The purpose of this project is to develop an advanced coal-combustion system for industrial boilers. With the new combustion system, coal could be used to replace oil and possibly gas as fuel for many industrial boilers. The advanced combustion system is comprised of several parts: (1) A new burner-design concept for coal fuels, developed from the familiar gas turbine combustor-can designs that have proven efficient, reliable, durable, and safe for the combustion of liquid fuel oils. (2) A coal storage and dense-phase feed system for injecting clean, ultrafine pulverized coal into the burner at a low velocity. (3) An automatic control system based on feedback from low-cost automotive combustion-quality transducers. A cold flow model of an initial phase of the new burner design and the associated laser flow-visualization techniques were developed during this quarter. A series of modifications of the initial cold flow model will be tested to establish details of design for the new burner. Also a 200 hp firetube boiler has been installed and tested using number 2 oil as a fuel. This boiler will be used for future combustion testing with the new burner and ultrafine pulverized coal. Additionally an ultrafine-coal injector has been designed which will …

The workshop was organized in order to address technological issues important to decisions regarding the feasibility of strategic options. The objectives of the workshop were to establish the current technological capabilities for deep-underground construction, to project those capabilities through the compressed schedule proposed for construction, and to identify promising directions for timely allocation of existing research and development resources. The earth has been used as a means of protection and safekeeping for many centuries. Recently, the thickness of the earth cover required for this purpose has been extended to the 2,000- to 3,000-ft range in structures contemplated for nuclear-waste disposal, energy storage, and strategic systems. For defensive missile basing, it is now perceived that the magnitude of the threat has increased through better delivery systems, larger payloads, and variable tactics of attack. Thus, depths of 3,000 to 8,000 ft are being considered seriously for such facilities. Moreover, it appears desirable that the facilities be operational (if not totally complete) for defensive purposes within a five-year construction schedule. Deep excavations such as mines are similar in many respects to nearsurface tunnels and caverns for transit, rail, sewer, water, hydroelectric, and highway projects. But the differences that do exist are significant. Major …

This project is concerned with the structure and function of the unique antenna system found in the green photosynthetic bacteria. The antenna system in these organisms is contained within a vesicle known as a chlorosome, which is attached to the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane. Additional antenna pigments and reaction centers are contained in integral membrane proteins. Energy absorbed by the bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) pigments in the chlorosome is transferred via a ``baseplate`` array of BChl a antenna pigments into the membrane and to the reaction center. A schematic model of chlorosome structure is shown. This project is aimed at increasing our understanding of the organization of the pigments in the chlorosome and how the antenna system functions.

This project is concerned with the structure and function of the unique antenna system found in the green photosynthetic bacteria. The antenna system in these organisms is contained within a vesicle known as a chlorosome, which is attached to the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane. Additional antenna pigments and reaction centers are contained in integral membrane proteins. Energy absorbed by the bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) pigments in the chlorosome is transferred via a ``baseplate`` array of BChl a antenna pigments into the membrane and to the reaction center. This system is similar in some respects to the phycobilisome antenna system found in cyanobacteria and some types of algae, in that a membrane-associated structure absorbs light and transfers it to the membrane where conversion to chemical energy takes place. However, the overall structure, the type of pigments utilized and the nature of the proteins in these two types of membrane-associated antenna bodies are entirely different, and they clearly represent two independent evolutionary solutions to the problem of light collection and excitation transfer.

