A scenario for the development of potential geothermal resources in the Eastern Gulf Coastal Plain states of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida is explained and discussed. A description of the resources and the nature of the potential applications and energy market in this region are given. A ranking of the resources as to their energy content, potential market, etc., is described, and the assumptions and strategy used to generate the scenario are discussed. A more complete report on the detailed aspects involved in the preparation of the development scenario will be issued in the near future.

Electric power generation by conventional Rankine cycle heat engines with heat supplied by line-focus solar collectors was investigated. The objectives of the study were: (1) determine which of four types of line-focus solar collectors coupled with turbine-generators of conventional design has the potential to produce low-cost electric power with thermal energy in 100 to 300/sup 0/C range; (2) develop performance and cost relationships for organic Rankine cycle engines for power generation capacities from 3 MW/sub e/ to 300 MW/sub e/; (3) develop conceptual storage units for organic fluid systems. Evaluation procedures and study results and conclusion are presented and discussed in detail. (WHK)

The research performed was designed to identify spatial or temporal variation of any atmospheric parameters that might affect the operation of devices utilizing solar energy in the metropolitan Phoenix area. The first part of the research involved the analysis of all available solar and climatic data to determine their validity and comparability. For the standard climatic parameters, few difficulties were encountered, but the task of determining comparability of solar radiation data involved many pitfalls. It was concluded that most of the solar data acquired before January 1977 could not be used for purposes of identifying spatial variability. And, a year and a half of data does not represent a long enough period of time upon which to base sound conclusions about spatial and temporal variability of solar radiation in the metropolitan Phoenix region. The data currently available to us do not indicate any great variation of solar radiation in the metropolitan Phoenix area. However, any meaningful statements about spatial and temporal variability of solar radiation in the metropolitan Phoenix area must await the acquisition of additional data from well-calibrated equipment.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is engaged in the development of energy resources, energy utilization concepts, and energy storage methods. This Quarterly Report, summarizing work completed on the various tasks as of 31 March 1978, contains comments on limited tasks, short descriptions of meetings, trips, presentations, and other limited tasks of note performed in connection with major program tasks and articles that describe these program tasks briefly, summarize the progress made to date, and indicate future efforts to be made. The major tasks fall into the following categories: Geothermal Energy Development Planning, which concentrates on the survey of potential geothermal resources and the development of scenarios for possible exploitation and utilization in DOE/DGE Region 5, which includes all the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, excluding Texas and Louisiana; Applications Study of DOE/DGE Region 5, which concerns a study of geothermal energy applications in DOE-selected areas of the Atlantic Coastal Plain; the Low-Head Hydroelectric Program; the Community Annual Storage Energy System (CASES) and the status of a development and demonstration plan for a low-cost flywheel; and multiple-objective modeling of power plant locations.

The concept design for a small (less than 10 MWe) solar thermal electric generating plant was completed using projected 1985 technology. The systems requirements were defined and specified. The components, including an engineering prototype for one 15 kWe module of the generating plant, were conceptually designed. Significant features of the small solar thermal power plant were identified as the following: (1) 15-kWe Stirling-cycle engine/alternator with constant power output; (2) 10-meter point-focusing paraboloidal concentrator with cantilevered cellular glass reflecting panels; (3) primary heat pipe with 800/sup 0/C output solar cavity receiver; (4) secondary heat pipe with molten salt thermal energy storage unit; (5) electric energy transport system; and (6) advanced battery energy storage capability. The present emphasis for achieving cost reduction goals centers on improving conversion efficiency and reducing the cost of key components.

Seismic monitoring of the northern section of the Imperial Valley region in Southern California has been underway since 1973, in order to study in detail the relationship between geothermal areas and earthquakes. A description of the 22-station network and a list of preliminary data on earthquakes recorded by the network from January 1977 through March 1977 are presented.

None

A computational approach used for subsurface explosion cratering was extended to hypervelocity impact cratering. Meteor (Barringer) Crater, Arizona, was selected for the first computer simulation because it is one of the most thoroughly studied craters. It is also an excellent example of a simple, bowl-shaped crater and is one of the youngest terrestrial impact craters. Initial conditions for this calculation included a meteorite impact velocity of 15 km/s, meteorite mass of 1.67 x 10/sup 8/ kg, with a corresponding kinetic energy of 1.88 x 10/sup 16/ J (4.5 megatons). A two-dimensional Eulerian finite difference code called SOIL was used for this simulation of a cylindrical iron projectile impacting at normal incidence into a limestone target. For this initial calculation, a Tillotson equation-of-state description for iron and limestone was used with no shear strength. Results obtained for this preliminary calculation of the formation of Meteor Crater are in good agreement with field measurements. A color movie based on this calculation was produced using computer-generated graphics. 19 figures, 5 tables, 63 references.

Fly ash derived from coal combustion contains predominantly spherical particles which consist of an insoluble aluminosilicate glass containing several mineral impurities. An outer layer, 50 to 300 A thick, is rich in many potentially toxic trace elements in the form of simple and complex sulfates. This layer, which is soluble in water, contains essentially all of the particulate sulfur present in fly ash in the form of sulfate. The actual mechanism(s) of formation of particulate sulfate salts are ill-defined but probably involve adsorption of condensation of gaseous sulfur species onto fly ash surfaces within the power plant stack system.

This report summarizes the work carried out at the Nuclear Physics Laboratory of the University of Colorado during the period November 1, 1977 to November 1, 1978, under Contract EY-76-C-02-0535.A002 between the University of Colorado and the United States Department of Energy. The research activities of the Laboratory spanned a broad range of interests over the past year. Numerous topics in charged-particle spectroscopy and reaction studies, neutron time-of-flight measurements, and gamma-ray investigations performed at the cyclotron laboratory are covered in this report. In addition, several items in intermediate energy nuclear physics as studied at Los Alamos and Indiana University by members of the Laboratory are reported. The efforts in nuclear theory include studies in nuclear reaction mechanisms and pion scattering as related to the experimental program. Information is also included on apparatus and facility development, cyclotron operation, outside users, publications, and reports. Separate abstracts were written for thirty items in this report having significant amounts of data. (RWR)

It is suggested that the most practical early application of the Madison waters is in community space heating with the local hot waters considered as a municipal commodity. The general design of such a community system is discussed along with its cost, means of financing, and life expectancy. Legal questions and state statutes that are pertinent are cited and the life expectancy of the entire Madison resource and equipment to expoit the resource are considered. (MHR)

On December 8, 1977, Gruy Federal, Inc. took over the C.D. Hopkins et al. No. 2 well, located near Jesup in Wayne County, Georgia, to be deepened and used for geothermal temperature-gradient measurements. The well was drilled from 4,009 to 4,341 feet, then diamond cored to 4,371 feet, 28 feet of core being obtained for analysis. After logging by the USGS District Groundwater Office in Atlanta, the well was terminated with 3 1/2 inch tubing to 4,386 feet. Scientists from Virginia Polytechnic Institute determined the bottom-hole temperature to be 60 C (140 F) at 1,331 meters (4,365 feet). Over the interval 47-1,331 meters (154-4,365 feet) the least-squares temperature gradient was 29.3 {+-} 0.14 C/km (1.61 {+-} 0.25 F/100 ft).