There is no market failure that warrants utility regulation of the construction of new generating plants, the supply of energy efficiency or the purchase of fuel under contract. The natural monopoly problem applies to the distribution of electricity and gas, not to generation, energy conservation, or gas purchases. Utility regulation magnifies a market failure, which is the principal agent problem. Regulatory allowance of utilities signing long term fixed price contracts and undertaking conservation measures result in costs and risks being shifted to ratepayers that would not occur under competitive market conditions. Economic efficiency would be enhanced if cost of service regulation of electric and gas utilities were replaced by a competitive market process for the construction of new power plants, utility conservation programs and contracts to purchase fuel. Conservation measures could be supplied by energy service companies. Gas merchants could provide gas and energy conservation directly to ultimate customers, if they had access to LDC pipelines. With a competitive market established to sell gas and energy services, contracts and conservation measures would not require cost-of- service regulation.

The transpiration technique is used to measure volatilities of U from U{sub 3}O{sub 8}(s), Pu from PuO{sub 2}(s) and Pu and Am from PuO{sub 2}/2%AmO{sub 2}(s) in the presence of steam and oxygen at temperatures ranging from 900 to 1300{degree}C.

This project was initiated in 1978 to serve three objectives: (1) develop genetically improved poplar cultivars offering increased productivity under short-rotation culture; (2) identify the major components of productivity in poplar and determine ways in which they can be manipulated, genetically and culturally; and (3) engage in technology transfer to regional industry and agencies so as to make poplar culture in the Pacific Northwest economically feasible. The project is aimed at capturing natural variation in the native black cottonwood. Populus trichocarpa T & G, and enhancing it through selective breeding. Major emphasis has been placed on hybridization of black cottonwood with P deltoides and P maximowiczii, more recently with p nigra. First-generation (F{sub 1}) hybrids have consistently outperformed black cottonwood by a factor of 1.5.-2. The high yields of woody biomass obtained from these clonally propagated hybrids, in rotations of 4-7 years, have fostered the establishment of large-scale plantations by the pulp and paper industry in the region. Physiological studies have helped to elucidate hybrid superiority and several of the underlying mechanisms.

This project is designed to investigate the nature of geochemical, geological, and production parameters that control the occurrence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in oil-and gas-field operations. Relations between reservoir setting and NORM content of brine and scale will be interpreted on the basis of formation brines and production-equipment scales collected at field sites for detailed chemical and mineralogical analyses. During the first quarter of 1993, we concentrated on gathering all available information concerning the distribution of NORM in Texas oil and gas fields, the geochemical behavior of uranium, thorium, and radium in formation water, the physical and chemical conditions that cause radium to be released from geologic formations to produced water, the geochemical conditions that cause scale to form, and the chemical factors that determine the NORM content of scale. Now that we have compiled all available published reports of production-water chemistry that include radium measurements and scale composition, we are ready to collect new scale and water samples and perform analyses. With assistance from the Railroad Commission of Texas we are beginning to identify specific oil and gas fields for sampling. These activities will be the focus of our efforts during the second quarter of 1993.

This executive summary of the report, describes the accomplishments of the joint Morgantown Energy Technology Center and Energy Research Corporation Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) No. 92-003. Intermediate-sized natural gas fueled carbonate fuel cell power plants with steam-bottoming cycles have been evaluated by DOE/METC and ERC. This was accomplished by mutual development of a design basis and subsequent development of computer simulation models, which characterize the performance of a 50 MW baseline plant configuration, as well as a more advanced plant configuration.

Studies on use of buckminister fullerines as a test subject to understand electron-related processes in radiobiology are described.

The development of probability of detection (POD) models for a variety of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods is motivated by a desire to quantify the variability introduced during the process of testing. Sources of variability involved in eddy current methods of NDE include those caused by variations in liftoff, material properties, probe canting angle, scan format, surface roughness and measurement noise. This thesis presents a comprehensive POD model for eddy current NDE. Eddy current methods of nondestructive testing are used widely in industry to inspect a variety of nonferromagnetic and ferromagnetic materials. The development of a comprehensive POD model is therefore of significant importance. The model incorporates several sources of variability characterized by a multivariate Gaussian distribution and employs finite element analysis to predict the signal distribution. The method of mixtures is then used for estimating optimal threshold values. The research demonstrates the use of a finite element model within a probabilistic framework to the spread in the measured signal for eddy current nondestructive methods. Using the signal distributions for various flaw sizes the POD curves for varying defect parameters have been computed. In contrast to experimental POD models, the cost of generating such curves is very low and complex defect …

Progress continued on production of co-product samples for four coals from three coal regions: Buckskin Mine coal (Wyoming, Powder River Basin, Coal), Knife River Mine Lignite (Beulah Zap, North Dakota Lignite), Sarpy Creek Mine Coal (Montana Rosebud, Powder River Basin Coal), Usibelli Mine Coal (Alaska Coal).

