Guide to the A. C. Menius, Jr. Papers, 1946-1965

Collection Number MC 141

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Collection Information
Abstract:

The collection contains correspondence, reports, graphs, financial records, and information regarding the nuclear reactor project at North Carolina State College, North Carolina State's Physics Department, and nuclear experimentation at Los Alamos. These records include Menius' research and writings regarding the Manhattan Project, general nuclear energy issues, and the nuclear reactor at North Carolina State College.

A. C. Menius, Jr., was a physicist, professor, and dean of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Processed by
Sarah G. Carr
Date Completed
June 4, 1999
Encoded by
Nancy J. Kaiser; Katherine M. Wisser

Descriptive Summary

Title

A. C. Menius, Jr. Papers, 1946-1965

Creator

Menius, Arthur Clayton, 1916-1996

Call Number

MC 141

Extent

4 archival boxes and oversized materials , 1.25 linear feet

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Copyright Notice

North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], A. C. Menius, Jr. Papers, MC 141, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Acquisitions Information

Gift from A. C. Menius, August 1981.

Biographical Note



1916 Born April 30 in Salisbury, North Carolina
1937 Graduated from Catawba College
1942 Received Ph.D. in physics from University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill
1942-1944 Instructor and assistant professor of physics, Clemson College
1945-1946 Senior Physicist and Head of Battery Group of Proximity Fuse Project, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
1946 Married Lucille Clark Varner
1949 Arrived at North Carolina State College to teach in Physics Department
1950-1951 Consultant on nuclear aircraft to Sverdrup and Parcel
1950-1956 Involved in the design, implementation, and operation of the first non-government nuclear reactor in the United States on the North Carolina State College campus
1951-1953 Consultant on reactor design to Propulsion Monsanto Chemical
1953-1955 Graduate administrator of Physics Department, North Carolina State College
1954-1956 Consultant on reactor design to Babcock and Wilcox and American Machine and Foundry
1955-1956 Assistant to Dean of Engineering, School of Engineering, North Carolina State College
1955-1957 Director, Summer Institute on Nuclear Energy for Industry
1956 Appointed head of Physics Department, North Carolina State College
1956-1974 Consultant on lasers, missiles, and instrumentation to United States Army Missile Command
1957-1959 Consultant to United States Atomic Energy Commission
1957-1961 Member, Board of Directors, Aeronautical Electronics, Inc.
1958-1960 Director, ASEE-Atomic Energy Commission Summer Institute in Basic Nuclear Engineering
1959 Awarded Alumni Cup at Catawba College
1960 Appointed first Dean of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, North Carolina State College
1962-1968 Consultant on range development to Pan American Airways
1962-1969 North Carolina State University Council Representative, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
1962-1972 Consultant to Industrial Nucleonics Corporation
1964-1968 Member, Board of Directors, Adams-Millis Company
1968-1969 Vice-Chairman, Oak Ridge Associated Universities Council
1968-1975 Consultant to Frankford Arsenal
1969 Received honorary Doctor of Science degree from Catawba College
1972 Member, Board of Directors, Research Triangle Institute
1981 Retired from North Carolina State University
1996 Died October 13, in Raleigh, North Carolina

Scope and Content Note


The A. C. Menius, Jr. Papers contain material relating to his work as a physicist and professor at North Carolina State University. The bulk of the material is from 1950 to 1956, and reflects his work on the design, implementation, and operation of the first U.S. non-governmental nuclear reactor, which was built on the North Carolina State College campus, as well as the design of a second reactor by Babcock and Wilcox beginning in 1955. The original reactor was dedicated in 1953, and decommissioned in 1956. The Babcock and Wilcox reactor became necessary after the reactor staff discovered a leak in the original reactor. Other members of the reactor teams whose work is reflected in the collection are Clifford Beck, Raymond Murray, Newton Underwood, and Arthur Waltner.