This report marks the fourth quarter of the third phase of the centrifugal slurry pump improvement program. The program was begun in 1982 to improve the operating life of centrifugal slurry pumps for coal liquefaction service. The first phase reviewed pilot plant experience with centrifugal slurry pumps and identified, with the help of a literature search, the critical design parameters and materials required for such improvement. The second phase encompassed extensive small-scale testing of several hydraulic design concepts and materials testing and selection - the results being incorporated in a prototype slurry pump design. This third phase of the work has included i) prototype slurry pump testing against a state-of-the-art coal liquefaction slurry pump, wherein substantial reduction of wear was obtained at 60% higher speed at the same head and flow rate therefore at 60% higher specific speed - and ii) an investigation as to whether still higher specific speed is possible. The prototype pump tested in (i) had a specific speed of 600. Another pump of this same design was re-fitted for investigation (ii) with a smaller impeller and associated liners so as to operate at a specific speed of 1000. Both the 600 and the 1000 impellers for …

Objective of this task is to measure and characterize the ceramic properties (crystalline phase composition, grain boundaries, residual stresses) of a series of standard ceramic specimens to assist in developing international standards for ceramic characterization. This report describes electron microscopy of the microstructure and grain boundaries of ESK silicon carbide; supporting x-ray diffraction data for the bulk phase composition is included.

Our quantitative determinations of the decomposition of thin film and bulk ceramic materials during electron microscopy has shown that the radiation damage effect is a complex one depending dielectric and thermochemical properties. In low melting temperature glasses, for example, much of the activity is due to field enhanced diffusion of low atomic weight species. This is particularly true of bulk specimens and for the case of binary soda-borosilicate glass the sodium depletion in the SEM can be quantitatively described in terms of this effect. Studies with thin specimens of refractory carbides show that in these materials the carbon depletion is due to direct displacement processes and that here the electric fields give rise to recombination effects. The studies of ceramic thin films suitable for reference standards is continuing as a joint effort with the Rockwell Science Center. Work is in progress to describe the in plane crystallization that is observed in terms of the latent heat involved and the configurational entropy of the propagating interface.

This was an experiment to test whether cloth dyeing using geothermal steam (already proven in Japan) would be feasible in Hawaii. Results: Using a fabricated steam vat, cotton, silk, and synthetic can be dyed; the resulting material received high grades for steadfastness and permanency under dye testing. Techniques that were successful in Matsukawa, were replicated in Puna. However, attempts to embed leaf patterns on cloth using natural leaves and to extract natural dyes from Hawaiian plants were unsuccessful; the color of natural dyes deteriorated in hours. But chemical dyes gave brilliant hues or shades, in contrast to those in Japan where the steam there gave subdued tones. It is concluded that geothermal dyeing can be a viable cottage industry in Puna, Hawaii.

About 15,000 gravity stations were used to create the gravity map. Gravity studies at the Nevada Test Site were undertaken to help locate geologically favorable areas for underground nuclear tests and to help characterize potential high-level nuclear waste storage sites. 48 refs. (TEM)

The objective of this study is to determine the optimum electrolyte composition for molten carbonate fuel cells. To accomplish this, the contractor will provide: (1) Comprehensive reports of on-going efforts to optimize carbonate composition. (2) A list of characteristics affected by electrolyte composition variations (e.g. ionic conductivity, vapor pressure, melting range, gas solubility, exchange current densities on NiO, corrosion and cathode dissolution effects). (3) Assessment of the overall effects that these characteristics have on state-of-the-art cell voltage and lifetime.

The objective of this study is to determine the optimum electrolyte composition for molten carbonate fuel cells. To accomplish this, the contractor will provide: (1) Comprehensive reports of on-going efforts to optimize carbonate composition. (2) A list of characteristics affected by electrolyte composition variations (e.g. ionic conductivity, vapor pressure, melting range, gas solubility, exchange current densities on NiO, corrosion and cathode dissolution effects). (3) Assessment of the overall effects that these characteristics have state-of-the-art cell voltage and lifetime.

The goal of this program is the development of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) anode which is more tolerant of sulfur contaminants in the fuel than the current state-of-the-art nickel-based anode structures. This program addresses two different but related aspects of the sulfur contamination problem. The primary aspect is concerned with the development of a sulfur tolerant electrocatalyst for the fuel oxidation reaction. A secondary issue is the development of a sulfur tolerant water-gas-shift reaction catalyst and an investigation of potential steam reforming catalysts which also have some sulfur tolerant capabilities. These two aspects are being addressed as two separate tasks.

