The calculation of shielding the thickness for plutonium is complicated by the many different energies represented in the gamma radiation emitted during decay of the plutonium isotopes. Dose rate predictions are also frequently confused by gamma from varying content of fission product impurities in the plutonium, as well as other gamma radiation induced through alpha and neutron particle absorption within the source material or its environment. After assumptions are made for these many factors the radiation data for shielding determination is still frequently inadequate because of wide variations in dose rates resulting from self-absorption. The degree if self-shielding is in turn dependent on nature of the plutonium compound, degree of compactness, weight, and over-all geometrical distribution of the source material. By preparing a variety of plutonium samples representing combinations of these varying factors, actual dose rates and gamma spectra, as obtained from them, can then be extrapolated for application to specific situations.

A multi-purpose program for processing exponential data has been prepared for the 709 computer. The main purposes of the program is to compute the material buckling from raw data (given counts, time, and counter information) or from previously calculated Athermal's. It is also possible to compute only CeCh (end and harmonic corrections) for a given B11 or series if B11's no counting data being entered. In every case, pile measurements must be submitted as input for corrections.

Water treatment systems for preparing and maintaining high purity water in out-of-reactor or in-reactor test oops are becoming increasingly important. In out0of-reactor experiments the presence of ionic impurities in the water has a marked influence on film formation and corrosion rates. It is therefore , imperative that these impurities be maintained at the lower practical concentration.

The Non-Production Fuel Reprocessing Program involves the chemical processing of valuable reactor fuels received from privately owned power reactors. It is necessary therefore, to accurately measure the fuel material received in order to insure proper payment to reactor operator and to provide the Atomic Energy Commission with appropriate accountability data. The volume measurement study described herein was conducted in order to determine the limits of accuracy that could be obtained in measuring relatively large volumes of solution under plant processing conditions.

Disposal of liquid radioactive wastes to ground requires knowledge of the area ground-water hydrology. Information is desired on direction and velocity of ground-water flow. Direction of flow can be determined from maps showing contours on the water table surface, such contours being derived from well water elevations. Ground-water velocity is more difficult to ascertain.

Since the start of E-metal processing in December, 1958, critical mass control in the Redox dissolvers has been provided by a combination of administrative controls, revised dissolver charging procedures, and new dissolving processes and operation control procedures. These were all based on a maximum allowable charge of E-Metal to the dissolvers which was equivalent to 45 percent of the minimum critical mass.

Relatively long time cycles are required for the standard nitric acid dissolution of enriched uranium using safe batch size techniques for criticality control. Upwards of forty eight hours are required for the total dissolution of solid of I and E enriched slugs in nitric acid. The dissolution capacity may be increased by: (1) using a dissolver critically safe by virtue of its geometry or, (2)increasing the rate of uranium dissolution. Dilute agua regia -- a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids -- is known to dissolve uranium much more rapidly than nitric acid. This reports present a flowsheet for the rapid dissolution of uranium slugs in dilute agua regia.

In early July, 1958, it appeared that Columbia River temperature at HAPO would be near 24.5ºC by the end of August. River temperature were averaging 4º to 5º above 1957 figures and were 3º to 4º above the ten year highs. It seemed desirable to examine the problem to determine if any corrective measure could be taken, since it was apparent that production losses were imminent.

A preliminary evaluation of the autoclave corrosion behavior of a series of U-low C alloys and a series of U-low Zr alloys prepared by Fuels Fabrication Development Operation has been made. The corrosion testing was conducted by Coatings and Corrosion Operation by the experimental methods and procedure outlined in HW-61378.

From objective: "The objective of this work was to design, develop, assemble, and test and automatic analyzing monitor for recording the prominent isotopes in reactor effluent cooling water."

Laboratory studies involving fluid flow through porous media require use of fluids having low dissolved gas content. Water is the major fluid used in various and box model and soil permeability studies carried out by the Geochemical and Geophysical Research group. Tap water supplied to the 222-U Bldg. contains a large amount of dissolved air. Under the reduced pressure encountered during model studies, the air is released from solution and gradually clogs the pores of the sand or other porous material. This, of course. leads to anomalous results and cannot be tolerated in precious studies. A system was required to effectively remove the air and make available a continuous supply of desired water for the model studies.

The monocarbide and the mononitride of uranium are potentially useful ceramic nuclear fuel materials. This paper reports the results of exploratory investigations of the reactions of uranium monocarbide and uranium mononitride with boiling water. Uranium dioxide, chemically stable in deoxygenated boiling water, was used as a control.

