The results of an analysis of the environmental implications for ERCDC Environmental Analysis Office (EAO) in relation to the development of California's geothermal resources are reported. While focusing primarily on environmental implications, particularly the natural, social, and economic elements, the report includes some ERCDC-wide policy and program considerations. The primary thrusts of the work have been in the development of an understanding of the interagency and intergovernmental environmental data and data-management roles and responsibilities and in the formulation of recommendations related thereto. Five appendices are included, one of which is a tax credit agreement between a power company and Skagit County, Washington. (JGB)

A 5.08-cm id pyrolysis furnace has been used to study pyrolysis following rapid heating of size graded pulverized coal particles as a function of isothermal pyrolysis time (0.018 to 1.025 second), particle size (50 to 181 ..mu..m), and parent coal (three lignites). The following experimental conditions were kept constant: Coal feed rate approximately equal to 0.5 g/min; volumetric flow rate of nitrogen temperature = 808/sup 0/C, and pressure = atmospheric. Under these conditions the heating rate of the coal particles in the pyrolysis furnace was of the order of 8 x 10/sup 3/ /sup 0/C/second. The experimental results show: (i) a monotonic change in the physical properties of chars with increasing pyrolysis time; (ii) some dependence of weight loss (i.e. VM yield) on particle size; (iii) that the three lignites undergo pyrolysis to a comparable extent, presumably because of their similar initial chemical composition; (iv) an appreciable influence of temperature and heating rate on weight loss in the Parr VM crucible; and (v) a significant influence of the mode of pyrolysis (i.e. entrained vs fluid bed) on the nature of the char produced. The results from a theoretical treatment of the problem of gas-solid interactions suggest that, in the pyrolysis …

Progress during the third quarterly period of the subject contract is summarized. The logic developed in previous quarterly reports for studying the kinetics and spectroscopy of chemiluminescent azide radical reactions is summarized. The apparatus built for these studies is described. Preliminary observations of NO gamma-band emission produced from the reaction of oxygen atoms with products of thermally decomposed sodium azide are taken as an indication that azide radicals are being produced in the thermal decomposition source. Additional observations are underway and future plans are discussed.

The theoretical magnetic behavior of current-carrying superconducting cylinders in the presence of applied axial fields is investigated. An attempt is made to systematize the complex behavior by carefully accounting for critical current, surface pinning, and surface pitch angle, and by stressing the importance of the magnetic history of the sample. A differential equation is developed relating the thermodynamic field H(B) to the cylinder radius rho. This equation, is readily integrated numerically using a Runge-Kutta technique. The resultant flux profiles are further integrated numerically to obtain the mean magnetization of the cylinder. Careful distinction is maintained between the magnetic flux density B and the magnetic field H inside the cylinder. Results are displayed using a phase-diagrammatic technique, which shows the relative amounts of axial and azimuthal field needed to produce a given field within the cylinder, as a function of the bulk pinning strength and the surface pitch angle. In order to incorporate the magnetic history of a sample, a pair of simultaneous differential equations is developed, relating the field H and time, and the radius rho and the time, in a quasistatic manner. When simultaneously integrated, these equations yield a flux profile H(rho) which accounts for any arbitrary variations in …

The paper describes the method which was developed to determine the uncertainties of gap conductances deduced from measured fuel centerline temperatures of NRC-RSR/BPNL fuel rods irradiated in the Halden Boiling Water Reactor. The ..integral..k(t)dt method is used to calculate the fuel surface temperature from the measured fuel centerline temperature and the fuel thermal conductivity. The gap conductance is calculated from the fuel surface temperature, the calculated cladding inside surface temperature, and the measured fuel assembly power. The uncertainties in the input parameters for calculating the gap conductance were established and the uncertainty in the gap conductance was calculated using the method of propagation of uncertainties with a first order Taylor series approximation to the nonlinear functions. An example of the calculational method is given.

The Data Director editor is a powerful, multiuser editor that will aid in the development and modification of APT part programs, assembly-language programs, and other text. Some benefits of the editor are as follows: most of the editor is reentrant, allowing several users to share it; the user can use the editor as though the entire file being edited is in memory; editing takes place on a working file so that changes are not made to the original file until desired; the editor offers a powerful command set where most commands have the same syntax. 1 table.

