The pressure drop of a new fuel element design concept of spacing rods by means of helical wire springs was investigated experimentally and analytically.

"The quantum theory problem of constructing explicitly a local Lorentz invariant model field theory which has an asymptotic particle interpretation and gives rise to an S matrix different from unity is discussed. It is proved that if a local covariant field H(x) has a complete current, the S matrix associated with this field is identically equal to unity. Results show that in order to get an interaction, the current is not allowed to have a terminating expansion in terms of a free field. The absence of a finite connection between a free field and an interacting field tended to confirm the belief that in local quantum field theories with particle interpretation the requirement of the existence of scattering forces in the physical states are such that it is not pos sible to identify them with a linear space spanned by ""free'' particle states."

(p,xp) reactions are those nuclear reactions induced by high energy protons in which both the mans and the charge of the target nucleus are reduced by x-1 units. The most common type of these reactions to be expected in the 100 to 400 Mev region involves the exclusive emission of protons as a results of the interactions. The specific (p,xp) reactions investigated in this study were those where 2 is less than or equal to x where x is less than or equal to 5.

The development of swaging and vibratory compaction process for fabrication of clad UO2 fuel rods is described. The cost is less than 50% of that for an equivalent core fabricated from pellets. The irradiation testing of vibratory filled and swaged UO2 rods is reported for burn-ups from 2,000 to 12,000 Mwd/t UO2; the results indicate that the rods are capable of excellent performance power reactors.

Abstract: A cyclic stress analysis of the SM-1 primary system was carried out. Problems encountered in the fabrication of PM-2A Core II and SM-lA Core II are described, and the results of an examination of damaged SM-lA Core I stationary fuel elements reported. A preliminary study of the radiation damage to SM-1 reactor vessel was made and the possibility of annealing the vessel discussed. Performance analyses are presented for five cores: SM-1 Core, SM-1 Core 1 rearranged and spiked, SM-1 Core II with special components, PM-2A Core 1, and SM- 1A Core 1. Preliminary critical experiments were made with SM-2 elements in a SM- 1 core configuration and nuclear and thermal analyses of the use of SM-2 elements in SM-1, SM-1A, and PM-2A completed. A throttling steam calorimeter was selected for measuring moisture carry-over on the PM-2A steam generator. Test procedures for evaluating the shielding of the SM-1, SM-lA, and PM-2A plants are summarized. Radiochemical and chemical analyses of SM-1 coolant and crud are summarized, and methods of activity control discussed. Preliminary results of studies of the properties of reactor pressure vessels under irradiation and no irradiation conditions are summarized briefly.

Abstract; SM-1 Reactor Core I Rearranged and Spiked, and Core II with Special Components were analyzed under various off-design conditions to induce nucleate boiling. The steady state code, STDY-3, written for the thermal analysis of pressurized water cores, was employed for the analysis. The code performs a complete steady state parallel channel thermal analysis for both nominal and hot channels. Thermal characteristics of individual elements were investigated while changing the parameters of primary pressure or inlet temperature to introduce the phenomenon of nucleate boiling in the the core. Reduction of system pressures to 1000, 800, and 600 psia and increasing core inlet temperatures to 465 and 500 degree F were studied as the means to induce boiling in the core. This analysis indicates that SM-1 Core I Rearranged and Spiked can be safely operated at the reduced pressure of 910 psia without introducing extensive boiling in the core. SM-1 Core II with Special Components can be operated at 800 psia or at an inlet temperature of 500 degree F at 1200 psia.

Technical report outlining the use of circular weirs in solvent extraction between liquid phases of nuclear fuel elements. From Abstract : "A correlation of the experimental coefficients was developed to allow calculation of general weir performance."

Technical report. From Abstract : "A semicontinuous process was developed for dissolving the solid residues that are produced in the calcium reduction process for converting plutonium fluoride to plutonium metal. The slag and crucible residues are charged to a column-type dissolver, and are there exposed to a flowing solution of hot nitric acid followed by a nitric acid - aluminum nitrate solution. The resultant solution is suitable as feed for an ion exchange process for recovering plutonium."

