Annual report of the Advisory Council for Technical-Vocational Education in Texas describing goals, activities, and accomplishments during fiscal year 1983

The purpose of this assessment was to provide system-level insights into 100-kWe-class space reactor electric systems. Using these insights, Rockwell was to select and perform conceptual design studies on a ''most attractive'' system that met the preliminary design goals and requirements of the SP-100 Program. About 4 of the 6 months were used in the selection process. The remaining 2 months were used for the system conceptual design studies. Rockwell completed these studies at the end of FY 1983. This report summarizes the results of the power plant system assessment and describes our choice for the most attractive system - the Rockwell SR-100G System (Space Reactor, 100 kWe, Growth) - a lithium-cooled UN-fueled fast reactor/Brayton turboelectric converter system.

A 440-day single-pass continuous-flow leaching experiment was conducted at LLNL from September 1980 to December 1981. The data obtained for only one-third of the experiment are presented. The laboratory and data analysis of the remaining portion is still in progress at this time and a second report will follow at the end of FY83. This report concerns itself with the study of PNL 76-68 glass beads interacting with crushed uranium flow basalt and a simulated basalt groundwater under controlled conditions of temperature (25/sup 0/C and 75/sup 0/C) and flow rate (1, 10, and 300 ml/day). The main purpose of the experiment was to determine the absorption on basalt of Pu, Np, and some of the stable elements such as B, Mo, U, and Cs, as they were leached from the glass beads. Results are presented, as incremental and cumulative leach rates and sorption rates have been calculated for Pu, Np, B, Mo and U. also sorption profiles as a function of temperature and flow rate are graphically shown for Pu, Np, and U.

The geologic and hydrologic factors considered in the Province evaluation include distribution of potential host rocks, tectonic conditions and data on ground-water hydrology. Potential host media considered include argillaceous rocks, tuff, basaltic rocks, granitic rocks, evaporites, and the unsaturated zone. The tectonic factors considered are Quaternary faults, late Cenozoic volcanics, seismic activity, heat flow, and late Cenozoic rates of vertical uplift. Hydrologic conditions considered include length of flow path from potential host rocks to discharge areas, interbasin and geothermal flow systems and thick unsaturated sections as potential host media. The Basin and Range Province was divided into 12 subprovinces; each subprovince is evaluated separately and prospective areas for further study are identified. About one-half of the Province appears to have combinations of potential host rocks, tectonic conditions, and ground-water hydrology that merit consideration for further study. The prospective areas for further study in each subprovince are summarized in a brief list of the potentially favorable factors and the issues of concern. Data compiled for the entire Province do not permit a complete evaluation of the favorability for high-level waste isolation. The evaluations here are intended to identify broad regions that contain potential geohydrologic environments containing multiple natural barriers to radionuclide …

This document describes chemical mechanisms that may affect trace-level radionuclide migration through acidic sandy clay soils in a humid environment, and summarizes the extensive chemical and radiochemical analyses of the groundwater directly below the SRP Low-Level Waste (LLW) Burial Ground (643-G). Anomalies were identified in the chemistry of individual wells which appear to be related to small amounts of fission product activity that have reached the water table. The chemical properties which were statistically related to trace level transport of Cs-137 and Sr-90 were iron, potassium, sodium and calcium. Concentrations on the order of 100 ppM appear sufficient to affect nuclide migration. Several complexation mechanisms for plutonium migration were investigated.

Some technical highlights are given for the following programs: Weapons Program - we are continuing to support the aluminum ion plating effort for the W-84 both at Y-12 and in-house; Weapons Program - a number of electroformed parts have been supplied for Crowdie; Nuclear Test Program - heavy support from VPL in vacuum engineering activities for Diamond Ace, Tomme and Cabra; Nuclear Design Program - heavy effort was supplied by VPL in the coating of various foils with lithium fluoride; Laser Program - we are gradually optimizing procedures for producing boron foils for Argus/Dante experiments; MFE Program - a pyrophosphate copper deposit shows potentially interesting properties for RTNS-II applications; Soft X-ray Multilayer Coatings - preliminary results with alternate layers of carbon and tungsten look promising; PERL - chemical milling is being used to mill channels in hydrostatic bearings; and Alpha Claddings - we are actively involved in generating data and providing consultation on this program in conjunction with LODTM.

The observed but puzzling stability of resonant states a stride potential ridges is shown to reflect a general self-focussing property of convergent waves. An approach to the solution of nonseparable wave equations is introduced which utilizes their separability in asymptotic limits. Progress is outlined in describing the properties of N-electron atoms in highly condensed states.

