Theoretical calculations were made of the electron reflectivity for quantum mechanical models of the surface dipole layer. Research on plasma theory is summarized including the modification of the plasma program to include electron temperature gradient iteration and a series of tests using a pulsed triode converter with an electropolished arc cast tungsten emitter, a deposited tungsten oxide collector and a four wire molybdenum grid. Converter development is summarized including electrode screening for low temperature converters and evaluation of the tungsten oxide converter, titanium oxide converter, and lanthanum hexaboride converter. Also, component hardware development is summarized. (WHK)

A report prepared by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) analyzing the potential impacts of the expected natural gas shortage of the winter of 1975-76. The study's objectives are to "determine the extent to which these projected curtailments reflect the actual situation and what the impacts and potential danger points might be as a result of the natural gas shortage" (p. ix).

Activities in atmospheric sciences in the Department of Applied Science at Brookhaven National Laboratory carried out during 1974 are described. Included are contributions from the Meteorology, Atmospheric Diagnostics, Atmospheric Chemistry Research, and Atmospheric Instrumentation Groups. Programs in Meteorology reported on include diffusion from an off-shore source, plume dynamics studies, modeling of coastal effects on wind and temperature fields and pollutant distributions, effects of indoor shelter on inhalation of airborne radionuclides, chemical-dynamical interactions, techniques for determining acid-rain impact upon the ecology of the eastern U.S., and climatology. Work under Atmospheric Chemistry Research was concentrated on atmospheric aerosol studies, including formation by free radical and neutral association reactions, identification of reactive systems leading to aerosol formation, growth of sodium aerosols under atmospheric conditions and clustering reactions. Atmospheric Diagnostics presents work on field sampling and analytical technology for atmospheric pollutants, airborne sampling systems, atmospheric sulfate particulates methodology, and on a pyroturbidometric method for particulate sulfate discrimination and determination. Methodology for the use of sulfur hexafluoride in field tracer studies is discussed under Atmospheric Instrumentation. A list of publications is included. (auth)

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Presented here are notes for a course in PL/I. They might serve as a guide to those who are developing a course, or as class notes for that course. They might be useful as a textbook independent of any course; as such a textbook, however, they are not self-contained because of the built-in assumption that they will supplement lectures and be accompanied by manuals. Very nearly the full language is taught here, with the emphasis on concepts rather than practical details. Discussion of I/O is avoided until roughly the midpoint of the course. The hoped-for consequence for students is an enhanced perception and understanding of the many concepts and their logical relationships. The dawning of the age of transportability for PL/I programs gives the user a reason, for the first time, to avoid convenient but illegal language.

Oxidation of tantalum nitride resistor films used in hybrid microcircuits is an unavoidable phenomenon known to affect interfacial properties between resistor and conductor layers. At room temperature, oxide thickness increases with time at an unknown rate; therefore, a three-day limitation between Ta/sub 2/N and Cr/Au conductor deposition is presently specified for hybrid microcircuits. The effects of Ta/sub 2/N aging on resistor-conductor contact resistance and conductor bondability were evaluated. Accelerated aging produced oxide layers of various thicknesses which were then correlated to contact resistance. Analytical data and calculations indicate that a 25 percent increase in contact resistance would occur by exposing the Ta/sub 2/N to air for approximately three years at room temperature and pressure prior to metallization. However, little or no change in bondability would be expected.

A program is currently underway at PNL to develop the data needed to license $sup 90$SrF$sub 2$ for heat source applications. A major portion of the program involves determining the compatibility of $sup 90$SrF$sub 2$ with containment materials at elevated temperatures. The compatibility studies are divided into two phases: an initial series of short-term scouting tests lasting up to 4400 h in which a number of containment materials were evaluated, and a subsequent series of long-term tests in which the three best containment materials identified in the short-term tests will be tested for up to 30,000 h with WESF-produced $sup 90$SrF$sub 2$. The results of the first phase tests are summarized. The short-term tests were carried-out at temperatures of 800, 1000, and 1100$sup 0$C for 1500 and 4400 h using both radioactive and nonradioactive strontium fluoride. Nine potential containment materials were evaluated in the tests: two refractory metals (tungsten and TZM); two cobalt base alloys (Haynes Alloy 25 and Haynes Alloy 188); and five nickel base alloys (Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy X, Hastelloy N, Inconel 600 and Inconel 625). Test results show that both of the refractory metals are very resistant to fluoride attack, and tungsten and TZM specimens exposed to …

