The Brookhaven Bubble Chamber Group is developing a Hough-Powell fast analysis system (HPD)1 for bubble chamber photographs. High precision measurements are made with a computer controlled flying spot digitizer. We are currently testing the track selection programs for the system. We have just completed a study of a method for automatic bubble density measurements.

In connection with the development of in-line analytical equipment for monitoring pH, gamma activity and uranium concentration in process streams, experiments and tests were carried out during the past year and a half in the Metal recovery Plant on a pH monitor for the hydrogen ion concentration in neutralized waste, a continuous gamma activity monitor on the RCU, an automatic photometer for uranium in RAF, and an automatic polarograph for uranium in RAW. This letter is written to present up-to-date diagrams of the equipment used, outline briefly the studies conducted and the main conclusions regarding design and operability of the equipment, and present material which will supplement that included in the previous reports on theses instruments.

Historical: This process is based on experimental work done in Jackson Laboratory, Send Works, Blue Products, and East Area. It supersedes the Tentative Chambers Works Process for the Manufacture of Fluorine Using Carbon Anode Units, dated December 2, 1943.

The following report follows an investigation comparing "staggered" and "spit-flow" air cooling systems.

This study was initiated to determine the minimum safety requirements for safe anchorage of electric pole lines. The objectives were to investigate the suitability of manufactured concrete pole line anchors for use at the Hanford Atomic Products Operation, to design a concrete anchor slug of optimum shape and size for manufacture, to determine by field tests the resistance pullout of the concrete anchor when buried at various depths under the most favorable condition, and to develop a safe design load for the anchors at various depths of burial and angle of pull based on test results.

The purpose of the test was to determine the ability of the Control Air System to provide the necessary quantity and quality of clean, dry air to keep the rod drive mechanism stator and position indicator housings at about 3 PSIG in order to avoid low stator resistances resulting from condensation during plant cooldown. The Control Air System is capable of providing the quality of air specified in AEC letter SBO:JWF:100 dated November 17, 1958 of less than 44 grains of moisture per lb. of air in the control air line nearest the reactor chamber.

The general purpose of this report is to present the major characteristics and design of the Consolidated Edison Thorium Reactor (CETR) core

The purpose of the test was to determine the operating conditions of the rod drive mechanisms so that operating personnel may be informed concerning malfunctioning mechanisms. The results the this test favorably agree with previous results. The operating characteristics of the rod drive mechanisms checked in this test have not changed appreciably.

Technical report issued as one of a series of reports concerned with corrosion studies for the Materials Resting Reactor, created to both determine the effect of various practices for fuel plate fabrication on corrosion resistance and to determine the extent of penetration of the fuel plates by localized corrosion attack. [From Introduction]

Abstract: This technical report elucidates principles of hazards evaluation. The concept of hazards potential is introduced and utilized to show how a reactor system perturbation will influence its nuclear safety. Literature relating to reactor safety is referenced to provide the sources of information required for hazards analysis and show how they influence a hazards evaluation. A checklist of items which should be considered in evaluating a change, test, or modification is presented.

This report measures the cross sections of isotopes for 14.5 MeV neutrons and compares the author's results with calculated and existing literature values.

Abstract: "In a study of the preparation and properties of delta-phase zirconium hydride it was found that large, sound bodies of the hydride can be prepared by direct combination of the elements if the rate of the reaction is retarded by limiting the supply of available hydrogen. Specimens up to 1-in. diameter were prepared using this technique. Because delta phase zirconium hydride does not readily form eutectics with iron-and nickel-base alloys below 1800 F these materials may be utilized for clodding the hydride. Delta-phase zirconium hydride is unaffected by exposure to liquid NaK or to nitrogen gas at temperatures below 1000 F. The hot hardness of delta-phase zirconium hydrid is about 130 kg per mm-2 at room temperature and 40 kg per mm-2 at 1500 F. The mean coefficient of thermal expansion (68 to 1337 F) is 6.5 x 10^-6 per deg F. The thermal conductivity varies from 5.7 Btu/(ft)(hr)(F) at 300 F to 5.1 Btu/(ft)(hr)(F) at 1300 F."

The PRP Critical Facility is an experimental reactor for use in determination of basic nuclear constants of heterogenous reactors recycling plutonium, and exponential and criticality studies at power levels up to 100 watts and neutron fluxes of about 109 nv. Provision is made for changing reactor lattices using irradiated and unirradiated fuel elements with either a light or heavy water moderator.

Tests made on the Oy-Tu reacting assembly at Pajarito indicate that the lateral displacement of two halves of the active material within the assembly can be used as a control mechanism on this type of reacting assembly. This report describes a reacting assembly using a rotary control mechanism based on this principle and indicates the sensitivity of control possible with such a device.

