The penetration process is approximated by the one-dimensional expansion of a cylindrical cavity in an infinite solid. Linear and quadratic forms are used to describe, piecewise, the volumetric response of the target during loading at the shock front. It is assumed that the density locks at the shocked state. The shear strength of the target is taken to be a piecewise linear function of pressure. However, it is assumed that the target material is weak in shear and, thus, that the effect of shear strength can be treated as a perturbation on the hydrodynamic solution. For conical-nosed penetrators an analytic expression for the normal stress results from the analysis, while for ogival-nosed penetrators the solution must be obtained numerically. A computer program, PENAP, was written to treat both the ogive and cone geometry, and PENAP solutions were found to agree well with both experimental data and TOODY, two-dimensional finite-difference wavecode results. It should also be noted that the PENAP calculations typically required several orders of magnitude less computer time than did the TOODY calculations.

Consideration is given to the stability of negative ion beams which are neutralized through ionization of a background gas. Two types of instabilities are examined. First, beam-plasma instabilities are analyzed with the dispersion relation showing that they are unimportant if the beam velocity is less than the electron thermal velocity. Second, results of a computer simulation on the flow of a cylindrical beam and the resulting background plasma show that when the background neutral gas density is less than or approximately equal to a critical density as instability occurs. This critical density is the density that would be needed to space-charge neutralize the beam if the positive ions were not retarded by the beam. An approximate dispersion relation indicates that the nature of the instability is a transverse positive-ion acoustic wave which couples to the beam.

Routine failure events in selected solar thermal power system designs are examined, and their rates of occurrence estimated. The results are used to compare and rank the systems considered. Modules of 1 to 100 MWe are developed based on reference or other near-term designs. Technologies used include parabolic trough, parabolic dish, and central tower focusing; central and distributed power generation; and proximate and independent siting of power modules. Component counts and failure rates estimated include heat transfer system leaks, sensor failures, and mechanical and electrical component failures, such as pumps, motors, and wire and cable. Depending on the technology chosen, leak rates can approach 1000 per year per 100 MWe system capacity, while component failure rates can be several times that level. Within categories of failures, the various technologies can have rates differing by a factor of 1000 or more. A uniform weighting for the consequences of the various failure types is proposed. Under this weighting, central tower systems are most favored, followed by parabolic trough, parabolic dishes with dispersed power generation, and parabolic dishes with central power generation. This weighting does not account for possible variations in the technologies. A sensitivity analysis is used to bound the relative hazards …

A literature search and survey of fuel suppliers was conducted to determine how much development of production equipment is needed for a 700 metric tons/y LWR mixed-oxide (UO/sub 2/--PuO/sub 2/) fuel fabrication plant. Results indicate that moderate to major production equipment development is needed in the powder and pellet processing areas. The equipment in the rod and assembly processing areas need only minor development effort. Required equipment development for a 700 MT/y plant is not anticipated to delay startup of the plant. The development, whether major or minor, can be done well within the time frame for licensing and construction of the plant as long as conventional production equipment is used.

The inducer pump, designed and fabricated as a test article to evaluate the inducer/impeller pump concept for providing improved suction performance of large sodium pumps, met or exceeded all performance goals. The inducer stage in front of the centrifugal impeller dramatically reduces the size of pumps. It was demonstrated that the inducer can operate at suction specific speeds in excess of 35,000, whereas conventional centrifugal pumps have demonstrated capability to only 12,000. The inducer pump employs several components of the 2000 and 4000 gpm NaK pumps from the Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Laboratory (CANEL) Programs. Use of the volute, thermal barrier and shaft oil seal from the CANEL pumps allowed acceleration and cost reduction of the Inducer Pump Program.

Ocean current and/or plant motion crossflows induce time dependent hydrodynamic loads on the OTEC cold water pipe due to vortex shedding. Design criteria were established for mean and fluctuating loads based on a review of the literature, analysis of test data acquired by SAI under a previous experimental program and an analytical extension of test results to higher Reynolds number. Baseline loads were specified for rigid cylinders in uniform flows. Modifications to the loads by current shear, stratification and cylinder motion, were investigated and final design criteria established. Limited structural response calculations were performed to demonstrate the use of the design criteria and to investigate briefly the possible structural response mode. Comparisons were made with alternate hydrodynamic loads, and recommendations were made for experimental verification.