The cross-section methodology incorporated in the SIMMER code is described. Data base for all cross sections is the ENDF/B system with various progressing computer codes to group collapse and modify the group constants which are used in SIMMER. Either infinitely dilute cross sections or the Bondarenko formalism can be used in SIMMER. Presently only a microscopic treatment is considered, but preliminary macroscopic algorithms have been investigated. (auth)

Collision probability methods using rational approximations for space shielding of cross sections in nuclear reactor codes allowing for one level of heterogeneity are first reviewed. A Dancoff factor for a cylindrical HTGR fuel pin with grain structure is then derived. A new simple method for cross section space shielding in a doubly heterogeneous HTGR system using collision probabilities and rational approximations is subsequently presented and calculations based on it are compared with calculations based on more elaborate methods. 39 references. (auth)

Laboratory and pilot-plant investigations have shown the technical feasibility of removing nitrates from neutralized acid wastes from uranium purification processes by biological denitrification, a dissimilatory process in which the nitrate ion is reduced to nitrogen gas by specific bacteria. The process requires anaerobic conditions and an organic carbon source, as well as other life-sustaining constituents. These denitrification studies produced process design information on a columnar denitrification plant and on continuous- flow, stirred-bed reactors. Denitrification, using packed columns, was found to be desirable for soluble salts, such as those of sodium and ammonium; denitrification, using stirred reactors, was found to be desirable for mixtures containing insoluble salts, such as those of calcium and aluminum. Packed columns were found to have denitrification rates ranging up to 122 grams of nitrate per day per cubic decimeter of column volume; stirred-bed reactors have been shown to have reaction rates near 10 grams of nitrate per day per cubic decimeter of reactor volume. The continuous-flow, stirred-bed reactors were selected for scaleup studies because of the solids-removal problems associated with packed columns when operating on feeds containing high concentrations of insoluble salts or ions which form insoluble salts with the products of the denitrification reaction. (auth)

The sequence of events in the design, testing and fabrication of a radioisotopic heat source using available $sup 238$PuO$sub 2$ fuel that would be amenable to a Navy 0.5-W (electrical) Radioisotopic Thermoelectric Generator for undersea application is discussed. Various designs were considered as a function of heat leak in order to adopt the most desirable capsule for a volume- constrained application. Testing considerations are discussed for capsule compliance with IAEA/ENEA Safety Series 6 and 33 and 10 CFR 71. (auth)

Four procedures have been developed for determining the aluminum concentration in basic matrices. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was the routine method of analysis. Citrate was required to complex the aluminum and eliminate matrix effects. AAS was the least accurate of the four methods studied and was adversely affected by high aluminum concentrations. The Fluoride Electrode Method was the most accurate and precise of the four methods. A Gran's Plot determination was used to determine the end point and average standard recovery was 100% +- 2%. The Thermometric Titration Method was the fastest method for determining aluminum and could also determine hydroxide concentration at the same time. Standard recoveries were 100% +- 5%. The pH Electrode Method also measures aluminum and hydroxide content simultaneously, but is less accurate and more time consuming that the thermal titration. Samples were analyzed using all four methods and results were compared to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each. On the basis of these comparisons, conclusions were drawn concerning the application of each method to our laboratory needs.

A procedure for the determination of hydroxide concentration in the presence of aluminate and other interfering ions was developed using the method of standard additions (or more specifically in this case, standard subtractions). The procedure called for titration with a strong acid which was added in equal increments at regular time intervals. The potential was recorded after each addition of acid. The data was plotted on Gran's Plot Paper, which is based on work done originally by Gran, or it was entered into a computer to determine the equivalence volume of the titrant. When used on many different samples in different matrices, the method gave results that were approximately 100 +- 1 percent of the calculated value. This was shown to be true even in systems containing aluminate (Al(OH)/sub 4//sup -/), phosphate (PO/sub 4//sup 3 -/), sulfate (SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/), nitrate (NO/sub 3//sup -/), nitrite (NO/sub 2//sup -/), carbonate (CO/sub 3//sup 2 -/), and other ions. The effect of these ions was shown to be negligible if the initial OH/sup -/ concentration was at least 10/sup -3/ M and barium chloride (BaCl/sub 2/) was added to complex the PO/sub 4//sup 3 -/ and CO/sub 3//sup 2 -/ ions. These …

The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory is currently conducting a study to determine the feasibility to extract geothermal energy from dry hot rock. The investigated concept calls for the creation of a hydraulic fracture in hot, impermeable rock. Heat will be exchanged subsequently at the fracture surface between the rock and a circulating fluid. The successful creation of hydraulic fractures in the granitic section of exploratory holes GT-1 and GT-2 yielded sufficient data to calculate the average permeability of the rock next to a fracture by means of the mathematical model. The calculated permeabilities were found to be in the microdarcy range and proved the granitic rock penetrated by GT-1 and GT-2 to be sufficiently impermeable to test the above concept. (auth)

