Key among various issues of ignited plasmas is understanding the physics of energy transfer between thermal plasma particles and magnetically confined, highly energetic charged ions in a tokamak device. The superthermal particles are products of fusion reactions. The efficiency of energy transfer by collisions, from charged fusion products (e.g., {alpha}-particles) to plasma ions, grossly determines whether or not plasma conditions are self-sustaining without recourse to auxiliary heating. Furthermore, should energy transfer (efficiency be poor, and substantial auxiliary heating power is required to maintain reacting conditions within the plasma, economics may preclude commercial viability of fusion reactors. The required charged fusion product information is contained in the energy distribution function of these particles. Knowledge of temporal variations of the superthermal particle energy distribution function could be used by a fusion reactor control system to balance plasma conditions between thermal runaway and a modicum of fusion product energy transfer. Therefore, diagnostics providing data on the dynamical transfer of alpha-particle and other charged fusion product energy to the plasma ions are essential elements for a fusion reactor control system to insure that proper plasma conditions are maintained. The objective of this work is to assess if spectral analysis of rf radiation emitted by …

This multidisciplinary study is designed to provide improvements in advanced reservoir characterization techniques. This goal is to be accomplished through: (1) an examination of the spatial variation and anisotropy of relative permeability in the Tensleep Sandstone reservoirs of Wyoming; (2) the placement of that variation and anisotropy into paleogeographic, depositional, and diagenetic frameworks; (3) the development of pore-system imagery techniques for the calculation of relative permeability; and (4) reservoir simulations testing the impact of relative permeability anisotropy and spatial variation on Tensleep Sandstone reservoir enhanced oil recovery. Concurrent efforts are aimed at understanding the spatial and dynamic alteration in sandstone reservoirs that is caused by rock-fluid interaction during CO{sub 2} enhanced oil recovery processes. The work focuses on quantifying the interrelationship of fluid-rock interaction with lithologic characterization in terms of changes in relative permeability, wettability, and pore structure, and with fluid characterization in terms of changes in chemical composition and fluid properties. This work will establish new criteria for the susceptibility of Tensleep Sandstone reservoirs to formation alteration that results in a change in relative permeability and wellbore scale damage. This task will be accomplished by flow experiments using core material; examination of regional trends in water chemistry; examination of …

The Consolidated Incineration Facility at the Savannah River Site is designed without emergency flue gas vents. The main components of this 18 million btu/hr facility are a rotary kiln and secondary combustion chamber, each with a code allowable internal pressure of 15 psig. The facility is designed to treat mixed waste. During the early stages of design it was judged on a qualitative basis that potential eventsthat might produce damaging overpressures were not credible. When these findings were questioned during subsequent design reviews, a probabilistic risk assessment was undertaken to provide a quantitative basis for decision making. The result was identification of design conditions leading to relatively high frequencies for a few event sequences in which the allowable pressure might be exceeded. Risk assessment assumptions and results were reviewed with design engineers and relatively simple improvements were identified that collectively reduced the frequency of overpressure to an acceptable level. This experience showed that the use of formalized risk assessment techniques can provide valuable insight leading to timely and cost-effective improvements in facility design and operating procedures. In this case, the program of analysis and follow-on improvements provided justification for incinerator operation without thermal relief devices.

The Consolidated Incineration Facility at the Savannah River Site is designed without emergency flue gas vents. The main components of this 18 million btu/hr facility are a rotary kiln and secondary combustion chamber, each with a code allowable internal pressure of 15 psig. The facility is designed to treat mixed waste. During the early stages of design it was judged on a qualitative basis that potential eventsthat might produce damaging overpressures were not credible. When these findings were questioned during subsequent design reviews, a probabilistic risk assessment was undertaken to provide a quantitative basis for decision making. The result was identification of design conditions leading to relatively high frequencies for a few event sequences in which the allowable pressure might be exceeded. Risk assessment assumptions and results were reviewed with design engineers and relatively simple improvements were identified that collectively reduced the frequency of overpressure to an acceptable level. This experience showed that the use of formalized risk assessment techniques can provide valuable insight leading to timely and cost-effective improvements in facility design and operating procedures. In this case, the program of analysis and follow-on improvements provided justification for incinerator operation without thermal relief devices.

