Investigation conducted to determine the cause of cracking, during tension, on the surface of tensile specimens of uranium-molybdenum alloys.

Abstract: By use of a modified thermobalance and reactor as the primary experimental tool for sample preparation and evaluation, a process has been developed by which parent uranium feed materials of a widely variable reactivity and composition may be converted to a uniformly reactive uranium dioxide.

Summary: The use of dimensionless-parameter frequency response diagrams to determine accuracies of lumped-parameter approximations is demonstrated by two examples: calculation of the heat flux at the surface of a semi-infinite solid due to temperature fluctuations of an adjacent fluid; and the response of a counterflow heat exchanger to inlet fluid temperature perturbations. Dimensionless system parameters make it possible to use general-purpose plots to find the error in particular approximations as a function of the frequency of perturbation. Such plots are directly applicable to control-system stability problems, where the highest frequency of interest is usually apparent.

From introduction: The information provided in Volume II describes programs, requirements, and procedures established by the Operator to minimize the probability of equipment failure, actions taken during any emergency to minimize radiation exposure dose to the general public and to plant personnel, and actions taken following a hazardous condition to prevent its recurrence.

Abstract: An experimental and analytical research program is described which is designed to meet certain specific needs for data and methods required to make improved predictions of transient voids, burnout, flow, and fuel temperature during extreme accidents in sodium-cooled reactors.

A reinforced Butler building was exposed to fallout from Shots Diablo and Shasta, and the resulting dose rates and fallout deposition inside and outside the structure were measured with various instruments and techniques. Protection factors and roof and ground contributions to the total dose rates at points within the structure were determined from the measurements. Comparisons were made with the results of theoretical and other experimental studies. Information obtained from this experiment should be of value as basic experimental data for fallout protection work, although it is recommended that additional substantive data obtained under more controlled conditions.

Abstract: The use of a high energy proton or electron beam, directed vertically to act as a probe for the study of atmospheric processes is proposed. An outstanding feature of such an atmospheric probe is its capability to ionize a column of air repeatedly in a few microseconds and in approximately the same place. Characteristics of a vertical proton beam which may be generated by the Zero Gradient Synchrotron at the Argonne National Laboratory are discussed and calculations are presented to provide an estimate of the ion concentration as a function of height in the atmosphere. The potential uses of an atmospheric ionized column for meteorological research are discussed such investigations include the artificial initiation of lightning, the production of atmospheric ozone resulting from lightning, and the line spectra associated wit the lightning channel. Also presented is a method whereby a combination of the igh energy particle beam and infrared techniques may be used to determine the air circulation within a thunderstorm. Brief mention is made of the possible uses of a high energy particle beam for aerospace sciences, such as the study of whistlers and elecro-magnetic radiation phenomenon associated with the aurora and airglow.

Abstract: (1) Grain growth in UO2 pellets was studies between 100 C and 2600 C. The pellets were encapsulated in small vacuum-tight tungsten containers in an argon atmosphere. (2) The grain size-time relationship could be expressed by an equation. A low exponent, m>_ 1/3, was found in those experiments and is related to the type of UO2 investigated. An activation energy of 65 kcal/mole was obtained for the grain growth process. The time exponent, m, increased with increasing temperature if the pellets were not contained in closed capsules bu heated under an argon pressure of 1.5 atm. (3) An interaction between tungsten and UO2 could be observed at a a temperature of 2600 C after prolonged heat treatment.

Summary: The Mixed Spectrum Superheater (MSSR) is an integral superheater reactor in which boiling occurs in an annular Boiling Water Reactor section and steam in superheated in an unmoderated fast section in the center. A Mixed Spectrum Critical Assembly (MSCA) to be operated at the Vallecitos Atomic Laboratory has been designed to mock up a 75-150 MWe prototype MSSR. The principal experimental measurements aimed at proving the feasibility of the MSSR concept include power distribution, Doppler effect, flooding effects, distribution of reactivity, control rod worths, and the effect of the control system on the power distribution.

Introduction: The purpose of this technical report is to review the water chemistry methods and equipment developed for use with the Maritime Loop Irradiation Program conducted in the General Electric Test Reactor (GETR) from December 2, 1960 to July 19, 1962. Special emphasis is given to areas having general application to other high purity water systems. The Appendix includes a discussion of specific conductivity and pH in high purity water systems. A major section of this report is devoted to a review of gross activity levels on coupons of two different surface finishes exposed in the loop coolant system for various time intervals. A major objective of the chemistry program was to select or develop analytical methods such that the analyses could be performed at the loop location by technical personnel who normally operate the loop. By this means, frequent samples were obtained and analyzed directly thus providing close monitoring and control of the loop water chemistry at minimum expense.

Abstract. Some diffusion parameters of water are computed with various thermal-neutron scattering laws. It is found that the diffusion cooling coefficient, in particular, is reasonably sensitive to the scattering law, but that the diffusion cooling coefficients predicted by the Radkowsky and Nelkin kernels are in fortuitious agreement. The coefficients computed for the Nelkin kernel, when treated in a manner consistent with the way in which experimental data are treated, are in reasonable agreement with the results of a recent experiment.

Abstract. A brief review of the development of the subject of lattice defects in solids is given. The relation of this problem to field theory methodology is discussed; the defect is regarded as a particle imbedded in the phonon field. One may then discuss scattering states in the field, or “dressed” states of the particle. Specific application is then made to a defect in a simple cubic crystal including interactions between the defect site and its six nearest neighbors. Scattering solutions and scattering cross-sections are calculated and show that vacancies can cause strong resonant scattering, or pseudo-localized modes, at frequencies well below the Debye frequency. Applications to thermal conductivity and other experiments are discussed briefly.

Quarterly report discussing progress on the Fast Ceramic Reactor Development Program, "an integrated analytical and experimental program directed toward the development of fast reactors employing ceramic fuels, with particular attention to mixed plutonium-uranium oxide" (p. 1).

Report evaluating the design characteristics and limitations of fixed blankets for breeder reactors. This also includes economic considerations for each tested blanket.

Report presenting in-pile loop experiments DD, EE, FF, GG, L-412, L-413, and L-418, which were seven of a series designed to test the radiation corrosion of zirconium, titanium, and stainless steel alloys in solutions under various conditions of radiation intensity, temperature, solution composition, and velocity of flow. Steel specimens exposed in the loop cores showed increases in corrosive attack over that expected out-of-radiation.

Final report on research and development on fabrication of pin and lid detectors and the dry run interface system.

Report describing the development and installation of an automated conveyor-type laundry system for the purpose of monitoring laboratory clothing for beta-gamma contamination.

Report describing a series of tests performed to review the safety procedures and systems of Hanford Laboratories' N-Reactor.