The technology verification phase program plan of the Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS) project is presented. DIPS is a project to develop a 0.5 to 2.0 kW power system for spacecraft using an isotope heat source and a closed-cycle Rankine power-system with an organic working fluid. The technology verification phase's purposes are to increase the system efficiency to over 18%, to demonstrate system reliability, and to provide an estimate for flight test scheduling. Progress toward these goals is reported. (LCL)

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The eventrate at narrow resonances, like the /psi//J and /Tau/ resonances, is not only determined by the luminosity of the e/sup +/ and e /sup /minus// storage ring but also by the energy spread in the beam due to synchrotron radiation. This energy spread is much larger than the width of the resonances. Therefore, if the energy spread could be reduced by a factor F the eventrate would increase by the same factor.

Actinide cross section data at thermonuclear neutron energies are needed for the calculation of ICF pellet center burnup of fission reactor waste, viz. 14 MeV neutron fission of the very long-lived actinides that pose storage problems. A major advantage of pellet center burnup is safety: only milligrams of highly toxic and active material need to be present in the fusion chamber, whereas blanket burnup requires the continued presence of tons of actinides in a small volume. The actinide data tables required for Monte Carlo calculations of the burnup of /sup 241/Am and /sup 243/Am are discussed in connection with typical burnup reactor fusion and fission spectra. 2 figures.

A program to design, fabricate, and verify by test a low-cost (in volume production), modularized, practical solar air heater adaptable for new or retrofit space-heating and hot-water applications is described. The unique hardware elements of the SOLAIR II medium-temperature air heater described are the TCA solar collectors, energy transfer module, interconnecting ductwork, and mounting hardware. SOLAIR II is a two-tank domestic hot-water-augmented system. The system is described in detail; market and design analyses are described; fabrication procedures are noted; and design verification tests and results are discussed. The design used for the pre-production lot was essentially the SOLAIR II design and will serve as the basis for future design evaluations as the product is introduced into the commercial market.

The characterization data obtained during the period October through December 1978 are described. One well in Allegany County, New York, was sampled in September 1978. A total of 412 samples were collected from the Allegany County, New York well (165 for Battelle and 247 for other DOE/MERC contractors). Two other wells, namely in Wetzel County, West Virginia and Johnson County, Kentucky, were cored during the last quarter of 1978. A total of 109 samples were obtained from the Wetzel County, West Virginia well (46 samples for Battelle and 63 samples for other DOE/MERC contractors). The samples were obtained from depths of 6100 to 6635 feet. Characterization data on I-2 (EGSP Ind. No. 2), Clark County, Indiana, and Y-1 (EGSP New York No. 1), Allegany County, New York wells are reported and discussed. Analysis of the hydrocarbon gases in Y-1 samples indicates that the longer chain hydrocarbon gases (ethane, propane, butane) in these shales are significantly higher than in the previous wells studied. The Indiana well (I-2) shows surprisingly high carbon contents compared with the hydrocarbon gas contents. The carbon contents of the Y-1 (Allegany County, New York) well, on the other hand, are somewhat lower than would be predicted from …

Analytical procedures were refined for the Structural Assessment Approach for assessing the Material Control and Accounting systems at facilities that contain special nuclear material. Requirements were established for an efficient, feasible algorithm to be used in evaluating system performance measures that involve the probability of detection. Algorithm requirements to calculate the probability of detection for a given type of adversary and the target set are described.

We studied the feasibility of computerized automation of the Analytical Laboratories Section at NASA's Lewis Research Center. Since that laboratory's duties are not routine, we set our automation goals with that in mind. We selected four instruments as the most likely automation candidates: an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, an emission spectrometer, an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and an x-ray diffraction unit. Our study describes two options for computer automation: a time-shared central computer and a system with microcomputers for each instrument connected to a central computer. A third option, presented for future planning, expands the microcomputer version. We determine costs and benefits for each option. We conclude that the microcomputer version best fits the goals and duties of the laboratory and that such an automated system is needed to meet the laboratory's future requirements.

The report (1) provides a brief review of the project background, objectives, and approach, (2) presents the status of progress through September 30, 1979, and (3) summarizes the expenditure status. A summary of contractual task assignments is provided in Appendix A, and a history of principal reporting activities is provided in Appendix B.

The overall objective of this research is to design, synthesize and evaluate cyclic and polycyclic host organic compounds for their abilities to complex and lipophilize guest metal ions, their complexes and clusters. Host organic compounds consist of strategically placed solvating, coordinating and ion-pairing sites tied together by covalent bonds through hydrocarbon units around cavities shaped to be occupied by guest metal ions, or metal ions plus their ligands. Specificity in complexation is sought by matching the following properties of host and guest: cavity and metal ion sizes; geometric arrangements of binding sites; numbers of binding sites; characters of binding sites; and valences. The specific compounds synthesized and their complexing and lipophilizing properties are reported.

