Abstract: "The niobium-oxygen equilibrium has been determined by metallographic examination of arc-cast alloys made of electron-gun-refined niobium metal and special purity niobium pentoxide. Two intermediate oxides, NbO and NbO2, melt without decomposition at 1945 C and 1915 C, respectively. Eutectic reactions exist between niobium and NbO and 1915 C and between NbO and NbO2 at 1810 C. Experimental supports a peritectic reaction between NbO2 and Nb2O5 1510 C. The maximum solid solubility of oxygen in niobium metal is 0.72 weight per cent."

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: Applicability of statutes of limitation to the cause of action involved in House Concurrent Resolution 55 of the 56th Legislature, and related questions.

A study was made of the effect of carbon, manganese, oxygen, palladium, and sulfur on the structure and fabricability of iron-35 wt.% chronium-1 wt.% yttrium alloy. Using a vacuum-induction melting technique each of the additives except oxygen was introduced to 1-lb remelts of a single 15-lb master alloy. The master alloy and remelts were made under similar melting, pouring, and casting conditions. Oxygen was introduced as Fe/sub 2/0/sub 2/ by inertelectrode arc melting to avoid extraneous, uncontrolled contamination stemming from crucible contact. Photomicrographs were prepared of as-cast metal illustrating structural variations. Ingots obtained were fabricated to 0.050-in. sheet at 2000 deg F to compare fabrication characteristics with those of the control ingot containing no additives. As a qualitative measure of metal soundness and ductility, a portion of each of the 0.050-in. sheets was further reduced at room temperatare to 3-mil foil. During melting at 2900 to 3000 deg F under controlled conditions, the amount of yttrium present in the charge was reduced roughly 50% by reaction with the alumina crucible. Sulfide, added as FeS, and oxide additions also lowered the amount of yttrium retained in ingots. The maximum amount of sulfur retained in an alloy of nominal composition iron-35 wt.% …

Economic aspects of nuclear power development in the U. S. are tabulated and graphed. Included are figures on presently operating reactors as well as those contemplated or scheduled. Also a brief description of the objectives of short- and long-range programs is given as well as tables listing some of the characteristics of each reactor. (J.R.D.)

The flooding characteristics of fluorothene Raschig rings at low liquid rates with the existing literature data on carbon rings are compared. Visual observations of flooding in the air-water system were correlated with pressure drop using a 3-in. i.d. glass column having an 18-in. long fluorothene Raschig ring packed section. A comparison of extrapolated literature data with these experimental data indicates thc gas flow rates required to flood fluorothene packing are slightly higher than for carbon packing. At a liquid flow rate of 537 lbs/hr-ft/sup 2/, fluorothene rings flooded at a gas velocity of 842 lbs/hr- ft/sup 2/ whereas carbon rings are reported to fiood at a gas velocity of approximately 755

The temperature characteristics associated with the handling of self-boiling radioactive wastes from the separations extraction processes in the Chemical Processing Department have necessitated several heat transfer studies. Earlier studies 1,2,3 defined the feasibility of self-concentration in existing waste storage facilities by determining the rate of heat generation from the decay of stored fission products and by defining the rate of heat loss from existing storage tanks to the surrounding soil.