From abstract: "A continuous countercurrent solid-liquid contactor has been developed which retains the desirable features of the conventional fixed bed and gains the advantages of countercurrent flow. It can be adapted to many solid-liquid mass-transfer processes such as ion exchange, silica gel adsorption, and ore leaching."

Technical report investigating the corrosion resistance of thorium and thorium alloys containing from 2 to 6% chromium, columbinium (niobium), titanium, zirconium and titanium-zirconium in distilled water at 95ºC. The true effects of the various alloy additions could not be determined because of the more marked effect of cold working. [From Abstract]

Technical report presenting a consideration of the characteristics of fused salt-ThF4 solutions suitable for use in homogeneous reactors. Presented in tandem with a brief survey of the literature pertaining to such solutions and a summary of the experimental work accomplished. [From Abstract]

From abstract: "This report presents the laboratory development of the MTR-RaLa Process for the production of barium140 from Materials Testing Reactor assemblies." The laboratory studied four possible chemical schemes with the final process being chosen "on the basis of chemical yield and purity of product, ease of recovery of uranium235, simplicty of equipment, and overall time required for processing" (from introduction).

Calculations indicate that single-transfer line concatenated pulse column systems can be operated with static pressures that are not excessive if a sufficient number of vessels are employed in the system. The required number of vessels can be attained by using a series of short columns or by using holdup pots in conjunction with a limited number of columns.

Data on waste volumes and heat generation of several reactor fuels which may be reprocessed in the Power Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Pilot Plant at ORNL are tabulated.

The successful completion of a program of experiments, including the Aircraft Reactor Experiment (ARE), has demonstrated the high probability of producing militarily useful aircraft nuclear power plants employing reflector-moderated circulating-fuel reactors. Consequently, and accelerated program culminating in operation of the Aircraft Reactor Test (ART) is under way. In order to adhere to the compressed schedule of the accelerated program, it is essential that the Atomic Energy Commission approve the 7500 Area in Oak Ridge as the test site by February15, 1955. This report summarizes the hazards associated with operating the contained 60-Mv reactor of the ART at the proposed Oak Ridge test site.

Report documenting the ongoing research and developments of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Homogeneous Reactor Project.

Laboratory fabrication and testing of an inline densimeter.

Report issued by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory discussing quarterly progress made by the Homogeneous Reactor Program. Descriptions of progress and studies conducted are presented. This report includes tables, illustrations, and photographs.

The 0.045m UO2SO4, 0.036m CuSO4, 0.025 m H2SO4 solution (HRT fuel composition) was chemically stable during 1, 866hr of operation at 280ºC and 1500 psi. The system was pressurized by boiling a 0.4 gpm stream of the fuel in a titanium heat exchanger at 313ºC.

The thickness of an oxide film on phosphor bronze helices was determined by first establishing the oxygen content of the helix "as received" and after cleansing with nitric acid. Based on the assumption that the difference between these two values was the oxygen in the film, and that the film consisted entirely of cupric oxide, the thickness of the film was calculated from the density of cupric oxide, weight of the film, and surface area of film. A value of 1080 A was calculated as the thickness by this method.

This report supersedes ORNL CF-57-2-1, which was an extension and revision of ORNL CF-54-6-72. Details concerning a recommended system of flow-plan symbols and drawing are given. The system is designed to identify the function of all major instrument components and to show schematically the operation of the instrument relative to the particular process. The system is used for identification and designation. The system is a modification of the Instrument Society of American Recommended Practice (RP 5.1).

A simplified method was developed for calculating wall-scatter gamma radiation escaping through a shield opening. The method was applied to the HRT and the results showed that next to the line of sight contribution, scattering of the wall of the shield opening was the main contribution to the dose at the rear edge of the shield. Design charts were prepared that give the dose as a function of the gamma source location with the reactor cell.

A literature study has been made of rates for the reaction of oxygen with high-purity artificial graphite. Values from a number of sources have been expressed on a common basis which provides approximate correction for the retarding effects of oxygen diffusion in the graphite pores. The corrected rates can be correlated by the equation k = 7.24 x 10^9 exp (-22 100/T), where k has units of weight fraction oxidized per hour and T as in °K. Effects of oxygen concentration, solid and gas-phase contaminants, and radiation on the observed rates are discussed. Methods for estimating rates and spatial distribution of heat release during graphite oxidation are presented. These should be of value in analyzing the hazard of a graphite fire following a coolant system rupture in a gas-cooled, graphite-moderated reactor.

The friction characteristics of a full-scale straight-tube model of the ART fuel-to-NaK heat exchanger were determined experimentally. The presence of the spacers resulted in a transition to semi-turbulent flow at a Reynolds modulus of 350. this semi-turbulent flow persisted up to a Reynolds modulus of 5,000. The circumferential spacers were found to contribute slightly more than the radial spacers to the pressure loss in the heat exchanger.

Analyses are generally made at the ORR with a view toward determining the surface temperatures of fuel plates.

A review of helium sources, availability, consumption, and future production capacity indicates that the helium consumed in the operation of 100 helium-cooled reactors for 300-Mwe power plants over a 20-year period will run no more than a few per cent of the helium consumed in the U. S. in the next 25 years and less than 1% of the helium that is to be stored during that period under the helium conservation act of 1960 (Public Law 86-777).