A new concept for separation of the isotopes of uranium has been developed. The invention consists of a new process with essentially no moving parts. The new process is called the Ionized Vapor Process and is described in this report.

The technical basis and criteria for five requirements are presented. Requirement 1 is that the coproduct target element shall be compatible with the driver element in the environment of the N-Reactor primary loop. Requirement 2 is that the target element shall be compatible with nuclear safety requirements under all credible accident conditions. Requirement 3 is that the coproduct element shall be unmistakable from other fuel element models in use or expected to be in use during the period 1966-68. Requirement 4 is that the target element shall have a degree of reliability that is compatible with reactor performance objectives. Requirement 5 is that the target element shall be compatible with procedures for post-irradiation processing.

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This report details an interlaboratory cooperative study undertaken on neutron flux spectral measurements, calculations, and data correlation for reactor irradiation and physics study by various sites. The Testing portion of this study was the irradiation of a wide variety of flux monitors in a special snout capsule holder. The attached sketch shows the capsule holder design, facility design, and the capsule position in relation to adjacent process tubes. A summary of the irradiations performed is provided.

The fission product, promethium-147, would be much more desirable as a heat-producing radioisotope if it were not in such short supply. C.A. Rohrmann`s chart ``Characteristics of Radioisotopic Heat Sources`` lists the annual availability of Pm-147 as 5-5 kw, corresponding to about 17 kg. Hence, consideration has been given to irradiation of neodymium-146 in order to augment the supply of Pm-147, A method for separating Nd-146 from other neodymium isotopes does not exist today. This memorandum presents the results of a brief look at the irradiation of mixed neodymium isotopes which are available without isotopic separation.

Data for the vertical bowing of tubes 1574, 3074, and 4574 at different distances from the inlet flange are given in table form. The data were taken on January 17, 1966.