The solubilities of plutonium and uranium have been determined for alkaline salt solutions having compositions which bound those which will be processed in the In-Tank Precipitation (ITP) process. Loadings of plutonium and uranium onto monosodium titanate (MST) have been determined at temperatures bounding those expected to occur during ITP and using a salt solution which was determined to have the maximum solubility for uranium and plutonium. Fissile loadings increase with decreasing amounts of MST in contact with the salt solutions saturated in plutonium and uranium. At MST concentrations bounding those which are planned for the ITP process, expressions for the maximum loadings (wt %) are determined to be 0.29 - 0.20x[MST] for plutonium and 1.8 - 0.29x[MST] for uranium, where [MST] is the concentration of MST in grams/liter. These expressions are valid over the range of MST concentrations from 0.05 to 0.51 g/L and temperatures of 17[degrees]--74[degrees]C. These loadings are below the individual infinitely safe limits for plutonium and uranium. Additional confirmatory experiments are planned to verify the effects of temperature and multiple contacts of the MST with fresh salt solution on the fissile loadings.

The objective of this analysis was to perform a preliminary investigation of the problems involved in designing a Department of Energy-National Environmental Policy Act (DOE-NEPA) compliance monitoring system. The requirement for such a system arose from the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ-NEPA regulation effective July 30, 1979. The CEQ regulation uses the term monitoring to denote any method by which the lead agency can assure implementation of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) environmental mitigation commitments. Monitoring is required for mitigation measures in important cases and may be carried out at agency discretion for all other cases. No definition of important is given in the regulation. The NEPA intent is that all environmental information and planning be incorporated into the decision process as early as possible. In keeping with this concept, any monitoring or enforcement program for a mitigation measure is expected to be adopted and briefly and concisely described in the ROD. Information is presented in four chapters entitled: federal and state compliance monitoring surveys; EIS information analysis; enforcement mechanisms; and administrative practice.

Research efforts on the southeast continental shelf currently describe the manner in which fluctuations in Gulf Stream motion influence biological and chemical processes. Current meter arrays are maintained in the Georgia Bight and in Onslow Bay to describe general circulation patterns and to identify forcing functions. biological studies describe processes affecting temporal and spatial variations on the shelf and have attempted to track the biological history of intruded Gulf Stream water masses. Chemical studies examine the influence of both physical and biological variables on the distribution and fate of trace elements. The current state of knowledge is reviewed, the hypotheses developed and are described, a rationale for testing these hypotheses is given. 1 figure, 1 table.

It was the purpose of this project to broadly survey pathways of radionuclides in the coal fuel cycle, identifying critical questions and providing direction for subsequent, definitive studies of radionuclides in coal and the technological enhancement of concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides through use of this coal. Western coal was selected for study because of its prominence in the National Energy Plan. Specific objectives were to: investigate the fate of radionuclides in the coal fuel cycle and, where possible, delineate the scope of the potential environmental and human health problem associated with radionuclides in coal; compile and evaluate data for uranium-238, uranium-234, lead-210, polonium-210, and thorium-230 in coal; study the release, fate, and accumulation of radionuclides from a power plant burning Western coal; and assess the possible need for additional control technology or standards. Results indicate that concentration of radionuclides in coal from Western mines varies widely, both within and between mines similar to other minor and trace constituents. The concentration of radionuclides in Western coal being mined today is roughly comparable to that of Eastern coal and is slightly below the average for all U.S. coal. A radionuclide balance for a power plant indicated that over 80% of uranium-234, …

This report identifies all nuclear events in Nevada that are known to have sent radioactivity beyond the borders of the test range complex. There have been 177 such tests, representing seven different types: nuclear detonations in the atmosphere, nuclear excavation events, nuclear safety events, underground nuclear events that inadvertently seeped or vented to the atmosphere, dispersion of plutonium and/or uranium by chemical high explosives, nuclear rocket engine tests, and nuclear ramjet engine tests. The source term for each of these events is given, together with the data base from which it was derived (except where the data are classified). The computer programs used for organizing and processing the data base and calculating radionuclide production are described and included, together with the input and output data and details of the calculations. This is the basic formation needed to make computer modeling studies of the fallout from any of these 177 events.

While VITA (Volunteers in Technical Assistance) is the recognized world leader in low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite technology (below 1 GHz), its involvement in communications technologies is to facilitate renewable energy technology transfer to developing countries. A communications payload was incorporated into the UoSat 2 satellite (Surrey Univ., UK), launched in 1984; a prototype satellite (PCE) was also launched Jan 1990. US DOE awarded a second grant to VITA to design and test the prototype ground stations (command and field), install field ground stations in several developing country sites, pursue the operational licensing process, and transfer the evaluation results to the design of an operating system. This report covers the principal tasks of this grant.

