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 …

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)

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.

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, …

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.

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.

Major post-tectonic plutons of the easternmost Piedmont in the southern Appalachians have been of primary interest because of their high radiogenic heat production. Such heat production comes from a linear map trend including the Winnsboro, Liberty Hill, Pageland, and Lilesville plutons which parallel the proposed eastern Piedmont Fault system of Hatcher and others (1977). This study, in examining regional versus contact metamorphism and crosscutting relationships between the Winnsboro and Pageland complexes and the major folds and mylonitic zones of this area, provides a relative time framework for the tectonic and plutonic events.