The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is developing the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) to enhance its energy forecasting capabilities and to provide the Department of Energy with a comprehensive framework for analyzing alternative energy` futures. NEMS is designed with a multi-level modular structure that represents specific energy supply activities, conversion processes, and demand sectors as a series of self-contained units which are linked by an integrating mechanism. The NEMS International Energy Module (IEM) computes world oil prices and the resulting patterns of international trade in crude oil and refined products. This report is a reference document for energy analysts, model users, and the public that is intended to meet EIA`s legal obligation to provide adequate documentation for all statistical and forecast reports (Public Law 93-275, section 57(b)(1). Its purpose is to describe the structure of the IEM. Actual operation of the model is not discussed here. The report contains four sections summarizing the overall structure of the IEM and its interface with other NEMS modules, mathematical specifications of behavioral relationships, and data sources and estimation methods. Following a general description of the function and rationale of its key components, system and equation level information sufficient to permit independent evaluation of …

Locked mode coils for detecting radial magnetic field perturbations B{sub r} were recently constructed and installed on the TEXT-U tokamak. The measured experimental signals showed that both minor and major disruptive instabilities were almost always preceded by a growth in B{sub r}. For some plasma discharges with long duration precursors, a mode lock occurs before the disruption takes place. However, detailed investigation showed that the modes were still rotating in the toroidal direction but with a very low frequency of about 50 Hz. The results of the analysis done confirmed that the m=1/m=2 mode coupling is the main triggering mechanism for the disruptions. Only after the coupling has taken place, when the frequency of the MHD activity measured with Mirnov coils has dropped from about 10 kHz to near 5 kHz and the characteristic deformation of the sawteeth has occurred, are fluctuating radial magnetic fields picked up by the locked mode coils.

The overall goal of the Ames Laboratory Expedited Site Characterization (ESC) project is to evaluate and promote both innovative and state-of-the-practice site characterization and/or monitoring technologies. This will be accomplished by fielding both types of technologies together in the context of an expedited site characterization. The first site will be at a former manufactured gas plant (FMGP) in Marshalltown, Iowa. The project will field three areas of technology: geophysical, analytical, and data fusion. Geophysical technologies are designed to understand the subsurface geology to help predict fate and transport of the target contaminants. Analytical technologies/methods are designed to detect and quantify the target contaminants. Data fusion technology consists of software systems designed to rapidly integrate or fuse all site information into a conceptual site model that then becomes the decision making tool for the site team to plan subsequent sampling activity. Not all of the contaminants present can be located at the action level. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the signature organics associated with the coal tar activities that took place at the site. As a result, PAHs were selected as the target compounds. Screening analytical instruments and nonintrusive geophysical techniques will be fielded to qualitatively map the spatial contaminant distribution. …

This is an Environmental Assessment (Assessment) (DOE/EA-0935) evaluating the Power Marketing Policy and Subsequent Contracts between Southeastern and its customers. The Assessment evaluates two alternatives and the no action alternative. The proposed action is to market the power and energy available in the Georgia-Alabama-South Carolina System during the next ten years, with new power sales contracts of ten-year durations, to the customers set forth in Appendix A of the Assessment. In addition to the proposed alternative, the Assessment evaluates the alternative of extending existing contracts under the current marketing policy.

The main emphasis of the proposal had been to study control systems for which the observation function is perspective. Since a CCD camera observes points upto a perspective projection, it is hoped that these dynamical systems would be useful in the study of visually guided control systems: systems for which the feedback control is to be generated with the aid of a CCD camera. We basically divided our task into three distinct subproblems. (1) To define a perspective dynamical system and study problems in this context that arises as a result of state observability, parameter identifiability and controllability. We also proposed to look into the prospect of applying dynamic observers for on line parameter estimation. (2) To apply the proposed perspective theory in the context of controlling a robot arm. The robot is proposed to be controlled with the aid of a pair of CCD cameras for the purpose of dynamic obstacle avoidance and manipulation. (3) The theory and application of a perspective dynamical system in the context of controlling a robot manipulator is to be extended to a general context wherein a visual cognition framework involves image understanding using multiresolution analysis and various other biologically plausible framework and the …

The objectives of this project are to test novel fullerene based catalysts for application in methane activation. During this period we investigated a novel method of activating carbon soot which was recently reported in literature. In this method, the soot is treated with carbon dioxide at temperatures of 850{degrees}C to give a microporous carbon with a high surface area. We repeated this activation step and found that the BET surface areas increased from approximately 125 m{sup 2}/g to over 600 m{sup 2}/g. We plan to test this activated soot for methane activation to compare with the results obtained before activation. We continued our investigation of the base-line conditions for both thermal reactions and soot-catalyzed reactions of methane, and in addition, we compared these results to those obtained with Norit-A carbon as a catalyst. Diluents such as hydrogen and helium were added into the reaction system to determine their respective effects on selectivity during the methane activation experiments. In terms of methane activation, under our conditions, the fullerene soot was found to be the most active, with the threshold for the methane activation below as 800{degrees}C, while the Norit-A catalyst exhibited a threshold slightly above 800{degrees}C, and the pure thermal reaction …

None

None

This report describes each stage of the legislative process that legislative assistants may find helpful as they seek to further the progress of a specific bill.

Environmental concerns in trade negotiations have received extensive attention by policymakers both with regard to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Since the 1960`s, ground-water flow models have been used for analysis of water resources problems. In the 1970`s, emphasis began to shift to analysis of waste management problems. This shift in emphasis was largely brought about by site selection activities for geologic repositories for disposal of high-level radioactive wastes. Model development during the 1970`s and well into the 1980`s focused primarily on saturated ground-water flow because geologic repositories in salt, basalt, granite, shale, and tuff were envisioned to be below the water table. Selection of the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, for potential disposal of waste began to shift model development toward unsaturated flow models. Under the US Department of Energy (DOE), the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System Management and Operating Contractor (CRWMS M&O) has the responsibility to review, evaluate, and document existing computer models; to conduct performance assessments; and to develop performance assessment models, where necessary. This document describes the CRWMS M&O approach to model review and evaluation (Chapter 2), and the requirements for unsaturated flow models which are the bases for selection from among the current models (Chapter 3). Chapter 4 identifies existing models, and their characteristics. Through a detailed examination of characteristics, Chapter 5 presents the …