Report on the principle of measuring the time-of-flight of neutrons, magnetic-core storage of detector pulses, how pulses are stored, current generator, storage cycle generator, and cathode ray oscillograph.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a few of the suggested advanced concepts for fast breeder reactors and to compare these with the standard approach as to their potential advantage. I have attempted to estimate the economic effect of full technical success with each of the proposed concepts. The proposed concepts include: (1) single sodium system, (2) steam-cooled core concept, (3) direct cycle reactor using potassium as reactor coolant and working fluid, (4) molten plutonium-fuel alloy circulated and cooled by a jet of sodium, (5) settled-bed core, (6) molten salt concept, and (7) paste-fuel system.

The results of analyses of the airborne gamma radiation and total magnetic field survey flown for the region identified as the Trona National Topographic Map NI-11-12 is presented in Volume I and II of this report. This volume gives the description of the program and the results.

Abstract: The erroneously high values for uranium content of salvage solutions as determined by the ether extraction-ascorbic acid procedure have been demonstrated to be due to the presence of colored organic materials in these solutions. Evaporation of such solutions to fumes of HC104 before extraction has been shown to be completely successful in preventing such interference while pretreatment with activated carbon is sufficiently successful for application in Control laboratories. Complete procedures for application of either protreatment and results of such application to composite salvage solutions received over a six-month period are included.

Seven runs were made with the system Penn. Ref. Co. "Supersol" (dispersed) water (continuous) to investigate the effects of pulse frequency, amplitude plate spacing, volume flow ratio, and throughput on backmixing, using the technique of continuous injection of a tracer solution into the packed section. Backmixing was found to be surprisingly insensitive to all the above variables over the range studied with the exception of pulse amplitude and continuous phase flow rate, showing greatest dependence on the later. Backmixing increased with decreasing continuous phase flow rate and increased with pulse amplitude.

Experiments are described which show that magnetic fields can exert a controlling influence on the operating characteristics of point contact transistors. The effect is especially evident when the transistor is operated in its negative resistance region. The frequency of an oscillator can be varied, or a switch made to trigger by applying a magnetic field to the transistor. Some applications of the principle are suggested; many more are evident.

The following report provides data that was discovered from a preliminary literature survey that was made to define the utility of the newer refractory ceramics or ceramic-based materials.

Technical report. Numerous application of various column adsorption techniques to inorganic analytical chemistry have appear in the literature. The comparatively recent introduction of ion exchange resins has resulted in the development of efficient, simple, and rapid column adsorption methods. the principal service of column adsorption methods to analytical chemistry is that of providing a relatively simple means of separating an element in a sufficiently pure state so that a direct precipitation, ignition, and weighting, for example, will suffice to complete the quantitative analysis. Systems involving uranyl nitrate will naturally be emphasized in this report but information will be included concerning the separation of the individual members of a series from one another, such as in the alkaline earths and the rare earths.

A program has begun embodying a study of the diffusion rates of krypton and xenon into unirradiated UO2 and UC at temperatures between 1000°C and 2500°C.The experimental technique is described in some detail, involving exposure of UO2 and UC samples to a Kr85 atmosphere at various temperatures, removal of surface-adsorbed krypton, dissolution of the sample, collection and ion chamber measurement of the diffused Kr, and calculation of diffusion coefficients from these data.

Introduction: Studies of uranium-vanadium occurrences in the Four Corners region show that, with the exception of the Lukachuai area, all of the major deposits in the Morrison formation are grouped around the various igneous masses which are scattered irregularly throughout the Colorado Plateau. The pattern of deposition varies from mountain group to mountain group and each will be described separately. Maps accompany this report to supplement the descriptions of ore occurrences in the vicinity of the La Sal, Abajo, Carrizo, and Henry mountains. Elsewhere, it is believed that a written description will suffice.

Comparison of experimentally determined relaxation lengths to the value calculated from the concrete composition.

