Report discussing a general introduction to heavy element chemistry.

Abstract: Processes are described for preparing small samples of 42 wt. % U-Al alloy (uranium enriched with U235) for pile irradiation studies. In the course of this work it was found that the size of the massive Al-U grains remains substantially unaltered during hot rolling.

Report summarizing work done by the Ames Laboratory from April, 1951 through June, 1951 in the fields of metallurgy, chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Report discussing the progress of the Ames Laboratory in metallurgy for the period from April, 1949 through September, 1949.

Report discussing "methods for the manufacture of refractory crucibles for use in high temperature work in general." Additionally, "preliminary experiments with the induction furnace to test the action of tantalum on tantalum carbide at 2900°C are described."

The following preliminary report describes obliquity factors for shields of various shapes.

Abstract: "It has been found that the two principal uranium isotopes exhibit slightly different arc spectra. Certain U-235 lines have been found to be displaced from corresponding U-238 lines by about one reciprocal centimeter. The intensity ratio, IU235/IU238, has been shown to be a steadily increasing function of the U-235 concentration. These data indicate the possibility of developing a method for the determination of isotopic concentration by means of emission spectra."

Report discussing research on the disposal of radioactive waste, specifically second-cycle waste and first-cycle neutralized waste. "In the absence of established environmental tolerances, the investigation reported herein have been directed for the most part in developing general methods of removing radioactivity from certain waste solutions to as low a value as practical."

A report about metallurgy, chemistry, and physics of metals and alloys. Particular metals include zirconium, thorium, and vanadium metal as well as other earth metals.

A report of research work intended for the development of a process for the separation and subsequent purification of radium from the K-65 (pitchblende) residue.

From abstract: "Two samples, each containing an estimated 10 curies (2 mg) of polonium-210, were purified by vacuum distillation and evaporated onto oblique sections of X-ray targets made of copper. Four lines of the K series and ten lines of the L series of the X-ray spectrum of polonium were recorded with a one-meter transmission crystal spectrograph and a 25-centimeter Bragg spectrograph, respectively. Measured wavelengths agree approximately with values predicted by extrapolation of Moseley's law and with those claimed by Hulubei. Decay of polonium-210 (half life = 138 days) and growth of lead-206 (stable) were observed over a period of 180 days."

Technical report outlining the theoretical study of the sub-critical BNL (Brookhaven National Laboratory) reactor, and a comparison of reactor performance with the purpose of presenting the experimental results of the experimental methods. Presents experimental results and and a detailed discussion of the experimental methods along with theoretical analysis and evaluation of the results.

Technical report about the liquidus curve for the nuclear reactors bismuth-uranium system and the need for a suitable container for this fuel.

Technical report outlining a preliminary design for carrying out the process of producing U233 from Th232.

Technical report describing the results of the chemical reaction between potassium amide and liquid ammonia and the exchange of hydrogen between hydrogen gas and liquid ammonia. This report finds that the reactions may be sufficiently rapid to be useful for isotope separations on a larger scale.

From abstract: "The reaction between hydrogen and oxygen with the aid of various catalysts (especially platinum on aluminua) has been studied, and the operating variables such as flow rates, space velocity, temperature, and gas composition have been examined rather extensively. It has been found that hydrogen and oxygen in stoichiometric proportions and mixed with either steam or helium may be made to react to the extent of 99.5% or greater at space velocities up to 30,000 hr-1, or even higher, at temperatures from 100[degrees] to 900[degrees]C, and with mixtures ranging from less than 1% hydrogen to mixtures containing 12% hydrogen and 6% oxygen. Richer mixtures, including undiluted electrolytic gas (H2 + 1/2 O2) have been used with catalysts less active than platinum (e.g. copper, silver, nickel and V2O5) but here the gas mixture is explosive and care must be taken to prevent explosions. The thermal reaction between hydrogen and oxygen diluted with steam has also been investigated at temperatures between 500[degrees] and 800[degrees]C."

From abstract: "Operation of the 86-inch cyclotron has been continuous except for a three-day interruption caused by a water leak inside the vacuum chamber; monthly output has averaged over 210,000 [mu]a-hr; the average continuous (168-hour week) beam power has been approximately 5.5 kw; and the energy of the beam has been determined to be ~19.4 Mev. No changes due to radiation damage have been detected in Inconel tubes containing UF4-NaF-KF eutectic which were irradited in the 96-inch cyclotron with power inputs up to ~415 watts/cc. The major components of the 63-inch cyclotron have been fabricated and are being tested as the machine is being assembled. On the 22-inch cyclotron a radius-wise examination of the fine structure of the proton beam reveals definite proton orbits. Several grams of very pure uranium 235 have been prepared; the chemical recovery for first-stage separation of U 236 has been established as 97%; and facilities for laboratory-scale separation of plutonium isotopes are being prepared."