An evaluation of three coal feeder concepts (lockhopper, Fuller Kinyon screw and Foster Miller pocket feeder) for use in the ICGG first stage gasifier was made. For the sake of consistency, all feed concepts were evaluated on the same basis, that is, feeding a nominal 100 Tons per hour (TPH) against a back pressure of 50 psig. Also, all feed systems were assumed to have similar atmospheric storage hoppers and final injection systems. Accordingly, no further consideration of these support systems was made. This survey was accomplished by reviewing the literature, interviewing vendors, contacting applicable facilities and performing necessary original analysis. The emphasis of the survey was on the test and industrial experience of each system. The results of this survey which are summarized on Table I show that the lockhopper system still should be considered as the baseline system because it is a proven system with extensive operating experience. On the other hand, if definitive tests can prove conclusively that the Fuller Kinyon screw pump will deliver coal against 50 psig back pressure with acceptable efficiencies and coal particle attrition characteristics, it would be the preferred system because it is the lowest cost and easiest to maintain. The Foster …

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

Semiscale gravity feed reflood and FLECHT-SET tests have been reviewed to determine phenomena which may be important during LOFT reflood. FLOOD4 and RELAP4/MOD6 predictions for Semiscale and FLECHT-SET tests were compared to experimental data. Based on these comparisons, uncertainties were estimated for the LOFT reflood predictions; these uncertainties were then utilized to bound the extent of cladding oxidation expected for the LOFT L2-3 and L2-4 tests.

Objectives, rationale, and method of a one-year experiment using a residential photovoltaic/thermal power system are presented. Data will be both archived and processed to investigate: (1) series heat pump system performance, and (2) electric utility impacts. A parallel heat pump system will be investigated in a subsequent experiment.

The prinicpal effort during this contract period was directed toward preparing for on-line radiochemical experiments at LAMPF directed toward studying rare processes such as (..pi../sup -/, ..pi../sup +/), (n, ..delta../sup + +/) and (..mu../sup -/, e/sup +/) in /sup 88/Sr. Chemical scavenging techniques to remove interfering products were shown to be effective without significantly affecting the sensitivity of the detection system. Sensitivities of less than 0.1 ..mu..b for the first two processes appear achievable. Detailed statistical analysis of last years' experiments is leading to new limits, about an order of magnitude lower than already reported, on the formation of polyneutrons, reinforcing the conclusion that such species are not particle stable. 100/sup -/GeV ..pi../sup -/ studies of copper spallation are revealing no dramatic differences between spallation with pions and that with protons. Essentially, this report consists of a collection of abstract-like summaries.

Transient processes in radiative transfer have recently become of interest in the modeling of astrophysical phenomena, particularly with regard to the brightness of novae, supernovae, and perhaps even galactic clouds adjacent to quasars. Analytic solutions to a particular class of Marshak wave problems are presented with and without the Marshak (Milne) boundary condition. The choice of boundary condition can have a decisive effect on the coupling of radiative energy to the material energy in the vicinity of a material boundary. The analytic solution obtained can be useful as a tool for calibrating numerical calculation techniques.

The objective for the past quarter included reversing the decline in productivity from the methane fermenters, confirming methane and yeast production from acetate, and making trial runs on kraft mill and semichemical mill effluents. Although methane production remained low (20 cc/hr) addition of 2% methanol doubled production. Progress has been made on identifying possible viruses that might be preventing higher methane production. Confirmation that acetate can be used as a substrate for methane production has been obtained. An initial test on the Decker filtrate from a kraft mill gave 20 cc/hr methane production.

Progress in the development of LMFBR and GCFR breeding blanket design parameters is reported under the following headings: interface self-shielding and advanced blanket investigations.

Some criteria for identifying dense plasmas are given. The theoretical analysis gives the following: general characteristics of dense plasmas, statistical model for compressed atoms, and ionization equilibrium in dense plasmas. (MOW)

Various characterization tasks were performed on 54 cored shale samples from Johnson County, Kentucky. Core samples were obtained from depths of 967 to 1510 feet. A total of 126 samples were canned for several DOE contractors, including Battelle Columbus. Free gas analyses indicate the presence of significant quantities of higher chain hydrocarbon gases in the K-4 shales. Hydrocarbon gas release rates and kinetic studies indicate that diffusion coefficients are inversely proportional to the square root of the molecular weight of diffusing species. Although wide scatter is observed in the chemical and physical characterization data, good correlations exist between the hydrocarbon gas contents and various laboratory characterization values (physical and chemical). A number of one-to-one relationships are pointed out and discussed. Lithologically, inorganic portions of K-4 shales are composed predominantly of quartz and illite with small quantities of pyrite and various carbonate minerals.

The structure and electrical activity of planar defects in EFG Silicon was investigated by optical, electron beam induced current (EBIC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). What appears to be twin boundaries by both optical microscopy + etching, and by EBIC are in reality systems of microtwins, some of which are only a few atomic lattice planes thick. The electrical activity of planar defects appears to be correlated with emission of dislocations especially at termination points. Impurity effects may also play a role. Twin boundaries per se appear not to be electricaly active.

An analytic technique is developed to compare the structural and environmental performance of various materials considered for backing of second surface glass solar mirrors. Metals, ceramics, dense molded plastics, foamed plastics, forest products and plastic laminates are surveyed. Cellular glass is determined to be a prime candidate due to its low cost, high stiffness-to-weight ratio, thermal expansion match to mirror glass, evident minimal environmental impact and chemical and dimensional stability under conditions of use. While applications could employ this material as a foam core or compressive member of a composite material system, the present analysis addresses the bulk material only, allowing a basis for simple extrapolations. The current state of the art and anticipated developments in cellular glass technology are discussed. Material properties are correlated to design requirements using a Weibull weakest link statistical method appropriate for describing the behavior of such brittle materials. A mathematical model is presented which suggests a design approach which allows minimization of life cycle cost; given adequate information for a specific aplication, this would permit high confidence estimates of the cost/performance factor. A mechanical and environmental testing program is outlined, designed to providea material property basis for development of cellular glass hardware, together with …