This report is a progress report detailing operations and ongoing projects at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The report describes new developments with buildings and progress regarding ongoing experiments. The report includes photographs showing progress in the construction of the reactor and other images and figures that accompany the descriptions of projects.

Abstract. thorium can be precipitated as a salt of p-dimethylaminoazophenylarsonic acid at a pH of about 1.5. the precipitate, collected on a sintered glass filter is washed with dilute ammonium hydroxide to dissolve the dye. the amount of thorium is determined by measuring the concentration of the dye spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 450 millimicrons. Zirconium, which interferes, can be separated and determined using the same reagent in strong hydrochloric. the behavior of thorium metal upon treatment with various acids and upon fusion withKHSO4 is described. three satisfactory procedures are given for dissolving the metal with sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and by a potassium hydrogen sulfate fusion. The laboratory was presented with the problem of analyzing for a large number of elements in O2 metal. the results of a systematic study of methods for effecting solution of the metal are offered here since they may be of some interest and use to other laboratories. The four methods which effected complete solution of the metal are (1) Sulfuric acid method; (2) Fusion method; (3) Phosphoric acid method; and (4) Nitric acid-hydrofluoric acid method.

From Abstract : "The thermal diffusivities of pure silicon and of Armco iron have been measures from 300 to 1400°K. The specific heats of the same materials have been measured over the same temperature range."

The critical mass of 94-239 and the corresponding critical dimensions of homogeneous mixtures of 94-239 with various moderating media been calculated as a function of the concentration of 94. A simple transformation makes the figures applicated to92-235. the results are in essential agreement with the preliminary estimated made independently by Oppenheimer and Serber. The problem of the stability of a chain reaction in solution and questions of protection are discussed.

Report discussing the results of an investigation of a test for statistical consistency of counter-scaler units.

Summary: Heat transfer tests employing the two-rod test section without film tripping devices have been completed. Representations defining critical heat flux, transition boiling and film boiling behavior at high pressures and over a steam quality range of 25 to 90 percent are shown. Fabrication of a new observational test section was completed and initial test results with high-speed motion pictures were obtained. A test loop instability which was found to affect transition boiling behavior was detected and partially eliminated.

Progress is reported on (1) experimental breeder reactor program, (2) solvent extraction, (3) fluoride volatilization separation process, (4) elevated temperature separations, (5) denitration of uranyl nitrate in a fluidized bed, (6) development of analytical techniques, (7) processing and utilization of radioactive wastes.

"This paper deals with the Riemann function for linear hyperbolic systems of first-order equations. the leading term in the singularity of the Riemann function is determined and interpreted. In addition to equations with distinct characteristics, certain equations with multiple characteristics are treated."

A report about thermal conductivity measurements which are made on uranium, uranium-1.5 w/o zirconium, and zircaloy 2 for a program that aims to determine the feasibility of using clad specimens. Results from the measurements indicate that the difference in thermal conductivity values between uranium and uranium-1.5 w/o zirconium is less than the anticipated 5 percent.

A report about the properties of dilute uranium alloys. The mechanical properties of cold worked sirconium and zircaloy 2 at temperatures up to 500 C ore being determined.

Abstract: The current-carrying capacity of Nb- Zr wire has been studied under conditions of swept magnetic field and fixed wire current and of fixed magnetic field and swept wire current. The effects of wire movement, thermal environment, copper coating of the wire, and rate of sweep of wire current or magnetic field have been determined for these conditions of test.

Abstract: This technical report contains a summary of analytical and experimental work performed on SM-1 Core II, with special components is presented. The effects of these special assemblies upon power distribution and core reactivity were calculated and compared to experimental measurements. A thermal analysis was conducted to determine steady state and transient performance of the special test components of the core as well as some of the hotter standard Core II components. Experimental work discussed includes individual reactivity effects of all the special elements and the total effect of all of the elements. Power mappings were also made and are reported.

Experimental data pertinent to the evaluation of hazards involved in the exposure of personnel to tritium and tritium oxide are reviewed. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made with regard to the control of these hazards.

The prompt administration of zirconium citrate was at least twice as effective as the prompt administration of calcium disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (CaEDTA) in preventing deposition of plutonium in the skeleton. On the other hand, CaEDTA was twice as effective as zirconium citrate in preventing the deposition of plutonium in soft tissues. The combined administration of zirconium citrate and CaEDTA was the most effective treatment for preventing the deposition of plutonium in the total rat. Zirconium malate offered no advantage over zirconium citrate, and appeared to be somewhat more toxic. Three doses of the zirconium salts over a four-day period were no more effective than a single dose.

