Abstract; The fission product data obtained during SM-1 Core I operation (June 1957 - May 1960) is reviewed briefly and interpreted. Evidence is presented to indicate that a fuel element defect was responsible for the high fission product activity level observed in the primary coolant. Relative escape coefficients are calculated and the defect size estimated. Anticipated fission product levels during SM-1 Core II and SM-1A Core I operation are estimated from alpha surface contamination data on completed fuel elements. The importance of in-line sampling for monitoring fission product activity is stressed as well as the need for failed fuel element detection methods.

Abstract: "The objectives of this program are the development of zirconium-base alloys possessing exceptionally good corrosion resistance to 680 F water or 750-900 F system and/or improved strength at elevated temperatures. Approximately 100 binary compositions were prepared and screened by corrosion testing in 680 F water; selected compositions were exposed to 750 F steam. The data obtained indicate promising bases for ternary and quaternary alloys. Related investigations involving zirconium purity and heat treatment for improvement of corrosion properties are proceeding. Hydrogen pickup and mechanical properties will be used as acceptability tests on promising compositions."

"Mesic decay of hyperfragments is discussed systematically on the basis of a previous model for hyperfragments. The general formalism for the two-body and three-body mesic decay was developed. The polarization-direction correlation and the angular correlation for the two-body and the three-body decays are discussed together with the decay probability. The formalism was developed so as to include the isotopic spin selection rule ( DELTA I = 1/2 and 3/2) for the mesic decays. The theory was applied especially for the low mass number hypergragments where it was found that the branching ratios of the two-body and the three-body mesic decays of /sup 3/H/sub i and /sup 4/H/sub i, (/sup 3/ H/sub i yields /sup 3/He + i/sup -/)/(/sup 3/H/sub i yields D + p+ pi /sup -/) and (/sup 4/H/sub i yields /sup 4/He + pi /sup -/)/(/sup 4/H/ sub i yields /sup 3/H + p + pi /sup -/), could be used for the determination of the spins of both hyperfragments. The fraction of the p-wave decay rate for the free LAMBDA decay obtained from the reaction /sup 5/He/sub i yields /sup 4/He + p + pi where the decay proceeds through two-resonant states (p/sub 3/2/ and p/sub 1/2/) …

Tables of the electron pressure and kinetic energy for a partially degenerate, relativistic, ideal electron gas are computed by numerical integration using an IBM 7090 electronic calculator. These are given in terms of log10(B) and log10(0), where B is the ratio of the temperature to the rest mass of the electron and (O) is proportional to the numerical density of electrons. The tables include values of T from 5 million to 400 billion degrees and cover the range of electron densities from the region of a perfect gas to the region of complete degeneracy.

A relationship is derived the mean square fluctuating current of a hot wire anemometer and the sic turbulent Reynolds stresses in the stream-coordinate system without employing the usual low turbulent intensity approximation. The relatively simple result is a consequence of assuming proportionality between the wire current reading and the perpendicular velocity component instead of the non-linear dependence required by King's law. The assumption is valid for instruments equipped with the proper linearizing circuitry. The stream-coordinate Reynolds' stresses are then related to the cylindrical polar Reynolds stresses.

This report considers the HFIR reflector design criteria and presents a summary of the reflector design. The reflector type chosen as complying best with the established criteria consists of a 3 in. thick removable beryllium annulus utilizing four concentric cylinders with cooling water flowing through the annuli between cylinders, and an outer 9 in. thick permanent beryllium annulus with axial circular coolant holes. Reflector support structures and experimental facilities are described and probable beryllium replacement costs are indicated.

To date, three types of metal-to-metal seal disconnects have been subjected to thermal cycling and make-break tests. In addition, a commercial disconnect has been procured for testing.

