A three-dimensional single region slug flow heat transfer analysis for finite LMFBR rod bundles using a classical analytical solution method has been performed. According to the isolated single cell analysis, the results show that the peripheral clad temperature variation as well as the thermal entrance length are strongly dependent upon the degree of irregularity displayed by various coolant geometries. Since under the present LMFBR conditions, fully-developed temperature fields may hardly be established in such characteristic rod bundle regions, a 3-D heat transfer analysis seems to be mandatory. This implies that the results of fully developed heat transfer analyses are by far too conservative.

A program was conducted for the definition and demonstration of acceptable waste packages for defense transuranic waste for interim storage and terminal isolation. During FY-1977, a Contractor Questionnaire was used to gather pertinent data and to assess contractor concerns. This information was integrated into basic application data in the form of a checklist. Conceptual Container Design Specifications were developed by analyzing and evaluating the application data against Federal Regulations and interim/terminal storage constraints.

In Purex process modifications, two cold runs with mixer-settlers were made on the extraction and stripping of ruthenium and zirconium without the presence of uranium. Efforts in actinide recovery from solids were directed toward the determination of dissolution parameters in various reagents for /sup 241/Am and /sup 239/Pu oxide mixtures, /sup 233/U oxide, /sup 237/Np oxide, /sup 244/Cm oxide, /sup 232/Th oxide, and PuO/sub 2/. Studies in americium-curium recovery with OPIX (oxalate precipitation and ion exchange), Talspeak, and cation exchange chromatography focused on the feasibility of forming oxalate precipitates in continuous systems, the effects of zirconium on Talspeak, and methods for removing solvent degradation products of the Talspeak system. In studies of americium-curium recovery using bidentate extractants, additional distribution coefficients for actinides and other key elements between reduced synthetic LWR waste solution and 30 percent dihexyl-N, N-diethyl-carbamylmethylene phosphonate in diisopropylbenzene were measured. Studies in the americium-curium recovery using inorganic ion exchange media to determine the pH dependence of lanthanide ion affinity for niobate, titanate, and zirconate ion exchange materials have been completed. A modified flowsheet for the extraction of uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium from high-level liquid waste is presented. Evaluation of methods for measuring actinides from incinerator ash …

As part of a program to develop high temperature electronics for geothermal well instrumentation, a number of solid state diode and transistor types were characterized from room temperature to 300/sup 0/C. The temperature dependence and aging stability of transport and leakage properties were measured. Included in the study were silicon diodes, bipolar transistors, JFETs, MOSFETs, and GaAs MESFETs and JFETs. In summary the results are: diodes and bipolar transistors became extremely leaky at high temperature and are therefore of limited use; silicon MOSFETs and GaAs devices showed unacceptable aging instabilities at high temperatures; silicon JFETs from certain manufacturers were sufficiently stable and had suitable temperature dependent characteristics so that operational circuits could be made. Comparisons were made of experimental device characteristics and those predicted by theory. The theoretical calculations were done using standard equations revised to include appropriate temperature dependent parameters. Close agreement between theory and experiment was found, indicating that unexpected high temperature effects were insignificant. In order to facilitate the use of devices in high temperature hybrids, it was necessary to develop bonding and prescreening techniques. A large variance of JFET 300/sup 0/C operating parameters was found even within a single production lot. Consequently, high temperature prescreening allowed …

Physical models for various processes that are encountered in preaccident and transient simulation of thermohydraulic transients in the entire liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR) plant are described in this report. A computer code, SSC-L, was written as a part of the Super System Code (SSC) development project for the "loop"-type designs of LMFBRs. This code has the self-starting capability, i.e., preaccident or steady-state calculations are performed internally. These results then serve as the starting point for the transient simulation.

