The data obtained from the Environmental Monitoring Program of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory for the Calendar year 1977 are described and general trends are discussed. The general trend of decreasing radiation levels at our site boundary due to accelerator operation during past years has leveled off during 1977 and in some areas shows a slight but not statistically significant increase as predicted in last year's summary. There were changes in both ion beams as well as current which have resulted in shifts in maxima at the monitoring stations. The gamma levels are once again reported as zero. There is only one period of detectable gamma radiation due to accelerator operation. The annual dose equivalent are reported from the environmental monitoring stations since they have been established. Radiation levels at the Olympus Gate Station have shown a steady decline since 1959 when estimates were first made. The Olympus Gate Station is in direct view of the Bevatron and most directly influenced by that accelerator. Over the past several years the atmospheric sampling program has, with the exception of occasional known releases, yielded data which are within the range of normal background. The surface water program always yields results within the range …

Several agencies were merged into the new Department of Energy on October 1, 1977. These agencies included the Energy Research and Development Administration, Federal Energy Administration, part of the Bureau of Mines, and parts of the Naval Petroleum Reserve establishment. This is a report of the activities of the procurement groups of these agencies during Fiscal Year 1977. The efforts detailed in this report were seminal to the energy program. New technologies; new industries; new products; and new professions are under development. The direction is now set for future energy commercialization. Procurement's role consists of giving the direction for and ensuring the proper application of sound business practices that result in the proper and economical placement of energy contracts and their efficient and timely completion. Procurement Operations' role is to make this happen on assigned programs. It is hoped that this report will convey the scope of the effort involved in this endeavor, and give persons within the Department of Energy a more accurate concept of what is taking place in Procurement Operations.

Major accomplishments are highlighted in the following six fields of IAEA safeguards: measurement technology, training, system studies, information processing, surveillance and containment, and support for field operations. (DLC)

The application of high-power pulsed lasers to ultrahigh pressure equation-of-state (EOS) experiments is discussed. It is shown that pressures along the principal Hugoniot between 1 and 10 TPa can be produced with existing lasers used for inertial-confinement fusion research. The relevance of measurements in this pressure regime to improving our understanding of condensed matter physics is also discussed. New experimental techniques as well as potential experimental problems are described, and EOS experiments on the Janus and Argus laser systems are proposed.

Thermal problems associated with the emplacement of radio-active wastes in the deepsea sedimentary layer have been studied. In particular, the nature of the temperature field surrounding and the interstitial water velocity arising from a buried cask have been examined. Worst case estimates indicate that the velocity will be extremely weak and thus not likely to provide a primary transport mechanism for the radioactive material. This statement will, of course, only apply for moderately low levels of heat generation by the decaying radio nuclides. Because of the low interstitial water velocity, thermal conduction models can be used to predict the temperature field in the surrounding sediments as well as the cask surface temperature. This is equivalent to ''decoupling'' the energy and momentum conservation relationships thus simplifying the solution of the temperature field. The present work considers in come detail the temperature field surrounding a vertical circular ''cylinder'' located a distance below a horizontal, isothermal, plane surface. Actually, the isotherm corresponding to the cask surface is an ellipsoid of revolution but the error will be small for large values of the length to diameter ratio. The resulting expression can be usd to estimate temperature of the cask surface for material degradation studies …

The report presents a study of combustion hazards that may be associated with the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGR) in the event of a primary coolant circuit depressurization followed by water or air ingress into the prestressed concrete reactor vessel (PCRV). Reactions between graphite and steam or air produce the combustible gases H/sub 2/ and/or CO. When these gases are mixed with air in the containment vessel (CV), flammable mixtures may be formed. Various modes of combustion including diffusion or premixed flames and possibly detonation may be exhibited by these mixtures. These combustion processes may create high over-pressure, pressure waves, and very hot gases within the CV and hence may threaten the structural integrity of the CV or damage the instrumentation and control system installations within it. Possible circumstances leading to these hazards and the physical characteristics related to them are delineated and studied in the report.

The mathematical techniques reviewed have been selected on the basis of their relevance to at least four outstanding theoretical problems of magnetic fusion research, namely: (a) ion heating; (b) particle-wave interactions; (c) stability of magnetic surfaces in real tokamaks; and (d) strong plasma turbulence. These problems have a common feature: they all involve chaotic motions in spite of the perfectly deterministic nature of the mathematical models used for their description. In the first section devoted to Hamiltonian systems we briefly review the essentials of the Hamilton-Jacobi theory and discuss the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser theorem and its implications. In section 2 we review the difficulties of the problem of turbulence and present the Ruelle-Takens picture. An example of a dynamical system with a strange attractor is constructed and the Hopf bifurcation theory is discussed. Finally we review the properties of the Lorenz model for the convective instability of an atmospheric layer which is known to have a strange attractor for sufficiently high Rayleigh numbers.

