Key findings from the Illinois Powerplant Productivity Improvement Study are: (1) the historic performance (equivalent availability) of large generating units in Illinois is below national average performance; (2) cost-effective opportunities to improve performance exist, and utilities pursue many of these; (3) there are no strong regulatory disincentives to the undertaking of productivity improvement projects, but no strong incentives either; (4) current utility practices, procedures, and management philosophy toward improved productivity are being strengthened; (5) areas in which immediate attention is warranted include application of reliability engineering tools to the analysis of powerplant availability and more vigorous pursuit of opportunities for performance improvements; (6) DOE systematic methodology for analysis of productivity improvement projects was demonstrated at three units and found to be useful; (7) the potential for improved productivity was estimated to be of the order of 2% in planned and forced outage rates; (8) if a 5% improvement were to be attained, cumulative (through 1990) constant-dollar benefits would be approximately $500 million; (9) formula regulatory incentive mechanisms are presently in a developmental or experimental phase, but adoption by the State of Illinois does not appear warranted at this time; and (10) the Illinois Commerce Commission can encourage improved productivity by …

This final report summarizes the effort and presents the results of a Phase II fabrication effort to build an industrial prototype of the LBL developed high energy neutral beam source. The effort was primarily concentrated on incorporating hard vacuum dielectric seals and a ceramic high voltage accelerator insulator. Several other design changes were incorporated for cost, reliability or life improvements to include: (1) accelerator grid locating dowel pins to aid final alignment, (2) plasma source to accelerator captive fasteners to aid filament replacement during source maintenance, (3) molybdenum cooling tubes on all accelerator grids, (4) additional fasteners in the plasma generator to facilitate hard seals, (5) modified suppressor grid rails and holders to simplify final grid alignment, (6) adjusting screws on exit grid rail holders to simplify final grid alignment, (7) addition of adjusting screws to the grid end pieces to simplify alignment, and (8) addition of accelerator hat shims to allow two different grid positioning locations.

Activities performed in the Near Term Hybrid Vehicle (NTHV) program which studied the technical, economic, and fuel conservation aspects of replacing new 1985 full sized passenger cars in the US with automobiles having combination heat engines and electric motor power are summarized. These studies included NTHV design for the body power units, transmission system, and controls; evaluation of alternative strategies; the fuel conservation expected; goals for vehicle performance, safety and reliability; economic analysis, and mathematical models for use in the computer-aided design of the optimum performance NTHV. (LCL)

A microcomputer-based x-ray image analysis system to select and measure laser fusion targets is described. This system positions a photographic plate in x and y, focuses a microscope image, digitizes and extracts measurements within seconds.

Complete results, from raw data to interpretation to recommendations, of a program to investigate the use of multiblade slurry sawing to produce silicon wafers from ingots are presented. During the course of this program, the commercially available state of the art process was improved by 20% in terms of area of silicon wafers produced from an ingot. The process was improved 34% on an experimental basis. Production of 20 wafers per centimeter length of 100 mm diameter ingot is now possible on a production basis. Economic analyses presented show that further improvements are necessary to approach the desired wafer costs, mostly reduction in expendable materials costs. Tests which indicate that such reduction is possble are included, although demonstration of such reduction was not completed. A new, large capacity saw was designed and tested. Performance comparable with current equipment (in terms of number of wafers/cm) was demonstrated. Improved performance was partially demonstrated, but problems (both mechanical and of unknown origin) precluded full demonstration of improved performance.

The development of stable, efficient, photoelectrochemical cells based on silicon and gallium arsenide in non-aqueous electrolyte systems is being investigated. Redox reactions of ferrocene, anthracene and anthraquinone have been studied on platinum and n-silicon electrodes. The latter have been further characterized by differential capacitance measurements. Cells and equipment have been designed and set up for long-term stability studies.

The hazard potential of cooling water leakage into the crucible of molten uranium in the MARS laser isotope separation experiment was investigated. A vapor-phase explosion is highly unlikely in any of the scenarios defined for MARS. For the operating basis accident, the gas pressure transient experienced by the vessel wall is 544 psia peak with a duration of 200 ..mu..s, and the peak hoop stress is about 20,000 psi in a 0.5-in. wall. Design and procedural recommendations are given for reducing the hazard. (DLC)

This article describes a MACSYMA program to compute symbolically a canonical linear transformation between coordinate systems. The difficulties in implementation of this canonical small physics problem are also discussed, along with the implications that may be drawn from such difficulties about widespread MACSYMA usage by the community of computational/theoretical physicists.

An environmental test chamber providing acceleration of uv radiation and precise temperature control (+- 1/sup 0/C) has been designed, constructed and tested. This chamber allows acceleration of solar ultraviolet up to 30 suns while maintaining temperature of the absorbing surface at 30/sup 0/C to 60/sup 0/C). This test chamber utilizes a filtered medium pressure mercury arc as the source of radiation, and a combination of selenium radiometer and silicon radiometer to monitor solar ultraviolet (295 to 340 nm) and total radiant power output, respectively. Details of design and construction and operational procedures are presented along with typical test data. The test chamber was designed for accelerated testing of solar cell modules.

