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An experimental program to evaluate candidate metals for use in the fabrication of canisters for long-term storage of vitrified radioactive wastes is described. The long-term compatibility of the candidate metal both with the contained vitrified radioactive waste and with the external environments expected in possible final storage locations will be determined. These tests involve heating combinations of waste forms and canister metals in intimate contact for up to 50,000 hr to accelerate any reactions that occur.

The setting up, calibration operation, characteristics, and problems of the precision long counter for neutron intensity measurements are discussed. (WHK)

Mixtures of H/sub 2/--T/sub 2/ or D/sub 2/--T/sub 2/ will exchange to produce HT or DT due to catalysis by the tritium ..beta.. particle. The kinetics of the reaction D/sub 2/ + T/sub 2/ = 2DT may play an important role in designing liquid or solid targets of D/sub 2/--DT--T/sub 2/ for implosion fusion, and distillation schemes for tritium cleanup systems in fusion reactors. Accordingly, we have critically reviewed the literature for information on the kinetics and mechanism of radiation-induced self-exchange reactions among the hydrogens. We found data for the reaction H/sub 2/ + T/sub 2/ = 2HT in the gas phase and developed a scheme based on these data to predict the halftime to equilibrium for any gaseous H/sub 2/ + T/sub 2/ mixture at ambient temperature with an accuracy of +-10 percent. The overall order of the H/sub 2/ + T/sub 2/ = 2HT reaction is 1.6 based on an initial rate treatment of the data. The most probable mechanism for radiation-induced self-exchange reaction is an ion-molecule chain mechanism.

A diagram is given of the basic Shiva alignment system. The alignment requirements, as originally specified and as preseently estimated, together with the performance obtained to date from the prototype equipment are described. It is expected that this performance will be satisfactory for even the most alignment-sensitive targets and significantly better than is needed for experiments not requiring highly uniform illumination. The hardware arrangement planned for a typical Shiva chain is shown.

Experimental studies of the Li/sup +/ + He interaction have been extended to smaller internuclear separations to clarify a discrepancy between experiment and theory in the elastic cross sections and to observe and measure cross sections for inelastic excitation. For R less than or equal to 0.5 a/sub 0/ the elastic scattering differential cross section is observed to droop far below that expected from a single-state interaction based on ab initio ground-state potentials. In this same region of R both one- and two-electron excitations of He are observed to be strongly excited, and cross sections were measured for each of them. The lowest inelastic channel is an electron-capture state, which is observed indirectly to be strongly populated also. A diabatic correlation diagram is constructed that exhibits the basic interactions responsible for the excitation.

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A high degree of crystallinity has been achieved in ingots cast. Since most of the growth took place near the solidification temperature, the top portion of the ingot was solidified by freezing from the surface. The thickness of this layer was reduced with the control of thermal flow characteristics in the furnace. The crucibles used in this study have a nonuniform bottom which is not conducive to proper heat transfer during solidification. In an effort to achieve high packing density of solar cells in the module with maximum material utilization, an attempt was made to cast a square cross-section ingot. Even though some minor cracking occurred in the first ingot, it appears feasible to cast square cross-section ingots by the Heat Exchanger Method. Higher feed forces results in higher cutting rates. However, this is accompanied by wire wander and increased surface damage depth. It has been established that the life of an impregnated blade can be prolonged by plating it after impregnation.

A Class 1 review of the thermal analysis of the LOFT Steam Generator and of the transient thermal analysis of LOFT steam generator thermal well was made to confirm compliance of the analyses with the LOFT Technical Specifications, with the LOFT integral test system - preliminary component design description for the steam generator, and with Appendix C of ANC Specification 60139. Included in this review is an examination of the thermal transients and conditions to insure adequate conservatism in analyzed conditions and transients to which the LOFT Steam Generator (including thermal well) might be exposed while in service at the LOFT reactor facility. Also, a review of the thermal code used was made to check for its applicability to these analyses.

