This report provides a listing of congressional committees and subcommittees related to science and technology.

A workshop was convened to assist DOE's Technology Assessment Division in evaluating the need to prepare additional environmental- and social-impact assessments of different energy-conservation measures. Attendees participated in a decision-making exercise designed to rank 19 different energy-conservation measures according to their overall potential for achieving important national goals and their ease of implementation. The participants felt that the most-important ranking criteria dealt with questions concerning feasibility (economic, political/institutional, social, and technical) and economic efficiency. Other criteria, such as environmental quality and occupational health and safety received lower weights; possibly because of the widespread belief that most of the conservation measures presented would be environmentally beneficial. In the participants' view, the most-promising and feasible conservation measures include new-building-performance standards, retrofit of existing housing stock, new-appliance-performance standards and increased use of smaller cars. In contrast, conservation options which ranked rather low, such as diesel engines, coal-fired aluminum remelt furnaces, and cupola furnace modifications were expected to have some harmful environmental and health impacts. Most of these impacts are expected to be highly localized and of lesser national concern. Disagreement exists as to the efficacy of funding those projects deemed highly desirable and feasible versus those which are expected to have the greater …

Although the standard gauge model of weak and electromagnetic interactions based on the work of Salam and Weinberg has met with great success, there are experimental facts that will require its extension or its modification to a new gauge model; the discovery of a heavy lepton at SLAC and the absence of parity violation in atoms that is expected from the neutral weak current coupling to electrons are discussed. Three tests are proposed that bear on these questions. First, heavy lepton production in e/sup +/e/sup -/ annihilation when one of the incident beams is longitudinally polarized is considered and the purely leptonic decay of this heavy lepton is examined. An asymmetry in the inclusive angular distribution of one charged lepton (electron or muon) is important in determining the structure of weak interactions of the heavy lepton. In fact, this angular asymmetry easily distinguishes between the cases V - A and V + A for the heavy lepton current. Then, the decay channel L ..-->.. ..nu../sub L/ + one hadron is considered (L = heavy lepton) under the same experimental set-up and the inclusive one-hadron angular distribution examined. Parity nonconservation in the decay of the heavy lepton causes a conspicuous forward-backward …

None

Supporting research activities continued to provide the technical basis for future mirror-confinement experiments. The industrial development of a high-current, high-field, high-current-density Nb/sub 3/Sn conductor was the main goal of the superconducting magnet program. Beam direct conversion was being developed as a means of raising the efficiency of neutral-beam production, and plasma direct conversion was shown to work as predicted. Conceptual designs were completed for various types of power reactors. The neutral-beam program progressed in three areas: experimental work, facility construction, and conceptual design. Experiments on the 14-MeV Rotating Target Neutron Source (RTNS-II) included participation by experimenters from many different institutions. Methods for processing tritium-contaminated wastes were pursued, as were studies of tritiated methane in stainless-steel vessels, the control of tritium in mirror fusion reactors, and the development of titanium tritide targets for the RTNS. The report period witnessed a rapid maturation in ability to describe theoretically the behavior of ion-cyclotron noise in the 2XIIB and the influence of that noise on the confined plasma. The high beta values achieved in 2XIIB prompted much theoretical analysis of the properties of high-beta equilibria and stability, including those of a field-reversed state. Excellent progress was made on the development of computer codes applicable …

This test procedure provides a detailed description of the verification methods which shall be used during development, performance and endurance testing to be conducted on the Kilowatt Isotope Power System (KIPS) Development Ground Demonstration Systems, P/N's 722487 and 723829 and Ground Demonstration System (GDS), P/N 725100. The objectives of this testing are to demonstrate system performance in a controlled environment; to verify results of performance predictions; to verify results compiled by component testing performed per Sundstrand Test Procedures and Test Specifications; and to isolate full scale operational characteristics for evaluation.

None

The investigation that Northern Research and Engineering Corporation is conducting for the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration involves developing a fuel injection approach which utilizes electrostatic effects to improve the uniformity of the fuel/air mixture in combustion systems. The three phases of the program consist of an initial feasibility study which includes design and cold-flow testing of several nozzles, preliminary combustion testing, and final testing in an actual combustor. During the time period covered by the progress report, given parametric design calculations estimating the anticipated effect of fuel charging were completed. In addition, the experimental rig to be used in the cold-flow tests was designed and assembled. The nozzle/electrode configurations to be tested were designed and are currently in the process of being fabricated.

