Although most of the development work on fast breeder reactors has been devoted to the use of liquid metal cooling, interest has been expressed for a number of years in alternative breeder concepts using other coolants. One of a number of concepts in which interest has been retained is the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GCFR). As presently envisioned, it would operate on the uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel cycle, similar to that used in the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR), and would use helium gas as the coolant.

A safety survey covering the disciplines of Reactor Safety, Nuclear Criticality Safety, Health Protection and Industrial Safety and Fire Protection was conducted at the ANL-West EBR-II FEF Complex during the period January 10-18, 1972. In addition, the entire ANL-West site was surveyed for Health Protection and Industrial Safety and Fire Protection. The survey was conducted by members of the AEC Chicago Operations Office, a member of RDT-HQ and a member of the RDT-ID site office. Eighteen recommendations resulted from the survey, eleven in the area of Industrial Safety and Fire Protection, five in the area of Reactor Safety and two in the area of Nuclear Criticality Safety.

Experiments have been carried out to determine the solid-liquid phase diagrams of binary mixtures of FEFO, EDNP, BDNPA and BDNPF. Cooling curves for the mixtures give no indication of crystal formation. Penetration measurements indicate a glass transition for all of the mixtures below {minus}40 C. The existence of glassy states for the mixtures was confirmed by visual observation with a polarizing microscope. Thermomicroscopy has been used in the preliminary study of the phase behavior of four binary mixtures. So far no eutectic has been observed.

Several extrudable HE formulations using, principally, HNAB as the explosive component were examined in efforts to develop an extrudable composition more temperature-resistant than Extex. It is shown that extrudability is dependent upon particle character, wetting of the binder compound, roll-milling technique and the addition of fine metallic oxides to improve flow properties, while detonability is dependent upon explosive concentration, a hard cure, and the shock parameters of the confining media.

High purity nitrate esters of the pentaerythritols can be successfully synthesized from correspondingly high purity reagents. The latter are not commercially available, but may be purified through molecular distillation and/or fractional crystallization from xylene. The isolated products are ultimately saponified to reagents of high purity. The nitration of high purity pentaerythritols using 97-100% nitric acid proceeds smoothly resulting in yields of the corresponding nitrate esters which are nearly quantitative. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) indicates numerous satellite impurities present in all the pentaerythritol-tetranitrate (PETN) homologs with the exception of ultrapure PETN itself. Separation and isolation of these contaminants, from a high impurity concentrate, was achieved by liquid chromatography. IR spectra of these components suggests these compounds are the various homologs and pentaerythryl ethers with a mixture of hydroxyl and nitrate functional groups.

Five batches of unplasticized AFNOL, each approximately one pound, were synthesized using 4,4-dinitropimelic acid as the starting material. Two 10 g batches were completed prior to the pound batches to assure the usability of the acid chloride. Characterization of each of the larger batches was by differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectrophotometry (IR), and cure tests. Some characterization was also done on the commercial chemicals used in the synthesis.

A total of nine batches of pressable baratol and pressable Composition B-3 were made and analyzed. One pressing was made for P/040 fabrication and test fire. The first P/040 plane wave lenses designed were fabricated and fired, yielding a center-leading average of 0.17 {micro}sec asimultaneity. The interface contour was redesigned and two lenses were fabricated and fired, resulting in center-lagging asimultaneity of 0.098 {micro}sec and 0.074 {micro}sec.

Several different shaped-charge configurations were tested. Charges with an included angle of 60{degree} and brass conical liners were determined to be more satisfactory. Existing loading equipment was used to extrude Rx-08-BD into the final design.

About 150 process-development pressings were made in prototype tooling. Problems arose which include stress cracking caused by difficult stripping of the part from the mandrel. Pressings made of PBX 9404 presented none of these problems. The primary effort is being directed toward developing a process for LX-09 and LX-04 pressings which at present are the problem areas.

The work this period concentrated on packaging RTV silicone fluids in a commercial purchased package-bag. The samples will be stored for a period of six months at ambient temperature. Because of the rigid film of the Bipax Bag, it is doubtful that this method of packaging silicones will develop into an acceptable process. To enhance this process, a more pliable bag should be incorporated into the packaging system.