Several experimental routes can be used to develop a better understanding of the polymeric constitution (polyanionic and/or polyhedral distribution) of borate, germanate, and silicate glasses. Spectral, chemical, physical-chemical, and mechanical property information can be determined directly for the glass compositions of interest. Generally, only physical-chemical information is readily accessible for the corresponding high temperature liquids. It will be shown that information on each state of matter has its own particular merits. Most of the evidence thus far published suggests an excellent agreement between polyhedral distributions in an oxide glass and its corresponding high temperature liquid state. There is no well known oxide glass forming system for which such a state of affairs does not exist. In spite of this, occasional efforts are put forth which ignore some of what is known for oxide liquids, glasses, and crystals. Such attempts therefore invariably imply, if only indirectly, that significant changes occur in the polyhedral distributions close to the glass transition temperature region. Specific examples to be discussed will include efforts that avoid well known coordination change equilibria such as BO/sub 3/ reversible BO/sub 4/ and GeO/sub 4/ reversible GeO/sub 6/.

The mechanical structure of the LLL/GA Mirror Hybrid Reactor vessel is briefly discussed. Functional requirements and over-all design considerations leading to selection of a post-tensioned concrete reactor vessel and a modular blanket approach are indicated. Module design life of four years, module replacement, capability and remote fueling are provided by the chosen structural design. (RME)

A waste management strategy for future nuclear fusion power systems is developed using existing regulatory methodology. The first step is the development of a reference fuel cycle. Next, the waste streams from such a facility are identified. Then a waste management system is defined to safely handle and dispose of these wastes. The future regulator must identify the decisions necessary to establish waste management performance criteria. The data base and methodologies necessary to make these decisions must then be developed. Safe management of nuclear fusion wastes is not only a technological challenge, but encompasses significant social, political, and ethical questions as well.

Mechanical design criteria for high-energy neutral beam injectors capable of prolonged operation are examined. The generalized structural, heat transfer, and hydraulics equations are presented for convectively cooled grids. The effectiveness of helium, liquid sodium, and subcooled water for cooling a 2-mm-diameter, 8-m-long grid tube is shown. Cooling effectiveness is determined as a function of the number of tubes in series vs heat flux, where the number of tubes in series ranges from 1 to 100 and the heat flux ranges from 100 to 10,000 W/cm/sup 2/. The stress analysis of the grid tube walls is presented, enabling data to be added to the heat transfer graphs and giving an upper flux limit for some grid materials. Sputtering is found to be a possible limiting factor for the grid lifetimes. In injectors designed for continuous use, long-term operation without excessive maintenance is required and sputtering must be minimized. To accomplish this, several procedures are proposed.

The extraction of information from measured or computed data is all-pervasive; to gain the most value from extracted information, it must often be transformed from one type of data into another, a process that can only preserve or lose information. An information-transformation process based upon Prony's method was found to be increasingly useful for application to electromagnetic-type problems in particular and a growing variety of physical problems in general. This procedure allows the coefficients and exponents (or parameters) of an exponential series to be derived from a sequence of its sampled values. Two basic issues are associated with Prony processing: determination of the status of the input data and application of the procedure as effectively as possible to maximize the information content of the output. The possible uses of the Prony method as an information on-transformation process are discussed; the insight gained from this viewpoint concerning the information content of data is emphasized. Waveform and spectrum characterization, data compression, and inversion of pattern data are considered briefly as applications. 8 figures, 3 tables. (RWR)

Neutral beams, which effectively heat and fuel mirror reactors, provide high-energy particles that readily cross magnetic fields to penetrate, heat, and fuel confined plasmas. The potential reliability, efficiency, and cost of large neutral-beam injectors make them desirable components of an operating mirror reactor. Because neutral beams are a poor source of low-energy particles, some other means of fueling large Tokamaks is needed.

This report gives a brief description of the Molten Tin Process for nuclear fuel reprocessing, and summarizes the available data on thermodynamics and kinetics that pertain to the process. The two main reactions of concern in the process are illustrated by: MO/sub 2/(s) + 2C(in Sn sol'n) ..-->.. M(in Sn sol'n) + 2CO(g), and M(in Sn sol'n) + 1/2 N/sub 2/(g) ..-->.. MN(s), where M represents U or some other element in an oxide fuel. It is especially important for the Molten Tin Process to have information on the chemical activities of metals dissolved in tin at temperatures in the vicinity of 1900/sup 0/K. Sufficient thermodynamic and kinetic information is presented in this report to show that the various steps in the Molten Tin Process are scientifically feasible, but more information will need to be experimentally determined to work out a detailed process flow sheet.

