In order to predict accurately the cost of producing methane from urban refuse, studies were initiated on the dewatering of the fermentor residue and the disposal of the residue from the system. Results of the research are reported under the following subject headings: fermentation system; rheological properties of reactor slurry; filterability of reactor effluent; residue dewatering--vacuum filtration; settleability of solids in the reactor effluent; settleability of sludges from centrate treatment; centrifugation of reactor effluent; leachate potential of dewatered reactor residue; calorific value of the reactor residue; residue incineration; the production of panelboards; caustic treatment of digester feed; and, treatment of filtrate--centrate. Appendixes A, B, D, and E are included; Appendix C, which includes computer programs and documentation, is bound separately as Volume II of this report. (JGB)

This paper reviews current progress in the development of fusion power from the engineering point of view and highlights the most outstanding technical issues which must be resolved. (MOW)

Information is presented on: the concepts of flowability of bulk solids and of channels and the flow-no flow postulate; equipment and procedures for testing the flow of bulk solids; and bulk flow equipment design. This information should be sufficient to enable the engineer to design storage plants and flow channels for unobstructed bulk flow. Only an outline of the theory of flow is included. (LCL)

In FY-76, Task 3 of Contract E(04-3)-893 consisted of the following programs: fuel rod chemistry and thermodynamics; fuel rod engineering; fuel irradiations testing and analysis; and reference structural materials. Starting in FY-77, the Fuel Rod Engineering Program was reorganized into other existing G.E. programs under the E(04-3)-893 contract. Continuation of the reports on technical progress of this program can be found under 189 No. SG009, Task 3, or 189 No. SG023, Task 11.

The National Center for Analysis of Energy Systems at Brookhaven has been in operation since January 1976. This first annual highlights report outlines the scope of activities of the Center involving the integrated analyses of technological, economic, environmental, and social aspects of energy at the regional, national, and international levels. The objectives of the Center and major accomplishments of 1976 are described along with a list of active projects and publications. The energy data bases and analytical models used in the course of policy analyses are also described. The major ongoing activities of the Center include: long-range forecasting of energy-economic relationships; regional energy and environmental policy; comparative health effects of alternative energy systems; technology assessment and energy R and D priorities; development of energy-economic environmental models and data bases; R and D strategies for International Energy Agency; and energy technologies for developing countries.

This report presents the results of the second-year effort within a three-year research project to develop a transportation planning methodology for small urban areas concerned with the provision of public transportation service. This phase of the research concentrates on problems of access to health services, transportation service for the disadvantaged, potential coordination and integration of existing transportation systems, alternative systems designs and their evaluation, and suitable marketing and monitoring programs for public transportation service in small urban areas. This effort, together with elements of the first-year research will culminate in the preparation of a transit planning manual suitable for use by the transportation planner in small to medium-size urban areas.

The model high-level waste solidification facility (WSF) is envisaged as being similar to the New Waste Calcining Facility (NWCF) being constructed at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory but with provisions for incorporating the calcine into a glass. The decontamination factor (DF) is estimated to be one for tritium, 100 for iodine, and 5.0 x 10/sup 8/ for ruthenium. The DFs for other nuclides are in the range of mid to high 10/sup 9/. The volatile radionuclide of primary concern in waste solidification is ruthenium (in particular, /sup 106/Ru). With an estimated DF of 5.0 x 10/sup 8/, the /sup 106/Ru expected to be released from the WSF amounts to 3.4, 2.9, and 0.091 mCi/day for immediate solidification, a freshly filled waste tank (189 days), and five years of tank storage, respectively. The FSAR of the Barnwell Nuclear Fuel Plant Separations Facility implies that 4.6 mCi/day of /sup 106/Ru might be released from the stack of the separations facility and states that such a release meets all state and Federal standards and specifications.

Efforts were concentrated on plant operating modes. The Heber plant, which was previously designed for consistant brine temperature, was reviewed and changes necessary to accomodate declining brine temperature were determined. Resultant required modifications to the computer code GEOTHM were made. The engineering, in terms of sketches and equipment lists, needed to support the capital cost estimate was determined. Attempts to use the computer program GEOTHM to develop the heat and mass balances for plants with declining geothermal fluid temperature disclosed that this code alone cannot be used for this purpose because it does not include turbine stage pressure-drop equations. It was determined that the most expedient method for obtaining the data needed for this study would be to develop a separate small computer program containing these turbine equations. With the assistance of a turbine consultant, the detailed methodology for the program was developed, and coding was started. (MHR)

The Hawaii Geothermal Project, a coordinated research effort of the University of Hawaii, funded by the County and State of Hawaii, and ERDA, was initiated in 1973 in an effort to identify, generate, and use geothermal energy on the Big Island of Hawaii. A number of stages are involved in developing geothermal power resources: exploration, test drilling, production testing, field development, power plant and powerline construction, and full-scale production. Phase I of the Project, which began in the summer of 1973, involved conducting exploratory surveys, developing analytical models for interpretation of geophysical results, conducting studies on energy recovery from hot brine, and examining the legal and economic implications of developing geothermal resources in the state. Phase II of the Project, initiated in the summer of 1975, centers on drilling an exploratory research well on the Island of Hawaii, but also continues operational support for the geophysical, engineering, and socioeconomic activities delineated above. The project to date is between the test drilling and production testing phase. The purpose of this assessment is to describe the activities and potential impacts associated with extensive well flow testing to be completed during Phase II.

