A laboratory test program was performed to obtain detailed compositional data on the Gesellshaft fuer Kohle-Technologie (GKT) gasifier feed and effluent streams. GKT performed pilot gasification tests with Kentucky No. 9 coal and collected various samples which were analyzed by GKT and the Radian Corporation, Austin, Texas. The coal chosen had good liquefaction characteristics and a high gasification reactivity. No organic priority pollutants or PAH compounds were detected in the wash water, and solid waste leachates were within RCRA metals limits.

This report includes information from various studies performed under the Wet Storage Task of the Spent Fuel Integrity Project of the Commercial Spent Fuel Management (CSFM) Program at Pacific Northwest Laboratory. An overview of recent developments in the technology of wet storage of spent water reactor fuel is presented. Licensee Event Reports pertaining to spent fuel pools and the associated performance of spent fuel and storage components during wet storage are discussed. The current status of fuel that was examined under the CSFM Program is described. Assessments of the effect of boric acid in spent fuel pool water on the corrosion and stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel and the stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel piping containing stagnant water at spent fuel pools are discussed. A list of pertinent publications is included. 84 references, 21 figures, 11 tables.

A comprehensive study of stratigraphically controlled samples of both lavas and ash-flow tuffs from the Black Mountain volcanic center enables us to evaluate magmatic processes. The results of this study are used to: (1) determine how this high-level magma system developed; (2) compare this system with other similar systems; and (3) correlate ash-flow sheets using their chemical characteristics.

Specific sites (areas) for geopressured-geothermal energy potential have been evaluated: (1) Abbeville Area, (2) Chloe Area, (3) Turtle Bayou Field-Kent Bayou Field Area and (4) Lirette-Chauvin-Lake Boudreaux Area. To arrive at geologic conclusions concerning the geopressured-geothermal energy potential of each area, the following factors have been considered in this study: (1) depth of geopressured sands, (2) geopressured sand volumes, (3) porosities, (4) permeabilities, (5) temperatures, (6) salinities, (7) dissolved gas content, (8) structure - especially as it relates to continuity of reservoirs, and (9) petroleum prodution - espeially if the geopressured fluids are driving mechanisms for current petroleum prodution. To evaluate these parameters the most useful source of information has been petroleum well logs which most commonly are a continuous depth survey of the spontaneous potential (SP) and the electrical resistivity of the subsurface formations. A separate thesis for each of the above four areas was processed separately.

The development and testing of pulsed-flow air classification for waste-to-energy production are discussed. Standard designs generally permit large amounts of combustible material to escape as reject while producing a fuel that is high in metal and glass contaminants. Pulsed-flow classification is presented as a concept which can avoid both pitfalls. Each aspect of theory and laboratory testing is summarized: particle characteristics, theory of pulsed-flow classification, laboratory testing, and pulsed-flow air classification for waste-to-energy production. Conclusions from the research are summarized.

Following a thorough analysis of meteorological data obtained from deep valleys of western Colorado, a modular air-pollution model has been developed to simulate the transport and diffusion of pollutants released from an elevated point source in a well-defined mountain valley during the nighttime and morning transition periods. This initial version of the model, named VALMET, operates on a valley cross section at an arbitrary distance down-valley from a continuous point source. The model has been constructed to include parameterizations of the major physical processes that act to disperse pollution during these time periods. The model has not been fully evaluated. Further testing, evaluations, and development of the model are needed. Priorities for further development and testing are provided.

A portable distillation plant with a packed reflux column was designed and built that is capable of producing 10 to 15 gallons of 190 proof ethanol per hour. Several kinds of feedstocks were used to produce ethanol. Corn served as a good feedstock and was easily processed in the still. However, because of the present high prices of corn and the manual labor for operation it cannot be used to produce ethanol commercially as a fuel at prices competitive with petroleum fuels. Cellulosic feedstocks such as paper, sawdust and grasses and leaves were enzymatically degraded to sugars and fermented to ethanol. Because of the manual labor required and small capacity of the still total operation costs would preclude competitive fuel prices. However, such a plant could be used on a farm for production of a supplementary fuel or for independence from petroleum fuels. The trials with cellulosic materials did give evidence that such feedstocks are plausible sources for ethanol when produced on a large scale in an automated production plant. On a large scale basis ethanol could be produced competitively as an alternative fuel for gasoline.

Numerical studies were carried out to investigate the gross structure of flow in cylindrical combustors. The combustor configurations studied are variations of a working design used at the University of Tennessee Space Institute to burn pulverized coal at temperatures in excess of 3000K for generation of a plasma feeding a magnetohydrodynamic channel. The numerical studies were conducted for an isothermal fluid; the main objective of the calculations was to study the effect of the oxidant injection pattern on the gross structure of recirculating flows within the combustor. The calculations illustrate the basic features of the flow in combustors of this type and suggest implications for the injection of coal and oxidizer in this type of combustor.

