The Phase 2A interim studies of the Consolidated Nuclear Steam System (CNSS) consisted of a number of separate task studies addressing the design concepts developed during the Phase 1 study reported in BAW--1445. The purpose of the interim studies was to better establish overall concept feasibility from both a hardware and economic standpoint, to make modification and additions to the design where appropriate, and to understand and reduce the technical risks in critical areas of the design. The work on these task studies included input from Barberton, Mt. Vernon, and the Alliance Research Center as well as United Engineers and Constructors (UE and C). The UE and C work was carried out under a separate DOE contract.

As part of a program to characterize the plant and animal life of the Laboratory site and surrounding areas, the two breeding-bird censuses taken in 1977 were repeated in 1978. Five observers made thirteen census trips to both the BNL and Westhampton plots. A decrease in Rufous-sided Towhees occurred on both plots, but other changes were small and not considered significant.

The use of ab initio molecular orbital calculations to aid in the characterization, i.e., structures and energies, of metal halide complexes present in high temperature salt vapors has been investigated. Standard LCAO-SCF methods were used and calculations were carried out using the minimal STO-3G basis set. The complexes included in this study were Al/sub 2/F/sub 6/, Al/sub 2/Cl/sub 6/, AlF/sub 3/ NH/sub 3/, AlCl/sub 3/ NH/sub 3/, and AlF/sub 3/ N/sub 2/. The Al/sub 2/X/sub 6/ complexes are found to have D/sub 2h/ symmetry in agreement with most experimental results. A planar form was found to be considerably higher in energy. The AlX/sub 3/ NH/sub 3/ complexes are found to have C/sub 3v/ symmetry with a small barrier to rotation about the Al-N axis. The AlF/sub 3/ N/sub 2/ complex is found to be weakly bound together with a binding energy of -8.2 kcal/mole at the STO-3G level.

Comparison of the 1978 projections of the Reliability Councils with those made the previous year indicates three major changes in electric utility planning: (1) a reduction in total capacity additions for the 10-year planning period, (2) a significant decrease in nuclear additions, and (3) a shift from oil and gas to coal as a source of primary energy. Nuclear capacity continues to far overshadow fossil-fuel capacity in the unit-size range 1000 MW and up, with the reverse true for unit sizes less than 1000 MW. Although the total 10-year new-unit capacity drops from 326,624 MW (1977 to 1986) to 308,017 (1978 to 1987), new capacity planned that would use coal as a primary energy source increases from 136,763 MW to 146,206 MW. Nuclear capacity, in terms of total new units projected for the two 10-year periods, decreases from 130,532 MW to 116,177 MW, and capacity with oil as the primary source drops from 32,837 MW to 21,072 MW. For 1977 to 1986, no capacity was planned with oil as a primary source and coal as an alternate fuel but for 1978 to 1987, 1220 MW of such capacity is projected. Therefore, the total new capacity projected that could use coal …

This is the last in a series of quarterly progress reports on research and development studies performed for the Alternate Fuel Cycle Technologies/Thorium Fuel Cycle Technologies/International Spent Fuel Receipt and Storage (AFCT/TFCT/ISFS) Program. This program provided information needed by industry to close the back end of the power reactor fuel cycle. During the last quarter. studies were conducted on the following task: Thorium Resource Price Analyses; Investigation of Air Cleaning Processes for Removing Tributyl Phosphate from Off-Gas Streams; Study of Iodine Chemistry in Process Solutions; High-Level Waste Treatment; Electropolishing to Decontaminate Metallic Waste from Alternate and Thorium Converter Fuel Cycles; US Scale Transport, Dispersion and Removal Model Comparison; Safety Criticality Experiments; and Criticality Research in Support of Thorium Fuel Cycle Technology Program.

A program to determine if non-metallic materials such as polymers, concrete polymer composites, and refractory cements can be utilized as materials of construction in geothermal processes is in progress. To date, several high temperature polymer concrete systems have been formulated, laboratory and field tests performed in brine, flashing brine, and steam at temperatures up to 260/sup 0/C (500/sup 0/F), and economic studies started. Laboratory data for exposure times > 2 years are available. Results are also available from field exposures of up to 24 months in five geothermal environments. Good durability is indicated. Work at four of these sites is continuing and plans to initiate tests at other sites are being implemented. Work accomplished during the period April--September 1978 is described in the current report.

