Objectives of this program are to evaluate candidate alloys for Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) Nuclear Process Heat (NPH) and Direct Cycle Helium Turbine (DCHT) applications, in terms of the effect of simulated reactor primary coolant (helium containing small amounts of various other gases), high temperatures, and long time exposures, on the mechanical properties and structural and surface stability of selected candidate alloys. A second objective is to select and recommend materials for future test facilities and more extensive qualification programs. Work covered in this report includes the activities associated with the status of the simulated reactor helium supply system, testing equipment and gas chemistry analysis instrumentation and equipment. The progress in the screening test program is described; this includes: screening creep results and metallographic analysis for materials thermally exposed or tested at 750, 850 and 950/sup 0/C. The initiation of air creep-rupture testing in the intensive screening test program is discussed. In addition, the status of the data management system is described.

Analysis of the proposed GCFR upper and lower plenum flow-through shields has been performed using both discrete ordinate (DOT) and Monte Carlo (MORSE) methods. Several shields having one change of direction in the coolant path (chevron) and two changes of direction (herringbone) were investigated. The shields were modeled as unit cells with periodic boundary conditions. From plenum fluence calculations and design constraints at the reactor vessel liner, it was determined that all the shield configurations analyzed should be adequate for the necessary radiation attenuation.

A method was developed to extract and then analyze gas trapped in thermally aged 1E34 detonators. This gas was extracted into an evacuated volume and injected into a gas chromatograph for separation and quantitative analysis. To effect this gas extraction, a device was designed for puncturing the detonator cup and capturing the effused gas. Limited testing of five detonators in this device shows amounts of gas ranging from about 0.5 X 10 {sup -7} to 12 X 10 {sup - 7} moles.

Considerable effort was directed toward the fabrication of a micron-spaced thermionic converter. In the process, a new technique has evolved which appears more promising and has been investigated theoretically. In both techniques, electrodes of similar differential thermal expansions are utilized to prevent shear stresses from disrupting the spacing pillars. The newer technique has additional advantages that simplify the fabrication of the diode structure, thus making it more practical. Progress is described.

CR-39 Polymer, a new solid state track recorder with unprecedented sensitivity to lightly ionizing particles (such as protons) is being developed for eventual neutron dosimetry applications in the Fusion Materials Irradiation Test Facility and elsewhere. The diameters of proton tracks have been found to vary smoothly and reproducibly as a function of energy from 0.20 to 18.0 MeV. Preliminary results on the response of CR-39 polymer to proton tracks as a function of angle show a rapid decrease of the registration efficiency from 100% to 0 for angles of incidence less than 75/sup 0/. Proton recoil track size distributions in CR-39 polymer irradiated with monoenergetic neutrons of varying energy are presented. Some proposed high energy neutron dosimetry and radiography systems using CR-39 polymer are discussed.

Several modifications are to be made to the National Coal Model (NCM) under contract number DE-AC01-79EI-10578. The model will be expanded to include two additional demand regions (increasing the total number of demand regions to 41) and one additional supply region (increasing the total number of supply regions to 31). Implementing this change in the NCM will be very simple. The relevant tables and lists will be expanded to include the new regions, and the dimensionality of all relevant arrays will be increased to 31 or 41, as required. A more difficult task will be to appropriately modify the various input data files to reflect the new regions. This task will be the responsibility of the Coal and Electric Power Analysis Division staff. The model will be modified to use externally-specified transportation rates for each origin/destination pair, rather than the linear transportation cost equations (based on mileage) that are used presently. Thus, an input file of transportation rates (prepared externally to the NCM, as are the coal supply curves) will be used directly to provide transportation rates ($/ton) for each coal type/origin/destination activity (i.e., column) generated in the transportation portion of the matrix generator. Other modifications under consideration relate to …

Preparation of CdS films by evaporation from a single graphite source, as generally used by the Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC) group at the University of Delaware, has been implemented. Previously at Westinghouse, four evaporation sources were used to permit uniform coverage of large area substrates. The graphite source used in this period is somewhat smaller than the IEC design to permit accommodation to the heater geometry currently available. Initial efforts with the single source evaporation have been on characterizing the thickness profiles of the deposited films. This is needed to permit selection of conditions for obtaining films of about 30..mu..m thickness over the central 4 cm x 4 cm area of the substrate. Barrier processing according to the details of IEC method has been used on four-source CdS films. To date the best cells have only been about 1% efficient. Low short circuit current density values (approx. 5 mA/cm/sub 2/) have been the biggest problem. Annealing in 6% H/sub 2//Ar mixtures at 170/sup 0/C after electrode grid evaporation generally has resulted in reduced values of J/sub sc/. Plans for the next period include the use of single source films for cell processing and the use of small area diode …

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The ability of the HETC computer code to calculate energy deposited by proton beams of 0.8 to 28.5 GeV in composite targets was evaluated by comparing calculated results with experimental data. The experimental assembly consisted of /sup 238/U shower plates separated by an air gap from a CH/sub 2///sup 238/U detector plate. For protons in the range 0.8 to 5 GeV, HETC data on energy deposited can be considered accurate to a few tens of percent or better for the shower-plate part of the assembly and to better than fifty percent for the moderator/detector plate. At higher energies, HETC data must be used with caution, but not suspicion. Because these assemblies provide a severe test of the calculational model, and in view of the overall quality of the comparisons, the agreement between measured and calculated values may be judged excellent, and serves as an absolute validation of the values quoted here for energy deposited in such physical configurations.

