Abstract: "The mechanical properties of a large number of zirconium alloys have been investigated. These alloys include zirconium-tin and zirconium-tin-uranium. Tensile tests have been run on these alloys at room temperature, 500 F, and 600 F. Hot-hardness data have been obtained from room temperature to 1600 F, with particular emphasis on the hot-rolling range. Creep tests and fatigue tests have been run on a number of zirconium-tin alloys at 500 F."

Abstract: "The mechanical properties of a large number of zirconium alloys have been investigated. These alloys include zirconium-tin and zirconium-tin-uranium. Tensile tests have been run on these alloys at room temperature, 500 F, and 600 F. Hot-hardness data have been obtained from room temperature to 1600 F, with particular emphasis on the hot-rolling range. Creep tests and fatigue tests have been run on a number of zirconium-tin alloys at 500 F."

From introduction: This report covers an investigation of solid-state bonding as a technique for aluminum cladding uranium plates of 3 by 0.180-in. cross section in lengths up to 14 ft.

The following report presents a discussion of the method for hydrodynamic problems, together with some new considerations that have arisen concerning the method.

Abstract: "From neutron-yield measurements made with a MnSO4 detecting solution, the average number of neutrons produced per inelastic event is determined for a series of elements from lithium to uranium for 340-Mev protons, 190-and 315-Mev deuterons, 490-Mev He3 ions, and 90- and 160-Mev neutrons. The results are analyzed in an attempt to understand the total yield measurements for thick targets and to explain the variation of yield with the atomic number of the target."

From introduction: "This paper employs a multigroup method similar to that of J. S. Story, AERE-TR-177 to calculate, for cylindrical geometry, that heat energy source density in graphite due to absorption and Compton scattering of those gammas produced by neutron capture in a water filled cadmium control rod."

Abstract: "A possible mechanism for the generation of magneto-hydrodynamic whirl rings near the center of the sun is described. The organic relation of the reflection of these whirl rings at the surface of the sun to the cooling of sunspots, orientation, and polarity sequence of sunspots, prominences, flares, and faculae is delineated."

"This bibliography lists selected articles on beryllium which have appeared in journals received in the library of the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, California and articles, reports, and books which have appeared in the following abstracting services between January, 1958 and August 1959."

"An experiment to determine the effect of reactor irradiation on the thermal conductivity of uranium-impregnated graphite at elevated temperatures as described. The results show a decrease in the thermal conductivity saturating at [approximately] 60 percent at a temperature of 700 degrees C; at [approximately] 50 percent at a temperature of 1000 degrees C; and at [approximately] 25 percent at a temperature of 1300 degrees C. It was found that after irradiation at a given temperature, exposure at a higher temperature resulted in an increase in the thermal conductivity. The converse was also observed. Within the precision of measurement there was no difference in effed between temperature changes produced by varying the fission rate in the samples and changes produced by varying the power in an external heater."

The apparatus and procedures that are to be used to fill the liquid metal system of the Pratt and Whitney Forced Convection Liquid Metal Inpile Loop are described. The liquid metal to be used is a mixture containing 56% Na and 44% K, which is a liquid at room temperature. In order to simplify the filling procedure at the reactor site, two containers, each of which contains exactly enough liquid metal to fill the experiment to the prescribed level, a fill dolly incorporating a purified helium system, and an evacuation system will be provided at the reactor site. After completion of the liquid metal transfer, the liquid metal fill tube will be crimped, cut, and seal welded. The liquid metal and helium systems will then be pressurized through the helium fill tubes, which will also be crimped, cut, and seal welded. Each tube seal weld will be inspected after completion of the weld by mass spectrometry leak check and dye penetrant fault detection

This report focuses on the study of the stabilized pinch program made to increase the plasma temperature and improve the plasma conductivity and containment. One method proposed is the usage of a large toroidal stabilized pinch, which is described here.

Abstract: "An absolute measurement of the 14.1-Mev (n, 2n) cross sections of Li-6 and Li-7 has been made using the large scintillator technique, resulting in cross sections in barns of 0.070 +/- 0.006 and 0.056 +/- 0.005 for Li-6 and Li-7, respectively."