Significant improvements will accrue to the eight-beam system (EBS) by dynamical effects (shooting on the fly) depending on whether or not strong saturable absorbers are used in the system. When strong saturable absorbers are used, there is little reserve in peak gain and the gain rises slowly near extraction; thus, the static threshold is greatly improved, but the dynamical threshold is not. In this case the dynamical or conditional thresholds are at g/sub 0/ values 0.6 to 0.7 higher than static threshold. We have also determined that the method of measuring unconditionally stable values leads to values that are 0.5 to 0.3 above static threshold, giving a net improvement over measured values of 0.2 to 0.4. When saturable absorbers are not used, the dynamical threshold increments above static threshold are 1.7 to 1.4 for the four- and six-pass modes respectively. It thus appears that somewhere between 500J to 900J per beam may be put on target without saturable absorbers,. And serious consideration should be given to postponement of saturable absorber installation. When using saturable absorbers, the 1/e rise time of the parasitic oscillation pulse at extraction is from 40 ns to 60 ns in the dynamical mode; and the full …

Information on lamellar tearing is summarized and related to proposed ASME Code requirements. Lamellar tearing is characterized as a complex phenomenon related to poor short transverse ductility and through-thickness strain. The material, welding, and design variables that affect lamellar tearing are shown to be complex and interrelated. The commonly reported tests for assessing material susceptibility are described, with the controversy over their validity being carefully detailed. Although the use of a nondestructive test such as ultrasonic examination is most desirable, a widely applicable test method does not appear to be available. Of the destructive tests, the short transverse tensile reduction-of-area currently offers the most applicable means of assessing material susceptibility. However, because of the importance of matrix toughness, the short transverse Charpy V-notch test should be considered for use as an additional test if acceptance limits are developed. The ultrasonic detection of lamellar tears is susceptible to interpretation errors, which can make it overly conservative and lead to unnecessary repairs. The repair of tears is described as costly, difficult, and sometimes ineffective. Current design requirements appear to preclude any failures during static and fatigue service loads. However, without improvement of short transverse ductility, certain dynamic service loads could cause lamellar …

The purpose of the overall program is to establish technological readiness and provide verification for the elements of a manufacturing sequence which would ultimately be suitable for the large-scale production of silicon solar-array modules ar a selling price of less than $500/kW.

An automated, controlled-flow air infiltration measurement system is described. This system measures total air flow, a volume per unit time, due to infiltration in a test space. Data analysis is discussed and the mixing problem is analyzed. Different modes of operating the system are considered: concentration decay, continuous flow in a single chamber; and continuous flow in a multichamber enclosure. Problems associated with the use of nitrous oxide as a tracer gas are described.

An utomated fluorometer has proven to be a valuable analytical tool for analyzing natural waters for the Uranium Resource Evaluation (URE) project. Uranium is isolated from potential quenching ions and concentrated by extraction with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in Varsol. A portion of the extract is placed on a sodium fluoride pellet which is then dried, sintered, and cooled. Sixteen samples can be analyzed in about 1.5 hours. The lower reporting limit has been set at 0.20 micrograms per liter (..mu..g/l).

This report covers the second quarter (January-March, 1978) effort of the Ford/DOE Automotive Stirling Engine Development Program, specifically Task I of that effort which is Fuel Economy Assessment.

A data base containing insolation and meteorological parameters at 15 minute intervals for the entire year of 1976 at Barstow, California has been prepared on computer compatible magnetic tape. The observed insolation values obtained by the Southern California Edison Company and meteorological values obtained by the Federal Aviation Agency which form the data base have been carefully checked for internal consistency. The data tape is written in a modified form of the SOLMET format and is available from The Aerospace Corporation. The data included on the tape, the sources of the data, and any editing performed on the data itself are described in detail.