This is the eighth in a series of quarterly progress reports on studies performed for the Alternate Fuel Cycle Technologies/Thorium Fuel Cycle Technologies/International Spent Fuel Receipt and Storage (AFCT/TFCT/ISFS) Program, formerly the LWR Fuel Recycle Program. This program is designed to provide information needed by industry to close the back end of the power reactor fuel cycle. During the past quarter, studies were conducted in the following tasks: Survey of Current Technology of Fuel Handling Techniques; Investigation of Air Cleaning Processes for Removing Tributyl Phosphate (TBP) from Off-Gas Streams; Study of Iodine Chemistry in Process Solutions; Electropolishing to Decontaminate Metallic Waste from Alternate and Thorium Converter Fuel Cycles; and U.S. Scale Transport, Dispersion and Removal Mode Comparison Safety Criticality Experiments. (11 figs., 7 tables)

The results of studies designed to evaluate the potential of rapidly improving the technology of anaerobic fermentation of agricultural residues and methods of implementing it in existing agricultural operations are reported. The main objectives of this study were to: identify simple and low cost anaerobic fermentor design criteria that would be appropriate in small agricultural operations, develop high rate fermentor concepts that would enable multiple product recovery from the reactor, expand the information base particularly in the area of temperature influence on the process, and to review sociological and economic issues relating to implementation of fermentation technology. This study has identified several major anaerobic fermentation concepts which illustrate that the technology may be rapidly improved. A simple reactor design utilizing an unmixed plug flow concept was shown to be comparable to the more complex completely mixed reactor when using dairy cow residue. A high rate thermophilic reactor designed to encourage flotation of particulate solids illustrated that liquid, solid, and gaseous products can be generated within the anaerobic fermentor thus eliminating an additional dewatering unit process. A third reactor concept involved extension of the anaerobic attached microbial film expanded bed to the treatment of cow manure slurries. A high rate of …

The behavior of the fission metal cesium and the fission gases krypton and xenon in the Saclay Spitfire Loop SSL-1 test has been compared to that predicted using General Atomic reference data and computer code models. This is the first in a series of analyses planned in order to provide quantitative validation of HTGR fission product design methods. In this analysis, the first attempt to rigorously verify fission product design methods, the FIPERQ code was used to model the diffusion of cesium graphite and release to the coolant stream. The comparisons showed that the cesium profile shape in the graphite web and the partition coefficient between fuel rod matrix material and fuel element graphite were correctly modeled, although the overall release was significantly underpredicted. Uncertainties in the source term (fissile particle failure fraction) and total release to the coolant precluded an accurate appraisal of the validity of FIPERQ. However, several recommendations are presented to improve the applicability of future in-pile test data for the validation of fission metal release codes. The half-life dependence of fission gas release during irradiation was found to be in good agreement with the model used in the reference design materials, providing assurance that this aspect …

The stress analysis is presented for the proposed loop seal modification to the LOFT Steam Generator Main Feed Piping. THE SAP IV finite element computer program was used to analyze normal, upset, emergency, and faulted conditions. Results of the analysis indicate that the modified main feed piping system will satisfy all structural adequacy criteria specified in Subarticle NC-3650 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Results also show that the isolation snubber configuration, specified in LTR 115-11, will also be adequate for the piping configuration analyzed.

The environmental control technology proposed in the various oil shale projects which are under development are examined. The technologies for control of air pollution, water pollution, and for the disposal, stabilization, and vegetation of the processed shale were thoroughly investigated. Although some difficulties may be encountered in any of these undertakings, it seems clear that the air and water pollution problems can be solved to meet any applicable standard. There are no published national standards against which to judge the stabilization and vegetation of the processed shale. However, based on the goal of producing an environmentally and aesthetically acceptable finished processed shale pile, it seems probable that this can be accomplished. It is concluded that the environmental control technology is available to meet all current legal requirements. This was not the case before Colorado changed their applicable Air Pollution regulations in August of 1977; the previous ones for the oil shale region were sufficiently stringent to have caused a problem for the current stage of oil shale development. Similarly, the federal air-quality, non-deterioration regulations could be interpreted in the future in ways which would be difficult for the oil shale industry to comply with. The Utah water-quality, non-deterioration regulations could …

The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate the potential of various energy resource and technology options in meeting national economic and social development goals for developing countries. The kinds of resource options of interest are the development of various indigenous conventional resources such as oil, oil shale, natural gas, coal, uranium, hydropower, or geothermal energy. Technology options would include, for example, advanced coal-combustion technologies, solar energy for water heating or crop drying, wind-driven irrigation pumps, and energy-efficient industrial processes. In general, there are two categories of options to be considered: those that correspond to the accelerated implementation of existing elements of the energy system (such as oil-fired electricity generation) and those that correspond to the introduction of a new technology (such as solar electricity). The various resource and technology options are analyzed with respect to a number of parameters of concern, or objective functions, or "payoff functions" Among the most prominent of these are the following: total fuel demand and fuel mix; oil imports and exports; national social goals; total energy costs; balance of payments; labor and capital requirements; and environmental quality. The basic approach is described.

