The advantages, disadvantages, and cost of constructing a auclear power reactor underground are outlinedData on underground construction of hydroelectric plants, other structures, and underground reactor projects in Norway and Sweden are reviewed. A hypothetical underground Experimental Boiling Water Reactor design and sketch are given with cost estimates(T.R.H.)

The energy and angular distributions of the gamma rays leaking from the BSF reactor were computed by (((((((((Abstract unscannable))))))))))

Maximum HRT dome wall temperatures for reactor powers up to 10 Mw were calculated for both an insulated amd uninsulated dome. Temperatures exceeding 315 deg C in the fuel solution flowing through the HRT dome section can cause phase separation which results in excessive corrosion rates. The results, based on very conservative assumptions, inticated wall temperatures exceeding 315 deg C could occur in the insulated dome when operating the reactor at 10 Mw. Using the same conservative assumptions, the analysis of the uninsulated dome indicated wall and bellows temperatures below 300 deg C. (auth)

By means of 2-group, 3-region calculations the following features are investigated for a flux-trap reactor: finite fuel-layer thickness, moderation in the fuel layer, diffusion constant of the fuel layer, reflector thickness, and flux-trap radius. A 31-group calculation was used to study simultaneously finite fuel-layer thickness, moderation in the fuel layer, and epithermal absorptions as and fissions. The results obtained are very near those obtained for the idealized case in ORNL CF-58-1-4. (auth)

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, March, 1958. Metallurgy, reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology, financial activities, visits, biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, and employee relations are discussed.

Calculations made on the possibility of pressurizing HRE-3 with oxygen- helium and oxygen-argon mixtures indicate that such a system is feasible, but not necessarily more desirable than use of oxygen alone. The explosion hazard would not be reduced significantly by use of the inert gas and the off-gas design problems would be somewhat more difficult. (auth)

and HT-22 are described. These runs were made to determine the handling characteristics of a slurry containing thoria calcined at 1600 deg C and to evaluate the operation of the 5-gpm slurry pump. The experimental procedures are described. It was concluded that 1600 deg C calcined 0.7 mu mean particle size thoria can be satisfactorily circulated using the 5-gpm pump. (J.R.D.)

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This document details activities of the Fuels Preparation Department during the month of March 1958.