Wells drilled to date on the Hanford project represent and initial investment of over one million dollars. These nearly six hundred wells have been used and will continue to be used for observation and monitoring purposes of direct interest to ground disposal of radioactive wastes. Through measurement of depth to the water table the changing gradients as a result of large volume waste disposal are determined and direction of ground water flow established. The extent of contamination in ground water is measured in samples dawn from these wells. Aquifer permeability is measured and ground water velocity predicted from pumping tests carried out out in these structure

A program has been prepared for the 709 computer which will determine extrapolation length from horizontal traverses measurements taken in an exponential pile. The flux across the pile is assured to fit a cosine function of the form y = A cos B (X-C)

On a project of the magnitude and complexity of the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor is was considered prudent engineering practice to obtain an independant design review by a competent off-site group that had not participated in any way in the development of the design. Accordingly, the Atomic Power Equipment Department of the General Electric Company was requested to make such an engineering review, and an Assistance to Hanford contract authorizing this work was approved by the Atomic Energy Commission in November, 1958.

This document describes required laboratory space and lists major equipment items necessary for a routine water quality laboratory in the P. R. T. R. Building. During discussions with R. D. Widrig and V. L. Rooney about the analytical sample program for the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor, the author was asked to summarize equipment and space needs for a water control laboratory to provide routine analytical coverage on some of the water systems. Based upon 1706-KE-KER experience, some operating personnel may be used to provide analytical coverage on those routine analyses that are needed on around-the-clock basis with a savings of both time and money.

The solids in Purex lww were first observed during flowsheet tests for recovery of fission products from plant wastes. Since the nature of this solid was not apparent from the flowsheet composition of lww, some work was performed to characterize this material. Although this work has been conducted over a period of about one year, it has been subordinate to the main one of testing flowsheets for fission product recovery. The solids have been observed in each of about six samples of plant lww that have been studied, and the centrifuged volume of solids has been about four percent in each case.

The computation of liquid-boiling heat exchanger performance under a wide variety of operating conditions is a cumbersome, time-consuming procedure. Rapid evaluation of a design requires the use of some form of computational aid. Exchanger equations covering the case of liquid-boiling heat transfer have been derived and evaluated for a specific correlation of local boiling condition. Examination of various data as presented by Bonilla and McAdams indicates that the boiling coefficients are not fully reproducible and appear to be sensitive to surface conditions, gases, geometry, etc. It therefore is believed advantageous to extend the reference analysis to cover a wide range of surface and pool boiling conditions. In this manner, the effects of potential errors in both boiling and liquid film coefficients may be investigated with minimum effort.

It is anticipated that neptunium will be recovered in the Purex process by solvent extraction or ion exchange methods as a nitric acid solution of greater than 0.1 g. Np/1 and containing varying amounts of fission products, plutonium, uranium, and thorium, including Th234 (UX1). At the present time this solution is thermally concentrated in the Purex L-cell package to several grams of neptunium per liter. In this operation the solution is contaminated rather badly with plutonium and stainless steel corrosion products. The present specifications are for the neptunium final product to contain less than 0.1 weight percent plutonium, to be relatively free of gross metallic contaminates, and to be low enough in fission product game activity and Th234-Pa234 (UX1-UX2) beta activity to be handled without resorting to remote techniques.

Instrumentation shall be provided as shown on the attached drawing, SK-1-26835 for Confinement System Control. The Primary objective of the confinement system shall be to provide maximum possible confinement of contamination, consistent with building limitations, in the event of any contamination, consistent with building limitations, in the event of any credible reactor accident resulting from equipment failure or reactor mis operation.

Considerable interest has developed in the use of ion-exchange in the nuclear energy field in the last decade. Aside from the obvious use of providing demineralized coolant water for reactors, the projected uses of ion-exchange include the recovery of fission products from aquaeous waste streams and the separation and purification of fissionable materials from spent reactor fuels. The latter process may be incidental to the over-all operation, as is the case with the Purex anion exchange facility, or it may be the prime separation process, as may be the case in the recovery of Pu or U from spent power reactor (PRTR) fuel elements.

Property changes to common graphites resulting from reactor irradiation depends strongly on the temperature of exposure. Radiation affects at 30 C and 400 to 500 C are quite well known; however, at intermediate temperatures, results are not well known although a large volume of graphite in most reactors operate in this range. Production test, IP-22A, was reactivated, after a dormant period of many months, to study radiation damage between 30 and 400 C. This report concerns mainly the experimental details and evaluation of the equipment necessary for the controlled temperature irradiation.

Because of the excessive vertical fragility and high replacement costs of mice-window G-M tubes used in vertical and horizontal lead-pig shelf counters, it was requested that a simple system of conversions to reliable scintillation detection be accomplished.

A new package type facility for corrosion decontamination studies has been designed and fabricated. This report gives a description, drawings, and comments on its operation. It has been in operation since December, 1958.