The background, capabilities and experience of the Garrett Corp. in designing, developing, manufacturing and testing gas turbines and related systems are described, and the requirements for and components of the Brayton Isotope Power System (BIPS) for space vehicles are outlined. Data on the compressor and turbine, alternator, bearings, recuperator, radiator, heat source assembly, and control systems are presented. (LCL)

The S/sup 3/ Financial Projection Model is an effort undertaken to construct a pipeline economic model in order to satisfy the requirements of the US ERDA program: Energy Study of Pipeline Transportation System. A brief outline of this process is described in Appendix A, Background on the S/sup 3/ Development of a Pipeline Economic Model. A general overview of the model is presented first to indicate the rationale underlying the model and to show the linkages between the various submodels. An understanding of the basic accounting definitions and self-evident relationships between line items in the general financial accounting reports is a prerequisite for the effective application of the model. Particular attention has been paid in this system description to defining the methods of calculations utilized by the model and to describing the optional capital investment planning techniques that may be exercised with the model. The mathematical relationships underlying various planning techniques are defined and the methods for applying these techniques are discussed with illustrations and sample input data specifications. Decision tables are used to show complex decision rules applied within the model to determine the logical flow of a particular computational routine. The complete set of source data and model …

Recent dipole-dipole resistivity surveys using 100 m and 300 m dipoles at Roosevelt Hot Springs KGRA, near Milford, Utah have suggested that the north-south length of the convective hydrothermal system may be as great as 20 km. Tertiary granite of the Mineral Mountain pluton seems to be intensely fractured along a narrow (500 m.) sinuous zone trending north and coinciding in part with the Dome Fault. This north-south fracture zone is crosscut by numerous east-west and some northwest-southeast faults. The brine in the fractures and alternation of feldspars to clay both result in lowered resistivities. Leakage of brine westward from the Dome Fault fracture zone is still a realistic interpretation of low resistivity values several kilometers west of the Dome Fault.

A simulated HCDA loading was applied in simple, thick-walled and thin-walled, 1/30-scale models of a fast breeder reactor vessel. The loading and resulting vessel response were measured to verify the modeling techniques used in the REXCO computer code. The sodium coolant is simulated by water, and the HCDA load is simulated by the expansion of the detonation products of a low-density explosive detonated in the vessel core. The detonation products expand from an initial pressure of 3700 psi down to 360 psi for a volume change of 410 cm/sup 3/, equal to the cover gas volume. The expansion produces 2.87 kW-sec of gas work up to slug impact on the vessel cover. From the strain measurements and the posttest deformation profiles of the vessel, the strain energy absorbed by the vessel before and after slug impact is calculated.

A limited time/funding study was performed to extrapolate the knowledge gained during the 127,000 gpm LSBR cold leg pump study to a 77,000 gpm hot leg pump application. Two conceptual designs are presented with the recommendation that the spherical casing diffuser pump, with an inducer/impeller, be used as the preferred design. However, further analysis is required to verify the acceptability of this concept for the specified thermal transients. The alternate design, which is heavier, larger, and more costly, would meet all thermal transient requirements, based on the extensive analysis and experience with the FFTF pump. For either hydraulic concept, an expeditious development effort is recommended to verify the inducer/impeller design.

Section I presents a management overview of the project. Section II presents an introduction, methodology, and summary of data for the five buildings audited in Los Angeles. Additional sections present methodologies and data for operating profiles; load shedding determination; remote data, analysis; feedback; and socio-economic factors for the buildings. Additional detailed data provided in appendices are: financial management, audit, operating profiles, analysis and feedback, and computer programs. (MCW)

This volume contains technical material related to community energy conservation programs, and supplements the organizational material in Volume I. It is in looseleaf format so that sections related to specific topics can be easily copied or transferred to individuals responsible for various sorts of conservation, such as carpooling programs, building improvements, and community outreach. Three technical chapters are included, discussing topics in the areas of: internal city and county operations; community powers and regulations, and outreach programs. In the first, the concern is with what the community can do to reduce energy use in its own operations, an effective first step in promoting comprehensive energy conservation. The second chapter analyzes ways that the police power and fiscal powers of the community can be used for energy conservation, through building codes, zoning, and similar measures. In the final chapter, ways to promote energy conservation in the community are discussed: programs include outreach to households and firms, carpool promotion, waste oil recycling, etc.

