Introduction: "This is the tenth letter report on ARF Project C 127, entitled "Preliminary Studies of Scavenging Systems Related to Radioactive Fallout." This report covers the period from October 1 to December 1, 1959."

Quarterly progress report describing work related to a study of radiation physics problems involved in the design of high-level cesium-137 gamma sources. It outlines work completed and ongoing goals for the project.

"Abstract: Data on analog magnetic tape characteristics are presented along with results from conventional and modulator playback system operational tests. Theoretical considerations imply that the modulator head should be loss sensitive to short term variations in record and playback tape speed. It is also pointed out that although a tape recorder operating at 7.5 in./sec has only 12 kcs bandwidth for sinusoidal wave forms. the record and play-back amplifiers for pulse recording can operate with other bandwidths. These amplifiers must be capable of passing a square wave with a frequency of 1.5 kcs. A square wave of such frequency represents the condition of 350 microsecond pulses with a 700 microsecond period. (J.R.D)."

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.

It is desirable that a reactor exhibit a self-regulating effect. If this were not true any disturbance to the reactor would result in a continual increase in the magnitude of the disturbance and the reactor would be unstable. In this investigation the reactor is considered to have two reactivity feed-backs: metal temperature and water temperature reactivity effects. These two variables through a metal temperature coefficient and water temperature coefficient determine not only the reactor stability but also determine many operational characteristics.

In support of the Plutonium Recycle Program at Hanford, the properties of PuO2 are being investigated. This paper reports sintering studies on PuO2 and PuO2-UO2 mixtures and solid solutions; melting studies on PuO2 and UO2; thermal expansion data to 1000 C; and irradiation data on PuO2-UO2 mixtures. The existence of a continuous series of solid solutions formed during sintering has been established for the system UO2-PuO2. A linear relation between lattice parameter and composition exists. Extensive sinterability data on the isomorphous compound UO2 and PuO2 and their intermediate compositions has been obtained. The effect on sintered density of temperature, time, and concentration for both physical additions of PuO2 and additions of UO2-PuO2 solid solutions to UO2 have been studied. Evaluation data are supported by microscopic examination and X-ray diffraction.

Relatively frequent agitator failures in HAPO Separations Plants have interfered with process continuity, contributed to process difficulties, and resulted in considerable maintenance expense. Predominantly the failures have been because of gear-reduction drive unit break-down or because of metallic fatigue and degeneration of the shaft-paddle assemblies. A simplified, slow-speed, direct drive agitator, previously described in HW-52755, proved to be quite durable and satisfactory during extended testing, operating without incident for over 10,000 hours. Subsequent operation of the agitator in the Redox Plant has been equally smooth. Total operating time (combined test and production use) is now in excess of 21,000 hours. Since the slow speed agitation principle has been adequately demonstrated at Redox and Purex canyon applications. This report describes the development and testing of such a "universal" agitator.

This is the sixth in a series of interim reports describing various phases of the study of fuel element rupture kinetics and mechanisms. Previous reports issued are: No. 1- Experimental Methods and Procedures, HW-61378, No. 2- Coextruded Rod Elements with Pinhole Defects, HW-61379, No. 3 - Mechanism of the Uranium-Water Reaction, HW - 61799, No. 4 Coextruded Tube Elements with Pinhole Defects and Various Annular Spacings, HW- 62348, No. 5- Comparison of In-Reactor and Ex-Reactor Ruptures, HW-62766. This work is being done in cooperation with the Fuel Element Design Operation of the Hanford Laboratories Operation. J. W. Goffard has been particularly helpful in supplying samples and useful discussions of the results.

The current interest in a tube-in-tube type Zircaloy-2 clad UO2 fuel element for use in the power reactors provided the incentive for a study of the dissolution of cladding from an annular space. The objectives of the study were to compare the estimated rate of dissolution in the annuli with rates on fully exposed metal. Because of an interest from the design standpoint, heat balance data from the study are reported.

A report which compares the creep properties of 15 percent cold-worked zircaloy-2 and of annealed zircaloy-2 is being made.

The PRP Critical Facility is an experimental reactor for use in determination of basic nuclear constants of heterogenous reactors recycling plutonium, and exponential and criticality studies at power levels up to 100 watts and neutron fluxes of about 109 nv. Provision is made for changing reactor lattices using irradiated and unirradiated fuel elements with either a light or heavy water moderator.

This report describes the design, construction and operation of a sub-critical nuclear reactor, intended for college teaching of reactor physics and of nuclear phenomena.

Abstract. Proven mineral resources show that niobium is the most abundant of the refractory metals and extraction capacity is adequate to meet foreseeable requirements. Approximately four tons of Nb-1% Zr alloy were melted, forged, drawn, and rolled to produce various mill forms and relatively large die impression forgings. It was demonstrated that the Nb-1% Zr alloy is readily amenable to melting, primary working, and secondary working using standard equipment available in the specialty steel and nickel alloy industries. In general, the hot malleability of the alloy is significantly better than that of the more refractory nickel base high temperature alloys and is comparable to the stainless steels. Methods were successfully developed to protect the alloy against contamination during hot working. Cold fabricability proved to be outstanding. Reductions up to 90% were achieved during cold rolling of sheet with no intermediate stress relief or annealing treatment. Tube drawing reductions up to 50% were normal with no intermediate annealing. Over-all, the cold workability of this alloy was superior to that of the stainless steels. There was no problem of embrittlement over the full range of working temperatures which were used during the course of this work, namely from room temperature to 2350 …

