This document details activities of the Hanford Laboratories Operation during the month of March 1959. (FI)

It is deemed feasible to store reactor fuel wastes in a salt dome cavity to a depth where the differential in pressure between the soil over-burden pressure and pressure of the fluid inside the cavity does not exceed 3000 psi, and the temperature is less than 400 deg F. Tests at pressure increments of 1000 psi were conducted on a 2" cylindrical cavity contained in a 6-in. long by 6-in. cylindrical salt core. Tests indicate that the cavity exhibited complete stability under pressures to 3000 psi and temperatures to 300 deg F. At temperatures of 100 to 400 deg F and pressures to 5000 psi continuous deformation of the cavity resulted. Initial movement of the salt was observed at all pressures. This was evidenced by vertical deformation and cavity size reduction. It was noted that a point of structural equilibrium was reached at lower temperatures when the pressure did not exceed 5000 psi. A literature study reveals that the most common type of cavity utilized in liquefied petroleum gas storage is either cylindrical or ellipsoidal. A few are pear or inverted cone shaped. There was no indication of leakage for cavities when pressure tested for as long as 72 hr. …

An analysis was made of the fission-gas-release incident during the pressure pumpdown of the AE-6 Reactor resulting in the contamination of the reactor room and members of the operating staff. Descriptions are given of the normal core pumping procedures, procedural alterations during the incident, the discovery of the contamination and its possible causes, and the remedial actions taken. Steps taken to minimize the chance of the occurrence of the contamination in the future are listed. (B.O.G.)

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, May, 1959. Reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology, financial activities, biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, employee relations, operations research and synthesis operation, programming, radiation protection, and laboratory auxiliaries operation area discussed.

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, February, 1959. Reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology, financial activities, biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, employee relations, operations research and synthesis operation, programming, radiation protection operation, and laboratories auxiliaries operation area discussed.

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, April, 1959. Reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology financial activities. Biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, employee relations, operations research and synthesis operation programming, radiation protection, and laboratory auxiliaries operation are discussed.

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The present quarterly report is the continuation of a series issued by the new Fuels Development Operation. Reports in this series combine portions of the quarterly reports by the former Metallurgy Research and Fuel Technology Sub-Sections. Work reported includes research conducted by the Physical Metallurgy Operation, and research and development conducted by Fuel Design, Fuels Fabrication Development and Ceramic Fuels Development Operations.

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The purpose of this report is to present a semi-quantitative discussion of the effect of the heat capacity of the process tube assembly on the outlet water temperature following a mild inadequate cooling incident involving an entire reactor.

Knowledge has developed steadily over the past 18 months toward defining the characteristics of the gamma and neutron radiation associated with plutonium and its compounds. Laboratory measurement have been made on plutonium samples taken from the RMA Line, film badge studies have been made in plutonium processing areas, and calculations have been made predicting dose rates and shielding requirements at higher plutonium exposure levels. As these studies continue, and more precise data is accumulated, it will be possible to (1) more accurately evaluate the radiation received by operating personnel, and (2) more accurately (and economically) specify shielding for facilities designed for processing high exposure plutonium. This report gives the results of a gamma energy analysis of the RMA Line and Recuplex obtained with a laboratory model gamma spectrometer. Measurements have been made in the 234-5 Building which have defined the general gamma energy spectrum emitted by the plutonium processing hoods on the RMA Line and in Recuplex. The data obtained from this study has helped resolve the discrepancy between laboratory data and film badge data, and has provided additional information to help in prediction of the gamma radiation levels to be expected from plutonium irradiated to 2000 MWD/T (NPR) and …

Atomic Energy Commission has expressed interest in obtaining xenon with a composite neutron absorption cross section of less than one barn. This material may be obtainable from the off-gas of the Purex dissolver. A proposed gas purification facility would process the Purex off-gas through two distillation steps for isolation of a ``rough`` cut of xenon isotopes containing principally Xe{sup 131}, Xe{sup 132}, Xe{sup 134}, Xe{sup 136}, and a small quantity of krypton. This material would become the feed stream for a thermal diffusion plant for xenon isotope separation. Thermal diffusion has been shown to be the most economical way to concentrate the two heavier xenon isotopes of low cross section and to reject the krypton along with lighter xenon isotopes of high cross section. The objective of the work herein reported was to provide the basis for (l) a scope design of pilot thermal diffusion equipment and (2) design of experiments to be made with this equipment. In the absence of experimental data, the pilot design was developed from theoretical considerations of the parameters considered important in thermal diffusion column operations. It was assumed that the pilot unit would have to provide information on the correlation of theory with practice …

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, August, 1959. Reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology financial activities, visits, biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, employee relations, and operations research and synthesis operation are discussed.