A description of and operating manual for the FACE Automatic Apparatus has been written along with a documentation of the FACE machine operating program, to provide a user manual for the FACE Automatic Apparatus. In addition, FACE machine performance was investigated to improve transuranium throughput. Analysis of the causes of transuranium isotope loss was undertaken both chemical and radioactive. To lower radioactive loss, the dynamics of the most time consuming step of the FACE machine, the chromatographic column output droplet drying and flaming, in preparation of sample for alpha spectroscopy and counting, was investigated. A series of droplets were dried in an experimental apparatus demonstrating that droplets could be dried significantly faster through more intensie heating, enabling the FACE machine cycle to be shortened by 30-60 seconds. Proposals incorporating these ideas were provided for FACE machine development. The 66% chemical loss of product was analyzed and changes were proposed to reduce the radioisotopes product loss. An analysis of the chromatographic column was also provided. All operating steps in the FACE machine are described and analyzed to provide a complete guide, along with the proposals for machine improvement.

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)

The application of battery storage to load leveling by the utility user represents a new concept in energy management. TRW Energy Management Systems Division has studied the possibility of combining an energy management computer/control system with a lead-acid/power processor system and explored the feasibility of demonstrating power management at a government facility. Candidate sites in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area were evaluated by analyzing demand curves for electricity. One site, the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Printing and Engraving is recommended as the best of the sites evaluated. Analysis using estimated production system costs of $130/kW for power processors and $80/kWh for lead acid batteries indicates a payback of nine years. However, if the Department of Energy's cost goals for batteries and converters are achieved, a payback in less than four years is possible. Furthermore, coupling battery energy storage with conventional computer based energy management is projected to offer substantial reductions in utility bills. Payback from a production system in less than two years is predicted. System design is based on using present day technolgy where possible for the system components. Capacity for the system has been set at 1.1 MWh with a peak load capability of 600 kW. …

The Sweet Lake geopressured-geothermal prospect is located in northern Cameron Parish, Louisiana in T.12 S., R. 7 W. and T. 12 S., R. 8 W. approximately 10 to 15 miles south of Lake Charles. The region is characterized by Cenozoic sand and clay deposits of geosynclinal thickness and differentially uplifted salt structures. The primary geopressured-geothermal aquifer is the Miogyp sand of the Camerina zone (Upper Frio formation of Oligocene-Miocene age). The main prospect is located in a basin on the north flank of the Hackberry-Big Lake-Sweet Lake salt ridge. Interpretation of 27 miles of seismic lines and 17 deep well logs localizes the prospect in a basin with northwesterly dip in a graben between east--west faults converging eastward. Aquifer depth ranges from 14,000 to 18,000 feet. Net sand thickness exceeds 400 feet with 22% porosity. Temperatures range from 280/sup 0/F. (corrected) at 14,000 feet to 350/sup 0/F. at 18,000 feet. Geopressures occur below 9,000 feet with mud weight equivalents in the sand from 12 to 13 pounds per gallon. Net sand volume of one cubic mile is estimated in the area mapped.

This report presents a computer algorithm for determining the degree of heterogeneity among the layers of a reservoir. The algorithm uses the equations developed by Brigham and Smith that predict the behavior of a tracer slug flowing in a five-spot injection pattern. To illustrate the use and potential problems in the application of this algorithm, examples are presented using five sets of simulated field test data. One example using actual field data is also presented.

A 6445-foot test well was completed on April 27, 1976 in the Puna Area of Hawaii as part of an extensive project to investigate a geothermal reservoir for energy production. Because bottom hole temperatures exceeded 300/sup 0/C, it was possible to run geophysical logs in the upper 3500 feet only. Study of conventional and induction resistivity, self potential, neutron, gamma ray, caliper, temperature, temperature differential and drilling rate logs show that porosity, permeability and fluid flow are qualitatively identified on the logs. Lithologic logs of sample cuttings taken at five- to ten-foot intervals (together with cores taken at approximately 700-foot intervals) substantiate preliminary findings of the porous and permeable zones. Although the logs investigated are above many of the zones of production, new information was obtained about the in-situ nature of permeability in Hawaiian basalts.

This paper describes the analyses performed for the PINEX-2 experiment to calculate the ejection of molten fuel into the reflector and fission gas plenum for an internally-vented fuel pin during a simulated 5$/s transient overpower excursion. The LAFM code was used to predict the transient fuel melting and fission gas release, and the HOTPIM and FUMO-T codes were used to predict the fuel ejection. The analytical results were compared with initial data from both the Pinhole-TV Imaging System and the fast-neutron hodoscope, as well as post-transient examinations of the fuel pin.

