This project seeks to develop a technique, based on coal surface properties, for highly dispersing catalysts in coal for gasification and to investigate the potential of using potassium carbonate and calcium acetate mixtures as catalysts for coal gasification. The lower cost and higher catalytic activity of the latter compound will produce economic benefits by reducing the amount of K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} required for high coal char reactivities. As was shown in previous reports, coal loading with potassium or calcium at different pHs produced CO{sub 2} gasification activities which increased in the order pH 6 > pH 10 {much_gt} pH 1. The current report shows that a similar trend was obtained when calcium and potassium were simultaneously loaded and char reaction times were less than about 75 min. Beyond this time, the coal impregnated with catalyst at pH 1 became more reactive, reaching 100% conversion after 1.5h. X-ray diffraction analysis suggest that the catalysts are well dispersed around pH 1 and 6 whereas reduced dispersion as obtained at pH 10. The reactivities are independent of the surface areas of the coals.

This project seeks to develop a technique, based on coal surface properties, for highly dispersing catalysts in coal for gasification and to investigate the potential of using potassium carbonate and calcium acetate mixtures as catalysts for coal gasification. The lower cost and higher catalytic activity of the latter compound will produce economic benefits by reducing the amount of K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} required for high coal char reactivities. As was shown in previous reports, coal loading with potassium or calcium at different pHs produced CO{sub 2} gasification activities which increased in the order pH 6 > pH 10 {much gt} pH 1. The current report shows that a similar trend was obtained when calcium and potassium were simultaneously loaded and char reaction times were less than about 75 min. Beyond this time, the coal impregnated with catalyst at pH 1 became more reactive, reaching 100% conversion after 1.5h. X-ray diffraction analysis suggest that the catalysts are well dispersed around pH 1 and 6 whereas reduced dispersion as obtained at pH 10. The reactivities are independent of the surface areas of the coals.

Results of geological, volcanological, hydrogeochemical, and geophysical field studies conducted in 1988 and 1989 at the Tecuamburro volcano geothermal site in Guatemala indicated that there is a substantial shallow heat source beneath the area of youngest volcanism. To obtain information on subsurface temperatures and temperature gradients, stratigraphy, hydrothermal alteration, fracturing, and possible inflows of hydrothermal fluids, a geothermal gradient core hole (TCB-1) was drilled to 808 m low on the northern flank of the Tecuamburro volcano Complex, 300 km south of a 300-m-diameter phreatic crater, Laguna Ixpaco, dated at 2,910 years. Gases from acid-sulfate springs near Laguna Ixpaco consistently yield maximum estimated subsurface temperatures of 250--300{degrees}C. The temperature versus depth curve from TCB-1 does not show isothermal conditions and the calculated thermal gradients from 500--800 m is 230{degrees}C/km. Bottom hole temperature is 238{degrees}C. Calculated heat flow values are nearly 9 heat flow units (HFU). The integration of results from the TCB-1 gradient core hole with results from field studies provides strong evidence that the Tecuamburro area holds great promise for containing a commercial geothermal resource.

This report discusses the following topics: Rayleigh-Benard convection with an imposed horizontal flow; Rayleigh-Benard convection in a gas under non-boussinesq conditions; electro- convection in a nematic liquid crystal; and Rayleigh-Benard convection in a nematic liquid crystal. (LSP)

This report discusses the following topics: Rayleigh-Benard convection with an imposed horizontal flow; Rayleigh-Benard convection in a gas under non-boussinesq conditions; electro- convection in a nematic liquid crystal; and Rayleigh-Benard convection in a nematic liquid crystal. (LSP)

The effects of titanium nitride (TiN) coatings on the tribological behavior of M50 and 52100 steels under both dry and synthetic polyol ester-based oil lubrication were evaluated using a reciprocating sliding pin-on-flat test machine. Under dry conditions, the TiN coating reduced the wear, which occurred by abrasion as well as the oxidation of the sliding surface. It also reduced the amount of wear-debris accumulation at the contact interface. During oil lubrication, wear and roughening of the contact area, usually associated with the boundary lubrication regime, was eliminated by the TiN coating. Formation of boundary film by the chemical interaction between the oil additives and wearing surface was also prevented by the TiN coating.

