Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the earth, and can be tapped as a clean, safe, economical alternative source of energy. Much of the geothermal energy resource is recoverable with current or near-current technology and could make a significant contribution both to increasing domestic energy supplies and to reducing the US dependence on imported oil. Geothermal energy can be used for electric power production, residential and commercial space heating and cooling, industrial process heat, and agricultural process applications. This report describes the progress for fiscal year 1980 (FY80) of the Federal Geothermal Program. It also summarizes the goals, strategy, and plans which form the basis for the FY81 and FY82 program activities and reflects the recent change in national policy affecting Federal research, development and demonstration programs. The Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council (IGCC) believes that substantial progress can and will be made in the development of geothermal energy. The IGCC goals are: (1) reduce the institutional barriers so that geothermal projects can be on-line in one-half the current time; (2) make moderate temperature resources an economically competitive source of electricity; (3) remove the backlog of noncompetitive lease applications; (4) competitive lease all KGRA lands; and (5) cut the cost …

Some scoping experiments were performed to evaluate fuel performance in a lithium heat pipe reactor operating at a nominal 1500K heat pipe temperature. Fuel-coolant and fuel-coolant-clad relationships showed that once a failed heat pipe occurs temperatures can rise high enough so that large concentrations of uranium can be transported by the vapor phase. Upon condensation this uranium would be capable of penetrating heat pipes adjacent to the failed pipe. The potential for propagation of failure exists with UO/sub 2/ and a lithium heat pipe. Changing the composition of the metal of the heat pipe would have only a second order effect on the kinetics of the failure mechanism. Uranium carbide and nitride were considered as potential fuels which are nonreactive in a lithium environment. At high temperatures the nitride would be favored because of its better compatibility with potential cladding materials. Compositions of UN with small additions of YN appear to offer very attractive properties for a compact high temperature high power density reactor.

The powder metallurgical processing of uranium-6 niobium (U-6Nb) alloy has undergone 3 years of characterization at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. The current structure of the powder metallurgy (P/M) alloy has been described as duplex: a mixture of two or more distinct grain sizes. An experiment was conducted to determine a gamma stabilizing heat treatment (time and temperature combination) to produce a structure consisting of one gamma grain size. Two heat treatments were found to produce an irregular ASTM 4 grain size. Additional P/M U-6Nb alloy material was hot pressed and characterized using the two new heat treatments; however, the resulting microstructures were size ASTM 8. Mechanical properties of the fine-grained P/M material were characterized. Continued evaluation of these results did not determine the cause of the grain refinement.

Present experiments on TMX-U and modeling of MFTF-B indicate that plasma-surface interactions can be controlled in MFTF-B. The MFTF-B configuration uses a hot electron population created by ECRH and a sloshing-ion population created by neutral beams in the thermal barrier region to create a potential that confines the central cell ions. Neutral beams and ICRH are used to heat the central cell ions. Plasma-surface interactions can be minimized at radial surfaces by control of the axial confinement of the edge plasma. The thermal barrier configuration is sensitive to the background neutral density, and requires low wall reflux and efficient shielding by the edge plasma. Glow discharge cleaning, titanium gettering, and control of the gas from neutral beams will be used to provide wall conditioning and to reduce the background gas pressure. The shielding efficiency of the plasma edge has been modeled in MFTF-B by comparing computer codes with current experimental measurements. In addition, it is very important to reduce high-energy neutral-beam-injected impurities; this is accomplished by using gettering or magnetic separation in the injector systems. Plasma-edge scrapers, diverter-like devices, and direct-conversion equipment will be located in the end region. Major disruptions are not anticipated. Finally, MFTF-B will also test some …

This document describes the VME/IORFI-II Interface routines (VII). These routines where designed to meet two needs. First, the routines enable programs written in PILS running on a MVME 101 under Valet-Plus to control an IORFI-II interface from VME. Secondly, the routines provide a high level language version of the FASTBUS standard routines for the IORFI-II which can easily be translated into other high level languages (like C). The routines fall into two general types, control and transaction. The control routines work directly with the interface registers. These routines set up and monitor operations between VME and the IORFI-II. The control routines are usually used indirectly by the programmer through the transaction routines. The transaction routines, such as VIIreverse arrowWRITEreverse arrowDAT, use the control routines to carry out complete functions on FASTBUS. Most FASTBUS operations have been implemented except for the compound routines and some low level routines. To facilitate access to the IORFI-II registers from VME, a Super-VIOR DMA board was used as a set of I/O registers tied to the IORFI-II's front panel connectors. The DMA controller on the Super-VIOR was not used and a much simpler board (only containing a set of four registers accessible from VME) could …

This report describes the Chromatic Correction Scheme for the Antisymmetric RHIC Lattice. The First Approximation.

