This report discusses a system which has been conceived whereby additional flexible reactivity control in the production reactors can be achieved by introducing neutron absorbers contained in thin flexible metal strips between the slugs and the process tube wall. These splines are potentially attractive in that it is possible they could be used to provide additional flexible control during operation as well as temporary control during outages.

The operation of a Priest Rapids dam is stated to necessitate river flow manipulation varying from 25,000 cfs to 120,000 cfs in the winter months of a critical water year. The low flow may persist for periods of six hours daily, and the expected daily average low flow is 61,000 cfs. The possible effects of this on reactor operation and waste disposal to the Columbia River which are of the interest to the Radiological Sciences Department were reviewed by J.F. Honstead, R.E. Rostenbach, and R.F. Foster. These include radiation hazards in reactor area water treatment plants, reactor area drinking water contamination; increased river temperature; chromium pollution problems; effects on downstream river usage, and effects on aquatic life.

Travel to Battelle Memorial Institute to discuss the results of subcontract research on the extended surface fuel element program and to review progress on the consolidation of Horizons` electrolytic thorium. Nickel-plated uranium samples, press-clad with 30-mil thick aluminum at 6, 10, and 15 thousand psi, have been on corrosion test for periods of 10 to 31 days. Six specimens from the 6,000 psi group have failed by undercutting after 21 to 31 days; this is another good record. Pinch welds have proved very effective as a means of sealing corrosion samples. Two 9--10 pound virgin ingots and three smaller remelts were made by consumable electrode arc melting of Horizons` electrolytic thorium. Physical and chemical data on the remelts are being obtained. Diffusion coefficients have been determined, at two sets of time-temperature conditions, for two diffusion couples of aluminum and a 0.5 w/o thorium in aluminum alloy, after high temperature annealing. The data show that the rate of interdiffusion of thorium and aluminum is very slow. These results are discussed.

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The recent modernization program for the 300 area metal preparation process has included installation of automatic spray pickling machines. Operative problems have accompanied start-up of the new machine including too rapid reoxidation of slugs leaving the pickle operation. Numerous slugs have had to be repickled with consequent interruption to canning operations. Investigations were conducted in cooperation with Coatings and Corrosion Unit, Fuel Technology Sub-Section and Process Improvement Unit, Metal Preparation Section, to obtain basis information about slug oxide removal and reoxidation. Findings and conclusions from the investigation are presented in this document.

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W. J. O`Leary and R. R. Herries visited BMI to review the progress of subcontract research on extended surface fuel elements and on the consolidation of thorium powder. 1. Seven electrodes of Horizons` powder have been pressed and satisfactorily arc melted under various conditions. 2. A second lot of 18 to 20 lbs. of Horizons` metal has been received at BMI for melting. 3. Eighteen of the proposed 33 ``half-dollar`` uranium corrosion samples for investigation of higher bonding pressures have been prepared. Ten of these are on test in boiling distilled water. 4. Three ERL fluid-pressure-bonded uranium corrosion samples failed due to sheath rupture after 31-33 days on test; no ``undercutting`` was evident. These samples have shown satisfactory corrosion resistance.

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