The acceleration of charged particles in the Berkeley 60-inch and 184-inch cyclotrons has made it possible to study a large variety of nuclear reactions. The characterization of the products from these reactions is done by chemical separations of elemental fractions and subsequent identification of the nuclides formed.

The state of polonium in aqueous solutions was investigated by means of ion exchange equilibrium studies. The distribution of the polonium between the solid and liquid phases was determined for solutions of various compositions using both a cation and an anion exchanges. These studies show that in the absence of a complexing agent polonium is hydrolyzed to such a degree that it forms monovalent cations and anions whose charge was not investigated in this study.

Report issued by the University of California Radiation Laboratory discussing an experiment in which a system was designed and built to load titanium with deuterium gas of a high purity. It discusses the results and the parameters affecting the amounts and purity of the absorbed gas.

During the canning of slugs for Production Test 313-105-3-M, a high number of rejects were caused by gas voids in the A1-S1 bonding layer. Since the heat treatment of the slugs in a molten salt bath resulted in a chemically altered surface, an investigation was made to determine the volume of gas evolved from salt-bath heat-treated slugs as compared to other types of slugs. This test was designed as a preliminary test to determine if there were a significant differences.

Two xenon extraction runs were made this month. It appears that a small design change in Trap #2 will be necessary so that a dry ice-trichloroethylene slurry can be used for coolant rather than liquid freon. For each of the runs this month the enriched generator was exposed for four hours in the est pile operating at 100 watts. A period of eight hours for cooling and xenon builidup was allowed before the collection and separation runs were started.

Hanford uranium contains minute angular inclusions which affect the microstructure, reactivity, and other important factors controlling the serviceability of the metal. Small quantities of the inclusions have been isolated by chemical means, and the x-ray diffraction patterns and chemical analyses of the isolated materials have been determined. As a first step in the identification of the inclusions present in rolled uranium, a search was made for a chemical method of separating the inclusions from the matrix metal.

Interest has been expressed in continuously monitoring the beta activity of the uranyl nitrate solution pumped to the RCU receiver tank, to facilitate operation at higher flow rates and with younger feeds. A beta scintillation detector has been developed which should make this feasible, and it is proposed that it be tested on stream for this use.

The remodeling, fabrication, and instrumentation of a high vacuum system are described. The faults encountered with the old system and their solution are outlined. Tests were made on diffusion pump oils and on the reduction of pump oil back diffusion. The measurement of high vacuum pressures by a cold cathode ionization gage at various points on a vacuum system are discussed.

The decontamination of portable instruments by the Calibration Unit has presented a problem for some time. Most of the contamination is in the 100 to 500 c/m or 500 to 2000 d/m range. Higher levels of contamination can usually be reduced to these levels, but further cleaning proves quite difficult

Technical report was prepared by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HASL) with the objective of presenting a current picture of the Strontium Program. Abstract: Strontium 90 levels in fallout, milk, canned fish and tap water are summarized for data available up to May 1, 1958. Original data submitted during the month of April are included as an appendix. Data are presented to show the amount of Strontium 90 in fallout at sampling stations within and outside the United States.

A monthly report summarizing work perform by Babcock & Wilcox personnel for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. This month's report includes the Research and Development program was completed, a study of shielding requirements indicated the necessity for test data, more information on studies regarding reactor startup, and other developments related to develop the LMFRE.

The purpose of this report is to describe the nuclear power plant for the N.S. Savannah and the program in progress for the analysis of potential hazards associated with the operation of a nuclear merchant vessel. Particular emphasis is given to the safety features embodied both in the design and operation of the plant.

This report provides an overview of the creation of the Liquid Metal Fuel Reactor Experiment program. It furthers the work by constructing a single loop to test all the components required for the 16 loop reactor. This utility loop was also constructed to provide a facility for testing various components such as valves and flow meters.

Summary: "A corrosion test of aluminum components in a 4-ft. section of a fuel tube has been tested under conditions simulating plant geometry and, as nearly as possible, the operating conditions of water purity, temperature, and flow rate. Results: 1. None of the aluminum components, 63S fuel tube, 2S solid fillers and 43S spacers showed any corrosion effects beyond normal oxide film formation. This was carried out in flowing water, maintained at a specific resistivity greater than 1 x 10(6) ohm-cm, for four weeks. 2. No corrosion pitting was observed on any of the aluminum surfaces; all became covered with a uniform film of Al2O3.H2O. On the boat tails, where type 304 stainless steel fins were in galvanic contact with 2S aluminum, no pitting or preferential attack occurred."

