Sintering behavior of mullite-containing powders was studied over a range of chemical compositions (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/SiO{sub 2} ratio). Densification measurements were made for both liquid phase-containing and solid state systems. Small amounts of liquid phase were observed to have a significant effect on densification rate. A linear relationship was obtained between the percent of theoretical density and the logarithm of time for compositions in the range 73-75 wt% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Currently available models for intermediate stage sintering kinetics were considered to be inadequate for these systems. Grain boundary transport 0r diffusion appeared to be the primary mechanism of densification.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is using large aperture Nd: glass lasers to investigate the feasibility of inertial confinement fusion. In our experiments high power laser light is focussed onto a small (100 to 500 micron) target containing a deuterium-tritium fuel mixture. During the short (1 to 5 ns) laser pulse the fuel is compressed and heated, resulting in fusion reactions. The generation and control of the powerful laser pulses for these experiments is a challenging scientific and engineering task, which requires the development of new optical materials, fabrication techniques, and coatings. LLNL with the considerable cooperation and support from the optical industry, where most of the research and development and almost all the manufacturing is done, has successfully applied several new developments in these areas.

Analyses are presented of the downhole pressure buildup data for wells located in the Redondo Creek area of the Baca Geothermal Field. The downhole drilling information and pressure/temperature surveys are first interpreted to locate zones at which fluid enters the wellbore from the fractured formation and to estimate the initial reservoir temperature and pressure in these zones. Interpretation of the buildup data for each well considers wellbore effects, the CO{sub 2} content of the fluid and differentiates between the single-phase and two-phase portions of the data. Different straight-line approximations to the two portions of the data on the Horner plot for a flow test yield corresponding estimates for the single and two-phase mobilities. Estimates for the formation kh are made for the wells.

Results are presented of an analysis of the value of various technical improvements in the solar collector and thermal storage subsystems of passive solar residential, agricultural, and industrial systems for two regions of the country. The evaluated improvements are: decreased emissivity and increased absorptivity of absorbing surfaces, decreased reflectivity, and decreased emissivity of glazing surface, and the substitution of sensible heat storage media with phase change materials. The value of each improvement is estimated by the additional energy savings resulting from the improvement.

From introduction: "One of the commonest reactions to the visionary experiences of heaven by the critical observer has been to argue that these are nothing more than the projections of the expectations of the dying person, who was either consciously or subconsciously trained to expect heavenly scenery (etc.) by his cultural upbringing. [...] This paper is a preliminary report on the status of NDEs in Pure Land Buddhism in China, and is an important contribution to cross-cultural research for several reasons" (pp. 154-155).

Optical coatings are used in lasers systems for fusion research to control beam propagation and reduce surface reflection losses. The performance of coatings is important in the design, reliability, energy output, and cost of the laser systems. Significant developments in coating technology are required for future lasers for fusion research and eventual power reactors.

A series of experiments were performed in which liquid droplets were caused to collide. Impact velocities to several meters per second and droplet diameters up to 600 micrometers were used. The impact parameters in the collisions vary from zero to greater than the sum of the droplet radii. Photographs of the collisions were taken with a high speed framing camera in order to study the impacts and subsequent behavior of the droplets. The experiments will be discussed and a short movie film presentation of some of the impacts will be shown.

This report describes the isolation of sulfur heterocycle fractions from four shale oils (Paraho, Geokinetics, Occidental, and Rio Blanco), the use of capillary column gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the identification of individual mixture components, and a reverse (Ames) and forward mutation assay with Salmonella typhimurium to screen for possible health hazards. The major components of the Polycyclic Aromatic Sulfur Heterocycles (PASH) fractions for all four shale oils were found to be two- to three-ringed parent and alkylated thiophene compounds. In all cases the PASH fractions showed no more specific mutagenic response than the neutral PAC fractions from which they were isolated. The only mutagenic response which was detected in the PASH fractions was for the Rio Blanco shale oil and showed specific mutagenic response similar to the neutral PAC fraction from which it was isolated. Finally, the forward mutation 8-azaguanine test was apparently more sensitive than the Ames histidine reversion test in detecting mutagenic activity for the chemical fractions from the shale oils.

