At present, there are basically three different systems for converting energy in geothermal fluid into power: vapor-flashing system, total flow system, and binary system. A comparison of the power production processes was made on the basis of work output in Kwh per 1000 pounds of geothermal fluid for self flowing wells with wellhead pressure of 100 psia and for wells with downhole pumps. For simplicity, the assumptions were made that the enthalpy of the geothermal fluid in the reservoir is approximately equal to that at the wellhead, that the thermodynamic properties of geothermal fluid may be approximated by those of water, and that the pressure effects on the properties of fluid are negligible. The results showed that the performance of the two-stage vapor-flashing system is not appreciably improved by using a downhole pump. The total flow system is simple, but its success depends mainly on the development of a reliable machine with sufficiently high thermal efficiency. The regenerative isobutane system is impractical, if the geothermal fluid temperature is below 380/sup 0/F. But, when the brine temperatures range from 485 to 600/sup 0/F, the regenerative isobutane system with downhole pump exhibits superior performance as compared to two-stage vapor-flashing system, basic isobutane …

During this reporting period, 5 cm wide ribbons, some with no measurable residual stress, have been grown at speeds up to 5 cm/min. The relationship between residual stress and system vertical temperature gradient was further defined. The problems associated with the purity of the ribbons are being investigated. The influence of light on the recombination characteristics of defects in the ribbons has been investigated. Procedures and results are reported.

The spectra, angular distribution, and polarization functions of synchrotron radiation are tabulated in parametric form. Numerous graphs of the functions are included, and these can be used for rapid estimation of photon flux as a function of the various parameters. The extended synchrotron radiation source is described, and the exact, but unintegrable, equations are derived. Properties of this source depend upon at least nine parameters. An approximation of the source accurate enough for estimating flux in optical instruments is developed. Power and power density in the radiation beam are described and convenient approximations are developed. Simple optical transformations are used to illustrate some of the important properties of the extended source.

Aerojet Nuclear Company performed an experiment at the Westinghouse Canada Ltd. water loop to try to verify the performance of a Transit Time Flowmeter to ultimately measure two-phase flow rates. The recorded data from that experiment were made available and analyzed at Argonne National Laboratory using a transfer function cross-correlation technique. The theoretical background for the transfer function method of analysis and the results of the data analysis are presented. Strong correlation peaks, which are very close to the expected delay times, were found in certain portions of the data.

This is a summary of the techniques used and the results obtained in the study of creep at high pressure, pressure dependence of yield stress and elastic constants, etc. 58 references. (DLC)

Surface temperatures in electron beam welding cavities in stainless steel 304 and aluminum 1100, 2024, and 6061 were measured with a narrow band infrared radiation pyrometer. A special device was designed for mounting the radiation-sensing probe next to the electron beam gun in the welding chamber. This mounting device included a mechanism for oscillating the probe so as to scan the cavity region both perpendicular and parallel to the welding direction. At the center of its movement the probe viewed almost directly down into the welding cavity. The effect of interreflections occurring in the welding cavity were accounted for by the use of an apparent spectral cavity emittance. Typical measured cavity temperature distributions for SS-304 ranged from 1950/sup 0/C at the mouth to a peak of 2350/sup 0/C at the cavity base and from 1300 to 1650/sup 0/C for A1-1100. First approximation predictions of the cavity surface temperatures were determined by assuming a quasi-steady-state condition. The surface temperature is then a function of the vapor pressure, which is required to balance the surface tension and the hydrostatic pressure both of which tend to collapse the cavity. Base temperatures thus predicted were about 5% and 10% higher than measured for SS-304 …

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A summary of the Brayton Isotope Power Systems (BIPS) design layout drawings is presented. These drawings were generated in compliance with Task 3 (Preliminary Design of the BIPS Ground Demonstration System) of Phase I of the ERDA sponsored BIPS contract E(04-3)-1123.

