Techniques and equipment are described which are used for video recordings of the single- and two-phase fluid flow tests conducted with the PKL Spool Piece Measurement System designed by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and EG and G Inc. The instrumented spool piece provides valuable information on what would happen in pressurized water reactor emergency coolant loops should an accident or rupture result in loss of fluid. The complete closed-circuit television video system, including rod lens, light supply, and associated spool mounting fixtures, is discussed in detail. Photographic examples of test flows taken during actual spool piece system operation are shown.

This program is part of the National Waste Terminal Storage program. The Geologic Review Group meeting was held in New Orleans, November 16-17. Start-up of the near-surface heater experiment in the Conasauga Shale formation is under way at Oak Ridge. The first shipment of experimental equipment from Oak Ridge to Avery Island, Louisiana, for the dome salt in-situ test was successfully completed. On November 9-10, a design status review on the spent fuel repository conceptual design was held with Kaiser Engineers, Inc. On November 2, OWI personnel reviewed the progress on the Economic Studies with TRW representatives.

The results of a conceptual design study using computer simulations to determine the physical and economic performance of combined photovoltaic/thermal collector heat-pump solar systems for a single-family residence are presented. Economic analyses are based upon projected costs for a 1986 system installation. The results show that PV/T collector systems can be economically competitive for a cold climate residence, that systems employing on-site electrical storage batteries are not economically competitive with utility-interactive systems, and that an ambient-air-source heat-pump system has a lower life-cycle cost than a solar-source heat-pump system.

A report of the fifth quarter's work on the web-dendritic ribbon growth at the University of South Carolina is presented. A brief description of the work initiated and carried out during this period to meet the program goals is given along with a copy of the Program Plan covering the entire period of the contract. The web growth portion of this program was spent in the design, installation and testing of a new furnace geometry for the growth of dendritic web ribbon. The new installation was completed and the testing 90% accomplished. Results of the testing to determine the effect of the relative position of the r.f. coil with respect to the susceptor on the thermal profile in the melt are described. The one-dimensional thermal model has been used to determine the relationship between growth rate, web thickness, and mensicus height for stable growth. The results of this analysis are also given. An analysis was completed of the thermal radiation from the meniscus including the effect of the curvature of the meniscus with the results indicating that inclusion of the curvature leads to approximately a 10% increase in the radiation loss.

The overall objective of the ERDA program described is to demonstrate new technology associated with a novel concept for a high-speed flywheel energy storage system. The concept, consisting of a high-speed composite flywheel combined with an integral inductor-type motor/alternator, offers the possibility of a small, lightweight package with high energy storage capability. The basic technology demonstrated in this program will have application to a number of flywheel energy storage systems. The demonstration unit will have a nominal rating of 20 kVA. The program will develop a flywheel energy storage system sized for a 3000 lb battery electric van. The balance of the report discusses the energy storage package: (1) design and fabrication of the inductor motor/alternator/flywheel; and (2) design and fabrication of the solid state power conditioner and control breadboard.

The objective of this research program is to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of producing solar cell-quality sheet silicon by coating one surface of carbonized ceramic substrates with a thin layer of large-grain polycrystalline silicon from the melt. With the present dip coating facility, pulling rates of 5 to 7 cm/min are most likely to produce layers of the crystalline quality from which high efficiency solar cells can be fabricated. At a pulling rate of 6 cm/min, it is possible to achieve smooth 50-..mu..m thick layers, with grains as large as 2.5-mm wide, generally extending the entire length of the substrate. At pulling rates less than 6 cm/min, single grains as large as 4 mm in width have been observed. Substrates held at an angle of 45/sup 0/ to the surface of the melt during dipping produced layers qualitatively similar to the vertical dipped layers, but they show some potential for improved coating uniformity. Diffractometer measurements on several samples showed that the strongest diffraction peak was from the silicon 220 plane which is about 10/sup 0/ from the sample surface. The (110) surfaces have been found to be dominant in the EFG and dendritic material, and it appears this …

Tantalum capsules lined with tantalum carbide were loaded with a mixture of uranium carbide-20 wt% plutonium carbide and sealed with an electron beam weld for use in Argonne National Laboratory calorimetric studies of reactor fuels. Experimental welding tests were made to determine optimum welding parameters. Special equipment available only at LLL was used and techniques were developed to perform the loading and welding operations without exposure to moisture or oxygen and with complete containment of the radioactive particles. Three capsules were successfully loaded, welded, tested, and delivered to ANL.

The High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) work reported includes studies of basic fission-product distribution mechanisms, recycle fuel studies (including designing and testing of recycle test elements) and exploration of head-end reprocessing methods (as part of a national recycle plan and of a recycle fuel plan), and physics and fuel management studies. Materials studies include irradiation and analysis of fuel particles in capsules to evaluate fuel systems, and basic studies of control materials and of carbon and graphite. Experimental procedures and results are discussed and, where appropriate, the data are presented. (auth)

Potential processes for the pilot-plant-scale purification and concentration of nitric acid condensate and raffinate solutions were studied. As a result, a process was developed where condensates were continuously purified by an aluminum nitratecalcium nitrate trap to reduce 200 to 300-ppM fluoride concentrations to <1 ppM. Next, the condensates were fed to an all-glass rectification column to concentrate nitric acid to 14 molar and to reduce 200 10 400-ppM chloride concentrations to <1 ppM. Finally, raffinates were steam distilled and pyrohydrolyzed to recover >90% of the nitrates as nitric acid. (auth)

A computer-simulation study of parabolic interpolation circuitry for machine tool controllers was completed. Results showed that a tool center can be moved along any parabolic arc to within any realistic tolerance. Circuit design requirements were determined and input data required by the parabolic interpolators were defined. Simulation results showed that tool motion along a pronounced parabolic path would stay within a 1/2-microinch tolerance. An application of the parabolic interpolation toward reducing the large input data volumes required by conventional numerical controllers was achieved. (auth)

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