The environmental levels of radioactivity and other environmental pollutants found in the vicinity of Brookhaven National Laboratory during 1976 are summarized. As an aid in the interpretation of the data, the amounts of radioactivity and other pollutants released in airborne and liquid effluents from Laboratory facilities to the environment are also indicated. The environmental data includes external radiation levels; radioactive air particulates; tritium and iodine concentrations; the amounts and concentrations of radioactivity in precipitation; the amounts and concentrations of radioactivity in and the quality of the stream into which liquid effluents are released; the concentrations of radioactivity in sediments and biota from the stream; the concentrations of radioactivity in and the quality of ground waters underlying the Laboratory; and concentrations of radioactivity in milk, grass, and soil samples obtained in the vicinity of the Laboratory. The external radiation level for 1976 at the north boundary of the Laboratory attributable to an ecology forest irradiation source was 74.4 mrem, or 14 percent of the applicable Radiation Protection Standard.

Photograph of the A.A. Erhard House (located at 1106 Pecan) in Bastrop, Texas.

Photograph of the T. A Hassler House (located at 1109 Pecan) in Bastrop, Texas.

Tests of turbulent and acoustic agglomeration of captive sodium fire aerosols at concentrations of 0.1 to 20 gm/m/sup 3/ were conducted in 90 m/sup 3/ and 0.65 m/sup 3/ vessels to evaluate these mechanisms for direct application air cleaning systems. Aerosol mass concentration decay with time was monitored by sequential filter samples. Turbulence was generated mechanically with a 51 cm diameter centrifugal fan impeller and a reverberant acoustic field was created with an electronic siren. The effectiveness of each method over a range of particle concentrations and power densities was evaluated by an agglomeration index, a measurement of particle growth based on sedimentation characteristics. Both turbulent and acoustic treatment markedly enhanced sedimentation rate compared to undisturbed settling. The effectiveness of both methods increased with increasing aerosol mass concentration and increasing power input per unit volume of aerosol. The agglomeration index reached 20 for turbulent agglomeration at an aerosol mass concentration of 3 gm/m/sup 3/ and 7 for acoustic agglomeration at 14 gm/m/sup 3/ when using an acoustic intensity of 145 dB. Turbulent agglomeration was more effective than acoustic agglomeration for the same mass concentration and power density conditions.

A key factor in the development of iodine photodisassociation lasers is the improvement of pump lamp efficiency in the 250 to 300 nm pump band at pulsewidths of about 10 ..mu..s. Previous work by Gusinow showed that certain metal additives appeared to enhance pump lamp output in the 250 to 300 nm region by as much as a factor of three. This had been determined by comparing microdensitometer traces of spectrograms of doped and undoped lamps. The principal problems noted with these lamps were a shot-to-shot variability of more than 30% and an effective life of only 20 shots (a result of migration of the dopants from between the electrodes to the colder regions behind the electrodes).

Photograph of the Adolph A. Erhard House (located at 1205 Pecan) in Bastrop, Texas.

Topics include surface studies (surface theory, basic surface experiments, and activation chamber experiments); plasma studies (converter theory and enhanced mode conversion experiments); and component development (low temperature conversion experiments, high efficiency conversion experiments, and hot shell development). (WHK)

A draft Manual of Recommended Practice for Aerosol Sampling and Evaluation was completed and sent to the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) Division of Safety, Standards, and Compliance (DSSC) for review. The results of the Survey of Sampling Techniques for Defining Respirable Concentration and/or Particle Size Characteristics of Aerosols were published as LA-6087. The need for greater standardization of ERDA aerosol sampling techniques was indicated. The Aerosol Training Course was presented in 11 sessions to 85 persons. General elements of good practice were emphasized, and recommendation of specific sampling devices or procedures was avoided. A system for estimating dissolution rates of plutonium aerosols was developed. Studies indicate that plutonium aerosols found in the field have a rapid initial dissolution phase followed by a slower secondary phase. Three methods of particle sizing air samples collected on membrane filters were investigated. The most promising was a scanning electron microscope electron microprobe (SEM-EMp) method. An operating plutonium handling facility was a model for development of techniques to evaluate aerosol surveillance systems performance. Airborne contamination records were studied. The physicochemical properties of a plutonium aerosol existing in the facility were investigated in relation to plutonium handling operations. The techniques developed have indicated some …

Photograph of the Alf Jung House (located at 509 Pecan St) in Bastrop, Texas.

Photograph of the Allen House (located at 610 N Washington) in Marshall, Texas.

Photograph of the Allen House (located at N Washington) in Marshall, Texas in the Ginocchio District.

Photograph of the Allen House (located at 610 N Washington) in Marshall, Texas.

