Annual report of the Advisory Council for Technical-Vocational Education in Texas describing goals, activities, and accomplishments during fiscal year 1982.

Appendix A is a catalog of the bituminous coal in 29 states of the contiguous United States which contain identified bituminous coal resources.

The following conclusions were drawn from the study: (1) The US will continue to require new sources of energy fuels and substitutes for petrochemical feedstocks into the foreseeable future. Most of this requirement will be met using coal. However, the cost of mining, transporting, cleaning, and preparing coal, disposing of ash or slag and scrubbing stack gases continues to rise; particularly, in the Eastern US where the need is greatest. UCG avoids these pitfalls and, as such, should be considered a viable alternative to the mining of deeper coals. (2) Of the two possible product gases LBG and MBG, MBG is the most versatile. (3) The most logical use for UCG product in the Eastern US is to generate power on-site using a combined-cycle or co-generation system. Either low or medium Btu gas (LBG or MBG) can be used. (4) UCG should be an option whenever surface gasification is considered; particularly, in areas where deeper, higher sulfur coal is located. (5) There are environmental and social benefits to use of UCG over surface gasification in the Eastern US. (6) A site could be chosen almost anywhere in the Illinois and Ohio area where amenable UCG coal has been determined due …

USDA economists predict the end of surplus farm production in the US within this decade. More and more marginal land will be cropped to provide feed for the growing world population and to produce energy. Much of this potential cropland in Southern Appalachia is poorly suited to annual crops, such as corn. Perennial crops are much better suited to steep, rocky, and wet sites. Research was undertaken on the theoretical potentials of perennial species with high predicted yields of protein, carbohydrates, or oils. Several candidate staple perennial crops for marginal land in Southern Appalachia were identified, and estimates were made of their yields, energy input requirements, and general suitabilities. Cropping systems incorporating honeylocust, persimmon, mulberry, jujube, and beech were compared with corn cropping systems. It appears that these candidate staple perennials show distinct advantages for energy conservation and environmental preservation. Detailed economic analyses must await actual demonstration trials, but preliminary indications for ethanol conversion systems with honeylocust are encouraging. It is suggested that short-term loans to farmers undertaking this new type of agriculture would be appropriate to solve cash-flow problems.

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Monthly reports documenting San Antonio municipal board activities and city permitting for March 1984.

This report summarizes the criteria and designs that were used for the two TMX Thomson-scattering systems. It describes the optical, mechanical, electronic, and computer analysis features of these installations. A brief discussion of general Thomson-scattering principles and sensitivity limits is given. Also included are some plasma electron temperature and density measurements from TMX that were obtained through the use of these systems.

This bibliography covers the field of electrical discharges in vacuum, comprising both electrical breakdown in vacuum and vacuum arcs. A brief review section lists some review papers which would be helpful to the novice in this field. The bulk of the paper consists of bibliographic listings, arranged by year of publication and within each year, alphabetically by first author. An author index refers one to all papers authored or coauthored by a particular person. There are 2450 papers listed through December 1980.

The beam breakup mode has been observed and measured on ETA. Comparison between the measurements and the results of a computer code indicate that the beam breakup instability will be the most important limitation on current transport thru ATA. ETA Experiments that will enable a more accurate determination of the magnitude of the instability on ATA are discussed.

This report describes work accomplished under two tasks: Task A, mechanisms of donor-solvent coal liquefaction, and Task B, CO/H/sub 2/O conversion systems. Under Task A, we describe additional evidence relating to the question of the mechanism of the iron oxide catalyzed cleavage of hydroxydiphenylmethanes. o-Hydroxydiphenylmethane is relatively more sensitive to catalysis by Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/, a possible one electron oxidant, and triphenylmethane is relatively more sensitive to catalyzed cleavage by SiO/sub 2//Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, a strong Bronsted acid catalyst. This provides further evidence that in the former case the reactions of radical cations are important in the cleavage mechanism. Tests with Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3/ show it to be ineffective under our reaction conditions as a catalyst for hydroxydiphenylmethane cleavage. We have also used the decomposition of diphenylether in tetralin, which we have previously shown to occur by a radical displacement reaction, as an indicator of steady state radical concentration in tetralin. The results of these experiments indicate that radical concentrations in tetralin are not significantly increased by spiking the tetralin with 1,2-dihydronaphthalene. This in turn suggests that rapid disproportionation of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene to tetralin and naphthalene takes place by way of a concerted reaction, in addition to a slower radical disproportionation …

