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Solid State Division Semiannual Progress Report for Period Ending August 31, 1955

Description: LITR Fluoride-Fuel Loop. — The inconel loop was dismantled for removal of the samples and for recovery of the uranium by using the remote cutting tools installed in a half cell of the Solid State Building. Disassembly proceeded without incident. An electric-arc cutting technique was developed for removal of the stainless steel enclosure around the pump bowl. Fission power and maximum flux were determined by irradiating a simulated loop, by heat-balance calculations, by radiochemical analyses for fission products in the fuel, by measuring the activation of cobalt foils attached to the loop, and by activation of the loop tubing itself. The determination of the power by these various methods gave 2.5 to 2.8 kw during operation of the loop, and the maximum power density was 0.4 kw/cc. Chemical analyses of the fuel were carried out to determine U, Zr, and the major constituents of inconel: Ni, Cr, and Fe.
Date: November 16, 1955
Creator: Billington, D. S. & Crawford, J. H., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homogeneous Reactor Project Quarterly Progress Report for Period Ending July 31, 1955

Description: Construction of the HRT reactor shield tank was completed, and the inside surfaces were painted. The roof structure for the tank is being assembled in preparation for an acceptance pressure test. Service piping and instrument lines are being installed in the central room area by ORNL craft forces. This work is approximately 50% complete. Fabrication of all temperature system components, except the blanket outer storage tanks, has been completed.
Date: October 10, 1955
Creator: Swartout, J. A.; Winters, C. E.; Beall, S. E.; Briggs, R. B.; Lane, J. A.; Bohlmann, E. G. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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ORNL Metal Recovery Plant Processing Clementine Reactor Fuel Elements: Terminal Report

Description: This report presents data obtained from processing 33 Clementine Reactor fuel elements in the ORNL Metal Recovery Plant to recover approximately 15 kg of plutonium and 0.16 g of americium.
Date: September 7, 1955
Creator: Matherne, J. L.; Brooksbank, R. K.; Campbell, D. O.; Chandler, J. M.; Rylton, C. D.; Leuse, R. E. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Chemistry Division Semiannual Progress Report for Period Ending June 20, 1955

Description: Continued work on the adsorbability of metal complexes from concentrated LiCl solutions and LiCl-HCl mixtures on a strong-base anion-exchange resin further demonstrated the much higher adsorbability of these complexes from LiCl solutions than from HCl solutions. The effect is believed to be due to the formation of less strongly adsorbed undissociated chloro-complex acids in the case of the HCl solutions.
Date: June 20, 1955
Creator: Taylor, E. H. & Bredig, M. A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Effects of Reactor Irradiation of Thorium-Uranium Alloy Fuel Plates

Description: Several plates of 98.7% Th - 1.2% U 235 (clad in aluminum) were irradiated in the MTR for an integrated flux of 2.6 x 10 21 neutrons/cm2. Although these samples represent an early development in bonding of aluminum to thorium and there are better methods at present, the bond proved to be quite strong and both clad and core were dimensionally stable under irradiation. The production of uranium 233 was as much as theory would indicate and the total amount of fissionable material material after irradiation and after decay of the protactinium 233 was greater than before irradiation. A fuel element of this nature appears to offer excellent potentialities from the standpoint of radiation stability.
Date: September 7, 1955
Creator: Carrell, R. M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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An Evaluation of the Corrosion and Oxidation Resistance of High-Temperature Brazing Alloys