The objective of this contract is to develop a consistent technical data base on the use of iron-based catalysts in Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis reactions. This data base will be developed to allow the unambiguous comparison of the performance of these catalysts with each other and with state-of-the-art iron catalyst compositions. Particular attention will be devoted to generating reproducible kinetic and selectivity data and to developing reproducible improved catalyst compositions.

During this period, advanced chambers were fabricated and tested in both single and tandem configurations. A scrubber was designed, constructed, installed in the facility, and checked-out. The dry pulverized coal and micronized coal water mixtures have been supplied by Energy International. Optimization of the configuration continued with respect to fuel phasing, slag handling characteristics, and tailpipe coupling.

The systematic development of the residential combustion system is divided into three phases. Only Phases I and II are detailed here. Phase I constitutes the design, fabrication, testing, and evaluation of a pulse combustor sized for residential space heating. Phase II is an optional phase to develop an integrated system including a heat exchanger. Phase III is projected as a field test of the integrated coal-fired residential space heater. The program logic is depicted in Figure 3-1. The objective of Phase I is to develop an ` advanced pulse coal combustor at the 100,000 Btu/hr scale which can later be integrated with a heat exchanger and controls to form a residential space heater. Phase I is comprised of four technical tasks which are described. The initial test fuels for the Phase I and II effort were expected to be coal slurries. However, it soon became obvious that the availability of the slurries during the development stage would be somewhat problematic and could become an impediment to maintaining progress and schedule. It was therefore decided, after discussions with the DOE Project Manager, to focus the Phase I and II effort upon the use of dry micronized coal and to consider the …

The systematic development of the residential combustion system is divided into three phases. Only Phase I is detailed here. Phase I constitutes the design, fabrication, testing, and evaluation of a pulse combustor sized for residential space heating. Phase II is an optional phase to develop an integrated system including a heat exchanger. Phase III is projected as a field test of the integrated coal-fired residential space heater. The Phase I effort was nearing completion during this reporting period and a final report is in preparation. The configuration testing was completed early in the period and based upon results of the configuration tests, an optimized configuration for the experimental development testing was chosen. The refractory-lined chambers were fabricated and tested from mid-September through early October. The tandem unit was operated on dry micromized coal without support gas or excitation air for periods lasting from one to three hours. Performance was stable and turndown ratios of 3:1 were achieved during the first three-hour test. A early commercial residential heating system configuration has been identified on the basis of the development testing conducted throughout the first phase of this effort. The development effort indicates that the residential unit goals are achievable with some …

During this quarter, testing continued on the advanced refractory chamber (ARC) to monitor the behavior of slag flow as a function of configuration and a new tailpipe configuration was tested on both pulverized and micronized coal (Pittsburgh No. 8). Slag buildup within the tailpipe was minimal. The design and fabrication of the tandem unit was initiated. This unit will be completely lined with Pyrotab 3400 alumina. A flue gas scrubber was also designed, fabricated and installed, primarily to meet the California required restrictions during off-design or upset operations.

In this first quarterly technical report for DOE Contract No. DE-AC22-87PC79654, a description of the background, technology, and application is provided. The design and fabrication of advanced combustion chambers were completed during this period. Initial testing on both the bare metal and refractory lined advanced chambers were initiated. The units were tested initially with gas but primarily with coal. A Pittsburgh No. 8 pulverized coal was used for these test activities. Both advanced chambers pulsed well.

During this quarter the tandem design configuration unit was tested on a low ash pulverized coal. The test results confirmed operation with strong peak-to-peak pressures and high carbon burn-out efficiencies. These configuration units were dismantled after testing with micronized coal (see third quarterly) and pulverized coal during this period. The refractory material in one of the chambers failed, probably due to improper curing during installation. Design modifications based on performance were incorporated into both the combustors and the facility. The tandem unit was modified and evaluation testing initiated. Performance on 100 percent pulverized coal was similar to performance on micronized coal indicating that the unit has a high degree of tolerance and flexibility for a spectrum of fuel types.