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The serious reduction in the aggregate commitment to nuclear power by US utilities over the past few years, as well as the serious stretchout of the completion schedules for many ongoing projects, has continued. A 1980 study which studied the factors causing this retrenchment is discussed. In this 1982 study, utilities were interviewed in an attempt to identify possible remedies which the Federal government might take to induce utilities to postpone rather than cancel units less than 10% complete, and to complete expeditiously units in the 10 to 60% completion range. The quality of the reserve margin is examined. The actions of state regulators are considered. Regulatory reform emerges as the key action the Federal government can take. (DLC)

This research in hydrometallurgical solvent extraction is to develop a fundamental means to predict selectivity during simultaneous solvent extraction of multiple metal ions when the kinetic rates and thermodynamic equilibria both do not favor the desired metal. To this end the chemical kinetics and thermodynamic chemical equilibria models for the system copper-iron-acid sulfate solutions extracted by ..beta..-alkenyl-8-hydroxy quinoline in xylene are studied. These models can be employed with appropriate design equations to predict selectivity factors for two phase contactors. The work completed and in progress during the first half of the third funding period is on chemical equilibria studies for the iron-acid-sulfate-..beta..-alkenyl-8-hydroxy quinoline-xylene system. An aqueous phase ionic equilibrium model is available which can be used to calculate concentration of various Fe(III) ionic species present. Iron extraction data were obtained using both the AKUFVE, a high intensity stirrer with an in line centrifugal separator, and a shaker bath apparatus. Analysis of the data to determine a thermodynamic equilibrium model is in progress.

Plutonium assay differences are frequently observed between laboratories exchanging plutonium dioxide powders. These differences are commonly the result of chemical changes and/or nonhomogeneities in sampled materials. The irregularities are often caused by moisture absorption during sampling, packaging, shipment, and storage of the materials. A method is proposed which eliminates the effects of chemical change in samples, particularly moisture absorption, and minimizes sampling error. A nondestructive thermal watts/gram test on every preweighed sampled and total dissolution of these samples for chemical assay are the primary features which make this method effective. Because this method minimizes the error related to exchange material, it is possible to design an interlaboratory exchange program which demonstrates the assay capabiliies of the participants. In an experiment performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, three PuO/sub 2/ batches of varying isotopic composition were synthesized at Mound to be used in the exchange tess. Powder sample aliquots from each batch were weighed directly into their vials under controlled atmospheric conditions. Calorimetric heat measurements were made on each vial to test homogeneity and verify sample weight. Six vials of each batch were chemically assayed at Mound and six at NBL (New Brunswick Laboratory). Both laboratories chose controlled-potential coulometry …

The potential for minerals recovery from a 1000-MWe combined geothermal power and minerals recovery plant in the Salton Sea is examined. While the possible value of minerals recovered would substantially exceed the revenue from power production, information is insufficient to carry out a detailed economic analysis. The recovery of precious metals - silver, gold, and platinum - is the most important factor in determining the economics of a minerals recovery plant; however, the precious metals content of the brines is not certain. Such a power plant could recover 14 to 31% of the US demand for manganese and substantial amounts of zinc and lead. Previous work on minerals extraction from Salton Sea brines is also reviewed and a new process, based on a fluidized-bed cementation reaction with metallic iron, is proposed. This process would recover the precious metals, lead, and tin present in the brines.

Energy conservation education must reach millions of Americans in order to see any real and immediate decrease in energy consumption. Since our society gets much of its information from the media, this seems like a most effective vehicle for disseminating energy conservation information to the American Public. Radio is listened to by the vast majority of Americans each day of their lives. Radio as a communications medium is an extremely cost effective method of mass communication and education, and is perceived as a personal medium which has great potential to affect a change in the daily energy consumption habits of the public. Call-in radio programs centering around energy conservation are an effective method of presenting informative, energy education programming that provide instantaneous access for listener/consumer participation. The linking of available telephone and radio technology (via call-in radio shows) allows people all over the US, including remote rural areas, access to the latest energy conservation information and renewable energy technolgy.

This report discusses the "health maintenance organization", which is an entity that provides specific health services to its members for a prepaid, fixed payment.

