Newsletter focusing on pecan disease and pest control in Texas, including prevention, identification, treatment, and educational opportunities.

A waste minimization program to develop a non-oxidative stripper system based on metallic getters is being conducted. Initial development is being performed using a Zr-Fe-Sn intermetallic alloy getter procured as Stl98 from SAES Gefters/USA., Inc. This memorandum describes characterizations of physical and compositional properties of SAES Stl98. SAES Stl98 getter was supplied as very durable, cylindrical pellets made by compaction of. granules of Zr-Fe-Sn alloy up to 150 [mu]m in size. Pellet density was 5.2 g/mL corresponding to 24.8% open porosity and very little closed porosity. Bulk composition of Stl98 was 73.6 weight percent (w/o) Zr, 23.3 w/o Fe and 1.2 w/o Sn. Stl98 consists of Zr[sub 2]Fe primary phase along with four secondary phases (ZrFe[sub 2], Zr[sub 5]FeSn, [alpha]-zirconium, and [eta]-Zr[sub 4]Fe[sub 2]O[sub 0.6]). Hydriding characteristics of Stl98 are expected to differ slightly from those of Zr[sub 2]Fe because [alpha]-zirconium and, possibly, Zr[sub 5]FeSn also react with hydrogen.

In this paper, we describe results from a study in which mild chemical pretreatment of coal has been used to enhance low severity liquefaction reactivity. We have found that ambient pretreatment of eight Argonne coals using methanol and a trace amount of hydrochloric acid improves THF-soluble conversions 24.5 wt% (maf basis) for Wyodak subbituminous coal and 28.4 wt% for Beulah-Zap lignite with an average increase of 14.9 wt% for liquefaction of the eight coals at 623 K (350{degree}C) reaction temperature and 30 min. reaction time. Similar enhancement results occurred using, hexane or acetone in place of methanol. Pretreatment with methanol and HCI separately indicated that both reagents were necessary to achieve maximum liquefaction improvement. Acid concentration was the most important pretreatment variable studied; liquefaction reactivity increased with increasing acid concentration up to 2 vol%. No appreciable effect on reactivity was observed at higher acid concentrations. Although vapor phase alcohol/HCI mixtures have been shown to partially alkylate bituminous coals, analysis of Wyodak and Illinois {number sign}6 coal samples indicated that no organic phase alteration occurred during pretreatment; however, over 90 wt% of the calcium was removed from each coal. Calcium is thought to catalyze retrogressive reactions during coal pyrolysis, and thus …

Progress was reported on adsorption work in experimental, theoretical and field projects. The reinjection task is now nearing completion of the work on optimizing injection into the Palinpinon geothermal field in the Philippines. Well test analysis research has been expanded with the initiation of a new project on multiwell interference test interpretation.

Environmental Restoration managers need to demonstrate that their programs are under control. Unlike most industrial programs, the public is heavily involved in Environmental Restoration activities. The public is demanding that the country prove that real progress is being made towards cleaning up the environment. A Program Control Management System can fill this need. It provides a structure for planning, work authorization, data accumulation, data analysis and change control. But it takes time to implement a control system and the public is losing its patience. This paper describes critical items essential to the quick development and implementation of a successful control system.

We were able to predict acid concentration to {plus minus}0.08M HNO{sub 3}. In the presence of Al{sup 3} interference, the prediction dropped to {plus minus}0.29 mols/liter over the range 0 to 9M HNO{sub 3}. Temperature affects the prediction of acid adversely and would have to be modelled out or the sample cell thermostated prior to using this method. 10 refs, 12 figs.(DLC)

The results of the Tween 80-solvated Ames testing of six mild gasification samples indicate significant mutagenic activity only in the composite materials (MG-119 and MG-120), previously suspected from the DMSO-solvated assays, which had shown some variable but ultimately insignificant mutagenic responses. The activity of these samples from the Tween 80-solvated assays was quite low when compared to either the positive controls or the SRC-II HD coal-liquefaction reference material. The class of mutagenic activity expressed by these samples solvated in Tween 80 was that of an indirect-acting, frameshift mutagen(s) since significant activity was found only on tester strain TA98 in the presence of the metabolic activation fraction (S9). Because DMSO and other solvents have been shown to affect the mutagenic activity of certain pure chemicals, the possibility of solvent/mutagen interactions in complex mixtures such as coal-derived liquids exists. Thus, the testing of the genotoxic activity of undefined, chemically complex compounds may require the use of at least two solvent systems to reduce the possibility of artifactual findings. 10 refs., 4 tabs.

