weight 120,000 pounds).
Radiation decomposition of the salt melt may be
a difficulty, but preliminary studies are encouraging, possibly because
of the rapid recombination of fluorine set free by the radiation.
In
reply to questions, Dr. Weinberg said that the main things one would get
out of the experimental reactor would be information on control, stability,
and reactivity problems, on the behavior of the liquid fuel at 1500°, and
the practical demonstration of 1500° sodium from a nuclear power source.
Some Committee members felt that it would be more sensible to do the ARE
after high temperature and radiation testing of components in the MTR.
Dr. Smith however cited the desirable psychological aspects of fixing on a
definite objective and course, and felt that this supported the ARE.
There was also discussion of the fact that whereas’ the AEC has given the
ARE a much lower priority than the HRE, it is being pushed with a much
larger budget than the latter.
serious incongruity.
There was general agreement that this is a
Dr. Weinbsrg felt that if the ARE was worth being
undertaken as a weapon development, it should be vigorously pushed,
It
was also felt that the at present undecided status cfthe proposedcontract
with the GE Aircraft Gas Turbine Divisions left the responsibility of ORNL
undefined to an undesirable degree.
When asked how he really felt about the prospects for nuclear-powered
aircraft, Dr. Briant replied thet he believed it possible, that it was a
difficult application of nuclear power but would lead to valuable
experience,
‘A general discussion of the size of the ORNL organization and the
relative emphasis on various research activities.followed.,
Dr. Larson
remarked that the Laboratory is still expanding, but principally by taking
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