Technical report. From Abstract : "Irradiation of 'Dowex' 1, 'Permutit' S-1, and 'Permutit' SK anion exchange resins with alpha particles results in losses in ion exchange capacity and in 'apparent per cent crosslinkage'. The order of decreasing radiolytic stability for these properties in 'Permutit" SX > 'Permutit' S-1 > 'Dowex' 1."

From abstract: "Recently a general chemical method for the analysis of mixtures of alcohols appeared, using pyridine catalyzed acetylation and second order kinetics to determine the amount of the faster reacting component. The use of 0.25M isobutyric anhydride in pyridine containing 0.0025M perchloric acid as catalyst promotes the rate of the reaction and diminishes the time necessary to perform an analysis. A mathematical treatment of the data and kinetic plot reduces the number of kinetic points to only four or five. The mixtures are primarily composed of isomers."

A study was initiated to determine the precision with which surface temperature measurements could be made in irradiation capsules containing ceramic fuel. A thermocouple was considered to be positioned in a longitudinal groove prepared in the uranium oxide and metallurgically bonded to the inside surface of the stainless steel clad. A fuel capsule having a 3/4 inch outside diameter, designed as a segment of the EGCR fuel element, and operating with a heat generation rating of 27,500 Btu/hr/lineal foot was assumed. The finite difference approximation was employed to study both the grounded and the ungrounded types of thermocouple junctions. It was found that when a short dummy lead is positioned axially adjacent to the thermocouple junction deviations of about 118 deg F and 101 deg F are obtained for the grounded and ungrounded junction, respectively; in both cases the indicated temperatures are in excess of the undisturbed clad surface temperatures. (auth)

The percentage of helium which will bypass the core if the reflector system shown is used is predicted. It is estimated that nominally about 0.1 to 0.2% of the total flow will bypass the core, which is not considered excessive. The most difficult parameter to determine was Z, the gap between the sealing surfaces. The method used to predict Z is presented. The effect of bowing due to a temperature gradient across the seals is discussed. (auth)

An arc furnace is described which employs a nonconsumable tungsten electrode and a water-cooled copper hearth. It is used successfully for melting refractory metals and alloys. The furnace is equipped with a vacuum system, an inert gas supply, and an 800-ampere directcurrent power supply. (auth)

Abstract: This technical memorandum describes an automatic tester and recorder as it is used in obtaining fusing time information from electrical fuses for subsequent analysis in the IBM 704 computer.

From Introduction: "This paper consists essentially of a) a bibliography, b) an author index, and c) an index of the subject matter of the bibliography. While the primary objective is to focus on vacuum measurement, it was believed essential to include in the bibliography articles on vacuum technology in some measure accessory or essential to vacuum measurement. For maximum usefulness, an index of the subject matter of the references has been prepared. The abstract publications listed in the previous paragraph have been freely drawn upon in preparing the bibliography."

A bibliography on pion-pion interactions is presented. The 241 references are those available through November 7, 1961. A chronological listing is given together with excerpts or comments. In another part the references are grouped according to subject. An author index is included. (M.C.G.)

Report issued by the Brookhaven National Laboratory discussing annual work conducted during 1961. As stated in the introduction, "the progress and trends of the research program are presented together with a description of the operational, service, and administrative activities of the Laboratory" (p. ix). This report includes tables, illustrations, and photographs.

Report regarding an Aerial Radiological Measuring Survey (ARMS) of the Camden-Delaware Valley area that was part of a national program to measure environmental levels of gamma radiation. 6,000 traverse miles were examined around Camden, New Jersey.

The development of procedures for the vacuum induction casting of U--Mo alloys into both thin (0.010 to 0.100-in. thick) plates and long (36 in.) plates is described. Melting and casting cycles were developed, and casting techniques established, which resulted in sound, integral plates. These plates were evaluated by radiographic and metallographic examination, and by chemical analysis. The results indicated the feasibility of the process for the fabrication of fuel plates for nuclear reactors. The process promises a potential reduction in fabrication costs, by eliminating waste. (auth)

