Several contemporary proton-recoil detectors are described and compared. These detectors have been used for neutron-spectrum measurements over various portions of the 10-keV-to-20-MeV energy range. Several factors which limit the accuracy of the results are compared quantitatively. General suggestions are given for setting and using standard cross sections and for future developments using the n,p scattering reaction.

A Tektronix-31 (Tektronix Inc. Beaverton, Oregon) desk top calculator program, which is used as a backup to the PDP-8/I computer program, is described. The program yields interplanar (d) spacings and (2theta) angle values from measurements made on an x-ray diffraction film of a powdered sample of a crystalline material. Use of the calculator provides accurate computations in a relatively rapid time interval when the PDP-8/I is not functioning because of downtime for repairs, maintenance, etc.

Previous studies by Behrens have provided evidence of systematic behavior in neutron-induced fission cross sections in the incident neutron energy range 3 to 5 MeV. Recently measured fission cross-section ratios revealed this behavior. In this report, these measurements and those of others are used to illustrate the behavior of fission cross sections over the neutron energy range 0.1 MeV to 15 MeV. Similar trends are seen at 0.0253 eV, as revealed by thermal cross-section measurements. 12 figures.

A computer-assisted chemical modeling study of equilibria in flowing brine systems has been undertaken. Equilibria between liquid and volatile components of two-phase fluids have profound effects on such important phenomena as corrosion, scale formation, environmental quality, and the economics of energy extraction. The principal reactions considered are those involving volatiles naturally present in the fluid, including NH/sub 3/, H/sub 2/S and CO/sub 2/. A computer code is described which performs stepwise equilibrium computations at 1/sup 0/C intervals for a unit mass of fluid, between reservoir and reinjection temperatures. The data base used is the quality-temperature function for the brine, the chemical composition, and equilibrium constants for the solubility reactions of gases and dissociation of their aqueous species. Chemical changes that take place during cooling and expansion are illustrated by distribution diagrams. Although the computations were developed for application to the high-saline resource, they are not fluid or system-specific, and should be of general usefulness where a chemical composition and temperature history can be specified.

Concepts of the range of investigation of a borehole gravimeter are reviewed. It is shown that the maximum sensitivity to a mass point at a horizontal distance R from a borehole occurs at a vertical distance Z = R/..sqrt..2. Thus, the angle of maximum sensitivity is about 55/sup 0/ from the vertical. It is also shown that the absolute value of the gravitational effect decreases with increasing R. There are two maxima of the vertical gradient of gravity (at Z = 0 and at Z = ..sqrt../sup 3///sub 2/ R). The minimum distance required between gravimeter stations to obtain a usable measurement can be determined. The slab radius R for which the gravitational effect of a horizontal slab is equal to 45%, 90%, etc., of that of an infinite horizontal slab is a function of the measurement spacing. The closer the measurement spacing, the more information obtained.

Progress is reported in the following research areas: cesium fixation in aluminosilicates and supercalcine development; low sodium wastes and high sodium wastes. Phase relations in the appropriate (for supercalcine) portion of the Cs/sub 2/O-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/-SiO/sub 2/ system are being investigated. Several compatibility lines (tie lines) have been established on the phase diagram. Methods of preparing pure single phases of CsAlSiO/sub 4/ and CsAlSi/sub 2/O/sub 6/ (pollucite) are being developed. Compatibility studies continue to be the basis of supercalcine crystalline phase formation modeling. (LK)

Efforts this past quarter were directed toward the determination of dissolution parameters in various reagents of PuO/sub 2/, PuO/sub 2/-UO/sub 2/ solid solution, and AmO/sub 2/-PuO/sub 2/. The reagents used were various concentrations of HNO/sub 3/-HF-H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, HNO/sub 3/-HF, HNO/sub 3/-(NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/Ce(NO/sub 3/)/sub 6/, and HNO/sub 3/-H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/. In one series of tests, simulated contaminated HEPA filter media were used. This material was prepared by mixing shredded filter media with actinide oxides. In another series, actual HEPA glovebox filter media contaminated with PuO/sub 2/ were used. Fusion tests were also completed using simulated PuO/sub 2/ contaminated filter media. Both Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ and Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/-KNO/sub 3/ were investigated as possible fusion agents.

Reduced instrument responses are presented for Thermal-Hydraulic Test Facility (THTF) test 100, which is part of the ORNL Pressurized-Water-Reactor (PWR) Blowdown Heat Transfer Separate-Effects Program. The objective of the program is to investigate the thermal-hydraulic phenomenon governing the energy transfer and transport processes that occur during a loss-of-coolant accident in a PWR system. Test 100 was conducted to investigate the response of heater rod bundle 1 and instrumented spool pieces with flow homogenizing screens to a double-ended rupture with equal break areas at the test section inlet and outlet. The primary purpose of this report is to make the reduced instrument responses during test 100 available. The responses are presented in graphical form in engineering units and have been analyzed only to the extent necessary to assure reasonableness and consistency.

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Work performed since the last Workshop meeting is summarized. The studies have been divided into the following sections: (1) response of albedo neutron dosimeters to low energy neutrons; (2) discussion of dose-equivalent conversion factors; (3) modification of the A-B remmeter; (4) the effect of distance from the body on the response of albedo neutron dosimeters; (5) comparison of albedo neutron dosimeter techniques; and (6) modified NAD badge for additional beta shielding and albedo neutron dosimetry.

