The uranium OD increased about 20 mils in 97W-17 and 12 mils in 96W-18. The ID did not change. Remaining cladding thicknesses of 97W-17 were 37 mils minimum and 41 mils maximum external, and 42 mils minimum and 44 mils maximum internal, excluding the A{sub l}-S{sub i}. Remaining cladding thicknesses of 96W-18 were 35 mils minimum and 45 mils maximum external, and 36 mils minimum and 45 mils maximum internal, exclusive of A{sub l}-S{sub i}. Metallographic examination disclosed small grains to a depth of about 10 mils on the internal surface of the uranium in both elements. The spire bond in 97W-17 was cracked completely around the spire.

Nickel plated aluminum was considered as a jacketing material for nuclear fuel elements as early as 1954, and both static and dynamic corrosion tests were carried out by Argonne National Laboratories and by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., employing demineralized water at temperatures of from 260 to 316{degree}C. Results generally indicated that the nickel had excellent corrosion resistance; however, difficulties were experienced in achieving satisfactory continuity and adhesion of the plate; subsequent work emphasized Ni-Aluminum alloy development. At Hanford, our earliest experience employed Ni plate on aluminum-jacketed fuel elements primarily to minimize mechanical damage to the jacket surface during an irradiation test. The appearance of these fuel elements after discharge suggested that the nickel plate might also be a highly satisfactory coating for corrosion and abrasion resistance. Incentives were manifold, including reducing the incidence of in-reactor fuel element failures and permitting reduction of the aluminum jacket thickness with a concomitant increase in space available for uranium or for cooling water passage. A program has been carried out for the past three years aimed at determining various methods of employing nickel plated aluminum jacket material and testing the capabilities of high quality commercially adequate plate. Almost exclusively chemically deposited plate has …

During the 0000--0800 shift on August 21, 1960, the delayed neutron monitor on KER Loop 1 indicated a high coolant activity level. Sympathetic responses were also recorded on the Loop 2, 3 and 4 monitors indicating a possible fuel element failure in Loop 1. The KER Reactor began shutdown operations immediately thereafter. The purpose of this report is to summarize the events pertinent to this reactor outage and to discuss the results obtained from coolant and coupon samples taken from Loop 1.

To provide flow increases in excess of the current water plant capacities at the old reactors, a short-range water modification program has been proposed by Facilities Engineering Section. The proposed program outlined by Facilities Engineering Section includes increased 181 and 183 building pumping capacity at B, D, and H areas, a new filter for F area, and larger impellers for the 190 building pumps at H area. It has been estimated that beneficial use for this proposed increased water plant capability can be obtained by the late fall of calendar year 1962 if prompt project approval can be obtained. In order to obtain an economic benefit from the proposed water plant capacity increases, methods of increasing flow through the reactor must be devised. Initially, various publications discussing this project inferred that rear Parker fitting reaming and installation of larger diameter rear-face pigtails were the only methods by which reactor flow increases could be economically justified. Hence, initially, acceptance of the short-range modification program appeared dependent on Parker fitting reaming and larger rear-face pigtails. Since the possibility of these two modifications will require further investigation, it is desirable to briefly explore alternate methods for increasing reactor flow so that the acceptance …

The oxidation of graphite in the Hanford reactors is of consequence since graphite burnout affects the strength of the moderator. As a means for indication of any highly oxidizing condition within the stack, containers or boats of small weighed samples of reactor-grade graphite are positioned along the length of an empty process channel in each reactor. The rate of oxidation of the monitoring samples, referred to as the burnout rate, is reported as percent weight lose per 1000 operating days (%/KOD). Currently the burnout rate limit is 2%/KOD. This document presents recent burnout data at the C-reactor.

The preliminary design is described of equipment to carry out experiments on boiling burnout in which the average coolant density as a function of coolant channel length as well as local coolant densities may be measured. It appears that by use of the equipment, average densities can be accomplished in a few seconds, while determination of a complete density map (with 5% error) across a plane of the assembly requires approximately one hour. (J.R.D.)

IP-401-A authorized the irradiation of 18-inch UO{sub 2} elements and IP-363-A authorized 18-inch KSE-3 elements. This document provides specific loading and operating conditions for a charge of one UO{sub 2} element and two KSE-3 elements in KER-1.

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A significant portion of the planned production.gain expected from the FY 60 Reactor Plant Improvement Program was directly related to overboring the existing graphite channels. The overbore contemplated was a modest 200 mil enlargement (which would not require enlarging the reactor shield penetrations) at those reactors which were the last to require tube replacement. This was all that appeared feasible in view of the developmental work which had been accomplished at the time the program was prepared. Recent studies have confirmed that large incentives exist for overboring the reactor process channels approximately 500 mils in the C and 5 old reactors. Conservative estimates of the incentives for overboring indicate a payout period of about two years for the proposed work based on an increase in plutonium production of 15--18% derived from increased conversion ratio, and a reduction in plant unit cost. The proposal to overbore the graphite channels approximately 500--550 mils in one or more of the present Hanford reactors will require fuel elements about 0.5 inch larger in diameter than the present I&E fuel elements. Since there is only limited experience at HAPO in fabrication and irradiation of large diameter fuel elements, parallel development of large fuel elements is …