The heat generated by reactor fuel elements create thermal gradiants which cause thermal stresses of considerable magnitude. An elastic solution for these thermal stresses can be calculated with the equations given in Timoshenko's and Goodier's book (1) on elasticity if the fuel element is assumed infinite in length. An exact elastic solution for a finite cylindrical fuel element is given in this report in order to evaluate the effects of fuel element length on the thermal stresses and the effects of having the free end material distorting the end closure.

The Redox solvent extraction process for the separation of uranium and plutonium from their fission products and from each other has operated on an over-all basis very successfully for more than four and one-half years. During this time, there have been occasional periods of high product losses and/or poor separation of fission products from uranium or plutonium as well as periods of poor operability due, among other things, to emulsification and entrainment. The search for the cause of these various process troubles has resulted in almost continuous testing of the process solvent in attempting to determine its contribution, if any, to these difficulties. This report documents the history of the Redox Plant solvent.

A two and one-half year period of extreme caution where titanium and nitric acid are involved has passed since the occurrence of the last and most serious uncontrolled incident involving titanium and nitric acid. During this period controlled explosions involving titanium and nitric acid have been routinely reproduced, additional laboratory and pilot plant experience has been gained and successful industrial applications have been appraised. Based on laboratory data and the known industrial experiences, it is concluded that titanium can be safely employed in systems handling nitric acid that contains more than two (2) percent water. It is recommended that the titanium heat exchanger recently fabricated by the Technical Shops be installed in the Purex Plant plutonium concentrator when replacement of the stainless steel unit now in service becomes necessary.

The object of this study was to determine the effects of several annealing treatments and aging treatments on the tensile test behavior of Zircaloy-3b.

Hydrogen peroxide has been used to reduce plutonium (VI) in nitric acid solution to the (IV) valence state. However, reduction of plutonium (VI) solutions containing iron has often been incomplete when hydrogen peroxide was used as the reducing agent. Since reduction of plutonium (VI) has been applied in plant solutions containing iron, a study of the plutonium (VI) reduction with hydrogen peroxide was undertaken. Variables tested included plutonium, nitric acid, and iron concentrations.

This document covers work done in 3- and 4-inch-diameter glass columns directed toward the development of improved cartridges for the Purex Plant final uranium cycle extraction column, the 2D column. A nozzle plate cartridge for the extraction section and a mixed plate cartridge containing both stainless steel and fluorothene sieve plates for the scrub section were developed. In 3- and 4-inch-diameter glass columns these cartridges have a uranium extraction efficiency as good as or better than the present cartridge; and a scrubbing efficiency, based on the transfer of chloride ion, about the same as the present cartridge.

This document presents a set of machine-computed curves involving a wide range of Kb and Kc, from which both thermal and resonance values of (E-1) may be obtained.

The information in this report is based on experience with a similar unit installed on experimental pule columns in the 321 Building. These installations were made to demonstrate the feasibility of the system. In one case, the installation on the 2A Prototype Column, the differential pressure cell (D/P cell) bottom interface control system was monitored by a capacitance-type instrument. The other installations were made on glass columns and were monitored visually.

In the Columbia River downstream from Richland, Washington there is a gradual decrease in concentration of radioactive isotope. At any one location there are fluctuations due to factors such as dilution and decay time. During this period at all locations the concentration of alpha particle emitters in water averaged below the detection limit. Beta particle emitters in water upstream of McNary Dam decreased slightly due to increased river flow this quarter, with averages at various locations. Downstream from McNary Dam, beta particle emitter average concentrations in water were about the same as the past three quarters.

During this quarter, the Hanford Atomic Products Operation reorganized with the elimination of the Radiological Sciences Department as a separate organizational entity. The new structure which was effective on September 1, 1956, is outlined in this report to indicate the new relationships.

Transfer operations of highly radioactive solutions by the normal transfer pipette leads in most instances to a spread of contamination in the shielded facility. In the dripless pipette, the solution is held in the reservoir by the use of the siphon principle.

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.