The effects of titanium nitride (TiN) coatings on the tribological behavior of M50 and 52100 steels under both dry and synthetic polyol ester-based oil lubrication were evaluated using a reciprocating sliding pin-on-flat test machine. Under dry conditions, the TiN coating reduced the wear, which occurred by abrasion as well as the oxidation of the sliding surface. It also reduced the amount of wear-debris accumulation at the contact interface. During oil lubrication, wear and roughening of the contact area, usually associated with the boundary lubrication regime, was eliminated by the TiN coating. Formation of boundary film by the chemical interaction between the oil additives and wearing surface was also prevented by the TiN coating.

I study the quantum mechanics of a spin interacting with an environment. Although the evolution of the whole system is unitary, the spin evolution is not. The system is chosen so that the spin exhibits loss of quantum coherence, or wavefunction collapse,'' of the sort usually associated with a quantum measurement. The system is analyzed from the point of view of the spin density matrix (or Schmidt path''), and also using the consistent histories (or decoherence functional) approach.

I study the quantum mechanics of a spin interacting with an environment. Although the evolution of the whole system is unitary, the spin evolution is not. The system is chosen so that the spin exhibits loss of quantum coherence, or ``wavefunction collapse,`` of the sort usually associated with a quantum measurement. The system is analyzed from the point of view of the spin density matrix (or ``Schmidt path``), and also using the consistent histories (or decoherence functional) approach.

Some concerns and questions have been raised regarding the values of the DT-18 package surface emissivity, the emissivity of the B-1023 furnace used for thermal testing of DOE shipping packages, and the furnace radiating temperature that should be employed during thermal tests. In order for the thermal tests performed at the Y-12 Plan in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to comply with the regulations specified in 10 CFR 71, it must be shown that a specific amount of heat is added to the package during the test. Therefore, a method of thermal analytical modeling was developed to calculate the quantity of heat energy input to which a DT-18 package is exposed during hypothetical accident scenario testing. Parametric studies involving the gray-body interchange factor (which embodies both the package and furnace emissivities) and the furnace radiating temperature were then performed, and the effects of these two variables on the net total heat received by a DT-18 package were determined. Based on the analyses presented in this report, simple guidelines and recommendations are made to order to ensure that thermal testing in the B-1023 furnace complies with federal regulations. Data are presented which allow the determination of an appropriate furnace surface temperature (800--850{degrees}C) based …

Some concerns and questions have been raised regarding the values of the DT-18 package surface emissivity, the emissivity of the B-1023 furnace used for thermal testing of DOE shipping packages, and the furnace radiating temperature that should be employed during thermal tests. In order for the thermal tests performed at the Y-12 Plan in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to comply with the regulations specified in 10 CFR 71, it must be shown that a specific amount of heat is added to the package during the test. Therefore, a method of thermal analytical modeling was developed to calculate the quantity of heat energy input to which a DT-18 package is exposed during hypothetical accident scenario testing. Parametric studies involving the gray-body interchange factor (which embodies both the package and furnace emissivities) and the furnace radiating temperature were then performed, and the effects of these two variables on the net total heat received by a DT-18 package were determined. Based on the analyses presented in this report, simple guidelines and recommendations are made to order to ensure that thermal testing in the B-1023 furnace complies with federal regulations. Data are presented which allow the determination of an appropriate furnace surface temperature (800--850{degrees}C) based …

Radiation Control Coatings (RCCs) applied to external building surfaces can reflect about 85 percent of the solar heating from the surfaces of buildings. Since in warm climates, solar heating is the primary source of heat gain through walls and roofs, RCC technology represents an alternative or adjunct to conventional thermal control methods (e.g., thermal insulation) for opaque building components. The primary objectives of this project were to: (1) obtain solar and infrared reflectance data for representative RCC products, (2) evaluate test methods for measurement of the radiative properties of RCCs, (3) calculate the changes in heat flow attributed to RCCs in flat roof applications in several geographic locations, and (4) compare field tests and calculated thermal performance of an RCC in a flat roof configuration. Data are presented for the radiative properties of five commercially available RCC products as determined by several test methods. The potential energy benefits of RCCs are presented for flat roofs in both warm and cold climates.

Radiation Control Coatings (RCCs) applied to external building surfaces can reflect about 85 percent of the solar heating from the surfaces of buildings. Since in warm climates, solar heating is the primary source of heat gain through walls and roofs, RCC technology represents an alternative or adjunct to conventional thermal control methods (e.g., thermal insulation) for opaque building components. The primary objectives of this project were to: (1) obtain solar and infrared reflectance data for representative RCC products, (2) evaluate test methods for measurement of the radiative properties of RCCs, (3) calculate the changes in heat flow attributed to RCCs in flat roof applications in several geographic locations, and (4) compare field tests and calculated thermal performance of an RCC in a flat roof configuration. Data are presented for the radiative properties of five commercially available RCC products as determined by several test methods. The potential energy benefits of RCCs are presented for flat roofs in both warm and cold climates.

