LMFR BIMONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT, MARCH-APRIL 1959

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1959

OSTI ID:4207993

A study of the potential breeding gain of U/sup 233/-fueled reactors was completed. Studies of the fast effect in Be were completed and indicate a value of epsilon plus or minus 1.06. Studies oi LMFR stability and neutron capture in Bi resonances were completed. A total of 16 different metals and alloys was tested in rocking-furnace experiments to determine their suitability for constructing fuel-salt extraction columns. On the basis of preliminary results, there appears to be a considerdble mutual solubility effect between Zr and Ru in Bi solutions. A large number of gram-scale dispersions of ThC/sub 2/ in Bi were made under a variety of conditions. Powders prcduced by calcination of Th(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ and Th(OH)/sub 4/ are considerable mutual solubility effect between Zr and Ru in Bi solutions. A large number of gram-scale dispersions of ThC/sub 2/ in Bi were made under a variety of conditions. Powders produced by calcination of Th(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ and Th(OH)/sub 4/ are more easily dispersed than those prcduced from Th(C/sub 2/O/sub 4/ 2Gram-scale dispersions of ThC/sub 2/ in Bi were prcduce oxidizing Th dissolved in Ri with either a stream of O or by the addition of Bi/sub 2/O/. Sessile-drop measurements at 500 deg C for Bi in contact with flat surfaces of ThC/sub 2/ showed contact angles ranging from 90 to 150 deg , and indicate very little tendency for wetting. In analytical procedures, ThC/sub 2/-Bi slurries are treated with nitric acid to separate soluble from insoluble constituents. Several types of oxides were treated with boiling concentrated nitric acid for 15 min, and the soluble fraction of each determined. Bench-scale tests of ThC/sub 2/-Bi dispersions are summarized. ThC/ sub 2/-Bi dispersions were found to be chemically unstable at LMFR temperatures, the Bi reducing the Th. In a single experiment, pure Bi and 9% ThC/sub 2/-Bi slurry containing 100 ppm Mg were equilibrated with a single gas phase consisting of activated Xe at 500 deg C and 510 mm Hg. Heat transfer coefficients, under improved test conditions, were measured for parallel flow of Hg through staggered tube banks. On the 4-in. utility test locp, electrical and mechanical items were checked out and vacumn degassing of most of the loop was completed. Construction, outgassing, and weld heat treating of Loop H-1 was completed. (For preceding period see BNL-4261.) (W.D.M.)

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
• NSA Number: NSA-14-004123
• OSTI ID: 4207993
• Report Number(s): BNL-4459
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALLOYS
BERYLLIUM
BISMUTH
BISMUTH OXIDES
BREEDING
CALCINATION
CAPTURE
DEGASSING
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EXTRACTION COLUMNS
FAST NEUTRONS
FLUID FLOW
FUELS
GASES
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT TREATMENTS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IN PILE LOOPS
INSTRUMENTS
LIQUID METAL FUEL
MAGNESIUM
MATERIALS TESTING
MERCURY
METALS
NEUTRONS
NITRIC ACID
OXIDATION
POWDERS
PRESSURE
PYROLYSIS
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
REDUCTION
RUTHENIUM
SALTS
SLURRIES
SOLUBILITY
SOLUTIONS
STABILITY
SURFACES
TESTING
THORIUM CARBIDES
THORIUM CARBONATES
THORIUM HYDROXIDES
THORIUM NITRATES
THORIUM OXIDES
TUBES
URANIUM 233
VACUUM
WELDING
XENON