This report, from the Chemical Processing Department at HAPO, for October, 1962 discusses the following: Production operation; Purex and Redox operation; Finished products operation; maintenance; Financial operations; facilities engineering; research; employee relations; and weapons manufacturing operation.

When the pulse from a parallel plate electrode ionization chamber containing an attaching gas is examined with a linear pulse amplifier having the proper integration and differentiation time constants, the pulse height is an anslytic function of the attachment coefficient and the electron drift velocity. The expressions for the pulse height as a function of the partial pressure of the attaching gas, electron drift velocity, attachment coefficient, chamber geometry, and amplifier time constants are evaluated and presented in tabular form. (auth)

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Work was carried out to obtain significant data on reactor excursions, in particular the SL-1 excursion, to extend the analysis of reactor transient behavior so as to obtain an improved understanding of the thermal and mechanical processes that take place during and following a reactor excursion, and to obtain chemical, metallurgical, and nuclear data relative to the pre-accident performance of the SL-1. Laboratory investigations were made of samples of the SL-1 power plant. Results are given and their significance discussed. An attempt was made to construct a mathematical model of reactor excursions, based partly on fundamental thermodynamic and nuclear considerations, and using some empirical results. This model was applied to SPERT and BORAX excursions with some success. Recommendations concerning reactor design and operation, which have arisen from the SL-1 accident and its analysis, are summarized. Results are presented in tables and graphs. (M.C.G.)