Abstract: This technical report contains a description and results of a second series of critical experiments performed on the SM-2 core mock-up, as additional to the first series of experiments reported in APAE No. 54. The SM-2 core mock-up contains 36.4 kg U-235 and and estimated 67.9 gm B-10. The equivalent diameter and the active height are about 22 in.; the metal-to-water volume ration is 0.344. Data is presented on activation, reactivity, and stuck rod measurements. All measurements were conducted on the open seven control rod array employing 38 stationary fuel elements. Activation measurements consisted of neutron flux measurements using uranium fission foils for relative power distribution studies, the effect of flux suppressors on reducing power peaks, blocked coolant channel measurements, and gamma ray dose distribution. Reactivity measurements were performed to determine the effect f flow divider, flux suppressors and stimulated high temperature and pressure operation; b-10 loading in the SM-2 core; and core material coefficients. For the later, the worth in cents per gm or cents per cc was determined at simulated temperature of 510 degree F for B-10, U-235, stainless steel, and void. Stuck rod measurements were made to obtain an indication of the criticality margin in the …

Production of Pu and U nitrates, U oxides, Pu metal buttons, and fabricated parts are reported. 135 kCi Sr-90 was isoalted in Purex plant and stored for further Sr-89 decay. The new scrub cartridge in Purex co-decontamination cycle column performed better than the old. Increased Np losses were attributed to failure of plastic plates in 2nd cycle U extraction column.

Interest in neptunium recovery became active in early 1958. At this time neptunium chemistry was sketchy, the path of neptunium through the Purex Plant was not clearly defined nor were the effects of operating variables on the path. An intense research and development program carried out in Hanford Laboratories Operation, research and Engineering Operation (CPD), and Purex Operation led to the first recovery attempt in June 1958. Continuing efforts on flowsheet improvement resulted in further neptunium recovery from Purex. In April 1961 a routine neptunium isolation run was undertaken. During the course of this run approximately 75 per cent of the accumulated neptunium was lost to the high level waste storage tanks. It is the purpose of this report to document the facts surrounding this occurrence.

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One of the characteristics of the safety control system of the Hanford reactors which is of primary concern from the standpoint of reactor safety is the response time. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the safety control system is sufficiently fast-acting to prevent an intolerably large power excursion from developing. An intolerably large power excursion is one that would cause a melting of the uranium while the reactor power is above the previous operating level. The purpose of this report is to show the techniques used to analyze the speed of control of the Hanford reactors. This report will help to standardize the methods and reduce to a routine the solution of this type of problem. The analog circuits will be presented and explained. A report has been written previously on the speed of control. The changes in the problem have necessitated the redesigning of the analog circuit and also the issuing of this report. This report compiles and organizes the analog work done on the speed of control to date.

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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.

The Expansion Joint Test are detailed in this report are part of the work accomplished under Design, Development and Research Contract DDR-111 between General Electric Company, Hanford Atomic Products Operation and Washington State University. The equipment and instrumentation used for the K-Downcomer tests were arranged to permit installation and testing of the expansion joints.

Current NPR fuel production plans call for a thick layer (0.030 inch or greater) of 5% Be + 95% Zry-2 braze alloy in the closure region. This requirement was imposed to eliminate many of the production welding problems brought about by the presence of the low melting braze alloy between two surfaces of Zircaloy. All GEH-4 irradiations in the past have involved very thin braze lines (0.015 inch or less). As a part of the fuel evaluation program it is essential to run a comparative irradiation to determine what effect the braze line thickness has on the stability of the fuel closure. For this purpose three fuel elements were prepared, two with a braze thickness of 0.030 inch and one with a braze thickness of 0.015 inch. To provide a more severe thermal stress, the I&E geometry was used. Five MTR cycles should be sufficient to test this fuel concept. This report details this test proposal.

Output of fuel elements during May was 107% of forecast. Engineering of present reactor fuels and N-Reactor fuel development are discussed. (DLC)

This test authorizes installation of up to ten non-overbore size zirconium smooth-bore process tubes into KW Reactor and continued charging of these tubes with KVNS fuel elements until authorized by other means (Process Standards or PITA) or until this test is terminated. While the test authorizes up to 10 tubes, only two process tubes are immediately available and are all that will be planned for in the initial installation and charging. Goal exposure will be set at 800 MWD/T.

This report details model studies performed as required by the design, development, and research contract between the General Electric Company and Washington State University. These studies provide analytical considerations for K-Downcomer and Bellows.

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The objective of this supplement is to review the basis, justification and procedure so that this production test may be used permitting a determination of minimum downtime, when advisable for improving moderator coefficient data as function of exposure.

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