A reliable spline disposal system is necessary for full utilization of the Poison Spline Control System. The spline choppers were not reliable enough so a spline coiler was developed and designed to replace the choppers. A Development Test, IP-306-X (HW-63820), was issued authorizing on-pile testing of the spline coiler at X area. This report closes the Development Test and discusses the use of spline coilers.

Designing a dissolver safe for up to 5 per cent U.235 enriched NPF's and having a one a ton per day capacity is a fundamental problem of Hanford NPF Program. Two basic design concepts have so far evolved, both of which employ a recirculating system in which the fuel elements are placed in the critically safe geometry separated from the bulk of the solution in another vessel. In one concept the fuel elements are charged to a set of geometrically safe cylinders or tubes and solution is circulated through them/ In the other concept the fuel elements are placed on a flat tray while solution is sprayed over them. In the latter system, nuclear safety is obtained by avoiding submerged dissolution and the resulting neutron moderation by the solution.

This note describes an analysis of the primary creep rates in thin-walled pressure tubing. The analysis accounts for the increase in tube radius and decrease of tube wall thickness. Both of these effects increase the stress; hence, they can affect the creep rate and cause unstable creep conditions.

Report discussing a study regarding the identification and property analysis of plutonium (IV) monobutyl phosphate, which formed as a white precipitate in another study of the effects of monobutyl phosphate on plutonium(IV) in tributyl phosphate extractions.

A series of calculations are described which evaluated the heat transfer and fluid flow aspects of the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor Pressurized Gas-Loop Facility.

A new package type facility for corrosion decontamination studies has been designed and fabricated. This report gives a description, drawings, and comments on its operation. It has been in operation since December, 1958.

The process of age calculation for Hanford exponential lattices containing aluminum-matrix slugs, where the sums run over the materials of the lattice cell.

An improved method for the determination of boron in plutonium is reported. Precipitation of plutonium (III) acid oxalate prior to color development with curcumin results in increased precision, greater speed, and lower costs. Results are presented of a statistical study involving all variables.

Decontamination of stainless steel and carbon steel used in high temperature recirculation systems is currently being studied to obtain an effective and economical decontamination process for use in these systems. This report presents the preliminary investigation process which has demonstrated very effective decontamination and is low in cost.

Describes the current prototype model of a linear amplifier, two-channel pulse-height analyser, two-channel count-rate meter, and count-rate difference detector for a gamma-ray spectrometer monitor developed to approach the above design criteria.

A means for decontaminating the primary system of recirculating type reactor is necessary to insure operation and maintenance. This recirculation system can be contaminated by fuel element rupture products and induced corrosion product activities.

The processing of spent fuels from nuclear power and propulsion reactors is planned by Hanford Atomic Products Operation as part of the Atomic Energy Commission's interim processing scheme. The spent nuclear fuels have cores of UO2, U, or alloys of U-Mb, U-Al, or U-Zr clad in either stainless steel, aluminum, or Zircaloy. This report discusses only the Zircaloy-clad fuels and the applications of the Zirflex Process for dissolution. Zirflex chemical flow sheets are presented as developed by pilot plant operations.

It is being considered that the in-reactor portion of the test section of the PRTR Gas-Cooled Loop Facility consist, in part, of two concentric Inconel-X tubes. The outer tube is the main stress member, with 3.5 O.D. and a wall thickness of 0.065. The inner tube is 3.0 O.D. and has a wall thickness of 0.030. The inner tube provides an annular gas space to serve as thermal insulation.

The methods for the separation of the elements from thorium to americium having wide use are those employing solvent extraction techniques (1) (2). During recent years the behavior of these elements on anion exchangers has been studied, resulting in the wide application of these resins to the separation of the actinides (3) (4) (5) (6) (7).

In HW-56161(1), the preliminary background, bases, and advantages which could be visualized in the study and establishment of reactor concepts utilizing boiling mercury- 204 were presented. The attractive chemical and metallurgical properties of mercury which make it particularly suitable for use in special non-rigid fuel systems as well as its potential for heat transfer applications were considered to be of significant interest to the Plutonium Recycle Program also, since the issuance of the original document, continued study of the potentials for an economical isotope separations process for mercury has shown attractive possibilities for a method based on photochemical activation (HW-59329). (2) The prospectas(3) for this process appear so favorable that earlier opinions and expectations seem to have been conservative. Although the desired level of initial effort in related studies has not yet been realized, particularly in the area of chemical engineering, reactor engineering, and economics, it appears advisable to revise the earlier document to recognize the impact of the favorable outlook for economical mercury isotope production, to present other related information which has been developed, and to recommend the beginning of a research and development program.

Over the past ten years, there has been considerable interest and expenditure on the recovery of ionium (thorium-230) from certain residues accumulated from the World War II uranium process at St. Louis, Missouri. Most of these efforts were reported in the classified literature. However, an unclassified report was issued recently by the Mallinckrodt Chemical Works on the plant design for ionium recovery. A review of the earlier efforts shows that consideration of ionium recovery was limited to the St. Louis residues. At that time the development of a substantial U. S. uranium ore milling industry had not yet been achieved.

Continued operation of F reactor with high water collection rates during the past 12 years has resulted in numerous detrimental effects. In addition to promoting external corrosion tube leaks, water leaks have corroded the Gunbarrel to the biological shield donut assemblies and cast iron thermal shield blocks, thus preventing the majority of tubes in F reactor from unrestrained thermal expansion. Fatigue of the Van Stone flange under the resulting compression loads leads to eventual failure in some cases. In addition, excessive compression loads exerted against the nozzle gasket result in plastic deformation and eventual failures of the gasket.

Report that describes graphite oxidation monitors and their proper storage and handling, as well as the losses encountered when moving the monitors between the laboratory and the reactor.

At the present time, high-radioactivity-level wastes at Hanford are neutralized and stored as liquid in underground tanks lined with mild steel. This method of storage is relatively inexpensive and is satisfactory on a short-term basis. However, on a long term basis, liquid storage is less desirable than solid storage because of the greater mobility of the liquid. In addition, storage as aa solid would significantly reduce the volume of waste stored. Consequently, various research and development studies have been undertaken in an attempt to develop a practical waste solidification.

Abstract: An investigation was conducted to determine the absorption and translocation of fission products by Russian thistle from a localized spot of contaminated soil. The amount and identity of the radioactive elements absorbed and translocated by the Russian thistle is given along with the location of these elements in the plants. Beta radioactivity to the amounts of 10 microcuries per gram caused no visible effects on the growth habits of sectioned material are included.

To set forth limiting values of internal vapor pressure and effective liquid specific gravity which will permit the maximum utilization of the existing underground waste storage capacity. It is also intended to describe briefly the elements which could contribute to ultimate failure.

Experimental combination hand and shoe counter redesign as a compact, simplified, register readout instrument no larger than the present Five-Fold called Model 2.

The instability of the steel tank bottom of 113SX waste storage tank was postulated to have been caused by a pressure underneath the steel liner which was in excess of the hydrostatic liquid load of the waste resting on the steel bottom.

Introduction: "This report covers progress on the testing of the General Engineering and Consulting Laboratories Turbine Pump No. 1 from May 1, 1948 to Jun 15, 1948. All testing prior to April 30, 1948 has been described in Redox Experiment Testing Report No. 1 (Document HW-9474) and No. 2 (Document HW-9694)."