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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 Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents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.

This report summarizes the results of wildlife surveys performed at Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) from January through December of 1995 as compared with results from previous years. These surveys were performed as part of a long-term ecological monitoring program conducted under the Natural Resource Protection and Compliance Program (NRPCP). This program is essential in identifying and describing fluctuations of wildlife populations, wildlife habitat use, and changes in species using RFETS. The NRPCP provides support to the Department of Energy (DOE) in its role as Natural Resource Trustee, and provides data essential to accomplishing the goal of preserving the unique ecological values of RFETS in keeping with the Rocky Flats Vision presented in the Rocky Flats Cleanup Agreement Public Comment Draft. Wildlife population densities vary due to natural pressures and human influences, and only long-term monitoring can verify which factors influencing wildlife populations are the consequence of natural fluctuations, and which are due to human influences. The wildlife monitoring described in this report provides qualitative data that give an indication of the ecological health of RFETS. Monitoring numbers, habitat affinities, and apparent health of the wildlife populations makes it possible to evaluate the overall ecological health of the site. …

The Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) Project Engineering Support group cold-tested the Eductor System a 15 horsepower multi-stage centrifugal pump manufactured by the Grunfos Corporation with the housing manufactured and sold with the pump by the Tri-Nuclear Corporation and a 3-inch diameter water jet eductor manufactured by the Fox Valve Corporation. The Eductor System was tested to gather and document information to optimize sludge retrieval operations for use in the 105 K Basins. The cold-testing took place during February 12 through February 29, 1996 in the 305 Cold Test Facility basin located in the 300 area. The pump, utilized in conjunction with the eductor, makes up the core of the Eductor System. The pumping unit consists of a 15 hp stainless steel multi-stage centrifugal Grunfos pump which is seated in a stainless steel fabricated housing. Two baskets or filter elements make up part of the housing on the suction side of the pump. The pump can be used independent of the housing but the housing has two identified purposes. The first use is to stabilize the centrifugal pump and give the pneumatic valves and pump discharge piping a solid platform so the Eductor System can be more easily mobilized within the …

The analysis described in this report develops the Unit Liter Doses for use in the TWRS FSAR. The Unit Liter Doses provide a practical way to calculate conservative radiological consequences for a variety of potential accidents for the tank farms.

Diamond switches are well suited for use in high temperature electronics. Laboratory feasibility of diamond switching at 1 kV and 18 A was demonstrated. DC blocking voltages up to 1 kV were demonstrated. A 50 {Omega} load line was switched using a diamond switch, with switch on-state resistivity {approx}7 {Omega}-cm. An electron beam, {approx}150 keV energy, {approx}2 {mu}s full width at half maximum was used to control the 5 mm x 5 mm x 100 {mu}m thick diamond switch. The conduction current temporal history mimics that of the electron beam. These data were taken at room temperature.

This is the final sample analysis report for tank 241-BX-104 (BX-104), cores 126 and 127. Two segments from each core yielded a total of 11 samples which were analyzed. The data quality objectives (DQOs) applicable to this sampling event were the Safety Screening DQO (Dukelow et al. 1995) and the Organic Safety DQO (Turner et al. 1995). The samples were received, extruded and analyzed at PNNL 325 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (ACL). The analyses were performed in accordance with the Sample Analysis Plan (Gretsinger 1996) and indicated that the tank is safe with respect to the criteria in the Safety Screening and Organic DQO. Detailed analytical results were described in the analytical laboratory 45-day Report (Attachment 1, WHC-SD-WM-DP-171, REV. 0) and final report (Attachment 2, PNL-BX-104 REV.1) prepared by PNNL, 325 Laboratory. Corrections and/or exceptions to the PNNL final report are provided.

This five year project is intended to ensure the availability of well- characterized, high-quality coal samples for public and private coal research. It continues support of the DOE Coal Sample Bank and Database at The Pennsylvania State University. Eleven coal samples will be collected, processed, packaged, and analyzed, and a resulting database will be maintained. These samples and data, as well as 45 samples collected under previous contracts, will be distributed to DOE contractors and others performing coal research. Samples will be chosen to maintain a sample bank of 56 coals representing the major US coal fields and a variety of coal ranks and compositions. In addition to standard analyses, liquefaction tests and organic geochemical analyses will be performed. The samples will be stored to minimize deterioration, and 10 samples will be monitored annually by proximate, sulfur forms, and gaseous oxygen analysis to evaluate their condition. Technical progress is summarized for the following tasks: storage and inventory of samples; monitoring of sample quality; collection and processing of replacement samples; basic characterization of coal samples; liquefaction testing; organic geochemistry (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy); distribution of coal samples to users; data entry; and distribution of data to users.

