A micrometer that utilizes eddy current techniques is described. The gage is capable of measuring nominal 0.5000-in. aluminum rods to an accuracy of plus or minus 0.00005 in., and is unaffected by residual nonconductive surface filins such as oxides or corrosion products. (auth)

The 9 single-crystal elastic moduli pertaining to principal crystallographic axes of alpha U at 25 deg C were determined from measurements of high-frequency wave velocities for 21 modes in seven single-crystal specimens, using the phase-comparison method of McSkimin. From the results the elastic compliances, compressibilities, and Poisson"s ratios were computed for the principal axes. Th variations with crystal direction of the stiffness moduli, Young's moduli, and rigidity moduli were plotted. The nature of the anisotropy for the different moduli indicated that the nearest neighbor interatomic bonds are considerably stiffer than the next nearest bonds, which are only slightly larger in interatomic distance. (auth)

A process for separating americium and curium from rare earths by anion exchange based on selective chloride complexing was developed and tested on a laboratory scale. The separation is accomplished by sorption of americium, curium, and rare earths on Dowex 1-10X resin from a solution of 8 M LiNO/dub 3/ followed by selective elution of rare earths with 10 M LiCl and americium-curium elution with 1 M LiCl. In a laboratory demonstration of this process, greater than 99.5% of americium tracer containing no detectable amounts of rare earths was recovered. (auth)

A simple laboratory apparatus for the study of fissiongas release from neutron-activated fueled graphite was developed. Xenon-133 released from a heated specimen is carried in a helium sweep gas to a charcoal trap, where the accumulated activity is monitored continuously by a scintillation detector, ratemeter, and pen recorder. The maximum specimen temperature (2500 deg F) is achieved in 10 min with an induction heater. All instrumentation is commercially available. Data for several neutron-activated fueled-graphite specimens heated in the range from 800 to 2500 deg F are presented to illustrate the typical results obtained with the apparatus. (auth)

As part of an earlier program of investigation in this laboratory, studies were made of the gamma ray spectrum and the beta ray spectrum of cerium-144. In the present work, seme coincidence studies were made on one of the beta groups appearing in the cerium-144 decay and on the gamma rays appearing in the deexcitations from the energy levels of praseodymium-144. Sources of cerium-144 were prepared frcm carrier free radioactive cerium-144 as supplied by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The sample material was more than two years old at the time of preparation of sources. No additional chemical purification was attempted. Sources for use in the beta crystal spectrometer were mounted on thin Formvar film on spectrometer ring mounts. The gamma ray spectrum of cerium-144 in the energy range 20 kev to 180 kev is shown in Figure 1. This spectrum was determined using a 2-inch by 2-inch NaI(Tl) crystal. The pulse spectrum was analyzed by a Radiation Instrument Development Laboratory (RIDL) 200 channel analyzer. The spectrum gives clear evidence of gamma ray peaks at 34 {+-} 3 kev and 134 {+-} 2 kev. A rather broad peak at 80 kev is observed. An indication of a gamma ray group …

The development of high-energy charged particle accelerators such as the Bevatron and of improved nuclear-event detection devices such as the Berkeley 72-in. hydrogen bubble chamber has greatly increased the need for high-speed data reduction of nuclear events. Full exploitation of the potential of the 72-in. bubble chamber demands a very high-speed analysis system. This paper describes an approach to such a system.

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A design concept is presented for an electrical system using two SNAP III type generators fueled with cerium. In the modified SNAP III generator, a capsule of Haynes 25 contains 9725 curies of cerium oxide pellets, which will provide 67 thermal watts at time of launch. Sufficient void volume and capsule strength ensure containment of the oxygen evolved through isotops decay during the operational life of the generator. Thermal converter configuration in the conceptual generator is identical to that of the SNAP III except that the shell is stainless steel. Two methods of biological shielding are considered. The first uses mercury contained in a sphere surrounding the generator. In the second concept, a lead cask shields the unit until its installation in the launch vehicle. A remote installation procedure and an equipment arrangement are proposed. Generator output predictions were based on actual test data. The output of a single unit would be 3.8 watts at launch, decreasing to 1.9 watts in the course of a 6-month mission. A groundhandling procedure and conceptual designs of the equipment are included. (auth)