The specific objectives of the project are to determine on a geographic basis the current and potential USA production capability for grain and grass crops, to perform a preliminary screening of conversion processes, and to perform preliminary technical and economic feasibility analyses. The results obtained to date on biomass production, conversion processes, and data management are reported. (JSR)

The technology training program at LLL is summarized. The program is directed toward transfer of unclassified laboratory technology to government and private-industry employees. Information is included on technology training program (TTP) organization, facilities and equipment, and participating companies and government agencies. A five-day training program on joining, fastening, and welding is outlined. (JRD)

The toxicology and metabolism of nickel compounds (NiCl/sub 2/, Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/, NiS, Ni powder, and Ni(CO)/sub 4/) were investigated in rats and hamsters. Triethylenetetramine (TETA) and d-penicillamine are more effective than other chelating agents (Na-diethyldithiocarbamate, CaNa/sub 2/-versenate, diglycylhistidine-N-methylamide and ..cap alpha..-lipoic acid) as antidotes for acute Ni(II)-toxicity in rats. The antidotal efficacy of triethylenetetramine (TETA) in acute Ni(II)-toxicity is mediated by rapid reduction of the plasma concentration of Ni(II), consistent with renal clearance of the TETA-Ni complex at a rate more than twenty times greater than the renal clearance of non-chelated Ni(II). Fischer rats are more susceptible than other rat strains (Wistar-Lewis, Long-Evans and NIH-Black) to induction of erythrocytosis after an intrarenal injection of Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/, and elucidation of the serial pathologic changes that occur in rats after an intrarenal injection of Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/. When amorphous nickel monosulfide (NiS) and nickel subsulfide (Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/) were administered by im injection to randomly selected Fischer rats in equivalent amounts under identical conditions, NiS did not induce any tumors whereas Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/ induced sarcomas in almost all of the rats.

This study on the rate of lung cancer development in uranium miners was initiated in 1957 by the U. S. Public Health and many facets of this project are reaching final objectives. Many new studies have developed in the course of this study and will continue. The projects supported by The Energy Research and Development Administration are of utmost importance and consist of: collection of material from uranium miners known to have cancer of the lung into a tumor registry; manual on pulmonary cytology; regression study of sputum cytological findings in uranium miners who showed marked atypical squamous cell metaplasia and have quit smoking cigarettes, mining, or both; continuation of sputum collection and collection of lungs from deceased miners, and the development of instruments such as uv fiber-optic bronchoscopes for localization of carcinoma in situ of the lung. Approximately 75,000 sputum samples were examined over the last 19 years in cases that showed normal cytology at the inception of study and subsequently developed carcinoma of the lung and resulted in an accumulation of material that is worthy of study.

Significant progress was made during the past quarter in establishing the operability and reliability of major pieces of equipment needed for the production of protein and methane from spent sulfite liquor (SSL). Batch ozonations of SSL were conducted at times varying from 1 to 6 hours at pH's in the range of 10 to 2. These screening experiments consistently indicate that low ph's favor the breakdown of SSL into organic fragments which are more easily assimulated by micro-organisms. Approximately 23% of the organics are oxidized at all pH levels indicated that pH has no effect on the total oxidation of SSL. As was expected total sulfur content of SSL is not measurably altered by ozonation. The intense brown color of SSL is appreciably removed during ozonation. The contents of the reactor assume a light brownish-yellow hue during the course of a 4 hour ozonation treatment. Attempts to quantify the reduction have not been successful to date.

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During the past contract period, this research has been concerned with three principal tasks, namely: (1) Fusion-product studies. The primary objective of this work is to study potential effects (e.g. instabilities, changes in heating profile and wall loadings, etc.) caused by high-energy fusion products. A second objective is to establish the operating conditions and measurements required for use of D-/sup 3/He in early experiments such as TFTR to simulate D-T burns. (2) Mirror system studies. The objective of this work is to provide specialized support for the mirror research and development effort at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Three topics are under study: charge-exchange losses during neutral beam injection; the dynamics of plasma build-up during start-up; new approaches to mirror systems such as the ''twin-beam'' mirror. (3) Exploratory studies. Several new studies have been initiated during this period. These include: extension of the mirror neutral-beam injection studies to toroidal geometry and preliminary studies of reversed field configurations. Further details about each of these areas are contained in subsequent sections.

Quantitative estimations are made for the atmospheric dispersion of gases, heat, and noise due to geothermal energy sources in Southern California's Imperial Valley. In particular, gas concentration per unit source strength, change in mixing ratio, relative humidity, temperature, and the ratio of heat flux to solar constant are calculated. The possibility of atmospheric refraction of source noise is also considered.

Progress is reported on studies on hereditary anemias of mice. At present under study are four macrocytic anemias, four hemolytic anemias, nonhemolytic microcytic anemia, transitory siderocytic anemia, sex-linked iron-transport anemia, and the autoimmune hemolytic anemia of NZB. Each of these blood dyscrasias is caused by the action of a unique mutant gene, each of which determines the structure of different intracellular molecules, and thus controls a different metabolic process. Thus our wide range of different hereditary anemias has considerable potential for uncovering many different aspects of hemopoietic homeostatic mechanisms in the mouse.

