The Defense Waste Processing Facility will incorporate high-level liquid waste into borosilicate glass for stabilization and permanent disposal in a geologic repository. The viscosity of the melt determines the rate of melting of the raw feed, the rate of gas bubble release due to foaming and fining, the rate of homogenization, and thus, the quality of the glass produced. The viscosity of the glass is in turn, a function of both glass composition and temperature. A model describing the viscosity dependence on composition, temperature, and glass structure (bonding) has been derived for glasses ranging from pure frits to frit plus 35 wt % simulated waste. 17 refs., 37 figs.

The basic ideas and theoretical methods used in the description of hot nuclei are reviewed. In particular, a macroscopic approach to shape transitions is discussed in the framework of the Landau theory in which the quadrupole shape degrees of freedom play the role of the order parameters. This theory describes the universal features of the nuclear shape evolution with temperature and spin. A unified description of fluctuations in all five quadrupole degrees of freedom is introduced and plays an important role in the calculation of physical observables. A macroscopic approach to the giant dipole resonance (GDR) in hot nuclei is developed. With all parameters fixed by the zero temperature nuclear properties, the theory predicts both the GDR cross-section and angular anisotropy of the {gamma}-rays in very good agreement with recent experiments. The intrinsic shape fluctuations are the main cause for the resonance broadening at higher temperatures, while the orientation fluctuations are responsible for the observed attenuation in the angular anisotropy. Dissipation at finite temperature is discussed in the framework of a Langevin-like equation describing the time-dependent shape fluctuations. Non-adiabatic effects may cause motional narrowing of the resonance.

Significant progress has been made in our investigations aimed at diagnosing low frequency variations of climate in General Circulation Models. We have analyzed three versions of the Oregon State University General Circulation Model (OSU GCM). These are: (1) the Slab Model in which the ocean is treated as a static heat reservoir of fixed depth, (2) the coupled upper ocean-atmosphere model in which the ocean dynamics are calculated in two layers of variable depths representing the mixed layers and the thermocline; this model is referred to OSU2 in the following discussion, and (3) the coupled full ocean-atmosphere model in which the ocean is represented by six layers of variable depth; this model is referred to as OSU6 GCM in the discussion.

A rapid, inexpensive trace multi-element analysis of reactor moderator heavy water is described. Samples were analyzed for copper, silver, gold, and mercury at the low ppb level using Differential Pulse Stripping Voltametry (DPSV). These ions are kept below 25 ppb to avoid possible vessel corrosion. A high concentration of aluminum and iron in the samples prevented analysis by ICP spectroscopy. The DPSV method also avoided volatizing highly tritiated samples. Differential Pulse Stripping Voltametry is a commonly used electroanalytical technique for determining trace levels of metals in aqueous solutions. However, application of this method for routine analytical support in a plant laboratory environment was limited due to the method`s sensitivity to interferences. This paper describes a DPSV method which is rugged enough to be used for routine analytical support and addresses method interferences.

The Savannah River Site has conducted a study to statistically quantify differences in metals concentrations as a function of sampling device and filter treatment. Twelve wells screened in unconsolidated coastal plain sediments were sampled for the study. All wells had histories of detectable toxic metals concentrations. Unfiltered and filtered (using 10 and 0.45 micron filters) samples were collected from all wells to evaluate the effects of filtering. To compare the effects of sampling device, the wells were sampled twice, once with a bladder pump and once with a centrifugal pump. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) method was used to assess the effects of sampling device and filtration on metals concentrations considering the variation in pH, conductivity, and turbidity among samples. This study demonstrates that when controlled sampling techniques are employed, differences in toxic metals concentrations between filtered and unfiltered samples are not statistically significant. However, variations in sampling devices yield samples with statistically different metals concentrations. The centrifugal pumps, which cause more agitation of the sample and the screened zone than bladder pumps, yield samples with statistically higher metals concentrations.

