Newsletter published by the Texas Department of Transportation for TxDOT employees including information about the organization, projects throughout the state, and other topics related to transportation in Texas.

This report summarizes the work that has been performed to date at Argonne National Laboratory on the development of the TRUEX process, a solvent extraction process employing a bifunctional organophosphorous reagent in a PUREX process solverc (tributyl phosphate-normal paraffinic hydrocarbons). The purpose of this extraction process is to separate and concentrate transuranic (TRU) elements from nuclear waste.

This report summarizes the work that has been performed to date at Argonne National Laboratory on the development of the TRUEX process, a solvent extraction process employing a bifunctional organophosphorous reagent in a PUREX process solvent (tributyl phosphate-normal paraffinic hydrocarbons). The purpose of this extraction process is to separate and concentrate transuranic (TRU) elements from nuclear waste. Assessments were made of the use of two TRUEX solvents: one incorporating the well-studied dihexyl-N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate (DHDECMP) and a second incorporating an extractant with superior properties for a 1M HNO/sub 3/ acid feed, octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (O/sub phi/D(IB)CMPO). In this report, conceptual flowsheets for the removal of soluble TRUs from high-level nuclear wastes using these two TRUEX proces solvents are presented, and flowsheet features are discussed in detail. The conceptual flowsheet for TRU-element removal from a PUREX waste by the O/sub phi/D(IB)CMPO-TRUEX process solvent was tested in a bench-scale countercurrent experiment, and results of that experiment are presented and discussed. The conclusion of this study is that the TRUEX process is able to separate TRUs from high-level wastes so that the major portion of the solid waste (approx. 99%) can be classified as non-TRU. Areas where more experimentation is needed are listed at the end …

Pre-test calculations indicate that, for the STEP-1 (Source Term Experimental Program) test, cladding temperatures in excess of 4200/sup 0/F can be reached on a heatup transient similar to that of the AD accident sequence in a 20-min test duration. This is well above the Zircaloy melting point of approx. 3350/sup 0/F and should provide a degree of cladding disruption sufficient to allow a singificant release of products from the fuel into the flowing steam. The same temperature range can be reached in a 60-min-duration run to simulate the TQUW sequence for the STEP-2 test. The complete paper will present initial experimental results from these two tests and perhaps from the two TMLB' simulations run without and with control rod material in STEP-3 and STEP-4, respectively.

Four experiments are being conducted in the TREAT facility to investigate the behavior of fission products released from typical LWR fuel overheated to the point of catastrophic cladding degradation. Heatup and steam flow transients are used that simulate the conditions expected in operating power reactors undergoing various types of hypothetical severe accidents. The experiments are integral in nature and are aimed at the physicochemical characterization, near the point of origin, of the biologically important volatile fission products released early in such accidents. Detailed program objectives are discussed, a test matrix is presented, and the test apparatus is described. Pretest analysis and preliminary results are reported for the first test.

Brief, monthly newsletter of the Texas Research Institute of Mental Sciences featuring articles by staff specialists on current treatments and other topics of importance to clinicians in the mental health profession. This issue discusses "Speaking of research."

TRISTAN is an on-line isotope separator located at the Brookhaven National Laboratory High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR). Its primary purpose is the study of neutron-rich nuclei far from stability. It is intended principally as a USER facility. Construction, maintenance and improvement of the facility constitute one of the activities of the Neutron Nuclear Group at BNL and are carried out with the advice and help of the TRISTAN user community. The other activities of the BNL group include an extensive program of studies with the (n, ..gamma..) reaction, utilizing thermal and resonance energy neutrons, and a related supporting effort in theoretical interpretation of the data from both (n, ..gamma..) and TRISTAN studies. The purpose of this Handbook is to acquaint the community with the capabilities of TRISTAN. We hope it will be of use to frequent users as an update on new developments and to potential new users in giving a feeling for the types of experiments that can be carried out and the ranges of nuclei that can be studied. It is written in an operational sense: that is, technical details are kept to a minimum. The purpose of each section is to provide background information and sufficient description …

The radial inflow turbine developed for the NASA 404 program 25-ton solar air conditioner (RCWS-2-2753-GO) was tested for performance. Using the converging-only nozzles designed for this system, a peak efficiency of 86% was measured at a pressure ratio of 2.7 and a velocity ratio of 0.66. Near the design pressure ratio of 3.5 and velocity ratio of 0.645, the measured pressure ratio of 3.5 and velocity of 0.645, the measured efficiency was 84% instead of the predicted 82%. Data are presented for pressure ratios of 2.7, 3.6, and velocity ratio ranges of 0.20 to 0.85. This covers the normal operating range of interest in this machine. The performance is better than predicted. This indicates that some of the loss coefficient values assumed during the original analysis were conservative.

Underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage was conceived as a modification of surface pumped storage to eliminate dependence upon fortuitous topography, provide higher hydraulic heads, and reduce environmental concerns. A UPHS plant offers substantial savings in investment cost over coal-fired cycling plants and savings in system production costs over gas turbines. Potential location near load centers lowers transmission costs and line losses. Environmental impact is less than that for a coal-fired cycling plant. The inherent benefits include those of all pumped storage (i.e., rapid load response, emergency capacity, improvement in efficiency as pumps improve, and capacity for voltage regulation). A UPHS plant would be powered by either a coal-fired or nuclear baseload plant. The economic capacity of a UPHS plant would be in the range of 1000 to 3000 MW. This storage level is compatible with the load-leveling requirements of a greater metropolitan area with population of 1 million or more. The technical feasibility of UPHS depends upon excavation of a subterranean powerhouse cavern and reservoir caverns within a competent, impervious rock formation, and upon selection of reliable and efficient turbomachinery - pump-turbines and motor-generators - all remotely operable.

