Summary: This report contains a description of the final design of the Piqua Nuclear Power Facility (PNPF); an outline of the test and operating procedures, and the organization and responsibilities; and a summary of the hazards and safeguards analyses that have been conducted to evaluate the safety of the facility operations.

Abstract: This report describes a 300,000-kwe, sodium-cooled, graphite-moderated nuclear power plant based on existing technical information.

Abstract: Uranium monocarbide shows considerable potential for use as a fuel in high temperature, high power density, nuclear power reactors. As Atomics International is proposing its use in sodium graphite type reactors, it was necessary to develop a process for fabricaing sodium bonded uranium carbide fuel elements.

Abstract: An analytical and experimental effort toward a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in nuclear power reactor loss-of-pressure accidents is presented.

Abstract: Perforated BeO plates were thermal shock tested to evaluate the effect of: (1) localized temperature variations adjacent to the perforations, and (2) radial gradients across the entire plate.

Abstract: Two in-pile capsules containing mock-up uranium carbide fuel rods were subjected to a total of five neutron bursts in the TREAT facility with initial reactor periods ranging from 0.26 to 0.10 sec.

The following documents were compiled into a quarterly report that was to be published in the Radiobiology Volume of the PPR. The following reports provide data from the Biology department of the University of Chicago between May and August of 1947.

Abstract: "Most of the Nuclear Merchant Ship Reactor (NMSR) shield design work performed by The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) is summarized. Primary and secondary shield results are presented, consistent with contractual requirements and designated design criteria. Methods of calculation and basic parameters are shown" (p. 1).

Introduction: The purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate that a liquid metal heat transfer system could be built and operated at very high temperatures.

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.

From introduction: The primary aim of this study is to present as complete a geologic picture as possible, of the Chattanooga shale in its outcrop area of the Eastern Highland Rim and the Northern Highland Rim of Tennessee and adjacent Kentucky. Special emphasis has been placed upon the stratigraphic relationships and their implications upon the age and manner of origin of the sediments and upon the origin, source, and distribution of uranium in the shale.

The theory and preliminary laboratory investigations presented in this technical report were intended to examine the general feasibility of injection disposal of radioactive wastes and to establish an understanding of the phenomena governing the travel of trace chemicals through natural porous media. Detailed studies of fluid velocity variations resulting from density differences between the injected and displaced liquids have been made. the ion exchange studies have been limited to strontium and calcium. Strontium 90 is considered to be the most hazardous of the fission products and should represent the radioisotope upon which to judge the merits of injection disposal. Consideration should also be given to cesium in evaluation the health hazards of injection disposal.

Abstract: A new concept for continuously monitoring neutron flux has been successfully tested.

Report discussing a study to determine experimentally whether a low neutron binding energy must be assigned to Kr⁸⁷ to explain the neutron emission or whether the beta-decay energy is especially high, as well as to determine the fission yield of Br⁸⁷.

Report discussing specifications for the design of a waste heat steam boiler "for the purpose of generating steam to operate a condensing steam turbine electric generator from the clean hot radioactive air that has cooled the atomic energy reactor of [a] laboratory under a pressure less than atmospheric."

From summary: "A method for the preparation of normal uranyl carbonate has been developed. Heretofore, this compound has been known only as a rare, naturally occurring material." The report further discusses the physical properties of the compound, its solubility in water, and its interaction with sodium carbonate.

From summary: "Various thermal and mechanical properties were measured for sintered tin oxide-matrix compacts which nominally were composed of 99 per cent by weight of tin oxide, SnO2, and one per cent by weight of zinc oxide ZnO...The tin oxide body might be expected to give good service under conditions of severe thermal shock and in an oxidizing atmosphere at temperatures up to 1500°F."

Report discussing progress made by the Chemistry Division (Section C-1) of the Argonne National Laboratory for the months of April, May and June, 1951. Information is divided into "Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry" and "Basic Chemistry".

"Investigations into the behavior of the gas flow behind spherical or cylindrical blasts have shown that secondary shocks arise within the original detonation gases. The secondary shock, at first weak, is carried outward with the expanding gases. Subsequently it strengthens and bends back toward the origin, arriving there with high intensity. By using some recently developed techniques in shock dynamics a theory is developed by which the motion of the main shock wave, as well as the formation and subsequent motion of the secondary shock, are given by explicit formulae."

A report about equipment which is assembled and tested to determine the feasibility of measuring the thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of irradiated uranium rods clad with Zircaloy 2 with NaK as the heat-transfer medium.

A report dealing with thermal-conductivity measurements of uranium and UO2 to determine the effect of irradiation on both of these two materials.

A report based on a study about the factors which affect the amount of chemical reaction between water and Zircaloy 2 at high temperatures. Also, experimental programs for the measurement of radiation emissivity, chemical reaction rates, and diffusion rates have been completed.

Several improvements have been made in the gamma scintillation counter (GSC). The Model V gamma scintillation counter uses a canned thallium activated sodium iodide crystal as a detector. Although the electronic components remain unchanged, a modification of the sample support has been made to improve reproducibility of geometry. To assure comparable results between various counters, they must be operated at the same energy threshold and counting yield. Methods have been developed to assure operation at a preferred energy threshold of 0.1 Mev and an arbitrarily fixed counting yield of 3.36% for Cs-Ba-137. Partial pulse height discrimination against U 237 is also accomplished.

Technical report was prepared by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HASL) with the objective of presenting a current picture of the Strontium Program. Abstract: Strontium 90 levels in fallout, milk, canned fish and tap water are summarized for data available up to July 28, 1958. Original data submitted during the month of June and the first two weeks in July are included as an appendix. Data are presented to show the amount of Strontium 90 in fallout at sampling stations within and outside the United States.