This is a progress report on the carbonate process, compiled by the chemical development department of the Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Corporation's Y-12 plant, covering the month of September, 1949. In the previous month, the problem of immediate interest to the Monticello operation were listed. Projects that were left incomplete during that time were continued during this month, as well as a brief investigation of the process in which raw ore is leached with sodium carbonate, the sands and slime separated, the sands leached with acid, and the slimes roasted in a pellitized form.

From abstract: This report summarizes data of the uraniferous phosphate resources of the United States in detail and of the rest of the Free World more generally (Volume 1). It also evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of production of uranium as a by-product, co-product, or single product from the uraniferous phosphate resources (Volume 2).

At the request of the Atomic Energy Commission, a 456 pound sample of Lake Athabaska ore was shipped to this laboratory by the Radioactivity Division of the Canadian Bureau of Mines. The sample was received on March 10, 1952 and given our number 43-1. Several series of flotation tests were performed on the sample.

Leaching tests indicated high recoveries could be obtained by use of large quantities of sulfuric acid and boiling for relatively long periods. Filtration rates were satisfactory but large settling areas would be required to wash and thicken before filtering.

The test work showed that three variables were important in obtaining good vanadium extractions. These variables were 1) the concentration of salt, 2) the roasting time, and 3) the temperature. In general, eight percent salt, 850'C, and 45 minutes roasting time are the optimum conditions for vanadium extraction by salt roasting methods.

A series of pilot plant runs were made on the Jackpile ore, Jackpile mixed blend, Jackpile-Poison Valley blend, and Jackpile-Arrowhead blend.

This report deals with laboratory and field work on problems connected with uranium ore processing and concentration. Analytical developments and production results are reported.

Although the results reported herein are rather encouraging and show the possibilities of utilizing flotation to increase recoveries and in some instances grades, they should not not be considered an optimum. As stated previously, time did not permit a detailed investigation of all reagents an conditions to obtain maximum grades and recoveries, but sufficient data, with enough typical samples, have been obtained to indicate a definite trend and encouragement for further studies. A comparison of the flotation results obtained with each of the samples is presented in Table 2.

Abstract: A description is given of the preparation and properties of a granular form of potassium hexacyanocobalt (II) ferrate (II) that is a highly selective absorbent for cesium ion. The material is suitable for use in a large-scale ion exchange column, and offers the possibility of isolating and concentrating Cs137 from fission product waste solutions that arise from the processing of nuclear fuels.

Uranium extraction of 95% has been obtained from samples of Temple Mountain ore by a cyclic test procedure in which the new feed was not roasted. This procedure involved acid leaching the ore, flotation and roasting of the carbonaceous material, and acid leaching the roaster calcine.

This progress report describes the final tests on ore samples from the Belgian Congo. Leaching, precipitation and ion exchange testing was continued on ore samples and leach liquors from Radium Hill (South Australia), Temple Mountain, Lukachukai, and Rand. Test work on uranium recovery from residues remaining after HF production from Utah Fluorite ore samples was completed. Additional test results are also presented.

A resin-in-pulp process was developed using a series of fixed-screen or Winchester cells. Various laboratory and pilot plant models were constructed and tested under simulated plant conditions. The fixed-screen device proved very effective in the recovery of uranium and/or vanadium by a continuous, resin-in-pulp process.

Abstract" This is a review, with annotated bibliography, of the mode of occurrence of the element indium. It is not a list of specific ore deposits, but a summary of the types of minerals and rocks in which indium has been reported to occur. In addition, the unpublished spectrographic studies of the Geological Survey on mill and smelter products are summarized, best sources of indium are indicated, and suggestions are made for further investigations. Indium has been found to occur most abundantly in sphalerites. The amount ranges from traces to maximum of 1.0 percent. Dark sphalerites are reported richer in indium than light-colored sphalerites. Up to 0.1 percent indium has been reported in chalcopyrite and bornite, but these minerals generally contain very little indium. There is an unverified report of a pegmatite in Utah containing 1.0 to 2.8 percent indium. Some residues in zinc smelting contain more than 1.0 percent indium and are the present source on indium. No better source can be suggested but steps should be taken to ascertain that this source is being fully exploited. Tin sulfide smelter products should be checked. An effort should be made to check the Utah pegmatite occurrence.