From introduction: "This is the eighteenth in a series of quarterly reports which cover the progress and results from the conceptual designs, economic evaluations and research and development work performed by the General Electric Company as part of Contract AT(01-3)-189, Project Agreement No. 13."

A research program is being conducted to obtain experimental data in the irradiation of plutonium-enriched fuel to confirm a theoretical model for predicting isotopic composition and reactivity changes in plutonium-enriched, light-water-moderated reactors. Quarterly progress: The densitometry procedure (for measurement of alpha autoradiographs of fuel pellets) has been modified to eliminate the need for a second emulsion. The existence of a problem of latent image fading and non-reciprocity of the high-resolution emulsion has been recognized. A tentative procedure has been worked out to correct these emulsion difficulties. the number of polished pellets has been increased to thirteen. The number of hot spots per pellet has not changed appreciably. The largest spot seen is irregular with an estimated volume equivalent to that of a sphere of 35 mil diameter with a PuO2 concentration in the neighborhood of 60%. The VBWR irradiation run now under way is not scheduled to end until October. To the end of the last run the cumulative exposure reached 3703 MWD/T, as logged by VBWR operating personnel. Applying the same scale factor between logged exposure and Ce-Cs analysis of the first fuel sample gives a corrected exposure of 4416 MWD/T. Further debugging of EPITHERMOS, the epithermal extension of …

Introduction: The Transition Boiling Heat Transfer Program is sponsored jointly by the USAEC and Euroatom and is being conducted by the General Electric Company. The work commenced on this program February 11, 1963. The objective of this program is to perform basic investigation and measurement of the transition boiling regime in high pressure bulk boiling water flows, with particular emphasis i the high range of steam qualities.

Technical report discussing six problems in paramagnetic substances at low temperatures: 1) The Kramers degeneracy; 2) The quenching of orbital motion; 3) Curie constants of CuSO4∙5H2O; 4) Super exchange in CuSO4∙5H2O; 5) The specific heat of CuSO4∙5H2O; and 6) Nuclear interactions of paramagnetic ions. The discussion of these problems brings to light the general principles involved and the general principles can then help understanding of many low temperature phenomena in the paramagnetic salts.

Introduction: This is a final report on the evaluation of Kanigen electroless nickel plating for surfaces in contact with water and steam i a sodium heated AISI Type 316 stainless steel steam generator. The purpose of the coasting was to afford protection from stress corrosion cracking originating on the water-steam side of the unit. It has been concluded that the kanigen coating does not afford adequate protection for the services condition intended. This work was performed as part of the research and development program for the United States Atomic Energy Commission sodium Components Design Project.

Abstract: In the March-April 1962 shutdown of SM-1 Core II, the SM-28 element will be re-inserted in SM-1 Core II and an SM-1 Core I element will be removed. An SM-1 Core II europium absorber will be replaced by a Ag-Cd-In absorber, and surveillance specimens will be inserted above the core support structure. Analysis of these changes concludes that re-insertion of the SM-2B stationary element and insertion of surveillance specimens do not affect hazards potential previously defined for SM-1. Replacement of the europium absorber by the Ag-Cd-In absorber will have negligible effect on reactivity control worth of the rod. The absorber meat section is encapsulated to prevent exposure of silver alloy to the primary coolant; postulated release of silver due to a cladding defect, after 2 years irradiation in SM-1, would not cause a hazard such as to restrict access to the vapor container. Possibility of steam formation in the air gap between the absorber core and cladding, causing a cladding failure, is remote. Deformation of the absorber section sufficient to cause the rod to stick, would not impair the ability of the other rods to shut down the reactor safely.

A research program is being conducted to obtain experimental data in the irradiation of plutonium-enriched fuel to confirm a theoretical model for predicting isotopic composition and reactivity changes in plutonium-enriched, light-water-moderated reactors. Quarterly progress: Project fuel fins irradiated to 1860, 3000, and 5300 MWD/T have been successfully sampled in the Radioactive Materials Laboratory. The samples have been dissolved and aliquots delivered to Chemistry for Mass Spectrometry and burnup determination. The first Stanford Pool Irradiation indicated that there was some inconsistency in the thermal flux and the near thermal epithermal flux. The experiment was repeated, increasing the number of foil wheel positions from two to three. The data from the second measurement are being reduced. The EPITHERMOS code modification has been completed. Comparisons between the results computed by the code and experimental data show much improved agreement. The metallographic photomicrographs of a polished half-pellet from rod F, irradiated to 5000 MWD/T, show structure very similar to that shown by the pellet from rod S, irradiated to 1860 MWD/T.