A knowledge of the mechanical and physical properties of uranium is important in understanding its pile behavior. The effects of irradiation on the properties of uranium will be dealt with in another chapter. However, it is important to know and understand the pre-irradiation properties of uranium prior to investigating the effects of irradiation. This chapter discusses the mechanical and physical properties of uranium.

During the history of operation of the Hanford reactors, several methods have been utilized to establish an outlet water temperature or ``Panellit`` limit based on the stability of water flowing through the process tubes. These methods have been known as ``Excess Header Pressure Limits,`` ``Trip Before Boiling Limits,`` and the most recent, ``Trip Before Instability Limits.`` Each new concept vas accepted only after considerable experimental data had proved the new method to be safe and operationally feasible. It is anticipated that in the future other tube outlet water temperature limits will be developed based on new technology. The purpose of this document is to present, in simple terms, an understandable explanation of previous operating limits, to discuss the status of the present Instability Limits, and to outline the direction of future work in raising the outlet water temperature limits.

Subjects discussed include uranium structure, stability under irradiation, cold working of surfaces, deformation, hollow slugs, grain size, canning, etc.

In a preceding lecture all the components necessary to secure a controlled nuclear chain reaction were discussed. The business at Hanford is to use these components in the most efficient manner possible to manufacture the desired products of irradiation - the primary product being Pu. In this lecture of the variables of such operation are considered.

This chapter covers process tubes; it is divided into: philosophy of safety factors, mechanical properties of available materials (C steel, mo steel, Cr-Mo steel, ss-304, ss-347), and costs (zircaloy-2).

This document presents a summary of work and progress at the Hanford Engineer Works for April 1955. The report is divided into sections by department. A plant wide general summary is included at the beginning of the report, after which the departmental summaries begin. The Manufacturing Department reports plant statistics, and summaries for the Metal Preparation, Reactor and Separation sections. The Engineering Department`s section summarizes work for the Technical, Design, and Project Sections. Costs for the various departments are presented in the Financial Department`s summary. The Medical, Radiological Sciences, Utilities and General Services, Employee and Public Relations, and Community Real Estate and Services departments have sections presenting their monthly statistics, work, progress, and summaries.

The purpose of this series of experiments was to test methods available to the field army for tactical determination of atomic burst location and yield over enemy-held terrain. Preliminary analysis indicated that the systems that should be tested were sound ranging, seismic height of burst determination, photographic flash ranging, and Bhangmeter type systems for yield determination. Sound ranging was accomplished using standard equipment with modified techniques. Microphone arrays of dimensions which were small compared to the range were used to eliminate hyperbolic curvature corrections and to simplify meteorological corrections. A new system of meteorological corrections was employed. This system was based on approximating the maximum height reached "by the sound vhich ultimately passes across the microphone array. It was determined that this technique gave far greater accuracy than conventional techniques at these long ranges. Most accurate locations were obtained on air bursts. For air bursts at ranges from 20,000 to 60,000 meters, angular standard deviations of 13.8 minutes of arc were obtained. For air bursts, the average radial location error expressed as per cent of range was 0.61 per cent. It was estimated that in a tactical situation these locations could he computed in less than 30 minutes. Seismic height …

This test consisted of a series of helium purges of the pile gas atmosphere to bring the helium content up to about 70 to 80% helium followed by a series of CO{sub 2} purges to restore the pile atmosphere to its initial composition. The purges where spaced roughly four hours apart to enable the reactor to reach a steady temperature before purge was undertaken. The test results are presented in this report.

This document provides a listing of codes and standards and a bibliography of design criteria for reactor plant modifications for increased production and for 100-C area alterations.

The attached unclassified article was prepared for publication in Civil Engineering. It describes construction techniques and equipment used in processing, prepacking, and grouting heavy aggregates used in the construction of the K-reactors.

This report discusses process development programs to be reviewed at the Savannah River Laboratory. The review will include reactor and metallurgical process development programs and chemical processing development programs.

The theory and results of chemical exchange experiments for separation of Pu and U isotopes are presented. Solvent extraction systems were studied in both aqueous and organic media. Chemical exchange systems are proposed which could yield high separation factors. (W.L.H.)

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The reactivity of uranium, thorium, aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium, zirconium, and Fluorothene with bromine trifluoride, bromine pentafluoride, chlorine trifluoride, and fluorine was investigated at tempertures ranging from 25 to 410 deg C. The reactivity of platinum with bromine trifluoride was also studied. (auth)

A continuous belt drier capable of handling 1000 lbs of oxycarbonate per day was completed, installed, and operated to produce a satisfactory product for chlorination. An experimental chlorinator was also completed. All necessary pants were completed for the fabrication of Horizons' Mark VI continuous electrolytic cell. Evaluations of oxycarbonate materials for chlorination wiih varying chlorinating agents were made, and many of the variables such as water content and CO/sub 2/ values were established. Extremely ductile rods were obtained from the direct extrusion of Th metal powder. Plans were completed for the Mark VI electrolytic cell. Work was continued toward the development of a semi-continuous operating electrolytic cell of 7500-a rated capacity. (D.E.B.)

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A world-wide network of gummed film stations was established to monitor fall-out following Operation Castle. Although meteorological data were poor, a general connection of tropospheric flow patterns with observed fall-out was evident. There was a tendency for debris to remain in tropical latitudes, with incursions into the temperate regions associated with meteorological disturbances of the predominantly zonal flow. As the season advanced, such incursions became more evident. Outside of the tropics, the southwestern United States received the greatest total fall-out, about five times that received in Japan. The maximum fall-out on any day at an individual station in the United States, correeted to sampling day, was 200,000 d/m/ft/sup 2/. It is concluded that the probability of early fall-out in inhabited regions would be reduced by holding Pacific test series in the winter months. (auth)