The structure and features of selected certification programs were evaluated, their operational characteristics determined, and primary program problems and successes identified. An initial review of 50 certification programs in the Federal, state, and private sectors was performed, followed by a detailed review of 8 of the programs (EPA New Product noise; EPA Automobile Emissions, AHAM Room Air Conditioners; ARI Unitary Air Conditioners/Heat Pump; NHTSA Automobile Tire Safety; California Applicance Standards; Underwriters Laboratories Product Safety; and Ford's Quality-Assurance Program for Suppliers). Flow charts are presented to illustrate each program's structure and major characteristics. Matrices are developed to list the operating and control features of each program. Analyses of the 8 selected programs were performed to the degree necessary to develop and propose 5 potential approaches to an appliance certification/enforcement program (minimal intervention, strong certification control, strong enforcement audit, balanced certification and enforcement and strong enforcement remedies and deterrents). The approaches are documented in Section 3. The evaluation framework is described in Section 4, while a review of final test procedures and related public testimony are given in Section 5. (MCW)

A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol (MeOH) in the liquid phase by a novel process. In previous reports, we provided evidence for a two step reaction in series, the carbonylation reaction mainly takng place close and the hydrogenolysis reaction taking place on the surface of the copper chromate. The interaction between the two catalyst enhances the rate of MeOH formation. In the last quarter, we showed that under present operating conditions, the methyl formate (MeOH) concentration is not in equilibrium and hence both the carboxylation and the hydrogenolysis reactions influence the rate of MEOH formation. The activities of other alkali and alkaline earth compounds as catalysts, the effect of water and the controlling reaction in the concurrent synthesis is described in this report.

It is the purpose of this document to record the significant steps in the removal of a ruptured slug from tube {number_sign}2562-H.

We proposed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a catalytic membrane reactor (a ceramic membrane combined with a catalyst) to selectively produce methanol by partial oxidation of methane. Methanol is used as a chemical feedstock, gasoline additive, and turbine fuel. Methane partial oxidation using a catalytic membrane reactor has been determined as one of the promising approaches for methanol synthesis from methane. In the original proposal, the membrane was used to be used to selectively remove methanol from the reaction zone before carbon oxides form, thus increasing the methanol yield. Methanol synthesis and separation in one step would also make methane more valuable for producing chemicals and fuels. The cooling tube inserted inside the membrane reactor has created a low temperature zone that rapidly quenches the product stream. This system has proved effective for increasing methanol selectivity during CH{sub 4} oxidation, and we are using and modifying this non-isothermal, non-permselective membrane reactor.

Mathematical programming models have been developed to represent imperfectly competitive (oligopolistic) market structures and the interdependencies of decision-making units in establishing prices and production levels. The solution of these models represents an economic equilibrium. A subgame perfect equilibrium formulation explicitly considers that each agent`s strategies depend on the current state of the system; the state depends solely on previous decisions made by the economic agents. The structure of an industry-wide model that is formulated as a subgame perfect equilibrium problem is a matrix of simultaneous mathematical programming problems, where the rows represent time periods and the columns represent agents. This paper formally defines the subgame perfect equilibrium problem that includes mathematical programs for agent decision problems, and it characterizes the feasible space in a way that is conducive to the solution of the problem. The existence of equilibrium solutions on convex subspaces of the feasible region is proved, and this set is shown to contain the subgame perfect equilibrium solutions. A procedure for computing equilibrium solutions and systematically searching the subspaces is illustrated by a numerical example.

A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol (MeOH) in the liquid phase by a novel process. In previous reports, we provided evidence for a two step reaction in series, the carbonylation reaction mainly takng place close and the hydrogenolysis reaction taking place on the surface of the copper chromate. The interaction between the two catalyst enhances the rate of MeOH formation. In the last quarter, we showed that under present operating conditions, the methyl formate (MeOH) concentration is not in equilibrium and hence both the carboxylation and the hydrogenolysis reactions influence the rate of MEOH formation. The activities of other alkali and alkaline earth compounds as catalysts, the effect of water and the controlling reaction in the concurrent synthesis is described in this report.

The average energy release per fission event in a reactor is dependent on the composition and arrangement of the lattice materials. In a study of heat generation in the NPR, Nilson developed expressions for calculating the average energy released in each material per fission event. These relationships have been used in the present calculations to obtain the energy release per fission in existing Hanford reactors.

A 40-day uranium core canning test (10,000 lbs of high nickel AlSi) is proposed in which one canning line has only AlSi of 0.78-1.1 % Ni added as makeup; the other canning lines would be operated as usual. Besides monitoring the Ni content and other impurities in the test and control lines, attributes, variables, and destructive fuel element data would be collected and analyzed. Estimates for annual savings are given for 8, 9, and 10-line shifts per day.

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This report summarizes the design and development work completed since May, 1957; the current status of fuel element matching problems, and the plans for future modifications to improve machining techniques.

Four routine shutdowns were experienced during the month. A measurable amount of the excess reactivity held in the control rods at the first of the month has been lost in the decrease in the average accumulated exposure of all the metal in the pile. The vertical safety rod guides have been measured for vertical alignment by the Maintenance Dept. A definite pattern has been found in the misalignment of the guides. The horizontal rod thimbles were borrowed on January 2, 1947 to see if any leaks were present. No leaks were observed but No. 2 Rod and No. 8 Rod had heavy gouge marks along the longitudinal axes. Several thimbles contained white corrosion. During the month two new bismuth tubes were established, 2871-D and 2877-D. This now gives the desired pattern of ten bismuth tubes.

