This report discusses a proposal to provide improved effluent water monitoring systems in the 105 Reactor Buildings at 100-B, D, F, DR, H, and C; and to modify or remove portions of the existing monitoring systems. The primary objectives of the proposed work are: to reduce relatively the amount of lost production due to stuck ruptures and leaking tubes; to minimize the amount of water entering the reactor from such tube leaks -- such water may shorten the life of the reactor; to provide an improved detection of ruptured slugs under the expected more rigorous reactor conditions; to eliminate operational inadequacies of existing systems and allow confident action based upon instrument readings; and to provide additional information for the slug development program.

This report evaluates a method of eliminating localized corrosion attack of the slug can at the temperatures authorized by the original test.

The hiring schedule was reviewed by the same method that was used in the reference letter with essentially the same results; that is, that we should hire approximately 125 technical graduates during the hiring year 1953-54. In the belief that possibly this method was a bit too crude for this stage of the Plant development, I have applied another one, which I believe is fairly independent of the previous method of calculation since it is directed at a consideration of only people required who have a technical background.

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The hot pressing die successfully bonded a composite of Ni plate U and Al. A die for step processing is being fabricated. Cu and Mg additions to the AlSi bath lower the dipping temperature but increase intermetallic formation with ductility loss. Optimum dipping rate for continuous AlSi coatings has been established. Extrusion of Al over a cylindrical core was successful. 7.5% Zr-U is not sensitive to oxygen content under crevice corrosion in boiling demineralized water. A method was developed for monitoring the progressive deterioration of bond layer in boiling water by resistivity data; results confirm that the Cu bond is not as corrosion resistant as Ni or AlSi. Two nondestructive methods were developed for thickness of electroplated Ni on U.

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Deposits of corrosion products form on heat transfer surfaces and in radiation flux zones attemperatures around 500 deg F in stainless steel systems operating with circulating watcr. The report considers the possible harmful effects of such deposits on heat transfer and fluid flow, as well as factors involved in the origin of these corrosion products and in the mechanisms of deposition. The prevention of d electrostatic methods is discussed. (auth)

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A theoretical study of the kinetics of a model of the Los Alamos Power Reactor Experiment (LAPRE) was made through integration of the dynamic equations with the IBM 701 computer. The stability is investtgated under various conditions of power demand, rod-induced reactivity changes, and other conditions especially applicable to LAPRE. The results are given in graphical form, along with conclusions as to appropriate conditions of operation. (auth)

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Batches of plutonium dioxide were chlorinated by reaction with phosgene or carbon tetrachloride. Plutonium trichloride prepared by either method can be reduced to the metal in an hermetically sealed bomb by reaction with calcium. It has been demonstrated that a method for the reduction of plutonium trichloride to the metal without the use of a booster can be developed. Soluble plutonium in slag and crucible waste can be precipitated as the hydroxide and washed essentially free of chloride contamination. The concentrated nitric acid solution from dissolution of plutonium hydroxide and other solids contains less than 75 ppm chloride. Of the materials tested the Hastelloy alloys A, B, and C were found to be the most resistant to phosgene corrosion. The corrosion of these alloys was found to lie between 1 x 10/sup -4/ and 2 x 10/sup -4/ in. per month at 300 deg C and between 1 x 10/sup -3/ in. per month at 450 deg C. The logarithm of the corrosion rate plotted as a function of the temperature appears to be linear over the temperature range of 300 to 550 deg C. Above 550 deg C the corrosion rate of all materials tested is excessive. (auth)

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