Experiment to study temperature conditions during a five-minute heating cycle in the annealing of uranium sheets used as fissile material.

From introduction: "The work described in this report represents the Joint United States - European Atomic Energy Community effort which is in keeping with the spirit of cooperation in contributing to the common good by the sharing of scientific and technical information and minimizing the duplication of effort by the limited pool of technical talent available in Western Europe and the United States."

Theoretical investigation on the nature of ion exchange of acidified uranyl sulfate solutions with Dowex 21K, a strong base ion exchange resin.

Cycle study performed on a closed loop Brayton cycle incorporating a gas-cooled nuclear reactor, regeneration, and compressor intercooling. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of various cycle parameters on efficiency and cost.

Report discussing an improvement program on lithium mass spectrometers.

Data processing program written to compute the neutron dose received by individuals exposed in a nuclear excursion.

Abstract: Test procedures for special tests involving in-core SM-1 temperature and flow instrumentation are described (Task XIV Package Tests). These tests involve in-core steady state flow and temperature measurements, loss of flow transients, load transients, reduced primary system pressure operations and reduced element flow. The thermal and hydraulic conditions prevailing in these tests, including steady state and transient burnout rations, are developed. The effects of reduced system pressure and flow on the burnout ratios are determined as are the expected stuck rod conditions when Task XIV test elements are installed. The effect on the maximum credible accident is included and a recommendation to conduct these Task XIV package tests is made.

Abstract: In the March-April 1962 shutdown of SM-1 Core II, the SM-28 element will be re-inserted in SM-1 Core II and an SM-1 Core I element will be removed. An SM-1 Core II europium absorber will be replaced by a Ag-Cd-In absorber, and surveillance specimens will be inserted above the core support structure. Analysis of these changes concludes that re-insertion of the SM-2B stationary element and insertion of surveillance specimens do not affect hazards potential previously defined for SM-1. Replacement of the europium absorber by the Ag-Cd-In absorber will have negligible effect on reactivity control worth of the rod. The absorber meat section is encapsulated to prevent exposure of silver alloy to the primary coolant; postulated release of silver due to a cladding defect, after 2 years irradiation in SM-1, would not cause a hazard such as to restrict access to the vapor container. Possibility of steam formation in the air gap between the absorber core and cladding, causing a cladding failure, is remote. Deformation of the absorber section sufficient to cause the rod to stick, would not impair the ability of the other rods to shut down the reactor safely.

Abstract: This preliminary technical report covers design of the SM Type 3 element, its use .in.. SM-1 Core III, and planned use in the Type 3 Core for PM-2A. The Type:3 element characteristics are compared with Type 1 (SM-1 Core I) element nuclear, metallurgical, thermal and hydraulic characteristics and fabrication. The effect of using the Type 3 element in SM-1 Core III and. its planned use in a Type 3 Core for PM-2A is discussed with regard to operation, shielding, reactor safety and all conceivable special problems.

Abstract: The natural circulation, direct cycle, boiling water reactor reference design presented in this technical report is the alternate to the preferred preliminary design developed under Phase I of the PL-3 contract. The report presents plant design criteria, summary of plant selection, plant description, reactor and primary system description, thermal and hydraulic analysis, nuclear analysis, control and instrumentation description, shielding description, auxiliary systems, power plant equipment, waste disposal, buildings and tunnels, services, operation and maintenance, logistics, erection, cost information and training program outline.

Abstract: The pressurized water reactor preliminary design presented in this volume is the preferred design developed under Phase I of the PL-3 contact. This technical report presents plant design criteria, summary of plant selection, plant description, reactor and primary system description, thermal and hydraulic analysis, nuclear analysis, control and instrumentation description, shielding description, auxiliary systems, power plant equipment, waste disposal, buildings and tunnels, services, operation and maintenance, logistics, erection, cost information and a training program outline.

Abstract: This technical report summarizes the results of research and development tasks performed during Phase I of this contract and presents recommendations for future development work. Work is reported in the areas of plant assembly and relocation, housings and footings, waste heat dissipation, instrumentation, refueling systems, waste disposal, shielding, core nuclear thermal and hydraulic studies, gaseous waste processing (BWR), and critical experiments on a 5 x 5 array of Type 3 fuel elements.

Abstract: This technical report covers development of an AG-Cd-In alternate absorber section for Army Type SM reactors. It describes the absorber material composition and the geometric configuration. It gives the nuclear and thermal analyses supporting this configuration and a detailed description of the manufacturing practice employed in fabricating the final design component.

