The stability of fluorothene (polytrifluorochloroethylene, Kel-F) to gamma radiation has been investigated to estimate the probable life expectancy of fluorothene equipment exposed to Purex process solutions. Samples of fluorothene were exposed to total gamma radiation dosages up to 10 degree R. The results of these tests substantiate the findings reported by Sisman and Bopp in their compilation of data on the affects of radiation on plastics.

From statement of objectives: The purposes of the work described in this report are to provide data useful for designing and operating the dissolver solution clarification equipment to be installed in the Redox production plant.

From introduction: "It is the purpose of this report to give two further methods of determining end point of pontentiometric titration, neither of which require the plotting of a graph."

Investigation of aqueous and steam corrosion at elevated temperature has been carried on at Hanford for several tears. A number of reports have been published on various phases of the corrosion program but, except for monthly reports, little has been written on the progress of the Corrosion and Coatings Operation alloy development program. This interim report will outline the more important current phases of the aluminum alloy program.

From introduction: This report summarizes a study of the composution and physical properties of a number of hydrocarbon diluents together with some generalizations regarding relations between [vapor pressure, density and viscosity] properties.

The Biology Operation, Hanford Laboratories, required plutonium dioxide particles in five different micron and sub-micron size ranges. These were to be supplied as a water suspension in small containers. It was necessary to design equipment, suitable for hood operation, which would give a satisfactory separation of these particles.

This report covers an investigation made to develop a gasometric determination that can determine 1.2 x 10-(-5) g. of nitrite with a precision (99% limits) of +/- 8%, and discusses how this procedure works.

In the continuing search for better methods of effecting the secondary fusion welded closure in Alsi bonded aluminum clad uranium metal fuel element, an article on "The Twin-Argon Welding Process" by J. A. Donellon was recently found in the September 1954 issue if the British Welding Journal. From a review of the article, the process appeared to have enough possibilities to warrant exploring it. Communication were established with the General Electric Company, Ltd..

This study was started in May 1949 to find methods of reducing the number of element failures in the salt bath bronze furnaces. Determining the cause of the failure and methods of eliminating them is followed to completion.

This paper discusses technical bases, operating standards, and instrumentation systems required to achieve the goal of nuclear safety in operation of high-level reactors. Because of the relatively long neutron lifetime in a thermal reactor and the comparatively modest time rates of reactivity change associated with fission poison and temperature effects, the rod system used for compensating reactivity transients and for maintaining flux distribution control may be operated manually. Manual operation of the reactor and the prediction of pile reactivity statue during outages of course involve factors of human error, normal reaction time, and judgment. It is the aim to specify procedures for the operation such that manual control of the reactor may be adequately maintained at all times within the range of reasonably expected calculational errors and human reaction times. The technical considerations used in developing these standards, including the available monitoring indications are discussed first; then the automatic trip devices which should back up the procedures are also mentioned.

The introduction of aluminum in hot process water has been studied extensively and numerous reports have been issued on the subject. The conclusions reached have been largely empirical and can only be used to state what is happening under the given conditions existing in the corrosion experiments. It is only with difficulty and a great deal of uncertainty that these empirical results can be used to predict what will occur under a different set of conditions. If the fundamental mechanism of aluminum corrosion in water were known, it is possible that more accurate predictions could be made and that steps might be taken to affect the controlling factors and thus reduce the severity of corrosion. To keep the system as simple as possible one would attempt to study the corrosion mechanism by corroding aluminum in pure water. However, this is undesirable because of the extremely low corrosion rate of aluminum in pure water and the large water supply and treatment facility required to supply sufficient high purity water for circulation about the corrosion samples.

Large savings in waste storage space may be realized by lowering the pH at which TBP waste is stored. Additional savings in neutralizing chemicals and operating time would also increase the monetary gain from such a process change. However, before such a change could be made, the corrosive effect of TBP waste at a lower pH on the mild steel waste storage tanks had to be determined.

The purpose of this document is to describe the design and construction of a full-scale, electrically-heated model of a 19-rod PRTR fuel element for use in heat transfer experiments.

This examination was conducted primarily to determine the extent of corrosion existing between the silver bearing alloy and the type 416 stainless steel nut of K reactor units subjected to service conditions and also to establish irrevocably that metallurgical defects exist in the brazes.

A small source model for neutron flux distribution in heterogeneous reactors is proposed. Such a model takes more explicit account of fuel lumping than has been customary in most pile calculations. The small source is applied to the cases of plate and rod fuel elements. The chief results are equations which give the pile buckling in terms of the distance between fuel elements and in terms of fuel element constants. (W.D.M.)

Summary: "The low carbon 18-8 stainless steels containing approximately 1.7 per cent boron used for vertical safety rods at Hanford were found to be structurally stable in the temperature range 0-450 C. The addition of boron decreases the stability of this metastable austenitic alloy. Sufficient ferrite formation is induced by sub-zero temperature treatments to result in dimensional changes and a magnetic alloy. The difficulties encountered in machining this material are believed to be due primarily to segregation in the castings resulting in small areas of the hard intermetallic compound, FeB."

In the last two or three years there has been a notable improvement in the knowledge and understanding of reactor lattice physics. During this interval, measurements of parameters have been improved and the methods of analysis have been greatly strengthened. It has become apparent that the classical ways for computing the lattice parameters are not sufficient. It is the purpose of this report to publish under one cover as much of the most recent information as possible.

Introduction: Static, total immersion corrosion tests were carried out at room temperatures with Carboloy grades 44-A, 78, 907, X-3119-A and X-3119-B in Redox process solutions (ANL, June 1, 1949 Flowsheet) 1AX, 1AF, and 1AS.

The following report describes the procedures developed for the x-ray photometric determination of uraniuim in metal oxides and sludge and compares results, precision, and length of time of analyses by the General Electric X-Ray Photometer with analyses by the present titration method.

Temperature calculations have been made to aid in planning a production test for low level irradiation of the thin rectangular uranium wafers. These uranium wafers, under irradiation in the outer fringe sone, are expected to have a maximum temperature which is less than 10 C above the local water temperature.

Previously, W. S. Figg and T. W. Ambrose (HW-51767 Rev) have investigated the problem of flow decay following electrical power loss to the PRTR primary coolant pumps. However, since the time of their study many reactor piping changes have been made in the design; therefore, it has become advisable to re-examine the problem incorporating these changes.

The hazards associated with several possible mechanical failures were analyzed for the PRTR. The consequences of these failures were evaluated for inclusion in the Final Hazards Summary Report.

This specification is specifically designed for the procurement of Zircaloy tubing to be used in the of swaged, UO fuel elements, an, and the Pu fuel elements for the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor. Requisition G-385923 contains the following information pertinent to this specification: 1. Dimensions and dimensional tolerance. 2. Source of zirconium sponge and conditions for us of Zircaloy scrap. 3. Inspection requirements. 4. Shipping instructions.

Instrumentation shall be provided as shown on the attached drawing, SK-1-26835 for Confinement System Control. The Primary objective of the confinement system shall be to provide maximum possible confinement of contamination, consistent with building limitations, in the event of any contamination, consistent with building limitations, in the event of any credible reactor accident resulting from equipment failure or reactor mis operation.