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, …

Sandia is investigating the use of /sup 137/Cs from radioactive waste to reduce the pathogen levels of municipal sewage sludges so that they can be used in agriculture, either as fertilizer or as feed supplement. The Sandia Irradiator for Dried Sewage Solids (SIDSS) is a pilot plant for treating 16 tons per day to a dose of 500 krad, using 1 MCi of /sup 137/Cs. A larger (25 ton/day) demonstration plant is also planned. A cost/benefit study of this application was made. Use of /sup 99/Tc for marine bifouling and corrosion inhibition is also being investigated. (DLC)

Both technological and social fixes are likely to bring with them deterimental and unforeseen side effects. Although the perceived side effects of nuclear energy can undoubtedly be ameliorated by improved technology, a permanent institutional infrastructure will probably also be required. It is pointed out that confinement of nuclear energy to relatively few large sites rather than many small sites may be a first step toward creating this permanent institutional infrastructure.

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 …

Activities covered by the report are the preparation of reports on endangered and threatened plant species of central-southern Nevada; status of review of Camissonia heterochroma complex in western United States; gift of plant collections to the United States Museum of Natural History; and preparation of shrub data manuscript, and significant conclusions from the data.

This second edition of the Biomass Energy Success Stories covers a wide range of examples of organizations which have experienced economic benefits by substituting renewable biomass energy for non-renewable fossil fuels. In addition to the broader spectrum of industry seen to be pursuing this approach, the cases illustrate a move towards innovative and technologically more sophisticated approaches. For example, the Quebec Community's thermal accumulator acts as a buffer to accommodate the variable fuel value of boiler fuel consisting of unpredictable residues of variable moisture content. By this innovative approach, the quality of steam to its year-round customer can be held within the contractual limits. Another unique development appears in the use of the LAMB-CARGATE wet cell burner which is able to cope with wood residue fuels containing up to 70% moisture. Two of the more interesting and promising developments in the race to substitute renewable energy for fossil fuels are Fluidized Bed and Fuel-alcohol on-farm distilleries. For this reason appendices are included giving some useful insights concerning them.

To determine the worst blast environments that eight types of expedient shelters can withstand, we subjected a total of 18 shelters to the 1-kiloton blast effects of Defense Nuclear Agency's DICE THROW main event. These expedient shelters included two Russian and two Chinese types. The best shelter tested was a Small-Pole Shelter that had a box-like room of Russian design with ORNL-designed expedient blast entries and blast doors added. It was undamaged at the 53-psi peak overpressure range; the pressure rise inside was only 1.5 psi. An unmodified Russian Pole-Covered Trench Shelter was badly damaged at 6.8 psi. A Chinese ''Man'' Shelter, which skillfully uses very small poles to attain protective earth arching, survived 20 psi, undamaged. Two types of expedient shelters built of materials found in and around most American homes gave good protection at overpressures up to about 6 psi. Rug-Covered Trench Shelters were proved unsatisfactory. Water storage pits lined with ordinary plastic trash bags were proven practical at up to 53 psi, as were triangular expedient blast doors made of poles.

This paper relates to the development of a mathematical model for the removal of pollutants from the atmosphere by a pine forest.

This volume of the Brayton Isotope Power System, Phase II Plan, contains the self-evaluation by AiResearch, GE, and TECO, addressing Section 3 of The Dynamic Systems Evaluation Criteria and Procedures established by the Department of Energy. These evaluation criteria addresses: Component Feasibility; Flight System Design Performance; GDS Test Results; Reliability and Practicality; Safety; Spacecraft Integration; and Cost and Risk. Included in each of these general categories are several attributes, each of which addresses a separate component, feature, or area of interest related to the power system, its development status, degree of preparedness for proceeding into a flight program, and/or the contractors' performance during Phase I. The key elements which indicate the readiness of a radioisotope power system to progress into a flight qualification program are: an advanced state of development of the power conversion system; demonstrated or exhibited potential for space systems standards of reliability; evident capability of meeting system safety requirements; favorable cost/benefit tradeoff considering projected missions and technology advancement potential; and proven feasibility of fabricating and qualifying a flight system and integrating it with a candidate spacecraft and launch vehicle. As a result of considerable government investment in Brayton system component development, the MHW isotope heat source and …

The major unresolved problem in the nuclear industry is the ultimate disposition of the waste products of light water reactors. The study demonstrates the feasibility of designing a very hard spectrum actinide burner reactor (ABR). A 1100 MW/sub t/ ABR design fueled entirely with actinides reprocessed from light water reactor (LWR) wastes is proposed as both an ultimate disposal mechanism for actinides and a means of concurrently producing usable power. Actinides from discharged ABR fuel are recycled to the ABR while fission products are routed to a permanent repository. As an integral part of a large energy park, each such ABR would dispose of the waste actinides from 2 LWRs.