From introduction: "This is the ninth monthly report, BMI-514, under Contract No. AT(30-1)-771 on "Zirconium Research and Development". The report covers the work period from September 15, 1950, to October 15, 1950. Work is continuing on the preparation of large-diameter zirconium crystal bars in the 16-inch-diameter de Boer unit. Crystal bars up to 1-5/16 inches in diameter and 8 feet long have been prepared in this unit."

The following report discusses direct recording of nuclear pulse height data on magnetic tape that represents an inexpensive method of data storage where some degradation of the original energy resolution can be tolerated.

The following report describes a successful procedure used for the determination of americium in the presence of plutonium. Provided are articles listed that describe the research done in developing the method.

"An apparatus was designed and fabricated to obtain film samples from irradiated process slugs. This apparatus has been used to obtain film samples from slugs of the sodium dichromate elimination test."

This report follows experiments concerned with a particular proposal or set of related proposals of means for the production of plasma with density above 10-11 particles per cm-3 with a temperature of the order of a few electron volts.

Conceptual design studies conducted at HAPO indicate that the improved thermal efficiencies which can be obtained in a high pressure, high temperature, nuclear-electric power plant might reduce unit power costs substantially. The Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor (PRTR) is designed primarily to investigate various facets of plutonium recycle operation. In order to increases the usefulness of the PRTR as an experimental tool, it is desirable to include facilities for testing materials and fuel concepts under a variety of conditions, including the high temperatures and pressures which may be encountered in future water-cooled power reactors.

The PRTR pressure loop is an experimental facility to be installed in the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor, Building 309, for use in testing the feasibility of reactor cooling systems utilizing high pressure water or steam as the coolant. It will furnish operating experience with such systems and serve to test fuel elements and components designed to operate in such environments.

On a project of the magnitude and complexity of the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor is was considered prudent engineering practice to obtain an independant design review by a competent off-site group that had not participated in any way in the development of the design. Accordingly, the Atomic Power Equipment Department of the General Electric Company was requested to make such an engineering review, and an Assistance to Hanford contract authorizing this work was approved by the Atomic Energy Commission in November, 1958.

Methods for analyzing chemical impurities in sodium metal samples are presented. Chemical analysis was used to determine the following impurities: Calcium, Carbon, Chromium, Iron, Lithium, Nickel, Oxygen, Potassium, and Zirconium. Spectrographic analysis was used to determine many other impurities. Sodium samples obtained from experimental apparatus operated as part of the work being conducted for Atomics International were analyzed by these methods.

In the fall of 1952, a pilot plant batch dissolution study was carried out to obtain the data required for the design of the Purex Plant dissolvers. Particular emphasis was placed on the rate of dissolution and the efficiency of nitrogen oxide recovery from the dissolver off-gas. The results are presented in this report.

The progress report covers the work carried out during the first year 1958-59 in the department of metallurgy at M.I.T. under the supervision of Professors John T. Norton and Robert E. Ogilvie. A brief summary of the work that has been completed and in some cases still continuing is given. The work has been listed under the following general headings: (1) Diffusion studies in the uranium-niobium system, (2) X-ray detection of cladding defects, (3) Precision X-ray stress analysis of uranium and zirconium, (4) Magnetic studies of Fe3O3 single crystals, (5) Crystal structure studies of yttrium compounds, (6) Structural relationships in ZrFe2-ZrCr2 system.