Dr. Starr of Atomics International New Head of American Nuclear Societ Y Group Includes Members from 29 Countries Devoted to Ad- Vancement of Nuclear Scienc E

Home , Atomics International, Organic nuclear reactor

VOL. 1 NO. 2 ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL a division of North American Aviation, Inc . SEPTEMBER 1958 Dr. Starr Of Atomics International New Head Of American Nuclear Societ y Group Includes Members From 29 Countries Devoted To Ad- vancement Of Nuclear Scienc e

At the annual meeting in June of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) . Dr. Chauncey Starr, general manager of Atomics International and vice president of North American Aviation, Inc., was elected president of the society to succeed Dr . Leland J . Haworth . Direc- tor of the Brookhaven National Laboratory . The American Nuclear Society was formed in 1955 to advance nuclear science and engineering . to encour- age research . establish scholarships. and to disseminate technical information .

Membership of 3,000 Includes 29 Countries The organization's membership of 3 .000 includes about 140 members from 29 countries outside the United States representing many branches of science and technology . Members are associated with educa. tional , governmental, and research institutions, and with government contractors and industrial companies.

First Student Award Establishe d In keeping with one of the objectives of the society, the first annual graduate student award has been established for the most outstanding graduate student working in the nuclear sciences . NEW ANS OFFICERS-At the recent meeting of the URER ; Dr. Chauncey Starr, general manager of Atomics The award is the first of its kind by the society and American Nuclear Societe , new officers elected are : (felt International and vice-president of North American Avia- to right) John A . Swartnut, deputy director of Oak Ridge tion, Inc. . PRESIDENT ; and Octave J. DuTemple, full was established in memory of Dr . Mark Mills who was National Laboratory. VICE-PRESIDENT ; M. A . Schulz, time EXECUTIVE SECRETARY of the society. killed in a helicopter crash on April 7, 1958, at the project manager of Westinghouse . Pittsburg , TREAS- Eniwetok Proving Grounds in the Pacific, Dr . Mills was a theoretical physicist and an authority in jet propulsion Ground- Breaking For Power Plant and atomic energy . Dr. Starr's Backgroun d Dr. Starr obtained his electrical engineering degree Brings Wire From U . S. Presiden t in 1932 and followed this with a Ph . D in Physics in , 1935, both from Renselaer Polytechnic Institute. Fol- Under a separate contract with the U-S- Atomic 75,000-kw Nuclear Plant To Produce lowing this he became a Research Fellow in Physics at Energy Commission, electricity will be fed into the Harvard University . Electricity For Consumers commercial distribution lines of Consumers Public From 1938 to 1911 . Dr . Starr was research associate Power District of Nebraska, and the utility company at 'Massachusetts Institute of Technology . At the begin- Public Power District At Halla m will operate the completed plant. The nuclear power ning of World War II, he conducted research for the plant is scheduled for completion in late 1961 . Navy Department's Bureau of Ships . Ground-breaking ceremonies on June 28 for the SGR Potential In 1942. he became associated with the Manhattan Atomics International designed sodium graphite reactor Atomics International's Sodium Graphite Reactor District, working with the Radiation Laboratory of the nuclear power plant to be built for the Consumers Pub- University of California at Berkeley, the Tennessee East- lic Power District at Hallam, Nebraska, brought a iSGR) concept is significant because it has the potential of producing steam conditions which are typical man Corp ., Oak Ridge . and the Clinton Laboratories, congratulatory telegram from President Dwight D . Oak Ridge. In 1945. he was appointed to the Man- Eisenhower. of modern conventional steam plants . Current development work and the designs which are evolving indicate hattan District Technical Committee on Inspection and The President's message read in part . " . . .The United the future possibility of SGR nuclear steam power Control of Atomic Energy . States is determined to advance civilization through the plants utilizing 1400 psig . 1000°F (98.3 ata . 538°C) . constructive application of atomic energy . The benefits The plant at Hallam will use 800 psig, 825°F (56 .2 to be derived from harnessing the peaceful power of the ata. 440°Cl . Suited to Larger Power Plant s atom are almost beyond the imagination of mankind . The economics of the sodium graphite reactor show Congratulations and best wishes . . . to all engaged in The reactor will use uranium dioxide as fuel, graph- . and sodium as the heat transfer that these reactors are potentially attractive for power this most promising enterprise ." ite as the moderator fluid. The plant will operate with higher reactor coolant plants with ratings from 1110 .0011 electrical kilowatts Will Produce Commercial Electricity temperatures . higher fuel element surface temperatures, and larger . where the relatively large investment costs The nuclear power plant will be powered by sodium . and higher steam pressure and temperature than any associated with a physically large reactor and the shield- tooled . graphite-moderated reactor designed and to be other reactor currently authorized in the Ii-S . Atomic ing for a highly active coolant are compensated by high built by Atomics International and will generate heat Energy Commission's Demonstration Power Reactor thermal efficiency and the ability to use modern steam for 75 .000 kilowatts of electricity . Program . equipment.

