The intent of this work was to explore more fully the pressing of sinterable UO2 powders into cylindrical compacts in the hope that a more precise prediction of green density in terms of powder properties, pressure, and geometry could be evolved.

This is the third quarterly report that documents a system of mass flow that can record measurements of homogeneous flow, slurries, highly corrosive fluids and multiphase fluids, additionally considering pressure drops, measuring external to the flow, ruggedness and reliability.

This report follows an investigation made to determine creep-rupture data for three sheet materials. Fourteen of sixteen tests were made in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide within hermetically sealed capsules, analyzing the reaction of the three sheet metals: 347 stainless steel, iron-aluminum-chromium alloy designated 261C, and a zirconium-base alloy, AE1H. Minimum creep rate, per cent elongation, and rupture life were determined and reported.

From introduction: This report summarizes the basic information that has been collected on 49 wells and test holes in the Nevada Test Site, together with information on 9 springs.

Abstract: "Field investigations of an ice-free land area at Polaris Promontory, Hall Land in northwest Greenland were undertaken to determine if this area could support austere military aircraft operations. Detailed scientific observations of geology, meteorology, natural terrain features of the area were made, thorough investigations of the soil features and bearing strength were conducted, and an airstrip was prepared and marked. Successful test landings by a C-130 aircraft were made on the airstrip. Possible alternate airstrip sites were studied and conclusions drawn on the usability of such ice-free land sites for military activities."

Discussing the geologic setting of the Foothills Mine, Idledale District, Jefferson County, Colorado

"The canonical (hamiltonlan) formulation of a relativistic dynamical theory is outlined, and the existence and explicit construction of general hamiltonian theories of relativiatic interacting particles are discussed. These hamiltonian theories are shown to contain certain elements of arbitrariness which are eliminated in manifestly coveriant formulations."

Writing the VARI-II Program was motivated by the need for a method of analyzing the results for the Absorber Burn-Up Experiment in progress at the Vallecitos Atomic Laboratory.

Experiments were carried out to determine the erosion, oxidation and dimensional characteristics of purposely defected fuel elements containing unsintered UO2 powder prepared by the swaging technique. The experiments were conducted in an out-of-reactor loop under superheat conditions of pressure, temperature, flow velocity and steam chemical composition.

"The correction to photon-photon scattering processes due to the existence of the particles other than electrons is reported. The correction is of the same order in the electric charge as the lowest order term in the perturbation expansion in quantum electrodynamics, although the relevant corrections to the electron-photon and electron-electron scattering are all of higher order."

From Introduction: "An improved high-temperature gage was needed, and in an attempt to fill this need an investigation was initiated in February 1954 in the Enameled Metals Laboratory at the National Bureau of Standards. The present Monograph constitutes a final summary on this program."

Abstract; This technical report describes the changes in the SM-1 incurred by the experiment, Core Temperature and Flow Instrumentation (Task XIV), and evaluates the possible hazard involved in these changes. Temperature and flow measurements will be taken on a Task XIV instrumented stationary fuel element, instrumented control rod fuel element and other selected points in the SM-1 core to provide data on the core steady state and transient performance. The hazards evaluation consists of a nuclear evaluation, thermal and hydraulic analysis, description of tests to be performed, and discussion of containment integrity and maximum accident considerations.

Abstract; The heat exchanger and steam generator for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Sodium Components Project will be constructed entirely of type 316 stainless steel. Because of the susceptibility of this alloy to stress corrosion cracking, it is proposed to clad all areas of the steam generator with Inconel where the stainless steel will be exposed to water and steam. This report includes a discussion of the work by numerous investigators that justify the selection of Inconel for this service. A discussion of Inconel type welding alloys is also included.

Abstract: This technical report describes the changes incurred in the SM-1 by the insertion of the SM-1 Core II and special components. The special components consist of impact specimens, a boron gradient rod, SM-2 elements, a PM-1-M element, and high burnup SM-1 Core I elements. The change in hazards, due to operation of SM-1 with Core II and the special components is evaluated. The analysis indicates there is no change in hazards.

Abstract: A four decade log count ratemeter based on a three diode pump section is described. The design equations for this system are included. The unit is contained in a chassis 3 1/2" high by 9 1/2" wide by 6" deep. All circuits are constructed on etched circuit boards to facilitate testing, construction, and servicing.

Report regarding an airborne radioactivity survey that took place over a 10,000 square mile area around the Oak Ridge National Laboratory near Knoxville, Tennesse. Topics include the types of bedrock noted in the area as well as their levels of radioactivity.

Report regarding an airborne gamma-radioactivity survey that took place over a 9,000 square mile area in south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. Topics include the types of bedrock noted in the area as well as their levels of radioactivity.

Report regarding experiments made to determine the fallout-radiation protection offered by a "single-story stucco and frame house with a heavy shake roof and no basement," (p. 5) which is noted as being popular in the southwestern United States.

Both in magnetohydrodynamic shocks and in accelerated partially ionized gas flow across a magnetic field, space charge separation occurs that establishes very large electric fields in the direction of motion. The width of the current layers associated with the acceleration is never less than the electron Larmor radius with no collisions and is broadened by electron collisions to a width solely determined by the effective resistivity. The electrons gain an energy regardless of collisions equal to the electric potential difference across the layer. This potential corresponds to the change in kinetic energy of mass motion per ion. For slightly ionized gases, the additional stress of neutral ion collisions within the layer can make the electric potential and hence gain in electron energy very large for only modest changes in mass velocity. Hence ionization may occur when the change in kinetic energy of the ions is small compared to the ionization potential.

Volatile hydrides may be prepared from ether solutions by the reaction of the appropriate chlorides with lithium hydroaluminate. In this general method, it is necessary to work with strictly anhydrous reagents and solvents because of the great reactivity of lithium hydroaluminate toward water. The procedures described here are believed to be much more convenient because the reducing agent employed is potassium hydroborate, which is relatively insensitive toward water. Since only aqueous solutions are involved, there are no solvent-purification steps and there is no dissolution or contamination of stopcock grease, etc.

From Introduction: "Information has been accumulated about the property changes produced, but there are essentially no reliable quantitative data correlating property changes with the magnitude and energy distribution of the neutron fluxes responsible for the changes. The design of the Basic Radiation Effects Reactor (BRER) presented herein stems from the two main requirements: 1. a fairly high-level, high-energy neutron flux with minimal thermal neutron and gamma-ray background is desired; 2. the peak of the neutron-energy spectrum should be variable within the approximate range from 10 to 1000 kev."

From Abstract: "The applicability of the centrifugal casting technique to the production of multiple castings of fuel pins of small diameter and of thin fuel plates was investigated."

Design analysis of the SM-2 core and vessel from work performed during 21 months.

SM-2 core and vessel design analysis.