The May, 1957 monthly report for the Chemical Processing Department of the Hanford Atomic Products Operation includes information regarding research and engineering efforts with respect to the Purex and Redox process technology. Also discussed is the production operation, finished product operation, power and general maintenance, financial operation, engineering and research operations, and employee operation.(MB)

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Results of experimental programs indicate that it might be desirable in the future to modify the existing reactors by replacing the aluminum process tubes with tubes made of a zirconium alloy. The zirconium tubes would be more corrosion resistant than the aluminum ones and would also be stronger at higher temperatures. These new tubes would have the same outer diameter as the present tubes (for ease of handling and in order to provide adequate graphite cooling) but would have a thinner wall (since zirconium alloy is both stronger and more expensive than aluminum). The inner diameter of the new tubes would, therefore, be greater than in the present tubes. In addition to the tube change, it might also be desirable to replace the existing solid fuel elements with those known as ``I&E`` alements. These pieces would be similar to the present elements except for a longitudinal hole which would allow the passage of cooling vater through the center. The element would then be Internally and Externally cooled, and would have a more uniform temperature distribution. The combination of the larger tube inside diameter and the central hole in the fuel element would result in reduced friction loss for the reactor …

This document details activities of the irradiation processing department during the month of May 1957. A general summary is included at the start of the report, after which the report is divided into the following sections: research and engineering operations; production and reactor operation; facilities engineering operation; employee relations operation; and financial operation.

This handbook prepared by the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project of the Department of Defense in coordination with other cognizant government agencies and published by the United States Atomic Energy Commission, is a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on the effects of nuclear weapons. The effects information contained herein is calculated for yields up to 20 megatons and the scaling laws for hypothetically extending the calculations beyond this limit are given. The figure of 20 megatons however is not be taken as an indication of capabilities or developments.

Lubrication of die surfaces with mineral oil or Dag 217 during final compacting of UF/sub 4/--Mg blends prevented seizing. Mineral oil application after every third press allowed 18 compacts before seizing became severe. Similar application of Dag 217 allowed 78 compacts. Mixing 0.33 wt.% Ceremul "C" with the powder allowed 40 compacts. Punch clearance had little effect on seizing. (T.R.H.)

The electrolytic solvent characteristics of liquid nitrosyl chloride and general consideration of the factors affecting suitability of a system for isotope separation suggest that exchange reactions of NOCl might provide an interesting and useful means for the separation of the stable isotopes of nitrogen or of chlorine, or of both in a simultaneous process. Vibrational frequencies of isotope substituted NOCl molecules are calculated and used to estimate equilibrium constants for exchange of nitrosyl chloride with nitric oxide and with chlorine. Provisional experimental values of the equilibrium constants are given. (auth)

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Experimental results on the non-conservation of parity and charge conservation in weak interactions are reviewed. The two-component theory of the neutrino is discussed. Lepton reactions are examined under the assumption of the law of conservation of leptons and that the neutrino is described by a two- component theory. From the results of this examination, the universal Fermi interactions are analyzed. Although reactions involving the neutrino can be described, the same is not true of reactions which do not involve the lepton, as the discussion of the decay of K mesons and hyperons shows. The question of the invariance of time reversal is next examined. (J.S.R.)

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The combination of an effective fuse with a sensitive trigger is investigated. Tests conducted with two types of fuse, the annular-passage and the control-rod-type fuse, are described and analyzed. Appendixes present the methods of analysis and calculation, an analysis of fuse performance, and a summary of alternative fuse trigger and fuse system designs, with methods for adaption of fuses to power reactors. (auth)

Hardness measurements of specimens quenched from the beta yields alpha phase at different cooling rates support the proposed martensitic beta yields alpha transformation for urnnium. Specimens held in 635 and 600 deg C isothermal baths prior to subsequent quenching to --5 deg C require more than 10 and two seconds, respectively before diffusion mechanlsms for beta yields alpha transformation commence. Once started, about 500 seconds are required to complete transformation by diffusion at these temperatures. Specimens quenched prior to tais hold time transform in part martensitically. Relationships are calculated for hardness as a function of grain size and cooling rate, and for grain size as a function of cooling rate. Metallographic examination confirms the hardness trends and reveals that widely varied grain structures can be produced by controlled cooling from the beta phase. Finally, a schematic time- temperature-transformation curve is sketched from the hardness data obtained. (auth)

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Experimental studies of the mixing of coaxial streams of carbon dioxide and air at ambient temperature and atmospheric pres sure were made at Reynold numbers of cal, 4-inch galvanized iron pipe. Carbon dioxide was introduced into the center of an air stream free of moisture and carbon dioxide by means of an injection tube which extended the full length of a calming section 14 feet 4 inches long. Radial concentration profiles of carbon dioxide were measured at three positions downstream. Gas samples were withdrawn by a pitot type probe amd analyzed by a thermal conductivity cell. Velocity distributions were determined by means of a five-loop, circular hot-wire anemometer. Total diffusivities of carbon dioxide in air for the entire radius of the pipe were computed by a seminumerical method. The total diffusivities were found to vary significantly with position in the pipe and to be rather complicated functions of local flow conditions. An approximate analytical solution of the general mass transfer equations describing the system was employed to compute total diffusivity values representative of the over-all mass transfer process. This solution was derived assuming the total diffusivity and velocity to be independent of radial position. (auth)

Nickel is more susceptible to mass transfer ina 100hr nonisothermal dynamic corrosion system than is Inconel when exposed to a NaCl-MgCl/sub 2/-UCl/ sub 3/ (50.01800 F. No nickel mass transfer was observed in a 500hr test at 1350 F, but Inconel showed some attack under s transfer was observed in both tests, being more severe at the higher temperature. On the bases of these preliminary tests, it appears that nickel is a more satisfactory container than Inconel for the chloride bath at temperatures in the region of 1350 F. Chromium is more susceptible to selective leaching from inconel at 1800 F during a short 100-hr test (0.26%Cr in bath) than in a 500-hr test (<0.001% Cr in bath) at a lower temperature (1350 ). (auth)

Supplement to AECU-3517, (RM-l824-AECl. Graphs of pressure, density and particle velocity versus radius at specified times throughout the course of an explosion in air originating from an instantaneous release of energy at a point are presented. These curves are basic to the results and analysis reported in RAND Research Memorandum RM-l824-AEC and are published as supplementary reference data for those who have occasion to require more information or detail than is presented in that report. (auth)

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A method has been developed for the uniform coating of graphite tubes with carbides of niobium, tantalum, and zirconinm by thermal decomposition of their respective halide vapors. Conditions of coating temperature and pressure are so chosen as to prevent the deposition of metal, but to permit the formation of the carbide as rapidly as carbon can diffuse to the surface. If the carbon diffusion can be made the rate-limiting step, the coating process becomes self- regulating and uniform thickness results. The limits of the temperature-pressure range have been determined experimentally for the thermal decomposition of zirconium iodide and of the chlorides and bromides of niobium, tantalum, and zirconium. With the successful development of coating equipment and definition of conditions, 99 blowpope test specimens were coated with uniform, continuous, and adherent layers of the carbides in three ranges of thickness, light (0.001 in.), medium (0.005 in.), and heavy (0.01 in.). Determinatlons were made of the coefficient for the diffusion of carbon in zirconium carbide as a function of temperature. Exploratory work on small specimens of graphite impregnated with 7 wt.% uranium indicated that the coating results were essentially unchanged, but that loss of uranium occurred. Means of avoiding the loss of …