Parylene is the generic name for members, e.g. parylene N,C,D of a thermoplastic polymer series developed by Union Carbide (Reta is a trade name for the materials). All of the members are laid down by a vacuum, vapor deposition process. The properties and uses for each member of the series differ from each other, but collectively the Parylenes have a wide range of applications. Gas permeability and moisture vapor transmission of Parylene C are very low. These properties make Parylene potentially very useful with or near explosives or components. One of the forms, Parylene C--the monomer of dichloro-di-p-xyly-lene--is potentially attractive. Its density is 1.29 g/cc. In this study the initial emphasis will be on the feasibility of coating HE particles. Substrates of diminishing particle size will be encapsulated to establish the particle-size limitation of the process.

Mild detonating fuse (MDF) is capable of consistent detonation velocity and thus provides an accurate timing device when precisely fabricated. Explosives that have been synthesized and designated for use in MDF should be qualified in the end use configuration. Polycarbonate tubes/HNAB were drawn to 85 grain/foot (gr/ft) and test fired. Aluminum tubes/PETN were drawn to 0.8 gr/ft and test fired. Aluminum tubes/HNAB were drawn to 2 gr/ft and test fired to qualify HNAB Lot 1281-11-01 made at Pantex.

In addition to the DTA, X-ray diffraction, and Henkin test results on silvered BTF reported earlier; impact sensitivity via drop hammer and chemical reactivity via gas chromatography were conducted with all results generally indicating no significant compatibility problems. One larger batch, {approximately} 15 grams of silvered BTF was made from which pressed-to-shape pellets were fabricated at a desired density of approximately 90% of TMD.

A new process has become available that might be useful for compacting PEX materials. The process is triaxial: it utilizes the familiar isostatic compression vectors to form a billet and for lateral reinforcement while a shear action of higher pressure is included over the billet ends with a mechanical punch. The 20-inch press has been inspected at the site of manufacture and is in transit to Pantex Plant.

Existing supplies of bis-trinitroanisole and picryl hydrazine were used to make 2 kg of bis-hexanitrohydrazobenzene. Development of the HNAB recrystallization process was temporarily stopped due to the need to produce a supply of the intermediate products (picryl chloride and HNHB). Purchase orders for DINOL and DNPIA required for synthesis of AFNOL were awarded.

In this third paper in a series in which the characteristics of nuclear fragments produced in the interaction of 5 GeV protons with Ag and U targets were studied by means of dE/dx-E measurements with semiconductor detector telescopes new information was obtained on the energy spectra of light fragments. One set of measurements on fragments from a Ag target involved the use of a two-element telescope incorporating a {Delta}E detector as thin as 16 {micro}m. A new algorithm for processing the {Delta}E and E data to extract particle identification was developed and the resulting particle spectra showed superior resolution for the elements from Li(Z = 3) to S (Z = 16). Segments of the energy spectra of each of these elements were measured at 20{sup o} and, for many of them, also at 45{sup o}, 90{sup o}, 135{sup o} and 160{sup o} to the beam direction. By use of 3-element telescopes and absorbers the high energy part of the energy spectrum for isotopes of He, Li, Be, B, and C ejected from Ag and U targets was measured at 20{sup o}. The measurements extended beyond 300 MeV for {sup 6}Li and {sup 7}Li and to 400 MeV for {sup 7}Be. …

The windstorm of January 11 caused a minor amount of damage to the Hanford Reservation and Hanford vicinity. Damage sustained to Hanford Reservation structures (roofing, flashing, fences, windows) was approximately $20,000. One building did receive structural damage to roof members. Evidence that wind pressures did not reach 30 lb/ft{sup 2} during the January 11 windstorm was provided in the fact that specially designed exterior wall panels did not fail. These panels were designed and carefully proof-tested to insure that they would fail at a loading of 30 lb/ft{sup 2} as a requirement of structural safety in the original design-construction program in 1952-1954. There was one power outage on the Hanford Reservation due to the January 11 windstorm (Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory). Damage to power lines and electrical facilities amounted to about $1600. Damage to structures in the Hanford vicinity (excluding the Hanford Reservation) from the January 11 windstorm was estimated to cost $13,000. This does not include damage to private residences, etc., which has been estimated by others to be near $250,000. Power line damage in the Hanford vicinity amounted to about $80,000, of which $60,000 was accounted for in the loss of four transmission towers in the tie-line between Priest …

In this laboratory we have studied the macromolecular changes accompanying release of contact inhibition by using a method by means of which a large fraction of cells in a confluent monolayer are released from contact inhibition of growth and division. This is accomplished without chemical treatment of the cells, without change of medium and in such a way that most cells are provided with free growth area. The procedure involves growing the cells to confluence on surfaces uniformly covered with glass beads 200 {microns} in diameter. When confluence has been attained, contact inhibition ma be released by discarding the beads leaving behind numerous spaces, throughout the culture. Removal of the beads dislodges few if any of the cells. After release of contact inhibition by removing the beads, the cultures double in cell number following the first round of DNA replications, and continue to grow until they are again contact inhibited. Cell types used have included several cell lines and strains including both primary cell cultures of neonatal rat heart cells and established 3T3 and 3T6 mouse fibroblast cell lines.

