The {sup 55}Fe from nuclear weapons testing which enters the ocean is in a chemical form which is much more readily available for biological uptake than is stable oceanic iron. This property of {sup 55}Fe results in up to 1000-fold higher {sup 55}Fe specific activities in marine organisms than is present in seawater. Dilution of {sup 55}Fe by stable iron from anthropogenic sources or natural sources appears to be responsible for the lower specific activity in mid-latitude marine organisms than in organisms from high latitudes. The half-time for {sup 55}Fe in harvested salmon from the west coast is essentially the same as the half-residence time for stratospheric radioactive debris. This fact suggests that {sup 55}Fe reaching the ocean surface is available for biological uptake for a relatively short time. Measurements of {sup 55}Fe specific activities in certain crustacea predacious fish than in the phytoplankton. What we have learned about the behavior of the radionuclide {sup 55}Fe in the ocean environment may well apply to other fallout radionuclides, and a consideration of this fact should be included in estimating the potential hazard of the release of radionuclides to the marine environment. These data suggest that the release of radioiron from a …

A venturi type bubble generator was developed for application in the xenon removal system proposed for a molten-salt breeder reactor. Gas injected into the high velocity liquid at the venturi throat is fromed into bubbles by the fluid turbulence in the diffuser cone. Tests were conducted using aqueous solutions to determine the various pressure drops of the bubble generator as a function of liquid and gas flow rates and to determine the bubble diameter produced. Empirical relationships were developed which could be used in combination with the more conventional fluid flow equations to predict the overall head loss and the gas injection pressure of the bubble generator. A dimensionless correlation for predicting the bubble diameter was developed for bubble generators of similar geometry.

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Experiments have been carried out to determine the solid-liquid phase diagrams of binary mixtures of FEFO, EDNP, BDNPA and BDNPF. Cooling curves for the mixtures give no indication of crystal formation. Penetration measurements indicate a glass transition for all of the mixtures below {minus}40 C. The existence of glassy states for the mixtures was confirmed by visual observation with a polarizing microscope. Thermomicroscopy has been used in the preliminary study of the phase behavior of four binary mixtures. So far no eutectic has been observed.

Several extrudable HE formulations using, principally, HNAB as the explosive component were examined in efforts to develop an extrudable composition more temperature-resistant than Extex. It is shown that extrudability is dependent upon particle character, wetting of the binder compound, roll-milling technique and the addition of fine metallic oxides to improve flow properties, while detonability is dependent upon explosive concentration, a hard cure, and the shock parameters of the confining media.

Five batches of unplasticized AFNOL, each approximately one pound, were synthesized using 4,4-dinitropimelic acid as the starting material. Two 10 g batches were completed prior to the pound batches to assure the usability of the acid chloride. Characterization of each of the larger batches was by differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectrophotometry (IR), and cure tests. Some characterization was also done on the commercial chemicals used in the synthesis.

A total of nine batches of pressable baratol and pressable Composition B-3 were made and analyzed. One pressing was made for P/040 fabrication and test fire. The first P/040 plane wave lenses designed were fabricated and fired, yielding a center-leading average of 0.17 {micro}sec asimultaneity. The interface contour was redesigned and two lenses were fabricated and fired, resulting in center-lagging asimultaneity of 0.098 {micro}sec and 0.074 {micro}sec.

Several different shaped-charge configurations were tested. Charges with an included angle of 60{degree} and brass conical liners were determined to be more satisfactory. Existing loading equipment was used to extrude Rx-08-BD into the final design.

About 150 process-development pressings were made in prototype tooling. Problems arose which include stress cracking caused by difficult stripping of the part from the mandrel. Pressings made of PBX 9404 presented none of these problems. The primary effort is being directed toward developing a process for LX-09 and LX-04 pressings which at present are the problem areas.

The work this period concentrated on packaging RTV silicone fluids in a commercial purchased package-bag. The samples will be stored for a period of six months at ambient temperature. Because of the rigid film of the Bipax Bag, it is doubtful that this method of packaging silicones will develop into an acceptable process. To enhance this process, a more pliable bag should be incorporated into the packaging system.