Many current reactor physics codes accept cross-section libraries in an isotope-ordered form, convert them with internal preprocessing routines to a group-ordered form, and then perform calculations using these group-ordered data. Occasionally, because of storage and time limitations, the preprocessing routines in these codes cannot convert very large multigroup isotope-ordered libraries. For this reason, the I2G code, i.e., ISOTXS to GRUPXS, was written to convert externally isotope-ordered cross section libraries in the standard file format called ISOTXS to group-ordered libraries in the standard format called GRUPXS. This code uses standardized multilevel data management routines which establish a strategy for the efficient conversion of large libraries. The I2G code is exportable contingent on access to, and an intimate familiarization with, the multilevel routines. These routines are machine dependent, and therefore must be provided by the importing facility. 6 figures, 3 tables.

The 3d4f levels in the spectrum of triply ionized vanadium, V IV, were located by L. Iglesias. She located these levels by identifying transitions from the 3d{sup 2} ground configuration to the 3d4p levels, then to the 3d4d levels and finally to the 3d4f levels. She also identified the transitions from the 3d4d levels to the 3d5p levels, continued up to the 3d5d levels, then back down to the 3d4f levels. Though the 3d4f levels were well established by two routes, the direct transitions from the ground state were not observed, being beyond her experimental range which stopped at 675 {angstrom}. We have photographed the spectrum of vanadium in the region of 190-650 {angstrom} and the direct transitions from 3d{sup 2} to 3d4f have been observed. The spectrum was excited with a vacuum sliding-spark discharge between vanadium metal electrodes separated by a quartz spacer as described previously. Peak discharge current was 1000 {angstrom}. The spectrum was photographed on Kodak SWR plates using the 10 {center_dot} 7 m grazing incidence spectrograph at the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C. The plate factor in the region of interest is about 0.27 {angstrom}/mm. The plates were measured on a Grant comparator. Lines …

The direction cosine matrix-differential equation (A) = (A) (..omega..) can be solved accurately only if a precise representation of the body rate vector ..omega.. is input to the navigation computer. This paper presents an analytical solution for the limits of accuracy that can be obtained when the ..omega.. vector is extracted from polynominal fits to integrating rate sensor output data. The results are applicable to all computational algorithms.

Freshly formed and aged sodium aerosols generated by burning metallic sodium in air were decontaminated in wet cell washers of experimental design. Two wetted cells in series packed with curly glass fibers 35 ..mu..m in diameter gave removal efficiencies in excess of 90%. More efficient cell packings and a larger number of cells in series can be used to raise collection efficiency above 99%.

Although progressive restrictions on the use of fresh water for power plant cooling and the growing use of dry cooling is anticipated in many regions of the country, the transition to this form of cooling will occur slowly unless improved technology leads to lower cost systems. The need for supplemental power during periods of warm weather contribute to the high cost of dry cooling and have led to greater emphasis on combined dry and wet cooling. Experimental and demonstration programs are underway at several locations in the U.S. to develop new systems which will hopefully reduce the cost of dry and wet/dry systems and/or the need for supplemental power. If any of the projected improvements of these advanced systems can be developed to the point of commercial availability, the use of dry cooling would be greatly increased and many of the secondary benefits will be realized. These include greater freedom to take advantage of existing transmission corridors, multiple plants on presently water-limited sites and mine mount sites in water-limited regions. The more promising advanced concepts under study are reviewed and appraised as to their likelihood of having a significant impact on the future use of dry (including dry/wet) cooling.

This quarterly report describes studies to provide information needed to close the back end of the commercial light-water reactor (LWR) fuel cycle. These efforts are directed primarily at reprocessing and recycle of uranium and plutonium from spent LWR fuel. Research is reported in the following categories: environmental studies, fuel receipt, head-end processes, purex process, waste management, safeguards (dose rate for extraction streams), and general support.

A program to determine if non-metallic materials such as polymers, concrete polymer composites, and refractory cements can be utilized as materials of construction in geothermal processes is in progress. To date, several high temperature polymer concrete systems have been formulated, laboratory and field tests performed in brine, flashing brine, and steam at temperatures up to 260/sup 0/C (500/sup 0/F), and economic studies started. Laboratory data for exposure times > 2 years are available. Results are also available from field exposures of up to 18 months in four geothermal environments. Good durability is indicated. Work at four of these sites is continuing.