The Facilities Engineering Operation of the Chemical Processing Department prepared a process study scope design of a large thermal diffusion plant for xenon isotope separation. This scoping was done perforce on the basis of calculations made from exclusively theoretical considerations because actual design data are not available. The designers are of the opinion, however, that, such a basis is not adequate to justify the construction of the plant and have, therefore, requested that an appropriate supporting research and development program be carried out. This report presents an experimental plan for obtaining the data required. Anticipated results from the proposed experiments as outlined below, are expected to be useful for determining the correlation of thermal diffusion column theory with practice for this particular system of xenon isotopes. An interpretation of the data will permit the determination of the sensitivity of the column parameters to the change in operational and design variables over which the designer and operator have control. Basic observations made on the behavior of xenon may, in addition, be of general scientific and technological interest. Included in the report are estimates of the kind and quantity of data to be obtained, the analytical services required, and the total analytical …

This paper presents a scope design of two coaxial type thermal diffusion columns. These experimental columns are proposed to meet the requirements of the research and development program given in Part 2 of this report series. They would rearrange the isotopes of xenon from the Case II product of the Purex Gas Separations Facility to yield a product with a composite neutron absorption cross section of less than one barn. The theoretical basis for the design is given in Part 1. The auxiliary equipment necessary for the operation and control of the columns is described in Part 4. Major components of the columns and their functions are described in this part, The proposals for the materials of construction and the heating systems are not conclusive. Several possibilities for these requirements, however, are included. The design of two experimental thermal diffusion columns is given to meet the needs of a proposed research and development program for rearranging the isotopes of xenon. The proposed columns are six meters in length and have a maximum diameter of about five inches. They could be built at Hanford for an estimated cost of $10,000.

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This document has been written in part to answer questions concerning the feasibility and advisability of ``quickie`` discharge of ruptures at C Reactor. Justification of full pile operational charge-discharge (OC-D) is based in part on outage savings resulting from improved, rupture removal. Since a portion of the rupture removals might be accomplished within the scram recovery time (quickie) it is necessary to consider recovery time as a function of anticipated future power levels. In addition to answering the questions mentioned above, it was felt worthwhile at this time to discuss equilibrium control problems associated with OC-D which have been apparent during operation of prototype equipment, and on the basis of this information to consider reactor control with full pile OC-D.

Chemical control of the SM-2 was evaluated both as a partial substitute for burnable poison in the fuel element meat and as a means of improving plant performance. Based on a review of existing information, boric acid was chosen as the reference soluble poison. It was shown that 60% of the burnable B/sup 10/ in the fuel element matrix could be replaced by soluble B/sup 10/ in the coolant without impairing plant stability during load transients. The feasibility of improving power distribution and reducing the number of control rods by supplementing the burnable poison with chemical control was also demonstrated. A preliminary design of an injection and removal system was prepared for the SM-2. (auth)

>The materials problems associated with the present sodium graphite reactor system have generally been approached by using existing knowledge and data to meet the proposed operating conditions. This discussion reviews the general reactor concept and the specific materials used for the major reactor components: (1) shielding materials; (2) core materials; and (3) sodium cooling system materials. In each case, the materials problems and the materials used to minimize or eliminate these problems are described. Economical nuclear power is currently dependent on the flow of improved materials for high temperature use in high radiation fields. Rapid progress is being made in this respect. (auth)

A parameter study was made of some of the nuclear characteristics the HRT would have if the core and blanket were operated at different temperatures. The power density in the fuel solution at the inner surface of the core tank was found to be affected very little by the temperature distribution. However, the thermal flux at the core-tank wall increased when the blanket temperature was reduced (a consequence of the reduced critical concentration). (auth)

The properties of zirconium alloyed with aluminum tin, and molybdenum were investigated. Using reactorgrade zirconium sponge, 11 zirconium-base alloys were double arc-melted and cast into 6-in.-diam. ingots weighing 35 lb each. By such standard hot working procedures as extruding and rolling, the ingots were converted to 1/8-in.-thick strips. The extruded and rolled products were used for a variety of evaluation studies which included corrosion thermal conductivity, tensile, and creep tests. The alloys demonstrated short-time elevated temperature strength properties equal to or greater than type-304 stainless steel. Their corrosion resistance in sodium, at 1000 deg F, compares favorable with that of unalloyed zirconium. The creep resistance and the thermal conductivity were found to be less than those for type-304 stainless steel, but adequate for nuclear reactor application. (auth)

The ''absolute'' containment of ions in the DCX magnetic mirror field resulting from the cylindrical symmetry of the field is discussed. The regions of confine;, ment in space and momentum are plotted for 300-kev deuterons. (auth)

Two designs of sodium cold traps for the HNPF have been subjected to full scale tests, Performance features that were investigated include oxide removal efficiency, oxide capacity, pressure drop characteristics, economizer effectiveness, and temperature profiles, Results indicate that both designs should perform satisfactorily in the Hallam plant, (auth)

The casting of shapes of uranium--molybdenum metal of varying sizes and thicknesses from a molten charge has been successfally accomplished with specificially designed graphite distributors and molds. Solid cylinders, hollow cylinders, and flat plate shapes were cast in gang molds. As many as 35 solid cylinders have been cast simultaneously. All castings had smooth surfaces, and solid shapes were cast to 0.006-in. tolerance on all dimensions except length. (auth)