Investigations of the extent to which certain inter-element or interference effects occur in a radiofrequency-excited inductively coupled plasma (ICP) are reported. Under conditions normally employed for analytical purposes, it is shown that: (a) two solute vaporization interferences often observed in flames are eliminated or reduced to negligible proportions in the plasma; (b) increasing concentrations of an easily ionizable element (Na) up to concentrations of 6900 ..mu..g/ml exerted an unusually low influence on the observed emission intensities of three selected elements (Ca, Cr, and Cd) of widely differing degrees of ionization. The high degree of freedom from interelement effects of this analytical technique is further documented by the observation that a variety of matrices did not affect the emission intensity of Mo to a significant extent. A comparison of the degree to which several interference effects are observed in a microwave-excited single electrode plasma (SEP) and in an ICP shows that the severe changes observed in the SEP are small or negligible in the ICP. The spectral interferences arising from stray light and from the wings of broadened emission lines in atomic emission spectrometry are discussed. Experimental evidence is presented showing various forms of stray light originating from defects in the …

Temperature dependent effects, which may have a bearing on determinations of vacancy formation enthalpies in metals by positron annihilation, have been observed in certain metals. These effects have been observed to occur both at temperatures below those at which positron annihilation is most sensitive to equilibrium vacancies and at temperatures well within the vacancy-sensitive region. The effect of thermal lattice displacements on positron lifetimes in metals was investigated to help understand these phenomena. (GHT)

The results of a subsurface uranium favorability study of Tertiary rocks (late Eocene through Pliocene) in the Coastal Plain of South Texas are given. In ascending order, these rock units include the Yegua Formation, Jackson Group, Frio Clay, Catahoula Tuff, Oakville Sandstone, and Goliad Sand. The Vicksburg Group, Anahuac Formation, and Fleming Formation were not considered because they have unfavorable lithologies. The Yegua Formation, Jackson Group, Frio Clay, Catahoula Tuff, Oakville Sandstone, and Goliad Sand contain sandstones that may be favorable uranium hosts under certain environmental and structural conditions. All except the Yegua are known to contain ore-grade uranium deposits. Yegua and Jackson sandstones are found in strand plain-barrier bar systems that are aligned parallel to depositional and structural strike. These sands grade into shelf muds on the east, and lagoonal sediments updip toward the west. The lagoonal sediments in the Jackson are interrupted by dip-aligned fluvial systems. In both units, favorable areas are found in the lagoonal sands and in sands on the updip side of the strand-plain system. Favorable areas are also found along the margins of fluvial systems in the Jackson. The Frio and Catahoula consist of extensive alluvial-plain deposits. Favorable areas for uranium deposits are found …

Work performed to analyze, both technically and economically, the state of technology readiness for the automated production of solar cells and modules is compiled and reviewed critically. The long-term objective solar module characteristics include a selling price of less than $.50/peak watt and a mean-time-before-failure (MTBF) of 20 years in any terrestrial environment. While efficiency is important to attaining the cost goal, it is a most significant factor in array economics; accordingly, this program has stressed high efficiency, with a suggested cell goal of 15 percent. The analysis emphasized technical evaluation of individual process steps first, and then concentrated upon process sequences for making solar cells and modules. Further analysis was performed to yield a detailed cost study of individual process steps; this was applied to the cost analysis of potential process sequences. Potentially economical process sequences formed from process steps deemed to have high technical merit were then identified. Potentially promising technologies needing further development to achieve satisfactory maturity were then identified. It is concluded that, while specific areas of technology need advanced development and the source of silicon needs definition, no fundamentally new technology needs to be developed to permit manufacture of solar cells which will meet the …

Objectives are to assess the feasibility of macro-encapsulated PCM's for residential solar systems, to develop and evaluate such materials. Five PCM's have been selected from encapsulation studies. Encapsulated storage media were evaluated theoretically in storage beds with air and water as the heat transfer medium. Cylindrical, tetrahedral, and pillow shapes are being evaluated for the encapsulated PCM. Encapsulant materials under consideration are multilayer flexible plastic films, steel cans, and plastic bottles.

