Newsletter of the Texas Bureau of Disease Control and Epidemiology discussing the news, activities, and events of the organization and other information related to health in Texas.

The Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is faced with the problem of controlling a multitude of plasma diagnostics instruments from a central, multiprocessor computer facility. A 16-bit microprocessor-based workstation allows each physicist entree into the central multiprocessor, which consists of nine Perkin-Elmer 32-bit minicomputers. The workstation provides the user interface to the larger system, with display graphics, windowing, and a physics notebook. Controlling a diagnostic is now equivalent to making entries into a traditional physics notebook.

Interesting modelling of intense electron flow has been done with implicit particle-in-cell simulation codes. In this report, the direct implicit PIC simulation approach is applied to simulations that include full electromagnetic fields. The resulting algorithm offers advantages relative to moment implicit electromagnetic algorithms and may help in our quest for robust and simpler implicit codes.

As a satellite to the MARS (Mirror Advanced Reactor Study) a smaller, near-term device has been scoped, called the FPD (Fusion Power Demonstration). Envisioned as the next logical step toward a power reactor, it would advance the mirror fusion program beyond MFTF-B and provide an intermediate step toward commercial fusion power. Breakeven net electric power capability would be the goal such that no net utility power would be required to sustain the operation. A phased implementation is envisioned, with a deuterium checkout first to verify the plasma systems before significant neutron activation has occurred. Major tritium-related facilities would be installed with the second phase to produce sufficient fusion power to supply the recirculating power to maintain the neutral beams, ECRH, magnets and other auxiliary equipment.

Separate abstracts were prepared for individual papers. (MHR)

The final transformer of the FFS includes the soft bend magnet and two symmetric quadrupole triplets. It ends at the IP. It is a telescopic transformer (meaning that its transfer matrix is diagonal) with a magnification of -1/5 in both planes. In the current design, L*, the distance between the downstream end of Q1 and the IP, is equal to 7.25 feet (2.21 m) and space is provided upstream of Q6 to accommodate a 27 foot long soft bend magnet. Satisfaction of the foregoing conditions leads to field gradients of about 19.8 kg/cm in Q1 and Q3 and 18.1 kg/cm in Q2. It now appears that it would be very difficult to attain such gradients. For practical superconducting quad designs, meaning iron-free, 5 cm bore, two-layer windings and 4.2/sup 0/K, experts have estimated that gradients of at least 14 kg/cm would be reasonable. This raises the question, can the final transformer in the FFS be modified to accommodate gradients of 14 kg/cm or less and if so at what price in performance.

Applying programmable controllers in critical applications such as personnel safety and interlocks systems requires special considerations in the design of both hardware and software. All modern programmable controller systems feature extensive internal diagnostic capabilities to protect against problems such as program memory errors; however most, if not all present designs lack an intrinsic capability for detecting and countering failures on the field-side of their I/O modules. Many of the most common styles of I/O modules can also introduce potentially dangerous sneak circuits, even without component failure. This paper presents the most significant lessons learned to date in the design of the MFTF-B Personnel Safety and Interlocks System, which utilizes two non-redundant programmable controllers with over 800 I/O points each. Specific problems recognized during the design process as well as those discovered during initial testing and operation are discussed along with their specific solutions in hardware and software.

This report documents the subsystem technology assessment. For the purpose of this report, five subsystems were defined for a space reactor electric system, and the report is organized around these subsystems: reactor; shielding; primary heat transport; power conversion and processing; and heat rejection. The purpose of the assessment was to determine the current technology status and the technology potentials for different types of the five subsystems. The cost and schedule needed to develop these potentials were estimated, and sets of development-compatible subsystems were identified.

This report presents the results of preliminary space reactor electric system integration studies performed by Rockwell International's Energy Systems Group (ESG). The preliminary studies investigated a broad range of reactor electric system concepts for powers of 25 and 100 KWe. The purpose of the studies was to provide timely system information of suitable accuracy to support ongoing mission planning activities. The preliminary system studies were performed by assembling the five different subsystems that are used in a system: the reactor, the shielding, the primary heat transport, the power conversion-processing, and the heat rejection subsystems. The subsystem data in this report were largely based on Rockwell's recently prepared Subsystem Technology Assessment Report. Nine generic types of reactor subsystems were used in these system studies. Several levels of technology were used for each type of reactor subsystem. Seven generic types of power conversion-processing subsystems were used, and several levels of technology were again used for each type. In addition, various types and levels of technology were used for the shielding, primary heat transport, and heat rejection subsystems. A total of 60 systems were studied.

The two computer programs presented in this paper are both fundamentally general in that they could be applied to other magnet systems. In addition to MFTF-B analyses, these programs will be used on current and future GDC superconducting magnet projects. Future extended capabilities will include transient heating and flow conditions for THERMOSIPHON and multiple magnet quench features for MAGPRS.