The applicability of various NDT techniques for detecting thin layers of ferrite on Type 316 stainless steel cladding was studied. The ability to detect sodium-induced ferrite layers on fuel pins would allow an experimental determination of the fuel pin temperature distribution. The research effort was broken down into three basic sections. Phase one consisted of a theoretical determination of the ferrite detection potential of each of the propsed NDT techniques. The second phase consisted of proof-of-principle experiments on the techniques that passed phase one. The third phase consisted of in-hot cell testing on actual EBR-II fuel pins. Most of the candidate techniques were eliminated in the first phase of analysis. Four potential techniques passed the initial phase of analysis but only three of these passed the second analysis phase. The three techniques that passed the proof-of-principle section of analysis were heat tinting, magnetic force and electromagnetic techniques. The electromagnetic technique was successfully demonstrated on actual fuel pins irradiated in EBR-II in the third phase of analysis while the other two techniques were not carried to the hot cell analysis phase. Results of this technique screening study indicates that an electromagnetic and/or heat tinting ferrite layer NDT technique should be readily …

It is estimated by the FEA that 0.26 quadrillion Btus of energy is annually required to irrigate crops in the USA. The development of a DOE program for energy conservation in irrigation is described. Information is included on: studies of how this energy consumption can be reduced and by how much; engineering and economic studies of irrigation equipment and methods; proposals for improving the efficiency of pumps and prime movers; projects selected for demonstrating irrigation energy conservation; and recommendations for further research. (LCL)

Using Grad's theory of generalized differential equations, the temporal evolution from low to high ..beta.. due to "adiabatic" and nonadiabatic (i.e., neutral beam injection) heating of a cylindrical tokamak plasma with circular cross section and peaked current profiles is calculated analytically. The influence of shaping the initial safety factor profile and the beam deposition profile and the effect of minor radius compression on the equilibrium is analyzed.

A three-dimensional finite-element analysis of a commercial high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) was made using the finite-element code STATIC-SAP. Four loading conditions were analyzed elastically to evaluate the behavior of the concentric core prestressed concrete reactor vessel (PCRV) of the HTGR. The results of the analysis were evaluated in accordance with Section III, Division 2, of the ASME Code for Reactor Vessels and Containments. The calculated maximum stresses were found to be well within the Code-allowable values. The analysis was preceded by an evaluation of candidate computer codes using comparisons of experimental data with analytical results for the Ohbayashi-Gumi multicavity PCRV model. This vessel was chosen as a basis for comparison because of its geometrical similarity to the large multicavity PCRV and the anticipated availability of a complete set of the original experimental data. The three-dimensional finite-element codes NONSAP and STATIC-SAP were used for the analysis of the Ohbayashi-Gumi vessel.

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A number of topics in nonlinear and linear instability theory are covered in this report. The nonlinear saturation of the dissipative trapped electron instability is evaluated and its amplitude compares well with existing experimental observations. The nonlinear saturation of the drift cyclotron loss-cone mode is carried out for a variety of empty loss-cone distributions. The saturation amplitude is predicted to be small and stable. An improved linear theory of the collisionless drift instability in sheared magnetic fields yields the surprising result that no instability occurs for a wide range of parameters. Finally, the bump-on-tail calculation is shown to be unchanged by some recent results of Case and Siewart, and a rough time scale is established for the transition from the O'Neil trapping regime to the final time-asymptotic result.

The techniques of learning theory and pattern recognition are used to learn splitting surface locations for the Monte Carlo neutron transport code MCN. A study is performed to determine default values for several pattern recognition and learning parameters. The modified MCN code is used to reduce computer cost for several nontrivial example problems.

A review is given of the properties of a general class of polynomials in the boson operators which were found useful for obtaining the explicit unitary irreducible representations of the unitary group itself, and to show how these same polynomials provide a unified approach for obtaining the explicit solutions to several classic problems in physics and chemistry. 24 references. (JFP)

Applications of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) in a paper and pulp mill power house were studied as one approach to the transfer of steam production from fossil fuel boilers to waste fuel (hog fuel) boilers. Data from specific mills were analyzed, and various TES concepts evaluated for application in the process steam supply system. Constant pressure and variable pressure steam accumulators were found to be the most attractive storage concepts for this application. Performance analyses based on the operation of a math model of the process steam supply system indicate potential substitution of waste wood fuel for 100,000 bbl oil per year per installation with the accumulator TES system. Based on an industry survey of potential TES application, which requires excess base steaming capability, the results from the individual installation were extrapolated to a near-term (1980's) fossil fuel savings in the paper and pulp industry of 3.2 x 10/sup 6/ bbl oil/year. Conceptual designs of mechanical equipment and control systems indicate installed cost estimates of about $560,000 per installation, indicating an after tax return on investment of over 30%.

Stress-strain data which describes the influence of strain rate and temperature on the mechanical response of materials presently being used for light water reactor fuel shipping containers have been assembled. Selection of data has been limited to that which is suitable for use in finite-element elastic--plastic analysis of shipping containers (e.g., they must include complete material history profiles). Based on this information, recommendations have been made for further work which is required to complete the necessary data base.

This report talks about Assessment of Turbine Generator Technology for District Heating Applications.