The operation of the Fast Reactor is considered in terms of normal equilibrium conditions and normal shut-down. The proposed loading, control rod adjustment and subsequent "floating" operation are discussed. Safety devices and interlocks are described. Temperature and reactivity changes are examined with respect to various system failures, phase changes, and "flashing" of the reactor. Slow changes due to faulty slug cooling are also considered. The calculations were initially based upon 10 kw operation. Performance tests of the mercury system now indicate that 20-kw operation may be feasible.

Abstract: "The critical mass both of an untamped and water-tamped sphere with parabolic radial variation of the intrinsic buckling is calculated by a perturbation method. The result is applied to finding the minimum critical mass of plutonium in water suspension with infinite water temper; the calculations show that the minimum critical mass at constant concentration may be reduced by an amount of the order of 7.6% when the concentration of plutonium is permitted to vary throughout the suspension."

Technical report outlining the differences in conductivity of AGOT graphite and AGHT graphite.

Technical report. Three extractions of a diethyl ether solution of uranyl nitrate with small portions of water are effective in removing rare earths, as is shown by radio-gadolinium and radio-europium tracer experiments. A study of representative ethers, alcohols, ketones, and esters showed that diethyl ether and a mixture of 85% ethyl methyl ketone with 15% xylene are the best solvents for the extraction.

Technical Report: A generalized review of the chemical problems and researches related principally to the heavy water homogeneous pile is presented herewith. The report covers researches performed principally by the Columbia Group who initiated the study. This report contains a chronological outline of the development, a discussion of some special topics whose significance is paramount in any slurry pile discussion, and finally an outline of important research problems remaining, roughly graded in order of their importance. No attempt has been made to be either complete or detailed in the discussion. The emphasis has been principally on furnishing a broad guide to those who may t some future date take up this work.

Technical report abstract. A rapid procedure for the preparation of very pure carrier-free Zr and Nb tracer involves the chloroform extraction of the cupferrides of Zr and Nb activities from process solutions. Zr and Nb form very stable chloroform soluble cupferrides in acid solutions (CK-993) and are separated from other fission elements almost quantitatively to yield pure mixture of Zr and Nb activity. A minimum of operations is required and the method is easily adaptable to remote control.

Abstract. The diffusion length of thermal neutrons in water as a function of the water temperature has been measured. The results are expressed as a linear relation: L = 2.644 + 0.0061T where L is the diffusion length in centimeters and T is the temperature in degrees centigrade.

Abstract. The probability of exceeding assigned values of displacements or forces in simple rod models assembled from slugs picked at random is discussed, and some estimate for the statistical gain resulting from use of shorter slugs is obtained. The probability that a rod with self-warping will touch the top of the tube appears great enough to justify a recommendation of the use of top ribs.

Technical report with short reports from the (A) Crystal Structure Section ; (B) Mass Spectroscopy Section ; and (C) Metallurgy Section.

From introduction: "The discovery of element number 96, curium, was realized by the preparation and identification of the isotope Cm-242 by G. T. Seaborg, R. A. James and A. Ghiorso by cyclotron bombardment of Pu-239 with helium ions."

Report presenting data tables which summarize neutron cross sections for elements from hydrogen to bismuth. This data was to be available on September 1, 1947. Purpose and acknowledgements are given as well as criteria for omitting measurements and explanation of the material.

This report discusses two methods used for experimental determination of the interfacial tension of an immisible aqueous-organic system where the density of the organic phase is less than that of the aqueous phase. The methods discussed are the falling drop method and the Donnan modification/rising drop method.

This report for November, 1947 describes progress regarding chemical work on shales and organic precipitants for uranium.

"The following report is meant to serve a two fold purpose. First, it is the quarterly report of the homogeneous reactor project for the Technical Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Secondly, it is a description and general feasibility discussion of a 200-1000 K.W. pilot model, homogeneous reactor."

From abstract: "A comparison has been made of methods for producing Fe59 of higher specific activity than that obtainable by irradiating natural iron in the Clinton pile. Five processes have been considered, (1) irradiation of natural iron in the Hanford piles, (2) irradiation of enriched F58 in the Clinton and Hanford piles, (3) Szilard-Chalmers enrichment using ferrocyanides in the Clinton pile, (4) collection of recoils in a phase separable from the bulk of the iron, and (5) the Co59 (n,p) Fe59 reaction in the Clinton and Hanford piles."

Report presenting an investigation of the effects of Mach and Reynolds numbers on the maximum lift coefficient of aircraft. Flight testing was conducted on six airplanes outfitted with measuring tools and flow at various Mach and Reynolds numbers.

Report presenting the performance characteristics of a 20-inch ramjet opeerating with preheated unleaded 62 octane fuel. The results of the investigation indicated an improvement in the combustion efficiency and operating range of the ramjet when using preheated fuel.

Report presenting an investigation in the two-dimensional low-turbulence tunnels to develop optimum double-slotted-flap configurations for seven thin NACA airfoil sections. Each was equipped with the same flaps and measured at the same Reynolds numbers. Results regarding the lift characteristics and pitching moment are provided.

An investigation has been conducted in the Cleveland 18- by 18-inch supersonic tunnel at a Mach number of 1.85 and angles of attack from 0 deg to 5 deg to determine optimum design configurations for a convergent-divergent type of supersonic diffuser with a subsonic diffuser of 5 deg included divergence angle. Total pressure recoveries in excess of theoretical recovery across a normal shock at a free-stream Mach number of 1.85 wore obtained with several configurations.

Report presenting an investigation using the NACA wing-flow method to determine the longitudinal stability and control characteristics of a semispan airplane model with a wing of conventional plan form and a horizontal tail swept back 45 degrees at transonic speeds. Measurements were made of lift and angle of attack for trim at several stabilizer and elevator settings.

"A formula, based on a semirational analysis, is presented for estimating the torsional stiffness necessary to prevent flutter of a sweptback or unswept uniform wing that attains supersonic speeds. Results of missile flights at speeds up to Mach number 1.4 demonstrate the usefulness of the formula" (p. 1).

Report presenting a theoretical analysis of thrust augment of turbojet engines by tail-pipe burning and charts from which the thrust augmentation produced may be evaluated from the normal engine data and performance of the tail-pipe burner. Results regarding general curves and illustrative curves are provided.

Report presenting a wind-tunnel investigation of two NACA 7-series type airfoils, one with 17.7-percent chord thickness and one with 15.4-percent chord thickness, each quipped with a 30-percent-airfoil-chord double slotted flap, a slot-lip aileron, and a trailing-edge Frise aileron with two amounts of overhang balance. Measurements of airfoil lift and drag, Frise aileron hinge moment, and slot-lip aileron hinge moment were obtained through a large range of deflection of flap, Frise aileron, and slot-lip aileron and section angle of attack. Satisfactory lateral control can be obtained by using this combination of airfoils, flaps, and ailerons.

Report presenting the results of two runs made with liquid diborane and hydrogen peroxide in a small-scale rocket engine. The first run was very erratic and modifications were made to the testing apparatus and procedures for the second run. In the second run, the combustion started immediately and continued smoothly for 12 seconds of operation.