This report describes the incorporation of input--output technical coefficients for five new energy supply and conversion technologies as estimated by the MITRE Corporation into a 110-sector Energy I--O Model. The five new technologies are solvent refining of coal, oil shale mining and retorting, high-temperature gas-cooled reactor electricity generation, high-BTU coal gasification, and COGAS combined-cycle electricity generation. Incorporation of seven existing energy supply and conversion technologies is also described: crude oil and gas extraction, coal mining, refined petroleum products, pipeline gas, fossil electric generation, and hydroelectric generation. Non-energy input coefficients are given in units of 1967 $/10/sup 6/ BTU and represent the inputs in constant 1967 dollars from non-energy sectors (e.g. manufacturing, transportation, services) required per 10/sup 6/ BTU of energy production by each of these energy supply technologies. The 90 non-energy sectors included are based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 83 sector input--output structure for 1967 with minor disaggregations. Energy input coefficients are given in units of BTU/BTU.

This report is intended to be a "user manual" for the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory version of the Eulerian incompressible hydrodynamic computer code ABMAC. The theory of the numerical model is discussed in general terms. The format for data input and data printout is described in detail. A listing and flow chart of the computer code are provided.

Acoustic data were obtained from two high-temperature lithium niobate microphones on the loop background noise and transient pressure pulses during the Sodium Loop Safety Facility (SLSF) P1 in-reactor experiment. This experiment simulated an LMFBR loss-of-piping-integrity (LOPI) transient on a nineteen element, end-of-life, enriched-UO/sub 2/ fuel assembly. The microphones were exposed to liquid sodium at a distance 4.85 meters above the reactor core at temperatures between 315/sup 0/ and 590/sup 0/C. The distance and location of the microphones in the P1 Test Train provided an attenuative transmission path which was undesirable for optimum acoustic detection of sodium boiling and fuel failure. The data gathered on the loop background noise was observed to be dominated by pump and electrical noise at frequencies below 1.5 KHz and appeared to be dominated by flow induced local turbulence noise at higher frequencies. During the period of time that the sodium in the fuel assembly was at its saturation temperature 943/sup 0/C (1730/sup 0/F), as indicated by the wire wrap thermocouples, several discrete pulses were observed with peak-to-peak pressure between 3.3 kPa and 7.9 kPa and center frequencies between 360 and 550 Hz. The pulses occurred at two separate gradually increasing repetition rates. These observations appear …

The acoustic emission from both powder and ingot source beryllium has been measured as a function of strain and prior heat treatment. Most measurements were made during tensile deformation, but a limited number of compression tests have also been performed. The acoustic emission observed was of the burst type, with little or no contribution from continuous type emission. The emission was characterized by the variation of burst rate and average energy per burst as a function of strain. The tensile behavior was qualitatively similar for all the materials tested. Burst rate maxima centered roughly at 0.1 percent and 1.0 percent plastic strain were observed. The magnitude but not the strain at the low strain burst rate peak was very sensitive to prior thermal treatment, while the higher strain burst rate peak was insensitive to prior heat treatment. An energy per burst maximum was observed at 0.2 percent plastic strain, the magnitude of which was moderately sensitive to heat treatment. The Kaiser effect is observed in the material studied. Emission during compression was similar to that observed in tension. The acoustic emission observed is attributed to dislocation motion, as proposed by James and Carpenter for LiF, NaCl, and Zn. Metallographic studies …

Newsletter issued by the Advisory Council for Technical-Vocational Education in Texas discussing news, events, and other relevant information related to technical and vocational education for adults in Texas.

Research progress is reported on fabrication of advanced LMFBR fuels, irradiation testing of high performance fuels, and measurements of thermodynamic properties of advanced fuels. (JWR)

Research discussed includes the experimental study of the effects of structured electrodes on converter performance, an experimental study of a cylindrical converter, an analysis of the operating characteristics of the plasmatron, and the high current zero power converter (ZEPO) test. (WHK)

Thermogravimetric analysis on cesium aluminosilicates was performed. Pollucite, CsAlSi/sub 2/O/sub 6/, appears to have more than adequate thermal stability for Cs fixation in supercalcine. The possibility of leaving Ru as RuO/sub 2/ during supercalcine crystallization is being assessed. The apatite solid solution (A/sub ss/) phases used in supercalcine phase formation models have been easily prepared as pure phases. Use of Ca instead of Sr as an alkaline earth additive yields a more stable A/sub ss/ phase. Weight ratios have been optimized for two firing temperatures in terms of soxhlet leachability. However, this is not the preferred approach to supercalcine consolidation. The phase formation models developed for PW-4b-type wastes were routinely applied to PW-7, in spite of several significant composition differences in the latter. Uranium oxide remains as a fluorite structure oxide after supercalcine crystallization, but it does seem to have incorporated either or both CeO/sub 2/ or ZrO/sub 2/. Characterization of this F/sub ss/ phase will require further study. Based on observations during several complex compatibility studies, it appears that good overall thermal stability at as high as 1200/sup 0/C might be attainable for nepheline based supercalcine formulations. A thorough literature review of the oxide crystal chemistry of Te has …