A new, wide-range equation of state (EOS) has been constructed for Be. The composite theoretical model incorporates ionization equilibrium and condensed-matter and multiphase physics. It also satisfies all thermodynamic equilibrium constraints. The theoretical EOS has been compared with all available high-pressure and high-temperature Be data, and satisfactory agreement is generally achieved. The most interesting feature is the theoretical prediction of melting at just below 220 GPa (2 Mb), indicating an extremely wide pressure range for solid Be. A striking feature is the appearance of shell-structure effects in physical-process paths: 2 large loops appear on the principal Hugoniot and the behavior of release isentropes from rho = rho/sub 0/ is significantly affected.

The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory is currently installing an improved liner in its Bevatron. The new liner will be capable of producing a vacuum of 2 x 10/sup -8/ N/M/sup 2/ (1.5 x 10/sup -10/ Torr) and a temperature on the order of 12K. There has been concern for quite some time about possible damage to the liner in the event of a beam line window breaking allowing atmospheric air to rush into the vacuum. The installation of the new more fragile liner has heightened this concern. This effort is an attempt to characterize the pressure loading on the cryopanel in the event of a beam window rupture. Also of interest is the time it would take the inrushing atmospheric air to reach the tangent tank where the fragile cryopanels are located. Fast acting values placed between sections D and E at the beam line tangent tank junction are being considered as a precaution.

Studies on the microbial degradation of cellulose biomass continues to be centered around Clostridium thermocellum. The effect of surfactants on growth and cellulase production by C. thermocellum was investigated. The effect of pH on growth and reducing sugar accumulation rate of Clostridium thermocellum on solka floc was evaluated. Activity of extracellular cellulase of Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405 was examined using TNP--CMC and Avicel as substrates. The pH optima are 5 and 4.5, respectively. Hydrolysis of either substrate is not inhibited by cellobiose, xylose, or glucose. The enzyme appears to be quite stable under reaction conditions at 60/sup 0/C. Thus far, regulation studies indicate that CMCase formation is not repressed by cellobiose. The search for plasmids in C. thermocellum was continued. The presence of plasmids was confirmed by cesium chloride ethidium bromide gradient centrifugation and electron microscopy. Two plasmids were detected, one with an approximate molecular weight of 1 x 10/sup 6/ daltons. Studies on the fermentation of lactic acid to propionic acid showed the pathway in C. propionicum to be simpler than in M. elsdenii and hence more amenable to manipulation for acrylate production. Using Lactobacillius delbrueckii, it was possible to convert glucose, cellobiose, and cellulose hydrolysates to lactic acid …

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.

The Quality Plan for the SNAP-27 Follow-On Program describes the manner in which the Isotope Power Systems Operation of the General Electric Space Division will control product quality. NASA NHB5300.4 (1B) and AEC QASL-SNAP-1 and 2 have been used as guides in the development of this plan and, upon approval by the AEC, this plan will serve as a policy document to be utilized in implementing the SNAP-27 Follow-On Quality Program.

The application of Solar Total Energy System (STES) to the commercial sector (e.g., office buildings, shopping centers, retail stores, etc.) in the United States is investigated. Candidate solar-thermal and solar-photovoltaic concepts are considered for providing on-site electrical power generation as well as thermal energy for both heating and cooling applications. The solar-thermal concepts include the use of solar concentrators (distributed or central-receiver) for collection of the thermal energy for conversion to electricity by means of a Rankine-cycle or Brayton-cycle power-conversion system. Recoverable waste heat from the power-generation process is utilized to help meet the building thermal-energy demand. Evaluation methodology is identified to allow ranking and/or selection of the most cost-effective concept for commercial-building applications.

