Abstract: The use of a high energy proton or electron beam, directed vertically to act as a probe for the study of atmospheric processes is proposed. An outstanding feature of such an atmospheric probe is its capability to ionize a column of air repeatedly in a few microseconds and in approximately the same place. Characteristics of a vertical proton beam which may be generated by the Zero Gradient Synchrotron at the Argonne National Laboratory are discussed and calculations are presented to provide an estimate of the ion concentration as a function of height in the atmosphere. The potential uses of an atmospheric ionized column for meteorological research are discussed such investigations include the artificial initiation of lightning, the production of atmospheric ozone resulting from lightning, and the line spectra associated wit the lightning channel. Also presented is a method whereby a combination of the igh energy particle beam and infrared techniques may be used to determine the air circulation within a thunderstorm. Brief mention is made of the possible uses of a high energy particle beam for aerospace sciences, such as the study of whistlers and elecro-magnetic radiation phenomenon associated with the aurora and airglow.

Technical report discussing three principal areas: (1) some recent cross section measurements and their effect on fast reactor calculations; (2) the question of Doppler and sodium void reactivity effects in large fast power reactors and the conflicts inherent in simultaneous optimization of performance, breeding, and safety characteristics; (3) the matter of hybrid fuel cycles.

Preliminary phases of this investigation that have been completed include basic studies to determine optimum detector engineering characteristics and static tests of a number of designs. A pilot system for dynamic testing of the detectors in simulated process control applications is presently in operation.

An apparatus has been developed which controls automatically the acidity of unbuffered solutions in the region from pH 4 to 10. A potentiostat is used to control the potential of an inert electrode on which the hydrogen gas-hydrogen ion reaction occurs in a solution saturated with hydrogen gas. The inert electrode acts as both a sensing element and a regulating electrode for the control of acidity. Current from the potentiostat passes through the inert electrode and an auxiliary polarizing electrode in an external compartment separated from the main cell by a salt bridge or porous plate. Transients which occur during the regulating action are presented and analyzed. The electrochemical pH-stat may be used to measure corrosion rates. Limitations of the device are discussed and a modification is proposed which makes use of a differential amplifier instead of a potentiostat.

Abstract: A description is given of the preparation and properties of a granular form of potassium hexacyanocobalt (II) ferrate (II) that is a highly selective absorbent for cesium ion. The material is suitable for use in a large-scale ion exchange column, and offers the possibility of isolating and concentrating Cs137 from fission product waste solutions that arise from the processing of nuclear fuels.

The radiation chemistry of ammonia, pure or with various additives, was studied by Co60 gamma radiation. The kinetics of aniline formation by the irradiation of homogeneous benzene-ammonia mixtures was determined together with the kinetics of hydrazine formation in the case of pure ammonia. The effects of dose, intensity, temperature, and specific additives were determined.

Abstract: A potentiometric study of the complex formation between citric acid (H3L) and the uranyl ion at 25° and ionic strengths of 0.1 and 1.0 (KNO3) is reported From the concentration dependence of the formation constant, it is concluded that polynuclear complexes are formed in which bridging between metal ions occurs through carboxylate and hyroxyl groups of the ligand. The values of the logarithms of the formation constant of the metal checlate [UO2L-]/[UO2+][L3-] and of the dimerization constant [(UO2)xL22-]/[UO2+][L3-] are found to be 7.40 and 4.07 respectively. Infrared absorption measurements of protonated and dissociated carboxyl groups in aqueous uranyl citrte system indicated the presence of both carobxy-late and hydroxide bridging in the polynuclear complex. On the basis of the "core plus links" treatment of polynuclear complexes, the polymeric species in solution in the buffer region between 3 and 4 2/3 moles of base per mole of metal complex appears to be predominantly (U)2)2L2((OH)5(UO2)2L2)216-.

Abstract: Various mechanisms for the formation of point defects in ionic crystals are considered. Their probable importance as a function of the energy of the ionizing radiation and the temperature at which the irradiation takes place is discussed. Complex centers formed from aggregates of simple point defects are reviewed and their occurrence considered in terms of the expected spatial distribution of the point defects. The effect of high energy x rays and protons on the ionic conductivity is discussed in terms of a new interpretation of the conductivity curve as a function of temperature, and it is suggested that radiation-enhanced diffusion may be important in explaining the experimental data.