Environmental problems consist of the release of noncondensable gases and vapors, disposal of saline fluids, possible land subsidence and enhanced seismicity, noise, accidents such as well blowouts, and socioeconomic impacts. The most important issue related to human health is believed to be the emission of noncondensable gases, including hydrogen sulfide, mercury, and radon. Based upon data at The Geysers, California, Power Plant, emissions of mercury and radon are not large enough to result in concerns for human health. Hydrogen sulfide emissions, however, have resulted in complaints of odor annoyance and health impairment. These complaints have been caused by exposure to levels of up to approximately 0.1 ppmv in ambient air. This is above the California standard of 0.03 ppmv. Achievement of this standard may not eliminate annoyance complaints, as the odor detection threshold is lognormally distributed and about 20% of the population can detect hydrogen sulfide at levels of 0.002 ppmv. Abatement systems for hydrogen sulfide have been utilized at The Geysers since 1975. This has resulted in an increase of occupational illness caused by exposure to the abatement chemicals and wastes. More effective, and hopefully safer, abatement systems are now being tested. Occupational hazards are evaluated; the more significant …

The first on-line operation of the Princeton electron spectrometer was achieved and its capability for fast life time measurements demonstrated. The first operation of the heavy ion source was achieved and beams of 75 meV /sup 12/C/sup +4/ ions and 37 MeV /sup 6/Li/sup +2/ ions demonstrated. The capability of the isotope separator to provide pure mass separated samples of radioisotopes is being utilized for three different applications. The very weak electron capture branch of 19-s krypton 81m to bromine 81 was studied. This transition probability is of crucial importance for a possible solar neutrino detection method based on natural bromine. Lead 202 has been prepared and mass separated for optical hyperfine spectroscopic studies. The isotope shift shift which measures the second moment, < r/sup 2/ >, of the nuclear charge indicates the more neutron deficient lead isotopes are becoming increasingly soft toward nuclear deformation.

A strategy of actinide burnup in fast reactor systems has been investigated as an approach for reducing the long term hazards and storage requirements of the actinide waste elements and their decay daughters. The actinide recycle studies also included plutonium burnup studies in the event that plutonium is no longer required as a fuel. Particular emphasis was placed upon the timing of the recycle program, the requirements for separability of the waste materials, and the impact of the actinides on the reactor operations and performance. It is concluded that actinide recycle and plutonium burnout are attractive alternative waste management concepts. 25 refs., 14 figs., 34 tabs.

A Mach-Zehnder interference microscope was automated which quickly characterizes and sorts transparent microspheres. It takes only 12 seconds to measure a 3 micron thick glass microsphere.

Chemical segregation of alloying elements, can be a severe problem in complex alloys. Many problems have been experienced with developing fabrication processes for JBK-75 and it is suggested that these difficulties may be related in part to the degree of chemical heterogeneity that exists in the alloy. Early testing and qualification of the alloy was made on relatively homogeneous samples, which came from small diameter ingots. In large size ingots used for production, it is more difficult to achieve a uniform distribution of alloying elements in the product; resulting in greater variability of alloy properties which are difficult to explain. Extensive microprobe measurements were made on samples of JBK-75 bar stock from several different production size ingots. It was found that segregation of titanium is a common occurrence. Titanium banding can be controlled by ingot melting rate and homogenization of ingot or intermediate product. A model for titanium diffusion shows that homogenizing at the ingot stage is ineffectual with respect to the spacing measured. However, homogenizing 20.3-cm diameter intermediate product, where band spacing is reduced, will significantly reduce segregation. The effect of segregation on tensile properties is discussed. Segregation may have a significant influence on forgeability of JBK-75. Forgeability tests …

Laser-driven shockwave experiments have been proposed for accurate determination of equation of state data in the multimegabar pressure range. This paper gives a quantitative analysis of the prospects for such experiments. In order to unambiguously interpret shockwave data, one requires a clean shock -- that is, a planar, steady shock wave entering cold material (without significant preheat perturbation). The problems of attaining sufficiently clean shocks at high pressure are examined and scaling relations which relate the pressure achieved to laser intensity, pulse energy, etc, are developed. It is shown that significantly higher pressures can be achieved when structured (layered) targets are used.

