Fission product decay heat studies of December 15, 1975

The purpose of the project described is to study fission product decay heating rates, with emphasis on short decay times. Isothermal calorimetry is used to perform benchmark experiments for decay times between 20 seconds and 2000 seconds with an absolute accuracy of better than 5 percent. Experiments are being done with 235U and will be done eventually with 239Pu. Thermal neutron spectra are used for the irradiations. The project was initiated in July 1974. Final results for 235U are expected by 6-30-76, and for 239Pu by 1-1-77. Final reports for each task will follow the final data by 3 months. The work done to date is described together with the status of the final experimental configuration