The findings of the 1977 State Geothermal Resources Task Force are divided into four main categories: well siting, power plant siting; environmental problems; and miscellaneous areas. California's 1978 legislation is described using the same categories. The key difficulties still harassing the state's geothermal industry are described including: control over air quality at the Geysers; powerplant finance; a binary cycle demonstration; federal land use decisions; and miscellaneous concerns. (MHR)

A convenient method for determining the elastic constants of materials has been devised using the energy from a Q-switched neodymium-glass laser. Stress waves are induced in materials having circular rod or rectangular bar geometries by the absorption of energy from the laser. The wave transit times through the material are recorded with a piezoelectric transducer. Both dilatation and shear wave velocities are determined in a single test using an ultrasonic technique and these velocities are used to calculate the elastic constants of the material. A comparison of the constants determined for ten common engineering materials using this method is made with constants derived using the conventional ultrasonic pulse technique and agreement is shown to be about one percent in most cases. Effects of material geometry are discussed and surface damage to the material caused by laser energy absorption is shown.

Work done on the Lithium--Water--Air Battery Research Program in the work period August through November, 1977, is summarized. A prototype single-cell fuel cell was developed. The single galvanic cell consists of two 30-cm square aluminum plates separated by a two-faced air cathode mockup. The purposes of the model are to determine ease and cost of electrode servicing and weight and manufacturing cost of the hardware. Projections of fuel cell performance and cost were made, based on the prototype cell and the performance of cells of similar anode--cathode spacing produced by Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. Performance is a strong function of the weight of water carried in the fuel cell, as water is the limiting reactant when sufficient aluminum is carried for a vehicle range of 1600 km. Research concerning the electrochemistry of calcium in aqueous chloride--hydroxide electrolytes is summarized with reference to a recent presentation of the work at the Fall Meeting of the Electrochemical Society. Polarization curves were obtained for the aluminum alloy used by Lockheed in fuel cell research. The experimental data agree closely with Lockheed's published results. 9 figures, 1 table.

The Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) may be upgraded by extending the time of plasma sustenance in an approach to steady-state operation and/or by increasing the neutral-beam injection energy. Some parameter bounds for these upgrades are discussed as they relate to a definition of the required neutral-beam development.

A computer program has been developed to facilitate the evaluation of the Rocky Flats Emergency Dosimetry System. This program evaluates data to determine the neutron fluence associated with a criticality accident. It is necessary to obtain information about the critical system for personnel dose estimates. Information pertaining to the geometry and position of the critical material and orientation of personnel, with respect to the material, is essential to supplement the calculations contained in this program.

The normal operating pressure for the inner and outer Railroad Door Seals is 90 psig. The instrumentation which monitors this pressure does not provide assurance that the 90 psig can be maintained during reactor operations. A decrease in pressure is detected by a low level pressure alarm set to alarm at 88 psig. When another 8 psig is allowed for the instrument error of this alarm and the operating band during the leak test, the minimum pressure maintained in the seals is reduced to 80 psig. 80 psig, therefore, is the pressure that the LOFT Technical Specifications have committed to maintain.

An analysis was made of the potential usefulness of land-use-related data, the availability of relevant information in the literature, and potential approaches for data collection. This volume describes the results of the analysis, while Volume II contains technical backup materials. Chapter 2 discusses the issue of community classification: questions of classification and aggregation have been the most significant technical issues faced on the project, since they strongly affect the accuracy and usefulness of any data that are developed. Chapter 3 is concerned with consistency of accounting, primarily in the measurement of energy use. Transportation patterns, energy-transmission losses, and energy embodied in materials and structure can all be assigned to various land uses in a number of ways, and it is important to perform the assignment in a way that is valuable for the policies being evaluated. Thus, Chapter 3 forms the structure for the dependent variables of the system: the various types and patterns of energy use, while Chapter 2 describes the structure of the independent variables, which are the land-use patterns described, plus other factors such as climate. Chapter 4 takes these two structures and presents computations of energy use for the various patterns of land uses, based on …

The results of threshold evaluations performed on several INDUS technologies which were competed with other new and conventional industrial technologies in the Industrial Sector Technology Use Model (ISTUM) developed by EEA are summarized. The ISTUM model is briefly described and includes the input technology categories and service sectors treated in the model, and the solution technique used. The input data specifications are summaried for the Industry Conservation Technologies run in the ISTUM base case. Included are listings of the technologies run in ISTUM, those not run in ISTUM, and a discussion of the absence of a retrofit algorithm in ISTUM and its resulting impact on conservation technologies. Also included is a discussion of the capital cost variability, maximum market fraction, size and load factors and data quality specifications for the conservation technologies in ISTUM. The results of the ISTUM base case run are presented, describing the important limitations and constraints of the base case run, the key assumptions inherent in the base case, and the summarized results of energy savings by year for different generic technology types. The technology characterization data developed for each INDUS technology run in the ISTUM base case are discussed in detail. The descriptions include the …