A new solder fusion process has been developed for production of multi-layer cables and multilayer printed wiring boards. The multilayer process consists of three steps: (1) the photo-etching fabrication of the basic flexcircuit, (2) the lamination bonding of several flexcircuit layers together, and (3) solder fusion interjoining of the exposed lands to provide electrical continuity. Solder fusion is the unique feature of the process. In the solder fusion process the multilayer assembly is never in contact with highly reactive chemicals which, if entrapped, can lead to corrosion and dielectric breakdown of the assembly. Accurate layer to layer registration can be accomplished with the solder fusion process. A multilayer assembly produced by solder fusion can be shaped into three-dimensional configurations. The repeatable electrical continuity of solder fused interconnections in multilayer assemblies has been confirmed by microhm resistance testing. The solder fused multilayer assembly can be used very advantageously in highly sophisticated instruments and apparatus where portability, weight, bulk, environmental stability, and high reliability are critical requirements.

A performance analysis and economic study has been completed of a cavity-type line central receiver and single-axis parabolic cylinder focusing heliostat array for generation of steam for electrical power. A solar thermal power plant was sized to produce 100 MWe at 2:00 p.m. of winter solstice. The system concept is presented. Using the cavity once-through receiver with boiler tubes having an absorptivity of 0.9 and an emissivity of 0.7, it was calculated that total busbar cost in 1976 dollars during the year 1991 the second year at operation, will be 30.27 mills per kilowatt hour. The estimated total capital investment for the 100-MWe plant for the first year of commercial operation is $1908 per kilowatt of capacity.

Information related to sodium fires and fission products in LMFBR type reactors is presented concerning SOMIX code development; sodium jet dispersal tests; aerosol leakage; high temperature-concentration aerosol tests; aerosol source term size; and properties of high temperature fuel mixtures.

The life of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters used in transuranic service is influenced greatly by the gaseous and particulate matter to which the filters are exposed. The most severe conditions encountered at Rocky Flats are at the ventilation systems serving the plutonium recovery operations in Bldg. 771. A project of filter testing and development for prolonged transuranic service and waste reduction was formally initiated at Rocky Flats on July 1, 1975. The project is directed toward improving filtration methods which will prolong the life of HEPA filter systems without sacrificing effectiveness. Another important aspect of the project is to reduce the volume of HEPA filter waste shipped from the plant for long-term storage. Progress to September 30, 1976, is reported.

A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the technical and economic constraints associated with the use of solar heating to produce process water for the textile industry. The study developed energy-use data based upon actual plant processes to (1) determine current water needs for the industry by temperature level, and (2) to assess the probable future impact of conservation schemes upon possible solar concepts. A realistic weather and solar-flux-environment definition was made based upon analysis of actual weather data for the southeast Piedmont region, where most of the textile-finishing plants are located. Collector-area requirements to meet textile water demands of varying amounts and temperatures were generated, using assembled test data for six collector types ranging from simple flat-plate areas to tracking-concentrator configurations. Energy-collection densities for various types of collectors operating in a representative Southeast environment and producing process water of varying temperatures were generated. Using the assembled test data and performance predictions for various collector types and for various textile-process water-temperature levels, an after-taxes, rate-of-return economic analysis was performed, envisioning possible future energy-price scenarios, to determine allowable installed-collector costs per square foot. These ROR calculations indicate the cost levels at which collector configurations would provide incentive to industry to heat …

The reports in this series are designed primarily to familiarize professional land use and resource planners with the range of possibilities and effective procedures for achieving integrated mining, reclamation, and land use planning. These reports are based on a research program which included an extensive literature review, the compilation and analysis of case study data, and close coordination and interaction with related government programs. In Volume 3, A Guide to Mined Area Reclamation Technology for Reclamation and Land Use Planners, the method used to reclaim land in each of several mineral industries are discussed in relation to the physical and cultural constraints that must be considered in planning a reclamation program. Much of the information for this document was obtained from case studies conducted in several mining districts. Volume 3B presents data from a case study of surface mining and reclamation planning, International Minerals and Chemical Corporation, Phosphate Operations, Polk County, Florida.

