The Direct Pouring of Liquid Metal from the Reduction Bomb
By the time regular crude biscuit production was interrupted at Ames on November 9, 1944, we had made well over 100 special experimental castings by pouring the liquid metal directly from the bomb. The workmen on the regular crude production line were alternating these special castings with the regular runs without the assistance of the research group. The process had reached a state of development 'wherein the castings were made by pouring batches of about 135 pounds of liquid metal directly from the bomb into a water-cooled steel mold in the presence of air at atmospheric pressure. The pouring operation was effected through a mechanically operated valve in the bottom of the bomb. The workability of such a process has been well established, and the quality of the metal has been proved through candling and chemical tests. The first sixty billets produced by this method have been extruded successfully. A number of changes, designed to improve the quality and yield of the product and to simplify the process, have been made since producing the metal for these tests. The first set-up to test the possibility of pouring the metal directly from the bomb was made on a small scale here last spring. The fortunate success of that first trial, although made with a valve mechanism that failed repeatedly to pour in the next few runs, pointed definitely to the feasibility of such a process. The development of a practicable set-up and procedure was then undertaken, and the plan of experimentation was to make a run, closely observe the operation, and inspect the complete set-up afterwards. Observations in each case led to changes that were made for the following trials. This method of development was slow at first, but, after an acquantance was gained with the main factors involved, the developments came relatively fast. The process has grown through numerous minor changes from the initial set-up to the present stage of development. It is felt that the process is already a long way toward perfection, but more work is needed before plans for a production plant based on this process can be drawn. It is necessary that further experimental work be carried out in order to establish the possibilities and limitations of the process as well as to gain a better understanding of each of the variables involved. In this report a rather detailed presentation'of the process as it now stands (A) will be given first. A discussion of the initial set-up in connection with a presentation of the more important changes (B) that have been made to date will follow. Lastly, the variables (C) that possibly need further study will be discussed along with proposed future developments in view of experience to date.
- Research Organization:
- Manhattan District, Corps of Engineers
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
- OSTI ID:
- 1026636
- Report Number(s):
- A-1073; TRN: US201123%%100
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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