A novel mechanism is proposed for the excitation of solitons in nonlinear dispersive media. The mechanism employs an external pumping wave with a varying phase velocity, which provides a continuous resonant excitation of a nonlinear wave in the medium. Two different schemes of a continuous resonant growth (continuous phase-locking) of the induced nonlinear wave are suggested. The first of them requires a definite time dependence of the pumping wave phase velocity and is relatively sensitive to the initial wave phase. The second employs the dynamic autoresonance effect and is insensitive to the exact time dependence of the pumping wave phase velocity. It is demonstrated analytically and numerically, for a particular example of a driven Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with periodic boundary conditions, that as the nonlinear wave grows, it transforms into a soliton, which continues growing and accelerating adiabatically. A fully nonlinear perturbation theory is developed for the driven KdV equation to follow the growing wave into the strongly nonlinear regime and describe the soliton formation.

A novel mechanism is proposed for the excitation of solitons in nonlinear dispersive media. The mechanism employs an external pumping wave with a varying phase velocity, which provides a continuous resonant excitation of a nonlinear wave in the medium. Two different schemes of a continuous resonant growth (continuous phase-locking) of the induced nonlinear wave are suggested. The first of them requires a definite time dependence of the pumping wave phase velocity and is relatively sensitive to the initial wave phase. The second employs the dynamic autoresonance effect and is insensitive to the exact time dependence of the pumping wave phase velocity. It is demonstrated analytically and numerically, for a particular example of a driven Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with periodic boundary conditions, that as the nonlinear wave grows, it transforms into a soliton, which continues growing and accelerating adiabatically. A fully nonlinear perturbation theory is developed for the driven KdV equation to follow the growing wave into the strongly nonlinear regime and describe the soliton formation.

In support of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Accident Management Research Program, the availability of instruments to supply accident management information during a broad range of severe accidents is evaluated for a Boiling Water Reactor with a Mark I containment. Results from this evaluation include: (1) the identification of plant conditions that would impact instrument performance and information needs during severe accidents; (2) the definition of envelopes of parameters that would be important in assessing the performance of plant instrumentation for a broad range of severe accident sequences; and (3) assessment of the availability of plant instrumentation during severe accidents.

This report presents recommendations relative to the use of expert systems and machine learning techniques by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to substantially automate product substitution decisions associated with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Thirteen commercially available, PC-based expert system shells have received in-depth evaluations. Various machine learning techniques were also reviewed. Two recommendations are given: (1) BLS should use the expert system shell LEVEL5 OBJECT and establish a software development methodology for expert systems; and (2) BLS should undertake a small study to evaluate the potential of machine learning techniques to create and maintain the approximately 350 ELI-specific knowledge bases to be used in CPI product substitution review.

This report presents recommendations relative to the use of expert systems and machine learning techniques by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to substantially automate product substitution decisions associated with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Thirteen commercially available, PC-based expert system shells have received in-depth evaluations. Various machine learning techniques were also reviewed. Two recommendations are given: (1) BLS should use the expert system shell LEVEL5 OBJECT and establish a software development methodology for expert systems; and (2) BLS should undertake a small study to evaluate the potential of machine learning techniques to create and maintain the approximately 350 ELI-specific knowledge bases to be used in CPI product substitution review.

The Active Sites Environmental Monitoring Program (ASEMP), initiated in 1989, provides early detection and performance monitoring of transuranic (TRU) waste and active low-level waste (LLW) facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in accordance with US Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5820.2A. Active LLW facilities in Solid Waste Storage Area (SWSA) 6 include Tumulus I and Tumulus II, the Interim Waste Management Facility (IWMF), LLW silos, high-range wells, asbestos silos, and fissile wells. The tumulus pads and IWMF are aboveground, high-strength concrete pads on which concrete vaults containing metal boxes of LLW are placed; the void space between the boxes and vaults is filled with grout. Eventually, these pads and vaults will be covered by an engineered multilayered cap. All other LLW facilities in SWSA 6 are below ground. In addition, this plan includes monitoring of the Hillcut Disposal Test Facility (HDTF) in SWSA 6, even though this facility was completed prior to the data of the DOE order. In SWSA 5 North, the TRU facilities include below-grade engineered caves, high-range wells, and unlined trenches. All samples from SWSA 6 are screened for alpha and beta activity, counted for gamma-emitting isotopes, and analyzed for tritium. In addition to these analytes, …

