[en] The Secure Automated Fabrication (SAF) Program was initiated at the Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory (HEDL) to develop and demonstrate an advanced manufacturing line (SAF line) for plutonium oxide breeder reactor fuel pins. The SAF line is to be installed in the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF) at Hanford and will utilize technology that focuses on improved safety features for plant operating personnel, the public, and the environment. Equipment and process improvements incorporated by the SAF line will yield significant gains in nuclear materials safeguards, product quality and productivity

[en] A drying section is inserted in the production line for the automation of the filling process for fuel rods with nuclear fuel pellets. The pellets are taken in a drum magazine to a drying furnace and then pushed out one after the other into the can to be filled. (TK)

[en] After brief mention of the recommendations of the previous panel, French activities with regard to recycling of plutonium from thermal reactors are summarized. They include three instances of fabrication of mixed oxide elements of UO₂PuO₂; the methods of fabrication allow for capacities of 2.5 and 10 tonnes per year. The availability of plutonium, the cost of plutonium fuel fabrication relative to uranium fuel fabrication and, more generally, the price of plutonium, are discussed. A present day view of the future of recycling of plutonium from thermal reactors is presented

No abstract available

[en] Nukem delivered to BATAN, the Indonesian Atomic Energy Authority, a fuel element factory, which took three and a half years to complete. It has been planned for the fabrication of future reload fuels for the MPR-30 research reactor. The contract was connected with an extensive technology transfer under a licensing agreement, and with the thorough training and intensive cooperation of Indonesian engineers and technicians in the operation of the plant at Hanau and in the planning and construction, respectively, of the new factory. (orig.)

[en] The continuous inspection process is a method used in a Manufacturing plant in order to obtain a fast feed-back between inspection results and manufacturing process. It often requires a specific approach in design and a wide cooperation between Engineering and Manufacturing people. This method leads to additional advantages such as high motivation, and better quality knowledge. (orig.)

No abstract available

[en] A drying section is inserted in the production line for the automation of the filling process for fuel rods with nuclear fuel pellets. The pellets are taken in a drum magazine to a drying furnace and then pushed out one after the other into the can to be filled. (TK)

[en] This paper briefly describes the present situation in the field of plutonium fuel production and explains concepts used by Belgonucleaire to develop technology and production processes for application by the mid-1980s. Of particular interest is the COGEPEL process developed by the company, which consists of pelletizing gelified mixed-oxide microspheres. The introduction of the new process should improve the overall safety of the plutonium industry. 5 refs

[en] A discharge heated copper vapor laser is developed. The lasing wavelength is 510.6nm and 578.2nm. The plasma tube is made of a high purity alumina tube with inner diameter of 6mm and with discharge length of 28cm. The used buffer gas ia argon. The energy storage capacitors are charged by triggered resonant charging method and the capacitors are discharged into the plasma tube by Blumlein method. When the temperature of the plasma tube reaches to about 1400 deg C, the laser oscillation occurs. The maximum average output is measured to be 0.13mW at the buffer gas pressure of 1.5 torr when the charging voltage is 5 KV. (Author)