Progress is reported in six chapters: swelling and creep, analytical studies (of irradiation effects), coolant compatibility (sodium), and status of EBR-II irradiation tests (one table). Materials studied include HT-9, 330 ss, Inconel 706, A-286, Nimonic PE16, Inconel 718, 310 ss, various developmental alloys, and 316 ss. Nickel ions as well as reactor irradiations were used in the studies of radiation effects. (212 figs., 54 tables). (DLC)

Alpha radiolysis of solutions of tributyl phosphate (TBP) in several different types of diluents was studied. Yields of dibutyl phosphoric acid (as measured by plutonium-IV retention) and chloride were measured up to a dose of approximately 10 watt-hours per liter. Plutonium dissolved in the organic phase was the radiation source. The yields of dibutyl phosphoric acid (HDBP) and the Cl/sup -/ were the highest for carbon tetrachloride. The aromatic diluents give the best protection for TBP against radiolysis and also yield less Cl/sup -/. The low yield of HDBP in aromatic diluents can be explained by assuming HDBP formation by dissociation of the parent ion (TBP/sup +/). Several radiation-resistant diluents are suggested as alternatives to CCL/sub 4/ and their Pu(IV) extraction properties are presented.

Daily newspaper from Altus, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

The results of a study to verify the technical feasibility of the regenerated desiccant crop drying concept, characterize its performance, investigate design requirements, and define a pilot facility for further evaluating the operational and energy-conservative characteristics of the drying system are documented. The pilot facility defined in this study will be a use R and D tool of sufficient size to permit a meaningful evaluation of the system and to provide the necessary criteria for development of full-scale systems. The principal finding of the study is that the regenerated desiccant crop drying concept is technically feasible and has the capability to achieve a drying efficiency of approximately twice that of conventional crop drying systems. When using a fossil fuel energy source, energy savings will be approximately 40 to 50%. With solar energy input, the total fossil fuel savings could be 70 to 90%. The economic feasibility of the system appears promising. As with other new energy conserving systems that are presently capital-intensive, the economic viability of the system will be dependent on future capital cost reductions, on the future price of fossil fuels, and on the specific application of the system. Regarding system applications, it was concluded that the regenerated …

This progress report summarizes studies performed at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) on the properties of a radioactive waste package recovered from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean 2800 meter radioactive waste disposal site. The recovery was made during DEEPSE SURVEY OPERATION NO.5, as part of a comprehensive study of disused deepsea radioactive disposal sites by the Office of Radiation Programs of the Environmental Protection Agency. A major objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of past packaging techniques relevant to the isolation of radionuclides from the ocean environment over the period of time they remain potentially hazardous. For this purpose, a typical radioactive waste package which had previously been located and identified through the use of the deep sea submersible ALVIN was recovered aboard the R.V. CAPE HENLOPEN, 31 July 1976. The package was recovered from the NW quadrant of the 28 meter Atlantic site and consists of an 80 gallon mild steel drum filled with a solidified mixture of concrete and radioactive materials.

The response of a liquid-dominated geothermal reservoir to injection and production from a single well is studied. Different injection-production schemes are analyzed to explore how to minimize temporary cooling around the injection well and to optimize thermal recovery. The pressure response is also calculated, and found to be affected significantly by temperature-dependent viscosity variations. This will have implications on well-test methods for geothermal reservoirs. Vertical consolidation of the geothermal system during fluid withdrawal is also discussed, showing the need to establish previous stress history before attempting to predict the reservoir deformation. The transport of heat and fluid through a porous reservoir is computed using a numerical model. The one-dimensional consolidation theory of Terzaghi has been coupled to the heat and fluid flow to calculate reservoir compaction. No attempt is made of model chemical reactions or precipitation that might occur when waters of a different temperature and salinity are injected into the reservoir.

The activities of the Brown University geothermal energy group are listed briefly. The agenda and minutes for the Extraction Technology Meeting held in Washington, D.C., on March 18, 1977 are included. Data for equations of state for isobutane from three experimenters were compared. (MHR)

Photograph of the Annie Riggs Hotel in Fort Stockton, Texas.

Photograph of the Annie Riggs Hotel in Fort Stockton, Texas.

A summary is given of research progress in elementary particle physics carried out at the University of Illinois and at various accelerator laboratories. (SDP)

Legal documents include Answer to Motion for Summary Judgement and Affidavit regarding the case, American Express vs. League of United Latin American Citizens. Documents are dated April 1, 1977.

Legal documents: Answer to Motion for Summary Judgement and Affidavit, regarding the case American Express vs. LULAC. Documents are dated April 1, 1977, and are signed and submitted by John J. Herrera on behalf of League of United Latin American Citizens.