The application of building codes to solar energy systems for heating and cooling of buildings is discussed, using as typical codes the three model building codes most widely adopted by states and localities. Some potential barriers to solar energy systems are found, federal and state programs to deal with these barriers are discussed, and alternatives are suggested. To remedy this, a federal program is needed to encourage state adoption of standards and acceptance of certification of solar systems for code approval, and to encourage revisions to codes based on model legislation prepared for the federal government by the model codes groups.

Four papers are included. A separate abstract was prepared for each. (MHR)

Observations on the effects of the solar cycle and solar activity on the earth's climate are reviewed. (GHT)

The results of gravity and aeromagnetic surveys of the Mineral Mountains and vicinity are presented as a terrain-corrected Bouguer gravity anomaly map (about 1450 stations with 1-mgal contour interval) and a total magnetic field intensity residual anomaly map (with contour interval 50 gammas), respectively. Combined interpretation of the gravity and aeromagnetic data was conducted based on comparing and contrasting various processed maps and interpretative geologic cross sections produced from each survey. (MHR)

The origin, nature and significance of fractures in general are discussed. Some typical fracture measurement techniques are discussed. Finally, geothermal fracture systems are investigated and correlations made to determine which fracture technologies from oil field work are applicable to geothermal systems. (MHR)

This report discusses results of a plant demonstration of the double shell slurry process which was conducted April 25 to 28, 1977. 274,000 gallons of double shell slurry were produced from 365,000 gallons of Hanford Defense Residual Liquor. The volume reduction was 25%. Process control was maintained near the proper zone in the early part of the run. However, the feed was underconcentrated in the latter part of the run. Hydroxide concentrations of the product samples ranged from 2.1 to 5.9 M. The aluminum to caustic ratio varied from 0.33 to 1.07. The solids were primarily sodium nitrate, carbonate, aluminate, and nitrate. All samples were totally water soluble. The double shell slurry product increased in volume by 19,000 gallons from April to October 1977, probably caused by organic chelating agents.

Research on fabrication of recrystallized solar cells and energy beam processing of gallium arsenide and homologous compounds is described. The key processes, exclusive of the film recrystallization step, are ion implantation for junction formation followed by pulsed electron beam annealing for activation of the implanted dopants and restoration of lattice perfection and electrostatic bonding of the partially processed film to a glass superstrate combined with simultaneous release from the deposition substrate. (WHK)

In response to the increasing severity of target surface finish requirements for laser fusion experiments, it has become necessary to examine spherical targets in the Scanning Electron Microscope, prior to laser irradiation, on an orderly nondestructive basis. We have developed a new sample manipulation technique which rolls a thin wall sphere through 4..pi.. steradians, minimizes damage and allows easy recovery. The sphere is placed between two parallel plane surfaces formed in conductively coated silicone rubber on the ends of capillaries. Mechanical slides cause the capillaries to translate laterally and roll the ball bringing the entire surface of the sphere into a position for examination. Resolutions comparable with traditional mounting techniques are attained. A side looking, Si(Li) detector increases the utility of the system by allowing simultaneous energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis. The entire detector assembly slips between the secondary electron detector and the sphere rolling capillaries to collect x-rays from the target.

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has prepared the following list of outstanding energy conserving projects for the US Department of Energy. As requested by the Department, the list includes descriptions of land developments and individual buildings suggested by members of ULI and by other sources. The projects have been selected to exemplify the major energy saving techniques in use today, with emphasis on those strategies most significant for people engaged in the business of land development. To make the list a useful reference for developers and public officials, ULI has attempted to cover energy conservation in the broadest sense from overall site planning to the functioning of individual building components. Focusing too closely on the myriad types of hardware available has been avoided and examples of the basic considerations important to energy-conscious planning and design are provided. Details on some heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are provided in order to acquaint readers with major innovations in the field.

This specification defines the requirements for the Intermediate-Size Inducer Pump (ISIP), which is to be made by replacing the impeller of the FFTF Prototype Pump with a new inducer, impeller, diffuser, seal, and necessary adapter hardware. Subsequent testing requirements of the complete pump assembly are included.

