly and northwestwardly, respectively. Heavy hydrocarbon-to-organic carbon ratios show that the organic matter associated with the restricted marine environments is different in the two basins. During virtually the entire period in question, the Appalachian Basin had a direct connection; the Illinois Basin was somewhat isolated by the already developing Cincinnati Arch on the east and the Kankakee or Wabash Arch on the north. However, the differences in organic matter noted in this study suggest a northwest connection of the Illinois Basin to a different ocean mass than that which supplied marine waters to the Appalachian Basin. As a fossil fuel resource, certain facies within the dark Devonian-age shale …

A general overview of geothermal energy is presented. The current usage, geological origin, and environmental effects of geothermal development are summarized with emphasis on the numerous facets of the resource that may be singled out by interested individuals for further study. The conclusion is made that total geothermal development will be but a small percentage of the U.S. energy requirement, but that geothermal energy is and will be regionally significant as an energy resource.

Two coal liquid products derived from the same Kentucky hvAb coal have been separated into toluene-insoluble, asphaltene, and pentane-soluble heavy oil fractions. Viscosity and calorimetric studies are reported of the interaction between heavy oil and asphaltene(A) and its acid/neutral(AA) and base(BA) components in solvent benzene. The increase in viscosity and molar enthalpy of interaction, {Delta}H{sup 0}, in the order BA>A>AA, correlate well with the proton magnetic resonance downfield chemical shift of the OH signal of o-phenylphenol, as a function of added asphaltene (A, AA, BA) concentration in solvent CS{sub 2}· The results suggest that when asphaltene .and heavy oil are present together, hydrogen-bonding involving largely phenolic OH, is one of the mechanisms by which asphaltene-heavy oil interactions are achieved and, in part, is responsible for the viscosity increase of coal liquids.

Field and laboratory data are presented for 718 groundwater and 715 stream sediment samples. Statistical and areal distributions of uranium and possible uranium-related variables are displayed. A generalized geologic map of the survey area is provided, and pertinent geologic factors which may be of significance in evaluating the potential for uranium mineralization are briefly discussed. Groundwater data indicate that uranium concentrations above the 85th percentile are predominant in the Trinity Group (Lower Cretaceous), and the Taylor and Navarro Groups (Upper Cretaceous). Values of uranium above the 85th percentile also occur in the Permian units located in the northwestern section of the survey area. Several trends delineating saline water are discernable, the most notable of which occur in sections of the Woodbine Formation and the Permian units. Less distinguishing saline trends occur in many of the Upper Cretaceous formations. Stream sediment data indicate that uranium concentrations above the 85th percentile occur in sections of the Fredericksburg Group parallel to the contact with the Washita Group, in the Eagle Ford Formation, and in the Taylor Group. High values of uranium in the Fredericksburg Group appear to be associated with carbonates and marine clays. High values of uranium in the Eagle Ford Formation …

A manual, prepared to guide personnel in operating and maintaining the Janus glass laser system, is presented. System components are described in detail. Step-by-step procedures are presented for firing the laser and for performing routine maintenance and calibration procedures.

The KIPS Ground Demonstration System (GDS) was designed to simulate, as closely as possible, a Flight System Conceptual Design (FSCD). No radiator was incorporated and electric heat sources were used in place of isotope heat sources. To minimize air in-leakage and to simulate heat losses associated with space operation, the system was operated in a vacuum chamber. Initial testing was performed on the development system which did not incorporate a high performance turbine or non-condensing configuration of the cold liquid passages in certain regenerator vapor regions. After testing of the development system and retrofit to the GDS configuration, which included improvements in the above two items, the GDS was installed in the test chamber. Testing to date showed the GDS configuration has demonstrated a system efficiency of greater than 15%. Satisfactory heat balances have been calculated on most system components, permitting evaluation of component performance. Certain performance deficiencies currently exist which prevented the 18% efficiency goal being attained. These can be corrected with further development.

In the large fusion program at Livermore we are actively doing research in most areas of inertial confinement fusion. The areas in which we are funded for research specific to heavy ion fusion are: (1) target design; (2) energy conversion chamber design and (3) ion beam propagation in the combustion chamber. There are two main thrusts to the target design effort: (1) development of targets which are optimally suited to heavy ion fusion power production and (2) fundamental studies of the beam-target interaction.

Chemical kinetic modeling studies of vibrational-photochemical isotope enrichment have been performed on two systems: Model (I), H/sup 79/Br(H/sup 81/Br) + Cl/sub 2/ and, Model (II), H/sup 37/Cl(H/sup 35/Cl) + Br. Pulsed laser excitation was modeled to the first excited vibrational level of H/sup 79/Br in Model I and the first and second excited vibrational levels of both HCl isotopes in Model II. These are prototype systems of exoergic (Model I) and endoergic (Model II) reactions. The effects on enrichment of varying the external parameters (pressure, laser intensity) and the internal parameters (rate constants for V-V exchange and excited-state reactions) were examined. Studies of these prototype systems indicate that a favorable reaction for enrichment, with isotopically-specific excitation and a significantly accelerated vibrationally-excited-state reaction should have the following properties: the reaction from v = 0 should be only moderately exoergic, and the most favorable coreactant should be a polyatomic species, such as alkyl radical. Direct excitation of the reacting vibrational level is at least an order of magnitude more favorable for enrichment than is population by energy transfer. Enrichment of the minor isotope by these processes is more effective than is major isotope enrichment. Within limits, increased laser intensity is beneficial. However, …

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Several tasks are to be undertaken in this study which, when combined, have the end objective of defining the leak rates of plutonium oxide powder from characterized leaks.