This bibliography contains 37 references on self-shielding cross sections. The bibliography is limited to the period from 1951 through November 1959 with the references arranged alphabetically by title. The sources used in compiling this bibliography were: Abstracts of Classified Reports Nuclear Science Abstracts

This document describes required laboratory space and lists major equipment items necessary for a routine water quality laboratory in the P. R. T. R. Building. During discussions with R. D. Widrig and V. L. Rooney about the analytical sample program for the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor, the author was asked to summarize equipment and space needs for a water control laboratory to provide routine analytical coverage on some of the water systems. Based upon 1706-KE-KER experience, some operating personnel may be used to provide analytical coverage on those routine analyses that are needed on around-the-clock basis with a savings of both time and money.

The chromium-nickel-manganese alloys are a group of austenitic stainless steels which were developed during the Korean War to conserve nickel. These alloys are very similar to their corresponding 300 Series grades in mechanical, physical and corrosion properties. A portion of the nickel in the 300 Series grades has been replaced by approximately 2% manganese for each percent of nickel replaced. Two compositions, AISI 201 and AISI 202, are recognized as standard grades. Two other compositions, AISI 204 and AISI 204-L, have been produced in limited quantities to replace AISI 304 and AISI 304-L. Experience with the 200 Series steels indication they are every bit as good as the grades for which they were once alternates. In some shapes, such as rod and sheet, the cost per pound is considerably lower than the corresponding 300 Series grades.

A preliminary evaluation of the autoclave corrosion behavior of a series of U-low C alloys and a series of U-low Zr alloys prepared by Fuels Fabrication Development Operation has been made. The corrosion testing was conducted by Coatings and Corrosion Operation by the experimental methods and procedure outlined in HW-61378.

The effect of the (n, 2n) and (n, o<) reactions on the neutron economy of a beryllium moderated reactor is investigated.

A design and economic analysis is presented for a 44,000 DWT tanker utilizing a 27,300 shp direct cycle boiling water reactor propulsion system. Included are design descriptions and drawings, estimates of operating and capitol costs for the reference ship, estimates of long range potential, descriptions of required research and development programs, a preliminary safeguards analysis, an analysis of ship's motion on boiling water reactor performance, a summary reactor physics analysis, and a discussion of direct cycle accessibility considerations. Also included are summary descriptions for various design alternatives which were considered.

Studies are being made on the effects of variation of aluminum content, heat treatment, surface preparation, and other metallurgical factors on the room temperature ductility of Al-- Fe alloys. It is estimated that approximately 65 percent of the proposed research has been completed over the first eight and one-half months of the contract period.

A fundamental study is presented comparing the electric properties for materials of "normal" dielectric constant (Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and MgTiO/sub 3/) with those of high dielectric constant (TiO/sub 2/, CaTiCO/sub 3/, SrTiO/sub 3/, STABa/sub 0.65Sr/sub 0.35/! STATiO/sub 3/, and BaTiO/sub 3/). Single crystals and ceramics, as far as available, were investigated from d-c to the microwave range as function of time, temperature, field strength, and prehistory. Three types of relaxation spectra were identified, one caused by dipolar groups in unequal double wells, the other two by charge carriers stopped in the volume of the material or in front of the electrodes, respectively, O-H groups in rutile, identified by infrared absorption, seem to cause a dipolar spectrum by thermal excitation leading to hydrogen-bond formation. The shielding of dipoles by countercharges (dipole halos) is probably responsible for the unequal potential wells and likely to be a phenomenon of general importance. Electrons can be injected into rutile and other titanates by field emission. Parallel to the optic axis of rutile, the conduction currents reach especially high values because of an unhampered Ti/sup 3+/ yields Ti/sup 4+/ exchange, and thermal breakdown by field-emission currents occurs. Pure titania materials at high temperatures become very lossy …

An experiment is described in which high energy nuclear interactions in the range of energies 10(10)-10(12)ev were analyzed by means of a cloud chamber n a magnetic field. Measurements of ionization and momentum made possible the identification of electrons and mesons to about 20 Bev/c. Protons, K-mesons and hyperons could not be identified unambiguously among themselves, except in very limited regions of momentum. The primary particles were cosmic-ray nucleons and a possible fraction of Pions, the target nuclei were carbon and the velocities of the primaries were determined from balance of momentum in the center of mass system. A total of 41 events were analyzed, and the results compared to previous experimental work and the predictions of the theories of Heisenberg and Landau. The measurements made included the transverse momenta of the secondaries and their average energy in the CMS, the energy and angular distribution of the Pions and heavy particles (protons, K-mesons, hyperons) in the CMS, the inelasticity of the collision, the multiplicity of the showers, the percentages of strange particles and the positive excess of the secondaries.

Monthly letter report on the research on the development of a beta-ray particle size analyzer (BPSA).

Attempts to secure a high degree of synchronization of cell division of the Krebs mouse ascites carcinoma, by combined use of aminopterin and citrovorum factor, and by use of colchicine and N-acetyl colchinol, were unsuccessful. In the course of the work, a new method for securing smears of ascites tumor cells was out, which we believe will be found useful