A very theoretical description is given of research in two- dimensional critical phenomena and conformal field theory. Major progress is reported in the field of fluctuating two-dimensional surfaces. A discretized representation of fluctuating geometry is used where surfaces are represented by triangulations; continuum surfaces are recovered by taking the size of the triangles to zero. One of the central goals of the theory of critical phenomena is to find all possible universality classes of n-dimensional critical phenomena; this goal has been translated into the problem of clasifying all possible scale-invariant euclidean quantum field theories. (RWR)

The results of this analysis quantified the uncertainty associated with monitoring the Axial Power Shape (APS) in the Savannah River Reactors. Thermocouples at each assembly flow exit map the radial power distribution and are the primary means of monitoring power in these reactors. The remaining uncertainty in power monitoring is associated with the relative axial power distribution. The APS is monitored by seven sensors that respond to power on each of nine vertical Axial Power Monitor (APM) rods. Computation of the APS uncertainty, for the reactor power limits analysis, started with a large database of APM rod measurements spanning several years of reactor operation. A computer algorithm was used to randomly select a sample of APSs which were input to a code. This code modeled the thermal-hydraulic performance of a single fuel assembly during a design basis Loss-of Coolant Accident. The assembly power limit at Onset of Significant Voiding was computed for each APS. The output was a distribution of expected assembly power limits that was adjusted to account for the biases caused by instrumentation error and by measuring 7 points rather than a continuous APS. Statistical analysis of the final assembly power limit distribution showed that reducing reactor power …

The long term goal of this project is to assess the feasibility of increasing the conversion of photosynthate a key regulatory enzyme in starch biosynthesis. In developing storage tissues such as cereal seeds and tubers, starch biosynthesis is primarily regulated by the gene activation, expression, and allosteric regulation of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase, as well as starch synthase, and branching enzyme. During the last year we have elucidated the structure of both subunits which compose this tetrameric enzyme and determined the temporal and spatial expression of the genes encoding each subunit as well as their correlation to starch biosynthesis. Genomic clones to both subunits have also been isolated and the gene structure of the small subunit determined. Transgenic potato plants have been produced containing deletions of the small subunit promoter. Currently, cis acting elements and their involvement in spatial and temporal expression are under investigation.

Catalytic reforming of low octane gasoline is carried out on dual function catalysts, e.g. Pt/alumina, Pt-Re/alumina, Pt-Sn/alumina. Carboxylates are a constituent of coke on alumina; Re lowers this. 3 wt% Sn lowers both carboxylate and coke by 40% compared to alumina. 3% loadings of both Sn and Pt showed a strong synergistic effect: total coke is increased by 300% and carboxylate production is doubled. At 3% loadings of both metals, the ability of Pt to chemisorb CO is decreased, which parallels the excess coke. At 0.3%, both effects are not detectable. In order to understand the effects of second metals added with Pt on carboxylate production, a study of the mechanism of the production of carbon-oxygen species under reducing conditions of coke deposition is needed.

The present invention relates to a method of producing Tc-96 from the proton irradiation of a rhodium target and a technique for isolating under remote hot cell conditions the Tc-96 from the proton irradiated target.

Accountability and nuclear safety concerns arising from uncertainties in Pu-239 loadings of a number of waste containers at SRS were investigated by in situ neutron and gamma-ray measurements and an assessment of risk stemming from past waste analysis and packaging practices. The neutron and gamma measurements largely confirmed the correctness of original waste analysis and accountability, while the risk assessment and measurement implications suggested no present or foreseeable nuclear safety problems.

This report discusses the following topics: principal parameters achieved in experimental devices fiscal year 1990; tokamak fusion test reactor; compact ignition tokamak; Princeton beta experiment- modification; current drive experiment-upgrade; international collaboration; x-ray laser studies; spacecraft glow experiment; plasma processing: deposition and etching of thin films; theoretical studies; tokamak modeling; international thermonuclear experimental reactor; engineering department; project planning and safety office; quality assurance and reliability; technology transfer; administrative operations; PPPL patent invention disclosures for fiscal year 1990; graduate education; plasma physics; graduate education: plasma science and technology; science education program; and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory reports fiscal year 1990.

