Conceptual design and economic studies of a steamcooled fast breeder reactor that can also be used as a source of power are presented. Two reactor plant sizes were considered: a 300-Mw(e) central power station plant and a 40 Mw(e) plant. It was concluded that attractive economics and good breeding characteristics breeding ratios from 1.27 to 1.42) can be achieved in steam- cooled PuO/sub 2/UO/sub 2/ fueled fast reactors. Low capital costs can be obtained by a compact reactor core and the absence of large heat exchangers and complicated process systems. Reactor design data are discussed. Analysis showed that these reactors can be prevented from going prompt critical, when fully flooded, by incorporating a tolerable amount of high resonance absorption materials such as hafnium or indium. An increase in reactivity on loss of coolant was indicated by preliminary calculations. (M.C.G.)

Abstract: Zircaloy-2 weld metal, obtained by inert gas non-consumable-electrode welding, was subjected to tensile, strain fatigue, and creep-rupture testing.

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, April 1961. Metallurgy, reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology, financial activities, visits, biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, and employee relations are discussed.

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