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The K-shell emission from porous aluminum targets is used to infer the density and temperature of plasmas created with 800 nm and 400 nm, 140 fs laser light. The laser beam is focused to a minimum spot size of 5 {mu}m with 800 nm light and 3 {mu}m with 400 nm light, producing a normal incidence peak intensity of 10{sup 18} Watts/cm{sup 2}. A new 800 fs x-ray streak camera is used to study the broadband x-ray emission. The time resolved and time integrated x-ray emission implies substantial differences between the porous target and the flat target temperature.

The CSMP proposal to NSF contained a description of a project to examine variability of the climate system on decadal-to-contennial time scales, with an emphasis on eventually understanding the processes which led to climate variability over the past one to two centuries as a basis for validating models of potential future changes. The project thus focused first, on understanding, and second on understanding as a basis for the development of validation procedures for models intended for use in climate change applications. The principal activity of the first year of the project was a workshop on one of the major sources of interdecadal variability-the thermohaline circulation (THC) of the oceans. This workshop was focused on review of the cutting edge science of the THC, and on identification of opportunities for future research. The workshop report is attached.

The challenge of tuning an induction accelerator in real time has been addressed with the new TUNE GUIDE code. The code initializes a beam at a particular position using a tracer particle representation of the phase space. The particles are transported, using a matrix formulation, element by element along the beamline assuming that the field of a solenoid, or steering element is constant over its length. The other allowed elements are gaps and drift sections. A great deal of effort has been spent programming TUNE GUIDE to operate under the IBMPC Windows 3.1 system. This system features an intuitive, menu driven interface, which provides an ability to rapidly change beamline component parameter values. Consequently various accelerator setups can be explored and new values determined in real time while the accelerator is operating. In addition the code has the capability of varying a capability value over a range and then plotting the resulting beam properties, such as radius or centroid position, at a down stream position. Element parameter editing is also included along with an on-line hyper text oriented help package.

This paper is about the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ``Environmental Standards for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level and Transuranic Wastes,`` 40 CFR 191. These standards regulate the disposal of radioactive wastes in geologic repositories. Currently, two repository sites are under investigation: The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site, located near Carlsbad, New Mexico, may become the repository for defense-generated transuranic waste (TRU); and the Yucca Mountain site, located near Las Vegas, Nevada, may become the repository for spent reactor fuel and a small amount of reprocessing waste (hereinafter called high-level radioactive waste or HLW). The paper was written for readers who have an interest in 40 CFR 191 but do not have the time or inclination to ponder the technical details.

The human cerebral cortex contains approximately 10{sup 11} neurons and 10{sup 14} synapses. It thus seems logical that any technology intended to mimic human capabilities should have the ability to fabricate a very large number of neurons and even larger numbers of synapses. This paper describes an implementation of hardware neural networks using highly linear thin-film resistor technology and an 8-bit binary weight circuit to produce customizable artificial neural network chips and systems.

This progress report summarizes results, as of August, 1993, for DOE grant DE-FG-02-76ER60522 during the fiscal period 1/1/93 to 12/31/93, which is the first year of a 3-year grant cycle. The overall goals of the grant are to develop advanced x-ray detector technologies, especially as applicable for biological and materials research at the national laboratories, and to train graduate and post-doctoral students on the use of these technologies via the performance of original biological and materials research. As summarized below, there has been good progress toward achieving the research goals of the original 3-year proposal; in consequence, the research plan and the total budget for the rest of 1993 and beyond is still well described by the original proposal. Accomplishments since the last progress report include: (A) A 1k x 1k fiber optically coupled CCD detector was assembled, tested at CHESS and is slated for extended user trials this Fall. A 2k x 2k CCD detector is being assembled for permanent installation at CHESS. (B) X-ray detector phosphors, calibration techniques, and system software have been developed. (C) The design of a Pixel Array Detector, a collaborative project with the Advanced Photon Source, has been initiated. (D) The properties of biomembrane …

Research at Virginia Tech led to the development of two complementary concepts for improving the removal of inorganic sulfur from many eastern US coals. These concepts are referred to as Electrochemically Enhanced Sulfur Rejection (EESR) and Polymer Enhanced Sulfur Rejection (PESR). The EESR process uses electrochemical techniques to suppress the formation of hydrophobic oxidation products believed to be responsible for the floatability of coal pyrite. The PESR process uses polymeric reagents that react with pyrite and convert floatable middlings, i.e., composite particles composed of pyrite with coal inclusions, into hydrophilic particles. These new pyritic-sulfur rejection processes do not require significant modifications to existing coal preparation facilities, thereby enhancing their adoptability by the coal industry. It is believed that these processes can be used simultaneously to maximize the rejection of both well-liberated pyrite and composite coal-pyrite particles. The technical research was initiated on October 1, 1992, and a detailed work plan and work schedule were developed. During this reporting period, research was conducted to evaluate the liberation characteristics of various pyrite samples, to determine the electrochemical reactions that influence the hydrophobicity of pyrite, and to examine the potential use of electrochemical methods for controlling the flotation and depression of pyrite.

