This document consists of water shutoff data for the K-pile. Included are apparent graphite diffusivity, apparent gas gap at the surrounding tubes, graphite bore radius, apparent gas gap at the test tube, maximum graphite temperature, water shutoff time, overall resistance slug to graphite, and resistance of bore gas annulus to heat transfer.

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Sanderson and Perter, under contract to the AEC, prepared a design feasibility study for a pebble-bed reactor steam power plant of 125-Mw(e) capacity. The design problems, economic considerations, and required research and development programs were reviewed by ORNL. It is concluded that the design shows promise of being economically competitive if the following conditions are met: (1) U/sup 233/ could be made available for use as a burner rather than as a breeder; (2) the contamination problems within the reactor can be successfully handled in a manner which would permit direct maintenancc on the equipment external to the core; and (3) the anticipated lifetime of the fuei ls snrffncneutly long to justify the cost assumptions of the Sanderson and Perter design. (L.T.W.)

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The reaction velocity constant for the oxidation of Pu(III) by nitrite in HNO/sub 3/ solution containing ferrous sulfanate is given. The reaction rate was found to be measurable by means of spectrophotometry. The data indicate the reaction to be a pseudo first-order reaction in the region of HNO/sub 3/ and nitrite concentration of interest. The reaction velocity constant, expressed as a first-order reaction with respect to Pu, was found for several values of HNO/ sub 3/ and nitrite concentrations. The HNC/sub 3/ reaction velocity constant relationship is given. The oxidation of the ferrous sulfamate--Pu(III Pu(III) solution proceeds successively through the sulfamate, ferrous, and Pu(III) ions. An autocatalytic mechanism is asscciated with the oxidation of both ferrous and Pu ions which obviates the possibility of simple calculations of constants based on nitrite concentration. An empirical relationship between the reaction velociiy constant and the (added) nitrite concentration is given. (auth)

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At present, the Purex Plant employs a two-stage process for the recovery of nitric acid from high-level wastes. This report summarizes the results of a design study on the Phase I installation of a prototype demister (vapor filter) between the E-F6 Concentrator and the T-F5 Acid Absorber. Further, the results of an engineering study are presented on the feasibility of the subsequent Phase II bypassing of the E-F11 Concentrator and auxiliaries to permit single-stage acid recovery, once satisfactory performance of the Phase I prototype equipment has been demonstrated. 7 figs., 2 tabs.

This report describes the operation of the fuels preparation department for the month of June 1958. Manufacturing, employee relations, process development, plant improvements, and financial operations are described.

Developments in the production of various graphite products and data on the properties, outgassing, and radiation resistance of various graphites are reviewed. (C.J.G.)

A procedure has been developed for the determination of silver, cadmium, indium, and tin in an alloy composed of these metals. The sample sample is dissolved in a mixture of nitric and fluoboric acids, after which the silver is determined gravimetrically as the chloride. The cadmium and indium are then determined polarographically in a potassium iodide solution, and the tin is determined polargraphically in an ammonium chloride - hydrochloric acid supporting medium.

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