The study assesses the value of seismic trip (scram) systems on commercial nuclear power plants. Five topics were specifically addressed: (1) the likelihood that existing instrumentation would trip the plant; (2) the consequences of spurious trips; (3) the consequences of tripping during an earthquake; (4) the advantages of a controlled shutdown; and (5) the desirability of continuing operation. A comparative risk assessment was made based on evaluation of fault trees constructed for plants with and without seismic trip systems. It was found that seismic trip systems would have a small and undetermined effect on risk due to nuclear reactor accidents and may indeed increase the risk to society from an earthquake.

It has been shown that there are three distinct phases of radiosensitivity in oocytes of prepubertal mice: a period of rapidly increasing sensitivity between 0 and 4 days of age; a period of consistent, high sensitivity between 5 and 18 days of age; and a period of decreasing sensitivity from 19 to at least 21 days of age. Two distinct phases have been demonstrated for the rate of population decline of the oocytes of primary follicles: an initial period of rapid loss from 0 to 4 days of age; and a period of much slower loss from 5 through 23 days of age. Correlations have been drawn between the first two phases of radiosensitivity and morphological changes in the oocyte, and between the third phase of radiosensitivity and endocrinological changes in the maturing animal. The reaction of oocytes to radiation has been separated into two categories: immediate death (within 24 hours); and delayed death (over the entire lifespan of the animal). (auth)

Dielectrophoretic filtration experiments were conducted on glass, polyester, dacron, Teflon, wool, acrylic and polypropylene filter media. A polydispersed (sigma g = 2.0, ammd = 0.95 ..mu.. m) sodium chloride particle was used as a test aerosol. All materials exhibited significant increases in efficiency with increasing field strengths. Efficiencies of greater than 99 percent could be obtained from glass fiber mats using a 13 kV/cm electric field at 16.3 cm/s face velocity.

The optimized hardware floating-point versions of the built-in numerical subroutines used in the ALECS language are described. Information as to the algorithm used, the implementation conventions, and the accuracy of the results is provided for each subroutine. Accompanying each subroutine description is a flowchart of the implementation and a set of sample results. Possible error conditions are noted and the corresponding error codes are given.

A scheme for selecting resonant frequencies for the analysis of gaseous air pollutants using long-path absorption of narrow-band infrared sources is presented. A computer search is conducted using existing spectrometric data to determine lines with minimum interference and maximum sensitivity. Results are given for the pollutants O/sub 3/, N/sub 2/O, CO, CH/sub 4/, and the non-polluting species, H/sub 2/O and CO/sub 2/. In addition, accurate absorption line half-widths of NO were determined using a conventional high resolution infrared spectrometer and modern data-taking procedures.

Report on the Ogallala Aquifer in Bailey County, Texas including the historic use of the aquifer, the projected water volume, and projections of water availability in the future.

Progress is reported in a research and development program to design, build, and test an improved geothermal drill bit. The major tasks of the Phase I effort are entitled: failure mechanisms of existing bits; new steels and new bearing design; and new seals and lubricants. It appears that a significant gain in drill-bit life can be attained by the use of higher-temperature steels which retain more hardness at temperatures above 260/sup 0/C (500/sup 0/F). Such steels are available, and two research bits of high-temperature steels were made and will shortly be tested in a laboratory-simulated full-scale geothermal drilling environment. Two control bits of the same design, but made with conventional drill bit steels, were also obtained for identical laboratory test runs, so that the performance of the research bits can be meaningfully assessed. Base-line properties of the steels, such as hardness and fracture toughness as functions of temperature, are being measured to further assess the value of the high-temperature steels selected for the research bits. A geothermal test vessel was designed and fabricated in which the full-scale drill bits will be tested. The vessel is capable of temperature to 427/sup 0/C (800/sup 0/F) and pressures to 35 MPa (5,000 psi). …

Equipment and procedures used to spot weld tantalum- or stainless-steel-sheathed thermocouples to the inside diameter of Zircaloy tubing to meet the requirements of the Multirod Burst Test (MRBT) Program at ORNL are described. Spot welding and oxide cleaning tools were fabricated to remove the oxide coating on the Zircaloy tubing at local areas and spot weld four thermocouples separated circumferentially by 90/sup 0/ at any axial distribution desired. It was found necessary to apply a nickel coating to stainless-steel-sheathed thermocouples to obtain acceptable welds. The material and shape of the inner electrode and resistance between inner and outer electrodes were found to be critical parameters in obtaining acceptable welds.

