This report follows investigations of methods for sealing the ends of stainless steel-uranium oxide fuel pins with the objective to develop an end-capping method that would give consistently good-quality closures in production.

Report discussing experiments conducted under the Livermore "Waldo" project to determine "(1) surface densities attainable in a supersonic mercury vapor jet stream, (2) the approximate efficiency of a mercury jet for neutralizing a proton beam, and (3) the mercury partial pressure contribution in the bore due to side streaming from the mercury jet."

Some months ago, the Engineering Department was requested to make an evaluation estimate of the cost of obtaining approximately 150,000 gpm of cooling water from shallow ponds or from cooling towers. Their conclusions (see DPWZ-5305) were (1) that both schemes were feasible and each produced cooling water of approximately the same annual average temperature; (2) the cooling towers could be built more quickly, largely because no additional engineering data were required before construction would start; and (3) the cooling ponds probably would be cheaper. Data obtained from Clark Hill Reservoir in Georgia and Woods Reservoir in Tennessee indicated that significant reductions in the temperature of the cooling water could be made if the water were withdrawn from the deep portion of the reservoir rather than from the surface. Also, it appeared that the water from a reservoir 100 feet deep would be significantly colder than the water obtained from the reservoir only 40 feet deep. The studies reported herein were an attempt to evaluate the benefits that would accrue from obtaining cooling water from a deep lake rather than from a shallow pond.

The September, 1956 monthly report for the Chemical Processing Department of Hanford Atomic Products Operation includes information regarding research and engineering efforts with respect to the Purex and Redox process technology. Also discussed is the production operation, finished products operation, power and general maintenance, financial operation, engineering and research operations, and employee operations. (MB)

A technique has been devised for the non-destructive determination of the uranium hydride and/or iron content in uranium fuel slugs of Hanford size. The technique, an adaptation of the Gouy method for measuring magnetic susceptibilities, is based on the ferromagnetic properties of the hydride below 173 deg K. A large electromagnet and a pain balance are utilized in measuring the magnetic forces on a vertically suspended slug at liquid nitrogen temperatures and at room temperature. It was found possible to test as many as 250 slugs per eight-hour day in this manner. (auth)

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The special study group was activated by a charter letter from Sub-Section Managers of Pile Technology on June 20, 1956. The principal objectives were: to collect the information which is presently available for new reactor design and to determine what information should be developed; to make a guess at pile variables; and to point out development programs which must be pursued to achieve a detailed design start in two years. The study was restricted to graphite moderated reactors with H{sub 2}0, D{sub 2}0, and organic coolants. The program was to determine technical feasibility only and detailed economic considerations were not to be included. This report presents the conclusions of the group and some of the reasoning behind these conclusions.

Memorandum presenting an experimental investigation in which liquid hydrogen was used as a heat sink for turbine-cooling in a high-temperature turbojet engine. Several problems were revealed which will require special attention in future work. The primary issue was pressure surging in the fuel system, which presented a problem in flow measurement and control.

"The similarity rules for linearized compressible flow theory (Gothert's rule and its supersonic counterpart) are extended to second order. It is shown that any second-order subsonic flow can be related to "nearly incompressible" flow past the same body, which can be calculated by the Janzen-Rayleigh method" (p. 925).

Report presenting a theoretical investigation to determine the static and dynamic characteristics of a control-surface actuator and missile combination, with primary consideration given to the minimization of the effects of Mach number and altitude.The results indicate that the type of actuator studied in combination with a missile might replace a gain-adjusted acceleration control system. Results regarding the control-system static characteristics, control-system dynamic characteristics, comparison of torposervo and position-servo actuation, and some suggestions for further research are provided.

Experimental procedures for testing the HRT coolingwater system and its components are presented. The cooling-water system is a closed system consisting of three parallel circuits fed by a single circulating pump fed from a forced draft cooling tower and supply reservoir. In the event of radioactive contamination of the cooling-water system the tower supply lines are equipped with block valves that confine the solutions to the reactor cell, and after shutdown heat may be removed by discharging contaminated cooling water to the cell. Failure of the circuevert of radioactive contamination of the cooling- water system the tower supply lines are equipped with block valves that confine the solutions to the reactor cell, and after shutdown heat may be removed by discharging contaminated cooling water to the cell. Failure of the circulating pump will actuate a valve that will permit convection cooling to take place within a closed circuit. (auth)

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This document details activities of the Works Technical Department during the month of March 1956. It covers reactor technology, separations technology, engineering assistance and heavy water technology.

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A pneumatic proportional-plus -integral shock-positioning control unit was investigated for controlling a ram-jet engine at a flight Mach number of 2.5 and altitudes of 50,000 to 65,000 feet. A satisfactory of attack, the control action was marginal for the same control settings used at zero angle of attack.