Growth of second phase particles from a solid solution of copper-beryllium was studied to determine this alloy's suitability for acoustic emission testing. Optical and Scanning Electron microscopes were used to study the microstructure. Micro and macro hardness tests were also performed. A hardness curve for aging at 550/sup 0/F was determined. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of large inclusions which make this alloy unsuitable for the acoustic tests envisioned.

The coordination study of 1972 performed by Mr. N.A. Williams of Kaiser Engineers (LTR 13 10-3) is examined and updated based upon 1977 loads. Present overcurrent relay settings are presented and evaluated for adequacy in terms of the updated short circuit analysis. Recommendations are made for new relay and trip device settings to improve coordination. Switchgear ratings are examined against available short circuit currents, and recommendations are made where applicable. Vital MCC-A and B are examined in detail to provide maximum continuity of service for every fault contingency. A recommendation is made to improve the reliability of these buses.

Eight prototype solar heating and combined heating and cooling systems are under development. This effort includes development, manufacture, test, installation, maintenance, problem resolution, and performance evaluation.

An engineering study was made to formulate a conceptual design for a multielement arc-type electrical switch system for switching 50,000-amp, 100-nsec or less pulses from a 50,000-v source at up to 1000 ppS. The switch is to have a lifetime of at least 5 x 10/sup 8/ pulse MTBF, litter time less than 10 nsec, closure time of less than 20 nsec, and 10 nh or less inductance. An offset midplane triggered spark gap (TSG) with ultraviolet (uv) preionization and forced air was selected as the most suitable switch for this application. Many but not all of the requirements of a full scale switch system were demonstrated in a 2-TSG subsystem. The requirements of current, pulse duration, frequency, lifetime, jitter, and inductance were equal to or better than needed; however, the TSG's were not operated above 36,000 v, mainly because of voltage limitations in the trigger switch. The TSG's were rated at only 35,000 v and were not holding off enough voltage in relation to their total gap spacing due to E-field distortions. Because the voltag-to-gap ratio was lower than optimum, the closure time was excessive to about 33 nsec, or 13 nsec in excess of the specification value.

This report is a chronology of significant events

The quark--parton model is generalized to allow for arbitrarily large parton k/sub T/. Since it is expected that < k/sub T/ > will rise with Q/sup 2/ in (highly virtual) photon mediated processes, this generalization is necessary to restore the applicability of the quark-parton model. By treating k/sub T/ as an essential kinematical variable, the introduction of a new scaling variable z is considered. Together with Bjorken's x variable, a unified kinematical description is given of the four distribution functions: hadron structure functions and jet decay functions for spacelike and timelike photons. The possibility of a simple interpolating universal function is considered. Phenomenological determination of that function is examined in detail. Predictions on R, parton < k/sub T/ >, hadron < p/sub T/> in jets, etc., are made with the dimuon < q/sub T/ > being used as an input. The usual relation <q/sub T/ > = ..sqrt..2 < k/sub T > is shown to be false in the region where k/sub T/ is not small compared to k/sub L/, a situation which prevails in the production of dileptons recently measured. The k/sub T/ distributions for timelike and spacelike cases are shown to be not identical. The model is consistent …

This document is a collection of executive-style briefings on selected repository design issues. Most of the briefings discuss differences between the US repository design bases presented in US Working Draft on Repository Physical Descriptions in a Salt Formation, prepared in support of INFCE discussions of May 1978 and the FRG-Netherlands design bases, presented in Design Study of a Radioactive Waste Repository to be Mined in a Medium-Size Salt Dome by Hamstra and Velzeboer, Netherlands Energy Research Foundation, January 1978. Advantages and disadvantages of the two sets of design bases are discussed, and the impacts of adopting either of these bases on the other's programs and positions are identified.

The technology development activities of the Geothermal Energy Program at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory are summarized. Significant progress toward development of the Total-Flow concept was made during FY 1978. The results show that the original goal of 70% engine efficiency for the Total-Flow impulse turbine is achievable, that a Total-Flow system is competitive economically with conventional systems, and that the Total-Flow concept offers the benefit of more efficient utilization of geothermal resources for electric power production. The evaluation of several liquid expanders designed for low-temperature (including geopressured) resources suggests that if development were continued, these expanders could be used in combination with conventional systems to increase overall system efficiency. Although the program was terminated before complete field testing of prototype systems could be carried out, the concepts have been adopted in other countries (Japan and Mexico), where development is continuing.

A simple mathematical model of a plutonium nitrate evaporator/concentrator is described and computer code calculations are tested against results from a more complex model. The computer code is capable of computing transient responses of the system to arbitrary stimuli input by the user in an interactive mode. The model is described in detail including mass and energy conservation equations as well as boundary conditions and other system constraints. A closed form solution which is valid under restricted conditions is also described. The results show agreement within a few percent between the simple and complex model calculations.

