Report of the annual conference on weights and measures, hosted by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards in Washington D.C. It includes conference proceedings, a list of attendees, information about committees and officers, and other reports or commentaries discussed at the meetings.

Introduction: "This is the tenth letter report on ARF Project C 127, entitled "Preliminary Studies of Scavenging Systems Related to Radioactive Fallout." This report covers the period from October 1 to December 1, 1959."

Quarterly progress report describing work related to a study of radiation physics problems involved in the design of high-level cesium-137 gamma sources. It outlines work completed and ongoing goals for the project.

"Abstract: Data on analog magnetic tape characteristics are presented along with results from conventional and modulator playback system operational tests. Theoretical considerations imply that the modulator head should be loss sensitive to short term variations in record and playback tape speed. It is also pointed out that although a tape recorder operating at 7.5 in./sec has only 12 kcs bandwidth for sinusoidal wave forms. the record and play-back amplifiers for pulse recording can operate with other bandwidths. These amplifiers must be capable of passing a square wave with a frequency of 1.5 kcs. A square wave of such frequency represents the condition of 350 microsecond pulses with a 700 microsecond period. (J.R.D)."

Abstract: Testing of the Natural Circulation Steam Generator has been conducted with the Sodium Reactor Experiment. A necessary modification of the original feed-water control system was utilized.

Abstract: In the present study, the variation of moderator composition was postulated to be effected by the inclusion of varying amounts of beryllium oxide in the graphite of an SGR.

Introduction: The description of the Organic Moderated Reactor Experiment, (OMRE), its location, its safety system, and operative procedures have been previously detailed. The present report, although dealing with the subject of OMRE safety, has the more detailed intent of (1) determining the behavior of the OMRE under extremely unlikely sets of conditions; and (2) providing additional design information in the areas of reactivity coefficients, burnout heat flux, and reactor control.

Quarterly report issued by the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory to report to the industry on developments in unclassified reactor technology. This issue focuses on physics information.

A report about thermodynamic properties of several minerals which have been constructed in a form convenient for calculation of chemical equilibria of minerals and of problems related to the heat content of rocks.

The following report covers the effects of the Rainier, Logan, and Blanca explosions on tuff that were determined through observations and measurements on the surface and in drill holes and tunnels.

For many years effort has been directed toward the development of means for the practical utilization of the heat evolved from the radioactive decay of certain fission and irradiation products. Fission products, in view of their availability in the plentiful, high-level wastes resulting from the processing of irradiated, nuclear reactor fuels have been most intensively studied for applications where their heat of decay might be converted into useful energy such as electricity for the operations of certain devices in place of chemical batteries . In addition other materials having desired radioactive properties may be produced by neutron bombardment of readily available elements.

It is desirable that a reactor exhibit a self-regulating effect. If this were not true any disturbance to the reactor would result in a continual increase in the magnitude of the disturbance and the reactor would be unstable. In this investigation the reactor is considered to have two reactivity feed-backs: metal temperature and water temperature reactivity effects. These two variables through a metal temperature coefficient and water temperature coefficient determine not only the reactor stability but also determine many operational characteristics.

In support of the Plutonium Recycle Program at Hanford, the properties of PuO2 are being investigated. This paper reports sintering studies on PuO2 and PuO2-UO2 mixtures and solid solutions; melting studies on PuO2 and UO2; thermal expansion data to 1000 C; and irradiation data on PuO2-UO2 mixtures. The existence of a continuous series of solid solutions formed during sintering has been established for the system UO2-PuO2. A linear relation between lattice parameter and composition exists. Extensive sinterability data on the isomorphous compound UO2 and PuO2 and their intermediate compositions has been obtained. The effect on sintered density of temperature, time, and concentration for both physical additions of PuO2 and additions of UO2-PuO2 solid solutions to UO2 have been studied. Evaluation data are supported by microscopic examination and X-ray diffraction.