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HDMSt00017460 PAGE TWO NUCLEAR NEWS / ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL

Basis For Contract Reached On Highly Successful Operation Of OMRE 12,500- Kilowatt Organic Reactor Draws Editorial Praise In `Nucleonics ' Power Plant For Piqua, Ohi o A basis for contractual arrangements for a demon- "The Organic Moderated Reactor Experiment in Reactor to the forefront as one of today's most rapidly stration Organic Reactor nuclear power plant was Idaho is going quite well with no noticeable gumming developing nuclear systems, Today, only a few years recently reached with the U .S. Atomic Energy Commis- of the system by the decomposition products from the after the first experimental work . the OMRE is produc. sion, Atomics International. and the City of Piqua, fluid. It's a delight to see the `casualness' of the plant .. ." ing convincing evidence of the technical and economical Ohio, This editorial comment in the July 1958 issue of feasibility of organic reactors . The agreement with Atomics International would "Nucleonics" further calls attention to the safety and cover the research, development, fabrication, and con- reliability of the Organic Reactor system . First Commercial OMR Power Plan t struction of a 12,500 electrical kilowatt nuclear reactor, The 12,500-kilowatt Organic Reactor power plant moderated and cooled by a high-boiling point hydro- Over 4200 Hours Continuous Operation which is scheduled for operation for the Municipal carbon and fueled by slightly enriched uranium . Com- Up to the end of June 1958 . the OMRE had logged Power System of the City of Piqua, Ohio, in late 1961, pletion of the reactor is expected by July 1961 . over 4200 hours of nearly continuous operation . Radia- will be the first commercial demonstration plant to Site to be Provided tion damage to the organic has been well within pre- utilize the Organic Reactor system . dicted limits and for power reactors, the indicated The city of Piqua, under a separate agreement with However . conceptual designs have been completed the U coolant replacement-rate is less than 0 .006 pounds per .S. Atomic Energy Commission, would provide for much larger power plants of 100.000-150,000 kilo- the site near its existing steam plant on the Great electrical kilowatt hour . This is equivalent to an energy watts in response to the active interest of countries such cost under one mill . Activity levels in the primary heat Miami River and also provide the conventional turbo. as Italy . Germany and Japan . transfer system have proved to be much lower than generating and relating facilities. anticipated, permitting contact maintenance of pumps Under the Commission's authority, the city of Piqua Other Applications of OM R and process equipment at all times . Mechanical prob- would also operate the entire plant for five years as part lems have been relatively few, with refinery-type com- A design study has also been completed by Atomics of its electrical power and industrial steam system and ponents performing very well . International for the U.S. Maritime Commission and purchase steam produced by the reactor from the the L.S. Atomic Energy Commission, on the application Commission. Second Year of Operatio n of this reactor system to the propulsion of supertankers. The OMRE is now entering its second year of opera- Interest is also being created on the application tion at the National Reactor Test Station in Idaho . Its of the Organic Reactor system to process-steam and very successful experience has brought the Organic process-heat plants . ARTIST'S CONCEPTION-of a 12,500- kilowatt OMR nuclear power plant .

Supervised Installation of Reactor Components Atomics International 's Research Reactor Components for the West Berlin reactor were installe d and placed in operation under the supervision of tech- Goes Into Operation In West Berli n nical personnel from Atomics International . Supervisory assistance during installation of the major reactor com- U .S . `ATOMS - FOR-PEACE ' FUEL STARTS 50,000 - WATT REACTO R ponents was given by R . Stewart, installation engineer A 50.000-watt nuclear research reactor . built by and industrial research. including the production and at Atomics International . The checkout and calibration Atomics International and installed at the Institute for study of isotopes . radiation effects on materials, and of electrical equipment and instructions in reactor Nuclear Research in West Berlin . was placed in opera . reactor operation and maintenance practices. operational procedures were directed by Oren J . Foust, tion on July 24 . 1958. while the pre-operating tests and fuel loading methods Fourth Reactor in Operation Abroa d were supervised by B . R . Moskowitz. The Atomics Enriched uranium fuel, supplied through the United This is the fourth research reactor designed and International project engineer on this reactor was States "Atoms-for-Peace" program, was used to start built by Atomics International to begin operation J. 0. Henrie . and run the reactor . abroad. Other reactors are in operation for the Japan Four West German contracting firms provided the Atomic Energy Research Institute near Tokyo ; the manpower, equipment and materials to install the The West Berlin reactor is a general purpose Model Danish Atomic Energy Commission Nuclear Research reactor. A special building was constructed to house it L-54 solution-type . using uranium in a water solution Center near Copenhagen, and the University of Frank- and provide laboratory space for research and training as fuel. The reactor will be used for scientific, medical, furt in West Germany . programs.