"An investigation was made into the various processes for the fixation of mixed fission products as solids in order to determine the extent they could be utilized as heat sources for thermoelectric generators. Generators of up to ten watts can be designed and built with state-of-art'' thermoelectric materials and mixed fission products soon to be available from the ldaho Falls calcination pilot plant. Mixed fission products from other processes and plants to be on stream'' in this decade will be capable of fueling practical generators into the kilowatt range using thermoelectric materials available in the same time period. A survey was made on current research and development efforts on waste fixation processes. Studies showed that a wide range of power densities (from 0.002 to 0.2 watts per cubic centimeter) will be available from calcined fission product wasted. An experimental program for the consolidation of low density, Idaho Chemical Processing Plant alumina type wastes is reviewed. Preliminary results indicated that densification factors of three to four are readily obtainable for such wastes."

This report seeks to "develop a practical method of evaluating the eddy diffusivity of heat transfer for liquid metals, so that it can be incorporated into the more or less standard theoretical methods to give heat transfer coefficients which are in reasonable agreement with experimental facts"--from introduction.

An estimate has been made of the critical fuel concentration in the HRT, taking into account the effect of the core corrosion sample assembly. The estimate is based on a number of previous calculations of critical concentration in an un-poisoned reactor and one calculation of critical concentration as a function of poison level. The makeup of the first core corrosion sample assembly was used in calculating equivalent neutron poisoning effects. Figure 1 shows the estimated critical concentration as a function of temperature with the corrosion sample assembly in place. At 280°C, the assembly raises the critical concentration by 0.6 g U-235/kg D2O. This effect is equivalent to a uniformly distributed poison equal to 4.1% of the fission cross section. The equivalent poison is greater at lower temperatures, where the uranium concentration is lower.

From introduction: "This report deals with a part of the research and development studies which preceded the manufacture of fuel elements for the Gas Cooled Reactor Experiment (GCRE)." The studies evaluate the effects of varying the type and size of UO2 particles, stainless steel matrix powders, blending procedures, compacting pressures, sintering times, temperatures and atmospheres, roll-cladding temperatures and reduction rates, total cold reduction, and heat-treating times and temperatures has been made for UO2 stainless steel dispersion fuel elements."

The effect of temperature on the yield strength of the polycrystalline hexagonal Ag-Al intermetallic phase was investigated over the temperature range 77 to 775 K. It was found that the curve for yield stress vs temperature for both polycrystalline Ag-33 at .% Al specimens that were heavily cold worked prior to deformation and those that were recrystallized prior to deformation was parallel to that for prismatic slip in single crystals.

Recently proposals for justifiable additions to the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor Complex were presented to the Atomic Energy Commission at their request. In addition to a critical reactivity measuring facility in the fuel element storage basin, the following in-reactor loops were proposed: 1. A high pressure, H2O cooled fuel test loop. 2. A rupture loop to investigate fuel element failures. 3. One or more materials testing loops.

Nuclear physics research with 22-Mev protons in the 86-in. cyclotron included angular-distribution measurements of neutrons from (p,n) reactions in nine target elements; measurement of the angular distribution of fission fragments from proton-induced fission of U233, U225, U228, Th230, and Th232; measurement of alpha-particle angular distributions from (p,α) reactions a study of the neutron-deficient isotopes of terbium and completion of an extensive program of the measurement of activation cross sections. Two more targets for cyclotron production of isotopes were developed, and the production yields for 14 radioisotopes are summarized. A new record for continuous beam power on a production target, 36 kw for 5 hr, was achieved. The design of a beam-deflector system for the 86-in. cyclotron has been completed, and several of the components have been fabricated ; a shutdown for installation is scheduled for October 8. The deflected N+++ beam of the 63-in. cyclotron was used in a study of the gain and loss of electrons by nitrogen lens passing through thin foils, and the equilibrium charge distribution of lens as a function of energy was thus obtained. The excitation functions were measured for nitrogen-induced reactions on both nitrogen and oxygen. Assembly restrictions of the prepared 114-in. heavy-particle cyclotron …

A two-etchant surface preparation treatment has been found which insures good adhesion between the zirconium and the nickel or copper electroplate. The etching process requires 1 1/2 minutes.

The following report discusses neutron sources in reactors, discussing general conditions of the study using a flux reactor.

Summary. A test rig has been designed to obtain basic two phase forced convection liquid metal heat transfer and pressure drop data for use in the design of liquid metal boilers. This engineering report includes background of the boiling problem, partial summary of work done by other investigators, the object, scope, engineering, and operations of this test rig, and a summary of reproducibility tests conducted in a water back-up rig.