The control rod drive mechanisms and associated instrumentation in the Shippingport PWR were in satisfactory operating condition. Deficiencies that were observed during the test and subsequently corrected were: no positive indication of movement in rods 11, 82, 62, 53, and 14, as shown on the rod position indicating lights; and the bottom indicator coil for rod 81 was connected improperly. After the deficiencies were corrected, the test was rerun for the rods in question and all operated satisfactorily. (auth)

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Two thermoelectric generators that use Cm/sup 242/ as the heat source are described. One, designed for a lunar 12,480 c. The second, designed for a satellite or space probe mission, is fueled with 6.18 g having an activity of 20,400 c. Preparation of the fuel, assembly of the generator, and the launching of the vehicle are considered. Accidents that may occur in the launching of the vehicle are analyzed and the fate of the fuel in the event of an aborted mission or upon reentry of the vehicle after the completion of a mission are determined. (W.D.M.)

Drag coefficients were determined for various irregular objects such as glass fragments, stones, steel fragments, and spheres by means of drop tests for use in a mathematical model to correlate nuclear explosion blast experiments. Drop tests were also made on small laboratory animals and extrapolated to estimate the drag properties of man. A method was developed to estimate the average drag properties of man from his total surface area. (D.L.C.)

An investigation was made of the feasibility of measuring thorium in rock samples by use of scintillation spectrometry facilities available in the ORNL Analytical Chemistry Division. Results of measurement of eleven samples indicate that the method is usable and that agreement with chemical analysis is reasonable. (auth)

A test was made to determine radiation levels in the reactor pit and canal walkways with the reactor pit filled to various levels. Temperatures at several locations on the floor of the reactor pit while the reactor was at power were also measured. Draining all shielding water from the pit while the reactor was at approximately 39% of full power did not result in a radiation hazard on the canal walkways. When the reactor pit was completely drained the highest radiation levels were found above the outside edge of the reactor dome approximately 25 ft from the pit floor. The temperature of selected bolts and the surrounding concrete at the base of the reactor dome did not increase when all the water was removed from the reactor pit. (W.L.H.)

Abstract: A fuel material evaluation was made by destructively examining a full-scale experimental fuel element, irradiated in the SRE to a maximum of 850 Mwd/MTU.

Two fused chloride salt eutectics, binary LiCl-KCl and ternary NaCl- KCl- MgCl/sub 2/, were used in fuel processing studies as part of the Liquid Metal Fuel Reactor research and development program. Results of engineering work done at Brookhaven since 1950 are summarized. It was demonstrated that fused chloride salt technology is sufficiently developed so that loops and other experimental equipment can be designed and operated at 500 deg C with a high degree of confidence. The equipment, which was operated for many hours, included a large forced-circulation loop and many thermal-convection loops and tanks. The specifications used for the fabrication, cleaning, and testing of equipment for salt service are described. All welded systems, welded by the usual inert-arc procedures, are preferred, but ring type joint stainless-steel flanged connections were found satisfactory, mainly for connecting melt tanks to experimental equipment and for mounting orifice flowmeters. The surfaces of equipment to be used with fused salts were cleaned satisfactorily prior to assembly by several different methods, but sandblasting was found applicable to all types of equipment. Radiography was used to check all welds in contact with fused salt for flaws and, during operation, to locate and determine the cause of any malfunction. …

The Blue Print File groups provided by HAPO for Lurochemic were attached to cover pages, which listed the BPF number and the information contained. These cover pages were combined and an ORNL-CF number assigned. (M.C.G.)

The SNAP-III thermoelectric generator procedures power from the decay heat of 2100 curies of Po/sup 210/. This generator is to be used as a source of auxiliary power in a terrestrial satellite. For purposes of analysis, the satellite system postulated is launched from the Pacific Missile Bange into a 275- statute mile polar orbit with an orbital lifetime of about 1 year. Po/sup 210/ is an alpha emitter having a half life of 138 days and alpha and gamma decay energies of 5.3 and 0.8 mev, respectively. It is a natural component of the earth's crust, as a member of the uranium disintegration series. Sampling of polonium in the biosphere was conducted specifically for this program to determine background radiation levels. Since the fuel is primarily an alpha emitter, there is no direct radiation problem. An analysis was performed to determine the ability of the fuel container to withstand the various thermal, mechanical, and chemical forces imposed upon the generator by vehicle failures. Where theoretical analysis was impossible and experimental evidence was desired, capsules and generators were tested under simulated missile-failure conditions, Thus, the safety limits of SNAP-III in a satellite application were defined. SNAP-III is designed to be aerothermodynamically …

