The positional tolerance method of dimensioning is described. The emphasis is placed on the elimination of ambiguities and increase in tolerances provided by this method as compared to the older, bilateral method. (auth)

Abstract: "An experimental study was made to determine the effective shielding provided by a modern reinforced-concrete office building (AEC Headquarters building) from nuclear fallout. Pocket ionization chambers were used for measurement of the radiation-field strength. Fallout was simulated with distributed and point-source configurations of Co-60 and Ir-192 sources. Four typical sections were selected for study, and experiments were performed on each. These included an external wing with exposed basement walls and an external wing with a buried basement. Roof studies were made on an internal wing with a full basement and on the east end of wing A, which has a thin-roof construction. The thick-roof construction of 8 in. of concrete and 2 in. of rigid insulation covers all the building except the east end of wing A, which has 4 in. of concrete and 2 in. of insulation."

None

A method is presented for numerically determining local minima of differentiable functions of several variables. In the proeess of locating each minimum, a matrix is determined which characterizes the behavior of the function about the minimum. For a region in which thc function depends quadratically on the variables, no more than N iterations are required, where N is the number of variables. By suitable choice of starting values and without modification of the procedure, linear constraints can be imposed upon the variables. (auth)

The status of the Eurochemic Plant, Mol, Belgium, is summarized, and the Eurochemic organization is given. The anticipated United States assistance through June 1959 is listed. (auth)

None

Changes in mean expansion coefficients upon annealing uranium sheet that had been rolled to 80% reduction in thickness at room temperature indicated that three different preferred oriontations could be developed upon recrystallization. One preferred orientation, which is essentially the same as that of the as-rolled material, resulted from annealing for long times at 360 deg C or at a lower tempcrature; a second type was created by annealing for moderate times between 400 and 600 deg C; and the third accompanied grain coarsening at 650 deg C. The microstructures of the as-rolled and annealed specimens were extremely heterogeneous because of the large grain size present prior to final fabrication at room temperature. The as-rolled structures consisted of heavily deformed areas and smaller quantities of lightly deformed material. The annealing of the former was characterized by initial creation of very fine recrystallized grains which were absorbed later by discontinuous growth of larger grains. Lightiy deformed areas, upon annealing, first exhibited recovery by polygonization and then underwent normal recrystallization. (auth)

An effort is being made to determine the equilibrium sorption isotherms and rates of sorption of U on the anion exchange resin Dowex 21K. In the Darex process investigations included: batchwise Cl/sup -/ removal and feed adjustment, continuous dissolution, feed clarification, filtration rates for solutions, effect of pressure drop and fllter aid on flltration rate, cake washing and removal, properties of solutions, and properties of sands and filter aids. Batch dissolutions of irradiated' Consolidated Edison Fuel and PWR blanket pins were made to demonstrate the Sulfex and Zirflex dejacketing flowsheets, respectively. Dissolution studies to obtain rate and penetration data for UO/sub 2/ in HNO/sub 3/ solutions were begun. Preliminary shearing studies with the 120 ton hydraulic Manco shear with a prototype fuel bundle showed that a line contact shear closes the fuel bearing tubes to an extent detrimental to good leaching. A series or experiments was performed to determine the amount of fission products evolved when different types of wastes were dried and calcined. (W.L.H.)

None

Ultrasonic and eddy current methods were used to inspect EBR-I Mark III fuel elements and componentsUltrasonic techniques were used to inspect for homogeneity of the casting, bonding of the core to the clad on the extruded rod, bonding of the Zircaloy spacer disk to the uranium, and cracks in the Zircaloy rod used for end caps. Eddy current techniques were used to measure the cladding thickness on the extruded rods and to inspect the zirconium wire used for spacers on the completed fuel element. (auth)

The design criteria and operation of seven nuclear instrumentation channels and safety interlocks employed for initial measurements on heavy-water moderated thoria-urania lattices of interest to power reactors are described. The mechanical design features of the various control mechanisms and components are illustrated or described briefly where necessary to clarify the over-all instrument-control scheme. The basic startup sequence is given. (auth)

