The objective of the Accurate Nuclear Fuel Burnup Analyses program is to develop more accurate methods for burnup analysis for general use than the current method of analysis of Ca-137 or Sr-90. The program will require from three to five years of effort.

Quarterly progress report on Accurate Nuclear Fuel Burnup Analysis project.

Technical report describing that the pressure drops along 3/4-inch, 1-inch, and 1-1/4 inch straight pipes and across three contraction-expansion inserts in a 1-inch pipe have been measured under both single- and two-phase flow conditions. Pressure was varied from 600 to 1400 psia, flow from 0.25 x 10(6) to 1.66 x 10(6) lb/hr ft, and quality from zero to 90 percent. The single-phase pipe friction factor agrees with the Moody value for smooth pipe. The two-phase friction for horizontal flow shows no size effect in the range of pipe sizes from 3/4 inch to 1-1/4 inch. The values lie below the Martinelli curve at the lower qualities (x<0.6), but at high qualities tend to be above the Martinelli curve. The single-phase loss coefficient for the three contraction-expansion inserts show very little Reynolds number effect in the range of channel Reynolds numbers from 3 x 10(4) to 5 x 10(5). The two-phase data for insert number 1 has not yet been reduced. The two-phase loss for insert numbers 2 and 3 lies generally below the loss prediction based on a homogeneous flow model. The two-phase loss for insert number 2 shows excellent agreement with the corresponding loss for the S-1 insert in …

Summary: Fundamental studies in support of the alloy design work are complete except for the experimental determination of the diffusion of oxygen in alloy-doped non-stoichiometric ZrO2. Over 100 oxidation runs have now been made on samples of ZrO2 doped with 1 mole percent of the oxides of Al, Y, Fe, Cr, and Ni. The first round testing of 31 alloys is now essentially complete. Analysis of the steam corrosion rate and hydriding raw data taken at 300, 400, and 500 degrees C indicates that Zr-Cr and Zr-Cu-Fe alloys show the most promise for development for service in steam over the entire temperature range 300-500 degrees C. Maximum resistance to corrosion hydrogen embrittlement requires high initial ductility and thus low, perhaps less than ~2.5 a/o total alloy content. For any composition, susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement depends on crystallographic texture of the component; under certain circumstances hydrogen embrittlement may be high anisotropic. The second-round testing of 10 selected Zr-Cr and Zr-Cu base alloys is now about 50% complete. Three alternate fabrication schedules were evaluated; and the preliminary results indicate that the Zr-Cu alloy tested is less sensitive to heat treatment than is the Zr-Cr alloy tested. Raising the final alpha annealing temperature …

The United States and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), on May 29, and June 18, 1958, signed an agreement which provides a basis for co-operation in programs for the advancement of the peaceful applications of atomic energy. The work described in this report represents the Joint U.S.-Euratom effort. The over-all development program is designed to obtain the test data and operating experience necessary to eventually realize a 50 percent increase in the output of the Garigliano Nuclear Power Station located at Sessa Aurunca (Campania, Italy). Two tasks are in progress: Task III-F involves the preparation of test specimens of reactor vessel material for irradiation; Task IV consists of the formulation of specification for a complete data logging and computer system.

Summary: Initial critical heat flux, transition boiling temperature fluctuation, and film boiling coefficient data have been obtained on a two-rod cluster assembly at 1000 psia and 25 to 90 percent steam qualities. A representation showing the range of critical heat flux data is presented. Typical temperature recordings which indicate transition and film boiling behavior are shown. Fabrication of a new high pressure observational test section is nearly complete. An optical table and illumination system has been build and operationally tested for photographic use on the new observational section.

The United States and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), on May 29, and June 18, 1958, signed an agreement which provides a basis for co-operation in programs for the advancement of the peaceful applications of atomic energy. The work described in this report represents the Joint U.S.-Euratom effort. The over-all development program is designed to obtain the test data and operating experience necessary to eventually realize a 50 percent increase in the output of the Garigliano Nuclear Power Station located at Sessa Aurunca (Campania, Italy). Two tasks are in progress: Task III-F involves the preparation of test specimens of reactor vessel material for irradiation; Task IV consists of the formulation of specification for a complete data logging and computer system.