The objective of the study which is being carried out under contract AT(30-1)-2477 is the exploration of all aspects of research in water resources and supply to determine the potential for using radioisotope technology in this research. Problem areas in the application of tracers in this research are being investigated through the evaluation of past experimentation with radioisotopic techniques and through discussions with those who are active in this work. A series of suggestions relating to these techniques will de drawn up to indicate which techniques should be developed further in order that more extensive applications may be found for them.

S>Studies of the separation process known as zone melting were enclosed in 5 to 10 mm glass tubes and pulled through a stationary heater, which generated a liquid zone. The separation increased as the zone travel rate decreased, as the size of the tube increased, and as the difference in liquid density between the belk solid and the freezing interface increased. It was also found that, for vertical tubes, the separation was much greater when the fluid of lower density Between the buld zone and the freezing interface) was on the bottom the When it was on the top. Insertion of an axial thbe or rod of metal or glass into the zone also increased the separation. A correlation was developed which enables estimation of the separation for various - sithations in zone melting, Equations and principles were developed which enable estimation of the thermal requirements for zone melting and a theoretical study of pure diffusional mass transfer in some melting was also made. A general expression for concentration profiles was derived for materials with a constant distribution coefficient and a method for the rapid estimation of these concentration profiles was developed, Numerical results for eutectic-forming systems were obtained, and …

Free energy functions for gaseous monoxides were calculated from presently available spectroscopic results. However, the electronic contributions to the free energy functions were estimated. A simple ionic model was assumed since the molecular electronic states for most of these oxides were not known. In some instances where experimental data were insufficient to calculate the interatomic distances and the equilibrium frequencies of vibrations, they were estimated. The results of these calculations were tabulated for 500 tained intervals from room temperature up to 3000 tained K. (auth)

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The authors have previously reported that deuterium oxide in the drinking water of either male or female mice produces sterility. An investigation of some of the conditions--with particular reference to time--of deuterium oxide treatment to produce sterile C{sub 57} male mice indicated that the sensitive phase of sperm production centered around the late prophase of meiosis. In some experiments, although D{sub 2}O was almost completely absent during maturation of the sperm, and when the mice mated, these sperm exhibited the effects of their much earlier contact with D{sub 2}O. No viable offspring were obtained from these matings. They concluded that the presence of D{sub 2}O during the late prophase and meiotic divisions interfered with the normal construction or division (or both) of genetic material. It was suggested that changes in the forces, principally hydrogen bonds, in macromolecules affected their structural characteristics and resulted in abnormal division. The objective of the experiments reported here was to determine the phases of embryonic development of the mouse at which the lethal action of deuterium oxide on sperm is manifested. These investigations on embryonic growth initiated by sperm developed in D{sub 2}O have yielded additional evidence that D{sub 2}O severely damages the genetic material …

The results of the HASP program to determine the role played by the stratosphere in the world-wide distribution of radioactive fall-out from nuclear weapons tests are presented. The program has operated since the fall of 1957. The sampling network using U-2 aircraft collected 10/sup 8/ scf of air from 57 S to 71 N up to 70,000 ft. Ashcan data are used for upward extrapolation. IPC Paper 1478 of near 100% efficiency is used. Stratospheric ruatter sampled is in the 0.01- mu range. Stratospheric inventories of Sr/sup 90/ were calculated for the periods Nov. 1957 to Dec. 1958, Jan. to Aug 1959, and Sept. to Nov. 1959 to be, respectively, 0.95, 0.81, and 0.7 megacuries. Concentrations were greater in the Northern Hemisphere by a factor of 2 to 3 than in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sr/sup 90/ maximum cccurs in the equatorial regions around 90,000 ft and slopes down to around 70,000 ft in the polar regions. Little fractionation is noted in stratospheric debris. Cesium-137 to strontium90 ratios are 1.8 to 0.5. A semiempirical application of Gaussisn diffusion is described which suggests that hot clouds injected in the equatorial stratosphere spread in the North-South direction with mixing coefficients near 5 …