First, the origin, nature, and significance of fractures in general are discussed. Next, discussions are directed toward the designation and classification of fractures. Some typical fracture measurement techniques are discussed. Finally, geothermal fracture systems are investigated and correlations made to determine which fracture technologies from oil field work are applicable to geothermal systems. (MHR)

Progress in developing foil bearings for a miniature isotope-fueled Brayton cycle power system rotating unit (BRU) for space vehicles is reviewed with charts, tables, and diagrams of the program plan and schedule; performance testing; fabrication and inspection; and materials development. (LCL)

An inducer pump has been designed to fit within the existing housing of the FFTF Facility. The design has been shown to meet the specified requirements in every area where an analytical prediction of the performance can be made. The head-rise and efficiency of the pump have design margins so that the calculated values actually exceed requirements over the full range of operation. The suction performance of the design provides a very large margin at the operating NPSH value which is the major advantage of using the inducer pump. The suction performance margin at off-design is estimated to be adequate for suction performance, but may not be as large as desired for life considerations. The design has incorporated features that provide for long life at the design point. These features have been established based on proven performance of commercial waterjet pumps designed by Rocketdyne.

The large geothermal reservoir model has been used to investigate the specific energy extraction capabilities of various production methods and to determine the rate of heat loss from various rock formations. A parallel laboratory and field study in radon analysis is described. In order to quantify the emission rates of radon from reservoir rocks, an experimental apparatus is under construction to provide exact information on the temperature, pressure, and rock property dependence of the radon production. Laboratory cores were used in bench-scale experiments to determine steam/water relative permeability curves for permeable formation; to investigate the property of vapor pressure lowering of water confined in porous media at low saturations; and to determine the effects of high confining pressures and temperatures on the absolute permeability of porous rocks. The well test analysis and educatonal programs are reported. (MHR)

The purpose of this work was to develop a catalyst which would methanate a gasified-coal stream without prior sulfur removal. Fifty-eight activity tests have been completed on forty-nine different catalyst compositions which were studied as sulfur-resistant methanation catalysts. Most of the base-metal catalytically-active, transition elements were used to prepare the catalysts. These metals were combined or used singly with carriers such as alumina, silica, chromium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium silicate, and magnesium aluminate to provide the test catalysts for this work. In addition, a number of catalysts of identical chemical composition were prepared by several formulation methods. Test conditions, including temperature, gas composition, and steam levels were varied during the course of the work and computer data processing was used to analyze the test results. Two catalysts, namely nickel and chromium on magnesium silicate and nickel and chromium on magnesium aluminate, converted all of the carbon monoxide and part of the carbon dioxide to methane at 500/sup 0/F when reduced with only hydrogen and no sulfur in the process gas. This is equivalent to the performance of nickel-SNG type methanation catalysts. After sulfiding, the nickel--chromium on magnesium silicate catalyst retained a 60 to 80% methanation activity at 1100/sup 0/F with …

A comprehensive experimental study of drift emissions and downwind deposition from a mechanical draft cooling tower is planned for early spring 1978. The objective of the experiment is to develop a data base which can be used for validation of drift deposition models. The key aspects of the study are to measure the characteristics of the drift emitted from the tower, the ambient meteorological conditions responsible for the transport and dispersion of the drift, and the downwind deposition and near surface air concentration patterns of the drift. The source characteristics, including air temperature and velocity profiles at the tower exit, and the transport parameters are to be used as inputs to the models, while the deposition patterns are to serve as comparisons to the outputs of the models.

The report summarizes the Light Duty Vehicle Fuel Consumption Model developed for the Office of Conservation and Advanced Energy Systems Policy in the Department of Energy. The purpose of the model is to estimate annual passenger auto (PA) and non-passenger auto (NPA) fuel consumption through 1986. The model is intended to: (1) provide information on future estimated petroleum demand for the majority of the US transportation sector; and (2) generate a better understanding of the trends in fuel consumption in light of fuel economy standards issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA). The model also is designed to provide disaggregated data for PA's and NPA's in order to anayze their relative importance in estimating total fuel consumption and to calculate the proportion of diesel, leaded, and unleaded fuels in total fleet consumption.