The technology to apply geothermal energy to greenhousing is available. Geothermal energy is compatible with greenhouse heat exchange hardware, and it is abundant in the western United States. Geothermal resources suitable for greenhousing are natural springs, deep hot water or steam wells, and waste water from electrical power generating plants. Factors influencing greenhouse heating needs include climate, elevation, structure, and growing regime, as well as the attributes of the geothermal energy source: heat, quantity, quality. Greenhouse sites should be evaluated for suitability, size, availability of labor supply, markets, etc. Problems exist in developing any new energy source, but a sound economic assessment based on good engineering and geological advice will illustrate advantages and problems. When considering geothermal energy as an alternative energy source these steps are recommended: (1) Determine the geographic region greenhouse will serve. (2) Tabulate known geothermal resources within region. (3) Rank potential locations in terms of geothermal fluid chemistry and location. (4) Obtain data on chemistry, flow potential, temperature, and probable lifespan of resources. (5) Conduct economic analysis of proposed greenhouse operation using these geothermal sources; compare with optimum fossil fuel economics and long term availability in the region. (6) Proceed with project if economically attractive.

Environmental monitoring data for 1973 through 1975 pertaining to the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Station (which began commercial operation in December 1973) were analyzed by the most practical qualitative and quantitative methods. Evaluations of aquatic and terrestrial biotic data are presented in this report. The data indicate no significant immediate deleterious effects on the biota from plant operation, thus confirming preoperational predictions. Although the station has not operated long enough to reveal long-term deleterious effects, present indications do not lead to a concerned prediction that any are developing. Recommendations are suggested for improving monitoring techniques.

To predict the dimensions and characteristics of impact- and explosion-induced craters, one must know the equation of state of the rocks in which the crater is formed. Recent experimental data shed light upon inelastic processes that influence the stress/strain behavior of rocks. We examine these data with a view to developing models that could be used in predicting cratering phenomena. New data is presented on the volume behavior of two dissimilar rocks subjected to tensile stresses.

Separate abstracts were prepared for the three sections of the report. (HLW)

Electrostatic lower hybrid ''pump'' waves often launched into tokamak plasmas by structures (e.g., waveguides) whose dimensions are considerably smaller than characteristic plasma sizes. Such waves propagate in well-defined resonance cones and give rise to parametric instabilities driven by electron E x B velocities. The finite size of the resonance cone region determines the threshold for both convective quasimode decay instabilities and absolute instabilities. The excitation of absolute instabilities depends on whether a travelling or standing wave pump model is used; travelling wave pumps require the daughter waves to have a definite frequency shift. Altogether, parametric instabilities driven by E x B velocities occur for threshold fields significantly below the threshold for filamentation instabilities driven by pondermotive forces. Applications to tokamak heating show that nonlinear effects set in when a certain power-per-wave-launching port is exceeded.

In working with statistical health and environmental data assumed to be lognormal, the data must be transformed back to normal data before correlations are taken. Recommendations for other measures of correlation are given. (PCS)

The reference process to recycle /sup 233/U to HTGRs begins with the receipt of the /sup 233/UO/sub 2/(NO/sub 3/)/sub 2/ product solution from a reprocessing plant, which is fed to a resin loading system. The nitrate is removed by extraction with a liquid organic amine. By adding an evaporator to remove water, a continuous, high-efficiency process for loading uranium on ion exchange resin is possible. A vertical thermosiphon evaporator was designed, fabricated, and tested with natural uranium to meet the requirements of the HTGR fuel recycle Hot Engineering Test Facility. The thermosiphon evaporator, which was designed to produce 60 liters of condensate per hour containing less than 1 ppM of uranium, performed satisfactorily and was simple to control. The uranyl nitrate solution was circulated continuously through the evaporator during operation of the resin loading system, with the liquid level being determined by a fixed overflow jackleg. The evaporation rate was controlled by regulating the steam supply pressure. The condensate contained less than 0.5 ppM of uranium, and the uranium decontamination factors (DFs) were 5 x 10/sup 5/ to 1 x 10/sup 6/ at boilup rates of 17 to 79 liters/hr. This evaporator design is adequate for remote operation, control of …

A parametric study of one- and two-stage reverse osmosis (RO) systems for seawater desalination was made with the aid of a recently developed computer program for optimization of RO systems. Membrane manufacturer's performance data and predicted cost data were applied. Based on these data and other equipment and operating costs considered, a preliminary evaluation of the economics of RO for seawater desalination was made. Plant capacities in the range of 1 to 12.5 Mgd were considered and compared economically with the current most common multistage flash distillation process at different energy price levels.