Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Public Relations

I recently read a work of fiction set mostly in Los Alamos (The Atomic Weight of Love) and I remembered that I had this book that I had purchased when we visited Los Alamos. It gives a pretty good summary of the Manhattan Project, describing the astounding efforts made to develop the atomic bomb. There are also lots of pictures that show the people who worked on the project and the settings where the work was carried out. A useful guide for anyone interested in learning more about this show more chapter of history. show less

ABSTRACT:
This report presents a detailed methodology for preparing cost profiles of prototype, nonconventional energy technologies for use with economic input-output analysis. The application of the costing methodology is represented in the final chapter where economic profiles are presented for 12 solar energy-related technologies. A central theme of this report is the development of a practical, theoretical framework that yields the most suitable configuration of the technology cost show more profiles. At issue is how to, most correctly, characterize an emerging technology so that industry-related impacts, caused by its potential future application, may be assessed by using an input-output model of the economy. In general terms the theoretical problem is one of specifying an emerging, but currently nonexistent, industrial sector within an existing economic matrix.

In a step-by-step manner, this report progresses from the theoretical to the applied and shows how consistent economic profiles can be built up from the engineering specifications of a prototype energy conversion system. show less

ABSTRACT:
The work described in this report was accomplished during the period October 1, 1978-March 31, 1979, on a DOE-sponsored program aimed at developing efficient and economic thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production from a variety of high-temperature energy sources such as fusion, fission, anc;l solar energy. Most of the effort was applied to a study of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) hybrid bismuth sulfate cycle. The work included a conceptual design of the cycle, made show more to obtain performance parameters, and experimental work done to verify the design conditions. Key findings were:
• A 50% efficiency was obtained when an improved cycle design was coupled to a fusion energy source at 1500 K. The improved design was based on a reduced endothermic requirement for Bi2Os · 2SOs decomposition and a lower voltage for SO2 electrolysis that should result at lower acid concentrations.
• Experimental results showed an endothermic heat requirement of + 172 kJ/mol for the decomposition of Bi2Os·2SOa to Bi2Os·SOs and SOa.
• Reaction times for bismuth sulfate decomposition were determined as a function of temperature. At 1240 K, show less

ABSTRACT:
A solar industrial process heat technology and an associated solar systems manufacturing plant for the year 2000 has been projected, defined, and qualitatively characterized. The technology has been defined for process heat applications requiring temperatures of 300°c or lower, with emphasis on the 150°-300°c range. The selected solar collector technology is a parabolic trough collector of the line-focusing class. The design, structure, and material components are based upon show more existing and anticipated future technological developments in the solar industry. The solar system to be manufactured and assembled within a dedicated manufacturing plant is projected to consist of the collector and the major collector components, including reflector, absorber, parabolic trough structure, support stand, tracking drive mechanism, sun-sensing device and control system, couplings, etc. Major manufacturing processes to be introduced into the year 2000 plant operations are glassmaking, silvering, electroplating and plastic-forming. These operations will generate significant environmental residuals not encountered in present-day solar manufacturing plants. Important residuals include chemical vapors, acids, toxic elements (e.g. arsenic), metallic and chemical sludges, fumes from plastics, etc. The location, design, and operations of these sophisticated solar manufacturing plants will have to provide for the management of the environmental residuals. In addition, national level evaluations of the economic and environmental impacts of expanded solar technologies will have to account for these new operations for new solar manufacturing plants that may be located at enlarged or new industrial sites across the nation. show less