The check valve for the Hallam Power Reactor uses a knife-edge bearing for the flapper in place of the usual journal-type bearing. Mechanical cycling in sodium at 600 deg F was used to check operation of this bearing. A total of 309 mechanical cycles was completed with no apparent malfunctioning of the valve. Measured leskage rates were 0.46 gpm at 0.93 psig, 0.73 gpm at 3.4 psig. and 0.32 gpm at 5.9 psig. (M.C.G.)

The proposed increased water capacity for 100-K plants will increase the electrical load to be supplied. The load study showed that the capacity of the existing 13.8 kV system is adequate to carry the increased loads proposed for Project CG-775, while for the 5 kV system, an expanded power system is proposed. Likewise, the voltage regulation on the kV system bus will be excessive, and voltage regulators should be added.

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An anion exchange process was demonstrated for the recovery of Pu from waste produced in the reduction of Pu salts to the metal. Pu in a highiy salted 6M nitric acid solution, derived from the dissolution of slag and crucible waste, was separated from impurities by absorbing the Pu(IV) nitrate complex on the anion exchange resin and subsequentiy eluting with dilute nitric acid. A flowsheet for plant operation is presented. (auth)

Temperatures were calculated relative to the storage of radioactive solid waste as a function of time and radial distance for radioactive solid cylinders in infinite solid media of "average soil," "average rock," and salt. A resistance at the cylinder--infinite medium boundary was included in the form of an air space. For the range of parameters used and withia the practical limits of accuracy, the maximum temperature rise increased linearly with the heat generation rate. The fission product spectrum was not significant in the determination of the maximum temperature rise. Under the pessimistic storage conditions assumed, the storage of cylinders of a practical size appears feasible without excessive temperature rise. A maximum temperature rise of 1000 deg F would be produced with an initial heat generation rate of 1300 to 1600 Btu/hr-ft/ sup 3/ for cylinders with a 5-in. radius, with 350 to 450 Btu/hr-ft/sup 3/ for a 10-in. radius, and with 175 to 210 Btu/hr-ft/sup 3/ for a 15-in. radius, assuming a thermal conductivity of the radioactive cylinder of 0. 1 Btu/hr-ft- deg F. (auth)

Aqueous slurries of thorium oxide and thorium oxide containing urarium were investigated for their catalytic activity for the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water. Pure thorium oxide. thorium-uranium oxide mixed crystals prepared by calcining coprecipitated oxalates, and thorium oxide with uranium oxide sorbed on the surface were used after calcining at 650, 800, and 1000 deg . The reaction rates were found to be first order with respect to hydrogen pressure and zero order with respect to oxygen pressure in all cases at temperatures from 230 to 300 deg - and total gas pressures from 100 to 2000 psi. For the pure thorium oxide an average activation energy of 41 kcal/mole and an average frequency factor of 4.6 x lO/sup 8/ moles/psi H/sub 2/hr-g of ThO/sub 2/ were found. Addition of uranium lowered both factors, the maximum effect giving a DELTA E/sub a/ of approximately 14 kcal with an A of approximately 10/sup -2/. Actual rates for all catalysts were within one order of magnitude when compared on a unit surface area basis. This compensation effect was explained on the basis of a two-site process, one site being related to the uranium concentration on the catalyst surface and …

The KEWB Facility is described, and an over-all technical evaluation is made of the hazards associated with changing from a spherical to a cylindrical core. The characteristics of the two systems, the operation and emergency procedures, a brief history of the program, a summary of the data obtained, and maximum accident analyses are given. The conclusion is that the core change does not represent an adverse change with respect to associated hazards. (T.R.H.)

