SNAP PROGRAMS. Quarterly Progress Report No. 6, January 1 through March 31, 1961. Task 6. Fuel Technology Development Program

Technical Report · Wed Oct 31 00:00:00 EST 1962

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4811922· OSTI ID:4811922

Isotope power sources are being developed for use in thermionic and thermoelectric power generators for space applications. Suitable radioisotope fuels and heat source containment capsules are being designed for SNAP-type generators with land, sea and space applications. Curium242 and Plutonium-238 are currently being investigated, and methods for purification, compound conversion and fuel form are being established. A Heavy Elements Processing Facility capable of handling and preparing gram quantities of Am/sup 241/ in an aluminum matrix for irradiation to Cm is being activated. In the facility, high integrity aluminum capsules were produced through special encapsulation and welding techniques. Curium purification by ion exchange techniques is under study to determine the operating conditions and design parameters for the Hot Cell Facility. Following a screening process, these container materials were selected for further investigation: Hastelloy C and Inconel X for thermoelectric applications and a Mo-W combination for the curium thermionic generator. Safety, thermal and shielding analyses were conducted on the processes being developed as well as during handling and shipping. (auth)

• Research Organization: Martin Co. Nuclear Div., Baltimore
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AT(30-3)-217
• NSA Number: NSA-16-007326
• OSTI ID: 4811922
• Report Number(s): MND-P-3014-III
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

SPACE APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
ALUMINUM
ALUMINUM ALLOYS
AMERICIUM
CANNING
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CONVERSION
CURIUM 242
HASTELLOY
HOT CELLS
IMPURITIES
INCONEL ALLOYS
ION EXCHANGE
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
PLANNING
PLUTONIUM 238
POWER
PRODUCTION
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOISOTOPES
REMOTE CONTROL
REMOTE HANDLING
SAFETY
SHIELDING
SNAP SYSTEMS
SPACE VEHICLES
THERMAL STRESSES
THERMIONICS
THERMOELECTRIC CELLS
TITANIUM ALLOYS
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS
VESSELS
WELDING
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems