Technical report containing the general arrangement of the Low Intensity Training Reactor and outcomes of experiments that have been performed in the reactor to measure the rate of fission product heat dissipation from the fuel pieces after loss of water. [From Summary, Introduction]

Bi-Pb eutectic and pure Bi penetration of graphites of various densities under 300 degrees C and pressures up to 20 psi was found be of the order of magnitude of 1.0 g/cm(2) and was uniform throughout the graphite. Bi was absorbed less than the eutectic but the oxidation rate of Bi would be prohibitive. There was heavy nitriding in N atmospheres with the Bi and the eutectic.

From introduction: "The work described here was part of an integrated investigation of the fundamental properties of uranium oxides done for the Mallinckrodt Chemical Works. Electrical measurements were employed to characterize the oxides produced by various processes from different starting materials. The basic objective of the program was to determine those factors which affect the sintering characteristics of uranium dioxide."

A method is described whereby many types of flaws lying close to the surface of a metal can be ultrasonically detected, regardless of the time duration of the interrogating pulses. Lamb waves are established in the metal between a flaw and the surface by an ultrasonic beam which impinges at the proper angle of incidence. A suitably positioned receiver transducer picks up the waves to reveal the flaw. In this method the usually troublesome surface echo is eliminated from the receiver by an acoustic barrier, making it well suited for routine and automatic testing. Results of applying the technique to several testing problems are discussed.

The following report provides a general summary of some methods that could be used to convert hexafluoride into tetrafluoride, but is mainly devoted to the work done on the conversion of tetrafluoride to tetrachloride.

This report follows experiments conducted to determine an alloy addition agent for uranium which would subsequently increase the yield strength and creep resistance of uranium.

Quarterly progress report on various research projects conducted at the University of California Radiation Laboratory.

Information was desired on applicability of seismic methods of geophysical exploration in helping to better define and refine hydrological and geological factors affecting ground disposal of liquid radioactive wastes. To date most of information on the area geology has been obtained from surface mapping and well drilling, although it has long been recognized that geophysical techniques may greatly assist in defining the geology of the region. Although direct measurements are generally preferred to indirect measurements have proven extremely valuable in many applications. Careful analysis of field data from geophysical measurements, and correlation with known geologic conditions, should provide significant knowledge of earth formations. Geophysical methods do not directly determine depth, type and composition of underground earth materials, but rely rather on detecting differences in physical properties (elastic wave velocity, magnetic susceptibility, density or electrical resistivity) of such earth materials.

This is a preliminary report on the investigation of the N.S. Savannah replacement fuel rod vibration amplitude when excited by water flowing parallel to the axis of the fuel rod. Methods of calculating the fuel rod frequency in air were verified by experiment. Work is continuing to establish the validity of methods of calculating natural frequencies in water and to confirm the correlation of flow induced vibration amplitude found in reference (1).