Description: The fabrication of heat exchangers and radiators to be used in conjunction with high-temperature nuclear reactors may present exceedingly complex problems. Rigid heat transfer requirements may necessitate the use of compact assemblies of thin-walled small-diameter tubes as integral parts of the heat transfer units. Intricate designs may also be required in which cooling fins must be securely joined to the tubes at closely spaced intervals. In addition to the difficulties in fabrication imposed by the designs themselves, the high operating temperatures involved require the careful selection of materials and joining techniques. The choice of fabrication procedure for a given component must not only be based upon the stresses and temperatures to be encountered, but also upon special factors peculiar to nuclear service. Since many reactor applications employ highly corrosive environments, compatibility of the structural ma terials with the corrosive media is of paramount importance. The low nuclear cross-section require ment for brazing alloys to be used inside the re actor also places stringent limitations on the possible choices of in-pile applications. The use of boron in alloys for certain service may not be considered feasible, for example, because of its high nuclear absorption cross section. Although welding is used extensively in the construction of radiators and heat exchangers, high-temperature brazing is also attractive for several applications. In Fig. 1, a photograph of a liquid-metal-to-air radiator, it can be seen that brazing serves as the most feasible method of attaching cooling fins to thin-walled tubes. Typical of the joints obtainable is that shown in Fig. 2, in which are shown stainless-steel-clad-copper high-conductivity fins2 brazed to an Inconel tube.
Date: November 7, 1956
Creator: Hoffman, E. E.; Leitten, C. F., Jr.; Patriarca, P.; Slaughter, G. M.; Pope, J. E.; Shubert, C. E. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Statistical Evaluation of Methods for the Analysis of Dibasic Aluminum Nitrate (DIBAN)

Description: The indicated methods for determining the following constituents of Diban, which is an aqueous solution of dibasic aluminum nitrate, Al(OH)2NO3, were evaluated statistically: 1aluminum by gravimetric, volumetric, and spectrophotometric procedures, 2. basicity (hydroxyl value) by formation of an aluminum complex and titration of the free acid with standard alkali solution, 3. total nitrogen by the Kjeldahl method, 4. ammonia by the Kjeldahl method, and 5. nitrates by means of a cation-exchange resin and titration of the liberated acid with standard alkali solution. Recommendations are made regarding the preferred methods of determining the constituents in dibasic aluminum nitrate and regarding means of minimizing errors in these analyses.
Date: September 16, 1955
Creator: Surak, J. G.; Thomason, P. F. & Haaen, H. P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Investigation of Materials for a Water Cooled and Moderated Reactor

Description: An investigation of the materials for use in the water-moderated and cooled Aray Package Power Reactor (APPR) operating at about 500°F was made. The available literature was analyzed, and the results of the different investigators were compared and averaged. Twenty different materials, including stainless steels, nickel alloys, Stellites and others, were investigated from the point of view of physical properties, susceptibility to radiation damage, and corrosion resistance. Corrosion rates were established for all the materials under various conditions, such as irradiation, flow, weld, stress, and various water conditions. Type-304 stainless steel was selected as the basic structural material. Operating conditions, to maintain minimum corrosion, were established also.
Date: August 1954
Creator: Scheib, Louis
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Investigation of Materials for a Water Cooled and Moderated Reactor

Description: An investigation of the materials for use in the water-moderated and cooled Aray Package Power Reactor (APPR) operating at about 500°F was made. The available literature was analyzed, and the results of the different investigators were compared and averaged. Twenty different materials, including stainless steels, nickel alloys, Stellites and others, were investigated from the point of view of physical properties, susceptibility to radiation damage, and corrosion resistance. Corrosion rates were established for all the materials under various conditions, such as irradiation, flow weld, stress, and various water conditions. Type-304 stainless steel was selected as the basic structural material. Operating conditions, to maintain minimum corrosion, were established also.
Date: August 1954
Creator: Scheib, Louis
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Aqueous Uranium Slurry Studies