The energy distributions of neutrons in the 3-10 Mev energy range resulting from the bombardment of thin U targets are being investigated by the measurement of proton recoils in photographic plates.

From abstract: The concept of using high intensity beta radiation from an isotopic source, Sr-90, inside a high temperature, high pressure chemical reactor has been developed for potential radiation chemical processes. Distinct advantages include high utilizable intensity from a relatively small source with a minimum of shielding against external radiation.

"The possibility of radioactivity transport in the groundwater system as the result of a hypothetical maximum credible gas leak was evaluated." "The present study confirms the low radiation levels in the groundwater predicted in the initial calculations." (from Summary)

Abstract: "A summary of the contents of numerous reports on the liquid phase proportion of uranium chloride."

Abstract: "Photographic plates have been used to measure the energy of neutrons from the fission of 25. The spectrum as inferred from the ranges of 850 protons recoiling in the forward direction shows a very wide maximum at ~1.5 Mev with an exponentially decreasing high energy tail which extends beyond 7 Mev. The minimum energy neutrons recorded were ~700 kv. If the spectrum is extrapolated to zero, one finds that this average neutron energy is about 1.85 Mev. The stopping power of the plates was calibrated by the use of monochromatic neutrons from the Li-7(pn) Be-7 reaction and the d-d reaction."

A pile gas leak detection system consisting of a purchased mass spectrographic type of helium detector, a long sampling line for use in remote or relatively inaccessable locations, a pump to pull a continuous sample of gas from the tip of the probe to the detector, and a rotameter to measure the gas flow rate in the sampling line has been developed, calibrated, operationally tested. The system is practical for use in locating all pile gas leaks larger than about 0.1 cubic foot per hour.

The following report focuses on an investigation made to determine if vacuum melting was an absolutely necessary step in the metallurgical process of melting and casting uranium.

Report documenting ongoing research and developments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Gas-Cooled Reactor Project.

The object of this project is to conduct studies on the coating of metals and alloys by the gas plating process. Coatings to be studied consist of chromium on copper; alloys of nickel chromium on copper; molybdenum on stainless steel and Inconel; chromium on stainless steel and Inconel; and tungsten and molybdenum and their carbides on stainless steel and Inconel.

From abstract: "Bis(di-n-hexylphosphinyl)methane, HDPM, [(C6H13)2P(O)]2CH2, has been studied as an extractant for a variety of metals. HDPM was evaluated as an extractant for uranium(VI) and compared with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide, TOPO, (C8H13)3PO. In nonpolar solvents, HDPM forms a polymeric-like substance with compounds of uranium(VI). Viscosity measurements indicate that the molecular weight of this polymeric-like substance is about 100 times greater than the corresponding complex with TOPO. Polymer formation occurs only when nonpolar solvents are used as diluents for HDPM and is easily avoided by using polar solvents such as 1,2-aichlorobenzene. HDPM forms 1:1 and 2:1 complexes with uranium(VI) nitrate. Equilibrium constants for these complexes as well as that for the 2:1 TOPO complex were calculated and it was shown that the over-all constant is at least ten times larger for the HDPM complex than for the TOPO complex. The effect of concentration of various mineral acids, extractant concentration, temperature, and diluents on the extraction of uranium are discussed."

A method to determine the correction to Grüneisen's law corresponding to the effect of the electrons at high pressure. It is assumed that the lattice contribution to the pressure is small and that the equation of state of the solid can be approximated by results of the statistical Thomas-Fermi atom model for the electron pressure.

Report describing the Hanford Laboratory controlled potential coulometer. This includes the theory behind the coulometer, details of its circuitry, and performance tests. Appendix begins on page 23.

"Results of tests indicate that the nucerite-bearium seal system is compatible. This combination was operated as long as 9 hours without serious damage. In other work, the test rig was modified to eliminate pressure fluctuations and extraneous dirt, and Type IIA seal parts were designed."