A set of macro libraries has been developed that allows programmers to write portable FORTRAN code for multiprocessors. This document presents, in tutorial form, the macros used to implement three common synchronization patterns: self-scheduling DO-loops, barrier synchronization, and the askfor monitor.

A set of macro libraries has been developed that allows programmers to write portable Pascal code for multiprocessors. This document presents, in tutorial form, the macros used to implement three common synchronization patterns: self-scheduling FOR-loops, barrier synchronization, and the askfor monitor.

The high yield potential and attractive chemical composition of Typha make it a particularly viable energy crop. The Minnesota research effort has demonstrated that total annual biomass yields equivalent to 30 dry tonnes/ha (13 tons/acre) are possible in planted stands. This compares with yields of total plant material between 9 and 16 dry tonnes/ha (4 to 7 tons/acre) in a typical Minnesota corn field. At least 50% of the Typha plant is comprised of a belowground rhizome system containing 40% starch and sugar. This high level of easily fermentable carbohydrate makes rhizomes an attractive feedstock for alcohol production. The aboveground portion of the plant is largely cellulose, and although it is not easily fermentable, it can be gasified or burned. This report is organized in a manner that focuses on the evaluation of the management options task. Results from stand management research performed at the University of Minnesota during 1982 and 1983 are integrated with findings from an extensive survey of relevant emergent aquatic plant research and utilization. These results and findings are then arranged in sections dealing with key steps and issues that need to be dealt with in the development of a managed emergent aquatic bio-energy system. A …

Newsletter of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin describing research, news, events, and activities at the university, as well as other topics of interest.

Rapporteur's summary reports are given the following workshop sessions: geological background and overview of the Long Valley hydrothermal-magnetic system and processes, concepts and models based on seismological data, electrical and electromagnetic models, and deformation and gravity. 31 references, 36 figures. (MHR)

A computer program is developed for calculation of the photon flux and power distributions of a synchrotron radiation beam when various filters are inserted in the beam. The low-energy photons are eliminated by a vertical aperture and a set of foils of pyrolytic graphite, so that Be windows can be placed in a beam line using wiggler radiation. Xe gas is a band-pass filter between 25 keV and 34.5 keV. It reduces the power of the radiation from the superconducting wiggler of the NSLS by a factor of 5 while providing 50% transmission at 33 keV, where the iodine contrast angiography will operate. Other possibilities for band-pass filters are Kr, and Fe, Cu or Ag which can be alloyed to Be in small concentrations. The absorption of power in the filters is calculated, and it is concluded that the heat transfer from the graphite foil is due to blackbody radiation, while the rare gas becomes plasma which radiates mostly ultraviolet light or soft x-rays.

One of the broader applications of synchrotron radiation has been to EXAFS studies for material structure determination, i.e., for an analysis of x-ray absorption over an extended energy region beyond a core ionization limit. Studies of the near edge structure (XANES) give a different type of information, characteristic of the local symmetry and electronic configuration of the absorbing atom. This type of information is reflected also in the x-ray emission spectra, in particular for transitions involving the valence levels. Examination of the near edge absorption or the emission spectrum does not require an instrument capable of scanning a wide energy range with high counting statistics, as does EXAFS; the needs are rather for good resolution and a reliable calibration of the energy scale. Some of the problems of near edge spectra were particularly evident in our investigation of Ru-L..beta../sub 2/ /sub 15/ emission from Ru(NH/sub 3/)/sub 6/Cl/sub 3/. The Ru-L..beta../sub 2/ /sub 15/ emission was measured with a laboratory Rowland circle x-ray spectrometer with a curved quartz (1010) crystal (radius = 22 inches) in a fixed position appropriate to the energy range, and a position sensitive detector which can be positioned along the Rowland circle. The Ru spectrum was excited …

As of this writing, all existing simultaneous x-ray observations of gamma-ray bursts (that is, observation having useful sensitivity below 30 keV at the time of the burst) have been serendipitous. Otherwise stated, there has never been a true GRB instrument designed to collect data in the <30 keV regime. Consequently, all the x-ray measurements have been compromised to some extent by experimental configurations not intended for GRB observations. Until recently, the experimental picture was further complicated by the fact that bursts were not well characterized even at gamma-ray energies. It is therefore not surprising that a reasonable observational understanding of the x-ray emission from GRBs has been difficult to attain. 7 refs., 9 figs.

This report covers vacuum studies carried out over 4 months' period April to July 1984 including some comments on the shut down. The data rely heavily on partial pressure analysis which is used to calculate beam lifetimes. Discrepancies between these calculated values and the real lifetimes are also discussed and some explanations suggested. An attempt is made to measure synchrotron light desorption and the pumping speed of the distributed ion pumps which appear to be very small at low pressures. It outlines a possible course of action to improve the pumping speed as well as the beam current and its lifetime. At present the lifetimes routinely achieved are 1 h for 50 to 60 mA and several hours 20 to 30 mA at 1.7 to 2 GeV. Fast beam drop-outs are not directly pressure related but are caused by other mechanisms. They present a serious problem and vary greatly with day to day operation. Equipment failure may be an important contributor to this problem.