The object of the ACPR upgrade is to arrive at a reactor modification which will provide an increased pulsed neutron fluence in the irradiation cavity without an excessive degradation of the pulse duration. The upgraded reactor will also have an increased steady-state neutron flux. The initial approach to the upgrade modification involved a two-region core concept. Progress is reported for the following tasks: (1) safety, documentation, and compliance; (2) core nuclear design; (3) console development; (4) mechanical design; (5) fuel element design; (6) BeO--UO/sub 2/ fuel element fabrication; (7) secondary fuel material studies; (8) driver core fuel element; and (9) diagnostic system.

The design plan for a solar process hot water system for a textile dye beck at Riegel Textile Corporation's LaFrance, South Carolina, facilities is presented. The solar system consists of 396 GE model TC 100 evacuated tube collector modules arranged in a ground mounted array with a total collector area of 6680 square feet. The system includes an 8000-gallon hot water storage tank. Systems analyses, specification sheets, performance data, and an economic evaluation of the proposed system are presented. (WHK)

This report is a descriptive summary of the Application of Some Robust Statistical Procedures to Air Pollution Data in the San Francisco Bay Area

An ash basin at the Savannah River Plant, Aiken, South Carolina is growing trees as well as, and with some species better than, a local soil. The basin contains ashes from a stoker-fed boiler and was last used about 12 years before the trees were planted. The concentrations of 24 chemical elements were measured in ashes, soil and trees. The concentrations of most of the chemical elements were higher in ashes than in soil; however, with a few exceptions, these elements were less available to the trees on ashes than to the trees on soil. The trees do not show any toxicity or deficiency symptoms, but the concentration of manganese in sycamore growing on ashes indicates a possible deficiency. No concentration of an element in trees appears to be high enough to be toxic to the trees. A longer period of study will be required to determine whether the ashes can produce commercial timber, but trees can be used to stabilize ash basins and improve their appearance.

A method for quantitatively determining the effect of new fossil fuel and nuclear electric generating facilities on the cost of power in the service region and local community is proposed. The resulting index of economic impact is intended for use in a methodology for assessing power plant site and design alternatives. The overall assessment methodology incorporates community values with technical assessments of impacts, providing a system for assessing preferred power plant site/design alternatives from the community's perspective. Eight decision criteria were selected for the overall site assessment methodology.

An automatic particle-size analyzer was designed, fabricated, tested, and put into operation measuring and counting HTGR recycle fuel particles. The particle-size analyzer can be used for particles in all stages of fabrication, from the loaded, uncarbonized weak acid resin up to fully-coated Biso or Triso particles. The device handles microspheres in the range of 300 to 1000 ..mu..m at rates up to 2000 per minute, measuring the diameter of each particle to determine the size distribution of the sample, and simultaneously determining the total number of particles. 10 figures.

Transient and steady state axial gas flow experiments were performed on six irradiated, commercial pressurized water reactor fuel rods at ambient temperature and 533 K. Laminar flow equations, as used in the FRAP-T2 and SSYST fuel behavior codes, were used with the gas flow results to calculate effective fuel rod radial gaps. The results of these analyses were compared with measured gap sizes obtained from metallographic examination of one fuel rod. Using measured gap sizes as input, the SSYST code was used to calculate pressure drops and mass fluxes and the results were compared with the experimental gas flow data.

Baseline data reported herein for soil, vegetation, and small mammal components of the East Mesa desert ecosystem represent a collection period from October 1975 to September 1977. Inasmuch as changes in salt balance from geothermal brine sources are of potential impact upon the ecosystem, considerable analytical effort was given to the determination of element constituents in soil, plant, and animal samples. A preliminary synthesis of data was done to investigate the heterogeneity of element constituents among the sampled population and to summarize results. Findings indicate that periodic sampling and chemical analysis of vegetation around an industrialized geothermal energy source is probably the best way to monitor the surrounding ecosystem for assuring containment of any resource pollutants.

Storage of irradiated nuclear fuel in water pools (basins) has been standard practice since nuclear reactors first began operation approximately 34 years ago. Pool storage is the starting point for all other fuel storage candidate processes and is a candidate for extended interim fuel storage until policy questions regarding reprocessing and ultimate disposal have been resolved. This report assesses the current performance of nuclear fuel in pool storage, the range of storage conditions, and the prospects for extending residence times. The assessment is based on visits to five U.S. and Canadian fuel storage sites, representing nine storage pools, and on discussions with operators of an additional 21 storage pools. Spent fuel storage experience from British pools at Winfrith and Windscale and from a German pool at Karlsruhe (WAK) also is summarized.