The objective is to learn more about the mechanisms which determine the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation, particularly as they relate to high LET radiation exposure. The approach is an in vitro one, involving the study of malignant transformation and the induction of specific gene mutations in mammalian cells. The study was focused on the basic characteristics of alpha radiation transformation in vitro. A particular goal was to evaluate the relative effectiveness of focal vs diffuse irradiation in the induction of transformation. More emphasis was placed on the study of mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis by studying the events evolved in the process of radiation-induced malignant transformation. This included an investigation of the effects of non-carcinogenic secondary factors and promoting agents on radiation transformation in vitro. We also propose at this time to initiate the studies of the effects of Auger electron-emitting radionuclides as another approach to the examination of the role of the distribution of radiant energy within cells and tissues.

The Liner Evaluation for Uranium Mill Tailings Program was conducted to evaluate the need for and performance of prospective lining materials for the long-term management of inactive uranium mill tailings piles. On the basis of program results, two materials have been identified: natural foundation soil amended with 10% sodium bentonite; catalytic airblown asphalt membrane. The study showed that, for most situations, calcareous soils typical of Western US sites adequately buffer tailings leachates and prevent groundwater contamination without additional liner materials or amendments. Although mathematical modeling of disposal sites is recommended on a site-specific basis, there appears to be no reason to expect significant infiltration through the cover for most Western sites. The major water source through the tailings would be groundwater movement at sites with shallow groundwater tables. Even so column leaching studies showed that contaminant source terms were reduced to near maximum contaminant levels (MCL's) for drinking water within one or two pore volumes; thus, a limited source term for groundwater contamination exists. At sites where significant groundwater movement or infiltration is expected and the tailings leachates are alkaline, however, the sodium bentonite or asphalt membrane may be necessary.

This report presents the development of a CHaNnel TRaNsport model for simulating sediment and chemical distribution in a stream/river network. A particular feature of the model is its capability to deal with the network system that may consist of any number of joined and branched streams/rivers of comparable size. The model employs a numerical method - an integrated compartment method (ICM) - which greatly facilitates the setup of the matrix equation for the discrete field approximating the corresponding continuous field. Most of the possible boundary conditions that may be anticipated in real-world problems are considered. These include junctions, prescribed concentration, prescribed dispersive flux, and prescribed total flux. The model is applied to two case studies: (1) a single river and (2) a five-segment river in a watershed. Results indicate that the model can realistically simulate the behavior of the sediment and chemical variations in a stream/river network. 11 references, 10 figures, 3 tables.

Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) was requested to analyze potentiometric data from the Wolfcamp Formation of the Permian System to evaluate the recommendations by the University of Texas/Bureau of Economic Geology (UT/BEG) that additional geohydrologic boreholes be drilled into the Wolfcamp. The UT/BEG recommended that two stratigraphic and two geohydrologic borings be drilled into the Permian System during FY83 and that several shallow hydrologic tests be made in the Dockum Formation. A geostatistical technique known as kriging was applied to objectively evaluate these geohydrologic borehole recommendations. The Deaf Smith County location appears to be an excellent choice for a borehole. No high quality potentiometric data are available from Deaf Smith County and a borehole location immediately upgradient from the candidate repository site is needed. Adding this borehole location to the potentiometric data base will significantly reduce field data uncertainty near the location being studied. The Swisher County location does not appear to be the best choice. High quality data values H2206 and H2360 are located immediately upgradient from the proposed repository site. The best placement of additional geohydrological boreholes in the Wolfcamp Formation depends strongly upon the proposed repository location. The variability of the potentiometric data causes estimation errors to rapidly …

We review the theoretical arguments leading to the thermal synchrotron model of cosmic gamma-ray bursts. We propose a magnetic flare-resonant absorption mechanism for the production of the hot electrons that can account for most of the unusual properties of the emission layer.

Progress is reported in the following: heat source shipments, reimbursable orders, hardware shipments, raw material qualification/procurement, DOE audit and milliwatt generator process review, surveillance capsule evaluations, pressure burst testing, and hardware fabrication and quality. (MHR)

Concepts for transportation of spent fuel in rail casks from nuclear power plant sites with no rail service are under consideration by the US Department of Energy in the Commercial Spent Fuel Management program at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory. This report identifies and evaluates three alternative systems for intermodal transfer of spent fuel: heavy-haul truck to rail, barge to rail, and barge to heavy-haul truck. This report concludes that, with some modifications and provisions for new equipment, existing rail and marine systems can provide a transportation base for the intermodal transfer of spent fuel to federal interim storage facilities. Some needed land transportation support and loading and unloading equipment does not currently exist. There are insufficient shipping casks available at this time, but the industrial capability to meet projected needs appears adequate.

Several emerging technologies have been combined in a conceptual design study demonstrating the feasibility of producing ultrahigh magnetic fields from large-bore superconducting solenoid magnets. Several designs have been produced that approach peak fields of 20-T in 2.0-m diameter inner bores. The analytical expressions comprising the main features of CONDUCTOR and ADVMAGNET, the two computer programs used in the design of these advanced magnets, are also discussed. These magnets and design techniques will make a paramount contribution to the national mirror-fusion endeavor and to the newly emerging field of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) whole-body scanners.