The Heavy Water Components Test Reactor (HWCTR) was built for the Atomic Energy Commission by the Du Pont Company to satisfy a need for fuel testing in the AEC's Heavy Water Power Reactor Program. The reactor was designed to provide a realistic test environment for full size fuel candidates. The report contains sections on (1) the containment building, (2) vertical cross section of the reactor vessel, (3) core layout, (4) low power physics tests and comparison with calculations, (5) rod worths, (6) temperature coefficients, (7) flux shapes, and (8) the operating philosophy of a test reactor.

Technical report discussing a new high-speed electron multiplier using a planar dynode configuration. This multiplier has a total transit time significantly shorter than available in conventional structures of equivalent gain. It also features rise-times generally less than three nanoseconds while providing the large sensitive area of an unfocused configuration. Two basic types of planar dynodes are employed: transmission secondary emission thin films as the early multiplier stages and silver-magnesium modified mesh multipliers as the high current output stages.The relevant gain and pulse-response data for these two types of dynodes are presented. The structure is quite flexible and permits the number and types of dynodes to be easily tailored to a specific application. In particular it will be shown how the number of mesh-type dynodes may be altered to effect a trade-off between current handling capabilities and rise-time characteristics. Several possible combinations of these planar dynods have been incorporated in photomultipliers whose gain, dark current, pulse response, and operating life are discussed.

The nature and types of internal molecular and thermal motions that polymer chains and polymer segments undergo have a great bearing on the physical behavior of polymeric solids. A relatively new tool is now available that permits us to observe and study internal thermally-induced motions directly at the atomic or molecular level rather than from macroscopic observations. this tool is nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This talk discusses (1) the nature of nuclear magnetic resonance, (2) NMR line shapes and the influence of temperature, (3) NMR line widths and second moments as a function of temperature, and (4) lists six general conclusions.

Asymptotic low energy neutron spectra have been measured for two multiplying systems. The reentrant hold spectrum (scalar flux) and the surface leakage spectrum were obtained for both assemblies using the pulsed-source chopper technique at the RPI linear accelerator.

An essential part of establishing the acceptability of warm extruded Zircaloy-4 for the CVTR pressure tube application was the determination of irradiation effects on mechanical properties of the alloy. Representative specimens were irradiated in low temperature process water in the WTR for simulated two, three and five year exposure. The effects of this irradiation were then evaluated in terms of changes in tensile, impact and creep properties. The experiment results concluded that the irradiation-induced changes in mechanical proprieties will not introduce any operational hazard to the CVTR pressure tube under anticipated operating conditions.

A cladding failure monitor using the principle of detection of rare gas fission products in the cover gas system of liquid metal-cooled reactors, was developed which efficiently discriminates against AR41. This discrimination is accomplished by electrostatic precipitation of the rare gas daughter nuclides; since K41, the daughter of Ar41, is not radioactive, the activity of the precipitation is chiefly due to decay of various Rb and Cs fission products. The monitor equipment is described. Results of monitor testing in EBR-1 are reported; a simulated fuel road failure experiment was made which shows that the charged-wire cover gas monitoring principle should be useful in other sodium-cooled fast reactors systems.

This study is part of a research into trace element physiology of fresh water snails. As an average, biological materials contain [approximately] o.0% (fresh weight) NaCl ; this means [approximately] 3540 mg Na/1 (in snails, 0.4% NaCl [approximately] ms/1). Under these conditions, the application of neutron activation plus gamma spectrum analysis for the study of most trace elements as a routine method, is difficult. We will narrow down the scope some more and consider only the interference between Na24 and Cu64.

Since 1943 when the oak Ridge Graphite Reactor was put into operation, literally thousands of individual irradiation have been performed in this reactor and in other ORNL research reactors. Over the years there have been many minor incidents caused by experiments. Such incidents have provided a basis cor continued improvement in experiment design review and safety-analysis procedures. The reports lists the Design Review and Safety Analysis (1) objectives, (2) principles and rules of design, and (3) limits of application of the review process. The report includes a review of 19 incidents at ORNL research reactors.

Abstract: The exhibit shows that colloidal aggregates (10 to 20 mu) of human serum albumin I131 may be used safely by intravenous injection to perform photoscans of the heart, liver, spleen, stomach, and salivary glands in man. Large particle size suspensions (10 to 50 mu) of the same material are being investigated experimentally in animals for scanning the lungs after intravenous injection and the brain following injection into an internal carotid artery. The advantages of this test material are the relatively low radiation exposure to the target organs and the number of organs that may be examined. Radiation exposure is low because of the rapid turnover in the target organs and removal from the body, mainly by urinary excretion, within 72 hours. The mechanism of liver-spleen localization with this organic colloid is the same as for inorganic colloidal radiogold198, namely, rapid removal from the blood by the phagocytic cells of the liver and spleen. However, in contrast to the inorganic colloid, which remains in the phagocytic cells permanently, albumin is digested by proteolytic enzymes and the I131 abel is set free to re-enter the general circulation. With the thyroid blocked, the I131 is excreted mainly in the urine as free …