This investigation is concerned with the separation of gas mixtures using a novel concept of rapid pressure swing absorption (RAPSAB) of gas in a stationary absorbent liquid through gas-liquid interfaces immobilized in the pore mouths of hydrophobic microporous membranes. The process is implemented in a module well-packed with hydrophobic microporous hollow fiber membranes. The specific objectives are (1) to develop a theoretical model which will provide guidelines for selecting an efficient RAPSAB process cycle which includes desorption; (2) to demonstrate the concept experimentally with a simple gas mixture (e.g.,Co{sub 2}-N{sub 2}) and a simple absorbent liquid such as water, and (3) to extend the concept to reactive absorbent liquids for the separation of CO, Co{sub 2} from the post-shift reactor synthesis gas. We have initiated the development of a theoretical model for the absorption part of the RAPSAB cycle (mode 3) where the reactive absorbent diethanolamine (DEA) is used in an aqueous solution to remove CO{sub 2} from a CO{sub 2}-N{sub 2} mixture.

During the first quarter of the project, from February 22, 1993 to March 31, 1993, the major work is to conduct project work plan and to organize the research term in order to successfully conduct this fossil resin refining project. Under a previous DOE-funded program, University of Utah and APT conducted a serious pilot-plant tests of selective flotation of fossil resin from Wasatch plateau coal (both UPL coal and CO-OP coal mines) of south central Utah. About 200 lbs high grade fossil resin flotation concentrate (approximate 75% resin content) was generated from those pilot-plant flotation tests. The resin flotation concentrate were naturally dried, sampled and storied into one kilo plastic bag for future use. The ash and moisture content of the resin concentrate is found to be 1.23% and 1.03 by weight respectively. As concluded from our previous research project, it was found that macroscopic fossil resin is friable and can be easily liberated from other coal macerals. Consequently the fossil resin particles tend to concentrate into the fine sizes during size reduction and coal preparation. Because of this property, the fine resinous coal streams in a coal preparation plant contain more than 6% hexane-soluble fossil resin, even when the …

The following studies are described that were either completed during this 3-year period or are well underway: XAFS study of pressure-induced transition in Rb-W bronze (Rb[sub 0.31]WO[sub 3]); XAFS study of bcc-hcp transition in Fe; XAFS search for valence change in thallium perhenate (TlReO[sub 4]) at high pressure; XANES analysis of alkali halides; pair potentials in alkali halides studied via EXAFS; EXAFS determination of bond angles in ReO[sub 3]; XAFS study of mixed-valence transition in SmSe; Moessbauer studies of Fe hydride at high pressure; and Moessbauer and x-ray studies of Fe silicate spinel at high pressure. (DLC)

The following studies are described that were either completed during this 3-year period or are well underway: XAFS study of pressure-induced transition in Rb-W bronze (Rb{sub 0.31}WO{sub 3}); XAFS study of bcc-hcp transition in Fe; XAFS search for valence change in thallium perhenate (TlReO{sub 4}) at high pressure; XANES analysis of alkali halides; pair potentials in alkali halides studied via EXAFS; EXAFS determination of bond angles in ReO{sub 3}; XAFS study of mixed-valence transition in SmSe; Moessbauer studies of Fe hydride at high pressure; and Moessbauer and x-ray studies of Fe silicate spinel at high pressure. (DLC)

The roadmapping process was initiated by the US Department of Energy`s office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (EM) to improve its Five-Year Plan and budget allocation process. Roadmap documents will provide the technical baseline for this planning process and help EM develop more effective strategies and program plans for achieving its long-term goals. This document is a composite of roadmap assumptions and issues developed for the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) by US Department of Energy Idaho Field Office and subcontractor personnel. The installation roadmap discusses activities, issues, and installation commitments that affect waste management and environmental restoration activities at the INEL. The High-Level Waste, Land Disposal Restriction, and Environmental Restoration Roadmaps are also included.

