Abstract. Recently (CP-1989) it has been shown that the neutron density, and thus the heat production, at the end of a slug with an A1 cap may be appreciably higher than that at the middle of the slag. A re-examination of earlier temperature calculations is made in light of this effect.

Abstract. The thermal conductivity of uranium as a function of temperature is measured by comparing its conductivity with that of a sample of brass. An absolute measurement is then made of the conductivity of the brass sample. The thermal conductivities as a function of temperature of two samples of extruded uranium rod are given.

Abstract. Temperatures are measured at two points in an internally heated jacketed slug which is cooled by water flowing in an off-center annulus around the slug. The variations of these temperatures with water velocity, water temperature, power, and the amount the annulus is off center are measured. The temperature near the slug surface which approaches and comes in contact with the water jacket does not increase as much as anticipated. The temperature near the slug surface on the side which is moved away from the water jacket increases nearly as much as on the side approaching the slug. An explanation for this unexpected increase of temperature as on side moving away from the jacket is given.

Abstract. Steady-state temperatures were measured in an electrically heated brass cylinder which was water cooled in a four-ribbed Al tube. Thermal transfer coefficients h were calculated from the measured temperatures. Curves of h values are presented for the regions of high and low ribs. the h curve is found to show a much sharper break in the region of high rib than in a low rib region. There is some evidence that h decreases linearly with annular thickness in the range considered. The low rib is found to exert a much greater effect than the high rib in decreasing the h value at points distant from the rib.

Abstract. Some rather idealized considerations are given regarding the depth a warped rod presses into the ribs at the places of contact. It appears that this distance may, under some conditions, be of the order of 70 times greater than for a straight rod resting uniformly on the ribs.

Abstract. Given the maximum intrinsic curvature of a rod, the maximum force required to confine it between parallel rigid walls is computed.

Abstract. The probability of exceeding assigned values of displacements or forces in simple rod models assembled from slugs picked at random is discussed, and some estimate for the statistical gain resulting from use of shorter slugs is obtained. The probability that a rod with self-warping will touch the top of the tube appears great enough to justify a recommendation of the use of top ribs.

Maximum curvatures and forces set up in taking a rod in a tube are considered.

Abstract. Irradiated Whiting graphite possesses a small negative or a positive Hall constant, depending upon the dosage. Annealing at 500 degrees C for 1 hour in helium results in a Hall constant which is large in magnitude and negative in sign. The properties of the annealed graphite are presumably close to those of the original unirradiated material. Unirradiated AGOT-K graphite has a large, negative Hall constant. A mechanism is suggested which accounts for the change in sign of the Hall constant as a result of neutron bombardment.

A good determination of the resonance absorption of uranium when admixed with various substances is necessary so that calculations can be made on the efficiency of homogeneous piles. The original experiments along these lines were undertaken by Creutz, Jupnik, and Snyder (C-116) and consisted of experiments on the resonance capture in pure U, UO2, U3O8, and one experiment on capture in a mixture of U3O8 and graphite. These experiments were done at the cyclotron in Princeton and consisted of determining the ratio of the twenty-three minute activity of uranium to an iodine monitor placed in some position with respect to the sample. By using spheres of different radii both the volume and the surface absorptions were measured. It was considered very desirable to extend these measurements to mixtures containing large amounts of graphite to uranium and also to investigate other substances containing hydrogen and deuterium. In addition it was decided to use both iodine and gallium monitors in the experiments. While the experiments were in progress, an absorption curve for uranium metal was made by Marshall using iodine and gallium detectors, which showed that there was a certain amount of overlapping of resonance levels of uranium and iodine.

The resonance absorption of uranium for neutrons has been investigated between 20 degree C and 1000 degree C. Experiments were caried out on both UO2, density 4.63, and metal. The resonance activity was measured with respect to that of an iodine monitor at several different temperatures and the ratio of activity at temperature T to that at 20 degree C was determined. The increase in activity is 0.9 per cent per 100 degree C for the oxide and 1.1 percent per 100 degree C for the metal. The period of U239 was found to be 23.54 +- 0.05 min.

Prior to operating a chain reacting, graphite moderated, water cooled uranium pile at Hanford, the corrosive action of water on uranium was studied. It was necessary to enclose the uranium cylinders in Al jackets. Preliminary data were available which indicated Al jacket corrosion might be influenced by the water temperature. Therefore, in order to specify safe operating conditions, it was desirable to know the temperature at any position on the Al jacket of a slug in the tube. Because of the experimental difficulties encountered in the measurement of the correct surface temperature, the problem has been attacked primarily from a mathematical standpoint. Mathematical formulae have been developed for most of the proposed Hanford designs. The purpose of this report was to evaluate and summarize the theoretical and experimental information for calculation of Al jackets surface temperatures for the design now installed at Hanford. Also, the summarized results were to be put into a form suitable for use in routine calculations. As a result of this survey, the Al surface temperature for the Hanford tube and slug design may be calculated with 15 degrees C by employing routine methods and certain simple factors and equations contained in this report. The factors …

Radial flattening of activity in the cores of spherical and cylindrical piles is discussed in connection with pile control and power improvement. Partial flattening as a result of k loss from temperature rise is also considered.

