This Preliminary Hazards Summary Report has been prepared for submission to the United States Atomic Energy Commission in compliance with Part 50 of the regulations governing the licensing of production or utilization facilities, pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and contains the general information required by 10 CFR 50.34.

A reference design of a large high power density core has been established representing the available technology as of August, 1960. Reference core performance and cost should improve considerably after incorporation of improvements now under study.

The General Electric Company is proceeding with an irradiation program to proof test a representative array of Savannah I fuel rods. Irradiation of a test assembly containing Savannah I fuel rods has begun and it is proposed that the results of this irradiation will permit an advance evaluation of the fuel performance and fuel burnup in the Savannah I reactor. This report covers the first two quarters of the reporting period. All aspects of the subject program have been consolidated and applicable portions are discussed in some detail.

Equipment and techniques for remote examination of irradiated fuel assemblies applicable to the Maritime Program are described. The following subjects are covered: visual and photographic examination, dimensional measurements, gamma activity scanning, fission gas release and fuel rod void volume determinations, density measurements, metallographic examination, and radiochemical burnup analysis.