None

In the AlSi process, the I&E fuel element is assembled in a two-piece aluminum container consisting of an outer cylindrical shell and an inner tube containing an integrally impacted cap wafer which forms the top end and cap during canning. Both autoclave failures and reactor failures have been attributed to porosity in the AlSi and non-wetting of the aluminum wafer with AlSi. Porosity and non-wetting in the area of the cap closure provides a pathway for water to penetrate through to the uranium from small defects in the weld which are not detected by visual weld inspection or radiography. These quality deficiencies are caused from two apparent fuel problems, (1) the disparity in mass between the spire and cap wafer which results in uneven pre-heating rates for spire and cap wafer and freezing of gas bubbles under the cap wafer, and (2) the heavyoxide and lubricant contamination on the underside and side of the wafer which causes non-wetting and outgassing. In December, 1958, an additional cleaning step was introduced in the 313 Manufacturing process to improve cap wetting. This change involved degreasing followed by a caustic etch to remove imbedded lubricants in the cap wafer. It was effective in reducing …

The work described in this report was authorized under Development Test IP-419-E. The primary objective of this study was to establish the stress, hydraulic and vibration conditions which exist in KE Reactor rear face piping components under maximum presently authorized operating conditions and evaluate these conditions from the standpoint of continuity of reactor operation. Test data were recorded at various levels of operation up to and including the maximum authorized bulk outlet temperature. The data recorded during this test were used to establish model conditions for Project OGI-883. With model conditions established, additional tests will be conducted to explore the possibility of operating the reactor in regions above the present limiting bulk outlet temperatures. The test, as outlined in the development tests document, has been conducted and the pressure, temperature, vibration, and stress data has been tabularly and graphically compiled. Indicated hydraulic conditions have been substantiated theoretically with reasonable accuracy. A drawing indicating the instrumentation locations is provided in Appendix IV of this report.

A digital-to-analog converter is described which is a part of a system that converts punched-tape digital data to analog data in a series of points drawn by an x-y plotter. The converter is designed to plot accurately tapes that contain information other than coded numerical coordinates. Operation of the converter is also described along with format requirements and power supplies. (J.R.D.)

A study into the use of sulfamic acld as a nitritedestroying reagent in the controlled-potentlal coulometrlc tltratlon method for uranlum(VI) was made. When nltrites are thus destroyed, the tltration ls much less subject to error from HNO/sub 3/. The results of titratlons of known amounts of uranlum(VI) in the presence of varlous amounts of HNO/sub 3/, Th(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/, Al(NO/sub 3/ )/sub 4/, and LiNO/sub 3/ are given. (auth)

The separation of isotopic mixtures containing three components in a gaseous diffusion cascade operating over an infinite reservoir is discussed. The flow distribution yielding the smallest total flow per unit product was found and compared with the flow distributions in some other theoretical cascades. Curves are presented to show the number of stages required, the total flow and the concentration gradients for both light and middle isotope separation. (auth)

A digital-to-analog converter is described which is a part of a system that converts punched-tape digital data to analog data in a series of points drawn by an x-y plotter. The converter is designed to plot accurately tapes that contain information other than coded numerical coordinates. Operation of the converter is also described along with format requirements and power supplies. (J.R.D.)