Continuing activities are reported on studies seeking to solve ecological problems associated with energy development, other types of land and water developments, and activities of a supporting nature. Specific projects include: coal; power plants; ecological systems and inventory; information transfer; coastal ecosystems and outer Continental Shelf development; and geothermal, oil shale and minerals. (PCS)

The objective to prepare 4-fluoroestradiol labeled with fluorine-18.

This volume of the subject study "Blending of Hydrogen in Natural Gas Distribution Systems" describes studies on the determination of gas distribution system flows with hydrogen - natural gas blends, potential hydrogen admission points to gas distribution systems, and the impact of hydrogen - natural gas blends on regulatory standards for gas distribution systems. The studies resulted in the following principal findings: (1) Most existing natural gas distribution systems could adequately transport 20% blends of hydrogen by volume with little or no modification. (2) The best point of admission of the hydrogen into a natural gas distribution system would be at the meter and regulating stations supplying a particular distribution system. (3) The impact of hydrogen - natural gas blends on state regulatory standards appears to be minimal for PSE and G, but requires further study for various National Codes and for other states.

Objectives of the project are to demonstrate the technical efficiency and economics of the simultaneous air and water in situ combustion process. The project is being conducted on five recently developed patterns of Cities Service Company's Bodcau Fee ''B'' lease in the Bellevue Field. The five patterns were a part of an eight-pattern expansion of Cities' combustion operations in the field. Twenty-nine producers and five injectors are included in the five patterns. Three compressors with a combined output of 20 MMCFD at 250 psig provide the air for combustion. Ignition of the five patterns was accomplished using a 30-kW, 440-volt, three-phase heater. The ignition phase began following air injectivity and falloff testing in August 1976 and was completed on September 24, 1976. Following ignition and completion of facility construction, five temperature observation wells were drilled and will be used to monitor the progress of the combustion front. Laboratory combustion tube runs and produced oil and gas analyses were made. Field tests included falloff and pulse tests. Production steadily increased from 69 BOPD in June 1976 to 420 in June 1977. Combustion has been monitored by gas analyses at producing wells. The five injection wells were converted to simultaneous air and …

The BSR operated at an average power level of 1,975 kw for 75.47% of the time during January, February, and March. Water-quality control in both the reactor primary and secondary cooling systems was satisfactory. The BSR was operated at low and variable power during this quarter for 45.567 hours as part of the training programs for nuclear reactor operator trainees from Memphis State University. The PCA was also used in training programs and was operated on thirty-three occasions when Memphis State University, the University of Tennessee, Louisiana State University, the University of Oklahoma, or Mississippi State University students actively participated in training laboratories.

The GEOCOST computer program is a simulation model for evaluating the economics of developing geothermal resources. The model was found to be both an accurate predictor of geothermal power production facility costs and a valid designer of such facilities. GEOCOST first designs a facility using thermodynamic optimization routines and then estimates costs for the selected design using cost models. Costs generated in this manner appear to correspond closely with detailed cost estimates made by industry planning groups. Through the use of this model, geothermal power production costs can be rapidly and accurately estimated for many alternative sites making the evaluation process much simpler yet more meaningful.

Lawrence Park Heat, Light and Power Company is a small, privately owned, regulated public utility in Bronxville, New York. For more than 60 years, the company has furnished steam and electricity to a neighborhood of residential and small commercial customers, and steam to a community hospital. Until 1965, the plant also served the area with a water system that included wells, pumps, a distribution system, and fire hydrants. The remote location required self-sufficiency in utility service; so the developer met this need with the coal-fueled steam power plant. Power for the water pumps and direct-current generators was obtained from the steam plant, as was common in those times. Currently, the company serves 410 electric customers and 138 steam users. Annual electric sales for 1976 totaled 2,923,614 kWh and produced $266,860.35 revenue. Steam sales for the same period were 119,967 thousand pounds, producing revenues of $1,034,216.77. The hospital is the largest steam customer and represents about 30% of steam sales.

A classic fluid mechanics boundary layer problem, flow over a sharp leading edge flat plate, was used to study the effect of a heated surface on combustion in lean hydrogen-air mixtures. The velocity and density profiles of the boundary layer have been measured with laser Doppler velocimetry and Rayleigh scattering, respectively. Preliminary measurements on a silicon dioxide ''non-catalytic'' surface indicate neither boundary layer nor surface combustion for wall temperatures up to 1250/sup 0/K. Measurements on a platinum catalytic surface indicate that, at a surface temperature of 1000/sup 0/K, not only is there significant surface combustion but that homogeneous combustion in the boundary layer is induced by active species generated at the catalytic surface.