WEST BERLIN REACTOR-built by Atomics Interna. tional for the Institute for Nuclear Research in West West Berlin Rese arch reac- industrial re arch , Berlin . This Model L-54, 50 .000-watt nuclear research OPERATING CONSOLE-of se production of isotopes , and radiation scientific, medical, and effects on materials reactor was placed in operation on July 24, 1958 . tor . The reactor will be used for .

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HDMSt00017461 SEPTEMBER 1958 PAGE THREE Atomics International Exhibits At Geneva Conferenc e

Displays At Two Shows ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL 'S L-77 LABORATORY REACTO R

Atomics International will have exhibits on both TO BE OPERATED IN U . S . ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION'S expositions being held in connection with the Second REACTOR TRAINING EXHIBIT AT GENEVA CONFERENC E International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic A model of Atomics International 's L-77 Laboratory Variety of Applications Energy at Geneva . Switzerland, September 1-14. Reactor will be in actual operation at the U . S. Atomic The L-77 Laboratory Reactor, which utilizes enriched Highlighting Atomics International's commercial Energy Commission's Reactor Training Exhibit at the products at the commercial exhibit will be animated uranium in a water solution as fuel, has a variety of Geneva Conference . applications . models of the 75,000-kilowatt Sodium Graphite Reactor Developed after more than 700 hours operational power plant being built for Hallam, Nebraska . and the experience with a prototype unit, the L-77 Laboratory The reactor can be used for studies on the effects of 12.500-kilowatt Organic Reactor power plant for the neutron and gamma radiation on chemical and bio- Reactor is designed and built to meet the requirements City of Piqua. Ohio. of safety, versatility, easy installation, simple operation logical materials, for the production of short-lived radioisotopes. for experiments in neutron physics, and 1000 Square Feet of Space and modest cost, which are required in a training reactor . Models of the L-77 are currently available on for training in reactor physics, reactor operation and Approximately 1000 square feet of space will be reactor technology. utilized for displays and the projection of color-slides short delivery schedule . and films . Other features of the commercial display will Reactor is One Complete Package be scale models of a 100,000-kilowatt Electrical gen- The L-77 is designed as a complete package, ready erating plant and a large marine supertanker, both for shipment. and the inherent safety of the reactor per- L-77 FOR GENEVA -Exposure tube of L-77 Laboratory powered by an organic nuclear reactor . Reactor is being checked by an Atomics International mits it to be installed in an existing, regular laboratory. technician before shipment to the Genara Conference. Another exhibit will include a simulated reactor The model shipped to the Geneva Conference was Reactor is shown here with operating console . Operating model of the L-77 will be on display at the power system in which the organic material is actually packed in two crates . with a combined weight of about U .S . Atomic Energy Commission ' s Reactor Training Exhibit at the heated in a reactor core and pumped in a closed loop 25 .000 pounds. Geneva Conference . through a steam generator . The steam will be used to power a small steam engine . .a? Slides on Al's Power and Research Reactors A series of slides and films describing the develop . ment and application of organic and sodium graphite type reactors to the production of power will also be included . Slides depicting the various uses of the solution type . homogeneous reactor will complete Atomics International's commercial exhibit .

