TPC`s (Time Projection Chamber) used in E-810 at the AGS (Alternating Gradient Synchrotron) were exposed to fluxes equivalent to more than 10{sup 7} minimum ionizing particles per second to find if such high fluxes cause gain changes or distortions of the electric field. Initial results of these and other tests are presented and the consequences for the RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) TPC-based experiments are discussed.

TPC's (Time Projection Chamber) used in E-810 at the AGS (Alternating Gradient Synchrotron) were exposed to fluxes equivalent to more than 10{sup 7} minimum ionizing particles per second to find if such high fluxes cause gain changes or distortions of the electric field. Initial results of these and other tests are presented and the consequences for the RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) TPC-based experiments are discussed.

The objective of this project is to produce one or more microorganisms capable of removing the organic and inorganic sulfur in coal. The specific technical objectives of the project are to: clone and characterize the genes encoding the enzymes of the 4S'' pathway (sulfoxide/sulfone/sulfonate/sulfate) for release of organic sulfur from coal; return multiple copies of genes to the original host to enhance the biodesulfurization activity of that organism; transfer this pathway into a fast-growing chemolithotrophic bacterium; and conduct a batch-mode optimization/analysis of scale-up variables.

The objective of this project is to produce one or more microorganisms capable of removing the organic and inorganic sulfur in coal. The specific technical objectives of the project are to: clone and characterize the genes encoding the enzymes of the ``4S`` pathway (sulfoxide/sulfone/sulfonate/sulfate) for release of organic sulfur from coal; return multiple copies of genes to the original host to enhance the biodesulfurization activity of that organism; transfer this pathway into a fast-growing chemolithotrophic bacterium; and conduct a batch-mode optimization/analysis of scale-up variables.

IWT was asked by J. R. Schornhorst of NPSR to determine the distribution of the quantity of enriched uranium per disposal box (B-25) of the years 1985--1991 to provide input to an uptake of the E Area Safety Analysis. This information was considered important since the issue of criticality is an important concern in safety analyses. Information found in the COBRA data base shows no disposal containers exceeded 100 grams of U-235. The COBRA data base was queried in a two-step process. First a short program in the NATURAL language was used to retrieve all records beginning with January 1983 having a Burial Code of less than 4, indicating low-level waste disposed in trenches. These records were then passed to a temporary storage file and read into a program written in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) language. SAS was used to eliminate waste from the Naval Fuel Facility, which will not operate in the future, and to sort the records in order of increasing amounts of U-235. The SAS procedure FREQ was then used to produce a cumulative frequency distribution of grams of U-235. A total of 53,198 packages were disposed of during this time period, 277 of which contained U-235. …

IWT was asked by J. R. Schornhorst of NPSR to determine the distribution of the quantity of enriched uranium per disposal box (B-25) of the years 1985--1991 to provide input to an uptake of the E Area Safety Analysis. This information was considered important since the issue of criticality is an important concern in safety analyses. Information found in the COBRA data base shows no disposal containers exceeded 100 grams of U-235. The COBRA data base was queried in a two-step process. First a short program in the NATURAL language was used to retrieve all records beginning with January 1983 having a Burial Code of less than 4, indicating low-level waste disposed in trenches. These records were then passed to a temporary storage file and read into a program written in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) language. SAS was used to eliminate waste from the Naval Fuel Facility, which will not operate in the future, and to sort the records in order of increasing amounts of U-235. The SAS procedure FREQ was then used to produce a cumulative frequency distribution of grams of U-235. A total of 53,198 packages were disposed of during this time period, 277 of which contained U-235. …

This research uses several techniques to measure the concentration of catalyst sites and determine their stoichiometry for the catalyzed gasification of carbon. Both alkali and alkaline earth oxides are effective catalysts for accelerating the gasification rate of coal chars, but only a fraction of the catalyst appears to be in a form that is effective for gasification, and the composition of that catalyst is not established. Transient techniques with {sup 13}C labeling, are being used to study the surface processes, to measure the concentration of active sites, and to determine the specific reaction rates. We have used secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for both high surface area samples of carbon/alkali carbonate mixtures and for model carbon surfaces with deposited alkali atoms. SIMS provides a direct measure of surface composition. The combination of these results can provide knowledge of catalyst dispersion and composition, and thus indicate the way to optimally utilize carbon gasification catalysts.

