DIVISION OF REACTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS MONTHLY REPORT-JULY 1959
Plutonium Recycle: Compacts of mixed UO/sub 2/--PuO/sub 2/ were sintered at temperatures up to 1600 deg C for one to eight hours. The density- composition plot shows a maximum in the range 20 to 40% PuO/sub 2/. Fuel fabrication studies were continued wvith various thermal cycling tests on clad and unclad specimens of Al-Pu alloys. Minor changes were made in the procedures for fabricating UO/sub 2/ elements which facilitate the production of a more economic and uniform element. Fluorescent penetrant, ultrasonic, and x-ray techniques for detecting defects in Zircaloy-2 tubing were further developed and used in investigations of defect dcvelopment during the various fuel element fabrication steps. A new Zircaloy etch bath composition was developed which uses technical grade rather than C. P. acids. Experiments indicate boiling burnout will be experienced in the Mark II fuel element at 1,150,000 Btu/hr-ft/sup 2/ with a steam quality of 20% by weight. Additional tests on PRTR mechanical components such as pumps, valves, seals, control rod gears and bearings, and coolant instrumentation are described. The effects of D/sub 2/O loss on the reactivity of PRTR were determined. The largest effect, about 10 mk, appears in the fast fission factor. Progress in PRTR design construction, and hazards analysis is summarized. Chemical Research: Both UO/sub 3/ and U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ were found to chlorinate more readily than ceramic grade UO/sub 2/. Chlorination time was considerably reduced by increasing temperature from 800 to 900 The reaction of UO/sub 2/ with anhydrous N/sub 2/O/sub 4/ appears to proceed through a UO/sub 2.25/ intermediate to UO/sub 2/(NO/sub 3/)/sub 2/ and another oxide phase with a lattice of A/sub o/ = 5.40 A. The boiling metal column was operated with Pb-Bi eutectics containing 5, 10, and 20% Hg. Boiling points were 530, 480, and 420 deg C, respectively. Swelling Studies: Optical and electron microscopy were used in investigations of irradiated U in an effort to extend present knowledgc of rare gas fission product mobility and pore formation. Gas Cooled Reactorsi Hollow cylinders of graphite were found to oxidize three times as fast as solid cylinders in CO/sub 2/ at 700 to 850 deg C. Microwaves may be used in producing oxygen and ions in CO/sub 2/; simulating radiation effects. (For preceding period see HW-61084.) (D.E.B.)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1350
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-019682
- OSTI ID:
- 4250135
- Report Number(s):
- HW-61575
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALUMINUM ALLOYS- FABRICATION- FUEL ELEMENTS- PLUTONIUM- PLUTONIUM ALLOYS- PRTR- REACTORS- RECYCLING- REPROCESSING
ANALOG SYSTEMS- CARBON DIOXIDE- IONIZATION- MICROWAVES- PLUTONIUM- PRTR- RADIATION EFFECTS- REACTORS- RECYCLING- REDUCTION- REPROCESSING
BEARINGS- CONTROL ELEMENTS- MACHINE PARTS- PLUTONIUM- PRTR- PUMPS- REACTORS- RECYCLING- REPROCESSING- SEALS- SERVOMECHANISMS- VALVES
BISMUTH- BOILING- EUTECTICS- INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS- LEAD- MERCURY- PLUTONIUM- PRTR- REACTORS- RECYCLING- REPROCESSING
BOILING- BURNOUT- PLUTONIUM- PRTR- REACTORS- RECYCLING- REPROCESSING
CARBON DIOXIDE- CYLINDERS-