This project is a continuing multidisciplinary study of middle to Upper Cretaceous marine carbonate and clastic rocks in the Utah-Colorado-Kansas corridor of the old Cretaceous seaway that extended from the Gulf Coast to the Arctic during maximum Cretaceous transgressions. It is collaborative between in the US Geological Survey (W.E. Dean, P.I.) and University researchers led by The Pennsylvania State University(M.A. Arthur, P.I.) and funded by DOE and the USGS, in part. Research focusses on the Greenhom, Niobrara and lower Pierre Shale units and their equivalents, combining biostratigraphic/paleoecologic studies, inorganic, organic and stable isotopic geochemical studies, mineralogical investigations and high-resolution geophysical logging. This research requires unweathered samples and continuous smooth exposures'' in the form of cores from at least 4 relatively shallow reference holes (i.e. < 1000m) in transect from east to west across the basin. The major initial effort was recovery in Year 1 of the project of continuous cores from each site in the transect. This drilling provided samples and logs of strata ranging from pelagic sequences that contain organic-carbon-rich marine source rocks to nearshore coal-bearing units. This transect also will provide information on the extent of thermal maturation and migration of hydrocarbons in organic-carbon-rich strata along a burial …

This project is a continuing multidisciplinary study of middle to Upper Cretaceous marine carbonate and clastic rocks in the Utah-Colorado-Kansas corridor of the old Cretaceous seaway that extended from the Gulf Coast to the Arctic during maximum Cretaceous transgressions. It is collaborative between in the US Geological Survey (W.E. Dean, P.I.) and University researchers led by The Pennsylvania State University(M.A. Arthur, P.I.) and funded by DOE and the USGS, in part. Research focusses on the Greenhom, Niobrara and lower Pierre Shale units and their equivalents, combining biostratigraphic/paleoecologic studies, inorganic, organic and stable isotopic geochemical studies, mineralogical investigations and high-resolution geophysical logging. This research requires unweathered samples and continuous smooth ``exposures`` in the form of cores from at least 4 relatively shallow reference holes (i.e. < 1000m) in transect from east to west across the basin. The major initial effort was recovery in Year 1 of the project of continuous cores from each site in the transect. This drilling provided samples and logs of strata ranging from pelagic sequences that contain organic-carbon-rich marine source rocks to nearshore coal-bearing units. This transect also will provide information on the extent of thermal maturation and migration of hydrocarbons in organic-carbon-rich strata along a burial …

Preliminary investigations of these manganese oxide materials show that the different oxides exhibit different selectivity toward methanol and other products. It seems that there is a correlation between the initial O/Mn ratio of the oxide and methanol selectivity. These conclusions are supported by the results displayed in Figures 1 and 2. The main product of the manganese oxide-catalyzed CO hydrogenation is methanol except on Mao, which shows the lowest methanol selectivity, but the highest CO[sub 2] yield. Preliminarily, the results suggest that the higher the O/Mn ratio of the precursor oxide, the higher will be the methanol selectivity, while the CO[sub 2] and methane selectivities will be lower. The higher CO[sub 2] and C[sub 2], C[sub 3] and C[sub 4] hydrocarbon selectivities over the Mao catalyst compared to the other manganese oxides tested, indicates that Mao acts more like a water-gas shift and Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Preliminary investigations of these manganese oxide materials show that the different oxides exhibit different selectivity toward methanol and other products. It seems that there is a correlation between the initial O/Mn ratio of the oxide and methanol selectivity. These conclusions are supported by the results displayed in Figures 1 and 2. The main product of the manganese oxide-catalyzed CO hydrogenation is methanol except on Mao, which shows the lowest methanol selectivity, but the highest CO{sub 2} yield. Preliminarily, the results suggest that the higher the O/Mn ratio of the precursor oxide, the higher will be the methanol selectivity, while the CO{sub 2} and methane selectivities will be lower. The higher CO{sub 2} and C{sub 2}, C{sub 3} and C{sub 4} hydrocarbon selectivities over the Mao catalyst compared to the other manganese oxides tested, indicates that Mao acts more like a water-gas shift and Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

An extensive series of experiments has been conducted on the Nova laser to measure hydrodynamic instabilities in planar foils accelerated by x-ray ablation. Single mode experiments allow a measurement of the fundamental growth rates from the linear well into the nonlinear regime. Two-mode foils allow a first direct observation of mode coupling. Surface-finish experiments allow a measurement of the evolution of a broad spectrum of random initial modes.

