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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

AIRCRAFT NUCLEAR PROPULSION PROJECT QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING MARCH 10, 1953

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4080316

The present status of the Aircraft Reactor Experiment No. 1 is discussed and illustrated by photos. Tests of valves, seals, pumps, etc., are described. Preliminary results with an ARE fuel-circuit mock-up are reported. The following studies on the Aircraft Reactor Experiment No. 2 (reflector moderated, circulating-fuel reactor) are reported: static physics of the reactor, including the effect on the reactor of core size and the use of various materials in the core and reflector; results of critical experiments; and mechanical design envisioned and developmental work initiated to provide a basis for the detailed design of a full-scale reactor. Research on fused-fluoride systems concerned with purifying and preparing ARE fuel and fuel carrier is reported. Corrosion characteristics of various fluoride mixtures are discussed. Metallurgy and ceramics research reported includes the fabrication of various reactor components for use at high temperatures; creep rupture tests of structural metals; development of special alloys, cermets, and ceramic coatings; and tests of welding and brazing alloys. The fabrication of control and safety rods are described. Physical property measurements of various fluoride mixtures and heat- transfer studies of experimental systems as well as aircraft components are presented. Chemical, petrographic, and x-ray-diffraction studies of impurities, corrosion products, and constituents of reactor fuels are reported. (W.L.H.)

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
NSA Number:
NSA-15-005856
OSTI ID:
4080316
Report Number(s):
ORNL-1515(Del.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English