None

The Accelerator-Based Conversion (ABC) facility will be designed to accomplish the following mission: `Provide a weapon`s grade plutonium disposition capability in a safe, economical, and environmentally sound manner on a prudent schedule for [50] tons of weapon`s grade plutonium to be disposed on in [20] years.` This mission is supported by four major objectives: provide a reliable plutonium disposition capability within the next [15] years; provide a level of safety and of safety assurance that meets or exceeds that afforded to the public by modern commercial nuclear power plants; meet or exceed all applicable federal, state, and local regulations or standards for environmental compliance; manage the program in a cost effective manner. The ABC Technology Development Program defines the technology development activities that are required to accomplish this mission. The technology development tasks are related to the following topics: blanket system; vessel systems; reactivity control systems; heat transport system components; energy conversion systems; shutdown heat transport systems components; auxiliary systems; technology demonstrations - large scale experiments.

WSRC-RP-91-677 studied the structural response of the safety rods under the conditions of brake failure and accidental release. It was concluded that the maximum impact loading to the safety rod is 6020 pounds based on conservative considerations that energy dissipation attributable to fluid resistance and reactor superstructure flexibility. The staffers of the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board reviewed the results and inquired about the extent of conservatism. By request of the RESTART team, I reassessed the impact force due to these conservative assumptions. This memorandum reports these assessments.

WSRC-RP-91-677 studied the structural response of the safety rods under the conditions of brake failure and accidental release. It was concluded that the maximum impact loading to the safety rod is 6020 pounds based on conservative considerations that energy dissipation attributable to fluid resistance and reactor superstructure flexibility. The staffers of the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board reviewed the results and inquired about the extent of conservatism. By request of the RESTART team, I reassessed the impact force due to these conservative assumptions. This memorandum reports these assessments.

This report discusses the legislation by the 104th Congress to increase overall adoption rates by prohibiting racial and other discriminatory practices in the adoption process. The report identifies this as a provision of the Small Business Job Protection Act, which will also increase minimum wage.

The anisotropic deformation of foliated and linealed rocks has been investigated, primarily to predict the mechanical response of rocks surrounding buried magma chambers to the stress fields generated by deep drilling. The principal application in this regard has been to evaluate, the scientific feasibility of extracting geothermal energy from buried magma chambers. Our approach has been to perform triaxial extension and compression tests at temperatures and pressures representative of the borehole environment on samples cored along six selected orientations and to fit the data to an orthohombric yield criterion. We have investigated Four-Mile gneiss (a strongly layered gneiss with well defined lineation), a biotite-rich schist, and Westerly granite (using a block oriented with respect to the granite's rift, grain, and hardway). Progress has been made in three areas: the experimental determination of strength anisotropies for the three starting materials, theoretical treatment and modeling of the results, and characterization of fabrics surrounding magma bodies resulting from their diaperic emplacement into shallow portions of the Earth's crust. In addition, results have been obtained for the tensile fracture of quartzite, basal slip and anisotropy of biotite single crystals, and anisotropic flow of bedded rocksalt.

The anisotropic deformation of foliated and linealed rocks has been investigated, primarily to predict the mechanical response of rocks surrounding buried magma chambers to the stress fields generated by deep drilling. The principal application in this regard has been to evaluate, the scientific feasibility of extracting geothermal energy from buried magma chambers. Our approach has been to perform triaxial extension and compression tests at temperatures and pressures representative of the borehole environment on samples cored along six selected orientations and to fit the data to an orthohombric yield criterion. We have investigated Four-Mile gneiss (a strongly layered gneiss with well defined lineation), a biotite-rich schist, and Westerly granite (using a block oriented with respect to the granite`s rift, grain, and hardway). Progress has been made in three areas: the experimental determination of strength anisotropies for the three starting materials, theoretical treatment and modeling of the results, and characterization of fabrics surrounding magma bodies resulting from their diaperic emplacement into shallow portions of the Earth`s crust. In addition, results have been obtained for the tensile fracture of quartzite, basal slip and anisotropy of biotite single crystals, and anisotropic flow of bedded rocksalt.

None

A highly accurate and repeatable at-line benzene monitor (ALBM) has been developed to measure the benzene concentration in precipitate hydrolysis aqueous (PHA) in the DWPF. This analyzer was conceived and jointly developed within SRTC by the Analytical Development and the Defense Waste Process Technology Sections with extensive support from the Applied Statistics Group and the TNX Operations Section. It is recommended that an ALBM specifically adapted to DWPF analytical requirements be used to measure benzene in PHA; calibrations be performed using a 10% methanol solution matrix (for standard stability); and based on experience gained in development at TNX, the services of ADS and ASG be employed to both adapt the ALBM to DWPF requirements and develop statistical control procedures.

