This report deals with a group of both theoretical and experimental investigations which have been carried out, utilizing Core 15, one in a series of critical assemblies that have been constructed at Atomics International's Epithermal Critical Experiments Laboratory (ECEL).

Activities in a program to develop techniques in the use of pulsed neutron sources to measure shutdown parameters related to large thermal power reactors are reported. In the course of this program, a new theory was suggested and an experimental apparatus was designed and built. Experiments were carried out to test the new model. This present report contains additional data and information extracted from the experiments at PG&E Humboldt Bay Power Reactor at Eureka, California. During the last days of 1963 a number of control rod and fuel bundle worth measurements were made in the ESADA Vallecitos Experimental Superheat Reactor (EVESR) using the (k[beta]/[script l] technique. A description of the experiments is given in the text of the report and some results are reported. A computer program was written to perform the data analysis of the pulsed neutron experiments and the code is discussed in the Appendix.

Task A: Modification and Preparation of Experimental Facility. Facility engineering and layout is about seventy-five percent complete. Task B: Design and Construction of Test Sections. The major dimensions and characteristics of the metal and glass test sections have been calculated. One feasibility test of the electrically conducting coating on samples of glass tubing has been completed. Task C: Design and Construction of Test Stand, Task E: Pressure and Temperature Instrumentation for Test Section and Task F: Power Supply for Test Section. Preliminary engineering has been initiated on these tasks. The planned approach has been defined in each case. For Task E the transducer specifications have been defined and quotations on and/or sample units of the transducers have been requested. Tasks C and F can proceed with detailing as soon as drafting on Task B is about 50 percent complete. This point is scheduled to be reached during the first part of July. Task D: Void Fraction Instrumentation. The requirements for the x-ray instrumentation have been considered in the course of Task B and the x-ray power supply is presently on hand. The detailed engineering effort on this task is not scheduled to begin before July.

Two principle reasons exist for the extension of high pressure research to temperatures near absolute zero. First, the comparison of certain data with theory (such as the pressure-volume relationship) is more meaningful if the effects of thermal vibrations can be ignored. Second, there are phenomena which can be studied only at low temperatures. These include superconductivity, the properties of solid helium and other inert gases, some electronic phenomena, etc.

Report that describes the research and developments of the Nuclear Safety Research and Development Program of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Program written to perform polynomial least squares fits on the the IBM 7090 computer.

"An analysis is presented of the accidental release of activity following the operation of the NS "Savannah" at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation docks in Camden, New Jersey. Although a number of accidents are considered, the report is primarily concerned with the environmental activity levels and subsequent exposures which would result from the "maximum credible accident" (p. v).

From foreword: This report presents the results of a study on the stability of phosphors under high energy beta radiation.

Report documenting ongoing research and development carried out by the Instrumentation and Controls Division of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

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

Geologic map of the Crooks Map District, Freemont District, Wyoming showing core drill holes prepared for a report by U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Grand Junction Office.

Discussing a drilling program planned to investigate the lithology and internal stratigraphy of the Wasatch formation and to determine the depth to the underlying surface of unconformity of the basal contact of the Wasatch formation.

Abstract: A transistor trip circuit intended for critical assemblies and which provides maximum safety against human error or component failure is described.

Report that "is a supplement to IDO-16332, "The Engineering Test Reactor Critical Facility Hazards Summary Report", presenting information on the conduct in the Facility of certain experiments which are expected to be operated in the Engineering Test Reactor" (p. 3).

"One of the limitations of the Zircex Process is the large percentage loss of U which is carried off with the volatile ZrCl/sub 4/. Since the ratio of U to Zr in the fuel element is quite small (< 1%), a large percentage of U loss can be caused by small amounts of U in the ZrCl/sub 4/ sublimate. The U loss must be kept below 1% if the Zircex Process is to be adapted to industrial scale processing."

From abstract; "Two basic instruments were developed for determining the concentration of uranium in solutions. Both instruments detect the gamma activity present in a sample solution, and interpret this analysis into direct presentation as parts per million."

Report issued by the Brookhaven National Laboratory discussing a hazards report on replacing the research center's current fuel elements with new highly enriched elements. As stated in the introduction, "this report is a summary of the studies, both theoretical and experimental, which have been made so far of the nuclear properties of the "new" pile, of the stability of the new fuel elements, and of the safety and practicability of operation of the "new" pile" (p. 2). This report includes tables, and illustrations.

Introduction: A proposal for using an energetic neutral deuteron beam for injection into a mirror machine has been made by Eugene Lauer. This report describes an experimental attempt to produce a large neutral deuteron beam. The beam from the NTA ion source was passed through a target of hydrogen gas where the charge exchange mechanics produced a beam of energetic neutral deuterium atoms.

Two methods are described for extending the Thomas-Fermi model of a compressed atom to molecules or mixtures of the type Z Zn. The methods are applied to H2O at zero temperature to determine pressure and internal energy as functions of the density, the position of the protons relative to the oxygen nucleus, and the electrostatic potential distribution within the molecule.

Part A. The major effort during the past year has been the construction of a suitable vacuum furnace for studying the effects of temperature and pressure on the wettability of metals by glass. A systems was completed that was capable of subjecting test combinations up to temperatures of 1400 degree C at a working pressure of 1 x 10(-5) mm. of Hg. Part B. A compound, identified by X-ray analysis as sodium meta tantalate (na2Ta2O6), was found at the interface between a sodium silicate glass and tantalum metal which had been heated in vacuum to 1000 degree C. thermodynamic calculations, followed by further experimental evidence, were used to determine the chemical reaction between tantalum and sodium silicate which resulted in the formation of Na2Ta3O6. the compound was synthesized by other methods, and its structure investigated.

Abstract: "Since the first report on the use of amines as uranium extractants (ORNL-1734) over eighty additional organo-nitrogen compounds have been examined for their ability to extract uranium from aqueous solutions, particularly sulfate solutions, of the types usually encountered in uranium ore processing. As before, the more promising of these (as well as other compounds previously reported) have been examined further with respect to other characteristics essential to practical application, i.e., reagent loss to the aqueous phase, compatibility with practicable diluents, influence of commonly present anions, reagent stability, sufficient selectivity for uranium, adequate phase separation properties, compatibility with practicable stripping methods, etc. The potential cost and availability of the reagents tested, i.e., certain secondary and tertiary amines, have shown even greater promise as practicable extraction agents than many of the promising compounds previously tested. In addition to the work with sulfate liquors, cursory studies have been made of uranium extraction from fluoride and sulfate-fluoride solutions. Extractions of other metals from sulfate liquors, i.e., titanium and thorium, have been briefly examined."

A generalization of the Lindemann law is used in connection with the Murnaghan equation of state for a solid to derive theoretically the empirical Simon equation for the fusion curve. For the alkali metals it is shown that experimental values of the temperature exponent in the Simon equation are quantitatively compatible with the theoretical evaluation given, and, furthermore, that the theory can predict approximate values of the experiment, in practice.

Abstract: "The deuterium plasma which is ejected by a 6000-ampere pulsed current through a rail-type spark source has a yield in the forward direction which is a factor of 5 to 10 greater than that in the perpendicular direction. This effect is believed to be due to the magnetic propulsion of the plasma."

As an aid in forecasting possible blast damage in areas distant from a bomb burst point, a special-purpose electronic analog computer has been developed. Sound ray paths (orthogonal trajectories to sound wave front) are computed as a function of meteorological conditions.