This report discusses: The description of the GANG Project and results for prior research; the center for geometry, analysis, numerics and graphics; description of GANG Laboratory; software development at GANG; and mathematical and scientific research activities.

Newsletter of the Texas Department of Health discussing the news, activities, and events of the organization and other information related to health in Texas.

Adsorption of Pu and U onto monosodium titanate (MST) in alkaline salt solution was measured. Changes in MST particle size distribution do not significantly affect the loadings of actinides. Max loading of plutonium-239 is 0.68 wt% at 0.79 mg/L Pu, below the infinitely safe value of 0.80 wt%. Max loading of uranium-235 onto MST is 1.4 wt% at a concentration of 20.3 [plus minus] 2.0 mg/L U, slightly higher than the calculated infinitely safe limit of 1.2 wt%. Experimental data indicated there is competition between plutonium and uranium for sites on the MST, and that the loading will favor the higher concentration species. Since the solubility of uranium is 10--100 times higher than of plutonium, uranium will be loaded to its maximum limit, but plutonium will be below its maximum limit. To ensure that the concentration of fissile materials cannot exceed nuclear safety limits, it is recommended that plutonium and uranium solubility tests be conducted with solutions which bound the compositions of waste which will be treated in ITP process.

Monte Carlo simulation of radiotherapy is now available for routine clinical use. It brings improved accuracy of dose calculations for treatments where important physics comes into play, and provides a robust, general tool for planning where empirical solutions have not been implemented. Through the use of Monte Carlo, new information, including the effects of the composition of materials in the patient, the effects of electron transport, and the details of the distribution of energy deposition, can be applied to the field. PEREGRINE{trademark} is a Monte Carlo dose calculation solution that was designed and built specifically for the purpose of providing a practical, affordable Monte Carlo capability to the clinic. The system solution was crafted to facilitate insertion of this powerful tool into day-to-day treatment planning, while being extensible to accommodate improvements in techniques, computers, and interfaces.

In a synchrotron, when the beam induced current is comparable to the driver current, the RF cavity is subjected to beam loading perturbation and corrective steps have to be implemented to regain beam stability. In this paper, the static and transient beam loading will be studied. We first discuss the static beam loading, which includes the cavity detuning condition, the stability condition, and the generator power dissipation. The beam current induced beam phase deviation is used as criterion to study the transient beam loading. The upgraded and the old AGS RF system parameters are used as an example to demonstrate how to choose cavity and generator parameters to satisfy the stability requirements under the beam loading. The dynamic models for the beam loading with beam control, and the beam loading with fast power amplifier feedback are presented and analyzed. It is shown that the beam phase and radial feedbacks alone are insufficient for the transient beam loading compensation, but the fast power amplifier feedback can provide effective correction on the beam loading. The limitation of the fast feedback and the beam loading with tuning and AVC loops are also discussed.

This Phase 2 Test Report summarizes the testing activities and results for the second testing phase of an Innovative Clean Coal Technology (ICCT) demonstration of advanced wall-fired combustion techniques for the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NO[sub x]) emissions from coal-fired boilers. The second phase demonstrates the Advanced Overfire Air (AOFA) retrofit with existing Foster Wheeler (FWEC) burners. The project is being conducted at Georgia Power Company's Plant Hammond Unit 4 located near Rome, Georgia. The primary goal of this project is the characterization of the low NO[sub x] combustion equipment through the collection and analysis of long-term emissions data supported by short-term characterization data. Ultimately a fifty percent NO[sub x] reduction target using combinations of combustion modifications has been established for this project.