Description: A summary of the laboratory development program on aqueous uranium slurry fuels for the Homogenous Reactor Project during the period April 1951 through March 1953 is presented. These investigations were devoted primarily to a study of the uranium oxides in aqueous suspensions. It was concluded that U(VI) was most likely to be the stable valence state in such slurry fuels and it was shown that β-UO3·H2O platelet crystals were the stable modification at 250°C. Very pure slurries of β-UO3·H2O platelets, uranium concentration of 250g/liter and average particle size of about 10 μ, had favorable settling rates and could be easily redispersed. Their viscosity and corrosion rate in stainless steel were comparable with those in water. Exposure of these slurries to pile radiation disclosed that radiolytic hydrogen and oxygen gas pressure comparable in magnitude to those of uncatalyzed uranyl sulfate solutions could be expected. Fission products in the irradiated slurries were predominantly associated with the solids. Radiation also tended to promote caking of these solids on the walls of the radiation bombs. Uranyl phosphate and the magnesium uranates were briefly investigated as alternate system but were not found satisfactory. The program was discontinued before the feasibility of uranium slurries for reactor fuels could be definitely established.
Date: October 20, 1955
Creator: Blomeke, J. O.; Bamberg, J. L.; Blomeke, J. O.; Bruce, F. R.; Fulmer, J. M.; McBride, J. P. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Extraction and Recovery of Uranium (and Vanadium) from Acidic Liquors with DI (2-Ethylhexyl) Phosphoric Acid and Some Other Organophosphorus Acids

Description: Bench scale studies have been made of the recovery of uranium from acid leach liquors (and slurries) by solvent extracting with di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid in an organic diluent. Uranium may be stripped from the organic solvent by either alkaline or acidic reagents, the former having been studied in greater detail. On the basis of these tests, a recovery process may be considered which shows promise both from the standpoint of operation and chemical costs. Under proper conditions, vanadium can also be extracted by the di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid and stripping again may be accomplished with either acidic or alkaline reagents. Preliminary studies have been made of these possibilities. In addition to di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid, some other organophosphorus acids, have been cursorily examined in respect to their extraction and/or stripping performance.
Date: May 13, 1955
Creator: Blake, C. A.; Brown, K. B.; Coleman, C. F.; Horner, D. E. & Schmitt, J. M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Project Quarterly Progress Report For Period Ending June 10, 1955

Description: The development of the reactor layout is continuing. New features that have been incorporated because of stress, fluid flow, or fabricability considerations include an elliptical fuel expansion tank, a rounded dome to enclose the top of the reactor, a newly designed sodium pump impeller, and other related items. Recently completed heat exchanger tests yielded consistent data from which a series of heat exchangers is being designed. The most promising of these will be chosen for the ART.
Date: July 28, 1955
Creator: Jordan, W. H.; Cromer, S. J.; Strough, R. I.; Miller, A. J. & Savolainen, A. W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homogenous Reactor Project Quarterly Progress Report For Period Ending April 30, 1955

Description: Part I. Experimental Reactors: The effect of prompt-neutron lifetime upon reactor safety was investigated for the HRT. It was found that for a given pressure rise the allowable rate of reactivity addition was relatively insensitive to the average prompt-neutron lifetime, although the rate de creased somewhat with decreasing lifetime for the higher pressure rises. With only source neutrons present and the reactor initially subcritical, the allowable rate was practically independent of the initial value of k£. For a core-pressure rise of 400 psi, the corresponding rate of reactivity addition was about 0.8% per second; for a pressure rise of 4000 psi, the rate was 2.5 to 3.0% per second. Part II. Thorium Breeder Reactor: An economic study of one-region thorium breeder reactors was completed. Where possible, the process characteristics and cost factors were the same as those used previously in studies of two-region-type reactors. The mini mum-cost reactor is about 12 ft in diameter, operating with 260 g of thorium per liter on a chemical processing cycle of about 450 days. The ratio of U232 to U233 produced is approximately 2 x 10~4 VIM in the minimum-cost one-region system, compared with 4 x 10 5 in the two-region system. The unit cost of power is 0.9 mill/kwhr higher than for the optimum two-region reactor if it is assumed that the fixed costs for both reactor types are equal and that each reactor delivers 125 Mw of electrical power.
Date: June 30, 1955
Creator: Swartout, J. A.; Winters, C. E.; Beall, S. E.; Lane, J. A.; Briggs, R. B.; Bohlmann, E. G. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Diffusion of Ions in a Plasma Across a Magnetic Field