The transport and diffusion module of the WIND System aqueous emergency response program (STREAM code) was replaced with the EPA WASP5 code. A set of input data was developed to model the transport of pollutants from a release point in K-Area to Savannah, Georgia through Indian Grave Branch, Pen Branch, the SRS swamp, Steel Creek, and the Savannah River. To evaluate the modifications to the STREAM code, data from an accidental release of tritiated water from K-Reactor in 1991 were used for benchmarking. A leak in a heat exchanger allowed a small amount of reactor coolant water to be released to cooling streams onsite, eventually reaching the Savannah River. Measurements of tritium concentration were taken at several downstream locations during the release. The results show that the revised STREAM code overpredicts the peak concentrations by 3 to 15%, which is comparable to the measurement uncertainty (one standard deviation). The revised STREAM code underpredicts the transport times of the concentration peak by 18 to 37%. The discrepancies in the travel time could result from uncertainties in the start of the release. The revised STREAM code performed well in simulating both the timing and the magnitude of the maximum observed tritium concentration. …

Existing NO{sub x} control technologies have limitations which may prevent them from successfully achieving commercial, cost effective application in the near future. This project develops a family of novel NO{sub x} control technologies, Second Generation Advanced Reburning (SGAR), which have a potential to achieve 90+% NO{sub x} control at a significantly lower cost than Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). Phase I consists of six tasks: Task 1.1, project coordination and reporting deliverables; Task 1.2, kinetics of Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} reactions with flue gas components; Task 1.3, 0.1 {times} 10{sup 6} Btu/hr optimization studies; Task 1.4, 1.0 {times} 10{sup 6} Btu/hr process development tests; Task 1.5, mechanism development and modeling; and Task 1.6, design methodology and application. This second reporting period included both modeling and experimental activities. Modeling was focused on evaluation of ammonia injection into the reburning zone and on the effect of various additives on promotion of the NO-NH{sub 3} interaction in the reburning zone. First bench scale Controlled Temperature Tower (CTT) experiments have been performed on different variants of the Advanced Returning technology. The tests are continued, and the results will be reduced and reported in the next quarter.

Lending to China from the multilateral development banks (MDBs) increased four-fold between 1985 and 1994, from $1.1 billion to $4.3 billion. China is now the MDBs' largest single borrower country. There is considerable debate today, however, whether the MDBs should continue lending to China. In particular, there is sharp debate whether the World Bank should continue making concessional loans to China.

The Automated Bar Coding of Air Samples at Hanford (ABCASH) system provides an integrated data collection, sample tracking, and data reporting system for radioactive particulate air filter samples. The ABCASH plotting program provides a graphical trend report for ABCASH of the performance of air sample results. This document provides an operational guide for using the program. Based on sample location identifier and date range, a trend chart of the available data is generated. The trend chart shows radiological activity versus time. General indications of directional trend of the concentrations in air over time may be discerned. Comparison limit set point values are also shown as derived from the ABCASH data base.

OAK-B135 Annual report Rockwell International Hot Laboratory decommissioning GFY 1993

We present experimental results of a version of the Choppertron microwave generator designed to work with the high emittance beam of the Advanced Test Accelerator (ATA). Simulations showed that a 800-A, 120 {pi} cm-mrad beam (typical of ATA), could produce 800 MW of rf (11.4 GHz) power using two 12-cell, traveling-wave output structures. Funding contraints prevented final tuning of the modulator system and limited the experiment to 530 MW in narrow pulses. Over 400 MW were extracted from a single output structure through fundamental waveguide. Beam breakup was successfully suppressed with >800 amperes transported through the extraction section.

Work is underway at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to design and build a small-scale, heavy ion recirculating induction accelerator. An essential part of this design work is the development of small nonintercepting diagnostics to measure beam current and position. This paper describes some of this work, with particular emphasis on the development of a small capacitive probe beam position monitor to resolve beam position to the 100 {mu}m level in a 6 cm diameter beam pipe. Initial measured results with an 80 keV potassium ion beam are presented.

Wasted mice bear the spontaneous autosomal recessive mutation wst/wst; this genotype is associated with weight loss beginning at 21 days of age, neurologic dysfunction, immunodeficiency at mucosal sites, and increased sensitivity to the killing effects of ionizing radiation. The pathology underlying the disease symptoms is unknown. Experiments reported here were designed to examine thermoregulation and liver expression of specific cytokines in wasted mice and in littermate and parental controls. Our experiments found that wasted mice begin to show a drop in body temperature at 21-23 days following birth, continuing until death at the age of 28 days. Concomitant with that, livers from wasted mice expressed increased amounts of mRNAs specific for cytokines IL,6 and IL-1, the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein, c-jun, and apoptosis-associated Rp-8 when compared to littermate and parental control animals. Levels of {beta}-transforming growth factor (TGF), c-fos, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and ornithine amino transferase (OAT) transcripts were the same in livers from wasted mice and controls. These results suggest a relationship between an acute phase reactant response in wasted mice and temperature dysregulation.