In the Southeast, there are about 3,000 wastewater plants with a capacity of over one million gallons per day. Under this study, operating data and available financial information on a variety of technologies for large and small plans was documented for ten facilities. Studies were done on wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with design capacities ranging from 9.5--120 million gallons per day. All of these WWTPs recover the gas produced in their anaerobic digesters and use at least part of it as fuel for boilers and/or internal combustion engines. The engines power generators, blowers, or pumps, and most are equipped with heat recovery systems. Based on the historical data provided by the participants in this study and from the authors` own technical analysis, methane recovery and utilization systems appear to be cost effective, although the degree of cost effectiveness varies widely. The types of energy recovery systems are not uniform among all the participants so that the cases in this limited survey are not precisely comparable to each other. Also, reliance on historical data and cost information generated from portions of total plant operations and estimates makes it difficult to complete analysis of specific variables. The fact remains, however, that regardless …

Following the ideas presented in the proposal to the DoE, we have begun to acquire the equipment needed to design, develop, construct, and test the electronic and mechanical features of detectors used in High Energy Physics Experiments. A guiding principle for the effort is to achieve integrated electronic and mechanical designs which meet the demanding specifications of the modern hadron collider environment yet minimize costs. This requires state of the art simulation of signal processing as well as detailed calculations of heat transfer and finite element analysis of structural integrity.

The design of the quench reactor has been completed. A high temperature furnace, capable of reaching 1540{degrees}C has been ordered. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were carried out in order to determine the maximum possible yields of various products from methane pyrolysis, assuming that the reaction could be quenched at C{sub 10} aromatics. Acetylene, benzene and naphthalene were identified as the major products of such a process. Ethylene, propylene, cyclopentadiene, methylnaphthalene and toluene, vinylacetylene, butadiene, and propadiene were identified as minor products. The yields of benzene and naphthalene are highest in the temperature range between 1350--1550 K, with a maximum aromatic yield of ca. 45% (benzene + naphthalene) expected at about 1475 K (ca. 1200{degrees}C).

This central utilities plant model details the major elements of a central utilities plant for several classes of users. The model enables the analyst to select optional, cost effective, plant features that are appropriate to a fuel cell application. These features permit the future plant owner to exploit all of the energy produced by the fuel cell, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership. The model further affords the analyst an opportunity to identify avoided costs of the fuel cell-based power plant. This definition establishes the performance and capacity information, appropriate to the class of user, to support the capital cost model and the feasibility analysis. It is detailed only to the depth required to identify the major elements of a fuel cell-based system. The model permits the choice of system features that would be suitable for a large condominium complex or a residential institution such as a hotel, boarding school or prison. The user may also select large office buildings that are characterized by 12 to 16 hours per day of operation or industrial users with a steady demand for thermal and electrical energy around the clock.

This model description establishes the revenues, expenses incentives and avoided costs of Operation of a Natural Gas-Fired Fuel Cell-Based. Fuel is the major element of the cost of operation of a natural gas-fired fuel cell. Forecasts of the change in the price of this commodity a re an important consideration in the ownership of an energy conversion system. Differences between forecasts, the interests of the forecaster or geographical areas can all have significant effects on imputed fuel costs. There is less effect on judgments made on the feasibility of an energy conversion system since changes in fuel price can affect the cost of operation of the alternatives to the fuel cell in a similar fashion. The forecasts used in this model are only intended to provide the potential owner or operator with the means to examine alternate future scenarios. The operations model computes operating costs of a system suitable for a large condominium complex or a residential institution such as a hotel, boarding school or prison. The user may also select large office buildings that are characterized by 12 to 16 hours per day of operation or industrial users with a steady demand for thermal and electrical energy around the …

The In-Tank Precipitation (ITP) process will concentrate the Tank 48 contents to approximately 10 wt. percent tetraphenylborate solids by filtration. The filtrate produced during the process flows to the ITP stripping columns where the soluble benzene is removed from the solution. It has been observed that a large pressure differential occurs across the column packing when the filtrate is processed in the column. One potential explanation for the pressure differential is that the filtrate is foaming in the column. Small scale stripping tests have verified that the salt solution foams. Waste Management requested assistance from SRTC in solving the foaming problem through technical task requests HLE-TTR-93013A/B (Benzene Stripper Performance Evaluation) and HLE-TTR-93044 (Kinetics of Benzene and Dissolution). Various tests were completed to determine an effective defoaming agent for use in the stripping columns. This document discusses the tests and the conclusions.

