The following documents are progress reports that follow chemical research studies in subjects such as ruthenium tetroxile distillations, extraction-scrub studies of zirconium and niobium, and oxidation of plutonium and stabilization of plutonium(VI) during extraction of IAF solutions.

In answer to the question, "How well do we know the composition of the fuel material for the PRTR start-up tests?", the analytical data on the PRTR fuel elements and other fuel elements which were fabricated by similar processes was gathered and analyzed. The results of this analysis are presented.

The following report observes infrared measurements in the region of OH bands, the C2O band vicinity, the low frequency end of the spectrum, and the region of the UO2 band on the system hexone - water - uranyl nitrate.

The fabrication processes applied to nuclear fuels are subject to severe limitations because of the conditions imposed by the reactor environment. The combined problems of neutrons fluxes, high heat fluxes, corrosion by the coolant , and embrittlement by hydriding or similar reactions may be minimized through establishing rigorous materials and fabrication specifications for fuel and cladding.

The following report describes the process to determine the method for determination of americium in the presence of plutonium and uranium.

The following report was made to determine the effective clarity improvement, flow rate characteristics, and operational problems encountered on passing Redox uranium feed solution through sintered, modified Type 304 stainless steel filter elements.

For many years effort has been directed toward the development of means for the practical utilization of the heat evolved from the radioactive decay of certain fission and irradiation products. Fission products, in view of their availability in the plentiful, high-level wastes resulting from the processing of irradiated, nuclear reactor fuels have been most intensively studied for applications where their heat of decay might be converted into useful energy such as electricity for the operations of certain devices in place of chemical batteries . In addition other materials having desired radioactive properties may be produced by neutron bombardment of readily available elements.

One of the primary reasons for operating the high pressure KER loops is to obtain information concerning water quality control characteristics for recirculating water cooled reactors. The KER-1 loop is predominantly carbon steel and approximates the water quality conditions specified for the New Production Reactor (NPR).

A series of tests conducted in an attempt to reduce the observed O2 content of primary recirculation loop water to a value of <0.14ppm by the current loop method which is a combination of pressurizer degasification and venting flow.

The ambient temperature of the Columbia River is of interest to the Aquatic Biology Operation since it provides a basis for controlling the temperatures in various experimental tanks which contain Columbia River organisms and since it provides some indication of whether conditions are favorable for the valuable species of fish living in the river. Since the start-up of the plant, temperatures of the river water have been taken in the several water treatment plants.

The PRTR pressure loop is an experimental facility to be installed in the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor, Building 309, for use in testing the feasibility of reactor cooling systems utilizing high pressure water or steam as the coolant. It will furnish operating experience with such systems and serve to test fuel elements and components designed to operate in such environments.

Summary: "This investigation showed that a sound , weather-resistant coating can be applied to uranium that the surface to be plated is cleaned and etched properly. Using the proposed two-bath plating method at 80 C., a four-mil nickel coat can be deposited in thirteen hours."

Basic Studies. It has been reported previously that mixed crystals of PuO2 and UO2 have a higher sintering rate than UO2 alone. However, results to the contrary were obtained on addition to 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 5, and 10 w/o PuO2 to PWR grade UO2. Pellets of the above concentrations were heated for one hour in hydrogen at 100 C intervals from 1000 to 1600C.

The result of a leak in a PRTR process tube between the flow monitor and the heated section would be to increase the flow through the monitor, but to decrease the flow through the heated section. The concern for the case of small leaks is whether the increase in flow through the flow monitor is sufficient to cause a high flow tip and a reactor scram for the condition where the flow through the heated section is reduced to the point to cause excessive fuel element temperatures.

From introduction: "The prime motive behind the experiments described in this report and in those preceding it in this series is the desire to reduce the number of Redox cycles necessary for decontamination from fission products of the plutonium and uranium streams sufficient to allow final disposition of these two products...This report deals with the mechanics of manganese dioxide handing, laboratory development of manganese dioxide scavenging, and a series of experiments at multicurie level combining ruthenium volatilization and manganese dioxide scavenging in stainless steel equipment."

The following report follows a test for remelting and casting uranium scrap specified that a pressure of 25 microns or less must be attained within the furnace before a charge is melted. The report was made to evaluate the effect of furnace pressures upon the quality if recast uranium metal.

The following report provides results from laboratory tests on the corrosion resistance of various types of stellite facings on astenitic stainless steel T-347 to Redox streams.

Plutonium Fuels Development Basic studies. Experiments to determine the effect of plutonium dioxide additions on the sinterability of UO2 have continued. PuO2 has been added to ball milled PWR grade UO2 as a physical mixture, and in the form of the mixed crystal oxide.

Basic Studies. Sinterability experiments in the system UO2-PuO2 have continued, and data are available at one hour hold times across the UO2-PuO2 composition limits. Sintered densities appear to be markedly dependent on pressed densities with densification occurring very rapidly at higher pressing pressures. The following table illustrates the effect of one hour at temperature on final density for pure plutonium dioxide pressed to both 40 and 60 percent of theoretical density.

This report presents data recorded during a program made to improve uranium slug quality in January, 1952, to determine what improvements could be made in the welding process.

Sinterability studies on mixtures of UO2 and PuO2 powders have been continued. All of the censities from previous sintering experiments have been recalculated utilizing a somewhat different water immersion technique. Since densities of pellete obtained by physical dimensions are inaccurate due to chipping, and water immersion does not account for the open porosity, the pellets were coated with clear krylon before being immersed in water. This effectively sealed the open pores. Plots of density versus composition still indicate a drastic reduction in UO2 sinterability with even the slightest additions of PuO2 and a rapid increase with PuO2 contents greater than 20 weight percent. The following table compares densities of pure UO2 and PuO2 after an eight hour soak time:

Two Zircaloy-clad capsules (GKH-14-19,20) containing two compacts each of high density PuO2-UO2 mixed crystal oxides were shipped to the MTR in December 2, 1958. The compacts contain 0.026 a/o PuO2, have densities of 91 percent of the theoretical value, and will generate the same specific power as an Al-1.8w/o Pu alloy rod of the same diameter would produce. Two capsules (GKH-14-21,22) have been prepared and contain three compacts each of low density, about 65 percent of the theoretical value, PuO2-UO2 mixed crystal oxides. It is tentatively planned to ship the last two capsules during January 1959.

Plutonium Oxide Fuels. Mixtures of PWR grade UO2 containing 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 w/o PuO2 were sintered in hydrogen for 44 hours at 1600 C to get additional data on solubility in this system. Densities of all the pieces were low, approximately 80 percent of theoretical; however, solid solution formation was complete in every case. The low density material should not affect lattice parameter values, but it did slightly reduce the intensity of the reflections.

PuO2-UO2 Irradiation Capsules. Four capsules of Zircaloy-clad, sintered PuO2-UO2 mixed crystal oxides in a UO2 matrix are awaiting irradiation in the NTR.