All models of lasing action require knowledge of the physical parameters involved, of which many can be measured or estimated. The value of the terminal level lifetime is an important parameter in modeling many high power laser systems since the terminal level lifetime can have a substantial impact on the extraction efficiency of the system. However, the values of the terminal level lifetimes for a number of important laser materials such as ND:YAG and ND:YLF are not well known. The terminal level lifetime, a measure of the time it takes for the population to drain out of the terminal (lower) lasing level, has values that can range from picoseconds to microseconds depending on the host medium, thus making it difficult to construct one definitive experiment for all materials. Until recently, many of the direct measurements of the terminal level lifetime employed complex energy extraction or gain recovery methods coupled with a numerical model which often resulted in large uncertainties in the measured lifetimes. In this report we demonstrate a novel and more accurate approach which employs a pump-probe technique to measure the terminal level lifetime of 16 neodymium-doped materials. An alternative yet indirect method, which is based on the ``Energy …

We detail the design and development of a miniature thermal cycling instrument for performing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that uses microfabricated, silicon-based reaction chambers. The MEMS-based, battery-operated instrument shows significant improvements over commercial thermal cycling instrumentation. Several different biological systems have been amplified and verified with the miniature PCR instrument including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus; both cloned and genomic DNA templates of {beta} globin; and the genetic disease, Cystic Fibrosis from human DNA. The miniaturization of a PCR thermal cycler is the initial module of a fully-integrated portable, low-power, rapid, and highly efficient bioanalytical instrument.

The business objective is to manufacture an economically viable chemically structured clay to replace thermally structured calcined clay. The technology will provide substantial benefit in paper coating. The structured pigment containing 90% clay and 10% TiO2 vs the loose blend of these materials as a filler for paper was evaluated. A plan to improve the permanence of the structured pigment using dual functional dispersed pigments is in place. The cationic dispersant for TiO2 will also be a binder. Spray drying will be use to fix the structure of the internally bound structured pigment.

Research is presently being conducted to develop a criteria for selecting weld overlay coatings for erosion mitigation in Circulated Fluidized Beds. During the last two quarters tensile tests were performed at 400{degrees}C for the Ultimet, Inconel-625, 316L SS, C-22, and Stellite-6 wrought alloys. Also, the erosion tests for these materials at 400{degrees}C were completed. The results of mechanical and erosion tests are used to correlate mechanical properties of selected wrought alloys such as tensile toughness, ductility, strain hardening coefficient and yield strength to their erosion resistance at 400{degrees}C. Preliminary results of correlations between erosion resistance of wrought alloys at 400{degrees}C and their mechanical properties are presented in this progress report.

The purpose of this document is to provide the general strategy for resolution of the flammable gas safety issue; it is not a detailed description of program activities. budgets and schedules. Details of the program activities have been issued (Johnson and Sherwood, 1994) and the information pertaining to budgets is provided in the FY 1995-1997 Multi-Year Work Plan for Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) (Program Element 1.1.1.2.02.). The key element in this strategy is to provide an understanding of the behavior of each of the Flammable Gas Watch List tanks. While a review of historical information does provide some insight, it is necessary to gather current information about the gases, behavior and nature of the waste,. and about the control systems that maintain and monitor the waste. Analysis of this information will enable TWRS to determine the best approach to place any tank in a safe condition, if it is found to be in an unsafe state.

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.

In a heavy-ion driven, inertial confinement fusion power plant, a space-charge dominated beam of heavy ions must be transported through a reactor chamber and focused on a 2-3 mm spot at the target. The spot size at the target is determined by the beam emittance and space charge, plus chromatic aberrations in the focusing lens system and errors in aiming the beam. The gain of the ICF capsule depends on the focal spot size. We are investigating low density, nearly-ballistic transport using an electromagnetic, r-z particle-in-cell code. Even at low density (n {approx} 5 {times} 10{sup 13} cm{sup {minus}3}), beam stripping may be important. To offset the effects of stripping and reduce the space charge, the beam is partially charge neutralized via a pre-formed plasma near the chamber entrance. Additional electrons for charge neutralization come from ionization of the background gas by the beam. Simulations have shown that stripping can greatly increase the spot size; however, partial neutralization can offset most of this increase.

This paper describes the validation, in accordance with ANSI/ANS-8.1-1983(R1988), of KENO V.a using the 27-group ENDF/B-IV cross section library for some neutronic systems containing highly-enriched uranium, carbon, and hydrogen. This constituent combination is present in many packaging applications for the safe transportation of fissile and fissionable materials. The validation has been performed for two separate computational platforms: an IBM 3090 mainframe and an HP 9000 Series 700 workstation, both using the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant Nuclear Criticality Safety Software (NCSS) code package. Critical experiments performed at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility in support of the Rover reactor program were identified as having the constitutents desired for this validation as well as sufficient experimental detail to allow accurate construction of KENO V.a calculational models. Calculated values of k{sub eff} for the Rover experiments, which contain uranium, carbon, and hydrogen, are between 1.0012 {+-} 0.0026 and 1.0245 {+-} 0.0023. These experiments can now be added to KENO V.a and other computer code critical experiment data bases which are used for validation and to establish upper limits on calculated values of k{sub eff} for specific applications.