A report covering a study conducted by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). The study looks at "the feasibility and value of using broadband communications to provide public services for rural areas" (p. I-1).

A series of tests was run on influent to the waste treatment facility, using various polyelectrolytes and organic polymeric coagulant aids. The influent wastewater originates in chemical process areas, janitorial sinks, process-area locker room showers, floor drains, and from the laundry. Previous tests on this waste had shown that Fe{sup +3} and Ca{sup +2} at pH 11.3 gave improved product quality. However, a suitable coagulant aid for use at high pH`s was needed to obtain a rapid settling rate in the flocculation/sedimentation process. Results of the tests showed that Nalco-C627 gave a good decontamination factor while yielding rapid settling rates. Betz-1175 gave the best decontamination factors; however, its settling rate needs to be improved. Test results revealed decontamination was greater at pH 11.3 than at pH 10.1. It is recommended at this time, that Nalco-C627 be used with the Fe{sup +3}, Ca{sup +2} high pH system, and that further tests be performed on the Betz-1175.

A set of OS/370 Basic Assembly Language programs is described which provides a FORTRAN IV interface with OS/370 Macros.

Vapor explosions were produced by injecting small quantities of water into a container filled with molten sodium chloride. Minimum explosion efficiencies, as evaluated from reaction-impulse measurements, were relatively large. Subsurface movies showed that the explosions resulted from a two-step sequence: an initial bulk-mixing phase in which the two liquids intermix on a large scale, but remain locally separated by an insulating gas-vapor layer; and a second step, immediately following breakdown of the gas layer, during which the two liquids locally fragment, intermix, and pressurize very rapidly. The experimental results were compared with various mechanistic models that had been proposed to explain vapor explosions. Early models seemed inconsistent with the results. More recent theories suggest that vapor explosions may be caused by a nucleation limit or by dynamic mixing combined with high surface-heat-transfer rates. Both types of models are consistent with the results.

Progress report describing the research and management efforts of Argonne National Laboratory's program on high-performance lithium/metal sulfide batteries during the period July-December 1975. The batteries are being developed for two applications: off-peak energy storage in electric utility networks and electric-vehicle propulsion. The battery designs for the two applications differ, particularly in cell configuration and electrode design because of the differing performance requirements.

A simple conduction model with phase change has been developed for the transient analysis of a fuel pin based on average properties and lumped-parameter techniques. The transient behavior of fuel and cladding can be accurately described by simple analytical expressions that agree with conventional numerical approaches for under-cooling transient analysis. If it be assumed that the heat-transfer resistance between the fuel and cladding remains the same for both steady-state and transient periods, the phase-change problem for fuel and cladding melting can be significantly simplified. BY using the predetermined average overall heat-transfer coefficient across a fuel pin in the steady-state period, the average transient fuel and cladding temperatures can be formulated analytically. For loss of flow at constant power, the start of melting and complete melting for both the fuel and cladding can be estimated with considerable accuracy.

The methods applied or proposed for risk assessment of nuclear reactors are reviewed, particularly with respect to their applicability for risk assessment of future commercial fast breeder reactors. All methods are based on the calculation of accident consequences for relatively few accident scenarios. The role and general impact of uncertainties in fast-reactor accident analysis are discussed. The discussion shows the need for improvement of the methodology. A generalized and improved risk-assessment methodology is outlined and proposed (accident-spectra-progression approach). The generalization consists primarily of an explicit treatment of uncertainties throughout the accident progression. The results of this method are obtained in form of consequence distributions. The width and shape of the distributions depend in part on the superposition of the uncertainties. The first moment of the consequence distribution gives an improved prediction of the ''average'' consequence. The higher-consequence moments can be used for consideration of risk aversion. The assessment of the risk of one or a certain number of nuclear reactors can only provide an ''isolated'' risk assessment. The general problem of safety risk assessment and its relation to public acceptance of certain modes of power production is a much broader problem area, which is also discussed.