"An investigation was made into the various processes for the fixation of mixed fission products as solids in order to determine the extent they could be utilized as heat sources for thermoelectric generators. Generators of up to ten watts can be designed and built with state-of-art'' thermoelectric materials and mixed fission products soon to be available from the ldaho Falls calcination pilot plant. Mixed fission products from other processes and plants to be on stream'' in this decade will be capable of fueling practical generators into the kilowatt range using thermoelectric materials available in the same time period. A survey was made on current research and development efforts on waste fixation processes. Studies showed that a wide range of power densities (from 0.002 to 0.2 watts per cubic centimeter) will be available from calcined fission product wasted. An experimental program for the consolidation of low density, Idaho Chemical Processing Plant alumina type wastes is reviewed. Preliminary results indicated that densification factors of three to four are readily obtainable for such wastes."

Introduction: This is a final report on the evaluation of Kanigen electroless nickel plating for surfaces in contact with water and steam i a sodium heated AISI Type 316 stainless steel steam generator. The purpose of the coasting was to afford protection from stress corrosion cracking originating on the water-steam side of the unit. It has been concluded that the kanigen coating does not afford adequate protection for the services condition intended. This work was performed as part of the research and development program for the United States Atomic Energy Commission sodium Components Design Project.

This document reports progress during the month of February, 1961, recording investigations and studies of a flow rate using a curved pipe or S-tube and documenting measurements of mass flow, tube design and construction.

"This is the third quarterly report on Task II dealing with Methods Development for Radio-Tracing of Coal Product Hydrocarbons With Tritium. The problem of accurate low-level tritium assay for tagged hydrocarbons has been resolved and attention is now primarily directed at the questions of tritium mobility and radio-chemical purity in tagged tracers."

Equilibrium krypton and xenon adsorption isotherms were obtained for four varieties of charcoal and for Linde Molecular Sieves Types 4A and 5A, generally at 0, 25, and 60°c. Such data are of interest in connection with design and evaluation of adsorbers for radioactive noble gas fission products. The isotherms were fitted, by linear regression analysis, to straight-line forms of the Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The Freundlich linear equation gave the better fit and the parameters of this equation are presented for each of the isotherms. Also presented are the constants for an equation representing the temperature dependence of arbitrary adsorption coefficients, the coefficients having been calculated from the Freundlich isotherm parameters. Some aspects of the applicability and accuracy of these results are discussed.

The general solution to the basic differential equation d^4w/dy^4 +4w= -4f(y) is transformed from the primary form treated in most texts to an alternate form in which each integration constant corresponds to one edge condition at y=0. The relationships between the integration constants of the two forms are derived and the values for the transformed functions are tabulated. The particular solution is derived in general and given in unique form for various functional forms of f(y). Matrix notation is used throughout the derivations; however, a knowledge of matrix theory is not need for application of the results.

Oscillations have been observed in a magnetically supported cylindrical rod of plasma. This rod of plasma can be the discharge occurring in the defining aperture of a Mode II, pressure gradient arc. Similar oscillations can also occur in the column of a Mode I arc. These oscillations appear to be the mechanism that drives the Mode II blowup phenomena.

The General Electric Company is proceeding with an irradiation program to proof test a representative array of Savannah I fuel rods. Irradiation of a test assembly containing Savannah I fuel rods has begun and it is proposed that the results of this irradiation will permit an advance evaluation of the fuel performance and fuel burnup in the Savannah I reactor. This report covers the first two quarters of the reporting period. All aspects of the subject program have been consolidated and applicable portions are discussed in some detail.

Preliminary results from experiments on the dissolution of beryllium metal and sintered UO2-BeO fuel pellets are reported. In all cases the pellets were fired in hydrogen at 1650-1800°C. Uranium, from UO2-BeO pellets containing more than 60% UO2, is readily leached with boiling 6-13 M HNO3 in about 6 hr. The BeO in these pellets dissolves only slowly in nitric acid; however, in 8 M HNO3-0.2M NaF, it dissolves at about the same rate as the UO2. Sintered pellets containing less than 10% UO2 do not dissolve rapidly in common aqueous reagents. The highest rates are obtained in boiling acidic fluoride solutions; e.g., sintered BeO and BeO-8% UO2 are dissolved initially at a rate of about 1.7 mg min-1cm-2 (13 mils/hr) in boiling 5.8 M NH4HF2.