It was found that the distribution of liquid striking the sides of a simulated room temperature spray dryer was not significantly altered by the choice of nozles, nor by a variation in nozzle operating conditions. Instead, it was found to be a function of the spray dryer's configuration. A cocurrent flow of air down the drying cylinder, not possible with PNL's closed top, favorably altered the spray distribution by both decreasing the amount of liquid striking the interior of the cylinder from 72 to 26% of the feed supplied, and by shifting the zone of maximum impact from 1.0 to 1.7 feet from the nozzle. These findings led to the redesign of the laboratory scale spray dryer to be tested at the Savannah River Plant. The diameter of the drying chamber was increased from 5 to 8 inches, and a cocurrent flow of air was established with a closed recycle. Finally, this investigation suggested a drying scheme which offers all the advantages of spray drying without many of its limitations.

The Safety Analysis Report (SAR) evaluates the use of H-451 graphite in future reload segments for the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) Nuclear Generating Station. It is proposed to replace the reference core H-327 graphite fuel and replaceable reflector elements with H-451 graphite elements as each segment is reloaded. The report presents the pertinent properties of the H-451 graphite material, the operational behavior of the H-451 graphite elements, and the effect on postulated accidents described in the FSV Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR).

The retrospective evaluation methodology is being developed to monitor progress in energy conservation projects and to evaluate their success at completion. The criteria for evaluation will vary according to the project, the anticipated role that the federal government expects to play in development and commercialization, and the level of technology development. Evaluation guidelines are presented and their application is illustrated using a residential water heater refit kit; energy conservation in restaurants; and a national infrared thermography program. (MCW)

The retrospective evaluation methodology, designed to measure the accomplishments of the Buildings and Community Systems projects that are either on-going or completed, is described. The Threshold Screening system and risk analysis methodologies are briefly described. The result of the addition of the retrospective (in-process) evaluation methodology to the threshold/risk analysis and resource allocation methodology is one system by which a project can be screened when it is proposed, monitored in its development, and evaluated at its completion. This report describes the methodology at this early point in its development.

This study examines and analyzes several classes of incidents in which decision makers are confronted with adversaries. The classes are analogous to adversaries in a material control system in a nuclear facility. Both internal threats (bank frauds and embezzlements) and external threats (aircraft hijackings and hostage-type terrorist events were analyzed. (DLC)

A key element of the National Energy Plan is the conversion of industrial boiler fuels from natural gas and oil to coal. But widespread conversion to coal is not taking place in the industrial sector. This study identifies the important factors that restrict the acceptance of coal in industry and examines some alternatives to conventional on-site combustion. An analysis of the economic and environmental barriers is made along with a discussion of financial and logistical constraints. The results indicate that the lack of substantial economic incentives, increased risks due to intensified capital requirements, and the absence of a clear environmental policy make coal a poor choice for most of industry. The proposed tax provisions of the National Energy Plan would improve the economic incentives to convert to coal, but for most industrial energy users the incentives will still be too small and the risks too large. Alternatives to conventional on-site facilities considered are central community steam generation and an area coal terminal. These concepts appear promising for some regions of the country.

An equation of state of water is constructed in the density range between 2 g/m/sup 3/ and 4 x 10/sup 2/ Mg/m/sup 3/ and in the temperature range between 0.025 eV (room temperature) and 25 keV by combining several theoretical codes and experimental data. The liquid-vapor phase change, ionization process, and chemical equilibrium among dissociation products of water are all considered. Theoretical results and experimental data are compared and several interesting aspects of the thermodynamics of water are discussed.

Recent laser fusion experiments at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory have provided basic data concerning: laser beam propagation and absorption in high temperature plasmas, electron energy transport processes that transfer the absorbed laser energy to the high-density ablation region, the general fluid dynamic expansion and compression of the heated plasma, and the processes responsible for the production of 14-MeV neutrons during implosion experiments. Irradiation experiments were performed with Nd:YAG glass laser systems: the two-beam Janus (less than or equal to40 J/100 ps, approx.0.4 TW) and Argus (less than or equal to140 J, 35 ps, approx.4 TW), and the single beam Cyclops (less than or equal to70 J/100 ps, approx.0.7 TW). Two classes of targets have been used: glass microshells (approx.40 to 120 ..mu..m in diameter with approx.0.75-..mu..m-thick walls) filled with an equimolar deuterium-tritium mixture, and disks (approx.160 to 600 ..mu..m in diameter and approx. 10 ..mu..m thick) of several compositions. The targets were supported in vacuum (pressure less than or equal to10/sup -5/ Torr) by thin glass stalks. This paper reports on results related to the propagation, absorption, and scattering of laser light by both spherical and planar targets.