Observations on the use of the SEMPEX computer code are given. The issues of proper sampling rate and total sampling interval are addressed. The effect that noise in the data has on the results and the ability of autocorrelation, truncation filtering, and the sliding-window technique to reduce these effects are also discussed. 35 figures, 24 tables.

The interest in the properties of very dense hydrogen is prompted by its abundance in Saturn and Jupiter and its importance in laser fusion studies. Furthermore, it has been proposed that the metallic form of hydrogen may be a superconductor at relatively high temperatures and/or exist in a metastable phase at ambient pressure. For ten years or more, laboratories have been developing the techniques to study hydrogen in the megabar region (1 megabar = 100 GPa). Three major approaches to study dense hydrogen experimentally have been used, static presses, shockwave compression, and magnetic compression. Static tchniques have crossed the megabar threshold in stiff materials but have not yet been convincingly successful in very compressible hydrogen. Single and double shockwave techniques have improved the precision of the pressure, volume, temperature Equation of State (EOS) of molecular hydrogen (deuterium) up to near 1 Mbar. Multiple shockwave and magnetic techniques have compressed hydrogen to several megabars and densities in the range of the metallic phase. The net result is that hydrogen becomes conducting at a pressure between 2 and 4 megabars. Hence, the possibility of making a significant amount of hydrogen into a metal in a static press remains a formidable challenge. The …

Various leaching agents were tested to determine their capability for dissolving PuO/sub 2/, UO/sub 2/, and U/sub 3/O/sub 8/. The amount of radionuclides retained by the filter media was investigated. Adsorption isotherms for two leaching systems were obtained. A four-stage dissolution process was developed. 10 figures, 2 tables.

The tests conducted on the 1/5-scale BWR Mark I pressure suppression test facility simulate the three-dimensional transient conditions that are encountered in a wetwell pressure suppression system during a hypothetical loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). Specifically, the nitrogen (N2)-driven air clearing phase tests discussed here were performed to obtain the air/water-induced dynamic vertical load function and to determine the response of a 90/sup 0/ sector of a 360/sup 0/ torus structure.

Permeabilities of 10.2 cm in length, 2.5 cm in diameter Kayenta (porosity, 20.7, +- 1.66%) and St. Peter (porosity, 13.6, +- 0.13%) sandstones to Magmamax No. 1 brine containing suspended solids were determined from 70 to 90/sup 0/C at 10.3-MPa confining pressure. Measurements were performed without filters, with one 10-..mu..m filter, and with two 10-..mu..m filters inserted upstream of the core sample. In all cases, there was a dramatic decrease in permeability within the first hour of flow or few hundred pore volumes of flow through the core. Experiments conducted without filters or with one filter yield permeabilities that represent both the rock and the 2- to 3-mm amorphous silica-iron layer on the top face of the core. The experimental results show that if the Salton Sea Geothermal Field (SSGF) were composed of porous, sedimentary formations similar to Kayenta sandstone, long-term injection of unmodified Magmamax brine would not be feasible. In the case of acidified brine, most of the permeability decline may result from the mobilization of calcite.

The signal/background ratio for the decay of the W into hadronic jets, it is affirmed, should be improved by a factor of about 15 if a prompt lepton is required. For definiteness the hadronic decays of the W/sup +/ in an SU(2) x U(1) model with six quarks is considered. (JFP)

The work plan, schedule, and staffing plan to study the potential market for fuel cell total energy systems are outlined. (WHK)

This report provides information about the Federal laws relating to the unequal treatment of handicapped persons.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

The principal aim of the National Waste Terminal Storage (NWTS) program is to develop repositories in several different rock formations in various parts of the country. Rocks such as salt, shale, limestone, and granite may qualify as host media for the disposition of radioactive wastes in the proper environments. In general, the only requirement for any rock formation or storage area is that it be able to contain any emplaced wastes for so long as it takes for the radioactive materials to decay to innocuous levels. This requirement, though, is a formidable one because some of the wastes will remain active for periods of hundreds of thousands of years and because the physical and chemical properties of rocks that govern circulating ground water and, hence, the containment may be difficult to determine and define. Rock salt has long been regarded as the most favored geologic medium for the containment of radioactive wastes in the United States. This stems largely from the plastic behavior of salt, which promotes self-healing and otherwise makes it impermeable to circulating ground water. Other important advantages of salt include its wide distribution, ease of mining, and favorable heat dissipation characteristics. In addition to the salt domes …

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SHIVA, the 10-kilojule Neodymium-glass laser for the High Energy Laser Facility at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has been built, exceeded minimum energy predictions, and is currently being applied to laser fusion experiments. The twenty, 20-cm aperture arms contain a total of about 1500 optical components for beam propagation, and another 1000 elements are used for control systems and diagnostics. In order to focus the energy on targets smaller than 1 mm in diameter, it has been necessary to maintain very high optical quality throughout the system. The manufacturing and testing technologies involved in meeting this challenge have been noteworthy and have encompassed glass manufacturing, optical finishing, and coating, for elements as diverse as Faraday rotators, laser rods and disks and aspheric lenses.