Anion exchange distributions of 58 elements have been measured from 0.1-8.7M HBr and from 0.1-7.4M HI onto three strong-base resins, 8 and 4% cross-linked and macroporous. Data were obtained by 16- to 18-h dynamic batch contacts. Anion exchange in these media is compared to that in HCl. The effect of resin cross-linkage is considerably greater in HI media than in HBr and HCl media. Examples are presented of potentially useful separations using HBr and HI media alone and in combination with HCl.

This report addresses an approach to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Safety and Environmental Control research.

An analysis was made of cost trade-offs for shaping modified square wafers from cylindrical crystals. For reasonably expectable silicon and sheet costs, the optimum shape will be nearer a circle than a square. Tests were conducted of the effectiveness of texture etching for removal of surface damage on sawed wafers. Four glass systems have survived preliminary screening tests for use as edge masking dielectrics. These include beta-spodumen, MgO-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ borosilicate, baria and titania glasses. Aluminum contact metallization does not appear promising, and six silver screen printing inks have been selected for detailed investigation. Screening tests are underway for the selection of adhesive and coating materials for the superstrate fabrication. Three adhesive candidate materials have been identified for detailed investigation.

The only significant effect of the National Energy Plan (NEP) on solid waste management in electric utilities will be to shift the regional distribution of impacts. Nationally, NEP may result in an increase of ash by 1 percent, and a decrease in the scrubber sludge disposal area requirement by up to 10 percent. Using current technology for fixation of scrubber sludge, ultimate disposal by landfill, and subsequent revegetation, utilities can provide environmentally acceptable methods of scrubber sludge disposal at a small fraction of the total cost of FGD system installation and operation. A significant fraction of coal using industries will use FGD systems that produce liquid effluents rather than sludge residuals, with discharge to municipal sewage systems or to water bodies. This will increase dissolved solids concentrations in the receiving waters, but at concentrations that are not expected to be of environmental concern except in the arid regions of the west. Because of the significant cost of sludge transportation, industries that have inadequate land for on-site disposal may incur significant cost penalities for sludge disposal, in addition to facing opposition at the local level to the use of regional or municipal disposal facilities. In contrast to the utility sector, the …

Demand for reactor-grade ThO/sub 2/ is likely to increase as a result of the growing interest in the application of the thorium-uranium fuel cycle to nuclear reactors. The wastes and effluents identified with the production of ThO/sub 2/ from monazite sand are waste water, tailings, dust, smoke and gas, and radionuclides (primarily, /sup 232/Th and /sup 226/Ra). There are currently an estimated 1,500 short tons of crude thorium hydroxide byproduct that can be readily converted to reactor-grade ThO/sub 2/. The present maximum domestic capacity for producing reactor-grade ThO/sub 2/ is about 65 to 100 ton/year. The current domestic capacity for producing reactor-grade ThO/sub 2/ is sufficient to sustain a thorium-uranium fuel cycle of up to 11,000 MW(e) without recycling thorium, depending on the mix of reactor types selected. This range can be increased to 28,000 MW(e) by expanding ThO/sub 2/ purification capacity to match the current production rate of crude thorium byproduct. Potential constraints identified which may impact the expansion of domestic ThO/sub 2/ production are (1) uncertainty in the marketplace, (2) limited available thorium for production of reactor-grade ThO/sub 2/, (3) limited production capacity, and (4) mounting public concern over current levels of radioactivity detected at various points in …

The objective of the proposed Argonne Tandem-Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is to provide precision beams of heavy ions for nuclear physics research in the region of projectile energies comparable to nuclear binding energies (5-25 MeV/A). By using the demonstrated potential of superconducting rf technology, beams of exceptional quality and flexibility can be obtained. The system is designed to provide beams with tandem-like energy resolution and ease of energy variation, the energy range is comparable to that of a approx. 50 MV tandem and, in addition, the beam will be bunched into very short (approx. 50 psec) pulses, permitting fast-timing measurements that can open up major new experimental approaches.