The feasibility of using Teflon bellows as the pulsing device for solvent extraction pulse columns has been previously demonstrated by life test of various sizes of Teflon bellows. This report describes a compact Teflon bellows pulse generator and drive assembly which was designed, built, and tested by the Chemical Development Unit. The pulse generator assembly is suitable for a number of applications where pulse generators are required to pulse solvent extraction columns.

Part 1. The neutron fission cross section of U237 has been measured in a thermal neutron spectrum and in a somewhat degraded fission spectrum. The fission cross section for thermal neutrons is found to be <2 barns; the ratio of the fission cross section of U237 to that of U235 in the degraded fission spectrum is found to be 0.476 +- 15% which corresponds to [formula] in this spectrum equal to 0.66 +- 0.10 barns. Part 2. The average neutron fission cross section of U237 has been measured in a neutron energy range extending from approximately 100 ev to fission spectrum. the average fission cross section in this spectrum is found to be 0.70 +- 0.07 barns. Part 3. The low thermal fission cross section for U237 (<2 barns) indicated that the excitation function for fission probably shows an effective threshold. If the excitation function is like all other heavy element (Z > 90) neutron fission excitation functions, it will exhibit a region of approximate constancy starting at a neutron energy of 0.5 to 1 Mev above its effective threshold and extending to a neutron energy in the neighborhood of 5.5 Mev. A hypothetical excitation function for neutron fission of …

This report describes and evaluates the Hanford 105 reactor building structures' ability to withstand an internal pressure increase. The means by which their roof and wall surface would contain a pressure buildup 0.3 psi, and prevent contaminant release which might accompany a nuclear incident are discussed. Prototypes of the B, D, DR, F, and H reactor block wall configuration, the corrugated transite roof of the K reactors, and the corrugated transite walls of the K and C reactors are evaluated. Methods of securing certain building components are described, and a comparison of several candidate sealant coatings presented for consideration. These tests were performed at the request of the Design Operation, as part of CG-791, an existing reactor containment program. This series of tests represents only a part of the overall modifications program. A study of the reactor building containment design criteria is available in a Hanford document, HW-59236, by T. O. Brown.

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.

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. Five tasks are in progress: (1) Task 1A-High Power Density Fuel Development. All fuel irradiation has been terminated with the final shutdown of the VBWR. The high burnup average achieved by a single assembly in the group is 10,000 MWD/T (assembly 1F). Twenty-one of the original 24 assemblies have failed or are suspected of failure. Profilometer tests rung on HPD assembly 2E, Rod B, indicate that localized clad deformation occurs during operation. (2) Task 1B-Fuel Fabrication Development. Assembly. All fuel irradiation has been terminated with the final shutdown of the VBWR. The highest average burnup achieved by a single assembly in the group was assembly 4S with 8400 MWD/T. All assemblies in the group have failed or are suspected of failure. The Phase I developmental fuel continues to be irradiated in the Big rock Point reactor with the lead assembly having reached 1500 MWD/T. Fifteen phase II developmental assemblies are being construction for insertion at Big Rock Point in March. Engineering is underway to provide one instrumented assembly probe and two spare flowmeters for …

"Several multiplier phototubes produced by England, Russia, or Switzerland were evaluated for amplification, photocathode sensitivity, photo-electron collection efficiency, cathode uniformity, and dark current. A description of the various tubes by designation numbers is given, along nth a description of techniques and equipment used in testing."

The need for thermal and fast neutron fluxes in the range of 1 to 5 x l0/ sup 15/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/(sec) for the production of heavy elements such as Cf/ sup 252/ and other special isotopes and for improving the quality of beam experiments, reactor materials testing work, and solid state research has led to plans for the construction of three ultra high flux research reactors. The designs of these and other high flux research reactors are based on the general technology of enriched tank-type reactors; however, they utilize the principle of separate fuel and moderator regions to achieve flux peaking in these regions. Thus, proposed designs take the form of an annular fuel region with internal and external moderating regions or an under moderated core with an external moderator or reflector. In such arrangements, the thermal flux peaks in the moderating regions and the fast flux peaks in the fuel region, which results in maximum fast and thermal fluxes per unit of power. Since most of the moderation of fast neutrons takes place outside of the fuel region, the thermal flux peaking depends on the number of fast neutrons leaking from the reactor core, which in turn depends on …

Purpose of this research is twofold:: (1) to uncover new principles or techniques from which a CW source of electromagnetic radiation for the low millimeter and submillimeter wavelength range can be developed; and (2) to develop suitable detectors, components, and measuring techniques for evaluating and using the radiation as a diagnostic tool for plasma physics