A solidified-metal seal for possible use in moIten-saIt systems was fabricated and tested on a laboratory scale/su The seal consisted of an 80 Au-20 Cu (wt%) sealant alloy in contact with IN0R-8 base metal/su Eleven successive helium-leak-tlght sealings were effected before termination of the test due to a leak in one of the mating parts/su With better control over the heating cycle and slight modifications in seal design, it is expected that the useful life of a seal of this type could be extended even further. (auth)

Experimental determinations of the ionic and electronic emission characteristics of Ta, W, Re, and lr cathodes in vapor thermionic converters are compared. It is shown that Ta provides superior thermal ionization qualities at high pressure compared with W, Re, and Lr. High electronic current densities may be obtained from Cs on Re and Cs on Ir at much lower Cs vapor pressures than from Ta or W. An over-all efficiency of 19% was achieved with a Re cathode at 2440 deg K. (auth)

Investigation of the behavior of Nb in PbCl/sub 2/ showed that the Nb dissolution rate is quite low. Since stirring increases the rate appreciably, it is likely that the initial reaction is diffusion controlled. A subsequent reaction is linear in rate with an activation energy of 23.4 kcal per mole. Incomplete volatilization of dissolved Nb from PbCl/sub 2/ is due to the presence of lower oxidation states of Nb. The addition of Cl to PbCl/sub 2/ increases the rate of dissolution of Nb. The rate is high enough at reasonable temperatures to be practical for fuel dissolution, e.g. 12 mg min/sup -1/ cm/sup -2/ at 550 deg C and 120 mg min/sup -1/ Cl. Volatilization of NbCl/sub 5/ is 99.9% complete at 550 deg C. (auth)

Information on fuel cycle cost is presented. Topics covered include: nuclear fuel, fuel management, fuel cost, fissionable material cost, use charge, conversion and fabrication costs, processing cost, and shipping cost. (M.C.G.)

Design and development of a remote ultrasonic inspection technique for use in measuring wall thicknesses in the HRT core vessel are described. (J.R.D.)

Report discussing an improvement program on lithium mass spectrometers.

The monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, February 1962. Reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology, financial activities, biology operation, and physics and instrumentation research, operations research and synthesis operation, and programming are discussed.

being developed, which will make it possible to transmit information from 100 or more in-core sensors through a single pressure vessel penetration. The development of a multiplexing subsystem for use within the reactor pressure vessel is being carried out. The most promising methods of multiplexing investigated are electromechanical commutation and electroric frequency division. (M.C.G.)

This document details activities of the irradiation processing department during the month of February, 1962. A general summary is included at the start of the report, after which the report is divided into the following sections: Research and Engineering Operations; Production and Reactor Operations: Facilities Engineering Operation; and NPR Project.

The power supplies designed and constructed to power high intensity flash tubes used in bubble chamber experiments are briefly described and are accompanied by a schematic diagram of the layout. (D.C.W.)

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.

The power supplies designed and constructed to power high intensity flash tubes used in bubble chamber experiments are briefly described and are accompanied by a schematic diagram of the layout. (D.C.W.)

The power supplies designed and constructed to power high-intensity flash tubes are described. Three supplies, capable of charging 100 mfd to 2 kv with a repetltion rate of not less than 0.8 sec, are operated remotely from a control panel containing 3 powerstats. The power supplies are full wave center trapped rectifiers employing silicon rectifiers. (M.C.G.)

Annual report providing tabular statistical information about motor vehicle accidents in rural areas of Texas during calendar year 1961, with data broken out by various criteria including number of persons, locations, types of accidents, time of day, and other factors.

In order to perform the various experiments with a bubble chamber, a high intensity flash tube is used. This report briefly describes the power supplies designed and constructed to power these lamps.