Preliminary studies indicate that the Imperial Valley has a large geothermal potential. In order to delineate additional geothermal systems a chemical and isotopic investigation of samples from water wells, springs, and geothermal wells in the Imperial Valley and Yuma areas was conducted. Na, K, and Ca concentrations of nearly 200 well water, spring water, hot spring, and geothermal fluid samples from the Imperial Valley area were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Fournier and Truesdell's function was determined for each water sample. Suspected geothermal areas are identified. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope abundances were determined in order to determine and to identify the source of the water in the Mesa geothermal system. (JGB)

The Design Data Sheets summarize the key parameters being used in the design and analysis of the AI Prototype LMFBR Steam Generator. These Data Sheets supplement SDD-097-330-002, Steam Generator System, 1450 psi Steam Conditions. This document will serve as the baseline design data control until a GE/RRD approved steam generator specification with ordering data is received.

The design and successful operation of three tantalum alloy (Ta-8W-2Hf) clad uranium mononitride (UN) fuel pins irradiated for 8070 h at 990/sup 0/C (1815/sup 0/F) is described. Two pin diameters having measured burnups of 0.47 and 0.90 uranium atom percent were tested. No clad failures or swelling was detected; however, postirradiation clad samples tested failed with 1 percent strain. The fuel density decrease was 2 percent, and the fission gas release was less than 0.05 percent. Isotropic fuel swelling, which averaged about 0.5 percent, was less than fuel pin assembly clearances. Thus the clad was not strained. Thermocouples with a modified hot zone operated at average temperatures to 1100/sup 0/C (2012/sup 0/F) without failure. Factors that influence the ability to maintain uniform clad temperature as well as the results of the heat transfer calculations are discussed.

Activities are summarized in the following fields: process development and technology, plutonium trenches, soils, prevention of accidental releases, radiation monitoring, environment, and radiation standards. (DLC)

A study of electric power generating cycles which can be used in conjunction with a low-temperature geothermal energy (sensible heat) source is presented. Investigators at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory have proposed a steam/isobutane dual cycle capable of generating 50.7 Mw of electric power. This cycle is optimized using regenerative feed water heating to yield a power output of 52.1 Mw or an improvement of 2.8%. Other power cycle designs and working fluids are investigated. Working fluids including various freons, steam, isobutane, ammonia, SO/sub 2/, CO/sub 2/, and several low molecular weight alkanes and alkenes are considered. The power cycle designs which are investigated include single and dual Rankine cycles (some of which involve regenerative feed heating), as well as topping/bottoming Rankine cycles, and Brayton gas cycles. The investigation shows that use of a single freon-11 cycle results in a 57.7 Mw power output representing an improvement of 13.8% over the LASL proposal. This cycle represents the best performance of all the combinations investigated, although several other cycles exhibit performance superior to that of the LASL proposal. It is recommended that the freon-11 single cycle be considered on an economic basis as a replacement for the steam/isobutane cycle in the proposed …

Progress is reported for a program to demonstrate by 1976 an experimental gas turbine powered automobile which meets the 1976 Federal Emissions Standards, has significantly improved fuel economy, and is competitive in performance, reliability, and potential manufacturing cost with the conventional piston engine powered, standard size American automobile. Reasonably firm delivery schedules were arranged for all of the critical Task 1 engine parts. However, the program will likely have to continue to function with loaner turbine wheels for the next few months. Vehicle A was built and utilized for running demonstrations at both EPA and NASA. Engine 5 (Vehicle B) was built and is being checked out. Upgraded Engine design guidelines were jointly worked out and agreed to with EPA and NASA. Life testing on the loaner endurance engine was extended beyond the 3500-hour milestone. Improvements are being made to extend low emissions Baseline burner life, currently under 300 hours. State-of-the-art ceramic regenerator cores were received from two sources and are being bench checked. Drive and seal system procurement is delaying hot rig testing. Analytical studies were made to determine suitability for the upgraded engine. AiResearch was awarded the integrated control system subcontract. They have initiated work on a simulation …

Results of a parameter study on the dynamic plastic response of a hexagonal subassembly duct subjected to an internal pressure pulse of arbitrary shape are presented. Plastic distortion of the cross section and large-deformation geometric effects that result in redistribution of the internal forces between bending and membrane stresses in the hexagon wall are included in the analytical model. Correlation procedures are established for relating permanent plastic deformation to simple properties of the pressure pulse, for both the small- and large-deformation ranges. Characteristic response times are determined, and the dynamic load factor for large-deformation plastic response is computed.