Progress made on accomplishing research objectives is reported. The objectives of this project are: (1) to increase the biomass production of Eucalyptus; (2) to determine the optimum requirements to maximize yield; (3) to assess planting, cultivation, harvesting, and transportation equipment requirements; (4) to determine the optimum mixture of biomass (eucalyptus and bagasse) at the generator for the production of electricity; and (5) to evaluate a complete production/conversion system which utilized optimum management conditions in relationship to costs. (DMC)

A new concept in high energy data acquisition systems called Fastbus has been developed and implemented at Brookhaven. The system which is capable of sub-gigabit/sec speeds has been operating for some time now. A number of modules including an on-bus processor, a PDP11 interface, 32 channel coincidence latches, a 16 channel scaler, a 32 channel ..mu..-clock device, a 60 nsec memory and a predetermined time module have been developed and built. Features of the system include extensive use of ECL logic and a water cooled crate with conduction heat transfer within a module. The system is used in an on-line experiment at the AGS. Operating experience will be discussed.

This study of potential land-related impacts of geothermal power development in The Geysers region focuses on Lake County because it has most of the undeveloped resource and the least regulatory capability. First, the land resource is characterized in terms of its ecological, hydrological, agricultural, and recreational value; intrinsic natural hazards; and the adequacy of roads and utility systems. Based on those factors, the potential land-use conflicts and constraints that geothermal development may encounter in the region are identified and the availability and relative suitability of land for such development is determined. A brief review of laws and powers germane to geothermal land-use regulation is included.

It was originally proposed to use the GEOTHERM geothermal simulator program to prepare solutions to the first five of the six Department of Energy computer code comparison sets. Valid solutions were anticipated in all of the five problems attempted, but it was expected that problems 3 and 4 might present some difficulties. A more recent version of the program, called GEONZ became available and was used successfully on problems 3 and 4. The new program, GEONZ, had additional capabilities that enabled it to handle both superheated steam and counterflows of steam and water. The choice of the GEONZ code is discussed, followed by an in-depth description of the solutions obtained for problems 1 through 5. The problem statements are included as Appendix A. The five problems are: 1-D Avdonin Solution, 1-D well test analysis, 2-D flow in fracture/block medium, 2-D phase system with drainage, and flow in a 2-D areal reservoir. (MHR)

A test plan is given which describes the tests to be conducted on several typical solar receiver heat pipes. The hardware to be used, test fixtures and rationale of the test program are discussed. The program objective is to perform life testing under simulated receiver conditions, and to conduct performance tests with selected heat pipes to further map their performance, particularly with regard to their transient behavior. Performance requirements are defined. Test fixtures designed for the program are described in detail, and their capabilities for simulating the receiver conditions and their limitations are discussed. The heat pipe design is given. (LEW)

The progress which has been made in 1978/1979 to evolve systems designs for growth stations which produce multiple silicon ribbons by the EFG process is reported. This progress culminated in the demonstration of five ribbon multiple growth in May 1979 and in recent advances toward improved electronic quality of ribbons grown from these machines. These advances were made in large measure by studies in which the composition of the gas environment around the meniscus area was varied. By introducing gases such as CO/sub 2/, CO, and CH/sub 4/ into this region, reproducible increases in diffusion length and cell performance have been realized, with the best large area (5 cm x 10 cm) cells exceeding 11% (AM1) efficiency.

The management of the following four assessment tasks are discussed: current progress in H/sub 2/S abatement technology; solid wastes from geothermal power production operations: characterization, handling, and disposal; problems associated with the use of agricultural drainage water for geothermal power plant cooling in the Imperial Valley; and liquid dominated, low total dissolved solids geothermal resources: characterization and evaluation of potential problems due to composition. (MHR)

The results of experiments are summarized on the ability of combinations of chelating agents to modify the genotoxicity or tissue distributions. The mutagenicities of Cr and of chelating agents were determined. The metals described in the report are Pu(IV), Cd(II), Cr(III), and Cr(VI). Accurate measurements were made of the ability of CaNa/sub 2/EDTA, CaNa/sub 3/DTPA, and DMPS to reduce mortality in mice given doses (i.p.) of CdCl/sub 2/ well above the 100% lethal level. The efficacy in terms of the mmoles/kg needed to reduce the mortality was: DTPA > EDTA > DMPS. The combination of DTPA + DMPS proved most promising though little evidence for mixed complex formation was noted. Potentiometric titration studies the case of Pu(IV) a few combinations proved effective, but only when given shortly after Pu administration and then only in the liver but not the skeleton. It is recommended that metabolically stable chelating agents be used in combinations, especially for those combinations which may form very stable mixed ligand chelates.

