The Power Conversion Technology requirements are primarily for the compact converter program, the lightweight converter program, and the silicon-germanium thermoelectric program. This equipment includes special module potassium loops, static test stands, space simulator chamber, panel test stations, thermoelectric module and converter efficiency tester, automatic readout system, and specialized test and fabrication equipment. The Space Nuclear Safety requirements are primarily for the safety testing and safety analysis program in support of the radioisotope generator development program. The items of equipment to be procured in this activity include a large induction heater, signal conditioners, portable impact tester, differential pump with vacuum gauges, dry boxes and hoods, recorders, and digital display equipment.

Approximately 40% of the FY 1970 Space Electric Power equipment requirements are for the Isotope Fuels program, primarily at the Mound Laboratory. Equipment for the processing of Pu-238 into the desired fuel form includes a second unit to supplement the existing developmental system for the production of sol-gel microspheres with oxygen-16. Creep measurement apparatus, metallurgical equipment, and an argon dryer system will be required for compatibility measurements and fuel form development. In addition, the development of suitable curium fuel forms will require equipment for physical property measurements, capsule inspection, and environmental testing.

The Terrestrial Electric Power Development program requires the procurement of equipment related to the development of test rigs and mock-ups in support of the fuels development program. These requirements include instruments, electrical and electronic equipment for an electronic-analog, electrically heated mockup and second test loops. Isostatic pressing equipment is required in support of studies on methods of pellet fabrication that will permit the use of a variety of pellet liner materials.

The high temperature fuels development program requires a high temperature mass spectrometer for studying vaporization behavior. An electron beam welder and refractory metal annealing furnace are needed for the program on fabrication techniques. Additional equipment requirements for the reactor fuels and materials program include creep test apparatus, multi-channel analyzer, electron microscope, laser micro-probe and hot stage metallograph. The recently reoriented fuels program in support of the Fast Breeder Reactor will require vacuum retort furnaces for strength testing of developmental alloys, prototype in-pile creep rupture test assembly, electron controller for refractory metal tube drawing, shielding equipment for creep stands, and remote equipment for post-test dimensional measuring of irradiated specimens.

Engineering Development requirements include specialized test assemblies for testing transducers in the instrumentation and control program, and instrumentation for heat transfer measurements. The Chemical Separation effort will require procurement and testing of components for fluoride volatility processes, glove boxes and alpha equipment for the aqueous flow sheet development for fast reactor fuels.

The FY 1970 request for Advanced Systems will provide the equipment items needed to support the development effort on the projects included in this category. Equipment for the Advanced Plutonium Fuel technology program is needed to support the sodium technology work, studies of the interaction of fuels with sodium and cladding materials, and the evaluation of ceramic plutonium fuels. Items for this purpose include multi-channel analyzer system, recorders, temperature controllers, cold traps, vacuum components and inert atmosphere enclosure. The equipment requested for the UHTREX experiment is for reactor maintenance, upgrading reactor controls and instrumentation and remote handling apparatus for fission product investigators.

The advanced technology demonstrated under this program requires the development and fabrication of special instrumentation equipment to handle the integral sampling and rapid analysis of the data generated. A major portion of the FY 1970 equipment acquisitions are required for the Loss of Fluid Test (LOFT) project (water reactors) and the fast reactor safety research and development (Argonne National Laboratory) program.

Examples of equipment needed include: (1) fission product sampling equipment and signal conditioning equipment to aid in the development of test equipment and mass spectrometer, process control and gamma-ray counting equipment for contamination-decontamination experiment development tests and analysis for the LOFT experiment; (2) out-of-pile experimental equipment including pumps, power sources and instrumentation required for out-of-pile tests and to establish firm designs for the fuel failure propagation loop for use in the fast reactor safety program.

The reactor development program includes research and development work at six laboratories and thirteen operations offices. The diversified and advanced nature of this activity requires the procurement of numerous items and types of equipment which become obsolete due to technological advances. Equipment required for facilities and plant operations, services, and general support is also included under this activity as it cannot be related to a specific research or development program. Examples of the types of equipment included are shop, radiation safety, special materials, motor vehicles, scientific and technical instruments, security and protection, and office equipment. Included in this category are the following computer requirements: (1) $1,600,000 for Oak Ridge National Laboratory to cover (a) $1,500,000 for combined Intermediate Analysis and Coordinating computer to service both the Oak Ridge