The goal of this project was to construct a low-technology, maintenance-free dc electrical generator suited for use with low-speed rotating machines such as windmills or waterwheels. The generator consists of permanent magnets affixed to the circumference of the rotating device, and stationary coils mounted on a semicircular frame. As the device rotates, the magnets move past the coils and magnetically induce an ac voltage in the coils. This voltage is rectified and stored in a battery. No gears, belts, or brushes are used, so the generator operates quietly and without maintenance. The purpose of mounting the magnets at the circumference of the rotating device is to achieve high relative velocities between magnets and coils even at slow rotations, in the hope of extracting energy from very light winds or slowly flowing water. Such a generator was constructed as part of a ten-foot-diameter windmill to test the concept. The generator easily reaches charging voltages at low speeds, and operates quietly without mechanical wear. But the charging current is very low in comparison to a wind turbine of conventional design. The experiment allows fundamental design problems to be identified.

In recent years, members of the Maryland Theory Group have made significant contributions to the national fusion theory programs, and, in many cases, these theoretical developments helped to interpret experimental results and to design new experimental programs. In the following, the authors summarize the technical progress in five major areas: (1) RF interaction with plasmas including wave propagation and RF heating, (2) spheromak formation, equilibrium, and stability; (3) stability of nonaxisymmetric systems (EBT, mirrors, etc.); (4) stability theory of toroidal plasmas (tokamak, RFP, etc); and (5) nonlinear theory.

Reported are fluid mechanics experiments performed in models of the 20.8-cm Nova amplifier lamp and disk cavities. Lamp cavity nitrogen flows are shown, by both flow visualization and velocity measurements, to be acceptably uniform and parallel to the flashlamps. In contrast, the nitrogen flows in the disk cavity are shown to be disordered. Even though disk cavity flows are disordered, the simplest of three proposed nitrogen introduction systems for the disk cavity was found to be acceptable based on convection measurements made at the surfaces of simulated laser disks.

Experiments have been conducted as part of the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations Project to determine the changes in water chemistry due to reaction of the Topopah Spring tuff with natural groundwater at temperatures up to 150{sup 0}C. The reaction extent has been investigated as a function of rock-to-water ratio, temperature, reaction time, physical state of the samples, and geographic location of the samples within the tuff unit. Results of these experiments will be used to provide information on the water chemistry to be expected if a high-level waste repository were to be constructed in the Topopah Spring tuff. 6 references, 5 figures, 1 table.

This report is on Some Illustrations of the Importance of a Single Vote in American History.

As a means of investigating unified gauge theories of the electro-weak interaction we have been preparing an experiment for the Bates Electron Accelerator to determine the parity violating asymmetry A = (sigma/sub R/ - sigma/sub L/) for 30/sup 0/ elastic scattering by /sup 12/C of 250 MeV longitudinally polarized electrons, where sigma/sub R/ and sigma/sub L/ are respectively the differential cross sections for electrons with right and left helicities. The asymmetry depends strictly on the isoscalar vector-hadronic coupling constant, and in terms of the Weinberg-Salam model is predicted to have a value of approx. 2 x 10/sup -6/ for our choice of kinematics. Central to the success of the measurement of such a small quantity is the use of an intense, highly stable source of polarized electrons. The progress in the development of such a source, based upon photoemission from GaAs, is reviewed in this report.

Using a fairly typical mobile home design, it is shown that state-of-the-art mobile/modular housing and passive solar techniques can be used together. Computer simulations are used to analyze the concept. Size conditions at a mobile home park are considered. Glazing orientation, shading, and thermal storage are included in the analysis. (LEW)

Uranyl nitrate solution from 200-Area processing of spent SRP fuel tubes is now sent to Oak Ridge Y-12 for conversion of uranium metal. However, after implementation of the powder metallurgy (P/M) process, U{sub 3}O{sub 8} powder will be needed at SRP but not uranium metal. U{sub 3}O{sub 8} powder for fabrication and irradiation tests was produced during development of P/M at SRL by firing UO{sub 3}, obtained from Y-12, at 800{degrees}C for 6 hours in a low grade nitrogen atmosphere. The UO{sub 3} powder was produced by denitration of unsulfated uranyl nitrate solution. The stoichiometry, particle size distribution, surface area and density of the Y-12 and SRL powders were measured. A comparison was then made between SRL U{sub 3}O{sub 8} produced at 800{degrees}C in nitrogen and in air and U{sub 3}O{sub 8} produced at Y-12 at other heating temperatures.

Locating a repository in the unsaturated zone of arid regions eliminates or simplifies many of the technological problems involved in designing a repository for operation below the water table and predicting its performance. It also offers possible accessibility and ease of monitoring throughout the operational period and possible retrieval of waste long after. The risks inherent in such a repository appear to be no greater than in one located in the saturated zone; in fact, many aspects of such a repository`s performance will be much easier to predict and the uncertainties will be reduced correspondingly. A major new concern would be whether future climatic changes could produce significant consequences due to possible rise of the water table or increased flux of water through the repository. If spent fuel were used as a waste form, a second new concern would be the rates of escape of gaseous {sup 129}I and {sup 14}C to the atmosphere.