Progress is reported in the following LMFBR piping design studies: collection of sodium piping failure data, analysis of piping systems with prior successful operating history, evaluation of sensitivity of piping design margins to variability in materials and geometry, and high cycle fatigue behavior at elevated temperature. (DG)

A time-limited signal which, when passed through a linear system, maximizes the total output energy is considered. Previous work has shown that the solution is given by the eigenfunction associated with the maximum eigenvalue in a Hilbert-Schmidt integral equation. Analytical results are available for the case where the transfer function is a low-pass filter. This work is extended by obtaining a numerical solution to the integral equation which allows results for reasonably general transfer functions.

The one-dimensional computer calculations described in this report were performed to simulate stress-wave propagation and kinetic energy transfer associated with subsurface cratering detonations in soils. A hypothetical 20-ton-yield nuclear explosive was assumed as the energy source, surrounded by a single soil material. Various soil descriptions were selected in order to systematically study the range of soil response to the nuclear detonation. The soils were representative of the layered mixtures of sand and clay found at the ESSEX high-explosive cratering sites near Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Soil properties analyzed in this study include water saturation, bulk density, failure envelope, and low-pressure bulk modulus.

It would be very desirable if an independent method other than radiochemical measurement were available to determine the yields of low-yield events in the alluviums and tuffs of areas 2, 9, and 10 at the Nevada Test Site. The successful application of slifers to the measurement of yields from high-yield events suggests that under some conditions they may also be usable with low-yield events. This view is supported by the evidence discussed here, which is based on direct experience with slifer yield measurements for low-yield events in porous media. Suggested methods for improving slifer yield determinations and a method for determining yields independent of radiochemical measurements are offered.

The propagation of a crack in porous earth formations following an experimental underground nuclear explosion is analyzed. The three-dimensional analysis includes interaction of gas pressure within the crack, permeation of gas into the porous earth formation, deflection of the crack walls, and crack propagation. Effects of permeability, k, from 10/sup -6/ to 0.1 (..mu..m)/sup 2/ (1(..mu..m)/sup 2/ approximately 1 Darcy), initial crack length and width up to 110 and 170 m, and ratio of maximum earth formation resistive pressure to initial driving pressure, P/sub r//sub max//P/sub 1/, from 0.1 to 0.9 are delineated. Propagation of a crack to the earth's surface following a typical experimental underground nuclear explosion buried at a depth of 500 m occurs only under unlikely conditions, such as when k < 10/sup -4/ (..mu..m)/sup 2/ and P/sub r//sub max//P/sup 1/ < 0.75.

Results of a study undertaken to define the requirements for a reference vacuum test facility, as well as some operating procedures for the Phase I Brayton Isotope Power System (BIPS) Ground Demonstration System (GDS) are reported. The vacuum system is required to simulate the space environment in which the BIPS flight system will function. The BIPS GDS will require a high vacuum environment during performance and endurance testing to enable the multi-foil insulation to be effective and to protect GDS refractory alloys from contaminant attack. Assuming that proper techniques of manufacturing, storage, application and final argon back-flushing and bake-out are used on the multi-foil insulation, adequate containment protection will be assured. The available test data indicate that the maximum pressure at which the multi-foil insulation is effective is on the order of 1 x 10/sup -4/ torr. Protection of the refractory materials requires that the partial pressures of oxidizing and reducing elements be limited to the number of exposures and time-dependent levels (yet to be defined) when the refractory materials are above 450/sup 0/F.

General systems aspects of fusion magnet safety are examined first, followed by specific detailed analyses covering structural, thermal, electrical, and other aspects of fusion magnet safety. The design examples chosen for analysis are illustrative and are not intended to be definitive, since fusion magnet designs are rapidly evolving. Included is a comprehensive collection of design and operating data relating to the safety of existing superconducting magnet systems. The remainder of the overview lists the main conclusions developed from the work to date. These should be regarded as initial steps. Since this study has concentrated on examining potential safety concerns, it may tend to overemphasize the problems of fusion magnets. In fact, many aspects of fusion magnets are well developed and are consistent with good safety practice. A short summary of the findings of this study is given.