Vortex-excited oscillations of marine structures result in reduced fatigue life, large hydrodynamic forces and induced stresses, and sometimes lead to structural damage and to diestructive failures. The cold water pipe of an OTEC plant is nominally a bluff, flexible cylinder with a large aspect ratio (L/D = length/diameter), and is likely to be susceptible to resonant vortex-excited oscillations. The objective of this report is to survey recent results pertaining to the vortex-excited oscillations of structures in general and to consider the application of these findings to the design of the OTEC cold water pipe. Practical design calculations are given as examples throughout the various sections of the report. This report is limited in scope to the problems of vortex shedding from bluff, flexible structures in steady currents and the resulting vortex-excited oscillations. The effects of flow non-uniformities, surface roughness of the cylinder, and inclination to the incident flow are considered in addition to the case of a smooth cyliner in a uniform stream. Emphasis is placed upon design procedures, hydrodynamic coefficients applicable in practice, and the specification of structural response parameters relevant to the OTEC cold water pipe. There are important problems associated with in shedding of vortices from cylinders …

Initial studies of p-n heterojunctions formed between undoped trans-(CH)/sub x/ and n-CdS are reported. The junctions were characterized by measurements of current vs voltage (I-V), capacitance vs voltage (C-V), and photovoltaic response spectra. The results are analyzed in terms of the standard heterojunction equations. It is concluded that undoped as-grown films of trans-(CH)/sub x/ are p-type with a residual acceptor concentration of 2 x 10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/, and that in spite of the complex fibril morphology the semiconductor properties can be inferred by treating (CH)/sub x/ as an effective homogeneous medium. Detailed studies of the photovoltaic response at energies below the energy gap for (CH)/sub x/ imply the existence of a well-defined deep trapping state in polyacetylene with an energy near the center of the gap.

A study to characterize the environmental issues, that would arise from an extensive peat utilization program has been initiated. The objectives of this preliminary report are to: identify the environmental issues and potential problems; examine the significance of issues in the geographical regions where peat use could be developed; and establish a methodology by which issues can be resolved or clarified through future coordinated private, state, and federal programs. An overview of peat development including discussions on conversion technologies, extraction and harvesting procedures, and land reclamation is presented. Environmental concerns are in the areas of water resources and quality, air quality, health and safety issues, solid waste management, and land reclamation. The general environmental issues, resource availability, and attitudes associated with potential peat development in ten states, containing an estimated 90 percent of US peat resources were described. The ten states reviewed are Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, North and South Carolina, Wisconsin, New York, Florida, and Louisiana. (DMC)

A quantitative study of mixing, which utilized the exit age distribution theory, has been completed for bench-scale annular and raschig ring filled tanks, in addition to a pilot-scale annular tank. A study of mixing and fluid flow in a full-scale, single-entry, raschig ring filled tank also was initiated. Results showed the bench-scale raschig ring filled tank approached plug-flow (no mixing) behavior. In a bench-scale annular tank, regardless of whether fluid entered tangentially or nontangentially, the vessel approached continuously stirred tank reactor behavior (perfect mixing). The pilot-scale annular tank approached continuously stirred tank reactor behavior only when tangential entry was used. Mixing in the full-scale raschig ring filled tank he tank did not approach eithr the perfect or the no mixing situations. Instead, the tank had a flow pattern in which solution channeled through a small volume of the tank, leaving the regions outside the channel effectively inactive.

Progress and activities are reported on the following lives of assurance: prevent accidents, limit core damage, maintain containment integrity, and alternate radiological consequences. (DLC)

MACRO, a code to propagate probability distributions through a set of linked models, is currently under development at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. An early version of this code, MACRO1, has been used to assess post-sealing dose to man for simple repository and site models based on actual site data.

The overall objective of this program is to define the effects of impurities, various thermochemical processes and any impurity-process interactions upon the performance of terrestrial solar cells. The results of the study form a basis for silicon producers, wafer manufacturers, and cell fabricators to develop appropriate cost-benefit relationships for the use of less pure, less costly solar grade silicon. Spectral response measurements made on single crystal and polycrystalline silicon solar cells containing specific impurities agreed well with measured cell efficiencies. For polycrystalline cells it is shown that both grain boundaries and metallic impurities reduce carrier lifetime, resulting in reduced red response and reduced cell efficiency. Spectral response and DLTS measurements on chromium-doped polycrystalline silicon cells indicate an interaction between chromium and grain boundaries; the nature of this interaction is not yet understood. Measurements were made to evaluate possible long term effects of copper contamination on solar cell performance. Nine groups of cells, including a baseline cell group, are undergoing electrical/temperature tests to determine whether electric fields play a role in long term cell degradation. A mathematical model for impurity effects in high efficiency solar cells has been developed.