Financial report of the San Antonio Health Facilities Development Corporation for its initial fiscal period from June 7, 1982 through September 30, 1983.

This component of the terrestrial-aquatic interaction group seeks to use the natural stable carbon isotope ratios and radiocarbon abundances to trace the movement of photosynthate from the terrestrial environment to the stream system at MS-117. In addition to estimating the total flux, we will also attempt to describe the relative fractions derived from modern primary production and that derived from delayed inputs of eroded peat. We will also seek to determine the coupling efficiency of these energy sources to the invertebrate faunal populations in the tundra soils and streams.

This report summarizes investigations of factors that significantly influence the transport of actinide cations in the groundwater environment. Briefly, measurements of diffusion coefficients for Am(III), Cm(III), and Np(V) in moist US soils indicated that diffusion is negligible compared to mass transport in flowing groundwater. Diffusion coefficients do, however, indicate that, in the absence of flowing water, actinide elements will migrate only a few centimeters in a thousand years. The remaining investigations were devoted to the determination of distribution ratios (K/sub d/s) for representative US soils, factors influencing them, and chemical and physical processes related to transport of actinides in groundwaters. The computer code GARD was modified to include complex formation to test the importance of humic acid complexing on the rate of transport of actinides in groundwaters. Use of the formation constant and a range of humic acid, even at rather low concentrations of 10/sup -5/ to 10/sup -6/ molar, significantly increases the actinide transport rate in a flowing aquifer. These computer calculations show that any strong complexing agent will have a similar effect on actinide transport in the groundwater environment. 32 references, 9 figures.

Phase characterization of hydrofracture grouts was accomplished with the use of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and ..beta..-..gamma.. autoradiography. A laboratory-produced sample containing 1 wt % stable cesium and an actual hydrofracture grout sheet obtained by core dirlling were examined during this work. The phases present in these samples were identified and cesium was found to be absorbed almost entirely by illite clay agglomerates. These clay agglomerates were tightly bound within the grout structure by hydrated calcium silicates. The ..beta..-..gamma.. autoradiography of the core-drilled sample verified that cesium and other radionuclides were trapped within the 20-year-old grout and had not migrated into trapped shale fragments. 14 references, 3 figures, 1 table.

A numerical model for calculating the thermodynamic behavior of the MFTF-B cryogenic cooling system is described. Nine component types are discussed with governing equations given. The algorithm for solving the coupled set of algebraic and ordinary differential equations is described. The model and its application to the MFTF-B cryogenic cooling system has not been possible due to lack of funding.

This map shows the geology of the Lathrop Wells quadrangle located just south of the Nevada Test Site. 6 refs.

Chemical compositions have been determined for sanidine, plagioclase, biotite, and hornblende phenocrysts by electron microprobe for a comprehensive set of samples of Crater Flat Tuff and tuffs of Calico Hills. Most of these samples were obtained from drill holes at Yucca Mountain. Samples of tuffs and lavas of Area 20, obtained from locations at Pahute Mesa, have similarly been subjected to microprobe analysis. Complete modal petrography has been determined for all samples. Biotite and hornblende in the samples from both Yucca Mountain and Pahute Mesa have Fe-rich compositions that contract strikingly with Fe-poor compositions in the overlying Paintbrush Tuff and the underlying Lithic Ridge Tuff at Yucca Mountain. Each unit from Yucca Mountain has distinctive compositions for both sanidine and plagioclase that very closely match compositions for a corresponding unit identified within the lower, middle and upper portions of the Area 20 tuffs and lavas from Pahute Mesa. Each of these paired units probably originated from a common parental magma and was eruptd contemporaneously or nearly so. Each pair of units with matching phenocryst chemistries has a similar, but not identical set of petrographic characteristics. The petrographic differences, as well as small differences in phenocryst chemistry, result from a sonal …

As part of the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations (NNWSI) project, we have undertaken small diameter heater experiments in the G-Tunnel Underground Facility on the Nevada Test Site (NTS). These experiments are to evaluate the thermal and hydrothermal behavior which might be encountered if heat producing nuclear waste were disposed of in welded and nonwelded tuffs. The two Phase I experiments discussed have focused on vertical borehole emplacements. In each experiment, temperatures were measured along the surface of the 10.2-cm-dia heater and the 12.7-cm-dia boreholes. For each experiment, measurements were compared with computer model representations. Maximum temperatures reached were: 196{sup 0}C for the welded tuff after 21 days of operations at 800W and 173{sup 0}C for the nonwelded tuff after 35 days of operations at 500W. Computed results indicate that the same heat transfer model (includes conduction and radiation only) can describe the behavior of both tuffs using empirical techniques to describe pore water vaporization. Hydrothermal measurements revealed heat-indiced water migration. Results indicated that small amounts of liquid water migrated into the welded tuff borehole early in the heating period. Once the rock-wall temperatures exceeded 94{sup 0}C, in both tuffs, there was mass transport of water vapor as evidence indicated …