Approximately 60 million gallons of high-level radioactive waste--caustic liquids, slurries, saltcakes, and sludges--are stored in underground tanks at the Department of Energy`s Hanford Site. At least one-third of the tanks are known to have leaked waste into the enviroranent, and there are many unresolved tank safety issues. In order to resolve the environmental and safety concerns, the Department plans to retrieve the waste, immobilize it, and dispose of it in a permanent geologic repository. Processing all of the tank waste in this manner could cost $40 billion, including $1.2 billion to construct the Hanford Waste Vitrification Plant. The purpose of our audit was to examine the reasons for cost estimate increases and schedule delays on the Hanford vitrification program. We also wanted to report on outstanding technical, safety, and environmental issues that could make the project even more costly and further delay its completion. We found that the Department managed the Hanford remediation system as a number of separate projects not fully integrated into one major system acquisition. Total costs have, therefore, been obscured, and the Department has not yet clearly defined system requirements or developed overall cost and schedule baselines. This lack of visibility could result in additional cost …

This paper describes the meaning and applications of ecosystem and of the related terms watershed and biome. It discusses the pros and cons of all three as organizing principles for land management, and the major issues that are likely to arise in the debate over ecosystem management.

Although various legislation and regulations have been adopted to promote the use of alternative-fuel vehicles for curbing urban air pollution problems, there is a lack of systematic comparisons of emission control cost-effectiveness among various alternative-fuel vehicle types. In this paper, life-cycle emission reductions and life-cycle costs were estimated for passenger cars fueled with methanol, ethanol, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, and electricity. Vehicle emission estimates included both exhaust and evaporative emissions for air pollutants of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and air-toxic pollutants of benzene, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and acetaldehyde. Vehicle life-cycle cost estimates accounted for vehicle purchase prices, vehicle life, fuel costs, and vehicle maintenance costs. Emission control cost-effectiveness presented in dollars per ton of emission reduction was calculated for each alternative-fuel vehicle types from the estimated vehicle life-cycle emission reductions and costs. Among various alternative-fuel vehicle types, compressed natural gas vehicles are the most cost-effective vehicle type in controlling vehicle emissions. Dedicated methanol vehicles are the next most cost-effective vehicle type. The cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles depends on improvements in electric vehicle battery technology. With low-cost, high-performance batteries, electric vehicles are more cost-effective than methanol, ethanol, and liquified petroleum gas vehicles.

The Part B Permit for F&H Seepage Basins calls for analysis of several constituents of concern in groundwater monitoring wells. Four of these analytes are the radionuclides Ni{sup 63}, Pu{sup 241}, Pu{sup 242}, and Am{sup 243}. These are currently not being analyzed due to their very difficult, tedious analytical schemes coupled with their relatively low activity values. This report demonstrates how the activity value for Ni{sup 63}, a week beta emitter, can be estimated from that of Co{sup 60}, an easily detectable, high-energy gamma emitter. Similarly, estimates of Pu{sup 241}, a beta emitter, and the alpha-emitting Pu{sup 242} can be made from the activity value of the more easily detected Pu{sup 239}. Am{sup 243} can be estimated from the activity of Cm{sup 244}, which is easier to detect because of a shorter half-life (higher specific activity) and the emission of higher energy alpha particles. These correlations are made under very specific parameters in order to ensure the validity of this approach. Therefore, assumptions must be established setting ground rules for establishing these activity relationships. Bases for these assumptions are explained and/or referenced. Their degree of uncertainty limits the accuracy of the data so that the term ``estimate`` is used. Such …

In this report, fluid flow through a three-dimensional model for the fibrous filters is examined. In this model, the three-dimensional Stokes equation with the appropriate periodic boundary conditions is solved using the finite volume method. In addition to the numerical solution, we attempt to model this flow analytically by using the two-dimensional extended analytic solution in each of the unit cells of the three-dimensional structure. Particle trajectories computed using the superimposed analytic solution of the flow field are closed to those computed using the numerical solution of the flow field. The numerical results show that the pressure drop is not affected significantly by the relative angle of rotation of the cylinders for the high porosity used in this study ({epsilon} = 0.8 and {epsilon} = 0.95). The numerical solution and the superimposed analytic solution are also compared in terms of the particle capture efficiency. The results show that the efficiency predictions using the two methods are within 10% for St = 0.01 and 5% for St = 100. As the the porosity decreases, the three-dimensional effect becomes more significant and a difference of 35% is obtained for {epsilon} = 0.8.

