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; Whether Cameron County may charge a toll across the county's international bridge.

Some new experiments designed to accurately determine the time interval required to produce a reactive event in confined explosives subjected to temperatures which will cause decomposition are described. Geometry and boundary conditions were both well defined so that these experiments on the rapid thermal decomposition of HE are amenable to predictive modelling. Experiments have been carried out on TNT, TATB and on two plastic-bonded HMX-based high explosives, LX-04 and LX-10. When the results of these experiments are plotted as the logarithm of the time to explosion versus 1/T K (Arrhenius plot), the curves produced are remarkably linear. This is in contradiction to the results obtained by an iterative solution of the Laplace equation for a system with a first order rate heat source. Such calculations produce plots which display considerable curvature. The experiments have also shown that the time to explosion is strongly influenced by the void volume in the containment vessel. Results of the experiments with calculations based on the heat flow equations coupled with first-order models of chemical decomposition are compared. The comparisons demonstrate the need for a more realistic reaction model.

Methods used to control the radiological impact of the nuclear fuel cycle are described. This control is exercised through the application of a series of federal laws and regulations that are used as the basis for licensing nuclear facilities. The control is exercised more directly by the use of radwaste treatment equipment at the nuclear facilities to limit the release of radioactive materials. Federal laws and regulations are summarized and their applications in licensing actions are discussed. Radiological doses from materials released from licensed facilities are compared with doses from natural background. A series of cost/benefit engineering surveys are being made to determine the cost and effectiveness of radwaste systems for decreasing the release of radioactive materials from model fuel cycle facilities and to determine the benefits in terms of reduction in dose commitment to individuals and populations in surrounding areas.

A method for measuring stable isotope ratios using Raman scattering has been developed. This method consists of simultaneously counting photons scattered out of a high-intensity laser beam by different isotopically-substituted molecules. A number of studies of isotopic diatomic molecules have been made. The Q-branches of the Raman spectra of the isotopic molecules /sup 14/N/sup 15/N and /sup 16/O/sup 18/O were observed at natural abundance in nitrogen and oxygen samples. Comparison of the ratios of the intensities of the Q-branches of the major nitrogen and oxygen isotopic molecules with mass spectrometric determinations of the isotopic compositions yielded scattering cross sections of /sup 14/N/sup 15/N relative to /sup 14/N/sup 14/N and /sup 16/O/sup 18/O relative to /sup 16/O/sup 16/O. These cross section ratios differ from unity, a difference which can be explained by considering nuclear mass effects on the Franck-Condon factors of the molecular transitions. The measured intensities of the /sup 14/N/sup 15/N and /sup 16/O/sup 18/O Q-branches provided the baseline data needed to make the previously-mentioned extrapolation. High-resolution (approximately 0.15 cm/sup -1/) spectra of the Q-branches of /sup 14/N/sup 14/N and /sup 16/O/sup 16/O yielded a direct determination of ..cap alpha../sub e/ (the difference between the rotational constant in the ground …

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; Whether court records pertaining to certain types of cases affecting the parent-child relationship are confidential.

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.

Tabulated data are presented for the radioactive waste generated and the status of the waste farms during the first quarter of 1976. (JSR)

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; May a constable properly refuse to levy on personal property to satisfy a tax judgement unless an indemnity board from the taxing authority is recieved.

The government, AIRPHX, AIRLA, and contractor BIPS program coordination efforts are discussed. These coordination efforts are essential for defining program objectives, and achieving these objectives in an efficient manner. The IPP outlines a long range effort intended to: (a) develop end product confidence; (b) identify government and contractor activities pertinent and contributory to BIPS development; (c) recommend government and contractor activities required to ensure BIPS program success; (d) establish activity priorities based on program cost and schedule impacts, and achievement of technical objectives; (e) coordinate the efforts of contributing agencies; (f) provide general information and, to a limited extent, BIPS program-related development activity status to interested individuals and agencies; and (g) provide contractor team program planning guidance.

Field demonstrations of chemical explosive fracturing stimulation were conducted on 3 noncommercial gas wells. The three gas wells had previously been treated by acid and hydraulic fracturing. They were then subjected to further hydraulic fracturing and following this, approximately 20,000 pounds of PTC-4 explosive was manufactured by pumping in 1370 gallons of oxidizer and 430.4 gallons of fuel. After the explosions, the wells were cleaned out and retested. Some improvement was obtained but the wells were still not commercial. Additional tests in other types of formations are recommended, with the additional objective of evaluating cost effectiveness. A detailed hazards study was required by the contract and the actual operations were conducted safely with only minor incidents. (LTN)

It has been demonstrated in three separate field demonstrations that the PTC (Petroleum Technology Corporation) system can be employed to safely manufacture and inject large quantities of liquid explosive into natural or hydraulically induced fractures in typical hydrocarbon bearing formations. The producing capability of the first test well, Hampshire No. 10, was not enhanced by chemical explosive fracturing stimulation. Analysis of pressure buildup tests results conducted before and after the second field demonstration indicate that Hampshire No. 18's flow potential was increased by a factor of 1.66 by the chemical explosive fracturing stimulation test. A commercial well was not, however, obtained. Even though most of the open hole section of the third test well, Columbia No. 20117-T, could not be cleaned out, the gas production rate was increased three-fold and the formation's capacity to produce (''kh'' factor) was increased tenfold. Again, however, a commercial well was not obtained.

