Analysis that is fast and has extremely low levels of detection for more than forty elements that may be present in lead.

From abstract: The concept of using high intensity beta radiation from an isotopic source, Sr-90, inside a high temperature, high pressure chemical reactor has been developed for potential radiation chemical processes. Distinct advantages include high utilizable intensity from a relatively small source with a minimum of shielding against external radiation.

Abstract: "This quarterly report, ARF 1194-10, covers the work performed in the time period December 15, 1961 to March 14, 1962, on Contract No. AT(11-1)-578. In this period, Phase II, the detailed evaluation of various fields of radioisotope research, has been extended. Preliminary results on the use of radioisotopes in the industrial applications, apparatus and techniques, and metallurgy categories are presented. These preliminary studies indicate the quantity of research, growth rates, and specialized areas of interest in various countries of the world. More detailed evaluations of these categories will be presented in the final report."

The following report is one of a series of quarterly reports following the progress and development of improved zirconium alloys for service in superheated water and steam. This report covers the period between January 1 to March 31, 1961.

Quarterly report documenting progress on a project to determine an improved zirconium alloy for service in superheated water and steam. This report describes the results of approximately 75 compositions that were prepared prior, and presently are being arc-melted and fabricated into corrosion specimens, continuing the investigations of the effect of zirconium purity and heat treatment on corrosion and resistance.

The need for special high velocity shock testing is pointed out and equipment that has been developed to meet these needs is discussed. The concept of velocity-change and its importance in shock-testing technology is brought out. The three types of equipment discussed are: accelerated drop testers, pneumatic actuators, and air guns. Examples of each type and their capabilities and limitations are presented.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, portable fast neutron counter has been developed for determining the weights of solid accumulations of uranium-fluorine compounds in closed process equipment.

From foreword: The purpose of this conceptual design is to outline criteria for the selection and development of a reactor plant with a fossil fuel fired superheater, a conventional generator plant and auxilary systems constituting a complete operating unit capable of producing a gross electrical power output of 22,000 kw.

Abstract: A discussion of the potential hazards of chlorine trifluoride is presented and a series of safe handling procedures is recommended.

This report follows a series of tests run to determine the shielding properties of beryllium oxide, conducted at the Battelle Lid-Tank Shielding Facility. Neutron and gamma penetrations through and behind beryllium oxide were measured.

"Results of tests indicate that the nucerite-bearium seal system is compatible. This combination was operated as long as 9 hours without serious damage. In other work, the test rig was modified to eliminate pressure fluctuations and extraneous dirt, and Type IIA seal parts were designed."

This report presents the physical properties of tuff in the vicinity of the U12g.01 tunnel at the Nevada Test Site based off of two previous Technical Letters on the tunnel: Technical Letter: Area 12-1, and Technical Letter 12-1, Supplement 1.

Tory 11-A, the first experimental reactor in the Pluto nuclear ramjet program, will be tested in late 1960 at the Nevada Test Site of the Atomic Energy Commission. The fundamental objective of Tory II-A is to demonstrate that a high power density, high-temperature, air-cooled reactor can be successfully designed, constructed, and operated. This application places requirements on the reactor control system which are considerably more stringent than those found in previous reactor systems, both from the standpoint of radiation environment and system performance. To fulfill the system requirements a high-performance reactor control system has been designed and built; control actuation hardware has been developed which can withstand the high-radiation environment of Tory LI-A. This actuation system features radiation-tolerant electrohydraulic components: actuators, servo-valves, solenoid valves, feedback transducers, accumulators and associated hydraulic components. To provide high reliability against undesired shutdowns while carrying out high power level transients, the Tory 11-A control philosophy includes a new concept in reactor safety: reliance on a nonlocking, fast-reset safety system during accident situations. The fast-reset system acts so as to hold the programmed power level rather than initiating an irreversible "scram" action. A reactor "scram", if tolerated, could produce thermal shocks which would seriously damage the …

The purpose of this paper is to describe a few of the suggested advanced concepts for fast breeder reactors and to compare these with the standard approach as to their potential advantage. I have attempted to estimate the economic effect of full technical success with each of the proposed concepts. The proposed concepts include: (1) single sodium system, (2) steam-cooled core concept, (3) direct cycle reactor using potassium as reactor coolant and working fluid, (4) molten plutonium-fuel alloy circulated and cooled by a jet of sodium, (5) settled-bed core, (6) molten salt concept, and (7) paste-fuel system.