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The physics constraints related to finite-..beta.. equilibria, ..beta.. limits due to curvature-driven MHD modes, and ion transport in the central cell. These physics constraints had to be satisfied subject to certain non-physics constraints. Principal among these were the geometric and structural features of the existing MFTF-B magnet set and the required access for neutral beams for pumping. These constraints and their origins are discussed.

Design concepts are presented for plasma direct convertors (PDC) intended primarily for use on the end-loss plasma from tandem-mirror reactors. Recent experimental results confirm most of these design concepts. Both a one-stage and a two-stage PDC were tested in reactor-like conditions using a 100-kV, 6-kW ion beam. In a separate test on the end of the TMX machine, a single stage PDC recovered 79 W for a net efficiency of 50%. Tandem mirror devices are well suited to PDC. The high minimum energy of the end-loss ions, the magnetic expansion outside the mirrors, and the vacuum conditions in the end tanks required by the confined plasma, all preexist. The inclusion of a PDC is therefore a rather small addition. These facts and the scale parameters for a PDC are discussed.

A key issue in the design of fusion research experiments and their related facilities is the control of ground currents. Because of the large magnetic field, high voltages and high currents present in most of these installations, it is essential to avoid ground loops, and to control ground currents during both normal operations and fault conditions. This paper describes the grounding policy that was developed for MTX. The vault area was divided into zones, and each of the four walls was treated as a separate grounding area. Cable runs and magnet buss bars were run into the machine radially. The paper also describes the steps taken to isolate diagnostic signals and power for pumps and instruments. The paper outlines some of the field calculations used to predict problem areas, and to reveal voltage isolation levels that were required. The paper includes the active ground fault detection system used to insure the integrity of the ground system. 2 refs., 5 figs.

A summary is presented of theoretical expectations for the total cross sections for bottom quark production, for longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions, and for b, /bar b/ momentum correlations at Fermilab fixed target and collider energies.

This project is a detailed analysis of the lithology, stratigraphy, and structure of the New Albany Group in Illinois to determine those characteristics of lithology, thickness, regional distribution, vertical and lateral variability, and deformation that are most relevant to the occurrence of hydrocarbons. Research is reported for this quarter in the following areas: coordination of stratigraphic maps, mineralogic and petrographic characterization, physical properties of Devonian black shale, quantitative determination of major, minor, and trace elements in shales, inorganic/organic associations of trace elements in black shales, mode of occurrence and relative distribution of hydrocarbon phases in shale, and adsorption/desorption studies of gases through shales. 6 figures, 7 tables. (RWR)

The Fermilab antiprotron Accumulator has been modified for use in a medium energy experiment. The experiment is conducted with circulating antiproton beam of momentum between 6.7 GeV/c and 3.7 GeV/c colliding with protons from an internal gas jet. Antiprotons are accumulated at the normal momentum of 8.9 GeV/c and then decelerated to the appropriate energy. It is necessary to cool the beam continually during the time it is colliding with the gas jet. The experiment requires new provisions for the control of magnet power supplies and low level rf system and modifications of the cooling system and high level energy systems to permit variable energy operation. Transition must be crossed to decelerate the beam below 5 GeV/c; because the deceleration is very slow, transition can not be crossed in a conventional manner. This paper will describe the required changes to the Accumulator and operating experience with protons. 8 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

The High Brightness Test Stand is a 2 MeV, less than or equal to 10 kA electron accelerator module. This accelerator module, designed as an upgrade prototype for the Advanced Test Accelerator (ATA), combines solid state nonlinear magnetic drives with state-of-the-art induction linac technology. The facility serves a dual role, as it not only provides a test bed for this new technology, but is used to develop high brightness electron optics. We will both further describe the accelerator, as well as present some of the preliminary electron optics measurements.

The tokamak nonlinear optimization systems code TETRA has been expanded to contain the option of examining machine designs capable of ''multi-modal'' operations. The conceptual International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is an example of a ''bi-modal'' operating machine design in that it must be capable of both pulse-ignited and steady-state operations. This new version of TETRA allows for the optimization of a ''figure-of-merit'' which may involve several operating scenarios. We obtain for ITER minimum cost designs which are capable of igniting when operated in the pulsed mode as well as have reasonable Q > 5 when operated in steady-state. 3 refs., 3 tabs.