Operating L-77 Laboratory Reacto r As part of the U .S . Atomic Energy Commission's portion of the commercial exhibit . Atomics Interna . tional will display and actually operate a model of the L-77 Laboratory Reactor. designed and built by Atomics International for training and research purposes by educational and medical institutions. U.S. Technical Exhibit Atomics International will also participate in the United States Technical Exhibit devoted to science but with particular emphasis on nuclear energy. Atomics .•. International will present composite panels of the SGR v w ~ftw and OMR reactors and will feature models and technical data within the liquid metal technology panel . Interatom Has Separate Exhibit FIVE PAPERS TO BE PRESENTED Titles and Authors INTERATOM, the jointly-owned company of Atomics AT GENEVA BY SPEAKERS The titles and authors of the 20 papers are as follows : International and DEMAG, will have a separate display "Some Topics in Reactor Kinetics"-Dr. E. R. Cohen . FROM ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL D. L . Hetrick, W . A. Horning. at Stand 11 in the German Collective Show. "Application of Organic Moderated Reactors to Central List Of 20 Papers By Staff Included In Station Power and Marine Propulsion "-E. F. Weisner, R. J . Gimera, Dr . W. E . Parkins. Proceedings Of The Geneva Conferenc e "Reactor Analysis of the Organic Moderated Reactor Experiment and Comparison of Experimental Results" Atomics International will be well represented with -R. 0 . Williams, Jr., R . F . Wilson, W . 0 . Allen, B . R. Moskowitz. speakers and papers at the Second International Con- "Effect of Burnup on Metallic Fuel Elements Operating ference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy . Five at Elevated Temperature "-B . R . Hayward . "Thorium-Uranium Fuel Elements for SRE"-B . R . Hay- papers will be presented by speakers who are prominent ward . members of the technical staff of Atomics International, "Aqueous Homogeneous Type Research Reactors"-Dr . and a list of 20 papers have been submitted and W . E . Parkins . R . F. Wilson, W . N . McElroy, J . 0 . Henrie. R . 0 . Williams . accepted by the U.S . Atomic Energy Commission for "A Study of the Polyphenyls for Use as Moderators and inclusion in the United Nations Proceedings . Coolants in Nuclear Power Reactors"-Ur . C . A . Trilling . "Recent Developments in the Technology of Sodium- Five Speakers Graphite Reactor Materials"-Dr . Sidney Siegel. "Some Corrosion Considerations of High Temperature The five speakers from the technical staff of Atomics Gas-Cooled Reactors"-Dr. S . J . Yosim, Dr. R . L. McKisson, International and the subjects on which they will speak A . At . Saul, Dr. D . E . McKenzie . are : "Integral Safety Devices for Reactors'-S. Fitch . Dr . N. Huston, N . Miller, A . Saur . Dr . C . Starr-"Fuel Enrichment and Reactor Performance ." "Fuel Enrichment and Reactor Performance "-Dr. Chaun- Dr. S . Siegel-"Sodium Graphite Reactors." 's Sodium cey Starr. ANIMATED MODEL of Atomics International Dr. C. A. Trilling-"Organic Moderated Reactors." Graphite Reactor which will be displayed at the Com- Dr. E . R . Cohen-"Reactor Kinetics ." mercial exhibit at the Geneva Conference . B. R . Hayward-"Thorium-Uranium Fuel Elements for SRE." continued to page Jour

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HDMSt00017462 PAGE FOUR NUCLEAR NEWS/ ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL LICENSING SECTION OF ATOMICS INTERNATIONA L COORDINATES LIAISON WOR K WITH INTERATOM, ASE A Works With Licensees And Sales Agents ASEA With the worldwide interest that has been created i n ASEA (Allmanna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget ) Atomics Intel nationals poorer and research reactors . the oldest manufacturer of heavy electrical equipment a Licensing Section has been set up as part of the sales in Sweden. with offices in over 50 countries, is develop- department to act as a liaison with licensees, sub- ing a number of reactor designs- Construction of two sidiaries. and sales agents . reactors will be underway in the near future and Coordinates with INTERATOM specialists from ASEA and Atomics International are jointly engaged in a comprehensive design review of The Licensing Section works closely with INTER- one of these reactors . The Licensing Section coordinates ATOM, the jointly-owned subsidiary in Duisberg. West such efforts and also processes requests from ASEA Germany. of Atomics International and DE)MAG AG . for other information and assistance . and the first international company in the German nuclear field . Sales Representative s INTERATOM has greatly increased its activities The Licensing Section assists in selecting sales rep- since its formation . and has sent several scientist=_ and reseutatives in various countries to promote the sales engineers to train at Atomics International's facilities . of Atomics International's research and power reactors . The Licensing Section coordinates the efforts of these Sales representatives are selected on the basis of experi. a scientists and engineers, acts as liaison with INTER- ence in fields related to nuclear power or resarch CONSULTATION-Dr. Rudolf garde ATOM, and provides new data as developed by Atomics reactors . to provide on-the-spot of INTERATOM liaison between potential seen consulting with C. F. Burnap , head of Atomics International . customers and Atomics International . International 's Licensing Section ,