Hydrogen from the radiolysis of water by dissolved fission products is stripped from the solution and collected by bubbling carbon dioxide through the solution. Quantitative measurements of the G value for hydrogen show that the yield is essentially the same as would be obtained by external gamma radiolysis of nonradioactive solutions of the same chemical composition. The hydrogen yield can be enhanced by addition of a hydrogen-atom donor, such as formic acid, to the solution. The yield of hydrogen from fission-waste solutions is discussed with respect to the question of whether it represents a significant energy source.

Studies of unprotected loss-of-flow accidents in the CRBR for various rates of flow coast-down and with various options in the SAS 3A code did not lead to conditions for a violent disassembly. Maximum fuel temperatures using the SLUMPY module for disassembly were in the range 4000-4500 deg C. An approximate treatment of the LOF-driven TOP accident, not properly modeled by SAS 3A, indicates the possibility of some increase in accident severity. The effect of fission gas in dispersing fuel was not taken into account in these calculations. Parameter variations included the presence or absence of axial fuel expansion and of clad motion and use of the moving coolant film model versus the static film model. Study of severe pipe rupture accidents with scram indicated that pin power density and fuel-clad conductance were important parameters in determining what coolant flow rate was needed to prevent boiling after the rupture. It appears that for the CRBR when engineering hot channel factors are considered, this fraction would have to exceed 25 percent.

A coordinated program for the development of improved cements specifically designed for geothermal well applications was initiated in April 1976. A successful program will lead to a major advance in the technology required to economically utilize geothermal energy. The goals for the overall program are as follows: (1) Preparation of an integrated research and development plan for the investigation of new well-cementing materials specifically designed for geothermal well applications. (2) To provide the technical basis for the development, testing, and practical demonstration of high-temperature cementing materials for geothermal wells. (3) Rapid transfer and implementation of the technology in the private sector. To date, a preliminary management plan has been prepared and the state of the art of well cementing is being determined by a series of meetings with companies that develop and utilize the technology.

A detailed comparison is made between the per capita energy consumption in the US and Sweden. Sweden uses between 55% and 65% of the per capita energy (depending on the way hydro-electricity is counted) at essentially the same per capita income. It is shown that this difference arises both from differences in the mix of economic activities and from the differences in the energy consumption per unit output of these activities. The most important contributions to the differences in energy use arise from higher efficiencies in transportation, materials processing, and space heating in Sweden. Differences in the mode mix in transportation, particularly the reliance on the automobile in the US, also contribute significantly to the lower Swedish energy use. The more severe Swedish climate substantially increases the need for space heat relative to the US, obscuring dramatic differences in space heating efficiencies. Energy costs have played an important role in creating a more energy efficient economy in Sweden, aided by institutional and cultural factors. The comparison suggests that more efficient energy use will not interfere with and can in fact improve the functions of the United States economy over the long run.

The work reviewed includes NUCLEAR PHYSICS RESEARCH; EXPERIMENTAL ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS RESEARCH

Abstract: The general objective of this research is to develop methods for analysis of stresses and movements in embankments.

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The work reported in this progress report is focused on determining the proper scope of a regional assessment study program suitable for BER/ERDA. Within the tentative scope selected, a tentative set of purposes, goals, and objectives is identified for a preliminary specification of a geographical region. The initial specification of the region includes the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The tentative scope of considerations for the regional assessment study program encompasses the interacting facets of environment, energy, and economic well-being of the region with the overarching goal of reconciling these facets within the decision framework of the region. (auth)

A research and development laboratory has thousands of electrical outlets providing power to laboratories, offices, shops, and service areas. These outlets provide power for a wide variety of portable equipment and tools that are equipped with cord and plug. Electric safety requires a periodic check of outlet grounding capability and continuing inspection and repair of corded equipment. Personnel, equipment, reports, procedures, and schedule requirements are reported.

