Experimental test loops have been used to study the problem of hydraulic stability. The oscillatory behavior of a single-phase and two-phase natural circulation loop has been examined at atmospheric pressures and oscillating modes of operation were studied in terms of heat input.

Three edge loaded thoria-urania nuclear fuel samples were assembled into a capsule, irradiated and examined. This irradiation was the first of a series to develop thoria-urania fuel for high heat flux, specific power and burn-up operation in a sodium graphite reactor.

Methods for analyzing chemical impurities in sodium metal samples are presented. Chemical analysis was used to determine the following impurities: Calcium, Carbon, Chromium, Iron, Lithium, Nickel, Oxygen, Potassium, and Zirconium. Spectrographic analysis was used to determine many other impurities. Sodium samples obtained from experimental apparatus operated as part of the work being conducted for Atomics International were analyzed by these methods.

A design and economic analysis is presented for a 44,000 DWT tanker utilizing a 27,300 shp direct cycle boiling water reactor propulsion system. Included are design descriptions and drawings, estimates of operating and capitol costs for the reference ship, estimates of long range potential, descriptions of required research and development programs, a preliminary safeguards analysis, an analysis of ship's motion on boiling water reactor performance, a summary reactor physics analysis, and a discussion of direct cycle accessibility considerations. Also included are summary descriptions for various design alternatives which were considered.