Oil production for September averaged 631 BOPD, 146 BPD above the estimated production without polymer. The decreased oil production and increased water production caused the first appreciable increase in WOR (to 52 : 1) since the start of polymer injection in June 1976. Oil production increased at 10 wells and decreased at 11 wells. Tables, figures. (DLC)

The Phase I Identification and Assessment Study was aimed at surveying the State of Wisconsin to identify potential sites for a district heating system and evaluating these sites in terms of their technical, institutional and economic merits. Specific objectives of the study were to: identify candidate plants and service areas and to perform an energy market analysis for selected areas; identify and evaluate plant retrofit and distribution alternatives for the selected service areas; identify and evaluate institutional problems within the infrastructure; and perform an economic analysis for the candidate sites. The overall approach consisted of surveying the State of Wisconsin to identify all existing intermediate and base-loaded electric generating facilities. Once identified, screening criteria were developed to narrow the list to the three most promising sites. For each of the three sites, an extensive market analysis was performed to identify and characterize thermal loads and survey potential users on their views and concerns on the concept. Parallel to this effort, each of the three sites was evaluated on its technical and institutional merits. The technical evaluation centered on identifying and evaluating utility plant retrofit schemes and distribution system alternatives to service the identified thermal market. The institutional analysis evaluated potential …

A variety of x-ray imaging techniques have been used to study the absorption, transport and implosion characteristics of exploding pusher microsphere targets irradiated with 1.06 ..mu..m light. Multichannel grazing incidence reflection microscopy, zone plate coded imaging and spatially resolved x-ray spectroscopy have observed the thermal and suprathermal x-ray emission associated with these phenomena. A second generation of x-ray imaging devices, designed for forthcoming high density implosion experiments, including axisymmetric x-ray microscopes and 1- and 2-D crystal line imaging devices, will also be briefly discussed.

This report is an environmental evaluation of the impacts of proposed borehole drilling activities at the Hanford Site, northwest of Richland, Washington. The proposed action is to drill six research boreholes ranging in depth from 137 to 1372 meters (m) (250 to 4500 +- feet (ft)). In addition, an existing borehole (DC-7) will be extended from 1249 to 1524 m (4099 to 5000 +- ft). The purpose of the US Department of Energy's (DOE) borehole drilling activities is to collect data on in situ rock formations that are considered potentialy suitable for nuclear waste repositories. The technical program efforts necessary to identify and qualify specific underground waste facility sites in candidate rock formations include geologic and hydrologic studies (seismicity and tectonics, rock structure and stratigraphy, lithology, etc.). Borehole drilling is an integral part of the geological studies and is essential to a thorough understanding of potentially suitable geologic formations. The purpose of the proposed drilling activities is to obtain data for evaluating Columbia River basalts that are being evaluated by the National Waste Terminal Storage (NWTS) Program to determine their suitability potential for nuclear waste repositories. Unavoidable impact to the environment is limited primarily to the clearing of land needed …

A method for in-process determination of the composition of electroplated gold-copper alloys using x-ray fluorescence analysis has been developed. A source-excited, non-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analyzer was procured and developed for this purpose. A set of calibration standards was procured, and a calibration curve was constructed by plotting a ratio of x-ray fluorescence intensities against known alloy composition. This technique is now being used as the primary method for in-process alloy measurements during gold-copper electroplating. It replaces a previously used technique involving the calculation of the mass density of the plated deposit. The x-ray technique has been shown to measure alloy composition to an overall precision of +-0.12 wt% using two-minute counting times. Post-plate D-tests of parts from full length plating runs show the x-ray technique to agree with electron microprobe analysis within the limits of precision.

The General Atomic cold head-end reprocessing pilot plant has been built to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed commercial reprocessing flowsheet, in particular its integrated operation. This integration is accomplished in part by the solids handling system, which is designed to provide transfer of material at required rates between different steps in the process and to provide the required surge capacity. The major components of the solids handling system have been tested in order to verify or upgrade the design. The components described here are: inlet filters, conveying lines, bunkers, in-bunker filters, blowers, level sensors, feeders, and weigh cells. By and large, the equipment has performed as expected. Feeding of the various materials in the system has received considerable attention, and several improvements were necessary. The system is now equipped to perform its function of serving the needs of the other unit operations in the pilot plant.

