Chem Systems is carrying out an experimental program for the conversion of coal-derived synthesis gases to a mixture of C/sub 1/-C/sub 4/ alcohols. The objectives of this contract are to: (1) develop a catalyst and reactor system for producing a mixture of C/sub 1/-C/sub 4/ alcohols, which we call Alkanol fuel, to be used as a synthetic transportation fuel and (2) assess the technical and economic feasibility of scaling the process concept to a commercial-scale application. Some of the accomplishments made this quarter were: (1) a small (75cc) fixed-bed, plug-flow, vapor phase reaction system was set up and operated utilizing catalyst bed dilution with inert media to help limit the large exotherm associated with the synthesis gas conversion reactions; (2) a total of fifteen (15) catalysts containing varying amounts of Cu, Co, Zn, Cr and K were prepared and seven of these catalysts were tested; (3) we have identified at least one promising catalyst composition which has resulted in a 30% conversion of carbon monoxide per pass (synthesis gas had a 3.5 H/sub 2//CO ratio) with a carbon selectivity to alcohols of about 80%.

The objective of the Hot Corrosion Project in the LLNL Metals and Ceramics Division is to study the physical and chemical mechanisms of corrosion of nickel, iron, and some of their alloys when these metals are subjected to oxidizing or sulfidizing environments at temperatures between 850 and 950/sup 0/C. To obtain meaningful data in this study, we must rigidly control many parameters. Parameters are discussed and the methods chosen to control them in this laboratory. Some of the mechanics and manipulative procedures that are specifically related to data access and repeatability are covered. The method of recording and processing the data from each experiment using an LS-11 minicomputer are described. The analytical procedures used to evaluate the specimens after the corrosion tests are enumerated and discussed.

The interface between a source of positive or negative ions and a multichannel MEQALAC accelerator will be the Low-Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) consisting of a lattice of quadrupole focusing electrodes transporting the beam while the gas pressure is reduced from the high-pressure ion source to the low-pressure accelerator. Gas emitted from the ion source will flow through the LEBT electrode lattice to a pumping volume. It is necessary to analyze the two-dimensional gas flow to ascertain the gas densities throughout the LEBT and to design the system so that only a small fraction of the ion beam is lost by gas collisions. The analysis uses the fact that the gas-flow rate is proportional to the density gradient if the mean free path of the low-pressure gas is greater than the inter-electrode spacing. Consequently the mathematics developed for conductivity of heat or electric current can be used. The practical result of this analysis is to determine the maximum width of the LEBT so that the beam loss by gas collisions is tolerable. The maximum width is a function of beam density, gas efficiency, and electrode spacing. The beam current per unit length of module will be somewhat greater than 75 mA/cm. …