Abstract: "The accuracies which can be achieved in analog recording systems are for the most part tape limited. While reasonable variations in tape speed do not directly affect the accuracy, such variations result in improper tape tensioning, which in turn results in poor head-to-tape contact. The quality of the tape transport mechanism should be such that the error introduced by improper head- to tape contact is less than tape errors. Some additional equipment is necessary in setting up a tape recorder for a given experiment. The amplitude of the input pulse spectura to the recorder should be adjusted for optimum value and, if possible, the counting rate should be adjusted to obtain good tape utilization. An oscilloscope is probably adequate to satisfy both conditions."

The purpose of this report is to define the extent of modifications necessary to increase capacities of the 100-B, C, D, DR, F, and H water plants for reactor flows of 90,000 95,000 105,000 and 115,000 GPM, and to provide supporting data for budget studies for increased production.

Three tests have been run in the ETR in high temperature, high pressure, recirculating water. In one test, previously unirradiated fuel elements were used and in the other two the fuel was irradiated to 2400 MWD/T at HAPO prior to insertion in the ETR. Failure was initiated by shearing off a projection on the surface of one rod of a fuel element, thus opening a 25-mil hole through the cladding. The projection was sheared off by a hydraulically operated chisel controlled from outside the reactor. The first test was operated seven hours after the defect was opened with no failure. Failure is defined as having occurred when sufficient uranium oxide has formed to split open the cladding and release large amounts of fission products into the loop water. The second test was operated for fourteen hours after the defect was opened with again no failure. The third test was operated for only 33 minutes after the defect cap was sheared off before fission product activity in the loop water caused the test to be terminated.

The objective of this production test is to measure deposition on fuel element temperatures during irradiation in high pH water. A Zircaloy-2 jacketed natural uranium solid cylindrical fuel element with thermocouples located at various positions in the element and adjacent coolant channel will be irradiated in the KER Loops to measure the effect of crud film buildup on fuel temperature. Two 1.82 by 1.45 inch enriched 36 inch long tubular elements will be used to provide enough heat to permit operation of the loops at temperature. Duration of the test will depend upon the results obtained; however, the maximum exposure of any of the uranium in the loading will not exceed 1000 MWD/T.

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation. Metallurgy, reactor fuels, physics and instrumentation, reactor technology, chemistry, separation processes, biology, financial activities, employee relations, laboratories auxiliaries, radiation protection, operation research, inventions, visits, and personnel status are discussed. This report is for March 1960.

Tantalum-sheathed plutonium fuel pins were prepared for the first core loading of the Los Alamos Molten Plutonium Reactor Experiment-I. Plutonium--10 at.% iron alloy was prepared by co-reduction and by co-melting methods. After casting the alloy into rods, each rod was machined and finished to a 0.357-in.- diameter piece weighing 175 g. The finished alloy rod was finally placed in a tantalum sheath, then sealed by fusion welding to a tantalum cap. Procedures and equipment used for alloying, casting, machining, welding, and inspection are described. Methods used to prepare rods of other low-melting plutonium alloys also are discussed. (auth)

The accuracies which can be achieved in analog recording systems are for the most part tape limited. While reasonable variations in tape speed do not directly affect the accuracy, such variaticns result in improper tape tensioning, which in turn results in poor head-to-tape contact. The quality of the tape transport mechanism should be such that the error introduced by improper head- totape contact is less than tape errors. Some additional equipment is necessary in setting up a tape recorder for a given experiment. The amplitude of the input pulse spectrura to the recorder should be adjusted for optimum value and, if possible, the counting rate should be adjusted to obtain good tape utilization. An oscilloscope is probably adequate to satisfy both conditions. (auth)