Organization of Collection


The collection is divided into six series. The Correspondence series primarily relates to the design and construction of the first and second nuclear reactors at North Carolina State College. The Nuclear Reactor Planning, Research, and Operational Materials series contains notes, calculations, reports, and procedures regarding the design and implementation of the nuclear reactors. The Drawings and Schematics series consists of several architectural and construction drawings of selected components of the two nuclear reactors. The North Carolina State College (NCSC) Reports series contains reports written by senior members of the nuclear reactor team regarding its operation. The Safety and Health Committee series documents the work of the committee concerned with safety and health issues regarding the reactor and its use. The University Related Material series consists of material documenting Dr. Menius' work as a professor and administrator within the Department of Physics.

Online Catalog Headings

  • Beck, Clifford K.
  • Lampe, John Harold, 1896 - .
  • Murray, Raymond LeRoy, 1920 - .
  • Pike, F. Phillips.
  • Underwood, Newton.
  • Waltner, Arthur.
  • Nuclear engineering.
  • Nuclear engineering -- Research.
  • Nuclear physics -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- North Carolina.
  • Nuclear reactors -- North Carolina.
  • Nuclear reactors -- North Carolina -- Design and construction.
  • Nuclear reactors -- North Carolina -- Designs and plans.
  • Nuclear reactors -- North Carolina -- Safety measures.
  • Physics -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- North Carolina.

Detailed Description of Collection


  • MC 141 Series 1:Correspondence


    This series includes letters and memoranda by members of the Department of Physics and Nuclear Reactor staff relating to the design and construction of both the original nuclear research reactor and its replacement. It also includes letters on the use of the first reactor for research, and shipment of reactor fuel and components to Oak Ridge, Tennessee after a leak was discovered.

    • 1950 - 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder1]
    • 1952 - 1953 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder2]
    • October 1954 - November 1954 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder3]
    • January 1955 - July 1955 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder4]
    • August 1955 - December 1955 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder5]
    • January 1956 - March 1956 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder6]
    • 1957 - 1960 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder7]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • MC 141 Series 2:Nuclear Reactor Planning, Research, and Operational Materials, 1946 - 1956 and undated


    The largest series in the collection, it consists of notes, calculations, reports, and procedures relating to the planning, research, and operation of the first and second nuclear reactors on the North Carolina State College campus. Included are the original proposal for a nuclear reactor at North Carolina State, reports on the program administration and design of the reactor, and a report of a visit to the nuclear reactor at Los Alamos, N.M. Research materials contain calculations and requirements relating to all elements in the design and use of a nuclear reactor, including shielding, materials composition, critical size and mass, bubble effect and gas activity in the reactor. Menius primarily worked on the theoretical calculations for the reactor. Also included are calculations, notes, and reports on the potential for harmful radioactive dosage exposure and safe dismantling and transportation of the first reactor. Operational materials consist of procedure regulations and reports, staff assignments, and reactor staff bulletins.

    The series is arranged chronologically and includes many documents with no date.

    The original collection contained several spiral notebooks. These have been dismantled for preservation purposes and the notes are now housed in folders.

