Abstract: "Thirty-four uranium ingots containing controlled amounts of carbon, nitrogen, and Mgl2 slag were cast, rolled, and examined to investigate the relation between these impurities and the quality of the rolled rod. Carbon in concentrations up to 1400 ppm and nitrogen up to 170 ppm, either singly or in combination, had no significant effect on the number of defects observed in the rolled rod. The quality of the rods, however decreased with increasing amount of slag necessary to cause observable differences in the rod could not be detected on analysis, but was visible in the microstructure."

Abstract: "A possible method of cooling a liquid-fuel reactor is by spraying liquid metal through the liquid fuel, and then circulating the liquid metal through a heat exchanger. To evaluate the effectiveness of this cooling method, a few simple experiments were made with mercury sprayed through water. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that this method was intrinsically a low-power-density method, which could not find application except where a low fissionable-material inventory was the dominating requirement in a low-power reactor. Even there, it is thought that a boiling homogeneous reactor might be superior. The results are reported, in spite of their probably lack of value in the reactor program, simply to make the record complete."

Technical report describing the building of safety devices and features for the Oak Ridge reactor by the Reactor Safeguard Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission. Outlines the difficulties encountered in detailed design and construction operations for the facility.

Introduction: "When uranium slugs are irradiated in the Hanford piles, one of the many substances formed is U-237. It arises primarily from the reaction: U-238 (n,2n) U-237. This uranium isotope is a beta and gamma emitter with a half-life of 6.7 days. Because it is isotopic with U-238, it accompanies the uranium recovered by the Redox Process, and its concentration is, of course, not diminished by the fission-product decontamination cycles. As a consequence, the maximum total decontamination of irradiated uranium which can be achieved depends upon the quantity of U-237 present in the processed uranium."

"An investigation of the chemical effects of 1-Mev electrons on BrF3 at 25 degrees C has been carried out. Pressure measurements taken during the irradiation suggest the presence of Br2 and BrF5 as decomposition products and a fractional distillation of the irradiated liquid confirmed their presence. The extent of decomposition was determined both by fraction distillation and spectrophotometric methods. The radiation effect seemed to reach saturation when approximately 10 per cent of the BrF3 was destroyed. The exposure necessary for the decomposition products to reach a concentration of half the saturated value was calculated to be 2.7 microampere hours/cc BrF3 while the "G" value was found to be 1.5. A qualitative comparison of irradiation dosages from the Statiltron with that expected from spent fuels revealed that little decomposition of BrF3 reagent is to be expected from 1-say cooled Hanford fuel (in pile for 100 days) while in the case of 1-day cooled MTR type fuel (in pile for 12 days) a saturated effect might be realized in 1-3 hours. Since at most only 10 per cent of the BrF3 is destroyed it is concluded that BrF3, from a radiation resistance standpoint, is a suitable standpoint, is a suitable reagent for …

Abstract. Thorium peroxide was precipitated from thorium nitrate solutions containing varying amounts of sulfate ion and of hydrogen ion. The washed solids were analyzed both wet and dry. Analyses were made for thorium, peroxide oxygen, sulfate, nitrate, and water contents. X-ray powder photographs of the dried samples by W.H. Zachariasen showed the presence of only two phases. When precipitated from high sulfuric acid, the solid phase was isomorphous with Th(OO)SO4.3H20. More weakly acid solutions whose sulfate content was varied over wide limits [SO4--/Th(IV) (in solution before precipitation) = 0.005 to 67.0] yielded a solid, isomorphous with thorium peroxide nitrate and containing 3.0 to 3.8 peroxide oxygen atoms for each thorium atom. The sulfate content of this latter phase varied continuously between the limits SO4--/Th(IV) = 0.34 to 0.01 with nitrate ion present when the sulfate content was very low. This continuous variation in composition is in agreement with the previously proposed structure of this phase.

Abstract: "Observations of refracted sound waves from atomic tests at the Nevada and Pacific Proving Grounds are evaluated to show temperature and winds in the ozonosphere. A simplified method of making these interpretations is presented to reduce the computation work load normally associated with atmospheric sound studies."

"Uranium foil 0.001 inch thick was made by rolling cast specimens at 600°C in a steel jacket and cold rolling the resulting 0.012-inch-thick strip to the desired thickness. The foil was of excellent quality, having no pin holes and only very slight cracking."

Abstract: "A radioactive tracer, Fe^59, was used to determine the disposition of iron as a result of the excitation of a U3O8 matrix in a d - c arc. Two different spectrographic procedures, both using carrier distillation excitation techniques, were compared as to the percent of iron volatilized, the percent of iron diffused into the electrode and the percent of iron remaining in the residual charge."

Summary: The justification of using polyethylene whose hydrogen density of 0.132 gm/cm³ with a distributed void of 15.9 percent as a mockup of water at 70°F and having a hydrogen density of 0.111 gm/cm³ was tested in the FCE. A mockup close to the BORAX core was built and its critical mass determined. Corrections were calculated for differences in the hydrogen desnity and self shielding of the fuel. The effective FCE critical mass agreed with that of the BORAX core to within one percent.