From abstract: "The circumstances are described pertaining to an explosion in a TNX evaporator during the concentration of a uranyl nitrate-nitric acid solution. TBP and Amsco diluent were probably present in the evaporator charge. A laboratory program involving small-scale atmospheric and closed-vessel distillations of various mixtures of UNH, HNO3, Amsco, TBP, and water indicate that an exothermic reaction between TBP and UNH, or between TBP and HNO3, or both, was responsible for the explosion. The danger areas of temperature, TBP concentration, pressure, and heating rate are defined and recommendations are made for safe evaporator operation.

From abstract: "Ninety-two thorium slugs were irradiated in the Hanford piles to study the dimensional stability of the metal. The burnups that were incurred covered the range from 300 to 2800 ppm of the Th232. Slugs with burnups as high as 800 ppm were examined for visual and dimensional changes. The dimensional stability of these slugs was excellent, and no significant corrosion occurred on the aluminum cans. A cursory examination of slugs with burnups of greater than 800 ppm showed no gross dimensional instability."

From abstract: "An electrolytic refining process was developed to produce tritium of high isotopic purity with negligible loss. The operation is semicontinuous, with multiple stages in cascade. All tritium oxide is handled within the confines of a hermetically sealed enclosure. The mechanical operability of the process was demonstrated in a five-stage prototype line designed to process 15 gram-mols of feed per day. An average separation factor per stage of 5.3 was obtained with a feed of tracer-level tritium. The equipment is described in detail."

From abstract: "The combined attack of HNO3 and HNO2 on tributyl phosphate - kerosene solvent used in the Purex process produces degradation products that cause abnormal quantities of zirconium to be extracted along with the plutonium and uranium and thus limits the decontamination."

Introduction: This report is principally concerned with analysis of measurements taken on the APPR-1 core during the course of the extended Zero Power Experiments (ZPE-2). The bulk of these measurements are reported in APAE No. 21. There are some additional measurements reported in APAE Memo 115. In addition to the analysis of the ZPE-2 data some re-evaluation has been made of a few of the results obtained from the first set of Zero Power Experiments (ZPE-1). The ZPE-1 measurements are reported in APAE No. 8. During the course of analysis work it became apparent that a considerable amount of basic experimental data had been taken on the APPR-1 core. It seemed worthwhile to organize this report in such a fashion that other investigators could make maximum use of this data. It provides excellent opportunity for individuals and groups interested in basic reactor reactor analysis problems to check calculational techniques. An attempt has been made to include all of the fundamental information concerning the material content and geometry of the APPR-1. This material is in included in the Appendices. In addition, cross-section files and group constants have been listed rather extensively in order that other investigators could compare results presented in …

Abstract. The design, selection, and calculation of the Army Package Power Reactor shielding are described. The APPR-1, a prototype of a package reactor for remote locations, has a primary shield of iron and water. this shield has been adopted to permit fast erection and to provide low transported weight. economically, including transportation cost, the iron water shield is better than a lead water shield and is competitive with a concrete shield for a remote site. Because of the location at Fort Belvoir,Va., the shielding requirements for the APR-1 are considerably more stringent than those for a reactor at a remote base. Since the secondary shielding which surrounds the entire primary system must provide protection for personnel at any location outside the vapor container, concrete is provided for this need.

Abstract: The reactor analysis of the critical experiment and the APPR-1 resulted in a loading of the APPR-1 of 31.096 gm of B-10 with 22.5 kg U-335. This loading will result in adequate reactivity for a core life of 13 MWYR based on uniform burnup of U-335 and B-10. Calculations indicate that five of the seven control rods provided are more than adequate to shut the reactor down at any time. The temperature coefficient of reactivity should be at least -2 x 10-4 [delta] K/0F.

Abstract: The reactor analysis of the critical experiment and the APPR-1 resulted in a loading of the APPR-1 of 31.096 gm of B-10 with 22.5 kg U-335. This loading will result in adequate reactivity for a core life of 13 MWYR based on uniform burnup of U-335 and B-10. Calculations indicate that five of the seven control rods provided are more than adequate to shut the reactor down at any time. The temperature coefficient of reactivity should be at least -2 x 10-4 [delta] K/0F.

Quarterly technical report including reports on chemistry of source, fissionable, and structural elements, nuclear chemistry, radio-organic chemistry, chemistry of separations processes, chemical physics, radiation chemistry, and instrumentation. [From Abstract]

Report issued by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory discussing aqueous homogeneous reactors used in central-station power. As stated in the introduction, "it contains an evaluation of the potentiality of producing power only, as exhibited by aqueous homogeneous systems" (p. 6). This report includes tables, and illustrations.