Chemical-Metallurgical Processing. A direct-cycle pyrometallurgical fuel-processing plant is being constructed in conjunction with EBR-II. The gamma- irradiation testing of the 175-watt white fluorescent mercury vapor lamp was continued to an integrated exposure of 2 x 10/sup 9/ rad. Irradiation tests of Shell APL grease were completed, and the estimated useful life of this grease in the Air and Argon Cells is 2 and 3 years, respectively. Tests of the three - types of d-c motors used in the operating manipulator of the Argon Cell indicate an expected useful cell operating life of 2 to 3 years. Continued irradiation tests of mineralinsulated cable show no catastrophic breakdown of the electric insulation even after an accumulated gamma dose of 8.4 x 10/sup 9/ rad. The scheme currently under consideration for processing melt-refining residues involves a reduction of skull oxides by a solution of Mg in liquid Cd. Molten salt fluxes had variable effects on the rate of oxide reduction in dilute Mg systems. Work was continued on development of processes for EBR-II blanket materials. A large-scale metal-distillation unit to demonstrate metal distillation at rates up to 100 kg/hour is under construction. Two medium carbon steel thermal-convection loops were built and operated to …

Production of Pu nitrate, UO{sub 3}, and unfabricated Pu metal met schedules. Decontamination performance of Purex process continued below standard. The cerium-144 cask is being redesigned. A ``powered ferret``, for driving a scintillation counter through a conduit to monitor ground activity beneath waste storage tanks, is being designed.

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High-energy studies of the (p, 2p) reaction in Zn{sup 68} and Fe{sup 57} are being carried out. The excitation functions for the reactions, Zn{sup 68}(p, 2p)Cu{sup 67} and Fe{sup 57} (p, 2p)Mn{sup 56} are being measured from 400 Mev to 6.2 Bev. Preliminary results are shown in Table 1. The cross sections are calculated on the basis of a 10.7-mb cross section for the Al{sup 27} (p, 3pn)Na{sup 24} reaction used to monitor the proton beam. The yield of Mn{sup 52} from proton bombardments of natural iron is found to be approximately constant at 7 mb over the energy region 400 Mev to 4.0 Bev. Similarly, the yields of Cu{sup 61} and Cu{sup 64} from proton bombardment of natural zinc are constant at 17 mb and 13 mb, respectively, over the same energy region. Experiments are being carried out in an attempt to measure the cross section for the reaction Zn{sup 68} ({pi}{sup +}, {pi}{sup +}p)Cu{sup 67}, using 310-Mev {pi}{sup +} produced at the 184-inch cyclotron. The meson beam, which is produced by 720-Mev protons incident on copper, has an intensity of about 10{sup 6} {pi}{sup +} per min over a 3-in.-diameter circle. The total induced activity of Cu{sup 67} …

Further studies are reported on the analytical behavior and experimental testing of Cs/sup 137/ plaque irradiator designs. Low-level sources used for the initial experiments consisted of about 7 mc of Cs/sup 137/ aqueous solution in brass trays 20 by 20 by 1/2 in. high having wall thicknesses of 1/16 in. Calibration tests were made preliminary to radiation field mapping. (T.R. H.)

Approximately 100 ternary and quaternary spongezirconium alloys were screened for structural and cladding applications in a natural-uranium-fueled heavy-watermolerated power reactor. The alloy additions studied included2 to 4 wt.% Sn, 0.5 to 2 wt.% Mo, and 1 to 3 wt.% Nb. The effect of 0.1 wt.% Fe and 0.05 wt.% Ni additions to the experimental alloys was evaluated. All compositions were are melted, rolled at 850 ction prod- C from a helium- atmosphere furnace, vacuum annealed 4 hr at 700 ction prod- C, and furnace cooled. Room- and elevated-temperature hardness measurements were used to estimate the tensile strengths of the alloys, while corrosion resistance was evaluated by 1000-hr exposures to static 300 ction prod- C water. (auth)