Description: A theoretical and experimental investigation of the coefficient for diffusion of ions across a magnetic field Is described. The resultant diffusion coefficient is found to vary inversely as the square of the magnetic field strength, in accord with the usual collison-diffusion theory. The magnitude of the coefficient is much larger (x700) than the coefficient predicted by the usual ambipolar diffusion theory. This discrepancy is resolved by showing that diffusion across a magnetic field is not ambipolar in character in most arc experiments. The final experimental and theoretical values are in good agreement, and it is unecessary to postulate any additional diffusion mechanisms, such as plasma oscillations.
Date: July 1955
Creator: Simon, Albert & Neidign, Rodger V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Determination of Corrosion Products and Additives in Homogenous Reactor Fuel II. Polarographic Determination of Chromium

Description: A satisfactory ion-exchange-polarographic method was developed for the determination of either chromium(VI) or total chromium in Homogeneous Reactor fuels. Total chromium is determined as chromium (VI) , i.e., chromate, and in the same way as is chromium(VI), after chromium in the lower valence states is oxidized to chromate by potassium permanganate. Chromate is separated from all interfering metal ions in the fuel by ion exchange on a Dowex 50 resin column. The Chromate in the effluent is determined polarographically in approximately 0.75 M sodium hydroxide solution as supporting electrolyte. A well polarographic wave is obtained for the chromium (VI) chromium (III) reduction at a half-wave potential of -0.85 volt vs. the S.C.E. The relative standard deviation of the data for 2 μg of chromium (VI) per ml was 2%; for 4 μg of total chromium per ml, it was 3%. An ion-exchange-polarographic method was developed also for the determination of chromium(III). Chromium (III) is separated from all interfering ions in the fuel by ion exchange on a Dowex 1 resin column. The chromium (III) in the effluent is determined polarographically in a 1M ammonia-1M ammonium chloride supporting electrolyte. The wave obtained at a half-wave potential of -1.42 volt vs. the S.C.E is poorly defined, and the method is not entirely satisfactory.
Date: September 13, 1955
Creator: Horton, A. D. & Thomason, P. F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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A Fused Salt—Fluoride Volatility Process for Recovery and Decontamination of Uranium

Description: A preliminary chemical flowsheet is presented of a fluoride volatility process for recovering and decontaminating uranium from heterogeneous reactor fuels after dissolution in a fused salt. In laboratory work, a gross β decontamination factor of > 10 4 was obtained in the fluorination of a UF4-NaF-ZrF4 melt by passing the product UF6 through NaF at 650°C. The solubility of UF6 in molten NaF-ZrF4 was shown in kinetic studies to cause a lag in the evolution of UF6 from the fluorinator. Corrosion of nickel in the fluorination step appeared to be 2-4 mils/hr during the time that uranium was present. The average corrosion rate over the process as a whole was less than O.4 mil/hr. Earlier studies were reported in ORNL-1709 and 1877.
Date: October 10, 1955
Creator: Cathers, G. I. & Bennett, M. R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Electronuclear Research Division Semiannual Progress Report For Period Ending March 20, 1955

Description: The ORNL 86-in. cyclotron is being modified to provide for deflection of the proton beam. It is expected that operation will be resumed late in the spring. Nuclear physics work was limited, for the most part, to interpretation of previously collected data and to making preparations for utilizing the deflected beam. It was found that for certain isotopes the production rates could be almost doubled by operating at a slightly reduced energy and a much larger current. With the use of the ORNL 63-in. cyclotron, the absolute values of the electron capture and loss cross sections for 26-Mev nitrogen ions were obtained. The angular distribution of the cross sections for elastic scattering of nitrogen by nitrogen was measured at energies from 13 to 22 Mev. A double-focusing 90-deg magnet is being planned for use in identifying stable reaction products from nitrogen-induced reactions. The major components of the revised 44-in. test cyclotron were assembled and are being tested. Consideration is being given to the use of these components, along with a new 20,000-oersted magnet and a shielded cyclotron room, and if the tests are satisfactory the Laboratory will have available a machine which will accelerate N5+ ions to 81 Mev.
Date: June 24, 1955
Creator: Livingston, Robert S. & Howard, F. T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Analytical Chemistry Division Semiannual Progress Report For Period Ending April 20,1955