Progress reports are presented for the following projects: (1) factors influencing the leaching performance of hollandiate; (2) incorporation of uranium and rare earths into zirconolite; (3) reconnaissance studies of the stability relations of Ca-Ti-Al phases in SYNROC C formulations; (4) immobilization of highly aluminous sludges; (5) SYNROC D formulations produced by sintering in air; (6) crystallization behavior of interstitial glass in SYNROC D formulations. Some of the highlights are: (1) leaching performance of all hollandites irrespective of preparation technique, can be improved by hot-pressing under specific controlled redox conditions, below Ni-NiO; (2) there is no satisfactory crystal-chemical reason why the leaching performance of Ti/sup 3 +/-bearing hollandite should be superior to that of Al/sup 3 +/ hollandite; (3) experiments have shown that the zirconolite lattice can accept up to 30% rare earths (Sm/sub 2/O/sub 3/) before becoming destabilized in favor of pyrochlore or a related f.c.c. structure; (4) SYNROC zirconolites will therefore be well below their saturation limits in rare earths and trivalent actinides; (5) experiments have established that the Ca-Ti-Al phase (CTA) is compatible with perovskite, hollandite and zirconolite; (6) magnetoplumbite-type phases coexists with hollandite, perovskite, zirconolite and Fe-bearing pseudobrookite, but do not coexist with the CTA phase CaTi/sub …

The following is a description of the endeavors being pursued at ARSD as potential means of directly reducing the reformer plant and/or product costs. Three broad areas are currently under evaluation to achieve the cost reduction objectives and they include: (1) reduced reformer cost by simplifying the design, (2) improving thermochemical performance by enhanced heat transfer and catalyst activity, and (3) modification of process condition assumptions.

During this period the Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary was established. Task 1 was completed with submittal of the Project Work Plan and the Quality Assurance Manual. CSI produced basic process design information and a preliminary flowsheet for the LaPorte LPMeOH PDU. APCI developed the flowsheet further and set up the process on APCI's process simulator. The flowsheet development revealed a number of major changes necessary in the existing LPM pilot plant; this has led to pursuit of a unified design concept. Approval was requested for the unified design concept as well as advanced schedule for relocation of the LPM unit and advanced procurement of long delivery equipment items. A number of preliminary heat and material balances were calculated for the LPMeOH PDU and preliminary process specifications were prepared for the equipment items. The final design basis was established. The design pressure was set at 1000 psig. Eight design operating cases were defined for the following range of reactor operating conditions: Pressure - 500 to 900 psig, Temperature - 220 to 270/sup 0/C, Liquid-Fluidized Space Velocity - 1000 to 4000 l/hr-kg catalyst, Liquid-Entrained Space Velocity - 2000 to 10,000 l/hr-kg catalyst, and Liquid-Entrained Catalyst Loading - 0.1 to 0.4 kg catalyst/l …

This document was prepared to outline the scope and objectives of the Hazardous Waste Assessment Project (HWAP) at Site 300. This project was initiated in October, 1981, to investigate the existing solid waste landfills in an effort to satisfy regulatory guidelines and assess the potential for ground-water contamination. This involves a site-specific investigation (utilizing geology, hydrology, geophysics and geochemistry) with the goal of developing an effective ground-water quality monitoring network. Initial site reconnaissance work has begun and we report the results, to date, of our geologic hydrogeologic studies. All known solid waste disposal locations are underlain by rocks of either the Late Miocene Neroly Formation or the Cierbo Formation, both of which are dominantly sandstones interbedded with shale and claystone. The existence of a regional confined (artesian) aquifer, as well as a regional water-table aquifer is postulated for Site 300. Preliminary analysis has led to an understanding of directions and depths of regional ground-water flow.

The relationship between the threshold values of ion-temperature-gradient instabilities and the temperature parameters of plasmas is investigated analytically in slab and toroidal geometries separately. It is found that the threshold values increase rapidly when the ion temperature becomes much higher than the electron temperature. The change of the threshold vaues with respect to the ion temperature is quite similar for both geometric models. This finding is consistent with PLT observations. Furthermore, the analytical results also agree with those of the numerical calculations.

Three catalysts have been identified for a three zone bed study. These three catalysts represent a small, medium and high pore catalyst system. The goal of this program is to investigate catalysts for upgrading liquids derived from coal-to-oil processes.

The lower hybrid slow wave tends to follow magnetic field lines. Therefore, a generalization of Snell's Law modifies the wave length along the magnetic field as the wave moves inward from an exciter through regions of varying magnetic field strength. Predicting the consequences requires a numerical treatment, which has been developed in recent years by several authors. This paper searches for some general statements on the problem by analyzing many particular cases, without allowing for scattering, multiple traverses of the plasma radius, and non-linear effects. We find that the range of parameter suitable for ion heating varies from that predicted by simple estimates, and is dependent on launch position; and that electron heating including current drive is best pursued with unidirectional launching from a coupler at the top (or bottom) of the torus if the wave frequency is close to linear mode conversion condition.