The method under development for the production of semiconductor grade silicon is based on the zinc vapor reduction of silicon tetrachloride in a fluidized bed of seed particles. Construction of the PDU was completed during the report period, the fluidized-bed reactor was coated internally with silicon/SiC, and the operation of several systems was checked out. However, problems with the zinc feed system, unrelated to its basic operability, delayed introduction of zinc vapor to the PDU. At the end of the report period, the zinc feed system stood ready for tests of the control of zinc vapor feed rate by regulation of r.f. induction heating directly coupled to the liquid zinc. A study of the zinc distribution in miniplant silicon products containing zinc at the 300 and 3000 ppM levels suggests that the occlusion of zinc is caused by zinc mist entrained from the vaporizer, and it should be possible to drive the level to below 300 ppM by proper equipment design and process control.

Some data sets dealing with the hazards of low-level radiation are discussed. It is concluded that none of these reports, individually or collectively, changes appreciably or even significantly the evaluations of possible low-level radiation effects that have been made by several authoritative national and international groups. (ACR)

Our experimental approach focuses on the use of enzymes which catalyze the addition of oxygen to organic compounds. In tailoring the application of these enzymes to coal processing, we are particularly interested in ensuring that oxidation occurs at sulfur and not at carbon-carbon bonds. Previous studies with DBT have shown that the reaction most frequently observed in microbial oxidative pathways is one in which DBT is oxidized at ring carbons. These reactions, as we have said, are accompanied by a considerable decrease in the energy content of the compound. In addition, microbial pathways have been identified in which the sulfur atom is sequentially oxidized to sulfoxide, to sulfone, to sulfonate, and finally to sulfuric acid. In this case, the fuel value of the desulfurized compounds is largely retained. We are evaluating the potential of commercially available enzymes to selectively catalyze oxidation at sulfur.

Our experimental approach focuses on the use of enzymes which catalyze the addition of oxygen to organic compounds. In tailoring the application of these enzymes to coal processing, we are particularly interested in ensuring that oxidation occurs at sulfur and not at carbon-carbon bonds. Previous studies with DBT have shown that the reaction most frequently observed in microbial oxidative pathways is one in which DBT is oxidized at ring carbons. These reactions, as we have said, are accompanied by a considerable decrease in the energy content of the compound. In addition, microbial pathways have been identified in which the sulfur atom is sequentially oxidized to sulfoxide, to sulfone, to sulfonate, and finally to sulfuric acid. In this case, the fuel value of the desulfurized compounds is largely retained. We are evaluating the potential of commercially available enzymes to selectively catalyze oxidation at sulfur.

The effect of beam-generated positive ions on the beam-breakup instability in linear electron accelerators is calculated using simple models. The strongly nonlinear dependence of the ion focusing force on radius makes a complete suppression of the mode growth possible, in contrast to solenoidal focusing. The predicted gas pressures for significant stabilization of the mode growth in a machine configuration like ATA is relatively low (10/sup -5/ to 10/sup -4/ torr), even for high-Q modes.

The work performed consisted of the following: (1) development of computer aided design software for polynomial filters and Butterworth-Chebychev filter design; (2) development of algorithms for resolving peaks in spectroscopic data; and (3) interaction with LLL personnel to develop a structure for automation of surface chemistry spectroscopy. Each work phase is discussed in detail.

Since some of the earliest evolutionary calculations it has been found that post main sequence stars become red giants (e.g. Sandage and Schwarzschild, 1952). However the exact physical processes that lead to and determine the rate of redward evolution are not completely understood. We hypothesized that the redward evolution might be due to an increase in radiation pressure somewhere in the star that causes the layers above it to be pushed outward, resulting in an expanded envelope and a cooler surface temperature. If the radiative luminosity somewhere in the star approached the Eddington limit, the outer layers would obviously expand. However, due to the presence of gas pressure, the critical value for expansion would be somewhat less than the Eddington limit.

The study reported here was initiated to determine if, with the Cable Downhole System (CDS) currently under development, there is an advantage to using continuous wire rope to lower the emplacement package to the bottom of the hole. A baseline design using two wire ropes as well as several alternatives are discussed in this report. It was concluded that the advantages of the wire-rope emplacement system do not justify the cost of converting to such a system, especially for LLNL's maximum emplacement package weights.

We consider the contribution of e/sup /plus//e/sup /minus// machines to the measurement of CP violation in the B systems. Energy regions from the GAMMA(4S) to the Z/degree/ are considered, problems and prospects at each energy are reviewed.