ABS>Research is being conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory to develop a superconducting ac cable system leading to the construction of a 1/2 mile model cable of 200 MVA capacity at Brookhaven and a cable of larger (>2000 MVA) capacity for test at a utility testing site. It is a coaxial cable of flexible design using Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductor, and a tape wound dielectric, helium impregnated, of a material yet to be determined. The research development is reported on the dielectric materials, cryogenic enclosure, refrigeration, and superconducting materials. (MCW)

Rock-melting penetrators with diameters ranging from 50 mm (2 in.) to 76 mm (3 in.) have reached a stage of development at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) which suggests that these devices are ready for practical application. Prototype refractory metal penetrators have formed glass-cased vertical holes of 26 m (82 ft) in a single run, and horizontal holes with diameters up to 127 mm (5 in.) are expected in the near future. These small horizontal holes can be used for underground utility conduits; for high-explo sive shot emplacement; and as drainage holes to stabilize road cuts or embankments. Design concepts and preliminary specifications are described for a Subterrene system that forms small-diameter horizontal holes in rock by melting and simultaneously lines the hole with glassy rock melt. Most components of the system are commercially available. Deviation sensors and alignment-control units can be added to ensure that the holes are straight. The design and operation of this Subterrene system are described and proposed development approaches for the hole-forming assembly are discussed. (auth)

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The division of energy among the various competing processes is discussed in the sequence from the collection of the solar flux, to the production of electrical power at a busbar output'' for the Shallow Solar Pond scheme. The solar collector utilizes shallow flowing water to transfer thermal energy to a hot water reservoir (at approximates 95 deg C). Several layers of plastic sheet cover the collection area to suppress heat losses. A Rankine Cycle thermodynamic system converts part of the heat energy to shaft work and thence to electricity. It would utilize a Freon gas turbine, along with evaporator, condenser and pressurizing pump; the rejected heat would be removed by an evaporation pond (at approximates 25 deg C). The fiducial system used for this analysis is assumed to have an area of 1 km/sup 2/. It would figuratively deliver an output of 81/2 MW; its mean efficiency for the reference input is 2.8%. The reference operating point corresponds to equinoctial noon, 33 deg N lat. (No attempt was made to include a summer- winter optimization). The various losses and power expenses are summarized, (MCW)

From meeting of the division of particles and fields; Berkeley, California, USA (13 Aug 1973). It is noted that a major problem with Y* studies stems from difficulty in constructing low-momentum K/sup -/ beams of high intensity which could be employed in formation experiments using electronic means to accumulate high statistics. The status of bubble-chamber and electronic experiments is discussed. Somedata are given on the established and conjectured Y* states. (LBS)

From EMP technical meeting; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, USA (25 Sep 1973). Under sponsorship of the Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory conducted an EMP experiment in conjunction with an underground nuclear event. The purpose of the overall study of which this experiment was a part was to document the characteristics of EMP signals generated by various underground nuclear events to provide checks for theoretical models under development. A major goal was to establish how a specific event configuration affects the signals generated. For this experiment, two separate EMP source mechanisms were considered: that due to an asymmetric gamma ray distribution resulting from shielding and configuration constraints in the vicinity of the device and that due to current induced on the line-of-sight pipe. The instrumentation was not ideally located to sort out the two mechanisms because of significant differences between the planned and as-fired configuration. Nevertheless, signals characteristic of the two mechanisms seem to be apparent in the data. An impulsive (10 MHz) component of the signal is probably a result of the asymmetric gamma distribution. A ringing component (1 MHz) has been attributed to currents on the line-of- sight pipe. (auth)

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Pressure-volume, uniaxial stress loading to failure, uniaxial strain, and acoustic velocity determinations were made on Blair dolomite at confining pressures ranging to 3.5 GPa (Pa = Paschals where 10/sup 5/ Pa = 1 bar or 0.1 GPa = 1 kbar). The bulk modulus K, rapidly rises from an initial 10.4 GPa (at atmospheric pressure) to 102.0 GPa at 1 GPa pressure. At higher pressures, K remains essentially constant (110 GPa). The maximum volume change on loading is 3.9% at 3.5 GPa; the unloading closely follows the loading path. Comparison of uninxial stress tests in compression to 0.7 GPa and extension to 2.1 GPa confining pressure demonstrates that the characteristic shear stress at failure as well as the transition from brittle fracture to ductile flow is strongly dependent upon both the value of the intermediate principal stress sigma /sub 2/ and the rate of strain. The onset of dilatancy as determined in uniaxial compression occurs at about two-thirds of the failure stress. The uniaxial strain loading path is well below the failure envelope in compression. In uniaxial stress loading (compression), Young' s modulus (E) and shear modulus ( mu ) are demonstrated to be very sensitive to both confining pressure and …

From national safety congress and exposition meeting; Chicago, Illinois, USA (29 Oct 1973). Results are reported from a survey of the local presidents of US Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union of the extent to which employees of research and development organizations are complying with Federal occupational safety and health standards. (CH)

