Electron beam related manufacturing technology development at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

In the defense community, certain uranium-alloy components have been manufactured by methods which generate large quantities of uranium bearing waste. Our estimates show that these components can be fabricated by vapor deposition and reduce waste generation by more than an order of magnitude. We present results from a series of uranium-alloy vapor deposition tests designed to produce samples of free-standing structures. Both flat plate and cylindrical shells were produced. The deposits were fully dense, defect free and displayed a high quality surface finish. The uranium-alloy was co-evaporated from a single source. Bulk chemistry specifications for the material were met, although some residual variation in chemistry was observed in sample cross sections. After heat treatment, the vapor deposited samples exhibited tensile properties similar to conventional ingot processed material

Blowdown heat transfer separate-effects program. Quarterly progress report, January-March 1980

Six additional bundle uncovery/recovery tests were performed in the Thermal-Hydraulic Test Facility during January, bringing the total number of these tests to eight. Data taken during the tests were found to be contaminated by numerous spurious spikes. Work to remove the spurious spikes is under way. Posttest analysis of the tests is approx.20% completed. The recovery portion of one of the tests will be analyzed by COBRA/TRAC, currently being developed by Pacific Northwest Laboratories (PNL). Work to debug the code for this application is in progress at PNL. The uncovery/recovery tests apparently caused damage to the 0-rings that form part of the loop pressure boundary. Refurbishment of the 0-ring seal system is being performed concurrently with scheduled loop modifications that include installation of ten in-bundle differential pressure instruments. Design, procurement, and fabrication of the in-bundle gamma densitometer system are continuing on schedule