The nuclear fission of actinides in reactor fuel produces large quantities of Kr and Xe as fission products. Because of the high levels of fission Kr and Xe, sample collection and analysis of noble gases for spent fuel diagnostic measurements is a simple, straight-forward technique. In modern reprocessing plants with continuous dissolvers, it will not be possible to use traditional methods for isolating input batches of fuel. This study investigates the feasibility of using noble gas isotope abundance measurements (isotope correlation techniques - ICT) to solve safeguards requirements. Noble gas measurements might be able to provide an independent analysis of Pu contained within dissolves fuel, on an individual fuel assembly basis. The isotopic composition of Kr and Xe in spent fuel reflects both the composition (isotope abundance ratios) of the fission products and the effects of neutron capture on those fission products. We have reviewed the available literature for noble gas analyses of spent reactor fuel. While references are made to noble gas isotope correlations over the last 20 years, we have found little if any detailed analysis of large data sets. The literature search did find several useful reports. Of these papers, one is particularly useful for evaluating noble …

The Supplement to the Annual Energy Outlook 1993 is a companion document to the Energy Information Administration`s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 1993 (AEO). Supplement tables provide the regional projections underlying the national data and projections in the AEO. The domestic coal, electric power, commercial nuclear power, end-use consumption, and end-use price tables present AEO forecasts at the 10 Federal Region level. World coal tables provide data and projections on international flows of steam coal and metallurgical coal, and the oil and gas tables provide the AEO oil and gas supply forecasts by Oil and Gas Supply Regions and by source of supply. All tables refer to cases presented in the AEO, which provides a range of projections for energy markets through 2010.

Letter opinion 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, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether the Commission of Human Rights Act, V.T.C.S. article 5221k, authorizes local commissions to file civil actions in state district court (RQ-453)

The objective of this research is to assist the recovery of non-contacted oil from known reservoirs on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. Thus far, research has consisted of data collection from Minerals Management Service (MMS); literature and operators; screening of reservoirs for detailed studies; modification of two public domain simulators; development of a predictive model; and design of several laboratory experiments for studying attic oil recovery. The methodology for data collection from MMS, literature and operators is keyed on 208 sands containing 1,289 reservoirs, representing 60% of the original oil in place (OOIP) in the Gulf of Mexico. This data collection is presently in progress after several delays concerning confidentiality agreements between MMS, DOE, and LSU and its subcontractors. Modifications on two public domain computer reservoir simulators, BOAST II and MASTER, is underway. Modifications will consist of developing a code to handle steeply dipping oil reservoirs and a radial grid format for near wellbore studies. Modifications for steeply dipping reservoirs have been successfully implemented. At present, modifications to BOAST II for radial grid systems are producing acceptable results in a reasonable, though long, period of time. Research of all phases listed above are in progress; therefore, …

A laboratory analysis of key performance features of the Warrington Microlead I XRF Analyzer was conducted. This analysis included the determination of instrument accuracy and precision as measured against standard reference materials as well as the instrument's ability to provide information for multiple layers of a lead-based paint.

A laboratory analysis of key performance features of the Warrington Microlead I XRF Analyzer was conducted. This analysis included the determination of instrument accuracy and precision as measured against standard reference materials as well as the instrument`s ability to provide information for multiple layers of a lead-based paint.

Part one of this paper deals with the recent finding of the possible existence of a mixed phase of baryon matter and quark matter inside neutron stars. In part two we review the theoretically determined minimum rotational periods of neutron stars, which serve to distinguish between pulsars that can be understood as rotating neutron stars and those that can not. Likely candidates for the latter are hypothetical strange stars. Their mass-radius relationship is discussed in the last part. It is pointed out that strange stars with a nuclear crust can give rise to the observed phenomena of pulsar glitches, thus passing the only astrophysical test of the strange-matter hypothesis existing to date.