    • Pile Kinetics Paper, by L.W. Nordheim, Clinton Laboratories, April 1946 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder8]
    • Proposal of a Nuclear Reactor at North Carolina State College, March 1950 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder9]
    • Informal Conference on Nuclear Engineering Education and on the Proposed Nuclear Reactor at North Carolina State College, April 1950 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder10]
    • Program Administration and Installation Design of the Nuclear Reactor Project at North Carolina State College, July 1950 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder11]
    • Prior Development and Present Status of the Nuclear Reactor Project at North Carolina State College, November 1950 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder12]
    • U.S. Atomic Energy Commission , Security Questionnaire, 1950 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder13]
    • Spiral Notebook Notes, 1950 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder14]
    • Spiral Notebook Notes: Fission Products, Gaseous Products, 1950 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder15]
    • Beta Particle Transmission for Aluminum Windows, April 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder16]
    • Control and Safety Rods, April 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder17]
    • Friction Loss in Stack, April 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder18]
    • Rate of Power Rise with Control Rod Removal, April 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder19]
    • Water Window Thickness, April 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder20]
    • Concrete, June 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder21]
    • Report of Los Alamos Visit, June 22, 1951, June 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder22]
    • Comparison of Bartyes from Different Sources, July 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder23]
    • Design of the Nuclear Reactor at North Carolina State College, July 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder24]
    • Exposure Ports, July 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder25]
    • Disturbance of Neutron Flux in Reactor by a Control Rod, August 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder26]
    • Test of Heat Exchanger for H"2"-O"2" Disposal Unit, August 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder27]
    • Shim Widths, September 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder28]
    • Spiral Notebook Notes, October 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder29]
    • Stack Meterology, October 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder30]
    • Boron Curtain, 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder31]
    • Enriched Homogeneous Nuclear Reactor, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission,1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder32]
    • Gas System, 1951 [MC 141 Box 1, Folder33]
    • Graphite, Lead, and Stainless Steel Requirements, 1951 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder1]
    • Rod Removal Rate and General Information Concerning Control Rods at Los Alamos, 1951 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder2]
    • Activity of Reactor Cooling Water, January 1952 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder3]
    • Envelope Materials, May 1952 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder4]
    • Analyses of Uranyl Sulfate and Nitrate (Solid Salts), November 1952 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder5]
    • Reactor Instrumentation, 1952 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder6]
    • Antimony-Beryllium Neutron Sources, April 1953 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder7]
    • Reactor Operating Procedures, September 1953 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder8]
    • Miscellaneous Memoranda to Reactor Staff, 1953 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder9]
    • Reactor Staff Assignments, February 1954 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder10]
    • Reactor Staff Bulletin, 1-2, 1954 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder11]
    • Fission Products Xe"133" and I"131", May 1955 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder12]
    • Study of Incident Involving Fuel Leak in North Carolina State College Reactor, June 1955 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder13]
    • Optimization of a Water-Boiler Type Reactor Phase II 20% U"235" Enrichment, October 1955 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder14]
    • Specifications on Valve Assemblies for the North Carolina State College Reactor Assembly, December 1955 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder15]
    • Application for Reactor Irradiation of Samples, 1955 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder16]
    • Babcock and Wilcox Reactor Calculations, 1955 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder17]
    • Reactor Staff Bulletin, 1 and 4, 1955 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder18]
    • Revised Shielding of the Reactor, February 1956 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder19]
    • Activity in Stack Gas, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder20]
    • Activity of Gaseous Products, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder21]
    • Bubble Effect, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder22]
    • Building Evacuation Procedure, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder23]
    • Control Mechanisms and Neutron Sources, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder24]
    • Coolant Pipes, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder25]
    • Core S.S., undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder26]
    • Critical Size and Mass, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder27]
    • Effect of P"b" and Bismuth in Thermal Column, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder28]
    • Effect of Proposed A1 Liners in Vicinity of Reactor, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder29]
    • Effectiveness of Series Holding System for Radioactive Gases, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder30]
    • Equilibrium of Radioactive Product of Intermittent Reactor Operation, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder31]
    • Exposure of Coolant (H"2"O) to Reactor Radiation, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder32]
    • Final Report on Concrete Tests, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder33]
    • Heat from Fission Product Radioactivity in Reactor, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder34]
    • I.D. Tubing Pressure Drop Calculations, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder35]
    • Maximum Plutonium (P"u") Production, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder36]
    • Preparation and Loading of Fuel Storage Tank into Special Shield for Shipment to Oak Ridge, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder37]
    • Preparation of Uranium Foils, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder38]
    • Pressure Necessary to Circulate Coolant, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder39]
    • Pseduo-Adiabetic Chart, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder40]
    • Radioactive "Cloud" and Dosage Calculations, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder41]
    • Reactor Calculations, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder42]
    • Reactor Instrument Check Out Procedure, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder43]
    • Reactor Period vs. Reactivity, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder44]
    • Reflector Thickness, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder45]
    • Shielding, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder46]
    • Slow Neutron Distribution Within Reflector, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder47]
    • Temperature Coefficient, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder48]
    • U-235 Mass-Volume Relations for Uranium Salt Solutions, undated [MC 141 Box 2, Folder49]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • MC 141 Series 3:Drawings and Schematics


