Activities in a program to develop techniques in the use of pulsed neutron sources to measure shutdown parameters related to large thermal power reactors are reported. In the course of this program, a new theory was suggested and an experimental apparatus was designed and built. Experiments were carried out to test the new model. This present report contains additional data and information extracted from the experiments at PG&E Humboldt Bay Power Reactor at Eureka, California. During the last days of 1963 a number of control rod and fuel bundle worth measurements were made in the ESADA Vallecitos Experimental Superheat Reactor (EVESR) using the (k[beta]/[script l] technique. A description of the experiments is given in the text of the report and some results are reported. A computer program was written to perform the data analysis of the pulsed neutron experiments and the code is discussed in the Appendix.

A research program is being conducted to obtain experimental data in the irradiation of plutonium-enriched fuel to confirm a theoretical model for predicting isotopic composition and reactivity changes in plutonium-enriched, light-water-moderated reactors. Quarterly progress: Work has begun in the Radioactive Materials Laboratory to sample the project fuel from the pins irradiated to 1800 and 5000 MWT/T. Some delay has been experienced due to preemption of the hot cells by priority work. Examination of the autoradiographs of the un-irradiated project fuel showed that in a volume of fuel approximately equivalent to a pellet there were 13 hot spots larger than 15 mils. Evaluation of these spots with the fuel analyzer showed that they contained about 14 mg of PuO2 or about 9% of the total present. The EPITHERMOS code is being modified to automatically normalize the epithermal scattering to the correct value for all moderators. Calibration of the flux wires has been made and the reduction of the data from the VBWR irradiation is nearly complete. A similar resonance activation was made in the water reflector of the Stanford Pool Reactor to obtain the relative activity in a well-defined pure water spectrum. Reduction of these data is also in progress.

The United States and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), on May 29, and June 18, 1958, signed an agreement which provides a basis for co-operation in programs for the advancement of the peaceful applications of atomic energy. The work described in this report represents the Joint U.S.-Euratom effort. The over-all development program is designed to obtain the test data and operating experience necessary to eventually realize a 50 percent increase in the output of the Garigliano Nuclear Power Station located at Sessa Aurunca (Campania, Italy). Two tasks are in progress: Task III-F involves the preparation of test specimens of reactor vessel material for irradiation; Task IV consists of the formulation of specification for a complete data logging and computer system.

Abstract: A general expression which can be used either for predicting the average volumetric concentration or for analyzing and interpreting experimental data is derived. The analysis takes into account both the effect of non-uniform flow and concentration profiles as well as the effect of the local relative velocity between phases. The first effect is taken into account by a distribution parameter, whereas the latter is accounted for by the weighted average drift velocity.

Summary: On the basis of its high temperature, physical and corrosion properties, Incoloy Alloy 800 was selected as a candidate for fuel cladding nuclear superheat applications. At the time of its selection, there was little information or experience with Incoloy 800 in the production of thin-walled, small diameter tubing suitable for nuclear fuel cladding. As a result, special purchasing efforts were required for the procurement of initial tubing used in fuel fabrication. As-received welded and drawn tubing proved to be generally good but showed some conditions which were undesirable, the major one being lack of complete recrystallization and homogenization of the weld zone. The possible effect of this condition upon the fuel performance was not immediately known; however, subsequent development work indicated that the non-homogeneity of the weld could affect adversely its mechanical and corrosion properties in relation to the parent metal. A development program was initiated to determine treatment sequences suitable for the fabrication of welded and drawn tubing with a fully recrystallized and homogenized weld structure. This was accomplished by butt welding lengths of Incoloy strip which were subsequently cold rolled and annealed to simulate tube fabrication steps. Requirements imposed on this work were that all processes developed …

Development of nuclear reactor cores having high power density, long fuel life, and low fabrication costs is the objective of this program sponsored by the AEC. Five tasks are in progress: (1) Task 1A-High Power Density Fuel Development, (2) Task 1B-Fuel Fabrication Development. Assembly, (3) Task II-Stability, Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, (4) Task III-Physics Development, and (5) Task IV-Co-Ordination and Test Planning.

The objective of Project Agreement 22 is to determine the feasibility of using in-core ion chambers to cover the complete reactor neutron flux startup range from 10(4) -5 - 10(13) nv using in-core ion chambers. This technical report discusses the following topics: low versus high cable termination impedance, amplifier considerations, noise considerations, gas and pressure selection, cable selection, effect of gamma, effect of temperature, and remaining problems.

Abstract: Naturally occurring earth materials from Idaho, primarily from localities near the National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS), were used in laboratory tests for the removal of radioisotopes from aqueous solutions. These earth materials included lignitic deposits, clay-like materials, and specific minerals; ion exchange resins were also considered for a specific application. The aqueous solutions were low-level radioactive cooling water or synthetic solutions made up to represent low-level radioactive wastes at the NRTS. Cation exchange capacities and other properties which affect the removal of radioisotopes from solution were determined the cation exchange capacities varied from 0.006 to 1.0 meq/g of solid. Earth materials with cation exchange capacities greater than 0.3 meq/g, in general, had distribution coefficients in excess of 1000. The highest distribution coefficients for cesium and strontium occurred in the pH range from 6.0 to 9.0 The possible use of these materials for decontaminating low-level radioactive waste at the NRTS is discussed. The result of laboratory studies using these materials and an organic ion exchange resign for decontaminating a specific NRTS waste are given. A material high in clinoptilolite from a location near the NRTS was considered to be the most promising material for use in large beds or ion …

Experimental data supporting lower valence halides of scandium were not found in the literature. Our investigation was of the phase diagram of the ScCl3-Sc system, and also the vapor pressure-composition isotherm (at 960 degree) for this system. Investigation of the ScCl3-Sc system presented particular difficulties in comparison with analogous systems for rare earth elements in that ScCl3 is highly volatile (boiling pt. = 967 degree); according to our data the vapor pressure is 512 mm Hg measured at 960 degree C. Furthermore, ScCl3 and its vapors react vigorously with quartz. Because of the mentioned extent of reaction in a quartz ampule, the inside was covered with a solid layer of metallic molybdenum for use with relatively large batches of ScCl3.