From abstract: "Bis(di-n-hexylphosphinyl)methane, HDPM, [(C6H13)2P(O)]2CH2, has been studied as an extractant for a variety of metals. HDPM was evaluated as an extractant for uranium(VI) and compared with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide, TOPO, (C8H13)3PO. In nonpolar solvents, HDPM forms a polymeric-like substance with compounds of uranium(VI). Viscosity measurements indicate that the molecular weight of this polymeric-like substance is about 100 times greater than the corresponding complex with TOPO. Polymer formation occurs only when nonpolar solvents are used as diluents for HDPM and is easily avoided by using polar solvents such as 1,2-aichlorobenzene. HDPM forms 1:1 and 2:1 complexes with uranium(VI) nitrate. Equilibrium constants for these complexes as well as that for the 2:1 TOPO complex were calculated and it was shown that the over-all constant is at least ten times larger for the HDPM complex than for the TOPO complex. The effect of concentration of various mineral acids, extractant concentration, temperature, and diluents on the extraction of uranium are discussed."

Technical report describing the statistically designed empirical approach being used to choose a candidate Zr alloy optimum with respect to corrosion and hydriding rates in steam and having acceptable mechanical properties. The statistical techniques used and the reasons for their use are discussed in detail, with emphasis on the estimation of corrosion rates. Estimation of response surfaces is also considered.

Abstract: This technical report contains the description and results of an experimental program to evaluate the effect of utilizing Type 3 (SM-2) replacement cores in existing Army field plants SM-1, SM-1A and PM-2A. This program, conducted at the Alco Products Critical Facility, employed SM-2 mockup fuel elements similar in composition to Type 3 fuel elements to determine start-up characteristics of Type 3 cores in SM-1, SM-1A and PM-2A core configurations. measurements include comprehensive power distribution, temperature coefficients, initial critical bank positions, control rod calibrations, critical rod configuration and material coefficients, all obtained under cold, clean, core conditions. The 45 element SM-1 and SM-1A configuration with SM-2 mockup fuel elements contain 36.4 Kg U-235 and an estimated 67.9 gm B-10, while the 37 element PM-2A configuration with SM-2 mockup elements contains 30.0 Kb U-235 and an estimated 56 gm B-10.

Abstract: A core design study of a 10 Mwe fast ceramic reactor is presented. Local reactivity coefficients, safety criteria, accident analyses, and economics are considered. An attempt is made to find a new balance of characteristics by purely geometric devices, i.e., by exploring the sodium : fuel ratio and varying the height : diameter ratio of the core. The use of BeO in the core was also investigated.

From introduction: "In order to locate systematic trends of states with a certain angular momentum and parity Jπ in nuclei having constant neutron excess, both the ground state and the level energies will be considered simultaneously: we plot the total nuclear binding energy or nuclidic mass excess of excited states, whereby the ground states appear as a special case. Such a natural correlation of level schemes has been employed before Inglis already in 1953."

Many measurement of neutron spectra have been made in water assemblies. In these system a large part of the spectrum is given by an essentially Maxwellian distribution at the moderator temperature which is insensitive to the scattering model. Hence, the test of the energy exchange scattering kernel is in the difference of the spectrum and the fundamental or Maxwellian component. The figure shows the spectrum for the Nelkin model. Once the fundamental has been subtracted neither theoretical model seems to fit the data extremely well. Below kT the Nelkin model is a closer fit than the gas model but it underestimates the deviation from the Maxwellian whereas in the joining region it overestimates the distortion.

This report is a corrected copy of the authors "rapporteur talk" at the 1959 Kiev Conference on High Energy Physics. It contains data on the rapporteur system and on interactions of strange particles with protons and neutrons, using data from bubble chambers, counters, and emulsions.

A program has begun embodying a study of the diffusion rates of krypton and xenon into unirradiated UO2 and UC at temperatures between 1000°C and 2500°C.The experimental technique is described in some detail, involving exposure of UO2 and UC samples to a Kr85 atmosphere at various temperatures, removal of surface-adsorbed krypton, dissolution of the sample, collection and ion chamber measurement of the diffused Kr, and calculation of diffusion coefficients from these data.

A report on stratospheric air concentrations of plutonium isotopes.

Report documenting ongoing research and developments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Gas-Cooled Reactor Project.