Three preprints are presented. The first, entitled ''Glow Discharge Optical Spectroscopy Measurement of Dopant Concentrations in a-Si:H,'' reports significant differences between the ratio of boron to silicon of the films and that of their deposition plasmas. The second, entitled ''Growth Morphology and Defects in Plasma-Deposited a-Si:H Films,'' presents structural studies that show that a major class of defect is an anisotropic density fluctuation. Studies of the hydrogen environment suggest that an inhomogeneous hydrogen distribution is associated with these fluctuations. From considerations of the deposition chemistry and nucleation theory, a model is proposed to describe the film growth process and its relationship to defects. The third, entitled ''Luminescence and ESR Studies of Defects in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon,'' demonstrates that the two experiments involve identical recombination transitions, and identify two separate processes. One process involves defect states, and from the doping dependence of light induced ESR, it is deduced that the electronically active defects are dangling bonds with positive electronic correlation energy. (LEW)

Soil accumulation has been the most significant factor in the degradation of the output of photovoltaic modules used in experimental solar power generating systems. One method of measuring dirt accumulation and the subsequent power loss is to return photovoltaic modules to the laboratory for thorough examination. The use of a Glossmeter as a practical alternative to laboratory examination in making quantitative measurements of dirt accumulation on PV modules is described. Of particular value for in-situ measurements, this instrument has been used successfully to monitor dirt build-up on the front surfaces of several types of modules before and after cleaning. Surface gloss has been correlated with peak power and short-circuit current. It has also been used as an indication of the extent of dirt accumulation and the effectiveness of a cleaning process. Data obtained from Glossmeter readings taken on photovoltaic modules with over a year's exposure at photovoltaic field test sites in Nebraska; New York City; and MIT, Cambridge, are presented.

The natures of compressional (P) waves that originate in the crust, propagate in the crust and upper mantle, and are observed as Pg, Pn, and anti P waves at regional distances are examined. The discussion includes the observed variations of amplitude with epicentral distance for these waves as well as an estimate of values for the specific dissipation function Q/sub ..cap alpha../ in different regions. Studies were made on theoretical source and propagation functions for direct, reflected, and head waves as approximations for the observed Pg, anti P, and Pn, respectively. It was concluded that the classical (critically refracted) head wave is not very significant in regional observations, and that the related interference head wave and diving wave are more likely observed as Pn. Using an assumed seismic noise spectrum and the constant Q/sub ..cap alpha../ model for seismic attenuation, relations were derived for the frequencies corresponding to maximum signal-to-noise ratio for the classical and interference head waves and for the direct, reflected, and diving waves. The relations among seismic frequency, epicentral distance, anelastic attenuation, and explosion yield are illustrated for a simple source and propagation model.

We have developed processes for mass producing the quality glass microspheres required for current laser fusion experiments. We describe the advances in the methods and materials used in our liquid droplet and dried gel systems.

The High Field Test Facility (HFTF) to be built at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories (LLL) consists of a magnet which will be wound with Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductor. Embossed and electroplated copper strip will be soldered to the two broad sides of a rectangular Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductor 5.4 mm x 11.0 mm x approximately 100 m long. It is the purpose of this project to upgrade existing facilities to emboss the copper stabilizer strip, electroplate the strip with 50 Pb-50 Sn solder, and to solder two such strips to the superconductor. This program has been approached in seven separate tasks which are described in this report.

In comparing the results of extrusions of Nb, it was found that the non-uniformity of the Nb extruded at Teledyne Wah Chang Albany (TWCA) is more severe than the other. This correlates with results of the mechanical properties of Nb. Both specimens were given identical extrusion, cold work, and heat treatments. (FS)

To confirm the potentially greater thermodynamic efficiency of hydrogasification, a study was made of carbon conversion and resulting thermal efficiency of methane production via hydrogasification as compared to gasification/methanation. The alternative systems were first compared on an ideal process basis. This approach neglects limitations imposed by the thermodynamics and kinetics of the various chemical reactions and indicates maximum potential conversion of coal to methane. These results were then compared with similar data for commercial plant designs developed for each of the processes that take into account system inefficiencies and thermodynamic restraints. Ideally, carbon conversions of 20 to 30% higher than given by gasification/methanation can be achieved by hydrogasification, resulting in 20 to 30% higher thermal efficiencies. Unfortunately, the full extent of this advantage is not realized because the carbon-hydrogen-methane reaction equilibrium is not favorable to high methane concentrations at the high temperatures required for gasification of coal in a single stage process. This limitation is overcome by the use of a large excess of hydrogen, which favors increased carbon conversion within the required gasification temperature range but reduces thermal efficiency. A comparison of both the cold gas (methane production only) and overall (methane plus byproducts) thermal efficiencies for the conceptual …

Most of the procedures and techniques described were developed over the past three years. Starting in late 1976, development began on high-accuracy computer codes for electromagnetic field and force analysis. This effort resulted in completion of a family of computer programs called MAGIC (MAGnetic Integration Calcaultion). Included in this group of programs is a post-processor called POSTMAGIC that links MAGIC to GDSAP (General Dynamics Structural Analysis Program) by automatically transferring force data. Integrating these computer programs afforded us the capability to readily analyze several different conditions that are anticipated to occur during tokamak operation. During 1977 we initiated the development of the CONVERT program that effectively links our THERMAL ANALYZER program to GDSAP by automatically transferring temperature data. The CONVERT program allowed us the capability to readily predict thermal stresses at several different time phases during the computer-simulated cooldown and warmup cycle. This feature aided us in determining the most crucial time phases and to adjust recommended operating procedure to minimize risk.

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