Quarterly report discussing progress on the Fast Ceramic Reactor Development Program. Information is reported on vented fuel production, transient testing of fuel, fuel performance evaluation, fast-flux irradiation of fuel, and reactor physics and core analysis.

Summary: Tests with the two-rod assembly were performed with liquid film trippers attached to the unheated wall, and a variation in rod spacing. Experimental data and improved high-speed motion pictures have been obtained of transition boiling behavior. The changes of the local heat transfer process between nucleate and film boiling can be readily distinguished i the motion pictures. Observational test performed with very short fins on the heated surface resulted in essentially eliminating transition boiling temperature fluctuations and doubling the film boiling coefficient. These gains were attained without reduction of the critical heat flux

From Abstract : "Dependence of boundary tension and capacitance at the mercury-aqueous 0.1 N HClO4 interface on polarization and organic solute concentration were determined for the colutes n-amyl alcohol and phenol. ... An earlier treatment proposed by this Laboratory based on a (non-thermodynamic) assumption of linear variation of surface charge density with coverage appears adequately justified for inference of fractional surface coverages near the electrocapillary maximum, but must be considered approximate for evaluation of molar area at full coverage in cases where linear variation of charge with coverage has not been demonstrated."

Technical report. From Abstract : "A number of imaging furnace systems and sources are discussed with emphasis on the carbon arc image furnace. Several potential applications of the carbon arc image furnace in high temperature research are described and a new method of heat capacity determination is discussed."

From introduction: "Development of nuclear reactor cores having high power density, long fuel life, and low fabrication costs is the objective of this program sponsored by the AEC."

Introduction: The Transition Boiling Heat Transfer Program is sponsored jointly by the USAEC and Euroatom and is being conducted by the General Electric Company. The work commenced on this program February 11, 1963. The objective of this program is to perform basic investigation and measurement of the transition boiling regime in high pressure bulk boiling water flows, with particular emphasis i the high range of steam qualities.

Technical report. From Abstract : "Details are provided on the construction and operation of a two-stage diaphragm pump successfully used for the first time in liquid metal service. From the results of 5,376 hr. test of the pump it was concluded that it is well suited to the pumping of liquid metals at low flow rates where pulsating flow can be tolerated and also where remote operation is required. Operating temperatures and pressures are limited only by the availability of suitable materials of construction."

A research program is being conducted to obtain experimental data in the irradiation of plutonium-enriched fuel to confirm a theoretical model for predicting isotopic composition and reactivity changes in plutonium-enriched, light-water-moderated reactors. All program efforts have been temporarily deferred except for those associated with the irradiation of the program fuel element in the VBWR. The program fuel element was exposed to a burnup of 465 MWD/T during the quarter which brings the total to 2334 MWD/T. On the basis of the computed isotopic composition, the burnup obtained was 1450 MWD/T.

Technical report. From Introduction : "For more than a century, methods employed in preparing calcium were based largely on electrowinning and the most successful were based on [Sir Humphrey] Davy's process. ... In general, the metal was of adequate quality for the industrial applications of the time, and although by 1940 some strides had been made in the purification of calcium, interests in the better grades of the metal were limited essentially to experimental work of academic concern."

The United States and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), on May 29, and June 18, 1958, signed an agreement which provides a basis for co-operation in programs for the advancement of the peaceful applications of atomic energy. The work described in this report represents the Joint U.S.-Euratom effort. The over-all development program is designed to obtain the test data and operating experience necessary to eventually realize a 50 percent increase in the output of the Garigliano Nuclear Power Station located at Sessa Aurunca (Campania, Italy). Two tasks are in progress: Task III-F involves the preparation of test specimens of reactor vessel material for irradiation; Task IV consists of the formulation of specification for a complete data logging and computer system.

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This technical report reviews the general purposes and immediate goals of the Heat Transfer Group at BNL's study of the heat transfer characteristics of alkali metals with phase change in forced convective flow. This report also presents a brief description of the design and development of the test loop. Figures detailing findings accompany the report.

"A linearized three component MHD theory is given. The three components are two oppositely charged species and a neutral species. Linearized macroscopic equations are presented which in the limit of vanishing magnet field reduce to fluid dynamical equations, and in the limit of vanishing neutral components is frictional. In addition the sound speed that enters is a function of three equilibrium densities. These equations yield a dispersion relation which is tenth order in the wave speed. The decay frequencies of all ten modes are calculated to first order terms in the friction, and are found to be all isotropic."

This technical report seeks to ascertain which amine species cause the synergistic effect exerted by tri-n-octylamine (TNOA) on the solvent extraction of thorium by TTA, the nature of the species formed, and the values of the equilibrium constants involved. This report also includes 2 figures and 2 tables to accompany the findings.

Technical report outlining the plan to develop the Brookhaven chemonuclear in-pile test loop because the interest in utilizing reactor radiation energy (fission-fragment recoil and neutron-gamma) for production of chemicals has developed to the point where a loop to study chemonuclear system in a reactor under dynamic conditions is necessary.