This research uses several techniques to measure the concentration of catalyst sites and determine their stoichiometry for the catalyzed gasification of carbon. Both alkali and alkaline earth oxides are effective catalysts for accelerating the gasification rate of coal chars, but only a fraction of the catalyst appears to be in a form that is effective for gasification, and the composition of that catalyst is not established. Transient techniques with {sup 13}C labeling, are being used to study the surface processes, to measure the concentration of active sites, and to determine the specific reaction rates. We have used secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for both high surface area samples of carbon/alkali carbonate mixtures and for model carbon surfaces with deposited alkali atoms. SIMS provides a direct measure of surface composition. The combination of these results can provide knowledge of catalyst dispersion and composition, and thus indicate the way to optimally utilize carbon gasification catalysts.

Weekly newsletter discussing natural resources, parks, hunting and fishing, and other information related to the outdoors in Texas.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses for pre-waste-emplacement groundwater travel time were conducted. Although preliminary, a number of interesting results were obtained. Uncertainty in the groundwater travel time statistics, as measured by the coefficient of variation, increases and then decreases as the modeled system transitions from matrix-dominated to fracture-dominated flow. The uncertainty analysis also suggests that the median, as opposed to the mean, may be a better indicator of performance with respect to the regulatory criterion. The sensitivity analysis shows a strong correlation between an effective fracture property, fracture porosity, and failure to meet the regulatory pre-waste-emplacement groundwater travel time criterion of 1000 years.

This proposed plan describes the interim action selected to address potential contamination associated with the Metallurgical Laboratory Hazardous Waste Management Facility located at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina.

Radiological dose to the offsite maximum individual or the 50-mile population is often estimated assuming that operational atmospheric releases originate from the geographical center of the Savannah River Site. Historically, meteorological data collected from instrumentation on the H-Area tower have been utilized to estimate atmospheric dispersion from centrally located releases.'' This paper examines the effect on dose predictions using meteorological data from seven onsite towers located at A, C, D, F, H, K, and P areas to describe meteorological conditions at the central release location. Maximum individual dose estimates using both annual and short-term average air concentrations are well within 20% of the mean prediction. Population dose estimates are also within 20% of the mean prediction. Population dose estimates are also within 20% of the mean except for two-hour doses using H-Area meteorological data, which is less than the average estimate by about 30%.

Radiological dose to the offsite maximum individual or the 50-mile population is often estimated assuming that operational atmospheric releases originate from the geographical center of the Savannah River Site. Historically, meteorological data collected from instrumentation on the H-Area tower have been utilized to estimate atmospheric dispersion from centrally located ``releases.`` This paper examines the effect on dose predictions using meteorological data from seven onsite towers located at A, C, D, F, H, K, and P areas to describe meteorological conditions at the central release location. Maximum individual dose estimates using both annual and short-term average air concentrations are well within 20% of the mean prediction. Population dose estimates are also within 20% of the mean prediction. Population dose estimates are also within 20% of the mean except for two-hour doses using H-Area meteorological data, which is less than the average estimate by about 30%.

The major objectives of the project are to: (1) demonstrate the performance of three combustion NO{sub x} control technologies; (2) determine the short-term NO{sub x} emission trends for each of the operating configurations; (3) determine the dynamic long-term NO{sub x} emission characteristics for each of the operating configurations using sophisticated statistical techniques; (4) evaluate progressive cost-effectiveness (i.e., dollars per ton of NO{sub x} removed) of the low NO{sub x} combustion technologies tested; and (5) determine the effects on other combustion parameters (e.g., CO production, carbon carry-over, particulate characteristics) of applying the low NO{sub x} combustion technologies. (VC)

The objective of this project is to produce one or more microorganisms capable of removing the organic and inorganic sulfur in coal. The original specific technical objectives of the project were to: clone and characterize the genes encoding the enzymes of the ``4S`` pathway (sulfoxide/sulfone/sulfonate/sulfate) for release of organic sulfur from coal; return multiple copies of genes to the original host to enhance the biodesulfurization activity of that organism; transfer this pathway into a fast-growing chemolithotropic bacterium; conduct a batch-mode optimization/analysis of scale-up variables.