The experiments we have been performing are primarily designed to define the extent to which water affects key properties of ashes, powders, and mixtures of sorbents and ashes. We have included selected data from prior quarterly reports in this report for the sake of completeness, and for comparisons with newly-acquired data. In several places in this report samples are referred to by their identification (SID) numbers. Table I provides a brief description of all the samples we have used in this project along with their SID numbers. As suggested by our literature review, our data indicate that water adsorption depends on particle morphology and surface chemistry. Our recent laboratory efforts were primarily directed toward the determination of the effects of adsorbed water on the tensile and cohesive strengths of powders, the development of apparatus for SO{sub 3} and organosiloxane conditioning, and the conditioning of powders and ashes with organosiloxane.

The attached Test Procedure provides detailed test steps to assure proper operation of the 244U DCRT instrumentation.

Double-Shell Tank 241-AP-105 is a radioactive waste tank most recently sampled in March of 1993. Sampling and characterization of the waste in Tank 241-AP-105 contributes toward the fulfillment of Milestone M-44-05 of the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (Ecology, EPA, and DOE, 1993). Characterization is also needed tot evaluate the waste`s fitness for safe processing through an evaporator as part of an overall waste volume reduction program. Tank 241-AP-105, located in the 200 East Area AP Tank Farm, was constructed and went into service in 1986 as a dilute waste receiver tank; Tank 241AP-1 05 was considered as a candidate tank for the Grout Treatment Facility. With the cancellation of the Grout Program, the final disposal of the waste in will be as high- and low-level glass fractions. The tank has an operational capacity of 1,140,000 gallons, and currently contains 821,000 gallons of double-shell slurry feed. The waste is heterogeneous, although distinct layers do not exist. Waste has been removed periodically for processing and concentration through the 242-A Evaporator. The tank is not classified as a Watch List tank and is considered to be sound. There are no Unreviewed Safety Questions associated with Tank 241-AP-105 at this time. …

An MHD workshop entitled ``Stabilization of the External Kink and Other MHD Issues`` was held June 1993. This is a summary report of activities at that workshop, structured to respond to the three questions in the charge (letter from J. Willis). The experimental and theoretical status of these issues, and the R&D needs in each area, are addressed. We discuss the potential impact on the TPX and ITER programs of these issues. The workshop participants came from a broad and diverse range of institutions in the fusion program, including international participants. As a result, we believe the summary here reflects some consensus of the community on these very important program issues, and that the TPX and ITER programs will benefit from these discussions. The title of the workshop was chosen to indicate both our knowledge and our uncertainty of MHD phenomena limiting {beta} and causing disruptions in tokamaks. The purpose was to bring together theorists and experimentalist in order to assess our current understanding of the external kink instability at high {beta}, and to assess the potential for passive or active stabilization of the dominant modes. We also outlined the R&D needed for TPX and other future devices. Not only …

Poroelasticity is the theoretical framework used to describe the coupled processes which occur when a fluid bearing porous material is deformed by a stress field. The theoretical basis for the treatment of problems in poroelasticity has been derived in an extensive body of work over the last fifty years, most notably by Biot. Many of Biot`s successors have attempted to find relationships between the physical properties of the material to be analyzed and the Biot coefficients. Our approach to this problem has both theoretical and experimental components. The general theoretical objective is to produce estimates of the Biot coefficients which are more realistic e.g.. are not limited by assumptions which preclude their use for real earth materials. Experiments are designed to measure the coefficients (or parameters which are directly related to them) which have not been measured as yet to provide new insight for improving the theory of poroelasticity. The experimental program is designed to determine the mechanical and transport properties of a well characterized set of synthetic and natural sandstones from static to ultrasonic frequencies.

This reports the results of the load test of the 3790 building roof deck and support structure.