Supplement to Progress Report on Flotation of Uranium Bearing Materials From Lake Athabaska Ore, Sample 43-1 that includes information on uranium lost in solution during flotation in an acid circuit.

The following memorandum discusses experiments and methods to recover uranium from Colorado-Utah sandstone and leaving the vanadium in the tails, improving filterability.

This project report covers leaching and precipitation work on uranium ore samples from the Belgian Congo, South Australia (Radium Hill), Temple Mountain (Utah) and Grants, New Mexico. Ion exchange studies on the effect of cobalt, thiocyanate, and polythionates in Rand liquors and resin life testing studies are noted. Ion exchange work with Climax Uranium leach liquors using 2 inch diameter columns is reported. Lyometallurgical studies with the effect of organo-phosphates on the extraction of uranium from Chattanooga shales.

A series of leaching, thickening, and filtration tests was undertaken to determine minimum conditions for high uranium extractions and to obtain thickening and filtration data.

From abstract: The area comprising the first flood plain downstream from the headwaters of Knob Creek was one of three monazite placer deposits near Shelby, N. C., recommended by the Geological Survey for investigation by the Bureau of Mines as a joint effort by the above two agencies. Past production of monazite from the headwaters of this stream and its drainage of an area of known source rocks were factors influencing this selection. Drilling of the deposit was started on November 26, 1951, and completed December 29, 1951. Twenty-two churn-drill holes were completed to bed-rock on 112 acres of this flood plain for a total depth of 433 feet of vertical drilling.

This report for May, 1947 describes progress regarding analytical work, chemical work, beta-counting methods of analysis, ore-dressing and pyrometallurgical studies, and pyrometallurgical work.

Report containing a preliminary chemical flowsheet "for the preparation of feed and two solvent extraction cycles for the processing of silicon-containing aluminum-uranium alloy, 20% enriched, fuel elements" (p. 2).

Summary: Process design and cost estimates for the digestion, leaching and filtration steps of plants which produce 450, 225, and 100 tons of uranium per year are presented in this report.

From introduction: The Monument No. 2 mine is in the Navajo Indian Reservation, Apache County, Arizona, about 20 miles southwest from the San Juan River at Mexican Hat, Utah, and 26 miles southwest from Mexican Water, Arizona. The property has been operated, since its discovery, by Vanadium Corporation of America, which holds a 10-year mining lease, granted through the Interior Department, to 43 acres of ground. History of the discovery of the deposit is vague, but reportedly it was first seen around 1942 by a Navajo who mentioned the occurrence to Harry Goulding, Indian trader, who in turn advised D. W. Viles of Vanadium Corporation of America. Minor portions of the deposit are held by Cato Sells and Harvey Black, Navajos, under mining permits issued by the Navajo Tribal Council. The Sells acreage is being operated by Climax Uranium Corporation.

The Babcock and Wilcox Company (B&W) proposes to construct and operate a Nuclear Test Reactor on the grounds of the Company's integrated nuclear facilities site, Mt. Athos, near Lynchburg, Virginia. This preliminary Summary Hazards Report present to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Division of Licensing and Regulations, a description of the facility, the characteristics of the proposed site, and an evaluation of potential hazards to the area surrounding the site of operation.

Uranium precipitates obtained from Congo leach liquors by an ion exchange process contained more than 0.1 percent chloride. Attempts were made to reduce the chloride content of typical precipitates by calcination of dried precipitate, releaching of dried precipitate with water, and washing of wet precipitate with water. Washing of wet precipitate with an aqueous solution of 0.25 percent Na2SO4, to prevent peptization, provided a simple solution to the problem.