This work is a continuation of the recoil study of radioactive products from the proton bombardment of Al. Recoil properties of $sup 11$C and $sup 18$F are reported for proton energies of 1, 3, 6, and 11.5 GeV. Values of 2W(F+B) are tabulated and plotted. 2 figures, 4 tables (RWR)

Applications of 10 to 40 ppM chlorine were ineffective in control of Asiatic clams that had colonized the suction well of a cooling water pump for one of the Savannah River production reactors. Accumulated mud on the floors and walls of the basin protected large numbers of clams from lethal chlorine exposures. After clams were removed from chlorine exposures of 9, 17, 25, and 54 hours, respective survivals after seven days in a recovery chamber were 97 percent, 84 percent, 47 percent, and 10 percent. Of the clams that were protected by mud during the entire test (54 hours), 65 percent were alive after seven days in the recovery chamber. (auth)

The increasing importance of Nd glass lasers in laser fusion technology has emphasized the inadequacy in the understanding of the optical properties of rare earth ions in glasses. Indeed, it has been difficult to generate models for the performance of these devices, and the selection of host glasses could be done by little more than a trial-and-error approach. The technique of laser-induced fluorescence line-narrowing developed within the last few years provides a new and powerful tool for the study of these systems. In this technique, a laser excites within the inhomogeneously broadened absorption bands a selected subgroup of the ions in the system, namely those whose absorption energy is resonant with the laser. If the excitation does not migrate among the entire collection of ions prior to fluorescence, the fluorescence that is observed is only from the group that was excited and is narrowed. This permits the selective study of classes of ion sites within the ensemble. The concept is indicated schematically. By the use of a tunable laser, such as a dye laser, it is possible to vary the class of sites, defined by energy, that is excited and thereby study the important spectroscopic properties and their variations, unclouded …

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The techniques of linear-elastic fracture mechanics were used to characterize the effect of temperature upon the fatigue-crack growth behavior of A-286 steel in an air environment over the temperature range of 75--1000$sup 0$F. In general, the fatigue-crack growth rate increased with increasing temperature. Two material forms were tested: 0.5 inch-thick strip material and 1.5 inch- diameter bar. Two different crack orientations were tested in each product form. In general, no significant differences in crack growth behavior were noted between product forms nor between the different crack orientations. (auth)

The major radiological environmental impact of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory is due to the operation of four particle accelerators in the pursuit of fundamental research in various disciplines including biology, chemistry, medicine and physics. Potential sources of population exposure at the Laboratory are discussed. The major source of population exposure due to accelerator operation arises from the prompt radiation field which consists principally of neutrons and photons. Release of small quantities of radionuclides is also a potential source of population exposure but is usually an order of magnitude less significant. Accelerator produced radiation levels at the Laboratory boundary are comparable with the magnitudes of the fluctuations found in the natural background radiation. Considerable effort has, therefore, been expended in understanding the magnitude of the components of natural background at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, so that the magnitude of Laboratory-produced radiation may be accurately determined. Environmental monitoring of accelerator-produced radiation and of radionuclides is carried on throughout the Laboratory, at the Laboratory perimeter, and in the regions surrounding the Laboratory. The techniques used are described. Finally, the models used to calculate population exposure are described and discussed.

Technical discussions to determine the state of the art and the potential for new geothermal well cementing materials are being held with well owners, cementing service companies, and governmental and private laboratories.

The spectra, angular distribution and polarization functions of synchrotron radiation are tabulated in parametric form. Numerous graphs of the functions are included which can be used for rapid estimation of photon flux as a function of the various parameters. The extended synchrotron radiation source is described and the exact, but unintegrable, equations are derived. Properties of this source depend upon at least nine parameters. An approximation of the source accurate enough for estimating flux in optical instruments is developed. Power and power density in the radiation beam are described and convenient approximations are developed. Simple optical transformations are used to illustrate some of the important properties of the extended source. Also included are: (1) a brief description and short table of the Bessel functions used; (2) an outline of the properties of electron orbits in a storage ring; and (3) a description and short table of integrating function ef(a,Y).