Criteria are prescribed and guidance is provided for professional personnel who are involved with the evaluation of existing buildings and facilities at Site 300 near Livermore, California to resist the possible effects of extreme winds and tornadoes. The development of parameters for the effects of tornadoes and extreme winds and guidelines for evaluation and design of structures are presented. The investigations conducted are summarized and the techniques used for arriving at the combined tornado and extreme wind risk model are discussed. The guidelines for structural design methods for calculating pressure distributions on walls and roofs of structures and methods for accommodating impact loads from missiles are also presented. (auth)

Spurious ultrasonic (UT) signals obtained during the examination of austenitic stainless steel welds in LMFBR components have emphasized the need to develop more effective UT methods to supplement the examination processes presently employed during fabrication, and for use during subsequent in-service inspection of LMFBR plants. This interim report documents the first year's effort on a program that was designed to investigate this problem and develop viable solutions. Sixty-eight weld samples were acquired, cataloged, and subjected to a series of ultrasonic, radiographic, and metallographic examination procedures. It was determined that although spurious UT noise signals could usually be associated with major dendritic grain growth patterns, the existence and magnitude of some of the observed noise signals could not be explained simply on the basis of dendritic microstructure. The results obtained during application of a series of ultrasonic and radiographic characterization procedures are included, in addition to photomicrographs and photomicrographic montages taken in the vicinity of numerous sites which produced ultrasonic noise signals of various amplitudes. A concurrent investigation was conducted to evaluate the performance of conventional ultrasonic examination procedures. These results are compared with the laboratory investigation results, and a brief outline of future work planned under this program is presented. …

From purpose and scope: The purpose of this investigation is to 1) study the hydrologic system in a glaciated terrain typified by numerous lakes, with particular focus on the effects of lake-ground-water interchange, 2) simulate the natural system by using two digital modeling methods--areal (map view) and vertical section, and 3) evaluate the utility of the models and determine the kinds and amount of basic data needed to obtain reasonable simulations.

Mechanical properties of the uranium-6 wt percent niobium alloy change with aging time and temperature. In general, the ultimate tensile strength and hardness reach a peak, while elongation becomes a minimum at aging temperatures between 400 and 500$sup 0$C. The first optical evidence of a second phase was in the 400$sup 0$C-aged alloy, while complete transformation to a two-phase structure was seen in the 600$sup 0$C-aged alloy. The maximum-strength conditions correlate with the minimum stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance. The maximum SCC resistance is found in the as-quenched and 150, 200, and 600$sup 0$C-aged specimens. The as-quenched and 300$sup 0$C-aged specimens had the greatest resistance to general corrosion in aqueous chloride solutions; the 600$sup 0$C-aged specimen had the least resistance. (auth)

In well-drained salt cakes where no capillary-held mother liquor was present, the reaction between NaOH and CO/sub 2/(g) produced enough solids to lower the permeability by a factor of 20. This same reaction lowered the permeability by at least three orders of magnitude when the salt cake was saturated with mother liquor. Thus, while the reaction between CO/sub 2/ and NaOH can dry the liquids in Hanford salt cake, the permeability is decreased to such an extent that use of this method becomes impracticable. (auth)

The effects of a nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on the synchronous stability of the electric power transmission and distribution systems are evaluated. The various modes of coupling of EMP to the power system are briefly discussed, with particular emphasis on those perturbations affecting the synchronous stability of the transmission system. A brief review of the fundamental concepts of the stability problem is given, with a discussion of the general characteristics of transient analysis. A model is developed to represent single sets as well as repetitive sets of multiple faults on the distribution systems, as might be produced by EMP. The results of many numerical stability calculations are presented to illustrate the transmission system's response from different types of perturbations. The important parameters of both multiple and repetitive faults are studied, including the dependence of the response on the size of the perturbed area, the fault density, and the effective impedance between the fault location and the transmission system. Both major load reduction and the effect of the opening of tie lines at the time of perturbation are also studied. We conclude that there is a high probability that EMP can induce perturbations on the distribution networks causing a large portion …

This report is about the Election campaigns: Organizational Strategies and Techniques: A Select Annotated Bibliography.

Four articles are presented on: magnetically confined plasmas, laser research; rock drilling with water jets; and nonelectrical uses of geothermal energy. A separate abstract was prepared for each article. (LCL)

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