SCIENTIFIC , INDUSTRIAL, GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM ABROAD VISIT ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL ' S FACILITIE S Visiting groups of nuclear scientists and technical personnel, including those from universities, power utility companies, atomic energy commissions and insti . tutes continue to visit Atomics International 's facilities . In addition to personnel from INTERATOM and ASEA, other recent visitors have included representatives from the French Atomic Energy Commission . and scientists and industrialists from Great Britain . Japan, Sweden. Switzerland . Representatives from universities and industrial companies in the United S tates were also among visitors and included groups of 50 members from each of the Sixth and Seventh Sessions of the International School of -N uclear Science and Engi- INTERATOM SCIENTISTS-at Atomics International's facilities receive orientation lecture . ( left to ri ght) : Lee neering . FOUR ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL Nehru and Clem Burnap, Al Licensing Section with INTERATOM Drs. Bruna Schroeder . Hans Mausbeck, FILMS INCLUDED IN U .S . AEC Herbert Wagner , Rudolf Horde, Gerhard Memmert, and FILM PROGRAM FOR GENEV A Othmar Knecht .

Four films produced by Atomics International have been included in the United States motion picture program planned for the Geneva Conference . A total of 44 films nog of them in color and with a total projection time of 15 hours have been completed . Sound tracks for the films have been prepared in the four official languages of the Conference-English. French . Spanish and Russian . The four tracks will be heard simultaneously by means of a newly devised sound system . called "Multi-Vox ." Al Films The four Atomics International films to be shown ASEA REPRESENTATIVES-Drs . Stig Bromberg and Ingrar Carhirk (two center ), seen conferring with Dr. are : Siegel ( left), Technical Director of Atomics Interna- SODIUM REACTOR EXPERIMENT-Covers the tional and Clem Burnap ( right ), head of Al's Licensing Section . construction. start-up and operation of the reactor, as FRENCH VISITOR-Jean Petit, (left ) . representative well as control and safety elements . HANDS ACROSS .ATLANTIC-Dr. Chauncey Starr, gen- of Centre D'Etudes Nucleaires the Scalar, discusses the Sodium Reactor Experiment ORGANIC MODERATED REACTOR EXPERI- eral manager of Atomics International (left), greets with Atomics International's Alfred E. Schultz, (right ), a director of DEMAG . the C . C . Woolsey and Dr. Harry Pearlman during recent MENT-Operation of an important facility at the West German industrial firm with which Al own s visit . -National Reactor Testing Station, Idaho . INTERATOM . KINETIC EXPERIMENT ON WATER BOILERS -A demonstration of the inherent safety characteristics of aqueous homogeneous reactors in the event of unfore. seen release of large amounts of reactivity .

ARMOUR RESEARCH REACTOR-Design, construction and operation of the first private nuclear energy reactor designed specifically for industrial research . continued from page thre e List of 20 Papers by Staff "Experimental Studies on the Kinetic Behavior of Water Boiler Type Reactor ." -Dr. Nl . E. Remley, et al . "The Sodium Graphite Reactor Power Plant for CPPD" -R . C . Gerbrr, Dr . R . B. Gordon . R . L . Olson . H . A . Ross . Claris, J . F . Stolz . `Measurements and Analysis of Graphite Lattices which Contain M u lti-Rod Fuel Elements"-Dr . H . A . Lauben- stein . et al . "Methods and Equipment for Low Decontamination Processing of Metallic Nuclear Fuels"-Ur . G . E . Brand . "Study of the Thorium-Uranium Alloy System"-Dr . C . C . Ben tle . "Recent Advances Made Possible by the Use of Tracer NUCLEAR NEWS Published by ATOMICS INTERNATIONA L Techniques in Radiation Cltentistry "-Dr . 1 . C . Burr . "Exponential Experiments with Organic Moderated Canoga Park, California . offices in Washington, D.C. 1000 Connecticut Avenue, Uranium Lattices"-W . W . Brown, et al . "Operating Experience with the Sodium Reactor Experi- ment"-Dr. M . E . Rend,,, L. E . Glasgow . 1) . H . Johnsen, Dr . Geneva, Switzerland 29 rue de la Coulouvreniere , H . A . Lauhenstein, J . E . Owens, Dr. H . Pearlman . "The OMRE- A test of the Organic Moderator- Coolant 1- Concept "-Dr . C. A . Trilling . affiliated with INTERATOM Duisburg, Germany 35/39 Beekstrasse,

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