After a brief profile of the Mid-American region and characterization of the residential and commercial markets and the industry of the region, a short description is given of a regional planning meeting held for the purpose of preparing input for the Mid-American section of the National Program for the Accelerated Commercialization of Solar Energy (NPAC) Implementation plans. For each of thirty-eight programs, the objective, rationale, task statement/description, evaluation measures, and implementor are given. The programs are in these areas: public education/awareness; education/training; legislative/regulatory; performance/analysis; design/planning;demonstrations; state interface; technology; information dissemination; legal and regulatory; analysis and assessment; and regional coordination. Two policy statements are included - one on cratering a solar society and the other recommending the expansion of the commercialization to encompass and include the concepts of utilization and popularization in the plan for the advancement of solar energy. (LEW)

The revised ambient-temperature NaK-nitrogen facility is described. The maximum liquid flow rate and generator inlet pressure are 10.9 kg/s 200 gpm) and 1.48 MP/sub a/ absolute (200 psig), respectively, compared with the previous values of 6 kg/s (110 gpm) and 0.72 MPa absolute (90 psig). Satisfactory loop operation has been obtained, and new experiments with the second diverging-channel generator were completed. The principal experimental results were a higher power density for the same generator operating conditions, and an apparent tendency for the efficiency to improve more with increasing quality at higher velocities than lower velocities. An evaluation of an annular generator geometry is presented. The advantages and disadvantages of the geometry are described, the equations developed, and solutions obtained for three cases--constant velocity and no armature reactions, laminar flow with no armature reaction, and armature reaction with constant velocity. Numerical examples show that: (1) the attainable terminal voltages appear to be very low, (2) flow reversal and large viscous loss occur at or below the desired power densities, and (3) armature reaction effects are important and compensation techniques appear impractical. Thus, this annular geometry does not appear attractive for either generator or pump operation. The initial steps in the program …

The water chemistry activities carried out in support of the Few Tube Test are described. This test was conducted to provide design confirmation data for the Clinch River Breeder Reactor Project (CRBRP) steam generators. Proposed CRBRP chemistry was followed; all volatile treatment (AVT) of water was carried out with on-line monitoring capability.

Recent work in the field of probability density estimation has included the introduction of some new methods, such as the polynomial and spline methods and the nearest neighbor method, and the study of asymptotic properties in depth. This earlier work is summarized here. In addition, the computational complexity of the various algorithms is analyzed, as are some simulations. The object is to compare the performance of the various methods in small samples and their sensitivity to change in their parameters, and to attempt to discover at what point a sample is so small that density estimation can no longer be worthwhile. (RWR)

A code conversion project to modify an existing set of FORTRAN computer programs to run on a different mainframe and to drive a different plotter is discussed. The mainframe conversion was from a CDC6600 to an IBM360; the plotter conversion was from an SC4020 (driven by calls to SCORS library subroutines) to a Calcomp. The changes made because of differences between the FORTRAN compliers were relatively minor. IBM ASSEMBLER source decks were acquired to replace all of the CDC special features (such as ENCODE/DECODE) which have no direct IBM equivalents. The plotter call conversion was more difficult, but was still relatively straightforward. By far the most difficult part of the conversion effort involved converting the file-handling protocol from default-tolerant SCOPE on the CDC6600 to explicit JCL (Job Control Language) on the IBM360; listings of all the IBM deck setups used are included in the Appendix. The programs converted were QMESH, RENUM, QPLOT, RENUM8, and QPLOT8, which together constitute a general-purpose quadrilateral-element mesh generation preprocessor to a variety of finite-element stress analysis programs. 7 figs., 2 tables.

Modifications are described to upgrade the neutral-beam power supply for the TMX from 40 kV, 10 ms to 40 kV, 25 ms. The redesign of the accel and suppressor power supplies to achieve separation of the high-voltage and control sections, operation of the arc pulse lines in series, operation of the arc pulse lines in a noisy environment with SCR trigger and crowbar, and modifications to the electrolytic storage banks are discussed.