In the year ending 1 April 1978, significant new dimensions were added to an appraisal of the Copper River Delta system as critical habitat for Dunlins and Western Sandpipers in spring migration. Selective field work was conducted at other sites in Alaska along the migratory-to-breeding continuum of localities between the Copper Delta and northwestern Alaska. Predictions made last year about the differing physiological/behavioral/migration dynamics of the two species have been borne out by the documentation of predicted major stopovers by westerns in Kachemak Bay, Lower Cook Inlet, and the virtual absence of Dunlins from that region, as predicted. Close cooperation with Arneson (RU 3) and Gill (RU 341, Nelson Lagoon) has proven to be mutually advantageous in both putting the Copper Delta into context, and verifying that postulated different migration strategies characterize the two species in fall as well as in spring movements. Both species appear to be highly susceptible to any intertidal habitat degradation in the C-BRD system, although of the two, the Dunlin shows a higher degree of obligate habitat dependency on the C-BRD system itself. By contrast, current understanding leads us to regard habitat degradation in Lower Cook Inlet as at least as serious a threat to …

The survey was conducted to provide guidance based on the views and experience of a national sample of homeowners about the insulation of their homes. The telephone survey was conducted with 1,012 homeowners between January 12 and 22, 1978 in the East, Midwest, South, and West regions of the U.S. From the survey data were compiled on plans for installing home insulation with emphasis on attic insulation; how many homes now have various types of insulation; recent experiences in obtaining attic insulation--its cost, material used, when installed, whether installed by the homeowner or a contractor; the kinds of insulation thought to be needed--attic insulation, wall insulation, storm doors and windows; whether homeowners planning attic insulation feel that they have the necessary information to do the work themselves or if they feel they know enough to make the necessary arrangements with a contractor; the effect of higher fuel costs on likelihood of installing attic insulation; shortages of insulating materials; what sources of information are relied on when planning attic insulation; attitudes toward having utility companies install insulation to be paid for by means of utility bills; how much trust homeowners have in the advice of government, utility companies, insulation manufacturers, insulation …

Separate abstracts were prepared for the five lectures presented. (JFP)

The results of a study which analyzes the Low Cost Silicon Solar Array Project (LSSA) plans with respect to the industrialization of new production technologies expected to be forthcoming as a result of the project's technology development efforts. In particular, LSSA's mandate to insure an annual production capability of 500 MWp for the photovoltaic supply industry by 1986 is critically examined. Conclusions from the analysis are utilized in a discussion of LSSA's industrialization plans, particularly the plans for pilot, demonstration, and commercial scale production plants. Specific recommendations for the implementation of an industrialization task and the disposition of the project quantity goal are derived.

Many approximate procedures are available for setting confidence limits around the odds ratio in a four-fold table. A number of them are analyzed according to three criteria: close agreement between the actual and the nominal confidence levels; exact agreement with a hypothesis test for or against significance; and relative simplicity in calculation. The procedure due to Cornfield comes closer to satisfying all three criteria than any of the others examined. Formulas are provided for an iterative solution to Cornfield's equations.

The Geothermal Loop Experimental Facility (GLEF) utilizes a four stage flash/binary process for the extraction of energy from a high temperature, high salinity, liquid-dominated resource. Since plant start-up in May 1976, a substantial amount of information has been obtained on the operation of the plant, components, brine and steam composition, production and injection wells, and the potential of the Niland Reservoir. The general operation and activities of the GLEF during the period January 1978 through March 1978, are discussed. The production and injection well encountered no unusual difficulties. Scrubber performance tests were rerun this period and are discussed. Steam pH, conductivity, chemical composition, brine and scale properties, pigging, and component optimization efforts are discussed. The injection pump difficulties and condenser plugging problems are detailed. The feasibility study for a 50 MWe plant and H/sub 2/S abatement are discussed.

The market factors feedback system of the pilot program of the Energy Extension Service are described. The description contains the plans of the 10 pilot EES states and the DOE for operating the system between December 1977 and March 1979. Chapter one contains the planned scope of the market factors feedback system during the pilot program: the target audiences, program services, likely topics of market factors feedback, and energy decision makers. Chapter two presents how the market factors feedback system will operate over the pilot program period. Chapter three summarizes the roles and functions of DOE/EXT in supporting state EES market factors feedback operations and in evaluating the program. There are three appendices. Appendix A contains the market factors feedback plans of the pilot EES states. Appendix B describes how DOE/EXT will work with national-level energy decision makers on market factors feedback received from state EESs. Appendix C is the design for the formal evaluation of the market factors feedback component of the pilot EES program. (MCW)