A study to improve the elevated-temperature strength of niobium by solloving has resulted not only- in greatly improved strengths at 1200 and 1470 deg F but also in the development of improved fabrication techniques for these alloys. The most important step in the fabric:ition procedure of niobium and niobium-base allows is the initial breakdown of the cast structure. The cast structure of 1.84 wt. 4 chromium, 3.21 wt.% chromium. 4.33 wt. ' zirconium, and 20.5 wt.% titanium-4.28 wt. = chromium allovs and unalloyed niobium was broken known by- forging ingots (protected from oxidation by molybdenum ciins) at 2550 deg F and rolling at 800 deg F. After the initiai breakdown of the cast structure, the alloy-s were coid roiied to a total of 95 per cent reduction with no difficulty .A second fabrication technique was employed for a second set of alloys. Unalloyed niobium and 1.29 wt. % chromium, 2.74 wt. 3 zirconium, 4.5 wt.% molybdenum, and 10 wt. % titanium-3 wt.% chromium alloys were forged and rolled at 1000 deg F to break down the cast structure and then cold rolled to 0.030-in. sheet. the sheet obtained by this technique showed moderate edge cracking. Tensite tests on the coid-worked …

The diffusion of Kr/sup 85/ in two UO/sub 2/ powders was studied by performing a series of post-irradiation anneals on the powders. The emanation data were analyzed by considering the effect of sintering as well as the effect of a distribution of particle sizes within the sample. Measurements were made at 900 to 1500 deg C. The time at a temperature was between 8 and 24 hours. The diffusion coefficients for Kr/sup 85/ in the two powders are represented by the equations: D = 2.65 x 10/sup -4/ exp - 65,500/RT for UO/sub 2/ prepared from crushed UO/sub 2/ pellets and, for a chemically prepared UO/sub 2/ powder, D = 4.9 x 10/sup -4/ exp - 73,800/RT. (auth)

A drip casting process initiated to obtain zirconium castings uncontaminated by the melting process and to remove volatile impurities from the zirconium feed rod is described. A feed rod of zirconium is held above the mold, and the bottom of the rod is melted rapidly off into a mold to produce the casting. The melting process is carried out under high vacuum, so that very little atmospheric contamination can result, and some removal of volatile impurities is possible. Since no crucible is used to contain the molten metal, no contamination can result from this source. (auth)

Some of the controllable variables have been investigated in casting of lead alloys having 0.06 to 0.09 wt.% Ca. The alloy has been found to respond to solution heat-treatment, room-temperature precipitation hardening, and accelerated hardening at 100 ts C. Tensile strengths to 7000 psi have been obtained. (auth)

Canning bath Al-Si, supplied from offsite vendors and reclaimed lathe turnings in the 313 building, is used in the production of I & E fuel elements. A study was made of the effect of increasing the Ni content to over 0.5% in the canning baths, in order that all of the X-8001 scrap could be reclaimed. Effect on bond quality, weld integrity, and canning bath operation was studied. Based on adverse weld quality, slight loss in reactivity, and potential for furnace channel plugging, it is recommended that the present Ni specification of 0.5% maximum remain unchanged.

Alloys containing 55 wt.% iron--22 wt.% nickel-- 17 wt.% chromium--2.5 wt.% molybdenum- 1.0 wt.% niobium-0.03 wt.% carbon-- 0.5 wt.% manganese-- 0.5 wt.% silicon with nominal additions of from 0 to 1.5 wt.% yttrium, and 36 wt.% iron-37 wt.% nickel--18 wt.% chromium--2.5 wt.% molvbdenum- 1.5 wt.% niobium-- 1.0 wt.% aluminum-0.05 wt.% carbon--0.5 wt.% manganese-- 0.5 wt.% silicon with nominal additions of from 0 to 2.0 wt.% yttrium, were prepared by vacuum- induction melting. Alloys containing 55 wt.% iron were successfully forged in air at 1900 deg F, rolled at 1850 deg F to 0.060-in. sheet and cold rolled to 0.015in. sheet. Fabrication of alloys containing 36 wt.% iron with more than 0.5 wt.% yttrium was unsuccessful. Addition of yttrium had relatively no effect on the yield and ultimate strength from room temperature to 1850 deg F. The ductility of fabricable alloys studied was increased at elevated temperatures by increasing yttrium contents. The greatest increase in ductility occurred at 1.5 wt.% yttrium. (auth)

The average energy release per fission event in a reactor is dependent on the composition and arrangement of the lattice materials. In a study of heat generation in the NPR, Nilson developed expressions for calculating the average energy released in each material per fission event. These relationships have been used in the present calculations to obtain the energy release per fission in existing Hanford reactors.