The Alternating Gradient Synchrotron Booster at Brookhaven National Laboratory uses an ionization profile monitor to generate profiles of proton and heavy-ion beams. The profile monitor can acquire hundreds of profiles during an acceleration cycle, and then display and store them for analysis. Profiles appear in real time on an oscilloscope-type display, but other visualizations are available as well, namely mountain range and emittance displays. File storage of profile data is simple, as is the storage of moments and emittances.

In our last report we discussed observations in our cell concerning the behavior or Illinois No. 6 coal in tetralin to 460{degrees}C. We noted that there were possibly two distinct types of particles comprising the organic phase, reacting respectively at 420{degrees}--430{degrees}C, and at 450{degrees}--460{degrees}C. Alternatively we could interpret the data as describing a range of reactivity bounded by those temperatures. As evidenced by the contraction of the particles, the reactions were rapid. The particles lost half of their substance within 1 min, and we suggested that the rates were too fast to be accommodated by the commonly held scheme for coal liquefaction involving thermolytic scission of weak, bibenzyl-like bonds. Our analyses were aided by our use of Adobe Photoshop, which allows us to store, digitized versions of our recorded images. The images can then be manipulated at will to provide quantitative data on morphological changes. We noted in our last report that printer limitations prevented us from presenting images with the desirable quality, and we are at present attempting to find access to equipment which will provide satisfactory figures. Accordingly our progress will be described here without any photographs, and we expect to present a more complete account of our …

In the last report the effects of water, tetralin, and argon were discussed as media during the heating of Illinois No. 6 coal. In studies in which the temperature was ramped from ambient to 460{degrees}C at 30{degrees}C/min particles were observed to shrink in the case of both water and tetralin, and first swell and then collapse back to particles with their starting shapes in the case of argon. The result with tetralin was expected, but that for water was not. Similarly, the results in argon were not in accord with some models of coal pyrolysis which suggest that coals fully liquefy when heated (Solomon, et al.). The work described here includes discussion of additional work with Illinois No. 6 coal with argon and water, and new work with n-undecane as medium.

The overall focus of this work was an attempt to better understand the nature of self attenuating particles of SNM for the purpose of developing procedures for correcting for particle self attenuation relative to improving the quantitative non-destructive assay of these materials. This report is a summary of the various schemes, calculations, data and data analysis performed relative to this subject.

A literature survey was conducted to review the safety issues involved in handling hydrogen peroxide solutions. Most of the information found in the literature is not directly applicable to conditions at the Rocky Flats Plant, but one report describes experimental work conducted previously at Rocky Flats to determine decomposition reaction-rate constants for hydrogen peroxide solutions. Data from this report were used to calculate decomposition half-life times for hydrogen peroxide in solutions containing several decomposition catalysts. The information developed from this survey indicates that hydrogen peroxide will undergo both homogeneous and heterogeneous decomposition. The rate of decomposition is affected by temperature and the presence of catalytic agents. Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is catalyzed by alkalies, strong acids, platinum group and transition metals, and dissolved salts of transition metals. Depending upon conditions, the consequence of a hydrogen peroxide decomposition can range from slow evolution of oxygen gas to a vapor, phase detonation of hydrogen peroxide vapors.

The operating principles of an Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (IFTS) are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of such instruments with respect to alternative imaging spectrometers are discussed. The primary advantages of the IFTS are the capacity to acquire more than an order of magnitude more spectral channels than alternative systems with more than an order of magnitude greater etendue than for alternative systems. The primary disadvantage of IFTS, or FTS in general, is the sensitivity to temporal fluctuations, either random or periodic. Data from the IRIFTS (ir IFTS) prototype instrument, sensitive in the infrared, are presented having a spectral sensitivity of 0.01 absorbance units, a spectral resolution of 6 cm{sup {minus}1} over the range 0 to 7899 cm{sup {minus}1}, and a spatial resolution of 2.5 mr.

We have developed a system that allows compensation of higher order phase terms that limit chirped pulse amplification systems. Results indicate phase can be compensated by a properly adjusted air-spaced doublet within the stretcher.