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U.S. Department of Energy
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PLUTONIUM FUELS DEVELOPMENT--PLUTONIUM METALLURGY OPERATION QUARTERLY REPORT-JULY, AUGUST, SEPTE,BER, 1957

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4300427

Four Zircaloy-clad unbonded capsules containing Al-1.66 wt.% Pu and Al-- 12 wt. % Si--1.65 wt.% Pu alloy were irradiated in the MTR. One capsule of each received 15 to 25% and 60 to 70% burnout of the Pu atoms. Two eleven-inch long, four-rod clusters containing Al--8 wt.% Pu and Al--12 wt.% Si--8 wt. % Pu alloy cores are being prepared for irradiation in the high temperature (235 C) KER Loop Facility. Experiments on the vacuum injection casting of aluminum fuel materials directly into cans have commenced. Mechanical pressure injection is being investigated as a fuel element fabrication method. Extrusion of Al have been made successfully. A defected capsule containing Al-1.6 wt. % U-1 wt.% Ni-- 0.5 wt.% Fe was exposed to 350 C water for 24 hours. Three PCTR test assemblies containing Pu impregnated graphite fuel material was fabricated. (For preceding period see HW-51854.) (W.L.H.)

Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-52
NSA Number:
NSA-13-000194
OSTI ID:
4300427
Report Number(s):
HW-54365
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English