EURIPUS-3 calculates the one-dimensional spatial density of neutrons slowing-down past a given energy in an infinite homogeneous medium consisting of hydrogen and one other isotope with arbitrary mass and energydependent differential-elastic and absorption cross sections. DAEDALUS determines the corresponding spatial distribution of angular integrals of an arbitrary function times the vector flux density. Spatial moments of all density functions are furnished directly. Although scattering angles are calculated by Monte Carlo, the spatial distributions and, in DAEDALUS, the energy distribution are obtained partly from an analytic treatment which, besides saving tinne, enables the output to be in the form of actual density functions at specified planes and energies, rather than histograms covering finite intervals. At certain steps in the computation of both the spatial and energy distributions, part of the analytic treatment is replaced by Monte Carlo in order either to maximize efficiency and/ or to avoid round-off error. The neutron source may be monoenergetic with either isotropic or monodirectional angular distributions, or else the source may be that from deuterons bombarding deuterons. The volume displaced by a cylindrical tube from an accelerator to the source can be accounted for in the neutron first flight but not thereafter. (auth)

Selected components from a staianless steel nonregenerative heat exchanger removed from the U.S.S. Nautilus (SSN571) have been examined for evidence of stress-corrosion cracking. The examination was conducted on three baffle plates, all primary-face seal welds, and the tubes and the surrounding tube sheets of 7 out of a total of 35 tubes. Maximum operating temperature of the heat exchanger was 260 ction prod- F for the inlet primary water and 164 ction prod- F for the exit secondary water. Chloride content of the secondary water averaged 5 ppm, with a maximum of 15 ppm. Only one suspected stress-corrosion crack was found in the components normally in contact with the secondary water. The crack, 2.5 mils in depth, was located on a fully exposed tube. At the 95 per cent confidence level this represented a probability of finding cracking on fully exposed surfaces in 0 to 60 per cent of the rest of the tubes in the heat exchanger. Severe stress-corrosion cracking was found in tubes in the tube-sheet drain area at the juncture with the inner tube sheet at the inlet end, where secondary water seeped past the expanded tubes. Cracks were detected in five of seven tubes for a …

The Criteria for Speed of Control must be met for all cases being considered in the Expansion Studies. These Criteria are dependent upon the ratio Volume of water/volume of uranium in the process channel, the reactor power level, and the rate at which the vertical rods are released and inserted into the reactor. For those cases wherein the graphite channel is overbored by 0.200 inch., the criteria can generally be met for the power levels under consideration since the ratio of Vw/Vu is maintained adequately small by the use of large diameter fuel elements. If the graphite is not overbored, high pressure drop across the fuel element section must be maintained in order to maintain small values of Vw/Vu, which results in a substantial increase in the front header pressure. A method is developed in this document which ties together and defines the hydraulic and physics characteristics of the fuel-process channel geometry necessary to satisfy the Speed of Control Criteria over a range of feasible operating conditions. This study assumes no graphite overboring and employs throughout a smooth bore zircaloy process tube having an inside diameter of 1.650 inches. The fuel elements are self-supported., and the inner hole size was …

>An experimental measurement of the effective delayed neutron fraction ( beta -bar) was made for a clean critical assembly by determining the asymptotic period associated with introduction of a known amount of reactivity. The "known amount" of reactivity was obtained by replacing, uniformly throughout the reactor, a small quantity of U/sup 235/ with an alloy of B/sup 10/ and Hf designed to match the absorption properties of U/sup 235/. The replacement was thus equivalent to a uniform reduction in nu , the number of neutrons emitted per fission from the fuel. Such a reduction introduces a reactivity change equal exactly to delta nu / nu /sub 0/. Two analyses of the experiment were made using different high energy cross sections in conjunction with four group, two dimensional diffusion theory. The measured value of beta lay between the results of these computations, the error spread (an average rms error of plus or minus 5.2%) being too great to permit any conclusion regarding the significance of the comparison. (auth)