The core component pot is an open top vessel used to hold both new and irradiated core components for storage in the IDS and for holding the components submerged in sodium while being trasported inside CLEM. The top of the CCP is equipped with a grapple lip which is engaged by the hoisting grapples. Heat for maintaining the preheat of new components and dissipation of decay heat of irradiated fuel assemblies is conducted between the wall of the pot and the surrounding environment by thermal radiation and convection.

A nondestructive technique for the determination of the atomic ratios of plutonium-238, -240, -241 and americium-241 relative to plutonium-239 using high- resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy was developed. Results are discussed as they apply to various compositions of plutonium-239 material, some of which have been subjected to chemical analysis. Progress to date on an automated plutonium assay system is described. This system utilizes calorimetry and high-resolution gamma- ray spectroscopy. It also features a computer controlled X, Y, Z sample-handling system as well as automated data acquisition and reduction. (auth)

High-quality, off-axis parabolic reflectors, required by the CTR and laser-fusion programs at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL) and other ERDA laboratories, are currently manufactured by hand. There are several drawbacks to this method, including lead times of up to a year, costs in excess of $75,000 for a small reflector, and unsatisfactory limits to the tolerances obtainable. This situation has led to a search for cheaper and more accurate methods of manufacturing off-axis paraboloids. An alternative method, turning the workpiece about its axis on a diamond-turning machine, is presented, and the equations describing the necessary tool movement are derived. A discussion of a particular case suggests that the proposed technique is feasible. (auth)

The Livermore Regional Air Quality (LIRAQ) model comprises a set of computer programs that have been integrated into an easily used tool for the air quality planner. To assemble and modify the necessary data files and to direct model execution, a problem formulation program has been developed that makes possible the setup of a wide variety of studies involving perturbation of the emission inventory, changes to the initial and boundary conditions, and different choices of grid size and problem domain. In addition to describing the types of air quality problems for which the LIRAQ model may be used, this User's Guide provides detailed information on how to set up and conduct model simulations. Also included are descriptions of the formats of input data files so that the LIRAQ model may be applied to regions other than the San Francisco Bay Area.

The design and fabrication of a 1.1-m bore superconducting coil for an 8- T facility at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory are discussed. This facility will provide the backing field required for testing large multifilamentary Nb$sub 3$Sn coils as part of the superconductor development program at Livermore. The magnet measures 1.85 m o.d., is 1.5 m in length, and is solenoid wound in four separate modules. Total cold weight of the assembly is 18,000 Kg. A NbTi superconductor is used throughout with a gradation of current density within the magnet to provide complete cryostatic stability. The preliminary design of a large 3500-A multifilamentary Nb$sub 3$Sn insert magnet is also included. Together, the backing coil and insert magnets are designed to produce a 12-T central field in a 0.4m bore. The ''equal area'' theory of cryostatic stability is applied in the design of both magnet systems and is discussed in detail. A large open-mouth cryostat is used and measures 2 m in diameter and 3.7 m in length. Details of Dewar design and the refrigeration requirements are included. (auth)

The chief purpose of ARAC data acquisition program is to provide site officials, who are responsible for ensuring maximum health protection for the endangered site personnel and public, with estimates of the effects of atmospheric releases of hazardous material as rapidly and accurately as possible. ARAC is in the initial stages of being implemented and is therefore susceptible to changes before it reaches its final form. However the concept of ARAC is fully developed and was successfully demonstrated during a feasibility study conducted in June 1974, as a joint effort between the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL). Additional tests between SRL and LLL are scheduled for December 1975. While the immediate goal is the application of ARAC to assist a limited number of ERDA sites, the system is designed with sufficient flexibility to permit expanding the service to a large number of sites. Success in ARAC application should provide nuclear facilities with a means to handle better the urgent questions concerning the potential accidental hazards from atmospheric releases in addition to providing the sites with a capability to assess the effort of their normal operations. (CH)

The objective of the work reported is to experimentally and analytically study the dominant mechanism in fuel--coolant thermal interactions which could lead to vapor explosions. The exploration of mechanisms is focused in two areas: (a) mechanisms responsible for fragmentation in molten metal droplet experiments (including assessment of the validity of the proposed spontaneous nucleation mechanism), and (b) thermal stress initiated fracture as a fragmentation mechanism. Work being performed in these areas is briefly described.

