This report describes the Nuclear Analysis Division's Levelized Nuclear Fuel Cycle Cost Program. An emphasis is placed upon the description of the program, operation procedures, the interactive organization of the variable inputs, output reports and user procedures. Examples of the program execution are included to assist potential users in understanding the procedures required to exercise the model.

The Combined Electrolysis Catalytic Exchange system was operated to experimentally determine mass transfer coefficients and to test the process controller. Values for H/sub OG/ and K/sub tilde y/a were obtained at three separate molar flow ratios (tilde L/tilde G). Replicate values of K/sub tilde y/a from additional runs agreed with initial results to within 16%. Two process controller tests were completed that demonstrated the reliability of the system hardware and the feasibility of the digital controller software. The feasibility of using a xenon flashlamp source in the uv photodissociation step of the two-photon water-hydrogen laser isotope separation (LIS) process has been demonstrated with H/sub 2/O/D/sub 2/ and D/sub 2/O/H/sub 2/ photocatalyzed exchange experiments. A nearly 10 : 1 isotopic selectivity between the photodissociation of ground state H/sub 2/O and D/sub 2/O was observed with an unfiltered xenon flashlamp source. The effectiveness of the hydrogen scavenger system was also demonstrated in these experiments. Tests continued on samples of cement and cement-plaster mixtures which were injected with tritiated water, cured, and then impregnated with catalyzed styrene monomer. After polymerization the samples were put into uncontaminated water and the tritium concentration was monitored. No significant differences were noted except in two cases when …

The cyclone incinerator was operated throughout the quarter utilizing the new lid assembly. Burning rates averaged 35.1 kg/h. Early indications are that equipment life expectancies may also have lengthened. Efforts continue on selection of a system to dry sludges generated in the off-gas treatment system. A quality control program was started this quarter. The ash/cement matrix studies were completed. The 65/35 mixture proved to be the best for dry-cure pellets, and the 80/20 mixture produced the best wet-cured pellets. Experimental incinerator ash was successfully sintered; the final carbon content was less than 0.1 wt%.

As part of Lawrence Livermore Laboratory's Enhanced Filtration Program, we are investigating the use of an externally applied electric field to improve the performance of fibrous filters. Our objective in this program is to develop filtration systems for the nuclear industry that will reduce the cost and volume of nuclear waste associated with present systems. We have developed a new theory of the electrostatic filter that is consistent with experimental tests made during transient and steady-state conditions. For these tests, we used ac and dc electric fields, insulated and noninsulated electrodes, and conducting and nonconducting filter media; all tests were conducted in our small-scale 25 l/s test system, using sodium chloride aerosols. Our theory employs a new mechanism based on the attraction between charged particles and charged fibers in addition to the previously proposed mechanism based on the attraction between charged particles and polarized fibers. In this theory, fibers are charged when charged particles deposit on them. We have also developed a theoretical model that explains the increase in filter efficiency and pressure drop when particles load on the filter. The filter loading tests we conducted to evaluate this model verify its accuracy to a remarkable degree. By using the …

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 Harris County may restrict the award of printing jobs to union printers.

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Electropolishing is a rapid and effective technique for removing plutonium and other radionuclide contamination from a variety of metal surfaces. The major objective of this continuing research is to develop electropolishing into a large-scale decontamination technique that can completely and economically remove transuranic and other surface contamination from large volumes of metallic waste. These research studies have demonstrated the ability of electropolishing to reduce the radiation levels of steel tools and stainless steel vacuum system components, which were heavily contaminated with plutonium oxide. Other examples of objects that have been decontaminated within minutes using electropolishing include hot cell manipulator assemblies, analytical instrument components, laboratory transfer containers, offsite shipping containers, fission product storage capsules, laboratory animal cages, and nuclear reactor process tube components. One of the major activities of this research has been the establishment and intensive operation of a 400-gal immersion electropolishing system designed specifically to develop and demonstrate decontamination techniques for representative plutonium- and beta/gamma-contaminated components. Substantial progress has also been made in developing in situ electropolishing techniques that can be used to decontaminate metallic surfaces that cannot readily be transported to or immersed in a conventional electropolishing tank. Sectioning/pretreatment studies are underway to develop and demonstrate optimum disassembly, …

The Phase I program resulted in the development and ground demonstration of a dynamic power conversion system. The two key contractual objectives of 25% conversion efficiency and 1000 h of endurance testing were successfully met. As a result of the Phase I effort, the BIPS is a viable candidate for further development into a flight system capable of sustained operation in space. It represents the only known dynamic space power system to demonstrate the performance and endurance coupled with the simplicity necessary for reliable operation. This final report follows thirty-five monthly reports. For expediency, it makes liberal use of referenced documents which have been submitted to DOE during the course of the program.

This report discusses some of the key issues of terrorism. It also points out some of the specific measures which affect the development of information resources to meet the threat of terrorist activities.

This report describes the major themes of a Congressional Research Service Forum, "Terrorism: Information as a Tool for Control." The Forum focused on the development of resources that could keep the government informed on terrorist activity.

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.