MAssive Compact Halo Objects such as brown dwarfs, Jupiters, and black holes are prime candidates to comprise the dark halo of our galaxy. Paczynski noted that objects (dubbed MACHOS) with masses in the range 10{sup {minus}6} M{circle_dot} < M {approx_lt} 100M{circle_dot} can be detected via gravitational microlensing of stars in the Magellanic Clouds with the caveat that only about one in 10{sup 6} stars will be lensed at any given time. Our group has recently begun a search for microlensing using a refurbished 1.27 meter telescope at the Mount Stromlo Observatory in Australia. Since the summer of 1992, we have been imaging up to 10{sup 7} stars a night in the Large Magellanic Cloud using our large format two-color 3.4 {times} 10{sup 7} pixel CCD camera. Here I report on our first results based on an analysis of {approximately}10{sup 6} of these stars. Although this is not enough data to make definitive statements about the nature of the dark matter, we are able to conclude that the rate of variable star background events is not larger than the expected MACHO signal.

Resolution of microscopic analytical methods has greatly improved over the past decade, and it is now possible to examine periodic variations in structure and chemistry at a scale much finer than the spacing typical of eutectic structures (1-5 [mu]m). During the current year, studies were completed on ZrO[sub 2]-NiO and ZrO[sub 2]-MnO eutectic systems, and study was initiated on microchemical variation in two spinodal systems: Cu-Ni-Sn and SnO[sub 2]-TiO[sub 2]. Work was also initiated on metal/oxide interface microchemistry, in particular the corrosion interface resulting during oxidation of Cu-Sn alloys. 6 figs.

Resolution of microscopic analytical methods has greatly improved over the past decade, and it is now possible to examine periodic variations in structure and chemistry at a scale much finer than the spacing typical of eutectic structures (1-5 {mu}m). During the current year, studies were completed on ZrO{sub 2}-NiO and ZrO{sub 2}-MnO eutectic systems, and study was initiated on microchemical variation in two spinodal systems: Cu-Ni-Sn and SnO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2}. Work was also initiated on metal/oxide interface microchemistry, in particular the corrosion interface resulting during oxidation of Cu-Sn alloys. 6 figs.

Here is reported observation of magnetic circular dichroism in both x-ray absorption and core-level photoemission of ultra thin magnetic films using circularly polarized x-rays. Iron films (1--4 ML) grown on a Cu(001) substrate at 150 K and magnetized perpendicular to the surface show dramatic changes in the L{sub 2,3} branching ratio for different x-ray polarizations. For linearly-polarized x-rays perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the sample the branching ratio was 0.75. For films {ge} 2 ML, this ratio varied from 0.64 to 0.85 for photon spin parallel and anti-parallel, respectively, to the magnetic axis. This effect was observed either by changing the x-ray helicity for a fixed magnetic axis, or by reversing the magnetic axis for a fixed x-ray helicity. Our observation can be analyzed within a simple one-electron picture, if the raw branching ratios are no so that the linear value becomes statistical Furthermore, warming the films to {approximately}300 K eliminated this effect, indicating a loss of magnetization in the film over a temperature range of {approximately}30 K. Finally, reversing the relative orientation of the photon spin and the magnetic axis from parallel to anti-parallel allowed measurement of the exchange splitting of the Fe 2p and 3p core levels …

During October and November, 1991, the NATO Research Vessel Alliance sailed from Amsterdam into the western Mediterranean Sea and during this time measurements were made for the validation of ATSR data. This document reports the initial comparison between ATSR measurements and sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) taken along the ship's track by an in situ thermometer at a depth of about 3m.

During October and November, 1991, the NATO Research Vessel Alliance sailed from Amsterdam into the western Mediterranean Sea and during this time measurements were made for the validation of ATSR data. This document reports the initial comparison between ATSR measurements and sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) taken along the ship`s track by an in situ thermometer at a depth of about 3m.