The objective of this project is to produce one or more microorganisms capable of removing the organic and inorganic sulfur in coal. The original specific technical objectives of the project were to: clone and characterize the genes encoding the enzymes of the 4S'' pathway (sulfoxide/sulfone/sulfonate/sulfate) for release of organic sulfur from coal; return multiple copies of genes to the original host to enhance the biodesulfurization activity of that organism; transfer this pathway into a fast-growing chemolithotropic bacterium; conduct a batch-mode optimization/analysis of scale-up variables.

The production of hydroxyl radicals by the radiolytic decomposition of water vapor following alpha decay of {sup 222}Rn can be used to produce an ultrafine sulfuric acid aerosol in the presence of SO{sub 2}. In the past, the production of this aerosol appeared to have a limiting threshold in as much as sufficient conversion of SO{sub 2} to SO{sub 4} must be attained to achieve the concentration required for nucleation. This appeared to occur when the bulk average acidity reached an adequately high value. The threshold curve for the onset of the sulfuric acid aerosol formation is a function of the H{sub 2}O, SO{sub 2} and Rn concentrations. The hydroxyl radical formation is dependent on the H{sub 2}O and Rn concentrations. The mass conversion rate of SO{sub 2} to H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} has been studied by measuring the airborne H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} concentration by ion chromatography after it has been collected on a filter and leached into solution. 39 refs., 9 figs.

Recent results on decays of charm particles are presented. The CLEO collaboration has measured two body decay modes of D{sub s} involving {eta}, {eta}{sup 1} or {rho}{sup +}, using the new CLEO 2 detector. They also have new measurements of the branching ratios of the D{sup *0} and D{sup *+}. In charm baryon decays, results from CLEO 2 are presented for {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +} {yields} {Sigma}{sup 0}{pi}{sup +}, {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +} {yields} {Lambda}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup 0}, and the W-exchange process {Xi}{sub c}{sup 0} {yields} {Omega}{sup {minus}} K{sup +} has been observed in the CLEO 1 data. 31 refs., 20 figs., 6 tabs.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is responsible for developing new and environmentally acceptable energy technologies that will offer the nation safe options for energy supply and efficient systems for energy use. Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., (Energy Systems) operates ORNL under a management and operating contract. The purpose of the audit was to review and evaluate the effectiveness of site development planning activities at ORNL. A site development plan is a long-range master plan for the acquisition, development, utilization, and disposal of land and physical facilities at a specific US Department of Energy (DOE) facility. ORNL did not have a current site development plan and had not submitted updates to the old plan. This condition existed because the DOE Field Office, Oak Ridge (OR), and ORNL management had not implemented their responsibilities set forth in applicable DOE orders for site development planning. As a result, DOE had no assurance that ORNL real property holdings would be planned and developed economically and efficiently.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

There are four basic eruption processes that produce volcanic ash: (1) decompression of rising magma, gas bubble growth, and fragmentation of the foamy magma in the volcanic vent (magmatic), (2) explosive mixing of magma with ground or surface water (hydrovolcanic), (3) fragmentation of country rock during rapid expansion of steam and/or hot water (phreatic), and (4) breakup of lava fragments during rapid transport from the vent. Variations in eruption style and the characteristics of volcanic ashes produced during explosive eruptions depend on many factors, including magmatic temperature, gas content, viscosity and crystal content of the magma before eruption, the ratio of magma to ground or surface water, and physical properties of the rock enclosing the vent. Volcanic ash is composed of rock and mineral fragments, and glass shards, which is less than 2 mm in diameter. Glass shard shapes and sizes depend upon size and shape of gas bubbles present within the magma immediately before eruption and the processes responsible for fragmentation of the magma. Shards range from slightly curved, thin glass plates, which were broken from large, thin-walled spherical bubble walls, to hollow needles broken from pumiceous melts containing gas bubbles stretched by magma flow within the volcanic vent. …

During the January studies period we performed studies to determine the effect that debuncher cooling has on the stacking rate. Two different sets of measurements were made separated by about a week. Most measurements reported here are in PBAR log 16, page 243-247. These measurements were made by changing the accelerator timeline to give about 6 seconds between 29's, and then gating the cooling systems to simulate reduced cycle times. For the measurement of the momentum cooling effectiveness the gating switches could not be made to work, so the timeline was changed for each measurement. The cooling power of all three systems was about 800 watts for the tests reported here. We now regularly run at 1200 watts per system.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.