Signals from a thin rod heat flux transducer will be measured and translated into a geothermal heat flux. A mathematical temperature solution has been developed for an idealized thin rod positioned in an infinite solid with a uniform temperature gradient. This solution approximates the actual temperature to be encountered in the transducer when located in a drillhole. The solution is a closed form type for a thin rod wherein radial temperature differences are small compared to axial ones; the system can be classified as a fin with a variable environmental temperature gradient. The resulting temperature field is evaluated for a range of system parameters that are of interest in geothermal heat flux measurement. A description of how the mathematical results obtained will be used to extract the unknown geothermal heat flux and earth thermal conductivity from the experimental temperature information obtained by the heat flux transducer is also presented. In addition, the solution is extended to the case where there is a water or air annulus space between the transducer and the drillhole.

The test procedures and results are described in qualifying the Honeywell solar collector subsystem. Testing began in mid-August 1976, and was concluded in late February 1977. Testing was done in the following areas: pressure, service loads, hail, solar degradation, pollutants, thermal degradation, and outgassing. Results from these tests are summarized.

The results of paleomagnetic investigation of a drill core from the Opal Dome at Roosevelt Hot Springs are reported. A log of the core from 1.5 to 16.8 m is given. (MHR)

The general objectives of this study are to determine the technical and economic feasibility of the use of solar energy for heating waters in the textile industry and to develop a plan for efforts beyond this feasibility study phase. Specific objectives include (1) determine the industry requirements for heated process water, (2) assess particular schemes and their economic impact, (3) study the total cost environment for solar water heating in this industry, and (4) recommend future experiments. This volume contains the appendices: (A) fiber distribution and end use data; (B) computer model description for textile plant energy balances; (C) computer model description to generate local solar potential; (D) computer model description for system synthesis and analysis; (E) computer model to determine pressure drop, flow distribution and plumbing components; (F) area requirement plots for various use rates, temperature levels, seasons, orientations and collector types for textile operations; (G) computer model description of economic variables for COSMO1 and COSMO2; (H) rate of return plots for various textile applications and energy cost scenerios; and (I) data base for efficiency curves for six collector types. (WHK)

A historical sketch of the weak interaction is presented. From beta ray to pion decay, the V-A theory of Marshak and Sudarshan, CVC principle of equivalence, universality as an algebraic condition, PCAC, renormalized weak Hamiltonian in the rehabilitation of field theory, and some current issues are considered in this review. 47 references. (JFP)

Objective is to develop a solvent extraction system for treating acidic high activity nuclear wastes in order to remove 99.9% of the cesium and strontium. A series of macrocyclic polyethers ''crown compounds'' which can form organic soluble complexes with the alkali metals (Cs/sup +1/) and the alkali earth metals (Sr/sup +2/) are being screened. Thus far, five ''crown'' compounds have been tested for solubility in both carbon tetrachloride and kerosene, each solvent containing a range of TBP concentrations. Also distribution coefficients of both cesium and strontium have been measured. Results have been negative in that sufficient extraction of either Cs/sup +1/ or Sr/sup +2/ into the organic phase was not achieved to make a solvent extraction process feasible. The highest distribution coefficient obtained (organic/aqueous)/sup (2)/ was 0.04 +- 0.02 for both Sr/sup +2/ and Cs/sup +1/. The problem seems to lie in the low solubility of the ''crowns'' in the organic phases and the apparent ability of the ''crowns'' to distribute into the aqueous phase and complex the metal. The solubility data indicate that the addition of aliphatic character to the ''crowns'' improves their organic solubility whereas aromatic addition decreases their organic solubility. Accordingly, a new ''crown'', 4, 4'-didecanolybenzo 24-crown-8, …

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has been studying the feasibility of a Low Salinity Hydrothermal Demonstration Plant as part of its Geothermal Energy Program. The Heber area of the Imperial Valley was selected as one of the candidate geothermal reservoirs. Documentation of the environmental conditions presently existing in the Heber area is required for assessment of environmental impacts of future development. An environmental baseline data acquisition program to compile available data on the environment of the Heber area is reported. The program included a review of pertinent existing literature, interviews with academic, governmental and private entities, combined with field investigations and meteorological monitoring to collect primary data. Results of the data acquisition program are compiled in terms of three elements: the physical, the biological and socioeconomic settings.