    This series consists of architectural and construction drawings and schematics of several components of the nuclear reactors. Such components include the catalyst chamber, gas cooler, packed scrubbing tube, and primary condenser. Large scale plans include the H"2"-O"2"disposal system, water boiler, reinforcing details for the nuclear reactor building, and the wiring diagram for reactor cubicle.

    • Catalyst Chamber, October 1951 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder50]
    • Condensate Trap, October 1951 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder51]
    • Gas Cooler, October 1951 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder52]
    • Packed Scrubbing Tube, October 1951 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder53]
    • Primary Condenser, October 1951 [MC 141 Box 2, Folder54]
    • Water Boiler, February 1951 [Oversized Material, Boxoversize, Folder1]
    • Proposed Plan, Hydrogen-Oxygen Disposal (2 sheets), June 1951 [Boxoversize, Folder2]
    • H"2"-O"2" Disposal System, October 1951 [Boxoversize, Folder3]
    • 2MXB and 1/2 H.P. Varidrive Syncrogear Motor, October 1951 [Boxoversize, Folder4]
    • Miscellaneous Steel, Nuclear Reactor Building, October 1951 [Boxoversize, Folder5]
    • Reinforcing, Nuclear Reactor Building, October 1951 [Boxoversize, Folder6]
    • Reinforcing Details, Nuclear Reactor Building, October 1951 [Boxoversize, Folder7]
    • Wiring Diagram for Recorder Cubicle for Nuclear Reactor, January 1952 [Boxoversize, Folder8]
    • Gas Cooler, Babcock and Wilcox, August 1955 [Boxoversize, Folder9]
    • Packed Scrubbing Tube, Babcock and Wilcox, August 1955 [Boxoversize, Folder10]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • MC 141 Series 4:North Carolina State College (NCSC) Reports


    Includes formal reports by members of the reactor team regarding the operation and procedures of the first reactor and design of the Babcock and Wilcox reactor. Includes first and second annual reports to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, and reports concerning the reactor leak in May 1955 and the plans for its repair and removal.

    The series is arranged chronologically.


    • NCSC-59, Memorandum on Operating Plans for the Raleigh Research Reactor (Beck), February 1953       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder1]

    • NCSC-62, An Incident of Polonium Contamination in the Physics Department, Discovered April 10, 1953 (Beck), May 1953       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder2]

    • NCSC-64, Procedure for Critical Experiment (Murray and Reactor Staff), July 1953       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder3]

    • NCSC-67, Summary of Early Experiments on Characteristics and Behavior of the Raleigh Research Reactor (Reactor Staff), December 1953       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder4]

    • NCSC-68, Annual Report to AEC on Raleigh Research Reactor Project (Beck), April 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder5]

    • NCSC-69, Calculation of Critical Mass of Babcock and Wilcox Reactor (Murray, Menius and Beck), April 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder6]

    • NCSC-70, Flux Distribution in the Babcock and Wilcox Reactor (Murray and Menius), April 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder7]

    • NCSC-73, Revision of Reactor Components; Policies and Procedures of Operation (Beck), May 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder8]

    • NCSC-74, Critical Loading and Flux Distribution in in Babcock and Wilcox Research Reactor (Murray, Menius and Beck), June 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder9]

    • NCSC-75, Information Relative to Instruction and Research in Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State College (Beck), July 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder10]

    • NCSC-76, Optimization of Flux in Homogeneous Water- Moderated, Graphite-Reflected Reactor (Murray and Menius), July 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder11]

    • NCSC-79, Report on ASEE Summer Institutes on Inclusion of Modern and Solid State Physics in the Curricula of all Engineers (Beck), September 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder12]