Description: The development of ionic methods for the determination of corrosion products in the highly radioactive Homogeneous Reactor (HR) fuels has been of major interest in the work of the Ionic Analyses Laboratory. Methods for the spectrophotometric determination of aluminum and for the polarographic determination of iron in HR fuels have been developed. The polarographic determination of molybdenum in uranyl sulfate solutions was studied. A polarographic method for the determination of zinc was developed. A fluorometric method for the determination of microgram amounts of fluoride was studied. Three organic reagents were investigated as precipitants for microgram quantities of zirconium in HR fuel. The automatic photometric titration technique was applied to the determination of thorium and of sulfate. A method was developed for the ionexchange separation and potentiometric titration of cobalt. The ultraviolet absorption spectra of technetium and rhenium were studied.
Date: May 6, 1955
Creator: Kelley, M. T.; Susano, C. D. & Raaen, H. P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Dissolution of Metals in Fused Fluorides

Description: In scouting tests, a number of metals used in nuclear reactor fuel elements were dissolved by 44.5-48.5-7.0 mole % ZrF4-KF-NaF fused salt at 675°C through which HF was being passed. These included type 304 stainless steel at 4 mils/hr; type 347Nb stainless steel at 7 mils/hr; thorium at 14 mils/hr; nonirradiated uranium at 17 mils/hr; zirconium at 22-35 mils/hr; titanium at 31 mils/hr; and Zircaloy-2 at 22-46 mils/hr. Only small amounts of volatile fission products formed when irradiated uranium was dissolved. Variables that appear to affect the dissolution rate are the composition of the fused fluoride, the fused fluoride temperature, the HF flow rate, the metallurgical characteristics of the material being dissolved, and the presence of other metals. The low dissolution rate of 0.001 mil/hr observed for nickel suggests that it may be suitable as a material of construction for reaction vessels.
Date: October 12, 1953
Creator: Leuze, R. E.; Cathers, G. I. & Schilling, C. E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Chemical Separation of Isotopes Section Semiannual Progress Report For Period Ending December 31, 1954

Description: New systems involving the exchange of boron between boron trifluoride and boron trifluoride addition compounds have been explored. These systems have large separation factors and potentially simple reflux mechanisms. A precise determination of this separation factor for the anisole-boron trifluoride system gave the value (see report). Boron exchange was found to occur between BF and BCl3. Several homogenous catalysts have been found which activate the hydrogen-water exchange, but none are adoptable to the production of deuterium because of the slow exchange rate. Platinum or platinum oxide may be usable as a heterogeneous catalyst with proper support or dispersion techniques. The high-pressure solubility of hydrogen in several amalgams was investigated in connection with a unique countercurrent exchange system. A proposed system involving isotopic exchange between lithium dipivaloylmethane in diethyl ether and lithium hydroxide in aqueous solution was shown to give little or no isotopic separation. Column studies of the carbonate system exchange reaction were concluded with a 40°C run. Slightly higher enrichment of N15 was obtained than at 30°C . The temperature dependence of all in this system was measured between 15 and 45°C. The factor increases with temperature, showing a tendency toward a maximum near 45°C. Isotopic exchange appears to be complete in less than 3 min. A qualitative examination was made of the carbonate system waste reflux reaction in laboratory equipment. No insurmountable difficulties are anticipated in connection with this reaction. The critical product-reflux reaction is being studied in pilot-scale equipment. Preliminary data are encouraging. Additional nitrogen exchange reactions have been studied to provide a broader basis for selecting a system for large-scale production of enriched nitrogen isotopes. A proposed system for enriching potassium isotopes was found to have a single stage separation factor of (see report). The single-stage fractionation factor between uranyl ion on Dowex 50 resin and …
Date: May 20, 1955
Creator: Clewett, G. H & Drury, J. S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Monex Process: Terminal Report