A highly accurate and repeatable at-line benzene monitor (ALBM) has been developed to measure the benzene concentration in precipitate hydrolysis aqueous (PHA) in the DWPF. This analyzer was conceived and jointly developed within SRTC by the Analytical Development and the Defense Waste Process Technology Sections with extensive support from the Applied Statistics Group and the TNX Operations Section. It is recommended that an ALBM specifically adapted to DWPF analytical requirements be used to measure benzene in PHA; calibrations be performed using a 10% methanol solution matrix (for standard stability); and based on experience gained in development at TNX, the services of ADS and ASG be employed to both adapt the ALBM to DWPF requirements and develop statistical control procedures.

This report considers the feasibility of exposing, demolishing, and removing underground storage tanks from the 241-AX Tank Farm at the Hanford Site. For the study, it was assumed that the tanks would each contain 360 ft{sup 3} of residual waste (corresponding to the one percent residual Inventory target cited in the Tri-Party Agreement) at the time of demolition. The 241-AX Tank Farm is being employed as a ''strawman'' in engineering studies evaluating clean and landfill closure options for Hanford single-shell tank farms. The report is one of several reports being prepared for use by the Hanford Tanks Initiative Project to explore potential closure options and to develop retrieval performance evaluation criteria for tank farms.

In the AGS to RHIC transfer line beam profile monitors employing phosphor screens will be used to measure two dimensional beam profile and derive the beam emittance and Twiss parameters. This note present the details as well as summarizes the planned analysis.

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO compared the cost of the Department of Defense's (DOD) high-quality child development program with the cost of comparable care in the civilian market, focusing on: (1) identifying the objectives of the military child development program and describing how it operates; (2) determining the full cost of operating DOD's U.S. child development centers and the cost per child-hour for center-based care; and (3) comparing the cost per child in DOD's child development centers with the full cost of comparable quality child care in the civilian market."

None

Advanced integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants nearing completion, such as Sierra-Pacific, employ a circulating fluidized-bed (transport) reactor hot-gas desulfurization (HGD) process that uses 70-180 {micro}m average particle size (aps) zinc-based mixed-metal oxide sorbent for removing H{sub 2}S from coal gas down to less than 20 ppmv. The sorbent undergoes cycles of absorption (sulfidation) and air regeneration. The key barrier issues associated with a fluidized-bed HGD process are chemical degradation, physical attrition, high regeneration light-off (initiation) temperature, and high cost of the sorbent. Another inherent complication in all air-regeneration-based HGD processes is the disposal of the problematic dilute SO{sub 2} containing regeneration tail-gas. Direct Sulfur Recovery Process (DSRP), a leading first generation technology, efficiently reduces this SO{sub 2} to desirable elemental sulfur, but requires the use of 1-3 % of the coal gas, thus resulting in an energy penalty to the plant. Advanced second-generation processes are under development that can reduce this energy penalty by modifying the sorbent so that it could be directly regenerated to elemental sulfur. The objective of this research is to support the near and long term DOE efforts to commercialize the IGCC-HGD process technology. Specifically we aim to develop: optimized low-cost sorbent materials with …

As part of the Immobilized Low-Activity Waste-Performance Assessment three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of the expected near-field chemistry on the sorption of iodide, selenate, and pertechnetate onto a sediment obtained from the Hanford Site. These experiments were performed in fiscal year 1998 at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.' During these experiments, attention was directed at the identification of the chemical mechanisms controlling the sorption processes to provide technical defensibility for the selection of the distribution coefficients (IQ to be used in the remainder of the performance assessment. It was found, during the conduct of the experiments, that selenium and technetium I&s increased as ionic strength increased. The cause for this is most likely to be that the higher ionic strength caused the double layer around the particles to decrease, thereby permitting greater interaction with the mineral surfaces. Further, the pH level had an effect on the sorption of these anions. These are the first-ever experiments conducted with Hanford Site sediment in which the IQ were measured as a function of ionic strength and pH. Overall, the observed trends were consistent with more generalized geochemical principles. One of the most important contributions of these experiments was that they …

In the month of July, the authors completed the energy testing at Lawrence Berkeley Labs. The final testing was done with blinds in 15 degree position. This is a comfortable blind angle that allows for view of the outside while allowing for natural light to enter the room. It was found that the energy savings are much higher at this angle. At zero degree blind angle the savings were 150 W/sq. meter, in the 15 degree the heat gain is cut by 225 W/sq. meter. During the same period the heat gain in control chamber was 500 W. The heat gain reduction achieved in tests if used in commercial blinds, would result in an energy pay back period or one year and nine months.