Atmospheric chemistry investigations often require a multitude of measurements which can be obtained only through the utilization of airborne sampling platforms. Instrument limitations and the aircraft environment present several considerations for sampling-system design, including such factors as instrument sensitivities and response times, altitude effects, sampling intervals for acquiring samples, and physical compatibility with the aircraft. An aircraft system with an extensive evolutionary instrument array has been in development at PNL for several years during which several special systems have been developed to improve aircraft measurement capabilities. A high-volume air sampling system providing flows of up to 4 m/sup 3//min and simultaneous collection of three filters in parallel has been constructued to reduce filter collection times. A constant pressure inlet system was developed to overcome adverse effects in instrument response resulting from altitude changes. The system functions so that instruments which are connected experinece a constant pre-set pressure regardless of the sampling altitude. This system is particularly useful for airborne operation of a flame photometric sulfur analyzer. Special chemiluminescence NO/NO/sub x/ analyzers utilizing photon counting were built which are capable of fast response and detecton of concentrations in the sub-ppB range.

Testing and quality assurance of large numbers of firing systems are an essential part of the development of the Tactical Airfield Attack Munition (TAAM). A computerized test and data acquisition system has been developed to make the testing and quality assurance workload manageable. The system hardware utilizes an LSI-11/23 computer, a Tektronix 7612 transient digitizer, and various other programmable instruments and power supplies. The system is capable of measuring and analyzing mechanical shock and fireset transient waveforms, automating testing sequences, and making records and comparisons of the test results. The system architecture is flexible for general purpose firing system development work.

Fifteen papers and abstracts are included. Separate abstracts were prepared for six papers and nine abstracts were listed by title.

This report contains the text and slide reproductions of a speech on nuclear waste disposal in basalt. The presentation addresses the layout of repository access shafts and subsurface facilities resulting from the conceptual design of a nuclear repository in basalt. The constructibility issues that must be resolved prior to construction are described. (DMC)

Two primary irradiation-induced changes occur during neutron irradiation: the displacement of atoms forming crystal defects and the transmutation of atoms into either gaseous or solid products. The material scientist studying irradiation damage to material by fusion-produced neutrons is faced with several questions: Is the nature of high-energy (14-MeV) displacement damage the same as or different from that caused by fission neutrons (< 2 MeV). How do the high helium concentrations expected in a fusion environment affect the material properties. What effects do solid transmutation products have on the behavior of the irradiated materials. In the past few years, much work has been done to answer these questions. This paper reviews recent work in this area.

A facility-development effort is currently underway at Sandia National Laboratories in order to create an experimental capability for the study of two-phase, steam/water flows through a variety of porous media. The facility definition phase of this project is described. Equations are derived for the steady, adiabatic, macroscopically-linear two-phase flow of a single-component fluid through a porous medium, including energy transfer both by convection and conduction. These equations are then solved to give relative permeabilities for the steam and water phases as functions of known and/or measurable quantities. A viable experimental approach was thereby formulated, leading to the definition of facility components and instrumentation requirements, including the application of gamma-beam densitometry for the measurement of liquid-saturation distributions in porous media. Finally, a state-of-the-art computer code was utilized to numerically simulate the proposed experiments, providing an estimate of the facility operating envelope.

A framework for determining the characteristics of cost accounting models most appropriate to evaluating energy technologies at different stages in their development is outlined. This analytical perspective is used to evaluate existing models for wood energy plantations and for direct (non-electric) applications of geothermal energy. The concern is with micro-economic cost estimation systems based on a simulation of the technology's physical plant and the projected cash flow resulting from the investment. For discussion purposes three general stages of technology evaluation are described. The level of detail in the engineering simulation should increase as the evaluation progresses through the three stages. Too much detail in the preliminary stage restricts applicability of model outputs to specific system designs, some of which may be inappropriate for other potentially attractive applications. The economic analysis should gradually shift from a general economic perspective on all costs and benefits of system operation to a more specific depiction of cash flows as seen by project developers. Unfortunately, developers of cost models for both woody biomass plantations and direct applications of geothermal energy appear to build all the engineering and financial detail available into their models. They then apply them to any stage in the evaluation process to …

Annular-coated (graphite)-pressurized and sphere-pac fuel rod designs, which are expected to exhibit improved PCI-failure resistance, and, thus, more reliable extended burnup performance, are being developed. Data sufficient to provide the technical bases needed to license lead test assemblies of the improved designs for irradiation in commercial LWRs are being obtained. Out-of-reactor experiments, in-reactor instrumented experiments, in-reactor power-ramp tests, and lead-rod demonstration irradiations are providing the needed data to support the technical bases. Results obtained to-date confirm the expected performance improvement compared with a solid-pellet reference design. The degree of improvement with respect to PCI-resistance remains to be quantified during forthcoming power-ramp tests on fuel rod segments irradiated to moderate burnup levels in a commercial LWR.