This book is an outgrowth of activities of the Benchmark Problem Committee of the Mathematics and Computation Division of the American Nuclear Society.

Research and development efforts of the burnup, cross sections and dosimetry programs in the Chemical Engineering Division of Argonne National Laboratory are reported for the period January to June 1972. Work is reported in the following areas: (1) development of an X-ray spectrometric method for the determination of the rare-earth fission products and application of this method to the determinations of burnup in nuclear fuels; (2) determination of fast ·fission yields of bum up monitors and other fission products; (3) a search for a spon~aneously fissioning isomer of {sup 241}Pu; (4) measurements of the tritium and alpha particle yields in fast-neutron fission of {sup 235}U and {sup 239}Pu; (5) evaluations of available data on the differential cross sections for the {sup 56}Fe(n,p){sup 56}Mn and {sup 32}S(n,p){sup 32}P reactions; and (6) measurements of both fission rates by solid-state track recorders and reaction rates by foil activation, in the Coupled Fast Reactivity Measurement Facility.

The useful lift time of a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) may be significantly extended by use of a "mobile-shunt" power conditioning system in preference to the more common shunt-dissipative type. A mobile-shunt regulator has been designed which automatically performs this function, as well as producing a regulated stepped-up DC voltage for the load.

Only two of the fecal specimens collected inflight during the Apollo 15 mission were returned for analysis. Difficulty in obtaining reasonably accurate radiation dose estimates based on the cosmogenic radionuclide content of the specimens was encountered due to the limited sampling. The concentrations of {sup 22}Na, {sup 40}K, {sup 51}Cr, {sup 59}Fe, and {sup 137}Cs are reported. The concentrations of 24 major, minor, and trace elements in these two specimens were determined. Most concentrations are typical of those observed previously. Major exceptions are extremely low values for selenium and extraordinarily high values for rare earth elements. The net {sup 210}Po activities in the Apollo 11 and 12 Solar Wind Composition foils and in the Apollo 8 and 12 spacecraft reflective coatings due to lunar exposure have been determined. Equilibrium concentrations of 0.082 {+-} 0.012 disintegrations cm{sup -2} sec{sup -1} of {sup 222}Rn in the lunar atmosphere and 0.0238 {+-} 0.0035 disintegrations cm{sup -2} sec{sup -1} of {sup 210}Po on the lunar surface have been calculated for Oceanus Procellarum. A summary of a paper entitled, "Radon-222 Activity at Oceanus Procellarum," and the text of a manuscript entitled, "Radon-222 in the Lunar Atmosphere," are included as appendices.

All sodium piping and equipment is heat traced to maintain the sodium in a liquid state. The Pipe and Equipment Electrical Heating Control System controls the rate of heat application to sodium piping and equipment during heatup of empty systems prior to filling with sodium and to maintain heat in operating sodium systems. The Pipe and Equipment Electric Heating Control System is designed to aid in detecting malfunctions and failures within the system. The Control portion except for the control thermocouple is electrically independent of the alarm portion, thus providing a more reliable check on the overall system. Instrumentation is modular to provide for easy removal and replacement. Detailed maintenance procedures will be developed as a part of the detail design work and will be included in the Operation and Maintenance Manual. Procurement specifications will call for detailed maintenance and calibration procedures for each type of instrument.

A novel design concept for a "flashlight-type" in-core thermionic reactor is described. This concept, called the "double-sheath" design in contrast to the previously considered "wet-sheath" and "dry-sheath" concepts, permits the build-up of high reactor output voltages, without the danger of cesium breakdown and shorts-to-ground. In addition to a description of the design and its functional components, a brief discussion of suggested fuel element fabrication and reactor assembly techniques is presented. The proposed design offers the potential of high reliability because only insulators at very low potentials (e.g.<3 volts) are in contact with cesium vapor; because there are no ceramic or cermet seals within the reactor (all are outside, beyond the reflectors); and because all vacuum-tight joints in the reactor are between ductile niobium components.