This report summarizes work completed during the Redox Plant shutdown in January 1955. An analysis of major difficulties encountered, improvements made during the shutdown, and building design deficiencies brought to light by the shutdown are discussed. (JL)

In numerous instances the graphite growth in the older piles has deformed the horizontal control rod holes with a resultant jamming of the rods and overstressing of the rods and thimbles. In addition, special operating procedures to maintain very low differential pressures are required with the present allowed maximum graphite temperatures to prevent collapse of the thimbles because of loss of strength at this temperature. This is currently a limit to the power level of the H Pile. This report discusses a new rod tip and seal which have been developed to allow the removal of the thimble and permit sealing at the pile face. This will allow advantage to be taken of any future increases in maximum graphite temperature with proportional increases in allowable power.

This memorandum provides a discussion of material lost upon rupture of a fuel element.

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation. Metallurgy, reactor fuels, physics and instrumentation, reactor technology, chemistry, separation processes, biology, financial activities, employee relations, laboratories auxiliaries, radiation protection, operation research, inventions, visits, and personnel status are discussed. This report is for January 1957.

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The study of the kinetics of layer growth in the aluminum -- nickel system and the effect thereon of applied pressure has been continued. Additional information has been obtained about the growth of the beta phase, and a method was developed whereby the kinetics of growth of the beta phase could be investigated. The implications of Vasileff's equations which provide the solution for interdiffusion in a three-phase two-component system have been examined semi-analytically, and quantitative insight has been gained into the kdnetics of interface movement. Finally, an investigation of the kinetics of interface movement and layer growth has been begun on systems which have less complicated phase equilibrium relationships than those existing in the aluminum -- nickel system. (auth)

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Rates of spheroidization and densification of gold and of nickel wire compacts were measured as a function of time, temperature, and wire size. The necks joining the sintered particles were found to grow proportionally to the one- fifth root of time. The value of the coefficient of self-difiusion calculated from the sintering rate is of the sane order of magnitude as that obtained by ordinary tracer techniques but with a somewhat higher activation energy. These results are entirely consistent with those predicted by the Kuczyrski diffusional theory of sintering, as is the effect of wire size on sintering rate. The experiments did not reveal a clear effect of grain boundaries on sintering rates. This may be due to a relatively slow densification of the nickel wire compacts at even 0.98 of the absolute melting point, which obscured the effect of grain growth on sintering rate. (auth)

Experimental techniques are described for the spectral measurement of a collimated fast-neutron beam. A H/sub 2-/ filled cloud chamber, proton-recording nuclear plates, and threshold fission foils were used as neutron detectors in the measurements. As an application of these techniques, the energy distribution and absolute flux of the fast neutron beam emerging from the Los Alamos fast reactor was measured from 0.1 to 18 Mev. (D.E.B.)

The mechanism of dimensional instability of irradiated uranium is under investigation. In order to confirm an assumption of the diffusion theory, the magnitude of diffusion anisotropy in alpha-uranium single crystals is being determined by measurement of the diffusion coefficients along the principal directions. Progress made in working out procedures for the preparation of uranium single crystals, preparation of the diffusion couples, measurement of valid concentration-penetration data in very thin diffusion zones by sectioning, and measurement of surface concentrations by means of nuclear tracking emudsions is discussed. Also, in-pile experiments are being designed to further clarify the nature of growth under irradiation. (auth)

The feasibility of the Liquid Metal Fuel Reactor (LMFR) proposed by Brookhaven National Laboratory as a source of electric power was thoroughly investigated. The reference design is based on an LMFR using U dissolved in Bi as the fuel and a thorium bismuthide in Bi slurry as the blanket. Detailed estimates of power costs are presented for electrical power stations from 226 to 904 Mw net electrical capability. (C.W.H.)

W. J. O`Leary and R. R. Herries visited BMI to review the progress of subcontract research on extended surface fuel elements and on consolidation of Horizons` thorium. 1. Corrosion samples, 1in. diameter {times} 0.180in. thick nickel-plated uranium, which had been press-clad with aluminum at 510{degree}C and 6000 psi, have been on test for 18 days with no evidence of undercutting. Similar samples press-clad with 10,000 psi have been exposed for 7 days with no failures. 2. The hydrogen and chlorine content of as-received Horizons` electrolytic thorium was greatly reduced during vacuum sintering and arc melting. 3. A second lot of Horizons` thorium has been compacted and sintered to provide electrodes for two 9-10 lb. melts. 4. Diffusion couples are being annealed and examined in order to determine the rate of solid solution diffusion of thorium in aluminum.

This document presents a summary of work and progress at the Hanford Engineer Works for January, 1958. The report is divided into sections by department. A plant wide general summary is included at the beginning of the report, after which the departmental summaries begin. The manufacturing Department reports plant statistics, and summaries for the Metal Preparation, Reactor and separation sections. The Engineering Department`s section summarizes work for the Technical, Design, and Project sections. Costs for the various departments are presented in the Financial Department`s summary. The Medical, Radiological Sciences, Utilities and General Services, Employee and Public Relations, and Community Real Estate and Services Departments have sections presenting their monthly statistics, work, progress, and summaries.

Methods are described for metallographic preparation of binary U alloys having small percentages of Mo, Nb, or Si. Details are given of mounting, attack- polish technique, and electrolytic etching. Photornicrographs are shown of sintered specimens of U--Mo and U--Nb and of a cast specimen of U--Si. (auth)

This report presents the details of the operations of the Savannah River Plant manufacturing division during the month of January 1955.

This document is the January 1956 Monthly Report of the Process Section/Manufacturing Division at the Savannah River Plants. It contains information on activities in each of the SRP areas (100-400 areas), as well as on utilities and general services.