We have constructed an infrared stopped-flow spectrophotometer and initiated a study of the mechanisms of reactions that involve a change in the oxidation state of organometallic complexes. In this summary we highlight our results on reactions (1) that formally involve exchange of a charged species between two metal carbonyl anions, (2) that involve addition of an electron to, or removal of an electron from organometallic complexes that contain a metal-metal bond, and (3) between coordination complexes and metal carbonyl anions.

The Savannah River Site (SRS) is a major radionuclide production center. Tritium has been released to the atmosphere over the 36 year period of operation. The tritiated water concentration of the atmosphere, rain, vegetation and food have been routinely monitored during this period. Special studies have been made of tritium in soils and in the organic fractions of these same materials. The available data suggest that the average tritium concentration in the components of the terrestrial environment have approached a steady state with the two main sources of tritium, rainfall and atmospheric water vapor.

Inspection of valves on stored uranium hexafluoride (UF{sub 6}) cylinders was initiated at the three diffusion plant sites in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Paducah, Kentucky, and Portsmouth, Ohio as the result of the discovery of valve defects and evidence of valve leaks at the Oak Ridge K-25 plant. The coordinated inspection culminated in the identification of additional factors related to long-term safe storage of UF{sub 6}, and plans for correction of such deficiencies are presently being developed and implemented. These corrective actions supplement existing programs aimed at assurance of safe storage as summarized in the report.

During 1990, we have continued our meteorological and hydrologic data collection in support of our process-oriented research. The six years of data collected to data is unique in its scope and continuity in a North Hemisphere Arctic setting. This valuable data base has allowed us to further our understanding of the interconnections and interactions between the atmosphere/hydrosphere/biosphere/lithosphere. The increased understanding of the heat and mass transfer processes has allowed us to increase our model-oriented research efforts.

DOE Order 6430.1A, General Design Criteria, requires that DOE facilities be evaluated with regard to ``safety class items.`` Safety class items are defined as ``systems, components, and structures, including portions of process systems, whose failure could adversely affect the environment or safety and health of the public. Determination of safety classification is based on analysis of potential abnormal and accidental scenario consequences as presented in the Safety Analysis Report.`` Although the General Design Criteria defines safety class items, it does not provide an approach for selecting safety class items. The purpose of this report is to present the approach which was developed for selecting safety class items in a specific nonreactor nuclear facility project at the Savannah River Site (SRS).

Manual tank calibrations often have variabilities of both a random and systematic nature that often affect the quality of the data collected for determining accurate calibration equations. When performing the calibration run, data omissions and transcriptions often occur (forgetting to tare weigh the prover vessel or miswriting a displayed value). A computer can be used to minimize these errors associated with the logging of data. This paper describes a IBM compatible, portable computer based system, developed at the Savannah River Site (SRS), that was used to calibrate three tanks in the second quarter 1990. It received data directly from instrumentation such as Ruska differential pressure sensors and electronic balances, while prompting the technicians to perform the various steps in the calibration procedure. This automated system greatly improved the quality of data for calculating the calibration equation for each of these tanks over previous calibration runs.

The focus of the this conference of Coastal Plains geologists was on the Savannah River region of Georgia and South Carolina, and particularly on the geology of the US Department of Energy`s 300 square mile Savannah River Site (SRS) in western South Carolina. Current geological studies indicate that the Mesozoic-Cenozoic section in the Savannah River region is transitional between that of the Gulf Coastal Plain to the southwest and that of the Atlantic Coastal Plain to the northeast. With the transitional aspect of the region as its theme, the first session was devoted to overviews of Cretaceous and Paleogene geology in the Gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plains. Succeeding presentations and resulting discussions dealt with more specific problems in structural, lithostratigraphic, hydrological, biostratigraphic, and cyclostratigraphic analysis, and of correlation to standard stratigraphic frameworks. For these conference proceedings, individual papers have been processed separately for the Energy Data Base.