Description: Chemical and engineering data were obtained for the feed digestion system and the extraction-scrub step of the Monex tributyl phosphate solvent-extraction process for recovering thorium and uranium from nitric acid-digested unclarified monasite sludge. Tests of the recommended conditions in a 2-in.-dia pulsed column demonstrated that thorium losses were approximately 1.2% and uranium losses, 1.5%. The flowsheet is workable but is not necessarily optimum.
Date: January 31, 1958
Creator: McNamee, R.J. & Wischow, R.P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Disassembly and Postoperative Examination of the Aircraft Reactor Experiment

Description: The Aircraft Reactor Experiment (ARE)was successfully concluded in November of 1954, and a detailed report of the operation was published the following year. At that time it was thought that an extensive examination of the reactor and system components after disassembly was warranted. It was realized, of course, that the level of radioactivity of the components would necessitate extensive delays in the examinations. Since examination of a few critical ARE samples showed nothing unexpected, much of the planned hot-cell inspection was postponed and complete examination of all but a few specimens was indefinitely suspended. The few examinations that were completed are described in this report, along with a description of the disassembly of the ARE system. Diagrams of the fuel system, sodium system, and off-gas system are presented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 for reference use in visualizing the disassembly process.
Date: April 15, 1958
Creator: Cottrell, W.B.; Crabtree, T.E.; Davis, A.L. & Piper, W.G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Isolation and Purification of Americium

Description: Gram amounts of americium were separated quantitatively from kilogram quantities of lanthanum to yield an americium product approaching 90% purity. The remaining impurity was chiefly yttrium. Elution of americium from 25% loaded Dowex 50 resin column with 0.15 M citric acid— 0.10 M diammonium citrate — 0.3 M ammonium nitrate, pH 3.3 gave a product containing 99% of the americium with a La/Am ratio of 1/100 or less in one fourth of a column volume, in this case about 1 100-fold volume reduction. Approximately 9 g of americium was purified by this method. Elution with 12.8 M hydrochloric acid from a 20 to 30% loaded column gave 90% of the americium in two column volumes of product with a La/Am ratio of about 1/4. About 1 g of americium was purified by this method.
Date: April 17, 1956
Creator: Campbell, D.O.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homogenous Reactor Project Quarterly Progress Report For Period Ending January 31, 1955

Description: The reactor equipment cell is expected to be completed by February 15. While filled with water, the tank was inspected for leaks, and the few leaks found will have been repaired by February 15. All orders for construction materials placed prior to this quarter have been received. New requisitions issued during the quarter total $16,000. Work orders were issued, and fabrication of all low-pressure-system components was begun in the ORNL shops. The thermal shield around the reactor vessel was specified as a 2-ft-thick cylindrical concrete wall. With this shield, the fast-neutron flux in the equipment area will be reduced to 7 x 109 neutrons/cm2/sec, the slow flux to 4 x 107 neutrons/cm2/sec, and the gamma intensity to less than 105 r/hr. The possible blast effects from a rupture of the pressure vessel were studied and are judged to be sufficient to justify the inclusion of a 1.5. to 2-in.-thick blast shield around the pressure vessel. The blast shield eliminates the danger of damaging the leak tight equipment-cell liner. Pressures in the reactor equipment cell, as a result of vessel failure, were calculated in order to arrive at a safe design pressure for the reactor equipment cell. For the case of instantaneous release of the core and pressure-vessel liquids and release of the heat-exchanger liquids through 6-in. steam lines, a maximum cell pressure of 29 psig is expected. A study was made of the problem of uranium peroxide precipitation at places where the reactor solution is cooled soon after leaving the reactor core. A curve is presented to show the temperatures, for various decay times, at which the peroxide might form.
Date: April 6, 1955
Creator: Swartout, J.A.; Winters, C.E.; Beall, S.E.; Lane, J.A.; Briggs, R.B.; Bohlmann, E.G. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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