The work described here was completed more than three years ago, and represents, in large part the PhD and MS thesis research of two of the present authors. Much of it has been reported previously elsewhere. It constitutes an effort to develop and study a moderately low cost, moderate resolution, high sensitivity, on-line method for digital neutron radiography, intended for use where neutron fluence was limited by source strength, or received dose. The basic imaging system consisted of a position-sensitive gas proportional chamber together with its associated imaging electronics, and a plane neutron converter. Enriched-boron, gadolinium, and polyethylene (for fast neutrons) converters were analyzed and tested. Some work was done on digital data enhancement, and efforts to improve spatial resolution included pressurizing the proportional-chamber gas to reduce the track lengths of the neutron-interaction products.

Scenarios are being constructed for the release of radioactive maerial from hypothetical repositories in different types of rock at NTS. Deductive event trees are constructed; each path through an event tree is a scenario. The complete set of NTS event trees comprises about 340 scenarios, not counting the multiple paths through the subtrees made by expanding complex events. Each of these scenarios is being analyzed for 10 different types of rocks. (DLC)

The application of a computerized methodology developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to an assessment of the economic feasibility of district heating in Reno, Nevada is described. To apply this methodology, assumptions concerning the characteristics of the heat load served, the price of competing fuels, and alternate forms of district heat utility ownership are combined with data describing the geothermal resource. Using these inputs along with engineering costs for geothermal field development and pipe installation, the methodology generates detailed engineering and economic descriptors of several proposed district heating systems. The impact of alternate construction expenditure schedules, retrofit costs, and system size on the unit cost of district heat is examined.

The basic responsibilities of members of organizational communication groups are to fulfill the needs of those seeking advice, expertise and assistance. That means evaluating their needs, planning methods to meet them, and implementing those methods, all within frequently limited time frames and budgets. In order to fulfill those responsibilities, it is important to establish communication. Because many people who solicit these services are uninformed about the terminology and workings of the profession, the first step often is to educate them. The education process should begin with the first meeting and continue throughout the course of the relationship. It can be divided into four basic steps: (1) opening the lines of communication, (2) establishing what our clients want/need (these are not necessarily the same), outlining responsibilities - ours and theirs, and (4) providing estimates.

The American-designed boiling water reactor and pressurized water reactor dominate the designs currently in use and under construction worldwide. As in all energy systems, materials problems have appeared during service; these include stress-corrosion of stainless steel pipes and heat exchangers and questions regarding crack behavior in pressure vessels. To obtain the maximum potential energy from our limited uranium supplies is is essential to develop the fast breeder reactor. The materials in these reactors are subjected to higher temperatures and neutron fluxes but lower pressures than in the water reactors. The performance required of the fuel elements is more arduous in the breeder than in water reactors. Extensive materials programs are in progress in test reactors and in large test rigs to ensure that materials will be available to meet these conditions.

Thirteen papers are included. A separate abstract was prepared for each one. (MHR)

Gold gratings with spatial periods of 0.3 and 0.2 ..mu..m have been fabricated in thicknesses of 0.6 and 0.25 ..mu..m, respectively, and used in x-ray spectroscopy and spatial-period-division. Fabrication techniques included: holographic lithography, shadowing, x-ray lithography and gold microplating. Control of linewidth to tolerances of the order of 10 nm has been demonstrated for gratings of 0.2 ..mu..m period. A high resolution imaging spectrometer, composed of a 22x Wolter x-ray microscope in conjunction with a gold transmission grating, was tested. At a wavelength of 0.69 nm a resolving power, lambda/..delta.. lambda, of 200 was demonstrated. Resolution in this case was source size limited. Gratings of 99.5 nm period were exposed in PMMA by x-ray (lambda = 4.5 nm) spatial-period-division.

The nonlinear nonresonant interaction of plasma waves and particles is formulated in a Hamiltonian kinetic theory which treats the wave-action and particle distributions on an equal footing, thereby displaying reciprocity relations. In the quasistatic limit, a nonlinear wave-kinetic equation is obtained. The generality of the formalism allows for applications to arbitrary geometry, with the nonlinear effects expressed in terms of the linear susceptibility.