The Origins of Blast-Loaded Vessels

Journal Article · Mon Nov 15 23:00:00 EST 2021 · Nuclear Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2021.1909371· OSTI ID:1835786

Morgan, Jonathan E. ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

As the Manhattan Project shifted to the theory of implosion assembly in 1944, plutonium was extremely rare and large uncertainties surrounded the function of the Gadget. For these reasons, a team within the Manhattan Project began another ambitious experiment: to confine the effects of detonating two tons of high explosives and enable the recovery of precious plutonium! No data existed on the subject, and the team faced numerous challenges as they engineered what is believed to be the world’s first blast-loaded confinement vessel.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Programs (DP)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1835786
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--20-30436
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: sup1 Vol. 207; ISSN 0029-5450
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis - formerly American Nuclear Society (ANS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
Blast loaded
confinement vessel
nuclear test
Jumbo