Abstract. By means of the pulse radiolysis technique a short-lived transient species has been observed in irradiated de-aerated ethanol and methanol, exhibiting an optical absorption throughout the visible and near infra-red. This transient is suggested to be the solvated electron on the basis of the nature of the spectrum, the reactivity with hydrogen ion and with various organic electron acceptors, and the formation of mononegative ions of some of these acceptors. The absolute rate constants have been determined for the reactions of the solvated electron with hydrogen ion, oxygen and benzyl chloride in ethanol and methanol. The diphenylide ion was found to be short-lived in ethanol. The absolute rate constant for the first-order decay of the diphenylide ion has been determined.

Abstract: A pilot plant facility for recovering Pu238 and unconverted neptunium from irradiated neptunium target elements was operated for 17 months at the Savannah River Laboratory. The process required that the irradiated target elements be dissolved and the solution be processed through three anion exchange cycles for removal of undesirable fission products and cations, recovery of unconverted neptunium, and concentration of Pu238 solution. The process equipment was enclosed in three stainless steel boxes that were installed in two general-purpose cells of a ten-cell complex. The basic cells were not modified. The two cells were not separated from from the adjacent 8 cells. Containment of the high-specific-activity alpha emitters was accomplished by ventilation, development of handling techniques, use of procedures, and close Radiation Control coverage. The facility was dismantled, and the cells were decontaminated and returned to normal use. With the exception of an accidental overexposure, all personnel exposures were kept below the administrative level of 3 R/yr. None of the personnel assimilated detectable amounts of he material handled.

Technical report discussing a series a experiments on the reactivity worth of gaps has been performed in the KAPL Solid Homogeneous Assembly (SHA). One objective of the program is to provide data against which calculated models can be checked. An immediate goal is to develop a method by which large void regions can be adequately treated within the framework of diffusion theory. This would enable the nuclear engineer to perform standard design calculations on systems containing such voids. Another objective of the program is to provide data which will allow the shutdown margin of split bed assemblies to be more adequately estimated. for this latter purpose not only the reactivity work of gaps is required by also the rate of change of reactivity with distance as a function of gap size.

Abstract: Naturally occurring earth materials from Idaho, primarily from localities near the National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS), were used in laboratory tests for the removal of radioisotopes from aqueous solutions. These earth materials included lignitic deposits, clay-like materials, and specific minerals; ion exchange resins were also considered for a specific application. The aqueous solutions were low-level radioactive cooling water or synthetic solutions made up to represent low-level radioactive wastes at the NRTS. Cation exchange capacities and other properties which affect the removal of radioisotopes from solution were determined the cation exchange capacities varied from 0.006 to 1.0 meq/g of solid. Earth materials with cation exchange capacities greater than 0.3 meq/g, in general, had distribution coefficients in excess of 1000. The highest distribution coefficients for cesium and strontium occurred in the pH range from 6.0 to 9.0 The possible use of these materials for decontaminating low-level radioactive waste at the NRTS is discussed. The result of laboratory studies using these materials and an organic ion exchange resign for decontaminating a specific NRTS waste are given. A material high in clinoptilolite from a location near the NRTS was considered to be the most promising material for use in large beds or ion …

Results of a questionnaire survey are presented on reactor supervisor and operator education, experience, and training, and on certification procedures by reactor category. The questionnaires were obtained from 362 supervisors, 393 operators, 44 supervisor trainees, and 139 operator trainees.

From American Nuclear Society Meeting, New York, Nov. 1963. In computer-coupled automated activation analysis such as in the Mark II system, conventional methods of data readout impose a serious restriction on the minimum handling time per sample. A data coupler for operating between the data accumulation system and the computer tape unit was developed which contributes nothing to the handling time per sample, does not distort the data, and prepares the data for direct computer entry. In addition to activation analysis, the coupler may be used to obtain successive spectra separated in time by 0.16 sec in the study of short-lived isotopes.

Investigation of whether the multi-thousand psi pressure pulses that occurred in the BORAX-I and SPERT-I destructive power excursion could have been generated by thermal mechanisms in the geometries of unmolten reactor cores. These pressure pulses were "at least as high as 6,000 psi, and probably higher than 10,000 psi " in BORAX I, and "between 3,000 and 4,000 lb/in" in SPERT I. An experimental investigation was undertaken of pressure pulse generation by purely thermal means.