The overall process of photosynthesis involves a number of interconnected processes. These processes, which are cyclic with respect to both energy and material, are related at some points to well-known respiratory processes. The carbon-reduction cycle in photosynthesis is now known in detail. All enzymes involved in this cycle have been isolated and the sources of energy required for its operation have been identified in terms of reducing agents and 'high-energy' phosphate. These sources of energy a r e derived ultimately from absorbed light energy which brings about the photolysis of water. Possible mechanisms for this photolysis and for the transfer of energy from the photolysis products to the carbon-reduction cycle are discussed here. Experimental data, in the form of quantum efficiency measurements, are presented and partially confirm the theories proposed for the mechanisms of energy transfer. A diagram of the complete process of photosynthesis containing the several cycles and their relations is presented.

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The design and economics of the Aqueous Homogeneous Reactor as basically under development at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are presented. The reactor system utilizes thorium-U-233 fuel. Conditions accompanying reactor systems generating up to l080 mw of net electrical energy are covered. The study indicates that a generating station, with a net thermal efficiency of 28.l%, might be constructed for approximately 0/kw and 0/kw at the l80 mw and l080 mw electrical levels, respectively. These values result in capital expenses of approximately 4.72 and 2.86 milis/kwh. A major part of fuel cost is the expense of chemical processing. It is therefore advantageous 10 schedule fuel through a relatively large processing system since fixed charges are insensitive to chemical plant size. By handling fuel through a plant large enough for processing 200 kg of thorium per day, total fuel costa of about 1 mill/kwh result. This cost for fuel processing appears applicable to generating stations up to abeut 540 mw in size, decreasing to about 0.6 mills/kwh at the l080 mw level. Operating and maintenance expense, including heavy water cost on a lease basis, varies between l.34 and 0.89 mills/kwh for l80 and l080 megawatts respectively. If the purchase of heavy …

Using diffusion theory type formulas for the calculation of thermal utilization, and resonance escape probabilities, and in particular those formulas of Rumsey and Volkoff, an effort has been made to correlate experimentally measured bucklings (Exponential Pile Program at Hanford) with those calculated from theory.

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An instrument was developed to measure nondestructively the lithium content of target slugs for the SRP reactors. The slugs consist of cylindrical pieces of Li-Al alloy, approximately 0.8 inches in diameter and 12 inches in length, clad with aluminum. The instrument utilizes neutron transmission to determine the Li content in the range 3% to 7% Li.

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A list of studies approved at the meeting is given with programs outlined in the appendix. The following topics were discussed: (1) safety; (2) security violations; (3) arrangements made for interviewees with physics training to visit Building 777; (4) procedures written for handling various fissionable materials on a large scale in the fabrication laboratory; (5) backlog of orders at the Laboratory shop; (6) that the limited number of applications do not justify the use of depleted uranium in the Laboratory; (7) that Savannah River Plant can follow Hanford requirements as to the average and variation of U-235 content in sidestream materials; (8) that Laboratory is to supply the various dimensions and tolerances that probably will be required for tubes with spiral ribs; (9) shipping of various dies and aluminium shapes now being held by aluminium fabricators; (10) obtaining proper hydraulic performance of fuel assemblies; (11) preliminary scopes of work covering process requirements for producing natural uranium elements in plate and tubular form; and (12) arrangements to be made to review the Nuclear Metals Program.

In the light of Redox Plant performance since the start-up on 2-3-55, coupled with a review of the technological factors involved in the current flowsheet, a departure from the process program outlined in HW-34882 is herewith presented as an addendum to that document which will also serve to detail the corresponding items in the latest Redox Test Program, HW-35069. The purposes of this document are to: (1) Discuss the need for modifications of the program given in HW-34882, and (2) Present the details of the proposed revisions.

W. J. O`Leary and R. R. Herries visited BMI to review the progress of subcontract research on extended surface fuel elements and on consolidation of Horizons` thorium. 1. Corrosion samples, 1in. diameter {times} 0.180in. thick nickel-plated uranium, which had been press-clad with aluminum at 510{degree}C and 6000 psi, have been on test for 18 days with no evidence of undercutting. Similar samples press-clad with 10,000 psi have been exposed for 7 days with no failures. 2. The hydrogen and chlorine content of as-received Horizons` electrolytic thorium was greatly reduced during vacuum sintering and arc melting. 3. A second lot of Horizons` thorium has been compacted and sintered to provide electrodes for two 9-10 lb. melts. 4. Diffusion couples are being annealed and examined in order to determine the rate of solid solution diffusion of thorium in aluminum.

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.

Heat transfer coefficients were determined for the eutectic mixture LiF- KF-NaF (Flinak) flowing in forced convection through circular tubes. Heat, electrically generated in the tube wall was transferred uniformly to the fluid during passage through small-diameter tubes of nickel, Inconel, and 316 stainless steel. The variables involved: Reynolds modulus (N/sub R//sub e/), 2300 to 9500; Prandtl modulus (N/sub P//sub r/, 1.6 to 4.0; average fluid temperatures, 980 to 1370 deg F; and heat flux, 9,000 to 192,000 Btu/hr-ft/sup 2/. Forced-convection heat transfer with Flinak can be represented by the general correlation for heat transfer with ordinary fluids (0.5 < N /sub P//sub r/< 100). The existence of an interfacial resistance in Flinak-Inconel systems was established and its composition determined. Preliminary measurements of thermal conductivity and thickness of film were made. The results verify the effect of the film on Flinak heat transfer in small-diameter Inconel tubes. Thermal entry lengths, determined from variations of local heat transfer coefficients in the entrance of the heated section, were correlated with the Peclet modulus. (auth)

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The magnetic susceptibility of artificial graphite was determined as a function of exposure in the MTR. Specimens were studied with exposures ranging from 0.07 to 82 {times} 10{sup18} nvt. Fluxes were determined by means of x-ray measurements and resistivity measurements. The dependence of the magnetic susceptibility on exposure in the MTR and also in a Hanford reactor are graphed, and an equivalence factor is calculated.

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Experimental instrumentation was tested on Operation Upshot-Knothole in an endeavor to improve existing blast phenomena measuring equipment and techniques. Experimental designs tested include a field unit oscillatoramplifier using transistor circuit elements, a subminiature two-wire field unit, a commercially developed Vibrotron gage and amplifier unit, and a frequency deviation multiplier circuit for obtaining increased signal-tonoise ratios. The Wiancko pressure gage was also evaluated more fully. The results of the tests are described. Transistor circuitry was found to be little affected by atomic blast phenomena. (M.P.G.)