The effects of the maximum credible accident relative to the design of the containment shell are discussed. The maximum credible accident is defined. The thermal and hydraulic effects of the maximum credible accident on the reactor system were analyzed. The extent to which fuelrod cladding will melt was estimated. The amount of energy released from the reactor system by the escaping steam and water and by a possible chemical reaction was calculated along with the corresponding pressure rise inside the containment shell. The kinds, amounts, and total radioactivity of fission products released to the atmosphere of the containment shell after the core melts were predicted. (M.C.G.)

None

The differential cross section for charge-exchange scattering of negative pions by hydrogen has been observed at 230, 260, 290, 317, and 371 Mev. The reaction was observed by detecting one gamma ray from the {pi}{sup 0} decay with a scintillation-counter telescope.

None

Recent borescoping of the KER-1 tube revealed several scratches, pits, and gall marks on the internal wall of the tube. These deformations could limit the operating temperature and pressure of KER-1. This report is a summary of operating history and is compiles to assist in determining what contributed to the condition of the tube.

The purpose of this report is to establish the scope of a project to provide a system which will quickly and accurately identify the sources of all reactor scrams.

This report investigates a study of the accuracy of the power level calculations. Some characteristics of this calculation can be adduced but the accuracy in the sense of freedom from bias leads to an impasse. It presumes that there is another measurement for comparison purposes for which there are engineering reasons to believe, the inherent error is smaller. For the power level values as calculated by the Foxboro Power Level Calculator no such measurement or calculation exits. However, the calculations can be studied to determine whether it is worth-while to make further refinements relative to the various functions of the power level calculation. The accuracy requirements vary according to use where the most stringent requirements are in the control of SS Materials.

This study was developed to provide a correlation for the evaluation of the pile C{sub RI}/Tube C{sub RI} ratio (alpha value) for each of the Hanford reactors.

None

Information concerning the pressure-flow relations in reactor process tubes at very low heat generation rates is of value for determining flow requirements during shutdown conditions. Since such information is quite difficult to calculate when boiling occurs, a brief laboratory investigation was conducted to obtain experimental data. The data obtained for BDF geometry are recorded in this report for distribution to those persons having an interest in the application of the results to reactor operation.

This document details activities of the Fuels Preparation Department during the month of February 1960. (FI)

Data have recently been obtained on a number of C-Reactor process tubes. These data make is possible to reassess the current conditions of the tubes in the C-Reactor and hence to re-evaluate the probable data when retubing of the reactor will have to be started. The results of this reassessment are presented below.

This report discusses an outbreak of ruptures in January and February, 1960, which motivated serious consideration of ail phases of reactor operation so that a combined efforts to reduce rupture potential might be made. Items investigated include mixer location, gas composition control, rod movement, rod configuration, tube power, and the axial flux profile of the reactor.

In 1957 three of the four high temperature recirculating loops in KE Reactor were put into service and in 1958 the fourth loop was started up. The primary purpose of the loops has been high temperature irradiation testing of fuel elements in support of the NPR fuel element development program, although tests have been run to provide information for PRTR fuel development and high temperature aluminum corrosion programs. Coolant technology studies relating to activity build-up, crude formation, corrosion, failure detection, and decontamination are carried on in conjunction with the fuel element tests. The purpose of this document is to provide a resume of all fuel element test irradiations in the KER Loops from the time they started up to the end of CY-1959. A description of each test, its operating conditions, a chronological history of each loop, and a bibliography of documents pertaining to the tests are included. Supplements to this report will be issued periodically to bring the information up to date.

On January 22, 1960, HW-63487 Piping Changes for Increased Production at B, D, DR, F, C, and R Reactors, was published. This study investigates the valve pit piping, front and rear face piping,and effluent lines between the 105 Buildings,and the retention basins to determine modifications necessary to increase power levels in the 100-B, D, DR, F, C, and H Areas by increasing either or both temperatures and flows. The study was based on detailed hydraulic and stress calculations of the existing and proposed piping systems which because of their detailed and voluminous nature were not included in the study. It is the purpose of this study to document, in so far as possible, these calculations together with pertinent information which was not included in the original study.

This report documents the research and testing of an automatic alum feed process at the Hanford reservation. This process generates water of varying qualities which is used to cool fuel elements in nuclear reactors.

An extensive knowledge of the effect on the mechanical properties of metals of prolonged exposure to neutron radiation is considered necessary to properly establish design and operating criteria for in-reactor pressure tubes and test loops. An opportunity to obtain a limited amount of this information on Zircaloy-2 presented itself when, after two years of service, the pressure tubes were replaced in the RE reactor recirculating test facility. Three Zircaloy-2 tubes, with a two-inch inside diameter and 48 feet long, had operated intermittently with prototypical fuel elements at water temperatures up to 250 C (480 F) and pressures up to 1350 psi. During this period, the tubes received an estimated integrated neutron exposure of 1.9 {times} 10{sup 22} nvt. After the tubes were removed from the reactor, metallographic examinations, longitudinal-tensile tests, flattening tests, and burst tests were performed. In this report, the techniques for performing the burst tests are described and the results of the burst tests are compared with the results from tensile tests on coupons cut from corresponding locations along the tube.

Production Test IP-272-A-FP authorizes the installation of up to 100 smooth bore Zircaloy-2 process tubes in C Reactor to demonstrate the feasibility of self-supported fuel elements for production use. An additional 200 zirconium tubes are expected to be delivered by mid-year and con be used to expand the initial demonstration facility. It is the purpose of this document to assess the status of the pilot demonstration program from the B-C Reactor Operation viewpoint.

This report discusses travel to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on January 26 and 27 and the Savannah River Laboratory and Plant on January 28 and 29, 1960. The primary objectives of the trip were to obtain information on the containment philosophy for processing plants recently adopted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and on the Palm Program at Savannah River.

This monthly document details activities of the Hanford Operations Office during the month of February 1960. (FI)

Accelerated accumulation of high level radioactive wastes has given impetus to the development of safer and more economical waste storage methods. Several processes for converting these wastes to granular or porous-solid form are being investigated. In any waste volume-reduction process containment of the final material in a sealed metal shell is desirable as a precaution against accidental release of radioactive material. While the final waste forms are generally stable, they are, if uncontained, subject to some degree to leaching, volatilization, and dusting caused by fracturing due to thermal stresses. An experimental program is now underway to develop an understanding of the variables in waste systems so that suitable storage containers may be designed. This report covers the first phase of the program, a study of heat transfer properties of self-heating granular solids.

S>Several viewing devices were built or purchased and various viewing aids were developed to permit examination of the core vessel of the Homogeneous Reactor Test. The hole in the core vessel was viewed and photographed from both the inside and the outside. A number of simple periscopes were designed and fabricated. A small television camera was purchased, and manipulators were built to insent it in the core or in the blanket. A radiation-resistant 21-ft-long periscope was procured which is 7/8 in. in diameter and has a 180 deg field of view. (auth)

The special fabrication requirements of the newer columbium alloys, particularly with respect to brazing, stress relieving, weld filler wire, etc., necessitates individual detail and layout drawings for the construction of forced convection corrosion loops from different columbium alloys. Accordingly, it is requested that detail and layout drawings be provided for two forced convection corrosion loops to the specifications outlined.

Results of investigations concerning the radial leakage flux of neutrons greater than 1 Mev at the EGCR core reflector outer edge are presented. A comparison of results obtained by use of the moments method and a multi-group diffusion theory is also presented. (J.R.D.)