Abstract: The most adverse power distribution and power peaking factors have been developed for Type 3 replacement cores for SM-1, SM-1A, and PM-2A. Also included is the 37 element Type 3 core for SM-1, which is known as SM-1 Core III and is a prototype of a Type 3 core for PM-2A. The power distributions were compared with measured distributions obtained on type 3 fuel elements in SM-1, SM-1A and PM-2A core configurations. Using the measured data as a standard, correction factors were obtained and applied to the analytical predictions of the most adverse power distribution.

Abstract: This technical report describes the changes incurred in the PM-2A by the planned insertion of PM-2A Core II and the replacement of the startup and check sources. PM-2A Core II components were fabricated to specifications very nearly identical to those of PM-2A Core I. The essential difference in the cores is the boron loading which permits PM-2A Core II to meet a "one-stuck rod criteria" at beginning of life. This core has been subjected to a zero power experiment and loading procedures have been developed at the Alco Critical Facility. The nuclear and thermal and hydraulic characteristics are essentially identical to those of Core I and the replacement of the startup and check sources represent no increase in the potential for or magnitude of a hazardous situation.

The designer's concept of a test program for the 30-Mw prototype intermediate heat exchanger and steam generator designed and fabricated as part of the Sodium Components Development Program is presented. The performance data will serve to verify the thermal design, or allow application of improved techniques to future designs, give an improved basis for stress analysis in design of future units, and demonstrate the capability and limitations of the units in relation to the performance specifications for which they were designed. Welding techniques for type 316 stainless steel are described. The specifications and operating conditions of the units are given along with instrumentation drawings showing test equipment design and arrangement.

Abstract: A detailed description of the PM-2A reactor, primary system and instrumentation is presented. A general description of the secondary system and plant arrangement at Camp Century, Greenland is included. The results of the startup physics, shielding, thermal and hydraulics and radiochemistry test are presented. the analysis performed on the shielding and thermal and hydraulic tests is included. The shielding problem at startup and the shielding modification made to the plant are described along with the radiation measurements made in these areas.

Abstract: This technical report contains a summary of experimental and analytical work performed on cold clean SM-1 Core II with special components and PM-2A Core I each with thermal shield and vessel mockups. The purpose of this work was to define the neutron intensity and spectra to which the pressure vessels are subjected in order to assess the effect of irradiation on the vessel lifetimes. The radial distributions of the energy dependent neutron flux per unit power in the core and vessel mockups are presented. The uncertainties associated with the measurements are also given. In addition to graphical and tabular presentations of the test results, discussions are provided on the experimental techniques and theory. A review of the analytical models is provided in addition to the calculational results. A special analytical study of the the PM-2A Core I power distribution and absolute power level determination is given. A comparison of the experimental and analytical results is made and conclusions and recommendations presented.

Abstract: This technical report covers the investigation of 17-4 PH steel components used in the SM-1, SM-1A and PM-2A nuclear power plants, which consist of control rod drive racks, pinions, seal shafts and associated parts. Evidence supporting the continued use of 17-4 PH steel in these applications is presented. Alco's current procurement and processing specifications for 17-4 PH steel are included. The evidence presented is in the form of stress calculations, test and environmental data and the results of non-destructive and destructive metallographic analyses.

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: This technical report evaluates hazards involved with SM- 1 plant response and system performance tests (Task XII), to determine the response of the SM-1 plant to step electrical and steam load changes. The report describes the changes in plant equipment and operating procedures for this task and evaluates these changes for possible additional hazards to those described in APAE No. 2, Revision 1, "Hazards Summary Report for the Army Package Power Reactor SM-1."

Abstract: This report presents metallurgical .analyses and corrosion tests conducted to determine :causes of failure of two SM- 1 reactor vessel studs due to fracture in the threaded areas, after 23 months' operation (March 1959). Conclusions of corrosion tests are: (1) failure of the studs was caused by stress corrosion cracking, (2) contributing factors to failure of the studs were improper control of heat treatment of the studs and absence of treatment for stress relief after thread grinding operation.

Abstract: This technical report covers the zero power experiments performed on PM-2A Core II at the Alco Critical Facility. PM-2A Core II is the first replacement core for a portable pressurized reactor at Camp Century, Greenland. Core II is the same as Core I with the exception that Core II has an increased burnable poison (B-10) content. The zero power experiment consisted of fuel element uniformity test; core assembly test, development of an on-site loading procedure and an analysis of experimental data. Physical characteristics determined include distribution of fuel and B-10 in the fuel plates, minimum critical mass, control rod bank calibration, and integral rod worth. The report concludes with an analysis of the experimental data including estimated uniform and non-uniform burnup rates.

Abstract: Progress is reported on research and development tasks under the Program Plan for Engineering Support and Development of Army Pressurized Water Reactor Power Plants, Contract AT(30-1)-2639, during the six months' period October 1, 1061 to March 31, 1962.