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Under sponsorship of the Division of Applied Technology of AEC, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory is investigating the possibilities and problems of extracting energy from geothermal reservoirs which do not spontaneously yield useful amounts of steam or hot water. The system for accomplishing this which is being developed first is a pressurized-water circulation loop intended for use in relatively impermeable hot rock. It will consist of two holes connected through the hot rock by a very large hydraulic fracture and connected at the surface through the primary heat exchanger of an energy utilization system. Preliminary experiments in a hole 2576 ft (0.7852 km) deep, extending about 470 ft (143 m) into the Precambrian basement rock underlying the Jemez Plateau of north-central New Mexico, revealed no unexpected difficulties in drilling or hydraulically fracturing such rock at a temperature of approximately 100 C, and demonstrated a permeability low enough so that it appeared probable that pressurized water could be contained by the basement rock. Similar experiments are in progress in a second hole, now 6701 ft (2.043 km) deep, about 1.5 miles (2.4km ) south of the first one. Here the bottomhole temperature is about 146 C, and again no unexpected difficulty was …

Phase 0 of a project for Experimental Geothermal Research Facilities focuses on identification of a representative liquid-dominated geothermal reservoir of moderate temperature and salinity, preliminary engineering design of an appropriate energy conversion system, identification of critical technology, and planning for implementation of experimental facilities. The objectives included development of liaison with the industrial sector, to ensure responsiveness to their views in facility requirements and planning, and incorporation of environmental and socioeconomic factors. The overall project, of which the six-month Phase 0 is reported herein, is phased in accordance with RANN guidelines. This Phase 0 report covers problem definition and systems requirements. Phase 1 will involve design of the experimental facility, and testing of components. Phase 2 will comprise detailed design and construction of an experimental geothermal electrical powerplant at East Mesa, Imperial County, California. Facilities will incorporate capability for research in component, system, and materials technology and a nominal 10 MWe experimental, binary cycle, power generating plant.

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This study focuses on identification of a representative liquid-dominated geothermal reservoir of moderate temperature and salinity, preliminary design of an appropriate energy conversion system, identification of critical technology and planning for the implementation of experimental facilities. Results of Phase O of the project are reported in two volumes. Volume II presents detailed results of studies and analyses arranged in nine appendices including the final report by a subcontractor on the study. The specific appendices are: Appendix A: Geothermal Resources of the Western United States; Appendix B: Site Selection Process and the East Mesa Geothermal Field; Appendix C: East Mesa Geothermal Field Reservoir Characteristics; Appendix D: Advisor's Views and Comments; Appendix E: Thermodynamic Analyses; Appendix F: Material and Corrosion Factors; Appendix G: Preliminary Reliability/Maintainability Analyses; Appendix H: Environmental Impact Analysis Guidelines; and Appendix I: Report to the National Science Foundation/TRW Systems Group by Rogers Engineering Company, Inc., San Francisco, California.

The study comprises Phase 0 of a project for Experimental Geothermal Research Facilities. The study focuses on identification of a representative liquid-dominated geothermal reservoir of moderate temperature and salinity, preliminary engineering design of an appropriate energy conversion system, identification of critical technology, and planning for implementation of experimental facilities. The objectives included development of liaison with the industrial sector, to ensure responsiveness to their views in facility requirements and planning, and incorporation of environmental and socioeconomic factors. This Phase 0 report covers problem definition and systems requirements. Facilities will incorporate capability for research in component, system, and materials technology and a nominal 10 MWe experimental, binary cycle, power generating plant.

Test articles of 1-in. and 28-in. diameter have been assembled, tested in accordance with HWS-2160 and the FAT Plan, Revision 1, and disassembled and evaluated in the presence of a Bechtel representative. Observations and conclusions are presented.

Three potential geothermal sites in Alaska are discovered. The history of previous use of the hot springs, the socio-economic factors, energy needs, and total energy utilization plans of selected Alaskan thermal springs are presented. Proposed research programs for the sites and environmental hazards and protection are described. (MHR)

A program is proposed for the ground demonstration, development, and flight qualification of a radioisotope nuclear heated dynamic power system for use on space missions beginning in the 1980's. This type of electrical power system is based upon and combines two aerospace technologies currently under intense development; namely, the MHW isotope heat source and the closed Brayton cycle gas turbine. This power system represents the next generation of reliable, efficient economic electrical power equipment for space, and will be capable of providing 0.5 to 2.0 kW of electric power to a wide variety of spacecraft for earth orbital and interplanetary missions. The immediate design will be based upon the requirements for the Air Force SURVSATCOM mission. The proposal is presented in three volumes plus an Executive Summary. This volume describes the tasks in the technical program.

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The organization and management of a program for designing, ground testing and flight qualification of a radioisotope-fueled Brayton cycle power system for space vehicles are summarized. The conceptual design, and predicted performance and cost of the Brayton power system and the ground demonstration are outlined. The personnel and facilities which will be used in the program are described. (LCL)

The technical program plan for evaluating the performance and safety of a radioisotope-fueled Brayton power system for space vehicles is presented with schedules for evaluating heat source design and safety, for specifying power system requirements, and for the development and operation of a ground demonstration system. (LCL)

A proposal for the demonstration, development and production of the Isotope Brayton Flight System for space vehicles is presented with details on the technical requirements for designing and testing a ground demonstration system and on the program organization and personnel. (LCL)

Progress during October through December 1974 in research on chemical explosives is reported. The kinetics of the base hydrolysis of TATB has been studied as a function of hydroxide concentration and temperature. The initial rate of hydrolysis expressed as k(OH/sup -/) was determined by extrapolation to zero time. The values of the hydrolysis constant k determined at three temperatures were 3.24 x 10/sup -6/hr/sup -1/ (50 C), 2.22 x 10/sup -5/ hr/sup -1/ (75 C) and 2.05 x 10/sup -4/ hr/sup -1/ (96 C). An activation energy of 15 +- 2 kcal mole/sup -1/ was calculated from an Arrhenius plot. A method for analysis of the residue chloride in TATB is being developed utilizing base hydrolysis as a means of digesting the TATB and releasing the entrapped chloride. The chloride in the hydrolyzed solution is determined by potentiometric titration with standard silver nitrate using a specific ion electrode. The hydrolysis of 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TCTNB) containing a small amount of 1,3-dinitro-2,4,6-trichlorobenzene (DNTCB) and 1,3-dinitro-2,4,5,6-tetrachlorobenzene (DNT/sub 4/CB) has also been studied to determine the amount of chloride released. (auth)

This document covers: N-type material development (gadolinium selenide; synthesis, analysis, processing, element contacting, compatibility, life testing), TPM-217 P-type characterization (element contacting, compatibility, life and performance testing, partition), and couple development (TPM-217/N-rare earth chalcogenide, TPM-217/3N-PbTe). (DLC)