The IBM-70% code GHT has been programmed for the 7090computer, to be run under control of the IBM-7090 FORTAN Monitor System. By eliminating the use of tapes for intermediate number storage, it has been possible to reduce computing time by a factor of 26 over the 704. A minimum of three tapes are required; one for input, one for output, and the System tape. One scratch tape is required for transient problems, and one punch tape is required if the steady-state temperature distribution is to be punched on cards.

A program translates an algebraic language like Algol into the machine language of an electronic computer must perform the following functions.

The experimental demonstration of fission product release from over heated reactor fuel is necessarily subject in many respects to the arbitrary conditions imposed by the experimenter. Since an almost infinite latitude exists in the choice of materials, atmospheres, gas, velocities, temperatures etc., some allowance for an extrapolation to alternate conditions is definitely in order. The conditions imposed in this study are best described as those most likely to maximize fission product release. Two of the most important variables not investigated in the present report are the influence of metal cladding and the difference in internal nuclear heating as opposed to external radiant heating. In addition a significant uncertainty exists in the understanding of diffusion through large masses such as might result from a scaled-up melt down in a reactor.

Abstract: A definitive investigation of the boron-carbon equilibrium system is being made by X-ray diffraction, metallographic, and thermal analytical techniques. On the basis of metallographic and X-ray diffraction studies it is concluded that boron carbide has a range of solubility from approximately 10 to 20 atomic per cent carbon at 1500 degrees to 2000 degrees Celsius. The melting point of the carbide-graphite eutectic has been established as 2325-2350 degrees Celsius. No reversible allotropy of the beta-rhombohedral structure has been observed. The solubility of carbon in boron is very small. The melting point of dilute carbon alloys is found to be essentially the same as that of pure boron (2040 degrees to 2050 degrees). No metallographic evidence of a three-phase reaction of dilute alloys is observed.

A reference design of a large high power density core has been established representing the available technology as of August, 1960. Reference core performance and cost should improve considerably after incorporation of improvements now under study.

Further calculations have been made to determine the desired radial fuel distribution in the HFIR and in the forthcoming HFIR critical experiment. In the process the design of the core was changed to include a 1-cm-thick annular space of water between the two nearly equally thick fuel annuli, a metal-to-water ratio in the fuel annuli of 1.0 (0.050 in. thick plates and coolant channels ) was specified, and the active length of the core was increased from 18 to 20 in. Results of the calculations indicated that the largest ratio of maximum meat thickness to minimum meat thickness occurred in the inner fuel annulus and was equal to 3.6, while the maximum fuel concentration occurred in the outer fuel annulus and was equivalent to about 0.7 g of U-235/cm^3 of meat. The total U-235 loading for this core was 8.01 kg, which results in a core lifetime of about 14 days.

Results of the examinations of corrosion specimens exposed in the HRT are presented. Specimens examined included (1) core screen samples, (2) core specimen array No. 1, (3) blanket specimen array No. 2, (4) core solution line specimen arrays No. 103 and 103A, (5) blanket solution line specimen array No. 203. Complete information is still not available on all the specimens removed from the reactor, however, those data which have been accumulated are presented. These include corrosion rates, computed from specimen weight-changes, and results of chemical analyses of scales removed from the specimens or specimen holders. Also included in the report is a summary of the HRT operating schedule during exposure of the specimen and of the status of examinations for those specimens removed from the reactor prior to run 20.

Quarterly report describing the progress and development of improved zirconium alloys for service in superheated water and steam. This report covers the period between October 1 to December 31, 1960 and was conducted by the United States and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).