The results of the cost analysis of energy conservation design options for laundry products are presented. The analysis was conducted using two approaches. The first, is directed toward the development of industrial engineering cost estimates of each energy conservation option. This approach results in the estimation of manufacturers costs. The second approach is directed toward determining the market price differential of energy conservation features. The results of this approach are shown. The market cost represents the cost to the consumer. It is the final cost, and therefore includes distribution costs as well as manufacturing costs.

Each year the Engineering Research Division of the Electronics Engineering Department has issued an internal report listing of all formal publications produced by the division during the calendar year. The report for 1978 is being issued in two sections (the second section has been expanded from the former format due to a change in collection of information implemented during the calendar year 1978). The first section (covering January 1978 through June 1978) lists the titles, report numbers, authors, dates, an author index, and, when applicable, conferences or journals to which the paper was submitted. The second section (covering July 1978 through December 1978) provides, in addition to the above information, abstracts for each paper, and an appendix with keywords. Future publication reports will include abstracts and a keyword appendix for all reports. It is expected that the new format will make the publication report a more useful document.

A capsule calorimeter has been designed, fabricated, and tested that is capable of measuring the rate of thermal energy generation of a capsule source with an accuracy of plus or minus five percent over a range of 300 watts to 1,000 watts of power. Three operating modes were investigated. The rate of temperature rise mode of operation was found to be the superior operating mode based on accuracy, time cycle, and simplicity of operation. This mode of operation is recommended for use in the encapsulation plant for performing calorimetric determinations on the strontium and cesium capsules that will be produced in the plant. The heat generation data collected by calorimetry will be used for isotopic assay of the capsule sources. The capsule calorimeter is specifically designed for installation into a remotely operated hot cell.

Pilot studies have been completed using 275-..mu..m bone char as an adsorbent for the removal of plutonium, in concentrations ranging up to 8 mg/liter, from caustic waste solutions. These waste solutions were adjusted to an approximate pH of 8 before they were passed through columns of the bone char. Overall decontamination factors of about 5 x 10/sup 9/ were obtained. A tentative design of a caustic waste treatment system utilizing cartridge filters and bone char columns was made. Its advantages and possible cost saving benefits are assessed.

This report describes a computer code, INREM II, which calculates the internal radiation dose equivalent to organs of man which results from the intake of a radionuclide by inhalation or ingestion. Deposition and removal of radioactivity from the respiratory tract is represented by the ICRP Task Group Lung Model. A four-segment catenary model of the GI tract is used to estimate movement of radioactive material that is ingested or swallowed after being cleared from the respiratory tract. Retention of radioactivity in other organs is specified by linear combinations of decaying exponential functions. The formation and decay of radioactive daughters is treated explicitly, with each radionuclide species in the chain having its own uptake and retention parameters, as supplied by the user. The dose equivalent to a target organ is computed as the sum of contributions from each source organ in which radioactivity is assumed to be situated. This calculation utilizes a matrix of S-factors (rem/..mu..Ci-day) supplied by the user for the particular choice of source and target organs. Output permits the evaluation of crossfire components of dose when penetrating radiations are present. INREM II is coded in FORTRAN IV and has been compiled and executed on an IBM-360 computer.

This report documents the results of a preliminary, two-month study to determine the design constraints imposed by heat transfer considerations on canisters containing solidified, high-level nuclear waste. The waste is derived from the reprocessing of light water reactor fuel for uranium recycle at 160 days after reactor discharge. The study was conducted for Rockwell Hanford Operations in support of their high-level Waste Canister Envelope study. Candidate solidified waste forms considered in this study are in-can melted borosilicate glass and stabilized calcine. Each canister is assumed to be ten feet long, filled with waste to a height of eight feet, and fabricated of 304L stainless steel. Air- and water-cooled interim storage of the canister at the Fuels Reprocessing Plant (FRP) are considered prior to ultimate storage in deep geologic media at Federal repositories. Candidate repository media are salt, shale and basalt. Canister design constraints arise because of the need to maintain the waste forms, canisters, and geologic media below certain critical temperatures. Design constraints, in terms of the maximum allowable canister diameter and heat load, are presented for interim storage at the FRP and for ultimate storage at the repositories. For interim storage, these constraints are presented parametrically in terms of: …

The CHAMP computer code was employed to simulate a plane-geometry cross section of a Mark I boiling water reactor toroidal pressure suppression system air discharge experiment under hypothetical loss-of-coolant accident conditions. The experiments were performed at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory on a /sup 1///sub 5/-scale model of the Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Plant.