This report follows ciritical-assembly studies on: the effect on reactivity caused by changes in axial reflector materials; the effect on reactivity and the power perturbation caused by fast safety control-blade guides; the effect of changes in fuel-element material composition; the effect of changes in fuel-elements spacing designed to produce uniform radial power-generation rates.

The following report presents neutron-flux measurements made with a concentric-cylinder element (Mark II) and includes axial, radial, and peripheral flux distributions.

In the preliminary stages of getting up a time-of-flight system for measuring neutron spectra from proton reactions, a study of the time dependence of the beam in the 86Inch Cyclotron was made. This study revealed the expected bunching of the protons to produce a short burst of beam on each cycle of the 13.4 Mc/s accelerating voltage. In addition to the 13.4 Mc/s structure, however, there was a 360 c/sec modulation of the beam pulses and a complicated pattern built upon that.

Abstract: The experimentally determined exponential dependence of spontaneous fission rate on Z^2/A has been used to derive an expression for the dependence of the fission activation energy on Z^2/A. This expression has been used to calculate the activation energy for slow neutron induced fission and photofission. The correlation with the experimental data on these types of fission seems to be quite good.

The following report provides information conducted with the purpose of ascertaining the effect of oxygen on activated charcoal at approximately one atmosphere by measuring the amount of CO2 formed over a known length of time.

"These notes are intended to serve as a summary of the current knowledge of properties of materials. In the future some need may exist for related information of methods of testing, design and fabrication. This issue presents information on low tin-zirconium alloys with subdivision..."

Either system appears to be fairly satisfactory from a containment standpoint. Current results indicate probable over-all rates of about 0.2mils/mo for titanium vs. 1.5-3.0 mils/mo for Ni-o-nel. Tests are not 100% comparable due to changes made in flowsheet conditions, but have been of sufficient variation and length as to allow good predictions to be made. Both metals show some tendency toward local attack in Thorex solutions. These tendencies are increased by poor welding techniques.

Equilibrium loading of uranium on Dowex 21K has been studied in a sulfate system for uranium concentrations from 0.0005 M to 0.0005 M, total sulfate concentrations of 0.45 M to 0.6M, and sulfuric acid concentration of 0.020 M. Loading data have been fitted to Langmuir adsorption isotherms and Langmuir constants have been evaluated. Resin was equilibrated with uranium feed solutions by flowing the feed through a shallow fixed bed of resin.

The Atomic Energy Commission has assigned the Hanford Atomic Products Operation the responsibility of providing the technology and facilities for the interim reprocessing of slightly enriched uranium fuels discharged from power and propulsion reactors. The fuel from the various reactors vary greatly in physical dimensions and in the composition of the core and cladding. For the purposes of chemical reprocessing, the fuels may be divided into the three main categories of aluminum, Zircaloy or stainless steel clad elements. The fuels may be sub-divided by the nature of the core material; e.g. metallic uranium, uranium dioxide, uranium-molybdenum alloys uranium-aluminum alloys, etc.

For purposes of an earlier consideration of the effects of in-reactor test loops on PRTR operation and program, the design of the high pressure, H20 cooled fuel test loop was assumed to be similar to that for the high pressure, gas cooled loop. Detailed design criteria for the H20 loop have recently been completed so that this assumption is no longer necessary. Therefore, to insure that the effects of all proposed in-reactor loops are fully evaluated with respect to Plutonium Recycle Program objectives, the present study has been carried out. Much of the qualitive discussion in the original analysis is still considered valid. Thus, rather than repeating the entire analysis as it pertains to the H20 loop, only those departures resulting from differences between the assumed design and the scope design are presented.

The following quarterly report covers the period between April, May and June of 1954. The reports presented in this document discusses subjects of medical health and physics such as: biological studies of radiation effects, the metabolic properties of various tracer materials, radiation chemistry, health chemistry, and health physics.

Tests on twenty identically prepared 26 gauge Chromel-Alumel thermocouples have been completed. It appears that wires of this material without protection are unsatisfactory mechanically and thermoelectrically for service in atmospheres of CO₂ at 1000°C.