A micelle technique was developed for preparing supported catalysts with different size ruthenium particles. Ruthenium was stabilized on the support, light ends make was minimized and activity was maximized by adjusting the ruthenium particle size and the metal-support interaction. The most promising catalysts consisted of 10--15 nm ruthenium particles on an alumina-titania support and 4--6 nm ruthenium particles on an alumina support. Stability improvement was determined to be the major catalyst developmental need. Work during the next quarter will focus on the development of a stable ruthenium catalyst.

This report covers the third quarter of the third phase of the reciprocating charge pump improvement program. The program was begun in 1982 for the purpose of improving the operating life of packings and plungers used in 300 psig, 300F coal/solvent slurry pumps employed in synthetic fuel generating plants. The testing to be performed during this phase has been modified since the last quarterly report. This test measured the effects of slurry migration past the floating piston seal and the time to wear the packing and plunger beyond the acceptable limit. Table 1 summarizes all testing to date, 456 hours total at this time with 72 hours on 35% slurry. It denotes the valve problems seen with rapid pressure decay when pumping slurry. Throughout this time, 33 specific and different equipment failures and operation problems occurred that delayed the testing.

In summary, Task 1 has succeeded in developing innovative swirler designs which operate at improved mechanical efficiency and promise to decrease operating costs when applied to an industrial boiler. The prototype HEACC has been designed and incorporates this swirler along with other innovative, flexible and efficiency-oriented features. During this quarter, further testing was conducted with the swirl-jet atomizer to assess the effect of MCWF heating. These results are shown in Figure 15. As can be seen, the spray quality steadily improved with increasing temperature over the range of 25{degrees}C (77{degrees}F) to 100{degrees}C (212{degrees}F). This is due to a steady reduction in fuel viscosity as demonstrated in Figure 16. From 100{degrees}C to 138{degrees}C (280{degrees}F) only a minor decrease in MMD is noted, but more significantly, a further decrease in SMD can be seen. This means that fewer large droplets were produced at the elevated fuel temperatures. This will have a positive effect on improved combustion and yield higher carbon burn-out.

The electrochemical reduction of nitrate in strongly alkaline solution has been studied using nickel, lead, zinc, and iron cathodes. Intermediate formation of nitrate ion and ammonia product was observed for all electrode materials. Coating a nickel sponge electrode with phthalocyanine renders it less active toward nitrate reduction, while iron electrodes appear to be activated. Electrolysis between a lead cathode and a nickel anode is an efficient means of removing nitrate from strongly alkaline solutions. Electrode pretreatment and solution conditions were chosen to correspond to those that might be encountered in practical applications, for example, the cleanup of radioactive waste solutions.

This program involves the experimental and theoretical study of optically induced electron transfer and electronic excitation transport in systems with complex structures. The focus is to obtain an understanding of the intimate interplay among intermolecular interactions, structure, and dynamics. A combination of picosecond transient grating experiments, time resolved fluorescence depolarization experiments, conventional optical spectroscopy, and statistical mechanical theory is being employed to elucidated fundamental aspects of processes which are important in the conversion of solar energy to usable forms of energy. We are continuing to address the very important problem of electron back transfer following optically induced donor to acceptor electron transfer. In a system in which there are donors (low concentration) and acceptors (high concentration) randomly distributed in solution, optical excitation of a donor can be followed by transfer of an electron to an acceptor. One electron transfer has occurred. there exists a ground state radical cation (D{sup +}) near a ground state radical anion (A{sup {minus}}). Since the thermodynamically stable state is neutral ground state D and A, back transfer will occur. The electron will back transfer from A{sup {minus}} to D{sup +} to regenerate the neutral species. In liquid solution, back transfer competes with separation by diffusion. …