A colorimetric method has been adapted to bulk metal samples of steels and plutonium silicon alloys. The decomposition of the silico-12-molybdate complex in solutions of aqueous hydrofluoric acid has been determined to follow a third-order rate expression. The optimum pH for the electrolytic removal of plutonium from synthetic process-waste-stream solutions was established. Ni, Cr, Ti, Mn, Cu, Si, Mo, P, and Al in steels are determined by a plasma-source optical emission spectrograph. Quality control analyses of reagent-grade acetone are performed by a standard-addition method. A method is described for solvent extraction of the plasticizer (bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) from a membrane filter. Extraction of aqueous acid solutions with carbon tetrachloride and measurement of the C--H absorption permits the rapid determination of trace concentrations of tributyl phosphate. Determination of percent concentrations of the dihexyldiethylcarbamylmethylene phosphate (DHDECMP) in methanol is possible. Volume-percent quantities of this organic extractant (DHDECMP) can be rapidly determined by measuring its absorption maximum at 7.2 micrometers. A method for measuring traces of the organic phosphate (DHDECMP) is described. Noncontaminated gas samples are obtained from sample vials containing plutonium by means of a hypodermic needle attached to a vacuum manifold inside a glove box. Problems of storage, shipping, and disposal of relatively …

Organic ion exchange resins were evaluated for /sup 238/Pu(IV), /sup 238/Pu(VI), and /sup 233/U(VI) removal from water. The capacity of the resins and equilibrium coefficients (Kd) were compared with each other and to bone char--an inorganic adsorbent consisting of hydroxyapatite (HAP) for which data is available. Bone char gave the best results for the removal of /sup 238/Pu(IV), Amberlite XE279 (one of the new macroporous resins) gave the best results for /sup 238/Pu(VI), and another macroporous resin, Dowex-MSA-1, gave good results for /sup 233/U(VI). Kd values were shown to be a function of pH.

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Major emphasis during the period was centered on improving the material properties of electrodeposited CdTe. Using newly devised means for peeling thin CdTe films off the ITO-coated glass substrates, it was possible to accurately measure material density and electrical resistivity. Density proved to be 40% below the bulk CdTe figure of about 6 gm/cm/sup 3/, while resistivity of supposedly doped CdTe films exceeded 10/sup 5/..cap omega.. - cm. These findings prompted initiation of a beneficial change in plating procedures which increased the thin film polycrystalline CdTe density to the bulk value while, at the same time, good columnar growth was obtained. Films made under the old plating process were made into Schottky diodes showing good uniformity and V/sub oc/ values generally exceeding 0.5V. Short circuit current of the best of these was 9.5mA/cm/sup 2/ despite the fact that light entered through a thick gold film and was strongly attenuated.

This proposal is submitted in response to a programmatic need at LLL for a supplier of 50-cm targets (tritided) for the new RTNS-II facility. Previous letters of inquiry to Mound also delineate a need for recovery of tritium from expended RTNS-II targets. As explained in this proposal, the tritided target manufacturing and tritium recovery can be accomplished in an efficient and timely manner at Mound Facility. Mound has been a major tritium handling facility for over 20 yr. Multigram quantities of tritium are routinely handled in various production, recovery, research, and development processes. Mound is widely recognized as a leader in the design, installation, and operation of high-purity glovebox atmosphere systems, and tritium containment, effluent control, and waste packaging systems. Demonstrated performance and experience in these strategic technology areas makes this facility ideally suited for meeting LLL`s tritided accelerator target needs. After consolidation and evaluation of various inputs of information, the authors feel confident that Mound can fabricate and recover RTNS-II targets to meet LLL requirements. This proposal, therefore, outlines their plan for performing this work and requests that Mound Facility be designated by LLL as the fabrication and recovery site for large-diameter fully tritided accelerator targets.

The salinity tolerance of Gambusia affinis was determined in static bioassays. Gambusia easily tolerated salinity of 47.5 percent in 96 hour static bioassays. Survival at this level was 93.3 percent with the lowest survival being 68 percent at 40 percent salinity. The acute toxicities of endrin, DDT, aldrin, and dieldrin to Gambusia were determined by static and intermittent-flow bioassays. Toxicity was measured as the Mediant lethal Concentration (TL/sub 50/) for 96-hr exposures. TL/sub 50/ values were lower in the intermittent-flow bioassays than in static bioassays. Residue concentrations were also compared in surviving and dead fish from the intermittent-flow bioassays. Residue concentrations in fish that died during tests were higher than those of fish that survived. However, the range of concentrations in dead and living fish overlapped.

Casting experiments during the quarter were directed towards determining the maximum growth rate, characterizing the mode of heat transfer to the gaseous helium in the heat exchanger, developing a sintered crucible coating, and determining the cause of a SiC deposition on the melt stock prior to melting. Also, silicon crystal slicing tests using diamond-impregnated wire blades were continued. Results are presented and discussed. (WHK)