A series of laboratory-scale experiments was made at 600/sup 0/C to identify the important heat-producing chemical reactions between sodium and carbonate aggregate concretes. Reactions between sodium and carbonate aggregate were found to be responsible for the bulk of heat production in sodium-concrete tests. Exothermic reactions were initiated at 580+-30/sup 0/C for limestone and dolostone aggregates as well as for hydrated limestone concrete, and at 540+-10/sup 0/C for dehydrated limestone concrete, but were ill-defined for dolostone concrete. Major reaction products included CaO, MgO, Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/, Na/sub 2/O, NaOH, and elemental carbon. Sodium hydroxide, which forms when water is released from cement phases, causes slow erosion of the concrete with little heat production. The time-temperature profiles of these experiments have been modeled with a simplified version of the SLAM computer code, which has allowed derivation of chemical reaction rate coefficients.

Indentation of a tokamak plasma on its inner major radius side is shown to be strongly beneficial for achieving high-..beta.. stability against ballooning modes. Using a set of reasonable equilibrium profiles, it is found that moderate indentation provides accessibility to the second region of stability. Ohmic equilibrium configurations which exhibit the second stability region have not yet been found.

The development of an alternative fuel brought about by the chemical changes of solid waste materials in the presence of heat is addressed. The pyrolyzates predominantly will be carbon monoxide (low-Btu gas) and carbon particles, with carbon monoxide representing about 75 to 80% of the total. The low-Btu gas will be used to replace and/or as a substitute for such fossil fuels as natural gas and fuel oil. From a technical and economical viewpoint, it is suggested that the low-Btu gas be used as an alternative energy source. Because of existing local and industrial problems, a joint effort was formulated to confront these problems. This effort concluded that the quantity and quality of the local solid waste was sufficient to generate an alternative energy source for use by local industry. This approach will extend the county landfill for years and replace more expensive energy with a less expensive, alternative energy. A comprehensive analysis was used to develop the alternative energy source that successfully met local technical and economical parameters.

Work has involved the following three areas: (1) an investigation of the mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis by studying the events involved in the process of malignant transformation of mouse 10 T-1/2 cells; (2) an investigation of the effects of promoting agents on radiation-induced transformation in vitro; and (3) an investigation of the induction of transformation by internally emitting radionuclides incorporated into cellular DNA. The latter area has been extended to include studies of mutagenesis by these radionuclides in human lymphoblasts, and molecular measurements of DNA strand breaks. During the past year, research has focused on the first area, as well as on studies of the mutagenic effects of incorporated radionuclides.

The theory of neutron moderation and spectroscopy are briefly reviewed, and moderators that are useful for Bonner sphere spectrometers are discussed. The choice of the neutron detector for a Bonner sphere spectrometer is examined. Spectral deconvolution methods are briefly reviewed, including derivative, parametric, quadrature, and Monte Carlo methods. Calibration is then discussed. (LEW)

Neutron irradiation effects studies at the Radiation Effects Facility (REF) at the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) located at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) are reviewed. A brief history of the development of this user facility is followed by an overview of the scientific program. Experiments unique to a spallation neutron source are covered in more detail. Future direction of research at this facility is suggested.

As part of the Geochemical Modeling and Nuclide/Rock/Groundwater Interactions Studies Program, a study was conducted to partially validate the WATEQ4 aqueous speciation-solubility geochemical model for uranium. The solubility controls determined with the WATEQ4 geochemical model were in excellent agreement with those laboratory studies in which the solids schoepite (UO/sub 2/(OH)/sub 2/ . H/sub 2/O), UO/sub 2/(OH)/sub 2/, and rutherfordine ((UO/sub 2/CO/sub 3/) were identified as actual solubility controls for uranium. The results of modeling solution analyses from laboratory studies of uranyl phosphate solids, however, identified possible errors in the characterization of solids in the original solubility experiments. As part of this study, significant deficiencies in the WATEQ4 thermodynamic data base for uranium solutes and solids were corrected. Revisions included recalculation of selected uranium reactions. Additionally, thermodynamic data for the hydroxyl complexes of U(VI), including anionic (VI) species, were evaluated (to the extent permitted by the available data). Vanadium reactions were also added to the thermodynamic data base because uranium-vanadium solids can exist in natural ground-water systems. This study is only a partial validation of the WATEQ4 geochemical model because the available laboratory solubility studies do not cover the range of solid phases, alkaline pH values, and concentrations of inorganic complexing …

Using data from the TMX-U diagnostic system, the production of sloshing ions has already been verified and the formation of electron thermal barriers is presently being investigated on the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The TMX-U diagnostics are made up of the earlier TMX complement of diagnostics that determine confinement, microstability, and low-frequency stability, plus diagnostic instrumentation that measures electron parameters associated with mirror-confined electrons. This paper describes the three subsystems within the TMX-U diagnostic system: (1) the diagnostic facility (shot leader console, data cable system, and diagnostic timing system); (2) the individual diagnostic instruments that measure plasma and machine parameters; and (3) the data-acquisition and -analysis computer.