Pre Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 1956

Technical Report · Fri Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1957

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4380113· OSTI ID:4380113

Sinizer, D. I. ^[1]; Foltz, J. R. ^[1]; Mattern, K. L. ^[1]; Motta, E. E. ^[1]

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1. North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, CA (United States). Atomics International Div.

PRE is a fuel reprocessing experiment directed to development of a low cost fuel decontamination and refabrication process for metallic uranium. During FY 1957 the major objective is designing and equipping a cold mock-up to perform mechanical operations and study material transfer and handling of process metal simulating uranium fuel. Detailing has begun on a device for remote refabrication of fuel rods from processed slugs. The device will be built for remote operation in the cold mockup during FY 1958. A tilt-pour induction furnace and a vacuum centrifugal casting furnace will be ordered shortly for cold mock-up operation. Work on design of devices for remote dimensional inspection of cast slugs is proceeding. Master-slave manipulators, periscope, and closed-circuit TV have been ordered for the cold mock-up. A rectilinear manipulator and shielding window will be ordered. A pneumatic crane will be installed in the mock-up to simulate in-cell material handling problems such as material transfer, furnace operation, light service and maintenance, and manipulator removal for servicing. The vacuum Access Lock is being designed. A cold mock-up of at least one door will be designed and built to test the seals. Radiation intensity from various PRE sources has been calculated. Curves are given for calculated radiation levels from slug-loading mechanisms, from dressing crucibles, atmosphere filters freeze-out traps for removal of xenon and krypton, processed fuel ingots, and processed fuel rods. Radiation level at the Access Lock door has been calculated as well as leakage through cracks at the cell doors. Activity from fission products released in melting has been calculated. A prototype gas-handling system simulating the system to be used in purifying the Process Cell atmosphere is being designed and built. Equipment for testing inflatable seals for atmosphere containment is being assembled.

• Research Organization: North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, CA (United States). Atomics International Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-GEN-8
• NSA Number: NSA-11-005261
• OSTI ID: 4380113
• Report Number(s): NAA-SR--1855
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
FUELS
METALLURGY
PLANNING
REPORT
REPROCESSING