This report presents principal findings of studies conducted at Iowa State on Applications of Fusion Plasma Technology. Two tasks were considered. The first was to identify and investigate plasma processes for near term industrial applications of already developed plasma technology. The second was to explore the potential of reprocessing the fuel for fusion test facilities in a closed-cycle system. For the first task, two applications were considered. One was alumina reduction in magnetically confined plasmas, and the other was uranium enrichment using plasma centrifuges. For the second task, in-core and ex-core plasma purification were considered. Separation techniques that are compatible with the plasma state were identified and preliminary analysis of their effectiveness were carried out. The effects of differential ionization of impurities on the separation effectiveness are considered. Possible technical difficulties in both tasks are identified and recommendations for future work are given.

The following research projects in radiation botany were conducted: mutation breeding of beans and cassava; biological response of coffee plants; and radiosensitivity of tropical plants. In the field of entomology experiments were conducted on radiosterilization of the Mediterranean fruit fly, the coffee leaf miner, the torsalo and the meliaceous shootborer. The following research projects in plant physiology were conducted: physiology of cassava plants; effects of temperature on germination of cacao seeds; physiology of cacao seeds; sulfur metabolism using /sup 35/S; diseases and parasites of banana fruits; the mechanism controlling dwarfism in a radioinduced single gene bean mutant; and the use of wetting agents in foliar nutrition. The following research projects in soil chemistry were conducted: acidity and cation movement in tropical soils; phosphate in soils of the humid tropics; movement, adsorption and desorption of sulfates; free iron and aluminium oxides in tropical soils; mineralization of organic nitrogen in soils on volcanic materials; soil chemical properties of recent volcanic ash; and spatial distribution of the absorbing roots in coffee. Discussions are presented of installation of radiation facilities and collection of rainfall for fallout analysis. (HLW)

From introduction: The purpose of the study was to assemble data on the occurrence, movement, availability and chemical quality of ground water in the Hackensack River basin in Bergen and Hudson Counties, New Jersey; to evaluate and interpret the data; and to make the results available to the public.

Experimental data in the literature on the physical, thermodynamic, and transport properties of aqueous LiOH are summarized. The behavior of some properties is predicted beyond the range of the data. 12 fig, 14 tables, 20 references.

One of the ways in which offshore coastal regions can be used in energy development is examined, namely through the construction of offshore islands for the siting of energy-related facilities. The purpose of the study is to review and assess the significant sectors of this accumulation of legal and regulatory authority, in order that those proposing and supervising such offshore development can formulate suggestions for coordination and rational allocation of responsibility. The potential demands on offshore resources are considerably greater than many would expect. In addition to offshore drilling and other mineral exploitation, there is increasing interest in safety of navigation, harvest and aquaculture of living marine resources, recreation, and preservation of uniquely valuable marine landscapes and ecosystems. Within this dynamic context, the offshore implications of the energy needs of the United States must be fully evaluated. New energy installations might be appropriately sited offshore on artificial islands. This legal and regulatory assessment contains little case law, new Congressional enactments, or proposed regulations and is, in general, a first-order analysis of the legal context for a new concept--the multiple-facility artificial island--which has not yet been tested, but which merits serious study as an alternative for uses of the offshore regions …

The purpose of the study was to explore the performance and safety characteristics of PWR plutonium burners, to identify modifications to current PWR designs to enhance plutonium utilization, to study the problems of deploying plutonium burners at Nuclear Energy Centers, and to assess current industrial capability of the design and licensing of such reactors. A plutonium burner is defined to be a reactor which utilizes plutonium as the sole fissile addition to the natural or depleted uranium which comprises the greater part of the fuel mass. The results of the study and the design analyses performed during the development of C-E's System 80 plant indicate that the use of suitably designed plutonium burners at Nuclear Energy Centers is technically feasible.

The need for a time history approach, rather than a response spectrum approach, to the seismic analysis of fast breeder reactor core structures is described. The use of a Rayleigh-Ritz/Assumed Mode formalism for developing mathematical models of reactor cores is presented. Various factors including structural nonlinearity, fluid inertia, and impact which necessitate abandonment of response spectrum methods are discussed. The use of the assumed mode formalism is described in some detail as it applies to reactor core seismic analysis. To illustrate the use of this formal approach to mathematical modeling, a sample reactor problem with increasing complexities of modeling is presented. Finally, several problem areas--fluid inertia, fluid damping, coulomb friction, impact, and modal choice--are discussed with emphasis on research needs for use in fast reactor seismic analysis.

Analysis of the existing technologies applicable to solar module fabrication is nearing completion. One basic module whose manufacturing costs were derived from first principles is described. In this case, four basic cost analyses were made using a computerized cost analysis procedure. Excluding raw wafer cost, the estimated module processing cost per watt for the Ti/Ag evaporation metallization base case is about $2.40. An experimental thick-film Al screen-printing technique could reduce the cost to about $1.55/W. These estimates use a derived overall process yield of about 65 percent. (WDM)