Basic information on the design of the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) -120 loop.

Methods of the Radiation Monitoring Operation of the Chemical Processing Department.

Investigation to evaluate some of the designs, techniques, and methods for fabrication of a root pass.

From introduction: "The development and demonstration of the natural uranium reprocessed plutonium cycle in power reactors is an important phase of the peaceful applications of nuclear energy."

From objectives: "The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the hydraulic forces in the pulse column, and determine their effects on pulse column design."

The stability of fluorothene (polytrifluorochloroethylene, Kel-F) to gamma radiation has been investigated to estimate the probable life expectancy of fluorothene equipment exposed to Purex process solutions. Samples of fluorothene were exposed to total gamma radiation dosages up to 10 degree R. The results of these tests substantiate the findings reported by Sisman and Bopp in their compilation of data on the affects of radiation on plastics.

Radiobiological studies were made to determine effects of radioactive effluents from the Hanford reactors upon the aquatic biota of the Columbia River and to evaluate related hazards. Data from studies completed between September, 1945, and December, 1955 are presented and interpreted. All forms of life were many times more radioactive than the water they inhabited. Some radioisotopes were much more readily accumulated than others in living organisms. Differences in the concentration of certain radioisotopes by various species of organisms and kinds of body tissue are described; and geographical, seasonal and annual fluctuations in the concentration of radioisotopes in organisms are discussed.

The purpose of this report is to provide calculated liquid flow pressure drop data for the 1706-KER recirculation loops.

Reactivity measurements conducted in the Hanford Test Pile are interpreted to yield resonance integrals for uranium, uranium oxide, thorium and thorium oxide. The experiments were made using cadmium filters and are discussed in terms of the multiplication factor of the Hanford Test Pile.

A portable GM survey instrument was designed and developed which consists of a single transistor blocking-oscillator high voltage supply, a dual transistor multivibrator count-rate meter and a standard 30 mg/cm² glass-wall GM tube.

A portable, light weight transistorized alpha, beta, and gamma survey meter was designed and fabricated.

A general method is developed to allow calculation of the critical buckling of an assemblage of fissile regions coupled by neutron leakage. Consideration is given both to regions embedded in vacuum and in material media. Several cases of simple geometry are further developed to illustrate the theory.

The purpose of this report is to provide data pertaining to the corrosion damage incurred in the use of oxalic acid as a cleaning agent for process equipment.

Among the safety considerations for the Purex plant is the question of flammability limits for the diluent-air system. The present note attempts to delineate the temperature regions of concern by utilizing hydrocarbon flammability data available together with information on the vapor pressures of the systems.

This paper presents the results of a series of buckling measurements involving the use of enriched uranium rods (1.007% by weight U²³⁵) in light water. The effect of replacing a water reflector with one of uranyl nitrate solution of two different concentrations, 536 and 188 grams of U per liter of solution was investigated for the 0.925" rods with the 1.74 H₂O/U-volume ratio in the core. Some information was also obtained on the extrapolation length to be used in unreflected cases. The application of theory to these lattices, and others, is given in an appendix under separate title, "Buckling Calculations for One Per Cent Enriched Uranium-Water Rod Lattices."

The purpose of this document is to review the stud situation at Purex and make such recommendations as possible for use in any future canyon installations.

This twenty-fifth quarterly report of the research and development activities of the Radiological Sciences Department, Hanford Atomic Products operation, as before, includes some items charged to control but included for general interest. The previous report of this series was numbered: HW-39624, October 11, 1955. Progress is reported in the following studies: a radiobiological-ecological survey of the Columbia River; the toxic effects of continuous low-level exposure to I¹³¹ in pigs; Pu metabolism in miniature pigs and rats; the tissue distribution and retention of Ru¹⁰⁶ and Cs in rats and mice; the radiosensitivity of the intestine of rats; the pulmonary absorption of radioactive particles and the pathological effects of such particles in the lungs of mice; the uptake of I¹³¹ and other fission products from the soil and from air by plants; determinations of the relative biological effectiveness for yeast cells of Po²¹⁰ alpha particles and P³² beta particles; the development of chemical and radiological monitoring methods; the separation of fission products from waste streams; and improvements in instruments for monitoring and low-level radiation counting. The status of the research programs of the department is reviewed.

It is the purpose of this report to: 1. Present the results of a study to estimate the range of attainable boiling conditions in the 1706 KER loop design on the bases given in reference (12). 2. Present an outline of the significant modifications and equipment changes necessary to obtain the process conditions desired.

The purpose of this report is to describe the tests performed on the D-12 waste evaporator, to present and evaluate the data obtained during the test, and to make recommendations for the implementation and operation of present and future installations of bayonet tube bundles.

The purpose of this study was to develop and design a cutting torch which would slit aluminum tubes in a graphite matrix without damaging the graphite.

This report provides an overview of a gridded ionization chamber, instructions on how to operate the instrument, and then discusses the performance of the instrument so far.

An investigation of corrosion in the 327 Building's water storage basin was made to determine whether the static storage of aluminum jacketed fuel elements could cause corrosion effects that would interfere with studies of in-pile corrosion.

In reduction reactions of CeO₂, with calcium and a CaCl₂ flux, the use of vibrational energy was shown to have a marked effect on the yield of coalesced metal. Buttons of 40 to 50% theoretical yield were obtained from the vibrated reductions. As the flux concentration is decreased, the slag becomes more viscous containing undissolved CaO. The undissolved CaO present prevents the metal from completely coalescing, but the metal can be recovered from the slag and coalesced under CaCl₂ containing a small amount of calcium to reduce any oxide skin present. Cerium pellet yields of 50 to 60% metal were obtained by the procedure and were not difficult to handle in air. Cerium was used as a stand-in material for plutonium.

Studies are described of the percutaneous absorption and gastrointestinal absorption in the rat of ruthenium administered in the form of "insoluble particulates." Results are also reported on the gastrointestinal holdup of these particulates.