Relatively frequent agitator failures in HAPO Separations Plants have interfered with process continuity, contributed to process difficulties, and resulted in considerable maintenance expense. Predominantly the failures have been because of gear-reduction drive unit break-down or because of metallic fatigue and degeneration of the shaft-paddle assemblies. A simplified, slow-speed, direct drive agitator, previously described in HW-52755, proved to be quite durable and satisfactory during extended testing, operating without incident for over 10,000 hours. Subsequent operation of the agitator in the Redox Plant has been equally smooth. Total operating time (combined test and production use) is now in excess of 21,000 hours. Since the slow speed agitation principle has been adequately demonstrated at Redox and Purex canyon applications. This report describes the development and testing of such a "universal" agitator.

This is the sixth in a series of interim reports describing various phases of the study of fuel element rupture kinetics and mechanisms. Previous reports issued are: No. 1- Experimental Methods and Procedures, HW-61378, No. 2- Coextruded Rod Elements with Pinhole Defects, HW-61379, No. 3 - Mechanism of the Uranium-Water Reaction, HW - 61799, No. 4 Coextruded Tube Elements with Pinhole Defects and Various Annular Spacings, HW- 62348, No. 5- Comparison of In-Reactor and Ex-Reactor Ruptures, HW-62766. This work is being done in cooperation with the Fuel Element Design Operation of the Hanford Laboratories Operation. J. W. Goffard has been particularly helpful in supplying samples and useful discussions of the results.

The current interest in a tube-in-tube type Zircaloy-2 clad UO2 fuel element for use in the power reactors provided the incentive for a study of the dissolution of cladding from an annular space. The objectives of the study were to compare the estimated rate of dissolution in the annuli with rates on fully exposed metal. Because of an interest from the design standpoint, heat balance data from the study are reported.

A report which compares the creep properties of 15 percent cold-worked zircaloy-2 and of annealed zircaloy-2 is being made.

The PRP Critical Facility is an experimental reactor for use in determination of basic nuclear constants of heterogenous reactors recycling plutonium, and exponential and criticality studies at power levels up to 100 watts and neutron fluxes of about 109 nv. Provision is made for changing reactor lattices using irradiated and unirradiated fuel elements with either a light or heavy water moderator.

Technical report. From Abstract: "A method of fastening thermocouples to 0.030-inch-thick aluminum cladding on test fuel elements was developed. The installation does not lead to hot spots by the addition of extra metal of the distortion of the cooling water channels. Fuel element temperatures were faithfully followed in SPERT tests up to the melting point. The method has been useful for fastening thermocouples to aluminum sections in general."

This report describes the design, construction and operation of a sub-critical nuclear reactor, intended for college teaching of reactor physics and of nuclear phenomena.

Hazard report on the Experimental Boiling Water Reactor that covers the basic modifications to the plant as designed to increase the present operating design rating of 20 Mw(t) to a new rating of 100 Mw(t). Changes and additions to the plant, core, reactor vessel, and other major components are shown. An analysis of the effects of the changes on the performance and safety of the reactor is presented.

Report issued by the Argonne National Laboratory over studies conducted on the Argonne Low Power Reactor. As stated in the abstract, "this report describes the manufacture of 1150 fuel core blanks, of which 816 were used in the fabrication of fuel elements. Development, casting, hot and cold rolling, cleaning, and punching of core blanks are discussed, as are nondestructive testing and evaluation of the manufacturing processes" (p. 7). This report includes tables, illustrations, and photographs.

From Introduction: "In this report data are presented on the various phases of the program, together with test results and recommendations for future plant improvements. The ALPR prototype has proven to be a stable and reliable nuclear power plant."

From Introduction: "The primary objective in the development of the W. L. Badger Long Tube Vertical Multiple Effect Evaporator for saline water conversion is to minimize the ultimate cost of producing potable water. To accomplish the primary objective, it is necessary to (1) prevent formation of scale on heating surfaces, and (2) minimize corrosion to permit use of inexpensive materials of construction. The work done leading to this report was guided in the direction of accomplishing the two secondary objectives."