A method for increased accuracy in Eulerian fluid dynamics calculations is described. The essence of the method is local cancellation of low-order, diffusional truncation errors. These errors are the source of nonlinear numerical instabilities. The methodology is described in general and specific application is made to the transient, two-dimensional flow equations for chemically reacting mixtures. Two example problems are solved to illustrate the method. For comparison, the same problems are solved with an artificial viscosity technique. (auth)

Trace quantities of thorium in uranium were separated by precipitating thorium fluoride from a 1.0M HF-1.0M NH/sub 4/F matrix using yttrium as an internal standard and lanthanum as a carrier. The thorium precipitate was collected on a filter and analyzed by x-ray emission spectrometry. The method has a detection limit of about 15 mu g thorium per gram of uranium. The relative accuracy and precision at the 120- mu g thorium level was 95.5 plus or minus 1.5%. Studies on the rate of precipitation, sample size limitations, and the effect of varying molar fluoride-touranium ratios are discussed. The effects of potentially interfering anions, cations, and acids, which are commonly found in uranium system or form insoluble fluorides were studied. Radioactive tracer studies using /sup 234/Thh and /sup 88/Y were carried out at different levels of thorium and uranium to determine the absolute efficiency of the precipitation. The speed, selectivity, and precision of this x-ray method make it an excellent alternative to spectrophotometric methods. (auth)

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From nuclear science symposium; San Francisco, California, USA (14 Nov 1973). Metal-oxide-semiconductor devices have been evaluated as lowenergy (250 eV to 50 keV) x-ray dosimeters. They can be used to measure dosages as low as 1 rad (SiO/sub 2/) to as high as 10/sup 5/ rad (SiO/sub 2/). Their small size and basic simplicity make it possible to form arrays of dosimeters for x-ray imaging. When compared to thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's), photographic film, and thermopiles, MOSFET dosimeters offer distinct advantages in terms of their small size, their sensitivity to photon energies below 10 keV, and their adaptability to an electrical readout system. (auth)

P-type germanium single crystals (8 x 10/sup 14/Ga/cm/sup 3/ and 6 x l0/ sup 1 Ga/cm/sup 3) were irradiated with 1.1-Mev electrons at pumped liquid helium temperatures and defect production and annealing studied using ac hopping conductivity. Production rates obtained from measurements at 1.5 deg K and 10/ sup 4/ Hz were 0.6 cm/sup -10/ for samples doped 6 x 10/sup 15/ Ga/cm/sup 3/ and 0.11 cm/sup -10/ for samples doped 8 x 10/ sup 14/ Ga/cm/sup 3/. Above 10/sup 14/ e,/cm/sup 2/ fluence the production rates for the higher doped samples decreased to approximately 0.06 cm/sup -1/ at 10/sup 15/ e/cm/sup 2/ fluence except for one sample which was anomalous. No such long irradiation of the low doped samples was made. The apparent inconsistency between these results and production rates of less than 3 x 10/sup -4/ cm/sup -1/ observed by previous workers was resolved by introducing a donor level for the defect produced by irradiation near the chemical acceptor level, so that the defect would be neutral at temperatures near 30 deg K and charged + 1 at l.5 deg K. Surface effects were observed which did not affect production rate measurements at 1.5 deg K more than …

The aim of the melt development program is to produce meltformed ceramic products that have the optimum combination of physical properties for the fixation of radioactive wastes. Depending on thermal treatment many of the ceramics can be in either a glassy or a microcrystalline form. Laboratory and nonradioactive pilot plant tests are being conducted to evaluate both forms. Both PW-4b and PW-6 waste compositions were successfully solidified into borosilicate glass in the development spray solidifier. Calciner wall scaling was minimal and off-gas filter differential pressure remained low during over 26 hours operation in five runs. Glass formation and discharge from the melter proceeded smoothly at melt temperatures ranging from 1050 to 1175 deg C. Discussions were held with glass industry representatives concerning the design and fabrication of electric glass tanks for the vitrification of high-level wastes. Melting tests in an industrial electric glass tank are planned to check the feasibility of this approach and to obtain design data; a laboratory-scale unit has also been constructed to gain firsthand experience. A series of tests and a stress analysis have shown with good assurance that the leaks which have appeared in the thermowells of several of the WSEP canisters are located at …

A preliminary assessment is presented of the potential for utilizing existing accelerator Be-target systems in the CTR Materials Program. The considerations are aimed to partially satisfy the programmatic near-term phase of the technology program. (auth)

A method for determining the eigenvalues for the scalar Helmholtz equation in the elliptic cylinder coordinate system is described. Complex expansion parameters are considered so that numerical results for physical problems involving energy dissipation as well as energy flow can be obtained. Sample numerical results are presented for the eigenvalues, radial eigenfunctions, and angle eigenfunctions. Applications of these results are discussed. (auth)