An estimate is presented of the lifetime of the 2$sup 3$P$sub 0$ state for odd-Z heliumlike ions in the range Z = 9 to 29. An approximation scheme is employed which utilizes the fact that both Z$sup -1$ and (Z$alpha$)$sup 2$ are small parameters for the range of Z under consideration. 1 fig, 2 tables, 14 refs. (GHT)

The procedures used by AiResearch to comply with ERDA Quality Assurance Specification SNS-1, Rev. 1 for the Brayton Isotope Power System are described. (TFD)

Considerable success has been achieved this year in research aimed at extending the asymptotic threshold nonlinear theory to plasmas governed by the Vlasov equation and in a group of linear studies concerned with drift instabilities in sheared magnetic fields. The nonlinear results are general and have been applied to the bump-on-tail instability and to the collisionless drift and the dissipative trapped electron instability in unsheared fields. The linear studies have dealt with the effects of resonant electrons, finite collisionality, finite-beta, neoclassical modifications and ion gyro-motion on trapped electron instabilities in sheared magnetic fields. (auth)

To simulate braze joints, qualitative x-ray mapping of the elemental interactions between brazing alloys and two common types of stainless steels was performed via the electron microprobe. In general both steels, Types 304L and 21- 6-9, react with a particular brazing alloy in a similar manner, the exceptions being the gold--copper brazing alloys which show deeper penetration into the 21-6- 9 stainless steel. (26 figures) (auth)

As part of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory program to assess the environmental impact of various types of nuclear power plants, methods are being investigated for the real-time analysis of reactor plume isotopic exposure rates. The Biomedical and Environmental Research Division mobile laboratory that was developed for terrestrial radioactivity measurements has been modified for atmospheric studies. The existing Ge(Li) spectrometer and high-pressure argon- ion chamber-detector systems have been augmented by the addition of wind speed and direction measuring capability and a second, remotely operable, ion chamber. The mobile laboratory and techniques for plume measurements are discussed. (auth)

Metallic hydrides are being considered as an attractive solution to storage problems involved in using hydrogen as an alternative fuel. In this application, the unclassified literature was surveyed to find metallic ternary hydride systems of the type MM'H/sub x/; M is a transition element, a member of the rare earth element series, or a member of the actinide element series, and M' is a transition element. Reported quaternary hydrides of the same metallic element series were also reviewed. The hydride-forming systems found and some of their most interesting properties are summarized. Recent advances in the understanding of the absorption characteristics and the stability of these hydride materials are reviewed. (auth)

The performance of a uranium trap as a means of removing tritium from an inert gas was measured for varying trap conditions, using deuterium (to represent tritium) in argon at room temperature. Performance was expressed as a purification factor, which is the ratio of deuterium concentration at the inlet to that at the outlet of the trap. Purification factors vary inversely with both the ratio of deuterium to uranium already contained in the trap and with the rate of flow of gas through the trap. Varying the inlet deuterium concentration had no apparent effect. (auth)

The tantalum-base alloy, T-111, is an ideal radioisotope encapsulant from the aspect of mechanical properties, but unfortunately undergoes severe oxygen embrittlement during long-term, high-temperature exposure to PuO$sub 2$. A study was undertaken in an effort to improve T-111/PuO$sub 2$ compatibility by testing the hypothesis that reduction of fuel stoichiometry to the range PuO$sub 1$.$sub 75$ to PuO$sub 1$.$sub 8$ would suspend the embrittlement process by producing a state of thermodynamic equilibrium within the capsule. Test temperatures ranged from 773 to 1373$sup 0$K, with aging times of 60 days, 240 days, and 2 y. The desired reaction did not proceed rapidly enough at the aging temperatures to stop T-111 embrittlement. Capsules heated above 1573$sup 0$K for 1 hr showed no signs of embrittlement during aging, even after 2 y at temperatures as high as 1173$sup 0$K. Results with test specimens employing pelletized fuel indicated the solid-state diffusion of oxygen from the fuel to the T-111 was the dominating transport process. In nonpretreated capsules oxygen diffusion in T-111 was the rate-controlling process. Pretreatment does result in the desired thermodynamic equilibrium at temperatures up to at least 1173$sup 0$K. (auth)

The objectives of this work were fourfold: (1) to test the validity of the vibrating string dislocation model in silver, (2) to determine in which annealing stage long-range migration first occurs, (3) to measure the migration energy and identify the defect responsible for observed annealing, and (4) to investigate the possibility of dislocation pipe diffusion. Apparatus is described which is capable of continuously measuring changes in the elastic modulus and internal friction during gamma irradiation over the temperature range from less than 4$sup 0$K to well above room temperature. A novel hollow-cylinder sample geometry permits use of a source strength of only 1 Ci. Survey experiments over a wide temperature range and isothermal irradiations above room temperature are discussed. The results are explained in terms of the Koehler- Granato-Lucke vibrating string dislocation model and the Thompson-Buck-Huntington- Barnes defect-dislocation interaction model. (auth)

None

This paper provides an evaluation and critical review of the possibilities for uranium isotope separation using matrix techniques.

Progress on and completion of various studies in solid state and neutron physics through use of neutron spectrometers is outlined. Topics discussed include: (a) characterization of the low temperature magnetization in the Cu(Fe) Kondo alloy, (b) study of the charge-density-wave phase transition in the superconductors NbSe$sub 2$ and TaSe$sub 2$, (c) neutron scattering by nuclearly polarized $sup 7$Li, (d) extraneous scattering effects in the passage of polarized neutrons through high-field magnets, (e) preparation of neutron interferometer systems, and (f) revision of spectrometer facilities. (auth)

None

None

None

None

None