The temperature coefficient is calculated for various lattice arrangements, taking into account the variation of [formula], suggested by Fermi. Four contributions are included: leakage, levelling of the dip in thermal neutron density in the lump, resonance absorption, and hardening of the neutrons as they penetrate a metal lump. The departure of neutron temperature from lattice temperature decreases the total coefficient. Values are given for 3 typical piles; in general, the larger the uranium elements, the less stable the pile. A rod lattice tends to be more stable. A pile with metal lumps over 50 lbs. will be unstable.

Warping of a rod by a variation in heat transfer coefficient around the periphery is considered. Estimates for some simple cases are given, and a more precise numerical calculation is carried out in ne instance.

When a slug has been displaced from its normal position the thickness of the water film is decreased over part of the surface, and higher temperatures may be expected where the film is thin. The experimental data necessary for an exact calculation is incomplete, but some approximate estimates ae made here with special assumption concerning the heat transfer coefficient h as a function of the angle p from the point where the water film is thinnest. Variation in water bulk temperature around the annulus due to poor mixing is not considered here.

Calculations were made to determine the temperature at various points of a thick disc and cap, on the assumptions that the heat production rate is uniform throughout the slug and that the slug is in perfect thermal contact with the cap. Results obtained by different methods of computation are compared with each other and with results obtained by Drew on the Paschkis electrical network computer at Columbia University.

This technical report discusses a method proposed to measure neutron energies by accurately determining the momenta of recoil protons in a magnetic spectrometer specially designed for this purpose. The main consideration in the design of the spectrometer is the shielding of the detector from the high radiation background associated with intense neutron beams.

The present report is concerned with the electronic relay which, upon the reaching of a pre-determined value of ionization current in the associated chamber, actuates the safety rod release mechanism. The are here proposed two independent suggestions: (1) An improved trip circuit of such sensitivity and stability as to allow it to be actuated by a signal directly from the chamber without the necessity of interposing intermediate amplifier stages. The value of chamber current at which tripping occurs is stable to +- 0.4%. (2) A triple-wound relay to prevent shut-downs of the pile which would otherwise be caused by development of defects in the safety circuits.

Abstract. Successive approximations ae obtained from transport theory for the neutron distribution around a black sphere surrounded by a spherical gap and a non-absorbing medium extending to infinity. Six cases are calculated numerically to show the difference between this treatment and simple diffusion theory. The extrapolation distance and a quantity that is essentially the thermal utilization are calculated in different approximations. It is found that the neutron density in the gap, instead of being a constant as predicted by the simple theory, may vary by a factor of one-third in cases of practical interest.

The change in the simple [formula] distribution of neutrons in a spherical lump of uranium caused by the distribution in velocities of thermal neutrons is calculated. If the calculated curve is fitted as well as possible by a simple [formula] curve, it is shown that the value of [formula] obtained in this way is a function of [formula], the radius of the sphere. For small radii the [formula] obtained in this manner will be as much as 25% greater than the [formula] corresponding to average velocity neutrons. The change in the thermal utilization caused by the distribution in velocities is discussed. The flux of neutrons into a sphere is calculated taking into account the velocity distribution and this is compared with the usual theory.

Abstract. An apparatus for measuring the thermal conductivities materials which are moderately good conductors of heat is described. Results obtained with a sample of pure Th are given on p. 10, 12, and 13.

Abstract. Slow neutron transmission measurements as a function of the time of flight of the incident neutron have been made for three different thicknesses of Beryllium. The energy region from 0.004 eV to 50 eV was investigated using the Columbia neutron beam spectrometer system. Particular emphasis was placed on the very low energy region (from 0.004 eV tp 0/2 eV or from 0.6 to 5 [length]) where pronounced crystal interference effects were observed. The effective slow neutron cross section (in the unity of X 10(-24)ce(2)atom) for several different energy values were: 6.1 at 0.2 [length], 3.5 at 1.5 [length], 2.3 at 2.5 [length] and 0.6 at 4.6 [length]. The positions of the discontinuities in the cross section agree fairly well with the values obtained from the X-ray measurements.

In making various experimental heat studies a power producing metal slug is simulated by a slug with a graphite rod electrode of 3/8" diameter inserted lengthwise through it. There is a helium filled annular space between the graphite and the inner surface of the slug cylinder. Radiant heat passes from the electrode to the metal; with proper adjustment of the electrode current the slug in the steady state will therefor "produce" the same amount of energy from its exterior surface as it would under operating conditions. The question arises, however, as to how uniform the electrode temperature is along its length. And also, in some cases one end of the electrode is embedded in the slug metal; it is then desirable to know how much heat flows by conduction from the electrode into the slug.