Title: Probing surface & transport phenomena in energy materials under operating conditions.

The specific goal of this work was to understanding the catalytic reactions pathways for the synthesis of vinyl acetate over Pd, Au and PdAu alloys. A combination of both experimental methods (X-ray and Auger spectroscopies, low-energy ion scattering (LEIS), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and theory (Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and Monte Carlo methods under various different reactions) were used to track the surface chemistry and the influence of alloying. The surface intermediates involved in the various reactions were characterized using reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy and LEED to identify the nature of the surface species and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) to followmore » the decomposition pathways and measure heats of adsorption. These results along with those from density functional theoretical calculations were used determine the kinetics for elementary steps. The results from this work showed that the reaction proceeds via the Samanos mechanism over Pd surfaces whereby the ethylene directly couples with acetate to form an acetoxyethyl intermediate that subsequently undergoes a beta-hydride elimination to form the vinyl acetate monomer. The presence of Au was found to modify the adsorption energies and surface coverages of important surface intermediates including acetate, ethylidyne and ethylene which ultimately influences the critical C-H activation and coupling steps. By controlling the surface alloy composition or structure one can begin to control the steps that control the rate and even the mechanism.« less

The objective of this project is to determine the diffusivity and chemical behavior of key fission products (ag, Cs, I. Te, Eu and Sr) through SiC and PyC both thermally, under irradiation, and under stress using FP introduction techniques that avoid the pitfalls of past experiments. The experimental approach is to create thin PyC-SiC couples containing the fission product to be studied embedded in the PyC layer. These samples will then be subjected to high temperature exposures in a vacuum and also to irradiation at high temperature, and last, to irradiation under stress at high temperature. The PyC serves asmore » a host layer, providing a means of placing the fission product close to the SiC without damaging the SiC layer by its introduction or losing the FP during heating. Experimental measurements of grain boundary structure and distribution (EBSD, HRTEM, APT) will be used in the modeling effort to determine the qualitative dependence of FP diffusion coefficients on grain boundary orientation, temperature and stress.« less

The radiological impact of the fuel cycle of light water reactors using enriched uranium fuel can be modified by recycling plutonium. The resulting differences are likely to appear at different stages of the fuel cycle. Those which account for the wastes from the various installations under normal operating conditions are evaluated. The differing radiological impact on the population of the European Community is evaluated for 10 tons of recycled fissile plutonium metal. The evaluation is undertaken for each stage of the fuel cycle, i.e. for the fabrication of the fuel, the operation of the reactors, the treatment and conversion ofmore » the fuel. Gaseous and liquid wastes are treated separately. The majority of the environmental characteristics affected by the wastes and representative of conditions in the European Community are considered in the evaluation of the radiological impact. The recycling of plutonium results in a reduction of the radiological impact of the waste materials arising from normal operating conditions by approximately 30% compared with a fuel cycle using enriched uranium. (Copyright (c) CECA-CEE-CEEA, Bruxelles-Luxembourg 1982.)« less

In July 1998, BC Gas applied before the National Energy Board for orders related to requiring Westcoast Energy to receive, transport, and deliver gas from Kingsvale to Huntingdon, British Columbia, in addition to orders relating to tolls and other terms and conditions of transport. This report summarizes the views of the Board, BC Gas, and various intervenors at hearings held to consider matters related to the application. The main issues discussed were access to an existing pipeline and tolling methodology. The report concludes with the Board`s decision and order.