The primary purpose of this joint USAEC-Euratom program is to obtain a better understanding if the maximum achievable operating characteristics of UO2 as a reactor fuel. During the program work will be performed in two areas that have been of concern to reactor core designers for a long time, namely fission gas release and central melting in fuel rods.

A report about thermal-conductivity and electrical-resistivity measurements made on a uranium-1.5 w/o zirconium alloy surrounded by NaK enclosed in a Zircaloy-2 capsule which were in poor agreement with measurements made directly on a uranium-1.5 w/o zirconium specimen.

A report which concludes information pertaining to WAPD concerned with the development of PWR fuel materials and fuel elements.

A report which is about an investigation to determine the solubility of uranium in thorium.

This report is being submitted to provide information and data on the planning and installation of a new mechanized drawing system which utilizes a new drawing index system and a 35mm microfilm image in a standard IBM card. The communication of engineering information to date has been primarily the full size contact print produced by exposing and developing light sensitive material. This method produces legible copies; but, it has the following disadvantages : (a) the original drawings are fragile, and become dirty and worn through excessive use and handling; (b) the sensitized paper has a limited shelf life; (c) the reproduction cycle is slow because it requires hand feeding and adjustment of the reproduction machine to the condition of the original; (d) the prints are large and unwieldy to handle as working documents; and (e) the filling of originals and copies is slow and expensive. In addition, providing reference prints which are accessible to engineering personnel in the widely separated areas from a central file and reproduction facility is slow, expensive and time consuming.

A continuous gamma-monitoring instrument capable of measuring the activity of the product of the Uranium Recovery plant has been developed and applied under process conditions. It has a detection limit of 15% and a normal range of up 1000% of the activity of natural uranium. Activity measurements made with this instrument have shown good correlation with laboratory determinations and are contributing to improved control of the solvent extraction process.

The approaches to the solution of the problem of removing or nullifying the effect of the hydrolysis of uranyl ion on acid titrations were: 1) use of a complexing agent and titration technique suitable for micro samples; 2) addition of a reagent that reacts with uranium to release 1 or 2 equivalents of acid per mole of uranium present (this permits correcting the titration value for the acid contributed by the uranium, or conversely permits an alkimetric titration of uranium); 3) separation of the uranium and acid with subsequent titration of the acid; and 4) direct titration of the sample with base. All these approaches yielded at least one method suitable for titrating acid in micro samples of uranium nitrate solutions.

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.

Phase I - Plant Transient Analysis. Behavior of the basic and refined kinetic models differs only slightly. It is therefore suggested that the basic model be used in any studies where the improvement in fidelity attainable fro the refined model is not warranted by the complexities introduced by the addition of function generator to the analog circuitry and derivation of the function to be programmed. The parameter responses of both kinetic models appear to be essentially similar to those of the plant with the exception of the primary pressure. In the pressurizer analysis it was noted that the primary system pressure surges of the model should be higher than those of the plant because of the adiabatic steam compression assumed in the model derivation. the fact that the mode surge is very much greater indicates that the compression process is far from adiabatic. A more detailed and complex model of the pressurizer, one that evaluates heat transfer in the steam pocket boundaries, would therefore reduce the costly conservatism otherwise necessary in the specification of pressurizer vessel size. Phase II - Xenon Reactivity Transients. On the basis of this study an analog computer circuit has been presented which accurately represents bank …

Design and construction of remote control equipment for plutonium metal production are described. Criteria for the design of the equipment included the following: rubber gloves were to be completely eliminated; all mechanisms were to be built as integral units to facilitate replacement through use of the plastic- bag technique; no accessory equipment such as switches, valves, piping, or cylinders were to be inside the contaminated enclosure unless required to handle the plutonium; and all units were to be tested in mockups before final design. The chemical process, general layout, and operating function are outlined. Descriptions are given of all mechanical units, electrical systems, hydroxide slurry systems, ventilation systems, and chemical tanks and manifolds. (W.L.H.)

"The composition of the solder for the solder plug has been set as the tin-silver eutectic. Final tests on this solder show that life expectancies much longer than 6 months are probable with the current design. The design of the heater tube to contain the solder plug has been settled. This consists of a copper tube impregnated with U235O2. Arrangements have been made to have test specimens fabricated by powder metallurgy techniques. The equipment for the MTR in-pile test of trigger element response times has been largely completed and tested. The design of the complete inner capsule for the BF3 safety element has been developed as well as the cladding technique. Mock-up elements have been tested in the Hanford test reactor to determine the control that may be obtained with elements of this type, although the analysis of the results has not been made. Prototype elements are also ready for testing in the test pile, except for loading with B10F3. Experiments have been designed and submitted for approval for production pile tests of prototype."

The slowing down spectra of neutrons were obtained for heavy water, light water, and mixtures of heavy water and light water. It was assumed that fission neutrons are produced uniformly throughout an infinite moderator and the only process considered was elastic scattering, spherically symmetric in the center-of-mass system. The (n,2n) reaction with the deuterium nucleus and absorption were assumed negligible. The average transfer cross section, fast diffusion coefficient, the slowing down area, and average velocity ratio were obtained for two-group calculations using the epithermal spectra. (auth).