Failures of standard fuel element jackets (1245 aluminum alloy) after relatively short Hanford reactor exposures are occurring at high reactor power levels. Metallographic examination of fuel element jackets from short exposure ruptures shows the cause of failure to be rapid intergranular corrosion. This type of attack has been reproduced in laboratory tests by exposure to water at temperatures above 200 C, or to steam at temperatures higher than 300 C. Flow disruptions due to misalignment of the fuel elements within the reactor process tube, worn tube ribs, etc., are believed to cause the high local jacket temperatures necessary for the occurrence of intergranular corrosion.

This report details initial results of a large scale accountability test program which was recently carried out in the Redox Facility. The test, as originally planned which was to consist of the complete processing (no inventory-clean plant basis) of about 55 tons of selected metal in conjunction with an extensive analytical, sampling, and volume measurement program. With the exception of two incidents, the processing requirements (minimum inventory and measurement of all material) necessary to the success of the test, were met. The two incidents which increase the uncertainties associated with some of the material balance values obtained were: the discharge of an estimated 700 pounds of uranium to the floor in a transfer from F-5 to F-4 due tot he improper installation of the F-5 to F-4 transfer line (jumper) and the discovery of a large accumulation of plutonium ({approximately} 15 kg) in the L-2 stripping tower after completion of the test run.

None

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether oil, gas and mineral properties held in trust for Texas Baptist Children's Home for stated purposes are exempt from county ad valorem taxes.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether or not County Assessor and Collector of Taxes may lawfully collect taxes, penalty and interest from true owner of property when property has been assessed in name of deceased former owner.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Is it legal for a Soil Conservation District, created under provisions of House Bill 444, Acts 47th Legislature, 1941, Chapter 308, page 491, to accept conditioned easements for flood prevention structures, in which a Soil Conservation District assumes financial responsibility for damage to utility lines and other installations; and related questions.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Methods of handling contracts by the Board of Control.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Payment of travel and per diem expenses for employees of the Commission on Alcoholism and employees of other State Departments to attend the Institute of Alcohol Studies.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether the Department of Public Welfare may make payments to a general guardian of the person of the ward, or to the natural guardian of the ward; and related questions.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Proper interpretation of Article 21.46, Texas Insurance Code--retaliatory statute.

It has been noted on occasion that the side rupture rate at lower exposure is higher than one would expect in order to be consistent with the mathematical model (Weibull curve) used describe the rupture data. This has apparently been due to a few ruptures occurring at exposures lower than one would anticipate on the basis of the model. Restricting themselves to fuel elements irradiated under similar conditions of power and temperature, it is difficult to assert that these ruptures are anomalous with respect to the model used since there are so few ruptures involved. For this reason, some means of combining data was called for in order to see whether or not at least some of these low exposure ruptures were inconsistent with the model, and, if so, to revise the model in order to better describe side rupture performance. In this report, the results of an analysis of side failure data for failures covered in a previous report are given. Also included is a discussion of possible implications derived from recognition of the existence of this revised model.

The following document is a bibliography containing a collection of documents discussing natural steam and geothermal power generation.

Reactor operating conditions are formally established to conserve pile life. A major part of the 2000 Research and Development effort is oriented to develop fundamental information required to properly establish these limiting operating conditions. This report reviews the current condition of reactor components believed important to continued productive life of the reactors and discusses the current status of technologies important in estimating the future productive life of the reactor complex. These evaluations are conducted continuously and this report is one of a series of status reports.

Nuclear power cost is plotted versus thermal efficiency. The relationship is not limited to any particular reactor type and is applicable for any reactor system where steam is the working fiuid for the turbogenerator. (T- R.H-)

A process has been developed for application of a thin, adherent vinyi plastic coating to graphite plates to prevent absorption of coupling fluids'' used in ultrasonic inspection. The plates are preheated and dipped mechanically in a fluid plastisol, and the resulting coating is fused in an infra-red heater. No significant attenuation of ultrasonic impulse results from presence of the coating. After inspection, the vinyl sheath may be easily stripped from the plate. (auth)

Data are presented from the following studies: the radiation chemistry of pepsin, gelatin, methanol, benzene, and hexanes; the effects of irradiation of the pituitary in advanced cancer using high-energy particles from the 184-inch cyclotron; applications of ion beams in biological studies; the metabolism of strontium-90 and its relation to calcium metabolism in rats; hematological effects of low-level radiation doses in man; the influence of diet on serum lipoproteins; development of simplified methods for the analysis of blood serum for lipid content; tracer studies employing iron59 of red blood cell production and destruction and iron metabolism in a wide variety of blood disorders; tracer studies on heart function and blood circulation employing I/sup 131/; applications of C/sup 14/ in studies of leukocyte formation from which it was concluded that peripheral neutrophils have a 2-day life span, large lyphocytes a life span of 2 to 3 days, and small lyphocytes a life span of between 8 and 14 days; tracer studies employing P/sup 32/ in studies of the phagocytic action of cells of the reticuloendothelial system; factors regulating the volume of the body fluids; and development of a method for determining estrogen concentration in urine. Radiation protection activities are summarized. Lists are …

A preliminary design study of the nuclear gas engine, consisting of a gas-cooled reactor directly coupled to a reciprocating engine, is presented. The principles of operation of the proposed gas engine are outlined and typical variations anre discussed. The nuclear gas engine is compared with other reciprocating engines and air compressors. A comparison between the ideal and actual cycles is made, with particular attention given to pumping, heat, and other losses to be expected. The applications and development of the nuclear gas engine are discussed. (W.D.M.)

An over-all description of the background material on the use of electrical arcs for heating of powders is presented as well as a summary of experimental studies on the arc calcination of thoria. Favorable results have been indicated both with heating thoria powder in an arc heated gas and with thoria formed into a consumable electrode. Use of a consumable electrode produces thoria particles 0.1 to 0.01 mu in diameter. It is recommended that additional electrodes be fabricated and further arc calcination tests be run to produce a quantity of product sufficient for evaluation. (auth)

Report discussing testing on the performance of two stator-blade shapes with and without boric oxide deposits. The deposits were found to cause total pressure losses and decreases in the blade-exit flow angle. Information about the cascade throat area, boundary-layer momentum thickness, total pressure ratio, and exit flow angle and tangential component of velocity is provided.

Memorandum presenting an exploratory investigation conducted to determine the performance characteristics of a fuel-rich hydrogen combustor; in addition, the performance of an afterburner operating with the fuel-rich exhaust mixture was evaluated. Results regarding performance of the fuel-rich combustor, afterburner performance, and resonating combustion are provided.

An experimentally determined evaluation of standardremote-handling equipment applied to the problems associated with remote maintenance of a typical reactor system component is presented It is comcluded that commercially available equipment can be used and that a good techmician can rapidly learn the use of manipulators required in remote maintenance. The use of closed circuit television in maintenance is possible; however, further development of radiation- resistant equipment is required. (j.R.D.)

The following report records measurements and evaluations of fast neutron levels in remote areas monitored by personnel.

Summary: The radiations emitted in the spontaneous fission of Cf²⁵² have been studied. The results in general are in agreement with other similar measurements. An experiment is described which is expected to give the neutron energies and angular distribution in the center-of-mass system of the moving fission fragment when the analysis is completed.

process and fluidized bed reactor is reported. Work done on cleanup of mercury from the Metallex process is also described. (J.R.D.)