20 square miles were mapped in the Saddle Mountains immediately north of Hanford. Twenty-six gravel pits within and adjacent to Hanford were given preliminary characterization and no tectonically induced structures were found. Approximately 1,800 wells have been identified in the Pasco Basin which penetrate basalt. In the Waste/Basalt Interaction area, progress continued in isolating those interaction products which are primary hosts for various cations and anions. Hydrologic Hole DC-5 was completed at 3,990 feet on Feb. 9. Mine modeling studies showed that at depths of 3,000 feet, the probability of joint slip above the plane of the respository is very small.

This report presents from two drogue experiments designed to follow water masses intruded from the Gulf Stream onto the continental shelf of the Georgia Bight.

The paper discusses development of a resource allocation methodology for the BCS group to determine which energy conservation projects to fund if it is not possible to support all candidate programs and to determine how many projects to fund in one area to maintain minimal duplication. The current status of the methodology is presented. Section II deals with the technique used to evaluate a single portfolio. Section III describes the algorithm used to select the portfolios for evaluation. The search technique is described in Section IV. Information on the overall portfolio in Section IV is tabulated according to rank, project number, funding level, group number, research cost of addition, net benefit, marginal benefit, marginal rate of return, and cumulative rate of return. A summary of results is presented in Section V and group results are presented in Section VI. A table in Section VII lists the projects in numerical order with their group number, possibility of success, energy cost savings with and without DOE funding, and research cost of the project. (MCW)

The BSR operated at an average power level of 1,868 kW for 23.58 percent of the time during July, August, and September. Water-quality control in both the reactor primary and secondary cooling systems was satisfactory. The PCA was used in training programs and was operated on two occasions when the Oak Ridge Associated Universities' students actively participated in training laboratories.

Accelerated aging experiments for up to 310 days duration were carried out on three polyester and three polyether urethane materials. The aging environments selected were (1) oven aging up to 100/sup 0/C, (2) water immersion up to 70/sup 0/C, (3) various combinations of relative humidity and temperature up to 100% R.H. and 50/sup 0/C, and (4) 0.48% (by volume) NO/sub 2/ in air. The sample properties followed included (1) physical dimensions, (2) hardness, (3) weight, (4) ultimate elongation, (5) ultimate tensile strength, (6) 300% tensile modulus, and (7) adhesive bond strengths. Dimensional and hardness measurements were not sensitive to sample degradation. Weight changes and the three tensile properties were more useful in following the degradation process. The results indicated that the polyesters are superior in both elevated temperature and NO/sub 2/ service; the polyethers are superior in water immersion and humid environments. Deterioration of the adhesive bond strength in the polyesters was more severe under humidity cycling.

A group of high-pressure systems that measure physicochemical properties of various media up to 2000/sup 0/C and 30 GPa is described. With these systems it is possible to determine complete stress-strain behavior, ultrasonic velocities, permeability, phase studies, fracture-flow behavior, and optical and electrical properties. The apparatus is described in terms of published results, photographs, and schematic diagrams. 63 references.

This report provides an initial assessment of the effects that the adoption of uniform successful efforts accounting might have on access to capital markets and investment behavior in the oil and gas industry. It also proposes a plan of interviews and analysis which would permit informed revision and expansion of that initial assessment. Section II presents a discussion of the origins and current status of the controversy between advocates of successful efforts and full cost accounting. An important underpinning of the argument in favor of uniform successful efforts accounting is the premise that all industry participants are fundamentally comparable and, thus, should be subject to uniform accounting treatment. Section III questions this premise by examining the various classes of industry participants. Section IV presents data on the roles of those classes of industry participants, paying particular attention to the importance of the independents in the exploration phase of the business. Section V discusses the effects which a shift to uniform successful efforts accounting might have on the various industry participants. A discussion of our initial conclusions are presented in Section VI. Section VII reviews a plan of interviews and analysis which would permit a more informed evaluation of policy options. …