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 Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents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

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, John L. Hill, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Validity of proposed rules of the Texas Antiquities Committee which would require underwater cultural resource survey guidelines.

The laboratory cyclone incinerator, which started operation in January, 1978, has been developed to study the effects of burning feed containing radionuclides other than /sup 238/Pu. These isotopes must be removed from the off-gas during incineration. Preliminary data from early runs show that the combustion efficiency of the incinerator can still be improved. Controlled experiments were conducted on the pressed ash-cement pellet matrix to define compressive strength, mechanical stability, density, and effect of curing environment (wet cure and dry cure). Leachability studies were initiated on pressed sludge/cement matrix in distilled water at ambient temperature. Compressive strengths of sludge/cement pressed matrix samples were investigated. Physical and chemical attributes of incinerated ash were evaluated in relationship to the ash/cement matrix. 7 figs., 6 tables.

The cyclone incinerator was operated throughout the past quarter, generating additional data on system characteristics, equipment life expectancies, and by-product generation. Several changes in the incinerator system are in various stages of completion. The lid assembly, secondary chamber, and expansion unit for the new exhaust equipment are nearly ready for installation. A new heat exchanger has been installed in the scrubber system. An ash handling system has been designed for possible future addition to the system. Continuing studies will determine the best delivery mechanism for continuously feeding the cyclone incinerator. Preliminary investigations are being conducted to select an independent system to treat incinerator scrubber solution for recycling and to remove salts and sludge for disposal. Metal samples of two possible materials for incinerator construction were examined for corrosion degradation suffered at the incinerator exhaust outlet. Controlled experiments were conducted on the pressed ash-cement pellet matrix to define compressive strength, mechanical stability, density, and effect of curing environment (wet cure and dry cure). Leachability studies were initiated on pressed sludge/cement matrix in distilled water at ambient temperature. Compressive strengths of sludge/cement pressed matrix samples were investigated. Physical and chemical attributes of incinerated ash were evaluated in relationship to the ash/cement matrix.

A redesign of the LOFT instrument penetration necessitated a reanalysis of the thermal conditions existing in the nozzle and flange during a Loss of Coolant Experiment (LOCE). The maximum temperature gradient existing in the instrument flange will be used to determine the thermal stresses and maximum number of allowable cycles for the instrument flange. Based upon the specification and thermal conditions predicted by RELAP4/MOD5, the maximum temperature gradient through the flange will not exceed 216/sup 0/F. The thermal conditions predicted by RELAP4/MOD2 for the nozzle head penetration assembly were less severe than those used in the original thermal-stress analysis, so only the flange was analyzed here. If the thermal stresses are marginal with the 216/sup 0/F ..delta..T, a more detailed analysis should be done as the heat slab model used in RELAP is only one dimensional. Conservative hand calculations were performed for a heatup rate of 100/sup 0/F per hour and it was determined that the worst temperature gradient through the flange will be less than 81/sup 0/F.

The FRS is a pool structure and enclosing building constructed in 1966 for storing spent nuclear fuel. The enclosing building was not analyzed. The pool structure's responses to operating loads, seismic excitation, and an accidentally dropped cask were determined. Locations in the FRS pool were identified where structural strength would be exceeded in the event of an earthquake of 0.2 g maximum ground acceleration or an accident in which a cask dropped from the maximum height of the crane hook used to maneuver it. 25 figures, 4 tables.