Specifications, operation, characteristics, cost, and experience with the NAL 15-ft bubble chamber are described. Beam availability and some experimental proposals are discussed. (WHK)

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Two dimensional computer simulation results of the two exploding pusher ball-plate targets are in approximate agreement with the experimental space and time integrated x-ray spectra, x-ray microscope data, neutron yields, and laser energy absorptions. Three parameters were used to characterize the laser absorption due to plasma instabilities. Two dumpall parameters were used to model the energy absorption and a single variable was used to define the electron temperature. The values, as well as the selection procedure for these parameters are discussed. (auth)

Three forms of potential geothermal energy may exist in the State of Texas: hot rocks in the Trans Pecos region, convection type geothermal water in the Rio Grande Rift basin, and geopressured geothermal water along the Gulf Coast. Of these, only the geopressured waters have been verified. Exploration wells for oil and gas have established the presence of deep hot water deposits along the coastal area, offshore and inland for 75 miles. These exist in thick shale and sand beds in the geopressured zone. The most favorable area appears to be at depths of 12,000 to 15,000 feet where the temperatures range from 300 to 400/sup 0/F. Indications are that a series of relatively small, 10 to 50 megawatt, power plants could be located along the coastal plain of Texas. These plants could produce at least 20,000 megawatts and possibly as much as 100,000 megawatts under the most favorable conditions. Cost of the power appears to be in the range of 25 to 35 mills per kilowatt hour in 1980 providing the water is saturated with natural gas which could be sold to offset some of the cost. If the gas is present, at least 6 billion cubic feet per …

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Progress is reported in the areas of sodium jet dispersal tests, stationary sodium drop tests, SOMIX code development, buoyant bubble rise tests, aerosol leakage, fuel and fission product release from burning sodium, and at- temperature properties of fuel mixture. (GD)

Data have gradually been accumulated on the physical properties of nuclear test sites at the U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration (USERDA) Nevada Test Site (NTS) since underground testing began there in 1957. These data have been stored in the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL) K-Division Test Effects Data Bank. This report briefly describes the principal test areas Yucca Flat, Pahute Mesa, and Rainier Mesa) and media (alluvium, tuff, Climax Stock (granite) and Paleozoic rocks) at NTS. Background information is given on the data base and the various methods used to measure geophysical parameters at NTS are described. The mean, standard deviation, and range of values for each test area and medium are given. However, specific properties for individual sites are not contained in this report. Properties for which averages are given include overburden and working-point density; seismic velocity both near the working point and from the working point to the surface; and water content, porosity, and water saturation of the rocks in the working point vicinity. (auth)

A summary is given of the geophysical, geochemical, and geothermal characteristics of wells located in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field. Based on the geothermal characteristics of the wells, a subsurface heat profile was developed for the entire geothermal field. Maps of temperature contours for specified depths throughout the field were also drawn.

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A study was made of the methods for preparing, processing, and heat treating uranium-2.25 wt percent niobium alloys. The rolling technique is critical, but the alloy responds to conventional solution treatment, water quenching, and aging to provide high strength with good ductility. Data on tensile tests and Charpy tests as functions of the temperature have been obtained. Elastic moduli, density, coefficient of thermal expansion, and differential thermal analysis data have also been determined. (auth)

Separate abstracts were prepared for the three included sections. (MOW)

The ability to monitor corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking of uranium 4.5-weight percent niobium was investigated. The acoustic emissions from stress-corrosion cracking were monitored using smooth four-point bend specimens, which were immersed in oxygen-saturated water containing chloride ions. The acoustic emissions from corrosion were monitored from rectangular corrosion coupons. These latter specimens were exposed to nitrogen-saturated and oxygen- saturated solutions of distilled water and distilled water with chloride ions. Dilute solutions of hydrochloric acid were also used. Findings show that stress- corrosion crack monitoring of the alloy was successful. Corrosion monitoring of the alloy showed a direct correlation between corrosion rate (based on weight loss) and total acoustic emissions. For a specific range, one can calculate the corrosion rate of uranium alloys in a corrosive solution from the total acoustic emissions generated. Studies to determine the source of corrosion-induced acoustic emissions were inconclusive.

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Interim storage of terminal liquors in double-shell tanks is the only disposition process currently demonstrated and is expected to require 10 double-shell tanks. Other processes are being developed to provide alternatives for interim disposition of terminal liquor which may require the construction of fewer double-shell tanks. A preliminary selection of processes for further development will be made in December 1975 based upon compatibility with interim storage criteria, operability, suitability for retrieval and final disposition, and capital funding requirements. Development of the selected processes will then proceed from laboratory to pilot plant to full-scale testing with actual waste at or near plant scale. This process demonstration effort is considered necessary to fully evaluate the impact of a processing method on the number of double-shell tanks required for terminal liquor disposition. Final selection of the disposition method in December 1976 will be based upon the same considerations as the preliminary selection, but will include the results of process demonstrations.

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This report assesses the feasibility of real-time systems applied to mixed-oxide fuel rod fabrication. Their interaction with other material control and accounting measures are considered. Economics, effectiveness, and acceptance factors are discussed. A cost-benefit evaluation is made and recommendations given for safeguards improvements. (DLC)

The authors propose to measure the inclusive deep inelastic electron-nucleon scattering cross sections on hydrogen and deuterium. Cross sections will be measured in the range of momentum transfers Q{sub min}{sup 2} = 0.160 (GeV/c){sup 2} and Q{sub max}{sup 2} = 160.0 (GeV/c){sup 2}, in the range of recoil hadronic mass squared of W{sub min}{sup 2} = 2 GeV{sup 2} and W{sub max}{sup 2} = 450 GeV{sup 2}. The electromagnetic structure functions, {nu}W{sub 2}(Q{sup 2},{nu}) and W{sub 1}(Q{sup 2},{nu}), of both protons and neutrons will be measured and separated by well-known methods, in the highest possible unexplored FERMILAB kinematical regions. The high intensity Proton-West superconducting beam will be used to yield an electron beam of high purity, based on a synchrotron radiation compensated tuning technique. The electron beam will be used at 150 GeV (5 x 10{sup 8} e{sup {+-}}/pulse), at 175 GeV (3.6 x 10{sup 8} e{sup {+-}}/pulse) and at 250 GeV (1 x 10{sup 8} e{sup {+-}}/pulse). The scattered electron will be detected with good acceptance, good resolution and excellent identification. The detector will be the E-192 apparatus with small additions. A simple self-calibration procedure is available, both in experiment and apparatus, removing beam-associated and target-associated background in the …

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Results are presented of dimensional, thermal expansivity, thermal conductivity, Young's modulus, and tensile strength measurements on specimens of nuclear graphites irradiated in capsule OG-2. About half the irradiation space was allocated to H-451 near-isotropic petroleum-coke-based graphite or its subsized prototype grade H-429. Most of these specimens had been previously irradiated. Virgin specimens of another near-isotropic graphite, grade TS-1240, were irradiated. Some previously irradiated specimens of needle-coke-based H-327 graphite and pitch-coke-based P$sub 3$JHAN were also included.

Separate abstracts were prepared for twenty-four papers. (MHR)

Progress report for January through June 1975. Of the five progress reports and four technical notes, abstracts of nine items appear separately in ERA, and six appear in NSA. (GHT)