The Rio Blanco Massive Hydraulic Fracturing Project was fielded in 1974 as a joint Industry/ERDA demonstration to test the relative effectiveness of MHF in the same formations that were stimulated by the Rio Blanco nuclear fracturing experiment. The project is essentially a companion effort to and a continuation of the preceding nuclear stimulation project, which took place in May, 1973. The well was fractured a total of four times, twice in the Upper Mesaverde and twice in the Fort Union. A fifth zone in the Upper Mesaverde was extensively tested but abandoned as being of insufficient quality for fracturing. In the four treatments, none appears to have fractured laterally as designed. In the Fort Union and Mesaverde each well must produce from numerous sand lenses, the lateral extent of which appears to be limited.

TERA Corporation presents the results of a detailed seismic risk analysis of the Battelle Memorial Institute's Nuclear Research Facility at West Jefferson, Ohio. This report focuses on earthquakes.

This report presents the results of a detailed seismic risk analysis of the Nuclear Materials Development Facility (NMDF) operated by Atomics International at Santa Susana, California. The historical seismic record was established after a review of available literature, consultation with operators of local seismic arrays and examination of appropriate seismic data bases including the USGS, California Institute of Technology and NEIS data bases. The resulting seismic record, covering the period 1969 to 1977, was used to identify all possible sources of seismicity that could affect the site. The best estimate curve indicates that the facility will experience 30% g with a return period of 55 years and 60% g with a return period of 750 years.

A detailed description of the status of the design, fabrication, and testing of the Selenide Isotope Generator for the Galileo program is presented. (WHK)

The sensitivity of mechanical and hydraulic snubber parameters to system displacements, stresses, and forces are analyzed. Acceleration threshold, clearance, and friction are evaluated for mechanical snubbers while hydraulic snubber investigations include lock velocity, bleed rate, unlock loading, clearance, and friction. The back-up structure is influential for both types of snubbers and although not a snubber parameter, per se, is treated like a parameter. Forcing functions are utilized, and include both harmonic and time history seismic inputs to the mathematical models. Mathematical models are used to simulate snubber characteristics. Special mathematical techniques are developed for economical use in piping programs. Acceptable parameter ranges are established, based on criteria for the various mechanical and hydraulic snubber characteristics.

TRW is designing a system for the demonstration of the Solar Production of Industrial Process Steam. Included, besides the Conceptual Design, is an Environmental Impact Assessment and a System Safety Analysis report. The system as proposed and conceptualized consists of an array of 9520 square feet of parabolic trough concentrating solar energy collectors which generate pressurized hot water. The pressurized water is allowed to flash to steam at 300 psi (417/sup 0/F) and fed directly into the high pressure steam lines of the Ore-Ida Foods, Inc., processing plant in Ontario, Oregon. Steam is normally generated in the factory by fossil-fired boilers and is used by means of a steam-to-oil heat exchanger for the process of frying potatoes in their frozen food processing line. The high pressure steam is also cascaded down to 125 psi for use in other food processing operations. This solar system will generate 2 x 10/sup 6/ Btu/hr during peak periods of insolation. Steam requirements in the plant for frying potatoes are: 43 x 10/sup 6/ Btu/hr at 300 psi and 52 x 10/sup 6/ Btu/hr at the lower temperatures and pressures. The Ontario plant operates on a 24 hr/day schedule six days a week during the …

The project conceptual design activities are divided into six parts: Industrial Plant, Conceptual System Design, Collector Selection, Heat Transfer Fluid Selection, Site Fabrication, and Engineered Equipment. Included is an overview of the solar steam system and a brief discussion on the environmental impact of the project as well as the safety considerations of the system design. The effect of the solar system on the environment is negligible, and the safety analysis of the system indicates the considerations to be taken to minimize any potential safety hazard due to contamination of the food product or to fire. Both of these potential hazards are discussed in detail. Both the question of product contamination and the question of potential fire hazards will be presented to the industrial partner's safety committee so that the selection of the heat transfer fluid meets with their approval.

The research performed was designed to identify spatial or temporal variation of any atmospheric parameters that might affect the operation of devices utilizing solar energy in the metropolitan Phoenix area. The first part of the research involved the analysis of all available solar and climatic data to determine their validity and comparability. For the standard climatic parameters, few difficulties were encountered, but the task of determining comparability of solar radiation data involved many pitfalls. It was concluded that most of the solar data acquired before January 1977 could not be used for purposes of identifying spatial variability. And, a year and a half of data does not represent a long enough period of time upon which to base sound conclusions about spatial and temporal variability of solar radiation in the metropolitan Phoenix region. The data currently available to us do not indicate any great variation of solar radiation in the metropolitan Phoenix area. However, any meaningful statements about spatial and temporal variability of solar radiation in the metropolitan Phoenix area must await the acquisition of additional data from well-calibrated equipment.