A fully relativistic layer-KKR formalism was developed and implemented for calculating the single-particle Green function in atomic layers parallel to crystalline surfaces magnetic and non magnetic materials: The method was applied to the calculation surface spectroscopies, such as low energy electron diffraction (LEED), angle-resolve ultraviolet photo emission spectroscopy (UPS), and photoelectron scattering. Numeric tests were performed for non magnetic actinide surfaces and magnetic Fe surface Theoretical angle-resolved UPS spectra are presented for uranium monolayers on Pt(111) and for f.c.c. u(lll) surfaces. We find that u island formation can take place if a peak in the UPS spectra appears just before the Fermi energy immediately as u is deposited on P and we suggest an experimental procedure for testing this prediction. An intensity map photo excited electrons from the 2p{sub 3/2} core states of Fe(110) surface is also show Sizable magnetic anisotropy is found due to the interference between exchange and spin-orbit interaction, which is suitable for studying a possible surface-induced magnetism actinide adlayers.

This article reviews recent investigations of nonlinear optical processes in semiconductors. Section II discusses theory of coherent wave mixing in semiconductors, with emphasis on resonant excitation with only one exciton state. Section III reviews recent experimental investigations of amplitude and phase of coherent wave-mixing resonant with quasi-2d excitons in GaAs quantum wells.

This project is concerned with the mechanisms by which polynuclear aromatic (PNA) compounds on the one hand, and ionizing radiation on the other, cause damage to DNA. PNA compounds constitute an important class of environmental pollutants derived from energy-related sources which, upon metabolic activation to diolepoxide derivatives, produce bulky PNA-DNA lesions interfere with the normal DNA replication and transcription processes, and give rise to mutations and the initiation of tumors. Chiral and other stereochemical effects play a key role in determining the biological effects of a given PNA diol epoxide and the potentially mutagenic lesions which are formed. New and efficient methods for synthesizing stereochemically pure and precisely positioned PNA diol epoxide-DNA lesions in small DNA fragments are reported here. We have elucidated the structures of three stereoisomeric benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-DNA adducts. How these adducts affect on DNA polymerase fidelity, transcription, and DNA repair are currently being investigated with respect to detailed structure-biological activity correlations. Spectroscopic techniques such as circular dichroism, fluorescence, and photoionization play an important role in the characterizations of the PNA adducts. A new method was developed for measuring the lifetimes as well as the energies of picosecond duration electronically excited states. Using this technique, it is …

This model defines the methods used to estimate the cost associated with acquisition and installation of capital equipment of the fuel cell systems defined by the central utility plant model. The capital cost model estimates the cost of acquiring and installing the fuel cell unit, and all auxiliary equipment such as a boiler, air conditioning, hot water storage, and pumps. The model provides a means to adjust initial cost estimates to consider learning associated with the projected level of production and installation of fuel cell systems. The capital cost estimate is an input to the cost of ownership analysis where it is combined with operating cost and revenue model estimates.

This phase of the project essentially consists of preparing organometallic reagents which are known or have been reported to act as homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts of aromatic hydrocarbons and studying their properties as homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts under various conditions with the ultimate objective of using these compounds to catalyze the conversion of coal liquids. With regards to this task, we have prepared two rhodium (I) catalysts. These are the dimer of dichloropentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodium, [RhCl{sub 2}(C{sub 5}Me{sub 5})], and the dimer of chloro(1,5-hexadiene) rhodium. The dimer of dichloropentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodium was prepared by stirring rhodium (III) chloride hydrate with hexamethyldewarbenzene at 65{degrees}C. It was reported to hydrogenate arenes and various substituted arenas such as aryl ethers, esters and ketones at 50{degrees} and 50 atm of dihydrogen. The dimer of chloro (1,5-hexadiene) rhodium was prepared by reacting rhodium (III) chloride hydrate with 1,5-hexadiene at 50{degrees}C for six days in water. Our second task is to investigate the chemistry of base-catalyzed hydrogenation of organic compounds with the ultimate objective of applying the chemistry behind this novel concept to the catalytic conversion of coal liquids. It is not generally known that bases such as the hydroxide ion are capable of activating dihydrogen to form ``solvated hydride`` or hydride-like …