Two separation techniques were investigated for the clean-up of typical radioactive mixed waste samples requiring elemental analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). These measurements frequently involve regulatory or compliance criteria which include the determination of elements on the EPA Target Analyte List (TAL). These samples usually consist of both an aqueous phase and a solid phase which is mostly an inorganic sludge. Frequently, samples taken from the waste tanks contain high levels of uranium and thorium which can cause spectral interferences in ICP-AES or ICP-MS analysis. The removal of these interferences is necessary to determine the presence of the EPA TAL elements in the sample. Two clean-up methods were studied on simulated aqueous waste samples containing the EPA TAL elements. The first method studied was a classical procedure based upon liquid-liquid extraction using tri-n- octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in cyclohexane. The second method investigated was based on more recently developed techniques using extraction chromatography; specifically the use of a commercially available Eichrom TRU[center dot]Spec[trademark] column. Literature on these two methods indicates the efficient removal of uranium and thorium from properly prepared samples and provides considerable qualitative information on the extraction behavior of …

Two separation techniques were investigated for the clean-up of typical radioactive mixed waste samples requiring elemental analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). These measurements frequently involve regulatory or compliance criteria which include the determination of elements on the EPA Target Analyte List (TAL). These samples usually consist of both an aqueous phase and a solid phase which is mostly an inorganic sludge. Frequently, samples taken from the waste tanks contain high levels of uranium and thorium which can cause spectral interferences in ICP-AES or ICP-MS analysis. The removal of these interferences is necessary to determine the presence of the EPA TAL elements in the sample. Two clean-up methods were studied on simulated aqueous waste samples containing the EPA TAL elements. The first method studied was a classical procedure based upon liquid-liquid extraction using tri-n- octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in cyclohexane. The second method investigated was based on more recently developed techniques using extraction chromatography; specifically the use of a commercially available Eichrom TRU{center_dot}Spec{trademark} column. Literature on these two methods indicates the efficient removal of uranium and thorium from properly prepared samples and provides considerable qualitative information on the extraction behavior of many …

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, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether a person related to a district judge within the degree prohibited by the nepotism statute, V.T.C.S. article 5996a, can take employment with a community supervision and corrections department without causing a violation of the nepotism statue in light of provision of article 42.131 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (RQ-473)

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, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether the former employee of the Public Utility Commission who goes to work for an affiliate of a regulated utility violates section 6 of article 1446c, V.T.C.S. (RQ-118)

The objectives of this project are to develop a new catalyst, the kinetics for this catalyst, reactor models for trickle bed, slurry and fixed bed reactors, and simulate the performance of fixed bed trickle flow reactors, slurry flow reactors, and fixed bed gas phase reactors for conversion of a hydrogen lean synthesis gas to isobutylene. The six main accomplishments for the quarter are the following: (1) activity testing with the 7% (wt) Ce-ZrO{sub 2}, (2) activity testing the same catalyst with CO from an aluminum cylinder, (3) preparation of ZrO{sub 2} by heating zirconyl nitrate, (4) preparation of an active zirconia prepared by a modified sol gel procedure and evaluation of the catalytic activity of a commercial zirconia and the catalysts prepared by the sol gel procedure, (5) determining the effect of separator temperatures and oil flow rate on the performance of a trickle bed reactor, and (6) calculation of the equilibrium composition of the C{sub 2} to C{sub 5} olefins, and initiation of the development of a macrokinetic model. The details of each of these accomplishments are discussed.

The magnetic field design for a 600 MeV proton cyclotron is described. The cyclotron has a single stage, a normal conducting magnet coil and a 9.8 m outside yoke diameter. It has 8 sectors, with a transition to 4 sectors in the center region. The magnetic field design was done using 1958 Harwell rectangular ridge system measurements and was compared with recent 3-dimensional field calculations with the program TOSCA at NSCL. The center region 4--8 sector transition focussing was also checked with TOSCA.