During this quarter some experiments from the previous set were repeated to check the reproducibility of the results. Also, a new set of experiments was carried out to study the effects of (1) collector dosage, (2) Q* -- the nondimensional ratio of air flow rate to slurry flow rate, and (3) slurry pressure on the flow characteristics. Four different Q* values with hydrophobic particles in the feed slurry were studied. The value of A*, the dimensionless ratio of overflow opening area to underflow opening area, was maintained at the same level (A* 1.00). Quartz particles of size {sup {minus}}100 {sup +}200 mesh were used for this study rather than coal particles because they did not abrade and were of a higher density. The reagents used were 40 ppM (water basis) of MIBC frother and 800 g of dodecyl amine collector per ton of dry solids in the suspension. In other experiments with no solids in the feed suspension, collector level in the water was varied at 0, 10 and 20 ppM. At room temperature, quartz is intrinsically hydrophilic while addition of the amine collector renders the quartz particles hydrophobic. The absence of collector will be referred to as the hydrophilic …

The Electric Power Monthly (EPM) presents monthly electricity statistics. The purpose of this publication is to provide energy decisionmakers with accurate and timely information that may be used in forming various perspectives on electric issues that lie ahead. The EPM is prepared by the Survey Management Division; Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternate Fuels, Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy. This publication provides monthly statistics at the US, Census division, and State levels for net generation, fossil fuel consumption and stocks, quantity and quality of fossil fuels, cost of fossil fuels, electricity sales, revenue, and average revenue per kilowatthour of electricity sold. Data on net generation, fuel consumption, fuel stocks, quantity and cost of fossil fuels are also displayed for the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) regions.

Heat loading analysis of the Solid Waste Disposal Facility (SWDF) waste storage configurations show the containers may exceed 90{degrees}C without any radioactive decay heat contribution. Contamination containment is primarily controlled in TRU waste packaging by using multiple bag layers of polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene. Since literature values indicate that these thermoplastic materials can begin mechanical degradation at 66{degrees}C, there was concern that the containment layers could be breached by heating. To better define the mechanical degradation temperature limits for the materials, a series of heating tests were conducted over a fifteen and thirty minute time interval. Samples of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bag, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) container, PVC bag and sealing tape were heated in a convection oven to temperatures ranging from 90 to 185{degrees}C. The following temperature limits are recommended for each of the tested materials: (1) low-density polyethylene -- 110{degrees}C; (2) polyvinyl chloride -- 130{degrees}C; (3) high-density polyethylene -- 140{degrees}C; (4) sealing tape -- 140{degrees}C. Testing with LDPE and PVC at temperatures ranging from 110 to 130{degrees}C for 60 and 120 minutes also showed no observable differences between the samples exposed at 15 and 30 minute intervals. Although these observed temperature …

The United States is emerging from the Cold War era into an exciting, but challenging future. Improving the economic competitiveness of our Nation is essential both for improving the quality of life in the United States and maintaining a strong national security. The research and technical skills used to maintain a leading edge in defense and energy now should be used to help meet the challenge of maintaining, regaining, and establishing US leadership in industrial technologies. Companies recognize that success in the world marketplace depends on products that are at the leading edge of technology, with competitive cost, quality, and performance. Los Alamos National Laboratory and its Industrial Partnership Center (IPC) has the strategic goal to make a strong contribution to the nation`s economic competitiveness by leveraging the government`s investment at the Laboratory: personnel, infrastructure, and technological expertise.

For non-reactor nuclear facilities, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) does not require that nuclear criticality safety engineers demonstrate qualification for their job. It is likely, however, that more formalism will be required in the future. Current DOE requirements for those positions which do have to demonstrate qualification indicate that qualification should be achieved by using a systematic approach such as performance based training (PBT). Assuming that PBT would be an acceptable mechanism for nuclear criticality safety engineer training in a more formal environment, a site-specific analysis of the nuclear criticality safety engineer job was performed. Based on this analysis, classes are being developed and delivered to a target audience of newer nuclear criticality safety engineers. Because current interest is in developing training for selected aspects of the nuclear criticality safety engineer job, the analysis is incompletely developed in some areas.