The characteristic square output currert pulse from a discharging coaxial cable has been utilized to explode wires of 1-mil diameter. The primary pulse duration was 3 mu sec and was variable in amplitude to a maximunn of 600 amperes. Voltage and current waveforms were recorded on a high-speed oscilloscope. Resolution of the system is better than 10/sup -8/ sec, thus enabling accurate determination of the resistance history of the malerial being studied. A survey of the behavior of various metals is presented, and the results of certain parameter studies, such as, geometry, external environment, and current density, are discussed. It is shown that end effects contribute to the measured length of the sample, and that the energy to burst is dependent on current density. A new experimental system capable of producing square current pulses with an amplitude of 2000 amperes is described. (auth)

None

The final specifications for equipment for the ALPR were prepared from original bid specifications, proposals submitted on equipment purchased, and purchase orders. Each specification includes data pertaining to the equipment purchased, revisions made during the shop fabrication, reference drawing lists vendor's name, and purchase order numbers. (A.C.)

Animals placed in open underground shelters at the Nevada Test Site during an atomic weapon test suffered skin burns of an unknown origin. From a study of the burns it was concluded that the causative agent entered the shelter from outside. the causative agent was subject to rectilinear propagation near the entrance. and the causative agent required a relatively unobstructed opening to effect entrance. The two most likely agents for such burns are hot winds and/or hot wind-borne dust that are forced into the shelter as the shock front from the weapon passes the shelter entrances and radiant energy from the fireball that is scattered into the shelter. A study was made to evaluate the contribution made by radiant energy and, if this contributioo proved to be significant, to suggest means of eliminating it. Extensive measurements were made in the laboratory on a scale model of the shelter and direct measurements were made on an actual shelter to ensure the validity of the laboraiory results. A Photronic cell and a MacBeth Illuminometer were used to measure the entryway transmission of total radiant energy. The consistency of the results with extended and point sources for the model shelter and the agreement …

The extraction reaction kinetics and the liquid diffusivities are being studied by measuring the concentration profile in a column of liquid containing an interface. The determination of the equilibrium sorption isotherms and rates of sorption of U on Dowex 21K is reported. Flowsheet development and modification are reported for the Darex process. U was shown that the hydrochlorination of Zr-U alloy fuels with HCl gas contain- ing CO/sub 2/, H/sub 2/O/, and O/sub 2/ impurities increases the quantity of HNO/sub3/ insoluble U losses in the uranium chloride product. During the dissolution of spent enriched oxide fuel cores in a dissolver geometricslly safe only in the bottom dissolution area the dissolution off-gas may entrain critical amounts of fine undissolved fuel particles to the enlarged non-critically safe upper portion of the dissolver. Preliminary tests were made to determine the likelihood of fuel fines being entrained in this manner during the dissolution. Solvent extraction studies are being made to assist the Hanford Atomic Products Operation to adapt the Redox process for the recovery ot U from spant stainless steel-type power reactor fuels. Preliminary hot cell tests of the Zirflex and Sulfex flowsheets -Here completed. Batch dejacketing and core dissolution of each of sixteen …

In this brief bibliography the emphasis is on new cushioning materials for packaging and on environmental testing and performance of these materials. The survey is not intended to be exhaustive. The following sources were consulted: Technical Abstract Bulletin of the Armed Services Technical Information Agency, Sandia Unclassified Documents Catalog, U. S. Government Research Reports, Technical Information Pilot of the Library of Congress, and Engineering Index. (auth)

In the course of the PWR Core 2 study program, studies to improve mixing in the lower plenum were carried out using a quarter-scale air-flow model. By use of vanes to form a strong vortex in the lower plenum, excellent lower-plenum mixing was obtained with only slight increase in pressure drop. For the studies relating to a 9-ft core design, the model core was extended downward 4 1/2 in. below the Core I position. The flow baffle used for this configuration extended below the four inlets, with the result that considerable pressure loss occurred in the lower plenum. It was found that mixing could be greatly improved by use of deflectors to divert the inlet flow in a tangential direction. Data on lower- plenum mixing, core-flow distribution, thermal-shield-flow directions and velocities, flowbaffle orifice coefficients, and pressure losses were obtained for the 9-ft core configuration both with flow deflectors and without them. The flow deflectors greatly improved mixing at the expense of increased lowerplenum pressure loss. For the studies relating to a 7.5-ft core design, the core was extended downward 2 1/4 in. The flow baffle used for this core design extended to about the center line of the inlets, so …