The growth of nonprotective, crust-like oxide films was encountered in high-temperature alloy systems that contain molybdenum, vanadium, or tungsten as strengthening additions. The cause of accelerated oxidation in such alloys appears to be associated with the characteristically low melting temperatures of oxides of these refractory elements. The factors that contribute to a breakdown of oxidation protection in these systems are outlined and remedial methods which may be used to avoid catastrophic oxidation are discussed. Commonly encountered service failures that have resulted from catastrophic oxidation are also described. (auth)

The Idaho Chemical Processing Plant did not operate on fuel recovery during this period, due to extensive renovation and modiflcation of facilities. Potasslum fluoride was found to be an undesirable additive to the barium precipitating agent used in formation of barium fluozirconate, because of precipitation and loss of uranium, although essentially complete precipitation of zirconium was achieved. Addition of hydrofluoric acid with barium precipitant, to achieve a fluoride/zirconium mole ratio of 5.5, was found to give a total zirconium recovery of 05%, including approximately 10% recovered after concentration of the supernate from the original precipitation. Removal of 97% of the zirconium and fluoride from zirconium -uranium dissolver solutions was achieved by precipitation with two moles of sodium formate per mole of zirconium. Uranium was readily recovered from the concentrated filtrate and wash solution by TBP extraction. The preparation and characterization of zirconium nitrate dibutylphosphate are described, and the solubility in Amsco was found to be similar to that of the uranlum dibutylphosphate complex (2 to 4 x 10/sup -5/ M). Stability studies indicated very little, if any, oxidation of ferrous to ferric iron ln a normal raffinate environment, and ferrous iron has a very low molar extinction coefficsent (0.8) compared …

Pechiney and Brush UOX BeO differ markedly in fabrication behaviour, only Brush UOX being readily sinterable. A comparative study of the two powders has shown few outstanding differences in powder properties. Both are of high purity but contain free and combined moisture to the extent of about 1.5 per cent. Pechiney BeO has a larger mean crystallite size (0.2 — 0.3μ) than Brush UOX (0.1 — 0.15μ) and a larger range of crystallite size, and both contain a small proportion of crystallites of size 1μ. and larger. The tap density of UOX is much lower than that of Pechiney, and its surface area is higher by a factor of two, UOX BeO can be hot—pressed or cold—pressed and sintered to high densities at temperatures of 1400º and 1500ºC respectively, which are approximately 300ºC lower than those required for Pechiney. Grain size of fabricated material increases with fabrication temperature in both grades, and at the same temperatures is larger for UOX than Pechiney. However, at comparable densities grain sizes are also comparable for the two materials, The bend strength at room temperature of hot—pressed Pechiney BeO reaches a maximum of approximately 30,000 p.s.i. when pressed at 1750ºC. Above this temperature the …

A conceptual design and economic evaluation of 300 and 40 MW/.sub e/ steam-cooled fast breeder reactor power plants were performed. A reactor core composed of U-Pu oxide rod-type fuel elements clad with Inconel-X and surrounded by a blanket of depleted UO/sub 2/ fuel was studied in some detail. Reactor breeding ratios of from 1.27 to 1.5 and overall system doubling times of from 20 to 30 years are achievable. For the near term (1967) 300 MW/sub e/ plant, an energy cost of 7.6 mills/kwh is estimated, based on AEC ground rules for privately financed plants and utilities. This cost may go down to 5.7 mills/kwh by 1975. For the 40 MW/sub e/ plant corresponding energy costs are 19.5 and 13.7 mills/kwh, r -spectively. The R&D program required for this reactor concept is estimated at million with an additional million for improvements leading to the 1975 reactor. Investigation of the operational and safety aspects of the reactor indicated that satisfactory procedures can be used for startup, shutdown, and emergency cooling of the reactor. An increase in reactivity upon flooding can be prevented by incorprating small amounts of high resonance absorption material in the core. Preliminary calculations indicate a substantial increase in …

From abstract: This report describes a conceptual design and economic evaluation of 300 and 40 MWe steam-cooled fast breeder reactor power plants performed by NDA under contract with the AEC.

Studies carried out on corrosion associated with the hydrofluorination- dissolution phase in the fused-salt Fluoride Volatility Process are summarized. Corrosion for hydrofluorination-dissolver vessels used in bench-scale and semiworks-scale process development at ORNL is discussed. The results of a study on construction materials for the dissolution phase are presented. Corrosion studies at ANL are described for comparison purposes. A full-size hydrofluorinator dissolver is described. (M.C.G.)