Optical ionization effects in gases appear to be very sensitive indicators of nonuniformities caused by contamination, deformation, and other factors affecting a metal surface. These optical effects are influenced by surface electron emission, which is influenced in turn by the chemical, metallurgical, and mechanical condition of the metal surface. Based on these effects, a general technique for inspection of critical parts that is fast, inexpensive, nondestructive, and not limited by size or geometry is presented. Ionization effects that reveal nonuniformities and were recorded with standard photographic equipment are shown.

Argus is a twin beam, 20 cm output aperture, Nd:glass laser system that has delivered 4TW to a laser fusion target. This performance is based on the concepts that multiple spatial filtering can prevent beam fill factors. Damage to optics due to self focusing and filamentation does not occur on Argus. The only form of damage is induced by broadband radiation from xenon flashlamps interacting with contaminants on or in the Nd:glass. The severity of damage is measured by the fraction of the beam obscured by the damage sites. This averages 0.1% per surface or 0.75% per arm. The amount of damage does not appear to be strongly related to the number of amplifier firings and generally occurs during the first few firings.

Catalytic Exchange Detritiation: A pilot-scale combined electrolysis catalytic exchange system was constructed. Tritiated Liquid Waste Decontamination (Molecular Excitation): The scavenger and irradiation cell apparatus was completed for the two-photon ISP system. The uv source (xenon flashlamp) was adapted to the photolysis cell. A problem with the optical parametric oscillator was traced to prelasing due to a degradation in isolator rejection, and the laser power supply is being modified. Fixation of Aqueous Tritiated Waste in Polymer Impregnated Concrete: An optimum weight percent of catalyst in the monomer of 0.5 percent and an oven curing temperature of 55/sup 0/C were established. The ratio of monomer to concrete is under investigation. Radiation Chemistry Studies of Tritium Fixation Packages: Pressure increase and gas composition were measured over (1) tritiated water (1000 Ci/l) with and without cement-plaster fixation and (2) tritiated n-octane (1000 Ci/l) with and without vermiculite or absorbal fixation. The back reaction that limits pressure buildup over water was inhibited by the fixative. The pressure buildup over waste vacuum pump oils was much less than the ''worst case'' predicted. Management of High Specific Activity Tritiated Liquid Wastes: Drums of solidified liquid waste were inspected one year after assembly. Of the 96 drums, four …

A calorimeter has been designed for use with the TFTR prototype neutral beam injection system. It consists of three vees each having two 18.8-mm-thick (0.75 in.) copper plates at a 6-deg angle, relative to the beam centerline. The maximum power density on a plate with this arrangement will be 2.0 kW/cm/sup 2/, resulting in a front surface temperature rise of about 420/sup 0/C. A support and retraction system moves the calorimeter in and out of the beam centerline. Various factors used in the selection of the absorber plate material will be discussed and also some experimental test results will be presented.

This report presents data compiled on the estimated energy conservation achieved by programs included in the Illinois Energy Conservation Plan. Summaries are given for the following areas: thermal and lighting standards; state and local procurement standards; carpooling, vanpooling, and public transit; right turn on red; energy data information system; Homeowner's Extension Program; agricultural resource applications; Farm Energy Conservation Program; Commercial Industrial Program; Public Utilities Program; School Energy Management Program; energy management assistance to local government; Administration of State Plan; energy conservation information; energy management for state buildings; solar energy; waste to energy and resource recovery; intergovernmental coordination; community technology assistance.

Two types of direct converters at up to 100 keV were tested. A beam direct converter was tested on a reduced area TFTR source at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL). After surface conditioning and outgassing, the efficiency was over 60% at the beginning of a pulse. During a pulse, the efficiency decreased as the gas density built up. A single-stage plasma direct converter with immersed grids is being tested on a steady-state ion beam with 6 kW of beam power. The power density at the grids can be varied by adjusting the beam focus. Recovery efficiencies over 70% are measured and we are now studying various loss mechanisms.

This report discusses the veterans' preference system within the Federal government.