Equilibrium in quadrupole symmetric mirrors is fully three dimensional; however, because axial scale lengths are long compared with radial scale lengths (equivalently weak curvature) it is possible to reduce the complexity of the equations by expanding in the appropriate smallness parameter. Such a procedure leads to set of reduced MHD equations. The general theory will be presented, numerical results discussed, modifications due to finite Larmor radius will be added, and an analytic solution for sharp boundary pressure models will be developed.

The formalism describing ion-cyclotron modes in mirror traps will be developed. Emphasis will be placed on the effects of finite axial boundaries on the normal modes of the system. Wave properties are a composite picture of: positive energy waves (plasma oscillation, shear Alfven and drift waves), negative energy waves (ion Bernstein waves in a loss-cone media), positive dissipation (electron Landau damping, outgoing waves), and negative dissipation (ion cyclotron damping in a loss-cone and anisotropic temperature medium). Stability boundaries in this bounded media is affected by scale lengths along the magnetic field; first, because they determine the widths of the resonances, and second, because they restrict the parallel structure of the modes.

The tandem mirror program has evolved considerably in the last decade. Of significance is the viable reactor concept embodied in the MARS design. An aggressive experimental program culminating in the operation of MFTF-B in late 1986, will provide a firm basis for refining the MARS design as necessary for constructing a reactor prototype in the 1990s.

This letter report was prepared in accordance with the scope of work for the preconceptual seismic evaluation of the (..cap alpha.. + T) Tandem Mirror Fusion Machine concrete vault. The scope of the work was developed with the assistance of the Bechtel site representative Dr. Sunil Ghose. The report contains comments and preconceptual recommendations on wall upgrading for an 150-ton crane installation, concrete vault seismic capability for (..cap alpha.. + T) conditions, and recommendations for future work.

This review covers the following topics: (1) thermal barrier formation, (2) ion pumping, (3) high-field throttle coil, and (4) microstability. (MOW)

The 50-megawatt Baca geothermal demonstration powerplant project, located in northern New Mexico, was the Department of Energy's (DOE's) initial effort to demonstrate geothermal powerplant technology. The project, started in 1978, was believed to have a high probability of success, and its cost was to be shared equally with the industry participants. GAO's review showed that the project was terminated in January 1982 because sufficient geothermal steam to operate the powerplant could not be obtained. The early termination resulted in DOE paying a disproportionate share - $45 million, or 64% - of the $70 million spent on the project because it had paid the majority of the powerplant-related costs at that time. However, a portion of these costs may be recovered through the sale of powerplant equipment. DOE indicated that it learned lessons from this experience and will act to prevent these problems from occurring on other projects.

Desktop computers operating into a CAMAC-based interface are used to control and monitor the operation of the various subsystems on the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). These systems include: shot sequencer/master timing, neutral beam control (four consoles), magnet power system control, ion-cyclotron resonant heating (ICRH) control, thermocouple monitoring, getter system control, gas fueling system control, and electron-cyclotron resonant heating (ECRH) monitoring. Two additional computers are used to control the TMX-U neutral beam test stand and provide computer-aided repair/test and development of CAMAC modules. These machines are usually programmed in BASIC, but some codes have been interpreted into assembly language to increase speed. Details of the computer interfaces and system complexity are described as well as the evolution of the systems to their present states.

None

Advanced RTG concepts utilizing improved thermoelectric materials and converter concepts are under study at Fairchild for DOE. The design described here is based on DOE's newly developed radioisotope heat source, and on an improved silicon-germanium material and a multicouple converter module under development at Syncal. Fairchild's assignment was to combine the above into an attractive power system for use in space, and to assess the specific power and other attributes of that design. The resultant design is highly modular, consisting of standard RTG slices, each producing 24 watts at the desired output voltage of 28 volt. Thus, the design could be adapted to various space missions over a wide range of power levels, with little or no redesign. Each RTG slice consists of a 250-watt heat source module, eight multicouple thermoelectric modules, and standard sections of insulator, housing, radiator fins, and electrical circuit. The design makes it possible to check each thermoelectric module for electrical performance, thermal contact, leaktightness, and performance stability, after the generator is fully assembled; and to replace any deficient modules without disassembling the generator or perturbing the others. The RTG end sections provide the spring-loaded supports required to hold the free-standing heat source stack together during …

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Jim Mattox, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether a judge of a court of record recieving a full-time salary can recieve a fee performing a marriage during working hours in a publicly owned buidling

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Jim Mattox, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Representation of office of Public Utility Counsel in court

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Jim Mattox, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether a corporation may contribute to a non-profit organization which serves as a research arm of the legislative caucus

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Jim Mattox, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether a constable may charge the Industrial Accident Board fees for serving subpoenas issued in connection with adiminstrative hearings

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Jim Mattox, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether a constable or sheriff may appoint full-time deputies who recieve no compensation