A function to evaluate the cost of electricity produced by a nuclear power reactor was developed. The basic equation, revenue = capital charges + profit + operating expenses, was expanded in terms of various cost parameters to enable analysis of multiregion nuclear reactors with uranium and/or plutonium for fuel. A corresponding IBM 704 computer program, which will compute either the price of electricity or the value of plutonium, is presented in detail. (auth)

The computer codes CROCK and SHOCK, written to aid power system designers in selecting the minimum weight point for space power plant radiators, are described. CROCK can be used to select the minimum weight design for a system in which the waste cycle heat is radiated directly to space from the condenser, while SHOCK can be used for systems in which the sensible heat lost from a single-phase fluid is radiated. (J.R.D.)

An investigation of the solvent extraction behavior of salicylato- beryllium complexes is reported. A simplified method for calculating the stability constants has been developed. The values obtained are beta /sub 1/ = 4.0 x 10/sup 12/ and beta /sub 2/ = 4 3 x 10/sup 22/ in 0.15 M sodium perchlorate. (auth)

A large ultrahigh vacuum chamber was built for environmental testing of components for the SNAP program at temperatures as high as 1000 deg F. The chamber employs diffusion, electronic, and cryogenic pumping to handle high gas loads at high temperature and ultrahigh vacuum. A unique internal heating system, connections, assemblies, flanges, and test set-up jigs are described in detail. (auth)

The addition of alloying elements to base alloys of Th containing 5 and 10 wt% U was investigated with regard to alloy structures and elevated- temperature mechanical properties. The alloys developed possess elevatedtemperature tensile and stress-rupture strengths of essentially twice those associated with binary Th-5 and 10 wt% U alloys at 60O to 800 deg C. The greater strength of these alloys should resuit in improved resistance to radiationinduced swelling at high temperatures. Noticeable improvement in elevated-temperature mechanical properties resulted from the addition of 2 and 5 wt% Zr to the Th-5 and Th-10 wt% U base alloys. Zr was found to be the most effective additive in improving elevated-temperature mechanical properties, although significant improvement was noted with additions of Nb, Mo, C, Al, and Be. Both solidsolution strengthening and dispersion strengthening of the Th --U base alloys were encountered. It was found that a fine intragranular distribution of the secondary U phase improved the mechanical properties of the alloys studied. Structures with optimum properties were produced by careful control of the arc-melting procedure and by solution heat treating at 1350 deg C followed by aging at 850 deg C. Preliminary testing was performed to determine the elevatedtemperature mechanical properties …

Under the influence of radiation, the coolant-moderator in an organic moderated reactor slowly decomposes to form high molecular weight polymers (high boilers) and a mixture of gases and light hydrocarbons as waste products. Work carried out on the improvement and subsequent operation of a prototype waste- polymer combustion process is described. Operation of the improved unit employing a vortex'' burner confirmed the feasibility of combustion as a disposal method. It was determined that fuel temperatures of 400 deg F and combustion air temperatures of 300 deg F were required for successful operation. The quantity of ash resulting from the combustion was established to be less than 0.5 wt% of the original polymer. It was determined that the efficiency of the primary dust collector varied from approximately 90 to 99%, and that there was no detectable particulate matter in the gas leaving the absolute filter. Attempted activity-balance calculations proved unsuccessful due to extreme difficulties in measurement of the low-level activty of the stack gas. In an effort to further improve and simplify the process system, preliminary evaluation of another burner was carried out. A cost estimate of the combustion process using the Vortex'' burner was prepared, based on data obtained from …

In laboratory studies the dissolution of iron in dilute nitric - hydrochloric acid mixtures shows an apparent reaction order of -0.62 with respect to HCl. No apparent order value for HNO/sub 3/ can be determined over the concentration ranges studied. Nickel dissolutions show apparent orders of 1.4 with respect to the HCl and 4.2 for HNO/sub 3/. Activation energies determined from 50 to 80 deg C are not constant, ranging from l0 to 20 kcal per mole for both metals. (arth)