None

None

A theoretical study of the kinetics of a model of the Los Alamos Power Reactor Experiment (LAPRE) was made through integration of the dynamic equations with the IBM 701 computer. The stability is investtgated under various conditions of power demand, rod-induced reactivity changes, and other conditions especially applicable to LAPRE. The results are given in graphical form, along with conclusions as to appropriate conditions of operation. (auth)

A linear accelerator, which increases the energy of protons from a 4 Mev Van de Graaff injector, to a final energy of 31.5 Mev, has been constructed. The accelerator consists of a cavity 40 feet long and 39 inches in diameter, excited at resonance in a longitudinal electric mode with a radio-frequency power of about 2.2 x 10{sup6} watts peak at 202.5 mo. Acceleration is made possible by the introduction of 46 axial "drift tubes" into the cavity, which is designed such that the particles traverse the distance between the centers of successive tubes in one cycle of the r.f. power. The protons are longitudinally stable as in the synchrotron, and are stabilized transversely by the action of converging fields produced by focusing grids. The electrical cavity is constructed like an inverted airplane fuselage and is supported in a vacuum tank. Power is supplied by 9 high powered oscillators fed from a pulse generator of the artificial transmission line type. Output currents are 3 x 10 {sup-9} ampere average, and 50 {mu}a peak. The beam has a diameter of 1 cm and an angular divergence of 10{sup-3} radians.

This report discusses the proposal to expand the existing 224-U Building from an instantaneous rate of 13.5 tons of uranium per day to 18.5 tons per day. This is to be accomplished by the installation of two additional 8{prime} calcining kettles (or pots) available through the Atomic Energy Commission from Luckey, Ohio. It is the purpose of this report to present calculations and recommendations upon which design work is proceeding. This expansion is to utilize existing facilities of 224-U whenever possible and this report forms a record of the methods used in evaluating equipment and systems. Included are analysis of pot ventilation and pot unloading, stress analysis of the new pots, radiation hazard calculations and a composite schematic.

None

None

None

None

The potentialities of unfiltered Columbia River water as a pile coolant have been discussed in a recent survey of the available information on the subject. The survey report points out the gains which the use of unfiltered water offers, and proposes a logical framework of treatment by chemical additives which appears to have a reasonable probability of successfully developing a far less expensive pile coolant. A comprehensive testing program is now being initiated to obtain the required experimental information concerning the effects of unfiltered water on corrosion, film formation, and effluent activity. The purpose of this report is to outline the range of variables to be studied; to discuss the various experimental techniques to be used; and to establish the anticipated scheduling of the several phases of the program.

None

Tests performed to determine the hazard associated with the inhalation of radioactive materials as the result of smoking with contaminated hands indicate that for dry uranium compounds adhering to the palmar surfaces of the hands, approximately 1.0% of the material may be transferred to a cigarette, and that of this approximately 0.2% may appear in the smoke which is inhaled. Most of the contamination originally placed in a cigarette was found in the ash, and only 11% of the material was not recovered following burning; approximately half of this loss may be attributed to normal losses inherent in the analytical process, the recovery efficiency for which was found by supplementary experiments to be 95%.

None

Photosynthesizing plants have been exposed to C{sup 14}O{sub 2} for short periods of time (0.4 to 15 sec.) and the products of carbon dioxide reduction analyzed by paper chromatography and radio autography. Methods have been developed for the degradation of ribulose and sedoheptulose. These sugars, obtained as their phosphate esters from the above C{sup 14}O{sub 2} exposures and from other experiments, have been degraded and their distribution of radiocarbon determined. The distribution of radiocarbon in these sugars, and other data, indicate that sedoheptulose phosphate and ribulose diphosphates are formed during photosynthesis from triose and hexose phosphates, the latter being synthesized, in turn, by the reduction of 3-phosphoglyceric acid.

None

None

The hot pressing die successfully bonded a composite of Ni plate U and Al. A die for step processing is being fabricated. Cu and Mg additions to the AlSi bath lower the dipping temperature but increase intermetallic formation with ductility loss. Optimum dipping rate for continuous AlSi coatings has been established. Extrusion of Al over a cylindrical core was successful. 7.5% Zr-U is not sensitive to oxygen content under crevice corrosion in boiling demineralized water. A method was developed for monitoring the progressive deterioration of bond layer in boiling water by resistivity data; results confirm that the Cu bond is not as corrosion resistant as Ni or AlSi. Two nondestructive methods were developed for thickness of electroplated Ni on U.

This report gives a brief summary of work at Battelle in support of Savannah River reactor fuel elements. Barrier effectiveness tests show that 0.2 mil nickel is a minimum for diffusion barrier application. Successful bonds by roll cladding with an electrodeposited nickel bond layer have been produced without deformation of 1 inch x 1 inch x 0.180 inch cores. Deformation of core versus pack has been established for several conditions of core dimension and rolling schedule. Apparatus for a critical extrusion test is being machined. The experiment is planned for late October. Beryllium additions to the AlSi bath suppress drossing, but they have negligible effect on intermetallic compound formation. Corrosion test failures of soldered ribs sprayed with zinc took place in 6 days regardless of solder used. The same ribs sprayed with aluminum are still intact after two weeks. Solder bonding with a flash coating of copper on both core and sheath has been satisfactorily completed with aluminum and uranium.

None

Since Redox start-up, several samples of Redox PR solution have been evaporated in the laboratory as one step in a study of the Redox -- 234 coupling process. Because feed for Task I in 234-5 will be produced by evaporative concentration of Redox and purex product solutions, and because laboratory work has shown the desirability of filtering Redox solutions after such evaporation prior to use in Task I. This report summarizes the observations which have been made in the course of this work, as a guide in the design of filters for the Redox and/or Purex PR cages.

None

None

None

A method is developed for estimating the dose to the lungs of a person exposed to the airborne radioactive dust from the cloud associated with a nuclear detonation. The analysis is applied to data collected at a point about 275 miles from the test site in the Fall, 1951, weapons tests in Nevada.