Technical report describing that void measurements were made in the 1/2-inch by 1-3/4-inch rectangular channel, for both flow up and flow down, at pressures of 600, 1000, and 1400 psia, and at various flows and quantities. Results at 1000 psia and 20 percent quality show that for the lowest flow both the void distribution and the average void are much different for flow down than for flow up, the void fraction for flow down being much higher. However, when the flow is increased both the void distribution and average void for flow down tend to approach the corresponding values for flow up. At 1000 psia, both flow up and flow down, the void fraction for 5 percent quality increases gradually from the wall to the center of the channel, and peaks at the center. At 20 percent quality, the void fraction increases abruptly from the wall and tends to be constant over the middle 65 percent of the channel. the void fraction for flow down is always greater than for flow up, other things being equal.

Quarterly progress report on Accurate Nuclear Fuel Burnup Analysis project.

A program is in progress for the design of a zirconium base alloy for steam service as nuclear fuel cladding. Thirty-one alloys selected for study of corrosion rate, hydriding rate and hydrogen embrittlement are in test. The corrosion testing of 1800 coupons to 3000 hours at at 300, 400, and 500 degrees C in refreshed steam has been completed. Statistical data analysis of the corrosion results are reported and alloys showing better corrosion performance at all test temperatures than that for Zircaloy-1 are discussed. Preliminary data for hydrogen uptake after long exposures at 400 and 500 degrees C are presented; the uptake for alloys showing the best corrosion performance is discussed. Post-corrosion mechanical property measurements are also reported along with the preliminary results of x-ray diffraction and metallographic studies relating to hydrogen embrittlement. A wide variation in resistance to embrittlement at a given hydrogen level was observed and can be tentatively correlated with original ductility, crystallographic texture, and hydride platelet orientation. The testing of a second round of ten alloys is also in progress. Studies concerning the mechanism of corrosion and hydriding in zirconium alloy are also reported. The results of recent neutron activation analyses of stripped corrosion films are …

Introduction: The purpose of this technical report is to review the water chemistry methods and equipment developed for use with the Maritime Loop Irradiation Program conducted in the General Electric Test Reactor (GETR) from December 2, 1960 to July 19, 1962. Special emphasis is given to areas having general application to other high purity water systems. The Appendix includes a discussion of specific conductivity and pH in high purity water systems. A major section of this report is devoted to a review of gross activity levels on coupons of two different surface finishes exposed in the loop coolant system for various time intervals. A major objective of the chemistry program was to select or develop analytical methods such that the analyses could be performed at the loop location by technical personnel who normally operate the loop. By this means, frequent samples were obtained and analyzed directly thus providing close monitoring and control of the loop water chemistry at minimum expense.

The United States and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), on May 29, and June 18, 1958, signed an agreement which provides a basis for co-operation in programs for the advancement of the peaceful applications of atomic energy. The work described in this report represents the Joint U.S.-Euratom effort. The over-all development program is designed to obtain the test data and operating experience necessary to eventually realize a 50 percent increase in the output of the Garigliano Nuclear Power Station located at Sessa Aurunca (Campania, Italy). Two tasks are in progress: Task III-F involves the preparation of test specimens of reactor vessel material for irradiation; Task IV consists of the formulation of specification for a complete data logging and computer system.

Introduction: The Transition Boiling Heat Transfer Program is sponsored jointly by the USAEC and Euroatom and is being conducted by the General Electric Company. The work commenced on this program February 11, 1963. The objective of this program is to perform basic investigation and measurement of the transition boiling regime in high pressure bulk boiling water flows, with particular emphasis i the high range of steam qualities.

From introduction: "Development of nuclear reactor cores having high power density, long fuel life, and low fabrication costs is the objective of this program sponsored by the AEC."

Quarterly report describing progress on the EVESR Nuclear Superheat Fuel Development Project.