ELECTRICAL FIELDS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION FROM CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS
3 7 3 / d electromagnetic radiation generated by chemical detonations of charges ranging in size from 10g to roughly 25 kg were investigated over a frequency range extending from a few cycles per second to 500 megacycles per second. The electrical energy in all cases was found to cover a broad band of frequencies with the largest potentials occurring in a frequency range below a few hundred cycles per second. Little of the low frequency signals were radiated. Megacycle range signals (predominately radiation) were found to occur in the form of short random bursts. A nonreproducible delay the order of several hundred microseconds was found to exist between the time of detonation and the appearance of the first bursts of radiation. The electrical potentials of the expanding explosion products were estimated, and for a 552g 50/ 50 pentolite charge the maximum value was determined to be 18,000 volts. For bare charges this quantity was considered to vary roughly in direct proportion to the charge weight. Experiments are described which were performed to ascertain the mechanism whereby the electrical fields and EM radiation are generated by chemical detonations, and a model is proposed. (auth) Maryland. Univ., College Park. The study of effective resonance integrals in a heterogeneous system was continued. Measurement of the buckling and reflector savings of the 0.250- in.diam. rod, water-moderated lattices was completed for both 1.027 and 1.5% enriched U metal. Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division. Investigation of the U--Bi system was continued by means or emf measurements on cells. A series of experiments involving the sorption of active Sm on graphite was completed. The quartz Bodenstein gage was used to measure the vapor pressure of BiI/sub 3/ in the temperature range 330 to 525 deg C. The equilibria of chemical reactions involved in the fused salt extraction of rare earth fission products from LMFR fuel using pound-scale equipment were studied. A series of experiments to determine the solubility of Xe in U--Bi fuel was completed. Additional information on the rate of penetration of Xe and I/sub 2/ in graphite was obtained. Specimens of type 347, 430, and 446SS, 16-1 Croloy Steel, 1020 mild steel, 1 1/4 Cr -- 1/2 Mo and 2 1/4 Cr--1 Mo steel, and INOR-8 have completed 1000-hr static exposures to ternary salt, initially containing 5 wt.% BiCl/sub 3/ at 500 deg C. The preparation of stable ThO/sub 2/--Bi dispersions is in progress. Various corrosion loop operatione are reported for the circulation of molten salt systems and to test various structural materials in a molten salt system. A new chemical system containing NO/sub 2/, BrF/sub 3/, and HF was investigated in the search for a low-temperature, non-aqueous solvent suitable for a generalized fluoride volatility process. Uranium volatility was determined in NO/sub 2/--BrF/ sub 3/--HF solutions, and data are presented. Work was started on the feasibility of using inorganic fluoride solutions to extract Pa/sup 233/from irradiated ThF/sub 4/ blanket material. Laboratory-scale studies on the ignition of natural U in both the liquid and vapor phases of BrF/sub 3/a solutions were continued. Further experiments on the hydrochlorination of Zr were made with the fluidized bed reactor. Hot Laboratory Division. The investigation of Ti/sup 50/ (n, alpha )Ca/sup 47/ was continued, and a study was made of methods of chemical separation of Ti, Sc, and Ca. A new process for the production of Te/sup 132/ was put into operation. Metallurgy. The thermal conductivity measurements on irradiated graphite at the MTR and at Hanford agree very well. Mechanical Engineering. Design of a rotary calciner for handling
- Research Organization:
- Utah. Univ., Salt Lake City. Inst. of Metals and Explosives Research
- DOE Contract Number:
- AF18(603)-100
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-017047
- OSTI ID:
- 4268090
- Report Number(s):
- AFOSR-TN-59-551; AD-216691
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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