In the month of July, we completed the energy testing at Lawrence Berkeley Labs. The final testing was done with blinds in 15 degree position. This is a comfortable blind angle that allows for view of the outside while allowing for natural light to enter the room. It was found that the energy savings are much higher at this angle. At zero degree blind angle the savings were 150W/sq. meter, in the 15 degree the heat gain is cut by 225W/sq. meter. During the same period the heat gain in control chamber was 500W. (See graph plotting {open_quotes}Sample Heat Flows{close_quotes} From July 21 to 29 on next 3 pages). The heat gain reduction achieved in tests if used in commercial blinds, would result in an energy pay back period or one year and nine months.

Identifies, evaluates and recommends interim measures for reducing or eliminating water sources and preferential pathways within the vadose zone of the single-shell tank farms. Features studied: surface water infiltration and leaking water lines that provide recharge moisture, and wells that could provide pathways for contaminant migration. An extensive data base, maps, recommended mitigations, and rough order of magnitude costs are included.

The objective of this project is to evaluate and demonstrate a cost effective emission control technology for acid rain precursors, oxides of nitrogen (NO{sub x}) and sulfur (SO{sub x}), on two coal fired utility boilers in Illinois. The units selected are representative of pre-NSPS design practices: tangential and cyclone fired. Work on a third unit, wall fired, has been stopped because of funding limitations. The specific objectives are to demonstrate reductions of 60 percent in NO{sub x} and 50 percent in SO{sub x} emissions, by a combination of two developed technologies, gas reburning (GR) and sorbent injection (SI).

EPA appropriations are included in the annual VA-HUD-Independent Agencies Appropriation Bill. Two major issues were whether Superfund cleanups should be accelerated in the absence of statutory reforms and whether the requested state assistance funds are adequate. Because the House and Senate were in agreement on not granting the requested 50% increase in Superfund and in passing increased state funds, the chief conference issue was expected to focus on the roughly $225 million difference between the House and Senate versions. However, a veto threat over Superfund program funding made this a key conference issue.

Clean Coal Technology (CCT) implies the use of coal in an environmentally acceptable manner. Coal combustion results in the emission of oxides of nitrogen (NO{sub x}), which are precursors of both acid rain and ozone formation. The primary objective of this CCT project is to evaluate the use of Gas Reburning and Low NO{sub x} Burners (GR-LNB) for NO{sub x} emission control from a wall fired boiler. It is anticipated that, if the demonstration is successful, the GR-LNB technology could become commercialized during the 1990's and will be capable of (1) achieving significant reduction in the emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide (another acid rain precursor) from existing facilities to minimize environmental impacts such as transboundary and interstate pollution and/or (2) providing for future energy needs in an environmentally acceptable manner.

By injecting high concentrations of SO[sub 3] (80 to 100 ppM) it was possible to reduce the particle resistivity from 10[sup 11] to 10[sup 7] ohm-cm. However, it was very difficult to consistently obtain intermediate levels of resistivity. This was because of the steep relationships between gas phase SO[sub 3] and resistivity. It only takes a few ppM of SO[sub 3] to provide an order of magnitude change in resistivity. This is demonstrated by the curves in Figure 2. The water dew point for a gas stream with a moisture content of 10%, which is typical of coal fired boilers, is approximately 120[degrees]F. However, in a flue gas with only 2 ppM of SO[sub 3], sulfuric acid will begin to condense at 270[degrees]F. The effect of the rapid rise in acid dew point is reflected by the corresponding rapid decrease in resistivity. With no gas phase SO[sub 3] present the resistivity is in the high 10[sup 11] ohm-cm range. However with only 10 ppM of SO[sub 3], the resistivity drops three orders of magnitude. Therefore, intermediate levels of resistivity can only be obtained by controlling the SO[sub 3] concentration within 1 or 2 ppM.

By injecting high concentrations of SO{sub 3} (80 to 100 ppM) it was possible to reduce the particle resistivity from 10{sup 11} to 10{sup 7} ohm-cm. However, it was very difficult to consistently obtain intermediate levels of resistivity. This was because of the steep relationships between gas phase SO{sub 3} and resistivity. It only takes a few ppM of SO{sub 3} to provide an order of magnitude change in resistivity. This is demonstrated by the curves in Figure 2. The water dew point for a gas stream with a moisture content of 10%, which is typical of coal fired boilers, is approximately 120{degrees}F. However, in a flue gas with only 2 ppM of SO{sub 3}, sulfuric acid will begin to condense at 270{degrees}F. The effect of the rapid rise in acid dew point is reflected by the corresponding rapid decrease in resistivity. With no gas phase SO{sub 3} present the resistivity is in the high 10{sup 11} ohm-cm range. However with only 10 ppM of SO{sub 3}, the resistivity drops three orders of magnitude. Therefore, intermediate levels of resistivity can only be obtained by controlling the SO{sub 3} concentration within 1 or 2 ppM.