An attempt is made to present available information pentinent to reactor containment. This is done directly, by summary and reference, or by reference alone. To provide a reference framework, the first review document must necessarily be handled differently from supplemental periodic reviews. The plan is to: (3) provide a detailed account of the problem and suggestions for work needed to yield adequate solutions; (2) present the accumulated knowledge and accomplishments; (3) give an account of experience in applying the containment concept; and (4) append extensive bibliographical material. An attempt is made in each case to indicate the significance of the information and its relation to the problems outlined. (A.C.)

An automatic device for tracing the waveform of a repetitive oscilloscope pattern has been developed. The waveform is accurately reproduced and magnified by a conventional X-Y recorder. Because optical and pulse techniques are used the system is capable of reproducing signals displayed on even the fastest available oscilloscopes. When useil with a high-frequency traveling-wave oscilloscope, the method is applicable to phenomena in the millimicrosecond region and is capable of utilizing time resolution down to 0.1 m ic sec. Deflections as small as one micron niay be detected. In addition to making oscilloscope measurements faster and more convenient, many of the sources of distortion normally encountered in oscilloscopes are eliminated. (auth)

The pion-momentum spectrum from K-absorption stars in helium is calculated in the impulse approximation. The kaon is assumed to be pseudoscalar and to be captured from the ls state. A final state consisting of free particles is used. The effect of final bound states is considered and taken into account phenomenologically. All final-state interactions are neglected. It is shown that the shape of the momentum spectrum is determined mainly by kinematics--i.e., the shapes and positions of the spectral peaks are quite insensitive to detailed dynamical assumptions such as the assumed K parity and capture orbit. The effect of final-state interactions is discussed. (auth)

An investigation was conducted to compare the flame emission spectrum of Fe as recorded by the Beckman DU and the ORNL flame spectrophotometers. It was found that the ORNL instrument is best suited to the application. Optimum operating conditions are described as well as results of investigations to determine interferences. (J.R.D.)

Eight boiling reactors, BORAX I, II, III, IV, EBWR, LITR, VBWR, and SPERT I,have been operated to date, and a considerable amount of information exists in regard to their tendencies toward self-induced power oscillations. Data are presented on the following characteristics of the oscillations: power, pressure, temperature, reactivity amplitudes, and their rate of change: thresholds, and harmonic content. Results from three techniques of measuring the reactor transfer function are presented: the rod oscillation, the reactivity step, and the autocorrelation methods. Quantitative definitions of instability are introduced. Theoretical annlysis of these reactors' kinetic behavior, based on a simple model where steam void feedbacks dominate, shows an adequate understanding of many of the phenomena, some even quantitntively. It is concluded that it is possible within the framework of existing experimental and theoretical boiling reactor dynamic technology, to design these reactors with reduced instability limitations on the power, and obtain power densities in excess of the current 50 kilowatts/liter of core. (auth)

ABS>Progress is reported in the following studies: the decay time of irradiated scintillation solutions; the performance of twin scintillation detectors for measuring neutrons in the presence of gamma radiation; the measurement of cosmic ray neutron background with a twin scintillation fast neutron spectrometer; the diffusion and absorption of gases in plastic-walled ionization chambers; calculations of the drift velocity and the energy distribution of electrons of helium, neon, argon, and nitrogen under the action of a uniform electric field; the development of equipment for tracer studies of atmospheric diffusion; the deposition and retention of isotopes of actinium, radon, radium, and thorium in bone; the effects of age on calcium metabolism in bone,; the development of a mathematical theory of the retention of radioactive elements by bone; the development of a reproducible method for directly determining individual alpha activities in mixtures; the design of a flow-gas Geiger counter; a survey of the natural radioactivity of a number of municipal water supplies; measurements of activity in individuals by means of the human spectrometer; measurements of the cesium-l37 content of human subjects; measurements of the atmospheric content of cesium-137 as a function of time; a comparison of background radioactivity at the Laboratory and a …