The Active Sites Environmental Monitoring Program (ASEMP), initiated in 1989, provides early detection and performance monitoring of transuranic (TRU) waste and active low-level waste (LLW) facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in accordance with US Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5820.2A. Active LLW facilities in Solid Waste Storage Area (SWSA) 6 include Tumulus I and Tumulus II, the Interim Waste Management Facility (IWMF), LLW silos, high-range wells, asbestos silos, and fissile wells. The tumulus pads and IWMF are aboveground, high-strength concrete pads on which concrete vaults containing metal boxes of LLW are placed; the void space between the boxes and vaults is filled with grout. Eventually, these pads and vaults will be covered by an engineered multilayered cap. All other LLW facilities in SWSA 6 are below ground. In addition, this plan includes monitoring of the Hillcut Disposal Test Facility (HDTF) in SWSA 6, even though this facility was completed prior to the data of the DOE order. In SWSA 5 North, the TRU facilities include below-grade engineered caves, high-range wells, and unlined trenches. All samples from SWSA 6 are screened for alpha and beta activity, counted for gamma-emitting isotopes, and analyzed for tritium. In addition to these analytes, …

The results of three trade-off studies of alternative concepts for performing cask maintenance for Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System casks are presented. An earlier study resulted in a recommendation that a submerged pool concept for cask internal component removal be used in the design of a Cask Maintenance Facility. The first trade-off study resulted in confirming the previous recommendation that a submerged pool concept be used rather than an isolation cell; the basis for this continued recommendation is discussed. The second study provides an evaluation of the previously proposed facility for the capability of handling an increased quantity of OCRWM casks. This third study provides a preliminary concept for adding the capability to repaint the exterior cylindrical portions of casks.

Thirty-eight inactive liquid low-level radioactive waste tanks are currently managed by the Environmental Restoration Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The contents of these tanks are to be characterized in preparation for future corrective actions and remediation activities as part of compliance with the pending Federal Facility Agreement for the Oak Ridge Reservation. Twenty-nine of these tanks were sampled and analyzed in 1989. Three of the tanks (TH-2, WC-1, and WC-15) were not accessible from the surface and thus were not sampled until 1990. This report presents the sampling and analytical results of that campaign. All three tanks in this report had negligible regulatory organic compounds in the samples that were collected. There were no US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Target Compound List (TCL) constituents for volatile organics detected in any of the aqueous samples. The only semivolatile organics detected were 2-chlorophenol (52 {mu}g/L) in tank TH-2 and dichloroethane (14--15 {mu}g/L) and diethyl either (15--17 {mu}g/L) in tank WC-15. A thin oil layer was discovered floating on top of the aqueous contents in tank WC-15. The analysis of the oil layer detected no volatile organics and showed only one EPA TCL constituent, di-n-butylphthalate, at 1900 {mu}g/L. Low levels of Resource …

Thirty-eight inactive liquid low-level radioactive waste tanks are currently managed by the Environmental Restoration Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The contents of these tanks are to be characterized in preparation for future corrective actions and remediation activities as part of compliance with the pending Federal Facility Agreement for the Oak Ridge Reservation. Twenty-nine of these tanks were sampled and analyzed in 1989. Three of the tanks (TH-2, WC-1, and WC-15) were not accessible from the surface and thus were not sampled until 1990. This report presents the sampling and analytical results of that campaign. All three tanks in this report had negligible regulatory organic compounds in the samples that were collected. There were no US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Target Compound List (TCL) constituents for volatile organics detected in any of the aqueous samples. The only semivolatile organics detected were 2-chlorophenol (52 {mu}g/L) in tank TH-2 and dichloroethane (14--15 {mu}g/L) and diethyl either (15--17 {mu}g/L) in tank WC-15. A thin oil layer was discovered floating on top of the aqueous contents in tank WC-15. The analysis of the oil layer detected no volatile organics and showed only one EPA TCL constituent, di-n-butylphthalate, at 1900 {mu}g/L. Low levels of Resource …

This report discusses the following topics: Relativistic Boltzmann-Langevin model for heavy-ion collision; K+ production far below free neucleon-nucleon threshold and damping of collective vibrations in a memory-dependent transport model.