    • NCSC-80, Comments on Nuclear Engineering in the Open Conference (Beck), September 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder13]

    • NCSC-84, Emergency Procedures in Case of Catastrophe Involving the Raleigh Research Reactor (Beck), September 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder14]

    • NCSC-86, University Research Reactors: Their Purpose and Potentiality (Beck), October 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder15]

    • NCSC-87, Control Rod Reactivity Values for Babcock and Wilcox Reactor (Murray and Menius), October 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder16]

    • NCSC-88, Temporary Loss of Reactivity Due to Precipitation of Fuel in the Raleigh Research Reactor (Beck), November 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder17]

    • NCSC-90, Additional Flux Measurements on the Raleigh Reactor (Waltner and Dayton), November 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder18]

    • NCSC-91, Effect of Shims on Babcock and Wilcox Research Reactor (Murray and Menius), November 1954       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder19]

    • NCSC-103, Second Annual Report to Atomic Energy Commission on the Raleigh Research Reactor Project (Beck), May 1955       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder20]

    • NCSC-104, Evidences of a leak in the Gas System of the Raleigh Research Reactor; Plans for Repair (Beck), June 1955       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder21]

    • NCSC-108, Further Data on Reactor Operations up to Removal of Fuel from the Fuel Cylinder (Reactor Staff), August 1955       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder22]

    • NCSC-113, Memo on Proposed Gamma Irradiation Facility (Beck), September 1955       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder23]

    • NCSC-118, Conference with Babcock and Wilcox on Reactor Design (Beck), November 1955       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder24]

    • NCSC-129, Current Status of Plans for Revised Physical Facilities of the Raleigh Research Reactor (Beck), February 1956       		[MC 141 Box 3, Folder25]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • MC 141 Series 5:Safety and Health Committee, 1953 - 1958


    This series consists of correspondence, weekly reports, meeting minutes, and memoranda relating to the work of the committee regarding safety and health issues surrounding the reactor project. Also included is correspondence relating to a group of consultants sent to advise the Safety and Health Committee on their responsibility for encouraging research on nuclear radiation and all matters that might involve radiological safety and public health.

    • Correspondence
      • 1953 - 1954 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder26]
      • January 1955 - April 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder27]
      • May 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder28]
      • June 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder29]
      • July 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder30]
      • August 1955 - September 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder31]
      • October 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder32]
      • November 1955 - December 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder33]
      • 1956 - 1958 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder34]
    • Minutes
      • December 1954 - February 1956 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder35]
    • Weekly Reports of the Radiological Safety Officer
      • 1955 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder36]
      • 1956 [MC 141 Box 3, Folder37]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • MC 141 Series 6:University Related Material, 1949 - 1965


    Includes correspondence and reports relating to Menius' work as a professor and administrator within the Department of Physics at North Carolina State University. Contains curriculum requirements for students in nuclear engineering, letters of recommendation by Menius for former students, vitae and correspondence relating to his work on a search committee for a new Head of the Department of Chemistry, and material relating to two nuclear power short courses for industry.

    • Letters of Recommendation, 1949 - 1958 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder1]
    • School of Engineering, Graduate Requirements, 1949 - 1954 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder2]
    • Nuclear Engineering, Curriculum in, 1950 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder3]
    • Correspondence, Graduate School, 1953 - 1958 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder4]
    • Graduate Staff Meetings, Minutes, 1954 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder5]
    • Nuclear Engineering: An Introduction to the Applications of Nuclear Energy (Raymond L. Murray), 1954 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder6]
    • Nuclear Power Short Course, 1955 - 1956 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder7]
    • Search Committee, Department of Chemistry Head, 1959 - 1960 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder8]
    • Faculty Television Lecture, "Science: Its Past, Your Future," 1965 [MC 141 Box 4, Folder9]
    • Training Opportunities in a Nuclear Research Center (Raymond L. Murray), undated [MC 141 Box 4, Folder10]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]