This report shows the status of production test control tube loadings in reactor process tubes containing significant amounts of SS materials.

The overall goal of the of the Tank Farm Vadose Zone Project, led by CH2M HILL Hanford Group, Inc., is to define risks from past and future single-shell tank farm activities. To meet this goal, CH2M HILL Hanford Group, Inc. asked scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to perform detailed analyses on vadose zone sediment from within the S-SX Waste Management Area. This report is the first in a series of four reports to present the results of these analyses. Specifically, this report contains all the geologic, geochemical, and selected physical characterization data collected on vadose zone sediment recovered from RCRA borehole bore samples and composite samples. Intact cores from two RCRA boreholes (299-W22-48 and 299-W22-50) near the SX Tank Farm and four, large-quantity grab samples from outcrop sediment on and off the Hanford Site were sampled to better understand the fate of contaminants in the vadose zone beneath underground storage tanks at the Hanford Site. Borehole and outcrop samples analyzed for this report are located outside the tank farms, and therefore may be considered standard or background samples from which to compare contaminated sediments within the tank farms themselves. This report presents our interpretation of the physical, chemical, and …

Phase I of the Kilowatt Isotope Power System Program required a 1000 endurance test on the Ground Demonstration System (GDS). This report covers the teardown and inspection of the GDS after completion of over 1000 accumulated hr. After 1124.1 hours of operation, the GDS was torn down and inspected. The longest continuous run was 573.9 hr. With one exception, all shutdowns were intentional. The unintentional shutdown was not related to system operation, terminating a 447.8 hr run. The unit was restarted and the 573.9 hr run was completed. The minimum time component in the GDS, the NaK filled thermal sensor, accumulated 1043.1 operating hr. In general, the hardware was in excellent condition. Cases where discrepancies were noted are listed.

Analysis of the magnetic field structure from electromagnetic simulations of tokamak ion temperature gradient turbulence demonstrates that the magnetic field can be stochastic even at very low plasma pressure. The degree of magnetic stochasticity is quantified by evaluating the magnetic diffusion coefficient. We find that the magnetic stochasticity fails to produce a dramatic increase in the electron heat conductivity because the magnetic diffusion coefficient remains small.

In this study, we evaluate the possibility of monitoring soil moisture variation using tomographic ground penetrating radar travel time data through Bayesian inversion, which is integrated with entropy memory function and pilot point concepts, as well as efficient sampling approaches. It is critical to accurately estimate soil moisture content and variations in vadose zone studies. Many studies have illustrated the promise and value of GPR tomographic data for estimating soil moisture and associated changes, however, challenges still exist in the inversion of GPR tomographic data in a manner that quantifies input and predictive uncertainty, incorporates multiple data types, handles non-uniqueness and nonlinearity, and honors time-lapse tomograms collected in a series. To address these challenges, we develop a minimum relative entropy (MRE)-Bayesian based inverse modeling framework that non-subjectively defines prior probabilities, incorporates information from multiple sources, and quantifies uncertainty. The framework enables us to estimate dielectric permittivity at pilot point locations distributed within the tomogram, as well as the spatial correlation range. In the inversion framework, MRE is first used to derive prior probability distribution functions (pdfs) of dielectric permittivity based on prior information obtained from a straight-ray GPR inversion. The probability distributions are then sampled using a Quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) …

The 2011 Aspen Winter Conference on Particle Physics was held at the Aspen Center for Physics from February 12 to February 18, 2011. Ninety-four participants from ten countries, and several universities and national labs attended the workshop titled, �New Data From the Energy Frontier.� There were 54 formal talks, and a considerable number of informal discussions held during the week. The week�s events included a public lecture (�The Hunt for the Elusive Higgs Boson� given by Ben Kilminster from Ohio State University) and attended by 119 members of the public, and a physics caf� geared for high schoolers that is a discussion with physicists. The 2011 Aspen Winter Conference on Astroparticle physics held at the Aspen Center for Physics was �Indirect and Direct Detection of Dark Matter.� It was held from February 6 to February 12, 2011. The 70 participants came from 7 countries and attended 53 talks over five days. Late mornings through the afternoon are reserved for informal discussions. In feedback received from participants, it is often these unplanned chats that produce the most excitement due to working through problems with fellow physicists from other institutions and countries or due to incipient collaborations. In addition, Blas Cabrera of …

Research focused on detailed studies of the complex combustion chemistry of oxygenated, bio-derived fuels. In particular, studies were done of the flame chemistry of simple methyl and ethyl esters chosen as surrogates for the long-chain esters that are primary constituents of biodiesel fuels. The principal goals of these studies were: (1) show how fuel-specific structural differences including degree of unsaturation, linear vs. branched chain structures, and methoxy vs. ethoxy functions affect fueldestruction pathways, (2) understand the chemistry leading to potential increases in the emissions of hazardous air pollutants including aldehydes and ketones inherent in the use of biodiesel fuels, and (3) define the key chemical reaction mechanisms responsible for observed reductions in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and particulate matter when oxygenated fuels are used as replacements for conventional fuels.