In the light of Redox Plant performance since the start-up on 2-3-55, coupled with a review of the technological factors involved in the current flowsheet, a departure from the process program outlined in HW-34882 is herewith presented as an addendum to that document which will also serve to detail the corresponding items in the latest Redox Test Program, HW-35069. The purposes of this document are to: (1) Discuss the need for modifications of the program given in HW-34882, and (2) Present the details of the proposed revisions.

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This report details a meeting at Sylvania Electric Products, Inc. to discuss the status of uranium fuel element fabrication by power metallurgical techniques.

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The effects of variables on the rate of Purex solvent deterioration were investigated with the emphasis on those deterioration products which cannot be removed by carbonate washing. The deterioration rate was found to be directly proportional to the acid and nitrate ion concentrations, and proportional to the square root of the concentration of nitrite ion. Other observations on the effects of temperature, relative merits of brand name solvents, and the effects of radiation are included. A method of calculating the equilibrium level of the solvent deterioration products based on study conclusions and various estimates is outlined. (J.R.D.)

The economics of waste disposal by pit storage when the geological location of the pits does not coincide with the location of the processing plant are considered. Optimum cooling times before shipment were determined for 250gallon batches of Purex-type waste. Three distances between processing and disposal sites, and three unit storage costs were considered. It was concluded that as the storage cost increases it becomes economical to ship shorter-cooled waste, and as the shipping distance increases, it becomes economical to store waste longer. In the case of 30/gal/yr storage, for 200 miles shipment, essentially no storage should be provided beyond that required for surge in filling carriers. For less highly irradiated material, the optima would shift in the direction of shorter cooling times. Data are tabulated and presented graphically. (C.H.)

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A considerable number of major improvements have been made in experimental facilities this quarter. These include four targets, three air locks, a deep well, and several thin windows for beam extraction in the target area. Simultaneous operation of up to five experiments has been achieved with a relay-controlled automatic operations selector. A beam-amplitude regulating device has been used to set the beam level on any pulse to within a few percent. The range of this equipment is 1000:1. Experimentation on the accelerator this quarter included measurements of start frequency and frequency-tracking jitter, beam-versus-radial-aperture measurements, empirical study of gas scattering effects, and preliminary testing of an automatic beam-controlled frequency-tracking system. High-energy physics experiments have been performed by ten groups within this laboratory. These groups are using counter techniques for the elastic proton-proton scattering, K-particle half-life determination, and {pi}{sup -}-meson cross-section measurements. A high-pressure hydrogen diffusion chamber is being used to study multiple production of {pi}{sup -} mesons. A strong-focusing pair spectrometer has been used to produce beams of K particles. Emulsion exposures have been made to determine the masses and mean lifetimes of K mesons. The interactions and modes of decay of K{sup {+-}} mesons at rest, as well as in …