An experimental, gamma-sensitive, coaxial radioelectric cell has been tested by the Control Section. It was found to be as precise as the rotating sample gamma counter but much faster and simpler to operate. A gamma-sensitive, radioelectric cell of improved design has been constructed for the 'Y' Section. A neutron sensitive radioelectric cell has been tested over a range of pressures with various filling gases and with several combinations of hydrogenous electrode backings. Neutron to gamma discrimination ratios as high as 2,000 to 1 were obtained, A multiple electrode, alpha radiation, radioelectric cell using coated plastic electrodes gave increased current output, but the electrode life was quite short. Preliminary life tests indicated that aluminum electroscope foil would give excellent electrode life and techniques were worked out for making good electrodes of both aluminum and of gold electroscope foil. The vacuum-pressure gas system has been redesigned and completely rebuilt (p. 5) The fast-neutron scintillation counter is much smaller and lighter than a B-wall proportional counter and a large moderator. The former is more efficient for polonium-beryllium neutron sources but is less efficient for radium-beryllium neutron sources or for polonium sources producing lower energy neutrons The fast neutron scintillation counter would thus be …

A detailed study was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of modifying the front and rear face piping at DR and H Areas to permit increased production rates. This study is in conjunction with a larger investigation concerning methods of increasing plant production facilities. The results of the subject study indicate that approximately one year would be required for the design, procurement, and delivery of critical materials, and that the estimated construction shutdown time to complete each unit is 50 work days on a three shifts basis. Although the length of time required to perform the proposed construction work is not in line with the planned 30 day shutdown period, it is believed that the 50 days reflected by this estimate is realistic and necessary. A critical material schedule, design schedule, construction schedule and force requirement charts are presented on pages 9 to 13 inclusive.

The following tabulation includes information on all uranium slug failures which have occurred through September 26, 1951. The four suspect slugs which are listed were discharged from tubes which gave strong indication of containing ruptures. Although no obvious rupture could be found among the slugs from these tubes, the listed pieces exhibited defects which may be incipient ruptures.

Topics in the heat studies section include: front and rear face reflector shields at the C-pile; process tube channel thermocouples; water temperature limits for horizontal rods; slug temperature and thermal conductivity calculations; maximum slug-end cap temperature; boiling consideration studies; scram time limit for Panellit alarm; heat transfer test; slug stresses; thermal insulation of bottom tube row at C-pile; flow tests; present pile enrichment; electric analog; and measurement of thermal contact resistance. Topics in the water studies section include: 100-D flow laboratory; process water studies; fundamental studies on film formation; coatings on tip-offs; can difference tests; slug jacket abrasion at high flow rates; corrosion studies; front tube dummy slugs; metallographic examination of tubes from H-pile; fifty-tube mock-up; induction heating facility; operational procedures and standards; vertical safety rod dropping time tests; recirculation; and power recovery. Mechanical development studies include: effect of Sphincter seal and lubricant VSR drop time; slug damage; slug bubble tester; P-13 removal; chemical slug stripper; effect of process tube rib spacing and width; ink facility installation; charging and discharging machines; process tube creep; flapper nozzle assembly test; test of single gun barrel assembly; pigtail fixture test; horizontal rod gland seal test; function test of C-pile; and intermediate test of …

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