A necessary step in Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) melter feed preparation for the immobilization of High Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) is reduction of Hg(II) to Hg(0), permitting steam stripping of the Hg. Denitrition and associated NOx evolution is a secondary effect of the use of formic acid as the mercury-reducing agent. Under certain conditions the presence of transition or noble metals can result in significant formic acid decomposition, with associated CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2} evolution. These processes can result in varying redox properties of melter feed, and varying sequential gaseous evolution of oxidants and hydrogen. Electrochemical methods for monitoring the competing processes are discussed. Laboratory scale techniques have been developed for simulating the large-scale reactions, investigating the relative effectiveness of the catalysts, and the effectiveness of catalytic poisons. The reversible nitrite poisoning of formic acid catalysts is discussed.

The objective is to gain a fundamental understanding of the role and importance of hydrogen transfer reactions in thermal and catalytic coprocessing by examining possible hydrogen donation from cycloalkane/aromatic systems and by understanding the chemistry and enhanced reactivity of hydrotreated residuum, as well as by enriching petroleum solvent with potent new donors, nonaromatic hydroaromatics, thereby promoting hydrogen transfer reactions in coprocessing. The detailed results of experiments performed on several subtasks during the quarter are presented.

There are four primary modes of radioactive decay. All can be measured using various types of detectors and are the basis of many analytical techniques and much of what we know about the nucleus and its structure. Alpha particle emission occurs mostly in heavy nuclei of atomic number, Z, greater than 82 like Po, Ra, Th, and U, etc. Beta particles are simply electrons. They are emitted from the nucleus with a distribution of energies ranging from 0--3 MeV. Gamma-rays are photons with energies ranging from a few keV to 10 MeV or more. They usually follow alpha or beta decay, and depending on their energy, can have considerable range in matter. Neutrons are emitted in fission processes and also from a few of the highly excited fission product nuclei. Fission neutrons typically have energies of 1--2 MeV. Like gamma-rays, they have long ranges. The energies involved in nuclear decay processes are much higher than anything encountered in, say, chemical reactions. They are at the very top of the electromagnetic spectrum -- about a million times more energetic than visible light. As a result, these particles always produce ionization, either directly or indirectly, as they pass through matter. It is …

A novel coal feeding system is currently undergoing testing and evaluation at the University of Cincinnati. The system consists primarily of an auger feed tube which is used to both convey and provide desulfurization of a high sulfur coal feedstock. The coal is conveyed at temperatures ranging from 350 to 550 {degrees}C and under normal atmospheric pressure. Under these mild processing conditions, the coal partially pyrolizes and emits sulfur in the form of hydrogen sulfide while maintaining a relatively high heating value in the char product. The evolved gases are evacuated from the reactor (the feed tube) to another absorbing bed where H{sub 2}S reacts with the sorbent, usually lime or limestone. The resultant sorbent utilization is substantially higher than the values found in current dry scrubbing system and the produced low-sulfur char may then be used in a conventional steam boiler.

An Electronic Speckle pattern interferometer (ESPI) was constructed which performs full-field surface displacement measurements. This measurement technique when combined with a single-point measurement known as laser vibrometry, can completely determine the vibrational characteristics of complex structures. This information can, in turn, be used for nondestructive testing as well as for modal analysis. One NDT&E technique is to vibrationally excite the object and evaluate the time averaged interferograms from the ESPI and the vibration spectra from the vibrometer. Anomalies in the interferograms can be related to subsurface defects such as defective weld joints, internal cracks, voids, etc. All of this can be accomplished in a noncontacting and nonintrusive manor. In many instances, a finite element analysis in concert with this approach can be useful in interpreting the results. Since ESPI is analogous to optical holography, other methods equivalent to real-time and double-pulse holography may also be easily applied. As in holography, EXSPI is sensitive to out-of-plane surface displacements. Other optical arrangements can be implemented with the same equipment to give in-plane displacements which would give results similar to Moire interferometry without the need to apply gratings to the object under test. The advantage of this method over holographic interferometry is that …