This report summarizes some of the capabilities that have been developed within L-Division related to the use of solar energy for heating of buildings, electrical generation, and/or process heat. To date, these capabilities have been primarily directed towards studies related to the Sohio Process Heat Facility project. However, they would be applicable to a wide variety of solar energy projects, and therefore, are presented for information and review. A stand-alone data acquisition system has been developed for the purpose of measuring instantaneous solar radiation and ambient air temperature. In addition, a compact, mobile calibration system is available to cross-calibrate solar instruments in-situ. Solar radiation data has been collected and analyzed since January 1974. Data are available for total instantaneous insolation, total daily insolation and monthly-average total daily insolation. Several computer codes are available for parametric performance studies of process heat facilities and calculating collection efficiency for a shallow solar pond.

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; Employment status of teacher employed by the Texas Youth Council.

An analysis of the scheme to heat magnetically confined plasma columns to kilovolt temperatures with a laser beam requires consideration of two propagation problems. The first question to be answered is whether stable beam trapping is possible. Since the laser beam creates its own density profile by heating the plasma, the propagation of the beam becomes a nonlinear phenomenon, but not necessarily a stable one. In addition, the electron density at a given time depends on the preceding history of both the medium and the laser pulse. A self-consistent time dependent treatment of the beam propagation and the medium hydrodynamics is consequently required to predict the behavior of the laser beam. Such calculations have been carried out and indicate that propagation of a laser beam in an initially uniform plasma can form a stable filament which alternately focuses and defocuses. An additional question that is discussed is whether diffractive losses associated with long propagation paths are significant.

A summary is presented of the activities and results of research in nuclear chemistry, nuclear geochemistry, nuclear cosmochemistry, and other minor areas from 1950 to 1976. A complete listing is given of publications, doctoral dissertations, and reports resulting from the research. A chronological list provides an overview of the activities at any particular time. (JSR)

A thermal analysis was performed to establish requirements for a heating system for the standpipe bubbler sufficient to maintain the sodium in the standpipe in a liquid condition over the range of operating conditions. There are very few formal requirements on operating limits or hardware selection. Therefore, consideration was given to standard types of equipment employed in a conventional manner. The recommended heating system consists of metal-sheathed resistance heaters with three units being mounted on standoffs and equally spaced around the pipe. The heaters would be covered by a layer of insulation having both interior and exterior coverings of reflective metal sheathing. The pipe temperature would be monitored by thermocouples, and the heaters would be turned on and off on a cycle of approximately 4 hours to maintain the pipe at a temperature of 800/sup 0/F +- 50/sup 0/F.

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; Whether a city may contract with a private organization to restore and maintain an historic home.

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; Whether a natural gas pipeline is a common carrier subject to Railroad Commission regulation.

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.

The stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of U--6 wt percent Nb in three different heat-treated conditions was investigated. The three heat treatments were: (a) solution quenched (the nonaged condition); (b) solution quenched and aged 6 hours at 250/sup 0/C (the underaged condition); and (c) solution quenched and aged 80 minutes at 600/sup 0/C (the overaged condition). The SCC tests utilized smooth, dead-weight loaded, static tensile specimens exposed to nitrogen-saturated or oxygen-saturated water containing 50 ppM chloride ions. The alloy in the solution-quenched condition was not susceptible to SCC when loaded to 90 percent of yield strength in either the oxygen or nitrogen-saturated chloride solutions. The underaged material (6 hours at 250/sup 0/C) was susceptible to SCC in oxygen or nitrogen-saturated water containing 50 ppM chloride ions. The underaged material was more susceptible to cracking in the oxygen-saturated solution than in the nitrogen-saturated solutions. The SCC in the underaged material proceeded by a principally intercrystalline fracture mode with the overload condition being principally transgranular. The overaged material also exhibited SCC, but to a lesser extent than the underaged material. Here again, cracking was more pronounced in the oxygen-saturated solution than in the nitrogen-saturated solution. The overaged material fractured by a combined SCC …

General requirements for the Brayton Isotope Power System (BIPS)/Ground Demonstration System (GDS) assembly and test facility are defined. The facility will include provisions for a complete test laboratory for GDS checkout, performance, and endurance testing, and a contamination-controlled area for assembly, fabrication, storage, and storage preparation of GDS components. Specifications, schedules, and drawings are included.

Progress is reported on the following research projects: detection of inversions; inversions produced by chemical mutagens and x radiation; phenotypic effects of inversions; linkage of inversions; cytology of inversions; Robertsonian metacentric translocations; and somatic crossing-over in mammals. (HLW)

The specification establishes requirements for a high-vacuum test chamber, associated vacuum pumps, valves, controls, and instrumentation that shall be designed and fabricated for use as a test chamber for testing a closed loop Brayton Isotope Power System (BIPS) Ground Demonstration System (GDS). The vacuum system shall include all instrumentation required for pressure measurement and control of the vacuum pumping system. A general outline of the BIPS-GDS in the vacuum chamber and the preliminary piping and instrumentation interface to the vacuum chamber are shown.

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